Sandy Schweiger

Five Rules for Buying a Bank- And Builder-Owned Home at Auction

2008-09-24T13:15:00Z

"Auctions of bank-and builder-owned homes are an alternative to the
traditional way of purchasing a home and represent a potentially bigger
opportunity to get a bargain -- if buyers come prepared to win," said Ross
Dove, President of Zetabid Auction Services and a lifelong auctioneer. "Buyers
who educate themselves and properly prepare have a greater likelihood of
getting the home they've always wanted at an even better price."

With foreclosures and unsold housing inventory at all-time highs,
consumers have a unique opportunity at auctions of bank- and builder-owned
homes if they follow these five golden rules:

1. Do your homework. Identify the houses you're interested in buying.
Go online to places like www.zetabid.com and search to see the inventory of
homes to be sold. Buyers can search by community, number of bedrooms and
price.

2. Visit the properties in advance. It's critical to view the homes
first. Some properties to be auctioned have open houses, so you can walk
through the homes to get a feel for them. Because homes are sold "as is," it's
critical to be comfortable beforehand with any property you may wind up
owning.

3. Make a short list. After seeing the homes, whittle down the list to
only those you really want. It's possible your first or second choice may be
gone. Be financially and emotionally prepared to move on to your next one -
or be ready to walk away.

4. Make a game plan - and keep to it. Decide in advance how much you are
willing to pay. Don't go over budget, and don't buy on impulse. At Zetabid,
you can bring your real estate agent, who can assist you during the bidding
process.

5. Get to the auction early - and bring your checkbook. If you're not
registered online in advance, you'll need to do so in-person the day of the
event. It's important to get there ahead of time to get comfortable. If
you're the winning bidder, you'll need to write a check for a 5% downpayment.
The rest is due in 30 days.

"Because auctions of bank- and builder-owned homes are now more accessible
to consumers, it's easier than you think to walk away with a quality home in a
quality neighborhood," Dove said. "The key is doing your homework in advance
and understanding the rules of the game. With housing prices down, there's no
better time to go to an auction and buy the home you want."

Zetabid is auctioning more than 250 homes at the Ontario Convention Center
in Ontario, California the weekend of Sept. 27-28, 2008. The auction is free
and open to the public. The bidding starts at 10 a.m., and bidders are
encouraged to register in advance at www.zetabid.com.

About Zetabid

Zetabid makes it easy and convenient for consumers to purchase bank- and
builder-owned homes at Zetabid's public auctions. A venture of the Los
Angeles Times Media Group, GoIndustry-DoveBid and CataList Homes, Zetabid
expands access to the inventory of residential properties sold at auction and
opens up the market to U.S. and international buyers. Zetabid offers the
widest reach and greatest awareness of auction inventory through its national
network of print, broadcast and online partners. For more information, visit
www.zetabid.com or call 888.4-ZETABID (888.493.8224).

SOURCE Zetabid

Top 10 most over priced zip codes

2008-08-01T03:23:00Z

Do you think that your home is overpriced in todays market even after the painful correction? If you live in one of these zip codes you may be right. Of course, some of these communities are still very highly desirable, but at the end of the day, do you want Tribeca or Central Park West? Chinatown or Beacon Hill?

Forbes and the ever inquisitive Matt Woolsey have come up with a list of the most overpriced zip codes in the United States. The methodology was fairly simple and one that was trumpeted just before the housing crash.

How much more expensive is it to own your home than rent?

These communities tend to have homes that are 25 times or more expensive to own then rent! And this is not even taking into consideration taxes and maintenance. Now the pleasure and comfort of owning ones own home is never to be denied, but to pay 25 to 30 times the amount for the privilege? You have to be a little bit nuts!

But to each his own. There are benefits to living in these communities, I just have to wonder if the benefit of ownership at such high prices is one of them.

