Hello California activerain members. I just realized that under the July 1st law, our DRE license numbers should probably be visible on activerain. How are you handling this?
What experiences can we share with a Buyer interested in making an offer on an REO or short sale that would be their principal residence? How do we prepare them for the difficult and uncertain journey? One description I use is that "it is like buying a lottery ticket without knowing when the lottery will take place, if the lottery will take place, or how the winner will be selected." Another image I like is to ask the Buyer to imagine that their offer is going into a giant paper shredder with the hope that someone on the other side will put the pieces back together and read their offer.
I am in the Bay Area - primarily Berkeley and Oakland. We have been experiencing a new twist in this interesting market place for the past three weeks. We are again seeing multiple offers - real multiple offers. I have been involved from the Buyers side in two situations with 10 offers during this time period.
The scenario seems to be that first time Buyers - supplemented by artificially low interest rates and first time buyer incentives - are bidding to a point where homes are going into contract for 5-10% more than the same home would have sold for in February or March.
Then along come the appraisers. There are no comparables within the past 3 months to support the contract price and the appraisal comes in below what a number of the offering buyers would have been willing to pay.
Result: the Seller has to re-negotiate. Result: Buyers need to have more than 20% down to have their offer accepted.
Last night I had dinner with a highly competent and experienced loan broker who is also a friend. She was feeling terribly down about the lack of control she is experiencing the in current market. I suggested that she make a list of "can you believe" loan and appraisal stories to give to clients. I thought that if the clients could appreciate the difficulties of getting through underwriting as of May 2009, they might not take delays and additional inquiries so personally.
One of the examples she gave me was shocking. The underwriter, as a final loan condition not previously mentioned, wanted an explanation of why the borrowers did not have social security numbers from birth. The explanation was relatively easy: the borrowers were in their 70's and didn't get social security numbers until they obtained their first jobs as was the custom at the time. The problem: the result of the inquiry was to put the loan back on the underwriters table for an additional 4 days thereby taking the time period beyond the interest rate lock.
If you have other stories for me to pass along, I would love to hear them.
PS Yes, she did pay the required points to keep the interest rate.
This was passed along to me and is worthy of sharing. Give a listen if you haven't heard this already. Grandpa Elliott ROCKS.
"Below is a link to one of the best pieces of sound engineering work I think I have ever seen. It is a composite audio/video of a song whereby additional tracks were laid in by different singers and musicians from different places around the world. The finished product is tremendous! The song itself is that classic standard, "Stand By Me", originally released in 1955 by The Staple Singers and released again in 1961 by the Drifters. This composite version is pretty amazing. So turn up the speaker volume and Click Below..."
<http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741>
Specializing in homes in the San Francisco Bay Area: Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Piedmont, Kensington, Rockridge, and Oakland. 30 Years of Real Estate Experience & Happy Clients
"We found Chris while searching the internet for a real estate agent. It was clear from her website that she had a lot of experience and an excellent reputation and we loved the houses she found for her clients. Right from the start, we really connected with Chris, and found her to be highly knowledgeable, experienced and genuine.
Chris first represented us as sellers. She gave us thorough advice on simple improvements we could make to our condo to make it more attractive to our targeted buyers. Incredibly, our condo sold in two days!
Next, Chris worked tirelessly to help us find the perfect home. We always felt confident and proud to have Chris as our agent. At each open house, when we told the seller's agent we were working with Chris Cohn, we always got a positive reaction, and it was clear that Chris' reputation preceded her. She always gave us her honest opinion, and never tried to push or "sell us" on a home. She pointed out the weaknesses and strengths of potential homes, and gave us detailed input so that we could make an informed decision. After two months of intense house-hunting, Chris found us our dream home in the Berkeley Hills. We have a house that we love.
Our experience buying and selling a home with Chris was perfect. We have developed a great professional and personal relationship with her, and would highly recommend her to our closest friends and family."
Lisa & Nick - Buyers/Sellers
<!--<img align="right" src="images/clients/deb-emma.jpg" mce_src="images/clients/deb-emma.jpg" width="300" hspace="4">-->"The first indication that we had chosen a great advisor in hiring Chris was based on the reactions of her colleagues to the mere mention of her name. Her distinguished standing within the community was apparent. Still, we had no idea how truly fortunate we were until we stumbled on our dream house.
