How to live in 344 sq ft of space --- amazing transformation. Small, Modern AND Green! - 03/27/12 02:18 PM
In this age of McMansions , and on another side, efforts to be "green". it is amazing to see how creative people can be with the amount of space they can work with.
This is a video about an architect who transformed his family's 344 sq ft home into a true modern archtectural marvel. Take a look at this video and see for yourself.
 
 

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Multiple Offers on short sales...yes, believe it. Is this a sign of Real Estate Recovery or not? - 03/26/12 01:03 PM

Multiple Offers on short sales...yes, believe it. The question was asked: Real Estate Recovery or Not?  2012 Predictions by the Pros Infographic.Here’s what’s happening to my short sales in Alameda  CATwo duplexes in Alameda, CA, both short sales, received multiple offers within days of activation on the MLS.  Was I surprised? Yes. Do I think this will happen again? Yes.But I wasn’t prepared at just how much the demand is until I activated another short sale, this time, a duet (sometimes known as a side-by-side) where each side of the building is individually owned. Since many folks still prefer detached … (8 comments)

“Why can’t you tell me how much the accepted offer is? I’ll find out anyway.” Or RUDE buyer and agent at open house - 03/26/12 10:09 AM
“Why can’t you tell me how much the accepted offer is? I’ll find out anyway.”A  lot of people came through my open house  at  2707 Bayview in Alameda CA --- one of my busiest  open houses ever (probably 75 plus groups).A buyer came with his agent, and asked me about my other listing down the street at 2915 Bayview. Told them that it received multiple offers and went into contract just last week (the agent should have known that if there was any interest).Buyer asks me how much it’s selling for. Told him what the listing price is, but not what … (9 comments)

How many houses does a buyer need to see before she decides “This is the one.” - 03/24/12 12:35 PM
How many house does a buyer need to see she before decides “This is the one.”We’ve heard stories of buyers who have been looking for months (some even years) and are still looking.
So how come they haven’t found a house yet? During a broker’s tour this week for my short sale duet listing in Alameda CA, a buyer walked in by herself to take a look. I asked her the usual questions. How did she find this property? She said she’s searching on her own (walking the neighborhoods, looking on line). Tried to tell her that the many active … (11 comments)

It's NOT a buyer's market in Alameda CA. Look at COST to buy, not the PRICE of the house - 03/22/12 04:49 PM
It’s NOT a buyer’s market in Alameda CAIt’s like someone turned the spigot on, and here come the buyers. Recent news stories talk about interest rates slowly inching up (but they’re still the lowest they’ve been in 40 years) and that home sales are improving compared to a year ago. See: DSNews.com
Mortgage Rates Up, With 30-Year Fixed Above 4 Percent    Zillow Survey: Prices Projected to Fall 0.7%, but Rise Next 4 Years    Home sellers, if you need to sell, consider this.
Seems that was enough for buyers on the fence to start getting serious. Wiith low inventory of homes for … (11 comments)

What are the financial start up and recurring costs to be a REALTOR? - 03/22/12 10:56 AM
If being a REALTOR is so easy, why aren't there more people doing it?
Well, they tried, but many got out.
In the boom years, there were so many people who became REALTORs thinking that it's easy money for easy work. Then they found out the hard way what it really takes to be a good REALTOR.
This topic has been blogged about, talked about so many times in different venues.  John illustrates the financial start up and maintenance costs of our licensing, including the tools we use for our job.
What people also need to understand is that it takes … (8 comments)

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the Blues...er...Referral Brothers! - 03/21/12 11:06 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the Referral Brothers!The Blues Brothers hit the screens in 1980 and is such a cult favorite. it’s on some television station several times a  year. There are Blues Brothers everywhere --- festivals, halloween. conferences, etc.John McCormack blogged about this tribute Blues Brothers Tribute - Albuquerque NM
It reminded me of another excellent version -- one that's near and dear to our hearts as real estate professionals. At first glance, one would think that this is another Blues Brothers act. This was at a MasterMind event in 2008 for Buffini and Company. Still fun to watch.
In … (4 comments)

If it’s really urgent, CALL me or TEXT me! Don’t rely on email alone. - 03/21/12 06:21 PM
If it’s really urgent, CALL me or TEXT me! Don’t rely on email alone.Urgent matters needing urgent attention should be delivered in the best and most direct manner possible: by phone!
This is especially helpful if one’s phone has text capability. What agent doesn’t have this simple yet life-saving feature?Yesterday was an unusually busy day with back-to-back appointments. When I could, I’d check my email via my phone. But as long as I had clients with me, the clients I was serving at that time deserved my full attention.Nonetheless, I can certainly understand that there will be occasions where urgent … (10 comments)

In search of a beach lifestyle in an island? Try this duet in Alameda CA - 03/18/12 01:28 AM
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Hostile short sale seller makes it difficult for buyers and their agents to see property - 03/16/12 08:23 PM
Ahh, the “joys” of showing a short sale property when the hostile owner won’t leave while buyers are lookingWhy is it so hard to explain to sellers that they shouldn’t be at the property when buyers and their agents are looking?I'm representing buyers whom I've convinced to include short sales in their search. In less than a month, I’ve had to deal with hostile owners who will
not allow a for sale yard sign not allow a lockbox insist on 24 hours notice not vacate the property during showings not guarantee an appointment for singular showing -- i.e. exclusively for the … (23 comments)

