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Since 2001, we have offered real estate advice and guidance.

Sarah Schisler
(510)390-1330

Newsletter - Sent March 2020 - Historic interest rates, Insurance Tips, 1031 Exchange information, and more…

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Hello *|FNAME|*!
I hope life is treating you well as you are washing your hands a bit more often!

With the worldwide focus on the spread of the COVID-19 virus gripping headlines and emotions, the stock market is experiencing significant volatility. Since many are asking, I wanted to share a few thoughts and observations about the current real estate market. 

2020 has brought a very active market so far.  Interest rates are historically low and the Federal Reserve cut rates even more last week which stretches the dollar a little farther for anyone deciding to purchase a new home.  Many people are actively looking to purchase their first homes and many who have watched their equity growth over the past decade are wondering how they can use it to their benefit. Whether you are considering moving into a larger home, downsizing, or investing in real estate in the future please remember your equity is not static. Actually, in most cases throughout the Bay Area, the property has never been worth more than right now! 

Nobody can predict the future, but I believe in looking at current data and fluctuations throughout history to bring reassurance and confidence in making wise real estate decisions.  Check out the Freddie Mac 'History of an Interest Rate':
 

Insurance Tips

Have you reviewed the cost and coverage of your homeowner's insurance policy recently? Though the process of researching and acquiring  insurance can seem mundane, it's EXTREMELY important.  I wanted to pass along some words of wisdom from my trusted insurance agent Dave Peacock:

There is no better (or more important!) time to review your home insurance policies than now. In the ever-changing California insurance market, carriers are getting set to non-renew hundreds of thousands of policies within the next year. This is a result of 3 years of catastrophic fires that have devastated our great state. These fires have forced insurance carriers to re-evaluate the areas they want to write business and to re-rate or increase premiums on homes they are going to continue to insure.
For homeowners, it would be wise to get ahead of this and ask your carrier if your policies are safe.  Waiting could force people to take substandard policies that don’t offer the coverages you need. This could result in unexpected and huge out-of-pocket expenses.

Here are a few tips when shopping for your home insurance:

  1. Buy from an agent. This person will educate you on the coverages needed and build a package that best fits your needs.  
  2. Insure your home to the proper price per square foot. This will help make sure that if a disaster happens, there will not be a shortage of coverage. 
  3. Cheaper is not always better! We live in a world where we tend to look at price first and coverage second. Price based carriers are not the best and sacrificing coverage for price could be a big mistake.  
  4. Have an annual review with your broker to discuss the coverages you have. This open dialogue will help make sure that all necessary steps are taken to protect your family and property.

Recent Listings & Sales

SALE PENDING!
Listed at $1,525,000

2261 Genoa Street
Danville

 
Click Here for Property Details

SALE PENDING!
Listed at $1,398,000

3332 Green Meadow Drive
Danville

 
Click Here for Property Details

JUST SOLD!
$720,000

1 Lakeside Drive #1505
Oakland

 
Click Here for Property Details
2 COMING SOON
Both in Oakland, one property is in Glenview and the other is in Maxwell Park. Stay tuned or feel free to reach out for more details!

Investor Corner
Let's talk 1031 Exchanges!

From Investopedia, "a 1031 exchange is a swap of one investment property for another. Although most swaps are taxable as sales, if yours meets the requirements of 1031, you'll either have no tax or limited tax due at the time of the exchange."

I have represented many clients over the years through these transactions, recently having helped a client 1031 exchange into a cosmetic fixer on a deep lot in Berkeley.  I also successfully completed my own 1031 exchange last month!  If you or anyone your know is considering a 1031 exchange I would love to share what I have learned about the process to make the exchange as smooth and successful as possible. 

Know anyone interested in analyzing investment opportunities in real estate?  I'm here to help!

What's New?
Renovations are underway in my new office space just off Piedmont Avenue and I can't wait to invite you to visit us when the work is completed in the next few months. This office has many wonderful memories! As many of you know, it was my dad's accounting office for many years. We have split the office space in two so the accounting office is still next door with its own separate entrance. 

In true Mark Schisler fashion, I will continue the tradition with plenty of chocolate on hand!

Community
As Mr. Rogers famously said, in times of challenge, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." As a community, we come together in times of need and there are many organizations doing the boots-on-the-ground work to lift up those that are most vulnerable. Please take a moment to 'Look for the Helpers' and check out the following organizations:

Roots Community Clinic
Operation Dignity
Alameda County Community Food Bank
As always, our team is here to be your real estate resource.  If you or anyone you know is considering buying, selling, or investing in real estate we would love to help. I am here to offer my knowledge and advice every step of the process! 

In addition, Keller Williams is the largest real estate brokerage in the country and I can help anyone find and vet great agents anywhere in the country or even the world.
 
Talk to you soon!
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SARAH SCHISLER 
REALTOR® DRE#01322781
(510) 390-1330
Sarah@HousesBySarah.com 
www.HousesBySarah.com

Keller Williams Oakland
4937A Telegraph Ave. | Oakland, CA 94609
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Most Recent Listings

Bonar Street in Berkeley Poets Corner

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Let’s chat! ~Sarah Schisler

Let’s chat! ~Sarah Schisler

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Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. Keller Williams Realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection with appropriate licensed professionals. | DRE #02029039