Archive for Opinion

Living in Oakland CA

December 11th, 2014

Living in and loving Oakland CA For all Oakland is or isn’t, it can never be said that the city isn’t one of a kind. The diversity in its people, the quality of its cuisine, the beauty of its neighborhoods, it is unlike any other place on the planet. I don’t mean imply that its […]

So how do you get the best deal when buying a home in Oakland Piedmont or Berkeley CA?

October 1st, 2012

So how do you get the best deal when buying a home in Oakland Piedmont or Berkeley CA? Here is what I think. You just need to do one or more of the following things: #1 Buy a home that is not attractive to other prospective buyers. #2 Be willing to put up with a […]

Oakland Piedmont Berkeley Real Estate Market

June 14th, 2012

The recent news in the media about the Real Estate market projected to go up at a rate of 4% each year for the next 4 years has really activated our local market.  Many cities in the East Bay, including real estate in Oakland, real estate in Berkeley, real estate in Piedmont, Kensington, Alameda, Albany […]

Oakland Police Department Email and Text Message Alert Service

January 19th, 2012

Oakland Police Department Email and Text Message Alert Service. I live in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland and while it is relatively safe and quiet it would be great to know about crimes and or emergency issues in real time.  Captain Steve Tull with the Oakland Police Department has established a new Text and Email […]

Interest rates are going up when buying a home in Oakland and Piedmont CA

January 15th, 2012

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Oakland or Piedmont, LOAN RATES ARE GOING UP!  I’ve been speaking with Brian Moggan (Branch Manager with Mason McDuffie Mortgage) and after quite a bit of technical mortgage discussion I think the bottom line is that mortgage rates are going to be going up.  Some facts to […]

Best Trick or Treat in Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont CA

October 28th, 2011

Best Trick or Treat in Oakland Piedmont areas!!!  It’s that time of the year again.  Every year Halloween is a special day and 2016 is no exception!  Get out there with your little ghouls and goblins and have a wonderful and safe holiday.   If you like any of the neighborhoods that you visit and […]

Oakland hills firestorm

October 27th, 2011

The Oakland Hills firestorm of 1991 is credited with burning over 3300 homes and over 1520 acres. 25 people lost their lives and the financial impact exceeded $1.5 billion. We have just passed the 20 year anniversary from that disaster and many ongoing efforts have been and are being made to ensure that a disaster […]

How to get the best deal when buying a home Oakland and Piedmont CA

September 20th, 2011

How to get the best deal when buying a home in Oakland and Piedmont CA. View homes for sale in Oakland and homes for sale in Peidmont here. Prices are down. Interest rates are dropping. Short sales are increasing. Foreclosures, a volatile economy, YIKES! With all this market turbulence it takes a lot of courage […]

Is the 30 year fixed mortgage going away?

March 18th, 2011

Does it really matter?  I’m not so sure.  The 30 year fixed mortgage is more of a psychological comfort than a financial necessity.  If the 30 year fixed option goes away that doesn’t mean that a 30 year mortgage is not longer available.  5, 10 and 15 year fixed mortgages that roll into adjustable loans […]

5 best home preparations for sale

September 7th, 2010

The 5 best home preparations for selling your home also turn out to be some of the lease expensive things to do.  I found the list below (from Forbs Magazine Article) to be confirming of the items that I suggest to my home selling clients and also informative.  Brian Santilena Pacific Union Real Estate Oakland-Piedmont […]