The housing market everywhere isn't all doom and gloom...not in Walnut Creek, CA anyway! The following charts show the comparison of this year versus last year's sales for Detached, Single-family homes only within the zip code of 94598.  This zip code is predominately located within the Northgate community of Walnut Creek.  The first charts show total number of listings, the sales terms, average/medium prices and the average days on the market (DOM).  Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009 (Last Year) Column1 No. of Listings Dollar Volume Average Price Median Price Average DOM RESIDENTIAL               Conventional 142 $108,259,536 $762,391 $722,500 54     FHA 13 $8,194,000 $630,308 $649,000 66     VA 1 $620,000 $620,000 $620,000 8     Cash 10 $7,459,500 $745,950 $719,000 28     Other 2 $1,515,00... 12/31/2010

A Terrific Tuesday Morning to all, Economic News: Case Shiller Home Prices dip across the country, Consumer Confidence comes in under expectations, Richmond Fed Manufacturing is double what was estimated. Expect choppy trading thru the week: Advise locking short term. Have a Great Day! 12/28/2010

I Hope Everyone had a Wonderful Holiday Weekend, Economic News: China raises Interest rates. Have a great day! 12/27/2010

  And So The Magic Of Christmas Continues One more day to finish off my To-Do list. Tomorrow, the Magic of Christmas Continues. When my daughter was very young we visited a friend at Christmas time and when we stepped into her home, we stepped into a magical place. She had transformed her home into a magical Christmas wonderland that so awed us that I was inspired to learn from her example. From then on each Christmas, I made it a project to turn the Christmas Season into a Special Time and our home into a Special Place. The day after Thanksgiving we began the Christmas Season by hunting for our Christmas tree out at Half Moon Bay, with pumpkin muffins and hot chocolate in tow. We decorated the house, inside and out. We baked while we listened to old Radio recordings of The Cinnamon Bea... 12/23/2010

Terrific Thursday morning to all, Economic news: Both Initial and continuing jobless claims show improvement, Durable goods – Transportation was positive, New home sales less than expectations. Expect choppy trading the market will close early today. Happy Holidays! 12/23/2010

The following numbers represent the current Foreclosure Sales inventory data as well as the current "Active" and "Sale Pending" data for Bank Owned (REO) properties in Walnut Creek, CA 94596,94597,94598 for the month of November 2010. Keep in mind that the Sold Price Data versus the List Price Data does not reflect any price reductions which may have occurred. For more detailed information of the current Foreclosure/REO market in Walnut Creek please call. Current market activity in Walnut Creek, California Community information for Walnut Creek, California 94596 Community information for Walnut Creek, California 94597 Community information for Walnut Creek, California 94598 12/21/2010

 December 20: Yesterday I found out that a friend of mine's 10 year old son, RJ, is in a coma. We never understand why time on this earth is shorter for some than others, but it is even more difficult when they are a young child. As we celebrate the birth of one child this Christmas Season, I will be praying for the life of a very special little friend. This kind of news brings everything into perspective. Cherish loved ones, and the real gift of life and health and love we are blessed with everyday, not just the Christmas gifts under the tree. If you are reading this blog... take a moment now to pray for RJ and his family and all those who are ill or suffering at this very moment. May the peace of Christmas be on all  and may we remember how precious our time is here on earth.     12/21/2010

 December 18: Busy day Saturday. Last of the Christmas cards to write. Last of the Christmas shopping to try and get done. Then wrap gifts, plan menus for Christmas diner, visit with family and oh, yes... do some real estate business. We seem to be making progress on some of our offers. We have heard back from one agent that the bank is working on our offer. We received a counter-offer that our client is happy with, and we withdrew offers that went way beyond the acceptable time-frame without so much as a response from the agents and began looking fresh for our clients. It's getting to look a lot like Christmas. 12/21/2010

A Marvelous Monday Morning to all, Economic News: Consumer Confidence is due out later. Be careful.. advice lock on any rally. The 22nd + 23rd are packed with economic reports which can sway the markets either way. Have a great day! 12/20/2010

Now before you start formulating your comment expressing your opinion on this volatile subject, let me tell you why I titled my blog Julian Assange - WikiLeaks. A new flag has been planted on the Time Line of human events and it is labled Julian Assange - WikiLeaks. I am not writing this blog to discuss the pros and cons of Julian Assange's actions, although I am sure some of you will make comments that will clearly indicate that you have not read my blog in it's entirety. The impact of Julian Assange's actions would not have been as far reaching and as instantaneous had it not been for today's technology and the Internet. Timing is everything...the coming together of key pieces to this event are crucial; the onset of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter allows information to tr... 12/17/2010

Fabulous Friday morning to all, Economic news: Leading Indicators show economic growth, but the housing market is still lagging… Until a sustained rally is seen bias to lock the markets are still very choppy. Investors have run to W-St and equities for now when they correct the flight back to quality ( bonds) will occur. Have a great weekend! 12/17/2010

