The following video is about 2 1/2 minutes in length.  After reading some posts on the struggling times many of us Realtors are experiencing today, I thought I would come up with a little video that hopefully brings a smile to some faces!  Our pets have a lot they can teach us!  Pets are very important members of our family.  We need to consider their needs and safety...especially in a move.  If moving to the Walnut Creek, CA area, consider me...I'm a Pet-Friendly Realtor!  Enjoy!   09/11/2008

Wondering whats going on in your hometown? Look no longer!!  These are a few of the local events happening in your home town.  Join us and your neighbors in one or all of these community events. Bring your friends and family. EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES | 380 Diablo Road, Danville, CA 94526 EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES  | 1261 Lucust Street, Walnut Creek CA 94596 Please note that these are not events sponsored by, related to, or endorsed by Empire Realty Associates, Inc. Nor is this an advertisement of any sort, this is posted as public information to inform those interested in acquiring information on community events in our community. All information here is subject to change with out notice.   09/08/2008

Walnut Creek, California is a close knit community on the outskirts of San Francisco. While the town has easy access to the bustling nightlife and dining options of this legendary city, it maintains a cozy feel all its own. Located in the San Ramon Valley, Walnut Creek enjoys the pleasant climate of sunshine and cool breezes. And as it is nestled at the foot of Mount Diablo, it boasts spectacular views. Walnut Creek maintains a population of approximately 65,000 residents, whose average age is 45 years old. Folks here enjoy an annual household income above the national average, coming in at around $65,000 per year. There are a variety of housing options in this area, with a median value at $391,000. The vast majority of residents in the area are employed in professional services, techno... 09/05/2008

Walnut Heights Market Snapshot September 2, 2008* -  There are currently 9 detached single family homes for sale in Walnut Heights of Walnut Creek CA. This is a very diverse area that includes vintage cottages and new estate homes. All are spacious single family homes with 1,463 to 3,764 square feet ranging in asking price from $699,000 to $1,879,000. The median listing price in Walnut Heights on September 2 2008 is $869,000. Click here to request a list of homes for sale in Walnut Heights Walnut Heights is an unincorporated community conveniently located in the hills near Walnut Creek. There is no homeowner's association in Walnut Heights. Some of the best homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA are located in Walnut Heights. Walnut Creek CA real estate sales are on the increase.   Sales act... 09/02/2008

The August 2008 median home price in Walnut Creek CA was $750,000 for single family detached homes.* There were 46 home sales of single family detached homes, the highest priced home sold for $1,675,000, the lowest price home sold for $396,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for August 2008 in Walnut Creek California was $816,996. These homes were on the market an average of 58 days. Your Walnut Creek California real estate market update written September 1, 2008. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end.    Home Sales volume and home sales activity is UP in Walnut Creek CA! There are currently 58 single family detached homes pending sale in Walnut Creek CA. The pending home prices range from $399,000 to $2,495,000, with an... 09/01/2008

The August 2008 the median home price in Rossmoor of Walnut Creek was $239,000 for attached homes including duets, condos and town houses*. There were 25 attached units sold, the highest priced unit sold for $690,000, and the lowest price unit sold for $127,000. The average selling price of attached homes for August 2008 in Rossmoor of Walnut Creek California was $293,807 after being on the market an average of 107 days. Your Rossmoor in Walnut Creek  CA real estate market update was written September 1, 2008. See below for information on attached homes sold on the low and high end.   Home Sales volume and home sales activity is UP in Rossmoor in Walnut Creek CA! There are currently 36 attached homes pending sale in Rossmoor Walnut Creek CA. The pending home prices range from $120,000 t... 09/01/2008

Connie is a young single woman in our area who went to high school with one of my daughters.  She graduated from college and has been working and saving money for 15 years toward buying her first home.   This is Connie’s testimonial and I show it because it makes me feel good that I was able to assist her in realizing her dream but also to illustrate that whether you think you can or not, you are right.  “Thank you TERRYLYNN!  Because of you I am getting the nice, fixed up duet home with garage rather than the fixer or a condo!!!  You encouraged me to go for what I wanted, your negotiation skills, hard work and patience were invaluable during this process.  And my Welcome Home website was just wonderful for all my friends and family to see my new home.” Buyers - the message is that it h... 08/29/2008

