Fremont Real Estate and Beyond

I got a question from a client asking what a 1031 Exchange was and thought I'd share with everyone else.  Per one of my vendors (IPX1031) who help me with these transactions-- 1031 Exchanges are an important strategic investment tool for many investors and businesses as the real estate investment market’s momentum continues to escalate. Following are key review points when considering a 1031 tax-deferred Exchange: 1031 Exchanges are used to defer taxes on investment real estate and personal property. Some personal property examples are business equipment, farm machinery, franchise rights, corporate jets, livestock, boats, trucks, fleets of autos, buses, race horses, artwork, collectibles, musical instruments, and distribution routes. 1031 Exchanges simply defer taxes. Section 1031 is not a tax loop hole or tax avoidance, but sound tax code that has been used for almost a century to promote the US economy. 1031 Exchanges allow taxpayers to defer capital gains tax, depreciat

Great video was created by the local MLS to let consumers know the difference between these 2 types of agents who help them in their home buying/selling process. 

A great map was published by the local MLS outlining details about communities throughout the East Bay including basic demographic information and local ordinances that impact real estate transactions and home ownership as well as contact information for key city departments.

Fannie and Freddie are usually a nebulous topic for most people.  An interesting interview came up today on Marketplace about Fannie and Freddie and how they are integral to the mortgages made today. U.S. mortgage giants under the microscope | Marketplace.org  

It's been a long road for TRID, which are the 2 new forms (Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure) to replace the TILA, Good Faith Estimate, RESPA, and HUD-1.  This makes the facts about a person's loan more clear as well as the closing costs more accurate.  The closing disclosure also explains why there may be any differences in final expenses between what was mentioned in the loan estimate and what appears in the closing disclosure.  Video and samples of the paperwork are below.  

A really interesting survey just came out from CAR regarding home sales and why volume is so low.  This is all of California but some details about the Bay Area are parsed out. 2015 Home Owners Survey

Starting Sept. 14, HUD is including a mandate that instructs lenders to inform borrowers when they first meet to get a home inspection prior to purchasing a home. The mandate will be added to the HUD/Federal Housing Administration Single Family Policy Handbook and will include a document called "For Your Protection, Get a Home Inspection." HUD has asked the American Society of Home Inspectors to provide buyers with information about why they should get a home inspection, why the FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of a new home, and information on radon gas testing and other safety and health issues.