5 Things to Do in Alameda   Santa Claus is coming to Christmas Tree Lane tonight, December 9 at 6:30 pm.  NORAD has confirmed that Santa is making his way to Alameda and will be landing at 6:30 pm.  Santa is anxious to see all Alameda boys and girls of all ages.     The 41st Annual Alameda Family Service League "A Victorian Christmas in the New Millennium" will take place on Saturday, December 11.  Five gorgeous Victorian homes in the Gold Coast are decorated for the holidays and ready to be admired. All this and tea, a gourmet shop, crafts boutiques at the Elks Lodge.  Visit the Alameda Family Services League's Holiday Home Tour for information about tickets.   Alameda Walks, a popular free walking group for people who are interested in learning about Alameda's neighborhoods and hist... 12/09/2011

    Santa Comes to Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda   Santa Comes to Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda.   Boys and girls of all ages anxiously await Santa's visit to Christmas Tree Lane. NORAD has put out a bulletin that says Santa is making a special stop at Christmas Tree Lane to personally talk to children who want to plead their case for a special gift for Christmas.    Santa Comes to Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda and he is scheduled to make his first stop on Friday, December 9 at 6:30pm.   Santa comes to Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda has been a tradition for many years.  The families on Christmas Tree Lane have all decorate their homes with fun scenes and lighted holiday figures.  The City owned Alameda Municipal Power provides a portion of the electrical costs free to the neighbors. ... 12/09/2011

  Alvin and the Chipmunks You may have heard that the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks:  Chipwrecked" will be released December 16th.  To drum up business for the movie's release Alvin and the Chipmunks are visiting towns all over the US. Alameda got its chance to see Alvin and the Chipmunks today and a bunch of little kids and I were their to welcome them.  They put in an appearance at the Historic Alameda Theater and the kids and I took pictures with Alvin and the Chipmunks.  It was a lot of fun.  The kids had a ball meeting and hugging the sweet and friendly Chipmunks. Historic Alameda Theater staff and owner Kyle Connor joined Alvin and the Chipmunks for a picture. This appearance of Alvin and the Chipmunks is the kind of event we and our children enjoy ... 12/08/2011

2011 December Blogging Challenge: Dog tired!   Days 6 and 7 merged for me since my activities seem to be a continuation from one day to the next. Whoever said things slow down during this period of the year? Hand-addressed, and hand-wrote personal message, and mailed Christmas/Holiday cards to several clients and associates. It took time, but since we receive so few handwritten notes today, a hand-addressed letter/card may be received a little more favorably than one that isn’t.Previous postings on listings (some sold) have a long shelf life once they’re on the internet. Received inquiries from people whom I was excited to convert as new clients. Glad that the folks were so receptive to what I sent them as alternative possibilities.Showed properties.  Today, showed property to one such ... 12/07/2011

MARKET REPORT Alameda CA The year is almost over, and I wanted to see how the market behaved in terms of list price and actual sold price starting January 1 2011 through November 30, 2011. 401 homes sold High Low Average Median List price $1,300,000 $129,000 $515,343 $485,000 Sold price $1,275,000 $119,000 $504,607 $470,000 Days on market 515 0 57 30           66 Are Bank-owned         List price $1,079,900 $135,000 $412,199 $392,450 Sold price $1,100,000 $120,000 $403,482 $382,450 Days on market 308 0 58 31           48 Are Short sales         List Price $1,080,000 $199,000 $505,075 $444,500 Sold Price $1,080,000 $173,000 $491,811 $440,000 Days on Market 240 2 57 36   Observations: High-end properties.  Six properties over $1,000,000 were sold during this time.  Among them were two dis... 12/04/2011

2011 December Blogging ChallengeIt’s Sunday. I went to the office to meet with a short sale seller who is so stressed because of the number of documents she has to complete and provide. Since we already have an offer, I have been imploring her to provide all the documents I need to send a complete short sale package to the short sale lender. I feel a car wash coming up!Feeling a bit unnerved by the seemingly lack of sense of urgency, I decided to take a break to get my car washed at Alameda’s beach side South Shore Shopping Center car wash.Since the car wash came under new management, it's become a  welcome respite to sit and chill,  look the beach, catch up on my reading, check my emails and text messages. There was a long line of vehicles and it would be a good 30 minutes before my ca... 12/04/2011

2011 December Blogging Challenge I read someone’s list of what she did today, and my heart sank. I’ve done one activity after another, and I still feel like I haven’t accomplished a thing all day compared to what she had already done. Energy Bunny I am not.   But from the moment I woke up, it’s work, work, work.   It’s the usual routine, with new and additional tasks. The last couple of days, I.... Called/emailed clients to complete action items regarding open escrows. ' Drafted and submitted a new offer. Researched properties to see and show on Saturday morning with a new client who was referred to me.  Followed up on short sale files.  Met with my insurance guy to whom I’ve referred several clients, to discuss skit we’re doing during the upcoming induction of officers at our local Ass... 12/03/2011