The state goal for all schools is an 800 API. Only 31% of all schools in California meet that goal. Less than 15% of all high schools state-wide meet the goal. *The API is the cornerstone of the state's academic accountability requirements. The API is a numerical index (or scale) ranging from a low score of 200 to a high score of 1000. It reflects a school's or district's academic performance based on annual results of statewide testing at grades two through eleven. Elementary Schools   Buena Vista Elementary                                              903   Indian Valley Elementary                                            900   Murwood Elementary                                                                 914   Parkmead Elementary                                                 ... 08/28/2008

After 40+ years, Pinky’s Pizza will be closing on August 31st. We motorcyclists, are not going to wait. We’re planning our going away night for Thursday, August 28th. Pinky’s Pizza in Walnut Creek has been a long time supporter of all forms of motorcycles. The owner, Tom Beisheim is an ex AFM / AMA racer. Tom has hosted motorcycle nights for BARF for quite a few years.   The Last Motorcycle Night will be Thursday, August 28th. Pinky’s is at 1379 S California Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596 We’re certainly going to miss the place. I’d like to invite you and anyone who rides in the area to stop by, have a beer, a slice of really great pizza, enjoy some fellow riders in conversation, and wish Tom the best of luck on our special night. Why Not Share the Love?   08/27/2008

GUESS WHO?  Terrylynn Fisher and Fernando Rosado, AR's very own.  We want to thank Google for the mention...seriously folks, have you checked in with Google lately, never  know what brilliant thing you wrote that has been noticed and mentioned.  Of course our articles are brilliant, right Fernando?  But it IS worth putting yourself on and checking now and then to see what pops up.  You never know where and when you might be mentioned. So friends, just read these blog posts and then go to http://www.google.com/alerts and sign up.  Google sends you regular updates on things written with your search words.  It's that easy.  Here is what popped up on us today, two posts we had written this week of connection to real estate staging association.  SO, there you go. Google Blogs Alert for: real... 08/22/2008

What has caused the change, well really more of a healthy evolution, of the staging industry?  Eight years ago there were two main training offerings giving staging training and redesign, today there are about 25.  They are springing up all over North America with many trainers stagers/redesigners we all know and respect.   The training companies each offer a different take on the industry and fill in gaps in training.  It is a given that you must be creative.   Many people attracted to staging are creative and have not fully developed their business training.  There are those that got their training through their business backgrounds, have creative talent and just jumped right in. In reality, many stagers take more than one training program in order to fill in the gaps in training or t... 08/19/2008

Arbolado Park is a 26 acre park located on Arbolado Drive at Doncaster Drive in Walnut Creek, CA. Amenities include a boasting a children's playground, barbeque pits, picnic tables, basketball court, soccer field, tennis courts, connection to walking trails and onsite restroom facilities.   Arbolado Park is a pleasure for the young and old alike. It's a peaceful park with lots of benches and picnic tables to relax and enjoy the views of the nearby orchards and Mount Diablo. Click here to request a current list of homes for sale in Northgate of Walnut Creek CA Click here to request a current list of homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA   Click here to request Walnut Creek CA real estate market updates including median home prices, local information & featured listings for homes for sale in... 08/19/2008

There are currently 23 homes for sale in NorthGate in Walnut Creek CA ranging in price from $695,000 to $2,699,000**. Homes for sale in NorthGate in Walnut Creek CA are some of the most popular homes among the offerings of Walnut Creek CA real estate due to the proximity of good schools, parks and trailhead access. Eleven homes are currently pending sale In NorthGate ranging in price from a three bedroom, two bath home with 1,466 square feet that was offered at $599,000 to newer four bedroom, three and a half bath home with 4,745 square feet on 1.37 acre estate lot offered with hillside views and heated pool offered at $2,495,000. Thirty-three homes for sale in North Gate in Walnut Creek have sold and closed since the first of the year with a with a median price of $845,900 for homes fo... 08/15/2008

