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Stocklmeir Elementary expands

Posted on 31 August 2008 by gracekeng

Stocklmeir 1st school dateStocklmeir Elementary Schools expands for new school season.

Stocklmeir Elementary school, one of the most populous Sunnyvale elementary school, in the Cupertino Unified school District opened a new wing for this crowed K-5 campus. It is just in time for the 1st day of the school on August 21. The student population closed to 1,000.

The interior of three buildings on the west side of the campus was reconfigured to created 13 new classrooms. It will be for the new home to fourth and fifth grade students and teachers. The principal Leslie Mains said:” We were just jam-packed at the time. It’s like to bringing two schools together now.” Those new rooms are up-to date to take advantage of the latest technology. “They are wired completely for just about everything.” Pathan said.

The other parts of the expansion include a new play area, a second office for the assistant principal, a conference rooms for teachers, and extra “break out” room where faculty can collaborate on lesson plans. The story and photo is from the silicon Valley Community Newspapers.

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Bank Own homes(in Chinese) 法拍屋

Posted on 14 August 2008 by gracekeng

法拍屋

法拍屋

星島日報記者施秋羽布雷斯本報道

受次級房貸風暴影響,灣區阿拉美達縣以及帝利市的法拍屋如雨後春筍般滋長。連帶著很多打著提供法拍屋列表的網站,點閱率也節節高升,位於聖里安德魯兩房一廳的房屋,標價不到30萬元,讓人不心動都難,書店的架上也冒出了不少專攻法拍屋的新書。法拍屋似乎是撿便宜的絕佳途徑,但購買法拍屋的管道與程序繁瑣,一般民眾在買屋前,可得先做好功課了。

根據RE/MAX資深地產經紀耿竹萍(Grace Keng) 提供的DataQuick July24 2007數據顯示,灣區2007年第二季收到違約通知 (Notice of default) 的房屋戶數目前7696戶,比去年同期的2910戶成長了164.5%

三藩市美亞輔鄰社的房屋發展部經理鄭柏健表示,「釋出法拍屋的屋主主要以拉丁裔與白裔為主,傳統上華人對自己辛苦供的房屋不會輕易放手,因此灣區法拍屋屋主華人所佔比率不到2%。次貸風暴引起的法拍屋效應在灣區阿拉美達縣與帝利市最為明顯,而三藩市的房價因居高不下,所以法拍屋的數目很少,也許一個月才兩三戶房子要法拍。」鄭柏健坦言,買法拍屋的確可以找到比較便宜的價錢,但也沒有如網站上面所寫的便宜到50%這麼誇張。

廣義的法拍屋(foreclosure)指是拖欠房貸款項,因而被債權人收回轉賣的物業。在美國法拍屋常常不是透過法院來拍賣,銀行、公家單位、地產公司、貸款公司、拍賣公司,都可能處理法拍屋業務的單位。

法拍屋通常有兩種情況,一種是欠稅法拍屋,主要因為拖欠土地、房屋稅款而遭法院拍賣,拍賣資訊會在地方政府的網站或公布欄公佈。而次貸風暴直接影響的,則是欠銀行貸法拍屋,屋主因為付不出房貸,房屋面臨被轉賣的命運。

一般民眾要購買法拍屋,有幾個主要管道:

地方的警長(Sheriff)辦公室主持法庭交付的拍賣業務,通常只站監督輔導的角度,真正的拍賣還是委託民間公司辦理,拍賣的資產複雜,商用建築、停車場、民宅,都是可能的拍賣項目。

拍賣會,大大小小的拍賣公司或物業公司針對不同的物產分類進行拍賣,法拍屋的產權項目與狀態都是民眾要事先注意的。拍賣會的節奏與程序非常的快速,一般非地產專業的民眾要參加可能會碰了一鼻子灰,最好是事先已經知道拍賣會上哪一棟房子是自己的目標,再來下手。

