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Climb Real Estate Releases iPad App for San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate …

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:13:07 +0000

Users can browse agent profiles, save favorite properties for viewing later, or share properties via email, Facebook and Twitter from inside the application.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 17, 2013

Climb Real Estate Group’s new app for iOS devices allows users to browse homes and apartments for sale and rent in the San Francisco Bay Area. Buyers, sellers, owners, and luxury real estate aficionados are set to explore the world of extraordinary real estate with Climb’s long-awaited app.

The app shows high-quality photos and a full description for each of Climb Real Estate’s properties, as well as a link to contact the listing agent directly from the mobile device. Listings are updated in real time so users are always up-to-date with what’s happening in San Francisco real estate.

The app’s features include the ability to see all Climb’s current sales and rental listings or see what’s been recently sold and rented. Users can browse agent profiles, save favorite properties for viewing later, or share properties via email, Facebook and Twitter from inside the application.

“We are happy to announce that our dedicated mobile users can find a version at Apple’s Newsstand featuring some of our many fine properties,” said Climb partner Mark Choey, who was instrumental in the development and launch. “As a thought leader in the real estate technology space, it is crucial that Climb have an app.”

“With such a larger userbase using smart phones, iPads and other mobile devices, the importance of communicating effectively with a mobile consumer is essential,” said Managing Director Dirk Kinley. “What we have created not only provides compelling information for buyers, but it also reflects the innovation of Climb’s brand.”

The “ClimbSF Real Estate” app is available for free from iTunes and the Apple App Store.

Climb Real Estate Group is a full-service general real estate brokerage with an emphasis on the purchase, sale, rental and marketing of select residential new developments, commercial and premier resale properties. We specialize in condos, high rises, lofts and homes in South Beach, SOMA, South Beach, Mission Bay, Rincon Hill, Potrero Hill and Central Waterfront. Our focus is on urban-style properties, specializing in new construction, historic loft conversions, live/work spaces, Victorian flats, modern condominiums, and stylish single-family homes. We also have exclusive access to Off-Market Listings, Foreclosures and Developer Specials.

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Article source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/climbsf/launchesipadapp/prweb10742681.htm

REITs Trounce Stocks as Investors Pour In

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:13:04 +0000

Institutional investors are especially drawn to REITs because they provide not just earnings growth, but strong dividend growth. REITs are required to distribute at least 90 percent of taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. Also, real estate is relatively inexpensive right now.

(Read More: The Other Housing Recovery: Agents’ Pay)

“Physical real estate is attracting institutional investors because there is a positive spread between how much it costs to finance real estate versus the income generated,” added Goldfarb.

On a total return basis, the FTSE NAREIT All REITs Index gained 5.80 percent in April and the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index gained 6.33 percent, while the SP 500 was up 1.93 percent.

While almost all sectors of U.S. REITs have delivered double-digit gains year-to-date, some are outshining others. Health care was the industry’s top-performing major sector, with a 23.77 percent total return, according to the NAREIT report. Lodging was up 17.51 percent, and retail was up 17.34 percent, led by shopping centers.

An improving economy is clearly sending consumers back on vacation and back to the malls. Health care has been a consistent leader, as Baby Boomers fuel the aging population.

(Read More: Map: Tracking the US Real Estate Recovery)

A product of the real estate recovery, Mortgage REITs were up nearly 19 percent and Home Financing REITs were up over 17 percent. Commercial financing is driving much of the former, but these sectors are benefitting from a potential thaw in mortgage credit in residential as well.

“There are signs that conditions are beginning to loosen,” according to analysts at Capital Economics, who also noted that mortgage demand is on the rise.

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100734766

Top 10 cities for dogs

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:11:06 +0000

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Methodology

Estately measured the quality of dog living in each metropolis with a little science, a little meteorology, and some basic canine love. “We scoured the country, factoring in weather, Walk Score, yard size, dog activities, Meetup groups, and the availability of dog sitters onRover.com. After a lot of debate we settled on these 17 urban dog paradises.”

More on the top 10 picks

1. Portland, OR

The Rose City boasts 33 dog parks, “the most per capita of any large city in the United States.” Dogs can also enjoy 19 pet massage therapists while owners enjoy a personal social network for dog lovers. Together they can drink and dine at Tin Shed Garden Café(with a dog and person menu) the Kibbles-N-Bits breakfast at Lucky Labrador Brew Pub or dog snack plate at the Pied Cow. And, according to Estately’s real estate listings, the average lot size is a spacious 8,283 square feet. Plenty of room for yards and bounding four legged family members.

2. San Diego

Sunny days in the surf: what dog wouldn’t be in heaven? This city also offers and dining on dog-friendly patios. San Diego also hosts the National Dog Party Day, the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon and “is moving to ban the sale of pets bred in commercial breeding facilities.

