Which Home-Remodeling Project Do Owners Most Regret Doing Themselves?

From the Compass California Real Estate Blog:
Taking a do-it-yourself approach to home improvements can save owners a significant amount of money and give them a sense of accomplishment, but those who do not have much remodeling experience should likely expect at least one misfire along the way.  In fact, 63 percent of homeowners surveyed by ImproveNet regret doing at least one of the average eight renovation jobs that they have undertaken.   Find out which projects went wrong . . .  https://bit.ly/2RNm6bY

Homebuyers Equally Rely on the Internet and Real Estate Professionals

From the Compass California Real Estate Blog:
More than nine in ten homebuyers employed the Internet at some point in their search process and near equal amount counted on the expertise of a skilled real estate professional to seal the deal.
For professional real estate assistance, call FRITZ.  https://bit.ly/2Rx1XXB

Compass’ November 2018 Real Estate Update

From the Compass California Real Estate blog:
East Bay homes sold in an average of 22 days in November, faster than they did anywhere else in the Bay Area.  Homes in the region continued to command the largest premiums, fetching 111.9 percent of original price, slightly less than at the same time last year. https://bit.ly/2Geyk97 .  For more information about buying or selling a home, call FRITZ.

Home Remodeling: How Much Can You Save by Doing It Yourself?

From Compass California Real Estate blog:
Nearly half of homebuyers run into unexpected repairs within the first year of ownership and those who are handy enough to do the work themselves can save enough money to put a dent in their mortgage balance.  Remodeling costs are top of mind for homeowners and 80 percent say that professionals charge too much for materials and labor.  Still, more than two-thirds of Americans say that they prefer to pay the pros to handle a renovation rather than do it themselves.  Read all the details at:  https://bit.ly/2PiIswP

Compass’ October 2018 Real Estate Update

From Pacific Union/Compass blog:
The median sales price rose from October 2017 in most Northern California regions in which Compass does business, except for Sonoma Valley, where it was down by almost 10 percent.  Elsewhere, annual appreciation ranged from 0.3 percent in Sonoma County to more than 25 percent for single-family homes in Lake Tahoe. https://bit.ly/2FJE7Df

Bay Area Cities Rank Among the Nation’s Best Small and Midsize U.S. Places to Live in 2018

Street scene in  city of Santa Clara

From the Pacific Union blog:
Despite the Bay Area's top-dollar cost of living, the region's rapid home price appreciation and booming economy have helped land a handful of local cities on lists of the best places to live in America.  Read more at . . . https://bit.ly/2OFPawt . For help to buy or sell a home, call FRITZ.

California Housing Inventory Near a 3-Year High in September

From the Pacific Union blog:
The nine-county Bay Area saw the number of homes for sale improve on both a monthly and annual basis, as the month's supply of inventory rose to 3.2.  All counties posted year-over-year gains, with the monthly supply of inventory ranging from 2.7 in Alameda County to 5.6 in Napa County.
Read all the details . . . https://bit.ly/2EKqMtS

Pacific Union Quarterly Report: Q3 2018

From the Pacific Union blog:
As in the second quarter, the median home price in the third quarter of 2018 increased year over year in every northern California region in which Pacific Union operates.  Get all the latest market data, plus expert commentary from Pacific Union Chief Economist Selma Hepp in out latest quarterly real estate report.  https://bit.ly/2Jakxhz

Downsizing Homes Can Save Californians Big Bucks

From the Pacific Union blog:
Many Golden State baby boomers and other empty-nesters may no longer need that spacious home they bought when they were raising a family and a recent study may give them a significant incentive to downsize.  A PropertyShark study published last month determines how much homeowners in 20 major California cities can save by purchasing a smaller home.  https://bit.ly/2RIKwRh

Proposition 10: Possibly the Worst Approach to California’s Current Housing Crisis

Pacific Union blog:
This is just a few issues with Prop 10---read all about it at https://bit.ly/2RjUrw4
It prohibits "strict" rent control  (for instance, vacancy control) which requires rents to remain controlled even after a tenant moves out.  Since Costa-Hawkins passed, owners may still increase the rent equivalent to the change in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index.  For more info on this please call FRITZ.

What Do Americans Want in Their Ideal Home?

