Blog photo: The photo actually belongs to the ‘finish’ portion of the post title. Tuesday I had the distinct privilege of getting a tour of the interior of last week’s blog subject (“Peeling away the layers”). I was iInvited to take a look last Saturday but was unable. Tuesday the owner was out front when I pulled into our driveway on my bike, having completed the Broker Tour.
I am in awe. Total awe. The owner has had experience over the decades completely rehabbing Alameda property but I expect he may take the most pride in this project. So walk by and enjoy the revelation but do not disturb our new neighbors. It is now occupied and we want to honor their privacy.
I was permitted to take quite a few photos so those may show up in future posts. This is the entry west-side stained glass window, completely rebuilt by Alameda’s amazing stained glass artist, Ken Mathias . He completely rebuilt our dining room window about three years ago. It was bulging with small sunlight holes where the lead was sagging….but not bad for 109 years old. We should all wish to look so good if we make it to that age!
Blog title: With daughter Sutter in town from New Zealand for an annual and very quick few short days, she and I caught a Jet Blue flight to Long Beach for the day, meeting up with son Evan, who drove up from San Diego. Our mission – and we chose to accept it – was to check in on Papa (my dad and their granddad), who, fortunately, was doing a lot better than in recent weeks.
During the visit Evan mentioned the growing list of surprises in the ‘new-to-them’ first home he and Erin bought last summer. So I asked him to send me an update. Thus the beginning of the post title ‘Out of the gate.’ Here is what he sent along:
Broken and fixed:
Quick Glimpses:
Appraisals and the rules that might affect you
CA purchase credit getting used up FAST! Don’t blink or it will be gone!
Alameda real estate this week…
The listing I had at 2128-30 Buena Vista closed Wednesday for 595k as is (through and through as is!). What I thought was interesting was that I initially told the estate Trustee that I thought 599K would generate good interest yet, because the heirs needed to know they had not left money on the table, we went with 659K and that made sense. After the first transaction blew out because the buyers came back for a huge price reduction based on all the reports and inspections they got (even with the property and pest inspections the Trust obtained), the price went to 599K. And in less than a week it was pending again. And the ultimate sale price was higher than the price the first buyers came back with. Say buh-bye.
Check out the closed sales….see what lingered and went down, and check out what went fast and climbed up in price. Pretty interesting.
Active listings this week 154, 149 last reportPending listings this week 100, 106 last report
Highest and lowest priced new listings
Tuesday Broker Tour 10, one repeat
New 17 1810 Clinton is now bank-owned. It was sold in 2000 for 760k on a 795K list, as 2 houses on one lot – duplex in each building. The buyer then subdivided the lot, kept the single level lagoon duplex and sold off the front Victorian duplex – for a lot of money. In 2006 the front portion was sold for 849K. It is currently configured as a single family home. Minimal back yard to speak of, easement drive for those in the back duplex, two parking spaces dedicated to the front unit. List price is now 660K, after it had been listed for 990K, then 879K.
BOM (back on market) 1 This is a short sale, nice Gold Coast home, very small lot. Sold for 869K in 2005. Now on market for 699, 750. It was pending – don’t know if the buyer walked or the offer just got old and died, or the lender(s?) wouldn’t/couldn’t figure it out.
10 17 15Expired 5
Alameda real estate awards this week...remember this is only my perspective!I rode my bike around but was more confused by what I saw, than convinced (whatever that means). Units with units that didn’t count, units with space that might be a unit but shouldn’t be, agents saying no- I don’t know what the city permit history is (a policy that some offices hold to – the concept being if ya don’t know about it, it doesn’t exist, eh?), units not viewable. So no awards this week. Note that the only selection I gave multiple awards to last week is now pending. When it’s good it’s good.
That’s a wrap! Carry on! Make it work! Have a good weekend! best, marilyn
