Jim Walberg

The Urban Land Institute’s 2010 “Housing In America: The Next Decade”

It is important for all of us to deal with reality in the midst of one of the biggest housing crisis in decades. You know I am looking for ways to make lemonade out of lemons in all aspects of my life.  So, I don’t know how I missed this very important report regarding the 2010 predictions outlined in Ronald Terwilliger’s research paper Housing in America: The Next Decade. The report was presented at the January 26, 2010 meeting of the Urban Land Institute Trustee meeting.  One of the key authors was Ronald Terwilliger – the chairperson of the Urban Land Institute.  There are many different aspects of the report you will want to read so take some time to do so.  Mr. Terwilliger writes about two major hurdles the 2010 housing market is experiencing in 2010.  Here is a brief review of both points. Read more

Jim Walberg

2010 East Bay Real Estate Update: Mortgage Interest Rates Rising In Q2, Q3, Q4!

The $64 Billion Dollar Question is, “When will the Federal Government stop purchasing Mortgage Backed Securities?”  You may ask why this is an important question.  Well,  the purchase of MBS by the Feds is the method in which they are guaranteeing mortgages so the lenders will continue to write them – assuring the lenders there is no risk to the home loan because it is risk-free.  From what I am noticing for the last twelve month trend of the Feds buying MBS, it may be just about over.  When it is over interest rates will begin rising in the very near future.

Did you know the Feds are scheduled to stop making MBS purchases by March 31, 2010? As you review the above chart you notice that the Feds are rationing out the remaining portion of the stimulus money as their purchase amounts are dwindling to what is expect to be a trickle within the next 60 days. For example, last week the Fed purchased $11 Billion in Mortgage Backed Securities, which leaves them with $66 Billion to spend out of their original $1.25 Trillion allotment. So about 95% of the total has already been spent and has purchased about three out of every four home mortgages the past twelve months. When such a large player in the market – the Feds, leaves, it is very likely that home prices may decline further because of it being more difficult to entice Buyers to borrow money because of the increased interest rates. Read more

Jim Walberg

2010 East Bay Real Estate Update: Smart Sellers Are On The Market NOW!

If you are a Buyer have you noticed that there are not many houses currently on the market in the East Bay?  Inventory is at one of it’s lowest levels in the last twelve months.  And, those houses that are on the market are not that spectacular.  What typically happens in the yearly real estate cycles is that January has one of the lowest months of inventory, AND there are many Buyers who want to buy homes.  In addition, there are several other factors that are highly motivating Buyers – buyer tax incentives until April 30^th, and the expectation of mortgage interest rates rising all the way through 2010.  The Buyers are absolutely correct regarding those buying factors!  SO…if I was a Seller,  knowing what I know about real estate trends and the 2010 market,  I would get my home ready for sale right NOW! The best prepared homes that are in turn key condition, and are priced at current market rates will get the highest prices that will be achieved in 2010! Read more

Jim Walberg

Help Haiti NOW! Text 90999 And Message The Word HAITI!

The capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding communities are almost gone.  Last Tuesday, most of the structures were erased because of the 7.3-magnitude earthquake.  Tens of thousands have died and millions are fighting for their lives.  The human suffering is beyond anything we could imagine.  My friend, Gov. John deJongh, Jr., of the U.S. Virgin Islands said  “Eyewitness accounts of the quake indicate the worst catastrophic event in modern history.” The Hospitals, schools, the government buildings, stores and most buildings in the capital city and surrounding communities have collapsed.  There are no services available and the dead are being left where they lay as they await trucks and tractors to take them to mass graves that are being dug 24 hours a day.  It is unimaginable for me to think of how the poorest nation in the Caribbean can deal with such devastation, or how any of us would manage through this catastrophe if it ever hits the Bay Area again.   To help the world grasp the scope of the destruction, Google Earth has added a fresh layer of satellite imagery of Haiti taken Wednesday morning, allowing before-and-after comparisons of the landscape. It’s available for viewing on Google’s special crisis response page.

Read more

Jim Walberg

The Bay Area Team – East Bay Real Estate’s #1 Team!

