Team We Sell Homes

Pre-Foreclosure Sale in California Heights!

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 19:44:00 GMT

Spanish Original

• 1,628 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story - $565,000 - Back On The Market!

California Heights, Long Beach - Lovely spanish home, updated for modern living. This home features an open floor plan, a kitchen with professional wolf range, overlooking the family room. Beautiful hardwood floors, the master suite has 2 closets and a 3/4 bath. Home has updated electrical, plumbing, central heat and air conditioning. Beautiful landscaped entertaining area as well as a large grassy backyard and walking distance to award winning schools.

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2 Story For Sale in Lynwood Gardens

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:50:00 GMT

Large Corner Lot

• 2,614 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $339,000 *Pending

Lynwood Gardens, Lynwood - This large 4BD 2BA home sets on a 7,500 sqft corner lot! Home offers Enter in to an open foyer, large living room with hardwood floors & lots of lighting. Formal dining of the kitchen, large family room with fireplace. Large bedrooms, master bedroom is upstairs, offer walk-in-closet along with 2 other closets area as well & full bathroom. Attached 2 car garage, close to school, 710 & 105 Fwy & shopping.

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California Heights Spanish Original!

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:48:00 GMT

Spanish Original

• 1,628 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story - $565,000 - Short Sale

California Heights, Long Beach - Lovely original Spanish home that has been updated for modern living. This home features an open floorplan, a remodeled kitchen with professional Wolf Range, overlooking the family room. The Master suite has 2 closets and a 3/4 bath. The home was totally renovated with updated electrical, plumbing, central heat and Air conditioning. Beautiful landscaped entertaining area as well as a large grassy backyard. Newer windows, beautiful hardwood floors, and walking distance to award winning schools.

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Some additional relief may be on the way…

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:44:00 GMT

Reid Introduces Amendment To Extend Transaction Closing Date For First Time Homebuyers. Amendment would extend first time homebuyer tax credit transaction closing date from June 30th to September 30th

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today joined with Senators Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Chris Dodd of Connecticut to introduce an amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 that would extend the deadline for closing home purchases in order to qualify for the first time homebuyer tax credit. The current deadline for purchases made using the popular tax credit is June 30, 2010. There is growing concern that because of the time it takes for banks to complete transactions such as short sales, many of these home purchases would not be complete before the deadline through no fault of the homebuyer. The Reid, Isakson and Dodd amendment would extend the deadline to September 30, 2010, to ensure the completion of the sales.

“The first time homebuyer tax credit was very popular and successful in Nevada,” Reid said. “In addition to making it easier for thousands of Nevadans to purchase their first home, it helped reduce the sitting inventory of homes. By extending the transaction deadline, we can ensure that everyone taking advantage of this credit can complete the purchase of their new home.”

Let's hope, the powers that be are listening!

7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Condo

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:46:00 GMT

RISMEDIA, May 21, 2010--You've found your dream condo, and you're ready to relax among the mango trees and swaying date palms. Hold everything. To keep from getting stuck with a lemon, you've got to do some homework. Here are the seven most important questions you need to ask before buying a condo.

1. "What's the Beef?"
Take a look at the minutes of the condo association board meetings to see what the owners have been griping about. If everyone was complaining about the faulty plumbing or the gardener's absence, you know that the complex is having management difficulties. Even if there aren't any complaints, reading the minutes will reveal the sorts of projects that are under way at the complex -- projects the seller may have neglected to mention.

2. "Who's Been Naughty and Who's Been Nice?"
Find out the delinquency rates of present owners. If people aren't paying their association dues on time, that is either a sign of discontent or an indication that the association might be underfunded.

3. "How Much Is In the Repair Fund?"
Ask if the community has done a reserve-fund review in the past five years. Lester Giese, the author of The 99 Best Residential & Recreational Communities in America, recommends the following formula: If the complex is one to 10 years old, the reserve fund should have 10% of the cost of replaceable items (roofs, roads, tennis courts, etc.). Between 10 and 20 years old, the repair fund should be at 25% to 30%. At 20 years, that amount should be 50% or above. Residents who brag that they don't pay much in maintenance may be in a complex that either is not being kept up well or is living beyond its means.

