Windermere Walnut Creek

As Real Estate Professionals we do our best to meet our clients needs, beyond their expectations. That will never change. In this very crazy market with record low interest rates, low inventory, short sales, foreclosures, multiple offers … all at the same time, emotions often run high.

What is remarkable is that those agent professionals who handle those emotions everyday keep at it … just helping people and families wherever and whenever they can. We call it The Windermere Way. It defines who we are and who we attract to our company. It’s what we do.

Whether you are a prospective Buyer or a seasoned Seller the people here at Windermere Walnut Creek are commited to you … because in the long run the relationship we establish with you now will be the relationship we cultivate for years to come.  The Walnut Creek real estate market will change … is changing … but it doesn’t matter if you are looking for that deal on a foreclosure, or as a Seller you realize your home will be one of those Walnut Creek Short Sales “everyone is talking about” … either way we’re here to help.  And we will be here in the next market to help you too.  That is what we do … it’s the Windermere Way.

A great time was had by all as we spent the day cleaning and gardening at the Fresh Start facility in Walnut Creek

The Fresh Start organization provides ongoing services to the homeless and near homeless in the Central Contra Costa Area.  They provide a place to receive mail, take a shower, wash their clothes and just relax a bit.  This is a much needed and often neglected service and we felt privileged to provide just a bit of help.

On Friday, October 15th,  Windermere announced the establishment of a new services company for Windermere in Northern California. This new company will be headed by Michael Fanning, Sr. Vice President, Client Services and John Schieber, a veteran of nearly 40 years in the real estate industry in Northern California. Schieber also opened the first Windermere office in Pleasanton in 2002.

The Northern California region of Windermere Real Estate currently has 12 offices servicing six counties in the Greater Bay Area. In addition to actively seeking additional top flight sales associates, it is the goal of all the franchise owners to significantly increase both the number of offices and the number of franchises in the region over the coming months.

The Windermere approach to this process is unique in the industry. Whether having a discussion with an individual sales person or the owner of a real estate company we look first for those who are “citizen-agents and a central part of the fabric of our community … facilitators, counselors, experts and hand holders … [those with an] ability to provide consumers with an incredible experience.”

Just a quick reminder to everyone that even in these absolutely crazy times economically the housing market has a cycle.  Every year the market improves for the first half of the year, remains reasonably stable during the summer months and drops during the holiday season.  This year has been no different … so expect a slow-down and even though it was a Seller’s market in most of our market place for a while it probably won’t be during the holidays … AND THAT IS NORMAL.

What is does mean is that from now to the end of the year if you are a buyer this is a great to be out there.  4% interest rates are simply unbelievable.  And even if the market stays sluggish with little or no appreciation, that kind of interest rate offsets all of that… it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

If you think that low prices (from an historical standpoint) means it’s a Buyers market.  Guess again.  Those days are gone in many communities and neighborhoods … certainly here in the San Francisco Bay Area.  We did see a very significant drop in prices and we continue to see a lot of short sales as a result of those drops.  But along with those price drops came an equally significant increase in the affordability of the homes in the area.  Thousands of families and individuals who thought they would never be able to afford anything now find they can … and they are out there in droves.  Many families who never thought they could live in a top neighborhood now find they can … and they are out there in droves.

The bottom line for everyone in that position and the agents that are helping them through the process is Act Accordingly.   Assume everyone wants the same house and put your best offer forward first.  Prices, even over full price, is often still a bargain historically.  Doing less than your best often means not getting the house at all. 

Is there an exception to this rule. You bet.  If the property has been on the market at the same price for more than 30 days it is probably over priced perhaps by 10%.  But if the property just had a huge price drop and is now suddenly in your range, then you can bet it is in now in someone else’s range also… So Act Accordingly.

A real estate website that simply provides what you, the person interested in real estate, with the information and the tools you need and want to help you make the decision that could impact you and your family’s lives for years.

Welcome to Windermere Walnut Creek’s new website.  Here you will be able search for a property anywhere in the state, get up to speed on local issues that matter to you, participate in any number of open blog forums, link to pertinent questions and answers from various other real estate sites, find out more about what is really happening in the local, state, and national real estate markets.

This site is evolving and changing daily.  I suggest that you right click this site immediately and save a short cut to your desk top.  This is the site you will want to come back to often as your online real estate resource.