Tips For Selling Your Home In Milpitas CA                When you begin planning to sell your home, there are several important documents to have handy: * Deed: Contains the property’s full legal description and lists all the people with title to it. * Tax records: List what current property taxes are. * Utility bills: Inform prospective buyers of how much it costs to heat or cool your home. It's good to have actual cost information readily available. And receipts or documentation for any energy-saving features you have installed can be an excellent selling feature. * Records of repairs or improvements: Document what was done and when, plus how much you paid. If improvements required a permit, have the permit available too. * Mortgage information: Your current statement should show curr... 07/05/2011

Your Secret Weapon In Milpitas CA We're often asked by skeptical buyers what separates us from other real estate professionals. The answer is simple: since we remain active in the marketplace, we have a wealth of information on who's looking to buy, who's eager to sell, and who would make the best fit with a particular property. In fact, we consider all the names on our list to be our secret weapon - as well as yours. Now we'd like to make that weapon work in your favor. Call Your Secret Weapon In Milpitas CA @ (408-316-0793) or email (rpablaza@comcast.net) and let's get started on making the right connections!   07/05/2011

Movie Nights Out in Milpitas CA Come bring your family and friends to Movie Nights Out in Milpitas CA.  Every Thursday evening @ 7pm at the Barbara Lee Senior Center Auditorium (40 N. Milpitas Blvd) the City of Milpitas Parks & Recreation Department will provide family themed (rated G to PG) FREE movies.  Bring along your picnic blankets and chairs.  A snack bar will be available to purchase refreshments. June 30 – A Classic Comedy Tag along with this quirky animal doctor as he and his friends travel the world in a pink snail (Rated G) July 14 – A Disney Animation In this animated Disney Movie, a New Orleans princess searches for true love while coming face-to-face with a snooty debutante, an ancient Vodoo Priestess and an evil doctor (Rated G) July 28 – A Comedy In this comedy, a 12 ye... 07/05/2011

Tips for Budgeting in Milpitas CA From the French word meaning "purse" a budget lists a family's financial goals.  It outlines planned expenses and incomes.  To keep within budget would mean breaking even on expenses and income.  A well planned budget ends up with savings. An Example of a Monthly Budget:      Gross Income:      Husband - $6500.00                        Wife - $2750.00      Total Income:                        $9,250.00      Expenses:           Mortgage - $2400.00                   Car - $250.00                           Insurance - $275.00                        Utilities - $385.00                                                 Broadband (TV & Internet) - $222.50                 Gas - $260.00       Total Expense                    $3,792.50       Net Income            ... 05/30/2011

Milpitas CA Buyer, After the Close, Now What? So you got the home you wanted, now what?  Well, don't end your relationship with your Realtor and Loan Officer thats what!  But what else is there for your Realtor and Loan Officer to do?   Plenty.  Schedule "Home Checkups" every 6 months to review your mortgage, property tax bills, home value and homeowner Insurance policies. Find ways to save on them and/or pay them off early. Allocate 2% of your purchase price for yearly property maintenance and upkeep.  Avoid deferred maintenance as it will bite you in the end.  Besides, this is your home, you want to keep it in good shape so you and your family can be super comfortable in it with no stress. Make a list of the maintenance and repair items you will need to keep the house in good shape.  ... 05/30/2011

How can learning to do BPO’s help a real estate agent in Milpitas CA? Learning to do BPO’s has helped me tremendously in valuing property.  The tighter appraisal criteria used for BPO’s result in more realistic property values.   The most important criterion is finding comparables in close proximity to the subject property.  Today most MLS’s have map search.  This allows the agent to search for comps within a given radius.  The closer the comp to the subject property the better its “comparability” as its value is more indicative of the values of the subject property.  I usually do a .5 mile proximity using my subject property as the axis of the search.  It is acceptable to expand your search to 1 mile.  For non urban areas, proximity parameters can be expanded to beyond 5 miles. The nex... 05/30/2011

Milpitas CA.  What is the difference between REO, Short Sales and Regular Sales? An REO is property that has been foreclosedon by its lender.  The title has been transferred to the foreclosing entity - the lender, which is normally a bank.  Presently, banks foreclose on a property because either the homeowners can no longer maintain monthly mortgage payments or because the homeowners simply walked away from the property because it is now worth less than what is owed (i.e. borrower owes $500,000 on a property that is now only worth $300,000 in the market).  Aside from equity loss, banks spend a substantial amount of money to foreclose on a property and maintain it until it is sold.  Hence it is in the best interest of the bank to “unload” or sell the REO as quickly as possible to avoid f... 05/30/2011

