Author: Savannah Rollins

When most people think about selling a home, spring is often seen as the go-to season. After all, buyer activity tends to ramp up as the weather warms and the days grow longer. But there’s a key reason to consider selling your home before spring: less competition. If you’re a Bay Area homeowner, waiting until spring could mean competing with an influx of listings, making it harder for your property to stand out. Instead, listing your home during the winter could give you a competitive edge. Winter: The Underrated Season for Bay Area Sellers Real estate trends consistently show that…

Balance in a market — or lack thereof — can dictate how offers are made or received.Think about it this way. If you’re an occupant in a buyer’s market, you have myriad choices. Conversely, try to transact in an environment weighted toward owners, and you’ll be lucky to have any choices.In the industrial real estate arena, this balance has tipped in favor of occupants. Not terribly long ago, this wasn’t the case. But the spate of new development coupled with a softening in demand has created a glut of available properties.In a balanced environment — where supply and demand are…

Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now, and all you really want to hear is that they’re coming back down. And if you’ve seen headlines about the early November Federal Funds Rate cut by the Federal Reserve (The Fed), maybe you got hopeful mortgage rates would start to decline right away. Although some media sources may lead you to believe that the Fed’s actions determine mortgage rates, in reality, they don’t.  The truth is, the Fed, the job market, inflation, geopolitical changes, and a whole list of other economic factors influence mortgage rates, too. So, while…

October was a strong month for California’s housing market, with both home sales and median prices seeing increases from the previous month and year. Statewide, sales of existing single-family homes reached an annualized rate of 264,870, up 4.7% from September and a notable 9.5% from October 2023. California’s median home price climbed to $888,740, reflecting a 5.8% year-over-year increase and marking the largest September-to-October price gain in 45 years. While statewide trends offer a positive outlook, the San Francisco Bay Area saw some of the most significant growth across California. October sales in the region surged 16.2% year-over-year, outpacing all…

The Hawaiian Islands are a study in contrasts.On one hand, they are the embodiment of tranquility — waves lapping against volcanic rock and trade winds carrying the scent of plumeria. On the other, they are a vivid reminder of nature’s unpredictability — lava flows reshaping the land, hurricanes forging new paths and the ever-present pull of erosion and renewal.This dynamic environment offers an unexpected metaphor for the world of commercial real estate. Whether you’re managing a warehouse in Southern California or negotiating a lease in the Inland Empire, the lessons of Hawaii’s landscape and culture provide valuable insights into navigating…

If you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates lately, you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride. One day rates are up; the next they dip down a bit. So, what’s driving this constant change? Let’s dive into just a few of the major reasons why we’re seeing so much volatility, and what it means for you. The Market’s Reaction to the Election A significant factor causing fluctuations in mortgage rates is the general reaction to the political landscape. Election seasons often bring uncertainty to financial markets, and this one is no different. Markets tend to respond…

Let’s be real – buying a home right now is tough. You’re scrolling through listings, rushing to open houses, and maybe even losing out to more competitive offers. Somewhere along the way, you might’ve heard the reason it’s so hard to find a home is because big Wall Street investors are swooping in and snatching up everything in sight. But here’s the thing: that’s mostly a myth. While investors are part of the market, according to Redfin, they’re a relatively small part: Here’s what that means. Five out of every six homes are being purchased by everyday homebuyers like you…

If you’ve been following the news recently, you might have seen articles about an increase in foreclosures and bankruptcies. That could be making you feel uneasy, especially if you’re thinking about buying or selling a house. But the truth is, even though the numbers are going up, the data shows the housing market isn’t headed for a crisis. Foreclosure Activity Rising, but Less Than Headlines Suggest In recent years, the number of foreclosures has been very low. That’s because, in 2020 and 2021, the forbearance program and other relief options were put in place to help many homeowners stay in…

If you’re worried about a coming recession, you’re not alone. Over the past couple of years, there’s been a lot of recession talk. And many people worry, if we do have one, it would cause the unemployment rate to skyrocket. Some even fear that a spike in unemployment would lead to a rash of foreclosures similar to what happened 15 years ago. However, the latest Economic Forecasting Survey from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reveals that, for the first time in over a year, less than half (48%) of economists believe a recession will actually occur within the next year:…

Are you considering a move from the bustling streets of San Francisco to the serene beauty of Marin County, California? You’re not alone.   It’s a common transition for many (including my own family which moved from SF to Marin in 2004) and homebuyers are finding their slice of paradise just a short drive across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. While the reasons for moving from SF to Marin County will vary, there are some reoccuring themes that we often see as Realtors. Below are some of the main reasons we see others make the transition from the city to Marin: …