Blog

Jan

Google Launches New Mortgage Comparison Chart

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage & Finance, Web/Tech

Google just launched a way cool new advertising service which allows consumers to anonymously compare interest rates and fees from mortgage lenders. The “Comparison Ads for Mortgage” is the latest development from the internet search giant.

Jan

It is raining cats and dogs in Berkeley and the surrounding areas… Check your sump pumps!

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

El Nino is coming to Berkeley for dinner tomorrow? Wait! I am not ready! It’s raining, it’s pouring, soon we all will be snoring. Checked the weather lately? Did you know that it is supposed to rain for the NEXT TWO WEEKS? A biologist friend sent me an email from a climate scientist that said “The next 2-3 weeks (at [...]

Jan

Market Statistics in Albany, CA : November and December 2007 vs. 2009

Posted In: Albany, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics

Here are the Albany market statistics comparing November and December 2007 vs. 2009 Oh wow, check out the average DOM (days on market) for Dec 09- 227 days! If you would like more information for Albany, CA, or other areas, then shoot me an email.

Jan

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

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 [...]

Dec

Seven Ways to Support Your Green Community This Holiday Season

Posted In: Community, For the Heck of It, Green Living

HERE’S SEVEN WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 1) EAST BAY GREEN TOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE This holiday season you can treat those you care about to the special treat of a GIFT CERTIFICATE for an East Bay Green tour. Or you could give back to the community by Sponsoring A Seat on the bus for a student. More information [...]

Dec

33 Revolutions in El Cerrito is Closing

Posted In: Community, El Cerrito, Good Eats

33 Revolutions in El Cerrito is closing its doors. They just couldn’t make it. Another local gem… g o n e. I have commented on them here in this blog, yelped them, and freqented them for their valuable wi-fi and tasty food. It is a great place, shows true community. The economy turned and that didn’t help. It was too [...]

Nov

With F.H.A. Help, Easy Loans in Expensive Areas

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage & Finance

be sure to check out the last paragraph http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/business/20limits.html?_r=2&th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1258823045-jkAzkd6FNo1zZNxkfMSHlA

Nov

Wink Wink to the 2010 San Francisco Michelin Guide

Posted In: Food and Dining, For the Heck of It, Fun for Grown Ups, Good Eats

The annual Michelin Guide release for the San Francisco Bay Area always creates a stir. For those of you who know me know that I love good food. Good food, good wine, good company. (And good food doesn’t always mean a 4 course meal at a 4 star restaurant- I am just as happy eating a burger at Big Al’s in [...]

Nov

Weekly Interest Rate Overview

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage & Finance

Current Indices For Adjustable Rate Mortgages Updated November 13, 2009 Daily Value Monthly Value 6-month Treasury Security 0.16% 0.16% 1-year Treasury Security 0.32% 0.37% 3-year Treasury Security 1.36% 1.46% 5-year Treasury Security 2.28% 2.33% 10-year Treasury Security 3.45% 3.39% 12-month LIBOR 1.234% (Oct) 12-month MTA 0.544% (Oct) 11th District Cost of Funds 1.272% (Sept) Prime Rate 3.25% (Dec) Looking for [...]