Trulia Blog - Real Estate Search » Tips

Homes with benefits

Elain, marketing specialist — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:00:34 +0000

It’s basic economics that when supply exceeds demand, the price goes down. But in the case of real estate, the incentives just get more creative. From free cars to buy-one-get-one-free deals, agents and sellers on Trulia.com are using some imaginative tactics these days to stand out from the crowd.

Of course, you want to read the fine print with any special offers. But for many home buyers, these bonuses could be just what the financial adviser ordered. Using keyword search on Trulia.com, we found four amazing examples that cannot be missed.

A Florida dream home complete with ‘Fairy Tale Princess’

Home is where the heart is, especially for one enterprising home owner in South Florida. Selling a sunny, four bedroom home with ‘Princess Bride’ included, Deven Trabosh also placed ads on Craigslist, Ebay and her own blog. Now that’s a deal. See the full listing here.
Tip: To find more of these homes with benefits, enter your city, then use keywords like ‘credit’, ‘incentive’, or ‘loan’ to sort through your results.

The straight-up price discount
Los Angeles, CA
This bank-owned foreclosure near LA city college includes a three percent discount on the purchase price as credit toward the buyer’s closing cost. Bonus, you could walk to class and save on gas.

The early bird bonus
Dallas, TX
Time is of the essence, especially in this market. This builder is offering a $20,000 buyer bonus for closing before the end of September. Plus, scroll down to see the Google Street View during the renovation.

The future credit
Tampa, FL
Buy it and then redo it. The seller for this Tampa pad on a golf course comes with three fireplaces… and $25,000 toward renovations. Other potential perks include owner financing based on the buyer’s credit history.

Your city wasn’t featured? Don’t fret, enter a U.S. city to search your neighborhood for deals.

Advice & Opinions Ι Get insightful, fast, and FREE advice on home buying & selling

The Housing Law, continued!
Where’s the market headed? Can I still get a loan? How should the Housing Law affect my home buying or selling? If you’ve got questions, you can ask buyers, pros, sellers, and locals on Trulia Voices for answers. Here are two popular goodies worth the read.

Q: We own a Condo in my name. Can we still qualify for the $7500 tax credit if we buy a house in my wife’s name?
Asked by Eric, Home Buyer & Seller in Okemos, MI
A: What is the definition of a first-time home buyer? The law defines “first-time home buyer” as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during… see more

Q: Can Fannie Mae and Freddie MAC run out of cash? If so, how do you get a conforming loan?
Asked by David, Home Buyer & Seller in Lake Forest, IL
A: Looks like the fed is ready to institute a 3 prong approach to prevent the implosion of Fannie & Freddie…. see more

Real Estate Eye Candy Ι Trulia picks

Three years after the devastating Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, New Orleans is looking on the up and up. Known for its cool combination of French, Creole and Victorian styles, many of these unique properties have been rebuilt with the same detailed finishes and exquisite touches.

Check out four of our user favorites in the French Quarter, University Uptown, and more. From standalone fireplaces and patios with fountains to travertine floors and hand-tiled pools, these colorful picks are sure to be inspiration for your own home.

	New Orleans, LA $825,000 3br / 3ba / 2,740 sqft		New Orleans, LA $487,000 3br / 2ba / 1,200 sqft

	New Orleans, LA $899,000 5br / 5ba / 4,262 sqft		Belle Chasse, LA $879,900 4br / 4.5ba / 5,785 sqft

Happy House Hunting

The best place to start your real estate search
Trulia Inc. 208 Utah Street #310 San Francisco CA 94103

Stay tuned for more house hunting and savvy selling techniques… or see them all at www.trulia.com/newsletter

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Celebrities on the move

Elain, marketing specialist — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:37:44 +0000

Remember ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’? Well, here’s a refresher. If you’ve got something you want to see, let us know.

Hollywood Starlet Natalie Portman sells her Richard Meier loft in Manhattan $6,550,000
3br / 3ba

‘24′ Star Kiefer Sutherland lists his warehouse-recording-studio and loft in LA
$4,895,000
3br / 4ba

Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard selling gorgeous Midwest Victorian estate
$1,950,000
4br / 4.5ba 5,500 sqft

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New housing law: The basics

Elain, marketing specialist — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:29:41 +0000

It’s no secret that President Bush signed a $300 billion housing bill into law last week. In addition to helping cash-strapped homeowners avoid foreclosure, the law aims to help first-time home buyers to jump start their search in a tough economy.

So if you’re house hunting on Trulia.com, the law can mean a BIG benefit. To boil it down to the basics: first-time home buyers get up to $7,500 tax credit. This basically means you get a 0% loan for 15 years if you buy a home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009.

Of course Uncle Sam has some restrictions based on your income, so we rounded up some key advice and opinions from Trulia Voices to answer your questions.