Chris helped us adeptly navigate an escrow rife with uncertainty. She good-naturedly did what needed to be done and made the difficult look easy. Always available for consultation and hand holding, Chris helped us make informed decisions and kept us at ease. Her skills at negotiating, patience at the ridiculous, insightful suggestions and persistent follow-up, all ensured the deal closed. Throughout, Chris demonstrated an amazing ability to placate the seller (who had to contend with our six-page punch list) while ensuring first and foremost that our needs were met.
She is an advocate, a trusted advisor, and a true friend. We were honored to be her clients."
Deb & Emma - Buyers
In late 2007, we came to the conclusion that, with a new baby on the way, our long commutes were no longer sustainable and it was time to move. So on what was pretty much the spur of the moment, we decided to put our Albany condo on the market. We knew the timing was horrible - not only had the mortgage crisis just broken, but our condo association was still in the process of doing repair work on the foundation, a fact that we knew would make for a tough sell. Nonetheless, we thought we would give it a try, and contacted Chris to see if she could help us. Since Chris had helped us negotiate a substantial price reduction when we bought the condo in the first place, we had complete faith in her enthusiasm, expertise, and negotiating savvy. We weren't disappointed. Within literally a week after we told her we were interested in selling, Chris helped us get our place freshly carpeted, beautifully staged and photographed, and ready for an open house. In a little over two weeks, we had three attractive offers, and we ended up making a sale for significantly over the asking price. We hadn't been sure we'd be able to sell our condo at all; Chris helped us sell it at whirlwind speed and at a price that beat our expectations. We were amazed.
Results like that speak for themselves, but we should also add that Chris made the entire experience painless by being such a pleasure to work with. She made herself available at all times to answer our questions and talk through our options. And despite the challenges we faced, she remained unflaggingly warm, energetic, and reassuring throughout the process. In short, we feel lucky to have found Chris; we couldn't have asked for a better agent.
Katherine & John - 797 Taft Avenue, Albany Townhouse - Sellers
Placing our Berkeley home of 23 years up for sale in the declining real estate market of late 2007 was daunting. We interviewed several fine real estate agents, but Chris Cohn exemplified all the attributes and skills we sought to the highest degree: experience, competence, and unsurpassed integrity matched with savvy. And such a pleasant and enjoyable person! Our comfort level with Chris was immediate and she had our confidence. If we felt daunted, Chris wasn't in the least.
Chris clearly enjoys what she does and was eager to tackle the challenge of obtaining the best result for us given the existing market. No house is perfect, and she impressed us with her belief in the strengths of our house and in us as sellers. Our labor during process of house preparation had its stressful moments and obstacles but the steady and cheerful Chris guided us through the hurdles with resourcefulness. Chris has impeccable timing and judgment and kept us focused. More good fortune was Chris' remarkable support team from her expert color consultant and stager to referrals to skilled specialists from plumbers to landscapers.
The final results were extraordinary. As opening day neared, Chris kicked-off a sophisticated marketing blitz, both traditional and on the internet. We were stunned with the results: over 1500 hits on the virtual tour, over 60 agents on the broker's tour (they know not to miss a Chris Cohn opening!) and over 200 potential buyers at the first Sunday open house, in 2-1/2 hours! The buzz was phenomenal. Serious buyers appeared in short order and we received multiple offers over asking-price.
Chris guided us strategically and brilliantly through a successful negotiation, escrow, and closing, always with our best interests and wishes paramount. Our home and garden was passed to an excited new owner and we moved on to our next chapter in life as extremely satisfied sellers with our hopes exceeded. The stellar results and memorable experiences along the way were only achieved by working with one of the Bay Area's very best real estate agents who also become our gracious and generous friend. Thank you, Chris.
Wayne and Gary
It seems that one might want the qualities in a real estate agent that you look for in a trusted friend:
Are you new to Piedmont and wanting to get out of the house on a nice weekend day? Piedmont has a variety of parks tucked - and sometimes hidden - in neighborhoods throughout town. They offer some nice options for a pleasant outing that doesn't involve much, if any, time in the car. Here is a list of the parks in town:
Piedmont Park, set in the center of town off Highland Avenue, is the biggest and most varied of Piedmont's parks. Its bowl-shaped lawn area is great for a family picnic or a game of Frisbee. It's also the terminus of Piedmont's folksy Fourth of July parade, when hundreds of people spread out blankets to enjoy music and other entertainment capping the yearly Independence Day festivities.
Just past the park's formal exedra entryway with its distinctive blue ceramic urn - called "The Vase" by local kids - is a tidy tot lot, complete with a drinking fountain and a restroom. Designed around a majestic oak tree, the playground includes a great climbing structure and sand area that are ideal for preschoolers. There also are a couple of baby swings, a stepped seating area and benches. It's a favorite daytime gathering spot for parents, babysitters and, of course, youngsters.
