Thursday, January 17, 2013

My Bay Area Real Estate Crystal Ball: What I'm certain will happen in 2013...maybe.

So what's actually going to happen in the Bay Area Real Estate markets in 2013.  One thing is absolutely certain, and that is the fact that it will change.  The extent to which it will change depends almost entirely on government intervention.  If there was no government intervention there would have been burst in the housing bubble.  In fact, there wouldn't have been a bubble!  That said, the government will interfere, and the pulse of our market will not truly be "free."

Real Estate in Brentwood, CA - Free Market


The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Here is our "Past Behavior" with regard to Real Estate in Contra Coast County per TrendGraphix.  I doubt that these drastic and correlated trends are truly free.  They are, however, the facts...and that you can take to the bank.

For Sale and New Listings (Supply of homes for sale) decreased by 74% and 58% respectively. That, by itself, is meaningless.  However, nothing in business is truly 'by itself.' Average Sold Price and Average Price per Square Foot (a function of Supply and Demand) increased by 44% and 30% respectively. As supply goes down, price goes up.


Brentwood Real Estate - Andy Blasquez

Another variable that is affected by a drop in supply is how many days it takes for a home to be "sold." This is seen as Ave CDOM on the table above.  It stands for Average Cumulative Days on Market.  You can imagine that as supply goes down, the few homes remaining on the market (if priced reasonably) will go quickly!

So what is my "Prediction" for 2013?  Continued, unsustainable, increase in home prices.  
  • More and more people will be out of the red and into the black, opening the door for more listings and purchases. 
  • Builders continue to buy previously abandoned developments and land in an effort to increase inventory and meet demand. 
  • Auction properties/flips will continue to dwindle as fewer and fewer homes are foreclosed upon.  
  • Rent prices will stall or decrease as more and more home buyers re-enter the market after short-sale or foreclosure.
  • Home Owners will leverage low interest rates in an effort to move 'up' in the market, opening up more homes for 1st time buyers.


Of course, all of this is subject to:
Interest Rates
Tax Consequences
The job market
Economic stability and security
The absence of catastrophic events.

Other than that...I'm CERTAIN!  ; )

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

Garbage Disposals

  • Never put hard-to-grind waste into the disposal (ex., chicken skins, egg shells, bones, celery or banana peels,...spoons!) - they will clog the drain.
  • Run cold water down the drain for about 15 seconds before and after using the disposal to flush waste down the main line.  Just because it's past the disposal doesn't mean it's down the drain pipe.
  • Turn on the disposal before adding food waste. Give it a fighting chance.  Let the disposal get up to speed before safely putting waste into it.
  • Clean your disposal with warm water and a dozen pieces or ice or so.  It's the best "tip" I ever received from my plumber...after he pulled egg shells from my dishwasher vent tube.  Oops!

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

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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


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.


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.

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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.





Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Real Estate Trends in Walnut Creek: 2012 Year in Review


Real Estate Trends in Walnut Creek, CA 

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 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.

  

The table below simply illustrates the List Price, Sale Price, High, Low, Average, and Median Home Price for the time spanning 1/1/12 through 12/31/12.  There were 1031 homes sold in Walnut Creek during 2012.
Compared the above table to the table below; 2011, when there were 969 homes sold, with a median home price roughly $90,000 lower than in 2012.
Increase in Median Homes Price of Single Family Homes
 in Walnut Creek, CA during 2012
Below is a graph that illustrates the change in median home price of single family homes in Walnut Creek, CA during 2012.  Pretty compelling stuff!

Comprehensive Real Estate Market Data for Walnut Creek, CA 2012
The table below is a truly comprehensive view of important data as it relates to the Real Estate Market in Walnut Creek.  Looking at the chart below, you'll see a literal example of the law of supply and demand.  As inventory drops from 91 to 34 homes on the market over a 12 month period, median home prices rise from $580,000 to $735,000 over the same period of time.  You'll also note that Day on Market are reduced by more than 50%.


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 little tip:

A dirty air filter is the number one reason for HVAC system failure. A dirty filter restricts the air flow into your HVAC system. This restricted air flow put unnecessary load the fan motor and could, over time, burn the motor out prematurely. 

Filters are cheap and easy to replace...but no standing on roll-away bar stools to reach them, OK!!!


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

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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.



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.

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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.

Real Estate Trends in Alamo, CA: 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.
  

Real Estate Trends in Alamo, CA 
2012 Year In Review

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 243 homes sold in Alamo in 2012.

Homes in Alamo, CA

Compared to 2011 (below) there were only 165 homes sold, with a median home price roughly 10% lower than in 2012.



