13 minute read
Homes
REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL ESTATE GALLERY
REAL ESTATE REALITY
By Carl Medford, CRS
Special to the Times GUEST COMMENTARY
Understanding HOA Fees
Climbing interest rates are highlighting a fact to homeowner wannabes: even with lower prices, they can no longer buy the same home they might have a short while ago. For some, the purchase of a single-family home has been pushed out of reach, opening the door to condo-type properties instead. While some buyers understand condos are their only option, others are not so eager, citing objections about living in close proximity and more. The number one complaint, however, are the HOA (Home Owner Association) fees. Rather than let individual owners pay the costs related to condo complexes, Home Owner Associations compile the overall costs of the development into a single number, add management fees and then split those costs equally with all owners. Ranging between approximately $100/ month to a high of $1,945/month, the average HOA for Alameda County is currently $456.15.* While this approach is logical, many buyers dislike two things: having a monthly fee in addition to their mortgage payment and the fact HOA fees typically increase over time. These objections, however, illustrate that there is a fundamental misunderstanding over the true costs of homeownership. In reality, having an HOA manage a facility makes sense. To begin, it removes the hassle of personal property management. Second, it capitalizes on economies of scale enabling lower costs. Third, it mana es facility fi nances so that the funds are available for facility upgrades when necessary. Forth, they maintain the rules necessary when people are living in close proximity. In most cases, HOAs cover the normal operational costs. For a single-family home with a pool, you could expect to see the following ballpark monthly expenses: pool maintenance - $125-150, landscaping - $100$200, insurance - $200-250, exterior maintenance - $200300 – with just those items, you are already at a minimum of approximately $625/month. With Alameda County HOA fees averaging just over $450/month, owners can realize savings every month. Additionally, some HOAs include water, trash, security fees and more. As for yearly increases, anyone who currently owns a home understands that maintenance-related costs are going up every year. Roof failing? The owner of a house could be looking at $10,000-$20,000 to replace a roof, whereas costs such as this are covered in condo developments by HOA fees. Truth is, well-managed HOAs can make life easier for those who own in the development and, at the end of the day, res lt in si nifi cant cost savings as well. *Data from Bay East Association of Realtors
John 3:16 elling our propert ention this ad or a H discount on listing agent ee Liberty Uy
Real Estate Broker (415) 613-4053
DRE Lic #02084648 RL Dynasty Realty & Dev www.RLdynasty.com
Mortgage Rates Rise for the Sixth Consecutive Week
Custom ranch-style home on a large level lot featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths with full side yard access and a Hollywood driveway to park ample vehicles. is home is located in the Proctor School neighborhood and features gleaming hardwood oors, a large kitchen with skylight, updated bathrooms, family room with wood burning stove. Large back yard and patio. Many opportunities to make this your dream home. Call Trish today for more information 510 367-7999
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Call Trish Radovich: 510-367-7999 / calltrish@comcast.net 21060 Redwood Rd. Ste. 100 • Castro Valley
The uncertainty and volatility in fi nancial mar ets is heavily impacting mortgage rates. Our survey indicates that the range of weekly rate otes for the -year fi edrate mortgage has more than doubled over the last year. This means that for the typical mortgage amount, a borrower who locked-in at the higher end of the range would pay several hundred dollars more than a borrower who locked-in at the lower end of the range. The large dispersion in rates means it has become even more important for homebuyers to shop around with different lenders.
Ja ade and Paul Talbot
Our family helping your family make moves.
Let' s Connect!
510-926-6851 www.TalbotTeam.com
jadeandpaul@talbotteam.com
Experienced local realtors skilled in home sale preparation, design, negotiation, and marketing.
25931 Fairview Ave, Hayward • $1,750,000
4 Bedrooms 2 Baths 1,911 Sq.Ft. 1.5 Acre Lot. So many possibilities for this ranch house that features a pool, several out-buildings and an outdoor BBQ area. Look out back for exceptional views of San Mateo bridge, the Bay and City of San Francisco PLUS views of rolling hills from the front yard! Entertain guests on the deck which spans the back of the house and overlooks the inviting pool. Enjoy apples, oranges, plums, peaches and gs from the mature fruit trees. Come and check out this amazing property!
