As retirement approaches, many people are concerned about ensuring their financial stability. One way to achieve this goal is by investing in real estate. Purchasing a rental home can provide a stable source of income during retirement, but there are several things to consider before making such a significant investment.
According to Investopedia, investing in income-generating property can be a smart financial move. A rental property can provide a steady stream of passive income that can supplement other retirement savings. In addition, owning a property provides a tangible asset that can appreciate over time, increasing its overall value. However, this is not for the faint of heart, investing in rental properties requires careful consideration, education, research and planning. more...
Buying a house can be a difficult task for anyone to do. So of course with student loans, an entry-level job, and the desire to travel and explore the world, it’s understandable why as a young person there’s the decision to rent over buying. However, homeownership presents many benefits that cause a significant impact to your financial future when choosing to purchase a home earlier rather than later. There’s a reason that Urban Institute finds $72,000 difference between those who purchase a home between 25 and 34, and those who waited to buy until 35 to 44.
1)Building Equity: Why is it Important to have Equity? What is Equity?
One of the most important and crucial parts of owning a home is generating and building equity. Equity is the amount of wealth you have generated from owning your home. Equity can be generated by paying your monthly mortgage, or by appreciation in home value. This wealth can be used later to do things that would otherwise create a challenge for those without it. Equity can be used to pay for higher education, make home improvements, pay for higher education, gain an even better home, and so much more. more...
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California launched two programs last month to help those interested in becoming homeowners, and one allows first-time homebuyers to borrow a down payment at 0% interest. more...
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio.
Mortgage rates took another jump higher last week, taking their toll on current borrowers who might have wanted to refinance. Demand from homebuyers, however, appears to be hanging in for now. more...
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According to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the prices of goods used in residential construction ex-energy climbed 3.6% in January (not seasonally adjusted). The index was higher by a 25.4% jump in softwood lumber prices and 9.0% price increases for indoor and outdoor paint.
Building materials prices increased 20.3% year over year and have risen 28.7% since January 2020. Over the past four months, the index has climbed 8.4%. more...
On January 6th, 2022, ATTOM released its 2022 Rental Affordability Report, which proves that owning a median-priced home is more affordable than average rents on a three-bedroom property in 666, or 58%, of the 1,154 U.S. counties analyzed in this report. That means major homeownership expenses consume a smaller portion of average local wages than renting.
That can be pretty hard to believe, considering how much the median price of homes skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic, but the data does not lie. Home prices have increased more than average rents and more than average wages in 88% of the counties analyzed. more...
Following a few months of moderating prices last spring and summer, lumber prices are soaring once again; Disrupting the housing market and harming housing affordability.
Over the past four months, lumber prices have nearly tripled — causing the cost of an average new single-family home to increase by more than $18,600, according to NAHB standard estimates of lumber used to build the average home. This lumber price hike has also added nearly $7,300 to the market value of the average new multi-family home, which translates into households paying $67 a month more to rent a new apartment. more...
'The state legislature adjourned this month without extending its eviction moratorium and the terms of AB 832. So, barring any extraordinary effort on either the governor or lawmakers, the state moratorium should, therefore, finally lapse on September 30, 2021.
Beginning October 1, 2021, and continuing through March 2022, California will enter into the "COVID-19 Rental Housing Recovery Act."
What this means in Alameda County
Nothing at all! For some of you, September 30, 2021, will be the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel." But for those with rentals in Alameda County, the end of California's moratorium will have absolutely no effect, and properties will remain mired in local "emergency" ordinances, which still effectively prohibit ALL evictions indefinitely. Laws in both Oakland and Alameda County will only expire 60 days after the local emergency ends. Our honest assessment is that regular evictions will not be allowed in Alameda County until 2022 at the earliest. Only cases involving an "imminent threat to health and safety," post-foreclosure, forcible detainer, and at-will tenancies may move forward for the time being. Please reach out to us if these issues relate to your tenancy.
What this Means Everywhere Else more...
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Would-be homebuyers with thin credit files will have a better chance of getting approved for a mortgage if they’ve been paying their rent consistently, thanks to changes to Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system taking effect next month. more...
Nationwide, the challenges contractors are experiencing with fast-rising materials costs, uncertain delivery times, and rationing of vital inputs are due to the ongoing global construction struggles with materials shortages and prices.
The steep material cost increases tell only part of the story — One example is a potential shortage of steel form ties used in concrete formwork. The US-based Concrete Foundations Association (CFA), representing cast-in-place contractors, has announced an industry-wide effort to mitigate the shortage. more...
It’s not uncommon to wish to sell a home to a family member, but it can become a tricky situation. You have to be mindful of not only the personal elements that can come with doing this type of transaction with a relative, but the IRS may also scrutinize the transaction if you don’t avoid certain red flags.
It’s perfectly legal to sell a home to a family member as long as you’re not just doing it to avoid taxes. If you’re selling the property at a steeply discounted rate, you might have to pay an estate and gift tax, but beyond that, it’s just like any other real estate transaction.
Owner-Financed:
One option if you’re selling your home to your child, for example, is to select an owner-financed sale. Then, your family member would make payments to you instead of a bank. However, you’ll need to legally arrange it so that if your relative defaults, the home goes back to you automatically, enabling you to sell it. more...
Lower mortgage rates are not prompting homeowners or potential homebuyers to contact their lenders, as other obstacles stand in their way. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index, the total mortgage application volume fell 2.5% last week from the previous week.
The decline came even though the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($548,250 or less) decreased to 3.17% from 3.20%, with points decreasing to 0.30 from 0.36 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. That is the lowest rate since the end of February. more...
