Marilyn's Newsletter

Hi! Welcome to the website and the latest newsletter! You can see samples of virtual tours I've used in marketing property, see some recent property sales I've been involved in, get an overview of my perspective on the market today, plus see a table with local listing information specific to Alameda for the past 6 month period.

The Second Story:

(from a May 2008 email update)

This market, while down in price from the highs of two years ago, demands the same fundamentals for a successful closing: a proper price that gets buyers to the door, condition that pulls them in, and reports that justify their interest. Offers then indicate where the market is.

What is different from the past six years is the negotiation that goes on during the offer, inspection, and financing processes. Buyers are pushing for credits for corrective work as it relates to health and safety issues. Some lenders are reneging on what appear to be solid loan commitments-even at the last moment. The products available for financing are limited and the fees associated with most financing (even if the interest rates are great) are much higher.

Alameda does have a few bank-owned properties (REOs-real estate owned). There are a number of 'short sales' in which the amount due the lender(is more than the value. Short sales are tough because many lenders are being hard-nosed, taking their time to respond to offers, and demand participation from junior lien-holders. If a 'deal' is to be had-go with the REOs.

One side benefit as I see it-the agents who can't handle the heat are leaving the biz!

Call if you have questions about the climate out there!

2008 Activity

Current Listings

Pending Sales

2008 Sold

2007 Activity

Sold

Alameda Active and Pending Listings as of 05/06/08

(includes residential, 2-4 units, commercial 5+ units, commercial/industrial)

Please realize that some properties are input into more than one category so there are probably several duplications. For instance, a duplex may be entered as a single family residence. It's game-playing.)

For What It's Worth

Three month summary 2/1/08 through 4/30/08

Remember these numbers have little or nothing to do with today plus all the nuances that result in price equaling value in a transaction. But they are fun to look at.