Tong Vue, Remax Realtor

The final chapter of the Belgium Haunting is almost complete. I will publish it before Holloween. I hope you all have been enjoying this serie.

I've heard that the California is changing the way they assess property taxes. I didn't hear about any laws being passed. Now, I got a homeowner, who just got their property assess two years in a row and are being told to pay supplemental taxes for the price differences. As far as I know, the only time a property is re-assess is if there is a sale, refinance or name change.

Old Epic RV trip Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone.

Today, I was expecting to close on a home. I got up and prep myself to give my client the excited news. My clients are pretty excited and couldn't wait to get the keys. Then I get the unthinkable message. Seller just sign this morning and docs coming from out of state. Whaaaat???? Listing agent told me seller signed last week. I hate it when I have to be the burden of bad news. I also hate it when there's nothing I can do to help, but wait for the mails to arrive.

Yesterday, my client and I were looking at a short sale property to potentially purchase for investing. I am just baffled about this short sale. Why would the bank lend 4 times more than the home value? On top of that why did the bank allow the owner to use the home as collateral, even though there is currently a mortgage on it? I've worked with short sale before. The first lien gets a 97 to 99% of the proceed from the sale. If the home goes into foreclosure, the second and third lien often gets nothing.

In today's fast moving real estate market, it is vital that you the buyer get a pre-approval done prior to looking at home. Because offers are lining up the door, most sellers will not consider an offer without a pre-approval letter from the bank. If you are a cash buyers, better make sure you have that money in the bank. The numbers on a bank statement weighs a lot more than just verbally telling the seller.

Home prices are driving me nuts. A home in one of the poorest area of Sacramento is close to $400K. The average price at the beginning of this area at the beginning of the year was in the low $300's. On top increasing home prices, the average buyers are competing with over 10 offers and above asking price. Yesterday, a home my client was interested in had over 25 offers just on the first day. They were competing with cash buyers that were more than 30K above asking price. The home was a fixer too. Folks, the Sacramento real estate market is super hot right now.

A Belgium Haunting: Part 4: My mom came to visit At 4 in the morning, I would wake up and kiss my wife on the forehead before heading out to base for physical training. For three weeks since she's been here, there was no sign of any haunting. During those three weeks, two different brother-in-law kept her company and on the third, my oldest brother-in-law and his small family came for a visit. The only mishap was my wife's niece attempted to use the bathroom and started sc...Continue reading

I know you all been waiting for Part 4 of the Belgium Haunting. I should hopefully publish it by tomorrow or this Monday. Stay tune.

Yesterday, I got a strange phone calls from prospective buyers. They were willing to pay me up front $4,000.00 cash just to show them vacant homes of my choice. When I asked for their names, they told me their names were Jane and John. No last names. They both have very heavy foreign accent that their names didn't sit will with my conscience. When I ask to meet them at a local coffee shop, they said no. They strongly insist to meet me at any vacant homes that are available for sale. After going back and forth interviewing them, there were too many irregularities. Their name is already a red flag that something was not right. My fellow realtors, be extra cautious out there. If something doesn't seem right, then it isn't right. Follow your instinct.

I'm a big fan of rich dad and poor dad.