Archives of real estate blog entries for June 01, 2014

Featured blog posts


By Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES, Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
(Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch!)
Hurricane Season is Here - Get Ready and Prepare Hurricane season in Florida has begun and it is important to get ready and prepare. Although we have not been hit by a major storm in Florida since 2004, we don't know what this years hurricane season has in store for us and weather predictions are just that and nothing more. How should you prepare for a hurricane in Florida? In a previous post, I wrote about the difference of a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning and what to do during each.  But don't wait until we have reached one of these stages to prepare, get ready now by assembling a basic disaster supplies kit and storing it in a dry place. Such a disaster supplies kit should contain a few basic items that will be needed in case of power outages or even if you will have to leav...
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By Melissa Zavala, Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County
(Broadpoint Properties)
Thanks to everyone that participating in my very first contest here on ActiveRain called “What’s It Take to Be a Successful Agent There Days?” It was interesting to read all of the entries, and there was some general agreement among the participants with respect to several areas that are key to success: Honesty. Probably the most widely talked about topic of these posts was honesty and integrity. Many real estate professionals who participated in the contest seemed to agree that if you are not honest, your business will eventually go down the tubes. I’m not sure anyone could argue with that, and many folks told stories about how they believe that they actually got deals or new clients because of their honesty (in comparison with that of their competitors). It’s hard to argue with the fa...
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By Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-939-2727, Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers
(Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside)
SELL YOUR HOME SAFELY Let Your REALTOR Show the Home Don't Open Door!   All ready to sell your home? Sell Your Home Safely! Let Your Realtor Show Your Home - Don't Open the Door! The goal here is to SELL the house. The most important aspect is for everyone to be safe throughout the sales process.   Why say Sell Your Home Safely! Let Your Realtor Show Your Home - Don't Open the Door? The simple answer is that when a sign goes up in your yard, you have no way to check-out the people who might knock on your door. There are people posing as couples who are really thieves and "bad guys".  You may see them as "normal" and be inclined to let them in. Don't!   In some parts of the country, the "bad guy" plan operates via distraction. A seemingly pleasant couple or couple with children arrive. ...
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By Bob Crane, Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671
(Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified)
A Few First Time Posts from This Week 6-1-14  Every day we find more and more people bravely posting their first blot, so tonight I am introducing a few of the many posts from this past week. We all remember our first blog post, that nervousness of venturing forward, taking a risk and exposing our self to the world. The fear of all the unknown strangers reading our thoughts, making sure that everything was just right, not revealing too much to these strangers, yet revealing enough information to make it interesting. Take a few minutes to stop by and read a few new blog posts and welcome these first timers to the rain!   photo credit:  Hand Pressing Social Network Button" by phanlop88 http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100102773 Remax in the Carribeans, (Out Islan...
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By Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD, REALTORS® in Clark County, WA
(ViewHomes™- by eXp Realty )
When selling your home - try to remember, "it's not about you." I remember great advice when my daughter was going through the transition from a little girl to a teen, "It's not about you, Debb." Most children go through a stage when they need to separate from their parents, during that time it's easy to get our feelings hurt. There's also a period of time during the home selling process when it's easy to get our feelings hurt. Especially when we feel our home shines with the pride of ownership. However, most homes will likely reveal a few items or issues during an inspection. Recently, I had to gently remind my sellers that the buyers (and their agent) were just trying to ensure there would be no future issues that might cost them thousands of dollars in repairs. That's the point of th...
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By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
What Sets Us Apart From The Competition?  SERVICE!! To offer that service, we are ready, willing and able.  Next to a willingness to provide superior service, real estate knowledge is essential.  Much experience comes from completed sales transactions and that's the foundation upon which we build relationships with buyers and sellers. Fact:  Transactions are far easier for an agent who has completed 100 transactions than for the agent who has completed 5-10.  Experience is invaluable.   Being ready, willing and able has always and probably always will determine whether or not you are uniquely qualified to represent buyers and sellers with the skill it takes to reach successful conclusion each and every time you accept a buyer or seller as a client.   Are the conclusions reached for buye...