3. Seattle, WA

In a tribute to fairness, Estately (based in Seattle) puts the Emerald City in 3rd place. Yes, it rains a lot, but like SF, Seattle still hosts more dogs than children in its limits. And, “unlike in many other cities, dogs are welcome on Seattle’s bus lines, ferries, light rail, and even local seaplanes.” Owners and pets alike enjoy 32 different Meetup groups for dog lovers, as well as dog-friendly businesses like BARK! espresso, and Scraps Dog Bakery.

4. Austin, TX

For the dog who loves good food like Bow-Wow Chow, a food truck specifically for dogs, and discovering bands at South by Southwest, Austin offers 11 dog parks, lots of water for cavorting, pet boutiques, health food stores for Fido, and more than 35 pet photographers. “Austin is home to Kramer the Austin Famous Rock Dog, the Easter Pet Parade Costume Contest, the Austin Dog Fair, and many more dog celebrations.

5. San Francisco, CA

San Francisco has 27 dog parks, the third most of any city in the U.S. with 27, and Walk Score has it ranked second nationally for walkability for ambling with your pet. Perhaps the destination is the beach, or a dog-friendly bar like The Stray Bar, a restaurant with welcoming patio, or one of our dog-friendly gyms .

6. Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque boasts 33,000 acres of public parks, “about a 1/4 acre for every dog, cat and bird!” Not a lot of rain here, so plenty of chances be outdoors too.The Mayor’s Dog Ball is held annually to raise money in support of a spaying and neutering program.

7. Tucson, AZ

Sunny up to 350 days of the year, this city rarely rains out dog walks. Tucson offers lots of doggy patios for drinks and chow together, and hosts an annual Pitbulooza in honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day. Part of the city’s tourism propaganda includes this tidbit: “The pampered pooch can even enjoy a spa treatment or shopping spree at one of numerous pet boutiques.”

8. Boston, MA

Despite having few off-leash dog parks, Boston is a leafy green city on a river and harbor, so lots of doggy fun can be had. “Boston is home to the first subway built in America and dogs are allowed to ride it during off-peak hours. Additionally, there are cruises of Boston Harbor that include time for dogs to play pirate and explore an uninhabited island.” Owners and pets alike enjoy the Liberty Hotel hosts a weekly “Yappier Hour,” a happy hour with food and drinks for both people and their four-legged friends.”

According to this Block Avenue article, Boston neighborhoods with high numbers of pet dogs can be a sign of high home ownership.

9. Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is home to many retirees with time to spend with their canine companions. According to Estately’s real estate listings, the average lot size is a spacious 8,977 square feet (plenty of room for pets) and this is warm, dry climate for dig life outdoors as well. Cool side note: The Arizona Diamondbacks let you to take your dog out to the ballgame with their annual Bark in the Park event.

10. Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis is a pooch-positive culture, with dog-friendly restaurants, parks and hiking trails.” The downside is harsh winters can leave dogs trapped inside for long stretches, but when the sun is out there are fun activities like the Canine Carnival, various breed-specific Meetups, and Beer With Your Buddy—the opportunity to drink a brew at the pub while your four-legged pal socializes.”

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/05/17/top-10-cities-for-dogs/

Even as Housing Revives, Apartment Growth to Boom

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:11:02 +0000

“Despite overtures of the headwinds from new supply, our April survey results showed positive gains in both occupancy and rents ahead of expected seasonal trends,” she wrote in a report to clients.

(Read More: Apartment Building Bubbles as Single-Family Homes Struggles)

Zelman noted an intentional slowing by home builders, who are strapped by labor and supply shortages and who are looking to gain pricing power as the market recovers, as a key driver of apartment demand.

Rising rents are pushing some tenants to move, but not as many as expected. 11.5 percent of departing residents in April left due to rent increases, according to the report, up from 10.9 percent in 2012 but way down from 17 percent in 2011. In addition, more than half of those moving out remained in the apartment rental market. Thirty percent bought a home, and ten percent rented a single family home; the remaining moved in with family or friends.

The concern for investors in the apartment sector, especially in multi-family REITs (real estate investment trusts), is that there is too much new supply coming on line, just as demand is about to turn. The government numbers for housing starts in April added confusion to that argument, but some say the monthly numbers, especially for new construction, which have a wide margin of error, are just “noise.”

(Read More: Rising Rates Rattle Mortgage Market)

“Multi-family starts plunged 38.9 percent to 23,000 units, but the more important average of March and April was still a solid 321,000 units,” noted Michael Montgomery, an economist at IHS Global Insight.

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100746253

Bay Area median home price hits $510000

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:08:29 +0000

(05-15) 17:20 PDT San Francisco — Eager Bay Area buyers propelled the region’s median home price above a half-million dollars in April – its highest point in almost five years – reflecting a market continuing to rebound, according to a real estate report released Wednesday.