Judy Grubb, Realtor The Grubb Team 510-909-2930
Judy@GrubbTeam.com www.TheGrubbTeam.com DRE. #01367593
Each offi ce is independently owned & operated DRE#02029039
RECENT HOME SALES
Home sales information is compiled and provided by CalREsource and includes Bedrooms, Square Feet and Year Built when available
CASTRO VALLEY
Total: 16 – Average Price: $1,172,812 High: $1,680,000 – Low: $625,000
21515 Dolores Street 94546: $625,000 [2 BD - 996 SF - 1948 20153 Forest Avenue #10 94546: $670,000 [2 BD - 1,044 SF - 1986 1836 Riverbank Avenue 94546: $801,000 [2 BD - 1,016 SF - 1947 3310 Jeanine Way 94546: $845,000 [3 BD - 1,064 SF - 1954 21736 Baywood Avenue 94546: $850,000 [3 BD - 1,180 SF - 1942 21980 Nugget Canyon Drive 94552: $875,000 [3 BD - 1,618 SF - 1989 4821 Hillside Drive 94546: $905,000 [2 BD - 1,119 SF - 1950 4858 Lodi Way 94546: $1,225,000 [4 BD - 2,067 SF - 1954 3878 Brookdale Boulevard 94546: $1,250,000 [4 BD - 2,088 SF - 1976 3803 Somerset Avenue 94546: $1,410,000 [4 BD - 2,473 SF - 1991 4871 Beacon Hill Drive 94552: $1,429,000 [3 BD - 2,874 SF - 1967 3731 La Costa Avenue 94546: $1,500,000 [4 BD - 2,248 SF - 1987 2609 Fox Ridge Drive 94546: $1,520,000 [4 BD - 2,569 SF - 1998 17906 Lamson Road 94546: $1,550,000 [4 BD - 2,018 SF - 1959 17226 Columbia Drive 94552: $1,630,000 [4 BD - 2,272 SF - 1986 18653 Alcorn Place 94546: $1,680,000 [5 BD - 2,748 SF - 2008
29627 Desert Oak Court #25 94544: $379,000 [1 BD - 531 SF - 1985 677 Dartmore Lane #347 94544: $440,000 [1 BD - 643 SF - 1988 1002 Cheryl Ann Circle #46 94544: $467,500 [2 BD - 977 SF - 1979 21103 Gary Drive #314a 94546: $594,000 [2 BD - 1,100 SF - 1993 22530 3rd Street #104 94541: $605,000 [2 BD - 1,175 SF - 1994 556 Sarah Place 94544: $750,000 [4 BD - 1,469 SF - 1955 2960 Butte Street 94541: $795,000 [3 BD - 1,114 SF - 1952 26039 Whitman Street 94544: $830,000 [3 BD - 1,107 SF - 1952 22784 Prime Avenue 94541: $850,000 [3 BD - 1,156 SF - 1954 27868 Norwich Way 94545: $875,000 [3 BD - 1,200 SF - 1955 24020 Alice Street 94541: $885,000 [3 BD - 1,265 SF - 1930 26827 Peterman Avenue 94545: $900,000 [3 BD - 1,413 SF - 1956 221 Burbank Street 94541: $910,000 [4 BD - 1,716 SF - 2016 257 Ontario Place 94544: $915,000 [3 BD - 1,499 SF - 1951 31149 Carroll Avenue 94544: $961,000 [3 BD - 1,487 SF - 1955 534 Cottage Park Drive 94544: $969,000 [3 BD - 1,805 SF - 2007 25830 Madeline Lane 94545: $1,005,000 [3 BD - 1,244 SF - 1960 28290 Thackeray Avenue 94544: $1,050,000 [4 BD - 1,932 SF - 1956 1898 Egret Lane 94545: $1,080,000 [4 BD - 2,349 SF - 1965 24142 Amaranth Loop 94541: $1,200,000 [3 BD - 2,005 SF - 2020 623 Toomey Terrace 94544: $1,370,000 [5 BD - 2,212 SF - 2019 1008 Silver Maple Lane 94544: $1,700,000 [4 BD - 2,958 SF - 1999
HAYWARD
Total: 22 – Average Price: $887,750 High: $1,700,000 – Low: $379,000
SAN LEANDRO
Total: 12 – Average Price: $805,500 High: $1,660,000 – Low: $461,000
1398 Parrott Street #101 94577: $461,000 [2 BD - 921 SF - 1976 894 Lewelling Boulevard #5 94579: $500,000 [2 BD - 858 SF - 1987 2541 San Leandro Boulevard #/12002 94578: $505,000 [2 BD - 982 SF - 1980 1584 166th Avenue 94578: $640,000 [3 BD - 1,040 SF - 1950 1728 Wayne Avenue 94577: $645,000 [3 BD - 1,028 SF - 1951 2025 Toronto Avenue 94579: $700,000 [3 BD - 1,120 SF - 1958 1260 Devonshire Avenue 94579: $830,000 [3 BD - 1,257 SF - 1952 15057 Dewey Street #102 94579: $850,000 [3 BD - 1,020 SF - 1950 284 Garcia Avenue 94577: $850,000 [2 BD - 1,400 SF - 1924 838 Chetland Road 94577: $975,000 [2 BD - 1,170 SF - 1936 443 Alvarado Street 94577: $1,050,000 [3 BD - 1,946 SF - 2002 1532 View Drive 94577: $1,660,000 [4 BD - 3,406 SF - 1956
1848 Keller Avenue 94580: $765,000 [3 BD - 1,190 SF - 1955 1959 Bandoni Avenue 94580: $780,000 [3 BD - 1,098 SF - 1957 17245 Via Chiquita 94580: $780,000 [3 BD - 1,031 SF - 1951 17542 Via Segundo 94580: $790,000 [3 BD - 1,072 SF - 1944 887 Via Manzanas 94580: $800,000 [3 BD - 1,068 SF - 1947 17016 Via Cielo 94580: $843,000 [4 BD - 1,551 SF - 1947 1881 Keller Avenue 94580: $875,000 [3 BD - 1,252 SF - 1955 17440 Via Toledo 94580: $920,000 [4 BD - 2,037 SF - 1951 1887 Via Hermana 94580: $925,000 [3 BD - 1,287 SF - 1955 15868 Corte Ulisse 94580: $1,100,000 [3 BD - 1,845 SF - 1955
SAN LORENZO
Total: 10 – Average Price: $857,800 High: $1,100,000 – Low: $765,000
SAT. & SUN. OCT 8 & 9
CITY SAT SUN ADDRESS PRICE BDR./BA. REALTOR AGENT PHONE