    Milpitas CA, Could You Use Up To $12000 Grant Money To Puchase A Home? The California Housing Fund has available up to $12000 Grant Money available per homebuyer.  The fund is limited and may not be available for too long.  Program requirements are as follows: Borrower must owner occupy the property Borrower's income cannot exceed income limits set by the county where the property is located Maximum loan amount is $417,000 Program not limited to 1st Time Homebuyers Minimum Credit Score to qualify is 620 Borrower must meet required FHA & VA underwriting guidelines Take advantage NOW!  If you are purchasing a home in Milpitas CA and wish to avail of this Grant Money, call me at (408) 316-0793 so I can give your more details and we can start the process to your New Home! 05/27/2011

  12 Reasons Why You Should Bring Your Business to Milpitas CA   A “Headquarter” Community including SanDisk, Linear Technologies, JDS, KLA-Tencor, LSI Corporation, Flextronics, Extron, LifeScan and a large Cisco campus Well-priced R&D spaces that are convenient to freeways and the airport.  Search for available rental and sale spaces through the city’s Online Business Resource Center. Fiber Optic connections throughout business and industrial parks Light Rail connections at business and retail centers Convenient access to Interstate 880, Interstate 680, Highway 237 10 minute access to Mineta San Jose International Airport Easy access to Silicon Valley corporations, communities and convention centers The Great Mall, McCarthy Ranch & Towne Centre shopping centers, strip malls and over 2,... 05/25/2011

  Memorial Day in Milpitas CA In honor of local service men and women who have given their lives for the cause of freedom Join us for the presentation of Colors by the Knights of Columbus, a 12 gun salute and reflections on our Nation's day of remembrance.  Ceremony will be held rain or shine.   Monday, May 30, 2011, 9 AM Flag Plaza, Milpitas City Hall 455 E. Calaveras Boulevard (between City Hall and Community Center)   Light refreshments will be served                                  following the ceremony                              For more information call: Milpitas Parks & Recreation Services:  (408) 586-3210 www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov           05/24/2011

                                                                    "The Farmer" Photo by Clara Ines Thomas The Milpitas Phantom Art Gallery Proudly Announces A New  exhibit    "Colored Faces"   Milpitas Community Center  Monday, May 23, 2011 ~ 6pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                You are cordially invited to a Phantom Art Gallery Opening at the Milpitas Community Center. Please join us for an evening of inspiring art in the new exhibit "Colored Faces," by featured artist, Clara Ines Thomas.   Exhibit will be on display through July 15,... 05/23/2011

Need Community Service Hours?  Come to Milpitas CA The City of Milpitas CA needs Volunteers! If you need community service hours, come to Milpitas CA and lend a helping hand.  The Milpitas Parks and Recreation Services needs volunteers for Youth and Senior programs; and, Special Events.  There are countless opportunities for you to satisfy your community service hours and help out at the same time.  To apply come to either the Milpitas Community, Senior or Sports Centers and volunteer for community service hours.  Or call, (408) 586-3210 for more information.  Volunteer today!  So, if you Need Community Service Hours, come to Milpitas CA 05/23/2011

Are You Buying A Home in Milpitas CA? First, get pre-approved.  Hire a loan officer, preferably one who works with a nationwide retail bank or mortgage lender. Create a list of features and attributes you want you home to have.  How many bedrooms, how many baths, size family room, size of kitchen, location, size of backyard, swimming pool or not, distance from work, distance from school, type of school, type of neighborhood, etc.  Based on what you are pre-approved for narrow your criteria down to workable levels.  Dont pick out criteria for a mansion when you are only pre-approved for a condo unit. Real Estate purchase is contract based.  Do not make agreements on hand shakes.  Get everything in writing. If you don't understand the terms and conditions of your real estate agreement, g... 05/23/2011

6 Tips Buying An REO (Bank Owned Property) in Milpitas CA Hire a professional and experienced REO agent who can help you navigate the complexities of Buying an REO (bank owned property) in Milpitas CA.  An REO agent who has listed REO's would have the knowledge to put the 6 Tips For Buying an REO in Milpitas CA to good use. Get pre-approved A pre-approval let's you know how much home you can afford. Sellers of REO's, specially the big banks, do not want to waste time as every day they carry the REO costs them.  A pre-approval shows the asset manager (the bank's representative) that your offer is serious and that you are qualified for the purchase.  Especially important if there are several buyers for the property you want. Most bank's require buyers of their REO's to be pre-approved wit... 05/18/2011

