Flight to Quality
What's New?
Looking at the calendar, there are 60 days left until June!
Why is this important? Because the spring market is historically, the most active market in which to sell your home. While mainstream press might lead you to believe that ALL real estate value is down, that wouldn't be an entirely accurate statement. A colleague of mine drew the perfect analogy last week which I am borrowing here (thank you David): Making conclusions about the real estate market based on national figures, is like looking at the national weather report in order to get dressed!
In truth, real estate breaks down not just city by city, or neighborhood by neighborhood, but block by block! With the understanding that there is a flight to quality in a transitioning marketplace . . . What is the recent activity on your particular street? If you don't know, ask your local Realtor and find out. Knowing the value of your single largest investment is relevant and important information worth investigating. (Need a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)? E-mail back!.)
What's Coming?
Gracious living and grand rooms abound at 359 El Cerrito in Piedmont. This centrally located, Stately Traditional on large corner parcel, features 4bdrms/4+bths and has just hit the market. Price: $2,495,000.
Some homes are best described as "adorable" and that's the appropriate word for 751 Wala Vista, in the heart of Crocker Highlands. This darling 3bdrm/1bth Traditional, near Lakeshore Avenue, has been thoroughly updated and restored from top to bottom and it shows! With designer touches throughout and priced to sell at $899,000, it shouldn't last long.
Bebe McRae invites you to join her at her latest listing at 4 Alvarado Place, behind the Claremont Hotel on a coveted cul-de-sac. This Exquisite Modern Masterpiece, featuring 4bdrms/3bths, including master suite, au pair quarters, office, gourmet kitchen and magnificent open living area out to broad deck and landscaped gardens is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Price: $1,780,000. Open this Sunday 2-4:30! www.Grubbco.com
Judith Glass and Sheila Sabine joined The GRUBB Co. several months ago and are a welcome addition to our experienced team. This week, they bring a superbly located duplex in the heart of Rockridge to the market, featuring side-by-side 1bdrm/1bth units that are truly special. Just off College Avenue at 23-25 Armanino Court and close to EVERYTHING, these sweet and vacant units, each with their own magical garden and garage, are a great investment property with real charm and appeal. Although this street is easy to miss, make sure you find it. These stellar units are worth your time and attention and offer an easy breezy lifestyle for those seeking good coffee and great restaurants right out their front door! It's a perfect location for the owner/occupier. Open this Saturday and Sunday from 2-5:00 Price: $895,000. To see more, go to: www.glasssabine.com.
While you are considering investment properties, seriously consider Dana Cohen's new 4-plex listing on York off of Mandana Avenue in Oakland. Offering an ideal location, just a few blocks to Lakeshore and Grand, this unique and charming builing features high ceilings, period detailing, abundant light and on-site parking. Recent remodeling in 2 of the 4 units makes it the perfect purchase for the owner who also wants to occupy. In light of the recent volatility of the stock market, now might be an excellent time to consider investing in quality real estate! Price: $1,150,000.
What's Pending?
The fixer on York Avenue in Piedmont had strong interest initially and I am told double-digit requests for disclosure packages, but did not receive any offers on its offer date last week. Typically, the number of disclosure packages is a good indicator of how many offers a seller might expect. In this case, it wasn't. Even fixers (ESPECIALLY fixers) have to pencil out! Which brings up an interesting point.
What is your remodel worth? That depends. When did you do it and did you make wise choices? Kitchens and bathrooms that were remodeled 10 years ago may be dated by today's standard. Your decision to spend top-dollar on custom cherry cabinets from Brazil may bring no more value than well-designed stock cabinetry might from the buyer's perspective. Likewise, bolting a foundation makes good sense in earthquake country, but may not translate into good cents (if you get my point) come the offer date. Be critical when assessing your improvements. This can be very sophisticated. Give me a call before you make these decisions.
What's Happening?
Forbes Magazine crowned Piedmont as one of its Top Suburbs to Live Well, in last week's edition. (Thank you Debbie Kelley for passing this article my way.) Forbes looked at 15 of the largest cities in America and evaluated the surrounding communities and Piedmont ranked as one of the best! (But you knew that, didn't you?) With tree-lined streets and top-rated schools weighing heavily in our favor, it makes more sense than ever, to support the Mark Becker/Andy Ball Havens School rebuild. To read what Forbes had to say, go to:
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/25/suburbs-quality-lifestyle-forbeslife-cx_mw_0326realestate.html?partner=forbeslife_newsletter
And make sure you scroll through the photos. Piedmont shows up in the third photograph!
What's Fun!
I invited a new friend to join me at the Piedmont Neighbors and Newcomers wine party last Saturday which was held at the Vine Bar on Lakeshore Avenue and we had a terrific time. This snazzy, trend-setting venue was the perfect setting for an informal "meet and greet" and was just perfect for the early evening event. Offering an extensive wine list by the glass - or by the bottle - as well as a nifty self-pour carousel (featuring several other vintages) The Vine Bar makes for a fun night for both the wine aficionado and the wine novice - like me! Private parties welcome. The Vine Bar is located at Lakeshore and Mandana Avenues.
Mark your calendars fo the next fun PNNC event - The annual Progressive Dinner on Staurday, May 31!
The Piedmont Plug!
While you are on Lakeshore Avenue, check out Urban Indigo a few doors down. This fairly recent and welcome addition to Lakeshore Avenue offers cool gifts and hip housewares at affordable prices in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Although it's a little shop, it packs a big punch!
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.