Tip: Want more on the new housing law? Use the keyword search box on the lower left.

What’s the catch with these tax credits?

Q: What does the new housing bill mean for new buyers…?
Asked by Peter, Home Buyer in California
A: For consumers, it does a couple of things: The FHA will be allowed to insure up to $300 billion in new… see more

Do you qualify for the perks?

Q: Does anyone know the income requirements or phase out for the new Housing Bill for first time buyers?
Asked by Jeremy, Buyer in San Francisco, CA
A: For aspiring home owners who find their goal stubbornly elusive, newly enacted legislation providing a tax credit of as much as $7,500 for… see more

Should you move or hang tight?

Q: I am feeling very overwhelmed with this Fannie Mae crisis, do you think we are headed for a serious recession? Should I sell my NY condo and try to find a place in NJ…
Asked by Bradley Stock, Home Buyer & Seller, in Richardson, TX
A: There are many reasons to be worried, but the Fannie and Freddie “crisis” isn’t one of them. The situation happened because… see more

Real Estate Eye Candy Ι Trulia picks

Olympic Dreamin’

From running in Keds to swimming in sweats, these Olympians have some unique habits. But here at Trulia, we’re more interested in their training grounds. For these four American hopefuls, winning the gold may mean more than just a medal.

We picked some potential upgrades for Bernard Lagat, Dara Torres, Michael Phelps, and Shawn Johnson in each of their hometowns that might just fit their aquatic, field, or newfound celebrity needs. Go team go!Browse more homes

	Baltimore, MD $1,600,000 3br / 3.5ba / 3,757 sqft		Beverly Hills, CA $6,395,000 4br / 7.5ba

	Des Moines, IA $849,900 5br / 5ba / 4,486 sqft		Tucson, AZ $400,000 4br / 2ba / 2,189 sqft

Noteworthy Sources Ι Special Edition

We’re all about keeping things simple at Trulia. But sometimes a little additional reading can be useful. Here are a few resources for newbies and savvy house hunters alike.

Bill… what bill?

Bush quietly signs mortgage relief measure

The expert’s opinion

Trulia CEO on the housing legislation

Taking matters into your own hands

How the housing rescue bill can help you

From the horse’s mouth

First-time home buyer tax credit FAQ

Happy House Hunting

The best place to start your real estate search
Trulia Inc. 208 Utah Street #310 San Francisco CA 94103

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Top 5 Homes Brett Favre Should Buy When He Becomes A New York Jet

Pierre, Manager of Strategic Partnerships — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:43:22 +0000

With Brett Favre becoming a New York Jet, I instantly threw on my real estate broker hat and thought to myself, “someone is moving! I want the referral!” Naturally, I hit Trulia.com to find out what I would recommend. Here are my picks, and Brett - if you want, I can get you an appointment, I am still a licensed real estate agent in New York

I chose these 5 home in the Tri-State area based on the main issues I could foresee him buying for, of course I took some liberties, but I tried to look at his profile, who he is, where he lived his whole life, family situation, etc. To narrow this down - what are your picks?

1) Proximity to Giants Stadium - Okay here is a winner! 1.9MM, 10 minutes from the stadium, peace and quiet - and has a desireable school district! The Mackenzie school has a 5 star rating, is on the waterfront and was built in 1875. This has Brett Favre written all over it! Brett, What do you think?

2) Great Schools

Funny enough, the East Rutherford school district has a 5 star rating from parents in the district. The average class size is around 19 students, which is awesome! His 9 year old daughter would love it here! So the home above is still a good match!

3) Urban Living

Sorry Rutherford, yes you are near New York City - but you’re not New York City! Taking school ratings into account, neighborhoods, proximity to East. Rutherford, etc. I opted for Gramercy Park or SoHo - in New York City. I think Brett would opt for a Private School - call me crazy. With two tunnels to get to Jersey, I went for smack in the middle of the Holland and Lincoln, although Brett - the Lincoln puts you right next to the stadium - so my pick is the Flatiron District, and this hot new listing:

“A glass-encased triplex penthouse sixty stories high, it’s the crown atop Manhattan’s most luxurious new high-rise. This is the ultimate penthouse in the sky, boasting over 7,500 square feet” Need I say more?

Look at this view:

4) That “Wisconsin” Feel

Farms baby! We got Farms in NY/NJ - so where else but Long Valley, NJ! 80 Acres of land for under $2MM I tried contactingone of our top Trulia Voices, Deborah Madey from Peninsula First Realty, for some Editorial input but alas Voicemail! So Deborah, please chime in - Brett is waiting!

