Bay Area Real Estate: homes in brentwood

Showing posts with label homes in brentwood. Show all posts

Friday, February 1, 2013

Looking for a new home...or watching the Superbowl? Why not do both?: Here's your menu!

Where are you going to watch the Superbowl next year?

Active homes in Brentwood, Oakley, Walnut Creek & Alamo, CA 02.01.2013

This blog caters primarily to people interested in Real Estate Trends throughout the areas I've lived in and continue to service; Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Oakley, and Alamo, California. However, most of the information posted on this site really applies to all markets. If you have any questions that this content inspires, please drop me a line. I always reply in a timely manner. If you'd like more specific information about real property in your area, please don't hesitate to ask...

...That's why I'm here.

Yep! It's Superbowl time, but don't let the market get away from you! While your 'competition' may be yelling at the TV, you might just sneak in the right offer and WIN this weekend!

Below are lists of listings (homes for sale) in Brentwood, Oakley, Walnut Creek, and Alamo, CA as of 02.01.2013

Click Here for Real Estate in Brentwood, CA: 44 Listings - Same number as last week.

Click Here for Real Estate in Oakley, CA: 21 Listings - 9 fewer than last week.

Click Here for Real Estate in Walnut Creek, CA: 42 Listings - 6 fewer than last week.

Click Here for Real Estate in Alamo, CA: 32 Listings - 5 more than last week.

Enjoy browsing from the comfort of your desk, sofa, or coffee shop!!!

If you're not already working with an agent, I'd love to sit down with you and learn more about what you're goals are. If you are working with agent, please look at this post (and others) to make sure you're being well represented.As always, I'll leave you with little tip:

HOME-SELLERS!

Disclose, disclose, disclose! What does this mean in 'real life?' When you're filling out your Seller's Property Questionnaire and your Transfer Disclosure Statement, think back about all of the improvements, maintenance, repairs, changes, and or problems that you've handled while living at the property and write them all down. After that, put your forms down for a bit. Pick them up later that day or the following day and review the list. There's bound to be something that was overlooked. Only sign those documents when you're certain that they've been completed comprehensively. When in doubt (Do I really need to disclose this?) the answer is YES: Disclose it!

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Blasquez - Real Estate Agent in Brentwood, CA

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Email me at andy.blasquez@gmail.com
Click here to reach Macky Hensel.

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Finally, please comment or ask questions. Other readers may be wondering the same thing. I love the feedback, critical or otherwise, and love the interaction: I love this job.

Thank you always for your support.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Going Home Shopping this weekend?: Active homes in Brentwood, Oakley, Walnut Creek and Alamo, CA 01.11.2013

...That's why I'm here.

The weather may be chilly but the market isn't. If you're REALLY looking to make a Real Estate purchase, break out your winter coat, grab a coffee, then go!

Below are lists of listings (active properties) in Brentwood, Oakley, Walnut Creek, and Alamo, CA as of

Real Estate in Brentwood, CA: 44 Listings

Real Estate in Oakley, CA: 30 Listings

Real Estate in Walnut Creek, CA: 48 Listings

Real Estate in Alamo, CA: 27 Listings

Enjoy your shopping!

If you're not already working with an agent, I'd love to sit down with you and learn more about what you're goals are. If you are working with agent, please look at this post (and others) to make sure you're being well represented.

As always, I'll leave you with little tip:

Create an annual "To Do List". Put it on your calendar; Google or otherwise. Carpets cleaned, windows, rain gutters, HVAC, etc. Don't let these responsibilities create little aches and pains later on. Individually, they don't amount to much, but combine them...and you've got a real headache.

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Thank you always for your support.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Real Estate Trends in Brentwood, CA 94513

2012 Year In Review

This blog caters primarily to people interested in Real Estate Trends throughout the areas I've lived in and continue to service; Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Oakley, and Alamo, California. However, most of the information posted on this site really applies to all markets. If you have any questions that the content inspires, please drop me a line. I'm happy to reply in a timely manner. If you'd like more specific information about real property in your area, please don't hesitate to ask...

