Real Estate Blog

Top 10 Things to Look for in a Realtor in Fremont

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The real estate market can seem like an impossible labyrinth to navigate. Whether you’re looking to buy a home or sell your existing one, there are certain things you need to consider when choosing the right realtor in Fremont for the job. 

Finding an experienced and qualified realtor is essential in ensuring that all of your needs are met and that your biggest investments – purchasing a property or selling it – go as smoothly as possible. From expertise in pricing strategy to negotiating abilities and market insight, here’s our list of the top 10 things to look for when choosing an expert Fremont realtor!

1. Experience

A good realtor should have a proven record of success and be knowledgeable about local market trends and the area in general. Before choosing a Fremont realtor to work with, make sure to vet their website first for reviews and testimonials from past clients.

2. Proven Track Record

Experience doesn’t mean anything if it isn’t quality experience. Look for a realtor with an established track record of closing successful deals and gaining positive customer feedback.

3. Online Presence

A strong online presence is often indicative of a real estate professional who understands how to leverage digital tools in order to better serve their clients. Look for realtor in Fremont with an active social media account, an up-to-date website, and positive customer reviews on industry websites like Yelp or Angie’s List.

4. Communication Skills

Good communication skills are key when choosing a real estate professional—especially one from the Fremont area, where housing prices can vary greatly depending on neighborhood or property type. The best Realtors will be able to provide detailed market insights and personalized advice tailored to your individual needs and budget constraints.

5. Relationships

An experienced realtor will have solid relationships with other professionals in the field, such as lenders, contractors, inspectors, etc., that can help you complete the purchase process quickly and easily while avoiding unexpected delays or roadblocks along the way.

6. Transparency

Look for realtors that are willing to openly disclose their marketing practices and any conflicts of interest they may have relating to your transaction so that you know exactly what you’re getting into beforehand.

7. Resources & Tools

A good Realtor will offer resources such as virtual tours, 3D models, videos or podcasts that can provide visual cues about properties in the area before visiting them yourself in person. Additionally, look for technology tools such as apps or software programs designed specifically for tracking home searches, open houses or listings within your search criteria range – this could save you time and money down the line!

8. Negotiation Ability

Coming prepared with strong negotiation skills can make all the difference when it comes time to finally secure a deal on your dream home in Fremont; so make sure you find a Real Estate professional that has demonstrated success in high-level negotiations previously!

9. Accolades & Awards

It’s always a good sign if your Fremont Realtor has won awards or been recognized for their work in the past. Look for real estate professionals who have achieved recognition from leading industry publications, organizations, or associations, as this is a testament to their skill and expertise.

According to Brai Odion-Esene, contributor and editor at Forbes magazine:

“The National Association of Realtors and its affiliate groups have a variety of real estate certifications and designations that can help you ascertain a realtor’s expertise and experience. For example, there is the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), which provides the agent with skills development, training and resources to help them do their job better.”

10. Personality & Attitude

Last but not least, trust your gut when selecting a realtor. Make sure you find someone who is personable and easy to work with, as you’ll want to feel comfortable and confident in their ability throughout the transaction process!

By weighing all of these factors, you can be sure that you’re choosing the best Fremont Realtor for your specific needs. 

Pleasanton CA Houses for Sale: What They Have in Common

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Pleasanton, California, is a vibrant and thriving city with a wide variety of housing options available. In today’s competitive market, Pleasanton CA houses for sale range from bungalow cottages to luxury estates, and many of them share common architectural features. From detached garages to heritage trees, these common features make Pleasanton a unique place to call home.

Here’s what Pleasanton CA houses for sale have in common:

Competitive Market

Pleasanton is a popular place to live, and the competitive market reflects that. Many homes in this area get multiple offers, some with waived contingencies. The average homes in Pleasanton sell for around 3% below the listing price and go pending in 28 days. Hot homes tend to go pending in just 13 days and are generally sold at or near their original listing prices!

Pleasanton is a wealthy suburb with a $1.5M median listing home price. In 2022, it was a seller’s market, with homes selling after 59 days on average on the market. If you’re thinking of buying a home in the Pleasanton area, you’ll want to prepare yourself for a fast-moving market.

Heritage Architecture

The suburb of Pleasanton holds a great deal of history, which is reflected in the heritage architecture, neighborhoods, and trees that grace the community. Many of the homes here were built between 1940 and 1960, when the area began to boom due to its proximity to both Oakland and San Francisco.

