March 2020 – The Real Estate Beat

The Importance of Trust Agreements

REPOSTING THIS BY REQUEST – please say safe my friends!

Hello Caton Team Followers – for those of you who caught my Instagram Stories this morning – here is the information on Trust Agreements I found on Bankrate.com as promised. Never hesitiate to reach out to The Caton Team with any questions and we can point you in the right direction.

What is a trust?

You’ve heard of trust fund babies — those enviable young adults who live a worry-free life since they don’t have to earn a living. Just what exactly is a trust fund that provides them an income, and for that matter, what is a trust?

A trust is a vehicle to pass assets to a trustee, who in turn holds those assets — in a trust fund — for a third party, such as a beneficiary. Trusts can be an appealing option if your aim is to minimize taxes, protect assets and avoid the probate process. If you create a trust, you also can control how and to whom those assets will be disbursed. You can choose trustees to carry out your wishes. Many people create trusts to minimize hassle and fees for their loved ones, or to create a legacy of charitable giving.

What is the benefit of a trust?

The primary benefit of a trust is that it allows you to determine where your assets go and when your beneficiaries have access to them. A trust can save your beneficiaries from paying estate taxes and court fees, and can protect your assets from beneficiaries’ creditors or from loss through divorce settlements. It also lets you specify where remaining assets should go in the event of a beneficiary’s death. This can be helpful in a family that includes second marriages and step-children.

Trusts also allow you to pass on assets quickly and privately. By contrast, settling an estate through a traditional will may trigger the probate process, which can take a months or even years and can be a public process. With a trust, much of that delay can be avoided, and the entire process is private. This can save your beneficiaries from unwanted scrutiny or solicitation.

Common types of trusts

There are many types of trusts, and each is structured to accomplish different goals. Here are a few examples of commonly used trusts:

Marital or “A” trusts: Places assets into a trust when one spouse dies; income generated by those assets goes to the surviving spouse, and the principal often goes to the couple’s heirs when the surviving spouse dies.
Credit shelter trusts: These trusts allow both spouses to take full advantage of their estate tax exemptions, which in 2018 is a whopping $11.18 million per person, or $22.36 million per married couple. Assets above this amount are generally subject to a 40 percent estate tax once the second spouse dies. When the exclusion amount is held in a credit shelter trust, the surviving spouse can receive income from the trust’s assets until death, at which point the trust’s beneficiaries receive its assets free of estate taxes. These have become less popular since 2011, when a change in tax law enabled the executor of an estate to elect portability of a deceased spouse’s exemption to the surviving spouse.
Charitable remainder trust: The inverse of the charitable lead trust, in that it allots a given amount of income for beneficiaries and the remainder to specified charities.

Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts

People often think of a trust as an alternative to a will—a way of passing on wealth after one’s death. However, you can also create a trust and pass on assets during your lifetime. A revocable trust, also called a living trust, can be altered and even dissolved so long as you’re alive. It will usually keep your assets out of probate but you probably won’t escape estate taxes.

An irrevocable trust, on the other hand, cannot be altered once it has been created. By creating an irrevocable trust, you give up control of your assets but can protect beneficiaries from probate and estate taxes. Most revocable trusts convert to irrevocable trusts upon the death of the grantor — the person who set up the trust.

Why create a living trust?

You might consider creating a living trust for one of several reasons:

If you would like someone else to accept management responsibility for some or all of your property.
If you have a business and want to ensure it operates smoothly with no interruption of income flow in the event of your death or disability.
If you want to protect your assets from the incompetency or incapacity of yourself or your beneficiaries.
If you wish to minimize the chance that your will may be contested.

Choosing a trust that works for you

When considering a trust, always seek professional advice to make sure you’re making the right decision for yourself and your loved ones. An estate planning attorney or financial advisor can provide you with expert advice about whether a trust could be a useful component in your long-term financial plan.

I read this article at: bankrate.com

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

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The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

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The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Is Now the Right Time To Buy an Investment Property? How Low Rates Can Help Investors Increase Their Buying Power

Is Now the Right Time To Buy an Investment Property? How Low Rates Can Help Investors Increase Their Buying Power

With all the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic, now might not seem like the best time to buy any type of real estate, much less an investment property or second home. But don’t rule out the idea completely.

