Economy

Feb
08

Interest Rate Watch!!

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance
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Finally some good news for the housing market!  Mortgage rates went down again, with the 30-year fixed-rate down nearly a full point from November, when it peaked at just over seven percent!!  According to Freddie Mac research, this one percentage point reduction in rates can allow as many as three million more mortgage-ready consumers to qualify and afford a $400,000 [...]
Mar
17

Buy, Sell or Wait? What’s Changing and Isn’t? Coronavirus and the Real Estate Market

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News
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Although we have weathered dramatic changes in the real estate market in the past, the unprecedented global health threat posed by coronavirus is unlike any other potential market disruption we’ve experienced before. In this time of uncertainty, our clients are asking a lot of questions. We want to try to address them the best we can, keeping in mind that [...]
Oct
23

Is the Market About to go kerplunk?

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Local Market Statistics
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Buyers, Sellers + Realtors were all chatting about the market at our open house this past weekend.  It seems that everyone is confused about the market and what was happening: Is it shifting?  Is it dropping?  Is it seasonal? YES!!!  All of the above.  The problem is that we won’t know which it is until it passes.  The other problem [...]
Jul
16

Oakland Home Prices: It’s Crazy Out There Folks!

Posted In: Alameda County, Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Local Market Statistics, Oakland, Rockridge, Temescal
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You wanna know what’s crazy? Sales prices in Oakland. If you are a buyer looking to purchase in Oakland, I’m sure you have felt the surge in sales prices in the last few months. Well folks, it’s not your imagination: the median sales price for homes in Oakland is up 25% from the prior quarter and an increase of 19.6% [...]
May
16

Sales Price / Square Foot quickly on the rise

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics
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    Hey guys!  We just listed this Sa-weet condo in the Gourmet Ghetto – 1828 Delaware Unit 2.  We held it open on Thursday and the feedback was great! Located in a quaint, 4-unit building this condo boasts privacy, community, creativity, and convenience. What is so special about this great condo is the yard…the PRIVATE yard.  Yes!  Deck, garden, roses, [...]
Apr
22

What is this Crazy Market Going to Do?!?!?

Posted In: Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Investing, Local Market Statistics
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Struggling to buy in today’s market, buyers, new and experienced alike are beginning to ask really big questions about jumping into such a competitive market knowing that they will most likely be “house rich but cash poor”, that they may not be able to afford the taxes the first few years and eat ramen to make ends meet. One client, [...]
Dec
08

3% Down Payment?

Posted In: Alameda County, Economy, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance, Neighborhoods, Uncategorized
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3% down payments are back!  In order to help low-income and first time home buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin backing these types of loans.  What do you think? Do you think this will set up the coming of another housing bubble or have borrowers learned not to borrow more than they can pay for? Would love to [...]
Dec
01

High Rental Rates Equal Higher Mortgage Rates?

Posted In: Alameda, Alameda County, Albany, Berkeley, Economy, El Cerrito, Emeryville, First Time Home Buyers, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Kensington, Local Market Statistics, Mortgage & Finance, Oakland, Rentals, Richmond, Temescal, Uncategorized
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High rental rates near BART don’t necessarily equal higher mortgage rates.  KQED recently posted this cool albeit somewhat depressing map showing you where you can find an affordable 1 bedroom near BART.  While this may be hard to look at from a renter’s point of view, we need to remember that owning closer to BART does not necessarily mean you [...]
Nov
08

What does your sink say about you?

Posted In: Architecture, Economy, For Buyers, For the Heck of It, For the Home, Fun for Grown Ups, General Real Estate News, Good ol' Fashion Humor, Home Improvement, Photos, Uncategorized
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Have you ever pondered what your sink says about you? Have you ever walked up to a sink and thought – “Wow, this sink speaks to me?” Is it the shape? Is it the color? Is it nostalgic?  Going out on tour we get to see so many different types of sinks. And let me tell you…sinks make you think! [...]