Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

We all remember dressing up as our favorite superhero, fantasy idol or wild animal for Halloween and canvassing the neighborhood for goodies while either saving the world, escaping from it—or eating it all in one sitting!

Today in many ways we're still on the lookout—not for sweets anymore, but to help people overcome obstacles, find the castles of their dreams and discover hidden treats using our X-ray vision. Well, we don’t really have X-ray vision, but we do have an incredible eye for opportunities!

So if you know of anyone who needs a Realtor who can leap tall buildings in a single bound, please don’t hesitate to mention us.

The Clarke Team
Realtors
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Friday, October 28, 2011

Avoid Financing Pitfalls

To help you get the best deal on your home loan, here are a few of the major pitfalls that you should know when beginning the process of getting pre-approved:

Beware of advertised loans with incredibly low interest rates. Your loan rate is critical, but many lenders use “bait and switch” tactics or they fail to reveal that these kinds of loans usually have increased up-front costs.
Go with a local lender. Our market is unique, and out-of-town lenders don’t always understand its nuances. If they are inexperienced with lending against the type of property you buy, you may not get the most favorable rate. Other brokers often fail to get the loans placed because they don’t understand which lenders will loan against which types of property.
Go with an experienced loan professional. There are scores of new mortgage brokers and loan representatives in the market right now and not all of them have adequate oversight. An inexperienced mortgage professional can kill your deal through mismanaged paperwork and delays in escrow. They also don’t always know where to go for the best rates.

Please call us if you need a recommendation about which mortgage broker or lender is the best one for your situation. We can provide you with excellent contacts that have proven track records and satisfied customers. That way you will be able to take this very important step with confidence—and enjoy greater peace of mind.

The Clarke Team
Realtors
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Review of the Clarke Team: They made selling my home in a difficult market a rather pleasant experience.

Review: The Clarke Team was very professional and had very timely communication. They were very thorough. They came up with some good ideas for marketing my property.

Reviewed By: Tim M.
Review Date: 27 Aug 2010
Reviewer Location: Redwood City, CA

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Review of the Clarke Team: A perfect experience.

Review: The Clarke Team was recommended to us. When my husband and I were looking to sell our house, we met with them. They knew a lot about the area and provided my husband with information before he had to ask for it.

My husband and I had different agendas: I wanted to take the selling process slowly and he was on a quicker time frame. They were sensitive to both of us, very respectful and accommodating. It was a great process.

We were lucky to work with The Clarke Team. Judy and Kelly Clarke are both great and very knowledgeable. They were always on the ball.


Reviewed By: Lainee & Leonard E.
Review Date: 27 Jan 2009

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fall Colors Herald Change

It seems that summer came and went in the blink of an eye –

This is a great time to begin preparations for winter before the first big storms roll in. Are your gutters clean and drainpipes unobstructed? Have you had your furnace or heater checked? It is also time to winterize your garden and make sure your sensitive plants are protected from the weather.

The market also has surprises in store this time of year. We’d be happy to update you on what’s moving and share trends or information about the current conditions. Just give us a call if you’d like to know more, or if you need advice with getting your home ready for winter.

The Clarke Team
Realtors
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Review of the Clarke Team: The Clarke Team is highly professional and attentive to their clients.

Review: I recently sold my house, and The Clarke Team was with me from start to finish. They are highly professional, and my home sold quickly.

We had a difficult buyer, and The Clarke Team worked with the issues without exposing us to them at all. We did not have to deal with anything because they did it all on their end.

Judy and Kelly were very organized and complete in their service. They guided us through the entire process every step of the way. They prepared my home so well that it was voted best of tour.

The Clarke Team was highly attentive. Even after the home sold they had open houses to prepare for any contingency. They were always thinking of backup plans.

Reviewed By: Deborah S.
Review Date: 09 Jul 2010
Reviewer Location: San Francisco, CA

Friday, October 7, 2011

Curb Appeal 101

First impressions count in real estate! To get a better idea what kind of face your home presents to a potential buyer, walk outside and up to your front door. How does the front of your home look? Is your front yard neat and tidy? Are your gutters and paint in tip-top shape?

This objective look at your home can let you “see” it through the eyes of buyers. If your home makes a positive first impression a buyer will immediately be drawn in and want to know more. Visual appearance can make the difference between attracting big traffic—or feeling like you’re in a ghost town.

Buyers’ interest will increase when they see an attractive yard and tidy landscaping. Garbage of any kind is a no-no, as are parked cars, RVs, boats, and piles of “stuff” that can ward off all but the most resolute buyers. Trimming your trees and shrubs will allow for a better view from the street, and of course, mowing the lawn and sweeping the entryway will help to make an impact as well.

Simply paying attention to small details like these will help you market your home for top dollar. I can help you discover even more proven techniques to get your home noticed and get you the results you want. Please give us a call or send us an e-mail if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you move your home.

The Clarke Team
Realtors
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Review of the Clarke Team: The Clarke Team was very efficient and very informative.

Review: The Clarke Team was very efficient and very informative. They were thorough and extensive in checking on things and keeping me up-to-date. They were both very personable.

The Clarke Team kept me abreast of the schedule and things that needed to be done. They were especially good at checking-in frequently and keeping track of the status of items. They made sure they were looking out for my interests. I appreciated the fact that they kept track of all the various steps throughout the process. I would highly recommend them.

Reviewed By: Jerry S.
Review Date: 14 Jul 2010
Reviewer Location: Belmont, CA