Blog

Jan

Real Estate Predictions for 2009

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

As promised I have put together my real estate predictions for 2009. Ok, if I could really make predictions, I’d be rich. Don’t get me wrong, I have my opinions, and I am certainly entitled to them. But just keep in mind, these are just predictions and while they aren’t terribly optimistic, take them with a grain of salt… 1. [...]

Jan

FHA Appraisal Facts

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

Are you going to be obtaining an FHA loan to do your next home purchase? If so, read below. An FHA appraisal is simply a conventional appraisal but with more detail paid to, and more documentation of, the subject property’s characteristics, overall functionality, and condition (noting any deferred maintenance). An FHA appraiser will actually perform what amounts to a smaller, [...]

Jan

Future of Point Isabel in Richmond

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond

A developer is proposing to amend Richmond’s general Plan Land Use Map from Light Industrial to a Regional Commercial District, demolish all buildings at 2700 Rydin td and 4903 Central Ave., and construct a 99,000 square foot Kohl’s department store with almost 400 parking spaces near Costco on Pt. Isabel. The plan also inclsudes reservation of a 76,000 square foot pad [...]

Jan

Krista’s list of what to read in 2009

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Heck of It, Foreclosures & Short Sales, Good ol' Fashion Humor

This just in, the ultimate reading list. I love to read. I love to be inspired. I love to learn. This list, in no particular order, combines a little bit of each. 1. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. This sly and lucid book discusses why we make the decisions that we do, including why headaches disappear after [...]

Dec

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Posted In: For Sellers, For the Heck of It, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids, Good ol' Fashion Humor

Those who know me know that I am a clean freak. I love the smell of coming home to a clean house. Sure, I have mellowed out a bit. Since the birth of my daughter I started using more environmentally-sound products so I no longer come home to the smells of Pine Sol or Windex anymore…but I still love cleaning products. [...]

Dec

Fed Cuts Short-Term Rate to Nearly Zero

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

Now that the world has admitted that we are in a recession the Fed thought they should step in and do their part. Yesterday, in an attempt to fight the recession and the downword pressure on consumer prices, the Fed cut the key rate to the bone. Huh? This is the rate which affects how much [...]

Dec

Redevelopment of Oakland Army Base

Posted In: Economy, Neighborhood Businesses, Oakland

This morning the crew from Federal Oakland Associates did a presentation about the future of the Oakland Army Base which is located at the southwest corner of the Bay Bridge and the 880/80 freeway intersection. While it isn’t yet approved, these guys have some grand plans for the “Grand Gateway.” Should the City of Oakland accept their approval (which they [...]

Dec

Rate Watch from Gwen & Rhoda

Posted In: For Buyers, Mortgage & Finance

Here is the latest and greatest from a pair of super cool mortgage brokers, Gwen Hoople & Rhoda Paul of Holmgren Mortgage in Oakland. “Mortgage rates increased last week despite news that the economy will be in an extended recession and a jobs report that was weaker than expected. Stocks surged Monday in a positive response to progress on [...]

Dec

Forbes.com: 10 Best Suburbs to Sell A Home. Berkeley is #1!

Posted In: Berkeley, Economy, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics

Berkeley, Calif., known sometimes as a hippie haven, is becoming a hotbed for home sales. Prices in the Bay Area suburb are up 9% this year, with homes selling for a median price of $790,986. Properties are sitting on the market for 73 days on average, the lowest of any area with positive price trends within the confines of the [...]

Dec

El Cerrito High School renovation near completion

Posted In: El Cerrito, Schools

This winter the much acclaimed and highly anticipated El Cerrito High School is scheduled to re-open. The school, which was demolished in 2005, has undergone an intense renovation process. Many are calling it the “Taj Mahal” of high schools. The 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art campus located on Ashbury Avenue will include a 650-seat performing arts center, a solar-paneled roof that [...]