General Real Estate News

May
26

New Renovation Rule on Older Homes in the East Bay

Posted In: For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance
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It’s the law! Federal law requires contractors that disturb painted surfaces in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Always ask to see your contractor’s certification. Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a [...]
Mar
25

HGTV’s “My First Place” is Looking for First Time Homebuyers in the Bay Area

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News
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I was just contacted by HGTV’s “My First Place” to see if there are any first time homebuyers out there interested in a unique opportunity.  Here is the 411: BUYING YOUR FIRST PLACE? Then HGTV is looking for you! MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is coming back for an eighth season and we’re looking for first-time homebuyers (and their [...]
Mar
25

Thursdays Pick

Posted In: Berkeley, General Real Estate News, Listings
Just finished up tour a little while ago.  My pick of the litter is this gorgeous remodel in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood of Berkeley.  Located at 806 Contra Costa, the remodel was done by local designer and stager SCOUT and is listed by Prudential California Realty.  The house has 4 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths with stunning views of both the [...]
Mar
24

Bank of America Makes a Huge Move : Principal Forgiveness

Posted In: For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance
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Bank of America announced today that it will introduce “principal forgiveness” program designed to help some troubled mortgage borrowers relief from the possibility of foreclosure.  The program will look to reduce loan balances of qualifying distressed homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages or subprime loans in an effort to make their payments more affordable.  The homeowners must be at least 60 [...]
Mar
02

So Much for the Move-Up Tax Credit

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Taxes
There is so much mixed feelings about the market right now.  In the Berkeley and surrounding areas, one street is seeing multiple offers and the next isn’t.  The number of foreclosures has gone down drastically, although most buyers think there are buckets of bank-owned homes ready to come on the market.  I don’t think this is the case. No wonder buyers and [...]
Feb
15

FHA-Backed 203(k) Rehab Loans Can Make All The Difference.

Posted In: For Buyers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Home Improvement, Mortgage & Finance
FHA rehab what? You mean there are still loans available to help fix up a house? S-WEET!Here is the scoop: The FHA-backed 203(k) rehab loan is an increasingly popular option in today’s market because so many available properties, especially foreclosures, are in need of repair. And let me tell you, I have been in plenty of them. The bones may [...]
Jan
06

Grubb & Ellis Pick Top 10 Real Estate Markets for 2010, Oakland / East Bay Ranks #5

Posted In: General Real Estate News, Investing, Local Market Statistics
Grubb & Ellis have picked their top 10 Real Estate Markets for 2010.  Oakland and the East Bay rank #5, San Francisco chimes in at #10. U.S. MULTI HOUSING MARKET STRENGTH FORECAST Top 10 Markets 2010-2014United States Overall Score* Rank 1.     Los Angeles 64.8 2.     Washington, D.C. 60.5 3.     Orange County, Calif. 60.1 4.     San Diego 58.3 5.     Oakland/East Bay, Calif. [...]
Dec
04

Qualifying Factors For FHA and Fannie Mae Loans Are Changing Dec. 12th

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance
I am getting many updates from my favorite mortgage brokers about the changes to the qualifying factors that are about to come on Dec. 12th to the Fannie Mae and FHA world.  I am also receiving updates from mortgage brokers I don’t have contact with, and some of the updates are inaccurate.  To spell out the changes, here is what one [...]