(PRLEAP.COM)  Jim Walberg and Ann Marie Nugent,  owners of the Bay Area Team, were again honored as the Top Realtor Team for 2009 at the Keller Williams Realty – Danville Market Center from over 160 Realtors. They were also ranked #1 in the East Bay, and in the Top 10 in the entire Northern California and Hawaii Region.

When asked what contributed to their success, in the midst of such challenging economic times, Nugent-Walberg said, “The Keller Williams business systems, on-going education, networking with 77,000+ fellow Realtors within the company, and just plain hard work were the keys to the extraordinary results achieved for our clients in 2009.” In addition, they have created a global marketing network through their exclusive memberships in Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate, and The International Real Estate Federation – FIABCI. Their award winning internet marketing strategies were also acknowledged by LuxuryRealEstate.com with the 2009 Global Networking Award selected from over 120,000 Realtor members. Read more

Jim Walberg

2010 Home Maintenance Action List For East Bay Real Estate!

The first week of each New Year it is common for people to make resolutions and promises to themselves, their families, and their business results.  Statistics let us know that this annual ritual of resolutions is a very inspiring exercise that ends up rarely creating any change in a person’s life.  So, what would be like if there was a simple calendar that you integrated in your Outlook or whatever calendar system you use that would alert you to a Home Action List that was broken down in to things you can do each month to maintain and improve the quality of your home? 

Is this a good idea, or what?  It was inspired by an article in the Contra Costa Times.  Here is how it works.  On the first weekend of each month log into your calendar the following suggested action items. ( You can create you own list, too.)  The deal is to take a moment and map out things to do on twelve different weekends a year.   Here goes… Read more

Jim Walberg

2010 Guide From East Bay Real Estate!

Here is to an extraordinary 2010!  Each year we look for a list of actions to be taken throughout the year that will add to it being an amazing one.  We found these 39 action items for all of us to consider for 2010 that are guaranteed to improve our lives.  Contact us anytime! We are standing ready to be of service to the real estate needs of you, your family and friends.  Happy New Year!!! Read more

Jim Walberg

East Bay Kwanzaa Celebrations Begin Today & Ends January 1st!

The celebration of Kwanzaa began today all over the Bay Area.  Kwanzaa was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966 as an African American celebration of their heritage with a focus of family values and our local communities.  Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest”.

The Bay Area Discovery Museum hosts its Annual Kwanzaa Celebration today from 10AM to 5PM.  The admission is free.  There are various art projects inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the Museum’s Entry Pavilion.  Renowned jazz drummer E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz will trace African-American musical forms, such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings in African cultures to today. The program features music, songs, theater, and audience participation.  You will also enjoy the Black National Anthem and the South African National Anthem throughout the week’s celebrations. Read more

Jim Walberg

East Bay Real Estate: Holiday Greetings!

We are so grateful for the relationships that continue to unfolded over the years with our cherished family and friends, and the thousands of people that allow us to serve their real estate needs in the Bay Area.  You have added joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments to our lives in 2009.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  We can all agree that 2009 has been unforgettable year for many reasons.  However, we are still surrounded by a very long list of blessings if we just pay attention.  Enjoy every moment of your Holiday celebrations with your loving family and friends.  Stay tuned…2010 is going to be another unforgettable year! Contact us any time for any reason.

Jim Walberg

Jim Walberg’s Thanksgiving Prayer From EastBayRealEstate.com

Why not have everyday be a day of thanksgiving?  We are surrounded by so many blessings and often times we walk right by them without even noticing.  And, if giving thanks everyday doesn’t work for you, at least we have one day a year when that happens.  Below is the prayer we have used at our Thanksgiving table for years written by Patrick Finley.  You may find it appropriate for your celebration, too.  You may even want to pass it on to others.  Enjoy every moment of your time with your family and friends.  Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

What a gift it is to get together with our loved ones;   feast,  toast,  enjoy the blessings of life – and give thanks.   Thanks for life all around us, underfoot,  and overhead.

Thanks for the ability to remember those we love as well as to forget how much we’ve been hurt in our life;  thanks for fine young bodies, and the old venerable minds;  for the sun on our faces,  the rain on the roof,  and the food on our table grown by people we don’t even know. Read more

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