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Galt Real Estate Galt Homes Galt Condos Galt REALTOR®

 

Better Homes and Gardens RE - Mason-McDuffie
1819 K Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, California 95811-4182

(916) 444-7577 office
(866) 720-CITY (2489) toll free
(916) 444-7977 fax


Featured Only one live/work loft is left at the 4th Avenue Lofts | Enjoy this clean and contemporary North Natomas condo at the Westlake Villas | Smart buy: an affordable classic and great starter or investment in Oak Park

Your Galt Home Search Starts Here!

Search Galt homes | [under $100,000] [$100,000s] [$200,000s] [$300,000s] [$400,000s] [over $500,000] | Galt condos | Galt multi-family (2-4 units) | Galt apartment buildings (5+ units) | Galt JUST LISTED homes & condos | Galt homes built since 2005 | Galt vacant lots & land | Galt commercial properties | Galt foreclosure listings | About Galt foreclosures and REOs

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FAQs: What is the California foreclosure timeline or process?

Q: What is the timeline for the foreclosure process in California? When does the process start and end?

Asked by an anonymous web visitor in East Sacramento

A: This is a question I get asked a lot by both people who are experiencing a financial hardship as well as those interested in investing in preforeclosures and who want to know what the foreclosure process looks like.

Rather than a lengthy written answer, I wanted to share a video I found online from a company that assists home owners and REALTORS® with the short sale process. Take a look:

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:53 PM, , links to this post



FAQs: What is Median Sales Price?

Q: What is "median sales price"? Why did the median price spike in Sierra Oaks in the middle of 2006?

Asked by Kelsey, a home buyer in the Arden area

A: Your question strikes at the heart of so many people's questions about home values, Kelsey.

The median resale price (sometimes called "median price" or "median home price") refers to the price at which half of all homes (in a given area for a certain time period) sold for more and half sold for less. If the sampling of sales isn't large enough—say for instance it's for a small geographic area or short time period—then that number can be skewed by a couple properties and may vary dramatically from period to period.

In May of 2006, Sierra Oaks (95864) had an unusually high number of homes selling for over $1 Million. While million-dollar homes aren't unusual in the area, there were four homes that sold in that price range in one month compared to the 1-3 that sold other months.

If you look at a larger area or longer period, you'll get a truer picture of things--but median resale price is an imperfect number and is a "snapshot" of what types of homes are selling at any given time, not necessarily of actual home values. This is why Sacramento's median resale price has dropped dramatically in the last several months as real estate investors and first-time homebuyers have flooded the market but the number of move-up buyers has been low (note: foreclosures and short sales don't fuel the move-up market because banks don't buy a property after selling and short-sellers are typically exiting the ownership market).

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:50 AM, , links to this post



FAQs: Can I write offers on more than one house at a time?

Q: Can I write offers on multiple houses without losing my deposit if more than one of those offers is accepted?

Asked by Tony, a home buyer in Natomas

A: Great question, Tony--and one I get asked often.

While you can potentially "get away with it" because of the many contingencies you're afforded within the purchase contract, writing offers on multiple properties at the same time would probably be considered acting in bad faith because you don't actually intend to purchase all the properties you're writing offers on. Chances are you're writing multiple offers with the hope that at least one of them will go somewhere--which is definitely a reality in the current market, especially in competitive price ranges.

When my clients ask this question, my response is simple: let's write and submit one offer at a time and, as each offer expires, we can move on to the next offer. If your agent is using a CAR purchase agreement, the default expiration of your offer is probably 5pm on the third day after you submitted your offer. Banks may (and often do) drag their feet and take longer than three days to respond, so technically your offer may expire even while it's being considered by the bank. If you choose to accept a response after your offer is expired, that's great--but nothing precludes you from writing another offer in the meantime if your original offer's expiration date has come and gone. Further, you can adjust the day and time that your offer expires by writing in something else if three days is longer than you want to wait.

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:59 PM, , links to this post



"Buy and Bail" is Mortgage Fraud

A Sacramento homeowner was recently quoted in the Wall Street Journal talking about her plans to purchase a "second home" and then let her current home—purchased in November 2006 for much more than similar homes are currently selling for—fall into foreclosure.
"I can find the same exact house as what I live in right now for half the price."
But this practice, referred to in the mortgage market as "buy and bail", is considered by many in the real estate industry to be mortgage fraud. Fannie Mae, established in 1938 as a government agency but now a privately-held lending institution that provides financing to most of the nation's largest home mortgage lenders, is tightening regulations to prevent these abuses of the system. Individual lending institutions are reviewing their own lending practices and underwriting requirements and are watching for borrowers that are at risk of engaging in buy-and-bail.