The architectural styles you’ll find here include ranch homes, Victorian, period revival, bungalow cottages, and mid-century modern designs with post and beam construction. There are also many heritage trees in Pleasanton, like oak and redwood, which offer plenty of natural beauty to the area. Heritage trees are defined as being 55″ in circumference at a point 30″ from the ground or 35 feet in height. These trees are protected by City ordinance and require City approval prior to removal and exist on both public and private property.

Pleasanton has strict historic preservation objectives, which help to protect the architectural character of the city. Modifications to existing heritage buildings and new building designs must stay compatible with the downtown’s traditional design character and scale.

Attractive Amenities

One of the reasons why Pleasanton is so popular for families and young professionals is its attractive amenities. This includes easy access to parks, playgrounds, shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The city’s public schools are excellent; the Pleasanton Unified School District has boasted a 96% graduation rate for the past five years, which is more than the California average of 85%.

The city of Pleasanton also has many recreational activities available, such as biking and hiking trails, golf courses, swimming pools, and sports fields. The downtown area is full of shops, restaurants, and services that make living there convenient and enjoyable.

Large Lots

Pleasanton CA houses for sale are often spacious with large lots. This is a great benefit for homeowners who want to enjoy outdoor activities or create gardens. Larger lots also mean that homes are typically far enough apart from each other that neighbors don’t hear too much noise, making it a quiet and peaceful community.

Ranging from half an acre to over two hundred acres, these large lots provide plenty of space for families, pets, and outdoor activities.

Drought-Friendly Landscaping

Due to California’s recent droughts, Pleasanton has enacted regulations and recommendations that encourage water-wise landscaping. Lose Your Lawn and Rescape California are two campaigns that help homeowners learn how to conserve water while still having a beautiful garden.

Drought-friendly landscaping includes planting native and drought-tolerant plants, creating mulch beds for insulation and soil retention, drip irrigation systems for efficient watering, and using compost to create better soil structure. These methods are beneficial not only in terms of conserving water but also in terms of saving money on monthly bills.

Pleasanton is an excellent suburb for those looking for a safe and family-friendly community with plenty of amenities and architectural character. With its historic preservation objectives, drought-friendly landscaping regulations, and the range of recreational activities available in the city, it’s no wonder that Pleasanton CA houses are highly sought after. 

Fremont Realtor Recommendations: The Dos and Don’ts of Home Buying

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While the experience of buying a home can be incredibly rewarding, it can also be stressful and overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. That’s why, as a Fremont realtor deeply familiar with the ins and outs of the process, I’ve compiled this list of do’s and don’ts to help make your home-buying journey as smooth and successful as possible.

Fremont Realtor Recommendations

DO:

  1. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search. This will not only give you a better idea of how much you can afford, but it will also make you a more competitive buyer when it comes to making an offer on a home.
  2. Work with a real estate agent. A good agent will be able to help you navigate the process, find homes that meet your needs and budget and negotiate on your behalf.
  3. Set clear goals and priorities. Before you begin your search, take some time to think about what you want in a home. Make a list of your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal breakers. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked by properties that don’t meet your needs.
  4. Negotiate. Whether it’s the price of the home, the closing costs, or the terms of the contract, there is usually room for negotiation in a real estate transaction. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and try to get the best deal possible.
  5. Get a home inspection. A home inspection is an important step in the buying process, as it can uncover any potential issues with the property that you might not have noticed during your initial tour. Make sure to hire a reputable and experienced inspector, and be prepared to address any issues that are found.
  6. Take your time. There’s no need to rush into a decision. Take the time to carefully consider each property and make sure it’s the right fit for you before making an offer.

DON’T:

  1. Don’t overspend. It can be tempting to stretch your budget to the limit in order to get the home of your dreams, but it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford. Remember, you’ll be responsible for paying the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and other ongoing costs.
  2. Don’t skip the mortgage approval process. It’s important to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping for a home, not after you’ve found the one you love. Without mortgage approval, you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to making an offer, and you could potentially lose out on the home to another buyer.
  3. Don’t ignore red flags. If something about a property or the seller seems off, trust your instincts and look elsewhere. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to such a major purchase.
  4. Don’t neglect to do your homework. Before making an offer on a home, be sure to research the neighborhood, schools, and local amenities. (Ask your Fremont realtor!) You’ll also want to check for any potential issues with the property, such as flood zones or environmental hazards.
  5. Don’t forget to budget for closing costs. Closing costs can add thousands of dollars to the final cost of your home, so be sure to factor them into your budget.
  6. Don’t rush into a contract without reading and understanding it. Make sure you fully understand the terms of the contract before signing on the dotted line. If there’s anything you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask your agent or an attorney for clarification.

