San Carlos Real Estate

Ask Carrie and Grant Du Bois about real estate.

Residential real estate sales in San Carlos have picked up steam this spring after a slow start to the year. Although some houses are selling below list price, most are selling at list price or higher-with some significantly over. The average sales price is still high --- $925,000, and the median sales price is $975,000. Housing inventory has been hovering at 40, representing about two months of inventory, with the average number of days on the market down to 20 days from 30 days or more in the winter.

The key for sellers is pricing based on the condition of their properties. Sellers who stage their properties have a good chance to receive offers at list price or higher. Buyers need to take advantage of the higher-than-usual inventory and competitive mortgage interest rates while both are still around. Because of continuing high demand to live in San Carlos (i.e., the City of Good Living), buyers shouldn't wait for market conditions to become more favorable to them, or they likely will be squeezed out of the market. Foreclosed properties may seem like a ripe opportunity for buyers, but they're rare and usually sold through the Multiple Listing Service.

Key Provisions of the New Home Valuation Code of Conduct.

Part of the housing crisis was caused by valuations of property being inflated. Inflation was good for sellers but brought unsustainable price levels long term. So the GSE's are tightening the criterion by which appraisals are performed. Here's how.

The New Home Valuation Code of Conduct is meant to improve the independence and accuracy of the home appraisal process, and provide protections to borrowers, buyers and investors. It went into effect May 1, 2009. Here are some of the code's primary provisions:

• SINGLE-FAMILY:

  The code applies to lenders that sell single-family mortgage loans to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

• WHO CAN PICK:

  It prohibits lenders from accepting appraisal reports by an appraiser selected by mortgage brokers and real estate agents or anyone whose compensation is based on the closing of the loan.

• CERTIFICATION:

  It requires that an appraiser be licensed or certified by the state in which the property to be appraised is located.

• TIME FRAME:

  It requires that borrowers must be provided a copy of the appraisal report no less than three business days proir to closing, unless waived by the borrower.

This is a code that applies nationwide for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans.

So, if it's time to buy San Carlos real estate, how much is it worth?

The new valuation code is in effect so when you need an accurate appraisal, contact our realor above for one that will be honored by a lender. Now choose a realtor from this page and look for San Carlos real estate you want to buy. Then look at this very cool tool to have no more than day old information on the value of the property you just looked at! You'll need an address to get specific information and most listings provide it. Here is the link ... Value the property! This valuation gives you a good idea of the value but not one that will be good to take to a lender. Again, call our realtor.

NEWS! Real estate mortgage loan foreclosures continue to rise. Real estate prices continue to moderate (fall in most places). Interest rates ... flat to higher. Get more information on mortgages by selecting our mortgage page.

Houses for sale, new homes, townhouses, condominium, patio, high-rise apartment, lofts and townhomes are being sold. San Carlos real estate prices vary depending on the area you choose to live in and the price sector. Of course the price you pay depends on interest rates, inventory, population changes and popularity. Interest rates have been all over the board recently but mostly down in a very affordable range. But do you know what? We're not interested in how much it's gone up or down in the last year percentage wise ... really ... only the fact that rates are still very low and rising now. Will they continue to be low? Depends on the FEDs. Today from an interest rate perspective, the notes can be low. Watch here to see how changes affect San Carlos real estate prices. Real estate rates around San Carlos has been falling recently although today it's up and down, mostly up. All of the nations large scale builders are feeling the pinch too. You might contact an agent to ask if there are specials because of a weakness in the price of new homes. For example, Toll Brothers ... an upscale builder in many parts of the nation, reported lower expectations to their stock holders as did Lennar, Horton and all other major builders.

San Carlos Real Estate Mortgage information and calculators.

Free calculators for residential purchases are available on realtors sites and they can help with reverse mortgages, interest rates, interest only loans, promissory note, morgage brokers, principal residential morgages, owner financing, lot loans, ARM, prequalification and home buying loan approval.

Sell my house? Buy another?

Is it time to sell / buy? This is your call. If you:

• If buying and think rates are going to climb. Today these are the rates nationwide:
• 30 Year Fixed: about 5.02%
• 15 Year Fixed: about 4.37%
• 5 Year Variable: about 3.90%
• Believe real estate will continue to fall in your area
• Have a lot of equity in your home from appreciation

For more information about current mortgage activity, visit Yahoo!Finance.

Time to buy? Well, these questions of buy or sell can only be answered by you. We can certainly bring you the homes that are for sale on these websites, and it makes sense to buy when you need a home, can afford a home or want a second home. We have no recommendations for buying or selling, only offer you the options that are available on all these sites. Look at the top of the page first for preferred realtors but don't look past the ones on the left and right side.

If it's not time to buy then indeed this might be the time to sell. The housing boom is a phonemenon of the past several years ... it's kept our economy running by in large. Fortunes change over time. Many have prospered greatly in the last 6 years no doubt. If you're interested in selling your home, contact a reputable real estate agent representing the seller ... a sellers real estate agent. You'll find some on our pages here.

San Carlos Neighborhoods and Communities.

Thank you for your search in TheRealEstateOfAmerica.com for San Carlos California real estate. Contact one of the real estate agents above for access to the local MLS to find your dream home for sale.

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