Geoffrey Disch, Author at Green Escrow Services, Inc

Millennials are saving up

November 19, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

With the price of a “starter home” in the East Bay at a cool $547,000 (in the South Bay it’s $736,000!) millennials – those between 22 and 38 – who want to buy are spending less in traditional ways: cutting back on entertainment and dining out, working extra, and postponing vacations. But some millennials are taking saving a step further by contributing less to retirement savings, delaying doctor visits, and even reducing or canceling health insurance completely.

How difficult is it to purchase a home these days in the Bay Area? In 1960, the average Bay Area family paid twice their annual family income for a home. These days, it’s NINE times their annual income.

Selling your home during the Holidays

November 14, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

Traditionally, the real estate market slows during the Holiday season but for the savvy homeowner, this can be the perfect time to sell. Sure, there will be fewer prospective buyers looking but likewise, the competition will be much less. And those who are looking are definitely serious.

Experts advise to tastefully decorate your home. Be creative – raffle off a turkey, collect donations for a local food bank; just don’t bother with an open house during the holiday week – buyers aren’t that serious.

Real estate trends in 2020

November 12, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again – looking ahead to 2020 and trying to forecast what’s to come.

Home values have increased in the United States by 5.2 percent over a one year period and many experts expect prices to rise by 2.2 percent in 2020. This is based on the fact that prices have slowed considerably in their percent of increase.

Analysts agree that this could be a good thing as it will give more prospective buyers a chance to purchase than has been possible in years past.

Certainly, more to come…

Be careful of that fixer-upper

November 7, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

Sure, a fixer-upper can save you a lot of money, particularly if you’ve got the time and the tools to tackle the job. But there are some issues that should be avoided even by the most dedicated handyman.

Pests & Mold: Pests such as termites can damage an entire house and toxic or black mold can be life-threatening.
Additions without permits: If there have been major additions without permits there could be legal as well as structural problems.
Buried oil tank: Older homes may have oil tanks buried in the backyard that provided propane to heat the home before electric heating. Expensive to remove, too dangerous to leave in the ground.
Old electrical wiring: Again, expensive to replace, a potential fire hazard if ignored.
Bad foundation: If the foundation is faulty, cracking or crumbling, disaster awaits.

Improve your home’s curb appeal

November 4, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

Adding value to your home isn’t just new kitchen countertops or expensive bathroom remodels. Approving the curb appeal of your home is a great way to make it stand out from the others in your neighborhood.

Landscaping: Planting trees, flowering bushes, and improving the lawn is a great way to get prospective buyers excited about your home even before they get out of the car. More expensive projects include adding a wooden deck or patio.
Front door upgrade: Modern wood door design or a steel design will instantly improve the look of the front of your house. Steel design doors have the added benefit of providing additional security to your property.
Upgrade the garage door: A good garage can certainly add value to a home and by upgrading the garage door you are removing one item from a prospective buyer’s must-do list.
Windows upgrade: Replacing windows can be very expensive but certainly go a long way in adding value to your home. Double land or tinted windows will save energy as an additional benefit.

Improving your property value

November 1, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

Even if you’re not looking to sell, it makes sense to increase the value of your home by making improvements that you can then enjoy!

Outside: Siding, roof, landscaping, adding a deck or patio
Update appliances: Refrigerator, oven, TV
Kitchen countertops: Marble, granite, “smart” countertops (can create recipes from food placed on countertop!)
Going green: Remove VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), envirnmentally friendly materils: bamboo, recylced glass, ceramics, porcelain

To stage or not to stage

October 24, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

Staging is an effort to maximize a home’s sale potential by showing it’s full potential. Many realtors insist it helps potential buyers to visualize actually living there.

These days, staging is almost a requirement in the Bay Area. According to a 2019 study by the National Association of Realtors, staging helps a home sell faster and for more money than a vacant one.

For those times when staging is not an option, it is recommended to market the home privately, before the MLS listing, to give it an air of exclusivity.

More housing coming around public transit?

October 21, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

As California continues to grapple with affordable housing issues, a plan by state Senator Scott Weiner to build more small to medium-size apartment buildings around public transit and in wealthy suburbs apparently has the support of Governor Gavin Newsome.

Other plans such as changing zoning and planning laws and provide funding for affordable housing projects are expected to be taken up by the state Legislature in January.

Senator Weiner’s bill has faced opposition from local governments who fear they would be losing control over how their communities grow as some density limits would be removed from wealthier towns. The bill is expected to be addressed in January.

Hispanic homeownership rate climbing

October 10, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

Despite ongoing affordability and discrimination issues, the homeownership rate of Hispanics is climbing. Currently, Latinos are buying homes at a higher rate than the overall U.S. population according to a recent Zillow analysis.

The good news is that mortgage denial rates for Latinos have dropped considerably from 31.3 percent in 2008 to 15.5 percent in 2016.

Want to get some sleep? Move to SF

October 7, 2019 By Geoffrey Disch Leave a Comment

According to a nationwide study based on light and noise pollution, San Francisco is the city second-most conducive to a good night’s sleep. Only San Antonio, Texas scored higher.

The study also featured a survey and 45 percent of San Franciscans said they got more than 7 hours of sleep; 56 percent reported high-quality sleep, and 82 percent believe they live “in a peaceful environment.”

Conversely, San Jose came in 17th place, one sport lower than New York, the city that never sleeps.