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Over the last several years, millennials have rented to stay nimble and keep work opportunities open. Now, they're ready to buy. more...
The hot housing market is not even — and some cities and types of properties are noticing higher price gains than others. Condominium prices, in particular, are rising less than those for single-family homes across the board, according to recent insights from Black Knight.
The data firm reports that single-family home prices grew by 12.3% on average in 2020 — the highest appreciation rate since 1992 — but condos aren’t gaining as quickly. That could be an opportunity, especially for first-time homebuyers, in a market starved for inventory and where bidding wars occur in many markets. more...
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The number of mortgage refinancing applications is dropping as mortgage rates have been rising in recent weeks. That may scare off some homeowners who could still greatly benefit from refinancing to lock in lower interest rates. more...
The recently enacted COVID-19 relief legislation, the American Rescue Plan Act, included $9.9 billion in relief for homeowners to be administered through a new Homeowner Assistance Fund. These funds, which will soon be made available to eligible homeowners through their states, may be used for assistance with mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, utility payments, and other specified purposes.
The creation of the Homeowner Assistance Fund was to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020. The law prioritizes funds for homeowners who have experienced challenging difficulties, limits eligibility based on need, and only used for certain qualified expenses, outlined in more detail below. more...
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With mortgage rates trending upwards and a lack of housing inventory in California, prospective home buyers are beginning to consider an alternative solution to their housing needs. more...
Property taxes provide funds for schools, roads, and many other vital aspects of our community. However, that doesn't mean you should be paying more than you have to. If you're a veteran, disabled, over 65, or under certain income thresholds, you may qualify for a property tax exemption. Here are some other ways to lower your taxes:
Homestead Exemption
Your primary residence may qualify for a homestead exemption, which will lower your home's assessed value for tax purposes. Which will reduce how much you owe in property taxes. more...
Staging your home in the best way possible is proven to increase the value of your home. Walking into a house with basic furniture and decorations gives potential buyers an idea of what life will be like there. And removing personal items helps you disconnect from the home.
In a recent report by the National Association of Realtors, 83% of buyer's agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. The most commonly-staged rooms include the living room (93%), kitchen (84%), master bedroom (78%), and dining room (72%). more...
Nationally respected business recommendation website, Expertise.com, scored 178 Property Management companies in San Francisco and 31 Property Management companies in Concord — so far, we technically rank #1 on both lists in 2021! We also received this award last year in San Francisco, and both lists were recently updated on March 12th and 17th, 2021 — giving us a great sign that our hard work is not going unnoticed!
Expertise makes it easy to find the best local experts in your area. Their proprietary research and selection process identifies the top service professionals in over 200 different industries in major cities across the United States. Expertise features are only objectively quantified, and qualified professionals hand-picked by their selection process and research to understand what’s important when searching for experienced and professional companies. more...
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Prop 19 frees up inventory while providing tax savings for seniors, homeowners with disabilities, and wildfire victims — here are the ways it helps:
Tax Savings For Senior Homeowners:
Thanks to Prop 19, seniors, retirees, and all homeowners aged 55+ can move closer to family, medical care, or to a home that better meets their needs anywhere in California without a tax penalty. Prop 19 removed unfair location and price restrictions. That allows senior homeowners to transfer the tax base of their home to a new property. more...
If you’re planning to buy a new house, a big part of that is saving for a down payment. Your down payment is the money you put down when you close on a mortgage. Lenders will often describe down-payment in terms of percentages. A down payment represents what you initially own when you buy a home. Then, the remainder comes from your lender.
The standard is often referred to as 20%, but is that the reality? Paying a 20% down payment may make you feel like ownership isn’t attainable for you, but is that truly how much you have to or should pay? more...
The rental market is very competitive, but fortunately, there are a few things you should do to give your property the edge! Aside from the glaring essentials such as gas, electricity, and hot water, as a property owner, it is prudent to make sure that the property has proper flooring, solid quality blinds, and reliable appliances.
Not only will this help you to draw in more potential tenants, but it will also allow you to increase the monthly yield. The initial investment will be worth it. more...
Presidents Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the spring housing market, but if you’re looking to get in this year, hold onto your wallet. Bidding wars are off the charts, even as home prices are rising rapidly.
The primary reason longtime home searchers haven’t bought a house yet is that they keep getting outbid. About 40% of potential buyers cited that in a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders. The reasons are flipped from a year earlier when 44% said unaffordable prices were the primary reason they hadn’t bought yet, and 19% cited getting outbid. more...
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Forbes Advisor Staff Natalie Campisi reported that first-time homebuyers often face many challenges when buying a home. Simply because they don’t have the advantage of equity from a former home sale, the first-time homebuyer down payments are often smaller than people who have already bought and sold homes. more...
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Throughout the year, rent declines have been so substantial that the median two-bedroom apartment in the city is now renting for the median price of a one-bedroom a year ago. more...
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The homebuyer demand was off the charts in 2020, but which markets saw the favor of the biggest group of homebuyers? Millennials! According to a new report from mortgage site LendingTree, millennial buyers became the majority of potential homebuyers in most of the country’s largest metro areas. more...
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California plans to extend eviction protections through the end of June while using federal money to pay off up to 80% of unpaid rent owed by tenants. Gov. Gavin Newsom and the top two legislative leaders of California state announced Monday night.
The proposal, which must be approved by the state Legislature, would extend a state law scheduled to expire next Monday that prevents landlords from evicting tenants who could not pay their rent between March and August because of the coronavirus pandemic. more...
