San Francisco Bay Area Homes Right Here - Real Estate Expertise from Alain Pinel - Our Blog Homepage

April SF Market Data

2012-05-11T15:35:14Z

The San Francisco market continues to build up momentum. There are days when 60-70 properties are placed on the Multiple Listing Service. Our Open Houses are well attended with well qualified buyers. For properties in certain areas and price ranges we are again seeing multiple offers with over-asking prices and the days on market to sell a property has fallen in all categories.

San Francisco Market Data as of Sunday, April 1, 2012

Currently there are 378 Single Family Homes and 669 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 145 2-4 units listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in San Francisco Districts 1-9.

Last 30 Days:

318 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 48 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,029,751
Average Selling Price was $1,240,922Average Price Per Sq Ft was $564

486 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 58 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $733,901
Average Selling Price was $782,999Average Price Per Sq Ft was $644

105 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 67 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,123,490Average Selling Price was $1,167,608Average Price Per Sq Ft was $424

Same 30 day period one year ago:

307 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 54 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $998,465 Average Selling Price was $1,150,608Average Price Per Sq Ft was $552

460 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 62 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $750,756 Average Selling Price was $800,738Average Price Per Sq Ft was $629

90 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 80 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,157,146Average Selling Price was $1,199,469Average Price Per Sq Ft was $378

The information is based on: A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1861 sq ft., a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,161 sq ft. and a 2-4 unit building of approximately 3,035sq ft.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

The San Francisco Ed Fund-Marina Middle School

2012-04-13T10:45:57Z

Alain Pinel –SF has partnered with the San Francisco Education Fund for the Thank a Teacher Today campaign.

Ways you can help us

Did you know that many teachers buy basic supplies like pencils out of their own pocket? Through The San Francisco Education Fund’s Thank a Teacher Today initiative, you can say thanks to San Francisco teachers for the important job they do. During April please consider dropping off a donation of classroom supplies to any San Francisco Peet’s Coffee, or Sports Basement store. APR volunteers along with the San Francisco Education Fund will make sure they are delivered to a San Francisco teacher in early May.Do you believe teachers matter? What’s the most important lesson you learned from a teacher? Post a note to your teacher on www.ThankaTeacherToday.org. They really appreciate hearing the positive effects they have had on people’s lives.You can “like” their facebook page and share the posts they make: http://www.facebook.com/sfedfund (This takes like 30 seconds so you can do this right now.)

If we can thank enough teachers in April the world will be a better place for our children in May.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

San Francisco Market Data as of Saturday, March 31, 2012

2012-04-04T17:46:07Z

San Francisco property sale prices continue to inch up in all three categories. While inventory levels remain low, properties priced at the market are selling quickly, many times prior to the first open house, multiple offers are returning to offers for properties in some parts of the city.

Currently there are 210 Single Family Homes and 360 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 104 2-4 units listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in San Francisco in Districts 1-9.

Last 31 Days:

142 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 55 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,120,390
Average Selling Price was $1,136,510

219 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 61 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $761,532
Average Selling Price was $764,408

27 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 78 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,165,807Average Selling Price was $1,182,426

Same 31 day period one year ago:

174 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 64 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,174,694
Average Selling Price was $1,170,366

259 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 74 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $801,353
Average Selling Price was $776,065

30 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 105 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,066,998Average Selling Price was $1,026,788

The information is based on: A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1,844 sq ft., a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,186 sq ft. and a 2-4 unit building of approximately 2,890 sq ft.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

There is a Sale going on here!

2012-02-29T17:05:48Z

Below are the normal market numbers I create each month for my own use in working with clients in San Francisco.

On Monday I attended our annual Alain Pinel Realtors “Ignite” Conference in San Francisco. One of the speakers was Chris Harney, Founder and President of Keeping Current Matters an information service for the real estate industry. Part of his message to us included the observation that the Case-Schiller Index for San Francisco has home prices in December falling to 2002 price levels. Coupled with historic low interest rates, what it basically boils down to is as he said, “Folks there is a sale going on in real estate!”

