Archive for Market

Conforming loan limits and their affects in Oakland and Berkeley Hills real estate

October 23rd, 2008

Loan amounts fall into two main categories, Conforming and Jumbo.   Conforming loans have a limit up to $729k.  Jumbo loans are all loans over $729k.  Until recently the Conforming loan amount was all the way down in the $400’s.  As an economic stimulus the Congress temporarily increased the Conforming loan limit to $729 through January [...]

If a full price offer comes in, is a Seller obligated to accept it?

October 11th, 2008

The bottom line answer is NO. Barring imminent domain, foreclosure and a handful of other specific situations, nobody can force you to sell them your property. A better question may be “What are my risks if a full price offer comes in and I don’t accept it?” The main risk is that you may be [...]

Multiple Offers in this Market?

February 17th, 2008

Contrary to what you might read in the San Francisco Chronicle some Oakland, California real estate listings are still generating multiple offers. Some are even selling substantially over their listing price. Up until early 2006 aprox. 75% of the properties on the market were selling with more than one offer. Now days it’s more like [...]

Ugly Homes Are Ugly Again

February 11th, 2008

I heard an agent say the other day “Ugly homes are ugly again.” After laughing a bit I realized just how true that statement is. For a long time Buyers were willing to overlook pretty much everything. They were just happy to get the house. These days Buyers have more of an opportunity to be [...]

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