Active Rain MasterMinds - Home Inspections – A Physical Exam for Your Home-to-Be - 06/30/11 08:19 PM
Home inspections are a vital part of the home buying process.  The purchase price is the first indicator about cost, but understanding the condition of the home and its working systems complete the equation – what is the true cost of owning the home?
Homes inspections are similar to annual physical exams—the house receives a basic once over from head to toe, systems are tested and examined and if there is any cause for concern, a deeper and more thorough investigation will be conducted by a specialist in the field.
It's rare that a purchase offer is accepted without allowing for … (14 comments)

Mastermind Challenge: Foreclosures - 06/29/11 08:28 PM
As a member of the Gold Standard, an Active Rain Mastermind Group, our challenge for last month was on the above topic. Karen Fiddler wrote a composite of our groups thoughts.  These are some thoughts about how lenders and agents can work together to deal with very difficult and highly emotional fallout from the market decline of the past few years.
Via Karen Fiddler, Broker/Realtor, Mission Viejo ((949)510-2395,The Fiddler Realty Team/eVantage Real Estate):
This month the Masterminds of Active Rain were asked to consider the Foreclosure Epidemic facing the Real Estate Market. Each member of the Gold Standard had different experiences with this … (5 comments)

The QR Code Marketing Challenge - 06/29/11 07:53 PM
I've read some great ideas from members for AR Staff and Kodak’s joint contest about QR codes.
So, how to come up with something a little different, or a twist on something that’s already in use?  Will it have any impact?  Will it be used?  Well, I’ll only know if I try, so try I will.

 
Here’s my idea.  It’s a flyer advertising two listings in the same neighborhood, where the QR code will direct the visitor to my Murrieta Meadows Neighborhood Facebook Business Page for this particular subdivision. My long term goal is to make this a page … (7 comments)

El Padro Neighborhood Park, Livermore, CA 94551 - 06/27/11 06:50 PM
El Padro Neighborhood Park 1731 El Padro Livermore, CA 94550
Here’s another wonderful neighborhood park, built as part of the Sunset West and Granada Woods subdivisions.  Staple for all these parks is a tot lot, picnic tables and barbeque pits.  And of course, plenty of lush green grass – 5 whole acres of it – for romping around.
 
 
… (2 comments)

Remove Contingencies Before Repair Request Response– Sure I Will – NOT!! - 06/27/11 06:06 PM
 
In a recent transaction, the listing agent was pushing, pushing, pushing for our contingency removals, which weren't due for another 24 hours.  Hey, when they’re due, you’ll get them from us unless we have communicated an issue, and requested an extension.  The buyer has received and reviewed the seller’s disclosures. They’ve done all the inspections they intend to do.  And yes, the appraisal is complete and came in at value. Better yet, the lender has approved the loan. But, there is one thing missing from the seller’s side of the transaction, and that’s a response to the buyer’s Request for … (35 comments)

Median Price Vs. Average Price – Investigate the Numbers! - 06/24/11 01:24 AM
News reports often quote sales statistics for the country, a state or even a metropolitan area. The most bandied about quantifier has to be the term ‘median’.  But what does that really mean? In real estate terms, it’s the mid-point in a set of numbers. So, if 101 homes sold in a given month, it would be a number signifying that 50 of the prices are lower and 50 of those prices are higher. In contrast, average sales price is the sum of those 101 home sales prices, divided by 101.  Let’s look at a real time example.  For the month … (7 comments)

Sunset Neighborhood Park, Livermore, CA 94551 - 06/22/11 09:38 PM
Sunset Neighborhood Park 1055 Geneva St Livermore, CA 94550
Sunset Park is a 6.7-acre neighborhood park located at the heart of the Sunset East housing development, and named after the subdivision when it was built in 1969.  You’ll find the standard park amenities – a tot lot and picnic tables. 
In addition though are several youth-sized soccer fields, which are the home of the Livermore Youth Soccer League. Note: the park is closed from mid-November through mid-February each year.
Sunset Park serves various neighborhoods including Sunset East, Forest Glades Estates and Old Granada.
 