A 1-4 15235 Central Avet $829,000 4/2 Parkview Realty Bill Espinola 800 525-1710 A 1-4 993 Hoad St $849,000 3/2 Re/ Max Accord Lovewell Team 510-351-5555 S 2-4 3167 Revere Avenue $1,000,000 4/3 Red Oak Realty Greg Novak 510-472-4770
CITY GUIDE
A = SAN LEANDRO • B = BERKELEY • C = CASTRO VALLEY • D = DUBLIN • F = FREMONT • H = HAYWARD L = LIVERMORE • M = MODESTO • S = SHEFFIELD VILLAGE • SLZ = SAN LORENZO • W = WALNUT CREEK • Z=ALAMEDA
All real estate advertised in the Castro Valley Forum is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. The Castro Valley Forum will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
8CASTRO VALLEY FORUM Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Homes Best Solution: Get Neighbor to Move Tree, but that Creates Another Headache
BUZZ BERTOLERO
THE DIRT
By Buzz Bertolero
The Dirt Gardener
QMy neighbor’s cherry tree is about fi ve to six feet away from my redwood deck. The tree suckers are sprouting up between the deck boards. They are very tough to hand pull, and they are multiplying rapidly. I have tried Monterey Sucker Stopper, but this works slowly on the leaves, and it stains my deck. How do I deal with this headache?
ATree suckers are a natural occurrence and a nuisance. It is a common problem with Cherries, Plums, Apples, and Pears as they are known to sucker beyond their drip line. I’m unaware of any way of preventing a healthy growing tree from suckering. Monterey Sucker Stopper is a plant growth regulator, not a herbicide. It will not stop or prevent the problem from occurring. Typically, it’s applied after the trunk or root where the shoot(s) are removed. You must prune off the trunk or root suckers fi rst and then apply Sucker Stopper. This is impossible in your situation; hence, it isn’t working.I’d spray the suckers with Brush-B-Gon or a similar product with a “ready-to-use product (RTU). The nursery professional at your favorite garden center can be a resource for what to use. You may have to remove a few boards from the deck to spray all the shoots effectively. Brush B-Gon is a selective herbicide that kills broadleaf, woody plants. The leaves and the roots absorb it, so you must be careful around desirable trees and shrubs. But in your case, you have no other options. One application is not going to stop the problem, nor will several. The cherry tree in your neighbor’s yard will eventually show the effect of the herbicide. I’d consider severing the tree roots at the fence line. The herbicide cannot harm the neighbor’s cherry tree by cutting the roots. Installing a root barrier would and makes holes in the leaves. Examples are snails, slugs and earwigs, caterpillars, worms, and grasshoppers. Sluggo Plus is the organic control for
be another option to reduce the problem. However, the ideal solution would be to take the tree down and plant a new tree somewhere else. Your neighbor may not like the idea; hence you have the making of another headache, a neighbor dispute that will require a third party to settle.
QMy basil is being eaten alive by something, but I don’t see any bugs. Can I safely use some type of Soap, or is there something else for edibles?
AWhen an invisible bug devours plants, my primary suspects are snails, with slugs and earwigs next in line. You don’t see them because they feed at night and retreat to a cool, shady location during the day. Insecticidal Soap or homemade soap solutions are not a recommended control for snails, slugs, or earwigs. Insecticidal Soap is effective against sucking insects like aphids, mealybugs, and mites and are ineffective with bugs that eat seals, slugs, and earwigs on edibles. You’ll fi nd it area wide.
Buzz Bertolero is an Ad-
vanced California Certifi ed
Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www.dirtgardener.com and questions can be sent by email to buzz@dirtgardener.c
FOR EXPERT ADVICE CONTACT ONE OF OUR LOCAL...
Otto Catrina CRS, GRI, SRES
Catrina Real Estate & Investments
email:otto@ottocatrina.com NAR Hall of Fame 510-507-8226
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ReMax Accord Serving the East Bay 38 Years judy@judyrose.com 510-220-6206
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Intero Real Estate www.RobertPaceRealEstate.com Robertkpace@gmail.com 510-301-5925
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eXp Realty of California, Inc www.tim ebig.com 510-728-2900
This Could Be You! Lannie Mok
Intero Real Estate Services Executive’s Circle Award Lannie.Mok@gmail.com 510-889-6888