From the Pacific Union blog:
Roughly half of Americans and Europeans believe that a waterfront location is perfect for a home followed by about one-third who want a view of the coast, a city or hills.  The least-popular location is near a golf course, cited by less than 4 percent of both Americans and Europeans. Read more at . . 
https://bit.ly/2NnNY5h .  To find your perfect home, call FRITZ.

Real Estate Roundup: Most New California Homes Have Smart Features

From the Pacific Union blog:
More than three-quarters of new homes in both Northern and Southern California come equipped with the latest and greatest technologies.  And one San Francisco neighborhood is being called the hottest in the country.  See what's shaking in the housing world in Pacific Union's latest Real Estate roundup. https://bit.ly/2wTjRbD

New Listing 8990 McGurrin Road, Oakland

New listing--8990 McGurrin Road, Oakland. This gated Sequoyah estate sits on gorgeous, landscaped grounds and is loaded with luxury features like a chef's kitchen, open concept indoor and outdoor living and entertaining areas, over the top master suite with sitting area, gigantic walk-in closet and spa quality bath.  Country club living at it's best!  http://www.8990mcgurrin.com/#home
Offered at $1,049,000.  Call FRITZ for mre details.

Real Estate Roundup: Most Buyers Prioritize Pets When Home Shopping

From the Pacific Union blog:
Eighty percent of respondents to a poll conducted by realtor.com reported owning pets, with dogs the most popular animal.  Of those that own a pet, nearly 90 percent said that they took their animals needs into consideration during their home search.  Furthermore, 75 percent of those surveyed told realtor.com that they would pass up their dream home if it was not right for their pets.  And that doesn't include just dog and cat owners; even those that own fish or reptiles would not buy a dream home that could not properly accomodate their creatures.  Read more . . . https://bit.ly/2wcaumc

New Listing 6811 Buckingham Blvd, Berkeley, Open Saturday and Sunday

This hilltop contemporary home at 6811 Buckingham Blvd in Berkeley features world class vistas of  San Francisco and the Golden Gate and beyond.  The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, open concept living and dining areas, custom built-ins, a luxurious master bedroom with fireplace and sweeping terraces!  Open Saturday and Sunday August 4-5 from 2-4:30.  Offered at $1,699,000.  Call FRITZ for more details.  http://www.6811buckingham.com/

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Home in California?

From the Pacific Union blog:
An analysis by home-remodeling portal Porch breaks down home maintenance costs by states and zip codes, as well as individual jobs.  Though it's commonly accepted wisdom that owners should expect to spend 1 percent of a home's cost on maintenance each year, Porch determined that nationwide, Americans spend an average of $16,000 on home upkeep annually, assuming that the work is outsourced to professionals.  Read more at https://bit.ly/2NWjJhF

Bay Area Is High on List of Best Beach Towns, Led by … Mill Valley!

From the Pacific Union blog:
Quick: Name the best, most livable oceanfront beach town in California.  If you picked Mill Valley, you would be correct, according to the number-crunchers at the personal finance website WalletHub, who count Marin County's Mill Valley as the fourth most livable beach town in all the United States--and No. 1 in California.  https://bit.ly/2uwd4Cs

Happy Independence Day From Pacific Union

All of us at Pacific Union would like to wish you a very happy Fourth of July and wish our great nation a happy 242nd birthday.  Whether you took the holiday as an opportunity to squeeze in a vacation or you are simply sticking around the Bay Area to catch the fireworks displays and hit a backyard barbecue, we hope your day off is relaxing and safe.  https://bit.ly/2lQJi7I

California’s Median Home Price Climbs to New All-Time High

From the Pacific Union blog:
The latest monthly home sales and price report from the California Association of Realtors puts the median sales price for a single-family home in the state at $600,860 in May, up 9.2 percent year over year for the highest annual rate of appreciation in four years.  California's median price surpassed its previous peak of $594,530, recorded 11 years ago.  https://bit.ly/2K65xkv

As Summer Nears, Homeowners Have Outdoor Parties in Mind

From the Pacific Union blog:
With the official beginning of summer just a couple of weeks away, the high season for backyard barbecues and pool parties will soon arrive and a significant number of American homeowners are upgrading their outdoor spaces with entertaining guests in mind.
Read more . . . https://bit.ly/2LMp9ul .  Call FRITZ for all your real estate needs!