專業地產經紀,有專門負責拍賣屋的地產經紀,這些地產經紀或追逐拍賣通知尋找便宜的法拍屋,或代表買屋人參與拍賣會。負責拍賣屋業務的華裔地產經紀目前較少。

法拍屋網站,提供法拍屋資訊網站以會員制管理,會員一年約需付出600元左右來取得進一步的資訊。民眾使用法拍屋網站,主要是相信藉由網路的無遠弗屆,可以得到更多資訊,一方面也是存著「避開中間人」的心態,以節省層層附加下的成本,但事實上,大部分的法拍屋網站,在某種程度上也是仲介網站,列表的拍賣屋背後事實上都有地產經紀在處理。

政府機關如房屋與都市發展部 (HUD, Department of Housing and Urban Development)、退伍軍人局 (Veteran Administration, VA)、聯邦國家房貸協會 (Federal National Mortgage Association, 簡稱Fannie Mae)、聯邦住宅放款抵押貸款公司 (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ; 簡稱Freddie Mac)都會有房屋拍賣,其中HUD的房屋以14單位的民宅為主。一般民眾要與此類機關交涉買屋,通常需要透過該單位認證的地產經紀來下標,如果成交,部份機構如HUD也會支付地產經紀佣金。

法拍資訊除了可以透過上述的管道獲得,也可以多注意地方報紙的分類廣告欄的法拍屋資訊。更積極的買屋人,也可以注意離婚啟事、訃聞等消息,因為此類事件也常將房屋送入市場求售。

不 管透過何種管道找到理想的法拍屋,對於買屋人來說資金調度可能說是一大麻煩,因為法拍屋在理論上是以現金交易的。一般的房地產買賣,可以用買賣的房屋向銀 行抵押借貸,但是法拍屋就是因為在貸款上出了問題,債權人要的就是變賣房屋求現來解決爛帳,因此不可能先過戶到買屋人名下,再來貸款慢慢還清。

當法拍屋得標之後,必須先下訂金,之後在法拍單位規定的期限下要全額付清,這段時間通常很短,最短可以短至14天。由於短時間內就需要結清款項,因此事前先確定有現金來源就顯得格外重要,目前部份銀行提供代墊服務,先替買屋人付款,等到房屋過戶後,再轉成一般房貸處理,但切記事先取得銀行的貸款核准,免得好不容易等到的房子,卻因為付錢付慢而給飛了。 短時間內要籌措大量現金,但偏偏又不是每個人都有良好信用,銀行的效率也不一定可以跟上買屋進度,所以透過短期融資(hard money) 借貸,是常見手法,這樣的借貸方式可想而知,利率比起一般貸款要高得很多,最高可以到29%。由於次貸風暴的源起即是不良信用借貸,因此在追求好價錢的同時,買屋人也必須多注意自己的財務規劃,量力而為。

另外與法拍屋相似的選項還有銀行或是貸款公司拍賣成功房屋,此類銀行稱為銀行擁有屋REO (Real Estate Own),銀行擁有屋的資訊通常不易讓一般的買屋人取得,通常銀行會委託房地產經紀人處理。銀行擁有屋通常銀行虧錢廉售(short sale),因為原屋主常拖欠5個月以上的貸款,銀行需要錢需要房屋,銀行將房屋以低於未還貸款的金額賣掉,房地產經紀人可以幫助你尋找這種廉售房屋。

耿竹萍表示,由於銀行是廉售交易的最後決定者,礙於銀行運作等結構性問題,廉售交易曠日費時,拖上數個月並不稀奇,有時銀行還會出爾反爾,因此買屋人可得多用上一點耐心了。

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A Bank Owned home is only 1 Million dollars less then 2005 sold price!

Posted on 05 August 2008 by gracekeng

2549butch1.jpg

2549 Butch Dr. Gilory CA 95030 5 bedrooms 4+ baths was sold for 2.4 Millions in March 2006.This 3 year new custom home on the hills of Gilroy is bank owned now and the asking price is $1.325 Millions which is about half it was sold in 2005.

Can you picture yourself live in a large home 6207 sf on the lot of 491,792 sq ft for only 1.325 Millions dollars?

