Finding my Tribe

This past week has been full of exciting real estate momentum new listings, strategic marketing, open houses, and meaningful client meetings. But beyond the bustle of business, something deeper has been unfolding.

I recently joined a local business networking group and have been meeting some of the most inspiring and successful individuals from all walks of life. It’s been an eye-opening experience one that has reminded me just how much I’ve been searching for my tribe. I’ve realized that my people are the givers, the doers, the helpers the ones who show up consistently to make our world better.

We gather in a large meeting space in downtown Oakland, each of us with a unique passion and purpose. I’m still discovering exactly where I want to focus my energy, but I’m drawn to causes like food insecurity, homelessness, and animal welfare both wild and domestic. It’s a journey I’m looking forward to walking with purpose.

In many ways, this new community mirrors my upbringing and involvement with GLIDE. There’s a familiar sense of alignment, of coming full circle. And it’s brought clarity to my work in real estate, too. Every transaction I’m part of is more than a sale it’s a chance to help someone build equity, plant roots, and unlock opportunity or turn a new leaf to their next phase in life, in the Bay Area.

Housing is more than shelter; it’s a foundation for social mobility. Knowing I play a small part in that journey for my clients gives me a deeper sense of purpose in everything I do.

As I reflect on all this, I can’t help but notice how the market itself reflects these themes of transition and opportunity. Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply staying informed, here are a few key insights from this week’s East Bay real estate landscape…

Market Snapshot | Week of June 9–13, 2025

While I’ve been grounded in community and purpose, Wall Street has been on a roller-coaster—and every East Bay buyer or seller should keep an eye on what just happened.

Why rates spiked on Friday

• Middle-East flare-up. In the early hours of Friday, June 13, Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile sites.

• Oil jumped ~7 %. Brent crude shot to $74.30/bbl, its biggest one-day gain since 2022, as traders priced in supply-chain risk.

• Inflation jitters returned. Higher energy costs feed directly into headline inflation, so bond traders demanded a bigger yield cushion.

• Bond yields popped. The 10-year Treasury rebounded to ≈ 4.37 %, reversing a mid-week dip.

• Mortgage rates followed. After sitting near 6.84 % on Freddie Mac’s weekly survey (released 6/12), lenders repriced higher Friday afternoon.

Take-away:

• Bond yields ↑ on inflation fears

• 30-yr mortgage rates ↑ in tandem

• Everyone’s now watching oil, the Fed meeting on June 18, and how it can impact inflation next.

What this means for you

Scenario	Why it matters	Smart play
Buying	Each ⅛-point rate bump trims ≈ $15k in purchasing power on a $700k loan.	• Lock fast. Ask your lender about a “float-down” option. • Rate buydowns (temporary or permanent) can offset the jump. • ARMs can make sense if you’ll move or refi in 5-7 yrs. • Compass Private/Coming-Soon inventory may include motivated sellers. • Assumable loan alert: my listing at 1555 Lakeside Dr #191 has a 3.9 % fixed loan with a ~$457k balance—rare gold in today’s market.
Selling	Buyers are payment-sensitive; turnkey homes win the beauty contest.	• Pre-list prep: I’ll help target high-ROI fixes. • Offer a seller-paid buydown instead of a price cut. • Private Exclusive through Compass lets you test price quietly and capture serious, qualified traffic.

Bottom line

Rates jumped because global headlines rewrote the inflation story in a single trading day. The good news: we have tools, rate locks, buy downs, assumable loans, and off-market strategies, that can keep your plans on track.

If you’re wondering how these moves affect your buying power or your potential sale, let’s strategize. A nimble, data-driven approach can turn a volatile week into your competitive edge.

Thinking about buying or selling in East Bay or the Bay Area?

I’m here to help you move forward with confidence.