By JAMES R. HAGERTY, Wall Street Journal The Federal Reserve is going to extraordinary lengths to push down long-term interest rates, including home-mortgage rates. But those hoping mortgage rates will fall sharply from current levels, already historically low, may be disappointed. Mortgage firms Thursday were quoting rates averaging 4.75% on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, according to […]
By Tom Balk – tom@afirealestate.com 1 – Currently the FHA and Fannie Mae conforming limits are BEING RAISED BACK UP TO $729,750 in most Bay Area Counties. This is a temporary increase for 2009 only. 2 – Federal Tax Credit up to $8,000 (or 10% of the sales price, if lower) is available to all […]
via SF Realtor Advantage Online S.F. Real Estate Rebounding—A Channel 5 News Story The lead story yesterday on the six o’clock news on Channel 5 (the local CBS affiliate station) was a report by Emmy Award-winning political editor Hank Plante on the rebound in real estate sales that has been noticed recently in San Francisco. […]
via John Burns Real Estate Consulting Since we began tracking the data for the major MSAs in 1981, there has never been a better time to buy a home. The median income household needs only 27% of their income (an all-time low) to qualify for the median-priced home, and that household is also only paying […]
Housing Rescue Plan: (effective Wednesday, March 4th) Refinance affects approximately 8 million homeowners with loans owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and those who have little or no equity to refinance into a new fixed rate loan at a reduced interest rate. To be eligible, homeowners’ must be current on their payments and cannot […]
Via the Associated Press By CHI-CHI ZHANG – Feb 12, 2009 BEIJING (AP) — Beijing lawyer Ying Guohua is heading to the United States on a shopping trip, looking not for designer clothes or jewelry, but for a $1 million home in New York City or Los Angeles. He expects to get a bargain. Ying […]
President Obama unveiled his plan to help stabilize the housing market and keep millions of borrowers in their homes. The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan includes two initiatives to help struggling homeowners. One is a refinancing program for homeowners with less than 20% equity in their homes, or who owe more than their home is worth. The second program attempts to lower monthly payments for homeowners at risk of losing their home. In addition, the plan includes a third initiative to support low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Many of the plan’s details are still being worked out and will not be announced until March 4, here is an overview of the plan’s main components.
Just signed and sealed…a $787 Billion Stimulus Plan made up of tax cuts and spending programs aims at reviving the US economy. Although the package was scaled down from nearly $1 Trillion, it still stands as the largest anti-recession effort since World War II. Home owners and potential homebuyers stand to gain from key provisions in this stimulus plan. Here is what we know as of today…
An Historic Opportunity Real estate in San Francisco has historically been a fantastic investment – a great long-term asset that should be part of any portfolio. But, you might ask, what about the recent slowdown? Why should I buy now? Our answer at Afi + Associates: Great value for money! In fact, our associates are […]
ANOTHER UNIVERSE: Strings, Holes, Scapes, Folds A MARIKA BERLIND Exhibition hosted by Afi + Associates Opening Reception: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 6:00-8:30 pm April 1 – July 1, 2009 Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM Afi + Associates 200 Brannan St., Unit 100 San Francisco, CA 94107 415.495.1114 MARIKABERLIND@GMAIL.COM WWW.MARIKABERLIND.COM Afi + Associates and Marika Berlind are teaming up […]
The long-anticipated Transbay Terminal project is underway. The station and surrounding commercial complex has been heralded as the Grand Central Station of the west coast, and, when complete, will make San Francisco’s newest and hottest neighborhood, South Beach, the place to be for eco-savvy property owners and renters who choose to live car free. December’s groundbreaking ceremony, […]
Schedule Your 2009 Real Estate Portfolio Review Happy New Year! Please schedule your 2009 Real Estate Portfolio Review for January, today! Staying ahead in the upcoming market is an art. 1. Market Recovery Strategy: Can purchasing real estate at below today’s construction rates help you recover from losses in your investment portfolio? 2. Refinance: Should you […]
CHANGE Welcome to a dynamic market that requires us to adjust daily, stay focused and identify opportunities. Change is motivation for learning and growing. Being prepared and informed about your options should be your highest priority. Call Afi today at 415.312.2555 for an evaluation of your real estate portfolio. Seminar: Short Sale, Foreclosure, REO’s and Special Opportunities in the […]
Thank you! All of us at Afi & Associates would like to thank our wonderful clientele, locally and abroad, for choosing us for their real estate needs. In appreciation of the business you have given us and the success it has brought us this year, we will be making a contribution to Root Division. Through their programs, […]
Spotlight: Spacious, Unique and Wonderfully Situated 3 BD/2BA Condo at The Beacon Welcome to The Beacon, San Francisco’s ultimate combination of convenience and lifestyle! More than just a luxury condominium and apartment building, your potential new home puts you at the center of San Francisco’s hottest neighborhood, just moments from regional attractions like AT&T Park […]