Archive for Opinion
Pacific Union Oakland Piedmont office meeting discussion 11/3/09
At our Pacific Union Real Estate office meeting this morning in the Oakland Montclair Office we went over some interesting sales statistics. Our office has a large market share in Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley CA. Our meetings give us a chance to collaborate and interject with one another to get the pulse of the local [...]
Best house on Brokers Tour November 2, 2009
Monday’s Brokers tour consists of properties in southern and eastern Oakland and the city of Piedmont. There are lots of good properties out there but the one that stood out to me was 6300 Estates Drive in Oakland CA 94611 Oakland’s Piedmont Side of Montclair. It’s a smaller Spanish Mediterranean style home very close to [...]
If purchasing a home in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont you should check the water heater.
Look if the water heater is strapped for earthquake safety. It should be strapped at the top and bottom and held securely against the back wall. Ensure that there is a pressure relief valve. Without one the water could explode if it malfunctions. The pressure relief pipe should drain to a proper location. The gas [...]
Red Flags and things to look for when buying an Oakland, Piedmont or Berkeley home.
Homes in the Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills, Piedmont and the surrounding areas were typically built quite a long time ago. After all, the classic character of these properties is what a lot of prospective Buyers are looking for. Negotiating a contract and spending time and money on inspections can feel like a real waste if [...]
Oakland Real Estate Market 10/13/09
At our Pacific Union office meeting this morning in the Oakland Montclair office some interesting topics were discussed. It is sounding more and more likely that the first time buyer’s tax credit that was implemented as part of the stimulus package will be going away on November 30, 2009. The government has extended the [...]
Conforming loan limits and their affects in Oakland and Berkeley Hills real estate
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?
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 [...]
Crime and Demographic Statistics for Oakland, California
I often get questions from prospective Buyers in the Oakland California real estate area about crime reports and demographic data. Crime reports are a touchy subject. I often get, “is this neighborhood safe?” Safe is subjective. The best source for that information is of course the city of Oakland Police department. That will give you [...]
Multiple Offers in this Market?
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
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 [...]