Legitimate borrowers planning to take advantage of the current sluggishness in the real estate market to buy a second home or move-up property can expect tighter loan standards and will likely need to produce additional evidence.

Thinking about renting out your current home and moving up to something better? Here's what your lender will probably request from you:
  1. Supporting evidence to back up the claim that the current home will be rented out, including a signed lease agreement;
  2. Proof of income to support principal, interest, taxes, and insurance on both the current residence and the new property being purchased;
It's important to keep in mind that a buy-and-bail also has serious, long-lasting consequences for a borrower. Not only is a foreclosure a big hit to a borrower's credit, but many lenders are also suing for fraud.

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 3:04 PM, , links to this post



New! Search homes and condos quickly by ZIP Code

Now you can quickly and easily search by ZIP Code with just a click! It's easier than ever to pull up homes and condos in your preferred ZIP Code by simply clicking the » By ZIP Code NEW! link under Quick Property Searches from the menu at the left. You can scroll through the list of available ZIP Codes in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado Counties to bring up a convenient list of the first 200 homes and condos for each ZIP. And, as always, you can get news listings matching ALL your search criteria sent to your email inbox daily by clicking on the link under Resources for Buyers.

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:42 PM, , links to this post



NEW! Galt foreclosures available online

This is a quick update: I just added a new link to Galt foreclosures, now you can view bank-owned and REO properties in Galt and other areas, including Antelope, Arden, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Del Paso Heights, Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Meadowview, Midtown Sacramento, North Natomas, North Sacramento, Oak Park, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sacramento, Tahoe Park, the UCD Med Center, the Pocket, West Sacramento, Woodlake, and even Woodland.

Foreclosures (also called REOs or bank-owned properties) represent some of the best deals in the local real estate market. Still not sure how to buy a foreclosure property? You can and review a glossary of terms, plus request additional info and get new foreclosure listings as they become available.

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:52 AM, , links to this post



Understanding your credit

I'm fortunate enough to host a great weekly real estate forum (the largest of its kinda in the area) that I created in early 2007. While it's only open to real estate professionals, a lot of the info that comes out of that group benefits my clients. This week we had Mark Wolff and Jay Broderick with the law firm Wolff & Wolff join us to talk about credit information and how consumers can protect themselves.

Here's a scary fact that Jay shared with us: a recent study showed that one in four consumers had errors on one or more credit reports so severe that it could cause them to be unable to obtain housing or employment. Additionally, 79% of credit reports had at least minor errors or inaccuracies.

Do you know what's on your credit reports?

The first key is to understand that not one but three major credit reporting agencies are monitoring our individual credit behavior. This includes payment habits, credit balances, loan types, and new credit inquiries (initiated by the consumer or by outside creditors for the purpose of evaluating creditworthiness). Creditors and individuals such as prospective employers that you grant permission potentially have access to information about how much and what types of credit you have, whether or not you're paying on time, what percentage of your available credit is used, your rent/mortgage payment history, and more—and they're using this information to determine not only if you should get that new platinum credit card but also whether or not you should have a home loan, what interest rate you'll get on that loan (remember that when you're considering buying a home in the Galt area), whether or not you should be allowed to rent, or even if you should be hired for a job.

Knowing what's on your credit report is critical.

Know your credit situation but obtaining a FREE copy of your credit report info every year
The three major credit reporting agencies—TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian—are required to provide for FREE one copy of your credit report per year to you the consumer. The two easiest ways to access these reports are
  1. By phone. You can call toll free in the U.S. (877) 322-8228 to request a printed copy of your credit report from one or more of the agencies be mailed to you.
  2. By secure website. You can access information quickly and easily online (after verifying your identity) at http://www.annualcreditreport.com (Please note that the information provided online is not produced in the same format as a printed credit report, you may wish to order by phone for the most detailed information)
Once you've received a copy of your report(s), review them for accuracy. If you note errors, you can contact the credit agencies or the creditor with whom you have a dispute and request resolution. This is not always an easy process.

