Bay Area California Real Estate Blog and News

2 Charts That Show the Truth about Home Affordability

2 Charts That Show the Truth about Home Affordability | MyKCM

There is a lot of discussion about the current state of housing affordability for both first-time and move-up buyers, and much of the narrative is tarnished with a negative slant. However, the truth is that housing affordability is better today than at almost any time in our history.

The naysayers are correct in the fact that affordability today is not as good as it has been over the last several years. But, we must remember that home prices collapsed during the housing crash, and distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales) kept home values depressed for years. When we compare affordability to the decades that proceeded the crash, a different story is revealed.

Here...

207 C Street, San Rafael - SOLD!

I had the pleasure of representing the buyer on this 2- bed, 1.5 bath bungalow located in the heart of Gerstle Park. This house checked all the boxes for the buyer; friendly and welcoming neighbors, an active neighborhood association, walking distance to downtown San Rafael without being too close to noise and traffic, renovated older home with  big windows and lots of light, the perfect size yard and a new 2-car garage with enough space for a workshop.

The first time I showed the house to my client, we struck up a conversation with an older neighbor who was in his workshop building pedestals for the San Rafael Mission and birdhouses and bird feeders. He was delightful and represented...

Access is an Important Factor in Getting Your House SOLD!

Access is an Important Factor in Getting Your House SOLD! | MyKCM

So, you’ve decided to sell your house. You’ve hired a real estate professional to help you with the entire process, and they have asked you what level of access you want to provide to potential buyers.

There are four elements to a quality listing. At the top of the list is Access, followed by Condition, Financing, and Price. There are many levels of access that you can provide to your agent so that he or she can show your home.

Here are five levels of access that you can give to buyers, along with a brief description:

  1. Lockbox on the Door – this allows buyers the ability to see the home as soon as they are aware of the listing, or at their convenience.
  2. ...

JUST SOLD – 3422 Maywood Dr, Richmond $550,000

Congratulations to my first-time buyer client who just closed escrow on this lovely 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,296 square foot home in Richmond/El Sobrante’s May Valley neighborhood. This tranquil home features spacious living and dining rooms, a cozy fireplace, master bedroom with attached master bath, and private back yard for relaxing and entertaining.

My client was able to purchase this home with my guidance on her very first offer!

Call me today at 510-967-6169 to find out how I can do the same for you!

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Feeling 'Stuck in Place'? You Aren't Alone... And There's Hope!

Feeling ‘Stuck in Place’? You Aren’t Alone… And There’s Hope! | MyKCM

Whether you are a renter who is searching for your dream home or a homeowner who feels like your only option is to renovate, you have at least one thing in common: feeling stuck in place.

According to data from the National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the average amount of time that a family stays in their home remained at 10 years in 2017. This mark ties the highest marks set in 2014 and 2016. Back in 1985, when data was first collected on this subject, homeowners stayed in their homes for an average of only 5 years.

There are many reasons why homeowners...

7 Reasons to List Your Home This Holiday Season

7 Reasons to List Your Home This Holiday Season | MyKCM

Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their homes on the market for the first time, while others who already have their homes on the market decide to take them off until after the holidays.

Here are seven great reasons not to wait:

  1. Relocation buyers are out there. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays and need their employees in their new positions as soon as possible.
  2. Purchasers who are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now.
  3. You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You will remain in control.
  4. Homes show better when decorated for the holidays.
  5. There...

A Housing Bubble? Industry Experts Say NO!

A Housing Bubble? Industry Experts Say NO! | MyKCM

With residential home prices continuing to appreciate at levels above historic norms, some are questioning if we are heading toward another housing bubble (and subsequent burst) like the one we experienced in 2006-2008.

Recently, five housing experts weighed in on the question.

Rick Sharga, Executive VP at Ten-X:

“We’re definitely not in a bubble.”

“We have a handful of markets that are frothy and probably have hit an affordability wall of sorts but…while prices nominally have surpassed the 2006 peak, we’re not talking about 2006 dollars.”

Christopher Thornberg, Partner at Beacon Economics:

“There...

Low Inventory Causes Home Prices to Maintain Fast Growth

Low Inventory Causes Home Prices to Maintain Fast Growth | MyKCM

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest Quarterly Metro Home Price Report last week. The report revealed that severely lacking inventory across the country drained sales growth and kept home prices rising at a steady clip in nearly all metro areas. Home prices rose 5.3% over the last quarter across all metros.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, discussed the impact of low inventory on buyers in the report:

“Unfortunately, the pace of new listings were unable to replace what was quickly sold. Home shoppers had little to choose from, and many had to outbid others in order...

759 Tamarack Dr. San Rafael, CA 94903: Just Listed & OPEN SUNDAY 1-4PM

759 Tamarack Dr. San Rafael, CA 94903: OPEN SUNDAY Nov. 5, 2017 1-4PM offered @ $1,200,000

Spacious single level contemporary home on a huge lot

Set on almost ½ acre lot, this Kenney built Atherton Model, 3 bedroom/ 2 baths, 2,233 sq. ft. home (per tax records) has it all. Welcome through a tiled entry into a large formal living room/dining room with hard wood floors and a wall of windows that looks out to the huge back yard featuring pool, deck, patio, and a gentle up-sloped lot with fruit trees and gorgeous view of hills.

Continuing with a great floor plan, this single level home features 3 large bedrooms with hardwood floors (carpet in master), fresh paint and new carpeting in the two family rooms. The master bedroom features an en-...