HOMEBUYERS – Take These Steps Before Making An Offer In Milpitas CA § HOMEBUYERS – Take These Steps Before Making An Offer in Milpitas CA! Before going out to look for homes with a Realtor, seek out a loan officer, preferably one from a major bank or retail mortgage lender, and get yourself a pre-approval. You will eliminate much frustration in your search when you know how much property you can afford. Plus, sellers, especially asset managers of bank owned properties, will take your offer more seriously. § Because purchasing a home requires disciplined responsibility and a huge amount of debt you may not be accustomed to (unless you pay cash for your home), inform your loan officer of your budget and long term financial goals. Making sure your home purchase is affordable will make your... 05/17/2011

  The city of Milpitas is part of the technology-rich Silicon Valley, yet, it is rustic in its own way. Located south of San Francisco, and between San Jose and Fremont, Milpitas is home to many technology companies like Intel, Cisco and SanDisk. It is also home to the Great Mall, a large shopping center that attracts many out-of-town shoppers.   Real estate activity slowed down for the month of November in terms of home prices, number of sold homes, as well as number of new listings added for the month. Below are the rest of the real estate data:       Map of Milpitas, CA   It is wise to assess the market condition, including home prices, before making that giant step in pursuit of the American dream!         12/07/2010

Based on the sales pattern these last 3 months, it will take 5-6 months to clear out the current housing supply in Milpitas. This seems to be consistent with the absorption rates in other Bay Area cities.   Other findings: Short sales make up about 40% of current listings in Milpitas, and absorption for this sale type is 10.8 months! This shows how much short sales can drag over time, as supply continues to build up. Regular sales make up another 40% of current inventory, with a much better absorption rate of 3.6 months. REO’s, which is now a mere 20% of homes for sale, will take about 6 months to clear.                       MILPITAS - TOTAL   Current listings, as of 11/2/10                 155                     Sold homes, past 3 months               83                       ABSORTI... 11/04/2010

The city of Milpitas is part of the technology-rich Silicon Valley, yet, it is rustic in its own way. Located south of San Francisco, and between San Jose and Fremont, Milpitas is home to many technology companies like Intel, Cisco and SanDisk. It is also home to the Great Mall, a large shopping center that attracts many out-of-town shoppers.   So what homes are on the market in Milpitas?   As of 10/2/10, MLS has the following active listings:   - 79 single family homes - 54 condo/townhomes   These numbers are broken down as follows:   Single Family Listings     Single family homes on the market are priced with a wide range, with a minimum of $297K and a high of $4.95 million. Most homes are quite evenly spread across the $300Ks, $400Ks and $500Ks.     3-bedroom and 4-bedroom homes nea... 10/03/2010

Coconut Grove - Milpitas, CA (Santa Clara County, California) Coconut Grove is a restaurant located next to Century Theatres at the Great Mall in Milpitas and they serve Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai cuisine. Bob and I have never tried Malaysian food before, so I randomly selected a variety of menu items and hoped for the best! Here is my review on each item we ordered at Coconut Grove in Milpitas, along with their menu description: A.B.C. Ais Batu CampurShaved ice, sweet coconut milk, red bean, sweet corn, rice crispies and jelliesI absolutely LOVED this beverage! Just think of it as a version of halo-halo or boba tea with lots of goodies...but Coconut Grove's ABC is much better! Roti ParadaThe famous "flying bread" hand tossed and grilled with our house dipping sauce (red curry)We b... 10/31/2009

Last weekend was my biggest weekend for one specific property. No, it wasn't an open house. As a matter of fact the home was pulled off the market weeks ago. 5 calls in one day. The property is a Townhome near the Great Mall. Close proximity to everything High Tech jobs, Freeways. Perfect setting. The home has three bedrooms 2 upstairs master suites and one smaller Master downstairs. The draw is for Rental and families alike. Due to the price (lower than the rest of the complex, and lack of homes listed) This one became desireable all of a sudden. Come to find the Litigation on this home makes it near impossible to obtain, with a 100% cash clause now strapped to it. I had multiple buyers one being all cash, but once he seeked advise from others within his community of friends chose not ... 06/11/2009