Oct

03

Prices comparing 2007 to 2016 are up, and down

Posted In: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics

Seven out of ten of the Bay Area counties have surpassed 2007 prices.  I am so surprised.  Surprised, I tell ya!  And here I thought that all counties had surpassed 2007 prices.  But I was wrong. Why do we compare today to 2007?  2007 was the height of the real estate cycle (Note: real estate cycles typically last 7-10 years). [...]

Sep

12

To Remove Contingencies, or Not to Remove?

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics

Should you remove your contingencies?  We get asked this question all of the time.  We cannot give you advice as to what you have to do, but we do want to demystify what this is all about. When a buyer submits an offer on a property they have an opportunity to include certain conditions within the contract that must be [...]

Apr

04

Bay Area Home Prices By Transit Stop

Posted In: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics

We have all seen the headlines showing that Bay Area home prices are off the charts.  I mean seriously, when I saw that the median price in Alameda County went above $700k I practically spit out my coffee.  But it is starting to get a little crowded around here, and buyers are wondering where they can move to and still commute to [...]

Feb

25

20 Top Real Estate Markets for February 2016

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Investing, Local Market Statistics

East Bay Living just got better!!  According to Realtor.com California is home to 12 of the 20 hottest real estate markets across the nation, 8 of which are in the top 10.  This is huge! The report also shows that sellers who are looking to move up should not wait. “As for sellers, while it might seem that they should [...]

Oct

15

September Market Stats {Albany}

Posted In: Albany, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, FSBO, General Real Estate News, Listings, Local Market Statistics

   

Jul

16

Oakland Home Prices: It’s Crazy Out There Folks!

Posted In: Alameda County, Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Local Market Statistics, Oakland, Rockridge, Temescal

You wanna know what’s crazy? Sales prices in Oakland. If you are a buyer looking to purchase in Oakland, I’m sure you have felt the surge in sales prices in the last few months. Well folks, it’s not your imagination: the median sales price for homes in Oakland is up 25% from the prior quarter and an increase of 19.6% [...]

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

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 [...]

May

16

Sales Price / Square Foot quickly on the rise

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics

    Hey guys!  We just listed this Sa-weet condo in the Gourmet Ghetto – 1828 Delaware Unit 2.  We held it open on Thursday and the feedback was great! Located in a quaint, 4-unit building this condo boasts privacy, community, creativity, and convenience. What is so special about this great condo is the yard…the PRIVATE yard.  Yes!  Deck, garden, roses, [...]

Apr

27

Buying vs. Renting – is it worth it?

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics, Rentals

So assuming that it’s a good time to buy, that buying is a good investment in the long run (even if there is a downturn, there will be a recovery), what is the trade off between buying and renting? Are there benefits to buying? You probably already know the answer but the general consensus is that buying is better than [...]

Apr

22

What is this Crazy Market Going to Do?!?!?

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Investing, Local Market Statistics

Struggling to buy in today’s market, buyers, new and experienced alike are beginning to ask really big questions about jumping into such a competitive market knowing that they will most likely be “house rich but cash poor”, that they may not be able to afford the taxes the first few years and eat ramen to make ends meet. One client, [...]