  December 16:   I've been spending a lot of time understanding this AR tool and I've learned a lot and made some great new contacts. It's time to get back to blogging about THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS... at least for a while.   Although we have our fair share of cash buyers and regular sales, much of our business lately, involves Short Sales.  The timeframe on these is the most difficult for our clients to deal with. Here is something we share with our clients so they have a better understanding of why it takes so long.   The Short Sale Timeframe A typical short sale decision can take 45-90 days from the date the offer is received. Several factors contribute to this timeframe: Day 1: Receive a legitimate offer (this includes the listing agreement, copy of MLS, preliminary HUD-1, hardship ... 12/16/2010

December 14: There was more Active Rain than Real Estate business today, and that's OK. Today I was honored with my first feature on AR. Very special and encouraging. I'm really enjoying this Blogging. I am getting more Blogging ideas than I have time for in a day. And such great ideas and inspiration from everyone kind enough to take the time to comment and advise me. I want to share even more about my hometown of Walnut Creek, CA too. Stay tuned!!! Over the past 2 weeks, I've sent out questions and many have sent back answers. Now it seems the more I learn the more questions surface. I just recently was notified that someone in AR had added me as an Associate. I have seen this button but couldn't figure out how to fill out the info on the next screen. I don't understand what it means... 12/14/2010

Terrific Tuesday Morning to all, Economic News: PPI ( Produce Price Index which is a measurement of inflation) for the previous month and year at or better than expected, Retail sales positive improvement. Positive news which will put pressure on bonds as the day progresses bias to lock before more ground is lost. Have a great day! 12/14/2010

December 13: Spent more time following up on offers and contracts. We showed our buyer another property in Concord, CA today and he would like to make an offer.  Entered the Kodak Moment Contest and wrote a Blog Post to go with the photo I entered. Read and view other entries in the contest. So many good posts. It's going to be hard to select the best. I don't envy the judges. Read and commented on a few Active Rain Blogs and features.     12/13/2010

Tiny whistles and melodic shrills echo in the distance. Trilling of a morning-bird drifts over the fence from high above in the neighbor's birch tree. A mocking bird replies from somewhere ahead. A symphony of morning songs that invite us to come out into the garden early each warm summer morning. Mike and I grab our coffees and sit on the bench under the Japanese Maple, green and lush, gently swaying in the morning breeze. We take a sip and listen for it... silence. As suddenly as it begins, waking us each morning, it stops as if on cue. A prelude to the dawn. A hush falls over Walnut Creek. We recap our week and share our plans for the day as we wait for the first sunbeams to peak over the top of Mt. Diablo and flood the sky with colors. First a softness washes over the morning sky as... 12/13/2010

The following numbers represent the current concentration of Short Sales in Pending Sale Status versus Traditional Sales in Pending Sale Status for Walnut Creek, CA for the period ending November 30th, 2010. Please keep in mind that this only reflects the market on the specific day quoted.  Short Sales take time and may be represented over several months in this data while traditional sales close escrow in the 30-60 day range. Current market activity in Walnut Creek, California Community information for Walnut Creek, California 94596 Community information for Walnut Creek, California 94597 Community information for Walnut Creek, California 94598   12/13/2010

East Bay Mortgage Market Update Economic News:  A little interest rate relief to start the week. There are several factors putting pressure on the bond as well as the mortgage backed security markets. Better economic reports both here and abroad, sovereign debt fears & the possible extension of the "Bush Era Tax Cuts" coupled with a temporary reduction in the Social Security withholding rate next year have combined to drive a debt market selloff.  At this point many experts are advising that the bond markets are oversold and we could see yields fall back from where we are currently.  Let's hope so!  Mortgage Markets: The 10 Year Note is rallying off of last week's closing levels and is trading at 3.258%. While Mortgage Backed Securities remain under pressure they are getting some relief... 12/13/2010

I read a Blog written by Rebecca Gaujot in regards to My 100th Call Shot. Then I read a Blog written by Ellie McIntire in regards to "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to thank the 'Suggester'?" followed by comments agreeing and disagreeing with Ellie.  We've been taught from very young to always say "Thank you" when given a compliment or a gift. Why? Because it's polite. It show appreciation. It reflects well on the one who received the gift. But what if we can't. What if it was an anonymous gift - like when someone suggests your article and it is featured. Does that make us less polite, less appreciative. Does sending out a single "thank you" to the masses instead of each individual, really reflect badly on us? Beside, are we really willing to spend that much time thanking each other? Ma... 12/12/2010

Are you trying to time the real estate market?  Don't forget the impact of rising interest rates. Many home buyers are struggling with the decision to purchase.  Are home prices at the bottom? Will they decline further?  Should we buy now or wait?  But there is another factor that many home buyers fail to consider when making their decision to buy or wait, the impact of rising interest rates.  Mortgage lenders issue their loan approvals based on a Qualifying Monthly Payment which is typically the maximum payment at which the lender will provide your mortgage financing.  The qualifying monthly payment is on a seesaw between interest rates and home prices.  As interest rates rise, you will have to look at lower priced homes to qualify for your mortgage financing. Let me give you an exampl... 12/12/2010