With all the talk about increasing interest rates, many buyers are asking if it’s still a good time to invest in real estate. The short answer is always yes. Real estate is one of the most sound investments you can make, especially in the Bay Area where homes are always valued. Here are three reasons why real estate is a good investment in 2022: Portfolio Diversification Home Values Tend To Rise Reliable Long-Term Investments 1. PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION Diversifying your portfolio is a good way to hedge against risk. Let’s say you have all your investments in fuel stocks. The industry takes a huge hit, and your net worth plummets. In contrast, let’s say that you spread your risk by investing in fuel stocks, computer company stocks, and airline technology stocks. Even if the fuel industry were to experience a major downturn, the computer and airline technology stocks likely would continue performing well. Another way to diversify your portfolio is to invest your money in different asset categories altogether. Instead of just investing in stocks, you could also invest in real estate. By investing in different asset classes, you’ll likely be more protected when markets move as a whole. The real estate market typically moves independently of the stock market. Even if the stock market were to experience some volatility, your portfolio could continue performing relatively well due to the steady growth of your real estate investments. 2. HOME VALUES TEND TO RISE Of course, real estate investing is not completely risk-free. Any type of investment comes with some risk, and due diligence is a large part of mitigating it. According to CNBC, U.S. home prices increased 48.55 percent over the last decade. Despite temporary ebbs and flows in the market, home values have risen over time. 3. RELIABLE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS Real estate lends itself as a reliable long-term investment, and you could earn some significant wealth if you expand your real estate portfolio over time. You could own several passive income properties, or double down on your REIT investments. Regardless of which avenue you choose, real estate can provide you with significant rewards over the long haul. READY TO WORK WITH A SKILLED EAST BAY AREA REALTOR TO DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO AND INVEST IN REAL ESTATE? As a top producing agent with 20+ years of experience in the East Bay, I have helped hundreds of clients showcase and maximize the sale of their homes in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, and my experience as a former appraiser allows me to help my clients understand the market. If you have any questions, I am here to be a resource for you.

The highest price may get the attention of a seller, but there are many other things to consider when writing an offer. I specialize in helping my clients understand all of the components that go into an offer package— not just the price. Here are four tips we can discuss when it comes time to write an offer on your dream home. 1. CASH IS KING, BUT SOLID FINANCING IS QUEEN Of course, sellers love all-cash offers because there’s no chance of financing issues popping up during the escrow process. But for those of us who need a mortgage, we must demonstrate solid financing. The first step is to get pre-approved for a home loan, and then to become fully underwritten. This is the strongest position you can be in when making an offer because you have already been vetted by the lender and the likelihood of a surprise about your financial fitness is far less.  Consider the local reputation of your lender. Sellers often do not care about the lender’s reputation, but the listing agent will surely know. Some lenders are easy to get ahold of should questions arise, and others never pick up the phone. Local lenders are preferred because not only do they know the local market, but they will hire local appraisers, which is mission critical in a competitive market like ours. 2. EARNEST MONEY SHOWS INTENT Earnest money is a deposit generally held in escrow by a title company.  If the purchase goes through, it is applied to the down payment and closing costs—if the sale falls through, the buyer may lose some or all of that deposit. Buyers can show sellers that they’re serious about their offer and have “skin in the game” by putting down a large earnest money deposit. Earnest money deposit is typically 3% of the sale price, but offering more than that can help demonstrate to the buyer that you are serious about the property. Doing so does not come without risk, of course, so work with an agent who can advise on each specific scenario. 3.   DROP OR REDUCE CONTINGENCIES Contingencies are clauses that allow one or both parties to back out of the agreement if certain conditions are not met. These contingencies appear in the purchase agreement and must be accepted by both the buyer and seller to be legally binding. Because contingencies increase the likelihood that a sale will fall through, they can make an offer less desirable in the eyes of a seller. The more contingencies that are included, the weaker the offer. In our East Bay real estate market it is common for buyers to waive as many contingencies as possible. Common contingencies include: Financing: A financing contingency gives the buyer a window of time in which to secure a mortgage. Appraisal: Most lenders will only offer a mortgage on a home up to a certain percentage of the appraised value. Inspection: An inspection contingency gives the buyer the opportunity to have the home professionally inspected for issues with the structure, wiring, plumbing, etc. Home sale: Some buyers cannot afford to purchase a new home until they sell their previous one. Once again, doing so is not without risk. I can help you to assess how competitive and necessary it may be to waive contingencies in your offer, and which ones will be most relevant. 