Charo Bhatt, Broker Asso, CRS,GRI

Hello RR,

Many home buyers are in the same boat that you are in today.

If you are a first time home buyer or second-third…if writing /reading/ interpreting a purchase agreement is not your daily trade, I would highly recommend that you meet with a practicing Real Estate Broker or Real Estate attorney. There could be other outs/escapes clauses that you may not be aware of.

You may have estimated 21K in good faith deposit with one of the builders. Did you have a price protection clause in an addendum?

I can understand that prices dropped way more than 21K and its worth to let go of 21K than buying home that dropped in price for 50-60K or higher

Here are some possible solutions:

Builder...
1. May give you free upgrades to make up for the difference.
2. If property does not appraise for the amount you are buying for,
then I believe you have to come up with the difference in cash. If you
prove your in-ability to bring in that much cash... in other words…
not approved for getting a loan to purchase the home, you may have an out.
If not all, you may be able to negotiate partial deposit back.

California Association of Realtor’s purchase agreement and deposit receipt's liquidated damages clause, does limit buyer's liability up to 3% of the sales price, incase of buyer's non performance and at no fault of seller. It’s very difficult to give an exact answer to your questions without reviewing your actual contract, especially; builders have their own attorney draft purchase agreement to protect their interest.

Feel free to contact me I am more than willing to help you negotiate your deposit and/or review your contract and give you my expert/experienced opinion. I am a Real Estate Broker and have been practicing Real Esatae for over 17 years. My contact number: cell phone 510-381-2105 or email at CharoBhatt@gmail.com

Good luck to you,

Charo Bhatt
510-381-2105 http://www.InstantHomeValue.info - Sun Nov 16 2008, 10:45

Hello Mr/Ms Looking for SFH,

I like to acknowledge and appreciate you coming back to Trulia and thanking for the suggestions you have received. I am glad that it helped you making a decision. It’ has always been my pleasure helping home buyers and sellers!

Should you like to receive list of properties that hits the market that matches your criteria please visit my website at http://www.HomesByCharo.com and sign up for a free alert. It also has a list of Bank owned properties.

You can also visit http://www.InstantHomneValue.info and find out all active, pending and sold properties in a particular neighborhood in no time and it’s free to you!


Please don’t hesitate to call me at my cell phone at 510-381-2105 or email me at ChatoBhatt@gmail.com
for a no-obligation meeting to discuss more.

Good luck to you for home hunting!

Charo Bhatt
510-381-2105 http://www.HomesByCharo.com - Sat Nov 15 2008, 17:58

Hello Mr/Ms Looking for SFH,

Congratulations on your decision to enter the buyer’s market, a great time to buy in the
last three decades of the US history!

I must say that you are really daring to be interested in buying a home with foundation problems and sewer leakages, specially being a first time home buyer.

My recommendation as a negotiator would be, get at least two opinions and estimates from California Licensed contractors. You really need a negotiator to represent you, who can not only help negotiate the sales price (according to the level of severe issues you described) but also help you connect with experienced Contractors and negotiate that price for repairs/replacements too and also guide you through the buying process

Please get your self a result oriented, customer service oriented, skilled and knowledgeable professional Realtor to protect your interest.

I’ll be happy to provide you with contractors names and numbers with who we have worked in past. Feel free to email me at CharoBhatt@gmail.com or call me at my cell 510-381-2105

Good luck to you,

Charo Bhatt http://www.HomesByCharo.com
510-381-2105 - Mon Nov 10 2008, 23:18

Hello Joe,

You have asked a very good question! This question applies to any and all properties in
today’s market time for any buyers out there looking for a home.

In order to evaluate any item…property in this case… we need to do a comparison.

• We need to apply the principle of supply and demand
• We need see how many other homes are active listings in the market
similar to this home.
• How may homes are pending sales
• How many homes sold in last one month or two
• What is the condition of the subject property
• What were the condition of the other pending and recent solds
• What was the asking a and sold price
• How many days it took them to sell the property at that price

I would also keep the following in mind…

1. Are you buying for your prime residence or investment?
2. Are you paying rent more than what the monthly payment would be?
3. Do you have children that are in the elementary school?
4. Are you paying for private schools?

Considering all these factors, one can make a decision as to this property is
worth or not. Some thing that’s worth a diamond to me may not be worth for another a
dime. All depends on a given scenario a “worth” can be determined.

Joe, I invite to go to my website at http://www.HomesByCharo.com and sign up for property
alert. It will send free information you as property of your criteria hits the market. That ways you can keep track of what’s happening in the market.

Don’t hesitate to call me at my cell phone at 510-381-2105 or email me at
CharoBhatt@gmail.com to set up a no obligation meeting to discuss more.
I will be happy to share ideas and help you with a strategic investment plan

Good luck to you,

Charo Bhatt http://www.HomesByCharo.com - Fri Nov 14 2008, 10:21

Cindi,
She got the exposure to her listing already!

Serena,
Posting your listings on Trulia is free!
BTW, To better serve your clients, post your listing’s web address
so peple who are interested in this location can view the photos or
virtual tour of the property(post it on listing section)

Charo - Tue Nov 11 2008, 23:44

Hello Slewfoot,

Welcome to East Bay and Fremont. It’s a great place to raise family.

Avalon Heights and Vineyard Heights are other locations were you may find homes with view, large living area and lot size of 10,000sqft to almost ½ acre or more. You may have to extend your price range a bit. If you find a good negotiator on side you may end up getting a great deal in today’s market.

I invite to call me at my cell phone at 510-381-2105 or email me at CharoBhatt@gmail.com to view these
homes. It would me pleasure to help you negotiate an excellent price and navigate transaction with ease.

Good luck to you,

Charo Bhatt
510-381-2105 http://www.HomesByCharo.com - Tue Nov 11 2008, 14:09