How to Choose a Listing Agent

In a hot seller’s market, you might think anyone can sell a house. And you might be right! But the goal isn’t simply to sell your house. The goal is to maximize your profit through a smooth transaction. And for that, you need an exceptional listing agent.

Here’s how to choose a listing agent.   

Step 1: Limit Your Search to Well-Qualified Listing Agents

We know it can be tempting to contact your friend or family member who happens to be a real estate agent. But there’s too much at stake to hire someone simply because you have a relationship with them. You need a reliable professional with a proven track record of success. You owe it to yourself to seek out well-qualified listing agents. 

Sequoia real estate agents are among the best in the business and have a well-earned reputation for excellence in communities all over the Bay Area. You can read brief, insightful Q&As with each agent on the Sequoia website to see which agents might be a good fit for you.

Step 2: Interview Multiple Listing Agents 

Around 77% of sellers hire the first agent they speak with. But to make a well-informed decision, you really need to interview more than one agent. 

Here are a few hard-hitting questions to ask in your interviews:

• Can you provide testimonials from satisfied clients? You want confirmation that your listing agent candidates have gotten results for their previous clients.

• What would you recommend as the list price for my house? You’re not looking for the agent who suggests the highest list price; you’re testing the agents to see how they arrive at their recommended value and if they’re willing to take the time to explain the pricing strategy to you.

• How will you market my house? A good listing agent will come in with a proven strategy and will have room in that strategy to play up the highlights of your unique home.

• How will you keep me updated? You want an agent who will keep you in the loop with regular updates and notify you of upcoming deadlines or potential issues.

• Will you take a lower commission? This is a bit of a trick question. Remember, your listing agent will represent you in negotiations. This is a test of their ability to negotiate their own commission. If they won’t defend their own fee, how confident can you be that they will negotiate the best price and terms for you?

With just those five questions, you’ll learn a lot about your listing agent candidates.

Step 3: Ask Yourself Who Will Get Me the Best Results?

Selling your home is a critical financial decision. You need to hire the listing agent you feel will get you the best results. For most sellers, this means hiring the agent that will:

• Get you top dollar,

• Negotiate favorable terms,

• Sell your house quickly, and

• Make the transaction as stress-free as possible for you.

When you’re ready to hire a well-qualified listing agent to sell your Bay Area home, contact Sequoia Real Estate.

How to Buy a Home With Poor Credit

It may be challenging to buy a home with poor credit, especially in the Bay Area’s hot seller’s market, but it’s entirely possible. You just need to understand how mortgage lenders evaluate credit, and then you need a few tips for navigating the system. 

We’re happy to give you an industry insider’s look at how to buy a home with poor credit. 

Increase Your Down Payment

The easiest way to buy a home with poor credit is to increase your down payment amount. A higher down payment gives you a higher financial stake in the home and makes lenders feel more confident that you will repay your mortgage loan.

You might be able to access additional funding for your down payment through:

• Down payment assistance programs

• Financial gifts from friends or family

• Borrowing from your retirement account

Just make sure you keep enough money aside to cover closing costs in addition to the down payment. 

Explore Non-Conventional Home Loans

While every lender has its own credit score requirements, most require a score of at least 620 for buyers looking for a conventional loan. But conventional loans aren’t your only option.

FHA loans are a popular alternative, particularly among first-time homebuyers. FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan started back in the 1930s as a way to make it easier for people to become homeowners. These loans are secured by the US Government, so they are less risky for the lender. This allows lenders to work with buyers who have lower credit scores. 

You may be able to qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 580.   

Ways to Quickly Improve Your Credit

Lenders do look at more than just your credit score when evaluating your loan application. So it’s worth speaking with a lender even if your credit score is less than 580.  

But if you need to quickly improve your credit score, here are a few ideas that can give you a boost in as little as 30-60 days:   

• Correct any errors on your credit report. Errors are more common than you might think, and if an error is negatively impacting your credit score, you can quickly improve your score by contacting the credit bureaus to request a correction.

• Increase your credit limits. Contact your creditors to request an increase in your credit limit. Your creditors are more likely to agree if you’ve been making payments on time consistently in recent months.

• See if you can remove collections records. Contact the collection agencies for any accounts currently in collections and ask if they would be willing to delete the collection record from your credit report in exchange for payment. The collector might even accept partial payment; it can’t hurt to ask.

How Sequoia Can Help You Buy a Home With Poor Credit

Sequoia real estate agents regularly work with buyers who have poor credit to make their homeownership dreams a reality. We’re happy to put you in touch with reputable, local mortgage lenders who can answer all your questions about your unique financial situation and get you on the path to homeownership.  

Contact us today to consult with one of our experienced buyer’s agents.

5 Most Common Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make

Buying a home is a complex process, and first-time homebuyers are particularly susceptible to certain mistakes. 

Let’s count down the five most common mistakes first-time homebuyers make.

Mistake #5. Saving for a 20% down payment

Back when income kept pace with home values, it was standard for buyers to put down 20% of the purchase price as a down payment. But over the past decade, American home values have increased at three times the rate of American incomes. Most American’s can’t afford to wait until they have 20% saved to buy a home. 

With good credit, you can get on the property ladder for around 3% down (around 10% down if you have credit issues). Yes, this means you’ll be taking out a larger loan than if you put 20% down, but with interest rates at historic lows, the cost of borrowing more is generally well worth it.  

Mistake #4. Underestimating closing costs

The down payment may be your biggest expense when buying a home, but it certainly won’t be the only one. First-time homebuyers often underestimate how much they’ll pay in closing costs. 

Transferring real estate requires many professionals to complete tasks like:

• Home inspection

• Loan origination

• Title research

• Escrow services

• Notarizing documents

• Document transfers

• Etc., etc., etc.

Much of this important work is done behind the scenes, so you don’t have to worry about it. But you do have to pay for it. Expect closing costs to fall somewhere between three and six percent of the purchase price.

Mistake #3. Waiting for the “perfect” home

Our buyer’s agents are experts at finding homes that will be a solid fit for your lifestyle. But no home is perfect. There will always be something slightly off about the layout, the finishes, or the location. If you wait for the perfect home, you will miss the home that could have made you perfectly happy. 

The good news is that you can address many of these imperfections once you buy the home. Fixtures and finishes can all be replaced. Even layouts can be changed. Focus on buying a well-built home in a good location, and you won’t be disappointed.

