This industry report shows clearly how the traditional  ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today’s market.  The fact of the matter is three quarters of home sellers don't get what they want for their homes and  become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market.

The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. 

See our home selling tips here!

Coming Soon – Traditional English Estate surrounded by lush manicured gardens with gated privacy.  

Upon entering the first level (approx 1975 sq ft) of the home you will be taken back by the exquisite wood paneling in the entry hall, formal living and dining areas. French doors, box beamed ceilings and Oak Hardwood flooring set the tone for this fine property. Fireplaces are found in both the living and dining rooms of his level, as is the bright airy kitchen with breakfast area and an additional private wood paneled study and two half baths.

The second level of the home (approx 1970 sq ft) features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and sunroom with the third level, or attic, (approx 898 sq ft)  offering an additional full bathroom and two oversized bonus rooms.

Off the back of the estate you will find a detached two car garage (approx 540 sq ft) with separate studio space and full bath (approx 200 sq ft).

Laundry for the home is located in the partially finished basement (finished approx 400 sq ft, unfinished approx 625 sq ft)

The estate sits on a 14,853 sq ft lot (per engineering survey).  Fountains, statuaries, trellises combined with mature plants and trees create an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion in a park like setting.

Just blocks from Piedmont Avenue, this rare estate is an ideal home for someone wanting to live in Piedmont, be minutes from shopping and entertainment, yet have privacy and seclusion.

Approx Sq Ft given for property dimensions are not guaranteed and have been taken from previous architectural disclosures available for review.

This Bay & San Francisco View Home has undergone fabulous upgrades as well as been meticulously maintained by the owners. Private & spacious it features a huge master bedroom suite with Bay views. The home also has a wonderful lower entertainment/rumpus room with bathroom and wetbar.  Multiple decks grace this home as does a fabulous mature private garden and yard in the back. A great opportunity and a true must see!

Click here for a flyer

Must see to believe this maticulously maintained home with panoramic views of the Bay! Hardwood floors, neutral carpet, new interior paint, Built in's in dining room. Large private back yard with deck, lawn area, and terraced garden.  See this home with Zillow Zestmates at www.mlsEastBay.com or contact our showing specialists for a no obligation tour of this property (510) 595-7699

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in December, increased 1.0 percent to 96.6 from 95.6 in November, and remains 10.9 percent above December 2008 when it was 87.1. In November, the monthly index had fallen by 16.4 percent from surging activity in preceding months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said it’s important to recognize how the tax credit is skewing market data. “There are easily understood swings in contract activity as buyers respond to a tax credit that was expiring and was then extended and expanded,” he said. “These swings are masking the underlying trend, which is a broad improvement over year-ago levels. December activity was the fifth highest monthly tally in two years.

Make sure to get all your questions answered about the Tax Credits today. Time is running out to take advantage of this great offer!

The name has also come to refer to the formerly industrial neighborhood surrounding Jack London Square proper now known as the Jack London District, which has undergone significant rehabilitation in the last decade, including loft conversions and new construction.

Jack London Square is located at the south end of Broadway, across the Oakland Estuary from Alameda.

We are currently offering an Exclusive Listing in Jack London Square by appointment only, with our team of professionals. Contact us today (888-627-4399) for a no obligation preview of this rare property.

Get a free Zillow Zestimate and see more great color pictures and descriptions for properties just like this at www.mlsEastBay.com

Hiring a real estate agent is just like any hiring process - with you on the boss’s side of the desk. It's critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.

We are glad to answer any specific questions you may have to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Before you hire any real estate agent, call and get the answers for the Top 5 Questions you need to ask:

 How Long Have You Been in the Business?

 What is Your Best Marketing Plan or Strategy for My Needs?

What Are the Top Three Things That Separate You From Your Competition?

How Much Do You Charge?

What Kind of Guarantee Do You Offer?

Regards,

Dave and Carla

Dave Higgins - Keller Williams - 4341 Piedmont Ave., Oakland CA - 94611

Located just off Lake Merritt, steps to the new Lake Chalet Restaurant and minutes from Whole Foods. This space offers a fabulous floor plan, updated kitchen with wine cooler, custom hall and master bathrooms and designer paint colors.  Low home owner association dues, pet friendly building environment, and more.  Just blocks from several BART locations and close to Hwy access to the 880 or 580 for commuters. See this property on www.mlsEastBay.com.

Sophisticated Work Live Loft of grand proportion.  True conversion space featuring concrete floors, elevated ceilings, open kitchen, large spa like bathroom with whirlpool tub, in-unit laundry and amazing city and water views from the common rooftop garden and BBQ area.

Just blocks from the Jack London Square Ferry Building, Farmers Market, Yoshi's and all the great area amenities! Quick access to Hwy 880.  This is an exclusive Dave and Carla listing and is not on the MLS.  By appointment only with our team of professionals - great opportunity, please contact us today for a no obligation preview of this rare property.

