Nov
13

Bart vs. Bus: How Living Outside of the BART Zone Will Cost you Less

Posted In: Alameda County, Berkeley, Contra Costa County, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Kensington, Local Market Statistics
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Did you know that if you live outside of a designated BART zone that you will not only pay less for your home but you will likely miss the feeding frenzy of multiple offers? The average home in the area around the North Berkeley BART station is selling for 130% over list price and in some cases as high as [...]
Jun
17

Spotting the Price Reductions

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Kensington, Listings, Local Market Statistics, Oakland
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So, I have been noticing something that I haven’t seen in awhile…price reductions.  More than normal.  What could this possibly mean? Buyers are on vacation Buyers are feeling burned out Listed prices are starting closer to the expected sales price Seasonal cool down Unrealistic seller expectations But I am also seeing price increases, meaning it was originally listed for multiple offers [...]
Jun
16

Are you prepared for a major power outage?

Posted In: Alameda County, Albany, Berkeley, Community, El Cerrito, Emeryville, For the Heck of It, Home Maintenance, Kensington, Neighborhoods, Oakland, Richmond, Uncategorized
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Are you prepared for a major power outage? Last week in a little innocent squirrel caused a major power outage in the East Bay that lasted nearly two and a half hours.  Some of you may have been affected by it – Krista on our team was definitely affected by it and while she was a “little” prepared we thought [...]
Mar
18

Buyers Should Strike

Posted In: Alameda County, Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, For Buyers, For Sellers, Kensington, Local Market Statistics, Oakland
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Attention Buyers: it is time for you to strike! This crazy market has got to stop. Buyers are being forced to remove not just their inspection contingency, but their financing contingencies as well, even if they are getting a loan.  Buyers are more confused than ever about where the value lies.  “The Berkeley market is no longer about numbers and [...]
Dec
03

Who doesn’t love a good kitchen!

Posted In: Alameda, Albany, Architecture, Berkeley, Creative Reuse Ideas, El Cerrito, Emeryville, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Heck of It, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Kensington, Neighborhoods, Oakland, Photos, Richmond, Rockridge, Temescal, Uncategorized
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Krista and Rosie love a good kitchen!  Each time they go into a house they always check out the kitchen. Big, little, comfy, white, bright?  What would you add to your dream kitchen? A cool chalkboard wall to write menus? How about  built-in wine storage?  There are so many ways you can create the kitchen of your dreams! Here are [...]
Dec
02

Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Posted In: Alameda, Alameda County, Albany, Arts and Entertainment, Berkeley, Community, Contra Costa County, El Cerrito, Emeryville, For the Heck of It, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids, Kensington, Neighborhood Events, Neighborhoods, Oakland, Photos, Places, Richmond, Rockridge, Temescal, Uncategorized
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Do you make it a tradition to go to tree lighting ceremonies each year?  If not – no better time than now! Berkeley has their tree lighting ceremony this Friday at 5:30pm.  Jack London Square will also have their tree lighting ceremony on Friday at 5:00pm. There are quite a few options to go see a tree lighting or Menorah [...]
Dec
01

High Rental Rates Equal Higher Mortgage Rates?

Posted In: Alameda, Alameda County, Albany, Berkeley, Economy, El Cerrito, Emeryville, First Time Home Buyers, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Kensington, Local Market Statistics, Mortgage & Finance, Oakland, Rentals, Richmond, Temescal, Uncategorized
thumbnail for High Rental Rates Equal Higher Mortgage Rates?
High rental rates near BART don’t necessarily equal higher mortgage rates.  KQED recently posted this cool albeit somewhat depressing map showing you where you can find an affordable 1 bedroom near BART.  While this may be hard to look at from a renter’s point of view, we need to remember that owning closer to BART does not necessarily mean you [...]