Got a a short sale house listed for $299,000 and an all cash offer for $310,000. One lender. One loan. Bank of America, BAC and Freddie Mac. Bank foreclosed at the trustee sale for $277,000!

The owner had tried to refinance, and to loan mod. Nothing worked, so he was advised by the bank to do a short sale. The owner thought that was best too.

Got an offer for $300,000 all cash. Great.

Bank wanted all the documentation from the seller, income taxes, W-2s, checking and savings bank statements, pay stubs, hardship letter, Request for Income Tax Transcripts (4506-T), Conviction Certification (Dodd-Frank), Request for Mortgage Assistance (RMA), Borrower Financial Information, utility bill, Authorization Letter, Freddie Mac Short Sale Addendum notarized by ALL parties, Estimated Settlement Statement (HUD-1).

From the buyer the bank wanted the offer, earnest money deposit, proof of funds. The usual stuff.

Two months later, the appraiser values the house at $375,000.

Bank counter offers at $350,000 minimum. Buyer raised his offer to $310,000 but bank said NO.

Trustee sale date was coming up and there was no postponing it. At the courthouse steps, the bank took the house back for $277,000.

From my perspective it didn’t make sense. But I know that banks have their own logic…like the horse in the picture.The horse will drink the water when it's good and reay and not before, you know?

What I would like to see in the future: The bank saying what is an acceptable amount from the start or appraising the place right away after an offer has been accepted to determine if the amount is good for them.

Nice going Freddie Mac.

Things to Do in Alameda

Things to Do in Alameda: The Alameda Museum will feature Mi’Chelle Fredrick and N. Teddy Goldsworthy-hanner starting February 11 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Their show “Reflections of a Shared Vision” includes mixed-media acrylic paints, encaustic and sculpture. Fredrick’s works features graphite drawings and mixed-media watercolor paintings. Join the artists at their opening reception Saturday at the Museum at 2324 Alameda Avenue.

Things to do in Alameda. The Father Daughter Mad Hatter Tea Party on Friday, February 10, is sponsored by the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department and Alameda Girls Inc. The party starts at 6pm at the Al DeWitt O Club at 641 West Red Line Avenue at the Alameda Point. The Party ends at 8pm. Call 510-747-7529 for more information. Pre-registration is required.

Things to do in Alameda. The Altarena Playhouse will present “Fences” on Friday, February 10 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 pm. The Playhouse is located at 1409 High Street in Alameda. Call for reservation at 510-523-1553 or on line at the Altarena Playhouse.

Things to do in Alameda. Team Alameda Second Sunday Casual Ride to Jack London Square Farmer’s Market is on Sunday February 12. Bring a helmet, snack, water, sun block and baskets and bags for shopping for this free ride. Meet at the front steps of Kaiser Permanente Clinic, 2417 Central Avenue.

Mark Your Calendar for these great events:

Frederica von Stade, Alameda’s own golden voice, will be performing at the Historic Alameda Theatre & Cineplex on Saturday, February 25 for the Live@the Library benefit for the Alameda Free Library. Tickets are going fast and may already be gone. You can buy tickets at the Alameda Theatre, 2317 Central Avenue, Books, Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda Main Library Café at 1550 Oak Street and on line at www.brownpapertickets.com

The Alameda Boys and Girls Club 27^th Annual Auction Dinner is coming Saturday, March, 3, 2012. You better get your tickets now because this is a very popular event. The organizers are encouraging everyone to come in red to enter the Best Dressed in Red Contest. There will be on on-line auction from February 14 to February 28. The winner, who has a choice of a 2012 Toyota Prius, a Toyota Camry or Rav4, will be announced at the dinner on March 3.

The College of Alameda will be holding a new Alameda Flea Marketwhich will open on March 4 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be over 230 vendors selling merchandise. There will also be food booth. During March, all seller spaces fees will be waiver.

Things to Do in Alameda is all about events for the whole family to enjoy in Alameda. I write about Things to do in Alameda every Friday, so if you like what you see here, please come back for more or visit me on Facebook.

Dublin Ranch Village Real Estate Market Report January 2012 Condos For Sale The Villas Dublin CA February 6, 2012

This report describes condos for sale in The Villas in Dublin CA and also includes a summary of condos that are currently pending and sold for the prior month. Townhome style condos in The Villas offer 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms on 1, 2 or 3 stories ranging from 1,240 to 1,548 sq. ft. Neighborhood amenities include a pool, spa, club house and exercise facility. Condos for sale in The Villas in Dublin CA are newer homes and new construction situated in the Dublin Unified School District. Dublin High School made Newsweek Magazine’s list of top public high schools in America in 2010. Only 6% of all public schools achieve this recognition. The Villas cluster includes condos mainly located on Clarinbridge Circle and Finnian Way in Dublin Ranch Village in Dublin CA.

Condos For Sale in The Villas in Dublin CA Currently on the Market

Shown below are all currently listed condos for sale in The Villas in Dublin CA with pictures, feature descriptions, maps, and walk scores. All listing details are updated daily.

Showing properties 1 - 4 of 4. See more Dublin - The Villas.
(all data current as of 2/6/2012)

1. $319,000 : 4140 CLARINBRIDGE CIR, DUBLIN
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,347 sq ft
2. $259,950 : 4301 CLARINBRIDGE CIR, DUBLIN
   
   1 bed, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,243 sq ft
3. $349,000 : 4220 clarinbridge, DUBLIN
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,401 sq ft
4. $249,000 : 3657 DUBLIN BLVD, DUBLIN
   
   1 bed, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,243 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Shown below are The Villas in Dublin CA real estate trends* in charts for the year to date history of Condos For Sale in The Villas in Dublin CA, Pending and Sold by month as well as the single family Median Home Price in The Villas in Dublin CA and Average Days on Market data. (See Note at bottom for Data Assumptions.)

