Author: todzak

Don’t let social media convince you that buying a home is impossible. If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen posts about home prices, interest rates, down payments, and how difficult it is to buy. And after seeing enough of that, it’s easy to think, “There’s no way I can afford a home … Continued

If you want to be in a new home before the holidays, now is the time to start preparing. When most buyers start looking for a home, they focus on the basics. How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? What neighborhood? How much space? Of course those things matter. But there’s a lot more you need … Continued

Thinking about spending $50,000 remodeling your East Bay home before you sell? Hold on. One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is assuming they need to renovate before putting their home on the market, then investing in upgrades that buyers won’t pay extra for.  Not every renovation adds value, and some projects can … Continued

Thinking about renting out your East Bay home instead of selling it? Before you hand someone the keys, make sure you know what you’re signing up for…. Because the rent you collect isn’t the money you keep! I can understand why renting sounds attractive. You collect rent, keep the property, hope it goes up in … Continued

There’s one issue I want you thinking about before you fall in love with a house and write an offer. Insurance! Do you know if the home you want to buy is in a high-fire-risk area?  Where a home is located can affect the availability and cost of insurance. These costs can range from $4,000 … Continued

Hey Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Lafayette! It’s time for your AUGUST MARKET UPDATE! We are fully in the Summer Market, so Home Sellers and Home Buyers, listen on! Here are the latest stats that you need to know. Hi, I’m Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here … Continued

A lot of buyers ask how much house they can afford and their lender will approve them for that number. That’s the lender’s job. But that doesn’t mean that’s what you should borrow. Here’s the real question: how much monthly payment makes you feel comfortable for your lifestyle? Because there’s a huge difference between the … Continued

If selling your East Bay home has crossed your mind, don’t assume the market you’re seeing today will still be here a few months from now. Summer doesn’t last forever, and neither do the conditions that come with it. As we move closer to the start of school and there are whispers of Fall in … Continued

Hey, Oakland & Berkeley! It’s time for your AUGUST MARKET UPDATE! We are fully in the Summer Market, so Home Sellers and Home Buyers, listen on! Here are the latest stats that you need to know. Hi, I’m Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here in the East … Continued

Why does one home sell in days, while another sits for months? It doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with it. Sometimes the price missed the mark. Sometimes the marketing wasn’t strong. Sometimes buyers just over-looked an opportunity.  Hi, I’m Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here in … Continued