General Real Estate Tips and Advice

One of the most important events in selling your Oakland home is to have it inspected before the sale, so that both you, and the future buyers, know it's condition-both structurally and functionally.  Many future negotiations will revolve around the home inspection, so it is important that it be done correctly and efficiently.   

I am going to suggest that the most efficient time to have this home inspection is just before your put your home on the market.  While this may be a bit concerning to some sellers because of what may result, it really makes sense in many, if not most, cases.  Why?  Because knowing your issues ahead of time puts you in control of the direction that will be taken.  Here is why:

a. It puts you in control of what you can…

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FORBES' Magazine has just released their annual list of America's Most Expensive Zip Codes.  Working with Altos Research of Mountain View, who calculated the median home prices of more than 22,000 U.S. ZIP codes, using data from listings of both single family and condos, and using a 90 day period rolling average, they arrived at this list of the top the nation's 500 Most Expensive Zip Codes.

Not surprisingly, Silicon Valley homes topped the list.  #1 was Atherton, CA with a Median Home Price of $6,665,231, with Average Days on the Market of 141 days.  Second place went to Los Altos Hills at $5,404,692, with an Average Days on the Market total of 85 days.

So what does this mean to Piedmont homeowners?  First of all, Piedmont's ZIP code Median…

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If you want to create the maximum interest and attention from Piedmont or Montclair home buyers, you must be prepared to invest some funds into making your property one of the most attractive to potential buyers.  The good news is that it does not have to cost a great deal of money, but can, with some planning, reward you in the long run by increasing the value of your home, thus allowing you to recoup your expenses while meeting these goals. 

1. Clean, Organize, and Simplify Each Room--The goal is to present a fresh, open, and easy to appreciate space in every room of the home.

2. Spend Time Creating A Pleasant Atmosphere in Every Room--Have some style or design for each room, so it is easily viewed, and is immediately appealing.  Take some time…

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One of the most popular parks in Oakland is Montclair Park.  Located in the heart of Montclair Village, it offers a quiet place for lunch break under a tree, while listening to the water spray from the fountain in the center of the pond.  This gentle, scenic pond is often seen with ducks floating on the water, and settling in amid the greenery around the edges. 

 

This park is truly designed to serve Oakland residents, especially if they have a sports inclination.  There are basketball courts, tennis courts, a softball field, and training during the year is available for youth softball and flag football.  The little ones are not left out, and play structures designed for them are available, and used on a daily basis.  One of the most popular…

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No matter where you want to buy a home, be it Piedmont, Montclair, or Oakland, the same basic rules apply once you see a home that you want to purchase.  Although I will be assisting you through all these steps to assure that you present the very best offer, it is helpful to plan ahead, so that when that special event arrives, you will be ready. 

1. One of the buyer's most important considerations is knowledge about the house and the neighborhood. Once you decide on that special home, I will be glad to assist you with market analyses and comparable sales information, so you will have a full sense of the marketplace that you will be working in.  You will then have a sense of what other buyers have paid for similar homes in the area, and how those…

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As with any purchase, whether a car, a boat or a home, the buyer's first impressions are vitally important.  If you are considering buying an automobile, and discover it has scuffed dirty tires, scratches and dents, your first tendancy is to walk away, and look for something more suitable.  Sometimes, even a low price will not attract you, because you wonder if this much has been neglected, what else has been ignored?

This is the same thinking that will go into the buyer's consideration of your Alameda home or Alameda condo.  It is worth the time to take these few steps to prepare your home to assure that you will receive the most attention, and best offer when you sell.

Here are some suggestions that will increase buyer interest dramatically:

…

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The Epic Homes of the East Bay Contest- If you've been waiting for the chance to show off your home's artful design, and pick up a few more ideas along the way, this may be the event for you. The Epic Homes of the East Bay Contest is getting under way, with a chance to submit your home, and make the East Bay proud.  You don't have to own an estate to enter, humbler abodes are welcome, with any owner-occupied one to four unit residential property accepted. Those who enter may be lucky enough to receive a consultation with HGTV star Cora Sue Anthony, and be highlighted in her upcoming book, Cora Sue Anthony's Epic Homes of the East Bay, coming out sometime this winter. Submissions for the contest are accepted until July 15. Homes are judged on a wide…

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Redwood Heights is an established Oakland neighborhood known for tree-lined residential streets, early 20th-century homes, hillside character, and a strong sense of community. Its history is closely connected to the old-growth redwood forests that once covered much of the Oakland hills and to the transportation routes that later helped shape the neighborhoods of East Oakland.

Originally published as a neighborhood history article, this guide has been updated to explain how Redwood Heights developed, what types of homes buyers will find today, and how the neighborhood compares with nearby Laurel, Oakmore, and other Oakland communities.

From Redwood Forests to an Oakland Neighborhood

The hills above Oakland were once covered by extensive forests of…

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On the last blog, I offered some ideas about a few ways to evaluate the neighborhoods surrounding some Berkeley homes for sale that you might be considering.  While it is important to choose a home just for itself, there is no doubt that the choice of a neighborhood plays a crucial role in your family's happiness once the home is purchased.   Yesterday, I mentioned the importance of choosing the right school district, and the quality of the neighborhood location as to amenities and services. 

In this blog, the suggestion for a criteria has to do with a financial consideration of the home's appreciation possibilities.  No one wants to buy a home to find out that within a year or two, it will be worth less than its original purchase price.  This is…

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As you begin to search for a Berkeley home for sale , it becomes obvious, when looking around, that in addition to considerations about the home itself, the neighborhood surrounding that home is certainly worthy of serious evaluation as well.  Whether you are looking around the University of California, or down by the Berkeley/Albany home border, there are some things that need review.

Each family, in  beginning the search, has different priorities as to what things comprise their most important needs.  For some, it will be the school district, for others closeness to family or friends or work.  However, when all is said and done, each family member wants to feel safe, comfortable and welcome in their new home.

Two important issues arise for most…

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