Early Lessons: 2015 Lamorinda Homebuyer Energy Starts Strong – 19 Offers!

Thank you to the many people who toured 3337 Carlyle Terrace (Lafayette) and 127 Hardie Drive (Moraga), the first two homes we listed in 2015. This includes not only potential buyers and their real estate agents, but also all the neighbors who stopped in just to get a neighborhood market read and share their personal perspectives.

I am pleased to announce that these two homes attracted a total of 19 offers by Friday’s deadline. Both homes are now pending but that hasn’t stopped the phone from ringing. We’re still hearing from potential buyers wondering if it’s too late, is it possible to submit a back-up offer?

Good News for Lamorinda Home Sellers

All of this is good news for other Lamorinda home sellers and offers proof of what I have been saying all along: There are many motivated and qualified buyers who want to live here and are willing to react quickly and compete aggressively when they see a property in Lafayette, Moraga and/or Orinda that they like.

Don’t expect all homes, though, to make the grade. Current Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda home buyers are smart and demanding. They’ve done their research on neighborhoods and values – and they expect much when it comes to property information and condition assurances if they’re going to make quick decisions and pay top dollar.

It always helps when home sellers do what the sellers of these two homes did – reach out to us early so we can work together to prepare the property to show well, inside and out. This includes ordering the kinds of pre-listing inspections discussed in my recent article, “How Pre-Listing Inspections help Lafayette, Moraga & Orinda Home Sellers.”

Currently, there are also time-sensitive homebuyer motivators at work, too.

Current Time-Sensitive Lamorinda Homebuyer Motivators: Interest Rates & School Registration

Over the years, I’ve seen first hand evidence that the right Lafayette property will attract qualified buyers at almost any time of year. A recent example was 840 Broadmoor Court, a mid-century modern Lafayette-Moraga Trail property that attracted many offers and sold quickly in November, a time when a surprising number of people incorrectly think our real estate market is dormant.

It helps that truly motivated homebuyers know to never take their eyes off our real estate market. The Broadmoor property attracted a nice mix of both out-of-town buyers, builders and even existing local homeowners who recognized it as an exceptional Lafayette opportunity.

Currently, there are at least two additional time sensitive issues motivating home buyers in addition to the obvious desire to secure the home of their dreams. These include:

Current Low Interest Rates. There is no better way to extend home buying dollar than to lock in an attractive mortgage rate. Current rates are some of the historic best. No buyer wants to miss this window if at all possible.

Kindergarten Registration is Now!  Our public schools are already getting organized for Fall 2015, starting with kindergarten registration. Class needs are determined in part by initial student registration numbers. Buyers know that the best way to make sure a child is enrolled at their preferred school is to register as early as possible. First, though, proof of residency is required. Requirements vary. Details can be found on individual school district websites. (Click here for Lafayette School District info.)

What’s on your 2015 Real Estate To-Do List?

Do your 2015 real estate plans include buying or selling a home in Lafayette, Moraga or Orinda? It’s never too early to begin to get organized. Let’s start that conversation now. Please contact me directly at Dana@DanaGreenTeam.com or 925.339.1918.