Jan

29

Bay Area Median Sales Price

Posted In: Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News

According to DataQuick the median price paid for a home in California last month was $299,000, the highest since it was $301,000 in August 2008. Last month’s median was up 2.7 percent from $291,000 in November and up 21.5 percent from $246,000 in December 2011. December was the 10th consecutive month in which the state’s median sale price rose year-over-year. [...]

Jan

11

Sean O’toole’s California Forecast for 2013

Posted In: Court and Auctions, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics, Mortgage & Finance

Interesting article from www.foreclosuretruth.com http://www.foreclosuretruth.com/blog/sean/california-forecast-for-2013-more-of-the-same-save-the-black-swan/#comments I actually agree with most of this article, with my key thoughts being: In our neck of the woods trustee sale investors (think large suitcases full of cash on the courthouse steps) are seeing more competition but still finding amazing deals.  Most are not banking on large ROI’s anymore, just looking to make a few [...]

Jan

10

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Act Extended!

Posted In: For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Mortgage & Finance

Hear ye hear ye! The Federal Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Act Extended Through 2013! The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 that was set to expire on December 31, 2012, was extended through January 1, 2014. What that means is that mortgage debt that is forgiven as part of a debt restructuring agreement will not be treated as income for [...]

Aug

06

Bringing Me To The Board

Posted In: Berkeley, General Real Estate News

I am super excited to announce that I have been added to the Berkeley Association Board Of Directors for the upcoming 2013-2014 year.  I am very excited to be a part of such an extraordinary group of talented Realtors.  Looking forward to what is to come in the next two years. 2013 Slate of Officers and Directors of the Berkeley [...]

Jun

26

Dear Buyers: Time To Occupy Real Estate?

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics, Oakland

Dear buyers of Berkeley, Albany and Oakland real estate: At some point the craziness must end!  How long can this go on?  21 offers here, no contingencies there, $175k over asking here, all cash there… My buyers, my colleague’s buyers, my neighbor who is buying…are all frustrated!  Rates are low, prices are on the rise, and we have no inventory. [...]

Jun

18

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act is Expiring…

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

Did you know that the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 is expiring at the end of this year?  Did you know that this will probably impact you or someone you know?  Most people don’t even realize this exists let-alone that it is expiring.  Tick, tock, tick, tock. Obama already extended this once back in 2009, but it is not [...]

Apr

16

5 Obscure Real Estate Laws

Posted In: General Real Estate News, Good ol' Fashion Humor, Uncategorized

The March/April edition of Realtor Magazine (yes, I read this, but don’t expect you to!) featured an article that I found to be quite entertaining and wanted to share it with you. _____________________________________________________________ 1.  In an attempt to stem the problem of unwanted manure left in front of residential properties and businesses, Watertown NY is considering a law requiring horses [...]

Mar

14

Best Year to Buy in Decades?

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

I just posted an article from aol real estate entitled “Could 2012 be the Best Year to Buy a Home in Decades” to my Facebook page, but wanted to dive into it here.  Here is the short of it: Y E S!!! The answer is yes.  According to the article “home prices have plummeted 34%,” “mortgage rates continue to hover around [...]

Mar

01

43 Homes Open Today for Broker’s Tour

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

T I M E   T O   S E L L Low low inventory means fewer houses for us to preview.  I don’t recall, with the exception of nearing a holiday, the numbers ever being so low.  Unbelievable.  It is no wonder we are seeing so many multiple offers. Click here to see a copy of this weeks tour: [...]

Feb

23

Overdue Mortgages Number 6+million

Posted In: Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News

According to DSNews.com and Lender Processing Services (LPS), by the end of January there were 6,082,000 mortgages in the U.S. going unpaid.  That tally includes loans that are 30 or more days delinquent and loans in foreclosure. The national mortgage delinquency rate as of January month-end was 7.97 percent.  The delinquency rate registered a decline, both for the month and [...]