Real Estate Information

San Jose, CA, considered the Capital of Silicon Valley, has had its real estate market ups and downs, but certified green homes with integrated solar roofs are selling like hotcakes.

When local new home builder Pinn Brothers recently released the first nine of 51 solar roof homes in the new Orchard Heights development in San Jose, seven of the $1 million homes were snatched up the same day. This trend has been seen all over the country with green energy homes selling faster than their traditional counterpoints.

 

Green flooring choices are those that are friendlier to the environment, such as reclaimed wood, linoleum, cork or bamboo surfaces. These types of surfaces are also coveted for their exquisite beauty, texture and form.

The reuse of wood from old buildings such as barns, hotels, and railroad cars is an emerging trend across the country. The character of reclaimed woods such as elmwood, rosewood and maple offers an old world elegance. Prices for reclaimed wood flooring is all over the map, depending on the wood type and its scarcity, anywhere from $6 to $20 per square foot.

For more information about green flooring as well as other eco-friendly building materials, go to The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing at pathnet.org (PATH).

As evidenced in this recent article by Realty News, there is a BIG difference between the national housing statistics that Fox News and CNN use to make "headlines", and the actual local market.

What this editor alludes to, and many others forget, is that while home prices in most markets have certainly seen a decline over the last few years, this is not necesarily a bad situation for a home seller!

You see, when you sell, you normally buy, and that can mean a more significant savings on your NEXT home, especially if you have a full-time agent, with a good track record, helping you on both sides of your move.

So if you're thinking of moving in to or out of the Miami area, please give me a call before you decide NOT to do something--it might be the biggest mistake you make!

Our Featured Listing:

To View Entire Web Page for this property click here.

Come see the inside of this unit with appointment.

Original price from 2005!!  Owner taking loss, here is your chance to own in the premier building in Pompano Beach for $100k below developer price and only 5% total deposit.  Ready in 1st qtr. 2008

 Panoramic Direct Ocean View from all rooms in this stunning large sky residence. Foyer & granite island kitchen open to grand salon.  Both spacious master suites contain large walk in closets and balconies face east.  Large Den (3rd bed) next to powder room.  Unique curved architecture of the building captures ocean sunrises & intracoastal sunsets. On site restaurants, boutiques, walking plaza, 50,000 sq ft amenities.  Possible boat slip...

How would you like a digital calendar, a recipe projection system, a universal charging system, and a household energy usage and monitoring system--all at your fingertips in your kitchen?

According to the CABA Internet Home Alliance Research Council, these were the top requested items for kitchen enhancements, as part of their poll to 602 homeowners.

I wonder if Apple has anything up their sleeve for something useful in the kitchen....they've already successfully added iPods and iMacs to the list of trendy devices to have around the house!

Here's a unique property:

947 Falling Water Road, Weston, Florida   $3,330,000 ---Lake Front Home

Perfect  Condition LAKEFRONT HOME w/Vaulted Ceilings, Split Bedroom Plan & OPEN Kitchen. Italian Tile throughout, Hurricane Shutters (UPGRADED) Walk to A+ Elementary School, Laundry Room. ENJOY the Serene Water View from the tiled Patio. GUARDED GATED Community.

According to an article in Palm Beach Daily News, it appears Stephen Ross, a billionaire with ties to New York and many successes in real estate there, has decided Florida wouldn't be a bad place to purchase a $31.85 Million mansion, and oh--buy up half the Miami Dolphins!

Many people these days are inundated with news of a "horrible" housing market, but the truth is even the most keen of real estate investors sees the value in purchasing in this market.

So if the news media has you down, don't let it keep you out--people will be saying "I wish I would have bought back then" 3 years from now!

Seven in 10 condo owners responded that they are satisfied with their purchase,  according to  a recent surevey by Zogby International. Compared to single-family homes, condos are generally less expensive. Things that make a second home more difficult to maintain like landscaping & maintenence are not an issue in a condo.  Less space to clean, heat and cool make a condo a little easier on the pocket book also.

 

Our featured listing

1 North Altantic BLVD Ft Lauderdale $2,590,000  2 bedroom 2.5 bath Ocean front Condo

This spectacular 2bd + den/library w/ HUGE balcony unit is magnificent!! SE oceanfront Corner unit. The 29 ultra luxury residents at St Regis will enjoy the availability of an incomparable array of world class security features & amenities including: 24 hr concierge, doorman & valet service.  Limousine, chaffeur, charter jet services available & resort class contemporary European spa.  This unit is a true condominium with Homestead rights.

 

If there are several homes in a neighborhood that have gone into foreclosure, does this affect the home's value?

You bet.MArket value is based on recent past sales. Whether a home is sold because an owner is moving, retiring or being foreclosed will not change the numerical values shown on sale records. The result is that a few foreclosures in a neighborhood can easily cause the perceived value of all neighborhood homes to fall!

Our Featured Listing

Active: 947 Falling Water Rd, Weston, FL
Price: $3,330,000	Beds: 3	Baths: 2	Sq Ft: 1548
Perfect Condition LAKEFRONT HOME w/Vaulted Ceilings, Split Bedroom Plan & OPEN Kitchen. Italian Tile throughout, Hurricane Shutters (UPGRADED) Walk to A+ Elementary School, Laundry Room.

There is much discussion these days about green building, being environmentally conscious and minimizing your "carbon footprint." For some of us, this  seems inapplicable to our daily lives.

But there can be big savings in green building and green products.

Many states offer tax incentives to those who build or remodel their homes using green building techniques. Homeowners who choose to remodel or build to increase energy efficiency and use environmentally friendly products are eligible for any number of tax rebates and write-offs. check with your local government office! You could save big!

Our Featured Listing

$3,330,000 947 Falling Water Rd, Weston, FL   3 bedrooms 2 full bathrooms         
Perfect  Condition LAKEFRONT HOME w/Vaulted Ceilings, Split Bedroom Plan & OPEN Kitchen. Italian Tile throughout, Hurricane Shutters (UPGRADED) Walk to A+ Elementary School, Laundry Room. ENJOY the Serene Water View from the tiled Patio. GUARDED GATED Community. EASY TO SHOW!

Bank of America Corp. is moving forward with its purchase of beleaguered mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp., Chief Executive Ken Lewis said Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Bank of America agreed to pay $4.1 billion in stock for Countrywide. But the company's shares are trading around 20 percent below what each would be worth at the current price of Bank of America stock. This led some investors to speculate that Lewis could back away from the deal or seek a lower price. Apparently this is not the case the deal is expected to be completed in the third quarter.