Wisdom & Wit

Have you or your clients used the City of Dublin's First-Time Home buyer Program? If you have, Bay East would like to know how it worked for you. We are seeking feedback on: Program design including the amount of assistance and how the program fits within a real estate transaction Program adminis...

On Thursday, March 5, the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees decided to place a parcel tax on the June 2 special election ballot. The proposed amount of the parcel tax would be $233 and would expire after four years. An exemption will be available for seniors and those with othe...

The California Association of REALTORS® has prepared a comprehensive guide to the housing components of the various federal and state stimulus plans. The summary prepared by the C.A.R. Legal Department covers the various home buyer tax credits; tips for working with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reg...

On Wednesday, March 4, the U.S. Treasury Department announced refinance and mortgage modification guidelines as part of the new "Making Home Affordable" program.  Home Affordable Refinance program: This foreclosure prevention program is aimed at homeowners who have mortgages held by either Fannie...

The City of Hayward is considering the adoption of an ordinance that would regulate vacant residential properties. This ordinance would be in response to a growing number of foreclosed, vacant properties that are creating urban blight due to lack of maintenance. Bay East staff met with city offic...

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Pleasanton City Council, on a 3-2 vote, approved the completion of Stoneridge Drive as part of the development of Staples Ranch. Currently Stoneridge Drive, a four-lane arterial street with a landscaped median strip dead-ends at Trevor Parkway near the eastern Pleasanton ...

I had the opportunity to breakdown some of the new tax law changes that may have an effect for 2009.  As always, please consult with you CPA or accountant for advise. Plug-in Electric Vehicle Credit ~ For vehicles bought after February 17, 2009 and before January 1, 2012, a 10% nonrefundable cre...

The Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) is considering options for dealing with cuts in state school funds.  The DUSD will hold two "Town Hall" meetings to present their plans and answer questions about the impact of the state budget. The meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 11 and Thu...

The City of Newark is asking residents and business to comment on city services.  They have developed an on-line survey for community members to prioritize which services are most important to them.  The City will use this information when making budget decisions about fire protection services, ...

When shopping for new appliances, remember that looks aren't everything. Features, capacity and energy-efficiency are important factors as well.  Before buying a new appliance, keep track of your appliance usage for one week. For example, note the number and size of your laundry loads, what item...