Marge's Real Estate Blog: The Draper Report

Tranquil Thursday: It's For the Birds

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:33:41 -0700

It's for the birds, not the squirrels! Setting this bird feeder up several years ago started a running battle with the squirrels that inhabit the trees surrounding our property in the Menlo Oaks area of Menlo Park. They hung from the tree branches, so I moved the post and trimmed the offending branches. For a while that seemed to solve the problem. Then the squirrels started shinnying up the metal pole. I was amazed! So off to Birders Garden in San Carlos for a solution. I found the funnel-shaped thing for the pole.

The squirrels were relentless!

Even the funnel-shaped thing didn't stop them. One morning I looked out the window at the feeder hoping to watch some of the finches and other birds enjoying the seeds. What I saw instead was a squirrel pushing the funnel thing up the pole and stretching until it looked like he was hanging on by his toes in order to reach the feeder to shake it until the seeds hit the dirt! Think Elmer Fudd when he saw the 'wascally wabbit' in his carrot patch! I think there was smoke pouring from my ears.

I went to the pantry. Instead of getting a double-barrel shotgun, I got the jar of petroleum jelly I had purchased for this very problem. I applied a liberal amount to the pole. Several days later I was able to witness a very gratifying sight. A squirrel shinnying up the pole and then slooowwlly sliding down the pole. He/she had to try it several more times until he realized he was beaten. I haven't reapplied the jelly for about a year. I think the information is being passed down the generations.

So now there are many birds at the feeder and the squirrels are making do with whatever falls to the ground. The feeder is truly for the birds and not the squirrels!

For real estate information that's not for the birds or squirrels, visit www.MargeDraper.com.

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

First-Time Buyers:Making Decisions in the Sellers' Market in Menlo Park

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:35:24 -0700

First-time buyers who are making decisions in the spring market often find it will take more than one offer to finally find their home. It takes time for a buyer to understand all the requirements of an offer that will beat out the competition and be acceptable to a seller in this seller's market period. As the chart shows, the average days on the market in March, 2013 was eleven. That is eleven days to see a property, choose to make an offer, read all of the documentation relevant to the property, write an offer, and get the financing together. The question is will the number of average days on the market get longer as happened in April, 2012 or not? Will the properties getting multiple offers continue to dominate into April as the sale price to list price shows on this table?

Buyers, first-time or seasoned, are finding that choices must be made, this street or that one, Cape Cod or mansion. In the spring market, often there isn't much time for reflection or decision-making. Deadlines can be short and choices must be made quickly.

Spring is here and in many areas the spring market is in full swing. In the Menlo Park, CA area where the climate is mild our spring market generally starts around Super Bowl time. This chart shows a kind of wrap-around of last year and this year. This is showing the market for Menlo Park running from the west side of Hwy 101 to the east side of Hwy 280.

Buyers, especially first-time buyers, need to depend on their real estate professional for guidance through the often bewildering stacks of paperwork. I say paperwork, but buyers are looking at the documents on their tablets or on the computer screen and signing them using an on-line signing system. When that happens, buyers need to be careful about not cutting corners, thinking that the paperwork can wait until after the contract has been written. Once the contract has been accepted by the seller and ratified, backing out can have very serious repercussions.

I still like to see those documents on paper. Somehow it seems easier to spot the 'flags' whether red or just pink.

As you can see on the chart as we move through spring the decision-making time period shortens. Unfortunately, there is no chart showing the future. All we can do is look at the past and draw conclusions from that! To help you with making your decisions in this seller's market, talk to your real estate professional.

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Are You Eligible For a HARP Loan?

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:35:45 -0700

Have you been hearing the radio ads harping about HARP loans? How do you know if you are eligible for a HARP loan much less a HARP 2 loan?

I've heard the advertising talking heads saying all you need to know is if you are 'upside down' or 'underwater' with your current loan. Gee, what's that all about? I'd be happier if they would just come out and say you 'need to owe more on your home' than it is currently worth. But, really it's not that easy.

