It's Opportunity Time - VA & VA Jumbo Rates at all time lows.    Rate Alert - Great rates available now on VA Loans, VA Jumbo Loans, VA Streamline IRRRL refinance and VA Jumbo Streamline IRRRL Refinance The current flight of money markets to the safe haven of Treasuries and Mortgage Bonds has resulted in very low rates for VA Loans, VA Jumbo Loans, VA High Balance Loans, VA Refinance, VA Streamline IRRRL refinance and VA Jumbo Streamline IRRRL Refinance.      VA Loan rates and VA Jumbo rates for VA loans over $417,000 are at their lowest point ever now.    If your current VA Rate is too high (5.25% or higher),  please give us a call to get started and lock in your low rate.    These rates may not last, this is a limited time opportunity alert due to market conditions!  Do not delay, the... 08/24/2010

VA Myth busted: VA Loans are available over VA Loan Limit for your County.   In concert with higher VA County Loan Limits, this rebuffs a common myth about VA Loans that they don't work for your area, or the loan amounts are too low for your area.   In the past this was true, but recent changes have changed the picture.     Please see our VA Loan Limits pages for details on your county limits.    California VA Loan Limits        Washington VA Loan Limits The loan limits above $417,000 are called VA Jumbo Loans or VA High Balance Loans.   While many counties in the country are limited to the $417,000 amount, that isn't the highest VA loan available for that particular county.   VanDyk Mortgage offers VA loans up to $1,500,00 in all the states we serve.   What changes is the amount of req... 08/15/2010

Yes, we know that the home buyer tax credit made an impact on the market. How discernible is this impact in the Oakland CA market the last two years? Or are the low prices and low interest the real catalyst to the sales? TYPES OF SALES June 2008-May 2009 Total Sales     2894 160 short sales or 5.5% of total 1809 bank-owned or 62.5% of total (62.5% !!!) June 2009-May 2010 Total Sales    2977 335 short sales or 11.3% of total. WOW..they're actually closing them! This is very encouraging. 1383 bank-owned or 46.5%, a significant decline from a year ago. DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES - SALES TRENDS The first chart shows the number of units sold during this period of time. This doesn't look like  there's a pronounced increase or decrease. But look how it compares with the number of properties ... 07/17/2010

I've been contacted by the San Francisco Chronicle quite a bit, and as of late I've been featured in a section called "Sound Off," that's published on Sundays and also posted on sfgate.com.  But the question the Chronicle reporter asked me today really through me for a loop. It was one of those situations where I was damned if I did, damed if I didn't, so I went with my gust instinct and answered as honestly as I could.  San Francisco Chronicle: Q: If you had to pick one street in Oakland that is most desirable to homebuyers, which one would it be? A: I would have to say Trestle Glen Road in the lower hills. It's a tree-lined street adorned with well-manicured homes of all styles and ages, from 1920s-era craftsman bungalows to 1950s-era Spanish revival houses. Many sections of it are mo... 06/15/2010

Recent stories about the city mayor's radical idea of  bulldozing Detroit's areas that are most afflicted with urban decay may have created a renewed interest in urban renewal. Urban decay is the process whereby a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude. It may feature deindustrialization, depopulation or changing population, economic restructuring, abandoned buildings, high local unemployment, fragmented families, political disenfranchisement, crime, and a desolate, inhospitable city landscape. Urban renewal (similar to urban regeneration in British English) is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an inte... 06/07/2010

Rate Alert - Great rates on FHA and FHA Jumbo Loans- Opportunity Alert! Rates for FHA & FHA Jumbo Loans for Purchase of a home, Refinance, & FHA Streamline refinances  continue to remain at all -time lows today.   The volatility in the Euro Money markets over the past few weeks, plus the Korean Crisis, and new doubts about the economic recovery in the US have driven down US Mortgage rates, especially Conforming High Balance Loans.    If your current Interest Rate is too high (5.375% or higher),  please give us a call to get started and lock in your low rate.    These rates will not last, the markets are very volatile.   Call 760-752-4480 and we can give you a quote to see if you would benefit.  Call 760-752-4480 and we can give you a quote to see if you would benefit.  VanDyk Mortgage i... 06/04/2010

