If this newsletter does not appear
to be formatted correctly with images, colors and links, this is
probably related to
your email client settings. You can read the complete newsletter
in your web browser at http://www.sbgibbons.com/archives.shtml
|
Visit www.BernardGibbons.com
for the Latest Listings and Real Estate Information
July 2005 The Art of House Hunting: 8 Tips to Help in Your Search Armed with your down payment and your
pre-approved mortgage loan, the next step is finding the house that will best
meet your family's needs. With realistic expectations, patience, and plenty
of research, you'll be well on your way. Once you narrow it down to the neighborhoods you
like, you'll want to determine the maximum house price you can afford. Even
though you're pre-approved for a set loan amount, it doesn't mean you can
afford it. You'll want to factor in other expenses, including retirement and
college savings, vacations, and home maintenance and repairs, when you
calculate how much you can afford for a monthly payment. And don't forget to
budget for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Next, differentiate your needs versus your wants.
You need three bedrooms, but a fourth room would be nice for a play room or
guest room. You need a two-car garage, but a larger one would be nice for
storage. You need a functional kitchen but want hardwood floor. You need two
bathrooms but want a luxurious master suite. You get the picture. As you begin on your house-hunting venture, you
may want to prepare a checklist, perhaps in a table form on your computer.
Break it down between exterior and interior characteristics. Make notes on
each feature and give each a 1 to 10 score. Some of the exterior features to rate might
include size of yard, quality of fence, paint condition, roof condition,
window conditions, garage, back yard. When it comes
to interior, think about square footage; the floor plan; condition of walls;
the size, quality, and functionality of the various rooms; and closet and
storage space. Your checklist should also include any other
general factors you deem important - the amount of traffic, the appearance of
the neighborhood in general, safety in the area, the reputation of local
schools, etc. Meanwhile, Freddie Mac, the stockholder-owned
corporation chartered by Congress in 1970 to create a continuous flow of
funds to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing, and
other industry experts make additional suggestions, including: Take a camera with you to capture an image of
each house you look at that makes it to the "maybe" list. Don't make a hasty decision, especially if you
feel yourself becoming guided by emotion. Selecting a home takes time,
thought, and analysis. You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each
house you like. Review your checklist and notes and compare it
against your needs, wants, and budget. Bring your spouse, friend or family member with
you to get a second opinion. They may notice a shortcoming that you've
overlooked. Find out how much utilities and maintenance
cost. Stay on top of newly listed houses via a
Multiple Listing Service on the Internet. Remain in close contact with your agent. This is
extremely important if you're in a strong seller's market in which homes that
are priced right go fast. You want a good agent who will alert you of new
listings and who will show you the houses as soon as they're listed. Be prepared to look at the potential of a house
rather than what you see in front of you. Set your priorities and decide what
can be sacrificed. It's more important that the layout of the house and the
number of bedrooms you need fit your needs and that all major systems are
functional versus your dislike for the avocado green carpet or the lack of
landscaping. Those types of cosmetic shortcomings can be easily remedied once
you buy the house. If you find a house you like, offer a
competitive bid. Keep in mind you'll likely be competing against other offers
- especially if interest rates stay low and the spring buying season is in
full bloom. And don't forget - once you make an offer, make it contingent upon the findings of a
professional home inspection. If any major defects surface, you'll want to
have the leverage to renegotiate or back out of the deal completely. “The Art of House Hunting: 8 Tips to Help in
Your Search” by Michelle Dawson Restaurant
Review
Faz Restaurant & Bar, Food
always seems to taste better when eaten outdoors and while Faz Restaurant and Bar offers diners the choice of dining
inside or outside, it is immediately apparent that the preference of most is
for outside. And no wonder, with the impressive redwood deck capable of
seating 280 people set amidst tall redwood trees and with a little waterfall
cascading down a stone wall on one side. Large table umbrellas and soft
candlelight complete the picture and the area remains quietly intimate even
when filled to capacity. Gas heaters
abound and even on cool evenings the deck is often filled to capacity. There
is a large bar area with a grand piano just off the deck and piano music
drifts through the open doors to enhance the ambience even further. I have been coming to Faz for over 12
years now and always choose to dine outdoors unless it is too wet or too
cold. The menu is based around Mediterranean cuisine and is very cleverly
planned so that one can dine here at a variety of different price-points.
Affordable pizza and pasta dishes rub shoulders with more expensive dishes
like duck or steaks (the rib-eye is definitely recommended). Some of the
pasta dishes are quite complex and original and are invariably very good. On being seated, one is immediately presented with a basket of home
made breads – a Middle Eastern flatbread and some of the best focaccia bread I have tasted anywhere. Waitstaff are generally friendly and helpful although
some may find the service a little slow at times. An authentic Mediterranean
touch perhaps? The menu is fairly short and the wine list is typical for the level
of restaurant with a good selection of If you have room for a dessert (I never do), try the excellent
tiramisu or seasonal fresh berries with crème fraiche. Faz is one of my favorite restaurants in the Reviews such as the one above
are included as a service to introduce people to interesting restaurants in
the Homes Currently
Offered For (Figures in parentheses show the
numbers at the beginning of last month)
Information To Help You Understand
The Value Of Your Biggest Investment
Most Recently Closed
Sales In Alamo, Blackhawk,
|
|
Address |
City |
|
BR |
Bth |
½ Bth |
SqFt |
|
Price |
DOM |
|
|
|
Miranda |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2164 |
23165 |
$1,195,000 |
45 |
|
|
|
Smith |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2600 |
43995 |
$1,295,000 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
3 |
0 |
3658 |
22000 |
$2,049,000 |
6 |
|
|
|
On Oakshire Plac |
3 |
2 |
1 |
3400 |
50093 |
$2,099,000 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
4 |
1 |
5601 |
46609 |
$2,395,000 |
16 |
|
|
Blackhawk |
|
2 |
2 |
1 |
1817 |
8400 |
$959,000 |
6 |
|
3136 |
Blackhawk |
Blackhawk
Meadow |
4 |
2 |
1 |
3500 |
6700 |
$1,399,999 |
24 |
|
|
Blackhawk |
Deer
Meadow Dr. |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2699 |
8250 |
$1,479,000 |
44 |
|
|
Blackhawk |
Silver
Maple |
4 |
3 |
1 |
3844 |
14160 |
$1,699,000 |
7 |
|
554 |
Blackhawk |
|
3 |
3 |
1 |
3832 |
40430 |
$1,848,000 |
47 |
|
4413 |
Blackhawk |
|
4 |
3 |
1 |
5481 |
20300 |
$2,495,000 |
69 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
1638 |
2520 |
$614,950 |
7 |
|
221 Jewel Terrace |
|
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
1742 |
3075 |
$649,000 |
14 |
|
20 Serene Court |
|
Joaquin |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1511 |
4242 |
$695,000 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
2 |
0 |
1553 |
3660 |
$709,900 |
5 |
|
|
|
Cameo |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2046 |
10115 |
$899,000 |
7 |
|
693 St. George |
|
Doral |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2137 |
6000 |
$979,000 |
6 |
|
312 Sunset Drive |