Re$ult$©: Michelle Carr-Crowe & the Get Re$ult$ Team\’s Blog

REALTOR ® Achieves For Sale By Owner  Victory
By Michelle Carr-Crowe, San Jose real estate agent and Cupertino homes selling expertIt™s so easy for sellers to mistakenly think for sale by owner is the way to go when you need to save money on selling a home, whether it’s in San Jose, Calif.  or Manhttan, NY.

However as the story of ForSaleByOwner.com founder  Colby Sambrotto shows, selling real estate for sale by owner is hard work, even when you have good knowledge and experience. Sometimes a for sale by owner  can work at selling a home for six months, invest lots of money in advertising and open houses, (as well as feel permanently inconvenienced) and still not sell the home.However, as Mr. Sambrotto found out, hiring a true real estate professional who takes the time to understand the seller (and seller™s motivation), the market and the buyers can make a huge difference in results!In the The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Sambrotto shows how exchanging the FSBO model for a full service real estate agent was a winning one. As reported by Tim Fennell in ActiveRain, the story of Founder of For Sale By Owner Company Turns to REALTOR ® for Help is spreading like wildfire.Sambrotto’s  wise choice to fire himself and hire a professional REALTOR ® resulted in attracting multiple offers for his 2000 square foot condominium in New York.And as a sweet bonus for his client,  negotiated a final sales price of $150,000  OVER  the asking price.It’s easy to lose perspective when selling For Sale By Owner. Whether selling real estate in Silicon Valley  or New York  City, it’s a hard job. As a professional  REALTOR ® I am  thrilled for everyone involved in this transaction to see that a real estate professional achieved success for the client and made the difference in getting the job done well and right.

This story highlights the good news, and important role, that experienced, knowledgeable real estate agents are performing every day in aiding the U.S. real estate recovery.  

You’re Invited to Michelle’s New Get RE$ult$ Team Cupertino Office Open House, Sun., Aug. 7th, 1:30-4:30  

    You & the People You Care About are Invited  …

to Michelle’s Get RE$ult$ Team’s NEW CUPERTINO Office Open House !!

Sun., August 7th from 1:30-4:30
Treats, Tours & Chances for FREE PRIZES, too !!  

Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook High  Homes experts  and Cupertino  homes selling specialists

Aloha & God bless you,

Michelle

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, DRE #00901962, and the Get RE$ult$ Team (established by the late Judy Carr) are known as the “Lynbrook and Cupertino Schools Experts.” Michelle is a creative catalyst for positive change in people’s lives.She is a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant who works by referral only. Her designations include: Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS), Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE),  Property Marketing Expert (PME), Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). In addition, she is an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,000 traditional  articles in print and online,  as well as over 51,000 blog posts on Blogger, ActiveRain, MySpace, FaceBook, Realtor.com, Trulia, RealBird and others. She enjoys reading, traveling, animals, dancing, staging and praying. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com or www.lynbrookhighhomes.com. For RE$ult$ … Just Call … (408) 252-8900.

You’re Invited to Michelle’s New Get RE$ult$ Team Cupertino Office Open House, Sun., Aug. 7th, 1:30-4:30  

    You & the People You Care About are Invited  …

to Michelle’s Get RE$ult$ Team’s NEW CUPERTINO Office Open House !!

Sun., August 7th from 1:30-4:30
Treats, Tours & Chances for FREE PRIZES, too !!  

Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook High  Homes experts  and Cupertino  homes selling specialists

Aloha & God bless you,

Michelle

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, DRE #00901962, and the Get RE$ult$ Team (established by the late Judy Carr) are known as the “Lynbrook and Cupertino Schools Experts.” Michelle is a creative catalyst for positive change in people’s lives.She is a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant who works by referral only. Her designations include: Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS), Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE),  Property Marketing Expert (PME), Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). In addition, she is an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,000 traditional  articles in print and online,  as well as over 51,000 blog posts on Blogger, ActiveRain, MySpace, FaceBook, Realtor.com, Trulia, RealBird and others. She enjoys reading, traveling, animals, dancing, staging and praying. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com or www.lynbrookhighhomes.com. For RE$ult$ … Just Call … (408) 252-8900.

Wouldn’t you rather live in a Larger, More Luxurious Saratoga TownHome with Monta Vista for Le$$ Than San Jose?

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get Re$ult$ Team, Your San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook & Cupertino Schools Experts
Larger, More Luxurious & Less $$ Than San Jose*

(Compare to 5806 Randleswood, SJ at 1394sf for $796K)
 
Must See! Spacious, Flowing Flr Plan!
Gorgeous & Glowing!
Gleaming Bamboo Flooring!
Granite Slab Kit.! DPW!
Sky-High Ceil. in All 3 Br!
Charming Patio!
Prvt Balcony!
Prestigious Saratoga Adrs & Ambiance!
Private & Quiet!
Premier Cupertino Scls-Blue Hills*Kennedy*Monta Vista Hi!
See the Virtual Tour at http://listings.realbird.com/VirtualTour.aspx?id=E2F3C3C5&rb-brand=1&fid=63193<br>

Only 900 More Ticket Sales Needed forKen-Ya Dream II May 29: Help the Event SELL OUT and Cupertino High Reach their Goal of $100,000 for Nthimbiri Secondary School

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get RE$ult$ Team Your San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook and Cupertino Schools Experts

Please help the Ken-Ya Dream II event on Sat. May 29 Event SELL OUT and Cupertino High Reach their Goal of $100,000 for Nthimbiri Secondary School.