Days on Market and Sales Price vs List Price
The blue line graph below illustrates the Sale Price vs List Price ratio.  For example, if a home was listed for $2m and sold for $2.1m, the ratio would be 105%.  You'll see that in Alamo, the asking price has been higher than the selling price, on average, leaving the ratio below 100%.  Simply put, on average, homes in Alamo are listed higher than the market will support.

The yellow bars indicate the Average Cumulative Days on the Market.  Keep in mind that in an smaller, more intimate market such as Alamo, one or two sellers holding out for the perfect buyer can skew these results by quite a bit.  


Comprehensive Real Estate Market Data for Alamo, CA 2012
The table below is a truly comprehensive view of important data as it relates to the Real Estate Market in Alamo, CA.  Note: Decreasing number of homes "For Sale" and the correlation between Days On Market and Median Price.

Real Estate in Alamo California 94507

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:

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Albert Einstein

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

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

You've lassoed your bank! Now don't get stuck with the "bull!"

 Short Sale Strategies for Sellers and their Agents

Getting your short sale approved is irrelevant...
...if it doesn't close!


brentwood real estate
The seller found a buyer! The buyer found a seller!  We're in contract!  
Fantastic! Just make sure that you don't leave yourself with a bunch of bull in the process!

Walking into Starbucks or _______________ (fill in the blank) I continually hear "My house got foreclosed on! I thought the short sale was going to go through, but it didn't!"

After processing short-sales for several years I've seen quite a bit!  Have I seen it all?  Nope! Nobody has, but these tips will not only help sellers get their homes sold, but from the other side will help buyers write offers strong enough that even with a soft listing agent you'll have an excellent chance of holding the keys to your new home at the end of it all!

Here are a few common situations that buyers, sellers, and their agents unnecessarily encounter far too often:


  • Our buyer had written several offers and 'forgot' to tell us that they bought another house two weeks ago.
  • When our short sale got approved, the buyers no longer wanted the property.  When we re-listed it, it was too close to the trustee sale date to get it closed.
  • I think my real estate agent wasn't giving all my updated information to the bank in a timely manner.
  • We got approval from both lenders, but when the buyer did his inspections a few things turned up that he wasn't willing to fix, and I certainly couldn't afford to fix it! (or it was an FHA buyer who wasn't able to make necessary repairs to close) so it foreclosed.
  • The first loan said yes but the 2nd lender wanted too much to close.  The second just wouldn't cooperate.
  • ...and on and on.

PLEASE, I implore you...
if you're going to write an offer on a short sale OR your are listing your home as a short sale...use an expert!

So let's get to the punch!  How can you best avoid having your short sale...fall short?
  1. SELLER - Make your initial submission of your short sale packet P E R F E C T ! ! ! ! It will show the negotiator or single point of contact that you and your agent are ON IT!  These folks are people too, and making their lives easier will in turn make yours easier too!
  2. SELLER - Keep in contact with your lender(s). If you KNOW that your Realtor is phenomenally successful at the short sale process, good for you!  You've got a real pro who cares and will follow through, good for you!  If you aren't   absolutely certain, advocate for yourselves. Keep in direct contact with your lender.  You may find that the bank is waiting for documentation that your agent never even asked you for.  I call all lenders...on all short sale listings...every Tuesday and Friday morning.  I do this regardless of how 'dialed in' the negotiator is.  It's happened more than several times where my single point of contact, "um...yea...she doesn't work here anymore!"  You want to know this NOW, not a month down the road.
  3. SELLER - After your property has an offer that you agree to, list the property as "Pending, show for backup offers" not "Pending Subject to Lender Approval."  It's smart to keep at least one strong backup offer in the bull pen; two would be better.  As you get close to estimated close of escrow, make sure that your backup buyer is still interested.  If not...get another backup 'warmed up'. This eliminates a time gap in the event that your first buyer backs out.  
  4. SELLER & BUYER - Make contingency periods start the day that the offer is accepted by the seller rather than approved by the lender. As a seller, you know your buyer is vested.  Does the buyer want it?  Then inspect it, or don't...but release all contingencies within 17 days of contract date. If your buyer isn't willing to do this, in this market, get a new buyer who is. As a buyer, the bank and your seller sees that you're willing to 'ride it out'.  Why wait until two weeks before your auction date to start inspections. Show them that you're the right buyer during the offer process and you'll have a higher likelihood of having your offer accepted.
  5. SELLER & BUYER - Deposit earnest money deposit into escrow within 3 days of accepting the offer. This again shows both sides, and the bank that you're all vested in getting this closed. 
  6. SELLER & BUYER - Make sure that your property is listed for sale "As Is."  Unless you have a unique circumstance, you're not going to want to make repairs on a house with which you stand to net $0 at close. As a buyer, don't expect your offer to be accepted with the expectation that concerns discovered upon inspection are going to be remedied by the seller.  Write it up "AS IS" even if the seller isn't asking you to.  Do your inspections.  If you don't want to continue after inspections, that's your safety net. Use it!
  7. SELLER - If your short sale is fully approved, make sure to follow up with the buyer's agent regularly that the loan process is going as planned.  You don't want to find out that your buyer thought it would be funding in time but the lender (all of whom seem to be grossly understaffed at this point) dropped the ball and now you're facing foreclosure.
  8. SELLER  - BUYER - Don't hesitate to contact me to discuss a possible short sale or if you are upside down or having other financial difficulties  Click here if you have any questions.
Updated market trends to come...


