Stunning Walls of Glass on the Piedmont Side of Montclair

I love the wall of glass in this home!

Almost Mid-Century with Views in Oakland

Yesterday, I took my client to this almost mid-century,(circa 1939 -not modern) home in the Lincoln Heights district of Oakland. I really enjoyed this home as it had an amazing park-like backyard with a well, spectacular bay and city views and a charming, sunny kitchen with impeccable original kitchen cabinets. According to the listing agent, this home had been in one family for 47 years! The main level has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen, living room/dining room area. Downstairs there are several plus rooms and a huge rumpus room with original knotty pine walls. I really appreciate homes that have been lovingly cared for over the decades, with the original details intact. I can almost picture how this home looked 50 years ago while this family raised their 2 children. This home is currently on the market with Coldwell Banker.

I Still Dream About This Oakland Mid Century Home

This property was on the market late last year by Tarpoff and Talbert. I showed this house to several of my mid-century enthusiast. This home, located in the Redwood Heights District of Oakland was an untouched 1960's mid-century modern. The beauty of this home was in the wonderful lay-out, the large oversized rooms, the floor to ceiling windows, and the preserved original details. With its Nutone integrated sound system, original frigidaire appliances, private views of lush trees, and double sided flagstone fireplace, I still fantasize about living here.

Inspiration Point in Redwood Heights, Oakland

I have a new listing in Redwood Heights. I am very excited to showcase this beautiful home with amazing views (that will inspire you), and also showcase local Redwood Heights artists. Join me February 13th from 6-8 pm for a special Twilight Open House and Art Gala.

For more information go to www.4228Dunsmuir.com

Attention Homeowners in Oakland

I just worked an Open House in the Grand Lake Rose Garden District of Oakland. The home is a beautiful craftsman style with many original details and a fabulous floor plan...Let me cut to the chase, the open house was quite busy with many active homebuyers. My point is don't always listen to the media! There are many serious buyers out there bidding on homes. If you are in doubt email me and I will show you proof of an active Oakland real estate market.

The photo above is from Ashley L., thanks Ashley!

Stately Craftsman in Oakland's Grand Lake District

What is a Craftsman House?

American craftsman homes were popular roughly from 1909 thru the 1930's. Craftsman homes reject the ornate elegance of the high Victorian Style of previous years. Instead craftsman homes express a simpler, back to nature look that emphasizes earth tone colors. Built in towns all over America, craftsman's are warm and inviting. With stained wood trim, stone and slate these homes often boast built-ins such as window seats, benches and bookcases. A person could walk in a craftsman home that is unfurnished and feel as if it were ready to be lived in.

Are you craving a craftsman? Come visit me at 526 Mira Vista Avenue in the Grand Lake District of Oakland. I will be open this Saturday from 2-5 pm. This home is a 4+ bedroom/2+bathroom home walking distance to the Grand Lake Theatre, the Farmer's Market, DiBartolo, Arzimendi, the Grand Lake Rose Garden and More! I am not the listing agent of this property, but I am familar with this home and neighborhood. Feel free to email me your questions.

What Does "As-Is" Really Mean?

So you are selling your first home in the Temescal area of Oakland. You informed your Realtor that you want to sell your home "as-is"; you declare that you do not want to credit the buyer on needed repairs that could be discovered during the inspection period. You feel that you and your Realtor have priced your home fairly, and you have strong convictions that no home is perfect. You purchased your home in a strong sellers market and you agreed to the flaws, as you are realistic about home ownership.

So, here is the short of it. You can promote your property as an "as-is" sale. This might not be advisable, as the perception to buyers is, "as-is" equals, "fixer".

It would be wiser to find out all of the major flaws first, disclose them and price your house accordingly. When a buyer asks about the great price, your Realtor would respond by stating, "The roof will need replacement soon, and the seller took that in to account in regards to price."

