Blog

Feb

East Bay Economic Forecast

Posted In: Uncategorized

Here is an update from the East Bay Economic Q109 Forecast. Some of the information is quite interesting. The graph of “Affordable and Actual Median Home Prices” illustrates a comparison of estimated affordable home prices and actual median home prices in the East Bay for the years 2002-2008. We used median family income from U.S. Census’ American Community Survey 5, [...]

Feb

Berkeley’s OWN

Posted In: For the Heck of It

Ok, selfish plug for my women’s networking group, Berkeley’s Outstanding Women’s Network. This is where I talk the talk and walk the walk two times/month, all things real estate. We are small, but hip. www.BerkeleysOWN.com

Feb

Berkeley Oakland Median Prices Over Last 2 Years

Posted In: Berkeley, Local Market Statistics, Oakland

Here is a market snapshot for median prices for Berkeley and Oakland…click on the image for a larger view. 1st Graph: BERKELEY Median Price for solds did not change from Jan ’07 vs. Jan. ’09. 2nd Graph: OAKLAND Median price for houses sold down 72% from Jan. ’07 vs. Jan. ’09

Feb

Multiple Offers on REO’s?

Posted In: Listings, Oakland

Yes, they are happening, but this one is a first for me. 3586 55th Ave in Oakland, a bank-owned property, has been on the market for 128 days, has a $72,000 pest on it, in need of EVERYTHING, and has been in and out of contract 4 times since last fall. After starting with a list price of $495,000 in [...]

Feb

Details from the Stim Plan

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance, Taxes

Just signed into effect…thanks go out to Chet Gohd, RPM Mortgage in Berkeley, for helping to navigate through the details. Here is what matters to you: “There’s a nice windfall for some homebuyers in the economic stimulus bill awaiting President Obama’s signature on Tuesday. First-time buyers can claim a credit worth $8,000 – or 10% of the home’s value, whichever [...]

Feb

Valentine’s Greetings From Around The World

Posted In: For the Heck of It

H.A.P.P.Y….V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E.S….D.A.Y -Dia del Amor y la Amistad (Guatemalan for “Day of Love & Friendship”) -Qing Ren Jie (Chinese) -Sepandarmazgan (Iranian) -Valentinsdag (Danish) -Sevgililer Gunu (Turkish) -Alla hjartans dag (Swedish for “All Hearts’ Day”) -Ystavanpaiva (“Friends Day” in Finland) -Dydd Santes Dwynwen (Welsh) -Happy Valentine’s Day (American English)

Feb

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Update

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Taxes

As part of the new stimulous package the President is set to sign off on a first time home buyer tax credit on Monday. Here is what is currently approved: The tax credit amount for first time homebuyers will be $8,000 for homes bought by August. (No longer the $15,000 tax credit for all primary residences as was originally proposed.) This is [...]

Feb

Investor Mortgage Programs

Posted In: Investing, Mortgage & Finance

This just in from Chet Gohd, mortgage broker extraordinaire, and owner of RPM Mortgage in Berkeley. “I’ve just heard some exciting news and thought I’d pass it along. Fannie Mae, who buys most of the loans which are placed up to $625,500, has just announced that they will be lifting the restrictions for Investor buyers. Currently, there is a maximum [...]

Feb

NOD’s Filed For Q4-O8 Are Down

Posted In: Foreclosures & Short Sales, Local Market Statistics

The number of mortgage default notices filed against California homeowners fell last quarter to its lowest level in more than a year.

Feb

Bidding On Probate Sale Overbids

Posted In: Court and Auctions, For Buyers

Ok, so you put in an offer on a probate sale, along with another buyer, but you didn’t get the house. The other offer is now headed to court for overbid and confirmation. You still want the house. Can you get it? Know these facts: 1) Be sure a Notice of Sale was published by the Executor, the contents of which, [...]