General Real Estate News

Jun

Will the Drought Impact the Bay Area’s Real Estate Market?

Posted In: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Green Living, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

Will the drought in California, which is weighing heavily on all of our minds as the water from the faucet starts to taste a litter funkier every week, have any kind of impact on real estate prices? There are several possible scenarios: The price of water continues to go up, as it becomes a scarcer resource. As the price [...]

May

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

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

Buying vs. Renting – is it worth it?

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics, Rentals

So assuming that it’s a good time to buy, that buying is a good investment in the long run (even if there is a downturn, there will be a recovery), what is the trade off between buying and renting? Are there benefits to buying? You probably already know the answer but the general consensus is that buying is better than [...]

Apr

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

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, [...]

Apr

Bay Area Takes Top 3 Spots for Worst Place to Rent

Posted In: General Real Estate News, Rentals

We already know that the Bay Area is already a difficult market to buy in, but did you know that it is also becoming increasingly difficult to rent in as well? I am constantly shocked to hear how much our buyer clients are paying in rent, which also explains why they are seeking out a mortgage instead. Forbes just released [...]

Mar

Bay Area Buyers: Are You Tired Yet? Consider Investing.

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Investing, Local Market Statistics, Rentals

Where does a wary buyer in the San Francisco Bay Area, who has had their offers rejected 13 times, find a house? North Carolina. “Lovely, ranch style, 2033 square feet, custom built in 2006, Listed at $198,000” “1700 square foot, custom new construction, 4 beds and 3.5 baths, peaceful view, listed at $209,900” or how about “All one level, brick exterior, [...]

Dec

3% Down Payment?

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

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

Fun Finds on Tour!

Posted In: Alameda County, Architecture, Community, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids, General Real Estate News, Good ol' Fashion Humor, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Neighborhoods, Photos, Uncategorized

When we are out touring the homes for sale not only do we get information to better serve our clients, we also get some fun inventive ideas on how to decorate your house or backyard! For example we saw this tricycle hanging on the wall recently and we absolutely loved the idea! What a great way to be able to [...]

Dec

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

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

Real Estate Monday – Berkeley

Posted In: Alameda County, Architecture, Berkeley, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Home, General Real Estate News, Investing, Listings, Local Market Statistics, Uncategorized

This Real Estate Monday we will cover Berkeley Statistics. The average listing price in Berkeley is $948,835, which is down $36K from a high of $948,720 one year ago. However, the median sales price is $790K, up $40K from same time last year. Berkeley continues to have a robust market. If you are looking to sell or buy – contact me [...]