… (4 comments)

The Grove Development, Livermore, CA 94550 - 06/22/11 09:10 PM
The Grove, Livermore, CA 94550
Sonia St.
Livermore, CA 94550
 
This charming neighborhood sits at the east central part of Livermore, just minutes from easy access to Hwy 580. Built by Northbrook from 2006-2007, a small park is situated right at the heart of the development, with beautiful shade trees and walking paths, all lending to a very private look and feel.  All homes have two car garages, the newest in designer amenities and are available in one and two story models. One of the two story models has an au-pair unit built over the garage.
 
Floor Plan Options … (1 comments)

The Home Buying Journey Part 3: We Want To Write An Offer – Now What Happens? - 06/17/11 09:47 PM
 
First we look at comparable properties in the area which have sold to see if the property is appropriately priced, and we ask if there are any other offers – those facts will help you determine a purchase price. We’ll also consider other items, known as terms.  
Are there any specific items we want to write into the offer – the beautiful window coverings in the living room for instance? How much will you put down as a deposit? Which inspections will you order? What type of financing do you have – that goes into the offer too. How … (10 comments)

The Home Buying Journey Part 2. Touring Homes - A Game Plan for Buyers - 06/16/11 11:48 PM
Prior to viewing homes, your agent will have made appointments for you to see homes. Some will be unoccupied, but others may have very specific showing instructions.  Some sellers require as much as 24 hour advance notice. Others may make it very easy for you to see their property. With that in mind, it is helpful if you can provide your agent with a bit of lead-time for making these arrangements. Here are some things to make your time worthwhile.  1.   Be Deliberate.  A house may have made your short list. But once you see what the surrounding homes look like, … (12 comments)

The Home Buying Journey – Part 1. The First Agent Meeting. - 06/15/11 11:32 PM
 
If you’re about to begin a home buying journey, what should you expect on the first day out with your Realtor?  If you’ve never met each other face to face, most probably your time together will start like this: A meeting at the agent’s office.  Get acquainted, and be presented with an Agency Disclosure.  This explains the various types of agency, and is a required disclosure for any real estate transaction. While you may just be meeting for the first time and not sure if a transaction will transpire, the agent will be providing information. Many brokerages will require that … (9 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Detached Homes –Alamo, CA 94507 - 06/13/11 11:35 PM

The Median list price as well as the Median sold price have dropped since May of last year, by 6% and 9% respectively. The higher priced areas and higher priced homes were slower to adjust to price reductions.
 

The Supply and Demand graph for detached Alamo homes looks different from much of the surrounding cities. Inventory is up and so is demand. Most areas are not seeing an increase in demand.

Days on Market for Danville is certainly the highest jump year to year of the 6 cities I track in my market reports, at least while … (1 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Attached Homes –Alamo, CA 94507 - 06/13/11 09:45 PM
 

This Median price graph is illustrating that more higher priced homes are for sale overall, raising the median.  It also shows us that the lower priced homes are still the ones selling. And perhaps the absence of tax incentives and multiple offers has tipped things down a bit.
 

The number of attached homes listed in Alamo is slightly less than last year at this time (5%). But the demand is down sharply – 44% over last year!
There seems to be a trend in Danville, San Ramon and Alamo.  The inventory levels are quite low, with Alamo … (2 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Attached Homes –San Ramon, CA 94583 - 06/13/11 07:48 PM

Some real highs and lows in this graph for attached homes in San Ramon, comparing Median for sale and Median sold. You can see the effect that inventory has on the sold price: when inventory drops, pricing goes higher. Look at the high swings in the first part of the chart when tax incentives for purchases were in place. The median sold price is still outpacing the median list price.
 

Supply is up, and demand is down.  Regular sellers are entering the market more frequently, as distressed sales make up a lesser percentage of the market overall in … (0 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Detached Homes –San Ramon, CA 94583 - 06/13/11 05:47 PM

Down 6%, then up 9%.  It would appear than as the median list price in San Ramon dropped 6% over the past year, it had a positive effect on sales prices. Sold listings show a median price of 9% more than the same time last year.
 
 
The supply and demand chart for detached homes in San Ramon shows a different dynamic. Inventory has increased, but demand has dropped. And that drop in demand can be in part due to last year’s buyer mania when tax incentives were on the table, pushing many buyers to purchase earlier in the … (2 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Attached Homes -Danville, CA 94526, 94506 - 06/10/11 06:00 PM

Last year we saw median sold prices out pace median list as buyers in the market hustled to take advantage of tax incentives. That pattern has now switched as median sold price is less that median list price.
 