This is especially true in San Francisco. Our inventory of homes is as low as we have ever seen it. Property priced within a market selling range sell quickly, banks have streamlined the short-sale process so those inventories are being reduced too. San Francisco rental rates remain high and inventory is also low there too, putting even more buyers in the market as it is often now cheaper to buy than rent. If you are a buyer it means that now is the time to buy because you can expect home prices to begin moving up later in the year. Now is the time to buy, because as Steve said to us, “There’s a sale going on here!”

San Francisco Market Data as of Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Currently there are 214 Single Family Homes and 394 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 99 2-4 units listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in San Francisco in Districts 1-9.

Last 29 Days:

109 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 60 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,318,523
Average Selling Price was $1,290,653

134 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 92 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $777,565
Average Selling Price was $774,699

30 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 89 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,277,733Average Selling Price was $1,205,455

Same 29 day period one year ago:

81 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 82 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $970,100
Average Selling Price was $950,321

165 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 86 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $693,050
Average Selling Price was $676,687

21 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 97 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,384,786Average Selling Price was $1,361,910

The information is based on: A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1,581 sq ft., a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,193 sq ft. and a 2-4 unit building of approximately 2,911 sq ft.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

The Ugly, Good and Bad SF Market Numbers

2012-02-07T06:07:51Z

I track these market numbers consistently over the year, and these are the lowest inventory numbers I have ever seen for San Francisco.

What it means to me is that sellers are not hearing the kind of prices they need to hear to sell their property, even though they may want to. One would think with lower home prices and historically low interest rates this should be good for buyers. But with low inventory nowadays, more than ever San Francisco buyers need a knowledgeable local agent to help them find properties to buy, which can often be off market.

This is a period of great opportunity for buyers, if they can find the right property to buy at a price a seller will accept. It also points to higher home prices coming in San Francisco, especially if interest rates stay low.

San Francisco Market Data as of Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Currently there are 304 Single Family Homes and 612 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 133 2-4 units listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in San Francisco in Districts 1-9.

Last 30 Days:

152 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 72 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $953,637
Average Selling Price was $920,441

199 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 99 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $739,621
Average Selling Price was $749,837

47 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 89 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,025,222Average Selling Price was $1,007,157

Same 30 day period one year ago:

107 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 72 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,075,723
Average Selling Price was $1,037,242

133 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 105 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $715,045
Average Selling Price was $695,233

25 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 82 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,161,988Average Selling Price was $1,135,120

The information is based on: A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1824 square feet; a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,188 square feet; and a 2-4 unit building of approximately 2,810 square feet.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

Menlo Park/Atherton Real Estate Market Report

2012-01-30T17:25:19Z

Mary Gebhardt, V.P. and Manager of the Alain Pinel Menlo Park and Woodside offices offers a snapshot of the local market. With limited inventory and high demand for desirable properties, now is a good time to list.

For more information on Menlo Park and neighboring communities, watch this video and also go to apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Oakland Hills/Montclair Village Market Update

2012-01-25T18:45:03Z

Philip Weingrow, Manager of the Alain Pinel Realtors Oakland Hills/Montclair office is anticipating continued strong activity in 2012. The mountain atmosphere and small-town feel of Montclair Village make this area of the East Bay a very desirable place to call home.

For more information on Oakland Hills/Montclair and neighboring communities watch this video and also go to APR.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Saratoga Real Estate Market Report

2012-01-16T09:16:47Z

The excellent schools, charming downtown-village and cultural attractions help make Saratoga a great place to live, according to Carol Burnett, Vice President and Managing Broker of Alain Pinel Saratoga. Real estate activity in this Silicon Valley bedroom community has been strong both in the upper-end as well as the entry level market.