  5 THINGS TO DO IN ALAMEDA THIS WEEKEND   There is so much to do in Alameda on the weekends.  Here are 5 things to do in Alameda this weekend that sound like fun for the whole family.   Wilderness and Remote First Aid course presented by Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Committee will take place on Saturday, December 3 at 8:30am to 5pm and will continue on December 4 from 8:30am to 5pm.  The course is open to all Alamedans who are interested in learning about survival techniques in the wilderness and at home.  The fee for the course is $125 for a two day course.  Call 541-3580 for more information.     Crab Cove Center is featuring a Family Bird Walk on Saturday from 10am to 11:30am.  Binoculars and spotting scopes are recommended to for a close up view of the migrating... 12/02/2011

  LIGHTED YACHT PARADE – Oakland/Alameda December 3, 2011   One of my favorite events is the Oakland/Alameda Estuary Lighted Yacht Parade. This year’s theme should be real fun, and will surely draw out the kid in all of us.   Happily, our friends (who are also my clients) have their boat right on the estuary, and they also love to host parties where we can whoop it up watching the boats go by.  And what boats! There are large yachts, dinghys, kayaks. We have such a good time, and we meet so many wonderful people. It's a great way to kick-start the holiday season, a fabulous opportunity to spend time with friends, and also to make NEW friends.   Here are some of the  pictures I took using my old iphone. I’ll bring my camera this time.                   Who said networking isn't fun?    11/30/2011

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE - THE ALAMEDA FOOD BANK       The Alameda Food Bank, a totally volunteer service in 2010 provided services to an average of 1,350 individual recipients per month from the Food Bank’s office/warehouse.  The Food Bank has set a goal of providing 1000 turkeys or hams to their recipients this holiday season.  They have nearly reached that goal.  But the need is still there and they ask the people of Alameda to continue to donate turkeys and hams.   According to their missions statement "The Alameda Food Bank's mission is to provide nutritious food to the low-income residents of the City of Alameda on a non-discriminating basis. The Alameda Food Bank is a private, non-affiliated, non-profit, tax-exempt agency. Board members and virtually all staff are dedicated volu... 11/30/2011

ALAMEDA CA MARKET REPORT This chart shows a very pronounced change in median prices (listed and sold) starting in third quarter 2008, the year that marked the real estate downturn. For sale median prices came down by 20%, and this is nearly reflected in the median sold prices that came down by 16% What's interesting to note is that in previous years, the median list price was always higher than median sold price -- sellers were still unrealistic about the value of their homes, and priced them like we were still in the boom years. Then by Q3 2010, reality set in. They began to price their homes aggressively and competitively --- and look what happened! Median sold price was higher than median list price! By Q3 2011, prices were on target.   This paints a picture for potential buyers who ... 11/29/2011

    SUPPORT ALAMEDA'S SMALL BUSINESSES ON SATURDAY   On November 26, millions of people are being asked to "Shop Small" at their favorite local stores. I have features a few of the businesses which will be participating in Small Business Saturday.  Visit them and support our local businesses.  They are important to our local economy.   Bead Inspiration:   A very inspiring place brimming with beautiful beads of every kind and shape.  Glass beads, ceramic beads, metal beads and many more.  Its a place where you can meet other beaders.  Its a place where you can learn something new.  Its a place where you can admire fabulous jewelry  that others have created.     Gold Coast Grill   The Gold Coast Grill, located just over the Park Street Bridge in historic Alameda features delicious Greek c... 11/25/2011

I am thankful…that this wonderful country is my home. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to go to the United States. No, it wasn’t because I heard that the “streets are paved with gold.” It’s because there were so many beautiful sights to discover. Having watched many American movies, documentaries and TV shows, the United States seemed to have an endless number of beautiful places, beautiful seasons, beautiful people. It’s because here, in this country, there is such a thing as pride in one’s work, regardless of what that job is. Maybe this was an idealistic view from where I was, but it seemed that even high school kids had jobs and earning their keep.  (Lately, watching the TV show Undercover Boss, it does seem to point out that people are proud they’re working, proud of who they work fo... 11/22/2011

Strangest thing…. My short sale listing was generating attention….it was shown a few times, but no one has come close to writing an offer. So I asked the sellers for a price reduction of 10%.  Posted the price reduction where I could on other sites besides the MLS --- and as often as I could on Craigslist. As hoped, I received several inquiries, many showings, and in less than a week, received multiple offers. Not only that, once the buyers and their agents learned they were in a competitive situation, they raised their respective offers significantly higher than current list price, and up to the original price!   The interest hasn’t waned. Even after agents were told that the offers are for much higher than published list price, this hasn’t dissuaded them from showing the property and ... 11/21/2011

