TAKE 5: WHAT TO NEGOTIATE WHEN BUYING A HOUSE  Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a home? Closing costs. Your closing costs are determined by a variety of factors, but you can expect it to be between 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Ask the seller to cover some or all of the closing costs upfront or request a closing credit that can be used to make specific updates and fixes to the home. Furnishings. Love how the seller has furnished and decorated the home? Buyers often negotiate keeping couches, fixtures, landscaping items, patio furniture, appliances,... 07/01/2019

Realtor Shout out - Our commitment to clients Some people think I am selling houses, and it’s true! However, I have to say, it is easy to sell someone a home, when it fits their criteria of space, and budget.   “We were on a very tight deadline to find a house in a very competitive market. Elisa helped us get into contract on a house we love in less than 2 months. I couldn't have asked for more!” - Chelsea G. Oakland CA Even though the process of helping them buy a home is over, we have kept in touch through social media. Hearing about job changes and life events is always a plus for me because I can picture the day to day, like how close the casual carpool is to their house. 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 ch... 06/30/2019

Heading to Oakland? Visit Jack London Square!  Most people are getting ready for this year's summer vacation. Once summer is in full swing, kids will get to enjoy their holiday from school, while the adults will be busy planning their time off work. If you happen to have Northern California on your bucket list this summer, please do not forget to visit Oakland. Oakland has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, activities, food and so much more! One of my favorite places to visit in Oakland is Jack London Square. It is located in the entertainment and business district on the waterfront of Oakland. Be sure to check out these amazing restaurants and things to do if ever you are planning to visit soon:   Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - I just can't get enough of this Thai Restaurant! I ... 06/26/2019

TOP TIPS FOR HOUSE HUNTING ONLINE    Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.  Stay up to date. When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter.... 06/25/2019

 Internet fraud and our security   Internet fraud comes in various forms. During a Real Estate transaction, we always advise clients to call the title/escrow company before wiring funds on a new purchase. Hackers are looking for ways to intercept emails between the title and escrow companies, realtors, and their clients. The article below states California is one of the top states that has been affected by this type of fraud. To learn more, there is a link to the FBI report at the bottom of the article.  Source:  Here's How Hackers Have Stolen Over $1B From The Real Estate Industry In The Last 2 Years Do you know how to protect yourselves against these hackers? What are the best practices you can share to avoid this from happening? Please share in your comments down below.       The bay... 06/24/2019

Relationships are built on trust- Realtor Shout out Some people think I am selling houses, but it is also about relationships. Sometimes those relationships are built by years of tiny moments, until the day comes when my clients really need me on a different level.  “Back in 2009, I had a tough time renting my wonderful little house on my own. I found Elisa based on a recommendation from the real estate office where she worked. She wasted no time getting me a top quality renter who ended up renting the home for 6 years without a problem. When it was time to sell, I felt like she took my needs into consideration every step of the way. My husband and I called her up to bounce ideas around on a recent purchase of another home, which by the way, closed successfully today, Yay!I would highly... 06/21/2019

Do you need to sell your home? Let me show you how!  Getting ready to sell your home? Selling a home does require a lot of work and oftentimes can be quite challenging. Make sure to work with a top Real Estate Professional local to your area to guide you through the process. Let me share to you the Seller's Road Map and see the steps that we need to take in order for us to sell your home.    I hope you have the best of luck when selling your home. Again, if you have any questions on how I can help you sell your home for top dollar, leave them in the comments below, find me on Instagram, Twitter, or chat with me on Facebook. You can also text me at 510-919-5741.     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 ... 06/18/2019

TURNING A BEDROOM INTO A LUX BEDROOM For most of us, our bedroom is little more than a place to sleep and relax. However, just because it has always been that way does not mean that we have to settle for drab and dreary.One trend that is gaining steam these days is converting your current bedroom into a luxury suite (or something comparable). If you want to live like you are renting a room at the Ritz, then you want to follow these tips.  Compartmentalize Your ActivitiesMaking your bedroom more functional is going to make it more luxurious. Add a gorgeous desk for working and a TV area for entertainment, and you’ll be living it up in no time. Make it ChicChoose a color palette that is both luxurious and classy. Silver and gold can seem tacky, so choose muted shades that compliment each ... 06/15/2019

What to repair before you list When you are getting ready to list your home, it is of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before selling your home. Repaint walls.Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.  Repair floors.Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your ca... 06/13/2019

Experience Vietnamese Food in Oakland Lemon Pepper Vietnamese Cuisine  3 months ago, brothers Kevin and Linh Lam opened their very own restaurant in the heart of Oakland. The brothers were raised in Oakland, but they were originally from the southern region of Vietnam. A huge number of Vietnamese restaurants surround the Bay Area, and they wanted to be different. Most of their dishes were from their hometown, some from Saigon, but mostly were from the southern region of the country.  According to an article from East Bay Express -- "You can find staples like egg rolls and vermicelli bowls here — and they're both done very well. You can also find Oakland's go-to winter comfort food, beef pho. But the most important food in the menu that you have to try is their goat noodle soup." To know... 06/12/2019

