Monthly News & Updates

May 17, 2023

The Current Market can be challenging for both sellers and buyers. We had the frenzied market beginning in the fall of 2020, starting to taper off in May of 2022. Then with the multiple interest rate hikes, the market appeared to stall in the fall of 2022. Now due to limited inventory, we see market activity resuming, but in a more measured way. Below is advice that we would like to share:



Advice to Sellers:


Despite the higher interest rates, buyers are still moving forward and they accept the market conditions with respect to pricing and interest rates. Now more than ever, buyers still want to see a clean and well-presented home that helps inspire confidence that they aren’t buying a money pit. Given these higher interest rates and home prices, buyers are looking for “turnkey” and move in ready as they don’t have as much money to spend on repairs, replacements & improvements. 

Buyers are paying close attention now to the age and condition of roofs, HVAC systems, water heaters, electrical panels and wiring and plumbing. Obtaining homeowners insurance is also getting tougher and more costly.


Advice to Buyers:


While optics of the current market may seem ripe for making low offers, we are still dealing with low inventory in many price points and multiple offers. While some think the market will crash, there is a significant

amount of wealth still circulating in the real estate market. If buyers can make a reasonable offer, they are much more likely to have a productive and faster negotiation that can lead to a successful outcome. It takes relationships and connections to put transactions together. An experienced agent representing the buyer ensures their best interests are advocated for and can help negotiate a winning offer.

Trendy Features that May Help Your Home Sell

excerpts from article by Lilian Dickerson, writer at Inman News

According to a report released by Zillow, buyers today are actually quite willing to pay a premium for many personalized, unique luxuries, including a glammed-up (or even not so glammed-up) “she shed,” which can command a 2.5 percent sale premium when mentioned in a listing description.

 

Typically, practical upgrades like doorbell cameras, heat pumps and fenced backyards will help a home sell more quickly.


Some of today’s trendiest features, like terrazzo floors and surfaces and textured soapstone countertops are currently winning over buyers more so than classics like marble and granite. The only classic surface that can still compete with these trendy ones is quartz, which can earn a seller a 2.4 percent premium and may sell a property one day faster than expected.


On the other hand, dated home features, which may suggest to a potential buyer that the property needs work, can hurt a home’s value. Homes that feature tile countertops may sell for 1.1 percent less than expected, and homes with laminate flooring our countertops may sell for 0.6 percent less than similar homes without it. A feature that’s recently flipped in its consumer sentiment is the walk-in closet, which can reduce the price of a property by 0.7 percent. Zillow suggested that buyers may now prefer that space be used for something else.



Click here to read the entire article

A Happy Ending for our Land Sale



Every sale matters to us, no matter its size or type. Although the Boulder Creek Land sale was one of our smaller transactions, it was immensely rewarding. We loved working with the New York seller and the Boulder Creek buyer to have a satisfying conclusion for both parties. We enjoyed what each had to say about us!

How is the Market Doing?

David Stark, the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer with our Bay East Association of REALTORS® gave us his market update at our April 26 real estate meeting. Below are a few of the slides that he shared. The first 2 compare March 2022 to March of 2023. The next 2 slides show prices from 2016 to April 2023 in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo.

How was Real Estate Market doing in Your City on May 17, 2023?


This month we are highlighting Castro Valley, which continues to be in a Strong Seller Market. In the last few weeks the market has achieved a relative stasis point in terms of sales to inventory. However, inventory is sufficiently low to keep us in the Seller’s Market zone.


We have also put a link below to the San Leandro market, which also continues to be in a Strong Seller Market. Home sales continue to outstrip supply and the Market Action Index has been moving higher for several weeks. This is a Seller’s market so watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the trend continues.



Click here for more info



We enjoy food and especially like to visit the Castro Valley Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 9am-1pm. This food storage tip graphic intrigued us. We didn't know that certain fruits and vegetables don't like to be too close!

Von Roll Team

Re/Max Accord

3327 Castro Valley Blvd.

Castro Valley, CA 94546

www.vonrollrealestate.com

510.919.1234


Ted Von Roll & Liz Dunbar

DRE #00370936 & DRE #01994756

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