Saturday, September 27, 2008
Practice Pointers: Outsource billing? Here's how - - Modern
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Sunday, July 13, 2008
California Day Trip - Mission Santa Clara de Asis
Mission Santa Clara de Asis is the eighth mission of the original 21 California missions. It was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1777. The only mission named after a woman, Clare of Assisi, the historic California mission is now located in Santa Clara University at:
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Total travel distance from Modesto CA to the mission is about 82 miles and takes about 1.5 hours.
More pictures from the day trip is on the Modesto real estate agent's California day trips webpage. The visit to the mission and the pictures were taken in April 2008 as part of my child's fourth grade California Missions project for the Social Studies course.
To find out more about the mission (or to be as smart as a fourth grader in California mission history), please also visit: wikipedia,
Santa Clara University Mission Church History.
Modesto real estate agent is now ready for fifth grade projects, ready to travel and make more day trips / field trips to be smarter than a fifth grader...
Monday, July 7, 2008
Selling Modesto CA Real Estate - St. Joseph Statue Article
"According to a new National opinion poll, nearly one-third of American adults (63.2 million people) would consider asking their real estate agent to bury a four-inch statue of St. Joseph in the front yard to help sell their home in today’s sluggish economy.
Of those 63.2 million people, 23.5 million would “absolutely want their agent” to use the symbolic figure to increase the likelihood of selling their property. The kits include a free home listing at www.StJosephStatue.com, where St. Joseph believers have listed for sale more that $2.4 billion in real estate.
The tradition of buying
The article is from the Lodi Association of Realtors.
I would be more than happy to assist my sellers in any way that helps. I believe different cultures have different traditions, and in Chinese culture, there is feng shui...
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Modesto Real Estate Website - Added Functionality, Chateau Provence Modesto, Del Rio Golf Course Homes Modesto
- Added Chateau Provence Modesto gated community information.
- Added Del Rio Golf Course homes information.
- Find homes for sale within certain target price ranges similar to the two neighborhoods above. The results are listed in a Spry Collapsible panel, implemented using Adobe Dreamweaver. The search result include custom homes and luxury homes in Modesto.
- Find homes for sale in Modesto CA and homes for sale in Turlock CA. The search results include homes in all price ranges and the results are presented in Spry accordion list (just for the fun of it).
- Link to Modesto neighborhood area map showing the two featured neighborhoods, Chateau Provence in Modesto and Del Rio Golf and Country Club Modesto using Google Maps.
- Downloadable home valuation / CMA comparable market analysis report (sample) in pdf file format.
- Downloadable MLS listing sample in pdf format.
- Local real estate trends line chart showing Modesto CA Real Estate and Turlock CA real estate homes sales listing price and listing inventory. The line chart is generated by Trulia web tools.
Quick preview of Del Rio Country Club and Chateau Provence Gated Community Modesto locations on Google Maps
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Modesto Real Estate - Bank Owned REO Home $86/sq. foot , Bank Owned and Short Sale Real Estate Statistics
Kensington Park Modesto home in California 95356:
$87.22 per square foot Listing Detail #80059512 - Residential
Rose Hollow Modesto home in California 95356:
$86.73 per square foot Listing Detail #80059583 - Residential
As of 6/14/08, active short sale and active short sale contingent Modesto CA real estate statistics:
Total: 691 Modesto short sale homes (single family)
Average size: 1549 sq. ft. Average price $199K - $129 per square foot
Average Days on Market 93
Median size: 1395 sq. ft. Median price $180K - $129 per square foot
Median Days on Market 79
REO Bank Owned Modesto CA Real Estate statistics:
Total: 559 Modesto REO homes (single family)
Average size: 1445 sq. ft. Average price $160K - $111 per square foot
Average Days on Market 58
Median size: 1297 sq. ft. Median price $140K - $111 per square foot
Median Days on Market 40
Irene Chan, MS, REALTOR®
website: http://www.modesto-real-estate-now.com
http://www.modesto-realtor.com
Disclaimer: this information is obtained from MetroList MLS, verified but not guaranteed. Please rely on your own research if there is any discrepancy. This information is not to be viewed as investment advice or advice of any sort.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Real Estate Modesto - fleur de Ville Gated Community Amenities
Photos taken in the Fleur de Ville gated community in Modesto California. The neighborhood has a nice playground, lots of trees, private tennis courts, basket ball court, etc.
These pictures were taken in the process of conducting a fourth grade science project (for my fourth grader) which involved playing baseball...
It was a nice day in Fall 2007. With a nice neighborhood park, we can run freely on the playground, play baseball, tennis ball, basket ball, bicycling, roller blading, or ride the scooter.
