Author Archive
Changes to Real Estate 2019
City Transfer Taxes As approved by voters in this past November’s election, the city transfer tax will change in Berkeley, Hayward, Oakland, El Cerrito, and Richmond. The transfer taxes will increase in Berkeley for properties over $1.5...
From Clutter to Keepsakes – How to Downsize in Retirement With Less Stress
Moving is a big deal at any stage of life, but when you downsize in retirement, there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind. Downsizing to a smaller home also means downsizing what goes inside your home. What do you do with a lifetime ...Castro Valley Project (part 1)
If you have followed us for awhile, you’ve probably seen some of the renovation projects we’ve done for our sellers prior to putting their home on the market and our investment projects. Now, we’re going to take you behind the scenes and ...
New Restaurants in the East Bay You Need to Try
Are you tired of going to the same restaurants? Looking for something new? Just here in California for the holiday season and don’t know where to go? No worries! We have compiled a list of the latest and greatest restaurants across the entire...
Midterm Election: Real Estate in California
How do midterm election results affect the real estate market? See below for a list of the noteworthy measures that have the power to influence the California real estate market. Prop 5: NO Vote opposed to amending Proposition (1978) to c...
Making the Most of Your Open House
Image via Pexels If you are planning to sell your home, there are a lot of things you can do to make it more appealing to buyers during an open house. Potential buyers need to be able to see themselves living in it, enjoying it and entertain...
Dog Lovers: Save Money and Keep Your Home Clean with These Tips
Image via Pexels According to a survey of over 1,000 U.S. pet owners, Americans spend an average of $126.19 every month on their furry family members, with dog owners spending more than those who adopt cats. When you invest that much money i...
Why a Quick Sale May Not be in Your Best Interest
SOLD! 5 days on market, over asking! Sounds great, doesn’t it? The seller was able to sell their property quickly AND received over the asking price. The listing agent was able to get the deal closed and only had to market the property for tw...
Guide to 4th of July Magic in the Bay Area
Fireworks: 4th of July Berkeley Marina: family activities beginning at noon, fireworks at 9:30 p.m 4th of July Celebration at The Pier: San Francisco, Pier 39 fireworks over the bay at 9:30 p.m. Oakland A’s Independence Day Fireworks: Ju...
How to Make Your Lawn Safe for Kids and Pets Alike
Image courtesy of Pixabay Written by Cindy Aldridge With warmer weather comes the desire to spend more time outdoors, and much of this time is likely spent in your backyard. This green respite is particularly appealing to kids and pets wh...