Owning a home is a huge undertaking but a potentially rewarding one. When you buy a place of your own, you get to build equity in an asset that can increase in value over time. You also gain the stability of not having a landlord who can decide to renew your lease or not. But if you think that 2021 is the year for you to buy a home, you should know what the housing and mortgage market could have in store. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
You might pay more than you think:
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the average buyer took out a $375,000 mortgage to purchase a home as of late November. Home values across the country have skyrocketed in 2020, and once 2021 kicks off, they're apt to stay that way. If you're hoping to buy in 2021, prepare to pay a premium, especially early on in the year, when prices and inventory will likely be comparable to what they are now. We recommend you take some time this year to review your budget and then establish an outer limit for what you can pay. more...
This blog post will update with the most recent changes around this listing.
We are glad to announce that this attractive income property/fixer-upper in the Temescal neighborhood is now pending sale! 5425 Shattuck Avenue comes with tenants paying rent, period details throughout the home, and an incredibly spacious backyard with small cabin. This 4-bedrooms, 2-bathroom home could be a great handyman's fixer-upper or a flippers dream — Take a look at these images below:
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This blog post will update with the most recent changes around this listing.
We are glad to announce that this newly-renovated home in Melrose at 5329 Wentworth Avenue has now sold! This fully remodeled and upgraded home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious backyard with mature fruit trees. This light-filled craftsman's style home also features an expansive private backyard, perfect for hosting those family gatherings or socially distanced BBQs. more...
Seasoned home buyers know that winter is usually the right time to begin househunting since many of their competitors wait until spring. But this winter, buyers may notice that despite the cooler temps and the holidays, they’ve got company — in fact, lots of it. COVID-19 kept buyers on lockdown for most of the spring season, so many are making up for the lost time by home shopping aggressively now.
Because of that, this winter is shaping up to be a seller’s market, with low real estate inventory, high prices, and bidding wars that could give new buyers seasoned competition. But buyers should not give up on purchasing this season. They’ll have to house hunt in new ways to win their homes. Here are a few strategies that will keep you ahead of the competition to get you in a new home by the new year. more...
We are excited to announce that this beautiful home at 4760 Davenport Avenue has now SOLD! This Redwood Heights ranch style home offers a spacious and sophisticated dual-level design, two-car garage, off-street parking, and multi-tiered level landscaped water-efficient grounds. The fireplace complements a host of amenities which including energy-efficient double pane windows, spacious galley-style kitchen, gleaming hardwood engineered floors, spacious countertops, freshly painted interior, and an abundance of garden space to enjoy and create long-lasting memories!
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Walking down the leafy streets near Berkeley’s Oakville Avenue, and you’ll come across a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home whose value Zillow puts at $2.3 million. Its owners are paying $14,742 a year in property taxes. Go around the corner on the same block to The Plaza Drive, and you’ll see another two-bathroom, three-bedroom home with a similar Zillow value of $2.5 million. Its owners are paying about $5,464 in property taxes!
Welcome to the sometimes strange world of California homeownership, where the time when you purchased your home influences how much property tax you pay (2014 in the first case, 1995 in the latter). Now, thanks to a data visualizer Ian Webster, you can explore the vast tax gulfs among homes in Berkeley and beyond — and if you’re a relatively new buyer, you may get frustrated at how little many of your neighbors are paying. more...
This blog post will update with the most recent changes around this listing.
We are proud to announce that this elegant home in Cleveland Heights is officially pending sale after three days! This elegant home sits on a hill with a multi-level staircase leading from the street, overlooking the surrounding neighborhood! 882 Prospect Avenue and all of its outstanding curb appeal was listed once before with a few tenants. After finalizing a deal to relocate the tenant(s) safely, Darryl re-listed this home with beautiful decor by dressed to sell and received an excellent offer for his clients — take a look at these images below:
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Smoking in multi-unit housing and apartments may become prohibited in San Francisco soon. The City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors are considering an ordinance that would change the health code to “prohibit smoking inside all private dwelling units in multi-unit housing complexes containing three or more units.”
Introduced on November 3rd, this ordinance will face a vote before the full Board of Supervisors on December 1st. If the board votes for the change, San Francisco would be among 63 cities and counties in California to have smoke-free multi-unit housing. Crowning San Francisco as the largest city in the country to adopt a smoke-free policy. This new ordinance will also extend those rules to smoking or vaping in rented units. Almost half of San Francisco residents live in multi-unit housing and would be affected by this change. more...
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Proposition 19 has officially passed! California voters have approved a makeover to the state’s landmark 1978 law to limit property taxes with 51% support. The measure allows homeowners 55 and older, the disabled, and wildfire victims to carry low property tax rates with them when they move. Though, it strips property tax breaks from people who inherit property.
This new proposition is a substantial victory for the California Association of Realtors, who made changes to a similar initiative in 2018 that voters rejected by 20% points. The revamped proposal generated broad bipartisan support and only token organized opposition. more...
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Key Takeaways
The predictions today say that 2021 mortgage rates will be around 3%.
Comparing mortgage rates to presidential election outcomes is hardly a direct proposition.
If Biden issues a shutdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, rates could fall on fears of economic fallout.
When you’re close to closing, keep your eyes on daily rates — and be ready to lock when they’re in your favor.
What will happen to mortgage rates after the election?
If you want to buy a house or refinance within the next few months, you should already be strategizing about how to lock the lowest interest rate. However, you may be wondering, how will the presidential election impact mortgage rates? Rates declined to a record low in 2020, but could a change in presidency cause mortgage rates to rapidly increase like it did in 2016? If you’re planning to buy or refinance soon, here’s what you should know: more...
