Blind Faith – The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 74 November 5, 2008
What’s New?
The GRUBB Co. now has an easy, efficient (and frankly, cool) hi-tech tool for tracking new listings that you can self- generate from the comfort of your home Log on to www.Grubbco.com and hit the “Grubb Co. Registry” button up top (or as I like to think of it, The GRUBB Club).
By registering your name and your criteria, you can custom fit an automatic search that is specific to your needs alone! Looking only in Piedmont and Crocker Highlands? Simply input the 94610 and 94611 zip codes, number of bedrooms and baths, price range and the name of an agent (preferably me) and you are set to go! You have now just ensured that ALL new and current listings automatically come your way. It couldn’t be easier!
The GRUBB Co. Registry pulls from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) – not just GRUBB Co. listings, so you won’t miss a thing. Rather than scanning the Internet, let the Internet come to you to peruse at your leisure!
What’s Coming?
Anian Tunney adds 633 Moraga Avenue to the marketplace this weekend. At $1,195,000 – this large home on three levels offers ample space and is just a hop, skip and a jump to Coach’s Field. Open Sunday 2-4:30.
Debbi DiMaggio Betta brings 125 Estates back to the market, after leasing it last year. This sun-filled, level-in, chic and sophisticated contemporary with sparkling San Francisco Bay views has an updated new master bathroom, refinished hardwood floors and features 3bdrms/3.5bths, dramatic living and dining rooms, large family room down, home office and master bedroom suite. Designer touches include: ebony hardwood floors, wall of windows, inviting decks, custom closets, granite counter tops and recessed lighting. Close to Montclair Village, the casual carpool, Hampton Field and easy freeway access!
Price: $1,395,000. For a preview: www.125estates.com
What’s Pending?
By the time you read this, the election results should be in and we should begin to see some real movement in the marketplace. Week by week, the news improves with respect to available funding as well. Now that you are ready to resume your hunt, there are some real values to discover.
If it’s “the deal” you have been waiting for, don’t overlook homes that went into escrow and quickly fell out. Homes that fell out of escrow in the last few weeks, typically had more to do with the lack of available financing than with the quality of the home. Don’t be afraid to approach these serious sellers with an offer.
You might also want to reconsider homes that have been “temporarily withdrawn” and are currently off the market for the holidays. Many of these owners are still interested in selling their homes, but are banking on more buyers and a better result come next spring. For them, the bird in hand, is often worth more than two in the bush! For you, it’s better to be that one bird than compete with a whole flock next spring.
Call me for access to these properties. I can easily provide you with a list!
Finally, not to be outdone by serious sellers, serious buyers have gone into contract on Kelly Deal’s beautiful and private all-level residence on Skyline Avenue in Montclair, with a full price offer and Matt Heafey’s listing on Crest Road in Piedmont has gone into contract as well. Smart buyers will step in and take advantage of the opportunity to be the only buyer at the table.
Will you be one of them or will you continue to wait?
What’s Happening?
Several homes have taken significant price reductions and many bare reconsideration. While others properties have not yet taken the formal step of reducing the price, anyone currently selling represents an extremely “motivated seller.” Make an offer and begin a dialogue. You might be pleasantly surprised!
The spacious listing at 70 Somerset Road has been reduced to $1,795,000. The darling starter home at 102 Oakmont Avenue is only $695,000, the stunning Cape Cod Traditional at 334 Sheridan Avenue is now listed for $4,950,000 and the grand Mediterranean at 50 Bellevue Avenue is currently listed for $4,995,000.
Now what would you like to offer?
What’s Fun!
Week after week, I send The Perspective out into the Google sphere, not really knowing if my musings hit home, or more often then not, hit the recycle bin. While a dedicated few almost always respond with a brief word or two, a compliment, or a question – it’s really blind faith (is there any other kind?) that leads me to believe that the rest of you silent subscribers, READ The Perspective, rather than DELETE it. (“Blind faith” makes a great Halloween costume by the way.)
Imagine my delight then, when so many of your responded to last week’s riddle about my husband’s Halloween costume. Yes, he was “Orange Julius” (Caesar) and eleven of you responded with the correct answer while a whole bunch more of you wrote back looking for more clues. (“smarty pants” – another costume suggestion?)
However, fellow scriber, Len Gilbert was the first respondent, making him the lucky recipient of the Mulberry Market gift certificate. Lisa Oyama came in a close second, followed by Karen Plessinger in third place. (Sorry ladies.) I loved hearing from ALL of you – thank you for your time!
Because it proved to be so much fun (for me anyway) look for more opportunities to score in the coming weeks. I may just slip in a riddle on a monthly basis to keep you on your toes! (The Piedmont Puzzler?)
The Piedmont Plug!
With a commitment to giving back, HOME Stagers once again, partnered with Habitat East Bay and donated their talents and vision to the first and only Habitat Model Home in the San Francisco Bay Area. The collaboration between HOME Stagers and Habitat East Bay began two years ago and was such a HUGE success that designers, Chris Breining and Bill Upton have expanded their program from supplying a few select elements, to now include every element of a “Habitat” home – from the front door to the master bedroom suite!
With a dedicated, comprehensive commitment to Habitat East Bay, HOME Stagers recently staged the model unit for Habitat East Bay’s new development in Oakland. This development is part of Habitat’s effort to complete 200 homes in the next five years! For information on homeownership, or to get involved, visit www.habitatEB.org.
And here’s more timely news . . . With the holidays quickly approaching, HOME Stagers also specializes in holiday decor! Whether it’s to highlight your Thanksgiving table or decorate your entire home for a Christmas or New Year’s gathering, HOME Stagers can help you “set the stage!” (Use your own holiday decorations or have them purchase new ones for you.) For a free consultation, call 415-285-9911. info@homestagersinc.com
With the holidays fast approaching, I will be cutting back my e-column to every other week until 2009. See you in two weeks!
THANKS FOR READING!
For more information
about any of the properties or events listed above, please call me at (510) 339-0400 x264, or email me at jgardner@grubbco.com. 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.