The media says the average home price in CA. has FALLEN to $350K. This is half true....it is VERY simple to explain. GOOD homes are not selling right now as often as the foreclosed homes, most of which are in outlying areas.  Most people are staying put. This average home price they tell you about on the news, well, it is the foreclosure sale, NOT YOUR AVERAGE  home sale in a good area. These are still going for about the same as before depending on area and condition.

Those who have to sell are still doing ok, but those who do not have to sell, are not moving until  this foreclosure period is over. These foreclosure properties were likely  the homes that were bought with no money down and possibly in the 2006 to present window when the market was leveling off and no more EQUITY was being built.

Remember: IT IS  always a local market.  

 Hey, if you think the property that you purchased 3-5 years ago is valued/assessed lower, call me. I have links to help lower your taxes in some cases!

Call me at 510 205 9156, or VM at 510 869 2638 for more details on our market here. FYI, School ratings matter!(check out my Oakland and Berkeley School links). The better the schools:  we find there is usually a more stable housing market in that area.  There are Pent up buyers.  Not much on the market, and they all have the money and want to live there!

(The truth is, there are foreclosures as some people got teaser loans. NOT REAL LOANS. This was a sad time, unfair and broke a lot of hearts and dreams.  That lead to PART of the mess we are in now it seems. )

Real Estate 101:

Real Estate creates long term wealth. ( does Carnegie ring a bell?)Even in lean times, properties increase an average of 6% a year. This has been the pattern for decades in most areas. It is forced savings, and yes we had a huge surge from 2000 to 2005 or so. Real Estate remains the best place for your money to grow. Don't expect fortunes overnight. Sometimes it takes up to 10 years to see the advantage of an investment. Like the old saying goes, " you don't make money by working, you make money with real estate". And last  I checked,  rates are good. 6.3% for 30 years is not bad!

 Please call me for GOOD lenders if you need one. I read over the loan my clients get, to make sure it is sound and good. I have actually saved 1000s of dollars for my clients in discovering mistakes or errors in loans if they insist on using 'other' than my recommended lenders. It is a very important part of the transaction!  I recommend only the BEST and most honest lenders!

It is all about schools and location.   Remember, Real Estate is a LOCAL market. The news you hear is not usually from our market in Berkeley and Oakland. E mail me for more info!  And if your Fico score is good, great loans available too. Remember, Piedmont went UP 25% in the second quarter this year!

HEY check out this link to Temescal area of Oakland, the NEW Bart MacArthur Village Project: It has STARTED!

http://www.business2oakland.com/main/documents/MacArthurBARTTransitVillage-ProjectInfoSheet10.2006_001.pdf

Thanks for visiting my website. I CARE ABOUT YOUR investments. Some of my information is from the Calif. and/or National Assoc. Of Realtors

HONESTY, nothing but the TRUTH.  PROVEN RESULTS: The average number of days on the market for my listings are 15-20 compared to 45 for the total MLS. NEVER HAD A LISTED HOUSE NOT SELL! Most all of my new clients are referrals from happy customers!! I want to make you prosperous. You don't make money by working. Real Estate is the key to financial security. Worked for me, let me show you how.

P.S. before I sold Real Estate I worked as a scientist at a major University Medical Center in the area. I care about details!

MARKET KNOWLEDGE: For example: I've sold many properties in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, from condos to 4-plexes. 

 I have been consistently near the top in production at Prudential since 1998. I give faithful and heartfelt service to my clients. I care about my clients and their home whether it be a buy or sell. I have won in over 90% of competitive bidding. I know the market and how to successfully come out on top. I have also been able to find homes for my clients that are not in competition, saving them up to 15%. Although a staged home can bring in many offers because it looks great, it may not be the only one to buy! On the other hand if you are selling in this market, you want that extra edge in having your POLISHED property SHINE more than all the rest.