The Hayward City Council demonstrated wisdom and long-term thinking last night in voting not to accept the Staff recommendation to limit future rent increases in Hayward to the Consumer Price Index - capped at 5%, with a floor of 2%.
The Hayward City Council held a meeting last night to vote on whether or not to accept a recommendation that limits rent increases to the Consumer Price Index (inflation) with a ceiling of 5% and a floor of 2%. Had the measure passed, rent increases in 2021 would have capped at 2%. more...
We are proud to announce that after ONE DAY on the market, this well-loved and cared for craftsman home is now SOLD! This home has been in the Tellez family since the mid-1960s in the Valley-View Reed neighborhood. The family sought after Darryl after his work with 1547 Hallbrook Drive, as he successfully found a million-dollar offer and went into contract within three days!
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Now's your chance to own this charming updated three bed and two bath home. This home is a dream location for Commuters! Minutes away from freeways, both BART stations, and a short commute downtown to Todos Santos Plaza.
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Key Takeaways:
The largest decrease in profit margins in the Bay Area was in San Francisco, C.A. is down from 71.3% to 64.5%.
The most profit margins in the country with 14 of the top 15 typical home-sale returns on investment in the third quarter led by San Jose, C.A. at an 89% return.
The top metro areas with a population of at least 1 million, where distressed sales made up the smallest portion of all sales in the third quarter were San Jose at 2.6%, and San Francisco, CA at 3%.
A staggering 67.4% of listings in the combined statistical area of San Francisco-San Jose faced bidding wars.
Overview:
ATTOM Data Solutions, the curator of the nation’s premier property database, and the first property data provider of Data-as-a-Service (DaaS). Released a report that reveals that the typical third-quarter 2020 home sale in the United States generated a gain of $85,000, up from $75,000 in the second quarter of 2020, and $66,000 in the third quarter of last year. The typical $85,000 home-sale profit represented a 38.6% return on investment compared to the original purchase price, up from 37.5% in the second quarter of 2020 and up from 33.7% a year ago. more...
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Congrats on investing in a new home! Now you may be wondering how do you increase its worth? One way to increase the value is by building equity. Equity is the market value of your home or property, minus your outstanding mortgage debt. Building equity is one of the most important financial benefits of ownership.
If you live in a market where home values are rising, your home may increase with the rising demand, and your equity will increase without doing anything. On the other hand, you can work on growing your home’s value by decreasing the amount you owe and increasing the value of your property. more...
We are proud to announce this well-loved and cared for craftsman home in San Jose is now SOLD! 1547 Hallbrook Drive was on the market for the first time in almost 50 years, with only two previous owners!
Within a week, 1547 Hallbrook Drive received an all-cash offer and moved into Escrow. Just like the owners of this home, we are confident that Darryl can make your home buying or selling experience swift and seamless.
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After diving to nearly the lowest level in its history in April, an index measuring consumer viewpoint in the housing market bounced back significantly in June. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 5% for the week and were a remarkable 33% higher than a year ago.
Renters were particularly optimistic about home buying, and it shows.
Home price gains continue to accelerate, so low mortgage rates are giving buyers much-needed help. The share of consumers who think it’s a great time to buy a home increased from 52% to 61% month to month, according to the Fannie Mae survey, while fewer Americans believe it was the wrong time to buy. Renters drove much of that improvement. more...
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Spring and summer cleaning do not need to be an unwanted series of tasks. If you’ve added decluttering to your list of spring cleaning tasks, this seven-day challenge will get your home tidy and organized in no time—and with little to no added stress. These manageable steps should not take up too much of your day and will assist you with bringing a feeling of tranquillity and harmony into your home.
Monday: Living and Dining Rooms
Start by cleaning drawers and cabinets.
Remove any trash or unused items.
Repurpose or donate any items that are not being used.
Tuesday: Kitchen
Donate or sell any appliances you barely use.
Trash expired items from the refrigerator, pantry, and cabinets.
Donate unopened food.
Wednesday: Bedrooms and Closets
Donate any items that no longer fit.
Donate items you haven’t worn in the past year.
Organize toys and books, and then donate any that are rarely used.
Thursday: Bathrooms
Dispose of any expired makeup or toiletries.
Reduce any beauty items to only those used regularly.
Friday: Office/desk space
Organize and sort any papers you need to keep.
Shred and recycle any papers you do not need.
Donate old books you have already read to the local library or school.
Saturday: Storage Areas
Donate or sell any furniture or household items you are not using.
Store all seasonal items and holiday decorations in clearly labeled bins out of the way.
Sunday: Garage and Car
Dispose of broken items or items that no longer work.
Donate any items you don’t use.
Clean out the car, removing any items that do not belong there.
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We are glad to announce this beautiful single-family home in Oakland has officially been SOLD!
Darryl worked hard to finalize this sale after safely working with the owners throughout Oakland's shelter-in-place. A direct result of this is finalizing a sale of 13% above asking price! more...
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The Spring and Summer seasons are usually the best time to sell a home for those seeking to earn the most profits. Due to COVID-19, it remains uncertain if conventional wisdom may apply since buyers and sellers alike have slowly returned to the market.
The number of newly listed homes for sale on Zillow was down 39% on May 3rd, 2020, compared to the same day last year, further signaling a delay in the usual surge of spring listings this year. more...
Rents for one-bedroom apartments in San Francisco have dropped by 9.2% since June 2019, according to Zumper. That is the highest drop since the rental site started recording such data in 2015, and brings median one-bedroom prices down to levels not seen since March 2017.
