“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Pam Winterbauer ~ 2006 REALTOR® of the Year

City of Dublin First-Time Home buyer Program

Have you or your clients used the City of Dublin's First-Time Home buyer Program? If you have, Bay East would like to know how it worked for you. We are seeking feedback on:

  • Program design including the amount of assistance and how the program fits within a real estate transaction
  • Program administration including your experience with program staff
  • Program improvements - Are there any changes the City of Dublin could make to the program given current market conditions?

Your responses will be sent to the City of Dublin for their consideration when reviewing the program structure and administration. We will not provide names of REALTORS® or clients with the responses.

Considering Moving to Dublin or the East Bay? ~ Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

Search East Bay Area Properties

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Pleasanton School Parcel Tax Goes on June Ballot

On Thursday, March 5, the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees decided to place a parcel tax on the June 2 special election ballot.

The proposed amount of the parcel tax would be $233 and would expire after four years. An exemption will be available for seniors and those with other special needs.

If approved by a two-thirds majority of voters, revenue from the parcel tax would help compensate for an $8.7 million cut in school funding.

Considering Moving to Pleasanton or the East Bay? ~ Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

Search East Bay Area Properties

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Making Sense of the Stimulus Plans

The California Association of REALTORS® has prepared a comprehensive guide to the housing components of the various federal and state stimulus plans. The summary prepared by the C.A.R. Legal Department covers the various home buyer tax credits; tips for working with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac regarding short sale commissions; refinancing options through the Making Home Affordable Program; and an explanation of the 90-day foreclosure extension program. You can download the guide by clicking here.

Considering Moving to Castro Valley or the East Bay? ~ Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

Search East Bay Area Properties

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

On Wednesday, March 4, the U.S. Treasury Department announced refinance and mortgage modification guidelines as part of the new "Making Home Affordable" program.

  • Home Affordable Refinance program: This foreclosure prevention program is aimed at homeowners who have mortgages held by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac who are unable to refinance because their homes have lost value. The new Treasury guidelines are designed to make refinancing easier by using information that lenders may already have about borrowers and easing some appraisal requirements.
  • Home Affordable Modification program: The Treasury Department worked with banking regulators, FHA, VA and other federal agencies to create standards for mortgage modifications.

A brief summary prepared by the Treasury Department is available by clicking here.

NAR has extensive analysis of this new program that you can review by clicking here.

Considering Moving to San Ramon or the East Bay? ~ Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

Search East Bay Area Properties

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Hayward Preparing Vacant Property Ordinance

The City of Hayward is considering the adoption of an ordinance that would regulate vacant residential properties. This ordinance would be in response to a growing number of foreclosed, vacant properties that are creating urban blight due to lack of maintenance.

Bay East staff met with city officials this week and provided feedback on an ordinance adopted by a city in southern California that Hayward may use as a template. Bay East analysis of this sample ordinance revealed significant impacts on private property rights, privacy issues for rental property tenants, and costly notification, inspection and maintenance requirements.

Next Steps: City of Hayward staff are willing to organize a meeting of real estate professionals to better understand the realities of dealing with these types of properties prior to them adopting an ordinance. If you have direct experience with vacant properties in Hayward and want to share your experiences dealing with banks that own foreclosed properties by participating in a meeting with Hayward officials

Considering Moving to Hayward or the East Bay? ~ Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

Search East Bay Area Properties

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com