Property taxes: How Corporates handle it.

The recent article in Mercury news on handling of property taxes by Corporations in the bay area revealed another aspect big corporations handle around taxes:

Bay Area corporate giants tangle with counties in high-stakes property tax disputes

It is very important that we as individuals should also save on taxes. If it is big bucks for the corporations, it means real money for us individuals.

I have requested appraisal changes for the property taxes after the appraisal on one of my properties came in lower multiple times. Watching property taxes is another way I help build in the design when buying or selling a home.

Recent fire by 280 and Meridian forces us to think.

One of my clients bought in San Ramon and had to buy a special wildfire insurance. All locations with rolling hills, a lot of grass makes the areas susceptible.

These areas are in the Silicon Valley or barely an hour from the valley and the fire danger lurking puts all of us at severe risk and higher insurance premiums. This should be included while understanding the costs of home-ownership.

The risk abounds in areas like Saratoga, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Los Altos,  San Ramon, Fremont and other areas.

For some this may not even be an issue, but when it comes to actually understanding the cost of ownership, this should be considered as a factor. This one factor itself may result in about 50 to 250 dollars per month in cost of the home per month. This at times may be about 3 to 10% of the cost of the home.

This article in Mercury News underscores this aspect:

Something to think about.

10-Step Guide to Buying a House

Check out this great Realtor.com resource! You’ll find 10 great articles here to help guide you through the home buying process!

Are You Ready to Become a Homeowner?
Whether you’re becoming a homeowner for the first time or you’re a repeat buyer, buying a house is a financial and emotional decision that requires the experience and support of a team of reliable professionals. Read more »

Get a REALTOR®
In the maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing and negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals who know the community and much more. Those professionals are the local REALTORS® who serve your area. Read more »

Get a Mortgage Pre-approval
Most first-time buyers need to finance their home purchase, and a consultation with a mortgage lender is a crucial step in the process. Find out how much you can afford before you begin your home search. Read more »

Look at Homes
A quick search on realtor.com® will bring up thousands of homes for sale.  Educating yourself on your local market and working with an experienced REALTOR® can help you narrow your priorities and make an informed decision about which home to choose. Read more »

Choose a Home
While no one can know for sure what will happen to housing values, if you choose to buy a home that meets your needs and priorities, you’ll be happy living in it for years to come. Read more »

Get Funding
The cost of financing your home purchase is usually greater than the price of the home itself (after interest, closing costs and taxes are added). Get as much information as possible regarding your mortgage options and other costs. Read more »

Make an Offer
While much attention is paid to the asking price of a home, a proposal to buy includes both the price and terms. In some cases, terms can represent thousands of dollars in additional value – or additional costs – for buyers. Read more »

Get Insurance
No sensible car owner would drive without insurance, so it figures that no homeowner should be without insurance, either. Real estate insurance protects owners in the event of catastrophe. If something goes wrong, insurance can be the bargain of a lifetime. Read more »

Closing
The closing process, which in different parts of the country is also known as “settlement” or “escrow”, is increasingly computerized and automated. In practice, closings bring together a variety of parties who are part of the real estate transaction. Read more »

What’s Next?
You’ve done it. You’ve looked at properties, made an offer, obtained financing and gone to closing. The home is yours. Is there any more to the home buying process? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a repeat buyer, you’ll want to take several more steps. Read more »

Seller Advice from the Experts

 

What is Dual Agency?

Buy, Sell

When a buyer is represented by the same brokerage firm that has the listing, it is called dual agency. When one agent represents both the buyer and the seller in… (Read More)

 

Listing Agent vs. Buyer Agent: Who Works for You?