“Historical 80 Acre Farm — Morris County, NJ A one of a kind preserved farm (May divide into 2 parcels with future bypass completion) The soils and views are magnificent on this farm, as well as the rural Valley feeling and all within a short distance of NYC”

5) Just Perfect:

Well finally - here is THE one, I think he should buy near the stadium. Great school district, large piece of land - and near training camp! Every week he has to be in Hempstead at Hofstra University for training camp and weekly scrimmages, practice etc. So why not Long Island? Okay, so it is not close to the stadium - but he only has to go there a few times a year - but EVERY week he needs to go to practice! So, the easy winner - Long Island!

$13.5MM - Waterfront

“Waterfront estate situated between Manhattan penthouse apartments and Hamptons Cottages. Quiet oasis finely restored in Gold Coast traditions. This property boasts unobstructed western waterviews, 500′ bulk-headed beach, 190′ deep-water dock. Sweeping lawns, hot and cool greenhouses and more…”

So Brett - I hope this helps you with your move to NYC and the Jets! J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! Go Gang Green!

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Celeb Homes: Recently sold, listed, and bought

Elain, marketing specialist — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:23:47 +0000

Your bi-monthly installment of shameless gossip. Got tips? Trying to sell your own famous pad? Send ‘em over here.

Is Chandler moving on? TV sitcom star Matthew Perry purchases his fourth LA home in three years
Sold for $883,000
3br / 2ba 1,701 sqft

TV Reality star Lauren Conrad’s infinity-pool-clad-home in Laguna Beach on the market
$17,900,000
6br / 7ba 8,000 sqft

Looks like Rocky’s still got it. Sylvestor Stallone’s rumored to have bought this lakefront home for $7MM in addition to the neighboring lot
3br / 3 ba 1,987 sqft

See the full issue here. Stay tuned for the next edition…

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Steals and deals

Elain, marketing specialist — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:34:08 +0000

Everybody loves a good deal. And with August around the corner, summer sales are in full-swing. Waiting for the perfect time? Look for steals and deals on Trulia.com using these time-saving shortcuts in your search.

Check out these tips and tricks to help you find your perfect pad at a (more) perfect price on Trulia.

Pre-foreclosure, short-sales, and REO bank-owned
	Brooklyn, NY The price isn’t set in stone for these puppies. And while they might need some work and special treatment (see our previous Foreclosure Tips issues), negotiation is definitely an option.
Tip: Use the “foreclosure” filter on the left for quick results. Or enter in a specific keyword to search property descriptions.

“Reduced price” search
	Tampa, FL Just like your fave search engine, type in fun words like “reduced” in Trulia’s keyword search and you might just find gems like this Florida gem reduced by 150K.
Tip: Try other keywords like “steal”, “bargain”, “deal”, or “sale”.

Track ‘em
	Like the pad, but not exactly what you’re looking for? Get an email alert when a similar property hits the market from over 3 million listings. You can get the heads up if a home changes price too (price reduction!). Look for the mail icon under each property to sign up.
Tip: You can get alerts every day or every week (and unsubscribe anytime). Your choice.

Advice & Opinions Ι Get insightful, fast, FREE advice on home buying & selling

Get the skinny on agent fees

Q: How much should a reasonable “processing fee” be?
Asked by Kristal Kraft, Real Estate Pro in 80210
A: “Processing Fee” can mean several things depending on the entity charging it. Lenders may charge a processing fee of about $150 to… see more

Tips on how to improve your credit

Q: How can I improve my credit score?
Asked by John Novak, Just Looking in Las Vegas, NV
A: Hi John: The answer to HOW one might improve their credit score can easily researched by surfing the Internet (Google search on FICO). For starters… see more

Real Estate Eye Candy Ι Trulia picks

International retreats… in the U.S

If you love exotic designs, but aren’t impressed by flight and gas prices, we might have just the cheaper (aka FREE) alternative.Check out these internationally-inspired homes. From a Mediterranean villa to a Japanese Zen retreat, these pads represent some fun and exotic eye candy for any real estate buff. And even better, they’re all in your proverbial backyard.

Browse more homes

	New Orleans, LA $765,000 4br / 5.5ba / 6,700 sqft		Los Angeles, CA $989,000 2br / 2ba / 1,300 sqft

	Houston, TX $2,895,000 4br / 5ba / 4,656 sqft		Miami, FL $499,900 5br / 3ba / 1,377 sqft

Happy House Hunting

The best place to start your real estate search
Trulia Inc. 208 Utah Street #310 San Francisco CA 94103

See past issues or sign up to get more House Hunting Tips every two weeks here.

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How to Use Google Analytics - Real Estate Tips and Strategies For Realtors

Alejandro, Business Development Manager — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:57:19 +0000

Can Realtors use Google Analytics?

Yes they can! Last week we brought in Brett Crosby from Google Analytics and Rob McQuade from McMartin Real Estate to share a bit about their use of Google Analytics. Our goal was to get the inside story from Google and understand a bit more about how realtors are using it to really take advantage of their website or blog.

