Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour on Sunday November 6, 2022 to Pacific Standard Time.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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. How can The Caton Team help you?
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
Hello Friends! Thank you Ryan Dang of Wells Fargo for these tips:
No matter what you’re saving for, these strategies will help you get there. – Set a Timeline. I.e. “By 2026, I will save $20,000 for a down payment on a home. – “Calculate a monthly savings amount for each goal. – Add the total monthly savings goals into your budget. – Consider budget shifts to accommodate the new goals. – Set up automatic deposit to your savings account. – Aim to transfer at least 10% of each paycheck. – Consider saving accounts that earn interest.
For short-term savings goals, consider low-risk accounts. These earn compound interest with higher APY.
– High-Yield Savings Accounts — Pays up to ten times the interest rate offered by traditional accounts. – CDs (Certificate of Deposit) — Must leave funds in for full-term to avoid early withdrawl penalties in most cases. – Money Market Accounts — Interest rates vary with the market.How long should you save for?
Savings Goal Duration Emergency FundShort-term VacationShort-term Down payment Short-to-mid term EducationMid-term Retirement Long-term
Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out at your convenience for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team through our clients’ words.Testimonials.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
5 Stars – makes us proud. Bill and Surbhi had a short window to find the right home. They let us show them thier options, discuss the possibilits and quickly we realzied the best choice and drafted a compeatitve offer – with an apprisal contingnecy!
THANK YOU Bill & Surbhi for trusting us with your Real Estate Goals.
We love what we do and we love taking great care of our clients.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
No one ever thinks wire fraud will happen to them, but the fact is, one in three real estate transactions will be targeted by a fraudster. How can you protect yourself from becoming a statistic?
Watch out for impersonation. In one of the most common forms of fraud, hackers pretend to be somebody else and send false instructions to infiltrate your transaction. These emails may appear authentic, using similar domain names and imagery such as logos.
Tip! Emails from your Escrow Officer WILL have their company name as the email. Realtors may not – so it is best to SAVE ALL Contact info in your device so you know it is the correct email and phone.
Follow wiring instructions. Read wire instructions carefully and review them with your escrow officer. Tip! Always verify the wire instructions by calling a trusted number. Never send your financial information over unsecured email.
Look out for common email tells. Subtly different email domains, misspellings, and last-minute changes may all be signs of fraud.
Hover over links or attachments before clicking to verify the source. Independently verify phone numbers, program the title company’s number in your phone and only accept calls from that number.
If something seems suspicious… If you receive a message to change wiring instructions…
Call your escrow officer at an independently verified phone number and confirm.
Defend your email. Fraudsters gather information about transactions by watching emails behind the scenes. Security measures such as multi-factor authentication can make it more difficult for hackers to force their way into your account.
My 2 Cents – SAVE YOUR CONTACTS! Use a photo or emoji to know that they are the one calling or emailing you and that it IS from the correct source. If something feels off – Call Your Realtoror your Escrow Officer Directly.
Thank you First American Title for this info.
Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out at your convenience for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team through our clients’ words.Testimonials.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
When our client called with their plan – we were ready to spring into action, but sometimes life has other plans. Our journey started in March, with low-interest rates and a hot market but we didn’t hit the market till August. A lot had changed in the Real Estate world by then. Higher interest rates, talk of inflation, and possible recession – but our clients couldn’t change their plans, so we had to change the plan. Easy to do – beleive it or not.
We took a step back and took a fresh look at the current market. With great, open communication and back and forth, we changed our strategy to come up with a new plan. Then the real work began.
The Caton Team was proud to present our selling client with multiple offers – even in this challenging and fluxuating market. Our client knew, they were getting the best price and terms this market could bear when they had several to pick from.
The Caton Team works transparently. From a full disclosure package, to easy communication and access. We can work magic when our clients work with us. So grateful to be of service in any market.
How can The Caton Team Help you? With over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience – the Caton Team is here to help you achieve your Real Estate goals. Reach out by email at | Info@TheCatonTeam.com or Call | Text 650.799.4333
We love what we do. How can The Caton Team help You?
