Pleasanton CA, as of January 4, 2010 there are only 116 TOTAL Properties on the market in Pleasanton according to the Multiple Listing Service. This includes Single Family Homes (SFR), Condo and Townhomes! Just before the holidays we had 102 Single Family Homes alone!! Here’s how the market is currently stacking up:
- 86-Single Family Homes priced from the low of $399,000 up to the high of $8,888,888
- 15-Condos priced from the low of $170,000 up to the high of $395,000
- 14-Town Homes from the low of $189,000 up to the high of $468,000
The shortage of homes available on the market continues to be the trend. We are beginning to see a trickling of Bank Owned (aka, REO, Foreclosed) properties come to the market; one being in the Shadow Cliff neighborhood of Pleasanton, located on Whitney Drive.
The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is still in affect until April 2010 and FHA loans continue to be accessible allowing for down payment Requirements (as low as 3.5%).
If you’ve been on the fence about selling, this is most definitely a good time to make a move. The market is begging for more properties!
For specific questions or housing information, please feel free to contact me direclty.
As a resident of Shadow Cliff homes in Pleasanton and speaking as a Pleasanton Realtor, I can say our neighborhood is quite busy! There are currently 2 active homes on the market ranging size from 1,135 sf. up to 2,165 sf. and ranging in price from $509,000 to $699,950. In the last 35-days 3 homes in the neighborhood have gone pending. Two of these homes are priced at $559,000 and one at $569,000. Last year, all year long we didn’t have this kind of activity in the neighborhood.
As an original owner, I purchased my home in Shadow Cliff in 1988 and at the time had no children. Since then of course things have changed and have a daughter now in college and my son still at Amador High School. Many know Pleasanton is well known for its educational system and thus many people want to move here. Shadow Cliff is a wonderful community and very friendly.
Ever wonder what makes one house stand out from another when viewing a home on the Internet? A survey by the National Association of Realtor says that over 80% of home buyers check the MLS before contacting a Realtor. With today’s very competitive market and internet savvy buyers shopping from home, one thing is certain; exposure of the property is key.
I recently provided an actual “Walk Through” video of a home for sale in San Ramon. Whether you live in the neighborhood or are many states away, with this type of marketing you’ll feel as though you’ve already been through the home before you even step foot on the property. Take a look and see what I mean.
If you’re interested in this kind of internet exposure for your property, please give me a call. Whether you live in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon or beyond, there is no additional charge for this service. It is a part of my every day marketing plan for selling your home!
It is my advice to all my clients to get a home warranty plan. It is customary in our country for the seller to pay the cost of the warranty. However, with all the short sale and REO properties being sold, often the ‘seller’ won’t pay the price for the home warranty. In this event I always encourage my clients to purchase the plan in the event something unexpected goes awry within the first 12-months of the purchase.
Recently my clients closed escrow on a home in Tracy, CA, a bank owned property. The warranty plan was put in place. About 3 weeks after their move-in date, the water heater began to leak from the bottom of the unit. They called the home warranty company, the water heater was replaced (approx. $900 value) and the client only had to pay $50 out of pocket. I know they are glad to have the warranty in place and told me they may even renew it next year.
“Buying a listing” occurs when a seller adamantly believes their property to be worth more than what the market comparables will support and the interviewing agent “agrees” to the price in order not to lose the listing. Is this in the best interest of the seller; absolutely not!
What can happen with an overpriced listing?
- The seller begins chasing the market
- This positions the seller “behind the 8-ball”
- The listing becomes “stale” on the market
- Buyers won’t offer on these properties as they believe the seller is difficult, or they feel the may offend the seller.
- The agent can earn a bad reputation in the industry
- The seller usually ends up mad at the agent and after the listing period decides on a more professional approach
- Time and money are wasted
Seller beware…when interviewing agents to sell your home, be weary of agents that would rather tell you what you want to hear price-wise than trust in their own knowledge of the market. If your chosen agent can’t negotiate with you, they can’t negotiate for you. Choose a professional with market knowledge!
With the news released yesterday about the new 90-day moratorium, home sellers are given another chance to get their home sold (in the event they choose not to modify).
In the last several months, banks have been very lax about dealing in a productive way with short sale properties. With the second moratorium in the last 6 months, this may just be what banks need to realize they must deal with distressed home owners. While some home owners may wish to modify their current loans, this will give others who wish to sell the ability to do so.To successfully sell a short sale in this market, a home seller must find a real estate professional experienced in dealing with banks in these situation. In my personal experience, the banks DO NOT like 3rd party negotiators. Sellers beware when it comes to hiring a company that asks for money upfront. This process can efficiently be handled with the right real estate professional.
What’s Important When Selling Your Home
Pleasanton homes are very desired. As a homeowner, when thinking of selling in any area, there are a few very important things to keep in mind. Choosing the Realtor is one of the most important aspects of the transaction. If you don’t have a referral from a trusted source, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- It would be wise to interview at least 3 realtors. Ask lots questions and ask for past client contact information. Take the time to make a couple of calls to their past clients. You’ll probably learn all you need to know by having a short conversation.
- Secondly, Google the name of the agent. See what you might come up with. Good or bad, it’s useful information!
- What kind of marketing are you being promised? Get samples!
- What kind of internet exposure will you receive? This is SO important in today’s selling market. Will YOUR property be listed on at least 30 + of the most commonly used real estate portals? This is a must have!
- Does the agent provide a virtual tour?
- Does the agent provide a web commercial for YOUR specific property?
Once you’ve made the decision on the Realtor, the pricing is of the utmost importance. Your trusted professional will be able to provide you with comparables to help you understand the pricing strategy. Starting high and chasing the market down doesn’t work, so don’t let your agent overprice your home! That is the number one way to fail at selling.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when searching for the right professional to sell your home.
As of 4-25-09, there are 11 properties listed for sale as bank owned (foreclosed) properties.
- 7 of these properties are single family, detached homes ranging in price from $424,500 up to $1,398,800.
- 4 of these properties are bank owned townhomes for sale in Pleasanton as well ranging from $319,900 to $524,900.
- 2 foreclosed properties went pending in the month of March and 2 foreclosed properties closed escrow in the Month of March.
Pleasanton consists of nearly 69,000 residents. This family friendly community has everything that makes living in Pleasanton an exceptional experience. Pleasanton offers the Stoneridge Mall, Alameda County Fairgrounds, beautiful sports fields and more. The Pleasanton Unified School District has been named a National District of Character and 12 out of our 14 schools have received the California Distinguished School designation. Together, the City and School District are committed to building a Community of Character.
Pleasanton’s downtown is the heart of the city. The Farmer’s Market takes place every Saturday during the year on W. Angela Street. The downtown is the perfect setting for parades, festivals, weekly summer concerts in the park and other special events.
If you’re looking for a place to call home, or even looking to purchase an investment property, Pleasanton is one place you should definately consider!