As most dreamers find, there is a hard reality that takes an extra stretch to cross the finish line, just when you feel you can’t give anymore. I’m including an open letter from Justin Li, Cupertino High’s ASB president and co-chair of Kenya Dream. Read it and consider buying tickets-if not for you, for teens you know. Let’s help these students reach their goal.

Dear Supporters of Kenya Dream, Four years ago the Cupertino HS Class of 2010 stumbled upon a newspaper article that sparked us to show the world that high school students can make a difference in the world. In this newspaper article, it stated that high school students were œselfish, spending time and money only on ourselves.

Justin Li
A fellow Cupertino HS Student

This is a great opportunity to pull together and help these students reach their goal. It IS possible. Only 900 More Ticket Sales Needed forKen-Ya Dream II May 29: you can buy a ticket and give it to a student who wants to attend but can’t afford it.

Help the Event SELL OUT and Cupertino High Reach their Goal of $100,000 for Nthimbiri Secondary School. You can also just donate any monetary amount directly at http://www.kenyadream.us/about/donate

Three Financially Sound Reasons Seniors Should Consider Selling and Buying in Spirng 2010

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

I™ll make it brief and to the point: there are three financially sound reasons every homeowning senior should carefully consider selling, and also possibly buying, in spring 2010.
For example, 2010 is a good year to sell, and possibly also buy, in Saratoga, San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell, Palo Alto, Santa Clara or Monte Sereno if you meet one of the following criteria:
1)       You plan to sell and want to buy another property, especially if the new property will be less than $800,000, and/or
2)       You have significant equity built up and want to save capital gains tax, as the existing benefit ends at the close of 2010
3)       You are 55 or older, blind or disabled, and plan to sell in Santa Clara County and buy a home for the same price or less in Santa Clara County or one of six other participating counties in the Proposition 60 & 90 program.
Currently, there is a new, limited-time tax credit   available to homeowners selling and buying a property (both must close by April 30, 2010). This window is open for about another 75 days.
Many people assume the capital gains tax we™ve had in place for years will remain with us indefinitely. Not true. The capital gains tax benefit that allows a single person to keep up to $250,000 in tax free capital gains, or a married couple can keep up to $500,000 in gains is set to automatically expire on December 31, 2010.
Although the real estate lobby will push for extension or expansion, given the current poor state of the economy, many are concerned about the perception that this is a œrich person™s benefit, making it difficult if not impossible to garner support.
Sales of assets held more than 12 months and sold on or after May 6, 2003 qualify for the 15 percent capital gains rate (5 percent for lowest income taxpayers and zero percent beginning in 2008).   The capital gains rate reverts to 20 and 10 percent for assets held for more than 12 months and sold after December 31, 2010.
Is NOW Your Time to Buy a Home? (click here to find out now)
Click Here to Find out Home Values in Your Area!

Three Financially Sound Reasons Seniors Should Consider Selling and Buying in 2010

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

I™ll make it brief and to the point: there are three financially sound reasons every homeowning senior should carefully consider selling, and also possibly buying, in 2010.

For example, 2010 is a good year to sell, and possibly also buy, in Saratoga if you meet one of the following criteria:

1)         You plan to sell and want to buy another property, especially if the new property will be less than $800,000, and/or

2)         You have significant equity built up and want to save capital gains tax, as the existing benefit ends at the close of 2010

3)         You are 55 or older, blind or disabled, and plan to sell in Santa Clara County and buy a home for the same price or less in Santa Clara County or one of six other participating counties in the Proposition 60 & 90 program.

Currently, there is a new, limited-time tax credit  available to homeowners selling and buying a property (both must close by April 30, 2010). This window is open for about another 75 days.

Many people assume the capital gains tax we™ve had in place for years will remain with us indefinitely. Not true. The capital gains tax benefit that allows a single person to keep up to $250,000 in tax free capital gains, or a married couple can keep up to $500,000 in gains is set to automatically expire on December 31, 2010.

Although the real estate lobby will push for extension or expansion, given the current poor state of the economy, many are concerned about the perception that this is a œrich person™s benefit, making it difficult if not impossible to garner support.

Sales of assets held more than 12 months and sold on or after May 6, 2003 qualify for the 15 percent capital gains rate (5 percent for lowest income taxpayers and  zero percent beginning in 2008).   The capital gains rate reverts to 20 and 10 percent for assets held for more than 12 months and sold after December 31, 2010.

