The point we were making the other day in our post San Ramon Housing Market Loses Buyers seems to be backed up by today’s Saturday Homes special advertising section in the CC Times.

On the front page of the section, you have Centex advertising their “One Day Sale.” They go into great detail about how fantastic the sale will be for buyers, but if you read the entire page, you find one mention of price = Save up to $200,000 on selected Bay Area homes.

Has any one other than me seen these types of come-ons before? How many homes in all of their developments do you think they are discounting $200K? I’ll bet that $200K is off the original price set two years ago when the project launched and before the decline in the housing market and the subprime loan meltdown. If this is the case, what we probably have is a home that is already valued $175K below what Centex originally hoped to get for it. But telling folks you are going to reduce a home another 1% to 2% doesn’t motivate them much to come by on a holiday weekend.

All of this is speculation on my part because the ad doesn’t give any real figures. Most of the copy is spent telling us how great Centex is.

On page E2, we find Copper Ridge, a condo conversion project in San Ramon, offering furnishings to all escrows that close before Oct. 31 this year, Of course, there is no mention of what they mean by furnishing or the extent of the furnishings. Maybe you’ll get a new chandelier and a hat rack.

I like Copper Ridge. My 25 year old nephew bought one of the units, He also likes it, says it’s quiet and convenient.

On page E3, we find Shapell announcing buyer incentives. The incentives include no payments for the first 6 months, one full year of homeowner’s association dues paid, temporary and permanent loan buy downs and non-recurring closing costs.

If you’re considering buying, read these two posts first:

• Move-Up Buyers are Today’s Power Buyers
• Sellers Grasping to Get a Grip

 Know the market! I think with the proper knowledge you can beat any deal offerred in the home section.

Gen Y'er Buys First Home in San Ramon

Gary Becker, 24 years old, stands outside his new condo in the Copper Ridge complex off Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon.

He is part of the emerging new generation of home buyers that are entering the home-buying market. Eighty percent of Gen X'ers & Gen Y'ers use the Internet to search for homes. 

Being one of the top salespeople at Anderson's TV in Dublin, CA., has afforded Gary the opportunity to take advantage of what many consider to be a buyer's market in San Ramon.

"…as a first time buyer, I was very impressed with all the support you provided, educating me on the real estate market and helping me find the perfect home. I have dreamed of getting into a home of my own, but did not expect it to happen at only 24 years old. Not only were you patient working with me to find the perfect deal, but the way you handled all the problems that developed during the escrow process with the seller and title company, I could have never gotten through it on my own. All I can say is THANKS! and you will be hearing from me in the future when I am ready to move up to a larger property."   Gary Becker

There are still a few good deals left in the San Ramon Valley for first time buyers.

The Harper Team works with many diverse types of buyers seeking homes to purchase in San Ramon: first time buyers, move up buyers and investors just to mention a few. We offer free information and reports for many areas of concern for buyers.

San Ramon continues to have some of the most affordable housing available in the San Ramon Valley. In addition to affordable single family homes, there are several recent condo conversion projects available for first time buyers. Siena Hills, Reflections and Copper Ridge are three such projects helping to bring affordable housing to first time buyers.

For families, San Ramon is able to offer local schools with high state and national ratings. While California High School is bursting at the seams, relief is coming soon with the opening of a new high school in Windermere next year.

When you're buying a home it costs you nothing to use the services of a real estate professional, a Realtor®. Availing yourself the services of a Realtor can benefit you in several ways.

• Intimate knowledge of the neighborhood and community
• Housing market trends
• Negotiation skills
• Expertise with the entire home-buying process

These are just a few of skills that The Harper Team brings to real estate transactions in San Ramon. We are so confident our skills and talents that we offer buyers a written guarantee for our services. If we can't negotiate a substantial decrease in price for you, we will pay you.  

Our business philosophy revolves around client service, helping to inform buyers, and no pressure or hassles. Requesting any of our FREE reports involves no obligation on your part. Calling us on the phone or emailing us with a quick question involves no obligation AND it won't result in us pestering you.

When you deal with The Harper Team, you are not dealing with desperate real estate agents. You're associating yourself with successful professional business people that bring a unique set of syngergistic skills and talents to the real estate transaction.

If you are considering buying real estate in San Ramon, we would like the opportunity to apply for the job of working with you.