Things that you must know about Bay Area Home Lending

I made a short video with my personal updates over the last 6 months and to thank you all for tuning in and trusting me with your real estate decisions.--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

2 Jul 20204min

Every Wednesday at 12PM PST, I interview and introduce a top Realtor from all across the country to hear about how they got into the business, what they are seeing with real estate impacts with COVID, and the economic drivers of an area! Tune in LIVE at https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/video/ if you want to ask any questions!This week I am delighted to have Kathrin Rein from Miami Beach Florida come on my show. She has been in the business for 8 years and does over $50M a year in production as a solo Realtor with only a part time showing assistant and a virtual admin!Come learn why beachfront property are always in such high demand!--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

1 Jul 202040min

Every Tuesday, I go into detail a question I frequently get asked. Which process should you pick? Should you do physical staging, virtual staging, or have no staging when it comes to selling real estate?Home staging can mean the difference between getting your house sold, or having your home sit stale. Remember, you only need to find one buyer to take it off the market.Staging also often brings a higher price for the home. Many estimate there is an increase of value by 7-9% which is very sizable in the Bay Area.The goal is to evoke emotions and make buyers fall in love with the home. While you have a tremendous amount of love and attention for the home, how we typically live is not how we would design a home as to how we would sell. Think about this, your home is where you build your own personal memories. You may have your own art work, family pictures, and furniture over time, but it wouldn’t relate to the new home buyer looking to create their own memories.So what are the design principles as to how one professionally stages?Declutter the homeThey don’t block windows; let in natural light.Use the right size furniture so that rooms appear larger.Bring in modern decorAre there any other reasons you can think of? Leave it in the comments below! If you like what we covered so far, be sure to smash that like button, hit subscribe, and click on the bell next to the subscribe button to get a notification for all my future videos!Now that we understand the benefits of staging a home, how should you do it?The traditional route is hiring a stager. A professional stager has a massive warehouse of options that are what people dream of in their homes. They typically charge $2,500+ dollars for a one month term. Any additional time you would pay. Depending on their pipeline, it’s usually the first thing to coordinate with given their 1 month lead time. The stagers are masterful designers and will pick and supply everything for you by leveraging the layouts of your home and what you currently own.In the past, we only had the ability to do physical staging. But given the improvement of technology, virtually staging has and will become more of an available option than before.If the staging cost is too high or if you are still living in the home. Take a look at one of my recent listings. Since there was a tenant there, in the peak of the shelter in place, we didn’t have the option to even consider traditional staging. This was a much cheaper but also a great option to take professional photos, declutter the home virtually, then staging to how we would want it laid out. This cost a few hundred dollars for several photos and can be turned around in a matter of days.Drop a comment below with what you think! Would staging impact what you think of the house?--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

30 Jun 20204min

Every week, I go over news that can affect Bay Area Real Estate. I look into news and data that can affect the Silicon Valley Real Estate Market. Tune in weekly!Trump Visa Proclamationhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/trump-visa-restrictions-explained/2020/06/23/78c25baa-b53b-11ea-9b0f-c797548c1154_story.htmlMortgage rates remain at all-time lowhttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/mortgage-rates-remain-at-all-time-low/Purchase applications fall for the first time in 10 weekshttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/purchase-apps-fall-for-the-first-time-in-10-weeks/Mortgage forbearances rises after 3 weeks of declinehttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/mortgage-forbearances-rise-after-three-weeks-of-decline/Luxury market bounces back (properties over $1M)https://www.housingwire.com/articles/the-luxury-market-is-bouncing-back/US Home prices grew 5.5% in Aprilhttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/u-s-home-prices-grew-5-5-in-april-despite-pandemic/Sales of new homes spike in Mayhttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/sales-of-new-houses-spike-in-may-on-low-rates/Market Datahttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P5T3T4doU9vutLotcKnZ0WCZahU0nvKn1khR-QQsrTI/edit#gid=0--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

26 Jun 202030min

Every Wednesday at 12PM PST, I interview and introduce a top Realtor from all across the country to hear about how they got into the business, what they are seeing with real estate impacts with COVID, and the economic drivers of an area! Tune in LIVE at https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/video/ if you want to ask any questions!This week I am delighted to have Jamie Flanagan from Omaha Nebraska come on my show. She has been in the business for 11 years and does over $25M a year in production with just one buyer's agent and one transaction coordinator! With an average price point of $250k there, this is over 100 transactions a year!Come learn why Omaha is a great place to invest for investors.--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

