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Doom and gloom news are always sensationalized. So from time to time, it helps to have a reality check. Kudos to First American Title Company who shares with us the Market Watch newsletter by a dynamo of a woman, Carole Rodoni. Carole is a sought-after speaker (and the much-revered ray of hope for the battered northern California market). We ...

I'm incensed! Twice today, I was nearly rebuffed by two agents whom I called when I tried to submit my offers. The first one was an REO. She said she already received an offer last night, and another one this morning --- as if two was enough. She tried to discourage me from submitting an offer since she thought the ones she had were ...

Folks who haven't yet discovered Alameda may want to come to one of the most fun events in the island -- the monthly Antiques Faire by the Bay http://www.antiquesbythebay.net/. It's billed as Northern California's largest antiques and collectibles show with over 800 dealers. According to theri website, everything sold at the show must ...

I submitted an offer on a short sale listing last week. I thought it was a strong offer --- full price, 10% down payment, 1% initial deposit, AS IS, standard contingency periods. When I followed up with the listing agent to find out what the seller would like to do --- accept, counter offer or reject --- it appears she bypassed the seller. She ...

As of today, in our local MLS. there are 12,041 active listings of which 2636 are REO (bank-owned) or 22%, and 2852 are short sales or 24%. Siince January 1, 2008, 1151 REOs closed, compared to 102 short sales. Because of the painfully slow process of getting an acceptance, rejection or counteroffer to a short sale offer, I am more inclined to ...

No matter how many times you try to explain what a short sale is and what is involved, it is always a good idea to set expectations at the very beginning. Then follow up with a written explanation -- be it an outline, an email, a question and answer ---- anything that the Buyer can refer to because invariably, there will be some ...

[photo:listing:1562990] Entertain in style! • 1,800 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story ''Main level on second floor'' - $849,000 - Classic Colonial Revival Central Alameda, Alameda  -  Entertain in style in this fabulous home. Enjoy the open plan of the formal ...

[photo:listing:1529616] NEW home with views • 2,600 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Dramatic Contemporary" - MLS® $750,000 - Architecture Digest Style Mountain View, Martinez  -  Architecture Digest quality and design in this fabulous custom-built home. Designed by and built by a team consisting of an ...

[photo:listing:1449200] Lovely Spanish Bungalow • 1,096 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm single story ''Spanish Bungalow'' - MLS® $399,000 - Best Value, Short Sale Maxwell Park, Oakland  -  Delightful bungalow is in a wonderful enclave of other vintage homes near ...

[photo:listing:1440509] • 1,667 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm duplex ''Colonial Revival downtown'' - MLS® $650,000 - FIXER DUPLEX DOWNTOWN! Downtown, Alameda  -  According to the reference book ''Buildings of the Edwardian Period, City of Alameda 1905 to 1909'' by Geroge C. ...