Dublin Ranch Condos and Homes are the Future

Dublin Ranch Condos and homes are on the cutting edge when it comes to value and style. Gopal Ahluwalia, VP of the National Association of Home Builder’s stated that the decades long explosion in residential square footage may be coming to an end. In 1973 the average size of a home was 1,500 sf. Compared to 2,495 in 2006. Home buyers are beginning to choose higher quality of living spaces over additional square footage. Architects, designers, manufacturers, and marketing experts who were asked by NAHB about their expectations for future homes agreed that home size would slip into the 2,300- to 2,500-square-foot range by 2015. font>End of the Living Room?? 

Last year 40 percent of newly constructed homes did not have a living room, and 55 percent of the architects, designers, and builders surveyed expect living rooms to vanish from the average home in the next 10 years. 31 percent say it will evolve into a parlor/retreat/library or media room. Most likely to capture more square footage is the family room while the kitchen is expected to become even larger too.  Two Master Bedrooms??

On the rise is the dual master suite. 63 percent of upscale homes and 13 percent mid-level homes are expected to have two master suites by next decade. This configuration is not only for overnight guests, but gives the option of the master bedroom being on the first or second floor to accommodate aging homeowners. 

Where is the Demand?? 

It’s In The News… Do You Know Your Loan?

“Clearly, many homeowners are unfamiliar about their mortgages,” said Bankrate.com senior financial analyst Greg McBride. 57 percent of homeowners surveyed have a fixed-rate loan, 38 percent polled said in the future they would avoid any type of ARM products when purchasing a home.  This survey conducted by Bankrate.com (BankRate Inc.) estimated that 34 percent of homeowners are uncertain what kind of mortgage they have. 36 percent of homeowners who carry an adjustable rate mortgage do not know what they will do once their interest resets. The survey also showed that 28 percent worry about how they will manage to make future loan payments.  Do you know what type of loan you have? 

 

February Real Estate Was Highest in Three Years

Existing-home sales rose strongly in February reaching the highest level since last April, and follows a healthy gain from January, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. This report was just released by the NAR and points to a strong 2007 coming sooner than expected from previous forecasts. Pleasanton Real Estate had good numbers too for the month of February. In Pleasanton 47 homes were sold for February 2007 compared to 28 in February 2006. Last month’s increase was the biggest monthly rise in three years — sales last rose 3.9 percent in March 2004 on national numbers. If you have been waiting for the market to pick up before buying a home or putting yours on the market; 2007 was projected to be a great year and we are starting to see a change in the market now.

8015 Mountain View - Pleasanton Home

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Located in Canyon Meadows this home offers 1 bedroom 1 bath with 790 Sq.Ft. of living space. A perfect lower level home with no stairs in the home. This homes open floor plan is complete with an updated kitchen offering neutral appliances, and counter serving with bar seating. The separate dining area is just off the kitchen and opens to the living room. This homes living room offers a gas burning fireplace, and recessed lighting this home also offers a patio located just off the living room. The master suite offers a walk in closet with organizers and views of the areas open space. This home is appointed with an indoor laundry room located next to the bedroom. This home also features a detached garage. Amenities within Canyon Meadows include a pool, spa, volleyball court, common area with BBQ area, and workout facility. This home is located close to BART, the ACE train, the 580, 680 interchange, and the Stoneridge Mall.

Fed Rate Update!

Yesterday the Federal Reserve met and left the key federal funds rate at 5.25%- There has been no change since last June!

Regarding the future of any changes to the rate, the Fed took a neutral stance than in previous statments. Some point to this as a possibility of the Fed cutting rates in the coming months.

Fed Expected to Leave Rates Alone- Good for Pleasanton Home Buyers

Even in the Pleasanton Real Estate market, what the Fed does has an impact on home values here. When the Fed meets this week they will most likely leave rates where they are. If that happens, it will be the six-consecutive meeting in which the Fed left rates alone.

Many economists believe 2007 will be the first year since 1993 that the Fed will not make a rate change. This would be quite a change from years past where from June 2004 to June 2006 the Fed raised rates 17 times.

