Matthew Dake's Real Estate Blog

World’s Tallest Skyscraper-Burj Khalifa Bin Zayed

Matthew Dake — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:13:31 +0000

Though Commercial Real Estate is a foreign language to me, it is still something I’m trying to learn more about. The Burj Dubai, now the world’s tallest skyscraper, is incredible…check out this article posted by the Wall Street Journal, it is incredible to see what construction can accomplish today…

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703580904574638111667658806.html?mod=WSJ_Real+Estate_LeftTopNews

Have a great week!

Matt

Happy New Year Everyone!

Matthew Dake — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:41:26 +0000

Wow, 2009 was an incredible year, with some good and some bad resulting from it. I am happy that 2010 presents a fresh start. Being able to be in San Francisco full time last year was an incredible experience for me. I met a number of great people and learned a great deal about the ins and outs of the real estate industry, sales and investment. As a result of a couple incidents which were beyond my control towards the end of the year though, I decided it would be best for me to depart San Francisco and return back to Brentwood, Ca. where I grew up.

I have been taking things easy the past few weeks and got the chance to catch up with family and some friends during the christmas season. I am in the process of transferring my professional life to Brentwood, where I will work full time. I hope everyone had a great holiday. I look forward to seeing you in 2010!

Real Estate in 2010

Matthew Dake — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:14:18 +0000

In the third quarter of 2009, the National Association of Realtors reported a 12.9% decline in the median price of homes sold in the San Francisco Bay Area. This statistic, when first looked at, can be a bit deceptive. Shortsales and foreclosures are very abundant in the market right now. With the excessive inventory of houses controlled by many banks, along with the lack of job creation still hurting the economy, it is likely that we will see these types of properties dominate the market in 2010.

Despite these apparent great deals that are all around homebuyers, sellers will quickly see that their property, short sale or not, will still see great interest. It has been very common in the east bay the last year to see many offers put on properties and as a result, the final sale price could be well over asking. The recent extension of the homebuyer tax credit will only feed this trend.

If you are going to be in the market in 2010, be patient and know that there are many others out there, whether buying or selling, that are in the same position as yourself.

Have a great week!

-Matt

Interesting Facts about the Homebuyer Tax Credit

Matthew Dake — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:42:26 +0000

Here is an interesting tidbit about the Homebuyer Tax Credit that was recently posted on Realtor.org:

“NAR data shows that the tax credit has contributed approximately $22 billion to the general economy. Each home generates about $63,000, the equivalent of one new job.”

As a result of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, first time Homebuyers currently make up 47% of all home sales. That is an incredible number. For more information about this topics and other’s about the extension and expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, visit the National Association of Realtors Website, Realtor.com.

Have a great week.

-Matt

The things I’m thankful for…

Matthew Dake — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:57 +0000

Wow….It is incredible to think that Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I love the holidays, especially Thanksgiving; great food, great company, great card game, every year. For me, this year is different though. This last year, especially last 3 weeks, has been very stressful to say the least for me.

As I have grown older though, I have learned to look at any situation, good or bad, and to try to take the best from it. Well, as a result of this time in my life, I have stepped back and seen how lucky I am to have such incredible people in my life. It is a great feeling to know, whether thick or thin, there is somebody there for you when you need them most.

I am thankful to have these people around me. I truly don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing right now without them. Have a great Thanksgiving….

….and don’t eat too much.

-Matt

Coat/Blanket Drive generates over 200 donations!!

Matthew Dake — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:38:53 +0000

With great pleasure, I am proud to announce that Prudential-Franciscan Properties first annual community drive turned out to be a success. We collected over 200 coats, jackets, blankets and even some scarves and knit caps throughout the weekend. All the donations are going to the St. Anthony’s Foundation and Swords to Plowshares this winter.

It’s great to see so many people from our office, the Miraloma Community and even as far as the east bay and Novato come together to help out others in time of need. Thank you all again for your efforts volunteering, your donations and the hours put in by my mom and aunt baking some jaw dropping cookies.

Have a great week everyone.

-Matt

One Warm Coat/Community Coat Drive This Weekend!

Matthew Dake — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:16:28 +0000

This weekend, I am hosting our first annual Holiday Community Drive at our office, Prudential California Realty-Franciscan Properties. From Saturday, November 14- Sunday, November 15 (10am-5pm both days), we will be accepting gently used coats and blankets to help benefit those who are in need this holiday season. I am very proud to say that the two organizations this drive will be benefitting are:

Swords to Plowshares: A non-profit organization that assists low-income and homeless Veterans in San Francisco.

