Sand Creek Plaza

At Sand Creek Plaza there is a true feeling of community spirit here. To help facilitate more business for our tenants we like to inform the community about local activities and events that are planned throughout the year with our community newsletter we call The Brentwood Insider. The Brentwood Insider keeps the tenants and the entire San Francisco East Bay involved in our community and the surrounding areas. The newsletter also provides coupons to local shops, and useful information about tenants and other opportunities are available at affiliate properties.

The Brentwood Insider was established in 2006 to provide a medium between the community and our tenants. Keeping the community informed on these events and matters directly impact charitable causes. Published at the beginning of every month, our newsletter is sent out via email in the form of an eBlast and also available online at www.thebrentwoodinsider.com. The eBlast has been very effective in directing traffic to the website and to the events. Thanks to your support the Brentwood Insider has been a success and will continue to set the city of Brentwood apart from the rest.

To be apart of our community newsletter and begin receiving monthly eBlasts with all the local events, email us at offer@brentwoodbusinesscenter.com.

Targeting a new audience through the use of craigslist ads an prove to be an excellent avenue for real estate promotion. Whether you have one suite available, to an entire office building, Craigslist can help increase phone calls and popularity of your available location. Reaching your target audience by running a marketing campaign that is visually appealing will effectively grasp their attention luring them to call for an appointment.

Marketing effectively on Craigslist is not very different from marketing in other forms of print media. One of the most important elements of an effective marketing campaign on Craigslist is professionally written copy coupled with an immaculate design. With a professional design including clear pictures of the property, the specific action you request of your readers will be effective. The specific action may include visiting a website, requesting additional information, making a purchase, or visiting a traditional store or place of business.

Besides being free for most postings, Craigslist offers additional benefits. The most significant benefit is their large audience. Each month craigslist receives over 4 billion page views. With such a large audience your advertisement is bound to be seen by hundreds, if not thousands of people. One thing to take note of is that care should be taken when placing your craigslist ads. Be sure to categorize the advertisement in the correct State and City, and double check you’re publishing it in the correct category. Ensuring your advertising is reaching its target audience is key to posting on Craigslist. To show off one of the recent ads we currently have running take a look below. Thanks to JVF Consulting, this professional ad has been extremely effective!

Mortgage rates dropped for a third straight week, reflecting the impact the weakening economy is having on financial markets.

Freddie Mac reported Thursday that rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.04 percent last week, down from 6.14 percent the previous week. It marked a sharp decline since rates hit a recent high of 6.46 percent during the week of Oct. 16.

Concerns about the economy and worries over the fate of Detroit’s three automakers have caused Wall Street’s major stock indexes to hit levels not seen since 2003, sending investors swiftly into government debt.

Rates on other types of mortgages also fell last week. For 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, rates dropped to 5.73 percent from 5.81 while rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 5.87 percent from 5.98 percent and rates on one-year adjustable-rate mortgages edged down to 5.29 percent from 5.33 percent.

The mortgage rates do not include points. The nationwide fee for 30-year and 15-year mortgages averaged 0.7 of a point last week. The fee on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 0.6 of a point while the fee on one-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 0.5 of a point.

A year ago the nationwide average rate on 30-year mortgages stood at 6.2 percent while 15-year mortgage rates averaged 5.81 percent, five-year adjustable-rate mortgages were at 5.88 percent, and one-year adjustable-rate mortgages stood at 5.42 percent.

The numbers are in, and they’re exactly what we expected. With banks unloading a record number of foreclosures, bay area home sales soared, while the median price plummeted. This is according to a real estate report released Thursday 11-20-08.

Most of the action, and the big bargains, were in areas where bank repossessions have become a fact of life. Almost half of all existing homes sold were foreclosures. Their bargain-basement prices sent the median price tumbling 45 percent during the past year to $375,000. This is all according to research firm MDA DataQuick of San Diego.

Despite an economic crisis and a stock market plunge, the fire-sale prices pulled more buyers into the market. A total of 5,624 resale homes changed hands in the nine-county Bay Area in October, up 66.2 percent from a year ago.

