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San Leandro, CA Real Estate News

By Valerie Crowell, Broker Associate
(Keller Williams)
Home prices are predicted to rise 6% in 2014, which is about half of the increase in home values seen in 2013, indicative of 2014’s reduced pace. With that being said, San Leandro is among many Bay Area cities that is thriving so far in 2014. January saw a median sale price of $448,000 compared to $347,500 in January of 2013, that’s an increase of 29%. Not only are home prices predicted to rise but so are interest rates. Sorry home buyers, the low interest rates of 2013 will not stick for 2014. Right now is definitely a great time to buy. Click Here for more updates.   
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By Valerie Crowell, Broker Associate
(Keller Williams)
Like many other Bay Area cities, San Leandro saw quite a decrease throughout 2013 in home sales. In December 2012 85 units sold, compared to 51 in December 2013, a decrease of 40%.  With that being said, 2013 was still a solid year for the housing market considering the increase in property value.  The median sell price in December 2012 was $363,000 compared to $440,000 in December 2013, that’s an increase of 21%! 2013 was favorable for a seller, that’s for certain! With the New Year in full swing, San Leandro’s housing market can anticipate continued growth with home sales and prices to increase as the market transitions toward primary homebuyers. Happy 2014 all! Click Here for more updates on the San Leandro housing market.   San Leandro Community Event - January PAWS to Read Program ...
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By Mario A. Reyes, Your real estate friend at San Francisco Bay Area
(Coldwell Banker)
As of the end of December 2013, here is the market report for San Leandro per MLS -  "Days on Market (DOM) for the San Leandro area year-to-date is around 20. The median attached home price in San Leandro for December was $275,000. As of the last day of December there were 9 active homes in San Leandro. At current selling rates this means there is approximately 1 month of inventory in San Leandro remaining."
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By Chris Freck, EstaR Mortgage, A Bilingual Brokerage
(EstaR Mortgage)
VA Mortgage Loans in San Leandro California and 100% financing on VA Loans - the best loan program and loan payment in the country! VA Mortgage Loans are one of the best mortgage loan programs available today for active duty and honorably discharged Veterans. Here are some of the main features of this great program: - Zero Down Payment, 100% financing. - Monthly mortgage insurance is not tacked on to your payment. - Compared to other types of mortgage loans, easier credit-qualifying requirements. - Low fixed mortgage rates result in a low monthly payment.   How do you know if you qualify for a VA Mortgage Loan in San Leandro California? First of all, you must verify your eligibility. You can verify eligibility by ordering your Certificate of Eligibility or COE. You can work with an appr...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
As a Realtor, a big part of my job is to anticipate road blocks in a real estate transaction, I strongly suggest my seller-clients to do some homework first because it will save them a lot of time and money if they do. Sellers should have their home inspected prior to putting it on the market. The most typical inspections performed on a house for sale are: a home, roof and a termite inspection.  Depending on location, type of construction, even the city where the property is located, there is a possibility that more inspections will be required or mandated by city codes. House reports are good for about 2 to 4 months. In San Leandro, CA, my hometown, there are no "mandatory" inspections, but other cities around the San Francisco bay have ordinances in place that require the home seller ...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
A quick look at my "To-Do" list today made me realize the kinds of things that I do as a Realtor, that the general public do not see. My list goes like this: Item A: make sure the Evergreen Street house has an escrow open today. Item B: Inquire about the house on Benedict Drive for my buyer. Item A: Follow up on the Probate Sale scheduled date and confirm my client will be there. Item A: Go by Trombas Avenue and pull the trash bins out... what? is this item on my A list? Yeap... if I do not put those cans out, my seller who lives 3 towns away will not be able to come back over the weekend to continue emptying the house. And yes, Item A the following day will read something like this: Item A: go by Trombas Avenue and get the garbage bins back on the side of the house, yes, it is importan...
