Realty World – BLUE | Property Group, Inc.

With distressed properties, including foreclosures (or REOs) and short sales, making up about half of all single-family home sales in California in January, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, many underwater sellers will face the tough decision between a foreclosure or a short sale. Some of the most important factors to consider before making [...]

San Jose, 95120 Summary The median sales price for homes in ZIP code 95120 for Jan 12 to Mar 12 was $820,000. This represents a decline of 5.2%, or $45,000, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 0.1% compared to the prior year. Sales prices have depreciated 16.5% over the last 5 years [...]

San Francisco is a multi-cultural city full of immigrants from all over the world.  Like many other Chinatown all over the world, the Chinatown at San Francisco is within a few minutes walk from downtown San Francisco where major headquarters and offices located.  This town is a major first stop from Chinese new immigrants to land.  Here they can speak Chinese, buy foods imported from all provinces of China and find a reasonable price logging.  It also has good public transport linked to different parts of City for their work.  No wonder the house price in San Francisco is comparatively speaking stable. Every year the 15th of August in Lunar Calendar is Mid-Autumn Festival.  This year it falls on today, September 12, 2011 that is one day after the 9/11.  In spite of the potential danger of going out on 9/11, lots and lots of people still enjoyed walking.
I feel very grateful that my son, unlike other teenagers, did not share the not so good American culture of “independence” and still willing to walk the fair together with me.  He enjoyed watching all different Chinese cultural stuff and volunteered helping to carry the “goodies” I bought.  I remember when I was at his age, 14, I did not have the concept of going out with parents is shameful or sign of independence.  The big issue in the American education is lack of moral training.  I can understand this might be difficult of USA is the mixing pot and people from different cultures barely mixed like salad.  However, there are some special moral concept about relationship between parents and children from China that categorize that children should pay special respect to parents and elderly.  I have followed this concept and I never talked back to my parents even though I did not agree to their points of view sometimes.
Putting on my hat of “realtor”, it is truly amazing how the real estate price had been supported by streams of new immigrants.  I have many clients who literally shipped their money from China to buy real estate properties in San Francisco and nearby cities.  No wonder, the house price at the Sunset district of San Francisco seems have not dropped much, maximum 20% which is nothing in comparison with other places.
Thank you for checking in with my blog and feel free to contact me if you have any real estate needs or opinions about this blog.

Mr Sing Dao Contest 2011
Recently I encouraged my son Gene to enter the Mr Sing Tao Contest 2011.  At first, he had no idea of what it was and after he googled it, his comment was this was really si-si.  Anyway, he noticed my response and how happy I was picturing him enter into the competition and agreed to try.
I remembered one famous Hong Kong actor once said at the Prize Award Ceremony,” if I were the winner, the competition was very fair, if not, it was not.”  I 100% agreed to this point of view.  Who won as the Mr Sing Dao was very subjective to the judges but who won the Mr Physical, however, was very objective.  Gene has been working out everyday for the past few years in preparation for his “fighter dream” and this led him to get his first award of Mr Physical.  He had completed the 3 different physical trial and had been the champion on the first two, lifting the most up within 30 seconds the heavy ball and jumped the most times on the heavy rope in 30 seconds (I had counted for him, of course).  I was so happy that he enjoyed it and I enjoyed it.
It had taken up a lot of time for rehearsal etc. but I would say this was also a very positive experience.  He told me that he did not have stage fright or maybe he had conquered that.  He is also the final 3 competitors in the talent competition.  He performed playing drum but did not perform well enough.  Maybe the set up time was too short (1 minute allowed for setting up the whole drum set) and Gene had to move his stool in the middle of the performance.  Anyway, according to his knowledge, all competitors would only win one prize and since he already won the Mr Physical, he could not be Mr Talent.
Mr Sing Dao, 2011 Nathan Ng
The Mr. Sing Tao came out to be the guy who posted the not so good looking picture in the newspaper (not photogenic, maybe).  However, I knew that he had prepared well and had been very thoughtful.  He gave one dozen roses to the audience during the cat walk and had answered the question tactfully and humorously (has the ability to entertain the audience which is the essence of this kind of competition).  I also have to praise Mr Talent, Grant Lim.  He had joined the Mr Sing Dao Contest 2010 but still came back to try the second time.  He must have a lot of confidence in himself.  I like this “not giving up” attitude.
Mr Talent, Grant Lim
On the whole, I would say this is a fair competition as I totally have no relationship with Sing Tao Newspaper or Sing Tao Radio Chanel.

I was approached today by a young couple who has been looking for a 3+ bedroom / 2 bath home in west San Mateo for less than $900k. From Crystal Springs Rd. in San Mateo to Ralston Ave in Belmont west of Alameda to Hwy 280. They are sure there are some hiding out there… Let me know if you are aware of anything not currently on the market under $900k in the areas mention – they are pre-approved and ready to buy!!!!!

Hello, If you were waiting for a new incentive that would motivate you to start looking for your first house this should do it: New California Home Buyer Tax Credit! If you didn’t know more than likely, soon,  there will be a tax credit of 5% of the purchase price not to exceed $10,000  for [...]

Fortunately, the real estate industry is highly regulated and as a result, numerous laws, regulations and restrictions mean that the margin for issues is higher than other professions.  By and large, though ethics and good morals rule the day, complaints do occur – some unfounded, others valid.  If a complaint does exist, dig deeper and find the root of the problem and how the agent or brokerage handled the outcome.
In California, check the agent’s records under the Department of Real Estate, which can be done online at www.dre.gov.  Also check with the local Realtor’s Associations, the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.  I would also recommend contacting the Better Business Bureau. Find out if their company is an accredited member, then check for complaints.