What are your concerns about the Bay Area market?

A: In the current state of the Bay Area real estate market, I worry most about interest rates rising for sellers and the fatigue of buyers.

As interest rates begin to rise, there’s particular concern for those who are in adjustable mortgages. The Federal Reserve is expected to raise rates slowly and systemically during the next several years.

The current interest rates of these adjustable loans have been able to save borrowers money. With these savings, the opportunity for property owners to pay down their loan principal is something I encouraged my clients to take advantage of while it was still available. However, it appears those opportunities are fleeting. Now is the time to be prudent and switch into a longer fixed-rate maturity.

My second concern in our sellers market is a buyer’s ability to remain competitive and resilient. It is a difficult market to navigate with properties getting multiple offers over the asking price. It is not uncommon for a buyer to make multiple offers on multiple homes and not have their offers accepted. Buyers can feel beaten down.

Bay Area prices are very high and buying is a huge investment, so I remind my clients to take emotion out of the transaction.

It is important in this market to keep an open mind and have your clients set realistic parameters so that the passion of the moment doesn’t get the best of your wallet. A: San Francisco buyers have three main concerns in today’s market. Am I paying too much?

It’s a fact that the winning buyer is the one who is willing to pay more than anyone else.

Some people think we are approaching a market bubble. From my vantage point, if the buyer’s holding period is at least five years, they will be just fine. Am I rushing too fast to make a decision?

When the best properties are selling within days of going on the market, buyers need to be prepared to strike quickly.

The best way to do this is to partner with an experienced agent whom you trust and who is knowledgeable. Am I buying a money pit?

With San Francisco’s relatively old housing stock averaging at least 70 years, buyers are concerned about the cost of upkeep as well as earthquake safety.

No house is perfect, and a buyer needs to understand the potential risks. That is why inspections are so important.

Owning a home is not for everyone, but I firmly believe that there are essential financial, emotional and personal benefits in homeownership. A: The Bay Area real estate market is unique. We have a strong economic base with tech, biotech and other companies that provide a large pool of qualified home buyers.

We have the best weather in the country as well as beautiful neighborhoods offering desirable amenities.

Demand for well-located, wellpresented and properly priced homes remains high.

Lack of housing inventory and high demand remains the most obvious concern. Rising interest rates and how that will affect sales (if at all) is also a question.

Of course, no one knows what the inevitable and eventual cooling off of this heated boom cycle will look like.

Although these are times of tremendous uncertainty, one constant remains: Owning a home in the Bay Area remains an excellent long-term investment. It’s also a wonderful choice for making a happy life.

So grab that 4.25 percent interest rate before it’s gone. It won’t be available indefinitely.