Both Alameda County and Contra Costa County have a county transfer tax of $1.10/$1,000.

Example: If the sales price of a house in Berkeley is $500,000 then the seller can expect to pay $500 for the county transfer tax and both the buyer and seller can expect to split the city transfer tax of $7,500.

http://www.5416BarrettAve.com

If you have ever driven down Carlson to head towards the freeway, you know why this is a good thing.  At any given moment, someone coming off of the 80 east side will come to a rolling stop, try to jut out into oncoming traffic swiftly so that they can get into the immediate left lane to turn onto Tehama.  Or perhaps you are heading down Carlson to get onto the 80 west on ramp, getting ready to turn left onto the freeway, and someone comes racing down Carlson at the same time you are ready to turn at the same time someone coming off of the 80 west offramp decides that they are tired of waiting and they scoot out. 

Collision.

In my opinion, this is the 2nd most dangerous intersection at a freeway on/off ramp in the area (the first being the Gilman/I-80 interchange- although that isn’t really as dangerous, just crazy congested.).  I am so relieved that this will be coming our way.

If you think there is another intersection that you believe is worse than the Carlson @ I-80 one, let me know!

One of the biggest questions I get lately is “how much have prices goine down?”  This is pretty easy to answer.  If you look at the statistical date from the height of the market (2006 – 2007) and compare it to today’s numbers you will see that Richmond has taken the biggest hit, primarily because of foreclosures.  Because of the decline in luxury sales (houses over $1 million) even cities like Rockridge, which historically holds stable, has seen a decline. 

Cities like Berkeley are starting to see more and more foreclosures and short sales, but less and less inventory.  In fact, most areas are seeing the same.  One reason for lower inventory is that sellers who are able are holding onto their property and trying to wait out the storm.  The downside in this is that buyers have less inventory to choose from so it is creating a multiple offer frenzy in many areas, which is ultimately increasing prices.  But this is exactly what sellers are hoping for, prices to go up. 

Buyers are trying to take advantage of this wave before rates creep up and the tax credit expires.  Speaking from the buyers perspective, “Sellers, bring on your house!”

Albany, down 66%
Jan 2007  24
Jan 2008  43
Jan 2009  8

Berkeley, all, down 7%
Jan 2007  45
Jan 2008  43
Jan 2009  42

Berkeley Hills, up 7%
Jan 2007  14
Jan 2008  58
Jan 2009  15

El Cerrito, up 100%
Jan 2007  25
Jan 2008  44
Jan 2009  50

Kensington, up 60%
Jan 2007  44
Jan 2008  5
Jan 2009  70

Oakland, all, up 10%
Jan 2007  46
Jan 2008  53
Jan 2009  64

Richmond, all, up 15%
Jan 2007  52
Jan 2008  77
Jan 2009  60

Richmond Annex, down 21%
Jan 2007  66
Jan 2008  182
Jan 2009  53

Several factors can severely skew the days on market (DOM) statistics.  The first, and biggest, is the level of inventory.  If inventory is low and the quality of the homes is poor, then you will have a higher DOM (which is why Jan/08 in the Annex was so high).  Then there is quality regardless of inventory: high quality = quick sales, no matter the economy.  This is the reason the East Bay is desirable.  The other factor is the media and the economy.  What are the headlines saying?  Was there a wave of crime during that particular month?  How many loans reset that month?  This all affects sales, which direclty affects DOM.

This just in from Richmond’s North and East Newsletter:

“City rebate program offers financial incentive to comply with sewer lateral standards — Qualified residents and non-profit business owners in Richmond’s Sanitary Sewer District Number One can apply for grants to offset the cost of bringing sewer laterals into compliance with ordinance 12/17, article XII of the Municipal Code.

For more information about sewer laterals and the city’s rebate program, contact the city’s Engineering Department at 510.307.8091.”

Did you know that there are programs out there to help low-income homeowners fix up their homes?  In Contra Costa County there is a program called the Neighborhood Preservation Program which is operated by the CCC Building Inspection Department. 

The program, created in 1975, makes loans to very-low and low-income homeowners to help fix up homes, making safer, more comfortable environments.

The type of work that can be done includes:

• Improved disabled accessibility
• Painting, inside and out
• Plumbing/heating/electrical repairs
• Reroofing
• Security
• Termite/Dry Rot Repair
• Other work

There are two types of loans available: 1) 3% interest loans, with affordable monthly payments, payable in 15 years and 2) 0% interest loans with no monthly payment and reviewed every 5 years depending on income.

The maximum loan amount is $40,000 and the money is supplied through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant fund.

For more information, including who decides what gets fixed and who does the work, call the county at (925) 335-1137.

Frontdoor.com has a really groovy interactive map for checking out what is available in a particular zip code.  Just pop in your zip code and using the nav bar on the right, find schools, cafes and more.

Way cool!

http://www.frontdoor.com/Explore-The-Neighborhood/

A separate plan will prohibit left turns onto I-80 at Central Ave and make the I-580 on-ramp at the corner of Central Ave. and Rydin the main freeway access to Oakland/San Francisco.  The shoreline already hosts 1.2 million visitors to Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline per year, Costco and Costco Gas, and the N. Cal USPS Bulk Mail Center.  Adding a Kohl’s and other shopping/dining would not only increase traffic congestion and add air pollution and garbage, but it would disrupt the Albany/Richmond mudflats and wetlands.

Does this concern you?  If so, please attend the Richmond City Council meeting TONIGHT.  Your attendance could encourage the City Council to conduct a full environmental impact report and a proper traffic review which are needed to accurately assess the proposed development on this stretch of shoreline.  This will be the last chance the public has to oppose this major land use change. 

And please, don’t let another big box chain enter our area.