It has2 master bedroom suites,beautiful chandeliers almost every rooms , with magnificent foyer,a large swimming w/spa,4 balconies w/mountain &city light view!

REO home, Bank own Gilory home, Bank own Silicon Valley home, foreclosured homeREO home, Bank own Gilory home, Bank own Silicon Valley home, foreclosured home

If I have the money, I will love to own this mansion.

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E-Waste Event July 26th -July 27 2008 9AM - 3 PM

Posted on 26 July 2008 by gracekeng

goodwilljul263.jpgJuly 26th to July 27 9 AM to 3 PM the Goodwill of Silicon Valley and Electronoic recyclers International are hosting a FREE Electronic E-Waste Event today and tomorrow. The E-waste contain hazardous lead and mercury, and these toxic substances eventually leak and contaminate landfills. It is illegal to dispose of e-waste in the trash.

The location will be the following two locations:

Almaden Goodwill Mountain View Goodwill

3069 Almaden Expressway SJ, CA 408 265-5692 855 E. El Camino Real MountainView, CA 650-969-3382

If you need more information please contact 1866-861-4883

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Cupertino Bank Owned/REO Single Family Home

Posted on 17 July 2008 by gracekeng

18624-loree-av.jpg

This Cupertino bank own/REO homeis just on the market for $684,5000. This one is lowest priced 3 bedrooms 1 bath and 1 car garage and it is located at the most affordable area Rancho Ricinconada. This area has the excellent Cupertino schools.

 There are many other bank owned listings in the surrounding areas such as Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose and Campbell. The San Jose has the most bank own and short sales homes available.

There is another bank owned property in this area. It is a 3 years old Sunnyvale home with 1483 sf and 3 bedrooms and 3 baths for $599,900


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Should I buy a single family home or a condo?

Posted on 01 July 2008 by gracekeng

Usually you will be better off purchasing a single family residence (SFR). The SFR’s tend to appreciate faster and hold their value better than do condos and townhouses. The single family Homes are generally in higher demand, therefore a bit more expensive. You need find out what price you can afford to buy. You will usually get more bang for your buck when you purchased the single family home then condo or townhouse.

However, all depends on your individual circumstances and lifestyle. If you don’t like to do much maintenance, upkeep, don’t want or need to big yard and don’t mind of paying the homeowners’ association (HOA) fees, then a condo or townhouse could be perfect for you. When you consider the number of bedrooms, 3 and 4 bedroom homes tend to be the most desirable, and easier to sell. In average the condos and townhouses are 20 years old but the single family home would be 55 years old and plus. The lighting, design and layout will be different.

When you do make a home purchase, think about how you might sell it (such as positives and negativies /likes and dislikes) before you buy it. Develop a game plan, and follow through it.

You will not only make your American dreams to reality and also make money at the same time.

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Silicon Valley Realtors present scholarships to high school graduates

Posted on 28 June 2008 by gracekeng

graduate.jpgThe Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR), has presented scholarship awards to 18 graduating seniors from public high schools in Silicon Valley. Each student received a $1,000 scholarship.

SILVAR’s scholarship program, now on its ninth year, recognizes students who have exemplified outstanding achievements in academics, extracurricular/employment activities and community involvement. The selection committee included representatives from the local business community, area high schools, area colleges and SILVAR.

Students who received scholarships from the Foundation, the schools from which they graduated are Cupertino High, Fremont High, Gunn High, Homestead High, Los Altos High, Los Gatos High, Lynbrook High, Menlo Park Atherta High, Mountain View High, Palo Altos High, Prospect High, Santa Clara High, Saratoga High, Westmont High, Wilcox High and Woodside High.

Cammie Brodie 2008 Chairwoman of the foundation said: “ In our industry, we feel fortunate to be able to give back to the community by providing scholarships to these very deserving students.” I feel the same way

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I am going to eat my flowers!