If you're having a hard time understanding what's on your credit report, a creditor or agency is unwilling to make a correction, or you need more assistance, I recommend you contact Jay Broderick with Wolff & Wolff for a consultation (there is a $50 consultation fee for a review of your reports and to determine a course of action). The number is (916) 714-5050 or you can email Jay at jaybroderick@wolffandwolff.com

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:42 AM, , links to this post



Choosing a REALTOR® in the Galt area

When choosing a REALTOR® to help you buy or sell a home or other property in the area, there's good news: you have options. With membership within the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® at more than 7,000 real estate professionals* (though this includes lenders, title and escrow professionals, and other affiliates), you the consumer have more options than ever when it comes to selecting a real estate agent. So how do you choose?

I. Select a knowledgeable professional who understands your needs
Looking for a Galt homes? You probably don't want a real estate agent whose focus is on vacant agricultural land. Ask questions. How well does he know the area? How familiar is he with current market conditions in the area? With the type of property you're looking for? I'm a fourth generation Sacramentan and host the largest weekly forum of its kind for real estate professionals within the greater Sacramento area.

II. Buyers: Choose an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
If you're a buyer, one way to make sure you're receiving expert representation is to select an Accredited Buyer Representative or ABR. ABRs are professionals who've been certified by the Real Estate Buyers Advisory Council (REBAC) through advanced education and training and have met the council's criteria—and this is the only buyer representation credential recognized by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®. There are only 34 ABR designees** in Sacramento County despite association membership numbering more than 7,000. I'm proud to be an Accredited Buyer Representative and have been since 2006.

III. Sellers: Choose a REALTOR® with a comprehensive marketing plan
In an ever-changing real estate market, it's not enough to put a sign in the ground and post a listing on the MLS. Make sure your real estate agent has a comprehensive marketing plan that's tailored to your property. Ask for details about that marketing plan? What does your REALTOR® have to offer that will help your property stand out in a crowded marketplace? I offer my sellers the unparalleled access to the right buyers through the largest local network of neighborhood- and property-specific real estate websites: and I'm the only agent who can offer this.

This includes regional sites such as ForSaleinSacramento.com, ForSaleinRoseville.com, ForSaleinElkGrove.com, ForSaleinWestSac.com, and ForSaleinCitrusHeights.com; smaller neighborhood-specific sites such as ForSaleinDowntown.com, ForSaleinMidtown.com, ForSaleinEastSac.com, ForSaleinLandPark.com, and ForSaleinArden.com; property-specific sites including SacramentoCondoLiving.com, MidtownLoftLiving.com, and SacramentoGreenProperties.com; and even project-specific sites like SutterBrownstones.com,
RiverfrontPlazaCondos.com, 1600H.com, and 800JSt.com. And this is just a sample of my own personal websites and doesn't include the video, viral marketing, mailings, or network of independent resources I use to market listings!

IV. Talk to people you trust and ask for referrals

"Rob was great. He was very patient in dealing with questions and quirks."
-Marlis R. (home buyer in Elk Grove)

"Thanks for doing such a great job. You guys are awesome!! I appreciate being kept informed..."
-Reiko M. (condo seller Downtown)

"Dear Mr. McMartin, I want you to know how much I appreciate Rob McQuade. He is an excellent Realtor and also a good person. He was aware of every detail along the way, he took the initiative to keep in close contact so I would stay informed. He was so competent and knowledgeable. I don't know how he managed to be so professional while also being understanding and patient. His judgment and advice on pricing the house, improvements needed to sell quickly and fairly was impeccable. I could not have had a better REALTOR® and I was so pleased with not only the end result, but the entire process. Thank you."
-Jeanne N. (home seller in East Sac/McKinley)

* According to the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® as of April 2008.
** According to the Real Estate Buyers Advisory Council (REBAC) website as of April 2008.

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:39 PM, links to this post



New form makes loan terms easier to understand

It's not often that I can thank the federal government for simplifying things, but the proposed Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form released by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) turns what once read like stereo instructions—sometimes missing stereo instructions—into a much clearer picture of what you can expect from your home loan.

HUD's new Good Faith Estimate makes loan terms easier to understand
HUD's new, four-page Good Faith Estimate (you can preview it in PDF format here) more clearly explains to a prospective borrower the terms of the financing they may be committing to. While it still remains an estimate, the GFE now spells out which terms a) may not change, b) may change by not more than 10%, and c) may change prior to closing—and does so in plain English.

