“Shaken, Never Stirred” 92 Sandhill Road, Orinda, California from Quentin Bacon photographer-director on Vimeo.
NEW!: Read the San Francisco Chronicle article on 92 Sandhill Road, Orinda, California
The good news is that it appears our residential real estate market may be stabilizing somewhat. This is a lot better than what has been happening over the past three years. Though it is too soon to predict when this market will turn around, any encouraging sign in the market is a good thing.
by Michael
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These graphs for October 2011 year-to-date include active, pending and sold properties for Berkeley, Emeryville, Kensington, Piedmont and Oakland (94602, 94605, 94610, 94611, 94618 and 94619).
The first graph indicates that the majority of sold properties for 2011 have occurred in Berkeley and Oakland (94605 and 94611). The second graph indicates what percentage of active listings have gone pending each month. The last graph indicates what price ranges have been most in demand. This graph suggests that 92% of all sold properties were under $1MM.
by Michael
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Click above to view the 92 Sandhill Road, Orinda, CA Slideshow Gallery
Photography by Scott Hargis
Read the San Francisco Chronicle article on 92 Sandhill Road, Orinda, California
by Michael
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In our world of residential real estate, 2010 will be remembered as a year in which buyers were scarce and most of the sales were short (one in five sales) or bank-owned. Coupled with tightened bank credit restrictions, there were fewer transactions. Total sales declined approximately 10% for the year versus 2009. What should we expect to see in 2011? As foreclosure filings rise, so will the number of REO (real estate owned) bank properties. However, as banks improve their loan modification programs to keep homeowners in their homes, this will help create a sense of stability in the marketplace. My crystal ball tells me that our 2011 real estate market will be marginally better overall than 2010 depending on the recovery of the job market which influences buyer confidence. With renewed buyer and lender confidence, the sale of our homes will increase as well.
All that being said I’m wishing my family, friends and readers a new year filled with good health and happiness. I’ll be back in 2011 with more Upper Rockridge news ( real estate and more) and the wildly fun Bay Area Adventures! Happy New Year!!
by Michael
1 comment
Happy New Year to you too Michael.
The Pelican Inn is a traditional English country inn that captures the spirit of 16th century England’s west country is where you’ll find me this weekend. Barely 20 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, the hospitable Pelican Inn nestles at Muir Beach in the sea-blown fog, among the pines and alders, the honeysuckle and jasmine … a lodging refuge between the ocean, Muir Woods and the Northern California National Recreational Area parks. The food is good, the ale is great and the atmosphere is fantastic. Did I mention the darts and the big roaring fire? I can’t think of a better place to watch the weekend storm come rolling in, can you?
by Michael
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Thanks, Kathy, for the opportunity to play darts with you; however, I am concerned that you might mistake me for the target. Let me see if I can find my full metal armor suit complete with a face mask before I accept your challenge.
When will you be there? I might have to come out to Muir Beach and show you how to play darts!
Are you a true Oaklander? I’ve lived in Oakland for 25+ years, raised my family and built my career here. Although San Marino in Southern California is my hometown, I rightfully claim my Oakland heritage too. No, my childhood cakes did not come from Neldams (my kids did), and the Coliseum Drive-in Theater was long gone by the time I arrived in Oakland, but I proudly claim this city as my home. If you answer “yes” to the majority of the questions below (from Oakland Magazine) you may consider yourself a true Oaklander too.
1. You long for a footlong from Kasper’s (not Casper’s) Original Hot Dogs.
2. You’ve got a favorite couch at the Parkway Theater.
3. You’ve held a charter membership to the Downtown YMCA.
4. Oliveto’s Whole Hog Dinner is plugged into your PDA.
5. You watched minor league baseball at Oaks Park.
6.. You crave Everett & Jones Barbecue.
7. You were born on Pill Hill.
8. You’ve dined late night at Merritt Restaurant & Bakery.
9. You’re an expert at nabbing a great table on the Paragon deck.
10. You watched movies at the now-dark Coliseum Drive-in Theatre
11. Your last apartment was a 6,000-square-foot abandoned warehouse.
12.. You think of Yoshi’s at Jack London Square as the “new” Yoshi’s.
13. There’s a brick with your name on it at the Oakland Zoo.
14. You’re a magic key holder to Children’s Fairyland.
15. Lois the Pie Queen personally served you.
16. You’re a diehard Genova Deli fan.
17. All your childhood birthday cakes came from Neldam’s Bakery.
18. You embrace jury duty, which allows a lunchtime duck into Ratto’s for a sandwich.
19. Holding your breath through the Caldecott Tunnel is a family affair.
20. You did all your holiday shopping at I. Magnins
by Michael
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716 Longridge Road is a terrific example of the architectural character of Crocker Highlands. This 1927 French Provencial home (three bedrooms/two-plus bathrooms) is over 2,400 square feet with an updated kitchen and breakfast nook. The formal living room (with two sitting areas) and dining room (with wainscoting) both have crown molding characteristic of the era in which this home was built. All bedrooms are on the upper level. There is a level yard in back. This home is walking distance to Lakeshore Drive. Of all the Crocker homes I have seen through the years, this is one
of the finest examples of why Crocker Highlands is such a popular location.
by Michael
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Run don’t walk to The Terrace (5891 Broadway Terrace) on Friday, December 3rd from 3:00-4:00 to meet the Founder of Blue Chair Fruit and sample (and purchase) the BEST jam you have ever tasted. I discovered Blue Chair Jam a few years ago at the Grand Lake Farmers Market and have been a big fan ever since. Clearly the ladies at Blue Chair Fruit have a passion for fruits. Their preserves stand out for their instantly recognizable brightness of flavor, perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and beautiful texture. They also make the jams and marmalades in tiny batches in traditional French copper jam kettles and all the fruit is sourced from organic local farms.
If you have a jam maker in your life, the new Blue Chair Jam Book is a great holiday gift (see the video). I’m simply hoping for a few jars of jam and marmalade in my stocking this year. Personal favorites…Mariposa Plum Jam, Sour Orange and Lemon Marmalade, and the classic East Coast Blue Berry Jam.
You know where I’ll be on Friday at 3:00!
by Michael
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I suggest putting the weekend plans on ice and taking the family out for spin around the rink this weekend. What better way to launch the holiday season? The Holiday Ice Rink is open at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center. The rink, which is set up annually, allows us deprived natives and east coast transplants the chance to ice skate under the stars near the waterfront in Justin Herman Plaza. No, it’s not a frozen pond, but it’s the best we can do on this side of the Sierras. It operates Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Check the Ice Rinks website for details and discounts on parking, special hours, etc. Another suggestion, worth the drive, and far from the crowds is the Winter Lodge in Palo Alto. A bit of a drive, but well worth it. Winter Lodge is the first and only permanent outdoor ice rink west of the Sierras, a popular Palo Alto tradition established in 1956. Outside Magazine ranked Winter Lodge as one of the top 10 outdoor ice skating experiences in the U.S..
by Michael
1 comment
Thanks Michael. I had forgotten all about Winter Lodge…it’s a great spot.
by Michael
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