A few years ago in the time of easy loans many people bought the American Dream and their very first home. Unfortunately, no one foresaw what would happen in the Fall of 2008. For some people the American Dream home became their very own nightmare.

What do you need to know to learn if you are eligible for a HARP loan?

You need to know whether your loan is owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
You need to know the value of the comparable homes in your neighborhood or area.
You need to know the value of your home compared to the amount of your loan that is still outstanding.
You need to learn which lenders are really qualified to help you.

We recently received a letter in the mail saying our loan is eligible for a HARP refinance. Our loan because it is a Freddie Mac or a Fannie Mae loan, but we don't meet many of the other requirements.

My suggestion is that you should talk to your real estate professional about the neighborhood values and what your home is worth today. That person can help you decide if you are eligible for the HARP or HARP 2 loans that are being offered today. Have this information in hand before contacting any lender for help.

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip - Bait Your Hook For The Spring Market

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:15:49 -0700

Sharon Tara, who is a home stager in New Hampshire, gives a bit of advice that is often overlooked by real estate agents when advising clients. In one sentence it is: look at the photos of the homes in your area that are on the market. It's easy. Go to www.mlslistings.com and choose the city.

Sharon also suggests that your photos need to be better than those you see there. Ask your real estate professional to get you a photographer who specializes in photos of homes.

Via Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations):

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip - Bait Your Hook For The Spring Market

As New Hampshire sellers prepare to list their homes for the Spring market, the competition for buyers becomes much greater. Many sellers will be dropping their hooks in the water.

In order to get a buyer's attention, you need to have the right bait on your hook....a house that's attractive, appealing, and memorable.

Preparation is KEY.

How your

house is prepared

for sale will determine just how long you sit waiting for a bite and just how long your house dangles on the market.

You don't get a second chance at a great first impression.

Once they swim by, buyers don't usually come back for a second look.

Check out your competition and see what their MLS photos look like and then make sure that yours look better.



It's really pretty simple: The one with the best bait wins the catch of the day!

A professional Home Staging consultant will give you all the information you need to make your New Hampshire home more attractive to buyers.

______________________________________________________________________________



New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth   Rye   Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Happenin' in Menlo Park: Dine Out for Packard and Pancake Breakfast

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:24:40 -0800

Hungry? Here's what's happenin' in Menlo Park foodwise. Today it's dine out for Packard. That's Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

Restaurants in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Menlo Park are participating in this event today. Some restaurants are donating 20% of their proceeds and others are donating 15% to the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. So go out, have some dinner and go home feeling you have done a good thing. Restaurants from the Trellis Restaurant to Round Table Pizza are participating. Some require that you bring the downloadable coupon that you can find on the Dine Out site. Check it out. You can make reservations on Open Table for this event, too.

On Saturday, March 9, 2013 you can get a pancake breakfast for $5.00 from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. That's one adult or two children 10 years old or younger for the $5.

This is the Troop 206 Annual Pancake Breakfast. They will be serving pancakes, bacon, sausage, syrup, and drinks for the $5.00. The money goes to fund the various activities of the troop. Speaking from experience, you will leave the Parish Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park feeling satisfied from the breakfast and because you have contributed to a very good cause! Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park. When I purchased my tickets from the scouts in front of Draeger's a few weeks ago, I asked if there would be tickets sold at the door on Saturday. They said there would be.

So get out there and eat. You will be helping the Packard Children's Hospital or the Boy Scout Troop 206. Why not both? You'll be hungry again by Saturday!!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Spring Forward, Daylight Saving Time: March 10, 2013

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 16:48:14 -0800

Time flys! Time to Spring Forward on March 10, 2013! Daylight Saving Time starts on March 10, 2013.

This past week in Menlo Park, CA has felt like spring so it doesn't necessarily seem odd that we need to set the clocks forward so soon. Actually, I am not a fan of 'losing' an hour each spring! I personally look forward each year of getting that hour back. The only benefit I see for the longer day is that it does give me more time in the garden.