Buying a home is a big step, but preparing well and working with an experienced realtor allows you to enjoy the excitement of the process. Whether it’s your first home or you’re a seasoned homebuyer, these Fremont realtor-approved dos and don’ts will allow you to navigate the experience with ease.

Why It May Be Time To Add Newly Built Homes to Your Search

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Why It May Be Time To Add Newly Built Homes to Your Search

If you put a pause on your home search because you weren’t sure where you’d go once you sold your house, it might be a good time to get back into the market. If you’re willing to work with a trusted agent to consider a newly built home, you may have even more options and incentives than you realize. That may be why the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says the share of buyers looking for new construction is increasing:

“According to the quarterly Housing Trends Report, the popularity of new construction homes is continuing to rebound . . .”

Here’s a few reasons more buyers may be drawn to newly built homes.

More Options To Choose from and Potential Builder Incentives

When looking for a home, you can choose between existing homes (those that are already built and previously owned) and newly constructed ones. While the inventory of existing homes has increased this year, it’s still below more typical years like 2019. Currently, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there is a 3.2-month supply at the current sales pace. For reference, a roughly 6-month supply is considered a balanced market, leaving us in a sellers’ market today.

While it’s a smaller segment of the overall inventory of homes for sale, the supply of newly built homes has grown even more. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) explains:

“New single-family home inventory remained elevated at a 9.2 months’ supply (of varying stages of construction). A measure near a 6 months’ supply is considered balanced.”

Here’s why this matters for you. While you have more homes to choose from in either category, there’s one extra benefit of newly built homes. Because the inventory of newly built homes has grown so much, builders are motivated to sell their properties before they build more.

Back in the housing crash of 2008, builders were building too many homes, and that oversupply is part of what contributed to the housing bubble bursting. Now, builders don’t want to have a surplus of inventory in their pipeline, and many are offering buyers incentives to help move that inventory along. As Doug Duncan, Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, explains:

“. . . a continual increase in the number of completed homes available for sale is now occurring, with the inventories of such homes now at the highest level since July 2020. . . . This suggests to us that builders may be increasingly willing to offer more aggressive incentives and discounts to maintain sales of completed inventory.”

While specifics will vary by builder and market, some buyers are seeing builders reduce prices and offer incentives. To find out what’s available in your area, lean on a trusted real estate professional.

Lifestyle Benefits of Buying a Newly Built Home

In addition to more supply and the potential for builder incentives, newly built homes have various benefits that may suit your lifestyle. For example, you likely won’t have as many little repairs to tackle, like leaky faucets, shutters to paint, and other odd jobs around the house. That can free up time for you to do other things you’re passionate about.

Another perk of a new home is that nothing in the house is used. It’s brand new and uniquely yours from day one. You’ll have all new appliances, windows, roofing, and more. These things can help lower your energy costs, which can add up to significant savings over time. You may even have the latest and greatest technology features built into your new home.

Builder sums up why some buyers today are turning to newly built homes:

“For some, it’s the lure of something new and modern. For others, it’s the move-in ready experience. And now there’s another factor to consider when making this decision: technology.”

If any of these benefits appeal to you, it’s time to connect with a trusted real estate advisor to learn more.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering a newly built home, let’s connect so you have an expert guide on what’s available in our local market. Together we’ll explore your options and the benefits of an all-new home.

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter

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There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house. Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them – so you can make a confident decision.

1. Should I Wait To Sell?

Even though the supply of homes for sale has increased in 2022, inventory is still low overall. That means it’s still a sellers’ market. The graph below helps put the inventory growth into perspective. Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it shows just how far off we are from flipping to a buyers’ market:

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM

While buyers have regained some negotiation power as inventory has grown, you haven’t missed your window to sell. Your house could still stand out since inventory is low, especially if you list now while other sellers hold off until after the holiday rush and the start of the new year.