We truly enjoy helping our clients sell their home. The Caton Team loves what we do and would love to help you – please enjoy our resources below. Get to know us at through our clients words.
How can The Caton Team help You?
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
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Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
Each year, our annual Real Simple Home is bursting with design ideas we’re excited to try—but it may just be the smart organizing ideas that end up transforming our homes the most. This year, we collaborated with the organizing pros at The Home Edit to help tidy up the fridge, utility closet, and other clutter-prone spots around the house. After admiring The Home Edit’s color-coded closets on Instagram and watching them make over celeb spaces on their Netflix show, we thought we knew all their clutter-busting methods (rainbow order, right?). As it turns out, they had a few more tricks up their sleeves. The Home Edit experts Alli Bridgers, Emily Shreve, and Shaina Burrell helped us tidy every corner of the three-story house and taught us we’ve been organizing our fridges all wrong.
For even more tidying tips, check out The Home Edit co-founders Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer’s new special-edition magazine, The Home Edit: Feel-Good Organizing. It may even inspire you to actually organize that junk drawer.
If you’re currently stacking yogurt cups and placing produce on the open shelves in your fridge, you’re doing it wrong. Clear storage bins will keep items contained while making it easy to see what’s inside. With transparent bins specifically designed for everything from berries to veggies, it’s easy to see when you’re running low on eggs or if you have excess carrots you might want to work into your dinner plans. Hidden near the back of a shelf, produce has a tendency to rot until you find it liquified weeks later, but sorted in clear bins, it’s easy to spot when greens are less than fresh.
To maintain the order, label each bin. “Fridge items have a high turnover rate, so use broad categories. Try ‘veggies’ and ‘condiments,’ not ‘cucumbers’ and ‘mayo,'” says The Home Edit experts. “This ensures that everything will always have a home!” Shaina explains.
Follow the 80/20 Rule
“You get the item or the space; you don’t get both,” says The Home Edit team. “Live by the 80/20 rule: Keep your home no more than 80 percent full and leave at least 20 percent for breathing room.” Allowing some open space will help your home feel calmer and less chaotic. Let this principle guide each room overall (no, you don’t need to cover every wall with art or fill the floor space with furniture), as well as smaller areas. For example, if you have bookshelves in the living room, fill them 80 percent of the way with books, collectibles, and decorative objects. Leave 20 percent open.
Make Organizing Intuitive
According to The Home Edit, fridges and pantries tend to be some of the toughest spots to keep tidy because they’re high-traffic areas frequented by the entire family. “Everyone in the home uses them on a daily basis, from adults to kids. This means the system must be intuitive and user-friendly for all ages,” they explain. If the system you’re using simply isn’t working, try something more realistic and less aspirational. Labeled and color-coded bins make it easy for everyone to figure out what belongs where. Consider keeping kid-friendly snacks on a lower shelf so little ones can help themselves. Arrange labeled bins for seltzers, cheese sticks, and condiments where you tend to store those items, rather than creating a new system that goes against the habits you’ve already established.
CHRISTOPHER TESTANI
Stop Storing Clothes You Don’t Wear
The biggest closet organization mistake The Home Edit team sees regularly? “When people hold onto things they never wear,” they say. “It’s just a waste of space! If you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably never will.” Sure, you can ask if it sparks joy or run it through a list of questions, but if you haven’t taken it off the hanger in the last 12 months, you probably won’t in the next 12 months either.
“Closets can be hard because there tends to be an emotional aspect to getting rid of clothing,” says The Home Edit. “Rather than going through every item of clothing separately, start by grouping them in categories. It will help you see where you have unnecessary duplicates and decide which items are worthy of keeping.” Strict rules (like the 12-month time limit) and practical considerations (like duplicates) may help you make more logical decisions when it comes to closet decluttering.
