Hello Friends!

I have the unique privilege of talking about our Island often: to sing its praises to those who want to know why my family has chosen to settle here or why someone should consider Alameda their new town. I tell them that there is a vibe here like no other place. This is a town where my family and I can take a bike ride to visit the many breathtaking murals (like the one above located at Lincoln/Webster), grab a Santoro’s Italian Combo Sandwich and ride to Crab Cove to picnic by the Bay. Best (and most important) of all, the people we encounter are welcoming and kind.

The last 2 years have been unpredictable and stressful, and while my family is still cautiously re-emerging from our COVID cocoon, it’s my fellow Alamedans who have gotten us through. It’s no wonder why so many people are looking to make Alameda their permanent home.

Interest rates this week courtesy of JVM Lending
$1.3 Million JUMBO Purchase: 3.625%*
30-year fixed, 25% Down, Cost of 1/2 a point.

$1.3 Million JUMBO Purchase: 3.000%*
7/6 ARM, 25% Down, Cost of 1/2 a point

$900,000 CONVENTIONAL Purchase: 4.625%*
30-year fixed, 20% Down, Cost of 1/2 point.

$600,000 CONVENTIONAL Purchase: 4.375%*
30-year fixed, 20% Down, Cost of 1/2 a point.

Best,
Sophia

Dear Friends,

I love this Island! I know I am clearly biased as a long time resident of Alameda, but I continue to be enamored by this community. From walks on Crown Beach to admire the Birds in their Sanctuary, browsing at books with my girls at Books Inc. on Park Street to meeting a friend at Signal Coffee on Webster for the amazing coffee and their killer breakfast sandwiches – there is just so much to see and do here.

The same is true with the variety of properties here. We’ve got Floating Homes (pictured above), Victorians, Craftsman, Mid Century and new developments. I went to go visit the new homes out in the new Pulte development just beyond Target on the West End. Adjacent to the new Waterfront park, this development is rather impressive. The latest finishes, solar, and super tall ceilings. Let me know if you want to schedule a tour to see the area and what it has to offer. I heard there might be water taxis from the park to Jack London Square. Thinking about taking a water taxi to Farmhouse Thai right now…

Interest Rates from JVM Lending
$1.3 Million JUMBO Purchase: 3.250%*
30-year fixed, 25% Down, Cost of 1/2 a point.

$1.3 Million JUMBO Purchase: 2.750%*
7/6 ARM, 25% Down, Cost of 1/2 a point

$900,000 CONVENTIONAL Purchase: 4.500%*
30-year fixed, 20% Down, Cost of 1/2 point.

$600,000 CONVENTIONAL Purchase: 4.125%*
30-year fixed, 20% Down, Cost of 1/2 a point.

Best,
Sophia

Dear Friends,

Some lovely homes to look at this week. Here are some of my favorites:

1) Best Views
2776 Sea View Parkway

2) Best Deal
1711 Third St.

3) Best Primary Bath Suite
1026 Fountain

As always, if you have any Real Estate related questions (best times to buy or sell property) or are curious about any of these properties let me know.

Best,
Sophia

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you well.

With over 40 listings on the market in Alameda this week, Buyers finally have more properties to consider. Check out the data on Alameda single family property inventory from the last 3 months – there was not a lot to choose from…

November: 17 Homes came on the market
December:  3 Homes came on the market
January: 8 Homes came on the market

Despite the raise in interest rates over the last week, demand is still going strong.

Remember that the Coming Soon properties are not yet on the public market but may be available to view now.

If you have questions about today’s market, have any Real Estate related questions or are curious about any of these properties let me know.

Best,
Sophia

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you well.

August has traditionally been a slower month for Real Estate because this is when many families take their last vacations before the start of the new school year. As such, we are seeing more Days on Market for homes than earlier in the Spring or Summer. There are 15 properties below which have been on the market for longer than 15 days. Could be a great Opportunity!

Let me know if you want more information on any of these properties.

Best,
Sophia

Dear Friends,

Inventory is slightly up from this time last year, but not by much…

There are just over 36 Single Family/Condo/Townhouses and 7 multi-family properties on the market on the island. With less than 1 month left of Spring, it doesn’t look like things are slowing down any time soon. Pre-COVID, the busiest time of the home buying season started in early February and tapered off by mid July/early August. There is nothing regular about our current market.

This seems to be felt by the rest of the country – here’s the headline from Inman News (a Realtor News Service) “March home prices increased by 13.2% from a year ago, the largest gain since 2015. Home prices have risen for 10 consecutive months and are climbing more rapidly with each month due to inventory shortages, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index released Tuesday. Those gains are the highest they have been since December 2005.”

While this sounds daunting to current homebuyers, there is still room for growth when it comes to Bay Area Real Estate. Let me know if you are curious about what I mean – we can discuss!

Best,