Are home sales in Castro Valley picking up?

As per the Bay East Association of Realtors, days on Market (DOM) for the Castro Valley area year-to-date is around 96. The median single family home price in Castro Valley for April was $480,000. As of the last day of April there were 125 active homes in Castro Valley. At current selling rates this means there is approximately 3 months of inventory in Castro Valley remaining. For a list of Castro Valley Homes for sale, Real Estate listings, California Real Estate go to http://www.helpusellachievers.com or contact Meena at 510-279-9580.

 Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

When selling my house in Castro Valley what is referred as “clutter” in the house?

After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home. Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, in drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements.

 The kitchen is a good place to start removing clutter, because it is an easy place to start. First, get everything off the counters, even the toaster. Put the toaster in a cabinet and take it out when you use it. Find a place where you can store everything in cabinets and drawers. Clean the cabinets out including the dishes, pots and pans that rarely get used. Put them in a box, and put that box in storage, too.

 Homebuyers will open all your cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen. They want to be sure there is enough room for their “stuff.” If your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and drawers look full, it sends a negative message to the buyer and does not promote an image of plentiful storage space. The best way to do that is to have as much “empty space” as possible. Do this with every cabinet and drawer. Create open space.

 Closets are great for accumulating clutter, though you may not think of it as clutter like extra clothes and shoes, things you rarely wear but cannot bear to be without. Do without these items for a couple of months by putting them in storage, because these items can make your closets look “crammed full.”

 Many people have too much furniture in certain rooms to give the illusion of space that a homebuyer would like to see. You may want to tour some builders’ models to see how they place furniture in the model homes. Observe how they place furniture in the models so you get some ideas on what to remove and what to leave in your house.

 Basements, garages, attics, and sheds accumulate not only clutter, but junk. These areas should be as empty as possible so that buyers can imagine what they would do with the space. Remove anything that is not essential and take it to the storage area. 

Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let your agent that specializes in Castro Valley, California help you determine what needs to be removed. For more ideas on selling your home for the best possible price go to www.helpusellachievers.com

 

 

Housing Statistics in Castro Valley, California

As per the Bay East Association of Realtors, Days on Market (DOM) for the Castro Valley area year-to-date is around 86. The median single family home price in Castro Valley for November was $462,500. As of the last day of November there were 162 active homes in  Castro Valley. At current selling rates this means there is approximately 5 months of inventory in Castro Valley remaining.

For a list of Castro Valley Homes for sale, Real Estate listings, California Real Estate go to http://www.helpusellachievers.com or contact Meena at 510-279-9580.

 

Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

 

 

Can you give me the average days on Market for Castro Valley?

Days on the market for the Castro Valley area year to date as per statistics from the Bay East Association of Realtors year to date is 73 (DOM). The median single family home price in Castro Valley for October was $580,000. As of the last day of October there were 174 active homes in Castro Valley California. At current selling rates this means there is 4 months of inventory in Castro Valley remaining.

How far will the prices fall in Hayward Hills?

There is about 10 months of inventory in Hayward in the 94542 zip code. The prices in Hayward have dropped like a rock. However, the Hayward Hills is still desirable. Even though the prices in the Hayward Hills have come down, people still like to invest there.

The builders in the Stonebrae community and Bridgeport are still willing to negotiate the price. I have been able to negotiate a lot lower than asking price in these developments.

Where are you thinking of buying? Are you considering any of the new developments? Make sure you take an agent with you to negotiate on your behalf at the first visit to the sales office. Are schools important to you? Hayward schools are not great so if that is an important factor, please look into that. I can help you get all the school information if you need it.

Please follow this thread below to see about the prices in 94542 and make your decision on whether or not you should buy there.

If you are looking for an agent specializing in Hayward, Castro Valley or in the East Bay, please call Meena at 510-279-9580

http://www.city-data.com/zips/94542.html 

Homes listed and sold by Meena Gujral in Hayward

Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

 

 

Is it a good time to buy in Five Canyons, Castro Valley, California?

Many people, particularly first-time homebuyers, still aren’t sure if homeownership is feasible. Prices, interest rates, mortgage lenders and market speculation are just a few of the things that are cause for concern among those looking to buy their first home.

This recent downturn is allowing the California real estate market to correct itself to more affordable levels. This is good for our economy as well as a positive sign for homebuyers. Real estate should be seen as a minimum five- to seven-year investment in order to give your home time to gain equity. With that average in mind, real estate is a solid investment. But beyond investment and tax benefits is the security and enjoyment a new home can bring.

 

The truth is homeownership is within grasp of more prospective new buyers in today’s new home market with prices in Five Canyons and Palomares Hills in Castro Valley at their lowest levels since 2004, and relatively low interest rates make real estate investment a very good idea right now.