Mistake #2. Waiting too long to get a buyer’s agent

With listings available online, most of today’s first-time buyers spend weeks or even months searching for homes online before contacting a buyer’s agent. And while we love that buyers are so well informed today, spending any time on a home search without an agent is a big mistake. Our buyer’s agents have industry connections that often alert them to new listings several days before the listings hit the market. Getting a buyer’s agent in your corner from Day One gives you an edge over other buyers. 

And remember, getting a buyer’s agent doesn’t cost you a penny! All real estate agent fees are paid by the seller. So there is no reason to wait.  

Mistake #1. Starting the house hunt before getting pre-approved

Getting pre-approved for your home loan should be the very first thing you do as a first-time buyer. 

Getting pre-approved does two things for you:

1. It tells you how much house you can afford. Knowing a hard number upfront will save you from falling in love with a home you can’t afford.

2. It makes your offer stronger when you find your new home. Even in a buyer’s market, sellers want assurance that you’ll be able to qualify for the home loan before they’ll accept your offer. In today’s hot seller’s market, no seller would even glance at an offer from a buyer who hasn’t been pre-qualified.

To get pre-qualified, you just need to complete an online application with the lender of your choice and provide them with your financials:

• Proof of income,

• Bank and investment account statements,

• And authorization to complete a credit check.

By this time tomorrow, you could be pre-approved and truly ready to start your home search.

While these may be the five most common mistakes first-time homebuyers make, they are certainly not the only ones. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our well-qualified buyer’s agents. We can alert you to possible mistakes and keep you from making them along the path to homeownership.

3 Reasons to Sell Your House TODAY

There has never been a better time to be a seller! Bay Area homeowners are in a unique position to capitalize on today’s unprecedented market conditions.

If you’re on the fence about selling your Bay Area home, here are three reasons to sell your house today.

1. We have the perfect storm of low inventory and high demand.

When the pandemic began, many real estate experts predicted that the housing market would slow down due to economic uncertainty. The government even lowered interest rates below 3% to help keep the economy afloat. And buyers responded to those low interest rates in droves. Add in the fact that many people are finding their current apartments or small homes are less-than-ideal for pandemic lockdown conditions, and you get an absolute frenzy of buyers.

On the other side of the equation, homes are in short supply. The inventory of available homes is far too low to meet the buyer demand. This is driving home values up. 

So if you decide to sell your home now, you’ll enjoy:

• Low competition as there are comparatively few homes on the market.

• A sea of qualified buyers who could potentially start a bidding war for your home.

• High sales prices to give you a higher net return on your real estate investment.

2. You can tap into your equity.

Home values have grown substantially all over the country since the Great Recession a decade ago. And this past year has brought some incredible value growth to many neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area. In some cases, entire counties have seen historic growth. In Alameda County, for example, the median sales price increased by 14.7% from March 2020 to March 2021. In Contra Costa County, the median sales price increased by 23.4%!  

If you’ve owned your Bay Area home for a few years, you could be sitting on impressive equity. Selling your home allows you to access that equity and put it to good use. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of starting a business or living abroad? Your home equity could fund those dreams.

3. These market conditions can’t last forever.

The growth we’ve seen over the past year is far from sustainable. At some point, the growth has to slow. It’s also possible that we’ve seen too much growth too fast, and we’re going to see a market correction in the next few years. This correction would bring home values back down to a more reasonable level. 

Why not sell now while market prices are favorable? There is no guarantee that we’ll ever see conditions like this again. And if we do, it will decades from now. Don’t miss this opportunity to capitalize on today’s historic market conditions. 

When you’re ready to sell, contact us for a free consultation. We can give you a solid idea of how much your house is worth under today’s quickly evolving market conditions. And we can create a custom marketing plan to help you sell your home for the best price possible, under the best terms possible.  

Can You Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent?

In today’s hot seller’s market, it seems like you can put a For Sale sign in your yard and consider it sold! You might even be wondering if you can sell your home without a real estate agent. Why pay someone to sell your home when it looks like homes are selling themselves?

So can you sell your home without an agent?

Legally, yes, anyone can go “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO). The real question is should you try to sell your home without a real estate agent.    

Market data consistently shows that homes listed by a real estate agent sell for substantially more money than FSBOs. This often comes down to the subtle talents and knowledge of real estate agents, as well as the many behind-the-scenes tasks agents handle. 

But you might still be wondering if you’re an outlier. Other sellers may need a real estate agent, but maybe you could successfully sell your home without a real estate agent. 

Here are five questions to ask yourself before you try to go FSBO.

1. Do you know how to value real estate?

Understanding how to value real estate is critical in setting a strategic listing price and evaluating offers. Many buyers try to low-ball FSBOs because they don’t think sellers know how to appropriately value real estate. And, in many cases, they’re correct.

2. Do you have any marketing experience?

Realistically, you can absolutely find a buyer in today’s market without a large marketing budget, marketing experience, or marketing talent. Some buyers are getting resourceful and will find you online even with minimal marketing. But if you’re limiting your audience of potential buyers, are you going to get the best offer? 

You could be leaving money on the table if you don’t make your listing appealing to as many qualified buyers as possible.  

3. Do you have the time to field calls and conduct showings?

If your pricing and marketing strategies are successful, you’ll be getting tons of phone calls and emails from buyers who want more information. Be prepared to spend hours each day responding to inquiries. And then you’ll need to have time to show the property to all the interested buyers. How much of your time can you afford to invest in selling your house?

4. Do you have strong negotiation skills?

In this market, you might be able to sell your home yourself, but will you be able to maximize your profits and get the best terms? That’s where a real estate agent makes a world of difference! As experienced and skilled negotiators, real estate agents can get you the best price with the best terms.

5. Do you know which real estate contracts and disclosures you need?

Making a mistake with the contracts and disclosures can cost you money and leave you open to litigation. Real estate agents are contract experts. They know which forms to complete and how to fill them out.  

Bonus question: will you work with buyers’ agents?

Most FSBOs list without an agent because they want to avoid paying the 5-6% real estate commission. But if you work with buyers’ agents, you’ll still need to pay that agent’s fee of 2.5-3%. In that case, you’re only saving half the fee, and the buyers have a clear edge in negotiations because they have a real estate expert representing them. And if you won’t work with buyers’ agents, you’re limiting yourself to buyers who are willing to purchase without an agent (mostly sophisticated investors and real estate experts who will expect a price discount in exchange for buying without representation).

It’s entirely possible to sell your home without a real estate agent in today’s seller’s market. It’s also almost impossible to maximize your profits or enjoy a smooth process without a real estate agent. 