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By Brett Sampson, Texas Lender
(Berkshire Lending, LLC)
Before you go house hunting make sure you have enough money available to get your loan approved and your house closed. …I know it sounds simple, but many people don’t realize the amount of funds they will need to get into a house. Here is a simple breakdown of your out of the out of pocket costs you could expect by loan program. 1) VA: 100% loan. No down payment. 2) USDA: 100% loan. No down payment 3) FHA: Minimum 3.5% down payment. 4) Conventional: 5% minimum down payment, or 3% down if your score is over 680. …but you can expect more out of pocket than just the down payment. There are two other costs you can expect to pay when you purchase a home… 1) One, is prepaids. This is pre paid interest, taxes, and insurance. Typically your prepaids will run 1% to 2.5% of a sales price. 2) Then...
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By Gita Bantwal, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
(RE/MAX Centre Realtors)
Active Rain is one of the most active social network of real estate professionals. I have been using active rain for five years .  There are several benefits to registering on Active rain. You can use it to network with other agents in other parts of the country and to grow your business by providing good information about your real estate  market and events to show that you are the local expert. If I need to refer a client to an agent anywhere in the country I first look at Active rain.By reading their blog and about their listings and sales information in their blog I have confidence that they will be able to help my clients. Besides I already have a network of agents with whom I exchange comments regualrly and we read each others blog. I have spoken to some of these members . I use a...
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By Amanda Thomas, ​Broker, SRES®, BPOR, MCNE, ​Certified DRS Agent™
(Providence Group Realty)
A common error we see in everyday real estate practice stems from confusion about how documents should be signed when the customer or client is a business entity (LLC). Also known as 'signature styling', this is an important element to understand for contract preparation.  There is a short list of contracts that Realtors use in daily practice where it is especially important to know how to properly style a signature when the client or customer wishes business to be transacted under a business name. These include, but are not limited to:  Buyer Representation Agreement Listing Agreement Lease Agreement Independent Contractor Agreement  Why is this important?  For consumers:  The primary reason individuals form an LLC is to eliminate risk by limiting personal liability. With so many boxed...
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Blog posts


By Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573, Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker
(MOOERS REALTY)
Water to go with your Maine land? No no, not the 8 glasses a day to wet your whistle kind. That we all should be slurping down religiously. The fun, healthy recreational kind of waterfront on Maine land. That's the kind of property listing. Some acreage, real estate with no house. What's for sale, being exposed the legal way in this blog post. Over 25 acres of land in Maine, bordering both sides of the Dead Stream waterway. Well known for fly fishing. If you are angling to wet that line. Fish for your supper. Take the video property listing tour of Maine land in Monticello. Land in Maine for sale. Over 25 acres of property is surveyed, has clean warranty deed title to this listing. Build what you want in time. Or not at all. Park that travel trailer that is sinking, rusting, clogging up...
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By Joe Petrowsky, Your Mortgage Consultant for Life
(Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709)
“Listening to an Argument, in a Foreign Language”   I stopped at a convenience food store, needed to get gas and a few things inside. While I was getting the items that I needed I could hear a pretty animated conversation. Actually it wasn’t a conversation it was a man, who seemed to be berating a woman.   It didn’t mean much to him that I was standing at the counter, he kept right at it and at the same time rang up the items that I wanted to purchase. Then he looked at me, as I didn’t move to pay him, I just stood there looking at him. He told me the amount of money that he wanted, but I didn’t move. At least his focus was now on me instead of her.   I had a decision to make, already knowing what it would be, I asked him why he was being such a jerk to the woman. As if she wasn’t even ...
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By Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team, Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes
(Keller Williams Western Realty)
Most upscale Bellingham neighborhood homes (like the homes found on Pacificview Dr) sitting up on top of one of Bellingham's several hills with a view of the bay, city and mountains with CC&R's do not include the feature of a shop along with their typical granite counters, hardwood floors & beautifully landscaped yards. This Puget Neighborhood home does feature a wood shop & A/C along with all the other features one would expect in a Pacificview Dr home. Immaculate home w/all the bells and whistles on one of Bellingham's Best streets - Pacificview Dr. Inside you'll find new & newly refinished Oak floors, a huge chef's kitchen opens to a family room & there's still a formal dining room & living room too. The Master features a fireplace & a huge 5 piece master bath. Stay comfortable year ...
