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Don has been a full-time Realtor since 1979, serving Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, El Cerrito, Richmond, and San Leandro. He has been writing real estate articles for the Bay Area News Group Newspapers (Oakland Tribune, Montclarion, Contra Costa Times, et al) since 1994. He was the 2004 President of the Oakland Association of Realtors and was elected OAR Realtor of the Year, 2005. Don also does hourly real estate consulting and is an expert witness in real estate matters. For more information about Don, click

HERE

"As Is" Isn't Always - It is often not easy, but there are times when a seller will pay for deferred maintenance even if it was not his initial intention.

"As Is" Pointers, Part 1 - A buyer who has a good sense of the homebuying process can save himself a lot of turmoil.

"As Is" Pointers, Part 2 - Having an experienced Realtor as your guide can save everyone time and money.

Agent Web Sites are Important - Choosing a Realtor with a personal Web site should be high on your list of criteria. Read why this is to your advantage.

Anatomy of a Termite Report - As a buyer or seller, if you do not see the big picture painted by structural pest control (termite) reports... you could, unknowingly, make some very expensive mistakes.

Another New Contract, Part 1 - It cannot be said enough: read everything carefully and ask questions before signing.

Another New Contract, Part 2 - Know exactly what you are taking on when you sign a contract.

Approaching the Peak - No one knows how long a seller's market will last. Let history teach you how to respond to approaching the peak.

Are Permits Important? - A subtantial number of homes on the market at any given time have had work done without permit. See how this may effect you as a buyer or seller.

Bank Practices Brutal to Buyers and Sellers - Our tax dollars are bailing out banks and other financial institutions from their greedy, shoddy practices, but those same lenders are, in many cases, harming, not helping, buyers and sellers in the current housing crisis. As a director, I heard this point illustrated time and again by Realtors from across the state at our first, 2009 meeting of the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) in Monterey recently.

Bending the Principle of Progression - Buyers get caught up in the frenzy of a hot, seller's market. Before you race to beat the crowd, it is essential you see the big picture.

Buyer's Do's & Don'ts, Part 1 - Excerpt: Don't take the buying process lightly. Consider buying a home as a part-time job.

Buyer's Do's & Don'ts, Part 2 - Excerpt: Don't work with out-of-area agents. Look for someone who specializes in the territory.

Buyer Representation Makes Sense - The best agents work only with loyal buyers. This article explains why signing a contract with a top professional is to your advantage.

Buyers and Sellers Confused by Contradictory Trends - Real estate today is a tangle of blind alleys and bewildering inconsistencies... Comparing March 2009 to March of 2008 and 2007 reveals how different the market is from not so long ago.

Buying By Yourself - Few buyers realize the complications of dealing directly with a seller.

The Changing Market - Realtors with long-term experience are able to recognize market trends which will help you make informed decisions.

Check Drainage - When it comes to serious (read "expensive") problems with a house, drainage is near or at the top of the list.

Clarifying Reality - Too many buyers, despite their belief that they have their feet firmly planted on the ground, have lost money by allowing their heart to rule their heads. Read the saga on one such couple.

Cleanup or Cover-up? - Rationalizing that a good-looking house must be one in good condition, has been the downfall of untold inexperienced buyers.

Clutter Can Cost You Cash - We all have too much stuff. As a seller, you need to show your home in its best light. For most, this means getting a lot of your personal possessions out of the house.

Code of Ethics Distinguishes Realtors® - Realtor® is more than a generic term meaning a real estate salesperson. It refers to a member of the National Association of Realtors® who adheres to a set of behavioral standards known as the "Code of Ethics."

Communication Skills Are Crucial - The importance of clear communication seems obvious, yet failures occur everyday. How to avoid such failures in your real estate transactions is discussed here.

Condition is Critical - The condition of a home is one of the key elements in determining value.

Condition: What your agent should tell you - Either as a buyer or seller, understanding the importance of a property's condition may mean thousands of dollars in your pocket.