It turns out that the idea of daylight saving time was orignated by Benjamin Franklin. He thought that taking an hour from the morning and adding it to the evening would be benificial to society. He was in Paris at the time he came up with the idea of DST. His contemporaries tended to sleep till noon and then get up and go about their business. Ben thought giving them an hour in the evening would be helpful to a people who didn't have street lights or even gas lights in their homes. They had to depend on daylight.

Whether the time change saves anything is a rather contentious subject and a subject if a lot of study. Personally, I'll be waiting to get that hour back in the Fall!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Book Sale at Menlo Park Library on Saturday, March 2, 2013

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:19:00 -0800

The best things in life are free! I first heard that when I went to see the movie with the same name with my Aunt B. That was 1956. The movie starred Gordon MacRae, Dan Dailey and Ernest Borgnine. I just remember the song and that there was a lot of singing and dancing. I was in heaven! Movies back then were almost free.

My library happens to be the Menlo Park library. The library is having a Book Sale on Saturday, March 2 from 10:00 am to 2 pm. The books on sale have been donated and sorted and displayed by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library. These books are almost free! If you are going, get there early. The best ones go quickly!

The Menlo Park Library is also holding an eReading For Everyone talk the same day from 12 pm to 3. Learn how to download lots of free books. Guy Kawasaki will also share his insights on how to write your own ebook. There will be a drawing for a free Kindle.

The library has books that can be downloaded to your Android, iPhone, and other readers. The library has a new language teaching tool. It's called Mango Language Learning. The software can be accessed from home with your MP library card. There are 25 languages available and also English for Spanish speakers. I didn't mention that the library card is free.

When I was teaching in elementary school, I always suggested to my students that they ask their parents for a library card as birthday present. The parents were thrilled -- a free birthday present!

There's so much more at the library. Go to the web page and scroll all the way to the bottom. You can even purchase used books from the library through Amazon.

It's all free or almost free!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Meet California State Senator Jerry Hill

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:27:34 -0800

Here's your opportunity to meet California State Senator Jerry Hill. Senator Hill was newly elected to the California State Senate, the 13th District on November 6, 2012.

This is your chance to have Java with Jerry. Your coffee with the senator is on him.

At: the Backyard Coffee Company,

965 Brewster Ave., Redwood City,

On: Friday, February 22, 2013 from 7:30 am to 9 am

The coffee is on him and not the taxpayers of California

Senator Hill is a Bay Area native. He graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco, attended both UC Berkeley and the College of San Mateo. He has been elected to the San Mateo City Council and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

This function is early enough that you may be able to chat with the senator before having to be at your office. If you have questions or concerns about the state of our State, now is your chance.

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Great Backyard Bird Count: 2013

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:44:13 -0800

I'm looking forward to the Great Backyard Bird Count this year. It may be because for the last few days there have been some very active robins in our backyard. I also spotted a hummingbird at our front patio. If I get more than the robins, I'll have to consult my folding Local Birds of the Peninsula for identification.

But here's what I'm going to do first to get ready for this event.

Clean the bird feeder and add a fresh supply of seeds.
Clean the bird bath although the robins don't seem to mind what else is in there besides water.
Get my Local Birds of the Peninsula handy.
Get my The Sibley Guide to Birds or the Sibley Field Guide to Birds Western North America handy, in case there is a tough new bird to identify.
Get the binoculars ready and focused.
Plan on 15 minutes of time from February 15 through 18.

If you have participated in this event in past years, you will want to check with the web site because they have reorganized the way you sign in and report your findings. There is a way on the site that you will be able to keep track of your count over the years.

Our weather is going to be very mild for the Bird Count so you may find yourself spending more than 15 minutes counting the birds in your own backyard. i'm sure I will!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Free E-Waste Collection: Saturday, January 19, 2013

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:35:03 -0800

This is the first free e-waste collection in Menlo Park for 2013.

No matter how many times we take things for e-waste collection, we seem to have more for the next time. I imagine this has been your experience as well.

