The staircase on the high-basement cottage at 2019 Pacific Avenue in Alameda draws the eye upward to the home’s full porch. A row of spindles complements the porch that sweeps across this Queen Anne-style home. Fish-scale shingles — like the spindles, signature Queen Anne elements — decorate the second-story dormer, which is built in the form of a pediment. A pair of windows on each side of the entry door adds symmetry to this home. The window in the dormer echoes the design of the windows below.
Housing prices, gentrification and inequality have been hot topics in the news lately. Recent articles and opinion pieces in the Alameda Sun have wrestled with how many people will move to Alameda due to new development, and others have grappled with how many will move out through eviction.
Somewhat lost in the discussion has been a sense of just how many people have been moving in, and outside of specific developments, where the most new Alamedans are settling.
A strong employment report has helped send mortgage rates higher. Freddie Mac’s Feb. 19 Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 7 basis points from last week’s 3.69 percent to 3.76 percent. In the third week of February 2014 the 30-year fixed averaged 4.33 percent.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 3.05 percent on Feb. 19, down 6 basis points from Feb. 12, when it averaged 2.99 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year fixed averaged 3.35 percent.
California’s housing market started the New Year still bearing the scars of 2014’s tight housing inventory and low housing affordability. Statewide home sales not only fell from December 2014, but from January 2014 as well, the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) recently announced.
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 351,890 units in January, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local Realtor associations and their multiple listing services statewide.
Oakmont of Mariner Point, a luxury senior living community, invites the community to view model homes specifically designed to serve Alameda County’s aging population. The community, located at 2400 Mariner Square Dr., is scheduled to open for move-ins this spring and is now accepting reservations. Onsite walk-in and scheduled appointments are welcome from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
