Blog

Aug

Cell Phone Numbers Went Public June 2010!

Posted In: For the Heck of It

Cell Phone Numbers Went Public June 2010! I just received my first telemarketer call on my cell phone. Uh uh, no thank you. I immediately registered my number. REMINDER…… all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. …. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS To prevent this, call the [...]

Aug

Your Meter Just Got Smarter

Posted In: For Buyers, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

PG&E just got a little smarter. By now your gas and/or electric meter has been upgraded. It is designed to improve the service the PG&E provides. Some of the features include: Remote energy usage reading by PG&E Allows you to view hourly and daily energy usage Faster problem resolution Faster power restoration Energy alerts via text, email or phone A [...]

Jun

Transfer Taxes for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Posted In: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, For Buyers, For Sellers, Oakland, Richmond, Taxes

Many cities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties impose a point of sale ordinance on real property. The chart below will show which cities will impose a transfer tax. Both Alameda County and Contra Costa County have a county transfer tax of $1.10/$1,000. Example: If the sales price of a house in Berkeley is $500,000 then the seller can expect to pay $500 for [...]

May

April 2010 Price and Sales Report for California

Posted In: Local Market Statistics

Quick Facts: • Existing, single-family home sales decreased 8.1 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted rate of 483,830 units on an annualized basis compared with April 2009. • The statewide median price of an existing single-family home increased 21 percent in April to $306,230, compared with April 2009. Click here for a link to the April report for median [...]

May

New Renovation Rule on Older Homes in the East Bay

Posted In: For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

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

Mr. Mopps, Beloved Berkeley Toy Store, Is Closing

Posted In: Berkeley, Community, For the Heck of It, Fun for Kids

This morning a friend gave me some disturbing news: after 40 years of community support and business, Mr. Mopps, the beloved community toy store, is closing. I have dear memories of going into Mr. Mopps. The staff there was always so friendly. I specifically remember this one time when I went in with a 2 year old little boy, looking for a lunchbox for [...]

Mar

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

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

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

Bank of America Makes a Huge Move : Principal Forgiveness

Posted In: For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance

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

Daylight Savings Time Means Time to Bounce Forward

Posted In: For the Heck of It, Good ol' Fashion Humor

Ok, if Realtors are good for something, it is for constantly reminding you that Daylight Savings has either arrived or left the building. Ok, well, at least I am. See, it all stems back to when I was in high school and working at Target (or Tar-jhay, as my daughter says) in Granada Hills. I showed up one morning EARLY [...]