Questions and Comments

Do you have any questions or comments for the George Devine Realtor team? 


This may include the entire scope of the residential real estate industry, market, or general concerns. 


Please feel free to comment directly to this post below or contact us through email at georgedwarddevine@yahoo.com

Buyer or Seller Market?

How’s the Market?

How to make sense of the current market for would-be home buyers and sellers?  The following trends seem to be in play:

1. A generally soft market for home sales has brought qualified buyers to the fore, increasing not only the number of sales but price levels in desirable areas.  Although bank-owned properties are still numerous, these are not usually in prime neighborhoods in terms of general condition physically and economically.
2. The pressure of qualified buyers on the mortgage market could result in higher interest rates, thus more difficult qualification ratios, as the year goes on.
3. Due to litigation that erupted from feeding-frenzy sales prior to 2007, buyers and their lenders are insisting on tighter contingencies, especially regarding inspections.
4. Loans that “adjust” are still available but harder to come by, making it more advisable for buyers to invest in homes they plan to stay in for at least 3-5 years.

Residential Real Estate

Devine writes…..

Your home:  investment or shelter?

Why buy a home these days?  Prices seem to be flat, at best, in all but a few areas.  And sometimes, even with tax considerations, renting can be cheaper.  You can even make more money with relatively low-risk investments in securities.  At least, that’s what some folks say.

Others will talk about pride of ownership, peace of mind and all the other factors that have driven the home purchase market for the past several generations.  Which point of view is right?  Both. It depends on your objective and viewpoint.

If you want to make money, homeownership is not a good short-term strategy, except in the high-pressure times of rapidly rising prices and feeding frenzies, the like of which we haven’t seen in about a half-dozen years.  In those cycles, some folks bought a home at what seemed to be top dollar, then resold it at a profit within months.  That’s not a normal economic environment.  But over the long term – more than five years and perhaps more like a decade – home purchases do about as well as bank accounts as a form of savings.  The key attraction, then, must be the security of shelter in a stable neighborhood, with the protection of a fixed-rate mortage and slowly rising property taxes.  That doesn’t sound like fast-lane speculation, nor is it meant to be. 

Decide on your goals, your needs and your temperament, as you forecast your hosing priorities.

About George Devine Realtor

George Devine, REALTOR ®

1960 Tenth Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116-1331
Phone: (415) 661-4853
Fax: (415) 564-2736
Email: georgedwarddevine@yahoo.com
DRE License Number: 00550153

• Has been licensed since 1976 by the California Department of Real Estate

• Has helped individuals and families buy and sell residences and income property in and around San Francisco

• Can refer clients to appropriate professionals such as attorneys, accountants, general contractors, stagers and others who can help expedite a real estate transaction

• Is the author of numerous articles and books on real estate and has trained thousands of agents in California, teaching at Anthony Schools and the University of San Francisco

The George Devine, REALTOR® team includes:

Annemarie Devine Kurpinsky and Joseph G. Kurpinsky, who have helped satisfied clients in the successful purchase and sale of homes in San Francisco, including trust and probate transactions