Posted on 27 June 2008 by gracekeng

Almost all culinary herb flowers are edible. (Newport News Daily Press/MCT) (MCT)Almost all culinary herb flowers are edible. (Newport News Daily Press/MCT) (MCT)

From time to time when I found flowers on my plates at the trendy restaurant. It looks pretty and yesm the flowers may be edible.

I found the good article named “ Petals on your plate” at today’s SJ Mercury news. It said:

The organically grown plants are the best, and you need to gently rinse the flowers. Avod eating flowers form the florists, nurseries and garden denters also road side flowers. There are some flowers cannot eat: azalea, buttercup, crocus, daffordil, foxglove, hyacinth,iris, oleander, rhododendron, lily of the valley, wisteria and jack in the pulpit.

The edible flowers are

  • Calendula also known as pot marigold,  the orange petals were used to color cheddar cheese.
  • Daylily  petals ca use in cooking
  • Marigold Spicy, herbal or lemon falvor
  • Pansy flowers and petals are used in cooking, mild & sweet.
  • Rose petals for cooking
  • Squash blossoms perfect for stuffing or cut up in a dish.

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San Jose is the number 4th of the top 10 recession-proof cities.

Posted on 20 May 2008 by gracekeng

San Jose curtsey of © Shutterstock

 I found an interesting article of the -Top 10 recession proof cities from the forbes.com . The City of

San Jose is the #4 of the top recession proof cities. They used the following 3 sources to create the 10 recession proof cities.

        1). The unemployment data supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year ending in February 2008 to see which areas are most adding or subtracting jobs. Next, we looked at the BLS data on job growth in non-farm payrolls, through February 2008.

        2). The median home price data from the National Association of Realtors—from the fourth quarter of 2006 to the fourth quarter of 2007–to see which areas posted the largest annual gains. Our data don’t account for the impact of declining sales in the first several months of this year.

         3).The numbers were adjusted using data from a November 2007 report, “U.S. Metro Economies: The Mortgage Crisis,” by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It lists each city’s estimated gross metropolitan product growth by projecting how rising foreclosures and falling home prices would affect overall levels of productivity in local economies

“And in the

San Jose area, the median home sale price is over $830,000. That’s 11% higher than it was in the fourth quarter of 2006, helping to land the area at No. 4 on our list. Problem is, that growth has since cooled, and it remains to be seen whether pricey homes coupled with a 5.3% unemployment rate will cause trouble for homeowners this year. “

     I don’t know how the editor found the the

San Jose median price to be $830K. I checked the local real estate information from the

www.reil.com today. It shows the

San Jose median home sale price in 1st quarter of 2008 is $660K vs the 4th quarter of 2006 was $710K. It was dropped 7% dropped rather then 11% increased in price. If we add this new information the

San Jose could be the #1 recession proof cities in U. S.The author ended the article with a comment that If you’re tired of waiting, these might be the best places to go. Yes! It is a good time to buy home in

San Jose.

 

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Lynbrook High school Real Estate Update May 2008

Posted on 13 May 2008 by gracekeng

lynbrook_high.jpgLynbrook High schools area real estate is still in demend.

The rating of this school is 10 out 10 from the greatschools.net.




The Lynbrook High School’s boundry can be found at http://www.lhs.fuhsd.org/school_info/fuhsdzon.htm It is in between the
De Anaza Blvd

&

Lawrence and another 2 roads are 
Bollinger Rd

and Prospect.Now there are 29 homes for sale and 17 of them are pending. The ratio is 58.6 % which is higher than 25 % usually we are considering this area is on the seller’s market. The highest priced home is at





1568 Ardenwood Dr San Jose

. I saw this home about one week ago. It is a brand new home for 3010 sf inside and lot is 6400 sf. It is beautiful home.

It shows a  lot of detailing. The back yard is kind of small. The lowest single family home is located at





6650 Bollinger Rd

for $880K 3/2 and 1264 sf. I remember there are mutiple offers for homes at

Bollinger Rd

at the beginning this year. Both of them are 4 bedrooms and 2 bath and at the same square footage. One is was asking $988K and sold for $1,001,000 and the other one asked $1,049K sold for $994,450.

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