If you aren’t already being represented by an agent, contact us today to consult with one of our exceptional listing agents. We can show you just how profitable and smooth a real estate transaction can be when you have an experienced real estate agent in your corner.  

How to Get Your Offer Accepted In a Seller’s Market

Are you struggling to get your offer accepted in the Bay Area’s hot seller’s market? Buyer competition is fierce. Despite increasing home prices, buyers are scrambling to lock in today’s low mortgage interest rates by closing on a new home as quickly as possible.

Homes are sitting on the market only a few weeks before going under contract. And in many cases, the purchase price is well over the listing price.

Just look at the March 2021 data:

• San Francisco: The average home is on the market for 25 days and sells at 6% over the asking price.

• San Mateo: 11 days on the market, selling for 4.7% above asking.

• Alameda: 13 days on the market, selling for 9.1% over asking

• Oakland: 13 days on the market, selling for 13.7% above asking!

The good news is that there are ways you can compete with other buyers and finally secure that new home.

Here’s how to get your offer accepted in a seller’s market.

1. Bring Your Highest Offer (Fast!)

In today’s market, the listing price might as well be considered a starting price for the bidding war. Your Sequoia real estate agent can analyze comparable home sales to give you an understanding of a home’s fair market value, which will help guide your offer price. Many buyers are consciously paying more than the fair market value in anticipation of future value growth.  

You may even want to include an escalation clause in your offer. This clause is used to automatically increase your offer amount to match any competing offers, up to a specific price. Escalation clauses eliminate the need for excessive back-and-forths with multiple buyers and make the decision easier for the sellers.

And there is no room for hesitation in this market. If you’re serious about buying, make the decision and submit your offer right away.

2. Increase the Down Payment

Sellers prefer all-cash offers because there is no risk of the deal falling through due to financing issues when the buyer pays cash. But in our high-value market, all-cash isn’t practical for many buyers.

What you can do is increase your down payment as much as your budget will allow. Not only does this minimize the risk of failing to secure funding for the remainder, but it also allows you to waive the appraisal contingency. If the appraisal is lower than the purchase price (which can happen in this market where values are growing by the day), the lender will want to base the loan on the appraisal amount. And with a higher down payment, you can cover the difference between the appraised value and purchase price.   

3. Waive Contingencies

Contingencies are conditions that must be met for your deal to close. The fewer contingencies in your offer, the more likely the sellers will be to accept your offer.

Common contingencies include:

• Financing: the buyer can walk away if they can’t get a loan to complete the purchase

• Appraisal: the buyer can walk away if the home appraises for less than the contract price

• Home Inspection: the buyer can walk away if they don’t like the results of the home inspection

• Title: the buyer can walk away if ownership of the property is contested or if there is a lien against the property.

Waiving the title contingency is extremely risky. You could be responsible for paying any liens against the property. Or another party could come forward with an ownership claim to the property that you would have to fight in court.  

Waiving the home inspection is also risky. But some determined buyers are bringing a home inspector to showings so a quick inspection can be done on the spot. This quick inspection gives the buyers enough confidence to waive the inspection contingency.

If you’re offering a substantial down payment, you can waive the appraisal contingency. And if you’re offering all-cash, you can waive the financial contingency.

Getting your offer accepted in a seller’s market isn’t easy, but it can be done! 

If you aren’t already being represented by a Sequoia agent, contact us today to consult with one of our experienced buyer’s agents. We can help you draft an offer with the best chances of getting accepted and get you into your new home!

What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Mortgage

The Coronavirus crisis of 2020 has shaken the job market and put many homeowners in the difficult position of not being able to pay their mortgage.

In the first quarter of 2021, unemployment was 6.3%. This is a far cry from the 14.7% we saw in April 2020, but it’s still far worse than the 3.5% in February 2020. 

While many homeowners have been fortunate enough to remain employed, many others have not been able to keep their jobs. Some real estate investors have also struggled with unemployed renters unable to pay rent, which the investors often need to cover the mortgages on those investment properties.

So if you find yourself unable to pay your mortgage, you’re not alone. And you need to know that you have options.  

Option 1: Request a Forbearance

Mortgage loan service providers understand the crisis we’re in. And they want to help you because no one wants to repeat the mass foreclosures of the Great Recession. 

Contact your service provider (the company you make mortgage payments to), and ask about your forbearance options. Service providers are being flexible, so you might be able to make partial payments or even skip payments for several months. In most cases, the missed payments will be added to the end of your loan term, so you won’t be hit with a large balloon payment. 

Make sure you understand the repayment terms and get the agreement in writing, signed by all parties.

Option 2: Refinance the Mortgage 

A refinance is when you pay off your existing mortgage loan with a brand new mortgage loan. And with interest rates at historic lows, now might be a great time to refinance! 

The lower interest rate alone will lower your monthly payment. And you can reset the loan term, which will spread your balance out over more months and reduce the monthly payment even further.

Option 3: Sell the House

Selling the home might not be the right move for everyone, but for those with a fair amount of equity in the home, it can be a perfect solution. 

By selling the home, you can pay off your expensive mortgage and move into something more affordable. Maybe a smaller home or a home in an area with a lower cost of living.  

A 2020 analysis found that the average homeowner in the Bay Area is sitting on $600,000 to a million dollars in equity. Selling the house allows you to unlock that equity.

With so many companies offering remote working opportunities going forward, proximity to the office is no longer as important as it used to be. Instead of staying in the city to be close to your next job, you might be able to move further out of the city into a substantially more affordable area.

Do You Need Help?

The real estate experts at Sequoia real estate want to help homeowners in need. If you can’t pay your mortgage, you can contact us for a free consultation. Even if you’re not planning to sell, our qualified agents can advise you as you work with your loan service provider to explore your options.  

How Much Are Closing Costs?

Many of our clients ask, “How much are closing costs?” Unfortunately, closing costs are notoriously difficult to calculate. 

Closing costs are based on several factors including:

• The price of the home

• The location (because of local taxes and fees)

• The loan amount, type of loan, credit score, and lender (in the buyers’ case)

So while we can’t give you an exact figure, we can help you understand which fees you’ll need to plan for. And we can give you estimates to help you create a budget for your next purchase or sale.

Closing Costs for Sellers

The biggest closing cost for sellers is the real estate agent commission. Some sellers are so tempted to avoid this fee that they try to sell the home themselves. In theory, this doesn’t sound like a bad idea. But in practice, the average home listed by a real estate agent sells for 35% more than the average home listed For Sale By Owner. The higher sale price is well worth the expense!

