http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Home_Buyer-San_Ramon_CA-173871/The latest answers submitted by Tom to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/removed-11060Answer by Tom: KB Home might be less favored. Lawsuit on house quality even in 2005-2006.Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:03:38 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/What_is_considered_reasonable_per_square_foot_cost-33385Answer by Tom: Darrell, The march Dataquick report on 94582 is $325/sf. That is much lower than your list. May I know where this list coming from? Based on existing house sales or projections?Thu, 1 May 2008 10:03:03 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Windemere_Sera_Vista_La_Sera_by_Centex_Eliminating-32265Answer by Tom: I just noticed the "nice" feature here that you can remove your own postings.Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:31:22 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Windemere_Sera_Vista_La_Sera_by_Centex_Eliminating-32265Answer by Tom: Andrew, Let's trace the money flow. Buyer's money --> Seller, Seller - - commission (~6% of purchasing price) --> Seller Agent, Seller Agent -- ~50% of commission --> Buyer Agent Yes, your commission is paid by seller agent. But he/she is not your boss. Seller agent is the middleman, redirect a portion of buyer's money to you. So, if you want to appreciate, you better appreciate the buyer, rather than the seller agent. For the second point, I partially agree. There are deal closed not at the highest bid. The reason is seller count in the risk factor. That way, the highest bid price may not necessary the best price. Buyer's financial situation takes important role. It's a buyer's agent's job to emphasize client's strength and let seller know your price is the best price, counting in risk and transaction time factors. Ultimately, it's still buyer's attributes attract seller, your skill helps, but not as important as seller's status. Please dont' get me wrong, even in this bitter market and transaction numbers low, buyer still willing to pay decently to agents. It's about motivation. (economic 101, people driven by incentives). But don't take it for granted, you should prove yourself you by providing quality service and adding value. Accpeting a commission at market level but provide substandard level of service is cerntainly not a good way to build your reputation.Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:41:27 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Windemere_Sera_Vista_La_Sera_by_Centex_Eliminating-32265Answer by Tom: Andrew, Remember it's BUYER who pays your commission, saying "get hands of my salary" is ridiculous. buyer agent splits commission not just start today, I know it has been a common practice in many areas for at least 4 years. If you feel insulted and get angry, you are very out of touch. No one knows who starts it, no one knows it is good or bad. it's MARKET. Maybe you have good sales skills, making great numbers every quarter, the fact is ultimately money talks. Seller accept your offer not because of you, the agent, but the buyer's offer price, and buyer's financial status (credit score, down payment, etc) If your bid is $800K, another bid for $820K, tell me why the seller should take your bid just because of YOU? I have been on this BBS for a while, read every thread, ask questions, and always good answers. They are many good realtors in this board offer very good information and they are very helpful. I don't see you offered much help to other people in this board, the only thing I see from you is you distant yourself with other realtors and humiliate the group of people you try to serve. Is this the professionalism what you talked about?Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:17:48 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/san_ramon_school_district_situation-30619Answer by Tom: Sandy, I think the site you mentioned is http://www.srvusd.net/schools/attendance.jsp?rn=5533084, the schools (elementory, junior, high) desiganated are under normal condition (meaning no overflow). I left voice mail and sent email to SRVUSD, no response after 2 weeks. My concerns are 1) with new developments in San Ramon, families with kids move in, the situation will get worse. For 94582 area, new townhomes, condos will be released this year, situation will get lot worse. 2) My best hope is SRVUSD foresaw this situation long time ago, and new schools already planned and budgeted. But I don't see this problem can be solved in short term. It is very likely crowed school will rotate classes. Certainly that is not the quality of service we parents would like to see.Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:46:57 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Agent2Agent/Anyone_looking_for_a_Windemere_Campton_home_-26857Answer by Tom: I have interest in plan 3.Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:43:26 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/Do_you_foresee_more_inventory_flooding_San_Ramon_t-25831Answer by Tom: I feel same as John to Cohen's answer. 93% homeowners are current with their mortgage. So there are 7% homes are very likely to foreclosure in the next 2-3 months. According to report http://www.contracostatimes.com/realestatenews/ci_8570861?nclick_check=1, US foreclosure rate last month is 1 in every 557 homes; CA is much worse, 1 in every 242 homes. Even only 10% of those not current with mortgage fall into foreclosure is still way above CA level, not to say US average. AJ, what is the source of your data?Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:23:40 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/Is_this_a_great_deal_-24486Answer by Tom: I saw the house in 2236 KEATS LN, San Ramon, CA 94582 too. a big hole on the master bedroom wall. looks like some one is really upset.Wed, 5 Mar 2008 21:08:52 PST