“With historic low rates, it is a good time to consider investing in real estate,” says Victoria Shtainer, a real estate agent and expert at Compass in New York. “Low rates give you more buying power, and we have been negotiating amazing deals for our buyers.”

Mortgage rates are expected to drop again after the Federal Reserve’s recent rate slash, which was intended to protect against the economic impact of the pandemic. That means that it may be time for buyers to consider an investment property. Here are some reasons to go for it.

Why people are considering buying

The lowest interest rates in nearly 50 years, and the potential for a recession, which could lower home prices, have attracted the attention of buyers.

“Given the current volatility in the stock market, investors are reassessing asset allocations in their portfolio, and considering how real estate may fit into this from an asset allocation standpoint,” says Shtainer.

She says the current environment, with low rates and a good selection of inventory, has given investors the upper hand in negotiations.

“More people are looking to real estate as their next investment, because of the potential for both appreciation and cash flow,” says Jennifer Anderson, of Anderson Coastal Group in San Diego. “It’s also a real, tangible item that can provide more control than other forms of investment.”

Benefits of buying an investment property

An investment property can be a valuable asset and a good way to generate passive income, and it might also provide tax write-offs and incentives that you wouldn’t get on other instruments, experts say.

“We always recommend speaking to your qualified tax adviser on your particular situation,” says Shtainer. “However, generally speaking, there can be tax benefits to owning an investment property. This can be via the tax benefits that mortgages provide, as well as the IRS’ treatment of your investment/vacation home, depending on how you rent it out.”

Anderson says that holding a property with the potential for appreciation and cash flow is a huge advantage of buying an investment property. It also diversifies your investment portfolio and protects your net worth while the market goes up and down.

Precautions to take before buying

Buyers should prepare, however, for the possibility of a prolonged economic shutdown. If you’re buying a property that doesn’t currently have tenants, it might be a while before you can find any.

That’s why the most important thing to have on hand before you buy an investment property is cash, says Nick Clements, general manager of Mortgages at LendingTree.

He says that because investment property owners will be responsible for repairs and maintenance, for tenants not paying rent on time, or for the time that might elapse between tenants, they need cash to cushion any bumps in the road.

He also advises buyers to research the appropriate legal vehicle, typically an LLC, with sufficient insurance in place.

“I strongly encourage an umbrella insurance policy. If a tenant gets hurt in your property and decides to sue, you will want to ensure you have the right structure and insurance in place,” says Clements.

To get a better sense of how much rent you might be able to collect, Anderson recommends reaching out to commercial real estate brokerages in the area and asking for historical rental rates for the last 10 years.

“That can give you a good snapshot on how market recessions or booms could impact your earnings or property value,” she says.

How to determine affordability

You don’t have to be a millionaire to invest in property or a second home. To determine whether you are ready to buy, Clements recommends asking yourself two questions.

“Are you cash-flow positive, and could you handle six months without receiving rent? If you can’t answer yes to both of those questions, now is probably not the right time to buy an investment property,” he says.

Shtainer says that buyers should be prudent, just as they would be with their primary residence. She advises that if you’re not buying the property in cash and will need financing, you should make sure you get pre-approved.

Pre-approval will tell you how much the lender is willing to give you for the purchase of your second home.

“Understanding your budget and sticking to it is very important, especially when making an investment,” says Shtainer.

She says that buyers should do their due diligence to ascertain what they can afford, and she suggests they partner with a broker in their market to make sure they are purchasing a property at a favorable market value.

By Ana Durrani | Mar 19, 2020

I read this article HERE

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Links for Resources – Covid 19

Hi Caton Team Friends,

I’ll be sharing links here to resources and info during our Covid-19 Situation.

COVID-19 – GOODWILL OFFERS and RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Government assistance resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19

Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act

I will be refreshing THIS PAGE with Covid Links if you want to follow.

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Market Update 3.30.2020

Hello Caton Team Friends!