In addition to real estate agent commissions, you’ll pay for:

• Loan payoff fees

• Transfer taxes and recording

• Title Insurance

• A closing fee, paid to the title insurance company or attorney's office where everyone meets to close on the home

• Capital gains taxes on the income from the sale (although you could get an exemption of up to $500,000 on your primary residence)

• Any property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees through the closing date

How Much Are Closing Costs for Sellers?

Closing costs for sellers typically fall somewhere between six and ten percent of the home’s sale price. 

In markets with high home values, like the Bay Area, closing costs for sellers can exceed $100,000. While this amount would seem excessive in other real estate markets, most Bay Area homeowners have enough equity in their homes to turn a solid profit on their home sale despite these fees.  

Instead of trying to reduce your closing costs, focus on increasing your profit by increasing the sale price. You can:

• Invest in renovation projects with strong returns.

• Stage the property to appeal to more buyers.

• List with a professional listing agent for the best possible marketing strategy.

Closing Costs for Buyers

As a buyer, you won’t have to pay real estate agent fees. Sellers typically pay all real estate agent fees, including the fees for your agent. 

Aside from the obvious expense of the down payment, the bulk of your closing costs will come from securing your mortgage loan. There will be fees for things like:

• Applications

• Loan Origination

• Underwriting

• Loan document preparation

• Possible mortgage insurance (if you put less than 20% down)

• Any prepaid interest or points

You’ll also be nickel-and-dimed by third parties for the many services required to successfully transfer a property. These fees are small, but there are lots of them. They include fees for things like

• Title search

• Appraisal

• Inspections

• Credit checks

• Escrow services

• Escrow reserves

• Deed recording

• Couriers

• Notaries

• Wire transfers

• Prepaid insurance

• Prepaid property taxes

• Transfer taxes

How Much Are Closing Costs for Buyers?

Closing costs for buyers typically fall somewhere between three and six percent of the purchase price. For buyers in high-value areas like San Francisco and San Jose, closing costs can exceed $10,000. 

Buyers can reduce their closing costs in a few different ways:

• Shop around for a lender that offers good interest rates and low closing costs.

• Ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. While this won’t work in a hot seller’s market, it can work in slower markets.

• Roll your closing costs into your loan. With today’s low interest rates, it may be well worth financing the closing costs.

Are You Buying or Selling?

When you’re ready to buy or sell, contact Sequoia Real Estate. Our team of real estate experts is excited to get to work for you.

Can You Skip the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process?

Many buyers are so excited to start house hunting that they forget about the mortgage pre-approval process. And first-time homebuyers might not even be aware of the process; buying a home just isn’t something most people are taught how to do!

So if you’re hearing about pre-approvals for the first time, or if you’re too excited about your home search to pause for pre-approval, you might be wondering can I skip the mortgage pre-approval process?

Can You Skip the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process?

Technically, yes, you can skip the mortgage pre-approval process. There is no law or regulation requiring you to get pre-approved. 

However, it’s in your best interest to get pre-approved. Pre-approval doesn’t take long, and it comes with several benefits.

The Benefits of Completing the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process

There are three key benefits to getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

1. Knowing how much you qualify to borrow

Without a pre-approval, you don’t know how much money a lender will loan you for your mortgage. So you could be looking at homes that are out of your price range. Heaven forbid that you fall in love with one of those homes! 

It’s better to know upfront how much you qualify to borrow so you can look in the correct price range.

2. Presenting a stronger offer when you find the right home

Sellers have no interest in entertaining an offer from an unqualified buyer. A mortgage pre-approval assures the sellers that you’ll be able to secure the funding to close the deal if they accept your offer.

3. Closing on your new home more quickly

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage means one less step in the closing process once your new home is under contract. This could lead to a shorter escrow period, which allows you to get into your new home as quickly as possible. 

Does Mortgage Pre-Approval Hurt Your Credit?

A mortgage pre-approval shows up on your credit report as an inquiry. This might decrease your credit score by a few points, particularly if you’ve had other recent inquiries into your credit (for an auto loan or credit card, for example). This slight dip has no long-term effect on your credit score, and likely won’t have much, if any, effect in the short-term either.

How to Get Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved is a simple three-step process:

1. Choose a lender. You can always switch lenders before you buy, but it’s quicker and easier to get your loan from the lender who issued the pre-approval. So do a little research early to find the lender with the lowest interest rates, best terms, and best service.

2. Apply for pre-approval. You can do this on your chosen lender’s website in around 15 minutes.

3. Provide the necessary documents. To complete the mortgage pre-approval process, you will need to provide proof of identity, proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns), bank statements, and rental history. You’ll also consent to a credit check. This will give the lender everything they need to calculate how much money they can lend you.

You’re welcome to contact us with any questions about the mortgage pre-approval process. And once you’re pre-approved, our well-qualified real estate professionals would be happy to meet with you to discuss your needs and preferences. We regularly hear about listings even before they hit the market, so having a Sequoia agent in your corner could give you a head-start in this competitive market. We look forward to serving you.

Are You Ready for Your First Investment Property?

How do you know when you’re ready for your first investment property?

Owning an investment property is a little more complicated than owning your own home. And qualifying for a mortgage on an investment property is a little harder than qualifying for a mortgage on your primary residence. 

But the benefits of owning long-term rental properties are worth the extra effort! With a good investment, you get:

• Monthly cash flow,

• Property value appreciation,

• Tenants paying down your mortgage debt, and

• Tax breaks.

So becoming a real estate investor is well worth considering. Here are five questions to help you decide if you’re ready for your first investment property.

1. Do You Have Enough in Savings?

You’ll need to have enough money saved to cover the down payment (usually at least 15% for an investment property) and closing costs. But you’ll also need to cover the mortgage while the property is vacant. And you’ll need to have reserves for the inevitable maintenance issues that come up without warning. 

You might also want to renovate the property before inviting prospective tenants to tour it. In addition to the cost of labor and materials, you’ll be missing out on rent as the property remains vacant during this renovation period.   

Make sure you have enough money in savings to cover all these costs before buying your first investment property.

2. Do You Make Enough Consistent Income?

You might not be worried about your income since you’re planning on having the rent from your investment property cover the property’s expenses. But your lender will need assurances that you make enough money to cover the expenses during a vacancy or in the unlikely event that rent prices suddenly dip.

