JULIE GARDNER
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AHA, what a REVELATION!

9/30/2022

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"The 24" ovens you ordered are too small," Jill said over the phone, "the installer says they need to be 27" wide."


Ugh.


Ironically, I'd denied the earlier shipment of a 30" double-oven the previous Saturday because that installer said "it was too large."


At which point, Sarah and I jumped on the phone and started looking for 27" stainless-steel double-ovens that would be "just right."


"Sorry, we're all sold out," we heard over and over again. "We can order you one but it won't arrive until late November."


Thanks, but that's not gonna work.

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Is Fair Housing Really Fair?

9/23/2022

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First, I want to start out this week's newsletter by thanking the families who showed up last week to meet new friends and fellowship with one another. More than 250 of you RSVP'd you'd be attending and with the addition of Movie Night in the Park, coupled with a perfect fall evening, we had a FANTASTIC turnout for "Newcomers Night" at the Community Center.

​Along with ginormous charcuterie boards and sparkling water, the soft ice cream (with sprinkles) flowed nonstop until after 8:00pm, and there wasn't a leftover cracker or slice of cheese to be had (much to my son's dismay). All in all, it was a resounding success, thanks to the good intentions and efforts of more than a few caring folks, AND Sarah and I were pleased to underwrite this first-time ever "Newcomers Night." All in favor of making this an annual event, say "frosty please!" (We're game if you are.)

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Small-Town Life

9/16/2022

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"I'm moving from the midwest for a new job," the woman said, "and I'm bringing four kids ages 11-15 with me." she continued. "We need a house, school directions, and a tutor. Can you help?"

​Why yes, I can.

This story reminds me of my own journey some 20 years ago.
 While I didn't have four kids to transplant (two was plenty), we only knew one family in town, we were transferring our children from their private school in the city, leaving a group of friends we cherished, and also needed a tutor for one of our boys who had unexpectedly been diagnosed with a "learning difference." It's a story that repeats over and over. 

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Distressed or DE-Stressed?

9/1/2022

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"Before we list your house on our site," the man said, "we need to establish if the property is distressed or not,"

LOL, that's a good one. While I understand what he meant, coming off of a particularly challenging week, the concept of "stress" certainly wasn't lost on me. 

To be clear, what the representative meant was - is the house showing its age? How well has it been maintained? Has it been remodeled or renovated? What is the current condition of the property? And how does it currently present . . . .

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    Julie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 18 years and has published more than 670 essays on life and real estate. 

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Piedmont · Oakland · Berkeley
 510.326.0840
julie@juliegardner.com
DRE# 01431765
​COMPASS

  • HOME
  • COMPASS
    • WHY COMPASS?
    • COMPASS CONCIERGE
    • COMPASS BRIDGE LOANS
  • LISTINGS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT JULIE
    • A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP
    • CONTACT
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PRESS
  • PROJECTS
    • BEFORE & AFTER
    • GARDENS
    • OUR TEAM
    • VIDEOS
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • UTILITIES
    • SCHOOLS