I do hope you are well, safe and healthy. Some good news – the Government has approved a $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act – click to read more.

Also – Realtors have been deemed an essential service! However due to the Shelter in Place, there will be no open houses or tours till May 1. All showings are to be done virtually. If absolutely necessary, all precautions must be met, gloves, masks and booties at minimum.

The good news is – Realtors are prepared for such events, we can show homes virtually, we can draft and sign contracts on line, we can negotiate offers over the phone and email. We can do this because we have been doing things this way for a while.

Without a doubt the coronavirus has slowed down real estate sales with buyers and sellers hunkering down at home. So here’s some good news…

For our selling clients, homes are selling – last week one house received 20 offers! When they closed escrow, they signed outside with gloves, masks and booties at a long table. If you need to sell, The Caton Team is ready to list your home, get fantastic photos and virtual tours, prepare online disclosures the good news – inspectors and escrow officers are working too! So we can take care of your Real Estate needs with the comfort of knowing we are, and will aways be, a call or click away.

For our buying clients – now is your time to shine! You can apply for loans online, you can follow up with your current loan online, we can take care of the rest – online. With demand slowed down, you may have less competition. Buyers do need to be aware of lending restrictions and to double check how the down payments are doing if invested. Financing is still available but things are taking a bit longer, jumbo loans are a bit tougher within reason. We are seeing contingencies, inspections and appraisals happening. Close of escrows are about 45 days out and provisions to protect all parties have been drafted by the California Association of Realtors.

This year we have had (for a while now) more demand than supply and that has not changed. There are still many people who want to own a home in the Bay Area and seeing this as an opportunity. Warren Buffet always buys in a Bear Market!

As we find our new normal – now – more than ever – home is so important. The Caton Team is here to help you with your Real Estate needs and goals – every step of the way. Together – we’ll get through this.

Stay Safe – Stay Home – Stay Sane

I’ll be sharing Real Estate news on our Blog and humor on my Facebook Page – please feel free to friend, follow or share.

Sabrina & Susan

The Caton Team

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

7 Easy DIY Living Room Projects You Can Tackle While You’re Social Distancing By Jennifer Kelly Geddes

7 Easy DIY Living Room Projects You Can Tackle While You’re Social Distancing

Cooped up inside because of the coronavirus? In this unsettling time, doing your part to maintain social distance means you’ve been spending a lot of time indoors. And while movie marathons and board games can occupy part of your day, they might start to get old after a while. One can enjoy only so many games of Scrabble, right?

If you’re feeling a little stir-crazy (and other forms of entertainment just aren’t cutting it), try taking on a home project that’ll make you feel productive.

“In general, now is a great time to spring-clean, declutter, and organize—so try something simple,” says Julie Coraccio, an organizing professional and author of “Got Clutter? 365 Journal Prompts.”

In between school lessons and work-from-home office duty, consider ticking off a few of these easy-to-handle living room chores from the list below. You’ll gain a sense of accomplishment and emerge with a room that’s clean and organized. After all, a tidy home equals a tidy mind.

1. Upgrade your lighting

You’ll need good light since you’ll be inside for a while, so consider replacing old bulbs in your living room lamps with energy-efficient LED bulbs, suggests Ana Cummings of the eponymous design firm.

LED bulbs have a longer life and don’t heat up as much as incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, making them safer if accidentally touched.

And since you’re in the lamp department, take a hard look at the shades on each of your lights. If you have a similar size lamp in another room, swap the shades to give your living room a new look.

2. Hang (or rehang) a gallery wall

Redoing your wall design is a fast way to upgrade your living room’s look—and it costs just about nothing except your time and a few picture hooks and nails.

If you’ve always wanted to try a gallery wall, go for it! If you already have one, it might be time to change it up.

Either way, lay your frames on the floor to plan the arrangement. If you already have a gallery, play with the order of the grouping or add new pictures, then rehang.

3. Wash living room curtains

Washing curtains is one of those household chores we’re supposed to do every six to eight months, but it can easily fall to the wayside. It’s kind of a hassle, right? But now that you have some extra time at home, take a couple of hours to clean any curtains that are washing machine-safe.