Just up the street on Highland Avenue is a Bonfare Market, a popular place to stop for an ice cream bar or other quick snack after spending an hour or two in the park. Piedmont Park includes a community center, which can be rented for weddings and other events, and a couple of tennis courts on its southern flank near Guilford Road.
Behind the community center is the entrance to gurgling Bushy Dell Creek and a meandering, though somewhat steep path and dog run. Once the site of a hotel and spa in the late 1800s, the creek is shaded by redwoods and features a network of paths leading down the hill. The atmosphere is that of a dense forest, though visitors are just a block or two from nearby homes and Piedmont middle and high schools. The main trail runs for about a third of a mile, ending at the Piedmont school district's new sports complex. There you'll find an all-weather track and field. Nearby, there is another small climbing structure that is part of the Wildwood School playground.
The Piedmont Recreation Department grounds, at Magnolia and Hillside avenues, contain a small tot lot, a barbecue area with picnic tables, two basketball courts and four tennis courts. Nearby is the private Piedmont Swim Club facility, which includes a main pool along with a wading pool and intermediate pool open in warmer months. Though generally open only to members, the pool admits Piedmont residents who are not members every Friday except for the third week of each month, when it is available on Saturday. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 15. For membership and other information, call the swim club at (510) 655-5163.
Crocker Park, at the intersection of Crocker Avenue and Hampton Road, has the formal feel of an English manor garden. This small open space features a shaded lawn area and nicely tended beds of rhododendrons, camellias and ferns. A sculpture of a bear and her two cubs by noted artist Benny Bufano sits in the park's center. The park is intended for informal use, according to the city of Piedmont, and dogs must be kept on a leash. It's a lovely, quiet spot to read a book on a warm summer day.
Dracena Park, off Ricardo Avenue, is a hidden neighborhood gem that once was the site of a rock quarry. Deceptive in its size, the park starts out as a sloping strip of grass that leads to a small tot lot with benches. Beyond the tall green gates is a lovely lawn area with a ring of pathway that was dedicated by the city in 1996. At the far end of this "secret garden" are the steep vegetation-covered walls of the old quarry. Just north visitors will find a small stand of redwoods, a picnic table and the start of a dog run through a series of shaded paths leading up to Dracena Avenue.
Coaches' Field, off Moraga Avenue, features a field frequently used by local youth soccer and softball teams as well as a spiffy Skate Park that was opened in 2001. The Skate Park is supervised and has strict rules requiring helmets and other safety equipment. Located up a flight of steps behind the playing field, it's a fun place to visit even if you don't skateboard. Spectators can watch experienced and not-so-experienced skateboarders attempt gravity-defying stunts on specially designed concrete ramps and bowls. The Skate Park is open on Piedmont school days from 1 p.m. to dusk; on Saturdays and vacation days from 10 a.m. to dusk and on Sundays from noon to dusk. It is closed in the event of bad weather. To discourage vandals, the park also is shut down if there is any graffiti or vandalism.
Hampton Field, at the corner of Hampton Road and La Salle Avenue, has a softball field, a pair of tennis courts and six basketball hoops. It is open for use from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. A pint-sized tot lot and sand area conveniently located a few feet away from the tennis courts, opening up possibilities for a family outing. In deference to nearby residents, the hours of the park are strictly enforced and a sign near the basketball court warns against amplified music and the use of profanity or any other inappropriate language or behavior. The new building near the tennis courts is the home of a preschool called Piedmont Cooperative Play School.
Linda Park, a strip of open space stretching from Linda Avenue to Oakland Avenue, is a good shortcut for San Francisco-bound commuters heading to the bus stop or casual-commuter pickup spot. There is a fenced-in dog run, open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Across the street and just below Beach School, are a tot lot, two tennis courts and a grass field.
The Oakland Municipal Rose Garden is tucked into a glen at the top of Jean Street just across the Piedmont city limits. Dedicated in 1937, the park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and features hundreds of specimens of roses laid out in beds along a formal promenade. Though the garden has a somewhat tired feel, there are paths, a reflecting pool and a "Mother of the Year Walk" with plaques honoring the outstanding Oakland mother of the year dating back to 1954. There is a wedding terrace up a long flight of steps and past a cascading series of pools; the site can be used by reservation.