Free E-Waste Collection:

Where: St. Denis Catholic Church, 2250 Avy Ave., Menlo Park, CA

When: Saturday, January 19, 9 am to 3 pm

Why: A portion of the proceeds to benefit St. Denis Youth Ministry

We often hesitate to take old computers for recycling because of all the personal information stored on them. My understanding is that the hard drives will be erased.

If your mouse has lost its mickeys, take it to the free e-waste collection on Saturday!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

First Time Buyer: How Do I Start?

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:57:48 -0800

I'm a First Time Buyer. How do I start?

Buying a home can be a daunting process and for first-time home buyers it is even more so. Some times it's just the language of real estate. We have words we use constantly and we often forget that people may not understand what we are talking about. Sometimes it's the process. I will be unlocking the language and process of real estate for you.

When do I start?

At least 12 to 18 months before you intend to purchase your first home, you need to get prepared.

Check your credit.. The Annual Credit Report will give you a free credit report once a year. The credit score companies reduce your credit score if your credit report is accessed more than once a year. So each time you apply for a credit card, the store or whatever will check your credit and your score takes a bit of a hit. You want to have a credit score of at least 720. How do you do that?

If you have a balance on the cards, start paying them off. Pay the balance on the card each month.

If you have a problem like an unpaid bill, pay it off. If you paid a bill, and it doesn't show up on the report as paid, contact the store in writing and ask that they contact the credit agency in writing stating the bill is paid.

Your credit is the first thing a mortgage lender will look at.

What are mortgage lenders looking for?

First time buyers should have at least three credit cards. Contrary to what you might think, more than one card is prefered. However, if you don't have them, don't open new charge accounts just before applying for a loan. The lender wants to see cards that are paid off each month. They like cards you have had for several years. The longer the better.

Lenders want to see your work history. You should be employed by the same company for at least 12 months. They will want to see your pay stubs for several months.

The lender will want to see your Income Tax Returns for the past two years.

Where should you buy?

At least six to 12 months before you purchase, you should think about neighborhoods. What are you looking for? Most people want a home in a good, safe neighborhood with good schools. That’s basic.

The next thing to think about is whether you want a single family home with a yard or if you would rather live in a condominium complex or a townhouse subdivision. Do you want new construction? Or would you rather have a home in a more established area?

Another consideration is how long the commute to work is.

If you are a first time buyer, start here.

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

I'm Doing What I Love: Real Estate

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:16:24 -0800

I have been in real estate since 1995. This is the longest I've been in any one career in my life. Career is the important factor. A career is satisfying and nourishes you in mind and body.

My first career was teaching. I taught 4th, 5th and 6th grades during the 12 years I taught. A first career like a first love has a number of lasting, lovely memories. By the 12th year I was pretty much burned out, stretched too far with the other things that come along with teaching; the district committees, taking extension classes to maintain the credential and being active in the local education association. Not to mention maintaining family commitments.

As we moved around following my husband's career path, teaching was no longer an option. In the mid-1970's schools were being downsized because families had postponed having children.

If you had been a bug on the wall of a teachers' room in any school, you would have heard conversations about the 'other things' teachers could be doing and making more money at than teaching. This was my opportunity to find out what that exactly was.

These are the things: rate and tariff clerk for a moving company, developer of job descriptions, writer of procedure manuals, and a tour guide at a magazine publisher. All of these jobs were interesting and challenging in different ways, but none was a career.

Real estate is a career just as teaching is a career. We have a code of ethics, we continue to improve our knowledge and skills. We work full-time in that career. I just spent a day at a seminar called BOLDTech yesterday learning all about the tools of the modern REALTOR.

Real estate as a career is similar to teaching in that relationships are an important factor in both.

I love real estate because I can work with people. I can teach a first-time buyer how to go about the process of purchasing a home. I can look after the interests of my sellers so that they realize the most from the sale of their property. I can develop an expertise in certain areas of real estate such as investments, second-homes, relocation. I can learn new skills especially those in the area of technology. I can become an expert in a geographical area, or in a particular kind of property, like horse property, or in a particular kind of house style such as the Eichler which is local to my areal

Just as in teaching where there were daily challenges, real estate has it's daily challenges and there isn't a dull moment! I wouldn't do anything else!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Do You Know Where Your Polling Place Is?