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By Pacita Dimacali, Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA
(Alain Pinel)
In our market where over-bidding is common place, one of the challenges we face is having the property appraise for less than offer price. As a listing agent, I tell agents and their buyers that if they are going to write an offer for significantly over list price, that they should prepare to waive the appraisal contingency or write an addendum saying that the buyer is responsible for the difference between appraisal and offer price.  I am facing a new challenge or dilemma. Property appraised at offer price, but underwriter wants another sales comp with sale price above subject property's offer price We were ready to close May 31 on a short sale property  which appraised at the buyers offer price. But we were requested to extend due to delay upon delay for different reasons. Finally, we...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
How can homeowners buy a replacement house before selling their present home? When a person who wants to purchase another house, using the proceeds from the sale of their existing house, they have to make an offer with the condition that their present home has to be sold first, hence the CONTINGENT OFFER. When the seller accepts an offer contingent on the buyers selling their home, typically he gives the buyers 30 days to get a buyer for their house. The seller, however, keeps his house on the open market, even though he accepted the contingent offer. If the seller gets another offer that is non-contingent, (the buyer does not have a house to sell) the seller can accept it and give the first offer a 72 hour time limit to come up with a different type of financing that does not include t...
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By Melanie Narducci, Your San FranciscoBay Area Real Estate Expert
(Hillscape Properties, Inc.)
Affordable Bay Area Neighborhoods A constant challenge for those looking to buy in the Bay Area is affordability.  But affordable Bay Area neighborhoods do exist, you just need to know where to look.  Neighborhood price points are dependent on many factors, such as proximity to BART and freeways, weather, nearby services, parks and recreation, walkability, shopping and restaurants, schools.  Perhaps the best question a prospective buyer can ask is, "How long will my daily commute be?"  If you are willing to commute 40-45 minutes, that allows you to consider more neighborhoods and find more wish-list features in homes you can consider.   In this post we'll take a look at a few San Leandro neighborhoods.    Cherrywood is a subdivision of tree-lined streets with 289 homes ranging from 3 be...
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By Melanie Narducci, Your San FranciscoBay Area Real Estate Expert
(Hillscape Properties, Inc.)
San Leandro Realtors Meeting I love meeting new people, and I couldn't have met a better bunch at my first Active Rain meetup. Although you know the daunting feeling, heading to a meeting where you don't know a soul, but Antonio opened his lovely home, including the resort style backyard and full ballroom, for us all to gather, and had the ribs ready along with delish salted red potatoes.  Patricia got the ceviche and chips out on the table and arranged the carnitas that she brought.  Chocolate cake, courtesy of our meetup organizer, Kathleen, and the other Melanie brought Texas potatoes, and there were cookies too.  But beyond the plentiful buffet, there was sharing of farming strategies, public relations successes, client event ideas from Wendy, and Mike and Sheryl brought their 203K ...
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By Karen Crowson, Your Agent for Change
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
Fabulous Bay-O-Vista location. Premium lot at the corner of a cul-de-sac. Vista Grand Drive, with panoramic views of the East Bay. This one story home has had just one owner, and it has been well cared for over the years. 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1924 sq. ft living space 8500 sq. ft. lot size 2 Fireplaces 2 Car Garage Covered Patio Updated Kitchen Updated Master Bath Hall Bath is original – almost retro J Offered at $499,950 This lovely home will be on the market February 5th, with a Broker’s Tour on Wednesday the 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Open Sunday, February 10th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
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By Pacita Dimacali, Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA
(Alain Pinel)
At a condo complex directly across from a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station, I planned to show a property to may clients. I was dismayed when I saw this entrance to a secure condominium complex. What’s wrong with this picture? None----and I mean --- NONE of the lockboxes here had the realtor’s card or any identifying markings to let other agents know which lockbox to use for a specific property. When I called the listing agent for the one I wanted to show -- I got his voice mail. There was no other info on the MLS. When I took a chance and opened one lockbox, the key inside also had no ID as to the condo number. The same was true of another lockbox. So which lockbox was his? Worse, if I were a resident at this complex, I wouldn’t feel safe having combination locks at the entrance th...