If your curtains aren’t supposed to touch water, take them off the rod, go outside, and give them a good shake to get the dust off.

4. Wipe down baseboards

Your baseboards, crown molding, railings, and other wall details often get overlooked during regular weekly cleaning sessions. Remedy this situation by dipping a sponge in a mild wood surface cleaner diluted in warm water and gently swabbing these surfaces to get rid of grime and dust.

5. Restyle your book shelves

Another quick and easy task? Sort through all your books, magazines, and CDs, and release what you no longer watch or want to read.

“Then take the time to organize your books in a way that makes sense to you, whether by genre or author, color, or another method,” says Coraccio.

6. Rearrange your furniture

You might be in need of a furniture refresh, but home quarantine—plus the fact that most home goods stores aren’t open right now—can make that difficult. So to give your room a new perspective, and not spend a ton of money, try rearranging the furniture.

Now is a good time, after all, to evaluate what is and isn’t working for you. You might consider removing a chair or two to open the room up, or moving the couch in front of the radiator—you won’t be needing heat again until later this fall. Switch out the rug in your living room with a lighter one that has been sitting in another room.

7. Fix wall marks with paint

It takes just a few minutes with a Magic Eraser to remove those unsightly black scuff marks from living room walls.

“Or if you’re handy, repaint a wall,” suggests Cummings. “You’ll be looking at the same four walls for a long time, so make them as beautiful as possible.”

I read this article HERE, By Jennifer Kelly Geddes | Mar 23, 2020

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Falling mortgage rates will likely hit a floor. Here’s why.

I thought I would share this info on Interest Rates…

Falling mortgage rates will likely hit a floor. Here’s why.

The Federal Reserve has taken emergency action to cut rates to zero. While 0% interest rates sound great to anyone who owns a home or is planning to buy, it’s important to slow down and talk through a couple of things.

First, the Fed does not control mortgage rates. Their cuts apply to rates for loans between the Fed and banks or from one bank to another.

Second, the Fed’s actions most quickly impact the rates on U.S. Treasury Securities. These markets can influence Mortgage Backed Securities, which will then influence mortgage rates.

However, in times of uncertainty, other factors can overrule the norm. This happened in 2008. Despite aggressive cuts by the Fed, mortgage rates hit a floor and never fell further. The same is happening now.

Why?

The volume of business. Demand for mortgage loans is stretching the industry’s capacity to serve. To slow demand, rates may hover at higher levels.

Reduced investment. When investors know borrowers will refinance early, they expect to lose income. This risk means fewer investors will buy new mortgage backed securities. Less demand equals higher rates.

Extra costs to lenders. When loans are refinanced quickly, lenders often pay back their earnings. Similarly, additional expenses can occur when rates shift too quickly for in-process loans. These costs are reflected in higher rates.

The Bottom Line

A 0% Fed funds rate will not lead to a 0% mortgage loan rate. Mortgage bonds will always have a level under which investors simply will not purchase them, and mortgage rates reflect that.

The Good News

Mortgage rates are at or near their lowest levels ever. That spells opportunity to save significantly by refinancing or locking in a great rate on a purchase.

I read this article from Welcome Home Funding

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Don’t Let Frightening Headlines Scare You – Great Share

I am sharing this article from Keeping Current Matters…

There’s a lot of anxiety right now regarding the coronavirus pandemic. The health situation must be addressed quickly, and many are concerned about the impact on the economy as well.

Amidst all this anxiety, anyone with a megaphone – from the mainstream media to a lone blogger – has realized that bad news sells. Unfortunately, we will continue to see a rash of horrifying headlines over the next few months. Let’s make sure we aren’t paralyzed by a headline before we get the full story.

When it comes to the health issue, you should look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) for the most reliable information.

Finding reliable resources with information on the economic impact of the virus is more difficult. For this reason, it’s important to shed some light on the situation. There are already alarmist headlines starting to appear. Here are two such examples surfacing this week.