The Bay Area median price hasn’t been this low since October 2001, when it was $370,000. However, the median’s tumble reflects more the swing to lower-priced homes in lower-priced areas where foreclosures are commonplace, rather than an across-the-board depreciation. This doesn’t mean every Bay Area house has gone back to 2001 levels, but it does tell an interesting story about where people are buying, and where they are not.

During the boom years, prices in lower-cost areas appreciated as subprime buyers rushed in. With the bay area in a buying frenzy it’s time for you to secure a cost effective location that will outlast these economic hard times. Sand Creek Plaza specializes in finding you great deals in this crazy real estate market. Our knowledgeable staff is a phone call away.

The HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The program begins October 1, 2008 and ends September 30, 2011.

The housing rescue legislation that was signed into law recently is called the Hope for Homeowners Act of 2008. Sound hopeful? Maybe! Oversimplified, the act offers government guarantees to lenders who are willing to work with you to keep you out of foreclosure. But, you have to be “qualified” for the program.

Here are some key points about the program and its qualifications:
* The program goes into effect October 1, 2008. Until then, look for other options.
* Your lender has to be willing to write down your loan to 90% of your home’s value. In other words, your existing mortgage lender has to be willing to reduce the balance of the mortgage so that there’s a 10% equity cushion in the property.
* Your existing mortgage must have originated before January 1, 2008.
* The program is available for your primary residence only.
* You must be devoting more than 31% of your income to your mortgage payments.
* Income must be verified to qualify for the new loan, and you have to be able to afford the payments on the new loan.
* If you sell your home in the five years following this refinancing, you have to share the profit with the government.  The government’s share is calculated on a sliding scale for the first five years; after that, you’ll split the profit 50/50.

Every report I’ve read about this legislation says that the bill will save 400,000 homes from foreclosure. It is estimated that the funding limits for those federal loan guarantees will make it possible to help that many families. Lenders take the write down, but avoid the expense and risk of foreclosure, and benefit from rebounding property values if foreclosures slow and excess housing inventory is eliminated. And, if they don’t take advantage of this program, there is a good chance that an irate Congress will increase regulation of the mortgage industry.

It remains to be seen whether the Hope for Homeowners Act of 2008 offers real hope, or becomes another infamous bail out that helps only the wealthy. It appears to me that the program will offer the most benefit to those who are struggling, but are current enough on their payments to look like a good risk. If you’re looking for more articles about HOPE act you can read the press release here.

http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-150.cfm

Zillow.com the website now best known for delivering bad news to delusional home owners announced today homes values have slide for the 7th consecutive quarter down 9.7 percent in the third quarter of this year relative to their levels one year ago. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter of negative year-over-year declines, each quarter turning in a greater negative annual change than the prior quarter. For comparison, the revised second quarter annualized change in the Zillow Home Value Index was 8.6%. For the first time this quarter, the depth and duration of the housing downturn in some markets has translated into flat or negative five-year annualized appreciation rates. Twenty-seven of the 163 markets covered experienced negative five-year annualized value changes and another twelve markets had basically no change over that period of time. For example, Stockton real estate has dropped 3.8% on an annualized basis since 2003 and Boston home values have dropped about one percent annualized over the past five years. Some markets are now teetering on the edge of seeing no appreciation over the past decade such as Detroit where real estate values have increased less than one percent on an annualized basis over the last ten years.

It is essential that the supply of homes accumulated during this downturn is sold off fast. Sales volumes must pick up to a pace that exceeds the normal rate of sales to bring back this market. If we think of the inventory of unsold homes as a bucket of water, and the bucket already has a historically high level of water in it, if we keep pouring more water into it, the bucket is bound to spill over.

At Sand Creek Plaza we take pride in the business architecture that defines our structure inside and out. When your customers visit your business location first impressions are a necessity.

