Thoughts and listings about Oakland Homes and Oakland Condos

We in the Bay area are very lucky to have so many homes on, or near, the water.  Whether it be a quiet lagoon on Alameda Bay Farm Island, alongside a stream in the Oakland hills, or next to San Francisco Bay in Alameda, the choices are numerous and varied.  Because of their appeal, they can often be a bit more expensive than a similar home elsewhere, so it is important to consider the issues concerning their purchase so you can be assured that you have the best value for your money.

The Pluses of Purchasing A Home On The Water:

1. The presence of water often creates a soothing, gentle atmosphere within and around the home.  Often, one can observe the plants, wildlife, and small animals that are usually adjacent to these streams and bays. 

2.…

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When it comes time to sell your Oakland or Alameda home, you want the very best first impression possible.  We have talked in the past about creating a clean, clutter free appearance for potential buyers, but often there are three things that are not attended to, often due to finances, that can make a huge difference in the appeal of your home.  The question becomes-is it worth it to spend the money making these changes before putting the house on the market?  It may be. Here are some problems that make your home look older, and might be worth addressing:

1. Having Outdated Kitchen Appliances, Ranges and Dishwashers and Countertops-Most sellers by now should realize that having an updated kitchen in a home is one of the strongest appeals to buyers…

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When it comes time to purchase your Piedmont or Oakland home, you need to be aware of some of the considerations that lenders will be making when they set your mortgage rate.  Obviously, interest rates are still quite low compared to years ago when they were 10% and more, but even with today's lower rates, the elements involved in rate setting are still important to your home's purchase.

Here are some considerations that come into play:

1. Your Credit Score--While this may seem obvious, this score is their key indicator as to how responsible you are about acquiring debt, and paying it back in a responsible and efficient manner.  A good credit score will go a long way to attracting an appealing mortgage rate.

2. How Much You Plan to Borrow--If…

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Montclair Community Park and the walkways along Moraga Avenue are going to be well attended to this Sunday, January 19th, when Montclair residents and their friends will be joining together to make the park as attractive as possible in a special one day event.  The plan will be to clean and clear overgrowth of plants and trees, remove debris and trash from the area, and generally promote the pleasant parklike atmosphere of the area. 

Beginning at 9:00 a.m at 6300 Moraga Avenue, this is promoted as a community wide event, and refreshments will be provided by local merchants like Crogan's Montclair, Crown Wines and Spirits, Starbucks, Colonial Donuts, and many more.

Participants are asked to bring gloves and pruning tools or shears, and an…

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Piedmont Residents--Have you wondered where you go to get a garage sale permit in your city?  How about obtaining a dog license?  Do you know whom to contact when you have street maintenance issues?  Even though Piedmont is a small town, there are specific places to go, and people to call to get answers to all of these questions.  The good news is that this information is all neatly summarized for you on the following website:     http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/whodoicall.shtml     This page is full of contact numbers for city services.  Other valauble numbers include fire inspection, renting community facilities like the community hall, the hours of operation for City Hall, and so much more.  It is well worth printing and posting…

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In my previous blog, I itemized the variety of services that I am prepared to offer to assist potential home sellers.  As I also indicated, I have many years of experience in real estate on both sides of home sales and purchases.  In this blog, I would like to make you aware of the many services that I can offer you when purchasing a home.  Buying a home is a truly a significant step for everyone, and whether you are looking in Oakland,   Alameda or Piedmont, I can offer you the following services to make your search more comfortable and well directed:

* Meet with you to identify your ideal home

* Provide you with a list of reputable lenders

* Educate you about current market conditions

* Furnish a buyer's information handbook

* Provide…

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If you are interested in selling your home, this could very well be the best time to move ahead.  As I indicated in my December 12th blog, there is a particularly high demand for homes in Piedmont, and as such, many available homes have been selling above asking price recently.  While there is no guarantee that will happen with all homes placed on the market, it give you a sense of the need, by buyers, for a desirable home. 

Because of my many years of real estate experience, particularly in the Oakland and Piedmont market, I am prepared to place your home on the market in an efficient and effective manner.  Here is what I will do for you, as the seller:

* Educate you about the current market conditions

* Prepare a professional Comparable…

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Once you have bought your new Oakland home, it is important to make plans for moving, so that your children can make the transition as easily as possible.  Moving can be stressful for parents, and often more so for children.  This is particularly true if you are changing schools, or moving quite a distance from your old neighborhood. Here are some ways to ease the transition--especially for toddlers and preschoolers:

1. Make all explanations about moving clear, simple, and easy to understand.  If the children are very young, maybe put the event in a story form, using toy trucks and furniture that the child can manipulate.  It will encourage questions that you can answer on their terms.

2. When the time comes to pack the childrens' toys, explain…

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During the past few years, after the severe economic downturn, many Oakland and Piedmont homeowners saw their home equities take a serious downturn, as the value of their homes in the open market dropped--some below what they originally paid for the house.  The good news is that in many Bay area neighborhoods, that fact is undergoing a dramatic change, and things are heading back up!

We indicated, as an example, in our November 8th blog, that Piedmont is undergoing a radical change in the area of home sales.  According to Forbes magazine, Piedmont, was rated #165 in the nation's most expensive homes in the nation (Sausalito is #160, and San Francisco is #161). However, because of very limited housing stock and dramactic competition among…

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There comes a time, when you, as the seller, must seriously evaluate the impression that your home will make on potential buyers.  Once you put it on the market, people will want to consider your home as a potential future home for their family, so it is important that you make the best possible impression on them. 

Remember, before we put your Montclair or Piedmont home on the market, we will spend some serious time discussing the ways to put your home's best foot forward, but keep in mind that there are some very simple and inexpensive things to consider:

1. Maintain your landscaping, plants, and shrubs.  Keep them trimmed and free of debris around their base. …

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