“Sacred Rituals,” Fa La La La! The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 77, December 3, 2008
What’s New?
“Do you still make your bed every day?” Molly laughed, poking fun at me after a crisp morning walk along Crissy Field a few weeks back. (Molly and I met when our 17 year-old sons first entered the same kindergarten class many years ago and we’ve only grown closer over time.) Having garnered the well-honed reputation as a bit of a “neat freak” back then (doesn’t everybody arrange their children’s toys by alphabetical order and animal phylum?) it didn’t surprise Molly in the least when I answered that I did.
“Training from my dad,” I replied, taking a sip of tea, “He didn’t allow us downstairs until our beds were made.” With six active kids under one roof, I suppose it was my folks’ way of keeping some small (very small) semblance of order in the house. You made your bed every morning or you didn’t eat breakfast!
Some habits are indelibly ingrained. Thanks to my dad, I never leave the house without tightly tucking in the sheets, pulling up the comforter and neatly ordering the pillows. The rest of the house might look like the epicenter of an 6.8 earthquake, but I always make the bed (which is slightly problematic when my husband is still in it . . .) To me, making the bed each morning is a sacred ritual.
The sacred ritual in real estate is what’s commonly known as “Broker’s Tour.” Broker’s Tour takes place every Monday and Thursday mornings. In the East Bay, it geographically encompasses Oakland, Piedmont, Montclair, Rockridge, Berkeley, Albany, Kensington and El Cerrito. At The GRUBB Co., we also preview each other’s listings every Tuesday mornings as well. (Whew, that’s a lot of ground to cover!)
Broker’s Tour is an agent’s opportunity to see any new listings that have recently hit or are about to enter the marketplace. This critical “sneak peek” allows us to view many properties in a condensed time period and is the best way to stay on top of the inventory. It isn’t atypical for me to visit between 10-15 homes on any given tour day (that’s approximately 30 homes a week and 120 homes a month for those of you who are counting).
While touring is the surest way to stay current, it isn’t the only way. Many agents rely instead, on The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to provide daily analysis and updates. While the MLS is an extremely valuable tool, to me, a “virtual tour” can never replace the importance of physically visiting a home.
Experiencing a home in person is the surest way to define whether or not a property meets my clients’ criteria and needs. It tells me about the particular style of a home and its surrounding neighbors. It shows me where the sun comes in and how the garden grows. It informs me as to the quality of the craftsmanship, the age of the home and its care. It gives me the opportunity to question the listing agent as to the seller’s motivation and needs. Touring, tangibly highlights a home’s specific story and it allows me to see a property through my buyers’ eyes. By previewing a home, I know what it has to offer and just as importantly – what it doesn’t.
Here’s the piece that’s significant to you (oh good) – not every agent tours. In fact, I can say with assurance that only a small minority of agents do! If you are counting on an agent to be your first line of defense and your eyes and ears, doesn’t it make sense to work with a representative who tours on a regular basis and makes it part of her weekly practice?
Why?
The obvious reason is that those of us who tour religiously know the inventory better, but the less obvious and more important piece for you is that we understand the bigger picture and how it affects your potential outcome.
We know which properties sold quickly and why; which ones faltered and needed to be reduced; which ones compare favorably to recent sales and which ones are vastly different or unique. We know the area’s geography, its nearby shops, parks and schools and its closest BART station or freeway onramp. In short, we’ve done our homework and are better prepared to save you valuable time and money as a result (or did you really want to see 120 homes in person?).
So before aligning yourself with an agent, it might benefit you to find out if he or she tours regularly; which areas does he/she tour most often, and which homes has he/she recently seen? Ask him/her if he/she has bothered to preview the property before taking you to see it and if not, ask yourself, “What value does this agent actually bring?”
For top professionals, there is a time-tested reason why the weekly Broker’s Tour is considered one of our most sacred rituals. While admittedly, touring is time-consuming (which is why many agents skip them altogether) it is simply one of our best and most important educational resources.
Now whether or not it’s important if we make our beds is entirely up to you!
What’s Coming?
Angela Grubb brings a sleek Contemporary to the Piedmont market on Sunday, December 14, at 58 Crest Road. Close to Hampton Field, this spacious level-in home offers a large living room, formal dining room and updated kitchen with granite countertops and large breakfast nook. Featuring three bedroom suites, attached 2-car garage and a permitted downstairs – perfect for a 4th bedroom, home theater or personal gym – this classic mid-century defines the “California lifestyle,” complete with new deck, Bay view, level yard with built-in pool/ spa and a changing room with half bath. Now wouldn’t that make a nice holiday gift? Price: $2,300,000
Anthony Riggins has just listed a split-level 1940′s home with big level garden and I predict this one is going to sell quickly. Priced at only $675,000, this 3+bdrm/3bth home with bonus space, large open floor plan and great proximity to Lakeshore Avenue will have only one open house before taking offers next week. If you have been waiting for a Crocker Highlands opportunity, look no further. This sweet home and setting offers true value! Open Sunday 2-4:30. www.Grubbco.com
What’s Pending?
