General Real Estate Tips and Advice

 

 

 

 

 

 The Glenview neighborhood is a cozy collection of stores, restaurants, and shops, and highlights what a neighborhood should be. Based around Park Boulevard, and once a stop for the earlier commuter Key Line that ran up to the hills, it reflects its era.  As you can see from the above pictures, there is a strong Art Deco and Spanish stucco influence in the homes and school.  Many tree lined streets and spacious back yards, when combined with innovative architectural designs, invite varied choices for home buyers.  Nearby Oakmore and Trestle Glen neighborhoods continue much of this theme.  

It is centrally located between Highways 13 and 580, which allows an excellent commute to downtown Oakland, San Francisco, or…

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When it comes time to consider selling your Oakland or Piedmont home, it is important to have a realistic and competitive price to attract interested buyers.  Nothing is more disturbing to sellers than to have their home sit on the market for weeks and weeks because it is improperly priced.  

1. Gather Facts To Help You Decide-- Even before you contact me as your selling agent, you should search the many real estate websites available to you to get a sense of what homes like yours are selling for.  Compare your home realistically to others in your neighborhood. 

2. Contact Me About A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)--Here is where I, as your real estate agent will help you come to some serious decisions.  I will assist you in comparing the…

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As soon as you decide that you would like to begin to look for your new Oakland or Berkeley home, you should take steps to get your loan financing in place.  In many areas of the East Bay, the competition for homes and condominiums is very high. As a result, you need to be ready to make a offer immediately upon finding your ideal home, to avoid losing out to other bidders.  What do you need to know about your financing options?

1. Being Pre-Qualified By A Lender-This is a first step in the mortgage process, but an important one.  You will be asked to provide your lender with your basic financial status.  You would inform them about your debt, your income, and your assets.  It allows the lender to review your situation, and give you a general…

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You have finally decided to move ahead and buy your new home.  You know the type of home that you want, the neighborhood that you would like, and the price that you are willing to pay. To assure yourself that you have the your best chance to achieve these goals, you should plan follow these three steps: 

1. Find An Experienced Real Estate Agent Who Knows The Marketplace:   Buying a home has become more complicated every year.  Whether you need information about loan qualifications, property disclosures, home inspections, offers and counteroffers, the experience of your chosen agent can make a dramatic difference in your end result.  My multi-year winning sales record in the Bay area will assure you that you are in good hands with me as your…

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Currently, competition for well priced homes in Piedmont and Oakland is very high.  Often multiple bids come in from motivated buyers.  This illustrates the need to price your home correctly and competitively the minute it hits the market.  One of my jobs as your agent it to assist you to arrive at this important figure, so your home will get immediate interest and attention.  

 Many sellers,  unfamiliar with the marketplace will have a tendency to want to overprice their homes and hope someone will buy it at the inflated price.  This is just not a realistic, and there are many reasons for this.  These are some of the top ones:

1. The Home Will Not Be Shown--Buyers and brokers are very sophisticated as to proper pricing on a home.…

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You have just bought your new home.  You are preparing to move in.  There is so much to do and know about this home.  You, as the new owner, should make sure that you have some vital information and details turned over to you for your first day.  While I will assist you with much of this activity, here is an excellent summary checklist for the departing owner provided by REALTOR Magazine, which you should go over together before moving in. You may need some or all of the following:

1. Owner's manuals and warranties for any appliances left in the house.

2. Garage door opener(s)

3. Extra set of house keys.

4. Other keys--Think beyond the front doors.  Do you have any cabinets or lockers built into           the house that require keys?

…

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Lake Merritt shoreline with the downtown Oakland skyline in the distance

Oakland is not one uniform housing market. It is a collection of distinct neighborhoods offering different combinations of architecture, terrain, walkability, transit access, shopping, parks, views, lot sizes, condominiums, townhomes, and detached houses.

A buyer who enjoys the restaurants and BART access of Lower Rockridge may have very different priorities from someone searching for wooded privacy in Montclair, a period home in Crocker Highlands, a condominium near Lake Merritt, or a bungalow in Maxwell Park.

This guide provides a starting point for comparing several established Oakland neighborhoods. Follow any neighborhood link to read its local real estate guide and browse current homes for sale. You can also begin with the broader Oakland…

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The last half decade has been an amazing time for growth and development of condominiums and lofts in Oakland.  Here is a current sampling: Oakland Lofts and Condos.

As your agent, I will assist you in every way to help you find the perfect choice, but here are some things that you will need to consider when making your decision as to which is best for you.  

1. Is The Location Well Suited For Your Needs?  Many condos in Oakland are downtown, in and around the Jack London waterfront area.  While this is perfect for those who enjoy walking to shops, restaurants, along scenic trails, or to handy bus, ferry or train transportation, it may be a bit too busy for others.

2. What Amenities Are Important To You?  Some condos offer gyms, pools,…

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As you begin your search for your future Oakland or Piedmont home, there is a tendency to look at the asking price as the cost of your new home.  While there is no doubt that is a good starting point, common sense tells you that home prices are often negotiable, and that competition is particularly stiff right now in many neighborhoods.  In addition to the purchase price, you need to put additional items into your budget to see if you can truly afford the home that you are looking at.  

While some of these fees below are negotiable between seller and buyer, it is best to include them in your financial plans:

1. A Home Appraisal Fee:  Your lender needs to know the value of the home, so you should plan on paying this fee.  Costs vary, but are…

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In a very recent blog, I talked about having a clean, clutter free and odor free home when putting it on the market.  While all of that is true, there are four things that can often get overlooked, and are, if left in place, unappealing to future buyers.  The good news is that they can be corrected in a short period of time. 

1. Old Flooring--From the entryway forward, your floors should reflect care and cleanliness.  If your home is older, and you are still clinging to outdated, stained rugs or stair treads, consider having them replaced or removed. Handsome wooden floors that show the grain and patina of the home are appealing to many buyers.  

2. Outdated Kitchens--Most buyers are looking for refreshed kitchens today.  Busy families spend…

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