Recession over?  Maybe.  CONFIDENCE AGAIN IN REAL ESTATE. Rules are real tight for loans, thank goodness, so no more funny stuff. That does not mean  "don't  WATCH out for 'funny' promises". Ask me if you are suspicious. ONLY USE KNOWN LENDERS, like Holmgren in Montclair. Homes are selling faster, but still some good deals out there!!

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Remember that historically only about 25% of the population can be or qualify as homeowners. That is based on income etc.  It will never be for everyone, trying to do that got us into this mess!

The average home price in CA. is determined mostly at this point by foreclosure prices. Thus the low $.#.  GOOD homes are not selling as frequently  as often as the foreclosed homes, most of which are in outlying areas.  This average home price they tell you about on the news, well, it is largely 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, just fewer, thus the average price is decreased overall.

Remember: IT IS  always a local market.  

 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!

Real Estate 101:

Real Estate creates long term wealth. ( does Carnegie  ring a bell? He is the one that said' ya don't make money by working, but in real estate!)Even in lean times, properties increase an average of 6% a year. This has been the pattern for decades in most areas. R.E . 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. And last  I checked,  rates are good.

 Please call me for GOOD lenders if you need one. I read over the loan all 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 thoroughly  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.

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. Only had  ONE LISTED HOUSE NOT SELL, and that was because the Seller would not make it easy to SEE IT! 

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. PS my son can design,  redesign, improve, or beautify your home. CALL ME or visit www.spaceplanningsolution.com

Berkeley Association of Realtors. Awarded Prudential's "Leading Edge" Designation. Have been a Top Pruducer in the Berkeley Prudential offices. Personally: donor: USS Hornet, Alameda Naval Base. donor :The Thunderbird Lodge, a historical home on Lake Tahoe's East Shore(ask me).  Member: First Methodist Church. Hobbies:Country Western Dancer and Salsa, travel, love boats, planes, fishing, downhill skiing, and golfing. I canoe, can you?  Had an Art showing at Disney Studios in Burbank. A Grandma of 4 and proud of it!

DRE LICENSE # 01226573