So When WAS the Real Estate Market Peak in Berkeley?

April 15, 2010

Usually when I analyze sold data for the Berkeley, CA real estate market, it reinforces what I’ve experienced as a REALTOR® representing both buyers and sellers in this East Bay area. Not so with the first quarter results for 2010!
As our spring market evolved in 2009 we all were painfully aware of extremely low inventory. [...]

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There’s gold indeed for California Real Estate: new tax credits for buyers signed into law

March 27, 2010

A piece of legislation was just signed that should be a tremendous incentive for home buyers in California to take action, and soon! AB132 provides $200 million for home buyer tax credits, dividing the money equally between purchasers of new (previously unoccupied) homes, and first-time buyers of existing construction. Beginning with purchases closing escrow on [...]

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If only I’d had the entrepreneurial spirit: I would have developed my Latté Factor!

March 26, 2010

In my post from a couple days ago I  discussed the frustration of buyers who want a spacious North Berkeley home, ideally with a high Walkscore. I regret that I didn’t patent what I use to call the “Latté Factor.” It was my way of telling clients unfamiliar with our area where they would find [...]

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As Spring begins, so does the North Berkeley Real Estate Market

March 23, 2010

For the past week in Berkeley, CA we’ve had gorgeous spring weather. Starting with the narcissus, we’ve had a progression of beautiful things in bloom: camellias, magnolias, daffodils, freesias and now tulips, cyclamen and a deep blue California native ceanothus. It’s thrilling to hear the buzz of bees gorging themselves on pollen as they move [...]

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Reducing Your Shopping Footprint, one Tote Bag at a Time!

March 9, 2010

It used to be that whenever you went to a conference you’d get a T-shirt. Now everyone gives out tote bags, the best ones of which are made out of recycled materials. Friends and I recently commented at dinner that we’ve managed to change our behavior enough to remember to bring the bags into the [...]

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RESPA: Making sense of the new GFE & HUD-1 Forms

February 19, 2010

In this video, Robert Freedman of REALTOR® Magazine talks with Scott Rinn, Senior Policy Analyst for the National Association of REALTORS®, about the new GFE & HUD-1 forms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In Lettuce and Loans, Buy Local!

February 15, 2010

As buyers hear of the likelihood of loan rates increasing, even slightly, some will be tempted to explore any and all options, including on-line advertisers. When a good friend and client asked me whether she should pursue a quote she got from an on-line source, in addition to a well-known, well-trusted member of our local [...]

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Tips for a GREENER Holiday Season

December 15, 2009

How to avoid the humbug, and maintain a thoughtful, joyous and sustainable holiday season.

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Where has all this CASH come from?

December 2, 2009

This has been an unusual year for our local East Bay real estate market for a number of reasons. The most-talked about, of course, are reductions in prices from the peak a couple years ago, the reduced inventory from what we consider the norm, and the existence of distressed properties in our Berkeley-area market, even [...]

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As the weather turns colder, make sure your house doesn’t as well!

November 20, 2009

As the colder weather approaches, I’ve had occasion to talk with clients about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). So much of the comfort of our homes in the winter depends on the proper installation of an HVAC system, with appropriately sized and located vents, and ducts that don’t leak. On average, 30% of ducts leak in [...]

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