Looking at the calendar, there are 60 days left until June!
Why is this important? Because the spring market is historically, the most active market in which to sell your home. While mainstream press might lead you to believe that ALL real estate value is down, that wouldn't be an entirely accurate statement. A colleague of mine drew the perfect analogy last week which I am borrowing here (thank you David): Making conclusions about the real estate market based on national figures, is like looking at the national weather report in order to get dressed!
In truth, real estate breaks down not just city by city, or neighborhood by neighborhood, but block by block! With the understanding that there is a flight to quality in a transitioning marketplace . . . What is the recent activity on your particular street? If you don't know, ask your local Realtor and find out. Knowing the value of your single largest investment is relevant and important information worth investigating. (Need a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)? E-mail back!.)
What's Coming?
Gracious living and grand rooms abound at 359 El Cerrito in Piedmont. This centrally located, Stately Traditional on large corner parcel, features 4bdrms/4+bths and has just hit the market. Price: $2,495,000.
Some homes are best described as "adorable" and that's the appropriate word for 751 Wala Vista, in the heart of Crocker Highlands. This darling 3bdrm/1bth Traditional, near Lakeshore Avenue, has been thoroughly updated and restored from top to bottom and it shows! With designer touches throughout and priced to sell at $899,000, it shouldn't last long.
Bebe McRae invites you to join her at her latest listing at 4 Alvarado Place, behind the Claremont Hotel on a coveted cul-de-sac. This Exquisite Modern Masterpiece, featuring 4bdrms/3bths, including master suite, au pair quarters, office, gourmet kitchen and magnificent open living area out to broad deck and landscaped gardens is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Price: $1,780,000. Open this Sunday 2-4:30! www.Grubbco.com
Judith Glass and Sheila Sabine joined The GRUBB Co. several months ago and are a welcome addition to our experienced team. This week, they bring a superbly located duplex in the heart of Rockridge to the market, featuring side-by-side 1bdrm/1bth units that are truly special. Just off College Avenue at 23-25 Armanino Court and close to EVERYTHING, these sweet and vacant units, each with their own magical garden and garage, are a great investment property with real charm and appeal. Although this street is easy to miss, make sure you find it. These stellar units are worth your time and attention and offer an easy breezy lifestyle for those seeking good coffee and great restaurants right out their front door! It's a perfect location for the owner/occupier. Open this Saturday and Sunday from 2-5:00 Price: $895,000. To see more, go to: www.glasssabine.com.
While you are considering investment properties, seriously consider Dana Cohen's new 4-plex listing on York off of Mandana Avenue in Oakland. Offering an ideal location, just a few blocks to Lakeshore and Grand, this unique and charming builing features high ceilings, period detailing, abundant light and on-site parking. Recent remodeling in 2 of the 4 units makes it the perfect purchase for the owner who also wants to occupy. In light of the recent volatility of the stock market, now might be an excellent time to consider investing in quality real estate! Price: $1,150,000.
What's Pending?
The fixer on York Avenue in Piedmont had strong interest initially and I am told double-digit requests for disclosure packages, but did not receive any offers on its offer date last week. Typically, the number of disclosure packages is a good indicator of how many offers a seller might expect. In this case, it wasn't. Even fixers (ESPECIALLY fixers) have to pencil out! Which brings up an interesting point.
What is your remodel worth? That depends. When did you do it and did you make wise choices? Kitchens and bathrooms that were remodeled 10 years ago may be dated by today's standard. Your decision to spend top-dollar on custom cherry cabinets from Brazil may bring no more value than well-designed stock cabinetry might from the buyer's perspective. Likewise, bolting a foundation makes good sense in earthquake country, but may not translate into good cents (if you get my point) come the offer date. Be critical when assessing your improvements. This can be very sophisticated. Give me a call before you make these decisions.
What's Happening?
Forbes Magazine crowned Piedmont as one of its Top Suburbs to Live Well, in last week's edition. (Thank you Debbie Kelley for passing this article my way.) Forbes looked at 15 of the largest cities in America and evaluated the surrounding communities and Piedmont ranked as one of the best! (But you knew that, didn't you?) With tree-lined streets and top-rated schools weighing heavily in our favor, it makes more sense than ever, to support the Mark Becker/Andy Ball Havens School rebuild. To read what Forbes had to say, go to:
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/25/suburbs-quality-lifestyle-forbeslife-cx_mw_0326realestate.html?partner=forbeslife_newsletter
And make sure you scroll through the photos. Piedmont shows up in the third photograph!
What's Fun!
I invited a new friend to join me at the Piedmont Neighbors and Newcomers wine party last Saturday which was held at the Vine Bar on Lakeshore Avenue and we had a terrific time. This snazzy, trend-setting venue was the perfect setting for an informal "meet and greet" and was just perfect for the early evening event. Offering an extensive wine list by the glass - or by the bottle - as well as a nifty self-pour carousel (featuring several other vintages) The Vine Bar makes for a fun night for both the wine aficionado and the wine novice - like me! Private parties welcome. The Vine Bar is located at Lakeshore and Mandana Avenues.
Mark your calendars fo the next fun PNNC event - The annual Progressive Dinner on Staurday, May 31!
The Piedmont Plug!
While you are on Lakeshore Avenue, check out Urban Indigo a few doors down. This fairly recent and welcome addition to Lakeshore Avenue offers cool gifts and hip housewares at affordable prices in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Although it's a little shop, it packs a big punch!
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.
posted by Julie at
12:32 PM
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