For more information, follow this link http://www.modesto-realtor.com
My ongoing project: http://www.modesto-real-estate-now.com
More photos will be added to the above website. This is a trial version of real estate Modesto neighborhood photos.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Habitat for Humanity Project - Modesto Real Estate
About the Modesto homes:
- three to four bedrooms
- each of these home in the new Modesto subdivision will have solar panels and energy-efficient features
- private yards in these homes
- some have features to accommodate people with physical disabilities
- for low-income families who will work 500 hours on the project
- these Modesto home prices are about $150,000 but families pay about 67% to 83% of the price
- residents sought are the ones who live and work in Stanislaus County, legal U.S. residents who had never been convicted of felony crimes, have decent credit history, work records, etc.
Important phone numbers:
Volunteers: 575-4585 ext. 107
Volunteers (other construction projects) 575-4585 ext. 109
Homeowners interested in the Habitat affordable Modesto homes 575-4585 ext. 111
To donate money: 575-4585 ext. 115 or 105
To set the location of this Modesto real estate project, follow this link.
View Larger Map
To find out more about these Modesto homes that is part of the Habitat for Humanity project, please follow this reference: Modesto Bee article by J.N. Sbranti
Posted by: Modesto Real Estate Agent Irene Chan, MS, REALTOR
Friday, May 23, 2008
NAR Article on Commercial Real Estate Condition
- NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said performance in the commercial section is greatly mixed across the county. It is important to understand local market variations.
- To expect broadly slower net absorption for office and industrial space.
- Project softer rent growth in commercial real estate.
- Areas with strong job growth are doing fairly well.
- The article also listed the states with the strongest job growth and states with greatest job losses.
- Even with a lot of concerns about the economy, corporate profits are high.
- Analysis of quarterly data for major commercial sectors including office, industrial, retail market, and multifamily markets. Statistics include: net absorption of spaces, vacancy rates, annual rent growth percentage for the four market sectors.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Second Home in Silicon Valley - Summer Escape, Kids' Activities
This year, the same as the past two years, I have signed up the kids at the Extended Year Summer Enrichment Programs offered by DeAnza College in Cupertino, California. Each elementary, middle, or high school participant ranging from grades 1 to 10 choose four courses and the program lasts for 4 weeks, 4 hours each day. I tried to choose activities that cover different areas:
For art & cultural enrichment: Drawing and painting, Japanese language, Beginning Spanish
For academic improvement: Essay writing
For communications: Public speaking
For fun, "intellectual" enrichment: Science Exploration, computer application and internet research
Physical activities: Tennis at Cupertino Sports Center.
Other courses from the same summer enrichment program include:
- Middle/High shool level: Lego robotics (usually fills up very fast), debate, drumming techniques, creating comic books, basketball, PSAT preparation, pre-algebra, algebra.
- Elementary school level: Cartooning and comic art, poetry hot pot, sculpture and clay, earth science /geology, math and art, reader's workshop.
The program starts June 23 and ends on July 18, 2008. After the four week program, we like to have family travel time and visit different places, either in the U.S. or other countries.
Modesto real estate agent's summer escape - looking forward to it...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
California Real Estate Broker License Required Courses
- Real Estate Principles 12/12/2006
- Real Estate Practice 9/27/2007
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate 10/24/2007
- Real Estate Economics 12/03/2007
- Residential Real Estate Appraisal 1/15/2008
- Property Management 2/19/2008
- Real Estate Office Administration 4/29/2008
- Real Estate Finance - targeting end of May 2008
There will be a five hour broker exam and 75% passing score to qualify for a license (in addition to either a college transcript from an accredited college or two year real estate salesperson experience). The broker exam preparation will keep me busy in June, just when my elementary school age kids are out of school. To keep them busy as well, there are a few strategies that I use...
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Real Estate Auction for Lender Foreclosed Homes - Modesto California REDC Auction
To buy at the auction, there are some steps to follow:
- Register for the auction. This can be done online.
- Pre-qualify for financing (unless it is a cash deal).
- Visit and inspect the property / properties during the open house dates (all properties are sold "as-is").
- Have a cashier check of $5000, made payable to yourself, and bring that to the auction. (A $10,000 cashier's check is needed to purchase each additional property.)
- Bring a photo id to the auction.
- Have a personal check to cover the balance of 5% earnest money deposit. So the $5000 cashier's check combined with the amount from the personal check have to equal the 5% of the Total Purchase Price.
I stayed for about an hour at the Modesto real estate auction, and the auctioneer auctioned off about 26 properties. The auction was fast faced. No photography or video taping is allowed inside the auction area. There was a note outside the auction area saying that auction prices are not disclosed and people can check the properties' sale prices after close of escrow.
For the auction homes in Modesto and the surrounding areas (Ceres, Keyes, Patterson, Ripon, Riverbank, Salida), the starting bids ranges from $1,000 to around 200K. The homes "Previously Valued" (as listed in the auction catalog) from 130K to 600K. For the 26 properties that were auctioned off during my attendance, the final bidding prices ranges from 30% to almost 70% of the "Previously Valued" prices.
