Your name saw this post on The ActiveRain Real Estate Network and thought it might be of interest to you. Please see the link below to review the post.

Why has there been such low inventory in the Berkeley area?
Berkeley, and the surrounding communities of Albany, Kensington as well as strong neighborhoods of Oakland such as Rockridge are experiencing the problem of low inventory, and did through most of 2009. I hear that the same condition applies to several neighborhoods in San Francisco. We're not just talking about the seasonal slowdown we would expect in the winter months.
We know that the high unemployment rate we're experiencing, especially in California, means that many home owners are concerned about whether they'll continue to have salaries to support their current mortgage. When a job could be at risk it's hardly a time that inspires people to sell, unless it is to a situation with a lower cost home or lower taxes. That probably means moving away from the Bay Area!
 But I believe a dominate reason for the low inventory is misinformation on the part of sellers. There are many sellers who read the national, or even state-wide news about a "glut of inventory" and sluggish sales in many areas, and become frightened of placing their property on the market. Much of the general news has been that the real estate market is in the doldrums, with price declines. If sellers do ... more

__________________________________________________
Are you on The Rain? Grow Your Network!