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Homes for sale in Pocono Farms Country Club in Tobyhanna PA       New to the Real Estate Market in Tobyhanna PA is this Lovely Chalet.   This home features a Relaxing Atmosphere with low maintenance making it an Ideal and Affordable Vacation Destination!   A Lovely Level Lot wooded nicely for Privacy! Cathedral Ceiling making the interior Bright and Open! Located within Pocono Farms Country Club with plenty of "family fun" items to do such as their Reputable Golf Course, Olympic Sized Outdoor Pool, Lake with Beach and Playground and Picnic Area, Tennis Courts and a Brand New Recreational Facility offering a Fitness Room and so much more.   Don't miss Fine Dining at the Country Club Restaurant too!   View other homes for sale in Pocono Farms Country Club here   Affordable Vacation Destin...
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By Michael Jacobs, Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393
Linden Heights Condo in Monterey Hills Open House Schedule     Today, Sunday, June 1, 2014 marks the first Open House and the first showings at 4200 Via Arbolada Unit 316 - a top floor condominium in the Linden Heights complex in Monterey Hills.   Monterey Hills is a unique hillside community in Los Angeles(zip code 90042) which is just east of the Arroyo Seco Parkway(110) and adjacent to the city of South Pasadena.   This highly convenient location is close to Downtown Los Angeles, the USC Health Science Campus as well as both the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys.  Yet despite this relatively easy access(it is after all Los Angeles) - the community remains below the radar of most people because it is entirely residential.  It’s such a treat for me to help buyers “discover” Monterey...
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By Ron and Alexandra Seigel, Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy
(Napa Consultants)
The Matilijah poppy is a perfect solution for any area that has dry rocky sunbaked soil, or a south facing area.   It is a beautiful California and Northern Mexico native which grows wild, spreads well, and is drought resistant.   If you ever take the San Ysidro exit off the 101 Freeway, you will an enormous matilija plant in constand bloom summer through the fall. It has spread over the years we have lived here.  They are bee and butterfly friendly, and can also be grown from seed. Wishing you all a lovely Sunday! -WATCH VIDEOS-  Buzz-Worthy Luxury Real Estate Websites   Personal Branding Case Studies   Company Branding Case Studies   About Language of Luxury     GET FLUENT. GET AFFLUENT! - JOIN THE LOL COMMUNTIY   
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By Marina Gavrylyuk, Homes & Condos for Sale in Mississauga and Toronto
(Sutton Group Summit)
It is warm enough already to start this sort of project. I got lucky today and found an awesome video, leading you from the very beginning to the very end of this amazing adventure-  building your own backyard pond! The video is a bit long, but explains everything in great detail. Enjoy! More on Home ValueRealtor.CA - Did You Know?Home Appraisal - Why is it Important to Know Your Home Market ValueReal Estate Bubble, and how Buyers Make It HappenMore Tips for Home BuyerOffer Presentation In PersonPros and Cons of Buying With Listing AgentGrow House Anyone? Help yourself - there is plenty around!12 Steps To Buy Your First HomeTypes of Homes - Learning Real Estate TermsFirst Time Home Buyers - Wonderful Video For You by CMHCDiscount Real Estate Brokers - Illusion and Reality or Free Cheese...
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By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Marte Cliff, presented this blog a couple of months ago that would be great to re-discover today. There are many useful ideas that can be used to further help guide your next real estate transaction. Use these suggestions as a starting point and customize further to your own specific situation. Thanks for sharing. Can you use direct response advertising methods to improve your real estate marketing materials? Sure you can - and you should. Successful direct response marketers use writing formulas to lead readers through their copy and get them to pick up the phone, click the link, or otherwise say "Yes" to the offer. In the past we've talked about AIDA (attention, interest, desire, action) and the 4 P's – (picture, promise, proof, and push). But how do they decide what is going to attr...