Swap Clothes With the Seasons
Unless you have an enormous walk-in closet with ample space for every single item you own, you’ll want to reorganize your closet as the seasons change. “Winter coats shouldn’t be front and center in the summertime,” Shaina says. Instead, move in-season clothing to the easiest-to-reach areas, and stash off-season items in breathable bins with lids or vacuum-sealed bags. Not only will your clothing have more room to breathe, but you’ll get ready more quickly when you can see all the in-season items at eye level.
Remember: Cleaning Is Not Organizing
Say it with us now: Cleaning is not the same as organizing. Cleaning can include wiping away dust, vacuuming debris, and getting rid of piles of old mail. Whereas organizing is all about creating systems that keep order in your house. “If you don’t create a sustainable system, a mess is bound to reappear. If you take the time to think through your habits, your home, and your lifestyle, you can create smart solutions that you’ll be able to maintain,” Shaina says. Beyond just decluttering and putting things away, organizing your house requires thoughtful consideration of where and how items are stored. Each household is different and the storage systems you choose should be customized for how your family lives.
CHRISTOPHER TESTANI
Organize According to How You Shop
If your utility closet and pantry are neat and tidy until you come home from Costco and suddenly toilet paper is falling off the shelves and giant snack packs are piled on the floor, you may need to reorganize according to how you shop. “If you are buying in bulk, make sure to have space for overflow items that don’t fit into your bins,” the Home Edit recommends. “If you have a huge amount of snacks, devote a couple of bins to those items so you aren’t cramming everything into a single container.”
As a huge fan of The Home Edit – I truly enjoyed sharing this article – now to get organizing!
If you need help organizing your Real Estate goals and making sense of this market – contact The Caton Team – we’re here to help.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out at your convenience for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team through our clients’ words.Testimonials.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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. How can The Caton Team help you?
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
We’ve come to accept interest rates are not going to be 3% for a while. The good news is – this week – mid-Jan 2023 – rates are the lowest they’ve been in months. Rates change daily – so it’s best to speak to your lender directly.
What I can say – I’m seeing my buyers reapply for loans and start new budget talks around the kitchen table. There has always been an excess of demand in the Bay Area and a shortage of housing supply. So that’s good news for sellers and owners. I do see sale prices adjust accordingly but I don’t see a crash. I’m thinking we’ll have normal growth – which is better than hyper-appreciation.
The rate hike did what it was supposed to – temper the market. With its ups and downs, the data shows one thing – home values in the San Francisco Bay Area have appreciated since 1849. Buyers – this may be the market we’ve been waiting a decade for.
So, time to accept reality – re-evaluate the budget and cross-examine what homes are currently on the market. The Winter season in Real Estate has always been slow. Homes on the market now need to sell and if you’re the only offer on the table – you could have terms in your contract – a contingency even. Imagine that? Remember buyers – buy low, sell high. Marry the House, Date the Rate – just Get The House. Real Estate is an important long-term investment. You can always refinance your loan when rates go down again.
Today, I’m seeing my sellers who can wait, gear up for Spring, and prepare their homes for the market. Paint, flooring, packing, cleaning. This is the season for that as we enjoy the rain we’ve been hoping for.
For my buyers out there, don’t give up on the dream. Let’s re-evaluate the loan and monthly costs, see what properties fit our needs, and take it from there.
For my sellers, your timing is everything. Where are you going and when do you need to get there? The rest, we’ll figure out together – because that’s what we do.
The Caton Team is here to weather any storm and help our clients achieve their Real Estate Goals. How can we help you? Reach out.
The Caton Team | Call|Text 650.799.4333 or Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com
Previous articles…
Update – Fall 2022.
Quick Read:
Well, rates went up again. This shakes things up for buyers, how much they can afford and that will impact home values over time.
This – for buyers – is exciting because – if you can buy a home for less – you can always REFINANCE out of that high rate when rates go down! So Marry the House – Date the Rate!
