Doug Buenz
Real Estate Broker
Alain Pinel Realtors
(925) 463-2000
Email me!
I am a local Real Estate Broker with Alain Pinel Realtors serving the Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley area. I am an avid watcher of the local real estate market, as well as cultural and political events. But that is what I do, not who I am... » read more
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Back in the good old days when mortgage underwriting consisted largely of checking for a pulse, seller incentives were a common way for sellers to enhance their home’s marketing without lowering the price. Sellers sometimes offered cash, a TV, exotic vacations, or even cars as an inducement for buyers to purchase their home. Ultimately …
So, I read a facebook posting the other day from a local realtor. Something to the effect of “The market is HOT! Just sold my $1 million plus listing with multiple offers!” Statements like this are very common in real estate, and can be misleading. We are in a classic “dalmatian” …
With interest rates at historical lows, many people are refinancing their mortgages. Perhaps you’re considering it. If you refinanced your home before, you may think it is an easy process. And if you have a huge salary, no debt, high credit scores, and lots of equity, you might be right. But …
The average household in the United States will spend about $2,140 on energy costs in a year, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Do you want to track the energy use in your home? The first step may be to you learn how to use your PG&E SmartMeterTM, if it has been …
Do you like a lot of space? How about gothic architecture? Do feel peaceful when in a church? If you answered yes to these questions, then I have the perfect house for you. Overlooking Dolores Park, on Dolores Street in San Francisco is an amazing Gothic Revival church turned into a …
Are you thinking about refinancing your 30 year mortgage but don’t really want to extend it out a full 30 years? Are the monthly payments associated with a 15 year mortgage more than you want to take on? Maybe a 20 year fixed rate mortgage is the answer.
You get the benefit of saving …
With the summer heat right around the corner here in the Tri-Valley, you might be thinking of ways to reduce your energy bill while staying comfortable this summer and then into the following winter. Two new books offer some great advice on how to do just that. They are “Green Sense for the …
We’ve all heard of Feng Shui but do we really know what it’s about or how to use it? From People Comment: “Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice. It is the art of placing and arranging matter and space in the correct manner such that harmony with the environment is achieved. This …
The appraisal contingency is a standard clause in most real estate purchase agreements. It is a clause that essentially says “this contract is subject to the property appraising at the contract sales price (or more), or the contract may be canceled by the buyer”. While the intent is fairly clear, what is less …
There are several contingencies in a standard Real Estate Purchase Agreement. One of the main contingencies is the loan contingency. Basically, the buyer will specify the terms of the purchase on the first page of the purchase agreement, including the loan amount, as well as the terms of the financing the buyer is …
If you’re like me, you may not read those statements your credit card companies send you telling you how they revised the terms of your credit cards. That’s probably not a good idea generally. But with a new law going into effect today, you may want to go back and check recent changes …
The real estate market in Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, and Danville continues to sizzle, especially in the lower price ranges. While this is good news for the local economy and home sellers, it has created difficult conditions for many buyers who have smaller down payments. Indeed, buyers who are looking to put 3.5% …
Have you ever had a hard time finding the tools and other items needed for a home repair job? If you have teen age kids, I know the answer to that is yes. They start with “I promise I’ll put it back” when they are younger and graduate to just not telling you …
There are a lot of reasons why homes don’t sell, and it does not always involve just the price. Changing the value proposition can often make the difference in getting a home sold.
Is it a good time to buy real estate in Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, and the Tri-valley? For many people the answer is definitely yes.