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By Tracy Oliva, The Oliva Team Arizona Agents
(West USA Realty - Arizona)
  Your Mountain to Valley Connection 2349 Chandelle Lane, Overgaard, AZ 85933 Special Features MLS #: 5112739 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Total Sq. Feet: 1,753 Year Built: 2003 Price: $289,900 Description Charming ranch home with open floor plan and unique features. From the 0ak wood details which have a history to the coffer ceilings and designer lighting fixtures. This home offers 2 large master bedrooms and each with a full bath. A cozy living area with fireplace and outstanding oversized southeast facing deck makes this home a must see. Towering ponderosa pines encompass your home and give a very private feel. Agent Information Ed and Tracy Oliva
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Please join me for an open house on Sunday, June 8th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at 106 Prathers Lake Dr. in Auburn, AL http://t.co/8oZ4zREq3O   PLEASE JOIN ME FOR AN OPEN HOUSE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 8TH FROM 2:00 – 4:00 PM AT 106 PRATHERS LAKE DR. IN AUBURN, AL QUIET CUL-DE-SAC, PRIVATE BACKYARD, MOVE IN READY! INCREDIBLE OFFICE. WOW-THE KITCHEN! ISLAND, UNDERCABINET LIGHTING, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, GLAZED CABINETS, TILED BACKSPLASH, WALK IN PANTRY! GREAT ROOM WITH FLOOR TO CEILING STONE FIREPLACE BORDERED BY BUILT IN CABINETRY. LIVING ROOM & KITCHEN OVERLOOK COVERED BACK PORCH/AWESOME FLAGSTONE PATIO. MASTER SUITE WITH TILED SHOWER, JETTED TUB, WALK IN CLOSET. NOT MANY HOMES COME UP FOR SALE IN THIS SPECIAL CONVENIENT NEIGHBORHOOD! YOU WILL LOVE ALL OF THE WINDOWS & RECESSED LIGHTING-TONS OF LIGHT T...
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By Roger D. Mucci, Lets shake things up at your home today!
(Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092)
"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." -Bill Gates, Microsoft "Get closer than ever to your customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves." - Steve Jobs, Apple "It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money... It is the customer who pays the wages."- Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company "We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job to make the customer experience a little bit better."- Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com
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By Vickie Nagy, Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen
(Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate)
Dublin CA Real Estate Weekly Review Market Report June 1, 2014 This weekly Dublin CA Real Estate “dashboard” summarizes: homes for sale in Dublin CA from Sunday May 25, 2014 through Saturday May 31, 2014. Included are homes: that were listed; that went under contract (pending); and homes sold in Dublin CA (closed escrow). Also shown are Dublin CA Real Estate monthly trends for homes listed, pending and sold, and year to date totals for single family and attached homes sold. Homes for Sale in Dublin CA Newest Listing Shown below is the newest listing of homes for sale in Dublin CA as of June 1, 2014. $419,900 : 7270 CRONIN CIR, DUBLIN 2 beds, 2 full baths Home size: 963 sq ft Year built: 1991 Parking spots: 1 Days on market: 2 Click here to see the full report Dublin CA Real Estate Weekl...
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By Louis Cammarosano, Smaulgld
(Smaulgld LLC)
Stocks Soar While Housing Market Stumbles and GDP Turns Negative Something is terrible wrong According to Fed Chairs Bernanke and Yellen quantitative easing was supposed to boost the stock and real estate markets and produce a “wealth effect”. The real estate market is slowing down with pending home sales, mortgage applications and sales plummeting but the stock market continues to hit new highs. When faced with poor economic data like a negative 1% GDP in the first quarter the media and the Fed put an unbelievable Panglossian spin on it. http://smaulgld.com/stocks-soar-housing-market-stumbles/
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By Curtis Van Carter, Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire
(Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group)
"Median home prices surge" was an article by Jennifer Huffman on the front page of  Napa Valley’s largest circulation newspaper, the Napa Register. The article went on to state home prices here in the Napa Valley had increased another 20.9% from March 2013 to March 2014. This was on top of 21.2 % for March 2012 to March 2013. Here are a couple excerpts from her story: "The median price for a Napa County home rose 20.9 percent over the past year, from $395,500 in March 2013 to $478,000 this March, while the number of homes sold declined 8.5 percent, the result of a strong local economy and a tight supply of homes on the market, according to data recently released by DataQuick information services." "Bay Area-wide, the median price paid for a home in the nine-county region rose in March t...
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By Dale Baker, New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information
(Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections)
Benefit Concert Musical Program in the Town of Springfield Vermont Folks are you ready to do a bit of toe tapping and to have an enjoyable time plus show your support to this event scheduled to be held? If you said yes, then on this day of Sunday the First day of June 2014 make time to come to the First Congregational Church, which you can find located at 77 Main Street in the Town of Springfield, Vermont.  Folks the actual title of this mighty fine event for you to enjoy attending today is Concert of Musical Favorites. The concert has been scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. this afternoon. You'll find that the admission to attend is being done totally by donations from the folks attending. Benefit Concert Musical Program in the Town of Springfield Vermont, the concert will be featuring Er...