The $510,000 median for the nine-county Bay Area represents a jump of 30.8 percent from a year ago and a record 17 percent above March’s median price, said DataQuick, a San Diego real estate service that produced the report.

“The Bay Area is getting back to normal fast,” said Andrew LePage, a DataQuick analyst. “We’ve had just the right ingredients for big increases in the median and other price measures. We’ve got drum-tight inventory of homes for sale, an unprecedented level of investors chasing homes, interest rates lower than most of us alive have ever seen, and changes in the types of homes selling and where they’re selling.”

The median represents a midpoint, meaning half of Bay Area homes sold for more than $510,000 and half sold for less. It is influenced both by actual appreciation in home values and by a changing mix of homes sold.

The Bay Area median peaked at $665,000 in summer 2007. During the real estate downturn, bargain-basement foreclosures and short sales helped drag the median down to a low of $375,000 in March 2009. Now, with far fewer distress sales and more high-end homes changing hands, a similar dynamic is buoying it. DataQuick said the median has regained 59 percent of its losses.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: Csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Bay-Area-median-home-price-hits-510-000-4520145.php

Why Rising Rates Are Rattling the Mortgage Market

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:08:27 +0000

“Underlying interest rates are moving higher, dragging mortgage rates along with them,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH.com, a data and analytics site. “This has come as the result of somewhat better conditions in the labor market, helping investors feel more confident that the recovery will overcome its recent soft patch.”

(Read More: REITs Return Big as Investors Pour In)

The higher rates cause a drop in mortgage applications. Refinance volume fell 8 percent, while mortgage applications to purchase a home fell 4 percent, according to the MBA report.

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100738799

School-home values: Top 10 places to buy in Bay Area

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:48:06 +0000

San Ramon Valley Unified: School Score 9.1/ Median Price per SF $304. House in San Ramon for sale.

Blanca Torres
Reporter- San Francisco Business Times

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Location, location, location, right? Isn’t that the mantra for real estate valuation? But what if you have school-age kids? Then the real estate valuation mantra shifts: Location, location, schools.

For families with school-age kids, San Ramon ranks as the best place to buy a home based on school quality and home price, according to data from ZipRealty. Of the top 10 cities, all but two — Palo Alto and Benicia — were in the East Bay.

The Emeryville-based online residential real estate brokerage calculated which Bay Area cities had school districts with the highest test scores, lowest student/teacher ratios and lowest median price per square foot.

“We all know lots of factors — not just price per square foot — go into determining home values,” said Lanny Baker, ZipRealty CEO and president. “Among the most important of these factors for many families today is the quality of local schools in relation to the price of their local real estate.”

Here’s ZipRealty’s list of Top Ten School District Home Values in the Bay Area. Click to right to see slideshow of homes for sale.

Blanca Torres covers East Bay real estate for the San Francisco Business Times.

Article source: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2013/05/east-bay-schools-boost-real-estate.html

Why Rising Rates are Rattling the Mortgage Market

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:48:03 +0000

(Read More: REITs Return Big as Investors Pour In)

The higher rates cause a drop in mortgage applications. Refinance volume fell 8 percent, while mortgage applications to purchase a home fell 4 percent, according to the MBA report.

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100738799

REITs Return Big as Investors Pour In

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:36:43 +0000

(Read More: The Other Housing Recovery: Agents’ Pay)

“Physical real estate is attracting institutional investors because there is a positive spread between how much it costs to finance real estate versus the income generated,” added Goldfarb.

On a total return basis, the FTSE NAREIT All REITs Index gained 5.80 percent in April and the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index gained 6.33 percent, while the SP 500 was up 1.93 percent.

An improving economy is clearly sending consumers back on vacation and back to the malls. Health care has been a consistent leader, as Baby Boomers fuel the aging population.

(Read More: Map: Tracking the US Real Estate Recovery)

“There are signs that conditions are beginning to loosen,” according to analysts at Capital Economics, who also noted that mortgage demand is on the rise.

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100734766

Encouraging news out in real estate market

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:28:47 +0000

There is more encouraging news out in real estate markets across the country. 7 On Your Side takes a look at what it could mean for California homeowners.

It’s a good time to sell your house. Home prices in 20 major markets are at their highest in seven years. You can bet the San Francisco Bay Area is on the list.

The S P/Case-Shiller home price index calculated growth rates for a 12 month period ending last February. They looked at 20 major markets and found home prices went up 9.3 percent.

The housing recovery’s been driven by near record low mortgage rates, lower unemployment and more buyers than sellers.

This last factor is a big one in California and the Bay Area where the inventory of homes on the market is one of the tightest in the country.

ABC7 Poll

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Article source: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/7_on_your_side&id=9085727