Ginger Bread Homes and Noble Firs, The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 30
What's New?
With only one new listing - a 2bdrm/1bth home on Cambridge Avenue - to alert you to this week, I am going to take this opportunity to sing the praises of the new Mulberry Market which has replaced the old Bon Fair in the center of town. Last week, I had the good fortune of getting a "sneak peek" at the new Mulberry Market, which is currently set to open December 8, and it is absolutely fabulous!
Remodeled from the ground floor up, the new proprietors, Chad Olcott and Laura Pochop have created a space in which Piedmont can take real pride. With an open floor plan that boasts a Peet’s Coffee Bar (finally, coffee in town) a self-serve milkshake station, a fully-stocked deli, fresh, crisp produce, fine wines, and even chips and sodas for the teens, no detail – whether small or large - has been overlooked. From a pressed tin ceiling, to hand-milled cabinets, to a bank of stools in front of a grand picture window, Mulberry Market simultaneously bridges yesteryear with tomorrow. It is truly a visual and culinary treat for us all. Thank you Chad and Laura for your incredible tenacity and vision! (Chad for Mayor?)
What's Coming?
The holidays are fast approaching. (Yikes! Does Hanukkah really start tonight?) Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or some other winter solstice celebration, now is a great opportunity to carve out time with family and friends. Take advantage of California's year-round sunshine and walk Lake Merritt with an old friend you rarely have time to see. Rediscover the unique shops and outlets on 4th Street in Berkeley (they just keep getting better) and have scones at Betty's Diner. Stop by the new Whole Foods Market on Harrison and pick up dinner. (Who wants to cook after all that shopping?) Invite new neighbors over to share a glass of Christmas Cheer. Create a sugary gingerbread house with your kids (you knew a real estate reference was bound to show up somewhere) and then move the buttons on all of your pants . . . Whatever you do, enjoy this bit of down time because it never lasts long enough before the holidays are behind us and we are back into high gear come 2008.
And speaking of 2008, we may just skip first gear altogether! There are several wonderful new listings coming your way after January 1 - from very grand to "just right" (think Goldilocks) - and I will be keeping you posted on all of them. Stay tuned. Which properties you say? You'll have to give me a call to find out more . . .
What's Pending?
Lest you think the market has all but disappeared, fear not - it is just taking a breather as is typical for this time of year. The Mediterranean on Sea View found a happy buyer and for significantly less than the original list price (now wouldn't that make you happy?) If value is your number one priority, this is the perfect time to secure it. With interest rates as low at 5.75% on conforming loans* (we haven't seen rates this low since August of 2005!) you may be in a terrific position to buy now and December can offer very viable opportunities. Although it is easy to get preoccupied during the holidays, stay focused!
*Conforming loans are loans up to $417,000. Jumbo loans are loans higher than $417,000. To see how today's interest rates specifically fit into your plans, contact me for a referral to a qualified mortgage broker or log onto www.LaSalleFiance.com.
What's Happening Now?
Piedmont High makes U.S. News and World Report's "100 Gold Medal Schools"! It comes as no surprise that the success of Piedmont's high-performing schools sets our unique town apart from neighboring communities and now it is official! We, Piedmonters, have earned bragging rights! Pass it along. (This nifty news comes courtesy of Pam McBain. Thanks Pam for keeping us so well-informed.) San Francisco families - are you listening?
To learn more, click onto the links below.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2007/11/29/gold-medal-schools.html
(the list)
http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/index.html (the full set of articles, some with video!)
What's Fun!
Music Director Benjamin Simon kicks off the 2007-2008 season of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra with Program I: Prodigies, Dec. 30, 2007—Jan. 1, 2008, a New Year’s celebration devoted to Mozart and Mendelssohn, two of the greatest child prodigies the classical world has ever known. The SFCO provides
music for small orchestra that is fun, fresh, first rate and free! For further details, see
their website at: www.sfchamberorchestra.org (Thank you Sherri Richards for this musical gift!)
The Piedmont Plug!
The Boy Scouts have once again opened their annual Christmas tree lot at Coaches Field on Moraga Avenue. With operating hours that extend from 3:45-8pm Monday-Thursday, 1:30-9 pm on Friday and 9 am-9 pm on Saturday and Sunday, you are sure to find whatever scented greenery your heart desires. From garlands to wreaths to stately trees, this is a wonderful way to support the local scouts here in Piedmont. Personally, I love the Noble Firs.
