Newsletter
The Marks Report
May, 2012
May, 2012
Overview
Of course, each local market has its own nuances. If you want to keep track of what's happening with the market in your area, I can send you automatic abbreviated reports for your specific neighborhood.
Click here for a sample report.
Click here for a sample report.
You can also view more in depth neighborhood reports anytime you'd like.
Articles and Advice
Pending Home Sales Near 2-Year High
By: Inman News
NAR: Housing market has 'turned the corner'
Five Signs it's a Good Time to Sell
By: Dian Hymer
Why desperate homeowners could find relief this year
Recycling and Repurposing Old Electronics
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 82% of all unwanted electronic equipment winds up in landfills. TVs, computers, audio players, phones and other related devices amount to almost 2% of municipal waste. And it’s increasing at an annual rate of 8%. Instead of dumping that old device, why not donate it to an environmentally responsible recycler, or any one of the numerous charities who can repurpose it?
- Don’t wait. Since the value of electronics decline at a fast pace, take that unused electronic device out of the closet and donate it as soon as you can.
- Clear the hard drive. Make sure you maintain your privacy by wiping the hard drive clean of any and all data on your phone, computer, or PDA. Not sure how? If you’re a PC user, check out this article at PC World. If you’re using a Mac, read this article at MacWorld.
- Got owner’s manuals, keyboards, connection cables and software? Include them all in your donation.
Ask Alan
Question:
I’m looking to apply for a mortgage in the near future. How can I improve my credit score?
Answer:
You’ve probably heard the routine answers of how to improve your credit score – pay your bills on time, keep your balances low, don’t apply for new credit when you already have plenty. Here are a few tips you might not be aware of:
You’ve probably heard the routine answers of how to improve your credit score – pay your bills on time, keep your balances low, don’t apply for new credit when you already have plenty. Here are a few tips you might not be aware of:
-Dust off your oldest credit card. Credit history is important and the longer you have a card the better it looks to reporting agencies. What’s more, if you stop using your oldest card, issuers may stop updating them to credit bureaus.
-Don’t close unused credit card accounts. Canceling a card may actually lower your score.
-Don’t consolidate your accounts. Rather than shuffle your balances to a lower rate card, keep several small balances.
-Add an installment loan to your credit mix. A quick way to improve your score is to show you’re responsible with other types of loans, such as auto, personal and student loans.
-Rather than pay down your highest interest cards, pay down the ones closest to their max. As a rule of thumb, you should keep your balances at 30% or less of their max.
If you need to shop for a personal loan, submit your applications within a two-week period. A cluster of credit inquires won’t be looked at unfavorably if they fall within a short period of time.
Featured Homes
1 Snowberry Lane
Orinda
Orinda
Just Listed! Beautiful 4 bedroom prairie-style home on a serene creekside lot. Versatile 3400+sf floor plan with walls of windows looking onto gorgeous patio and gardens. Offered at $1,395,000.
3353 S. Lucille Lane
Lafayette
Just Listed! Charming, updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with terrific views on nearly a half acre lot. Updated kitchen and bathrooms, bright and open floor plan with beautiful hardwood floors and wood ceilings. Private wooded setting in great neighborhood! Offered at $697,000.
12 Del Mar Ct.
Orinda
Sold after just 4 days on the market! Beautifully updated 4 bedroom single level in prime Country Club area! Kitchen/family room combo with fireplace and doors to large deck with amazing views! Listed at $1,185,000.
0 Monticello
Lafayette
Available! Buy the lot or build to suit! A true estate lot at the total end of Monticello with a level pad and amazing views! Fully approved lot over 7.5 acres awaiting a custom home. Perfect for horses or vineyard! Can be gated. Offered at $995,000.
Charming single level 3 bedroom front porch ranch style home in a fantastic location! Located just a block from downtown shopping, restaurants, the Lafayette Reservoir and BART. Many updates, great back yard and patio! Offered at $799,000.
Adoptable Pet Spotlight
Families going through foreclosure have to make very hard decisions, and sometimes are no longer able to care for their pets. Dogs and cats often end up in public shelters – racing the clock as they hope for adoption. That’s where Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, or ARF, comes in. The ARF team rescues pets who are about to run out of time in these shelters, provides care and comfort, and then finally matches them with the perfect owners.
Oh, sweet Mother Hubbard! Look at the smile on this hound's face. Four-year-old Mother Hubbard is a Bloodhound mix who just loves to be around people and other dogs. She's a very friendly girl, but ARF isn't sure whether or not she's ever been around children. To find out more about Mother Hubbard or any of the other ARF pets looking for a home, click on the link below.
Event of the Month
ARF Fundraising Pet Walk - Sunday, May 20th
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
8:30-10am - Registration, 10:30am - Pet Walk
Collect pledges and walk to raise money for the Animal Rescue Foundation. Two-legged and four-legged participants welcome! Click on the link below for more information:
ARF Fundraising Pet Walk Information
Wine Group Tasting of the Month
8:30-10am - Registration, 10:30am - Pet Walk
Collect pledges and walk to raise money for the Animal Rescue Foundation. Two-legged and four-legged participants welcome! Click on the link below for more information:
ARF Fundraising Pet Walk Information
Wine Group Tasting of the Month
Many of you know that I have a passion for good wine. I’ve even grown grapes and made my own. I’ve also belonged to a wine group for about 20 years. Every month we get together for a blind tasting and then rank the wines we try.