1. Goldman Sachs Forecasts the Largest Drop in GDP in Almost 100 Years

It sounds like Armageddon. Though the headline is true, it doesn’t reflect the full essence of the Goldman Sachs forecast. The projection is actually that we’ll have a tough first half of the year, but the economy will bounce back nicely in the second half; GDP will be up 12% in the third quarter and up another 10% in the fourth.

This aligns with research from John Burns Consulting involving pandemics, the economy, and home values. They concluded:

“Historical analysis showed us that pandemics are usually V-shaped (sharp recessions that recover quickly enough to provide little damage to home prices), and some very cutting-edge search engine analysis by our Information Management team showed the current slowdown is playing out similarly thus far.”

The economy will suffer for the next few months, but then it will recover. That’s certainly not Armageddon.

2. Fed President Predicts 30% Unemployment!

That statement was made by James Bullard, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. What Bullard actually said was it “could” reach 30%. But let’s look at what else he said in the same Bloomberg News interview:

“This is a planned, organized partial shutdown of the U.S. economy in the second quarter,” Bullard said. “The overall goal is to keep everyone, households and businesses, whole” with government support.

According to Bloomberg, he also went on to say:

“I would see the third quarter as a transitional quarter” with the fourth quarter and first quarter next year as “quite robust” as Americans make up for lost spending. “Those quarters might be boom quarters,” he said.

Again, Bullard agrees we will have a tough first half and rebound quickly.

Bottom Line

There’s a lot of misinformation out there. If you want the best advice on what’s happening in the current housing market, contact your local real estate agent.

HANG IN THERE – WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

I read this article HERE

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

How The Caton Team Can Help You With Your Real Estate Needs Now – Safely

Hello Caton Team Friends,

I’ve been making light of this new world on my Facebook Page, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the market and implementing processes to protect my clients and our total wellness.

During our Shelter In Place and beyond The Caton Team offers the following services to maintain your health and safety throughout the home buying / selling process.

Whether we represent a Buyer or Seller – The Caton Team is here to help YOU through YOUR Real Estate needs during this Shelter in Place Challenge and beyond. We wanted you to know we provide:

Virtual Tours

The Caton Team believes in the power of great photos! For our sellers, we provide a virtual tour and exceptional photography for each home we represent. For our buyers, we’re happy to preview homes you are interested in by offering a Live Virtual Tour. We can do so with FaceTime, Zoom or Skype – so you can ask questions during our walk through as we would in person. Or with a list and we’ll create a video for you. In fact The Caton Team has done this several times when our clients were simply out of town, not on lock down.

Email Seller Disclosures & Write Offers Remotely

The Caton Team always provides a full disclosure package on our listings, available securely online to our fellow Realtors and their clients. The Caton Team, along with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a paperless office. We’ve done this for years to be Green and now our standard of practice is proving to be very useful.

If you are interested in a home, let us gather and email you all Seller Disclosures in advance to writing an offer. If you want to proceed – We can Help! The caton Team utilizes DocUsign to prepare and sign your offer from the comfort of your home – both legally and safely. Because right now interest rates are too low to ignore. Speaking of rates…

Apply for a Home Loan at Home

The Caton Team has partnered with several amazing lenders, all offering online applications and secure document transfer via email. From the comfort of your home, you can apply for a home loan and start your house hunt. Contact us with any questions. Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 | Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Private Showings

Before this Shelter In Place, our market was moving along at a lovely clip, sellers were getting their homes ready to sell, some had just come on the market, some are coming on now! Guess what – homes are selling too! So, with regard to social distancing, we can setup a private showing to ensure no other potential buyers are viewing the home at the same time as you and if that doesn’t work – we’re happy to do a live or taped tour.

We Believe in Homeownership

With interest rates at an all-time low, it is a great time to buy. Homeownership provides financial stability and security. Of all the investments in your portfolio – your home – is the only investment you can live in. In the past when the stock market takes a hit, Real Estate maintains and always comes out on top. Remember, it’s a long term investment and has withstood the test of time. Susan and I are Realtors because we believe in the importance of Homeownership in longterm wealth and stability.