If you decide to sell your home "as-is" both the seller's and buyer's Realtors will still suggest inspections. It is highly encouraged that any buyer fully inspect their future home. A home purchase is the biggest investment that we will ever make. So you telling your buyer don't ask for a credit if there are newly discovered problems is giving your buyer the following choices: walk away from the transaction or accept the house with all of its problems. In real estate everything is negotiable until all of the contingencies have been removed. (Call me if you have questions about contingencies.)

What you as a seller should want in this market is a negotiation. Wouldn't it be better to share some of the expense, than lose the buyer altogether? Remember, this is a real estate market that favors buyers and real estate finance can be difficult.

Sellers keep in mind, if you are in contract with a buyer and they cancel for any reason,  you will need to disclose their inspection reports to any new buyer if your house goes back on the market. When houses go back on the market after they have been pending, buyers do not give them as much attention, as they do new listings.

Remember real estate is a negotiation. There is no buying frenzy right now. When selling your home, work with a Realtor who will be honest with you, even when it is uncomfortable.

Is losing a transaction over a few thousand dollars of credit to a buyer worth it?  or did you not really want to sell your home?

Really!

Facts about the Oakland and Berkeley Real Estate Market:

· Pricing your home on the low side of its competitive value will give you a bigger audience of buyers.

· Local Realtors who have a great reputation amongst their colleagues command big support and interest from the real estate community for their listings.

· Selling your house naked is a bad idea. With fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors and staging, your house will get a second look by buyers.

· Gone is the day that you can post your home on the MLS and the buyers will come. Don’t chase the real estate market! Use a quality Realtor; they will bring the market to you.

· Whenever clients follow my advice in regards to pricing and preparation they have been thrilled with the results. Their homes sell for over asking in a short time frame.

· Really!

New Listing in Upper Laurel

I am pleased to present 4508 Steele Street in Oakland. This will be a great home for some lucky homebuyers, as it is priced below the two other homes listed on the same street. For photos, maps and more, click here.

Oakland's Historic Warehouse District

Oakland is really pushing to make this, (almost) water front location the place to live. 200 Second Street and 288 Third Street are two recently completed new construction condos. I have recently toured these condos, and they do have great incentives. If you are interested in new construction you do need your Realtor to register you first. (Even though these new construction buildings have office hours, your Realtor needs to bring you to your first viewing.) Let me know if you are interested and I will register you and give you all of the information you need, so you can make a sound decision regarding new construction, existing construction and your best options.

Oakland's Historic Warehouse District Before

Western Pacific Railroad drove its first spike into the ground in 1906, driving Oakland's economic growth

The Posey Tube, opened in 1928, was the first concrete construction of its kind and a major engineering accomplishment for Oakland

Also in 1928, the US Treasury declared Oakland a port, allowing the city to compete with other ports, including San Francisco

...And Now!

The historic Warehouse District is a bustling neighborhood of lofts, condos and live-work spaces, all close to one of the Bay Area's top destinations!

Famed Jack London Square

Oakland Produce Market

Bed, Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble and more

Yoshi's, Regal Cinemas and California Kayaks

Scott's Seafood, Everett & Jones' Barbeque, Il Pescatore and Ben & Jerry's

Train (2 blocks to Amtrak), Ferry (1/4 mile), Freeway (3 blocks to Hwy 880) or BART (5 blocks)

Will the New Whole Foods in Oakland Affect Oakland's Real Estate Market?

Once the Bill Cox Cadillac Dealership- Now the New Whole Foods

For the last two years I have been patiently waiting for Whole Foods Oakland...and drum roll please, it has arrived! Last Sunday morning I headed over for the grand tour.

I skipped the downstairs parking lot and parked in the upstairs lot where I immediately found a great park and stepped in to heaven. (If you didn't know, I am a big foodie, I graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco)

This is the best looking Whole Foods I've seen. It mimics a French marketplace with many specialty shops within the grocery store; cheese, meat, seafood, produce, chocolate, coffee and espresso, extensive beauty products, gelato, hot prepared foods and a Bistro.

