Finding your “Red Hat!” The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 64, August 27, 2008

What’s New?

In an attempt to squeeze in one more day of summer and put off the inevitable, my husband and I and our younger son Tristan headed over the Bay Bridge to Pier 39 with a buddy of his last Saturday.

Experiencing rare San Francisco sunshine, the four of us joined thousands of other excited tourists and headed over to Pier 39 to explore the shops and enjoy the street performers. Within an hour, the boys and I had settled comfortably in front of the juggler’s hilarious act and Cliff had wandered into a sports memorabilia store (which is as close to shopping – or to jugglers – as Cliff ever gets). Everyone was happy and in his element. (Yeah!)

Cut to: laughter, frivolity, applause and the tip hat . . . too late, I realized the meter was about to expire on our parking space! Hurriedly shoving some bills into the open bowler, I grabbed the boys and rushed into the store in search of Cliff, who had already left and was in all likelihood, scanning the crowd for us. Guessing he would meet us at the car, the boys and I took off like Usain Bolt (humor me) and dropped several coins into the meter – just in the nick of time. (Yeah!)

No Cliff. (Drat!)

Thinking quickly (I can be inspired under pressure) I handed the boys a wad of crumpled bills and shoved them towards The Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. “Don’t leave this place until I come back,” I firmly instructed the boys. “I’ll find dad and return in a few minutes.”

That’s what I said to the boys, but inside I wondered how in the world I was actually going to find my husband amongst the sea of humanity spread out before me. . .

Like a salmon swimming upstream, I bumped and jostled my way through the crowds, and wondered (not for the first time) why my husband never carries his cell phone??? Looking through the seemingly endless swarm of people, my radar on high, I started to panic and doubted whether I would actually find him before the boys had explored every freakish oddity Ripley’s has to offer.

Then I saw it! Like a beacon, I saw my husband’s bright red baseball cap. (Yeah!) Among thousands of heads, I spied his red hat!

“What a relief!” you are thinking about now, “I’ve been on pins and needles, but how does your husband’s “red hat” relate to Real Estate?”

Here’s how . . . In my experience, homes that sell quickly have two things in common. First, they are all priced correctly (yeah!) and second, they all have a “red hat” – that one thing that distinguishes them from every other home on the block.

Your “red hat” may be an architectural gazebo, a soaring cathedral ceiling, a stunning view, a gourmet kitchen, a reading nook, a bank of French Doors, a fragrant interior courtyard, or an enchanting garden where one envision’s family celebrations.

Because a home often represents one’s dreams, people tend to buy their homes viscerally – people tend to buy them emotionally. Play up the “red hat” and you are sure to attract qualified buyers in a hurry!

Don’t have a “red hat?” Create one. Staging often provides the “red hat” a property may be lacking. (It also typically adds value to any home sale. )

So here are today’s lessons:
1) Find or create the red hat in your home.
2) Carry a cell phone!

What’s Coming?

I am thrilled to announce my newest listing at 6217 Westwood Way in Montclair. Bright, light and airy, this Mid-Century Modern features a casual and sleek open floor plan, 4bdrms/2.5 bths, including master suite down, inviting living room with brick fireplace, spacious family room with adjoining courtyard patio, updated kitchen and baths and magical front garden with level lawn. Close to the village and level in from the large 2-car garage, this lovely and meticulous Montclair retreat welcomes you home! Open Sunday, September 8, 1-4:30. Price: $789,000

The Jesse Wetmore House at 342 Bonita Avenue - the only historically registered home in Piedmont – is for sale! This Folk Victorian was built in 1878, and features a square house with spindle work and jig saw trim on the porch. It includes, Wetmore’s carriage house which still sits at the rear of the property and is now a legal second unit. The Wetmore House is the oldest unaltered house in Piedmont and offers 4bdrms/2bths. At 130 years old, the house needs updating and restoration but is the perfect project for someone who loves historic architecture and has the time and wherewithal to renovate. Price: $3,500,000. Shown by appointment only!(This home will not post on the MLS until 9/5/08.)

What’s Pending?

The last week in August usually presents very little activity, as many buyers and sellers are still away, ekeking out that last bit of summer. Look for an abundance of choices to present AFTER Labor Day Weekend. The market traditionally pick-ups through the fall and slows down again around the Thanksgiving holidays.

If you have a home to sell this fall, now is a terrific time to come to market.

You’re on the buy side? Great luck – now is an even better time to buy! With several buyers still away on on vacation, there are more buyers in the swimming pool and less competition in the buying pool . . . Dive in and you may find yourself alone at the negotiating table!

What’s Happening?

Your best and most strategic opportunity to buy may in fact be now! As lending institutions have uniformly contracted, money has been harder to obtain. While “jumbo-conforming” loans are still being offered up to $729,000, this higher loan number is set to permanently reduce to $625,000, come January 1, 2009!

If a home purchase is on the horizon for you, try to identify the property and get into contract before December 1, in order to allow enough time to close before the January 1 deadline!

What’s Fun!

Call me crazy, but Pier 39 really was fun! Aside from a few too many tourists, it was a real kick and a genuine treat to experience the pier with my son and his friend, Matt. From the street performers (who were all great) to the mini doughnuts (which were all fattening) to the Boudin Bakery Store (which is heavenly) San Francisco had come alive and we were engaged in the hustle and bustle that makes a city great. With blue skies and warm weather, it was an incredibly vibrant and fun-filled afternoon.

Pier 39 offers 110 shops and restaurants and live entertainment and is open 7 days a week! Head down the Embarcadero and you’ll run right into it on the historic waterfront! We lucked out and found parking on the street, but several parking lots are nearby, as is the ferry! www.pier39.com

The Piedmont Plug!

At long last – school has just begun and for the juniors and seniors of Piedmont High, the college hunt is already looming like a huge tsunami. Fear not! Piedmont resident, Susan Freeman, is an independent college placement counselor whose teaches our kids how to surf the high tide!

Since 2001 Susan Freeman and Kim Kellogg have parlayed their considerable corporate marketing and communication skills into Successful Applicant – a company designed
to find the “custom fit” for your college-bound child. While Kim is retiring after the successful placement of 162 kids, Susan still looks forward to many more years of guiding students through what many consider a grueling process. (Sound familiar?)

Whether your student ranks as class valedictorian or struggles for a C average, a college education should be part of every child’s horizon, according to Susan. Her strategic approach helps students develop and communicate key messages that create a powerful image and help differentiate them from the thousands of other applicants.

“Finding the ‘right fit’ for each child is key to that applicant’s success in college,” Susan explains. “This is a passion for me. When my students – ‘my kids’ – get their acceptance letters from the colleges of their dreams, there is no better feeling in the world!”

Need I say more?

For more information contact Susan at 510-465-3713 or susanfreeman1@gmail.com

See you next week!

THANKS FOR READING!

For more information about any of the properties or events listed above, please call me at (510) 339-0400 x264, or simply respond to this email. I’d love to share my real estate tips and my experience in the Piedmont community with you!

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