Blog

Feb

Foreclosure, any options?

Posted In: For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, Local Market Statistics

The big “F” word, foreclosure. This word is becoming a part of many consumer’s realities. But for many homeowners, they just don’t understand what it really means. And most are generally unaware that they have options. Check this out: Foreclosure and Default Data, Alameda County: January 2007-August 2007 Alameda: 16 foreclosures, 57 defaults Albany: 6 foreclosures, 17 defaults Berkeley: 33 [...]

Feb

Tasty Pumpkin Curry

Posted In: Albany, Good Eats, Neighborhood Businesses

Oh boy, the BEST pumpkin curry can be found at Bua Luang on Solano Ave. in Albany. It is fresh, tasty, and there is a generous amount of pumpkin. And their fried sweet potatoes? Oh man, you gotta try them. Perfect place to eat lunch after a long morning of touring homes.

Feb

Catch me on Forum- NPR Radio

Posted In: Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News

On January 25th I was part of a panel on KQED’s Forum. “In light of ongoing housing woes and with real estate sites popping up daily on the internet, we look at the evolving role of the realtor.” Host: Dave Iverson Guests: Enrico Moretti, associate professor of economics at UC Berkeley and co-author of “Can Free Entry Be Inefficient? Fixed [...]

Jan

In the mind of a buyer…

Posted In: For Buyers, Listings

There was a great house on tour today: 748 Elm in El Cerrito. 6 bedrooms, 3 baths, partially updated, nice neighborhood, 2100+ square feet, $645,000. So WHY is it still on the market? It has been on for quite some time and has seen numerous price reductions. I spoke with the agent today to get a glimpse into what he [...]

Jan

Welcome back

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News

After returning to work from a nice, long holiday vacation, what do I see in the headlines? 1. “Feeling Misled on Home Price, Buyers Sue Agent.” 2. “Foreclosures are up by 67.8% nationwide.” 3. “World Braces for Subprime Fallout.” 4. “Hold on for a Recession.” Wow, this is depressing. No wonder the housing market is in trouble. Look at what [...]

Nov

Conforming loan limits remain the same- gee thanks

Posted In: General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance

The good ol‘ folks in DC announced today that the maximum 2008 conforming loan limit for single-family mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the all-mighty Enterprises) will remain at the 2007 level of $417,000 for one-unit properties for most of the U.S. Higher limits apply to Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as to [...]

Nov

Childproof your home in minutes!

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

So my daughter is becoming mobile. I got down on all fours, which, coincidently is right at her level, and went exploring through my house. Oh the things that I saw. Oh man, we are in for it. As I am taking her around to other people’s homes I am realizing how unsafe many homes are for the tots in [...]

Nov

My new assistant

Posted In: For the Heck of It

“Are you looking to buy or sell a house? Then talk to my Mommy.” ~Melia Ok, so I haven’t been blogging lately. Why? do you ask? Well…many of you know, but some don’t, that I had a baby girl in June. Yup. I have added an adorable little assistant to my team. Her name is Melia. She is a superstar [...]

Jun

What’s Hot…What’s Not

Posted In: For the Heck of It, Home Improvement

What’s Hot -Cozy, small homes on a big lot -Earth colors- brown, green, etc., as well as handmade accessories -Informal living spaces like an oversize family room and an open kitchen -Exotic hardwood floors like bamboo and Brazilian cherry -Mudrooms with cubbies, chests, and benches for kids and dogs -Marble, limestone, and concrete kitchen countertops What’s Not -McMansions -The cold [...]

Jun

Historical Real Estate Market Quotes to Ponder

Posted In: General Real Estate News

1947: “The prices of houses semm to have reached a plateau and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline. ” -Times Magazine 1948: “Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price ($8,000) is out of reach for 2/3’s of all buyers.” -Science Digest 1969: “The goal of owning a homes seems to be beyond the reach [...]