Top 10 Overpriced Zip Codes in America

10037 New York, TriBeCa (36.3 P/R)
02111 Boston, Chinatown (30.5 P/R)
98104 Seattle, Downtown (30.3 P/R)
90038 Los Angeles, West Hollywood (30.2 P/R)
92103 San Diego, Calif. Mission Hills (30 P/R)
94122 San Francisco, Outer Sunset (28.5 P/R)
85006 Phoenix, Coronado (27.1 P/R)
85006 Dallas, Greenway Parks (26.7 P/R)
97213 Portland, Rose City Park (26.6 P/R)
95125 San Jose, Willow Glen (26.1 P/R)

Sandy's Relocation Check list

2008-06-07T17:22:00Z

1 MONTH BEFORE -- CHECK OUT YOUR COMPANY RELO PACKAGE

· determine what expenses will be paid by your company

· determine what expenses you will have to cover yourself

· start a log of moving expense receipts (some may be deductible)

1 MONTH BEFORE -- GET A WRITTEN MOVING ESTIMATE

· get estimates from two or more movers

· including written commitment of pickup and delivery dates

· get and check references

· check the limits of the insurance offered

· see if the insurance offered covers replacement cost

· purchase additional insurance, if necessary

1 MONTH BEFORE -- GIVE CANCELLATION NOTICES

· give day care center proper notice of withdrawal

· give notice to clubs, organizations, volunteer activities

· cancel newspaper subscriptions and regular deliveries

1 MONTH BEFORE -- HIRE A STORAGE FACILITY

· check the limits of the insurance offered

· see if the insurance offered covers replacement cost

· purchase additional insurance, if necessary

1 MONTH BEFORE -- INSTRUCT YOUR BANK

· arrange transfer of your accounts

· order checks with new address

· clean out your safety deposit box

1 MONTH BEFORE -- MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

· hotels / temporary housing

· rental cars / plane tickets

· transport service for pets and automobiles, if needed

1 MONTH BEFORE -- STORE IMPORTANT RECORDS IN FIRE-SAFE BOX

· school records / pet documents

· home purchase / sale papers

· wills / marriage / divorce papers

· financial records / stock certificates

· birth certificates / social security cards / passports

1 MONTH BEFORE -- SUBMIT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS

· turn in forms at the post office

· mail post cards to friends and creditors

1 MONTH BEFORE -- TRANSFER IMPORTANT RECORDS

· contact schools and arrange for transfer of student records

· contact doctors for medical records and referrals to new physicians

· change your insurance policies on property, auto, and medical

2 WEEKS BEFORE -- CLEAN OUT

· take a ruthless walk-through to determine what you want to take

· tag the rest of it and hold a garage sale

· or call a charity for pick-up

2 WEEKS BEFORE -- GET YOUR STUFF IN ORDER

· clean out club, gym, and school lockers

· pick up all dry cleaning

· retrieve and return all borrowed items from friends and neighbors

· return library books

2 WEEKS BEFORE -- PREPARE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME

· arrange for the disconnection or changeover of utilities

· begin packing less-used items

· clean out the cupboards

· plan remaining meals so you can pack what you don't need

· don't buy any more perishables than you have to

7 DAYS BEFORE -- CONFIRM MOVING ARRANGEMENTS

· dates / agreements with moving and storage companies

· agreements with auto and pet transportation companies

· hotel and temporary housing accommodations

· rental car and other transportation arrangements

· don't buy any more perishables than you have to

7 DAYS BEFORE -- LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO REACH YOU

· inform friends and relatives of your forwarding address

· if you'll be without phone service, get a temporary voice mail box

· some long-distance providers offer 1-800 voice mail numbers

7 DAYS BEFORE -- MAKE SURVIVAL BOX FOR MOVE

· paper / pens

· address book / stamps / envelopes

· cellophane and heavy-duty tape / scissors

· tape measure

· paper cups, plates, and towels / plastic utensils / ziploc bags

· facial and toilet tissue / soap / moist towelettes

· instant coffee or tea / bottled drinks / snacks / can opener

· aspirin / band-aids

· travel alarm

· flashlight / small tool kit

· trash bags

· children's games

· spare car keys

· phone books for the city you are leaving and your destination

7 DAYS BEFORE -- PREPARE BELONGINGS FOR PACKING

· make an inventory list of all items going with you personally

· keep valuable / irreplaceable items (jewelry, heirlooms) with you

· clean out and defrost the deep freezer

· disassemble furniture or other items

· check yard and shed for all items that need packed

· set aside box of cleaning supplies and the vacuum cleaner

7 DAYS BEFORE -- THINK ABOUT DECORATING YOUR NEW HOME

· take pictures of furniture / get fabric samples and paint chips

· create a "decorating reference file"