The video shows the current market of available homes in the Northgate community of Walnut Creek, CA.  It provides information on home prices, price ranges, percentages and average days on the market.  Information was gathered from the CCAR's MLS effective through Aug. 6, 2008    Northgate Community Video - Walnut-Creek, CA 94598 08/06/2008

Walnut Heights Market Snapshot August 5, 2008** -  There are currently 9 detached single family homes for sale in Walnut Heights of Walnut Creek CA. This is a very diverse area that includes vintage cottages and new estate homes. All are spacious single family homes with 1,463 to 4,419 square feet ranging in asking price from $699,000 to $2,150,000. The median listing price in Walnut Heights on August 5 2008 is $947,950. Click here to request a list of homes for sale in Walnut Heights Walnut Heights is an unincorporated community conveniently located in the hills near Walnut Creek. There is no homeowner's association in Walnut Heights. Some of the best homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA are located in Walnut Heights. Walnut Creek CA real estate sales are on the increase.   Sales activity... 08/05/2008

The July 2008 the median home price in Rossmoor of Walnut Creek was $329,000 for attached homes including duets, condos and town houses**. There were 39 attached units sold, the highest priced unit sold for $1,090,000, and the lowest price unit sold for $114,000. The average selling price of attached homes for July 2008 in Rossmoor of Walnut Creek California was $371,448. Your Rossmoor in Walnut Creek  CA real estate market update was written August 4, 2008. See below for information on attached homes sold on the low and high end.   Home Sales volume and home sales activity is UP in Rossmoor in Walnut Creek CA! There are currently 34 attached homes pending sale in Rossmoor Walnut Creek CA. The pending home prices range from $129,000 to $1,200,00 with an average asking price of $369,954.... 08/04/2008

The July 2008 median home price in Walnut Creek CA was $760,000 for single family detached homes.** There were 44 home sales of single family detached homes, the highest priced home sold for $2,238,000, the lowest price home sold for $390,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for July 2008 in Walnut Creek California was $839,819. These homes were on the market an average of 50 days. Your Walnut Creek California real estate market update written August 4, 2008. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end. Home Sales volume and home sales activity is UP in Walnut Creek CA! There are currently 72 single family detached homes pending sale in Walnut Creek CA. The pending home prices range from $379,000 to $2,495,000, with an average ... 08/04/2008

One of my biggest issues with many of the facts and figures reported in the media is that they are based on Fuzzy Math.  Example: New Home Sales, which is the number of contracts signed in a prior month for a house that often times hasn't even been built yet.  40% or more of those contracts fall out (don't go to fruition). Another issue I have is with old data.  Reports that rely on information from months ago.  Or broad based statements based on states and regions when we all know real estate is local, really local.  Zip code local.  That bothers people like Mike Simonsen as well.  Altos Research compiles data in real time, as it happens, and serves it up locally. Watch This Video When Business Week wanted to do a story on the best and worst performing zip codes, they naturally turned ... 08/04/2008

You say, "what's that"? I say, this will be my third year attending the Mastermind Summit in San Diego hosted by Brian Buffini and Company.  Brian is probably the most entertaining motivational speaker I have had the privilege of hearing.  His focus for motivation is realtors and lenders, and what a better time than now, to get motivated in these fields.  There are so many aspects to this 3 day convention that I could not possibly touch on all of them in this blog.  The system that Brian has defined for real estate professionals is one that I have embraced for 5 years now.  Brian believes that in order to be successful in life, you must focus on the 5 circles.  His company emblem signifies the 5 circles.   Personal Spiritual Family Business Financial And not in that order.  All are prio... 08/03/2008

Walnut Green HOA, Walnut Creek, CA  List Price       Status            Address                BR        BA         SF         DOM $675,000       Active          Nantucket Ct.              3          2        1528         16 $768,888       Active          Trintel Ct.                    4          2.5     2101         66 $859,000       Active          Covey Ct.                    4          2.5     2101           4 $675,000      Pending       Nantucket Ct.              4           2       1756       292 $659,000     $659,000     613 Nantucket Ct.       3           2       1528          27   SOLD   Above data compiled from the Contra Costa Assoc. of Realtor's MLS is intended for personal use by the consumer.  This information is not comprehensive; it is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed... 08/02/2008