Condos Sold in The Villas in Dublin CA in January 2012

Condos Sold in The Villas in Dublin CA Past Five Years

Click here to receive ongoing monthly Market snapshots for Dublin Ranch Village

How to Get There?
Condos for Sale in The Villas in Dublin CA are mainly located on Clarinbridge Circle and Finnian Way in Dublin RanchVillage in Dublin CA.

Click here for a Larger Interactive Map

Click here for an archive onCondos and townhomes for Sale in The Villas in Dublin CA

Click here to search for Dublin CA homes for sale

* Based on information from the Contra Costa Association of REALTOR’S® MLS (for the monthly period from the first through the last day of the month). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.

Dublin Ranch Village Real Estate Market Report January 2012 Condos For Sale The Villas Dublin CA February 6, 2012

The Baby Boom years saw the addition of several subdivisions in Livermore. From 1950 through 1966, the Jensen Tract as it is commonly referred to, sprung up in the southeastern portion of Livermore.

These modest one story ranch-style homes were primarily built with 3 bedrooms, 1 or 2 bathrooms and with 1 or two car garages. Some larger models have a 4^th bedroom. Over the years, this has been a popular neighborhood due to it proximity to both Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory – two of the largest employers in Livermore. Some of the original models have changed dramatically as homeowners have added second stories or updated exteriors with more contemporary styling.

This community does not have an HOA.

Nearby Park
A fabulous Livermore resource is just down the street – Robert Livermore Community Center, and Robert Livermore Park. You’ll find a host of activities and amenities to appeal to young and old alike.

Schools

• Jackson Elementary School
• East Avenue Middle SchoolAltamont Creek Elementary School
• Livermore Valley Charter School
• Livermore Valley Charter Preparatory
• Livermore High School

Note: Always check with the Livermore Valley School District Office for assigned schools as boundaries occasionally change.

Market Data:
During 2011, 51 homes sold between $215,000 and $450,000 in the Jensen Tract. As of Feb. 6, homes have sold between $25,000 to $460,000. There 10 pending sales priced between $219,000 and $324,950 and 5 homes for sale in the Jensen Tract.

January 2012 Livermore CA Real Estate Market Report Homes for Sale Livermore CA February 5, 2012

Homes for sale in Livermore CA are located in what is traditionally considered the easternmost city in the Bay Area before entrance to the Central Valley. Livermore was founded by William Mendenhall and named after Robert Livermore, his friend and a local rancher who settled in the area in the 1830s. Livermore CA real estate is also near the home of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Its south side, home to local vineyards, has developed several executive subdivisions near Ruby Hill (actually located in Pleasanton, CA). The city has also redeveloped its downtown district. Click here for more from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Single Family Homes For Sale in Livermore CA Currently on the Market*

The first 10 listings of homes for sale Livermore CA, sorted by newest listing date first, are displayed below. All listings are available for display by clicking on the “See more city of Livermore real estate.” link located on the right of the header before the first listing.

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 160. See more city of Livermore real estate.
(all data current as of 2/5/2012)

1. $645,000 : 755 Newbury Street, LIVERMORE
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,444 sq ft

   Lot size: 13,939 sq ft
2. $169,900 : 988 DEL NORTE DRIVE, LIVERMORE
   
   3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,182 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,391 sq ft
3. $425,000 : 710 CATALINA DR, LIVERMORE
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,519 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,002 sq ft
4. $329,900 : 1684 AUTUMN OAK DR, LIVERMORE
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,224 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,554 sq ft
5. $419,000 : 1802 Cassiopia St, LIVERMORE
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,420 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,840 sq ft
6. $830,277 : 2583 Cooper Circle, LIVERMORE
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,015 sq ft
7. $810,825 : 2601 McLarren Court, LIVERMORE
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,573 sq ft
8. $574,900 : 664 MURDELL LN, LIVERMORE
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,376 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,040 sq ft
9. $195,000 : 337 CHRIS CMN, Unit: 109, LIVERMORE
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 841 sq ft
10. $338,000 : 1024 Baltusrol Road, LIVERMORE
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,744 sq ft

    Lot size: 4,791 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Single Family Homes For Sale in Livermore CA Monthly Trends through January 2012

Shown below are Livermore CA real estate trends* in charts for the year to date history of Single Family Homes For Sale in Livermore CA, Pending and Sold by month as well as the single family Median Home Price in Livermore CA and Average Days on Market data. (See note below on Data Assumptions.)

Single Family Homes Sold in Livermore CA in January 2012 (Top 50)

Attached Homes For Sale in Livermore CA Monthly Trends through January 2012

Livermore CA real estate trends are shown below in charts for the year to date history of Attached (condos, duets and townhomes) Homes For Sale in Livermore CA, Pending and Sold by month as well as the attached Median Home Price in Livermore CA and Average Days on Market data.

Attached Homes Sold in Livermore CA in January 2012

Click here to receive monthly Livermore CA real estate market updates

Homes Sold in Livermore CA Past Five Years

Click here to search all Homes for Sale in Livermore CA

Click here for an archive of recent Reports for Homes for Sale in Livermore CA

Note on Data Assumptions: Data for Median Home Price and Average Days on Market for Homes for Sale and Pending is accurate only for the date the data is extracted and is not a monthly average. Data shown for these categories is extracted at approximately the same time each month so the comparison is relevant on a once a month basis.

* Based on information from the Contra Costa Association of REALTOR’S® MLS (for the monthly period from the first through the last day of the month). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.

January 2012 Livermore CA Real Estate Market Report Homes for Sale Livermore CA February 5, 2012