While some of you were gobbling up turkey and fixin’s or utilizing the time off to steal a few days away with your families, others stayed closer to home to beat out absentee buyers and were greatly rewarded. Hint: The holidays traditionally represent the best values!
If a move is on the horizon for 2009, I encourage you to seriously consider a purchase now – before competition returns to the marketplace. With interest rates once again at historically all-time lows, you may qualify for a bigger than anticipated opportunity!
The impressive “fixer” at 412 Monte Vista in Oakland went pending over the holidays. This stunning turn-of-the-century mansion, requiring a complete overhaul, is ripe with possibilities. With four offers and an asking price of $989,000, it enjoyed heavy competition. It is significant to note that GRUBB CO., agents Anja Plowright and Colette Ford, crafted the winning offer! Congratulations to the buyers.
What’s Happening?
Piedmont currently has 21 homes listed for sale and has closed a total of 74 homes year-to-date. How’s this stack up to last year? As you might suspect we are down a bit (close to 25%) but the news is hopeful. Last
year, 101 homes had transferred ownership by the end of December 2007. With 21 homes still waiting to sell, we could potentially bring 2008 sales within striking distance of 2007!
While this is traditionally the time of year that home sales slow due to the holidays, I do want to remind you that properties for sale at this time of year aren’t “testing the market.” Don’t be afraid to step in with an offer.
Here’s the bigger picture -Sales are actually UP this year in The GRUBB Co. offices for the month of November! Last year at this time, The GRUBB Co. had 31 homes under contract, while this year that number has swelled to 42! More significantly, of the 90 properties that transferred ownership in our defined sales market (Rockridge, Montclair, the Oakland Hills, Berkely, Kensington and Piedmont) The GRUBB Co. was responsible for almost half of them!
Now why would you work with anyone else?
What’s Fun!
Expanding on the theme of sacred rituals, the holidays are full of them, beginning with tonight’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the center of town. Complete with Christmas carolers and warm hot chocolate, it’s an inviting evening – even if Christmas isn’t traditionally part of your holiday landscape. Please join your friends and neighbors for this wonderful Piedmont holiday ritual.
The Piedmont Neighbors and Newcomers Club invites you to join them at their annual holiday fete this Saturday, December 6 from 5-9PM. This year, it is being held at the beautiful home of Mike and Vicky O’Bresly on Bonita Avenue. Whether you are new to Piedmont or descend from the town’s founding fathers, your presence is always welcome. Contact Trina Milos at trinamilos@yahoo.com for reservations. Haven’t joined the Piedmont Neighbors and Newcomers Club yet? What better time to do so?
The Montclair Village hosts its Annual Holiday Village Stroll tomorrow evening, Thursday, December 4, from 6-9PM. Shop, stroll and enjoy the merriment of the season! Everyone’s doors will be open. Get your holiday shopping behind you.
Santa makes an encore visit to The GRUBB Co. on Saturday morning, December 13 from 10AM-noon. There will be coffee, cider, cookies and complimentary photos with jolly ol’ Saint Nick. Ho, ho, ho! Please join us then.
Finally, the Boys Scouts remind you that their annual Christmas tree lot is open for business at Coach’s Field every day after school and on weekends through Christmas Eve. Trees, wreaths and garlands are all available for immediate purchase. Proceeds benefit the local Boy Scouts!
The Piedmont Plug!
Speaking of wreaths, what holiday decorating is complete without a winter wreath? Designer, Deborah Lewis Gadbois has set up a design studio in her Piedmont home on Inverleith Terrace and will custom design a wreath perfect for any holiday setting.
Pick from one of her many beautiful ready-made wreaths for immediate purchase and delivery or select components to match your specific requests and décor (mine is so pretty, it now sits above my fireplace year round!). These creative and stunning wreaths by Lewis Designs will last for many years and can easily alternate with the seasons. (Why stop at Christmas?)
While we all know her husband Ray to be an extremely dedicated Piedmont School Board member, Debbie is clearly, the real talent in the family! For an appointment, call 510-410-2552 or email her at deborahgadbois@hotmail.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 simply email me at jgardner@grubco.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.