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Kimberly Gates

K.G.

CA DRE# 01470998

Honest. Knowledgable. Warm. These are just a few words clients frequently use to describe Kimberly Gates. Born and raised in Southern California, Kimberly was drawn to the natural beauty and vibrancy of the Bay Area and has called the region home for the past 23 years.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful oasis in Alameda, a trendy hotspot in Berkeley, a charming retreat in Oakland, or one of the East Bay's “hidden cities”, Kimberly can help you find the perfect place to live, work, and play—not to mention love.

After earning her Master’s Degree from Harvard University, Kimberly went on to have a successful corporate career with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, General Electric Homeland Protection, Inc., and served as a governor appointee in the Gray Davis administration.

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  • Dan & Keneth

    “Wow. Wow wow wow. I can't say enough good things about Kimberly! We had bought multiple properties in other states before, so we thought we knew what we were getting into, ...”

  • Berrin & Chris

    “If you’re fortunate enough to work with Kimberly Gates as your agent she will tell you she speaks the truth and she does indeed. From the initial introductory meeting we ...”

  • Ralph

    “Kimberly Gates is a phenomenal realtor. Due to her knowledge, expertise and hard work our home sold quickly and for a record price for the area.”

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Neighborhoods

Oakland

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East Bay Hidden Cities North, South, and West

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West Contra Costa County

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ArmChair Open House with Kimberly

A Little Weekend Eye-Candy! Peace To You & Yours

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Keeping Current Matters

For Sellers

If You’re Selling Your House This Summer, Hiring a Pro Is Critical

06/30/22   |   KCM Crew

It can be tempting, especially with how hot the housing market has been over the past two years, to consider selling your home on your own. But today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional. Not only will a trusted real estate advisor keep you updated and help you make the best decisions based on current market trends, but they’re also experts in managing the many aspects of selling your house. Here are five key reasons why working with a real estate professional makes sense today. 1. A Professional Follows the Latest Market Trends With higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and a growing number of homes for sale, today’s housing market is showing signs of a shift back toward more pre-pandemic levels. When conditions change, following the trends and staying on top of new information is crucial when you sell. That makes working with an expert real estate advisor critical today. They know your local area and follow national trends too. More importantly, they’ll know what this data means for you, and as the market shifts, they’ll be able to help you navigate it and make your best decision. 2. A Professional Helps Maximize Your Pool of Buyers Your agent’s role in bringing in buyers is important. Real estate professionals have a large variety of tools at their disposal, such as social media followers, agency resources, and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to ensure your house is viewed by the most buyers. Investopedia explains why it’s risky to sell on your own without the network an agent provides: “You don’t have relationships with clients, other agents, or a real estate agency to bring the largest pool of potential buyers to your home. A smaller pool of potential buyers means less demand for your property, which can translate into waiting longer to sell your home and possibly not getting as much money as your house is worth.” 3. A Professional Understands the Fine Print Today, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory when selling a house. That means the number of legal documents you’ll need to juggle is growing. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains it best, saying: “Selling a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. . . . Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.” A real estate professional knows exactly what needs to happen, what all the paperwork means, and how to work through it efficiently. They’ll help you review the documents and avoid any costly missteps that could occur if you try to handle them on your own. 4. A Professional Is a Trained Negotiator If you sell without a professional, you’ll also be solely responsible for all the negotiations. That means you’ll have to coordinate with: The buyer, who wants the best deal possible The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender Instead of going toe-to-toe with all these parties alone, lean on an expert. They’ll know what levers to pull, how to address everyone’s concerns, and when you may want to get a second opinion. 5. A Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your House If you sell your house on your own, you may over or undershoot your asking price. That could mean you’ll leave money on the table because you priced it too low or your house will sit on the market because you priced it too high. Pricing a house requires expertise. NAR explains it like this: “A great real estate agent will look at your home with an unbiased eye, providing you with the information you need to enhance marketability and maximize price.” Real estate professionals know the ins and outs of how to price your house accurately and competitively. To do so, they compare your house to recently sold homes in your area and factor in the current condition of your home. These steps are key to making sure it’s set to move quickly while still getting you the highest possible final sale price. Bottom Line Whether it’s following local and national trends and guiding you through a shifting market or pricing your house right, a real estate agent has essential insights you’ll want to rely on throughout the transaction. Don’t go at it alone. If you plan to sell, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side.

Buying Myths

Homeownership Could Be in Reach with Down Payment Assistance Programs

06/29/22   |   KCM Crew

A recent survey from Bankrate asks prospective buyers to identify the biggest obstacles in their homebuying journey. It found that 36% of those polled said saving for a down payment is one of their primary hurdles to buying a home. If you feel the same way, the good news is there are many down payment assistance programs available that can help you achieve your homeownership goals. The key is understanding where to look and learning what options are available. Here’s some information that can help you. You Can Qualify Even if You’ve Purchased a Home Before There are several misconceptions about down payment assistance programs. For starters, many people believe there’s only assistance available for first-time homebuyers. While first-time buyers have many options to explore, repeat buyers have some, too. According to the latest Homeownership Program Index from downpaymentresource.com: “It is a common misconception that homebuyer assistance is only available to first-time homebuyers, however, 38% of homebuyer assistance programs in Q1 2022 did not have a first-time homebuyer requirement.” That means repeat buyers could qualify for over one-third of the assistance programs available. And if you’re a repeat buyer, you may still be able to take advantage of some first-time homebuyer programs, depending on your personal situation. That’s because downpaymentresource.com also notes many of the first-time homebuyer programs use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of a first-time homebuyer. Under their definition, you could qualify as a first-time buyer if you’re: Someone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in 3 years. A single parent who’s only ever owned a home with a former spouse. That means no matter where you are in your homeownership journey, there could be an option available for you. You May Be Eligible for Programs Based on Your Location or Profession In addition to broader options available for repeat and first-time homebuyers, there are other types of down payment assistance programs that you could qualify for based on your location. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Many local governments and non-profit organizations offer down-payment assistance grants and loans, targeted to area borrowers and often with specific borrower requirements.” Plus, there are programs and special benefits for individuals working in certain professions or with unique statuses, including teachers, doctors and nurses, and veterans. Ultimately, that means there are many federal, state, and local programs available for you to explore. The best way to do that is to connect with a local real estate professional and your lender to learn more about what’s available in your area. Bottom Line Down payment assistance programs have helped many homebuyers achieve their dreams, and if you qualify, they could help you too. Let’s connect today so you can begin exploring your options.

Work With Kimberly

Kimberly is a long-time Bay Area resident and knows the market intimately. Call Kimberly today to schedule a private showing.

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