Each market is impacted differently – if you’re thinking about selling and buying – The Caton Team is here to guide you. We’ve worked through several different market dynamics and have the wisdom and knowledge to aid us. Reach out – we’re happy to help.
The Caton Team | Call|Text 650.799.4333 or Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com
Long Read:
Right now, Realtors and their buyers are reworking the numbers, trying to stay within their budget and readjust their plans to accommodate for higher interest rates. Sometimes the goal changes, and sometimes there is a silver lining.
For buyers in Silicon Valley – anyone shopping for a home since 2020 – had low rates, lots of competition, and overbidding. When rates went up – buyers lost their purchase power and it was back to the drawing board – determining their new budget and how that translates into homes. The sellers felt it as offers dried up and escrows didn’t close.
It’s going to take some time to hash out but life doesn’t stop.
With higher rates – buyers can afford less, so eventually, that will impact home sales and prices. But for an agent who’s always working with buyers – as scary as this all seems – this is the market we’ve been waiting for!
There are going to be homes that need to sell, job transfers, weddings, and babies – life events trigger moving events – no matter the market. So for the well-prepared buyer, even with higher rates – this is a rare opportunity to be – dare I say – the only offer on the table? This is where the real negotiating happens. Finding that middle ground where the buyer can buy and afford their home and the seller gets what they need to move forward with their lives. It’s the sweet spot.
If you’re a homeowner with no need to move – this doesn’t hurt you – it is all part of the normal business cycle. However, if you’re a homeowner who has to sell – well – some of your equity is lost for now. So if selling is a must – let’s sit down and chat about your goals and how we can make them happen. Because homes are still selling.
What we are seeing is a shift to a buyer market, if a seller wants their price and a buyer can’t go that high, the buyer is moving on to the next. There are options out there, homes that need to sell, and price reductions galore. And if that is not enough incentive – I’ll say it – just offer a fair price. Finding that middle ground doesn’t have to be a mystery.
For buyers – this is a wonderful time to prepare. Get your loan approved, and understand your budget and the impact of the Interest Rate. Are there homes within reach? Then go for it? If not – then save and wait but keep that goal in mind. SAVE SAVE SAVE!
Now here’s the golden rule – Marry the House – Date the Rate. If you can afford any Real Estate in the Bay Area – even if it is not your dream house – buy it. Hold it and when the rates go down – refinance – and when the home values go up-sell and make your move. This is how it is done, the old advice – Buy Low Sell High – applies.
So how low will it go? Not that low. Let’s stay realistic – we’re not dropping to 1990 prices – but we will see prices reflect the higher rate.
Truthfully – for buyers – this is exciting because – if you can buy a home for less – you can always REFINANCE out of that high rate when rates go down! So Marry the House – Date the Rate! I said it three times – it’s gotta be ringing in your ears by now.
Each market is impacted differently – if you’re thinking about selling and buying – The Caton Team is here to guide you. We’ve worked through several different market dynamics and have the wisdom and knowledge to aid us and better serve you. Reach out – we’re happy to help.
The Caton Team | Call|Text 650.799.4333 or Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com
Previous Article…
It’s the middle of 2022. The “Pandemic Real Estate” seems to have simmered down with the rate hike as we watch prices adjust. With so much chatter about “this crazy market”, I thought I’d share my insight.
Interest Rates go up and down. That’s what they do, and rates will continue to do so. We don’t control the rates. As it fluctuates – it is wise to consider saving to buy down your rate and when budgeting – round up to account for a higher rate. I prefer knowing if I lock a lower rate – I’m more than comfortable with my payments.
Back in the 80’s rates for home loans were 13%. Back in the early 2000s, we were around 5%, then we dipped down to 3% and life was good.
Now that rates are dancing around 4.5-5% over the past few weeks – we are experiencing two phenomena. Well-positioned homes are still seeing multiple offers and over-list price sales while some homes are dropping their price to garnish more viewers.
I’ve had some clients jump into getting approved – knowing when the market “slows down” they have a better chance of getting a home. I also see some clients stalling, a wait-and-see approach. Especially when a lot of “down payment funds” are tied up in stocks – those clients are forced to wait.