With only one new listing - a 2bdrm/1bth home on Cambridge Avenue - to alert you to this week, I am going to take this opportunity to sing the praises of the new Mulberry Market which has replaced the old Bon Fair in the center of town. Last week, I had the good fortune of getting a "sneak peek" at the new Mulberry Market, which is currently set to open December 8, and it is absolutely fabulous!
Remodeled from the ground floor up, the new proprietors, Chad Olcott and Laura Pochop have created a space in which Piedmont can take real pride. With an open floor plan that boasts a Peet’s Coffee Bar (finally, coffee in town) a self-serve milkshake station, a fully-stocked deli, fresh, crisp produce, fine wines, and even chips and sodas for the teens, no detail – whether small or large - has been overlooked. From a pressed tin ceiling, to hand-milled cabinets, to a bank of stools in front of a grand picture window, Mulberry Market simultaneously bridges yesteryear with tomorrow. It is truly a visual and culinary treat for us all. Thank you Chad and Laura for your incredible tenacity and vision! (Chad for Mayor?)
What's Coming?
The holidays are fast approaching. (Yikes! Does Hanukkah really start tonight?) Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or some other winter solstice celebration, now is a great opportunity to carve out time with family and friends. Take advantage of California's year-round sunshine and walk Lake Merritt with an old friend you rarely have time to see. Rediscover the unique shops and outlets on 4th Street in Berkeley (they just keep getting better) and have scones at Betty's Diner. Stop by the new Whole Foods Market on Harrison and pick up dinner. (Who wants to cook after all that shopping?) Invite new neighbors over to share a glass of Christmas Cheer. Create a sugary gingerbread house with your kids (you knew a real estate reference was bound to show up somewhere) and then move the buttons on all of your pants . . . Whatever you do, enjoy this bit of down time because it never lasts long enough before the holidays are behind us and we are back into high gear come 2008.
And speaking of 2008, we may just skip first gear altogether! There are several wonderful new listings coming your way after January 1 - from very grand to "just right" (think Goldilocks) - and I will be keeping you posted on all of them. Stay tuned. Which properties you say? You'll have to give me a call to find out more . . .
What's Pending?
Lest you think the market has all but disappeared, fear not - it is just taking a breather as is typical for this time of year. The Mediterranean on Sea View found a happy buyer and for significantly less than the original list price (now wouldn't that make you happy?) If value is your number one priority, this is the perfect time to secure it. With interest rates as low at 5.75% on conforming loans* (we haven't seen rates this low since August of 2005!) you may be in a terrific position to buy now and December can offer very viable opportunities. Although it is easy to get preoccupied during the holidays, stay focused!
*Conforming loans are loans up to $417,000. Jumbo loans are loans higher than $417,000. To see how today's interest rates specifically fit into your plans, contact me for a referral to a qualified mortgage broker or log onto www.LaSalleFiance.com.
What's Happening Now?
Piedmont High makes U.S. News and World Report's "100 Gold Medal Schools"! It comes as no surprise that the success of Piedmont's high-performing schools sets our unique town apart from neighboring communities and now it is official! We, Piedmonters, have earned bragging rights! Pass it along. (This nifty news comes courtesy of Pam McBain. Thanks Pam for keeping us so well-informed.) San Francisco families - are you listening?
To learn more, click onto the links below.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2007/11/29/gold-medal-schools.html
(the list)
http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/index.html (the full set of articles, some with video!)
What's Fun!
Music Director Benjamin Simon kicks off the 2007-2008 season of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra with Program I: Prodigies, Dec. 30, 2007—Jan. 1, 2008, a New Year’s celebration devoted to Mozart and Mendelssohn, two of the greatest child prodigies the classical world has ever known. The SFCO provides
music for small orchestra that is fun, fresh, first rate and free! For further details, see
their website at: www.sfchamberorchestra.org (Thank you Sherri Richards for this musical gift!)
The Piedmont Plug!
The Boy Scouts have once again opened their annual Christmas tree lot at Coaches Field on Moraga Avenue. With operating hours that extend from 3:45-8pm Monday-Thursday, 1:30-9 pm on Friday and 9 am-9 pm on Saturday and Sunday, you are sure to find whatever scented greenery your heart desires. From garlands to wreaths to stately trees, this is a wonderful way to support the local scouts here in Piedmont. Personally, I love the Noble Firs.
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