All Forum Posts by: Jeff Keller

You should probably take a look at QuickBooks. They have been trying to move towards cloud software which a number of people aren't very happy with. You want to try to understand the issues if QuickBooks looks like it might be a solution for you. Searching for "QuickBooks alternatives" will give you more to look into. Our team leader moved from QuickBooks to custom software.

You need to talk to a local attorney. Adverse possession generally requires exclusive and continuous use. A gate could be a way to eliminate the exclusive use. It might be possible to do exactly what you want to do.

Five years is about the breaking point where owning comes out ahead of renting. Of course if you keep the property and rent it out, then that rent vs. buy is a meaningless comparison.

If you compare actual sales price to list price you will see that high demand areas near Google and Facebook such as Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos flattened out in 2016. (They were some of the first to take off after the 2008 downturn). We have it plotted.

Home prices in Silicon Valley have grown faster than inflation for decades. We've dealt with a number of people who moved out of the area and could not afford to buy a home when they wanted to come back.

In 2008 home prices everywhere in the U.S. were hit. In 2001 the insane dot come bubble affected Silicon Valley home prices more than other areas. Neither of these imply there is a cycle to Silicon Valley home prices. There has been a change away from the 20% yearly appreciation some cities have seen but I don't think prices are going to drop.

Jobs and the economy drive home prices. Both look stable or positive.

I believe in investing locally. If you are going to be in the Bay Area, invest here. If you are going to be in the Florida area invest there.

We've had experience with people either investing there or moving from there to Silicon Valley. What we've seen is that there are swings in the economy that we don't see locally. It appears that when times are good it is a good place to be. When times are poor, you'll be sitting waiting for the business climate to change. Local Phoenix people surely have a different view.

Location makes a big difference. If you are near a downtown or a major employer hiring young people, or a university, a 1/1 will rent easily.  If you are out in the suburbs an 1/1 might be harder to rent.

Our experience has been selling a 1/1 is much harder than selling a 2/1.

It is very common to use Docusign or Ziplogix Digital Ink to electronically sign purchase contracts even when they are in town.

In a few instances a lender or seller may require "wet ink" but that is becoming pretty rare.

Many banks give better rates to existing customers or customers who move an IRA or other investment to their bank. Check with them and also check with other mortgage sources.

Getting accurate info can be challenging. Most lenders quote the lowest rate they offer but if you aren't the perfect borrower you won't get that rate. Your credit union will probably give you a pretty accurate quote.

Many top producing real estate agents refer business to lenders who they can count on to give accurate information and who actually deliver loans. We've actually recommended lenders to buyers whose loan to purchase one of our listings was turned down, and saved the sale. If you are going to be using a real estate agent to find and purchase the property, find a top agent and ask if they have any recommended lenders. They will need to know a little bit about your situation because different lenders have different strengths.

@Glen E ... selling a home is always easier when it is vacant. We have sold a few homes which were tenant occupied and by offering the tenant a little money, they kept the home spotless. It really depends on the tenant.

Most buyers looking for a home to live in are very concerned about unknown repair costs. If a property inspection identifies something like a roof or water heater being near the end of its life, replacing it is probably the best choice. Having the home look well maintained and clean is the most important thing.

A lot of money from Silicon Valley is invested in Sacramento real estate. Repairing and renovating might be attractive to those investors. Investment sites such as BP and Meetup meetings in Silicon Valley where you could meet face to face might be a good way to get business. Sorry, I don't have first hand experience with the Meetup meetings.

In some areas you can find it online at the county assessors office website but more and more you have to go to the office to get it. If building permits are posted online you might be able to get it there.