...That's why I'm here.

The table below simply illustrates the List Price (LP) and Sale Price (SP) High, Low, Average, and Median for the time spanning 1/1/12 through 12/31/12. There were 1060 homes sold in Brentwood in 2012.

Compared the above to 2011 (below) there were 1109 homes sold, with a median home price roughly $25,000 lower than in 2012.

Average Sales Price: Shown in Dollars per Square Foot

The graph below illustrates the average cost per square foot of homes sold in Brentwood in 2012, through November. However, this information doesn't really give prospective buyer and sellers an effective 'rule of thumb' to use in estimating the value of their home. Home values are a function of several key variables, not just dollars per square foot. That said, this trend still demonstrates a consistent and noteworthy trend; a strong increase in the value of homes in Brentwood.

Comprehensive Real Estate Market Data for Brentwood, CA 2012

The table below is a truly comprehensive view of important data as it relates to the Real Estate Market in Brentwood, CA. Note: a 75% Decrease in the number of homes "For Sale", as well as an increase in the average Active Price which may be the result of homes no longer being "in the black!" Also, note the decrease in Days on Market which is likely attributed to a lack of inventory. If you want it...you better jump on it in Brentwood!

As stated in the header, if there's more specific information that you'd like to see, up to and including a complete Comparative Market Analysis for your own property, please drop me an e-mail or give me a call. There are several ways to reach me immediately below.

As always, I'll leave you with a little taste of wisdom:

"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself."

~ Benjamin Franklin

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Thank you always for your support.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

California Homeowners Bill of Rights: A small victory for the underdog!

Happier New Year to come?

Kamala Harris, our State's Attorney General really does seem to be fighting against the monster banks on behalf of the citizens of California!

The Homeowner Bill of Rights builds upon and extends reforms first negotiated in the recent national mortgage settlement between 49 states and leading lenders. Attorney General Harris secured up to $18 billion for California homeowners in that agreement, and has also built a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force to investigate crime and fraud associated with mortgages and foreclosures.

“The California Homeowner Bill of Rights will give struggling homeowners a fighting shot to keep their home,” said Attorney General Harris. “This legislation will make the mortgage and foreclosure process more fair and transparent, which will benefit homeowners, their community, and the housing market as a whole.”

The Homeowner Bill of Rights goes into effect on January 1, 2013.

More than one million California homes were lost to foreclosure between 2008 and 2011—with an additional 700,000 currently in the foreclosure pipeline.

Seven of the nation’s 10 hardest-hit cities by foreclosure rate in 2011 were in California.

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights marks the third step in Attorney General Harris’ response to the state’s foreclosure and mortgage crisis.

The first step was to create the Mortgage Fraud Strike Force, which has been investigating and prosecuting misconduct at all stages of the mortgage process.
The second step was to extract a commitment from the nation’s five largest banks of an estimated $18 billion for California borrowers. The settlementcontained thoughtful reforms but are only applicable for three years, and only to loans serviced by the settling banks.
The California Bill of Rights

Two key bills of the Homeowner Bill of Rights contain significant mortgage and foreclosure reforms. The major provisions of AB 278 (Eng/Feuer/Mitchell) and SB 900 (Leno/Corbett/DeSaulnier/Evans) include:

· Dual track foreclosure ban: Benefit ~ Mortgage servicers will be required to render a decision on a loan modification application before advancing the foreclosure process by filing a notice of default or notice of sale, or by conducting a trustee’s sale. The foreclosure process is essentially paused upon the completion of a loan modification application for the duration of the lender’s review of that application.

· Single point of contact: Benefit ~ Mortgage servicers will be required to designate a “single point of contact” for borrowers who are potentially eligible for a federal or proprietary loan modification application. The single point of contact is an individual or team with knowledge of the borrower’s status and foreclosure prevention alternatives, access to decision makers, and the responsibility to coordinate the flow of documentation between borrower and mortgage servicer.