St. Anthony’s Foundation: An organization that provides many services to impoverished citizens of San Francisco.

If you have any donations (gently used coats and blankets) that you are able to donate, please bring them to:

Prudential-Franciscan Properties

677 Portola Dr.

San Francisco Ca. 94127

This is a great way to do something good for the holidays. Come down and say hi, donate an old coat or blanket and enjoy some cookies and hot chocolate. If you have any questions, feel free to email me @ matthewd@sfpru.com or call me @ 415.279.1552. Have a great week and hope to see you this weekend, rain or shine!!

-Matt

“Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood….”

Matthew Dake — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:42:03 +0000

One of the reason’s why I like San Francisco so much is because it is big city, with a small town atmosphere. Having grown up in the east bay, Brentwoodand its neighboring communities is a great place to live. It is great for families, typically promotes better school systems and allowed you to get to know many people around town and local business owners.

San Francisco provides that same feeling as well, only in 13 or 14 different areas. The different neighborhoods in San Francisco, Nob Hill, North Beach, Twin Peaks, Castro, SOMA, Pacific Heights, etc. each have an identity all their own, and as a result, act as a little city within a big one. It is great to wake up in the morning and, rather than driving across town and take a run to the gym, be able to walk two blocks to grab breakfast, or go to dinner and have the opportunity to not worry about parking (most of the time).

With this being said, I challenge you this weekend, whereever you live, Brentwood, San Francisco, Portland, Eugene, Scottsdale, Walnut Creek or Sacramento, to wake up Saturday or Sunday, and go for a run, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy the morning. When you take advantage of the amenities a neighborhood or community provides within walking distance or without the use of a car, I truly believe it offers us a sense of relaxation and reboots our system….

Have a great week!

-Matt

Real Estate Market Trend: Bigger is Not Always Better

Matthew Dake — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:45 +0000

In today’s market, smaller homes are a more attractive commodity. The consumer, especially the “Generation Y” first time home buyer, is taking a more practical approach to purchasing a home. Barbara Kivian, of TIME magazine, recently did a study concluding that homebuyers are inconclusively looking for more bang for their buck and are willing to trade high ceilings and large foyer entrances for extra bedrooms or master suites.

The trend, as a result, puts more of an emphasis on the other features a home offers besides just its square footage. Location is more of a premium and brings more value to a property. In the last ten years, Bay Area homebuyers developed the habit of accepting longer commutes for home prices and larger square footage. Today, nearby amenities entice a consumer to consider what a local economy can offer them.

Small square footage also offers lower maintenance and energy costs to maintain a home. This is a great benefit to have, not only with the uncertainty of fuel and energy prices; The lack of size makes it more affordable to make investments in new technology that not only runs your home more efficiently, but increases its value.

How to make sure your home will withstand the next “BIG ONE”

Matthew Dake — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:39:14 +0000

Saturday, October 17th, 2009 was my father’s birthday (he turned fifty-nine by the way). It was also the 20th anniversary of the famous SF Bay Area/Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989. Sixty-three died, over 3,700 were injured and almost 10,000 people were left homeless as a result of the 6.9 magnitude quake. A number of homes throughout the Bay Area suffered massive structural damage because of outdated construction as well.

The U.S. Geological Survey has made it well know the odds of another big quake to strike California are high. Here are a few tips for you to help limit damage in preparation for the next ”big one”…

-The kitchen is probably the area of the house with the most to lose (glassware, dishes, appliances, etc.) during an earthquake. Childproof latches on cabinets and drawers not only keep kids hands where they shouldn’t belong, but should provide some stability for these storage areas to keep things from falling and breaking during an earthquake.

-Pay attention to what is mounted on your walls and where in your home they are located. Paintings, large picture frames, Flat Screen TV’s are all great additions to the character of your home, but can be dangerous (and expensive) if they fall onto the floor. Opt for a sturdy TV stand in your living room to protect the TV and move any large picture frames away from furniture to avoid the threat of injury.

-Have your water heater bolted/strapped down to prevent gas leaks and/or the risk of explosion.

-Seismic retrofitting is a great investment. It can be expensive though. Contractors can use wall cripples, struts, bolts and anchors to improve how secure the foundation of your property is. If you are thinking about renovating your home, consider having someone take a look at the foundation to make sure it is as secure as possible, it will not only keep you safe, but marketing your house as recently being seismically retrofitted will be a plus to prospective buyers.

Have a great week!

-Matt