A helping hand for our seniors  The Bay Area is known for having the wealthiest people in the world, but it is also home to thousands of seniors whose income level falls below the federal poverty line. They live with the daily threat of hunger. Being food insecure can worsen their existing health problems that can in turn lead to hospitalization. Let us all make sure that our seniors get all the nutrition they need to fight off disease and infection.   Join Cole Hardware as they host a food drive to benefit two wonderful organizations whose mission is to help feed our elderly neighbors: Groceries for Seniors in San Francisco and St. Paul's Pantry of Hope in Oakland. Please bring any non-perishable foods during the drive. Besides canned foods, they also welcome boxed foods, pastas and ce... 11/08/2019

Things to do in Oakland November 16-30 2019  Comic Con & Exotic Animal Expo November 16-17, 2019Conex Comic Con & Exotic Animal Expo (an annual make-a-wish benefit) is two separate events that feature a series of family friendly activities.Do your black Friday shopping early at our event to help local non-profits... Get more information here.    Wizard WorldNovember 22-24, 2019Join tens of thousands of fans as they converge at Wizard World Bay Area to celebrate the best in pop culture. Brought to you by the group who produces the most widely attended pop culture tour and has it all - Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Anime, Manga, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles & More! Get more information here.    Oakland Turkey Trot November 28, 2019Earn your day's ind... 11/04/2019

Things to do in Oakland November 2-11 2019   Discovery Day at Oracle Park November 2, 2019This FREE event is unlike any other - with dynamic demonstrations, engaging experiments, geeky games and astounding activities for all ages! The entire ballpark is packed to the rafters with science content - on the field, at every entry/exit, and every level of the ballpark. Get more information here.    Bay Area BBQ & Beer FestivalNovember 2, 2019Join in for an amazing day filled with amazing BBQ & Beer! Guests will experience unlimited pours of craft beer from regional breweries as well as access to dozens of BBQ vendors selling amazing food! Get more information here.    Cirque du Soleil | Amaluna November 3 - January 12After directing her daughter's coming of age ceremony, honouring femininity... 11/02/2019

Realtor shout out- Face the past, and get ready for the future.  Some people think I am selling houses, but in reality, what happens when someone decided to move is life altering. You have to face the past, and get ready for the future. When multi family members are involved, it is always easy. Luckily, my clients were close and supportive of one another.  “We were referred to a local real estate office by a good friend. Elisa Uribe was the agent assigned to us. We called, set up an appointment and met her at our home a week later. We immediately liked her and felt at ease as we discussed the plans for putting our house that we have lived in for over 30 years for sale. Throughout this whole process she has been resourceful, thorough, knowledgeable and very professional. We appreciate ev... 10/25/2019

WHICH DOWN PAYMENT STRATEGY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?   You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available. THE DOWNSIDEThe downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years, and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20-percent down pay... 10/23/2019

Monthly Market Activity for Single Family Homes in Oakland(includes Piedmont and Emeryville) The Median Sale Price for homes in Oakland during September was $865,000 with thehighest number of units sold in the $1m-1.49m  price range. The Bay Area continues to be a popular place to call home. If you are ready to search for your next property, or are looking for your home value, visit: www.searchalleastbayhomes.com You can also call me on my cell at 510-919-5741 for a more personal conversation.I would love the opportunity to earn your business.    10/12/2019

Next Level Concierge  Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty  In August, Sotheby's International Realty launched our Next Level Concierge Program for home sellers. Our program goes above and beyond all others providing the following: Streamlined Property Preparation• Cash-free, stress-free process• Structural repairs, cosmetic improvements, staging• No loan documentation required• Pay at close of escrow Trusted Vendor Selection• Expertise at all price points• Qualified and insured vendors• Contract administration• Customer satisfaction guarantee Buy-Before-Selling Advantage• Move on and move forward faster• Move out before preparationand showings• Improve accessibility andappearance• Make non-contingent “cash-like”offers Contact me to find out more510-919-5741e.uribe@ggsir.comwww.Ne... 10/02/2019

Things to do in Oakland October 4-14 2019   Hardly Strictly Bluegrass    October 4-6, 2019Located in Golden Gate Park the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival brings together artists, fans and music lovers and provides them with the opportunity to enjoy various performances by famous musicians, artists & more.Click here for more info.       Tiny Living FestivalOctober 5-6, 2019The Tiny House Festival is coming to the Bay Area! Experience tiny living through tiny house tours, talks and workshops. Enjoy music, food trucks, vendors and fun activities for the whole family all weekend long. Click here for more info.      Art, Wine & Music Festival  October 5-6, 2019The Art, Wine and Music Festival returns to Pleasant Hill. Featuring a non-stop live music lineup with kid's fun area, artists boo... 10/01/2019

Being a Realtor is about big shifts in someone’s life  Some people think I am selling houses, and sure that is the why behind it when we meet but as you can see from my clients testimonial below, being a Realtor is about big shifts in someone’s life. 2 years ago, we met online, and the day we met in person, we mutually could tell we were a good fit and before I left, the decision was made, her house was going on the market and the behind the scenes prep work started the next day. I was so impressed with her tenacity to take on so many projects herself. She was inspiring and all her efforts really paid off.  “I lived in my home 27yrs. Putting it up for sale was the hardest decision I ever made. Elisa gave me some words of wisdom that I will never forget. You see I am 61 yrs old. She said... 09/30/2019

Realtor shout out- Keeping communication open is key  Some people think I am selling houses, but in reality, I help buyers find homes too. My website www.searchalleastbayhomes.com is a great website for my client and I to keep communication open and easy without it taking too much time out of their day. If they save a home, I get notified on my phone, and tour the property in advance. I love my job and I love my clients. If you are at a point in your life where you are looking to cash out and change your life, I hope you give me the opportunity to earn your business. I can be reached at 510-919-5741 and would be happy to talk about your home ownership needs.  The bay area continues to be a popular place to call home.If you are ready to search for your next property, or are looking for y... 09/28/2019

SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?  As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview.A short sale comes into play when a homeowner needs to sell their home but the home is worth less than the remaining balance that they owe. The lender can allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed, freeing the homeowner from the financial predicament.On the buyer side, short sales typically take three to four months to complete and many of the ... 09/25/2019

Dispelling Refinancing Myths   “Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.   YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE.  For years now, we’ve been hearing that interest rates will be on the rise, and although there have been some small increases, you’re still in a great position to drastically lower your interest rate. The general rule is if your mortgage interest rate is more than one percent above the current market rate, you should consider refinancing.   IT’S NOT TOO TIME CONSUMING.Don’t brush off refinancing just because it seems like a long and daunting process. An informational call with a lende... 09/23/2019

Monthly Market Activity for Single Family Homes in Oakland(includes Piedmont and Emeryville) The Median Sale Price for homes in Oakland during August was $820,000 with thehighest number of units sold in the $1m-1.49m  price range. The Bay Area continues to be a popular place to call home. If you are ready to search for your next property, or are looking for your home value, visit: www.searchalleastbayhomes.com  You can also call me on my cell at 510-919-5741 for a more personal conversation.I would love the opportunity to earn your business.   09/11/2019

Things to do in Oakland September 15-29 2019 Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon September 14-15, 2019The Pet Food Express Bay Area Pet Fair features more than 70 Ca. pet rescues and shelters in attendance, with over 2,000+ adoptable dogs, cats and small animals. It is the largest pet adoption fair in the nation.Please click here for more info.        Lafayette Art, Wine & Music FestivalSeptember 21-22, 2019Typically held the third weekend in Sept, this is one of the largest festivals in Contra Costa County. In 2018, over 85,000 people strolled among the booths of art, handmade crafts, enjoying food from the local restaurants, food vendors and food trucks as well as quality wines and microbrews, pausing to enjoy continuous music from their four stages. Please click here for more info.   Eat ... 09/03/2019

Realtor shoutout-Looking back at success can help you move forward in life  Some people think I am selling houses, but in reality, I am selling a lifestyle. I cannot believe a year has passed since I was fortunate enough to help a client relocating to the Bay Area. She was starting a new job, limited on time, wanted a safe place to call home and an easy commute.  My client said: "Elisa is Professional, nice, and on top of everything. Always available. Helped us buy our home in Oakland. Gave us a lot of good advice, which we even used in our sale of our home in Houston! I wish all realtors are like her. I highly recommend her to anyone." - Suncica C.,  Berkeley CA  Even though the process of helping her buy a home is over, we have kept in touch having lunch together, going for a walk in ... 09/02/2019

Things to do in Oakland September 1-14 2019  56th Annual Kings Mountain Art Fair Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept. 2The forest becomes an outdoor gallery displaying some of the finest handmade arts and crafts on the West Coast. The #1 fine art fair in No. California, featuring 135+ juried artists in a redwood forest with an old fashioned children’s craft and game area.Please click here for more info.           CIDERFESTSeptember 1, 2019Celebrating the beginnings of apple season, spend the afternoon sampling local and specialty ciders, as you enjoy live music, seasonal eats, and the beautiful Napa Valley weather with friends & family. Admission is FREE.Please click here for more info.     Pittsburg Seafood & Music Festival September 7-8, 2019Nothing says summer like Pittsburg's own Seafood & Music... 09/01/2019

Amazing Restaurants in the East Bay - SCOTT’S SEAFOOD Fine dining at its finest. If you love seafood, please visit Scott's Seafood located in Jack London Square Oakland. Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar offers their guests an engaging experience that features exquisite dining, breathtaking views and unforgettable events. Photo by: Instagram - Scott's Seafood Jack London SquarePlease visit their website: https://scottsjls.comSource: Jack London Square Let us always support our local businesses and let us help strengthen the local economy.  The bay area continues to be a popular place to call home.If you are ready to search for your next property or are looking for your home value, visit: www.searchalleastbayhomes.comClick here for the monthly market reports!  08/30/2019

Local Business Feature: OAKLAND SUPPLY CO. If you are looking for Quality American-made goods, the finest local wares, and other things we love, this is the place to be! Featuring apparel from Levi's, Obey, Mollusk Surf Shop, Topo Designs, Stance, Herschel, Stussy, WRK + jewelry, bags, leather goods, artisan food, candles, cards, souvenirs, and more giftable goodies!  Let us always support our local businesses and let us help strengthen the local economy.  Photo courtesy of: Instagram - Oakland Supply Co.Source: Jack London Square   The bay area continues to be a popular place to call home.If you are ready to search for your next property or are looking for your home value, visit:www.searchalleastbayhomes.comClick here for the monthly market reports!    08/28/2019

Selling homes is about relationships Selling homes is about relationships. If you have not established trust, everyone involved with be stressed out during the transaction. About a year ago, this couple interviewed three agents, and signed the listing agreement the day we met.  My client said: “My spouse and I found Elisa to be extremely prepared and organized from the first meeting. We both felt comfortable putting the sale of our first home into her hands. She was quite practical and strategic when recommending improvements prior to going to market. She was patient with educating us on the entire process, and we are pleased with the resulting sale and smooth close of escrow. Thanks!” - Sharon C., Oakland, CA I love my job and I love my clients. If you have met a few Realtors, but have... 08/24/2019

What are your priority tasks when you move in?  Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.   Change the locks Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It’s worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your home. Changing the locks can be a DIY project, or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money.   Steam clean the carpetsIt’s good to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the tim... 08/22/2019