Oakland VA Condo Loans -VA Loans to buy or refinance Condo's and  Condominiums in Oakland VanDyk Mortgage is a VA Lender offering VA Loans to purchase or refinance Condominiums in Oakland.   The tightening credit market of the past couple years has made it more difficult to attain financing on on Condominiums as Conventional Agencies Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac have added many restrictions on Condos, both in the way of reduced eligibility and also increased rates for Condo's.   FHA also recently changed it's rules for Condominium eligibility as well, making it even harder for Sellers and Listing Agents to sell Condo's.   In comes the VA to the rescue for Oakland Condo Buyers and Condo homeowners.   To qualify for a VanDyk VA Condo Loan, the condo must be on the VA Approved Condo list, whic... 06/01/2010

Oakland VA Loans and FHA Home Mortgage Loans - VanDyk Mortgage - VA Lender & FHA Lender. VanDyk Mortgage is your source for VA Loans and FHA Loans in Oakland. We have been making FHA, VA, Conforming, and Jumbo loans since 1987. VanDyk Mortgage is a Direct Lender. We offer many loan programs for Oakland Homebuyers and Oakland Homeowners to Purchase and refinance homes. FHA & FHA Jumbo (aka High Balance) VA & VA Jumbo (aka High Balance) Conforming & Conforming Jumbo (aka High Balance or Super Conforming) Jumbo Loans to $3m Oakland FHA Loans are available up to $729,750 with just 3.5% down payment. The FHA 2012 Loan Limit for Oakland is $729,750. Oakland FHA Loans that are over $417K up to $729,750 are called FHA Jumbo or FHA High Balance loans. Oakland VA Loans are available up to $625,50... 06/01/2010

There is always opportunity in the midst of crisis. Right now, one of the greatest opportunities is picking up almost-complete development projects. Most small builders were in high-cost construction loans that made sense 3 years ago, but don't work today. The cost to build is far higher than the price per square foot of bank-owned properties. Builders just can't make the numbers work, and many are reluctantly handing the projects back to the bank.  A local contractor found this 10 single-family home subdivision in the Oakland Hills with views of the Bay. The builder owed over $7M in private loans and was holding on by a thread. Even if he were able to complete the project, it would not pencil out after paying off the debt. We were able to short the loan to $1.5M and take over the proj... 05/28/2010

The San Francisco Chronicle lately ran a small feature on one of our rental listings in the East Bay, showing all that you can get for $2.000 (or less) a month: 466 Crescent St., Unit #126 | Oakland, CA$1,995Beds: 3 Baths: 2 This remodeled unit has new finishes, including a kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops and a tiled floor. It's connected to a dining area. There's also new paint and carpet, dual-paned windows, an office and a private patio. It comes with garage parking for one car. The building, which has its own swimming pool, is blocks from the Grand Lake shopping district and a block from access to Interstate 580. Leasing agent: Brad Watson, Caldecott Properties, Oakland, (510) 594-2400 x231, bwatson@caldecott.comRead more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/a... 05/26/2010

Rockridge has been one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the East Bay of the San Francisco, CA area for many years. A decade ago I remember speaking with clients about how expensive it was relative to other parts of Oakland especially. "Those prices can't keep going up," said I with confidence. I have lived to eat those words! For all the reasons I discussed in my earlier post about Rockridge, this is a neighborhood which continues to increase in demand as more people become more conscious about desirability of an urban lifestyle. Living in proximity to College Avenue in this neighborhood of Oakland, CA allows people to abandon their cars most days, as public transit is accessible, and shops, restaurants and all manner of amenities are close at hand. You can read more about the ... 05/16/2010

It was a true pleasure to hand over the keys yesterday to my lovely clients who just purchased their first home in Rockridge, in of the most coveted neighborhoods in Oakland, CA. Rockridge has a dual identity: what REALTORS call Rockridge extends roughly from Broadway down past College Avenue to 51st St to the South and nearly to Telegraph Avenue to the West and to Woolsey to the North. "Upper Rockridge" exists above that to the East, and includes both lovely big vintage homes, and new construction that resulted from the fire of 1991. That area has a very different look and feel, composed primarily of four bedroom+ homes, many with views. While they share a zip code and an MLS code, these two faces of Rockridge tend not to share buyer populations. Upper Rockridge is a haven for quiet st... 05/15/2010

Have we got a loan product for you wherever you choose to purchase a new home... even build from the ground up... how about 2.25% down payment, build new or renovate and existing home... NOT a 203k but works a lot like one. call me 704 451 1599 04/19/2010