4. OFFER A FLEXIBLE CLOSING DATE OR LEASE BACK People sell their homes for a wide variety of reasons, and flexible terms that work with their personal situations can sometimes make all the difference. For example, if a seller is in the process of planning a significant move, they may prefer a longer closing timeline that gives them time to find housing in their new location. Work with your agent to determine what the seller’s motivations for selling may be, and ask if they would be motivated by a flexible close or move-in date. Flexible closing dates can provide a powerful advantage for first-time homebuyers. If you have a month-to-month or easily transferable lease, for example, you may be able to offer a more flexible timeline than a buyer who is simultaneously selling their existing home. READY TO WORK WITH A SKILLED BUYER’S AGENT TO WRITE YOUR NEXT OFFER? As a top producing agent with 20+ years of experience in the East Bay, I have helped hundreds of clients showcase and maximize the sale of their homes in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, and my experience as a former appraiser allows me to help my clients understand the market. If you have any questions, I am here to be a resource for you.

Moving is never easy, whether it’s down the street, or across the country. But the farther you move, the more complex the move can become. Many of my clients move to the East Bay from all over the country, and the world! After years of helping people move and settle down here, I am pleased to say that I’ve learned a lot — and have created a list of considerations to help you! CREATE A BUDGET FOR YOUR MOVE Moving can be costly. Plan ahead of time how much money you are able to spend on your move so you can make strategic decisions along the way. Think of the mover cost, mileage add-ons, and packing supplies. Using a moving cost calculator can help you estimate the average price. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,200 to $5,000 for a two-bedroom home. Other expenses associated with moving: setting up new utilities, WiFi and cable, gas or airfare for yourself, shipping your car if you’re not driving it, hotels and meals. It all adds up quickly, so the earlier you plan, the better. CHOOSE A MOVING COMPANY Everyone has different needs when moving; some are able and willing to do it on their own, while others want a full-service experience where movers even do the packing for you.  If you are going to do the packing yourself, read up on the best methods for moving and/or shipping your items, and ensure your bulky items like furniture are prepped correctly. More ideas are below. PACKING Do not underestimate the time and effort that goes into packing. You do not want your moving day to arrive when you’re still scrambling around trying to properly pack your clothes and dishes. The prep is almost as important as the packing itself. Make sure you have the correct (number and size) boxes, packing tape, padding for fragile items, etc. And make sure the essentials for your trip and immediate arrival are available so you’re not digging through everything to find your toothbrush. GET YOUR PAPERWORK IN ORDER This is not one of the most fun parts of moving, but it’s an important one. You have to consider any billing addresses that need to be updated, memberships to cancel or transfer, going to the DMV, etc. Some of these things can be done prior to the move, some need to be completed once you’re a resident of your new state. Here are some items to remember: Gym membership Mail forwarding Credit cards Driver’s license WiFi Insurance Utilities Voting registration Cable Pet registration VISIT YOUR DESTINATION Of course, if you are able to spend some time in your new destination ahead of the move, that is ideal. If it fits your budget, spend a week of two visiting and getting to know different neighborhoods. Follow the city on social media accounts and look for things to do locally. Read Yelp reviews and check out top-rated restaurants, parks, and retail shops. FIND YOUR PERFECT HOME Of course, you’ll need the house squared away. This is where we come in. During your stay in town, we can make the most of your time by pre-selecting a number of homes that fit your criteria to visit. We specialize in helping out-of-towners learn about the neighborhoods and learn what their budget translates to in Bay Area pricing. Ready to go shopping? Reach out! As a top producing agent with 20+ years of experience in the East Bay, I have helped hundreds of clients showcase and maximize the sale of their homes in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, and my experience as a former appraiser allows me to help my clients understand the market. If you have any questions, I am here to be a resource for you.