MLS Listing Chains

by Roberta Murphy There has been much discussion lately regarding the nefarious practice of agents cancelling real estate listings and relisting them at the same price the same day to create more attractive market times. That practice is forbidden by most MLS systems, including the San Diego MLS (Sandicor), but I am beginning to wonder if there might be a way to put this crime to good use. What if…

March 4, 2007
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The Acorn Loan

by Roberta Murphy The Acorn loan isnt exactly a financing program for luxury homes (particularly in San Diego, San Francisco and Manhattan), but how about for friends, kids and relatives who may need some help in purchasing or refinancing their homes? I have already spread the news among certain clients, nieces and nephews throughout the country, and am the new heroine of real estate. The Acorn Loan is probably one…

March 2, 2007
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Variable and Value Range Pricing for Homes

Value Range Pricing
February 26, 2007

Many real estate agents, home sellers and home buyers roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders when the subject of variable or value range pricing for homes is discussed. This value range property pricing strategy has been successfully used in the San Diego real estate market since the mid-1990s. In those days, it was an innovative vehicle used to bridge the gap between sellers wanting yesterdays prices and buyers demanding…

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Are Buyers Liars?

by Roberta Murphy I attended a San Diego real estate luncheon today and was handed a booklet with identical questions posed to agents along with their printed answers. The questions were solid and most of the answers made sense. But I nearly choked on a piece of broccoli when I read this statement from a well-known agent in our area: œBuyers are still and always will be liars. Dont talk…

February 20, 2007
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Home Pricing Dangers

real estate pricing
February 10, 2007

by Roberta Murphy Real estate pricing has become a minefield… particularly for homebuyers and homesellers in volatile markets such as California, Nevada, Arizona and other former hot spots. As real estate markets shift, the old comparable sales model for offers and pricing may no longer be quite so valid–and could in fact be dangerous. If sellers overprice their properties–based on prior sales that may have occurred some months ago–they run…

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How Move.com Could Murder HouseValues.com….

The following article, written by Roberta Murphy, originally appeared on The Real Estate Tomato, and has been republished here for our readers enjoyment. If Move.com Wants to Murder HouseValues.com Here’s How I Think It Should Happen. Plotted by: Roberta Murphy I don’t think Move.com has a homicidal eye on HouseValues, but perhaps it should. If Move.com wants to meet its impressive goals, it must. HouseValues with its drip system is/was…

February 9, 2007
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Redfin Security Issues

I just overheard a news report that Redfin is coming to San Diego, and I am tapping my pen in wonder. I imagined one of our San Diego real estate listings and I imagined receiving a call from a stranger asking to see the property. In the natural course of conversation, I would ask if the caller was working with an agent. If the caller responded that they were working…

February 8, 2007
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Prestige Index: Los Angeles

by Roberta Murphy With a drumroll, lets reveal and discuss the results of First Republic Banks Prestige Index for Los Angeles, California. Our earlier article about San Diegos Prestige Index offered some interesting data. Hopefully our report on the Los Angeles luxury home market wont disappoint! As might be expected, the pace of luxury home appreciation in Los Angeles has cooled somewhat, but is far from being in the tank….

February 5, 2007
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A Montana Luxury Real Estate Coup?

Montana Yellowstone Club
February 2, 2007

Montana may come to be known as the land of Big Skies and Big Spenders. Luxury Clues Bernice Ross reports a new entry in the Billionaire Poll: Lumber and land baron Tim Blixseth. His prime Yellowstone Club 53,000 square foot home in Bozeman, Montana will be entering the high end luxury home market at a record-breaking $155 million. Being promoted fully furnished, this ten-bedroom mountain estate boasts an indoor-outdoor swimming…

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Priciest Home Sale in 2006?

by Roberta Murphy Realtors and public alike are fascinated by record-setting news, and most of us are curious to know about the most expensive home sold in the last year. In San Diego County, the winner of record would be a stunning 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath Del Mar oceanfront beauty sold by Jennifer Moores to Marsha Naify for $18 million. The ultra-luxury real estate market in San Diego is a…

January 23, 2007
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