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
thumbnail for Prices comparing 2007 to 2016 are up, and down
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
thumbnail for To Remove Contingencies, or Not to Remove?
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
thumbnail for Bay Area Home Prices By Transit Stop
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 [...]
Mar
22

Give Back Homes

Posted In: Community, For the Heck of It, General Real Estate News, Philanthropy
thumbnail for Give Back Homes
Giving back to the community is a HUGE part of the vibe over here at kristaandrosie.flywheelsites.com – it is something we love to do!  A few years ago I heard about this cool little startup called Give Back Homes.  The founder, Blake Andrews, spent a few years working at TOMS (shoes) where he learned the value of giving back: for every [...]
Feb
27

What Are Those Accessory Dwelling Units All About?

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Home Improvement
thumbnail for What Are Those Accessory Dwelling Units All About?
Yes, it is true.  We have a shortage of housing.  Are you surprised?  Considering this has been the case for the past 4-1/2 years I don’t think you are.  But guess what?  There {may} be a creative solution for those who are looking for a little…more…space & a little…extra…income. Recently Berkeley enacted an ordinance that would allow certain homeowners to streamline [...]
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
thumbnail for 20 Top Real Estate Markets for February 2016
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 [...]
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
thumbnail for Spotting the Price Reductions
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 [...]