Our business architecture is directly based on our business strategy. With our tenants being the foundation for various aspects into the design, we are proud to hand you the key to your new office location, knowing it fits all of your needs. We understand that our tenant’s real estate needs are ongoing and evolving that is why we’re pleased to tell you about some of our property details & amenities such as the highly traveled Sand Creek Road at a signalized high visibility corner. Occupancy is always immediate, we offer 30 foot store fronts with covered outdoor patio seating area for food use. Suites are divisible and there is another 140,000 square feet of planned additional office south of Brentwood Self Storage. In addition, our clients can join our marketing efforts through our electronic newsletter ” The Brentwood Insider”.

At the Sand Creek Plaza our tenants objectives are at the forefront of everything we do, resulting in a rewarding long term relationship. We look forward to your visit at Sand Creek Plaza. We are sure you will be impressed with our professional business architecture design and environment, a place where your business will thrive.

While sales of new homes recorded an unexpected increase in October as median home prices dropped to the lowest level in four years, the sales of new single-family homes rose by 2.7 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 464,000 homes. Economists had expected sales would drop from the September level. But what exactly does this mean for you? Well, if you’re a small business paying high rent or lease, and your landlord is not willing to negotiate, then it’s time to move on! At the SCP we have heard all kinds of horror stories due to the recent foreclosures. It’s time to break the chain and secure a location that will stand the test of time. The Sand Creek Plaza is centrally located in the city of Brentwood, CA and is here to work with you to better fit your budget.

Analysts are not convinced that the sales increases are signaling a bottom for the housing market. They note that the September gains came before the latest upheavals in financial markets which have raised new worries about the overall state of the economy. Many analysts believe the country has already entered a recession. The forecast is significant increases in job losses, which will make it even harder to secure locations. Builders have been sharply cutting back on production, trying to get inventories more in line with sales. The inventory of unsold existing homes is also remaining near historic highs as that market is being increased by a record wave of home foreclosures.

I always like to look at the Los Angeles housing market to see how the other half of California is surviving… According to the LA Times, homes sales are booming, but prices are down 33 percent from a year ago. From what I read it sounds like people are buying, which is a good indication money is changing hands. Agents I’ve spoken to here in the Bay Area tell me the only thing really selling these days is foreclosures, short sales and all cash deals. The rest of us will benefit from cheap rental or leases popping up across the board.

While foreclosures are on the rise many business owners renting their location have found themselves in bad situation. The building owner has not paid the note, and the bank is foreclosing, leaving them scattering for a new location. With moving costs and down time, some businesses are closing their doors completely. If you know of someone who is underwater and struggling to keep up with their higher payments, or is being forced out of their building, tell them you know a business park who can help.

It’s important in this economy for agents to educate consumers about both of our roles in a real estate transaction.  The Internet has more than enough information to help buyers identify neighborhoods they’re interested in exploring further, so I explain to clients that they don’t need an agent to begin the first part of their property search.  From that point on, however, an experienced, professional agent is must have. An agent without knowledge of the property he is showing is very noticeable. At Sand Creek Plaza we pride ourselves with keeping our tenants knowledgeable and aware of the property details & amenities that we offer. For those of you who are looking for a new facility to relocate your business be sure to read over what SCP offers.

* Highly Traveled Sand Creek Road
* Signalized High Visibility
* Occupancy Immediate
* Major Brentwood Thoroughfare
* 30 Foot Store Front
* Covered Outdoor Patio Area for Food Use
* Adjacent to exising Sand Creek Business Center — 145,000 sq. ft. of office, 90% leased
* Adjacent to 120 Existing Occupied Townhomes
* Divisible
* Old Republic Title in Suites A & B
* Across the Street From Los Medanos College
* 140,000 square feet of planned additional office south of Brentwood Self Storage

At Sand Creek Plaza our tenants objectives are at the forefront of everything we do, resulting in a rewarding long term relationship. We understand that our tenant’s real estate needs are ongoing and evolving that is why we’re pleased to announce an amazing new service for our clients here at the Sand Creek Plaza. Each of our clients is eligible for a FREE web site consultation from JVF Consulting. The website comes with a custom three page online marketing presence. In addition, our clients can join our marketing efforts through our electronic newsletter ” The Brentwood Insider“. All of this is thanks to