So the bottom line is this, Whole Foods Oakland will increase the value of residential property surrounding it. Now all of the homes below Piedmont Avenue and around Lake Merritt will have a full service grocery store within walking distance. Prior to Whole Foods Oakland, homeowners had to drive to the Grand Ave. Safeway,(a store that borders the City of Piedmont) or the Safeway on 51st Street in Oakland for the closest stores. One of the biggest draws of living by Lake Merritt is the its easy access to downtown, BART and transportation. Now homeowners can actually live car-free.

My hope is that Whole Foods Oakland will be a huge economic success, enticing other big businesses to follow suit and set up shop here in Oakland.

With all of the residential and condo growth, Oakland needs the retail presence to balance.

Shop in a spacious and clean store

Bring home hot and healthy prepared foods

Don't forget dessert.

Cafe Allegro

Extensive meat department, featuring beef from "green" ranchers

Handmade Chocolates both local and imported

Irresistible

My Beautiful Oakland! You Should Consider Purchasing Your Home in Oakland.

Okay, I am a little biased, but Oakland is the place to be. Today I was driving on Broadway Street downtown, and I was overwhelmed by the potential and the energy. Only in Oakland do you see the diverse mix of artists, professionals, children, schools, sports, restaurants, cultures and beautiful homes.

As your Oakland Realtor, I am happy to show you the different neighborhoods and districts of this beautiful city!

Coming Soon! Satisfying Mid Century Beauty

Coming September 16th, a satisfying Mid Century beauty in Upper Laurel! This 1957 home is perfect for someone who wants a move-in ready home with a sensible floor plan in an established neighborhood. I can’t wait to show off this impeccable home in the Upper Laurel District of Oakland. I can imagine the raised flower and vegetable beds that will bask in the sunny oversized backyard. I would retreat to the downstairs den to stay cool during the summer while I read a book or watch a comedy. How wonderful it would be to live worry-free in a home that boasts a new furnace, roof , hot water heater and more.

As soon as the final details are complete, including mid century staging by Form Vintage Modern on College Avenue I will post photos!

Coming Soon!

Location: Upper Laurel

Are you yearning for a roomy mid century home with original period details? How about a level lot for a gardener’s paradise? My up coming listing on Enos Avenue is what you have been waiting for. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is move-in ready and waiting for your personal touch. Downstairs has an extra large rumpus room, large attached two-car garage, room for a third bathroom, plenty of storage and a new sliding glass door leading to the patio and plentiful yard. Appreciate the impeccable condition, the new roof, furnace, and hot water heater and a home built the old fashion way. (Built to last.)

Currently no photos are available, as the seller and I are working together to get this beauty ready for you.

This photo is of 35th Avenue and MacArthur in 1940, in the Laurel District of Oakland

courtesy of the Online Archives of the Public Library

Moving to Oakland? Don't Forget the Closing Costs.

So, you are ready to buy a home. What will it actually cost in terms of out of pocket expenses. In addition to your down payment, there are closing cost. The approximate cost is 3% of the purchase price of your new home. Here are some of the fees:

Title Insurance - (This insures that you are receiving the property free and clear of liens, except your new mortgage)

Prorated Property Taxes - (You will make sure the property taxes are current, however you are paying the taxes at the sellers tax rate. Within 6-12 months you will receive a Supplemental Tax Bill which is the difference between the sellers property bill and your property taxes. Property taxes are based on the purchase price of your home.)

Any lender fees - Often these fees are minimal

City transfer tax - the city wants their money

The following is a list of the cities in Alameda County and their transfer tax. (Emeryville has No city transfer tax!!!) Typically this tax is divided equally between the buyer and seller, for example if the city transfer tax is $15 per $1000 dollars of purchase price and the purchase price is $500,000 then the buyer and seller will each pay, $3750 in transfer cost as part of their closing cost.

Transfer Tax in Alameda County Cities:

City of Alameda: $12.00 per thousand

City of Albany: $11.50 per thousand

City of Berkeley: $15.00 per thousand

City of Hayward: $4.50 per thousand

City of Oakland: $15.00 per thousand

City of Piedmont: $13.00 per thousand

City of San Leandro: $6.00 per thousand

County transfer tax is $1.10 per thousand and this is generally paid by the seller.