24 Jun 202031min

Every Tuesday, I go into detail a question I frequently get asked. When does it make sense to rent vs buy? Should I ever buy if I live at home or have a rent controlled apartment?The biggest mistake I see people make is not factoring the increase in rent over the years along with long term appreciation of the Bay Area. You can see that if you plan to live in the Bay Area for 2-3 years, it makes financial sense to do so. If you are transient or don't play to stay in the Bay Area for the weather, lifestyle, or job opportunities, it's best to save money for your next residence where you plan to live.Share this video and my calculator with your friends!https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vJ1augKGbxgahEdO8oWIDYhvdyoVyGhKMKSNtusY0N4/edit?usp=sharing--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

23 Jun 202016min

Every week, I go over news that can affect Bay Area Real Estate. I look into news and data that can affect the Silicon Valley Real Estate Market. Tune in weekly!Another week, another record low mortgage ratehttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/mortgage-rates-tumble-to-another-all-time-low/Foreclosure extension another 2 months through end of August 31, 2020https://www.housingwire.com/articles/fha-extends-foreclosure-and-eviction-moratorium-again/Purchase applications reach highest level in over 11 yearshttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/purchase-applications-reach-highest-level-in-over-11-years/Housing Demand is 25% above pre-pandemic levelshttps://www.housingwire.com/articles/the-real-estate-market-heats-up-housing-demand-is-25-above-pre-pandemic-levels/91% of economists surveyed by the WSJ say the recovery is already underway or will be soonhttps://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2020/06/17/is-the-economic-recovery-already-underway/SF Vacancy Rates 6.2%https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltlHKdkBgx0&list=WLTop 3 reasons buyers are more likely to purchase a home in the next yearhttps://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2020/06/16/three-reasons-homebuyers-are-ready-to-purchase-this-year/Prior decade, built 10.4 million new homes versus recent 5.2 million homes. Nowhere close to enough construction needed.https://www.housingwire.com/articles/heres-why-there-arent-enough-homes-to-buy-right-now/Market Datahttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P5T3T4doU9vutLotcKnZ0WCZahU0nvKn1khR-QQsrTI/edit#gid=0--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

19 Jun 202024min

Every Tuesday, I go into detail a question I frequently get asked. Do you want to learn the pros and cons of purchasing a new home construction? I will also share some of my tips at the end of the videoShow Notes:Given how low inventory is, new construction homes give more options to your purchase pool.New construction homes have a guarantee. 10 year structure which is a California mandate. Thus a lower cost of maintenance also the design and appliances are generally more energy efficient with dual pane windows and better insulation.Some of the layouts are much better than the 2010 models. A lot more in law units setups on the bottom floorFor many communities, things can be negotiated even though they list at a certain price. This is because once they lower the price, it’s a new lower bar for the public to see so it's a last resort for them.The community is genrerally more newer families.What are the cons?Some do not like the styles. Most townhomes/single family homes are 3 if not 4 story these daysIf you look at the areas, they are more dense so if you like space, it’s not as available. Parking is generally much tighter and more difficult.Generally a premium. Be sure to work with a Realtor to see what else has sold and how much you are paying for the new constructionIf it’s a new area, there may be risks involved with an unknown community. I.e. possible soil contaminationTips:So why use a Realtor?Just like preowned homes, builders pay the agent. You get the experience of a top Realtor and can negotiate a better deal. You will not get a better deal on your own and you need to also understand what others have sold for. You want someone working at your best interest, just like preowned homes, I don’t dual end as the interests will never be aligned.Research the builder when buying new construction. Read online reviews of the community, and see their finishes in person.Have everything in writing. Model homes are NOT the same as what you would move into. Be sure to check out and be OK with the designated lot location.Link to new construction homes: https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/new-home-construction/--If you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in residential or commercial real estate in the 📍SF Bay Area, contact me today!📧Spencer@spencerhsu.com📞 (408) 547-4590⏰ Set up a time to chat: https://calendly.com/spencerhsure🌍 Find your dream Bay Area home https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/🎙️ Listen to my podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/bayarearealestate📸Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerhsure🧑‍💼 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerhsu🛎 Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest real estate tips and updates: https://forms.gle/c5xkznHLTBh7Yzgi7🏠💲 Track the value of your home and see if it's beneficial to refinance! http://bit.ly/3aFdyMW--My Background: Born and raised in the Bay Area, I spent 11 years as Technology Sales Manager before becoming a Realtor. Having personally invested and done renovations through house flips in the Bay Area, I wanted to help busy professionals in the Bay Area tech industry find their dream home by leveraging tech, data and local insights. Our team specializes in creating trusted frameworks of buying, selling, and investing in the Bay Area. In 2022, we are thrilled to share that we have helped 80 clients in the Bay Area with their moves, which positions our team as the Top 1% groups in the country. Looking forward to helping you into your next home and save/earn you more money!Spencer Hsu, MBA, RealtorSpencer@SpencerHsu.com408-547-4590EXP Realty DRE #02077253https://www.homesbyspencerhsu.com/#BayAreaRealEstate

16 Jun 202013min