Winning Strategies for Buying Bay Area Real Estate (Part II)

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As promised, here is the second portion of our jam-packed eight strategies for winning as a buyer in the competitive Bay Area real estate market. 

If you missed part one of our strategies, you can find them by clicking here.

Now let’s finish these eight proven strategies.

5. Have your lender call the listing agent. If you actually have your lender reach out to the listing agent, they can answer any questions the agent may have, and speak to your strength as a buyer. Not many people take this step, and it’s sure to make you stand out.

6. Be flexible with the closing date. Every deal is different. Maybe there’s a hangup with the bank or you’re having a tough time coming to an agreement with a request for repairs. There may be opportunities for you to add value to yourself by being flexible here.

7. Shorten your inspection timeframes. The standard contract timeframe is 21 days, but you may be able to bring that down to say, 15, 12, or even 10 days if you’re working with a qualified Realtor who can make it happen thanks to good relationships with inspectors.

8. Send a letter to the sellers. Humanize yourself! Instead of being just another number in a stack of offers, a letter lets you describe who you and your family are. Include a family picture as well; it’s always good to pull on the heartstrings. We’ve actually seen several instances of sellers accepting lower offers because they want a family to buy their home, not an investor!

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“Send a letter to the sellers. Humanize yourself!”

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Thanks for reading everyone, this has been fun! There’s always more tips and tricks I can provide for buyers and seller in the Bay Area, so don’t hesitate to get a hold of me over the phone or by email!

Fun in the Bay: Halloween Edition!

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Today, I'm here with Fun in the Bay: the Halloween edition! Whether you're looking for some family fun or a scary night out, we've got you covered. As usual, we'll start off with some great places for the whole family to enjoy.

1. Clancy's Pumpkin Patch is the only legitimate pumpkin patch in San Francisco proper, and it's located at 1620 7th Ave. You can go there and select from a variety of different pumpkins, depending on whether you want to use them for carving, cooking, or decorating. Take a horse-drawn hayride with the kids through a corn maze full of goblins and ghouls. This is a family friendly venue, and you can still get some squeals from the kiddos.
2. Potrero's Pet Parade is a lot of fun. This year actually marks the 24th annual Pet Parade. Gussy up those pups and cruise down 18th Street. If you impress the judges, you could get prizes and treats for your pet! If you don't have a pet, it's always fun to see what creative and wacky costumes people come up with for their animals.
3. Now, everyone in San Francisco has heard of the Winchester Mystery House, but not everyone has been there. I have, and it's true to its name. Going to the Mystery House is a bizarre experience to say the least. It's open to kids and families all the time, but if you have some older kids who don't mind a scare, check out the midnight tour. There have been several testimonials about ghostly encounters on the midnight tour.
4. Last but not least, check out the Halloween Hoopla. Go to the Yerba Buena Gardens for this great event MCed by Unique Derique, who will definitely bring life and character to the day. This event is best for kids under the age of ten. There will be clowns, costumes, arts and crafts, music -- the list goes on and on!

Now, onto some ideas for the grown-ups who don't mind a little scare:

1. The Freaker's Ball celebrates its 21st anniversary this year at The Factory. You can dance until the dawn comes!
2. The Ghost Ship Party is another awesome party that takes place on October 30 and 31st on Pier 70. This party is very unique; it's part art, part rave, part party! There are all kinds of entertainers! Find a crazy outfit and dance all night!
3. The Spooky Halloween Extravaganza is a very colorful event at the Star Theater. The theater is transformed into a Prohibition speakeasy. If you don't want the fun to stop, you can also go to the electro swing after party.
4. In my opinion, the creepiest one out there is Trapped in a Room with a Zombie. It might sound cheesy, but stop rolling your eyes! You are trapped in a room with an actor who plays a Zombie. You have 60 minutes to work with your team to escape the room. As time passes, the Zombie's chain gets looser. If you're looking for something creepy, this is the event for you!