With the economy wavering and unemployment numbers skyrocketing, witnessing such a steep dip should not come as a surprise. But many long-time San Francisco residents find the nearly double-digit year-over-year decline "shocking." Prices are unlikely to plateau anytime soon, with median one-bedroom prices in San Francisco dropping about 3% just in May alone. more...
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Like clockwork each spring, pests will find a way to sneak in through the tiniest of cracks and crevices in your home, and you'll try your best to fight them off. Fortunately, taking just a few proactive steps before summer arrives can limit the number of bugs and rodents that come inside. Here are four tips to make your home a bug-free zone this spring and summer:
1. Fix Leaks and remove any standing water:
Residents should notify property management of any roof leaks or other exterior leakage as soon as possible. Bugs enjoy the water, and any water sources close to your home will attract pests. Standing water in lawn furniture, plant containers, and toys can become a breeding source for mosquitoes and harmful micro-organisms. While carpenter ants and termites can tunnel through moist wood much like rodents and other animals. more...
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make in your life. Although, on occasion, it can be one of the largest sources of stress for many first-time buyers is the financing process. Unless you’ve planned thoroughly and dedicated time for research, receiving a mortgage can feel complicated and overwhelming. Luckily, you could learn from these common mistakes first-time homebuyers make to have a less stressful experience:
1. Not realizing the full cost of homeownership:
Being a first-time homebuyer involves much more than the monthly cost of renting, which usually includes your rent payment, some of the utilities, your internet, and cable bills. As a homeowner, you’ll be responsible for the additional monthly costs that may have been covered by your landlord. That includes the following expenses: Water, sewer and garbage, monthly HOA fees, landscaping, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. All of that is in addition to maintenance costs, which you should set aside 1-3 percent of the purchase price of the home annually to cover repairs and maintenance. more...
While the spring market would usually be running at full power now, COVID-19 has put an impermanent stop to most real estate transactions. However, that does not imply that you cannot set aside the effort to prepare your home to be listed and available to be purchased once we flatten the curve. In light of that, here are four recommendations on things you can do to prepare your home to hit the market after stay-at-home orders have been relieved:
1. Address any minor repairs:
Even the most meticulous homeowners typically have a list of home repairs that they mean to fix when they have time. Whatever fixes may be on your to-do list, it's imperative to deal with them before you list your home available for sale. While these fixes usually won't require a ton of effort on your part, they will go a long way towards improving the opinions of the overall condition of the home, which can lead to higher-priced offers. more...
Almost 75% of Realtors report that their sellers have not reduced their listing prices down to draw new buyers amid this pandemic, announced by the National Association of REALTORS. That indicates the amount of precaution home sellers consider to avoid feeling pressured to sell quickly during COVID-19.
"The housing market faced an inventory shortage before the pandemic. Given that there are even fewer new listings during the pandemic, the home sellers are taking a calm approach and appear unwilling to lower prices to attract buyers during the temporary disruptions to the economy" says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun more...
Richmond City Council on Tuesday dismissed an emergency request that would suspend all rent and mortgage payments in Richmond for the span of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place precautions. Alternatively, the city councilmembers cast a vote for protections like the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors announced before Tuesday. The Board of Supervisors passed an emergency law applying to every one of the 19 cities and unincorporated regions, Supervisor John Gioia said in an update.
The law, as indicated by the Supervisor, restricts evictions for default for private and business occupants affected physically or economically by the COVID-19 pandemic; bans "no-fault" evictions "except to protect the health and safety of the owner or another tenant, or to allow the owner or their immediate family to move into the residential unit"; temporarily freezes rent increases, despite the fact that state law keeps the freeze from applying to single-family homes or living arrangements worked inside the most recent 15 years; gives residents affected by the pandemic a 120-day grace period to take care of rent, and cancels late charges for unpaid rent for affected occupants. These principles apply through May 31, except if reached out by the Board of Supervisors. Despite the County ordinance, which can be read in full here, a city can revise and include restrictions protecting renters if it chooses. more...
While risk is an individual choice, the real estate industry is adjusting to give access to home buying securely during the coronavirus pandemic. You would now be able to do numerous things at a safe social distance, or even remotely with regards to purchasing a home that you might not have considered doing previously.
Here are on the whole the courses face to face checkpoints to purchasing a home have changed to guard you during the coronavirus pandemic: more...
Cash vs. Mortgage Overview:
There's a lot to consider when contemplating purchasing a home outright versus financing it. Here are some of the major differences between using cash or a mortgage to buy a home:
KEY TAKEAWAYS more...
With millions of Americans facing financial burdens like student loans and high rents, saving up to make the traditional 20% down payment on a first home can be daunting. There’s good news for prospective homeowners: You don’t need to do it!
You can blame the difficult financial circumstances many young people find themselves in today. But misconceptions may be part of the problem too. Nearly half of renters said they believe they need at least a 20% down payment to buy a house, according to Bank of America’s 2018 Homebuyer Insights Report, although the government and most housing experts disagree. more...
This week, several cities, the County of Alameda, and the State of California enacted moratoria on evictions for nonpayment of rent. Below you will find summaries of each ordinance relevant to your location:
State of California:
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order banning the enforcement of eviction orders for renters affected by COVID-19 through May 31, 2020. The order prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent and prohibits enforcement of evictions by law enforcement or courts. It also requires tenants to declare in writing, no more than seven days after the rent comes due, that the tenant cannot pay all or part of their rent due to COVID-19. more...