Condo Buying Checklist - Not paying attention to required practices could cause headaches. Read what you should know before buying a condo.

Confirm Competing Offers - Your agent's lack of diligence could cost you a year's salary. All buyers should read this article.

Consolidation Craze - Is bigger really better? Does the size of a real estate company matter or is an agent's ability of more importance?

Consultant or Agent? - Without professional Assistance, thousands of dollars could be lost through ignorance...but, should you use a real estate consultant or an agent?

Consulting Helps Couple Avoid "Money Pit" - In a world of increasing complexity, the simple idea of paying a real estate professional for only the time you use him or her, when dealing with unlisted properties, is logical and appealing. Unfortunately, finding the right person to help you may be your biggest challenge.

Consulting Saves Buyer's Bacon - The distinction between agent and consultant is not widely recognized by the public or real estate licensees. Knowing the difference, and hiring the right one, saved this buyer in more ways than one.

Contract Changes Causing Confusion - The Real Estate Purchase Contract has been revised again. Read why it is important that your agent understands how these changes could impact you.

Contract Revised Again - Some readers will wonder why I would bother writing an article about picayune changes in a real estate contract. These details do not matter until they affect you.

Deciphering Those Letters - Realtors who have earned one or more designations evidence a sincere commitment to their industry. Learn what those letters after the name mean.

Determining the Strongest Offer - Understanding what constitutes a strong offer is important to buyers, before writing, and sellers, before accepting, a purchase contract.

Dimond shopping district is flourishing - The area around the Fruitvale/MacArthur intersection of the Dimond District has always been alive with activity. Read about Dimond's new shops, restaurants and its first annual Oktoberfest.

Disclosure Duties Continue Developing - Some Agents, because they are inexperienced, not fully competent, or both, fail to inform their buyers and sellers of the consequences of less than complete disclosure. Educate yourself before it costs you.

Does Your Agent Educate You? - An overview of what you should expect to learn from, and look for, in your agent.

Earthquake Country - Earthquake proofing your home may increase its resale value as well as protect you and your family.

Emotional Ping-Pong - Buyer's facing a seller's market need all the help they can get.

Eucalyptus and Monterey Pines Present Problems - Monterey pines and eucalyptus are two species often cited by arborists as dangerous because of their potential for falling and fueling fires.

Expectations key to market behavior - Our actions are heavily influenced by what we anticipate will happen in the future...Pessimism has now replaced positive expectation, a classic characteristic of a buyer's market.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions - Commonly asked questions are answered

The 5 Ps for Sellers - Do not make the mistake of choosing an agent based primarily on personality. Read the 5 Ps of choosing an agent.

Flooring fiasco from failure to communicate - Don shares his experience of installing hardwood flooring in his vacation home. The key thing he didn't know could have had a high monetary and emotional cost.

Foundations Are Expensive - Whether you are buying or selling a home, make sure you know the condition of the foundation before making any final decisions.

From the Eyes of an Expert Witness - As a Northern California real estate expert witness, by the time I get involved with a case, many people are upset and it has already cost big bucks for both the plaintiff and defendant. My opinion and testimony commonly involves the agents’ standard of care and adequate disclosure, along with other issues. Over the years, I have noted specific problems that come up repeatedly.

FSBO Redux - A follow-up to a previous 3-part series, "Selling By Yourself"

Going the Extra Mile - work only with a Realtor who is a professional, not a shortcut artist.

Going Steady With Your Agent - To find that perfect house, especially in a Seller's Market, you may end up working with your agent longer than you think.

Good Ideas Slow to Catch On - If you are now, or plan to be, involved in a real estate transaction, educate yourself about hourly consulting and buyer brokerage to see if either is for you.

Great gardens add pleasure plus value - Regardless of market conditions, a landscaped garden can help a property sell faster and for more money. All other elements being equal, homes with beautiful outdoor living are considered more desirable.

