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...

January is a great time to take a fresh look at your finances, especially if you’re saving for a home or other major purchase. Key to starting the process is making a budget. If you already have a budget, take the opportunity to re-evaluate your goals and the progress you’ve made and make any necessary adjustments. What’s your budgeting style? The term budget can mean many things. There are...

Should you take a higher offer or an offer with better terms? It’s not as straightforward as it might seem. When multiple offers are received — a common occurrence in Bay Area real estate deals — a delicate dance begins. Sellers naturally want the highest price, but it’s important to look at more than just the offer price. The terms of the deal are equally important, because each represents an...

I know what you are thinking. You must expect this article to be totally biased. I am running a brokerage, after all, and I have all the incentive to tell you to list your home with our agents, right? To many people's surprise, I face the same problem as you every day: "Where can I hire a great real estate agent?" Because I deal with this every day, I do believe there is merit in what I have to say. As...

"The best move you can make in negotiation is to think of an incentive the other person hasn't even thought of — and then meet it." Eli Broad, American Entrepreneur, KB Home CAR.org home seller survey 2015 shows that the skill most sellers need from the listing agent is negotiating terms of sales. It is a shame for the industry that many real estate agents don't know how to negotiate for the sellers'...

When it comes to listing your property online, timing is everything. From the day of the week, to the time of the day, your property is halfway sold by listing at the right time. So which day of the week is the best time to list? Average agents Most real estate agents don't even think about this question. They just list on whichever day is convenient to them. Granted, there are lots of loose ends to...