Inventory has stayed relatively stable, but there has been a dramatic decrease of 50% in the homes sold since last May.

Two noticeable stats in this chart – little inventory drove quick sales, and low days on market in December.  And May of this year seems to have kicked off the spring selling season for attached homes.

… (3 comments)

Market Reports for Attached Homes, May 2011 – Livermore, CA 94550, 94551 - 06/10/11 05:40 PM
Comparing last May to this, there is a significant difference in the sale price versus sold price on attached homes. This was a segment highly sought after for the first time buyers taking advantage of tax incentives, as well as investors.  But you’ll notice a tremendous drop in September, and the different between list and sold pricing is still quite apparent.
The supply of attached homes has fallen quite a bit, as has the demand.  A couple of reasons may be at play. In this price range, we had more investor owners, who let properties ‘go’, and some first time … (0 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Attached Homes -Dublin, CA 94583 - 06/10/11 03:44 AM

More regular sellers are inching up the median price for Dublin attached homes for sale. But, buyers are still looking for bargains, and short sales and foreclosed properties at below market prices reflect the somewhat lower median sold price.  
 
Supply is fairly close to the same time last year, but demand has dropped.  As demand was high last spring, this shouldn’t be a very worrisome statistic.
Longer Average Days on Market is expected as demand shrinks, but that market time is much less that fall and winter, so a good indicator for sellers.
Inventory supply of … (2 comments)

Market Reports for May 2011 Detached Homes -Dublin, CA 94583 - 06/10/11 03:30 AM

Of the three Tri Valley cities, Dublin’s Median Home Price sold and for sale chart is the most uniform, displaying the least amount of swings from last year to this. The most common theme, is that homes for sale have dropped a bit (more realistic on the part of sellers?) and have come up just a tad on homes sold. Stable signs it would appear.  

Supply is just about on par with last year, which in the grand scheme of things was less than normal rates.  Demand is a bit off from last year when tax incentives moved … (0 comments)

Pleasanton Market Reports for May 2011 – Attached Homes - 06/08/11 09:43 PM

 
More for sale, but fewer selling sums up the trend on this Supply and Demand graph. Noticeable swings in both directions as last year the median price was somewhat static, and now shows a decline as the inventory rises.  

Inventory is down which typically helps stabilize prices, but demand has fallen sharply from last year, at 40% save for a nice little spike in March. Average days on market is actually performing pretty well.  Yes, it’s up from last year when the tax credits were driving early purchases, but has come down considerably from fall and winter.  … (2 comments)

Pleasanton Market Reports for May 2011 – Detached Homes - 06/08/11 08:00 PM

Since June of ’10, Pleasanton has seen a fairly steady drop in the median price, as well as sale price. It really dropped in February of this year, but in all fairness, there are far fewer properties on the market to help the average at that time of year.  There has been a bit of a rise since then, so May of this year is now slight up over May of ’10.  

Inventory is higher than last year, and units sold are lower. Typically, this will put downward pressure on prices.
As Pleasanton adjusted to pricing pressure … (2 comments)

Market Report for May 2011 – Detached Homes,Livermore, CA 94550, 94551 - 06/08/11 02:01 PM

Love this chart -the median home price in Livermore is increasing. And that's a good thing. As this chart portrays, the median price for homes for sale last year, compared to this year is down. That tells me that sellers are more realistic about pricing their homes, and that has translated into an increase in the SOLD median price. By comparing May to May the median sold this year is quite a bit higher than last.
So, this one isn’t as positive.  I just can’t help but think though, that the fact we just haven’t had a true spring … (1 comments)

Dear Consumer – I Have a Favor to Ask - 06/06/11 10:27 PM
Our first meeting didn’t lead me to believe we had a client-agent relationship.  Merely that you had some real estate questions, and that I promised to provide you with answers.
Our meeting may have been through an introduction by a common acquaintance, a chance meeting at an open house, or you may have contacted me through my website or my blog. I realize that I need to provide information in a professional and expedient manner in response to your inquiry.  And in doing so, I have the chance to earn your trust, and perhaps your business should a real estate-related need … (95 comments)