428 Alice St. #805, Oakland, CA 94607List Price: $599,000Sold Price: $650,000 Congratulations to my clients on the sale of their beautiful condo! This open-concept top floor unit has a modern, loft-like feel with bamboo floors, exposed cement, and large windows providing plenty of light. You will love preparing meals in the bright kitchen with stainless steel appliances and ample cherry wood cabinets. The kitchen faces directly out to the living room area, making for great entertaining space. The bedroom has wall-to-wall carpeting and a large walk-in closet. In-unit laundry, deeded storage and 1- car garage parking completes this turn-key home. Close to all that Jack London Square has to offer! We received 5 offers, including the winning cash offer, and closed in 14  days!! If you or so... 06/09/2019

Monthly Market Activity for Single Family Homes in Oakland(includes Piedmont and Emeryville) The Median Sale Price for homes in Oakland during May was $875,000 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.   06/08/2019

Staged Homes Sell Best Source: California Association of Realtors Staging a home is a great investment, text or call me at 510-919-5741 or follow me thru my social media channels if you need more information about staging your home.     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!  06/05/2019

5 NEGOTIATING TACTICS THAT KILL A SALE  Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid: Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they will accept, and if you are not even approaching the low end of that range, they will not even consider the offer. Incremental negotiations: Do not continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can gro... 06/04/2019

Things to do in Oakland June 14, 16, 21, 23  Country Summer Music Festival, Santa RosaJune 14-16, 2019 The 5-acre Carnival field at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Northern California sets the scene with spectacular video walls and state-of-the-art staging and sound. For more information, please visit: http://countrysummer.com/ Alameda County FairJune 14 - July 7, 2019 Join the fun at the Alameda County Fair happening from June 14 to July 7. There will be a carnival, animals, horse racing, live concerts, food and drink (tasting events) and a ton of action!For tickets and more information, please visit: https://annual.alamedacountyfair.com/ Clusterfest, San FranciscoJune 21-23, 2019  Comedy Central Presents ClusterFest, the festival will take place at the Civic Center Plaza and the Bill... 06/03/2019

Things to do in Oakland June 1,2,9  38TH ANNUAL WALNUT CREEK ART & WINE FESTIVAL  Date:6/1/2019 - 6/2/2019Time: Sat 11-7; Sun 11-6Location:Heather Farms Park 301 N San Carlos Dr.,Walnut CreekArt & Wine 2019 will continue to feature top-quality, non-stop local and Bay Area music and entertainment for the entire family, distinctive hand-made crafts and works of art from more than 200 artisans, award-winning local and regional wines and microbrews, ethnic and traditional festival food, the Premium Wine Tent, the delightful Festival Train (a longtime family favorite), and the Kids Zone.http://www.walnut-creek.com/ Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon San Francisco June 9, 2019Top triathletes will take over the streets and waters of San Francisco for the 2019 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Explor... 06/02/2019

Things to do in Oakland - June 1,7 Oakland Meets San Francisco Food Tour - June 1 and 7  San Francisco is one of the top cities in the world to visit according to National Geographic. Explore the food, history, art and culture of the great – and surprising – city of Oakland. From the San Francisco Ferry building, you will first get a taste of the Oakland original. The tour continues around the bay, giving you an amazing experience and views of the Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, Ferry Building Marketplace and Bay Bridge.Once in Oakland, you'll be visiting the exciting Jack London Square, and the newly founded Jack London Brewing District. For more information, pricing, times, click here. Location: One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111Neighborhood: Jack London SquarePhone: 5106... 06/01/2019

6 TIPS BEFORE SELLING YOUR HOME  Not sure how to get your house ready to sell? Fortunately, there are steps you can take before putting your home on the market to increase your chances of receiving a solid offer from a buyer. Before you put your house on the market, ask your real estate agent for guidance on improving your home's presentation.    I would love to share with you all the necessary information you need, if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Bay Area, text me at 510-919-5741 or follow me on my social media accounts.   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!  05/28/2019

Amazing Restaurants to visit in the Bay Area right now   After coming back from two weeks in Japan I was missing having Ramen every day. After showing property in Albany, I decided to pop into BopShop Korean Kitchen. It's easy to find both Japanese and Korean style ramen in the Bay Area. Bopshop is comfort food, small plates and a quick bite to eat. When you're looking for more of a family restaurant or a place to take a large group, Bowld BBQ Korean rice bar also on Solano Ave has a larger menu specializing in hot and cold rice bowls and vegan options exist. I just love living in the Bay Area. Imagine owning a house here and being able to walk to restaurants like these!   The bay area continues to be a popular place to call home.If you are ready to search for your next property, or are... 05/24/2019

EASY LANDSCAPING DIY PROJECTS  Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever we do, our favorites involve getting outdoors and mixing up our landscaping features. Whether it's as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your home a fresh look as well. Here are our top five easy landscaping projects!  Create a pathway.To guide you and visitors throughout your yard and link different areas together, install a pathway. You can use materials from a variety of materials, including reclaimed pallet wood, flagstones, gravel, and more to add texture and color. Add a wall or border.Installing a flagstone, rock, or brick wall around flower beds or trees adds a sleek, clean look to your landscaping and help... 05/23/2019