Dublin Ranch News

2010-03-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

The Trevi Collection at Sorrento in Dublin Ranch is scheduled to put out a new release this week. The collection includes the more typical multiple level floor plans seen in most of Toll Bros Dublin townhomes but also has a couple single story options (either all first story or all second story). The new release will be ready for an August move-in. There are still some available in the last release prices range from ~$560k to ~$605k for 3bed/2+bath townhomes from ~2000-2400 sqft. The sales agent said sales have improved but don't they always say that? On the other hand Dublin Ranch homes sales are definitely picking up in the resale market. We just wrote an offer on a townhome in the Cottages that got 12 offers!

2010-02-09T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Dublin real estate market is hot!

The inventory of single family homes is low, pending sales are high (at least higher than inventory) and the market remains inundated with buyers and no homes for them to buy. For the third month in a row, and four out of the past five, pending sales were higher than the inventory available and there is less than a month’s worth of homes on the market.

2010-02-05T11:22:00.001-08:00

We have a new rental in the Dublin Ranch Villages. It's the Firenze model in the Courtyards. Great open family/kitchen combo, 2 bedrooms & 2 full bathrooms. It's available early March, small pets are ok with additional deposit, $2000/month. We have been getting a ton of calls and showings. It's encouraging for homeowners that want to keep their current properties but move into a larger home. There are a lot of renters out there!

Dublin Ranch News

2010-02-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

Dublin Ranch News

http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/short_sales_hafa

2010-02-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

How HAFA Can Help Financially Challenged Homeowners

This past November, the Treasury Department released guidelines for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), designed to help homeowners who are unable to retain their home under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Under HAFA, homeowners may be able to avoid foreclosure by completing a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL). If you or someone you know is having trouble making mortgage payments, understanding this new government program is essential.
We have consulted with many clients faced with distressed property situations. The good news is HAFA is designed to simplify and streamline the use of short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure by improving the process.

Here’s how:
• Help homeowners who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home
• Use financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification
• Allow borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property
• Require borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt and if the subordinate lien holder receives an incentive under HAFA, that debt as well
• Use standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines
• Provide financial incentives: $1,500 for borrower relocation assistance; $1,000 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs; and up to a $1,000 match for investors for allowing a total of up to $3,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders

To be eligible for HAFA, homeowners must meet the basic eligibility criteria for HAMP:
• The home must be your principal residence
• The first lien must have originated before 2009
• Mortgage delinquent or default is reasonably foreseeable
• The unpaid principal balance cannot exceed $729,750 (higher limits for 2- to 4-unit dwellings).
• The borrower’s total monthly payment exceeds 31% of gross income Under HAFA, the forgiven debt due to a short sale will not be taxed if the amount of forgiven debt does not exceed the debt that was used to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate a principal residence. Check with your tax advisor. Please also know that while the debt will be forgiven, the short sale will be reported to credit agencies and have some degree of negative impact on your credit. Short sale agreements must be executed and returned no later than December 31, 2012.If you think that you or someone you know can benefit from the HAFA program, please e-mail me. You can also visit www.realtor.org/shortsales for links to the guidance, many additional FAQs, and more information about short sales. Please remember to pass this important information along to others. In today’s economy, we all know someone who might need help.

*The program does not take effect until April 5, 2010, but servicers may implement it before then if they meet certain requirements. The program sunsets on December 31, 2012.

2010-01-26T16:22:00.000-08:00

We are looking forward to a beautiful spring (selling season) in Dublin Ranch.

2010-01-26T16:05:00.000-08:00

Real Estate in Dublin Ranch is selling! Things are really hot in our market, homes are selling very quickly and for more than the last sale.

2008-10-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

Going Home, Going Green

There is a movement underway to lessen the impact that homes have on the enviorment. Homeowners can do their part by taking some simple steps in the right direction.

Switch to CFLs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs not only last longer but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by your home's power needs. A CFL bulb uses 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, generates 450 fewer pounds of greenhouse gases from power plants and lasts 10 times longer.

Use ENERGY STAR

When it comes time to replace your refrigerator, or washer and dryer, select only ENERGY STAR qualified products which cost 10 to 30 percent less in operating costs to run. Comsumers using ENERGY STAR appliances saved enough energy last year to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those emitted from 25 million cars-all the while saving $14 billion on their energy bills.

Be Water Efficient

Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators- both of which help save resources without sacrificing water pressure. Use front loading washing machines that use less water.

Tune Up Your Home

A professional HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) check up costs about $100 and can save 5 to 10 percent on heating and cooling bills. Don't forget to change your furnace filter monthly or quarterly depending on the filter.

We all need to do our part for the enviorment.

2008-07-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed some big trucks on the west side of Tassajara Road across from Silvera Ranch. They are building 2 bridges to access the 184 acres of land known as Wallis Ranch. The City of Dublin has approved developement of 935 residential units consisting of 257 single family homes and 678 town homes and condominiums. The developable area has been arranged into 6 distinct neighborhoods, with parks and open spaces intertwined to optimize pedestrian connectivity and protect the surrounding natural open spaces.

The Tassajara Creek Conservation Area comprises a minimum set back of 100 feet. The Wallis Ranch project will preserve and enhance the natural enviorment by cleaning and restoring native riparian and wetland vegetation throughout the creek.

A neighborhood park is located in the southern portion of the property and straddles Tassajara Creek. The park is to be designed and developed by the City of Dublin and will offer a variety of passive and active play facilities for other neighborhoods in the general vivinity

2008-07-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Home Sales Up-Prices Down

According to the California Association of Realtors, C.A.R., home sales increased 18.1 percent in May in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home fell 35.3 percent.
“Home sales exceeded 400,000 last month for the first time since early 2007. While this is a welcome sign for the market, it was due in part to the large share of distressed homes for sale in many parts of the state.” said C.A.R. President William E. Brown. “Sales also rose above their year ago levels for the second month in a row after 30 consecutive months of year-to-year decreases. The lower prices associated with distressed sales along with favorable interest rates both contributed to higher sales levels.”

Sales in Dublin Ranch do not seem to be mimicking the state average. Last year we had 17 homes sell in May and this year only 8 homes sold. However, the number of short sales and foreclosures i.e. distressed homes, are definitely up. In May of last year none of the homes that sold were distressed, this year 5 out of the 8 homes that sold were distressed.
The good news is prices haven’t fallen as much in our community as in the state as a whole. Prices of single family homes were down 22.1 percent from May of last year and prices of townhomes and condos were down 14.4 percent from May of last year.

2008-04-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this image of the future Grafton Station! If you drive by you can already see the tower that's under construction and of course you can see Lowe's in the background. The big question is what's coming next. We'll keep you posted as information becomes available.

2008-03-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

Dublin Ranch to have a gym at the Promenade!

Developer Charter Properties will work with Leisure Sports Inc. to build a new gym in Dublin.

The 50,000 square foot gym will be at the Promenade at Dublin Ranch. Leisure Sports will own and run the gym, which hasn't been named yet. Leisure Sports already owns and runs Clubsport Pleasanton and other gyms and hotels in Fremont, Walnut Creek and out of state.

The Dublin gym will have space for 8 studios used for group exercise, yoga and cycling as well as a spa and cafe. The gym will be in a 110,000square foot development that will include retail and office space.

The companies plan to start construction soon and open the gym in 2009.