· Enforceability: Borrowers will have authority to seek redress of “material” violations of the California Homeowner Bill of Rights. Injunctive relief will be available prior to a foreclosure sale and recovery of damages will be available following a sale.

· Verification of documents: The recording and filing of multiple unverified documents will be subject to a civil penalty of up to $7,500 per loan in an action brought by a civil prosecutor. Enforcement will also be allowed under a violator’s licensing statute by the Department of Corporations, Department of Real Estate or Department of Financial Institution.

The content of this blog was pulled

directly from the Office of the Attorney General

website which is a fantastic resource.

As always, I'll leave you with this taste of wisdom:

"Any intelligent fool can make this bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius, and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction."

~ Albert Einstein

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Thank you always for your support.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

WAIT!!! "Back Up" to go forward?: How to get your offers accepted!

Are your offers still being rejected?

Submitting a backup offer

is far more effective that most buyers and agents think.

It's certainly easier than "backing up" a trailer full of rhinos!

First, for those interested, here are active real estate listings (as of noon on Voting Day! 11.6.12) in the four areas I service most often:

Real EstateListings in Brentwood, CA

Real EstateListings in Walnut Creek, CA

Real EstateListings in Alamo, CA

Real EstateListings in Oakley, CA

These listings INCLUDE properties listed as “Pending, Show For Backup Offers”. Including these “PSLA” listings increases your likelihood of having an offer accepted as many, many Realtors don’t bother to write ‘back-up offers’. Fewer agents writing back-ups = less competition. That means more happy buyers for me!

Do back up offers actually work? If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that there’s no crystal ball. With that in mind, backup offers are only awarded a contract…IF YOU WRITE THEM! So I do! Even if the listing agent isn’t ‘accepting’ backup offers, push for it anyway. There are hundreds and hundreds of investors writing a dozen offers each week hoping to get themselves a couple of strong income properties. Yes, unethically, many of the agents for these buyer's agents don’t disclose that they’re writing offers on more than one property. So when one or two of the offers are accepted and actually close escrow, the other deals that are in escrow “Fall Out” of escrow. Typically the listing agent frantically lists the property as “Back On Market”! If your offer had been in place, in back-up position, then you would be in escrow. Does it happen? Let’s see…

Properties listed as "BOM" in the areas I service: Click Here to see 7 homes listed as Back On Market including a phenomenal $1,000,000 listing at 3885 Arbolado Drive, Walnut Creek; nestled between Mt. Diablo and the Boundary Oak Golf Course.

Additional tips to help get your real estate offer accepted:

Do your best to truly understand the seller's motivation.
Demonstrate to the seller that you are not just willing, but able to close
Offer the right price
Offer your maximum down payment
Offer to close quickly
Put your money into escrow prior to approval on a short-sale offer
Limit Contingencies
Offer a Significant Earnest Money Deposit
Write a personal letter.
Hand deliver your offer to the listing agent
Accommodate the sellers Close of Escrow Period
If you don't NEED closing costs covered, don't ask
Submit an as-is addendum
Ask if you can submit a back-up
NEVER count out negotiation with a builder

As always, I'll leave you with this taste of wisdom:

" Be the change that you wish to see in the world."

― Mahatma Gandhi

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Thank you always for your support.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

How can I get my real estate offer accepted?

How can I get my offer accepted?

15 Strategies to getting your offer accepted!

The plight of today's buyers: "I'm just so tired of submitting offers that never get accepted!"

Are you making the wrong offer? Are you working with an ineffective Realtor? Both? I will stand by these words: "If you're willing to write your very strongest offer (note that I didn't say 'highest' offer) the first time, and your Realtor is ethical, diligent, and thorough, you WILL have an offer accepted." Don't give up.