For more information on Saratoga and neighboring communities watch this video and also go to APR.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Los Gatos Real Estate Market Report

2012-01-06T07:13:20Z

The demand for luxury homes by high-tech employees and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs has fueled an upsurge in home sales in Los Gatos and surrounding areas, according to Jeff Barnett, Regional Vice President and Manager of the Alain Pinel office in Los Gatos. He anticipates a strong local market in 2012.

For more information on Los Gatos and neighboring communities watch this video and also go to APR.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Happy New Year San Francisco Market Data

2012-01-06T07:06:04Z

One of the things I do around New Year's is to look at San Francisco market data for the preceding 12 months and compare it to the data for the previous year. Mainly I just like looking at this particular set of data to get a larger view of our market in San Francisco because it gives me information I find I am unable to get any other way.

So on New Year’s Day I sat down at my computer and looked at data from the San Francisco Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for 2011 and 2010 and put it into a format I use for my clients monthly reports.

I like the fact that the MLS uses averages because my experience has been that averages yield results that are more in line with my experience in the San Francisco real estate market. It would take a more astute mathematician than I to proof this, but it may be because data derived from mean averages, are more affected by short sales and foreclosures than data derived from using averages.

I also limited the report to Districts 1-9 in San Francisco and did not look at properties sold in the southern part of the city called District 10, because my experience has been that more foreclosures and bank sales take place in that part of town. I use Districts 1-9 because I am essentially trying to look at normal sales of real estate to get the most accurate picture of what real estate is selling for today in San Francisco for my clients.

Here are the results;

San Francisco Market Data as of Sunday January 1, 2012

Currently there are 421 Single Family Homes and 558 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 142 2-4 units listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in San Francisco.

In 2011:

1835 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 61 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,124,289
Average Selling Price was $1,112,225Properties averaged 1870 sq. ft.

2467 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 81 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $771,183
Average Selling Price was $752,499Properties averaged 1225 sq. ft.

408 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 85 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,170,976Average Selling Price was $1,148,550Properties averaged 3004 sq. ft.

In 2010

1771 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 60 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,159,043
Average Selling Price was $1,148,496Properties averaged 1870 sq. ft.

2243 Condo/T.I.C./Lofts sold after an average of 81 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $766,878Average Selling Price was $749,516Properties averaged 1225 sq. ft.

388 2-4 unit buildings sold after an average of 88 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,199,929Average Selling Price was $1,164,285Properties averaged 3141 sq. ft. All data subject to ERRORS, OMISSIONS, or REVISIONS and is NOT WARRANTED. - Copyright: 2006 by San Francisco Association of REALTORS Copyright ©2007 Rapattoni

The data yielded some surprising results for me:

The first thing that caught my eye was the low level of inventory currently on the market. Even with agents sometimes taking property off the market for the holidays the totals for Active Listings should easily be double what is currently available. My thought immediately was that sellers are disappointed with the price levels the market is offering them for their property and are either taking them off the market to wait for better prices, or placing them on the rental market which is very active in San Francisco right now. By the way many owners of San Francisco properties, especially those in the Northern part of town have enough equity in their homes to wait for a period of time if they don’t receive offers they will accept for their properties.The next item of interest is that while over the last three years prices have slipped incrementally down to their current level the number of sales in all categories is surprisingly similar year to year. It shows me that property priced at the market, especially single family homes sell quickly in San Francisco. Just for comparison is was only a short while ago that the average price for a three bedroom San Francisco home was $1.6 million and a two bedroom condominium around $950,000.Looking at the Condo/T.I.C./Loft Days On Market number shows me that financing is still an issue in completing a sale for borrowers with low down payments, or poor credit scores. Banks are still taking their time making sure buyers are well qualified before releasing funds to purchase property.Probably the biggest news my New Year’s exercise brought is that with interest rates down around 4% and prices for property in San Francisco at new lower levels there should be more buyers in the market looking for property because there are some fabulous deals out there for you right now.

If you would like to be put on my list to receive regular monthly market reports, please send an email to .