More information can be obtained from the Real Estate Disposition Corporation wesite.
Disclaimer: All information is verified but not guaranteed. Please check with the appropriate sources if there is any discrepancy. This is not to be used as investment advice. This detailed an auction event attended by a Modesto real estate agent Irene Chan, MS, REALTOR ® in Modesto California on 4/29/2008.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Google's Jon Diorio Talk about Website Optimizer
- Statistics: landing page (0-20 s. 100% of pixels, demonstrated commitment), closing pages (2-3 mins. 100% pixel, significant commitment)
- Page elements: benefit statements vs. product features, call to action buttons vs. links, graphics vs. no graphics
- Different combo pages
- Identify impactful pages sections / elements
- Develop simple hypotheses for each element
- Test a few variations (2-4)
- Repeat as necessary
- Multivariates and AB tests : different html versions or Javascript if small portion of screen changes
- html, php, jsp uses for implementation
- How Picasa's change in page design increased conversion rate significantly
- Website Optimizer: setup screen (3 steps, change variations); Outcome page
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Modesto Home and Garden - Spring Flowers
Monday, April 21, 2008
California Association of Realtors Opposes Point-of-Sale Mandate AB2678
"C.A.R. is OPPOSING AB 2678 (Núñez) which among other things, requires that ALL homes and commercial property in
BMA April 23, 2008 Meeting in Santa Clara
More information.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Real Estate Tax Deduction for Different Types of Real Estate Properties - Modesto Real Estate Agent Notes
Personal Use Property : Mortgage interest and property tax are deductible.
To check if mortgage interest is fully deductible, follow this Internal Revenue Services link.
Second Home / Vacation Home : Mortgage interest and property tax are deductible.
If a vacation home is financed, the interest expenses are deductible, if itemized deductions are filed.
Home owners cannot deduct any other expenses associated with operating and maintaining the properties for personal use / second home / vacation home.
Rental Investment Property : Mortgage interest, property tax are deductible, expenses attributed to the rental period are deductible, including property insurance (Insurance is not deductible for primary and second homes).
For investment properties, depreciation may be considered by some as the best real estate tax deduction of all. The method used for real estate is straight-line depreciation of the building. Depreciation can only be applied to the building and not land since land does not wear out over time.
For residential property, the depreciation period is 27.5 years.
For commercial property, the depreciation period is 39 years.
To see an example of how depreciation is calculated, visit About.com.
A property is considered a rental if it is rented for more than 14 days of the year. However, if a house is rented for less than 15 days each year, the rental income does not have to be reported.
For all three types of properties, mortgage insurance premium may be qualified as deductible mortgage interest. To find out more about mortgage insurance deduction, see IRS publication.
For more real estate information, definition of terms, visit Real Estate Encyclopedia, the Real Estate Wiki.
The California Real Estate Proposition 13 (1978) set the property tax to 1% of the full cash value of the property, plus any local bond assessments.
Disclaimer: the above information is not to be used as real estate investment advice or tax advice. Please consult your investment advisor or accountant if there is any discrepancy. It is my notes to clarify some of the taxes deduction rules - my notes on real estate tax deduction for a Modesto real estate agent.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
12 Tips to Improve the Quality of Your Free Time
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
Modesto Bee Article on Modesto and Neighboring Cities' Schools - Distinguished Schools
- Ten local schools doing very well with limited funds - chosen as 2008 Distinguished Schools including schools in Modesto, Ceres, Hughson, Oakdale, Atwater, Sonora.
The follwing are a list of school districts and the links to get more information for each of the ten schools:
Stanislaus County:
Modesto City School District : Rose Avenue, Martone
Empire Union School District : Capistrano, Sipherd
Ceres Whitmore Charter School of Technology
Hughson Unified School District : Fox Road Elementary School
Oakdale Joint Unified School District : Sierra View Elementary
Sylvan Union School District : Sherwood Elementary
Merced County:
Atwater Elementary School District : Elmer Wood Elementary
Tuolumne County:
Sonora School District : Sullivan Creek Elementary
To find out the schools' Academic Performance Index (API), please visit the California Department of Education website.
This is also a good website, Education Bug, which has a national directory of schools including public, private, school districts, colleges, and libraries.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Pain Management Doctor in Modesto California Jackie Chan MD Website
Friday, April 11, 2008
Real Estate Sale Statistics in Bar Graph Format - Modesto California
- Number of Modesto homes sold for single family homes in bar chart format and,
- Modesto real estate average home sale prices and median home sale prices in bar chart format.
I also plan on including neighborhood cities in Stanislaus County such as Salida real estate sales statistics, Oakdale real estate sales statistics, etc.