Bay Area home costs have begun growing, with careful consumers venturing once more into the market in the midst of low inventory and consistent demand. The middle deal cost in January for single-family homes rose, year-over-year, in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa areas, as indicated by another Zillow study. The greatest risers were in tech-strong San Mateo, where the average sale cost expanded 6.3% to $1.47 million, and Santa Clara, with the cost up 2.7% to $1.21 million.
With high demand and scarce homes available to be purchased has been a steady refrain as the region sinks further into a housing crisis. Median home estimations made record gains somewhere in the range of 2012 and 2017, prior to hitting a break in 2018 and 2019. Longterm homeowners have seen their property value take off, while many would-be homebuyers have remained leaseholders or left the region. For buyers ready to get into the market, low-interest costs — floating around 3.5% for a standard, 30-year mortgage — have expanded purchasing force and spending plans. The low stock of homes available to be purchased has added a desire to move quickly for buyers, squeezing costs and making for quicker sales. more...
Buying a new house while selling your old home is the best path to take for some home sellers turned home purchasers. Ideally, this change would happen in one day. However, in reality, it isn't so straightforward, and you'll have to expect some time between selling your home and purchasing your new one or the other way around. The procedure is a difficult dance full of complex steps and a rhythm that is hard to do flawlessly. All in all, you might be wondering, would I be able to purchase another house before I sell mine? The response to that is, yes, you can! Yet the bigger question is whether you will want to once you understand the entire process.
Pros and Cons of Selling Before Buying more...
Due to the evolving coronavirus pandemic Congress has officially rescheduled the final day to file your 2019 taxes to June 15th, 2020. With that in mind, you might be thinking about whether there are tax deductions when selling a home, and of course, there are! You may recall 2018's new tax code otherwise known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, that changed a few guidelines for homeowners. But have confidence that if you sold your home last year, or intend to sell this year, expect some tax deductions that can still amount to sizable savings when you file with the IRS. Need a full summary of the considerable number of deductions (as well as tax exemptions or other write-offs) at a home seller's disposal? Look at this rundown to ensure you miss none of them.
1. Selling costs more...
In spite of the fact that the home buying season has begun sooner than expected this year, Zillow says that homes recorded in May usually sell for more than other months in the year. Truth be told, the Mortgage Bankers Association said that January 2020 was the hottest January for purchasing mortgage applications in 11 years.
As the climate warms up, American homebuyers continue leaving to come out of their winter hibernation to search for new homes. While families with kids, which make up an enormous level of homebuyers, are bound to be excited to purchase, sell or move during the summer to avoid interrupting their child’s school experience. more...
Real Estate website Realty Hop has announced San Francisco is one of the coldest home markets in the country
throughout the previous four consecutive months. The listing website estimated the contrast between a home's list price and the closing price. “In theory, stronger markets should exhibit fewer price drops and smaller percentage discounts,” according to Realty Hop.
In February, the typical San Francisco home sale totaled 5.07% less than its list price, a discrepancy of about $61,000. That places the city of San Francisco in 6th place nationwide. For example, the most sought after housing market under this standard was Gilbert, AZ, where the average decline before the transaction came in at 1.69%, a median of roughly $8,500. In January, home sales were 5.75 % below the asking value, for December 5.63%, and a similar figure in November of a year ago. more...
Selling your home can be both invigorating and upsetting, particularly if it's your first time. Despite why you chose to sell your home, there are various complexities you can accidentally fall into, making your home selling experience far less than perfect. Fortunately, we've assembled a summary of the most widely recognized home selling mistakes to avoid when selling your home.
Underestimating the cost of selling your house
While the point of selling your home is to eventually benefit from the profits, many home sellers disregard the expenses related to selling their home. First of all, you can hope to utilize five to six percent of the entire cost of your home to cover the commissions of both the seller and buyer agents. For instance, in the event that you sell your home for $700,000 you could end up paying upwards of $30,000 in commission fees. Besides, this substantial cost does exclude potential concessions homebuyers may need you to make during the negotiation stage, for example, making fixes proposed by a home inspector.
Skipping a pre-listing home inspection before selling your house
Selling a house can be stressful, even when everything is going according to plan. However, if a homebuyer employs an inspector who notices an issue like pests, mold, or a split foundation, your feelings of anxiety will increase as you jeopardize losing the entire deal. Given that home inspections are relatively affordable, there's very little motive to stay away from them. Getting a pre-posting home review will comfort your psyche, as you'll either realize that your house is in sound condition or you'll have the option to handle the issues before homebuyers get the opportunity to bring them up during the negotiation stage. In the event that an issue arises, you can either fix it or you can tell purchasers and afterward and make a concession during the negotiation stage by properly depreciating the cost of your home.
Pricing your home incorrectly
On the off chance that you price your home excessively high, your home may remain available on the market for an unfathomable length of time. Then again, in the event that you price your home very low, you'll probably sell your home swiftly yet you chance passing up a lot of cash. The initial step to seeing how much your house is worth is using an online calculator or contact Advent for a free home valuation consultation. Schedule a meeting with your realtor afterward to consider an adequate pricing method for your home. They will take a gander at similar properties in your neighborhood that were recently sold, as well as bring perceptive insights into what the housing market is currently doing. Together, you'll select a satisfactory opening cost as well as a pricing strategy that will incentivize purchasers if your home starts to sit available for a long time.
Not budgeting for your move
At the point when you think about the moving procedure, you have two choices: paying a moving company or get your friend's truck and moving your items with buddies. By hiring a moving company instead of moving without anyone's help, you're getting somebody who will pack, move, and afterward unload your things. This implies a full-service mover can certainly be justified despite the tasks associated with selling your home. Also, when you contract movers your assets are safeguarded so you're secured in the event that anything breaks.
