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Berkeley EMBER Initiative Explained
In an era of accelerating climate change, few California cities are as vulnerable to wildfire as Berkeley. Nestled at the base of the East Bay Hills, with dense vegetation, historic homes, and narrow, winding roads, the city faces mounting risks from wind-driven...
Selling Your Home In 2025? Here’s What Buyers Want (And How To Deliver)
Thinking about listing your home in 2025? If so, you're smart to start planning ahead. With housing inventory rising in many market segments, today’s sellers need more than just a “for sale” sign to stand out. The good news? You can still make a strong impression and...
Mortgage Rates and the 10-Year Treasury: Are We Headed for a Decoupling?
As a Berkeley real estate professional, I keep a close eye on mortgage rate trends because they directly impact homebuyer affordability, market activity, and pricing. Traditionally, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have closely followed the yield on the 10-year U.S....
5 Roadblocks to Affordable Home Ownership
Dreaming of a new home but feeling priced out? You’re not alone! According to a recent survey by Bankrate, 78% of aspiring homebuyers cite affordability issues as their primary deterrent. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, home prices have risen around 32%...
March 2025 – Real Estate Market Update
Spring has arrived, and with it comes fresh insights into our evolving real estate landscape. For those who've been following my monthly updates (you can browse past reports here), you know we watch multiple factors that influence buying and selling decisions. Let's...
Can I Sell My House Without A Realtor?
I'm often asked if I can sell my house without a realtor. Selling a home without a realtor—commonly referred to as “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO)—is entirely possible. Some sellers opt for this route in an attempt to save on commission fees, believing that they can...
Home-Related Tax Deductions
Tax season. Just the words can send shivers down your spine. But if you're a homeowner, there's a silver lining: potential savings! You’ve probably heard that you can deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage — but did you know there are many other ways...
February 2025 – Real Estate Market Update
What a whirlwind the past month has been! The inauguration of a new presidential administration has brought with it a flurry of Executive Orders (EOs) and threats of tariffs on trading partners. We've seen some surprising early year economic reports and overall the...