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By Tracy Oliva, The Oliva Team Arizona Agents
(West USA Realty - Arizona)
      Your Mountain to Valley Connection 2222 Fairway Drive, Overgaard, AZ 85933 Special Features MLS #: 5109610 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Total Sq. Feet: 2,629 Year Built: 1997 Price: $298,000 Description Perfect setting for a custom built home in the mountains. Open the front door to the soaring vaulted ceilings w/ the 2 story stone fireplace & a wall ofwindows. The open floor plan is so spacious. Large kitchen has breakfast bar & large dining area. The loft has so many options, could be 4th bedroom,office or expansive play room. Even endless views from the loft along w/ a full bath. The knotty pine screened porch provides the complete mountainexperience. You will have all the boxes checked w/this home. Attached garage and plenty of storage. overgaard Agent Information Ed and Tracy Oli...
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By Anne Mayberry, Living the Steamboat dream since 1978!
(Steamboat Sotheby's International Realty)
Fish Creek Falls is running now! Nothing like an action packed weekend in Steamboat Springs, CO with the Yampa River Festival and it's newly included stand-up paddle boarders in the competition, along with the Steamboat Marathon, half marathon, and 10K runners of about 1500! The Yampa is peaking for the River Festival, and after an early morning thunderstorm, the weather is perfect for the marathoners' trek from Hahn's Peak Village to downtown Steamboat Springs. Steamboat Springs real estate had an active week too! 16 whole onwership sales were reported in the Steamboat Pilot newspaper with a dollar volume of $11,319,000. Four fractional sales at One Steamboat Place added another $1,225,000. Five of the single family or condo/townhome sales were for over $1 million. The numbers in each...
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By Eileen Hsu, LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON
(Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Look at the calendar this morning, it is JUNE already, where did 2014 go... This year the housing market here in Manhattan New York is extremely active and busy, by reading all the other blog posts on Active Rain here I sense the rest of United States are just as competitive as our own market. Most of us are working very hard night and day to put deals together, connecting buyers and sellers. For me, June is my favorite month of the year for so many reasons. For one, June is the beginning of the Summer, longer day light and we can be out until 8pm and still bright outside.June also is the time that weather is pleasant here in New York before it gets too hot and humid, we can go for walks outside without being uncomfortable. June is many of my dear friends birth month, I get along with m...
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By Vickie Nagy, Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen
(Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate)
Pleasanton CA Real Estate Weekly Review Market Report June 1, 2014 This weekly Pleasanton CA Real Estate “dashboard” summarizes: homes for sale in Pleasanton CA from Sunday May 25, 2014 through Saturday May 31, 2014 Included are homes: that were listed; that went under contract (pending); and homes sold in Pleasanton CA (closed escrow). Also shown are Pleasanton CA Real Estate monthly trends for homes listed, pending and sold, and year to date totals for single family and attached homes sold. Homes for Sale in Pleasanton CA Newest Listing Shown below is the newest listing of homes for sale in Pleasanton CA as of June 1, 2014 $828,000 : 145 Wild Flower Lane, PLEASANTON 4 beds, 3 full baths Home size: 1,986 sq ft Lot size: 3,863 sqft Year built: 1991 Parking spots: 2 Days on market: 3 Cli...
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By Vickie Nagy, Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen
(Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate)
San Ramon CA Real Estate Weekly Review Market Report June 1, 2014 This weekly San Ramon CA Real Estate “dashboard” summarizes: homes for sale in San Ramon CA from Sunday May 25, 2014 through Saturday May 31, 2014. Included are homes: that were listed; that went under contract (pending); and homes sold in San Ramon CA (closed escrow). Also shown are San Ramon CA Real Estate monthly trends for homes listed, pending and sold, and year to date totals for single family and attached homes sold. Homes for Sale in San Ramon CA Newest Listing Shown below is the newest listing of homes for sale in San Ramon CA as of June 1, 2014. $1,299,800 : 2637 Watervale Way, SAN RAMON 5 beds, 4 full baths Home size: 3,824 sq ft Lot size: 7,826 sqft Year built: 2004 Parking spots: 4 Days on market: 2 Click her...
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