Investment property lenders need to see a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or less. This means your monthly debts can’t exceed 45% of your pre-tax income.

3. Do You Have Good Credit?

While borrowers can get a home loan with credit scores in the high 500s, the standard is higher for investors. Unless you plan to put down a large down payment (25% or more), you’ll likely need a credit score over 700 for a traditional mortgage loan. And if you’re looking for the best possible interest rates, try to maintain a score of at least 740.

4. Do You Have the Time to Manage the Property (or Extra Money to Hire Someone)?

Rental income is largely passive, but you will need to invest time in:

• Finding and screening tenants,

• Drawing up leases and renewals,

• Collecting rent, and

• Addressing maintenance issues.

You can handle this yourself, or you can pay a property manager to handle it for you. Property managers typically charge around 7-10% of the monthly rent. 

5. Do You Have the Skill to Manage the Property (or Extra Money to Hire Someone)?

You don’t need to be a handyman to own an investment property...but it helps! Similarly, you don’t need to know everything about leasing and real estate contracts to be a landlord...but, again, it helps. If you don’t have the skill to manage the property yourself, and you have no interest in learning-on-the-job, make sure you budget for a property manager to handle these tasks for you.

So are you ready for your first investment property?

Contact us today for a free list of investment property opportunities. We can also keep an eye on the market for you and alert you when we learn of a property that might be a good fit for you. We’re excited to help you become a real estate investor!

5 Quick Home Staging Tips for a Faster Sale

Realtor.com reports that staged homes sell 88% faster and for around 20% more than non-staged homes. But bringing in a professional stager might not be the best route for you. There are several things you can do on your own to stage your home! 

Here are five quick home staging tips for a faster sale.

1. Cleaning is Half the Battle

When sellers think of staging, they typically think about positioning furniture and accessories. But cleaning is a large part of the staging process. You could have expensive designer furniture and home decor, but if the home isn’t clean, buyers won’t be impressed.

In addition to all the normal dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming, and moping you do regularly, take care of those details that don’t get cleaned as often:

• Clean the windows and window coverings.

• Revisit the exterior (clean up the landscaping, power wash the sidewalks and home exterior, clean the gutters, etc.).

• Dust off the baseboards.

• Sweep out the vents.

• Deep clean the carpets and polish the flooring.

2. De-Personalize

It can be hard for buyers to imagine themselves living in the home when there are clear, visible reminders of the current owners. So, as lovely as your family photos are, it’s best to store them away while your house is on the market. The same is true of sports memorabilia and personal awards.

To help the house appeal to as many buyers as possible, try to keep the house fairly neutral. Swap out the thought-provoking artwork you love for something “safer,” and go with relaxed, natural paint colors rather than intense colors. 

3. Strategically Position the Furnishings 

Remove any erroneous furniture from the home. Keeping it only makes the home feel smaller. And consider replacing overly-bulky furnishings with smaller, more delicate pieces that will make the home feel larger and more open. You want buyers to walk in and feel as though they have lots of room to move around.

And while it’s perfectly normal for living room furniture in American homes to be focused on the TV, positioning the furniture to create conversation areas makes a home feel more inviting. 

4. Don’t Forget the Cabinets and Closets

Buyers will absolutely open your cabinets and closets. They want to make sure there’s enough storage space in the home. You can stage your storage spaces by removing whatever you don’t need and neatly arranging what’s left. When a buyer opens a cabinet or closet, they should think, wow, there’s so much storage space that the current owner doesn’t even use half of it!

5. Create a Lifestyle Image

Buyers are really looking for a lifestyle. They don’t just want a house. They want a space where they can live their best lives and make good memories for years to come.

Staging little vignettes through the house helps buyers see the potential lifestyle instead of just the structure. Here are a few ideas:

• Set the french press and two coffee cups on the kitchen counter with a sugar bowl.

• Place a bottle of wine with wine glasses on the dining room table.

• Arrange luxurious spa products in the bathroom.

Staging your home takes a little time and effort, but pays off when your home sells in less time. Follow these five quick home staging tips to enjoy a faster sale and perhaps a higher sales price! 

And when you’re ready to sell your house, Sequoia’s team of real estate professionals can provide a custom analysis of your home’s value. We can even give you personalized advice regarding whether professional staging or self-staging is the best path to maximizing your profits. We look forward to serving you.

Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Are you thinking of tackling a home renovation project?

Renovating your home can improve its functionality, make it a more enjoyable space for you, and even increase your property value.

But home renovations are stressful, even when everything goes correctly. When mistakes are made, a renovation project can turn into a nightmare.

Here are a few of the top home renovation mistakes to avoid. 

1. Underestimating Costs

In 2019, around 30% of renovation projects went over-budget. There are three main reasons why renovations go over budget:

1. The homeowners decided along the way that upgrades were worth spending a bit more.

2. Something came up during the renovation process that the homeowners didn’t anticipate (you never know exactly what you’ll find when you start opening walls!).

3. The homeowners thought labor and materials would cost less than they actually did.

Before you start your renovation, invest some time in researching labor and materials costs. Get quotes from multiple contractors, and budget for around 10% more materials like paint, flooring, and tiles than you think you’ll need.

Also, consider adding a general slush fund of 5-10%. You may not be able to anticipate every cost, but you can be fairly sure something unforeseen will come up. So prepare for it in your budget.  

2. Going Too Trendy

The problem with trendy interior design is that it quickly becomes dated. If you’re making a substantial investment in renovating your home, the last thing you want is to re-renovate five years later. 

Instead, stick with classic fixtures and finishes that are always in style. You can always add trendy elements through easily-changed accessories like furnishings, linens, and art.

3. Overestimating Resale Value

Ten years ago, mid-range kitchen and bath remodels nearly always paid for themselves by boosting the resale value. But that’s no longer the case in the 2020s. According to Remodeling’s Cost Vs. Value 2020 Report, homeowners in San Francisco will recoup around 73% of major kitchen remodel costs and around 89% of their bath remodel costs. 

While some renovation projects produced a positive ROI in the San Francisco market, not a single project recouped 100% of the cost or more in the national averages in 2020.   

If you will get more enjoyment from the home because of a renovation, then, by all means, go for it! 

But if you’re renovating specifically to increase your property value, stick with simple projects with solid returns in the Bay Area. Replacing your garage door or entry door goes a long way in our market.

Should You Renovate Before You Sell Your Home?