When You Check Out, Will You Have Regrets? - 06/05/11 03:07 PM
After reading member Tom Abbot’s blog today – The Top 5 Regrets People Have on Their Deathbed, I have to relay a couple of stories from the past week. We were in Kauai for a week’s vacation and went tubing down irrigation ditches, built in the mid 1800s to transport sugar cane from the plantations.  It’s requires no expertise of any kind, you simply plop yourself in a giant innertube, and float, spin and traverse downstream, sometimes in open air with the bright Hawaiian sunshine beaming down. But most of the runs are inside of caves - very dark and narrow. … (9 comments)

Technology Failure – A Forced Vacation? - 06/04/11 09:35 AM
You know what they say about whatever you ‘put out there to the Universe will manifest itself’?  Well that certainly proved to be true for me. We went to Princeville, Kauai last week and I really wanted to be on vacation and not be consumed by work. So I divvied up my clients to trusted colleagues and knew that I could count on them in my absence. But still, I wanted to make sure in a pinch that they could get a hold of me and I could see any critical documents. My laptop had recently taken a total dive, so … (11 comments)

Birchwood Park Development, Livermore, CA 94550 - 06/03/11 10:10 AM
Birchwood Park DevelopmentBirchwood Common Livermore, CA 94550
Pulte, a respected builder in Livermore, constructed a small development of single family, Energy Star homes during 2001-2003. These one and two story homes have two car garages and lot sizes between 2800 and 3200 sq. ft.  Located in Southeast Livermore, close to the Lawrence Livermore Lab, the subdivision is close to the Arroyo Mocho walking trails.
Floor Plan Options
Residence One – One Story, 1344 sq. ft. – Three Bedrooms, Two Baths Residence Two – Two Story, 1527 sq. ft. – Three Bedrooms, Two and a Half Baths Residence Three – Two Story, … (0 comments)

Marlin A. Pound Neighborhood Park, Livermore, CA 94551 - 06/02/11 08:10 PM
Marlin A. Pound Park 2010 Bluebell Dr. Livermore, CA 94551
There’s a hint of what you’ll find here in the name of this park – yep, a place for your pound puppies! (actually named for a long time LARPD board member) Not one, but two dog parks for your furry friends to run around.  Divided by weight, little dogs don’t have to get intimidated (or stomped) by their huskier friends.
But there’s more than just a place for your dogs. An oversize tot-lot will keep the little ones delighted, and moms with strollers or kids on bikes will enjoy the long … (3 comments)

Ponderosa Legacy, Livermore, CA 94550 - 06/01/11 11:58 AM
Ponderosa Legacy NeighborhoodHansen Rd. Livermore, CA 94550
This beautiful housing development is in its own little world. With open space and vineyard views, these majestic homes were built by Ponderosa from 2000-2005.  Available in one and two story models, with detached garage housing 2-4 vehicles.  Lots are ample in size – approx..15000-20000 sq. ft.  Homes have welcoming front porches, and some area available with separate guest quarters.
An open landscaped area sets the tone for elegant, tranquility in a suburban setting. It’s South Livermore wine country living at its finest.
Floor Plan Options Note: home sizes are approximate. Floor plans vary … (2 comments)

The Vineyard Development, Livermore, CA 94550 - 06/01/11 02:24 AM
The Vineyard DevelopmentPulsar Ave. Livermore, CA 94550
This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in South Livermore. Built in 1986-1989, these custom homes are by various builders, and have wide tree-lined streets, and stately elegance.  They’re located south of Concannon Blvd. and east of Isabel (Hwy 84).
Homes range in size from 2500 to 4000 sq. ft, and have ample lot sizes – all 20,000 or larger.  You’ll find both one and two story homes, and garages in 2, 3 or 4 car sizes.
Nearby Park Jack Williams Park has more than 4 acres of lawn area, plus a tot … (5 comments)

 
Headshot_2011_corrected Ambassador_large

Karen Crowson, ABR, SRES, Livermore, CA

Livermore, CA

More about me…

Alain Pinel Realtors, Pleasanton, CA

Address: 900 Main St., Pleasanton, CA, 94566

Office Phone: (925) 583-1138

Cell Phone: (925) 784-6208

Email Me

Real estate market and local information for the Tri Valley communities of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, CA. Search for homes for sale, things to see and do, what it's like to live here.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog