Not so fast there Bucko. A lot of my colleagues will tell you they are selling the American Dream.  Client’s get in the car and go looking for their Dream Home.  I hear that and I want to throw up a little bit.  If I am selling someone their dream home, either they need to dream bigger or I’m lying to them.  Or I’m finding Cher her next estate. My dream home is an estate on the bluffs in San Diego overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The entire back of the house is glass and opens up to let the ocean air in.  It’s got a Spanish or Tuscan feel to it.  The floors are hand cut stone, the ceiling are high.  The yard is gorgeous thick wonderful grass and the pool is an infinity pool.  And tennis courts.  And a basketball court.  I watch sunsets from the balcony of the master that overlooks the en... 01/17/2014

A New Year - A New Beginning      New Year means new beginnings and we all want to start our New Year right.  New Year resolutions have become a tradition to almost everyone in the whole world.  These resolutions are made and must be achieved within the year.  Unfortunately, a majority of us break our resolutions before the first month of the new year.      An alternative to setting a year long resolution is to set GOALS for the New Year.  Give each goal a timeframe.  Perhaps a goal that can be accomplished in a month or two is more practical for you.  If you would like to read more in 2013, why not set a goal to read an entire book by the end of February.  It is very fulfilling when you complete a goal; it will make you feel like you can do anything.       One of my favorite goals is ... 01/12/2014

Homes For Sale Walnut Creek CA December 2013 Market Report January 6, 2014 Walnut Creek CA Real Estate Monthly Commentary Homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA as of January 6, 2014 total 20 single family (down from 31 on the same date last month) and 22 attached down from 50 last month) currently on the Walnut Creek CA real estate market. Homes sold in Walnut Creek CA during December 2013 remained the sames as last month for single family at 39 while attached homes closing escrow decreased to 32 from 34 last month. The median price for single family homes sold in Walnut Creek CA in December 2013 was $777,000 which was down from $780,000 last month while the attached home median sold price was $387,500 up from $370,950 last month. Homes For Sale in Walnut Creek CA Currently on the Market* T... 01/06/2014

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS NEW AND OLD      This time of year, it is not uncommon to pass one or more cars on the road, carefully hauling an evergreen tree that has been quickl roped to their SUV, or even sedan.  As you see these cars pass by, have you ever wondered what the true tradition of tree decorating or lighting candles in the windows really was?  Well, from Germany to China, many of our collective 'holiday' decorations are just a melting pot of century old customs and rituals all in one.      To start, the infamous 'Christmas tree' stems back to the Middle Ages in Germany, when peasants would put on plays to pass on their bible stories.  Tradition has it that a saint declared a fir tree as the tree of Christ and so an evergreen tree would be placed on the stage.  It wasn't decorated u... 12/13/2013

Homes For Sale Walnut Creek CA November 2013 Market Report December 6, 2013 Walnut Creek CA Real Estate Monthly Commentary Homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA as of December 6, 2013 total 31 single family (down from 46 on the same date last month) and 50 attached (same as last month) currently on the Walnut Creek CA real estate market. Homes sold in Walnut Creek CA during November 2013 decreased to 39 from 49 last month for single family while attached homes closing escrow increased to 34 from 28 last month. The median price for single family homes sold in Walnut Creek CA in November 2013 was $780,000 which was up from $765,000 last month while the attached home median sold price was $370,950 down from $378,000 last month. Homes For Sale in Walnut Creek CA Currently on the Market* The new... 12/05/2013

VA Mortgage Loans in Walnut Creek California and 100% financing on VA Loans - the best loan program and loan payment in the country! VA Mortgage Loans are one of the best mortgage loan programs available today for active duty and honorably discharged Veterans. Here are some of the great features of this fantastic program: - 100% financing, no down payment required. - Monthly mortgage insurance is not tacked on to your payment. - Easier credit qualifying compared to other types of mortgage loans. - VA Mortgage Rates are low compared to other types of home loans.   How do you know if you qualify for a VA Mortgage Loan in Walnut Creek California? You must first verify your eligibility. Eligibility is verified by ordering your Certificate of Eligibility or COE. An approved Contra Costa Coun... 11/25/2013

  2560 Oak Rd, Walnut Creek Fully Remodeled Condo For Sale FULLY REMODELED, REFRESHINGLY BEAUTIFUL CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE IN THE WALNUT CREEK AREA This is a stunning 2 bedroom, 2 bath residential condo with a detached garage on the ground floor.  A walk through this corner unit shows a fully updated home, with designer paint, wood flooring, crown moldings and beautifully updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and maple cabinetry.     A gas burning fireplace in the great room is the perfect addition to this open floor plan.  Just off this spacious room is a large covered private patio area for outdoor entertaining or dining. Hardwood floors extend throughout the condo and into the master bedroom.  The master suite boasts an oversized granite topped vanity, high-end fixtures and a... 11/23/2013