2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

If you’re thinking of selling your house but are hesitant because you’re worried buyer demand has disappeared in the face of higher mortgage rates, know that isn’t the case for everyone. While demand has eased this year, millennials are still looking for homes. As an article in Forbes explains:

“At about 80 million strong, millennials currently make up the largest share of homebuyers (43%) in the U.S., according to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) report. Simply due to their numbers and eagerness to become homeowners, this cohort is quite literally shaping the next frontier of the homebuying process. Once known as the ‘rent generation,’ millennials have proven to be savvy buyers who are quite nimble in their quest to own real estate. In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say they are the key to the overall health and stability of the current housing industry.”

While the millennial generation has been dubbed the renter generation, that namesake may not be appropriate anymore. Millennials, the largest generation, are actually a significant driving force for buyer demand in the housing market today. If you’re wondering if buyers are still out there, know that there are still people who are searching for a home to buy today. And your house may be exactly what they’re looking for.

3. Can I Afford To Buy My Next Home?

If current market conditions have you worried about how you’ll afford your next move, consider this: you may have more equity in your current home than you realize.

Homeowners have gained significant equity over the past few years and that equity can make a big difference in the affordability equation, especially with mortgage rates higher now than they were last year. According to Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

“. . . homeowners, in aggregate, have historically high levels of home equity. For some of those equity-rich homeowners, that means moving and taking on a higher mortgage rate isn’t a huge deal—especially if they are moving to a more affordable city.” 

If you’re thinking about selling your house this season, let’s connect so you have the expert insights you need to make the best possible move today.

Moving-Up to a Luxury Home? Now’s the Time!

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If your house no longer fits your needs and you are planning on buying a luxury home, now is a great time to do so! We recently shared data from Trulia’s Market Mismatch Study which showed that in today’s premium home market, buyers are in control.

The inventory of homes for sale in the luxury market far exceeds those searching to purchase these properties in many areas of the country. This means that homes are often staying on the market longer which can eventually lead to a price change.

Those who have a starter or trade-up home to sell will find buyers competing, and often entering bidding wars, to be able to call your house their new home.

The sale of your starter or trade-up house will aid in coming up with a larger down payment for your new luxury home. Even a 5% down payment on a million-dollar home is $50,000.

But not all who are buying luxury properties have a home to sell first.

In a Washington Post article, Daryl Judy, an associate broker with Washington Fine Properties, gave some insight into what many millennials are choosing to do:

“Some high-earning millennials save money until they are in their early 30s to buy a place and just skip over that starter-home phase. They’ll stay in an apartment until they can afford to pay for the place they want.”

Buyers Are Finding More Space in the Luxury Home Market

Buyers Are Finding More Space in the Luxury Home Market | MyKCM

A year ago, additional space and extra amenities had a very different feel for homebuyers. Today, the health crisis has brought to light how valuable more square footage and carefully designed floorplans can be. Home offices, multi-purpose rooms, gyms, and theaters are becoming more popular, and some families are finding the space they need for these upgrades in the luxury market.

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) explains:

“With quarantine concerns still top of mind for many luxury buyers, we see large, sprawling estates making their comeback.

For instance, the last six months have seen a resurgence in the buying of mega mansions and estate-size homes – specifically properties that offer space (both inside and outside), separate home offices, gyms, and private amenities such as swimming pools, yoga studios, and recreation rooms.”

This was not the case at this time last year, as the most recent Luxury Market Report from ILHM emphasizes:

“Exactly one year ago, we reported that demand for large properties, mega mansions, private estates, and luxury ranches had reduced significantly over the previous few years; especially from the younger generation of luxury property buyers.”

For today’s buyers looking for larger homes, steady increases in equity might be what makes a move possible. Leveraging home equity makes it easier to afford the down payment on a luxury home, and current low interest rates are making mortgage payments more affordable than they have been in years. The report from ILHM also notes:

“Luxury real estate prices may continue to strengthen further into the third quarter, as the affluent continue to see large investment returns from the currently strong stock market.

Coupled with the low interest rates, the policies granting (and insisting) on working from home implemented by many employers, and the concerns of the pandemic, all translate to the affluent increasingly trading in their city lifestyle for a home that has it all.”

Clearly, today’s strong gains in home equity paired with record-low interest rates make fall a great time to move up into the luxury market to meet those changing needs.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to gain some breathing room in a larger home, let’s connect so you have the guidance you need to find more space in the luxury home market.

Bottom Line

The best time to sell anything is when demand is high and supply is low. If you are currently in a starter or trade-up house that no longer fits your needs and you are looking to step into a luxury home, now’s the time to list your house for sale and make your dreams come true.