Not addressing the exterior of your house
Throughout the years, your home's outside has gotten damaged from the elements. With everything the unstoppable force of life tosses at it consistently, the paint on your home's outside and the stain on your deck has likely lost a touch of their radiance. So before posting, make certain to pressure wash your home first. Ensuring your home puts its best self forward in the marketing photos, you will likewise improve the general check offer when purchasers, in the long run, arrive for a tour. Along with pressure washing your home and deck, you can likewise set aside the time to pressure wash your garage door entryway, fence, yard, driveways, and any walkways you may have.
One of the primary things a potential purchaser will see when they pull up to your house is the paint. On the off chance that you need to establish a suitable first impression, at that point you'll have to guarantee that your house is painted an intriguing color and that the nature of your paintwork is choice. While the activity of repainting your home may take a couple of days, the benefit of painting your home before selling will be certainly justified regardless of the effort. An ongoing report found that painting the outside of your home has a 51% quantifiable profit. But try not to stop with just the outside! In the event that you happen to have a bold and unfitting divider, you'll need to repaint them to be a more buyer-friendly neutral shade. Doing so will make it simpler for purchasers to have the option to imagine themselves living in your home as it makes them think about your dividers as a clear canvas.
Not refinishing hardwood floors or cleaning your carpet
In case you're reading this at home, look down. How do your floors look? Regardless of whether they don't look awful, there's a fair possibility they're beginning to show their age. Since potential purchasers will be assessing each part of your home, you should begin considering revamping your hardwood floors and cleaning your rug. Regardless of where you're selling, the best time to have your rug cleaned or hardwood floors revamped is directly before you organize your home. Since you'll as of now be moving most (or the entirety) of your furniture to either another home or a capacity unit, this is an extraordinary time to complete your floors (like the floors above) and make them an offering point to potential homebuyers.
Forgoing professional real estate photos
With the coming of cameras on cell phones, everybody likes to consider themselves a photographer nowadays. Despite the fact that that image you took of your meal a week ago seemed as though it could be highlighted in promotions, you're still most likely not prepared to take your own real estate photographs. A Real Estate Photographer will ensure that your home looks extraordinary when you show it, in addition to the fact that they have the professional equipment, and they comprehend the points that best sell a home. On the off chance that you have an enormous home, a dazzling perspective you need to flaunt, or a lot of land, you may need to consider having aerial photographs taken of your home. The perspectives that automatons can catch are noteworthy and can assist appear with offing your home such that it will ensure it stands apart from different houses in your general vicinity that is available. Furthermore, drone innovation makes this choice more affordable than at any time in recent history, permitting you to get much more value for your money.
Lingering during a home tour
No one likes someone lingering around them, especially when they happen to be the owner of the house they're touring. On the off chance that you don't leave the home during a showing, potential buyers feel ungainly as they aim to discuss their thoughts on the house. You additionally keep your listing agent from being able to do their job to the best of their abilities as you’re naturally going to want to answer any questions the buyers have rather than leaving those questions to your agent. So as opposed to remaining in your home during a tour, try taking the opportunity to go shopping, get things done, or visit a few companions. Your agent will be thankful!
Taking a Lowball Offer Personally
Despite your reasons behind moving, the way that you've most likely lived in your home for a considerable length of time implies that you have plenty of solid sentiments attached to it. So when you get a lowball offer, it's normal to feel offended.
Rather than leaving, send them back a counteroffer that you and your realtor believe is reasonable. In the event that they truly are intrigued, then you’ll be glad you didn’t let your emotions get the better of you.
If you need any assistance during your home selling process, please call Darryl Glass via. Phone at (510) 500-7531, or email dglass@adventpropertiesinc.com
dglass@adventpropertiesinc.com. You can also schedule a call with Darryl directly on his calendar below: more...
In 2019, half of the most competitive neighborhoods for buying a home were in the Bay Area. In a recent report from Redfin, home purchasers seeking an area for the calmest, most floral, and convenient distance to restaurants and markets, was the country's most sought after neighborhood in 2019. About 72% of homes in White Oaks, C.A. sold above asking value this year, and most were available for less than fourteen days. Redfin found the median sale price of a home in White Oaks was valued at around $1,835,000. White Oaks took the top spot in Redfin's positioning of the 20 most competitive neighborhoods, yet it has a great deal of nearby competition. Ten of the top neighborhoods are in the Bay Area and near half of those are in Oakland.
The second most competitive Bay Area housing market is the Glenview neighborhood of Oakland. Fourth overall, with more than 84% of homes selling for above the asking price. Likewise a few popular neighborhoods in Oakland like Upper Rockridge, Bushrod, and Piedmont. “I’ve heard a lot of people say the Bay Area housing market is cooling this year, but I’m seeing the opposite in Oakland,” Oakland Redfin agent Katy Polvorosa said in a statement. more...
Downtown Oakland’s development has been long coming, but the 2008 recession delivered a critical blow to the proposed plan. Freezing practically all development in Oakland until around 2015, as high priced rents were driving the residents and organizations out of San Francisco eastbound.
Now, a flood of relocation from San Francisco alongside nearby business development has made Oakland one of the most sizzling neighborhood economies in the nation. Extra office ventures totaling in excess of 4 million square feet, or space for 20,000 additional workers, are under development or scheduled in Downtown Oakland, which presently has around 80,000 total jobs. more...