Monday, April 7, 2008
10 Innovative Green Homes
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Friday, April 4, 2008
New Website URL
The old website http://ilaichan.home.comcast.net will not be active. I've added a robot.txt to not have the site crawled. I also disabled the website from my Comcast account.
Vein Clinic Modesto Website and SEO Modesto Strategy
Many of the websites he wrote SEO well, particularly Vein Clinic Modesto. We share SEO tips and techniques.
Short Sales Statistics and Foreclosure Prevention Workshops
Active short sale single family homes : 714 on the market
Avg. size: 1574 sq. ft. Avg listing price: $225K Avg Days on Market: 89
Median size: 1428 sq. ft. Median listing price: $200K Median days on market: 72
I've looked at a few short sale properties in the 95356 zip code in Modesto California. One home that is 3181 sq. ft. priced at $102.14 per square feet was pending after 6 days on the market. Another property that is 1987 square feet priced at $140.87 per square feet was pending after 4 days on the market. Both properties were built in 2001.
Price right to have a quick sale to avoid foreclosure.
According to the Modesto Bee news article today (4/4/08). There will be more free events scheduled to help at-risk homeowners.
- Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani has scheduled several workshops where lenders were invited.
- California state agencies coordinated some foreclosure prevention workshops. Free credit counseling is available.
- No Homeowners Left Behind-Stanislaus is planning monthly workshops in Modesto to provide free counseling. Lenders have been invited.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Informative Stop Foreclosure Website by State of California
- A guide to mortgage resources in California
- List of upcoming events hosted by Governor Schwarzenegger's task force on non-traditional mortgages
- Mortgage help
- 90 days of hope (fact sheets, flyers, media announcements)
- Tips for avoiding foreclosure
Sunday, March 30, 2008
CSS Galleries: Free Web Designs for Download
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Friday, March 28, 2008
YouTube: Video Creators Know When and Where Clips Watched
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Monday, March 17, 2008
REO Listing for Investors and First Time Home Buyers
I had a chance to look at a REO (Real Estate Owned) property in Modesto California in Stanislaus County, Central Valley on Sunday 3/16/08. It is the second day on the market and when I called the listing agent, there are offers already. Today, the property is pending.
The property is located in zip code area 95356. around $128 per sq. ft. and listing at $309K. It is in good condition. I have been tracking REO properties using daily auto-prospecting tool for potential clients and also gathered some statistics:
As of 3/16/08:
REO listings in Modesto California for Single Family Homes:
Active: 514 Avg List Price: $190K Avg size: 1503 sq. ft. Avg DOM: 59
Median List Price: $175K Median size: 1341 sq. ft. Median DOM: 45
Pending: 300 Avg List Price: $199K Avg size: 1634 Avg DOM: 50
Median List Price: $180K Median size: 1434 sq. ft. Median DOM: 28
Sold in Feb: 80 Avg List Price: $210K Avg Sale Price: $201K Avg size: 1527 sq. ft. Avg DOM: 48
Median List Price: $199K Median Sale Price: $196K Median size: 1397 sq ft. Median DOM: 21
Please check back next month for an update.
Irene Lai-Chan, M.S., REALTOR
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Web-based Real Estate Software - Metrolist Prospector, Modesto California
I just finished attending the MetroList Prospector training in Modesto, California. I am absolutely fascinated by the features and mapping support, auto-prospecting, client portal, reverse prospecting, and seamless integration with eNeighborhood power tools.
The mapping feature uses Microsoft Virtual Earth that allows the user to view in map or satellite view. After searching for properties, one can set the route of visit, rearrange the order of properties on the route, and print out the route information. Another feature, auto-prospecting, saves agents a lot of time. Once the search criteria is set up, properties that meet the criteria are automatically added to the "Newly Matched" listings cart. An email can then be sent to invite the client to either Save, Reject, or leave the property information on one of the three lists. The agent and client can both email each other regarding any of the properties on the list.
With the integration to eNeighborhood, agents don't even need any contact management software. Creating CMA and flyers are two other feature I can't wait to use.
The only drawback is that there should be a cross population of contacts between Prospector and eNeighborhood. Maybe one exists that I don't know of yet, such as exporting contacts to an excel file and then importing that to eNeighborhood. It would also be great if a client can specify the frequency of auto-prospecting email (like once every few days instead of every day). Sorting of property list may also be a convenient feature for the client when they are using the client portal.
Also, I would like to see export to HTML from eNeighborhood in addition to exporting to PDF file. (Can a web developer take advantage of the HTML and also promote eNeighborhood at the same time?)
My previous job as a medical office administrator for a small office, solo practitioners have to do research on their own to get medical management, scheduling, billing software. Each office procure their own tools and in comparison, real estate professionals are so spoiled.
Friday, March 7, 2008
California cows start passing gas to the grid
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