THANK YOU

With today’s technology much of the process can be done in the comfort of your own home. So please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments – even if you just have to vent or if you need a laugh. Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 | Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

And if you’re not in the market to buy or sell, it’s a great time to hit the honey-do list on your home, improve it where you can, appreciate even more. If you want to buy, now is a great time to reevaluate the budget, we’re already learning what we can live without – and come out budget-wise with a saving goal on the other side this SIP. Oh and one more thing – move around each day – Jumping jacks, run around the block screaming – just get the heart pumping and not from the news. 🙂

Thank you friends for reading – I’ll be sharing Real Estate news on our Blog and humor on my Facebook Page – please feel free to friend, follow or share.

The Caton Team is here to help, contact us anytime

Because we are in this together!

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Keep Calm and Carry On With Your Real Estate Needs… Only Later

Some Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an economic slowdown.
The good news is, home values actually increased in 3 of the last 5 U.S. recessions and decreased by less than 2% in the 4th.
All things considered, an economic slowdown does not equal a housing crisis, and this will not be a repeat of 2008.

Some Thoughts

Prepare for delays
Write in contingencies to protect yourself
Be Patient – all services are effected, title and escrow, lenders, appraisals, inspectors

This economic response is very different from our 2009 experience. Our last economic melt down, there was a glutton of homes for sale and due to loan defaults, very strict lending that cut out many purchasers from moving forward. It slowed down our recovery.

This time a round, we’ve been in a housing shortage and the big differences, this is plenty of affordable loan options available.

When we see a stock market crash, we often see a real estate boom or in this case – perhaps a real estate maintenance – as people divert money and investments from a risky stock market to an investment they can live in – Real Estate – historically real estate always appreciates and you’ll come out head in the long run.

Will there be a price impact – we’d be a fool to think it wouldn’t – but I think that is all relative. Buyers have always set the price – so as they are cautious prices will reflect that – however we all need a place to live and I think we’ll see a lot of people – who have been waiting for an adjustment ready to take advantage of low rates and possibly slower demand. I know Warren Buffet buys in a down market – and he knows a thing or two.

The bottom line – don’t freak out. If you have your home and don’t need to move – don’t fret. If you are selling or were thinking of selling, hold tight. RIght now the market is affected by the shelter in place but we were expecting a great Spring Season and now Fall!

We are all in this together –

Let The Caton Team know how we can be of service.

I wrote this article and added info from here

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Virtual Tours Available by The Caton Team

Hello Caton Team Friends,

We hope you are holding up during this quarantine. Though our shelter in place has changed how we live our daily lives, The Caton Team believes that homeownership is still an important part of daily lives – maybe now more than ever.

Historically we’ve seen a shift in investments to Real Estate when the Stock Market takes a hit. Real Estate is an investment you can live in and the most important part of long term wealth and security.

Interest Rates are fantastic and hard to ignore how helpful it is to buyers in a price fix. Warren Buffet – our skipper – always buys whent he market is down – so for buyers in a price pickle – now may be a great time.

Though tours and open houses have been postposed – The Caton Team is more than happy to provide virtual tours for our buying clients interested in buying during this opportunity and available by phone, text and email. Willing sellers have allowed one agent to view and video the home, several listing agent are making sure their homes have virtual tours available.

There are several homes currently for sale, we’re seeing homes sell during this time, we have the power to do paperless contracts and maintain social distancing while negotiating.

Many of our listings have opted to stay off market and planning on moving forward once our shelter in place is lifted.

We are committed to help our clients no matter what. We ask that you give extra time to all the service providers we work with, title, escrow, lenders and inspectors to name a few.

Let us know how we can be of service. Together – we’ll get through this.

All the best,

Sabrina Caton

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

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1. Goldman Sachs Forecasts the Largest Drop in GDP in Almost 100 Years

2. Fed President Predicts 30% Unemployment!

Bottom Line

HANG IN THERE – WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

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The Caton Team is here to help, contact us anytime

Because we are in this together!

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

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Some Highlights

Some Thoughts

We are all in this together –

Let The Caton Team know how we can be of service.

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