Sellers often ask if they need to renovate before listing their home for sale. In most cases, renovating before selling won’t increase the sale price by enough to justify the expense and hassle of a renovation. But that isn’t always the case. Each home is unique, and the market is changing every day.

Contact us today to get a personalized, professional recommendation from one of our real estate experts. Are happy to take a look at your home and offer complimentary advice to help you maximize the net profit on the sale of your home. We look forward to serving you.

5 Things Your Listing Agent Doesn't Want to Tell You

Are you afraid your listing agent might leave you in the dark? Real estate combines the most personal aspect of your life, your home, with the world of business. So naturally, some delicate topics may come up as you work with your listing agent to get your home sold.

But at Sequoia Real Estate, we value open and honest communication, as do most of our clients. So we’re going to tell you five things your listing agent doesn’t want to tell you.  

1. “You Should Interview Me Before Signing with Me”

As real estate agents, we’re always excited to take your listing and help you get your house sold so you can move on to the next chapter of your life. But you might want to interview us before signing the listing agreement.

Ask about our strategy for marketing your home. Ask for details on how we arrived at our recommended listing price. And ask about how we will keep you informed through the selling process. Make sure you’re comfortable with your listing agent before signing the listing agreement.   

2. “You Might Not Recoup Your Renovation Costs”

We hate to break it to you, but you might not recoup your renovation costs when you sell your home. In fact, as building materials and labor have gotten more expensive, more renovation projects are producing negative returns. 

If a renovation will help you get more enjoyment out of your home while you own it, go for it! Just don’t expect to recover the full cost of your investment when it comes time to sell.

3. “Your Home Doesn’t Appeal to Today’s Buyers”

It’s uncomfortable to tell a seller that their home is too dated to appeal to today’s buyers. You love your home, and it’s comfortable for you. You don’t want to hear that other people won’t feel the same way about it.

So some agents will stay silent. Unfortunately for everyone, this silence can result in a lower sale price.

Try not to take it personally if your listing agent recommends making a few changes around the house. Your agent just wants to make the home appeal to a wide audience of buyers in order to maximize your sale price.

4. “I Won’t Take a Lower Commission Rate”

Technically, all real estate commission percentages are negotiable. But your listing agent is probably hoping you won’t try to negotiate because that can lead to an awkward conversation in which the agent has to defend their commission rate.

The reality is that much of the commission is actually reimbursing your listing agent for out-of-pocket marketing expenses they incur to sell the house. And remember, your listing agent will be negotiating the price and terms of the sale on your behalf. Do you want an agent who can’t even negotiate for their own commission rate?

Your listing agent doesn’t want to say it, but they probably won’t take a lower commission rate.

5. “Your Home Isn’t Worth as Much as You Think”

Have you heard of the Endowment Effect? The Endowment Effect is an emotional bias that causes people to over-value things they own. This plays a big part in homeowners’ estimation of their homes value. Your home is special to you because you’ve made so many memories there, so you naturally assign a higher value to the home than someone else would. 

And listing agents hate to have to tell you that buyers don’t think your house is worth as much as you think it is. Unfortunately, it’s the buyers in the market that dictate price. You can list at any price you want, but your home will only sell at the price a buyer is willing to pay.

A good listing agent knows that this difficult conversation needs to happen if you’re overvaluing your home. But that doesn’t mean we enjoy telling you that your home isn’t worth as much as you think. 

When you’re ready to sell your home, hire a listing agent who’s going to be open and honest with you … even about the things your listing agent doesn’t want to tell you.

3 Major Red Flags When Buying a House

Despite headlines about the Bay Area being unaffordable, our housing market is still among the hottest in the country. Buyers from all over the world are willing to pay high prices to enjoy the Bay Area lifestyle.

But so much competition among buyers can result in some hasty decision-making. Before you make an offer, pay attention to any red flags. Red flags aren’t deal-breakers; they’re simply a reason for you to pause and take a closer look before making the offer. 

Here are four major red flags when buying a house.

1. Doors and Windows that Don’t Sit Right in Their Frames

If you see a door hanging off-kilter in its frame or gaps around a window, take a closer look at the home’s foundation. 

Most California buyers don’t worry too much about possible foundation issues. After all, how much can go wrong with a simple concrete slab foundation? But with California’s different soil types, as well as its seismic activity, foundations can crack or sink. This often results in doors that lean oddly in their frames or gaps around window frames.

It pays to have a foundation specialist examine the property if you notice the doors and windows don’t sit quite right.   

2. Stains (or Touch Up Paint)

You may know to look for stains on the walls, floors, or ceilings. These stains can be a sign of water damage, perhaps from a leaky pipe or a damaged roof. 

But many buyers don’t know to look for touch-up paint as a possible attempt to cover up these stains. Sellers understand that any sign of potential water damage can scare buyers off. So some sellers might touch-up the affected area with fresh paint. 

Of course it’s also entirely possible that there was a leak at one time, the leak was repaired, and the stains were painted to complete the repair work. So touch-up paint doesn’t necessarily mean someone is attempting to hide a flaw. It’s simply something worth inquiring about. 

3. Lots of For Sale Signs in the Neighborhood

In a buyer’s market, you might expect to see lots of for sale signs. But in the Bay Area’s competitive housing market, homes are purchased too fast for listings to remain on the market. As of February 2020, San Francisco homes are sitting on the market for an average of 42 days, and Contra Costa County homes are claimed within just 12 days! 

Seeing multiple for sale signs in a hot market like this could indicate a neighborhood issue. Perhaps a commercial construction project is making the neighborhood less desirable. Talk to your Sequoia real estate agent. We will have the inside scoop on all neighborhood developments.  

In fact, when you run into one of these major red flags when buying a house, your first step should be to consult with your Sequoia agent. We tour homes every day and know exactly what to look for (or who to consult if we need a specialist to conduct a closer inspection). 

With Sequoia, you can write the offer on your new home with confidence! If you aren’t already being represented by a Sequoia agent, contact us today to consult with one of our experienced buyer’s agents. 

How to Become a Homeowner in 5 Easy Steps

Becoming a homeowner is a big step toward financial independence and stability. But the process can seem overwhelming to first-time buyers. There’s just so much paperwork, real estate jargon, and financing involved. 

But when you break the process down into steps, you’ll see that it’s not as complicated as you may have thought. In fact, you can become a homeowner in five easy steps.  

Step 1: Get Your Mortgage Pre-Approval

If you plan to use financing for your new home, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage even before you start looking at homes.

