Tuesday, March 30, 2010


Is it a prefabricated home?  You decide! 

An agent in my office, Dianne Vernon was talking about this home that she has been involved with in Palm Springs, California


The best thing - it was recently featured in my favourite magazine DWELL!


Click HERE to read the article on line -
 
Cheers








- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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Monday, March 29, 2010

Are you a First Time Buyer and what does this mean?

 You are considered a First Time Buyer if you have never owned a home before or you have not owned a home for the last 3 years.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has extended the First Time Buyer Tax Credit for California.

Here are some of the highlights;
  • $10,000 tax credit or 5% of purchase price (whichever is lower which in this area will probably be the $10,000!)
  • New and existing homes are eligible
  • There is $100 million in funds which will be available on a first come first serve basis
So if you are thinking about buying a property in the Bay Area and you are a First Time Buyer then contact me @ 650 917 4229.

I thoroughly enjoy working with buyers and here is the added bonus about this credit - there is no limit on salary or the purchase price - perfect for this area!

For more information please click HERE

Cheers

- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Location, location, location



An extremely, interesting piece from MSNBC about the current property market in the US of A!  A nice mention about San Francisco - and a positive increase for Vermont!
 
Richard Smith talks about the emotions and the fact that property all over the US is different.  Very well put!

And they even mention STELLA - in financing terms admittedly but that will do!

Cheers

- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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Monday, March 15, 2010

Does an Open House sell your home?

I am afraid I have to stick to my guns about this one and say NO!

Having sold property in both Vermont and California, I will say that the attitude towards Open Houses here in CA is slightly different.  The number of Open Houses in the Silicon Valley is insane.  It seems that sellers here still believe that an Open House is an effective part of a marketing plan. Unfortunately the statistics say otherwise....

A National Association of Realtors study found that their success rate is a mere 2%.

The attitude towards Open Houses here seems to be so 'gung ho' that homes often seem to have 2 Open Houses a weekend - both Saturday and Sunday.

I feel for the owners of that home who have to clean up, vacate and find something to do for the whole of their weekend - especially if they have kiddies.

The times that I have heard of an Open House resulting in a contract, was when a home was held 'Open' the first weekend of being on the market.  The home was not available to view until that weekend and therefore brought many people through the door - with and without a Realtor.

If you live in your home and are on the market and you are finding that getting ready for Open Houses every weekend is becoming too much then speak with your Realtor......

I am afraid to say that the facts speak for themselves, an Open House will most likely not sell your home.

If you are considering selling your home and want to chat about a successful marketing plan that doesn't involve you packing up and moving out all weekend then please call me 650 917 4229.

Cheers

- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Bed and Breakfast - So British!

 I recently went to pick up a friend who was staying at this beautiful Bed and Breakfast in Atherton, CA.

It is conveniently located for both the city of San Fransisco as well as the hub of Silicon Valley.

Although the 6000+ square foot house is modeled on a French chateau, it has that quaint British feel of a Bed and Breakfast with a touch of class.......It was stunning! 

A perfect place to stay!

Please visit the website or contact Tricia Young by email or phone 650 474 2777

Cheers

- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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Friday, March 12, 2010

You learn a new thing every day

What a true statement - especially when you see at least one new house everyday!

I have an extremely good friend.  She is talented, gifted and everyone knows her for her love of Eichler homes.  Well today I went looking for her baby Eichler!

On Broker Tour I saw my first of no doubt many Mackay homes that will come on the market.  

They too represent California Modern with a clean mid century design.  A home that invites the outdoors in with sun-filled atriums, sky lights, open floor plans and ceiling to floor windows.  These homes were also constructed in the early 1940s and 1950s. 

The home I saw today was in the Monta Loma area and is the perfect place for my dear friend - a modern neighbourhood with an old fashioned sense of community!

I found this very interesting article about Mackay homes and Eichler homes 

As well as this interesting Blog called "If it is here it's hip"

Do you live in a Mackay or Eichler home?  How much do you love it?


 Cheers

- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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A love for shells...

When I find a good restaurant I just have to tell!  A little bit of a drive from my local haunt of Los Altos but worth every drop of petrol!

Anchor Oyster Bar - San Francisco
579 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 431-3990

If you love oysters, clams, shrimp and fresh crab with a simple glass of white wine then this is the place........

Cheers

- Stella Abraham, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker Los Altos
95 1st Street,
Los Altos, CA 94022
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