How to:

The most outside the box strategy used to be the ONLY strategy. Ask your Realtor to hand deliver your offer! It's really easy to ignore an e-mail, phone call, or text message. It's much harder to ignore a human being; one who's gone above and beyond.
Do your best to truly understand the seller's motivation. Price isn't always king! Neither is cash; especially in short sale situations where the seller may stand to net zero out of the deal. To the seller, knowing that he/she had some influence over who's ultimately going to live in the property, might be the determining factor.
Demonstrate to the seller that you are not just willing, but able to close Include bank statements, or Proof of Funds to Close with your offer.
Offer the right price and back it up with Market Data. With more traditional sales closing, price may not be the most important factor for the sellers. Can you close more quickly? Are you willing to extend escrow in order to accommodate the sellers' circumstance? Will you do a rent-back for your seller?
Offer your maximum down payment. If you're writing an FHA offer, perhaps you can put 5% down rather than the typical 3.5%. Writing Conventional? Can you put 25 or 30% down?
Offer to close quickly. Ask you lender if he/she can perform quickly. With all else the same, a buyer will typically accept the offer with the shortest time to close. It shows your commitment and eagerness to perform.
Limit Contingencies. with this caveat: Protect yourself first, aggressively pursue the property second. A contingency on a contract may make a seller nervous. However, you may be able to shorten your inspection contingency period, from 17 days, to 15...or to 10. If your agent is proactive, he/she may be able to line up inspectors in advance, thus not necessitating the entire 17 day contingency release period.
Offer a Significant Earnest Money Deposit. This can be up to your entire down-payment. Remember, it's not at risk until you release all contingencies, but it might show the seller a level of commitment that no other prospective buyers are willing to (or even thought to) show.
Write a personal letter. Seriously! More often than not, there is a human being on the other side of this transaction. Expressing, in writing, why it's important that your offer is accepted may be the deciding factor. This is the "get off the pot" clause. You may be spending a half a million dollars or more on a home. Step up! Put in the 12 minutes it might take to draft this letter, even it you have to do it 3 or 4 times.
Escrow Period. "We're willing to wait if you accept our offer now!" "We can close our FHA loan in 21 days if that would help!"
If you don't NEED closing costs covered, don't ask. Previously, agents could ask for closing costs very easily and could even raise the asking price to cover the additional credit. However, as values continue to rise, a home might not appraise if you add your closing cost credit into the price!
Submit an as-is addendum. If you're willing to buy a property truly as is, let the sellers' know up front.
Ask if you can submit a back-up. Can't even find an "Active" property that suits your needs? To me, every property is active, even if it's not on the market at all. Ask your Realtor to see if you might be able to submit a back-up offer even if MLS doesn't say you "can."
Put your money into escrow prior to approval on a short-sale offer. Showing the listing agent that you're willing to put your deposit money into escrow demonstrates yet another level of commitment. Remember: your funds are not at risk until you've removed all contingencies.
NEVER count out negotiation with a builder.

Even if you don't "feel" that a new home is right, don't leave yourself in a position where you look back a year later and think, "Wow, we could have lived here!"
Another caveat: Don't go into the builder's sales office unarmed. Although I work with builders very, very often and have huge respect for virtually all of them, it costs you nothing to have your Realtor register you and to have him or her negotiate on your behalf. Imagine if you could have a "Professional Auto Negotiator" with you when you buy your next car...at no extra charge! That's the circumstance with builders. Those of us who close many deals in new construction understand the process thoroughly; know what to watch out for; know what the builders might think is ridiculous; get the deals done.
A Realtor's commission from the sale of a new home typically comes from the corporations ad budget, not from the price of the house.

" It doesn't take sharp eyes to see the sun and the moon, nor does it take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap. Wisdom is not obvious. You must see the subtle and notice the hidden to be victorious"

~ Sun Zu

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Thank you always for your support.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

BUYERS - Stick to your guns: Egos -vs- Experience

Are we all mad...

...or have we learned our lessons?

Yes, here it is! I don't often show it...but I do have one!

TA DA! My soap box!

I continue to bite my tongue when the conversation about "what we really need" arises. Our collective lives seem to have become luxury-necessary.