Open House Sunday 2-4:30 Beautiful Upper Rockridge Home Experience the best of Upper Rockridge living in this modern home. Perfect for a large family, this three-bedroom, two and a half bath home boasts separation of space for privacy and serenity as well as large common spaces for entertaining and everyday living. The spacious, sunny deck boasts views of Oakland, the San Francisco Bay and beyond. A private terraced garden is located off the master bedroom. An in-law unit with separate entry adds to the home's appealing options.   Size: 1,992 sq.ft. living space; 5300 sq.ft. lot (per public records, does not include in-law) Additional Rooms: 1 bed, 1 bath in-law with separate entry Garage: Carport, additional off-street parking Yard: Fenced & terraced yard and gardens; large deck with ... 04/03/2010

Did or does the home buyer tax credit help the real estate market in Oakland CA? The following charts seem to indicate that they did Median for Sale vs Median Sold.  The downward trend shows a slight rise in the final months of the home buyer tax credit as home buyers scramble to meet the deadline and also to capitalize on lower prices and lower interest rates. Median Sold Price by Quarter - After the plunging median price in the 2008-2009, there is a slight uptick in the 4th quarter of 20009.     Number of Under Contract Properties by Quarter - amazing comparison between 1st quarter 2007 to 1st quarter 2010 showing a difference of 50%. This may be spurred by the looming deadline of the end of the home buyer tax credit wherein buyers must be in contract by April 30 and close escrow June... 04/01/2010

DON'T FORGET: Nia Jam on Saturday, March 27, 2010 to Benefit for Haiti Earthquake survivors. 9:00 am to 10:30 am in Oakland Come workout and get your dance on with a variety of teachers! See Nia Events for more details! Simultaneous Nia Jams are being held in England and Hong Kong. Nia Dance Workout in Oakland will be attended by people from San Jose, Mountain View, San Carlos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Campbell, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Fremont, Danville, and the East Bay!   For Terre Pruitt's Nia Class days and times please see her schedule on www.HelpYouWell.com   03/24/2010

$299,000 - A true LIVE/WORK Loft with large work space and spacious living areasLocation: West OaklandLargest live/work loft among four units in the complex. First floor work space is spacious, has high ceiling, lots of windows and its own full bath with shower stall. Built in shelves. There is even space for a sleeping berth above the laundry area.Living areas upstairs with strategically located windows and skylights that provide abundant natural light and make this loft truly light, bright and cheerful. Ultra high wood ceilings.Large eat-in kitchen features saltillo tile floor, a movable island, gas stove/oven, pantry and lots of counters and storage. French doors lead to deck that overlooks garden/play area. Top floor has sleeping area with wood floors, closet with built-in organizer... 03/21/2010

Here's a headline that caught my eye: NAR Defends Brokers Price Opinions BPO) for Short Sale Program Had I not run into bad BPOs done by agents who are absolutely NOT familiar with the area, or who did not bother getting additional information from the listing agent, I may agree with NAR's position. But like bad appraisals done by out-of-area appraisals, one can expect bad BPOs done by clueless agents. Following cases come to mind: BPO agent didn't know property was a fixer. Agent drives by property that although it was on the MLS as vacant and on lock box, didn't bother going in. As such, he did not know the property was a fixer. Result? The BPO agent priced the property at $500K when it was only worth $300k at that time. The listing agent contested the BPO, produced the contractor's e... 03/16/2010

Nia Jam on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 9:00 am in OaklandCome workout and get your dance on with a variety of teachers!This Jam is going to benefit Haitian earthquake survivors.See Nia Events for more details!       03/15/2010

Casi todas las casas a la venta REO (Real Estate Owned - pertenecientes a bancos) están desbaratadas, sucias y apestosas. Es por eso que los bancos las venden baratas. El problema es que los compradores financiados no pueden comprar casas con hoyos en las paredes, ventanas rotas, baños que faltan, alfombras sucias, etc. O los compradores no tienen el dinero para las reparaciones. Por eso, el préstamo 203K de la Federal Housing Administration (FHA) es la respuesta perfecta para los REOs. El préstamo 203K es en realidad dos préstamos en uno, un préstamo para comprar la casa, y un préstamo para reparaciónes. Requisitos para el 203K: 1) a) el comprador debe calificar para la cantidad que vale la casa, y b) la cantidad de renovación, y 2) la casa debe valorarse por la cantidad total, a + b. ... 03/11/2010