Not only does a pre-approval tell you how much the lender is willing to loan you (which can help you decide on a price range), but it also strengthens your offer in the eyes of your sellers. Before a seller will accept your offer and take their house off the market for you, they typically want assurance that you can qualify for the funding needed to close the deal. This is especially true in hot markets like the Bay Area. Having a pre-approval letter from a lender gives your offer more weight.

To get pre-approved, you just need to complete a pre-approval application with your lender of choice and submit your financials (like pay stubs and bank statements) for review. Once your lender reviews those items and does a credit check, they’ll be able to tell you how much of a loan you can get.  

Step 2: Start Your Home Search

With your pre-approval in hand, it’s time to start your home search. 

It’s helpful to get a real estate agent in your corner as soon as you’re ready to look at homes. Bay Area agents understand the nuances of the local market and can provide personalized professional guidance. Experienced agents also have connections in the industry, so they often find out about new listings before they hit the market. With so much buyer competition in the Bay Area, getting a head-start on a listing could help you become a homeowner faster. 

And remember, sellers pay all real estate agent fees, so it doesn’t cost you anything to hire a buyer’s agent to represent you!

Step 3: Make an Offer

One mistake many first-time buyers make is waiting. When buyers find a home they love, they often hesitate to put in an offer. And we get it; becoming a homeowner is a big deal, and first-timers are naturally nervous about taking such a big step. 

But if you want to buy a home in this market, there’s very little room for hesitation. If you don’t act quickly, another buyer may beat you to it, and you could miss out on your dream home. Your buyer’s agent can help you decide how much to offer based on market data. And he or she can negotiate on your behalf to get you the best terms possible. 

With your offer, you’ll need to make an Earnest Money Deposit. This deposit is used to take the house off the market and hold it for you. The amount is typically between one and three percent of the offer price) and will go toward your down payment as long as the deal closes as expected.

Step 4: Escrow

It takes a lot of administrative tasks and paperwork to become a homeowner. Most of these tasks and paperwork are completed during escrow, which is the period specifically designated for the administrative processes required to complete a real estate transaction. These processes include:

• Completing a home inspection and home appraisal

• Securing the mortgage loan for the buyer

• Confirming clear title (meaning that the seller has the right to sell the property)

• Signing lots of disclosures

Escrow typically takes somewhere between 30 and 60 days. A good buyer’s agent will keep you informed every step of the way and will coordinate with title reps, escrow agents, and loan officers to make sure your purchase proceeds smoothly through escrow.  

Step 5: Closing Day!

On closing day, the home is officially transferred to your name, you get your keys, and you become a homeowner!

When you’re ready to become a homeowner, contact us. We have experienced buyer’s agents who specialize in first-time buyers. They have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the buying process and get you into your first home.

Smart Ways to Leverage Other People's Money for Better Real Estate Deals

With the Bay Area’s high property values, most buyers can’t afford to make all-cash offers on real estate. Instead, buyers leverage other people’s money to buy homes, apartment buildings, and commercial properties.

While many of us are trained to think of debt as a bad thing, leveraging other people’s money can be a great thing in real estate. Leveraging debt allows you to buy property you simply don’t have the cash to buy outright and produce better cash-on-cash ROI on investment properties than you would without debt. And with today’s historically low interest rates, there’s never been a better time to leverage debt.

Here are three smart ways to leverage other people’s money for better real estate deals.    

1. Mortgages

Traditional mortgages saw buyers putting 20 percent down and leveraging 80 percent. But with today’s diverse mortgage options, you only need 3 to 3.5 percent down for loans like FHA, Conventional 97, and The HomeReady™ Mortgage. You could even leverage 100 percent of your next real estate deal if you qualify for a VA loan or USDA loan.

The primary benefit of a classic mortgage is the ability to leverage such a high percentage of the purchase price. Mortgage lenders are also typically reputable and offer low fixed interest rates, so you know exactly what you’re getting with a mortgage. Mortgages are perfect for long-term real estate investments, whether it’s the purchase of your primary residence, a vacation home, or a buy-and-hold income property. 

Just be careful not to overextend yourself; make sure your mortgage payments fit comfortably into your budget before pulling the trigger. 

2. Hard Money Loans

A mortgage isn’t your only option for leveraging other people’s money for better real estate deals. In some situations, a hard money loan may be a better option for you.

Hard money loans are secured by real property and are most often used in fix-and-flip investments because of the high interest rates and short terms. Unlike mortgages, which are funded by banks and other financial institutions, hard money loans are typically funded by individuals, which dramatically reduces the amount of time it takes to fund the loan.

Hard money loans are riskier than mortgages, but if you find a fix-and-flip opportunity, a hard money loan will allow you to borrow money for both the purchase and the renovation. Interest rates are running around 7.5 to 15 percent as of the date of this post, but as long as you can successfully flip the property and pay off your loan in a short time-frame, the profit will be well worth the interest expense.   

3. Peer-to-Peer Lending (P2P)

Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) is a comparatively new way to leverage other people’s money for real estate deals. P2P uses online platforms to match individual investors with real estate investment opportunities. This is a more sophisticated method of leveraging other people’s money, but it also provides greater flexibility for both the investors and for you as the owner.  

On top-rated P2P platforms, the interest rate could be anywhere from 5.9 to 35.9 percent, the loan amount could be from $1,000 to $500,000, and the term can be from six months to five years. 

So if you’re looking for unconventional funding that still offers low interest rates with the potential to borrow a substantial amount, P2P loans may be a good fit for you. Just be prepared to spend some extra due diligence time researching P2P platforms to find the best fit for you and your project.

You don’t need an unreasonable amount of cash on hand to take advantage of real estate opportunities in our hot market. You can leverage other people’s money through mortgages, hard money loans, or P2P loans to get better returns on your investment.

Are you looking for your next real estate purchase? Contact us today. Not only can we tell you what’s available and what’s coming soon, but we can also notify you when new properties that meet your criteria come available. You’ll be buying your next property in no time! 

How to Successfully Sell a Home During a Pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 economic recession, the US housing market continues to perform well. Low interest rates are creating high buyer demand, and in many markets, inventory is so low that this buyer demand is driving home prices up. An article in The Economist points out that even high-value local markets like the Bay Area are seeing value increases due to these factors!   

If you have much equity in your property, now may be a great time to cash in by selling. But to get top dollar, you may want to cater specifically to the COVID-era buyers. Here are three tips to help you successfully sell a home during a pandemic.  