Great time to buy - fact or fiction? - Regarding today's market... as I always tell my clients, never assume anything. Real estate runs in cycles and each one, although it seems long-lasting at the time, is always temporary.

Handling Offers: You Need an Expert, Part 1 - From the Buyer's Perspective

Handling Offers: You Need an Expert, Part 2 - From the Seller's Perspective

Home Inspections, Part 1 - Inspections are one of the most critical aspects of your home purchase.

Home Inspections, Part 2 - The best inspectors have a knack of telling it like it is without sounding alarmist.

Hot Market Gambits - Some points to keep in mind if you are a buyer, especially in a seller's market.

Hot Market Tips: Buyers - More pointers to keep in mind if you are a buyer, especially in a seller's market

Hot Market Tips: Sellers - Pointers for sellers, especially in an escalating market.

Hourly consulting: Great idea whose time has yet to come - Real estate by-the-hour: a great idea in certain situations, but must first be understood.

House problems get worse with time - If ignored, problems do not go away and could multiply in severity and cost many times. Taking a responsible approach to the home's deficiencies can be the difference between years of enjoyment or distress.

How the Game is Played - If you are in the real estate buying of selling game, knowing the nuances is crucial.

How to Buy Value - A buyer can avoid costly mistakes by understanding the basic principles of house buying.

How to Interview Agents, Part 1 - A 4-part series to help both buyers and sellers chose the right agent. In part 1: many buyers without agents make the mistake of going to open houses shopping just for homes; they should also be looking for an agent.

How to Interview Agents, Part 2 - A more important responsibility is for your agent to use all of his or her skill and knowledge to protect you.

How to Interview Agents, Part 3 - Being prepared with questions will make it easier and will also give you a basis for comparing agents.

How to Interview Agents, Part 4 - No amount of marketing can undo the damage of overpricing.

Hybrid market confuses buyers, sellers - Have we returned to a seller's market...? This question is perplexing buyers and sellers alike.

LATEST ARTICLE
Is Waiting to Sell the Best Idea? - There seems to be an implicit assumption underlying the thinking of many would-be sellers: When the American economy stabilizes, it will bring back hordes of buyers who will compete for houses, thereby pushing up prices. There are, however, other, more likely scenarios in the works.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 1 - The knowledge I've gained over my 26 years in real estate will help us avoid some pitfalls, but, realistically, I know there will be the inevitable surprises. Perhaps our experiences will help your renovations go that much more smoothly.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 2 - So far, we have been around to catch the mistakes. Nonetheless, we are holding our breaths that some irreversible glitch does not take place while we are out earning a living.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 3 - An eliminated window is mistakenly left in the plans while miscalculations in light fixture placement and the size of another window keep the project interesting.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 4 - Once again we've learned you can't count on your construction crew, great as ours is, to think of everything.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 5 - Mislabeling of grout by the tile store almost results in a shower floor we would have hated.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 6 - We are reminded how important it is for at least one of us to stay close at hand to answer questions as they arise.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 7 - Back from a holiday break, we experience more surprises and a frustrating accident.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 8 - Although there are more surprises and scheduling conflicts, we are beginning to enjoy the changes, starting with their new kitchen.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 9 - We approach the end of this major, home remodel.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 10 - Having persevered, we reach the final lap in our marathon home remodel.

Journal of a Remodelee, Part 11 - After over eight months and much aggravation, my wife, Sonia, and I share do's and don'ts learned along the way.

In-law Rule Should Stress Safety - If you own, live in, or are contemplating buying a home with an "in-law" unit, there are things you should know about Oakland's pending revisions of its regulations.

It's All in the Details - Real estate is a process of relevant steps leading to a closed sale. Read what some of these steps are and learn why you need a detail-oriented agent.

It Is Not How Much Business We Do, But How We Do Business - Excerpt: "If the public worked only with those who give extraordinary service and loyalty, those who do not would either change their ways or leave the business."