4. "Can You Cover Me?"
If you look at nothing else, get a copy of the certificate of insurance, which is a summary of the association's policy. First see if the replacement costs covered by the policy are an accurate estimate of the cost of rebuilding. Then make sure that the policy has a building-ordinance clause, which means that the insurance will cover the cost of bringing the building up to code if there is any rebuilding to be done. On older buildings, there may have been many code upgrades since the time of construction. Finally, make sure that you understand exactly what the association policy covers and what you are responsible for. The smart condo owner will insure his or her personal belongings, along with any other items within the unit that are not covered by the association's policy. If you have trouble understanding the insurance lingo, take the insurance certificate to an agent whom you trust and who understands the state laws.

5. "Does the Association Present Any Legal Problems?"
Buying a single-family home without a lawyer is no big deal for many people. But with a condo, there's so much more involved. Contact a local real estate lawyer and have him or her go over the bylaws of the association. Do they make sense? Are they consistent with the state laws? Giese, the author, once found that the association bylaws of a large garden-style condo complex had been lifted from the books of a high-rise condo, leaving confused tenants with rules about shared hallway space and the correct use of garbage chutes. Benny Kass, a Washington real estate attorney, recommends that you also have your lawyer screen the association at the local courthouse, to see if any owners have filed suit against it.

6. "Is the Complex Renter-Friendly?"
If the renter population is over 10%, there should be clear rental policies, either listed in the bylaws or tacked on as an amendment. Does the management company find renters for you? If so, do they get enough good renters? Ask other tenants about their experience. In addition, ask to see the association's rental lease, and have a real estate lawyer look it over. Keep one thing in mind, though: An association can change its bylaws to prohibit or restrict renting at any time. The more owners who rent, the less chance that will happen.

7. "Am I My Community's Keeper?"
Watch out for a condo whose owners manage the place themselves. Although many are operated efficiently, self-management can lead to more hassles for owners -- especially those who live thousands of miles away. If the complex is professionally managed, check out the management company as thoroughly as you check out the association. Ask other owners. Ask people in nearby buildings. And be sure to interview the day-to-day manager directly. If you hook up with a bad manager, you can be sure of this: Your dream condo will keep you up at night.

5 Costly Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:55:00 GMT

April 20, 2010 by National Association of Realtors
Filed under: First Time Homebuyers, Home Buying, Real Estate Buying Tips

Buying a first home can be a daunting experience. Here are five common and costly mistakes that novice home buyers make:

1. Ignoring the costs of having a low credit score. Lower-score borrowers pay thousands of dollars in increased interest rates over the life of the loan.
2. Muddying the waters by shopping for other things before closing. Lenders continue to check credit scores right up until the time of closing. Too much shopping could cause the lender to take back the loan.
3. Scrimping on an inspection. Being surprised by the need for expensive repairs can be financially devastating.
4. Buying without contingencies. Buyers should give themselves an out if the inspection turns up problems or the bank raises the interest rates.
5. No money for insurance. Insurance can be surprisingly pricey. Buyers who don’t budget for it can face a nasty surprise.

Source: CNNMoney.com, Les Christie (04/19/2010)

Single Story For Sale in Bixby Terrace

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:29:00 GMT

Short Sale!

• 1,896 sq. ft., 3 bath, 2 bdrm single story - MLS® $519,000 - Bixby Terrace!

Bixby Terrace, Long Beach - Bixby Terrace another great area of Long Beach. On a Corner lot, Home offers inviting living room with fireplace, formal dining as well as eating area in kitchen, family room with skylights, hardwood floors, travertine, tile and granite. This home is a real beauty, turn key ready.

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Price Reduced on 4360 Lime Ave. in Bixby Knolls

Susan Drew & Marie Goodloe Realtors — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:30:00 GMT

Bixby Knolls, Long Beach - Announcing a price reduction on 4360 Lime Ave., a 2,640 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $699,900 - Approved Short Sale!.

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