A recent report from Realtor.com® confirms that lower mortgage rates have piqued the interest of more buyers this fall. However, the consistently shrinking inventory of lower-cost homes is not keeping up with the high demand of buyers.
Highlights:
• In September, inventory levels were 2.5% lower than a year ago
• Mid-market homes—those priced between $200,000 to $750,000, which make up the largest segment of housing inventory—showed zero percent growth in September.
• “The mid-tier of housing represents nearly 60 percent of homes for sale on the market, making it a solid indicator of how tight inventory levels are in the U.S.,” says George Ratiu, senior economist for realtor.com®.
• Further, homes available under $200,000—the entry-level tier--have decreased 10% over the last year.
• Meanwhile, homes listed for sale over $750,000 continued to grow, in September reaching 4.7 percent over levels from a year ago.
• However, realtor.com® economists note that if strong homebuying demand, fueled by lower interest rates, continues to persist into the fall, the inventory of homes in this upper-tier price range also could see declines by February of the coming year.
• “While lower mortgage rates and the arrival of fall promised a reprieve, conditions continue to tighten as demand remains strong. September inventory trends, especially in the mid-market, may be the canary in the coal mine that we could be headed for even lower levels of inventory in early 2020.”
• The median list price nationwide in September was $305,000, up 4.3% over last year. Nationally, homes sold at an average of 65 days in September, one day slower than a year ago.
Tell us your thoughts below:
• How can move-up buyers edge the first-time buyer competition?
• What are some ways that first-time buyers can top move-up buyers in search of lower-cost homes?
For More Information set up an appointment to speak with Darryl Glass, our lead Realtor and Broker Associate by clicking here: Darryl's Calendly
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Home Trends can make your home feel and look new and refreshing, but they can also make your home feel outdated and uncomfortable. Some trends reach their end date while some become timeless. You might be asking yourself “How can I tell when my home needs to be renovated?” The most common method of staying up-to-date is to find blogs, influencers, and catalogs that fit the moods you want to show inside and outside of your home. You can modernize your home with small details like adding wallpaper, plants, and accents. Or you could go big and paint your rooms, order new furniture, or even add/remove the carpet.
But remember, trends change like the seasons. So here is a list of 10 Home Decor Trends we’ve noticed that are losing their appeal this forthcoming Winter Season.
1. Fake Plants
Implementing Plants in your home can help improve your indoor air quality. So place a few living plants in the appropriate hospitable locations of your home over several fake plants and flowers. If you’re concerned about your lack of a green thumb, here are a few suggestions that are easy to care for during winter.
• In an Overly-Heated Room: Cacti and Desert Plants
• In a Dry Room: Aloe or Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees
• In a Dry Room: Philodendrons or Succulents
• In a Low-Light Room: Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema
• In a Drafty Room: Christmas Cactus or Jade Plants
2. Too Much Granite
Granite is a popular option when choosing kitchen counters, but avoid going overboard by adding accents such as quartz or butcher block countertop for your kitchen island and workspace.
3. Industrial Everything
Industrial home decor has been popular for decades; Edison bulbs, exposed brick, rusted or brushed metal accents are a few examples of this decor design. However, there is such a thing as too much industrial. If you want to go for an industrial look inside of your home, add a couple of elements such as modern pendant lights or a pegboard backsplash.
4. All Grey Everything
Adding to the Industrial trend we’ve listed prior to this, all grey rooms can sometimes make a room feel dull and life-less in contrary to creating a calming and minimal environment. If it is too late to re-paint your walls or you absolutely adore your grey furniture, try adding in some vivid colored plants or wall decor that is an appropriate fit for the type room.
5. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds can be a pain to open, close, and can become tangled easily. So most home decor enthusiasts update to mini blinds, DIY window treatments, and lightweight curtains to preserve the abundant natural sunlight in their homes.
6. Indoor Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is typically a top choice for your balcony or porch, so keep the wicker outside. When used indoors, wicker is one of those home trends that can quickly make a home look dated.
7. Carriage hinges
Carriage Hinges are most popularly found on tilt-up retractable garage doors that usually do not open like shed doors. This trend could make your home garage feel more like a barn shed as opposed to a destination for your vehicle.
8. Tuscan-Inspired Kitchens
A popular kitchen design trend for just about two decades, but Tuscan kitchens are starting to lose their appeal. Instead of lots of stone and darker colors, today’s kitchens focus on brighter lighting and a crisp color palette for home trends.
9. Brass Hardware
Metals may be in when it comes to accessories, but avoid shiny brass as it can make a kitchen look dated. Instead, replace cabinet hardware with brushed nickel, glass or stainless steel.
10. Bold Appliances
Bold kitchen colors are on-trend, but avoid choosing bright colors for appliances. You wouldn’t put a ’70s avocado green or goldenrod refrigerator in your kitchen now, so just imagine how that bold red or seafoam green appliance will in a few years.
We hope this list is helpful to your home modernization, we anticipate the various point of views about trendy home decor. Please let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section below, or tag us in your post on any social platform!
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As the brisk winds of winter approach us, Advent Properties is here to keep you updated on how you can prepare to keep your home warm, cozy, clean and sturdy!
For your safety, and to avoid damage to your property inside and out; it is best to routinely clean your microwave and oven, range hood filters, unclog sink and drain holes, replace heater filter, and check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on a monthly basis.
Cleaning your heater system, windows, and running water to flush toilets in unused spaces should be done on a quarterly basis. However, the following home maintenance tasks done to prepare your home for the Winter season will help you stay ahead of any property damage inside and out of your home. more...
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