Archive for Buyers
Oakland CA Ranks Among Nation’s Top Ten “Green” Cities for Real Estate and more
Did you know that Oakland, CA has been ranked as one of the nation’s top ten “greenest cities”? Oakland has the country’s cleanest, freshest tap water; access to an abundance of fresh, locally-grown, organic food; and a hydrogen-powered public transit system. Growing food locally reduces waste and carbon emissions. Oakland already gets 17% of its [...]
City of Oakland real estate transfer tax?
Does the city of Oakland have a real estate transfer tax? The answer is YES. It is equal to 1.5% of the sale price. ($15/ thousand of sale price) In a typical real estate transaction it is customary for the Seller to pay 50% and the Buyer to pay 50%. The county of Alameda imposes [...]
Writing an offer letter when purchasing a home in Oakland, Piedmont & Berkeley CA
I’ve been selling homes and real estate in Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley California for 15 years and one thing for sure is that the real estate market is constantly changing. One thing that remains the same is that home Sellers tend to want to do business with people they like. That is why an offer [...]
The Bay Area real estate market is HOT!
The Bay Area real estate market and especially homes for sale in Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley. They are HOT, HOT, HOT! And it’s heating up even more as we enter the spring market. SF Gate just did a story on this exact topic. Low rates and low inventory are combining for one competitive market. Multiple offers are [...]
Top tax questions homeowners must ask
Anybody that ownes a home or is considering buying a home in Oakland, Piedmont or Berkeley should consider the answers to the following important tax questions: What tax benefits did homeowners get in the recent ‘fiscal cliff’ budget agreement? What are the home related tax deductions people most often claim? What is the #1 mistake [...]
Video of Homes in Oakland, Piedmont & Berkeley CA
So where do you want to live? Homes in Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley come in all sizes, shapes and price points. From Contemporary view homes to Beaux Arts estates to Mediterrinean Bungalows, the area offers something for everybody. And, at a value when compared to San Francisco prices. See available area homes for sale.
So how do you get the best deal when buying a home in Oakland Piedmont or Berkeley CA? Here is what I think. You just need to do one or more of the following things: #1 Buy a home that is not attractive to other prospective buyers. #2 Be willing to put up with a [...]
Oakland Montclair Real Estate Market Update
Oakland’s Montclair District features good schools, scenic views and terrific home values. While home buyers may want to also consider adjacent neighborhoods such as Piedmont Pines, Rockridge and Glenview, I think you will find Montclair at the top of your desirability list. The Montclair Village is one of the “jewel” retail environments of Oakland [...]
Parkwoods condo in Oakland CA sold by Brian Santilena
The Parkwoods Condominiums in Oakland continue to be one of the premier condo developments in the East Bay Oakland Hills area. Built back after the Oakland Hills firestom the 433 unit development offers many ammenities desired by today’s buyers. Ammenities such as in-unit laundry, gym facility, swimming pool and spa, onsite management, clean and impecabially [...]
Craftsman homes for sale in Oakland’s Glenview
This past week I just closed on a terrific example of a California Craftsman in the Glenview District of Oakland. The market is currently quite hot and there were 4 other offers on this home. It is just minutes to the Glenview business area and rests on one of the prettier streets in Glenview. The [...]
BRIAN SANTILENA
Pacific Union International Inc.