Somewhere Over the Rainbow

It is really hard to know what to do during these years of economic recession. The question seems to be: What IS at the end of the rainbow, if I ever do manage to make it there?

It is probably better to look at selling a house more like selling an older used car instead of hoping it will be your pot of gold. There are some questions to be answered, but the answers have to be based on practicality and gut-level feelings instead of the anticipation of finding that pot of gold:

• Is it worth fixing up and keeping it?
• Can I afford a new one even if I don’t sell this one?
• Will the price increase in the future if I hang on to it?
• Do I sell it now because the selling price is going to go down more?
• As it ages will more things need to be fixed, maybe major things that are expensive?
• If I have to sell this one before I can afford another one am I just buying someone else’s problems if it isn’t a new one?

Most Popular Houses March 15-21
The following list of houses reflects the most popular (clicked-on) houses for sale in the EB Tri-Cities area for the week. They have all brought their ‘pot of gold’ down a considerable amount from their original price.

43438 Newport Dr, Fremont – 4/2 – 1340 sf $489,999
The train runs right behind this house; it is in a slightly lower middle class neighborhood; it has been on the market for 133 days; originally listed for $509,000.
37812 Laurus Ct, Fremont – 5/4.5 – 3162 sf $1,234,950
Very open and sunny; it has been on the market for 106 days; walking distance to Quarry Lakes; originally listed for $1,300,000.
39843 Cedar Blvd #317, Newark – 1/1 – 777 sf $198,888
A townhouse; it has been on the market for 47 days; originally listed for $239,888.
750 Coyote St, Milpitas – 3/2 – 1290 sf $565,000
It has been on the market for 38 days; it’s not too far from dumps so odor may be a factor; originally listed for $605,950.