We need a flat screen in every room.
We all need a German built, leather clad SUV with more technology than the Star Ship Enterprise...only slightly bigger!
We work so hard that we need both of our time shares!

Now please don't think for a minute that I don't "want" for more too. I do, and I'll continue to work hard for it. But with that in mind, I most certainly have learned my lessons over the last 8 years. (Since the market took a dump!) Now, however, I'm starting to see folks falling right into the same old patterns of over extending, and our fine lending institutions are standing at attention, waiting to oblige.

Today, via industry junk mail, I received a solicitation for Stated Income Mortgages! In simple terms, that means, "Honestly Mrs. Banker...I make $250,000 per year! Will you lend me more than I can afford?...PLEASE?" Bingo! Here's your mortgage!

Today, I also heard another in a long line of commercials from our auto industry, handing out sub-prime auto loans. 0% interest? How do a lender make any money on 0% interest? Easy! Your new Ford pick-up cost $55,000! There's enough margin in that transaction to cover commissions, overhead, profit, and to subsidize your loan! Seriously though, who can even afford a car payment when you 5 year loan payments are $1,100 per month? Ask and you shall receive! At 0% interest, why not stretch that payment out over 7 years...or let's just do 10! OR, I'm no longer going to make my mortgage payment anyway...so now I can make that huge car payment more comfortably!

Helpful Tips for Home Buyers:
Don't let the moment or our always encroaching egos sway you from standing firm on tried and true home buying strategies.

Identify and write down your needs
Identify and write down your wants

If you need a 4 bedroom house because you need three rooms and an office...you don't need a 4 bedroom home! You need a 3 bedroom home with an office/den/loft etc.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
Know your budget, including:

Closing Costs
Principle Payment
Interest Payments
Property Taxes PLUS Assessments/Mello Roos
Hazard or Homeowners Insurance
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) on some loans

Ask your agent if homes in your area are closing at, below, or above asking price.
GET LOCKED INTO A LOW INTEREST, FIXED RATE, 30 YEAR (or less) LOAN
In this market, ALWAYS bring your best offer. You may not have time to make another.
Do your inspections!
Don't not do your inspections! ; )
If you're stuck in a situation where you continue to submit offers and still can't get one accepted, CALL ME! There's something wrong. I have effective strategies that help get offers accepted. If you're working with another agent, have that agent ring me. I'm always happy to share. I learn from many agents and I'm sure some can learn from me!
Don't forget to look at new homes, with one caveat: E-mail me, call me, or send smoke signals before you go. In 2011, 35% of my business was in new constructions. Leveraging that experience and those relationships to your benefit can save you tens of thousands of dollars, but costs you not a cent. Typically my commission will come from a separate line item within a marketing budget rather than having it tied directly to the home in contract. BUT....if you register with the builder before you call me I can no longer act as your advocate; your negotiator.

Owning a home ought to be a joy. Over the past ten years or so, it's more often become a nightmare. Learn from our societal mistakes.

Have a plan!
Know what you need.
Know why.
Stick with your plan!

Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from making mistakes.

~ Unknown

Until next time, and thank you in advance for remembering me when the topic of real estate arises.

Andy Bla squez ~ The last Realtor you'll ever need to look for.
DRE# 01826135

www.andyblasquez.com

Thank you always for your support.

Bay Area Real Estate

Friday, February 1, 2013

Looking for a new home...or watching the Superbowl? Why not do both?: Here's your menu!

Where are you going to watch the Superbowl next year?

Friday, January 11, 2013

Going Home Shopping this weekend?: Active homes in Brentwood, Oakley, Walnut Creek and Alamo, CA 01.11.2013

Thursday, January 3, 2013

2012 Year In Review

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

California Homeowners Bill of Rights: A small victory for the underdog!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

WAIT!!! "Back Up" to go forward?: How to get your offers accepted!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

How can I get my real estate offer accepted?

Thursday, October 11, 2012

BUYERS - Stick to your guns: Egos -vs- Experience

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