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Like leaves falling from trees all over town, the Monarchs are floating in the breeze by the thousands. I saw people all over Lamorinda today just watching the butterflies. The Monarchs are on their annual migration from southern Canada to wintering sites in central Mexico where they spend the winter. Not a bad idea!
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Hi, my wife and I are looking to purchase a house in Orinda. Can someone give us a description of the neighborhoods--north of Freeway (OCC, Tiger Tail, Sandhill, Claremont, Sundown Terrace) vs. south of Freeway (Glorietta, Del Rey, Ivy Drive etc.) in terms of family-friendliness (we have a one-year old); value of house (from an investment perspective likely to retain/appreciate value); and commute to FWY24 and BART? Thanks, Michael
Thu Mar 26 2009, 13:19 - Home Buying In Orinda
Hi Michael,
You will not find a more family friendly community than Orinda. That is why my wife and I moved here, and why many people aspire to call Orinda their home. This fact makes parent involvement in the community very high. The schools are top-rated, and the kids programs are very well run.
The title of your post says you are seeking a house in Orinda, up to $1m. There are currently 64 properties available in Orinda, and only 21 of them are under $1m. Of those 21, 8 of them are fixers, mostly of the severe condition (3 in the Country Club, 1 in the Claremont area, 1 on Moraga Way, 1 in the Glorietta area, and 1 in the Charles Hill area). Of the 13 left that are not fixers, 4 of them are basically on or very near the busy street of Moraga Way. We are now down to 9 properties. There is 1 in the Claremont area, 2 in the CC, 2 in the El Toyonal area, 1 Townhouse in Orinda Woods, 2 in the Glorietta area, and 1 up in the Crestview area.
What you should know as an under $1m buyer in Orinda is that a desirable property in this price range goes pending VERY fast. 5 properties went pending within the last 2 weeks in under 7 days on the market.
If you are serious about buying in this range, you need to make sure you are up to speed in 2 areas; financing and knowledge of the market. You need the knowledge so when you see a property you like, you know for sure if it is a good investment or not. You need the financing to be in place (underwritten for credit) so you can write an effective offer immediately, which will be accepted.
More properties that fit your parameters will come on the market
over the next few months. The good ones are sure to go fast! A good
Realtor goes a long way.
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