If you are confused at all, call me at 510.693.4253 or email me at deidrejoyner@comcast.net

Property Tax Benefit for For Folks 55 Years Old or Older

Do you live in Alameda County? Is your once perfect home in the Oakland Hills now too big since the kids moved out? Take advantage of Proposition 60 and 90 a property tax benefit for Alameda County homeowners.

Residents 55 years old or older can make a one-time property tax transfer within Alameda County. Since the passage of Prop 13, people are afraid to sell their larger homes to downsize to a more appropriate size for fear of a huge increase in property taxes.

Ask me for more information about this one time tax transfer and also about the cooperating counties in California that will allow you to transfer your tax base.

Call ore email me for my free booklet.

510.693.4253 cell - deidrejoyner@comcast.net

Why is my house not selling?

The Bay Area real estate market is healthy, in fact many properties are having multiple offers, so why is your house not selling?

Here are a few things to consider. Sadly for sellers the real estate market peaked in September 2005, so you need to think realistically, most likely you will not sell your home for the same price your neighbor got two years ago. The good news is any home will sell at the right price!

When your home hits the real estate market, the first three weeks are critical so you need to price your home right from the beginning. Even in this market buyers think a home has "issues" when it is on the market longer than 25-30 days. Remember there is no fooling a home buyer, home buyers and their Realtors will know what your home's true value is.

Sometimes with the correct pre-marketing plan your home will have multiple offers! Make sure your home is ready for the marketplace, it is best to present your home to the public with your "A game". Sometimes you will see homes on the market with confidential remarks such as, "seller to replace flooring by close of escrow." Regardless of the promise, a home will not sell unless a buyer falls in love with it. Unless you are selling your home as a "fixer" a person should physically see what they are buying.

Hire a Realtor who will aggressively market your home. In today's market it is super important to have a heavy emphasis on Internet marketing. The vast majority of home buyers start their home search on the Internet.

When you are considering selling your home, identify the reasons. Is it just because you want a change or have you out-grown your home? My point is maybe now is not the best time for you to sell. Maybe there are some inexpensive fixes to the "problem" aspects of your home. Possibly it is best to hold on to your home another year or two until you acquire a bit more equity.

If you are looking for a Realtor to give you honest answers to your tough questions, give me a call, I am happy to help. My motto is, I would rather under promise and over deliver. I am here to be your resource and when the time is right, I am ready to work aggressively for you.

Take a look at one of the websites I built for a recent condo listing, www.50EmeryBayDrive.com.

Even Die Hard "Do It Yourselfers" Hire Realtors

Why Even Die Hard
“Do It Yourselfers”
Hire Realtors Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions in the Bay Area today usually exceed $500,000. If you had a $500,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $500,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be risky to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a Realtor. But if you're still not convinced of the value of a Realtor here are a few more reasons to use one:
1. Your Realtor provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your Realtor can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property.
2. When selling your home, your Realtor can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
3. Often, your realtor can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your Realtor markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer.
4. Your Realtor will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your Realtor, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your Realtor will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
5. Your Realtor can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your Realtor is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

Multiple Offers in a Softer Market

Last Summer I had the pleasure of selling an adorable bungalow in the Melrose District of Oakland. The following is a letter of recommendation from the sellers.

Dear Deidre,

We want to express our sincere appreciation and admiration for the work you did in selling our property. We found that we were constantly amazed and pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm and professionalism that you showed throughout the entire in process. We did not think we would find someone even more conscientious than ourselves, and are still thankful that we found you. Even before we decided to sell our property you provided us with information that helped us to make a sound decision. Once we asked you to be our agent, you were available with affordable and effective marketing ideas as well as cost-effective contractors for various repairs. You even served as “project manager” for some of the work, and kept us informed about the sales status every step of the way. You were simply fantastic!

As you know, we have recommended you to friends who have let us know that you were every bit as generous and competent in helping them. We will continue to do so, but also want to extend our willingness to serve as a reference to anyone considering working with you. We wish to confirm your skills and your commitment.

Thanks for your invaluable help and guidance. - John and Elizabeth