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By Pacita Dimacali, Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA
(Alain Pinel)
Happy Buyers in Marina Seagate in San Leandro CA: blooming gardens  and moreHappy buyersMy buyers who were relocating from Huntsville Alabama couldn’t be happier when they closed their deal on a 3 bedroom/2.5 bath condo in Marina Seagate. Having just closed escrow in July, their first comment was how fabulous the San Leandro weather is (in the mid 60s), and that they can keep open their windows and doors with views of the gardens. Aaahh....life in the Bay area!Marina Seagate Condo ComplexResidents of this 276-unit Marina Seagate gated condo complex in San Leandro CA have so much to enjoy besides the weather. The complex has end-to-end parks dotted with fountains, Japanese style bridges, and flowers.Amenities abound including parking spaces for guests -- whether they stay for a spell, jo...
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By Pacita Dimacali, Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA
(Alain Pinel)
HOA restrictions must be known up front or it’s a deal breaker.Our local MLS has a section where listing agent can include information on whether or not the HOA allows pets, how many, and size. This was not completed on the MLS and was overlooked in the multiple offer situation listing of a townhouse in San Leandro CA.The listing agent and seller didn’t order the HOA documents until the buyer investigation period was nearly over.HOA pet restrictionExamination of the HOA documents drawn up in 1981 said “No animals, other than one smallpet, as defined by the Board of Directors, maintained for no commercial purpose, shall be kept within any Unit.”Yes, there are certain laws -- in California anyway --- that say the HOA cannot prohibit a resident from owning at least one pet. But can the HOA...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
At the end of May 2012, a couple who are looking in San Leandro, CA to buy a home for their kids, saw this new listing in the area of Assumption Parish, asking price: $390,000 A day after we saw it, the listing Realtor informed us that there were 5 offers coming in, that the sellers will wait until the end of the weekend to see how many more offers would come, they set up a deadline and we all waited. A total 17 offers were received on this property! my client wrote an all cash offer for $415,000 which was $25,000 above the asking price and was not even on the top 3 offers. I believe it sold for above $440,000, that is $50,000 above asking price, you might think this is an easy choice for the sellers, and in some ways, it is true, out of all those offers, one is bound to give the seller...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
Not all houses that are for sale have a For Sale sign on their front lawn. If you are a home buyer looking in the neighborhood, you might pass right in front of your perfect house to buy... and not even know it! If you had a simple application on your phone, that could tell you the addresses, prices, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot sizes etc, of all the houses in the immediate area, you probably get the best deal, and be the first one to know. Realtor.com offers this great tool for FREE! here is how it works, you activate the application on your phone, and the built-in GPS identifies your location and opens a map with a list of all homes available for sale and for rent within a mile of your location, whether they have a For Sale sign posted or not. If you find a house that you lik...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
I become a Realtor in 1985, one of the first things I learned as a rookie Realtor was that Open Houses on Sunday afternoon, was a great place to catch myself a home buyer... As luck will have it, I actually landed 3 of them! One of them had a house to sell before buying the one I was holding open, so it become my very first listing! the other 2 people ended up buying a house from me too. I have never stopped doing open houses on Sunday afternoons, after all, I spend all week looking for home buyers and home sellers, and just when they are out there looking at homes, I cannot not just stay home, I must go get them,! I know they need me. Now I have knowledge, education and experience to share, and only by sharing this information I can be successful, Knowledge that is not applied properly...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
Despite the difficulties in obtaining financing for a home purchase, there are great rewards for those who dare step into home ownership. You will need a couple of qualified people to help you navigate through this obstacle course: A Lender and a Professional Realtor. Open your eyes to today's opportunities! Here are 7 proven strategies to help you navigate to a successful home purchase. Begin by gathering all your financial documents first. You will need among others: current pay stubs, copies of tax records from the last two years, recent bank statements for all your accounts, copies of Divorce decrees if applicable. If you have funds in CD's or 401Ks or other income, you will need to bring copies of those documents too.  The next step is to talk to a lender about your finances. Find ...
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