Pickleball – The Sport For Any Age                 Meet the friendly sport that is sweeping the Nation – Pickleball!  This competitive, fast on your feet game is taken very seriously by the players, however they are also constantly encouraging one another and sharing laughs during play.  Pickleball is a sport that can be played at any age, from young adolescent children to people well into their 70’s or even 80’s.  All you need is to be comfortable holding a racket and keep a ball in play along with your teammate.                  Pickleball is a combination of badminton, ping pong and tennis and is growing in popularity all across the United States.  Its history goes back to 1965, when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum  created a volley-type game using damaged rackets and ... 11/15/2013

303 MEADOWS LANE, DANVILLE 94506 SPACIOUS TOWNHOME FOR SALE THIS TOWNHOME IS A ROOMY END UNIT WITH UPDATES GALORE! This spacious end unit is very updated with slab granite counters, stainless steel appliances, new carpeting, 2 tone paint, and beautiful wood flooring.  The comfortable 1992 sqare foot 3 bedroom, 3 bath room home includes a bonus loft or office area for your business or entertaining enjoyment. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and have extra large rear and side yards, security gates, a lanai and more.  Located in Heritage Park in Danville, the complex has 157 townhomes and the community facilities include a pool and spa. This townhome is conveniently placed within walking distance to Blackhawk Plaza as well as two other shopping centers. The larger of the two shopping... 11/08/2013

Homes For Sale Walnut Creek CA October 2013 Market Report November 6, 2013 Walnut Creek CA Real Estate Monthly Commentary Homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA as of November 6, 2013 total 46 single family (up from 44 on the same date last month) and 50 attached (down from 56 last month) currently on the Walnut Creek CA real estate market. Homes sold in Walnut Creek CA during October 2013 increased to 49 from 46 last month for single family while attached homes closing escrow decreased to 28 from 40 last month. The median price for single family homes sold in Walnut Creek CA in October 2013 was $765,000 which was down from $835,000 last month while the attached home median sold price was $378,000 down from $485,000 last month. Homes For Sale in Walnut Creek CA Currently on the Market* The n... 11/06/2013

  WHOOO WOULD HAVE KNOWN      The owl has made a very popular comeback these days.  From notepads to kitchen aprons, owls have made a major impact on both the fashion and the interior decorating world.  These nocturnal animals have often appeared in horror mystery films and have graced our Halloween décor each fall.  What is it about these cute, feathery creatures of the night that draw us to them?      Owls have distinct eyes.  They are  large, wide-set, and for some reason we feel this gives owls a wise appearance.  Because their eyes are fixed in their sockets, the owl is able to turn their head 270 degrees (about ¾ of the way around without moving its shoulders).  Contrary to popular myth, owls are not able to turn their heads in a complete circle      These intelligent looking cre... 10/25/2013

    Squashing the Myth on Squash      What is all the hype every Fall surrounding those misshapen, bumpy and sometimes just downright ugly little vegetables we call squash?  Yes, they do come in pretty colors and they match our Fall décor so well.  But where did they come from and are they really good for anything other than sitting on our coffee table in a rustic bowl during the Fall months?  The truth is, that there is so much more to our fall friend the squash than most people think.  Squash has been around for thousands of years and recent studies puts it among the top three food sources for obtaining important antioxidants.        When we think of squash, it is usually the butternut, acorn or spaghetti varieties; however squash is divided into two main categories: Summer squash and... 10/17/2013

  Bringing The Colors Of Fall Into Your Walnut Creek Area Home Even though we hate to see summer end, it’s such fun to welcome in the colors of fall.  Pumpkins glow on the hearth like magical harvest moons, while the farm orchards are heavy with luscious apples, and soon the leaves around us will be ablaze in amber glory.  It’s all such a feast for the eyes and spirit! The whole world goes crazy with color in the fall.  So can we!  Here are some fun and natural ways to bring autumn colors indoors.    Amber: The color of sunlight and honey, amber is a warming presence as the days grow shorter and cooler.  Beeswax is a lovely way to bring sunny-colored amber in.  Try placing beeswax candles on a table or mantel.   Browns & Tans Try collecting earthy brown seedpods and wheat-colored weeds ... 10/10/2013