But if there is one thing I want to make clear – in the Bay Area – this was and is not a crazy market. This IS our market.
The San Francisco Peninsula – Silicon Valley – has had limited inventory for sale at any given time. I’ve been a full-time Realtor for going on 19 years now and we’ve always had limited inventory – thus the overbidding. Coupled with high salaries and when the Stock Market is robust – there is no stopping the Real Estate Market around here. This has fueled our prices, the over-bidding with the already low inventory – it’s classic
Supply & Demand.
What I do know – everyone needs somewhere to live and owning your own place is the best way to keep a roof over your head and create long-term wealth. Real Estate is the only investment you can live in. Real Estate prices may flux month over month, year over year – but decade over decade – Real Estate will appreciate. They have since 1849…
I am no economist and I too am glued to the news about our economy, interest rates, inflation, and gas prices. All this will be represented in Real Estate and why long-term vision is key.
Let’s look at the big picture – a few questions to help you determine your course.
Do you want to live in the Bay Area?
Is your job in the Bay Area?
Do you want long-term financial security?
Do you want to stop worrying about your rent going up?
Do you have assets to invest in?
If your answer is yes, – you want to own a piece of Silicon Valley – contact The Caton Team. We’re happy to guide you through the steps of homeownership. If you’re not ready to buy today – we’ll let you know what it takes so you can plan.
I became a Realtor because, as a first-generation American, I understood what the American Dream was and it is grounded in Real Estate.
If you are considering a sale or purchase of Real Estate – The Caton Team would love to interview for the job as your Realtor. We love what we do, let us take care of you.
We believe to be successful in the 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 integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with 40 years of combined, local real estate experience, knowledge, and know-how – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time. Call | Text | 650.799.4333 | Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com
Effective. Efficient. Responsive. Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team from our TESTIMONIALS.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 – wouldn’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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
Numerous cyber threats lurk on the internet, but perhaps nothing is more dangerous to your business than having your computer or smartphone infected with a virus. Don’t ignore the signs: Your computer or phone may fail to start, begin operating at a slower speed or generate unknown error messages.
Most viruses make themselves known once your gadget has been infected. However, some lurk under the surface of your device and require detective work to find them. Check out these quick tips for determining whether your personal device is infected.
Your phone keeps restarting. Devices may restart themselves when you haven’t installed a critical update or there’s a random glitch in the software. Sometimes, however, your device may restart because a criminal has access to it and is installing malicious software. If this happens, shut your device down immediately. Take it to your tech professional to get a thorough check of your device for possible infection.
Random error messages appear. Most devices have antivirus software that runs automatically and keeps things running problem-free. So, it’s rare that your device will display error messages saying that you need to update drivers or there is a breach of your IP address. These messages are more likely to appear from malicious software that has been installed on your device or your browser being hijacked during a drive-by hacking. Sometimes, a simple reboot of your device is all you need to do to remove these bogus messages. You also can attempt to find the malicious program and remove it from your device.
A promise from tech support that’s really a scam. Watch out for these schemes in which a criminal may pose as tech support to gain access to your device and “solve” a problem for you. If you’ve fallen for one, you likely had software installed that allows them to log onto your gadget whenever they want to steal your valuable information. Again, look to see if there are any unknown programs installed on your device. If you find any that you are not familiar with, remove them immediately.
You can no longer access files on your devices. When you suddenly can’t access documents, videos and pictures on your gadgets, you likely have devices that have been infected with ransomware, one of the worst forms of malware. This malicious software will lock or encrypt your files so you can no longer access them. It also could be a variety of “wiper” viruses, which will wipe your device clean. If your device gets hit with ransomware or a wiper, your only option is to restore your files from a backup. Here’s an important reminder: Always keep a backup of your files.