Lessons Learned Over 25 Years - Sharing 25 years of experience as a Realtor® protecting buyers and sellers from costly mistakes.

Loan Processing Paralysis Causing Delays - With today's low interest rates, lenders are overwhelmed with home loan applications. Buyers, sellers, and those who are refinancing their present homes, may find themselves faced with unexpected, and costly, delays.

Malevolent Mold Means Misery - If mold is present, you may experience flu-like symptoms, headaches, memory loss, nausea and fatigue. Read why mold now belongs on your list of home buying and selling variables.

Market Changes Require Strategy Shift - Specifics about market trends and direction in our local area

Mixed Market Continues to Baffle Buyers, Sellers - This is one of the most confusing real estate markets Don has seen in his 28 years in the business. If you are a buyer or seller in today's climate of contradictions, understanding what is happening could save you money.

Mold Strikes Home - The true story of how one couple dealt with finding mold in their home. This is an expanding problem in California, and elsewhere.

Multiple Offers, Part 1 - To avoid lost dollars and opportunities, both buyers and sellers, as well as agents, must understand how multiple offers should be handled.

Multiple Offers, Part 2 - More suggestions for both buyers and sellers in a competitive market.

Negotiation, mediation, arbitration or court? - Four approaches used in settling real estate disputes.

Not Just Termites, Part 1 - One of the most important functions of a professional real estate agent is to read, understand and interpret these reports for buyers and sellers.

Not Just Termites, Part 2 - Understanding the intricacies of termite reports is essential for  buyers and sellers because of the large amounts of money involved.

Notes from California State Realtors meeting - As a director of the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), I attend meetings three times a year at various locations throughout the state. There were sessions on a variety of topics intended to keep Realtors up-to-date and informed, many related to the current foreclosure crunch.

Oakmore Highlands - In the 1920s, on the heels of its successful Lakeshore Highlands development, the Walter H. Leimert Company created Oakmore Highlands. Home prices started at $2000. Read a bit about the history of this beautiful area of Oakland.

Oh Rats! - Rodents in and around homes are far more common than we care to admit.

Old Gas Connectors May Be Dangerous - A short, informative article on a subject you may never have thought of — which could cost you your life.

On foreclosures, short sales and REOs - Will you get a bargain or the short end of the stick if you buy a bank owned property?

Online listings are no substitute for Realtor® knowledge - According to a California Association of Realtors survey, eight of ten home buyers use the Internet for searching... however, a great deal of essential information never shows up on the screen.

Our friends lose their house in foreclosure - Today was the day our country's foreclosure crisis became personal when friends of ours lost their home of nearly 20 years to foreclosure.

Outlaw In-Laws, Part 1 - The risks of selling or buying a house with an illegal in-law are substantial. Find out how to protect yourself from making the wrong choice.

Outlaw In-Laws, Part 2 - Anyone who buys a home with an illegal unit is also buying the potential problems associated with it.

Pay Attention to New Contract - The best salespeople are much more than just order-takers. Your agent should be thoroughly familiar with the newest in a recent line of contract revisions

Pay Attention to Plumbing - Plumbing is often downplayed, but ignoring problems may lead to more expensive issues.

Paying for Perfection - Read how some buyers are overlooking what may otherwise be ideal homes in their search for a house in perfect condition - and paying for their mistake.

Pitfalls of Sealed Bids - Sellers need to know why most buyers and their agents dislike sealed bids; buyers must understand how this increases their vulnerability.

Poor representation: big problem in real estate - At some point, when the market shifts, a number of buyers will look back and realize their agent did a lot of selling and not enough representing. Understanding your agent's key function before it is too late could save you distress and money.

Pre-Approval Letters: Can You Count on Them? - Most loans eventually close; however, unsuspecting buyers and sellers may be in jeopardy if they make irrevocable plans based on a pre-approval letter and the lack of a loan contingency.