Buy, Sell

It may seem perfectly logical to call the agent on the yard sign while driving around your dream neighborhood searching for your next house. The sign might have a QR… (Read More)

 

6 Creative Open House Ideas To Sell Your Home Fast

Sell

It’s easy to see the value of an open house—a designated time for prospective REALTORS® and buyers to scope out your home while on a Sunday spree of house tours. But if you’re worried… (Read More)

 

Buyer Agents: Working for You Free of Charge

Buy, Sell

Home buyers should always have their own agent. Buyer agents work to negotiate the best terms and price for the buyer. Best of all, the buyer agent’s services are free… (Read More)

 

What Exactly is a REALTOR®?

Buy, Sell

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate salesperson who also belongs to the National Association of REALTORS®, the largest trade group in the country. Every agent is not a REALTOR®, but… (Read More)

 

The Real Estate Commission Explained

Buy, Sell

The real estate commission is the agent’s fee for service. It is a percent of the sale price negotiated at the time of the listing. Every seller has the right… (Read More)

 

Why You Should Use a REALTOR®

Buy, Sell

For most people, buying a home is the largest financial investment they will ever make. It is the one time you can say you went shopping and spent a quarter… (Read More)

 

5 Tips to Reach Millennial Home Buyers

Sell

Millennials may seem like a hard sell. Statistics say this generation is ditching the cars and the house in the suburbs for a bike and a rented loft in a… (Read More)

 

5 Steps You Can’t Skip During Escrow

Buy, Sell

The escrow process, which is also known as closing or settlement, is the endgame of the home-buying process. It is when the buyer, seller and other necessary parties get together… (Read More)

 

Why You Might Need Professional Photos to Sell Your Home

Sell

Looking to sell your home quick? The photos you post online might make the difference, so using a professional photographer to help you sell your home is a must. In an…(Read More)

Getting a Mortgage

Finance

 

How a Loan Forbearance Can Save Your House

Finance

Knowing you may lose your home because you can’t keep up with the mortgage payments is a terrifying prospect. And if your setbacks are just temporary, it can be even… (Read More)

 

Smart Financial Planning Must Come Before Homeownership

Buy, Finance

Whether you’ve got house envy about your best friend’s new place or just want to start building equity instead of renting, the first time you think about becoming a homeowner… (Read More)

 

7 Types of Loans: Which One Fits Your Needs?

Finance

Whether you’re looking for a new home or need to do some considerable remodeling, you’re probably going to need a loan. In order to choose the best one that best… (Read More)

 

Is a Second Mortgage Your Best Option?

Finance

Your home is much more than an asset in your financial portfolio. Your home is where you raise your family, host your guests and create warm memories. Your home is… (Read More)

 

Is a Subsidized Loan Right For You?

Finance

The world of loans can be overwhelming for a first-time home buyer. Understanding a whole new set of real estate terminology is difficult enough without having to deal with the… (Read More)

 

How to Get Mortgage Loan Paperwork Right the First Time

Finance

There is no getting around the paperwork involved in applying for a mortgage loan. Mortgage lending qualifications have tightened in a post-recession world—meaning whether you’re applying for a government-backed loan,… (Read More)

 

4 Options for Debt Consolidation You Need to Know

Finance

No one likes to have credit card debt, but plenty of consumers have accumulated too much of it over time. Debt consolidation is a solution many look to in order… (Read More)

 

Borrowing Against Your Home Equity Has Tax Benefits and Pitfalls

Finance

If you need funds to cover a purchase, pay off debt or remodel your home, you have a few lending options—including the use of home equity. You could use your… (Read More)

 

Escrow Accounts: What You Need to Know

Finance

With mortgages, homebuyers typically pay extra money into escrow accounts every month, along with their home loan payments. While a mortgage holder collects the principal and interest payments each month, they also can collect property tax and… (Read More)

 

Should You Choose Positive or Negative Mortgage Points?

Finance

While picking out a mortgage, you might be faced with the option of using positive or negative mortgage points, which can alter your interest rate and your closing costs. But…(Read More)

Keller Williams – Bay Area Estates

San Jose CA Homes for Sale with Amol Heda
408-307-9465 Direct
408-228-8985 Fax

12312 Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd,
Saratoga, CA 95070
License #01330948

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