1. Highlight Pandemic-Friendly Features

With so many of us spending more time at home than normal during Governor Newsom’s Stay-at-Home Orders, our criteria for choosing a home have changed slightly. With each home tour, today’s buyers are asking themselves what it would be like to be quarantined in the home for months at a time. 

They are interested in pandemic-friendly features like:

• Ample living space

• Some outdoor space

• Designated home offices

You can appeal to today’s buyers by showing off your space. Move extra furniture out of the home so it doesn’t appear over-crowded and small. And remove everything except necessities from the home’s closets and cabinets. You want buyers to feel that there’s enough storage space for all their extra toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and canned goods. 

You can highlight outdoor areas by staging a sitting or dining space on patios and balconies. You may even want to stage a room as a home office to help buyers imagine working from home.

It may cost a little money upfront to stage a few rooms and rent a temporary storage unit for those items that don’t help your house show at its best. But your house will likely sell faster and for more money when you take the time to properly highlight these pandemic-friendly features. 

2. Get Virtual

While buyers are currently allowed to physically tour homes despite the Stay-at-Home Orders, many buyers are limiting the number of homes they view in-person to limit their exposure to the virus. They’re making their decisions on which homes to see based on the online presence of the listings. 

Professional listing photos, videos, and even virtual tours of homes help to attract more buyers and sell the home more quickly. A good real estate agent has a network of contacts who can take care of all of this for you. When you list with us, your home will be photographed and recorded to create virtual tours that can be syndicated to dozens of websites and social media profiles.

3. Price It Right

Pricing is always the most important factor in getting your home sold quickly. Any imperfection can be overcome simply by altering the price. 

But with prices in the Bay Area changing so quickly, it can be difficult to know what the “right” listing price is. Your listing price depends on the most recent sales of properties comparable to your own. There are many variables involved in calculating the fair market value of a home, so we proudly offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you determine the correct listing price. Simply contact us today, and we’ll get started on a custom analysis for your home.

With a real estate agent in your corner to help you highlight those pandemic-friendly features, get virtual tours of your property all over the internet, and price your home correctly, you won’t have any trouble selling your home during a pandemic. 

3 Real Estate Tips for an Economic Downturn

With COVID-19 launching the global economy into a recession, today’s buyers and sellers are looking for real estate tips specific to the economic downturn. Should you buy? Sell? Wait to see what happens?

Your best course of action will depend on your unique circumstances, and you’re certainly welcome to contact us with specific questions. But we can give you some general tips for navigating today’s real estate market in light of the COVID Recession.  

Here are three real estate tips for an economic downturn. 

1. Understand What the Downturn Means for Your Local Housing Market

An economic downturn doesn’t necessarily mean your local housing market will cool. Local markets respond uniquely, depending on local factors. Consider employment opportunities as an example. If your area enjoys a strong jobs market, as is the case with so many Californian cities, your housing market will likely retain its value through the recession. But if your area loses a high number of jobs due to the recession, home values will almost certainly decline, meaning you may want to sell before prices drop lower.  

It’s also worth noting that the housing market, as a whole, responds differently to different recessions. The Great Recession of 2008, for example, brought the housing market to its knees because the recession originated in the mortgage industry with subprime loans and overextended homeowners. The 2020 COVID Recession is entirely different and is not impacting the housing market as severely. In fact, as of this writing, the American housing market is still gaining value.  

So you don’t have to assume an economic downturn will mean lower values for your home. Take a moment to review the market in your area, and contact a real estate agent professional for customized market projections before making any big decisions. 

And once you review your area, don’t wait to take action. The market is constantly fluctuating, and no one can predict tomorrow’s markets with 100% accuracy. Real estate is a long-game, so don’t be swayed by short-term gains and losses. If you want to make a move, do it! 

2. Now Is a Great Time to Refinance Your Existing Mortgage

If there’s one constant with recessions, it’s low interest rates. Interest rates for 30-year fixed mortgages are currently at an all-time low, meaning you could save some serious money on your mortgage by refinancing. The exact amount you could save depends on your current loan balance, but in many cases, the savings can be several hundred dollars per month and tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. 

And with these historic interest rates, now could be the perfect opportunity to tap into your home equity. Cash-out refinancing can be used to leverage your home equity into cash. This cash could be useful for paying off higher-interest debts (like auto loans or student loans), launching that business you’ve been dreaming of, or even buying an investment property. Which leads us to the third of our real estate tips for an economic downturn… 

3. Consider Buying Your First Home, Upgrading Your Home, or Buying an Investment Property

We discussed low interest rates as a reason to refinance your existing mortgage, but these low interest rates also make this a great time to buy. Did you know that a 1% drop in interest rates can add $30,000 to your buying budget? So you could have an extra $30,000 in buying power in 2020 compared to 2019!

If you’ve been considering getting on the property ladder or upgrading to a bigger, better home, now might be a good time, depending on the home prices in your chosen neighborhood. And if you’re happy where you are, perhaps now is the time to purchase an investment property. As you probably know, rentals produce monthly income, appreciate over time, and come with tax breaks. You could even find a killer deal in markets where values have temporarily dipped due to the economic uncertainty of the recession.

If you have questions about specific real estate moves you’re considering during this recession, contact us today. We’re happy to discuss your unique situation and provide custom real estate tips for an economic downturn just for you. 

Santa Came to Sequoia Real Estate!

What better way to wrap up 2018 for our new San Mateo office than with a visit from dear Saint Nick himself! We are so grateful for our team, community and guests for making our 1st Annual Santa Day so wonderful. We had an incredible time hosting this event and loved seeing so many familiar and new faces during this joyful season. 

Thank you to everyone who donated toys to benefit Samaritan House. We couldn't have done it without your support!

Until next year, we wish you all a very bright and warm holiday season and a successful 2019. Cheers! 

Santa Came to Sequoia Real Estate!

While the rain finally caught up to us on our 7th Annual Balboa Jingle, it didn’t scare us or the kids anxious to get the holiday festivities started. We had an incredible time hosting this event and loved seeing so many familiar and new faces during this joyful season. 

Thank you to everyone who donated toys to this festive occasion. We collected 2 full barrels of toys and couldn't have done it without your support!

Special shout out to our agents Sonny Chan for sponsoring the fun photo booth and the Melanie Leung Team  for providing delicious fresh waffles -- we're sure Santa loved the change! A special thank you to the George Washington High School Boys Baseball Team for tackling the weather and helping at our event with big smiles! Go Eagles! 

Until next year, we wish you all a very bright and warm holiday season and a joyful 2019. Cheers! 

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