Pre-Sale Inspections - These inspections can save heartache and dollars for everyone involved.

Preparing to Sell - To maximize your selling price by showing your property in its best light, there are many details to handle.

Prices Up, Market Shifting - The cycle, which began in 1997, is in transition and not totally predictable. How you handle the market's flux will result in success, or costly errors.

Pricing by the Square Foot - Although using comps remains the best item in our pricing toolbox, studying how much buyers are paying per square foot is definitely worth the effort. I have shared this information with clients throughout my career and it has helped give them an additional perspective.

Pricing by the Square Foot Revisited - Two years later, a continuing, hot, seller's market makes this a topic worth further discussion.

Pricing in a Rapidly Rising Market - Perception is sometimes more important than reality. A seller's approach to pricing must be suitable for current conditions. A mistake could be costly.

Pricing in a Seller's Market  - How do you arrive at a list price in a seller's market - a time when values are rising almost daily? The strategy to maximize return may surprise you.

Protecting Sellers - Sellers' questions usually focus on marketing plans for their home, yet the other, more important question they should be asking is, "How will my agent help me to protect myself from possible future problems?"

Rain, Roofs & Drainage - Roofs and drainage are two items that deserve high priority during home inspections.

Real Estate and Stocks - Understanding your own investing style could be the difference between large gains and heavy losses. Three such investing philosophies are discussed here.

Real estate is like politics - The questions we want to ask politicians are very similar to the ones we should be asking when choosing, and working with, a real estate agent. Here are things you should know to ask.

Reputation: Good, Bad or None? - People want to work with others they can trust and respect. How can you know which individuals to trust and which to avoid?

Research Permit History - A home that looks good, even if almost new, could still have serious problems. Read how checking its permit history could save you from some nasty surprises.

Risk Management: A Little Understood Concept - What is most important to you as a buyer or seller is preventing problems resulting from your agent's lack of knowledge or inattention to details.

Seller Mistakes to Avoid - Despite the market shift, this is still a good time to sell; however, oversights and miscalculations in today's environment could cost you dearly.

Sell for the Present, but Buy for the Future - Sellers should appreciate today's opportunity to sell for the maximum. Taking this good fortune for granted, or assuming it will last indefinitely, could be an expensive miscalculation. Buyers, on the other hand, need to buy for the future and not try to outguess the market.

Selling By Yourself, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 - We all like to save money, and real estate commissions can be considerable — but, so is the risk of selling on your own. Learn more about the process in this 3-part series.

Seller's Do's & Don'ts, Part 1 - Excerpt: Don't wait to be surprised by the buyer's inspection reports.

Seller's Do's & Don'ts, Part 2 - Excerpt: Don't assume that a fast offer means you underpriced your property.

Selling in a Softening Market - Sellers sabotage themselves by failing to acknowledge current conditions. Don't let that happen to you.

Seven Sins of Selling & Buying - The worst sin is looking back and realizing you could have done a better job in handling your real estate transactions. Here are seven pitfalls to avoid.

Sewer Line Blues - Don't wait for this to happen to you. Read a first-person sewer saga.

Sewer Line Blues II - 3 years later, the saga continues. Learn what we discovered the second time around.

Sharing Information - This article is about a simple but profound concept: not knowing what you don't know.

Shifting Market Strategies - What was once a raging seller's market is still speedy, but somewhat less insane. Your strategy as a buyer or seller must take this into account.

Taking Your VOWs - The Internet continues to change the practice of real estate in ways that are not fully comprehended by buyers, sellers and many in the business. The current hot topic is called "VOWs," an acronym for "Virtual Office Web sites."

Techno-Real Estate - Written in 1996 addressing technological, i.e. computer related, advances in real estate, it still has information pertinent to today's market.

Ten Reasons Your Home Has Not Sold - There are numerous explanations why your property may be sitting unsold while other sellers have closed and moved on with their lives. Here are ten possibilities out of what could be a much more extensive list.

