Author Archive
Real estate roundup with Sharon Alva: Something’s gotta give
Despite what you may have read, this is not a buyer’s market. Yes, it’s a good time to buy, but in Alameda it is not truly a buyer’s market. Our inventory has remained low and prices are still relatively high — relative to area income, that is. And the bad news does not end there. [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: The long and short of short sales
Like many of my colleagues. I have been doing my best to avoid short sales. And frankly if former clients were not calling asking me about “short saling” (new verb) their properties, I would likely have kept avoiding the dreaded short sale transaction.
For those of you who have been blissfully uninvolved in the woes of [...]
Real estate roundup with Sharon Alva: Your real estate team
Whether you are buying or selling your home, your best bet is to have a whole team approach. Especially in this market of problem loans, short sales, foreclosures and unexpected market trends, getting your team in place can save time and nerves and lead to a better financial outcome.
YOUR AGENT
First choose a real estate agent. [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: Measures and measuring
THE NATIONAL PICTURE
The Senate voted Wednesday to extend the home buyer tax credit closing deadline to September 30, giving an estimated 180,000 buyers who met the contract deadline of April 30 extra time to close the transaction. Transactions that were delayed because of slow short sales or loan issues now have added time to close [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: Tax credits and the real world
What a crazy few weeks. Buyers were trying to get in under the wire for the April 30th cutoff for the federal homebuyers tax credit. I had two clients making a mad dash for the finish line. Both signed April 29th and one managed to open escrow on the 30th. Whew.
The second transaction was with [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: The ups and downs of the housing market
Timing is always an issue in real estate, but right now the clock is really ticking on first-time buyers. Contracts entered into by April 30 (just seven days away) and closed by June 30 can enjoy both the federal tax credit of up to $8,000 and the state’s tax credit of up to $10,000. The [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: A little update
Just got back from Israel. After two weeks with the family I have to say that real estate is no less a discussion in Tel Aviv as it is in the Bay Area. And prices? Well, let’s just say Tel Aviv makes Alameda look like a real bargain. A three bedroom flat in Tel Aviv [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: Real estate and public schools
One of the first questions buyers ask me when they’re shopping for a home is, “How good are the schools?” So while we digest the drastic changes to our schools and look at further cuts in the event we fail to pass a parcel tax, I thought it worth examining the valuation aspect of the [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: Spring must be early
It must be spring! The trees are flowering, the birds are singing, and the housing inventory is going up. In fact, in Alameda 14 of the 91 single family residences now for sale entered the market in the last week. In the residential income category, four of the listed 18 just came on the MLS.
Buyers [...]
Real Estate Roundup with Sharon Alva: Reality check
With the recession and the drop in prices, buyers feel (and rightfully so) that this is their chance to get a great deal on a house. But this being the Bay Area, I am often in the position of bursting bubbles. Because even a good deal may not be affordable.
This maybe obvious but bears repeating:
You [...]
