Things To Do In Castro Valley, Alameda, and San Leandro!
 

• Alameda Museum

• Oakland Museum of California

• Habitot Children's Museum

• Berkeley Art Center

• The Adelphian Center

• Alameda Civic Light Opera

• The Little Theater

• ACLO Kids Programs

• EonWeb's Restaurant Guide to Alameda County

• Castro Valley Restaurant Listings

• The Englander Pub

• The Great American Barbecue Co.

• Horatio's

• Palomino

• Oakland Raiders

• Oakland Athletics

• Golden State Warriors

• San Leandro Marina Golf

Alameda

• Crab Cove Visitors Center

• Crown Beach

San Leandro

• Bonaire Park

• Cabot Park

• The Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade

• San Leandro Marina

• Alameda County Fairgrounds

• Oakland Alameda Coliseum

• USS Hornet

• Antiques by the Bay

Many people fall out of the home buying market when interest rates start to go up. This is often a mistake. Many of the best mortgages deals become available when lenders are competing for new business and sellers are competing within a smaller buyer pool. You just have to know how to keep the costs down in order to counter the higher interest rates.

One of the best tricks is the buy-down. In a buy-down, a fee is paid at the closing to get a lower interest rate. In a soft market, an anxious seller may be lured into to paying all or part of the buy-down. Another approach is to get the seller to pay some of closing costs, thus lowering the amount of cash a buyer needs to close. Frequently the seller's costs can be used as a write-off by the buyer. Always consult with your tax advisor if you are considering such an arrangement.

If the market is softening due to rising or higher rates, the price itself becomes an area where a buyer may be able to save a lot of money on a house through skillful negotiating. Lower prices mean lower loan amounts, so don't be discouraged by higher rates--use them to your advantage.

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