· have measurements taken of the rooms in your new residence

· use floor plans to determine where everything will go

JUST BEFORE MOVING -- CEASE USING THE REFRIGERATOR

· remove all perishable food

· store anything you still need in a cooler

· clean and defrost the refrigerator and freezer

JUST BEFORE MOVING -- FINISH PACKING

· complete packing of all household goods for the move

· make sure all boxes are clearly marked

JUST BEFORE MOVING -- RESOLVE FINANCIAL MATTERS

· conclude any arrangements relating to sale or lease of your home

· purchase traveler's checks for trip expenses

· reconcile and close or transfer bank accounts

MOVING DAY -- CONFIRM MOVING ARRANGEMENTS

· confirm delivery address, directions, and delivery date with movers

· make sure boxes are clearly marked

· make sure your instructions are understood

MOVING DAY -- PREPARE YOUR HOME TO BE VACANT

· make sure a relative, neighbor, or real estate agent has the keys

· make sure that person knows how to contact you

· notify insurance agent and police that the home will be empty

MOVING DAY -- VACATE YOUR HOME

· clean the home and check entire grounds before leaving

· check thermostat and make sure temperature is set appropriately

· make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked

· make sure all appliances are turned off

· leave forwarding address, keys, and garage door opener

WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- GET UNPACKED

· supervise moving crew on location of furniture and boxes

· begin unpacking necessary basics first (utensils, toiletries, etc.)

· give the kids a job to do -- let them start on their rooms

· set kitchen and bedrooms up first, to make you feel at home

WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- PAY AND SETTLE WITH THE MOVERS

· go over "Bill of Lading" with the moving company before signing

· check for damaged and missing items and make a note of them

· the Bill of Lading is usually binding once signed

WHEN YOU ARRIVE -- RELAX AND SETTLE IN

· check to make sure all utilities are on and working properly

· let family members or friends know that you have arrived safely

· check in with employer and real estate agent to confirm itineraries

· now relax, order dinner out, and take a hot bath...you deserve it!

Like a feather

2008-05-20T15:36:00Z

Linnet is a unique home in so many ways every time I do an open house it feels like time is floating by like a feather because of the entire relaxing atmosphere. The home owner wanted to put the feeling of the Northern California in every square foot. Please take the time to drop by and enjoy all the home has to offer....(read more)

Two deer fell in my pool!

2007-12-01T22:48:00Z

Two deer fell in my pool!!

For those of you who don’t know I have two lovely dogs. Sierra and Tiger you can find them with me on some of my advertising. Those are beautiful dogs is what I normally hear, well today there names are mud!!

I had just finished spending a boat load of money on back to school shopping and was ready to finish my projects in my office when my kids started saying things like “There is a deer in the pool!!”

Well hears the story the dogs are good at being somewhat of our fire alarms for deer they know to just bark and run. So they probably just started doing there job, that’s why we feed them to chase stuff off your property. Well the two deer chased a mom and a baby. (Insert Bambi and its mommy comment hear) And they must have chased them towards the house and doing the put the mom and baby in the pool.

While my kids and I tried to herd her out of the pool I couldn’t help while watching the mom swim in circles with her baby seems so sad and familiar, Knowing she wants out so bad but having no tools to do it with. I called animal control, put a pool cover on the side for her to clime out on even put a rope around her neck to pull her out (Deer’s are surprisingly strong even in the water) but nothing seemed to work. We managed to get the baby close enough to pull out leaving the mother to continue to tread water alone and scared the baby stayed there true to her and waited fatefully.

Watching her swim made my heart sink and mad at the same time. She just had to calm down and she could get out that’s all I kept thinking. But she kept scratching at the sides and not making any progress. Somehow I feel like that especially that day, trying so hard to stay afloat and not lose sight of my kids. Knowing if something doesn’t happen soon my true self will sink and fall into bad habits like laziness with my clients, self destructively changing my regular schedule and just plane self doubted.

Eventually for what seemed like an hour that was actually 20 the baby move only about 10 feet away almost saying should I go? Are you going to just stay there and swim? She crawled up the side and out. (Not using the pool cover) It was almost as if she knew her family had given up and she had better do something. Off she went leaving my pool and teaching me the lesson of persistent for survival. I didn’t mention that my pool was a doughboy pool and with all that scratching it went from a home with a pool to a home without a pool in about 30 mins. But not without its lessons for the homeowner.

In the market the way it is now you find yourself trending a lot of water knowing your family is right there beside you. But getting out of a bad situation is your job and first you need to calm down keep your family close. Next look for people that put down a pool cover for you. They are there to help.

Memos of a locations scout

2007-11-05T15:27:00Z

Starting a locations business in Northern California has been a tricky one. Fist you have to convince people that there is a need for one then you have to find time. This will be my blog about both, if anyone is reading this then marvelous and if no one is reading it then it is my diary.