Dana Graham

Real Estate General Info Category

March 2012 Newsletter

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Termites (and other exciting stuff)

There seem to be a lot of misconceptions about termites as it relates to real estate sales, so here's the straight scoop: First of all, there is no law that says that a seller must provide a termite clearance at close of escrow, so let's get that out of the way now.  There is, however, a strong custom that the seller do that. In the real estate context, a "Termite Report" deals not only with termites but with dry rot, fungus, etc,...Continue Reading!

As Seen in the Peninsula News February 23, 2012

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Short Sales — A to Z

Short sales have been in the news the last few years and I've handled some of them.  Whether you're selling or buying, there are a few things you should know before jumping in. Short sales are, by definition, sales made when the amount owed to lenders is greater than the market value of the property.  Given the decline in values the last few years, there are quite a few of them out there, as there were in the early 1990's under...Continue Reading!

The Top Ten Reasons Escrows Fall Out

When I got into this business 35 years ago, my office couldn't help but notice that my escrows almost never fell out.  They were so impressed that they had me give a series of classes on the subject to the newer agents.  500+ escrows later, my escrows still almost never fall out.  What follows are the Cliff Notes on why that is, without giving away all my trade secrets. First, by way of general explanation, every contract provides a buyer contingency period...Continue Reading!

Is It A Good Time to Buy? A Good Time To Sell?

I get these questions all the time.  This is one of those times when I can honestly say that it's a good time for either.  I know what you're thinking, but hear me out: If you're buying:  Interest rates have not been this low since the Earth cooled.  4%?  Are you kidding?  They've been low for a while now (tho not this low), and we've sort of gotten used to them.  When I got into this business in 1984 the best 30-year fixed rate loan was...Continue Reading!

Listings I’ve Sold Recently

In no particular order, here is a sample of listings I've had that have recently sold.  I'm transferring these over from my old site, so if you want to see them all in the meantime, go to DanaGraham4re.com/properties/my listings.  This is a new site and I'm having some formatting issues, so please bear with me: 2233 Via Acalones, Palos Verdes Est.  About 2700 square feet on a street-to-street lot. It needed a little updating and sold for $1.8 million.                                1533 Addison Road,...Continue Reading!

January, 2012

In 2011 Palos Verdes sales continued at about the same pace as last year, aided by a continuance of historically low interest rates in the 4%’s.  However, the average sale price in Valmonte , for example, dropped from $1,482,438 to $1,209,634, and the average sale price in dollars-per-square-foot (if you’re into that sort of thing – I’m not – see below) dropped from $632 to $506.  A cursory look might lead one to conclude that prices in Valmonte had dropped...Continue Reading!

It’s Not Rocket Science

I'm talking about real estate.  The basic process of buying and selling a home is not rocket science, brain surgery, or astrophysics.  It doesn't even involve knowledge of Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion.  So why does the realtor you choose matter?  Heck, why not do it yourself?  See how tense Kepler looks in this picture?  He was probably in the middle of an escrow, had figured he was smart enough to handle it, and had just listed with someone who left...Continue Reading!

Everyone Walks on Water

If you've ever interviewed realtors, you know that all of them leap tall buildings, walk on water, and heal the sick. The vast majority of realtors are competent which, for what you pay in commission, you have a right to expect.  I would suggest, however, that you ought to get more than "competent".  When I got into this business 28 years ago, not having been happy with my realtor, I began with a clean slate:  if I were the client (which...Continue Reading!