Get a free Zillow Zestimate and see more great color pictures and descriptions for properties just like this at www.mlsEastBay.com

Located right on Lake Merritt, this move-in ready beauty is around the corner from the new Lake Chalet Restaurant and minutes from Whole Foods. This great floor plan features an updated kitchen with a wine cooler and a whisper-quiet Bosch dishwasher, 2 completely renovated bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, and oversized closets. Low home owner association dues, pet-friendly building environment, and more. Just blocks from several BART locations and close to Hwy access to the 880 or 580 for commuters.  

See this property on www.DaveAndCarla.com or www.mlsEastBay.com.

Click Here for a Flyer

 *Yahoo published an article stating that the sale of previously occupied homes rose in 2009, while the average home sale price declined. Apparently home prices have declined as far as 12 % in some areas.

 *Realty Times stated that "Fixed mortgage rates followed bond yields lower for the third consecutive week, pushing 30-year mortgages below 5 percent once more."

 * And finally, the FHA is tightening it's lending requirements to help stabilize the FHA products moving forward and avoid the need for bailouts in the future.

While all of this can seem confusing, the bottom line is there are indicators the industry is coming back, there has been more than average activity for the beginning of the year with the tax credits and opportunities are still available on both sides of the real estate transaction!

As always, we are glad to answer any questions you may have!

Dave and Carla

Whether you're looking to buy your first home, or trading up to a larger one, there are many costs - on top of the purchase price - that you must figure into your calculation of affordability. These extra fees, such as taxes and other additional costs, could surprise you with an unwanted financial nightmare on closing day if you're not informed and prepared.

Some of these costs are one-time fixed payments, while others represent an ongoing monthly or yearly commitment. While not all of these costs will apply in every situation, it's better to know about them ahead of time so you can budget properly. Remember, buying a home is a major milestone, and whether it's your first, second or tenth, there are many small but important details, not to mention stress and excitement, to deal with during the process. The last thing you need are unbudgeted financial obligations in the hours before you take possession of your new home. We are always prepared to help homebuyers understand what these extra costs are. Simply call the office at any time (888-627-4399) and we will be happy to discuss your situation.  

Regards, Dave and Carla

Open living room with cathedral ceilings, spacious kitchen that opens to family room with wonderful gas fireplace.  Private patio with fenced in level grassy backyard.  Attached two car garage with direct access into the home.  Conveniently located just minutes from great hwy access as well as shopping and restaurants. Great park just around the corner! 

Get a free Zillow Zestimate and see more great color pictures and descriptions for this property at www.mlsEastBay.com

Click here for Flyer

Wonderful Emeryville condominium with custom designer colors centered amongst the best of Emeryville.  High-end finishes in the kitchen and bathroom including granite counters, distinctive black appliances and birch finished cabinets. Blocks from great retail, restaurants and Hwy Access.  Smart, spacious floor-plan, private balcony, one deeded parking space and much more. Like new building (built in 2005). 

If you are looking for a great condominium in one of the best locations in the East Bay, this is it!

Get a free Zillow Zestimate and see more great color pictures and descriptions for this property at http://www.mlseastbay.com/

Click here for a flyer

Historically low rates mean you have tremendous buying Power. At a rate of 5.5% with 10% down, your monthly Mortgage Payment on a $500,000 home is approximately $2,555. If the rates go up by just 1% that same $2,555 payment will only get you a home worth $449,250. The end of the Federal Stimulus Funds in March predicts a rise in mortgage rates.

A Rate Increase of only 1% You Lose  $50,750  in Purchase Power!

“Contract activity for pending home sales fell after a surge of activity in preceding months to beat the original deadline for the first-time home buyer tax credit but remains comfortably above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said a drop was expected. “It will be at least early spring before we see notable gains in sales activity as home buyers respond to the recently extended and expanded tax credit,” he said. “The fact that pending home sales are comfortably above year-ago levels shows the market has gained sufficient momentum on its own. We expect another surge in the spring as more home buyers take advantage of affordable housing conditions before the tax credit expires.”

So what does the mean for you? Whether you are a buyer or a seller the market is continuing to pick up. Despite the news there are opportunities presenting themselves every day. This past weekend we put a new house on the market in the Montclair Hills and had 63 phone calls into our office and 22 showing in the first full day it was available.  By day five, we were able to generate nine offers on the home with the top offer being close to 20% over asking. This just shows that sellers are continuing to sell and buyers are continuing to buy.

If you are on the fence or simply testing the waters before participating, the time is now. Let us help you take advantage of the buyer tax credits and short sale opportunities available.

Call today for free Comparative Market Analysis and a no obligation discussion of how our proprietary home sale system can work for you.

Regards,

Dave and Carla

All of these wonderful features and not far from 4th Street shops!

View FULL DETAILS and additional PHOTOS here:
http://www.mlseastbay.com/results.aspx?listingid=5601327&propType=SF&area=1227&minPrice=350000&maxPrice=550000&minBeds=2

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Dave Higgins - Keller Williams - 4341 Piedmont Ave., Oakland CA - 94611

Click Here for a flyer of this property