Holly Barr, Your Favorite RealtorHolly Barr | Holly Barr, Your Favorite Realtor

Take a new way home and get a treat!

Holly Barr — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:41:52 +0000

As a realtor, I like to think I am up on the neighborhoods that I serve. Part of that is driving around a bit and checking out streets I may have not seen in awhile. Today, my meandering home took me down one of my favorite streets, Franquette. I like this street because of the huge lot sizes (I am just jealous) and how it always seems to have a house under construction. That street is really going through a metamorphosis. Anyway, today I drove by a stand out in front of someone’s home on that street that was selling tomatoes. About 7 large romas for $1.00. I have no need for tomatoes right now, but I HAD to get some! Can’t beat local and fresh for a buck!! Tacos, salads and pasta sauce for a week!

Negotiations with relocations (nego with relo)

Holly Barr — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:38:30 +0000

When a company agrees to move you or relocate you for a new career, essentially, there are two sets of buyers and two sets of sellers all working in concert to close escrow at the same time.

1) The sellers sell the house to the relocation company (seller and buyer).
2) The relocation company (now is the seller) sells it to the buyers found through the realtors marketing efforts.
3) The buyers have an agent and a transaction perspective as a buyer and often a sale of their house that effects # 1and 2 above (possible 3rd set of buyers and sellers).

It is essential to have an agent with sharp communication skills on the phone, email, fax and even texting. With that many transactions happening at the same time everyone needs to know what is happening and what needs to be done.

Also keep in mind that the relocation company who is buying the property from you may want the house to be in near perfect condition and expect you to make it that way. They may want all termite damage taken care of, plumbing leaks, electrical issues etc. repaired before they will continue with the transaction. If there are a lot of repairs or deferred maintenance, it may be rather pricey or more fuel for negotiations when compared to selling without a relocation company.

Top 5 things that you can negotiate for when working with a relocation company:
1) You can always choose your realtor even if they have a preferred realtor system.
2) The amount relocation will pay you out if the house does not sell.
3) The amount relocation pays for repairs- I have seen this
4) Picking up new furniture or items that are not on site. You can have the trucks go by Ethan Allen to pick up that new bedroom set if you negotiate for it!
5) Getting the house cleaned (yes, they can and sometimes will pay for a house cleaner!)

Willow Glen’s real estate world of RANCHERS!

Holly Barr — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:14:18 +0000

10 new listings on tour in Willow Glen today and 5 of them were ranch style homes. These ranchers range (you know like, home on the range…) in price from $798,000 for a 3 bed 2 bath 1652 sq ft on Wawona to $1,099,000 for a 3 bed 2 bath 1880 sq ft. on Willow Oaks. The house on Willow Oaks has a SIX plus car garage (you could store a lot of ranch equipment there). Here is a picture:

SIX plus car garage! Look closely you will see another building behind these front ones.

I have to mention my listing that is not a ranch, yet it was on tour, 1520 Hervey Ln. it has THREE driveways, 4 bed 2.5 bath 2073 sq ft. 6133 lot @ $900K Wonderful home! Open this Sunday 1:30-4:30. Here it is:

Beautiful home on a wonderful quiet street!

My pick of the week is 1051 Clintonia (near Palm Haven in Willow Glen). This house is a newer build and as I write this is not yet on MLS. The owner is also an agent, Donna Cowsert and she has done a beautiful job with this house. It has designer touches you do not see in typical homes. White cabinets, beautiful chestnut hued wood flooring and detailed carpeting. My favorite was the yard. Large lounging area and the pool was like artwork shaped in a C with elegant steps, waterfalls and a glass fire pit. Check it out! I was told it will be open on Sunday 1:30.

Entertaining or sunbathing... no complaining!

A little something for everyone!

Market update:

We have 32 houses in Willow Glen currently listed at over $1million
The count for houses that are for sale in area 10 (WG) this week is 239 (a bit high…) Last week the count was 230.

Top three WG real estate picks for 8/7/08

Holly Barr — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:29:40 +0000

Pick of the week! CARMEL COTTAGE CHARMER IN WILLOW GLEN! 1580 Cherry Glen Way (off Hicks & Mercer) 3 bed 2 bath 1732 sq ft. $1,199,000. This house felt like Carmel charm and just gave you a hug when you walked through the white picket fence (sounds cheesy I know, but really you should check this house out.- Open house on Sun. 8/10/08). And, there is a happy little dog that is due any minute with puppies so you might be able to see puppies at the open house! Okay, back to the house, charming bathroom with a claw foot tub and chandelier, remodeled kitchen with what the agent called Metaphoric Granite (jade green marblelooking stone that is said to be harder than granite) and a full size master suite addition that works well for privacy and access to the backyard.

Delightful kitchen with Metaphoric granite (bamboo green)

Coupla Comfy CONDOS! There are two very comparable 2 bed condos new to the market one is on Brace $499K (off Lincoln Ave. downtown) and one on Alma Loop $398K (close to the Eastern boarder of WG). Repeat after me… location makes a big difference… and big is defined here as $100K more for the condo steps from the downtown. It is also important to note that the Brace place is a 2 bed 1.5 bath with no complex amenities and the one on Alma Loop is a 2 bed 2 bath has a pool, spa and clubhouse.

Expect the real estate unexpected in this MUST SEE home!

1598 Santa Maria Ave. 4 bed 2 bath 3085sq ft at $1,400,000. This house felt like a blend of cultures including French with the manicured boxwood lined paths, Africa with a large sunroom filled with African animal replicas and art and Vegas with a ROUND bed in the master and gold leaves lining the staircase (hard to explain- it is something that is better seen in person- open Sunday 8/10/08). If you go see it, don’t miss with the guest room with walls COMPLETELY covered in ribbed fabric that matches the bedding and the paint on the closet door see below:

Walls and bedding match

And, be sure to take note of the fireplace. It was put in place approx. 20 years ago at a cost of $40K- hand carved and beautiful. Though, if you are not looking you may easily miss it.

WG had 14 sales this week and 14 sales last week. The count (of how many properties are on market in WG) is 230 and last week it was 227.