What is the value of your home? It’s a question with an answer that’s not as straightforward as you might imagine. A home really has two important kinds of value: an appraised value and a market value. Think of a home’s appraised value as a theoretical value. The market value, in contrast, is influenced more by what a buyer might actually be willing to pay. Real estate appraisers tend to think...

Hi, my name is Lex, the broker at Cal Agents Realty. If you are looking to find out your home value, you are in the right place. Here I'll show you a more accurate estimate than Redfin and Zillow, or any other online home value estimator. If you haven't received your home valuation report, enter your home address here and a copy of the most recent sales near your home will be delivered to your...

If you have been shopping around for contractors for your remodeling project, you must have come across some "big picture" contractors. Essentially, they promise they can deliver the bathroom you want as long as you "point and show" them the layout. "I have done so many projects; I get the big picture," they'll say. However, few contractors want you to think in "small pictures." Let me explain. You...

Selling your home is a monumental undertaking that requires a lot of attention to detail. From creating the listing to helping potential buyers see your home in the best light to handling the details of the transaction, your agent will be intimately involved in the process. This means it’s important to find not just any agent but the right agent. Your agent should not only have your best interests at...

With affordability deteriorating alongside rising prices and essentially flat sales for several years, fewer Californians have been able to make the jump back into owning their own homes. The number of homeowners in the state rebounded from 7.12 million households in 2014 to 7.56 million in 2016. However, the renter population has increased by more than the uptick in homeownership. The California...

There is a myth about HOA fees among new home buyers, who regard HOA fees as a deal-killer to buy a condo or a townhouse. I'd like to take this time to demystify. First of all, HOA fee is not unique to condos and townhouses. Almost all new single family development have HOA and the owners of the single family homes need to pay a monthly due. Secondly, HOA fee is not money-down-the-drain. It actually...

On Lake Merritt’s northern shore sits Oakland’s Adams Point, a diverse, walkable neighborhood coming into its own. The lake, hailed as “one of the most unique urban spaces in the United States,” and adjacent Lakeside Park offer myriad recreation activities for residents. Run the three-mile trail surrounding the lake, rent a canoe at the Boating Center, visit the public gardens or take in...

When you're preparing your home to go on the real estate market, every decision you make can affect how much profit you ultimately put in your pocket. Avoid these four common mistakes that can make your home less desirable to buyers and drain dollars from your profit.   1. Don't turn off your irrigation system to save money. This move is penny wise but pound foolish. Turn it on instead. A lush,...

Many of my real estate clients want to renovate or modify their homes to their own liking. In addition to being experts in real estate, we pride ourselves on the depth of our construction and design knowledge. Starting a home renovation is a monumental task. You’re likely not a construction expert, so you can be at a major disadvantage when dealing with contractors. They speak their own language, and...

California has an out-migration problem. Recently released figures from the State’s Department of Finance (DOF) shows that the number of Californians leaving the state each year is on the rise. After falling significantly during the Great Recession, out-migration from California is on a four-year uptrend. The DOF reports that nearly 118,000 people moved to other states in 2016, and more than half a...