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.

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

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 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

6 Home Maintenance Chores We All Forget: How Many Did You Miss?

From Realtor.com:
If you're like most people, your home maintenance to-do list is so long, plenty of chores regularly fall off it and into the abyss, never to be remembered.  With so much house and so little time, that's understandable.  Hey, you're only human!  Read more at https://bit.ly/2jun6Pm

Pacific Union Quarterly Report: Q1 2018 East Bay

From the Pacific Union blog:
The East Bay's housing market continued to maintain it's strong momentum in the first quarter.  While the number of sales in more affordable market segments lagged due to continually falling inventory, sales of homes priced above $1 million surged.  following Silicon Valley, the East Bay saw the second highest increase in sales of homes above $1 million. 
Read all the details at https://bit.ly/2F6uVTR

Bay Area, California Homebuyers Lead the Nation for Down-Payment Size

From the Pacific Union blog:
If you're planning to shop for a home in the Bay Area this spring, you would do well to have more than $200,000 in the bank for a down payment.  Buyers in the San Jose metropolitan area are currently shelling out the largest down payments in America, an average of 23.9 percent.  As the country's most expensive housing market, with a median list price of $1.2 million, San Jose homebuyers are placing down payments of $257,000.  Read more at https://bit.ly/2GAEcJF . For more information about this and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

Bay Area Luxury Home Sales Doubled in February

From the Pacific Union blog:

Bay Area homebuyer demand remained strong in February despite concers over tax changes, rising mortgage rate and stock market volatility.  While overall activity remained flat year over year in February, sales of homes priced above $3 million doubled to about 126 for the eight-county Bay Area (excluding Solano County).  Read more at . . . http://bit.ly/2FOSQwn .  Call FRITZ for more information on this and all your real estate needs.

U.S. Home Prices Up, Sales Down in August

From the Pacific Union blog:
Four major trends persisited for the national housing market in August:  rising prices, declining inventory, slowing sales and strong buyer demand. Read all the details at: http://bit.ly/2wnIElQ
For more information about buying and selling a home, call FRITZ

Choosing a Moving Company? Let the Buyer Beware

From the Pacific Union blog:
Planning to move into a new home?  How trustworthy are the movers?  It's important to learn as much as you can about prospective movers, then choose carefully.  Read the complete article: http://bit.ly/2vBZxc5 .  For more information on buying and selling a home, call FRITZ.

The Federal Reserve Increases Interest Rates, but Slow Inflation Keeps Mortgage Rates Low

From the Pacific Union blog:
While the Fed's decision was anticipated and already accounted for by the market, what lies ahead is less than certain.  The Fed is expected to increase rates again this year, but concerns over slow inflation may affect future decisions---read more:  http://bit.ly/2uNv7Ui  For more on how the rates affect you, cal FRITZ.

U.S. Homes Are Selling Faster Than Ever This Spring

From the Pacific Union blog:
Serious home shoppers who are hitting the open house circuit hard during the traditionally busy spring season should not hesitate long, as properties are flying off the market quicker than ever before. That's especially true here in the Bay Area, where homes continue to sell at among the fastest pace in the nation. http://bit.ly/2rDCQW3 .  For more information about buying or selling a home, call FRITZ.

Lawn Care: Know the Difference Between Not Enough and Too Much

From the Pacific Union blog:
Lawn-care experts will tell you that all landscaping mistakes by homeowners ultimately come down to two errors:  not paying enough attention to your home's outdoor space and paying too much attention to it.  http://bit.ly/2quW2Ss .  Call FRITZ for all you real estate needs!

First-Time Buyers Overestimate Down-Payment Size

From the Pacific Union blog:
The vast majority of Americans who don't own a home want to purchase one in the future, although affordability is a primary concern.  The down payment, however, may not be as big of a hurdle as many first-time buyers believe.  Read more at http://pacunion.us/2lbk3vt .  For more information about this and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

Labor Day Kicks Off Northern California Fall Real Estate Season

From the Pacific Union blog: (Photo courtesy Pacific Union)
Ready, Set, Go:  Labor Day Kicks off Northern California's Fall Real Estate Season. With Northern California's balmy fall weather, this is a prime time to shop for that perfect starter home or trade up to the home you've always dreamed of.  Here are some tips, how-tos and information sheets to help get you started:  http://pacunion.us/2c0dA3s .  For more information about buying a new home, contact FRITZ.

Smart Homebuyer Strategies

Courtesy Blanche Evans:
When homes are in short supply, buyers don't have the luxury of taking their time, teasing sellers with low ball offers, demanding that every little thing be fixed and shopping for homes with multiple real estate agents.  Do these five steps instead.

Make a good first impression.  When you find the home you want, send the seller a letter along with your offer outlining why you love the home.

Get pre-approved by a lender.  Not only will you know how much home you can buy, you'll be ready to make an offer quickly.

Shop within your price range.  In a seller's market, it's wise to shop for homes within or slightly below your price range.  This will give you more room to make a full price offer or above in case the home you want is in a bidding war.

Be flexible.  No home is perfect.  To get more home for your money, try to look past old or ugly finishes and visualize the home with new finishes.

Be ready.  Be ready to see a new listing at a moment's notice and be ready to make an offer.
For more information on buying and selling a home, call FRITZ.

New Listing! 1148 Rosewood Way, Alameda

A mid century modern beach house, just a block from Crown Memorial Beach, this hip, 3 bedroom, 2 bath mid century style home offers the open concept floor plan perfect for California's in and outdoor lifestyle.  The home features updated kitchen and baths, hardwood floors throughout, skylights, fireplace and a gorgeous yard.  Don't miss out on this rare offering!  Open Saturday and Sunday from 2-4:30.  Offered at $699,000.  Call FRITZ for more details.

Pacific Union's January 2016 Real Estate Update

Bay Area home shoppers who ventured out in the first month of 2016 were in luck, as the amount of homes for sale expanded in every one of our regions, although conditions still mostly favor sellers. See how 2016 kicked off in the world of Northern California real estate in our January real estate report.  http://pacunion.us/1nYTV7D.  For more information on this and all your real estate needs, contact FRITZ.

Buying a Home? Insist on an Inspection

Courtesy the Pacific Union blog:
There are a million and one details in purchasing real estate.  If you're in the market for a new home, don't forget to include a home inspection on your list of priorities before you even think of signing a contract.  Home inspections are so important that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently began instructing lenders to urge all mortgage applicants, at first contract, to hire a licensed home inspector to evaluate desired properties.  Read more. . .
For more information on home inspections and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.