Homes For Sale Walnut Creek CA September 2013 Market Report October 7, 2013 Walnut Creek CA Real Estate Monthly Commentary Homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA as of October 7, 2013 total 44 single family (down from 69 on the same date last month) and 56 attached (up from 48 last month) currently on the Walnut Creek CA real estate market. Homes sold in Walnut Creek CA during September 2013 decreased to 46 from 62 last month for single family while attached homes closing escrow decreased to 40 from 49 last month. The median price for single family homes sold in Walnut Creek CA in September 2013 was $835,000 which was up $807,500 last month while the attached home median sold price was $485,000 up from $399,000 last month. Homes For Sale in Walnut Creek CA Currently on the Market* The newest... 10/08/2013

Fall Season Home Maintenance for your Walnutcreek area home.     Fall is here and that means taking care of one of your most important investments...your home!  By keeping your home properly maintained, you can help reduce the risk of a loss and help ensure the safety of you and your family,  The list below includes important inspection and maintenance tasks that will make a huge impact on your investment.      Have your furnace cleaned and inspected by a professional  Keep flammable materials away from water heater  Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to cold temperatures and turn up the thermostat during extra cold periods. Check for damage to your roof, clean gutters and downspouts and during fall season, keep leaves from building up in your gutters Check and repair caulking aroun... 10/03/2013

I have received temporary guidance on underwriting policies and procedures that may be impacted by the federal government shutdown that occurred on September 30, 2013.   This guidance assumes that the shutdown will be temporary in nature.  If the government shutdown lasts for a prolonged period and/or critical services are significantly impacted, we will receive additional guidance.  HOW DOES IT IMPACT THE MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY?I'm glad you asked! There are several areas that can and will affect mortgage lender's ability to fund and close loan transactions.  Thus, affecting your ability to close your transaction and any other transactions contingent upon that one.   They are as follows:VENDORS WE USE:IRS transcripts and Social Security Number validation vendors are unable to... 10/02/2013

WOODLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD WALNUT CREEK CALIFORNIA.  Just minutes north east of Walnut Creek is the active and highly sought-after Woodland neighborhood.  The Woodlands was a product of the developing boom of the early 1960's.  Originally this area was populated with walnut orchards and farmland, but developers including Middlefield, MacKay and Hoffman approached the city of Walnut Creek to create the "Woodlands".  The result is a thriving urban community with homes that range in the $600-$900k +/- range on oversized lots. The Woodlands is an ideal location for families who want an active lifestyle and an easy commute from one of two Bart stations nearby.  The mature yards of many homes showcase beautiful manicured gardens that add to the curb appeal and charm of this area.  Several homes b... 09/27/2013

Homes For Sale Walnut Creek CA August 2013 Market Report September 7, 2013 Walnut Creek CA Real Estate Monthly Commentary Homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA as of September 7, 2013 total 69 single family (up from 60 on the same date last month) and 48 attached (up from 42 last month) currently on the Walnut Creek CA real estate market. Homes sold in Walnut Creek CA during August 2013 increased to 62 from 59 last month for single family while attached homes closing escrow increased to 49 from 47 last month. The median price for single family homes sold in Walnut Creek CA in August 2013 was $807,500 which was down up $820,000 last month while the attached home median sold price was $399,000 up from $485,000 last month. Homes For Sale in Walnut Creek CA Currently on the Market* The newest l... 09/07/2013

Homes For Sale Walnut Creek CA July 2013 Market Report August 7, 2013 Walnut Creek CA Real Estate Monthly Commentary Homes for sale in Walnut Creek CA as of August 7, 2013 remain limited with a total of 60 single family (up from 54 on the same date last month) and 31 attached (down from 34 last month) currently on the Walnut Creek CA real estate market. Homes sold in Walnut Creek CA during July 2013 decreased to 59 from 70 last month for single family while attached homes closing escrow increased to 47 from 32 last month. The median price for single family homes sold in Walnut Creek CA in July 2013 was $820,000 which was down up $805,000 last month while the attached home median sold price was $485,000 up from $392,500 last month. Homes For Sale in Walnut Creek CA Currently on the Marke... 08/07/2013

      Just a few minutes south of downtown Walnut Creek is the serene,  area of Rudgear.  Although only minutes to major freeways, dining and shopping, the Rudgear area offers residence a chance to retreat to a slower-paced lifestyle.      Rudgear Estates and Rudgear Meadows are two developments I often show to my buyers.  Both of these neighborhoods border the Shell Ridge Open Space with gorgeous Mt. Diablo views.  For those that enjoy the outdoors, the Shell Ridge area is Walnut Creek’s largest open space with trails for biking, hiking and riding through oak woodlands and grasslands.  Located in Shell Ridge is the Borges Ranch which is on the National Register of Historic Places with a working ranch and plenty of family activities.      Rudgear Estates (consisting of 429 homes) was co... 07/26/2013