Is NOW  Your Time to Buy a Home? (click here to find out now)  

Click Here to Find out Home Values in Your Area!

Two Great Reasons to Sell (and Buy) in Saratoga in 2010

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

I™ll make it brief and to the point: 2010 is your year to sell, and possibly also buy, in Saratoga if you meet one of the following criteria:

1)         You plan to sell and want to buy another property, especially if the new property will be less than $800,000, and/or

2)         You have significant equity built up and want to save capital gains tax, as the existing benefit ends at the close of 2010.  

Currently, there is a new, limited-time tax credit  available to homeowners selling and buying a property (both must close by April 30, 2010). Also, a single person who closes by December 31, 2010 can keep $250,000 in tax free capital gains, and a married couple doing the same can keep up to $500,000.

Sales of assets held more than 12 months and sold on or after May 6, 2003 qualify for the 15 percent capital gains rate (5 percent for lowest income taxpayers and  zero percent beginning in 2008).   The capital gains rate reverts to 20 and 10 percent for assets held for more than 12 months and sold after December 31, 2010.

Is NOW  Your Time to Buy a Home? (click here to find out now)  

Click Here to Find out Home Values in Your Area!

Bright & Spacious! Rent to Own /Lease Option Possible! Live in Beautiful Berryessa!  

Bright & Spacious! Rent to Own /Lease Option Possible! Live in Beautiful Berryessa!

MUST have excellent credit

Beautifully Updated!

Bright & Spacious Floor Plan!

Largest Model!

4 Bedrooms & 2.5 Baths!

Gorgeous Granite Kitchen!!!

Rent to Own/ Lease Option Possible

2 possibilities

1) Rent to Own: Standard rent + extra amount towards the down payment with price & date chosen in advance*

2) Lease Option: Standard rent with no extra amount; price & date for option chosen in advance*

Rent: $1995 /mo (negotiable) for 4br / 2 ba updated townhome in Berryessa/Milpitas border

Updated Piedmont Hills Beauty! Lg. & Lovely 4 Br! Avail. Soon!

. Great Schools with API above 800 - Majestic Ele.! Sierramont Middle! Piedmont Hills High!

. Easy access to Highway 680, 237, 101, 880

. San Jose Airport in 4 miles

. Light Rail in less than a mile

. Fabulous Great Mall + Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Grocery, Banks & Pharmacy Nearby

. Playground & walking trails

. Near Berryessa & Cataldi Park

Easy to see & show - Just Call ... (408) 252-8900! for appt.

Plus finder's fee to agent

Must provide references, application & non-refundable credit check $25 Agent Michelle Carr DRE #00901962 Just Call ... (408) 252-8900!

Photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/sumap2007/HomePictures?feat=directlink

Terms: Security Deposit: $1,500 Last Month Required: 2,000 Move In/Out Fee: - - Credit Fee: $25 Min/Max Lease Mo.: 6 / 36 Date Available: 04/01/2010 Listing

Agent/Office Information Michelle Carr (DRE#00901962) Altas Realty Pref-Phone: 408-252-8900 Agent Fax: 408-378-9056 Office Phone: 408-947-1583 Office Fax: 408-947-1585 Email: lynbrookhomes1@hotmail.com http://www.michellejudycarr.com

*Subject to all California & Federal laws; must qualify

The Best $2 Show I™ve Ever Seen-Cupertino™s Debut Choir Concert

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

When I was younger and low on cash and seeking inexpensive entertainment, I remember people suggested seeing high school games, musicals or performances as a reasonable option to higher-priced professional events. Current economic times are causing me and others to get back to basics and re-visit this money-saving habit. So when my daughter invited me to see Cupertino High School™s Debut Choir Concert tonight, I said yes. I was even more thrilled once I heard the price!

Tonight I enjoyed a fabulous show featuring talent, poise and professionalism produced by the students at Cupertino High School”and it only cost $2! I have to compliment the students™ director Andrew Aron for his good-natured but firm and no-nonsense direction”to the audience to actually shut OFF their cell phones, behave appropriately (no œshout-outs) and remove loud talkers from the auditorium.

Each of the four groups (Cantabile, Chorale, Cantos and Capella) performed a selection of classical, touching and at least one crowd-pleasing number.  Cupertino High also boasts the only male choir in all of the Fremont High School District. Especially notable were Justin Li™s cello and guitar features and Cody Scott™s solo.  

Starting in Latin (œMusic Spread Thy Voice Around by Handel), bouncing through œLydia, The Tattoed Lady, hypnotizing with œThe Seal Lullaby and culminating with the Grand Chorus™ uplifting rendition of Moses Hogan™s, œI™ll Make a Difference, the students demonstrated skill in technique, affection for their director and œthe world™s greatest accompanist Dr. Valerie Stark, and love of music.

It was a celebration of joy in music.Next time you™re looking for reasonably-priced yet real entertainment, I recommend you look at your local middle and high school sports, band and music programs. You may be pleasantly surprised. As advertised, œsee your students and friends in a new light.