Oakland Condos and New Construction 
There are currently 14 blog entries related to this category.
Former CityWalk Condos are Now Rentals
Friday, July 22nd, 2011 at 12:41pm. 594 Views, 0 Comments.
If you have been passing by the intersection of 14th and Jefferson over the past few years, you have surely noticed the large incomplete condo development at the coner of 14th st and Jefferson, across from the Federal Building in Oakland. This project was started around 2006, and soon stalled after the downturn in the real estate market set in. For the next two to three years, it sat incomplete..wrapped in a white platstic type tent.
Well it was recently acquired by another developer who is finishing the project and will be leasing them. It's nice to see the building finally completed, it was getting to be quite the eyesore. It's a also a sign that the local economic conditions in Oakland are improving somewhat.
Get the Condo Cert Asap!
Thursday, July 21st, 2011 at 12:59pm. 816 Views, 0 Comments.
When purchasing a condo, there is a document called the "condo certification" which states all the details of the development such as how many units, whether or not there is current litigation, what the percentage of owner occupants are, how many units are delinquent on the HOA dues.. and a whole host of other info. For us, the most imortant info on the condo cert is
1. Whether or not there is Litigation as this can impede getting financing on the unit (typcally this is disclosed by the listing agent if they are doing their job right).
2. Number of units that are delinquent on HOA dues. This will constitute a percentage (number of units delinquent divided by the number of units in the building). For pretty much all lenders, this percentage cannot…
Foreclosures and Short Sales Causing Homeowners Association Issues
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 at 2:28pm. 1122 Views, 1 Comments.
With all the foreclosures and short sales happening, some Condo developments in Oakland and elsewhere in the East Bay Area are having problems with their Homeowners Associations. The issue arises when there are a large number of residents who stop paying their monthly HOA dues which are used to maintain the building as well as the common areas, and pay for the water and garbage among other things. For every short sale or foreclosure in a development, there is one less person paying the monthly HOA dues which typically range anywhere $150-$700 per month. When the perecentage of delinquent HOA accounts hits a certain percentage (usually over 30%), most lenders will view this as too much risk and they will not lend money on it. This is why you have been…
Guidelines for FHA Condo Approvals In Flux
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at 4:53pm. 645 Views, 1 Comments.
Currently if you are approved for an FHA loan and you are looking for a Condo, the Condo development must be on the "HUD" approved list for condos. If it isn't, there is what is called a "spot approval" that the lender can do where they evaluate the development on an individual basis and approve it for FHA financing as long as it meets certain criteria.
As of Nov. 1, there are changes to the FHA guidelines for Condos that will be going into effect, although they haven't announced exactly what the changes will be. The bottom line is that it could become more difficult to purchase a condo with an FHA loan in the coming months, depending on exactly how they change the guidelines.
I will update this blog when I have more…
Units in The 8 Orchids Building at 7th & Broadway Up For Auction
Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 1:47pm. 1809 Views, 9 Comments.
As prices adjust downward, we are seeing that many of the new condo developments are having a hard time selling units. As time passes, some developers are having to slash prices in order to sell.
At the 8 Orchids building at 7th and Broadway, they have reduced the one bedroom units to $225,000, and the three bedroom units to $375,000. The building is not new construction, but it has been totally gutted and tastefully remodeled. Only time will tell how many other developers might end up slashing prices .
New Lofts In Oakland's Laurel District
Monday, March 3rd, 2008 at 2:57pm. 32733 Views, 0 Comments.
If you are familiar with the Laurel District in Oakland then you have probably noticed the new development on the corner of 35th and Macarthur across the street from Taco Bell. The lot that it sits on was vacant for many years, and I always wondered what was going to become of that real estate.
This is really the first new loft development in the heart of the Laurel District, so I see this project as being somewhat unique. There are nine units total, with the majority (seven) of them being 3 bed, 3.5 bath units from 1304 to 1410 square feet. There is also one 4 bed, 3.5bath unit and a 4 bed, 4bath unit that will be available starting late April. Pricing on the first units will range from $475,000-$525,000 and the HOA dues will be between $200.00 and…
New Jack London Square Luxury Condos:
Monday, November 12th, 2007 at 5:13pm. 33515 Views, 0 Comments.
As you may already know, Jack London Square in Oakland is in the midst of a $400 Million dollar development lead by the Ellis Partners LLC. Part of the development includes "The Ellington", which is going to be a luxury condominium building at 3rd and Broadway.
Amenities will include a 24hr attended lobby with electronic controlled access, Concierge services, a 50 foot outdoor heated pool, controlled access parking, wifi throughout and a clubhouse.
There's a focus on bringing natural light in as well, wit huge windows that take advantage of the Bay view. There will be one and two bedroom units, and penthouses with rooftop decks available.
As far as pricing, there are going to be one and two bedroom units with different floorplans. The one bedroom…
The Montclair: New Condos in The Montclair District
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 at 10:00pm. 29325 Views, 0 Comments.
New Condos at "The Montclair"
The Montclair is a condo development in the Montclair district which has been long anticipated. The development is unique, because Montlcair is not a section of town known for having many condos.
The project is a conversion of a mid-century apartment building which has been turned in to 20 units consisting of studios, and one and two bedroom condos. Pricing ranges from the mid $200k-$500k's, and square footage ranges from 555-783 square feet. The units have high end appliances and finishes, and also feature some tech goodies like built-in Ipod docking stations.
The developer-Caldecott Properties has announced that they are having a Grand Opening Sep 29th and 30th from 11-4pm.
NOTE: It is true that you do not…
Oakland's Monte Vista Villas : The Leona Quarry Development
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 at 10:38pm. 1596 Views, 0 Comments.
As you head east on 580 toward the Edwards ave exit, you can look to the left and see the new Oakland community called Monte Vista Villas. For years the location served as a rock quarry, but when completed Monte Vista will feature parks, trail systems and a community center.
The Condos and townhomes range from $583,450 for the two bed/two bath units with 1178 square feet, to $845,875 for the three bed/two and a half bath units with 1969 square feet. Because of the hillside location, the homes in Monte Vista Villas will have excellent views of the Bay.
Search for other Oakland Condos, Townhomes and Lofts in all price ranges.
NOTE: It is true that you do not NEED a Realtor to purchase a unit in a new development, but there is absolutely no reason…
Shadow Woods In Oakland: Formerly The Skyline Hills Apartments
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 at 4:15pm. 4224 Views, 4 Comments.
Oakland Hills Condominiums
The Shadow Woods condo's are located at 500 Canyon Oaks drive, which is off of Keller ave in the Oakland hills. There are one and two bedroom condos that start in the mid $300k range and go up to the low 400k range. There are three floorplans to choose from, ranging from 815 t0 1315 square feet.
UPDATE: 8-16-07-I have been informed that they have lowered the prices on the remaining units at Shadow Woods. The new pricing is $309,990 for one bedrooms and $389,990 for a two bedroom.
If you are looking for a condo in a secluded area in the Oakland hills then Shadow Woods is worth looking at.
Search for other Oakland Condos, Townhomes and Lofts in all price ranges.
NOTE: It is true that you do not NEED a Realtor to…
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