Bold prediction: "Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards" --- in Alameda County CA - 03/16/12 02:24 PM
Bold prediction: Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards From DSNews.com, this is a very bold prediction, especially since in another article, they also reported that Mortgage Rates Head Higher on Positive Economic Data HIghlights
Banks are loosening loan-to-value ratios (LTV), which Capital Economics denotes “the clearest sign yet of an improvement in mortgage credit conditions. In contrast to a low of 74 percent reached in mid-2010, banks are now lending at 82 percent Loan-to-Value (LTV) Bankrate’s study zeros in on rate quotes from the 10 largest lenders in the 10 largest markets. That analysis put the … (3 comments)

Eliminating inefficiencies in real estate includes hiring outside help - 03/15/12 10:26 PM
Time is a precious commodity. It would seem that as new technologies were developed to maximize our efficiencies, it actually creates new work.Yes, we know that over 90% of buyers and sellers go on line to do their search. And if so, wherever they are, that’s where we should go. Increasing our market presence, our brand, has never been more challenging that it is now when there is a lot more competition among people who think and act the same way we do.Thus, finding time to devote to increasing and improving our online presence necessitates taking time away from other activities. … (11 comments)

Let’s Revisit Truth in Advertising that requires updating status of listings - 03/12/12 12:31 AM
Let’s Revisit Truth in Advertising that requires updating status of listingsThree years ago, I blogged about TRUTH IN ADVERTISING LAWS ---- Avoid a lawsuit, complaint, etc filed because of false advertisingIt helps to revisit topics that are relevant and may even be more timely today, especially with the slew of people who are offering services for loan modifications, or avoiding foreclosures.Update listing status Today, we have so many places where we advertise and post our listings. Some of us post on Trulia and Zillow (sometimes it’s done automatically for us by our brokerages).

IF we claim or post the … (64 comments)

A good photographer makes a HUGE difference --- OpenHomesPhotography designed craigslist posting, and more - 03/09/12 04:05 PM
My photographer is amazing. Although my listing is not a multi-million dollar listing like many that he works with, he gives a level of service that blows me away. He offers so many packages that include website, brochure, etc. I opted to have a dedicated and address-specific website along with the photos.OpenHomesPhotography is my go-to company. And I am happy to share them with whoever in the Bay Area (CA) wants to check them out. And you should.But here’s one service that is, in my opinion, an incredible marketing tool: A cut and paste html for posting on craigslist. How cool … (7 comments)

22.8% of homes with mortgage are underwater-- more short sales and foreclosures in the future? - 03/09/12 01:05 PM
Steve Harney’s most recent blog about negative equity shows that of homes with a mortgage, 11 million, or 22.8% are currently under water. It should be no surprise that we may see more short sales and foreclosures in the near future. In my neck of the woods in Alameda County and Contra Costa County in California, this is a given.
Short sale or strategic default?
While some are still able to make their mortgage payments and want to keep their homes, others are faced with the looming personal crisis of needing to sell. And pricing a distressed property way under what … (9 comments)

LAGOON DUET with Deck and Dock in Alameda CA - 03/08/12 11:23 PM
NEW listing: 2915 Bayview in Alameda CA.Located in a enclave of duets in Bayview Estates in Alameda, a mere block from the beach, and close to many amenities of shopping, restaurants, public transportation.More photos and listing details atwww.2915Bayview.com
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Bank of America loan application derailed by loan officer who shoots first and never asked a question - 03/06/12 11:36 AM
 
Bank of America loan application derailed by loan officer who shoots first and never asked a question    Buyer’s offer on a short sale duplex  in Alameda CA was accepted. He was going to put down $250K on a $450K property, and borrow the rest.One would think that with such a substantial down payment, the buyer is hardly a credit risk.After receiving the HAFA short sale approval and the buyer and his agent were formally notified, they worked on getting the loan processed. Three weeks later, the loan officer said they were backed up, and will need more time. The seller … (6 comments)

WHAT IS A DUET? Get to know residential duets in Bayview Estates in Alameda CA - 03/06/12 01:33 AM
What is a duet? You’ll find residential duets in Bayview Estates in Alameda CAWhat is a duet? In general parlance, it means one performance by two voices or two instruments. In real estate, a duet is defined as two individually owned homes in one building structure. Sort of like a townhouse or condo, except you only have one neighbor separated from you by one common wall. And unlike a duplex, in a duet each unit is individually owned.
Bayview Estates are an enclave of duets in Alameda CABayview Estates in Alameda CA feature many of the main island’s duets which are … (4 comments)

 
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Pacita Dimacali - ePRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA Alain Pinel in Alameda County CA

Oakland, CA

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Alain Pinel

Address: 6211 La Salle Ave, Oakland, CA, 94611

Cell Phone: (510) 205-2992

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