Palo Alto Home Buyers, Don't Let the Rain Stop You From Looking at Homes

Everyone likes to to look for homes when it is sunny.  Open houses during the spring and summer in Palo Alto are always crowded.  Some people think open houses are a Palo Alto recreational activity, much like soccer games, or concerts i the park.  Well, if you are just curious about the market or like looking at other people's homes, then house shopping only in good weather is a great way to be entertained.

However, if you are serious about buying a home, shopping in the rain is one of the best things you can do for your due diligence.  In addition to the obvious benefit of seeing if there are any leaks through the roof, you can also find more subtle, but just as damaging leaks through windows or sliding glass doors.  You can see how the gutters are performing,  You can see if water ponds anywhere on the property, or if water is draining onto the property from a neighbor's yard.  You can also see how much light there is in the house when the sun is not shining.

I am not saying that you should never buy a home if it is not raining, but I am saying do not let rain stop you from looking.  You can learn a lot about a house and the information is valuable!

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

650-619-9285

www.marcymoyer.com

Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto, Ca. Specialist in Trust and Probate Sales

It's That Wonderful Time of Year Again...

Every year on Christmas Eve, Stanford Theatre on University Ave. in Palo Alto shows Frank Capra's classic film It's a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. For the last 21 years, this special showing has been a Christmas tradition, and every year it sells out. It is THE place to be on Christmas Eve in this wonderful little city.

The theater is gorgeous, built in the 40's and renovated in the mid 80's by Dave Packard, or Little Dave as he is known around here. His father, Big Dave, was one of the founders of Hewlett Packard, who famously started Silicon Valley in a garage on Addison St. Before the show begins, a huge Wurlitzer organ rises from under the stage and plays Christmas music. Then Dave comes onstage to talk about the theatre and the film. Last night he talked about how the film was originally released in May or June (I can't remember!), instead of Christmas. Little Dave passionately believes movies need to be seen in a theatre, with other people, and on the right day. He is certainly correct about It's a Wonderful Life. I think it is this belief that keeps Dave from showing any movie made after 1960 at Stanford Theater.

During the movie the audience claps, boos at the bad guys, and is totally transported to Bedford Falls. My favorite part is when the names of two of the characters, best friends Bert and Ernie, are finally said together. The newbies in the audience get a huge laugh out of this, when they realize for the first time where Jim Henson came up with his Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street. 

So if you are anywhere near Palo Alto next Christmas Eve, be sure to catch this heartwarming film in the ideal setting. Tickets usually sell out three or four days ahead of time, and can't be bought online. However, the line forms to get a seat a few hours before the show, and there are always people there giving away extra tickets. They rarely sell the extras, and no one scalps. It really is a wonderful life in Palo Alto. 

Menlo Park Ca Distressed Property Update 12 /3 / 10

Menlo Park, Ca. Distressed Property Update

Are you waiting for a distressed property for sale in Menlo Park so you can snatch a bargain, or are just curious about them? Well, there are a few of these types of sales, but not many. Short sales, as in other places, are more common than foreclosures. Most banks are at least giving homeowners the option to try to do a loan modification or short sale before foreclosing. These options do not always work, but they are worth a try.

Active Short Sale Listings:  8 

Pending short sale listings:  14

They break down neighborhood wise into:

west MP: 1

Central MP: 1

East of El Camino and west of 101: 5

Avenues: 2

Belle Haven: 14

Closed Short Sales since Jan 1, 2010:  17

West MP: 2

Central MP: 0

East of El Camino/West of 101: 1

Avenues: 3

Belle Haven: 11

Foreclosures:

Active listings:  6

Pending:   5

Breakdown by neighborhood:

West Menlo Park: 0

Central: 2

East of El Camino/West of 101: 2

Avenues: 3

Belle Haven: 3

Closed since 1/1/10:  19

Breakdown by neighborhood:

West Menlo Park: 0

Central:0

East of El Camino/West of 101: 2

Avenues: 2

Belle Haven:15

There have been 369 sales of homes and condos in Menlo Park  since Jan 1, 2010 so the percentage of distressed home sales is not enough to have much influence on the market yet, except in Belle Haven.

However, I think that there more may be coming in the next few years.  If you need to sell and owe more than your home is worth I would be happy to have a confidential discussion with you about your options. I am an experienced short sale realtor.  If you are interested in purchasing a short sale or reo property I would be happy to speak with you about what you need to do to successfully purchase one.

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

650-619-9285

Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto, Ca. Specialist in Trust and Probate Sales

Palo Alto Ca Short Sale/REO Watch 11/30/2010

Are you waiting for the rash of short sales and REO properties in Palo Alto so you can snatch a bargain. or just curious about them? Well, not much has changed in the last few months. There are a few of these types of sales, but not many. Short sales, as in other places, are more common than foreclosures. Most banks are at least giving homeowners the option to try to do a loan modification or short sale before foreclosing. These options do not always work, but they are worth a try.

Active Short Sale Listings:  1 condo  2 Single family homes

Pending short sale listings:  5 condos  2 Single Family Homes

Closed Short Sales since Jan 1, 2010:  2 Condos  2 Single Family homes

Foreclosures:

Active listings:  0

Pending:   1 Single Family Home

Closed since 1/1/10:  3 condos   1 single family home

There have been 478 sales of homes and condos in Palo Alto since Jan 1, 2010 so the percentage of distressed home sales is less than 2 %, not enough to have much influence on the market yet.

However, I think that there more may be coming in the next few years.  If you need to sell and owe more than your home is worth I would be happy to have a confidential discussion with you about your options. I am an experienced short sale realtor.  If you are interested in purchasing a short sale or reo property I would be happy to speak with you about what you need to do to successfully purchase one.

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

650-619-9285

Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto, Ca. Specialist in Trust and Probate Sales