 How long is this “Buyers Market” going to last? No one can actually predict, however the typical cycle in real estate starts to change when inventory shrinks below demand, driving up prices.

 Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

 To see all my virtual tours click:

Meena’s Virtual Tours

 http://www.helpusellachievers.com

 

 

 

 

 

Is winter a good time of the year to buy a home in Castro Valley?

The prime time to buy a home in Castro Valley or in the Est bay is when you are ready financially and have the desire to buy a home. As you are aware, price of homes all over the bay area have come down substantially.

Many sellers take their homes off the market because they want to enjoy the holidays or are not too motivated to sell ( you know the ones that say “I am not in a hurry to sell, or I don’t have to sell unless I get the price I want”).

In the winter there are less homes on the market, but less buyers (competition). In the spring/summer more homes on the market and more buyers (more competition). Prime time is what is most convenient for you.

As a matter of fact I believe the winter months are better to buy. The sellers that are motivated wil keep their homes on the market and you as a buyer may be able to negotiate more since they really have a need and desire to sell as soon as possible.

I would be very happy to negotiate for you to get you the best possible price on your first home.

If you are looking for Castro Valley homes for sale, Homes for sale in Palomares Hills Ca., Five Canyons Castro Valley or a real estate agent specializing in Castro Valley, California, Please call Meena Gujral.

Meena Gujral
Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty
510-279-9580
925-425-9491

How are the schools in Castro Valley, California?

Most of the elementary schools in Castro Valley are excellent, Vannoy Elementary, Palomares Elementary, Jensen Ranch Elementary, Independent Elementary and Chabot Elementary being amongst the highest ranking schools in Castro Valley, California as per Great Schools.com

 

My daughter was in Independent Elementary school and she really thrived.

Independent School is an excellent school with diverse student body, dedicated teachers and very involved parents. The student body is very diverse and they participate in cultural events and fashion shows with costumes from all over the world.

Charles Reynes, an itinerant elementary science teacher based at Marshall Elementary School, was one of two teachers in the State of California selected by a national panel as state finalists for the prestigious 2008-09 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Presidential Award winners are honored during a ceremony at the White House, where they receive a citation from the President.

 

For a list of Castro Valley Homes for sale, Real Estate listings, California Real Estate go to http://www.helpusellachievers.com or contact Meena at 510-279-9580

 

 

How does the latest Housing bill effect me if I am a Buyer or Seller in Castro Valley?

Higher Loan Limits will make it easier for buyers in Castro Valley to get mortgages because those mortgages are more likely to be traded if they are considered conforming. The new law also includes a tax refund for first time home buyers worth up to 10% of a home’s purchase price but no more than $7,500.                                                                                                         For a seller: With an increase in confidence and stability in the housing and financial markets more buyers will be coming into the market, increasing the demand for housing. Homes will begin to sell faster and housing prices are expected to rise again.

If you are looking to sell a home in Five Canyons Castro Valley, Palomares Hills Castro Valley or homes for sale in Castro Valley, please call me at 510-279-9580 and I would be happy to help you.

To see all my virtual tours click:

Meena’s Virtual Tours

Meena Gujral                                                                                                                                                Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty                                                                                                                      510-279-9580

http://www.helpusellachievers.com

Is an offer of $570K on a list price of $619K ‘offensive’? Agent refused to present in Castro Valley Ca

In this market the listing agent should be anxious to work with your offer. I think every offer is worth countering if it is not acceptable to the seller at face value. Did she even present it to the seller? It sounds like she just made the decision on her own which is totally wrong. You may want to tell your agent to ask her to have the seller to reject the offer and send it back to you.

If you are still interested in the property, you can submit an offer again and if she refuses to present it to the seller, she can get into trouble. She does not have the right to reject the offer on her own unless the seller has specifically told her he is not interested in seeing any offers below a certain amount. Even then she needs to inform him of the offer. You can certainly insist on the sellers signature on the rejected area of the contract so that you know that the seller was made aware of your offer.

It seems unbelievable that a seller would not want to work with your offer or not give you a counter offer in today’s market. So don’t let the listing agent intimidate you. I don’t think your offer was that bad to get such a response from her. I think she may be living in the year 2003-2006 when homes were selling for more than asking price with multiple offers and this may be the only listing she has. I have seen such ridiculous offers that it is not even funny, so your offer is still decent and worth working with.

Maybe your agent should call her broker and tell him about this agent.

To see all my virtual tours click:

Meena’s Virtual Tours

 

If you are looking for Castro Valley homes for sale, Homes for sale in Palomares Hills Ca., Five Canyons Castro Valley or a real estate agent specializing in Castro Valley, California, Please call Meena Gujral.

Thanks

Meena Gujral
Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty

 http://www.helpusellachievers.com

510-279-9580