The GRUBB Co. is Going Green! The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 24

What’s New?
So this isn’t Piedmont exactly, but when properties this special come along, they’re worth mentioning and this stunning home deserves all of its praise and then some. . . “Spectacular” barely begins to describe Bebe McRae’s fabulous new Spanish Mediterranean listing on Westminster, near the Claremont Country Club, which boasts 4+++ bedrooms, 6 baths, 3 garages, San Francisco views, rolling lawns, and sparkling swimming pool! Completely renovated from top to bottom with every attention given to preservation and architectural integrity, this masterpiece wants for nothing. Bring your golf cart and live happily ever after (which clearly shows that I don’t play golf)! However, I do know a remarkable home when I see one . . . Price upon request. For more information, go to www.Grubbco.com.

Sandy Vogl has brought a Mid-Century Contemporary to the market on Somerset with sweeping bay views, generous open floor plan and ample room. With mid-centuries enjoying renewed and growing demand, this home, featuring 4bdrms/3bths will be open this Sunday, 2 – 4:30p.m.

I grew up playing hide-and-seek on warm summer evenings which made me very nostalgic when I walked into Anian Tunney’s sweet new listing on Mac Kinnon Place. It’s sunny cul-de-sac location immediately brought up memories of ice cream trucks and neighborhood gatherings out front, lasting well into the evening until our mothers’ voices and the cricket’s chirpping, called us inside to bed. Offering 2bdrms/2bths, this charming Mediterranean sings of summer nights. Close to schools, the community center and the town pool, you’ll easily access all the amenities Piedmont has to offer.

I keep returning to Crocker Highlands* over and over in The Piedmont Perspective, with good reason. The newest listing on Trestle Glen featuring 4bdrms/1.5bths, level gardens and large lot on a shady tree-lined street is an absolutely beautiful Traditional in the heart of Crocker that is a terrific alternative to the higher prices of Piedmont. If you haven’t yet explored Crocker Highlands, you may be overlooking some great opportunities . . .

* Remember, Shades of Green – a tour of eight fabulous homes in Crocker Highalands – is taking place this Sunday, October 7. For more information, contact Anthony Riggins at The GRUBB Co: (510) 339-0400/282.

What’s Coming?
The GRUBB Co. is going “Green!” That’s right, DJ Grubb and John Karnay, the owners of GRUBB Co., have committed to using “green” practices throughout both the Berkeley and Montclair offices. Some of the more obvious steps when going green include recycling and purchasing 100% recycled goods, but did you know it also encompasses adding air-cleaning plants to the office, using biodegradable cleaning products, encouraging less waste from the employees, and even recognizing that a good portion of our work can be accomplished at home, thereby avoiding the commute into work altogether? With everyone’s help, DJ and John will be aggressively pursuing GRUBB’S stainable business certification. Now that’s worth crowing about!

My personal commitment to this goal, includes the continuation of e-mailing The Piedmont Perspective and any future marketing materials as well. Instead of adding to the mountains of catalogues in your mailboxes (that ultimately require recycling) I’ll be focusing greater attention on internet advertising in the coming weeks, months, and years. With more than 80% of home buyers beginning their search on the internet, it only makes good and “green” sense!

What’s Pending?
It’s great news that our market is experiencing terrific momentum but it’s incredibly exciting when one’s colleagues are responsible for much of that buzz . . . Adding to the ranks of gifted agents at GRUBB Co, our own Scott Hill, along with seasoned agent, Liz Dickson, aggressively pursued and successfully achieved, the sale of a stunning mansion on Mountain Avenue that had yet to hit the open market. Scott and Liz represented the buyers in this “fantasy property” complete with grand entrance, library, chef’s kitchen, study, views, gardens, and complete privacy. Congratulations to all parties involved – but especially to the Buyers!

The beautifully renovated home on Ronada has just gone into contract. (The outdoor room overlooking the pool was reason enough for me to want to sell my own Piedmont home and transition into this unique and remarkable renovation.) Congratualtions to the Buyers who understood the outstanding design qualities of this lovely property. Please invite me over from time to time!

What’s Happening Now?
From a high of twenty-five active listings two weeks ago, down to sixteen today, the inventory is quickly dropping off and should continue to do so as we get closer to the Thanksgiving holidays. What are you waiting for?

Debbi DiMaggio’s cool view Mid- Century Contemporary on Estates has been reduced and offers tremendous value. If you fell in love, but found it just out of your price range, now may be the time to reevaluate and make an offer on this beauty! Open this Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m.

The Traditional on Grand and Cambridge has reduced its price as well and is now below one million dollars. With 4bdrms/1+ bth, this may be the time to take a second look!

What’s Fun!
After a whirl-wind week of events which inclded the stunning CSL Fashion Show, the fun-filled Camp Augusta Ho-Down, The Flip-Flops and Lemon Drops mom’s event hosted at the ultra chic home of Sarah Abel, and the spectacularly successful Harvest Festival (hats off to you Heidi Monical) I’m tired! Whew! With a bit of a pause in the action, we’ve all time to regroup before moving into the holiday season and the next group of fundraisers . . .

The Piedmont Plug!
Like many of you with school-age children, I’ve just received this year’s plea for “The Annual Giving Campaign.” Collectively, most of us agree that there are few things as important as our children’s education. Speaking as a mother, I’m grateful to the committee members who have the dubious honor of making the calls and contacting each of us for donatios. (That’s a tough job! Maybe even tougher than being a Realtor. . .) When you’ve migrated from a private school where tuition is now in excess of $20,000 a year for elementary education and $25,000 for secondary education, the Annual Giving contribution is a breeze by comparison – especially if you have more than one child in the schools (as many of us do)!

Speaking as a Realtor, our homes’ values have a direct correlation to the health and performance of our schools. Great schools keep our property values moving north! Let’s all do our part to ensure the continued success of these coveted institutions. We can ensure the staying power of many of the enrichment programs we’ve come to know and expect for our children. The enhanced opportunities for our kids makes a significant difference in the quality of their education. In fact, many special programs, such as art and music, rely on our donations as the only means to keep invaluable extras like these alive. Please give this real consideration when filling our your check for The Annual Giving Campaign, and send in your tax-deductable donation today.

Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well.