The new form doesn't solve all the problems a borrower can face, but it increases transparency and makes it easier to compare apples to apples—the rates, fees, and other costs being charged by various lenders.

Watch for the new form soon, and take the opportunity to ask your lender questions. Information is power!

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:46 AM, , links to this post



The Rule of 72 and Getting Rich in Real Estate!

I came across this article and the author gave me permission to share it with you. It's a great real estate investment primer now that we're in a real estate market that's ideal for investing given the number of Sacramento homes priced under $100,000. And when you're ready to start planning your Galt purchase, give me a call at (916) 444-7577. -Rob

The Rule of 72 and Getting Rich in Real Estate!
By Ed Lathrop

At the current time, it's no secret the price of real estate has stopped increasing and has started to fall in most parts of the country. Though this may be bad news for people who were planning on their homes going up in price quickly, a dip in price is good news for those looking to invest in real estate.

In the coming years, many people will be making money because they bought into this real estate market downturn. Making a lot of money in real estate is of course, easier said than done, but it is certainly not unprecedented.

The first step on the road to riches is to gain the understanding of the tried-and-true theory of making money in real estate. The first step in gaining this knowledge is an understanding of the rule of 72.

The Rule of 72

The rule of 72 helps us understand the effects of compounding interest over longer periods of time. It states, compounding interest will double the price of a commodity in the number of years of 72 divided by the yearly interest rate. For instance, if you had $10,000 in the bank and it was earning six percent per year, you would divide 72 by 6 to find out how long it would take the $10,000 to double into $20,000.

The answer is, of course, 12. So, if you were to invest for a very long period of time, for instance, 36 years; your $10,000 investment would turn into $20,000 in 12 years, $40,000 in 24 years, and $80,000 in 36 years.

It is common for real estate to increase 6 percent in a year. In fact, this would be a relatively slow market. The price of realty doesn't always go up, but when there is a hot market, it is not uncommon to see real estate increase by 20 to 30 percent in one year.

Since the market is not always hot, it doesn't make sense to use the rule of 72 to calculate for enormous gains like 30 percent. Those types of gains are an aberration. However, since the '50s real estate has increased, in some areas, by an average of 8 percent. For simplicity reasons however, lets use the figure of 7.2 percent.

If a commodity increases by 7.2 percent per year, the rule of 72 tells us that its price will double every 10 years. 72 divided by 7.2 is 10. So, you can see that over the long haul it is smart to be invested in real estate all the time.

Leverage

Simply doubling your money every 10 years will not put you on the fast track to wealth. To get on the fast track to wealth, you must incorporate leverage. With leverage you control a large amount of worth, while only having invested a small amount of money.

Here's how leverage works in real estate. If you are able to put down 20 percent on a $200,000 property, you will have invested $40,000. If the price of that property doubles in the next 10 years, which the rule of 72 tells us it will at a yearly interest rate of 7.2 percent, the price of the property will be worth $400,000 after the 10 year period. If you had been able to rent out the property with your tenants making the monthly mortgage payments, as well as paying your taxes and insurance, you will have made $200,000 with your $40,000 investment.

This is leverage at work because the rule of 72 should have doubled your $40,000, but you actually made $200,000 because of the leverage your mortgage, combined with renting gave you.

If your mortgage happened to have been an interest only mortgage, the property would never be paid off, but your monthly payment would have been low enough to have your tenants paying the mortgage payments each month without you suffering a negative cash flow.

At this point, you could sell the property and receive $200,000 minus probably, $5,000 to $6,000 for expenses, at closing. Plus you will also get back your original $40,000 down payment. Of course, as a real estate investor, your next move would be to use your $235,000 to make down payments on other properties.

You can see how a person could use the rule of 72 and leverage over and over again to become very wealthy. This is not a far-fetched hypothesis. It is a proven theory that has worked countless times.

For many people, the trick is to find the original down payment he/she will need to get started. Aside from the rule of 72 and a thorough understanding of how leverage works, knowing how to get started with little or no money is the next biggest key to success in real estate investing. However, it will be the topic for another discussion.

Ed Lathrop is a successful Real Estate investor. He has developed EzCalculator, a Mortgage Calculator that calculates anything to do with mortgages, shows you how to pay off credit card debt and now includes a free student loan calculator. This Free Mortgage Calculator, is home to the famous "How to Make $100,000 on Your Mortgage" calculator. Come visit this free site at Mortgage Calculator!

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posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:29 AM, , links to this post



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