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

“Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” 

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

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Short Sale 101: BTW...What is a short sale anyway?

When you're up to your elbows in jargon, idioms, and the practical vocabulary of any specific industry, you can forget the fact that not everyone on earth knows what you're talking about.  So here's a bit of an introduction to short sales for those of you who are (rightly so) confused about the terms and ideas you may hear around the water cooler.

What is a short sale?
short sale is a sale of real property (typically your house) from which proceeds are less than the balance of debts secured by liens (your mortgage or mortgages) against the property. If the property owner cannot (or isn't willing to) afford to completely repay the liens, and the lien holder(s) agrees to release it's lien on the property and accept less than the amount owed on the note, you have an approved short sale.


If it was that simple, they'd all be done and gone.  The short sale process is certainly not that simple...nor that easy. Although short sales have been part of the real estate industry forever, they can be quite complicated.  Today's real estate market, still heavily weighted with short sales, demands a much, MUCH higher level of expertise than in the past.  It is your agent's job to keep you informed, advised, and most of all protected.  If you don't think you're receiving that level of service...fire them!

I've seen many, many homes that should have closed as a short sale (or short pay transaction) not get approved, ultimately resulting in the foreclosure of the listed property.  There are far too many people I've bumped into over the last few months who've obviously had their short-sales mishandled. This failure to close  and subsequent foreclosure is often accompanied by buckets full of heart-ache and resentment by all parties involved.   After your deal is botched is NOT the time to start asking questions.  That's why I'm here.  Click here to e-mail me a questions directly.

  • What is a short sale
  • Banks -vs- Investors
  • Why do banks take so long to approve the seemingly misnamed "Short Sale?"

First let me start out by reiterating very crudely and simply that a short sale is when a property is sold at a price that leaves the seller "short" on funds to close.  Example: The seller's mortgage balance is $655,000 but the home's current market value is $415,000.  There's a $240,000 deficiency which makes this a short sale; a sale short of the balance of the debt.

Secondly, let's clear up the difference between a "Bank" and an "Investor".  B of A, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo.or J.P. What's his name...(whatever name they've slapped on the front of your branch at the local strip mall)...may or may not be the investor behind your mortgage(s).  These enormous multinational corporations 'service" the loan for the investors.  Who are the investors?  You've got a better chance of having a dinner on Beale St. with the Elvis than ever learning who the investors are.  OH...but if you did...your debt would probably be sold to another 'investor' before you got approval for the servicing bank anyway.  It's best to just drop it.  Do what the servicing bank says, do it now, and do it right the first time.  The bank will, in turn, smile and move things along smoothly.

Lastly, a short sale is a complete misnomer.  They are typically not short.  That said, I've have them approved in as few as 8 days, and as long as several months.  The length of time it takes for approval depends on many things including the competency and speed of the following:

  • The listing agent
  • Possible third party negotiators
  • The servicing banks' document collectors
  • Your single point of contact at each bank
  • The time it takes for internal approval
  • The time it takes for final review and a decision by the investors
  • Possible counter offers
  • Changes on HUD statements from Title
  • and on and on and on.
These are just a few thoughts that will help you get up to speed with the terms and complex nature of the short sale process.  With all of this in mind, remember this: Getting your short sale approved is completely irrelevant if you can't get it to close!

Tips and Strategies for getting your short sale to close will follow this post.

As always, I'll leave you with a little taste of wisdom:
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
~ Zig Ziglar RIP

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

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

Please Follow me on Twitter and Re-Tweet these blogs.
Please Add me as a friend on Facebook 

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.