    Sale of a Home Held in A Trust   A sale of a home held in a trust is very common.   As an estate planning technique, many people have put their assets, including their homes, in a trust.  The trust then becomes the owner of the home.  This is usually done to protect the estate from a probate, a costly and public court proceeding.     A sale of a home held in a trust may have certain requirements.  Even though trusts are not controlled by the courts there are rules that must be complied with.   The attorney who will be doing the trust administration will advise the family what must be done.   A sale of a home held in a trust will necessitate that an agent request a property profile which will show that the property is, indeed, held in a trust.  If the owner of the home has passed awa... 11/16/2011

    ALAMEDA PARKS - TILLMAN PARK AND HARRINGTON FIELD   Tillman Park was opened in 1991.  The park is located in heart of the Harbor Bay Isle residential neighborhood.  It is four acres in size and surrounds the Bay Farm Island School.  A playing field, picnic area and play area are on one side of the Park.  A recreation building and a Victorian style gazebo are nestled near the school. The site of the school was conveyed to the City by Harbor Bay Isle Associates in exchange for property HBIA wanted to develop.  The City Council named the park in honor of Charles A. Tillman a lifelong resident of Alameda and a senior citizens' advocate. The Park is in the midst of a a modern, lovely community where the streets are lined with tree and the homes are impressive.  This school and park sit a... 11/14/2011

ALAMEDA PROPERTY VALUES FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS   Alameda Property values for the last 10 years point to the fact that purchasing a home in Alameda is a good strategy over time.  People who live in Alameda are happy for a number of reasons.  It is a friendly community with wonderful neighborhoods, good schools, many parks, lagoons, shoreline beach and cool after school programs for kids.  Alameda has thriving business districts with great restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream and yogurt shops and a brand new movie theater.  There are museums, libraries, great bike paths and a walkability score of 98 from walkscore.com.  Alameda has been named one of "100 Best Communities for Young People" two times in a row by America's Promise Alliance, a program founded by General Colin Powell.  Its a g... 11/09/2011

  ALAMEDA MARKET REPORT - MARINA VILLAGE   Marina Village was developed in 1988 on the North side of Alameda.  The development is a beautiful complex of 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums with wonderful views of lagoons and the Oakland/Alameda Estuary.  These homes are located almost directly across from Jack London Square in Oakland.   This is a tranquil neighborhood of tree lined streets close to Marina Park, Marina Village Yacht Harbor, ferry service, freeways and BART. MARINA PARK ENCIRCLES THE HOMES MARINA PARK ACROSS THE LAGOON FROM THE HOMES  MARINA VILLAGE YACHT HARBOR   Marina Village homes are adjacent to the Marina Village Yacht Harbor    MARINA VILLAGE HOMES ARE NESTLE ON LAGOONS. THE MARINA YACHT HARBOR IS IN THE BACKGROUND    TWO UNITS, ONE A SECOND STORY UNIT AND THE OTHER A GR... 11/07/2011

  ALAMEDA PARKS - MARINA PARK AND MAIN STREET LINEAR PARK   Marina Park, with its tree lined paths which curve around the lagoons of Marina Village and Marin Village Yacht Harbor was completed in 1985.  The marshland was once part of the Bethlehem shipyard where thousand of men and women worked during World War I and II.  The former shipyard became Marina Village, a 206 acre development which combined a business park with shopping center and a townhouse development.  The 750 berth Yacht Harbor is the largest privately owned marina on San Francisco Bay. MARINA VILLAGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO MARINA PARK   MARINA PARK PLAY AREA  SAIL BOATS MOORED AT MARINA VILLAGE YACHT HARBOR  MARINA VILLAGE YACHT HARBOR   Main Street Linear Park is a 7 acre narrow stretch of land 2,530 feet long... 11/07/2011

WHAT I WILL DO WITH MY 3+ HOURS   That's easy.  Apart from spending time with my family and visiting Paris, my most favorite pastime is bird watching.  It is so much fun to find those beautiful creatures and identify them and make them part of me.  I could, and have, spent hours chasing birds through my binoculars, looking at their intricate feather patterns and marveling at their ability to inhabit all the niches of nature to survive.   The only problem with birding is having to get up so early to do it.  I guess it is true about the "early bird" and that means I have to be an early bird, too.  Morning is not my best time.  However, I have found it is worth rising early to catch a glimpse of the elusive and rare clapper rail emerging from the salt marsh not far from my home.  Today I ... 11/06/2011