How to use Google Analytics

What’s the catch? As Brett says in our video, Google Analytics is free and really helps you better understand your website to better use it. With better use, we hear from Rob, that now over 50% of his business comes from his website. Not too shabby.

The more realtors understand about their website, who visits, what pages are popular, and from what websites visitors come from, our hope is that more realtors start using their website as a way to grow their business. With free products from Trulia like Brand Your Listings it’s easy for agents to get started to increase exposure for themselves.

Thanks Active Rain for helping spread the word!

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Water, water everywhere

Elain, marketing specialist — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:54:24 +0000

The heat is on! Summer’s officially here and between fighting traffic and walking the dog, everyone’s looking for the closest form of cool. From ocean-side to poolside, living by the water can come in many forms… and at many prices. Make your house hunt on Trulia.com even easier by searching for your favorite kind of agua using keyword search.

To try it out, enter any city on Trulia.com and use the keyword field in the filters on the left.

Check out these examples from Midwestern lakes to Southwestern pools.

Lounging by the lake
Chicago, IL
A lazy summer day by the lake is all you need sometimes. This Chicago North Shore high-rise is steps from the beach and Navy Pier, with plenty of 1-3 bedroom options still being constructed.
Tip: Broaden your search and try river, lake, ocean, pier, beach, bay, dock and pool.

Catching ocean breezes
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
With two balconies, this corner unit gives you beautiful views of the city and the coast. And there’s no need to shy away from the lower floors with a location this good.
Tip: Not getting the results you want? Try adding ‘-front’ or ‘-view’ to the end of the word i.e. ‘waterfront’, ‘bay view”’.

Chillin’ by the pool
Phoenix, AZ
And if you don’t live by water, luckily you can always find a pool. Shared condos are a cost-saving and social way to cool off on a summer day.
Tip: Be sure to check out the whole building and walk the local streets using Street View from Google.

Advice & Opinions ? Get insightful, fast, and FREE advice on home buying & selling

Seller’s dilemma

Q: My apartment is beautiful, on the ocean.. What can I do to stimulate some offers, or some visits?
Asked by Lois, Home Buyer in Miami Beach, FL
A: In this market where we have an oversupply of inventory, buyers are looking at the best value. You must price your condo… see more

Well, Mr. President?

Q: What will be in your opinion the effect of the presidential election this fall on the RE market this summer/fall?
Asked by Karam, Home Buyer in South Lake Tahoe, CA
A: My view is that our market really turns on consumer confidence. When a person or a couple are looking at buying a home… see more

Real Estate Eye Candy ? Trulia picks

Party of five.

Let’s face it, half a million just isn’t what it used to be. Especially if you’re looking for a big family home with yard space, a good school district, and still want to be near a vibrant urban center. But they do exist.We scoured our favorite cities to find great FOUR bedroom homes that are actually in some pretty cool cities for only $500K. Got an idea of your own? Tell us your story at Trulia PR and you may be featured in a future issue.

Browse more homes

	Dallas, TX $550,000 4br / 3.5ba / 3,995 sqft		Tampa, FL $529,000 4br / 3ba / 2,697 sqft

	Charlotte, NC $471,750 4br / 4ba / 4,046 sqft		Denver, CO $499,900 5br / 4ba / 2,860 sqft

Happy House Hunting

The best place to start your real estate search
Trulia Inc. 208 Utah Street #310 San Francisco CA 94103

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Properties of the ‘Rich and Famous’

Elain, marketing specialist — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:02:32 +0000

Former View co-host Debbie Matenopoulos and her entertainment exec hubby list LA castle
$7,500,000
8br / 6ba 5,485 sqft

Singer-songwriter Carly Simon lists beautiful renovated Manhattan duplex
$3,859,000
2br / 2ba

Actor, comedian, singer and Mr. Everything, Jamie Foxx, lists Palm-Desert-style digs
$2,320,000
3br / 3.5 ba 5,428

For more on the celebrity house gossip, see the full issue here.

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Trulia Pro Success Story - Rob McQuade

Alejandro, Business Development Manager — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:09:33 +0000

So far early adopters are really taking advantage of Trulia Pro. Rob McQuade has shared some early stats with us on Trulia Pro. To date, his ad on Trulia has received over 150,000 views! Through advertising with Trulia Pro and other marketing such as blogging, Rob now generates more than 50% of his business through online activity.

Check out his Trulia Pro stats below:

One of the tools Rob uses to measure these results is Google Analytics. Rob is able to see his Trulia page views turn into visitors to his website and then convert the visitors into actual clients. Pretty neat! Not to spill the beans, but on another topic as part of Trulia’s mission to share tips with the Real Estate community about how best to promote themselves online, keep on the look-out for a Google/Trulia sponsored video coming out in the near future on Google Analytics!

Check out Trulia Pro here!

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