Think Energy Efficiency - As you search for a home to buy, or prepare your residence to sell, how much thought do you give to its energy efficiency?

There are good reasons to sell now - With negative news about the real estate market and economy cropping up daily, it might appear that no one should sell his home now. On the contrary, despite the doom and gloom, there are some excellent reasons why selling today, under certain circumstances, could make good sense.

Title 24 Will Effect How You Remodel - Planning to remodel? Changes to energy conservation requirements in California could have a significant impact on your choices and cost.

Trust: A Two-Way Street - When there is no trust, a real estate transaction can become a poisonous affair for all parties.

Understand Before You Sign - California real estate contracts have undergone several changes over the past few years. Read this, along with my other articles covering subsequent changes. It may help you when it is your turn to sign a purchase contract.

Understanding Agency - Agents owe their clients a fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty and loyalty.

 Understanding the Market - If, as a buyer or seller, you do not understand what is happening in the market, you will be operating from a weakened position.

Unwritten Contingencies - Some contingencies exist even if they are not written into the contract. Learn more about this little known fact and protect yourself.

Use Local Agent - Using an out-of area agent to buy or sell may end up costing you time, money and missed opportunities. Find out why.

The Vole, Not the Mole, Made the Hole - I was pruning the jasmine on the back fence when this cute-nik, looking neither left nor right, scurried past me. In the second or two I had to ponder this development, I just smiled, rather than attempting to end its short life. That is a decision I do not regret, although a number of holes in our garden occasionally cause me to reconsider...

Watch Who Does the Work - Knowing who did work on a house can make the difference between a positive and negative experience.

What is a Bedroom? - A good portion of home valuation is based on the number of bedrooms. Do you know when a bedroom is not a bedroom?

What is CRS? CRB? - Learn what these designations mean and why they are important to buyers and sellers.

What are Liquidated Damages? - The Liquidated Damages clause limits the buyer's liability, but may not be best for the seller.

What the Mortgage Meltdown Means to You - The sub-prime loan mess has created a problem with all mortgages. Lending issues, in conjunction with an already slowing real estate market, have serious implications for you as a buyer or seller.

What you need to know about FIRPTA - Few buyers and sellers know about the 1980 "Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act" (FIRPTA). Likewise, many real estate licensees are not aware that failing to follow the act's stipulations is a violation of Federal law.

When the Market Speaks, Listen! - When you chose an experienced professional, it is because you are trusting in his or her advice. Not doing so, may end up costing you.

When will the real estate bubble burst? - As prices continue reaching and exceeding record levels, there is much discussion of a "real estate bubble." Don provides historical background and presents important information to help in your buying and/or selling decisions.

Why Expireds Expire - A For Sale sign out front does not guarantee a home is for sale. Both buyers and sellers will benefit from learning what makes a seller and seller.

Will You Get "Full Service"? - Full service agents do all the right things; others do not. Find out what you should expect from your agent.

Your Agent Can Get You In Trouble - Too many buyers and sellers are unaware of how the actions, or inaction, of their agent could lead to serious financial liabilities. There are numerous situations where unknowledgeable and/or unprofessional real estate salespeople put themselves and their clients in jeopardy.

The Zen of Real Estate - How will you feel after your real estate transaction is completed? It goes further than the amount of money you paid as a Buyer or the amount you received as a Seller.

Don Dunning has been a full-time Realtor since 1979 and was president of the Oakland Association of Realtors, 2004. He provides sales and consulting services with Wells & Bennett Realtors in Oakland and is an expert witness in real estate matters. Call him at (510) 485-7239, or e-mail him at , to put his knowledge and experience to work for you.
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Copyright © 2007-2009 by Don Dunning
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Banner photo by S. Dunning, Copyright © 2007-2009
Digital photo of San Francisco skyline taken from Treasure Island, SFBay