New Dublin Ranch Condos and Homes

You may not know that Dublin Ranch will soon have its own Downtown (The Promenade) among the condos and homes already existing. If you look at Pleasanton or Danville and where a lot of people are bringing up the homes values, it’s Downtown. Where do many people want to live? Downtown. Why do they want to live Downtown? Amenities, community feel, walking distance to a coffee shop or bakery. Click Here to view a map of Dublin Ranch) Downtowns are simply happening and the place to be. With the development of the Promenade, (click here to see map) at Dublin Ranch, homes and condos situated close to the Promenade will see an increase in value above that of other homes within Dublin Ranch situated further from the Promenade. This brings me to my point. Toll Brothers is going to release its latest collection in the Sorrento at Dublin Ranch neighborhood. The Promenade runs along side the new Sorrento community and will be not only a draw for buyers as they look this year for a home or condo, but down the road 5 years and beyond. I hesitate to say this cliché, but location, location, location. Dublin Ranch has it: a Downtown coming in, Whole Foods Market and other retailers off Tassajara Rd, 580/680, BART, new schools with tops performance results, community parks, close to San Francisco and San Jose. The list can obviously continue, but the point is this. If you are looking for a good solid return on your real estate investment, Dublin Ranch is it! One of the newest communities around and designed with today’s home owner in mind. If you would like more information on this new community please contact us. We can structure an investment plan for you. 

Pleasanton Real Estate Affordability

In a report released by Pleasanton about Real Estate affordability in Pleasanton the assistance for first time/low income home buyers is not being used. The Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is used to help low and moderate income buyers in purchasing homes in Pleasanton. Initially the Pleasanton fund was supported by two sources: $450,000 from the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) “Housing Enabled by Local Partnerships” (HELP) program; and Pleasanton’s contribution of $150,000 from the Lower Income Housing Fund. In 2003, Pleasanton anticipated providing 10 to 15 DPA loans. Unfortunately Pleasanton issued only three loans during the initial two-year CalHFA commitment period. In October 2005, CalHFA approved an extension for one year to November 2006, only one other loan was issued and five applications were received; however, none of these five applicants have yet been able to find suitable homes to purchase in Pleasanton.  Pleasanton again submitted an extension of the program, but was denied and has since stopped providing the opportunity to proved these loans to Pleasanton residents. Pleasanton is being hampered by the significant spread between allowable household incomes and the high price of ownership housing in Pleasanton. Pleasanton Housing Commission reviewed the program at the March 15th meeting and will forward recommendations to the Pleasanton City Council. 

Dublin Ranch Condos and New Homes - what else does Dublin Ranch offer?

If you want new, different (in a good way), and slightly urban with luxury thrown in you want to visit the Dublin Ranch Condos and the new homes of Sorrento by Toll Brothers. Dublin Ranch is being transformed into a destination for first time buyers and those who don’t want to spend their weekends fixing up a home, but rather live in a luxury home with the soon to be Promenade only a few steps away. Lifestyle is the biggest draw for those buying homes in Dublin Ranch. With the new development by Toll Brothers at Dublin Ranch (Sorrento) and the Promenade which includes upscale shops, restaurants and walking ‘downtown’, buyers will be living in a location not found in any other development around the Tri-Valley. Dublin Ranch is the only ‘lifestyle living’ of its kind around outside of maybe Walnut Creek or San Jose. Buyers looking for low maintenance, luxury, urban living, newer homes, and walking distance to restaurants/bars and shopping need not look any further than the Dublin Ranch Condos and homes. Click here to see Dublin Ranch Condos and homes available for sale. 

Dublin Ranch Homes Are Not as Vertical as They Could Be

Dublin Ranch homes are not as vertical as they could be, but many Dublin Ranch developers such as Toll Brothers are embracing this ‘growing’ trend. Neighborhoods are becoming vertical as more people are demanding that urban feel. Not only is land becoming scarce around Dublin Ranch, but more people desire to be close to where they work. Translation, high demand for proximity to commerce with scarce land and a shift in living styles allows builders to become vertical. Many of these high-rises feature residential units, retail space, and scores of amenities, aiming to ensure that occupants are in the middle of the action. This type of neighborhood already exists in Manhattan by Apollo Real Estate Advisors and Columbus Center LLC. The $1.7 billion, 2.8-million-square-foot Time Warner Center on ColumbusCircle offers upscale condos in the two towers along with a Mandarin Oriental hotel, retail space on seven floors, and TimeWarner’s headquarters. Vertical neighborhoods are also popping up in Dallas, Salt Lake City, and other cities nationwide. While we may not see this intense of a development in the backyard of Dublin Ranch any time soon… we may see a miniature version of it in Livermore and just down the 580 freeway from Dublin Ranch. While no official plans are on the table, word is city leaders have been approached with the idea of a multi-level condo type living with a luxury twist. Take Toll Brothers Villages community in Dublin Ranch off Tassajara and go bigger with more ‘urban’ amenities (upscale shops and restaurant) and you have what city leaders were initially approached with. Dublin Ranch is the first in our area to see this vertical living and many miniature vertical communities are popping up around Dublin Ranch (Elan by DR Horton, Sorrento by Toll Brothers). As Dublin Ranch and the surrounding communities continue to grow we will see more of this Urban Living and Livermore may be the first to take it one step further with an all encompassing urban community.