Parks in Berkeley:
Park
Location
Park Maintenance
Mobile Unit #
162 University Avenue, Berkeley Marina
Marina
80 Bolivar Drive, at the foot of Bancroft Way (betwn Ashby and University Avenues)
3
3027 Colby Street, near Prince Street
2
BAY TRAILWest I-80 from Emeryville to Richmond
52424 Roosevelt Street between Dwight and Channing Ways
2
1200 Euclid Avenue, across from Codornices Park
1
1294 Berkeley Way, at West Street
3
1300 Rose Street between Hopkins and Cedar Streets
3
11 Spinnaker Way, North of the west end of University Avenue, Berkeley Marina
Marina
2208 Acton Street between Allston and Bancroft Ways
3
1201 Euclid Avenue, across from Rose Garden
1
869-A Contra Costa Avenue between Los Angeles Avenue and Yosemite Rd
1
960 Regal Rd, at Easter Way (east of Euclid Avenue)
1
540 Spruce Street at Michigan Avenue
1
780 Arlington Avenue at Yosemite Road
1
2121 Tenth Street between Allston Way and Addison Street
3
1310 La Loma at Glendale Avenue
1
1930 Thousand Oaks Blvd, at Yosemite Road and San Fernando Ave
1
1907 Harmon Street (between Adeline Street and Shattuck Avenue)
2
50 Whitaker Avenue between Miller and Sterling Avenues (west of Grizzly Peak Blvd.)
1
879 Santa Barbara Road, north of Indian Rock Avenue
1
1730 Oregon Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Way
2
Center of Halcyon Court at Prince Street (one block west of Telegraph Avenue)
2
1100 4th Street at Harrison Street
5
1255 Haskell St at the Corner of Haskell and Mabel Streets (south of Ashby Avenue)
3
101 Seawall Drive, Berkeley Marina
Marina
950 Indian Rock Avenue at Shattuck Avenue
1
1720 Eighth Street between Delaware and Virginia Streets
3
41 Somerset Avenue between Southampton Avenue and San Diego Road
1
2941 Claremont Avenue south of Ashby Avenue
Hopkins Street east of Colusa Avenue
1
2221 Russell Street, between Ellsworth and Fulton Streets
1301 Shattuck Avenue, at Berryman Street between Shattuck Avenue and Oxford Street
1
3081 King Street, near Ashby Avenue and Ellis Street
201 University Ave, Berkeley Marina
Marina
2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, between Allston Way and Center St
2
Claremont Boulevard at Oak Knoll Terrace
2
901 Indian Rock Avenue at San Diego Road
1
35 Domingo Avenue and El Camino Real (south of Ashby Avenue)
2
Ohlone Park West at 1701 Hearst Avenue; Ohlone Park East at 1933 Hearst Avenue; on Hearst Avenue from Milvia to Sacramento Streets
1
2556 Haste Street, Half a block east of Telegraph Avenue between Haste Street and Dwight Way
2199 California Street at Allston Way
2
1631 Prince Street between California and King Streets
2
80 Poppy Lane at Keeler Avenue and Miller Avenue
1
920 Allston Way between Eighth and Ninth Streets
2800 Park Street between Russell and Ward Streets
3
160 University Avenue, Berkeley Mariina
Marina
1615 63rd Street between King and California Streets
2
1559 Solano Avenue at Peralta and Capistrano Avenues
1
1260 Allston Way, Between Bancroft Way and Addison Street at West Street
3
1421 Queens Road near Fairlawn Drive (west of Grizzly Peak Blvd.)
1
1780 Tacoma Ave. at Ensenada Ave.
1
1644 Virginia Street, at the Corner of Virginia Street and McGee Ave.
1
2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, entrance at McKinley Avenue and Bancroft Way