Your devices are running hotter than usual. This could mean you’re a victim of “crypto-jacking,” where a hacker has installed malicious software onto your device. Crooks who are looking to mine cryptocurrency will take over computers, tablets, smartphones and, sometimes, gaming systems to use their power source to mine more cryptocurrency. Watch to see if your device won’t stay cool or shuts down because of overheating. If this happens, you will have to find the mining software running in the background and disable it.
How to Prevent Viruses in the First Place
Nearly all cyberattacks that happen to devices require user interaction. As such, in most instances, you will need to click on a link to open a door for a hacker to gain access to your gadgets or fall for a scheme that tricks you into allowing someone to gain access to your computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
In many instances, you can fix these issues by restarting your Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS device to see if your device works better. But if you can’t access files, this trick won’t work; only restoring from a backup will. Also, running a scan with your antivirus program might help pinpoint the offending program. If that’s not an option or these other methods don’t seem to be helping, you will need to call in tech support or an IT professional to do some additional checks.
As we rely on our devices more and more for work and throughout our personal lives, cyberattacks likely will only grow more common. Don’t be naive about the threats. Always stay vigilant when it comes to keeping your data as well as your business and personal information protected.
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Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out at your convenience for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team through our clients’ words.Testimonials.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
Hottest topic in my life – thought I’d share this article from Keeping Current Matters.
The talk of a housing bubble in the coming year seems to be at a fever pitch as rising mortgage rates continue to slow down an overheated real estate market. Over the past two years, home prices have appreciated at an unsustainable pace causing many to ask: are things just slowing down, or is a crash coming?
To answer this question, there are two things we want to understand. The first is the reality of the shift in today’s housing market. And the second is what experts are saying about home prices in the coming year.
The Reality of the Shift in Today’s Housing Market
The reality is we’re seeing an inflection point in housing supply and demand. According to realtor.com, active listings have increased more than 26% over last year, while showings from the latest ShowingTimeShowing Index have decreased almost 17% from last year (see graph below). This is an inflection point for housing because, over the past two years, we’ve seen a massive amount of demand (showings) and not enough homes available for sale for the number of people that wanted to buy. That caused the market frenzy.
Today, supply and demand look very different, and the market is slowing down from the pace we’ve seen. This offers proof of the sudden slowdown so many people are feeling.
What Experts Are Saying About Home Prices in the Coming Year
Right now, most experts are forecasting home price appreciation in 2023, but at a much slower pace than the last two years. The average of the six forecasters below is for national home prices to appreciate by 2.5% in the coming year. Only one of the six is calling for home price depreciation.
When we look at the shift taking place along with what experts are saying, we can conclude the national real estate market is slowing down but is not a bubble getting ready to burst. This isn’t to say that a few overheated markets won’t experience home price depreciation, but there isn’t a case to be made for a national housing bubble.
Bottom Line
The real estate market is slowing down, and that’s causing many to fear we’re in a housing bubble. What we’ve experienced in the housing market over the past two years were historic levels of demand and constrained supply. That led to homes going up in value at a record pace. While some overheated markets may experience price depreciation in the short term, according to experts, the national real estate market will appreciate in the coming year.
My 2 Cents: Honestly, this is the market buyers have been waiting for who missed the loop in 2009. Real Estate moves in cycles, what goes up, goes down – but never down too low. And goes down, comes up – higher than we ever expected – and that’s for the San Francisco / San Jose Silicon Valley.
I’m seeing buyer’s slow down and recalculate their budget. I’m seeing sellers who need to sell, adjusting their expectations and dropping prices. I’m seeing sellers who want thier number – and won’t budge – changing their strategy to the long game – if they can afford to – if they can’t – see statment two :).
What truly matters – we all need a home to live in and owning your home place – is the key to long term wealth and security.
So don’t listen to the hype. If you want to buy and stay in the Bay Area – your time to buy is here. If you’re ready to leave and sell your Bay Area home – the sooner the better as we don’t know when the bottom will come, or how fast we will recover. But we will recover.
Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out at your convenience for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team through our clients’ words.Testimonials.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
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 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
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