The case to stay away from franchised real estate!

Just facts, no "puffing" or exagerations...

December 22nd- just 3 days before Christmas, and here's my free christmas present to all homeowners...

Since 9/1/2007, only 3 houses have closed escrow in Eagle Ridge, which is not spectacular when you think there are currently 32 homes on the market. 2 are "Sale Pending"...

Guess what (or who) sold 2 of the 3 homes? Small Brokerages, with less than 10 agents.

That's who had the listing on those 2 of the 3. The franchises are not as prevalent in Eagle Ridge as they once were, perhaps because, in my opinion, smaller brokerages do a better job handling listings... Just an observation. Not all agents, just some of those that work for the large franchises. Why, you may ask? It is the nature of the larger brokerages to pound their agents to "get listings, get listings, get listings!" They need homes to fill the space of their newspaper ads so they look big and busy!

Here's and interesting fact- 50% of all agents across this great land of ours work for a broker with fewer than 10 agents, yet they sell 60% of all the real estate. Think about that next time you choose a broker to sell youir home. All real estate is local.

Home Prices in Silicon Valley

12/05/07Granted, there are parts of Silicon Valley that are doing better than others, but the trend is still upward, as the local economy is good and seems to be growing...Things here are not as bad as the national media reports seem to emphasize. I dare not say we are "different' but the facts do show us bucking the trend...Forbes Magazine has noticed the pricing trend of the following cities. The magazine just named 10 cities where home prices are going through the roof, includingForbes: 2007 Best U.S. Housing Markets:Salt Lake City, 246,700, up 14.1%Charlotte, S.C., $220,000, up 11%San Jose, Ca., $852,500, up 9.4%San Francisco, Ca., $825,400, up 8.6%Raleigh, N.C., $229,500, up 7.5%Austin, Tx $188,200, up 7.2%Pittsburgh, Pa., $127,700, up 6.1%Seattle, Wa., $394,700, up 6%San Antonio, Tx, $154,700, up 5.7%Portland, Or., $299,700, up 5.2%Regards,Gary and Nancy FrimannBrokers / OwnersSignature Homes & EstatesEagle Ridge Realty"Our Performance Will Move You!"(408) 846-8284Visit us on the web:EAGLE RIDGESIGNATURE HOMES & ESTATESGILROY, CAESTATE HOMES LOCATED IN SILICON VALLEYREAL ESTATE AGENTS IN SILICON VALLEY

Why use local expertise?

Welcome to Eagle Ridge!
Being a Realtor, I have held Open Houses here in Eagle Ridge. Often, a homeowner will enlist the services of their friends, family members, people they know to list their homes. Happens all the time. I cannot blame them-they trust them and they probably get a good, fair commission percentage to sell their home. (Note: all commissions are negotiable BY LAW!!!--It says so right on the listing agreement, in bold face type ).
But, as I mentioned, being a Realtor who has held Open Houses, a key element of living in Eagle Ridge is knowing just as much about the neighborhood as having knowledge about the house one is trying to sell. Here is a short list if questions asked (note: these are not "typical" questions asked at an Open House)

• How much are green fees?
• Is the golf course a public course?
• When is the clubhouse open for lunch/dinner?
• Do the HOA rules prevent me from parking my motor home here?
• How can my visitors get through the gate?
• Can we have our own golf cart?

Now, this is just a sampling of the questions... Wouldn't you need to have a Realtor who knows this stuff off the top of their head? When one is buying in Eagle Ridge, they are buying "more" than a home--they are buying into a community that offers more than just what fits their housing needs. Plain and simple. Most out-of-area agents don't seem to grasp this, and do not know the answer to these seemingly simple questions, questions I'd advise all potential home buyers to ask. It is obviously apparent some agents do not, as evidenced by what they write in the "Remarks" section for the Multiple Listing Service.

Regrettably, one out of area agent had the wrong golf course, and you guessed it, the house just sat and sat, and never sold... I did not have the heart to call the agent and let them know they were basically advertising another golf community 90 miles away... I'm not the bad guy though, as apparently no other agent had the heart to call him as well...

Yes, we know the answers to these and many, many more concerns of potential home buyers.

So, point being, always use someone with local knowledge. Just as it helps to play a golf course with someone who has played it before. Real simple.

Another caveat, always ask your agent to provide you with an MLS print out of your listing... That is so obvious, it almost goes without saying...

If you are interested in knowing more, email me at GFrimann@EagleRidgeRealty.net

Visit us on the web:

EAGLE RIDGE REALTY EAGLE RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD

Best of luck on your house hunting. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

Gary Frimann and Nancy Frimann
EAGLE RIDGE REALTY
"Our Performance Will Move You!"
(408) 846-8284

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Welcome to Homes for Sale in Eagle Ridge

Eagle Ridge- what a great place to live...
If you don't live here, you should!
Friendly neighbors, quiet streets, lovely homes, great golfcourse, great community.
For more info, check back. I will soon be posting a list of all housing data on home sales in Eagle Ridge ONLY.
See you soon.
To check the MLS
Eagle Ridge Realty

Eagle Ridge Neighborhood

Gary Frimann
Broker/Owner
Eagle Ridge Realty
(408) 846-8284