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:06:55 -0800

If you are still willing to stand in line to vote, then you need to know where your polling place is! Our polling place has moved from place to place through the years.

When we moved to our current location in 1975, the polling place was in a neighbor's house. Well, actually their garage. That was great because it was close to home. Since then it has moved several times.

My son went with me and stood in the voting booth as I voted. He loved it. Today, he is a UN voter organizer. He has been to South Sudan for their independence vote from northern Sudan. He was more recently in East Timor for their latest national election.

Our son walked along with me knocking on doors when I ran for the School Board when he was in elementary school. He told me he would help me when I ran for president. Sweet!

When he was in high school at Menlo-Atherton high school, he had a wonderful government teacher who made the Constitution a living thing for him.

One never knows what things you do as a parent will influence you child. The thing I do know is that, please, be sure that what you do is what you want your child to emulate!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

Jump In the Water's Fine! Swim in Menlo Park

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:26:54 -0700

Swim in Menlo Park! The water's fine all year long.

If you haven't tried it, you should visit the Burgess Pools in Menlo Park. There is something for every swimmer at the pool starting with the little ones and going on to .... well, I hate to say senior citizens ........... because I might be in that category.

First of all, I said Burgess Pools because there are two pools. The larger pool is called the instructional pool where the kids and others go for organized swimming. The other pool is called the performance pool. I almost forgot there is a third pool, the baby pool. It is closed for the season now and will reopen in the spring.

I have just returned from taking part in the Aqua-Fit class at the instructional pool. It is open to any adult who would like to add water to their fitness program. The water is warm, the mood is friendly and helpful. Both my husband and I take part in Aqua-fit. John pioneered the class for men. He was the only guy in the pool full of women. Now there are several men who are regulars along with John.

Aqua-Fit isn't the only thing going on at the pools, There is lap swimming, adult swim instruction, water polo for women and kids. There is also free swim time.

There is so much more that one blog won't cover it!

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK

New Listing in Menlo Oaks: 530 Menlo Oaks Drive

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:02:20 -0700

New listing with Carmel charm in Menlo Oaks. Menlo Oaks, located in San Mateo County adjacent to Menlo Park and Atherton, has the suburban charm of winding roads, no sidewalks and many mature oak trees, redwoods, and fruit trees. Many of those trees are protected by the county.

530 Menlo Oaks Drive is in a prime location. It is at the heart of Menlo Oaks and as such is quiet and peaceful. It has the unique quality of being close to activities, schools, commutes -- the bus to Hillview Middle School is just four houses away. Laurel Elementary is just a short walk away as is Encinal School. Facebook is at the foot of Willow Road and Google is not much further. Stanford University, Stanford Hospital, Stanford Shopping Center are near-by. Palo Alto's University Ave. with its restaurants, Apple Store, and other shopping are a walk or bike ride away.

This new listing is a property with possibilities. You may want to enhance and preserve the uniqueness of the property or you may want to remove the existing buildings and build new,

The main house, consisting of 1720 sq. ft. has three bedrooms and two and a half baths. The original house was built in 1940. Since then there have been additions and some renovation. The cottage has a kitchen complete with a vintage gas range, full bath and a great room with a brick fireplace. The most recent work has been the replacement of the roof about three years ago. original house was built in 1940. Since then there have been additions and some renovation.

The main house has three bedrooms, two of which are on the first floor. The third, the master, is on the second floor as is the master bath. At the landing is an area that could be used as a mini-office or could be incorporated into the master. The shuttered windows show a view of the tree tops.

The kitchen has another vintage gas range with two ovens and a warming drawer. The counters are polished hardwood. The floor has terra cotta tiles, A cozy breakfast nook is part of this kitchen.

This property of 12,420 sq. ft. has a swimming pool and spa, mature gardens, and patios.

Marge Draper, REALTOR

DRE#01202747

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY MENLO PARK