Finally, here are some great ideas for date night:

1. If you want a classy evening, go to the Davies Symphony Hall for a showing of the 1920s silent film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A live orchestra will accompany the movie. This is the antidote to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You should hear the vocals that roar through those halls. This is spine-tingling, lighthearted fun.
2. The San Francisco Ghost Walk is a fun, spooky evening. Go on up to the Pacific Heights neighborhood at 7:00pm. You'll walk the streets and hear stories about the ghosts that haunt these beautiful mansions. These ghost stories are based on real events, which could make this even creepier than your average haunted house!
3. Go see The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I know earlier we talked about the antidote to this movie, but it's a classic. There are 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. showings on Halloween, but if you can't make it on Halloween, there will be other showings leading up to the big day! Sing, dance, and enjoy this cult classic.
4. Finally, you can also take your significant other to the Arcane: Halloween Ballet. This is a one-act performance by the Company C Contemporary Ballet. There are performances on October 24th, 25th, 30th, and 31st. It's a bone-chilling and exhilarating event for everyone who loves dance. The choreographer, Charles Anderson, truly brings Halloween to life.

That's everything! I know I threw a lot of information at you today, and you may have a tough time deciding which event is right for you. I pretty much want to go to all of them! Click on the links in the article for more information, and if you have any questions, feel free to give me a call. Now, get out there and have some fun!

Should You Make an Offer on a New Listing?

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A lot of people have been asking me lately, "Should I wait to make an offer on a new listing that just came onto the market?" The short answer is no!

If this is the home that you want, then go buy it! In some markets, you have to shoot first before anyone else finds the property. What if someone else jumps in and makes an offer higher than what you can offer? If you get in there right away and you get in first, then you get the property. Your best offer is your first offer.

When you do make an offer on the home, make sure you put a fair offer in. Don't lowball the seller, but don't go way over the listing price, either. Before you even look at homes, make sure that your financing is in place. Once you've made an offer, don't go buy a boat or car. Your financing will be ruined, and you'll lose the home in the middle of the transaction.

If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

Summer Fun in the Bay

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a Free Home Price Evaluation  Call us at (925) 838-4300 to answer any of your real estate questions

Today I'm starting a series of videos for you that will be filled with ideas for entertainment. Some of these will be for you and your family, some of them will be for you to enjoy the nightlife around here, and some will be ideas so you and that special someone can enjoy the Bay Area together.

Family Fun Ideas:

1. Most of us who have grown up here have not gone to Alcatraz. I know I haven't, but I think this would be an excellent idea for you and your family. They even have night tours!
2. Another good idea is to visit the Castro Theatre and sing along to movies with your family. It's very G-rated, and the theater is beautiful!
3. Golden Gate Park is also a great place to go. You can skate, picnic, or just about anything there - it's a wonderful place!
4. Lastly, check out Pier 39 and, once you've spent some time with the sea lions, go see the nearby aquarium. There are a lot of different things that you're able to do there, and you don't want to pass this up.

Adult Ideas:

Leave the kids at home for this stuff!

1. Chinatown is always a great time. The little tea-houses there are amazing - but they just might spoil tea for you.
2. The Tadich Grill is another good idea, and it's the city's oldest bar and restaurant. Everyone from politicians to tourists frequent this bar. You owe it to yourself to go visit this San Francisco landmark.
3. If you want to sip a craft cocktail somewhere, Comstock in North Beach is a fantastic place to go if you're looking to unwind.

Date Night Ideas:

1. Did you know there's over 400 secret stairways connecting over 46 miles of San Francisco? Go sneak up some stairways and maybe even share a kiss.
2. Tony's Pizza in North Beach is an excellent place grab a bite to impress your special someone. Every time I go there, I'm blown away by the pizza.
3. After you grab some pizza, let's go do some putt putt golf. I know this sounds lame, but Urban Putt, on 1096 S. Van Ness, closes at 8pm to anyone who is not 21 years old. This means you get to play putt with a beer in your hand! What could be better than that?

So, there you have it. We have the family entertained, we have you entertained, and we have that special someone in your life entertained as well.

If you have any questions about any of this, or if you would like any San Francisco real estate advice, please don't hesitate to contact me!