2730 Hillegass Avenue, at Derby Street
2
Park
Location
Park Maintenance
Mobile Unit #
162 University Avenue, Berkeley Marina
Marina
80 Bolivar Drive, at the foot of Bancroft Way (betwn Ashby and University Avenues)
3
3027 Colby Street, near Prince Street
2
BAY TRAILWest I-80 from Emeryville to Richmond
52424 Roosevelt Street between Dwight and Channing Ways
2
1200 Euclid Avenue, across from Codornices Park
1
1294 Berkeley Way, at West Street
3
1300 Rose Street between Hopkins and Cedar Streets
3
11 Spinnaker Way, North of the west end of University Avenue, Berkeley Marina
Marina
2208 Acton Street between Allston and Bancroft Ways
3
1201 Euclid Avenue, across from Rose Garden
1
869-A Contra Costa Avenue between Los Angeles Avenue and Yosemite Rd
1
960 Regal Rd, at Easter Way (east of Euclid Avenue)
1
540 Spruce Street at Michigan Avenue
1
780 Arlington Avenue at Yosemite Road
1
2121 Tenth Street between Allston Way and Addison Street
3
1310 La Loma at Glendale Avenue
1
1930 Thousand Oaks Blvd, at Yosemite Road and San Fernando Ave
1
1907 Harmon Street (between Adeline Street and Shattuck Avenue)
2
50 Whitaker Avenue between Miller and Sterling Avenues (west of Grizzly Peak Blvd.)
1
879 Santa Barbara Road, north of Indian Rock Avenue
1
1730 Oregon Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Way
2
Center of Halcyon Court at Prince Street (one block west of Telegraph Avenue)
2
1100 4th Street at Harrison Street
5
1255 Haskell St at the Corner of Haskell and Mabel Streets (south of Ashby Avenue)
3
101 Seawall Drive, Berkeley Marina
Marina
950 Indian Rock Avenue at Shattuck Avenue
1
1720 Eighth Street between Delaware and Virginia Streets
3
41 Somerset Avenue between Southampton Avenue and San Diego Road
1
2941 Claremont Avenue south of Ashby Avenue
Hopkins Street east of Colusa Avenue
1
2221 Russell Street, between Ellsworth and Fulton Streets
1301 Shattuck Avenue, at Berryman Street between Shattuck Avenue and Oxford Street
1
3081 King Street, near Ashby Avenue and Ellis Street
201 University Ave, Berkeley Marina
Marina
2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, between Allston Way and Center St
2
Claremont Boulevard at Oak Knoll Terrace
2
901 Indian Rock Avenue at San Diego Road
1
35 Domingo Avenue and El Camino Real (south of Ashby Avenue)
2
Ohlone Park West at 1701 Hearst Avenue; Ohlone Park East at 1933 Hearst Avenue; on Hearst Avenue from Milvia to Sacramento Streets
1
2556 Haste Street, Half a block east of Telegraph Avenue between Haste Street and Dwight Way
2199 California Street at Allston Way
2
1631 Prince Street between California and King Streets
2
80 Poppy Lane at Keeler Avenue and Miller Avenue
1
920 Allston Way between Eighth and Ninth Streets
2800 Park Street between Russell and Ward Streets
3
160 University Avenue, Berkeley Mariina
Marina
1615 63rd Street between King and California Streets
2
1559 Solano Avenue at Peralta and Capistrano Avenues
1
1260 Allston Way, Between Bancroft Way and Addison Street at West Street
3
1421 Queens Road near Fairlawn Drive (west of Grizzly Peak Blvd.)
1
1780 Tacoma Ave. at Ensenada Ave.
1
1644 Virginia Street, at the Corner of Virginia Street and McGee Ave.
1
2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, entrance at McKinley Avenue and Bancroft Way
2730 Hillegass Avenue, at Derby Street
2
Important Dates for Property Owners
January 1: The assessment of property applies as of 12:01 a.m. on this day each year. (Effective 1-1-97)
February 15: Legal deadline for filing exemption claims for welfare, cemetery, college and exhibitions. (Effective 1-1-98)
February 15: Legal deadline for filing exemption claims for churches. (Effective 1-1-98)
February 15: Legal deadline for filing an exemption claim for homeowners, veterans and disabled veterans. (Effective 1-1-98)
April 1: Due date for filing Business Personal Property statements.
April 10: Last day to pay second installment of property taxes without penalty.
May 7: Legal deadline for filing business personal property statements without penalty. If May 7 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, a property statement that is mailed and postmarked on the next business day shall be deemed to have been filed between the lien date and 5 p.m. on May 7.
July 1: Assessment roll delivered by Assessor to County Auditor-Controller.
July 2 - September 15: Period during which requests for hearings before the Assessment Appeals Board on regular fiscal year assessments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Alameda County Administration Bldg. 1221 Oak Street, Room 536, Oakland Ca. 94612.
Mid-July: Annual mailing of assessment notices to all Alameda County real property owners stating the taxable value of the property.
August 31: Regular roll unsecured taxes due.
December 10: Legal deadline for filing a late exemption claim for homeowners, veterans and disabled veterans.
December 10: Last day to pay first installment of property taxes without penalty.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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"I write this unprompted letter because good news travels slowly, if at all. Earlier this year, my sister and I sought the services of a broker who could facilitate the sale of my mother's home at 1225 Monterey Avenue in Berkeley.