Posted by: Bill Wygant

Los Altos Real Estate Market Report

2011-12-22T19:29:51Z

The Los Altos real estate market has been very vibrant this year and should see continued growth in 2012, according to Bill Lewis, VP and Managing Broker of Alain Pinel Realtors Los Altos office. Sellers are seeing multiple offers for well-priced homes under $2,000,000.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Walnut Creek Real Estate Report

2011-12-12T05:10:59Z

Joe Cutrufelli, VP Alain Pinel Realtors and Manager is encouraged by the current market and predicts strong activity in the coming year. He describes the allure of living in and around Walnut Creek where diners enjoy world-class restaurants, shopping in trendy boutiques and upscale department stores. For more information, please visit apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

San Jose/Almaden Valley Real Estate Report

2011-11-28T18:22:00Z

The San Jose Real Estate Market is “alive and well,” according to Dave Walsh, Manager of the Alain Pinel Almaden Valley office. Both move-up buyers as well as first-time buyers are active as the current inventory is shrinking over 2010 and early 2011 levels.

For more information on San Jose and the diversity of neighborhoods watch this video and also go to APR.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Happy Thanksgiving from Alain Pinel Realtors - Carmel-by-the-Sea

2011-11-22T06:12:38Z

Alain Pinel Realtors-Carmel, realtors
and staff with Food Bank donations

November is almost gone and December will be here before we know it! Crisp autumn days and cooler temperatures are finding their way to our Central Coast as we bundle up in leather jackets and build warm fires.

At this time of Thanksgiving, we find ourselves full of gratitude for the incredible place we live on the Monterey Peninsula and for all the wonderful people and gifts that fill our lives and hearts every day. Thank you to all our clients, business associates, and friends for being a part of our lives. Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.

Bob and Judie Profeta, broker owners Alain
Pinel- Carmel center: Marla Rea and Susan Clark,
co-chairs of food drive displaying contributions by check

Speaking of the spirit of Thanksgiving, the kick off of our food drive this past weekend for the "Food Bank For Monterey County” began with a bang with baskets and bags brimming with non-perishable food for those less fortunate. Also, $1500+ in contributions has been collected so far and this is just the beginning! To donate food or make a monetary contribution visit any Alain Pinel Open House or stop by one of our Carmel offices. We will be collecting for the Food Bank through December 31st. There is a dire need this year to assist the hungry and we encourage everyone to help out in any way they can.

Happy Thanksgiving and we hope to see you soon in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

Posted by: Susan Clark

San Ramon Valley Real Estate Report

2011-11-18T17:11:27Z

The San Ramon Valley’s strong economic base, excellent schools and diversity of housing- from entry level to high end communities- make Danville and surrounding areas a great place to live according to Lisa Crosby-Torres, VP Alain Pinel Realtors and Manager of the Danville office.

For more information on Danville and neighboring communities watch this video and also go to APR.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Yes We Can! In Carmel-by-the-Sea

2011-11-16T17:02:56Z

Food Drive Co-captains: left Marla Rea; right Susan Clark

Alain Pinel Realtors, Carmel has just “kicked off” an end of the year food drive benefiting the Food Bank for Monterey County with enthusiastic shouts of “Yes We Can!” The community-minded realtors recognized the increased needs of the Food Bank and determined that it was time to step up and help. Realtors will be collecting non-perishable food at all their Open Houses beginning Friday, November 18th. This weekend they hope to see their baskets brimming with food for those who are less fortunate.

Locations will be advertised in the Herald and in the Carmel Pine Cone which can also be viewed online. Donations can also be dropped off at the Alain Pinel offices in Carmel at the corner of Ocean Avenue & Dolores and Junipero between 5th and 6th. Alain Pinel Realtors will collect food at their Open Houses through December 31st. They will also accept donations. Checks should be made out to the” Food Bank for Monterey County.”

The Carmel magazine reported that the amount of people needing assistance has almost doubled and donations have drastically dwindled. Recipients include the newly unemployed, senior citizens, farm workers, individuals on a fixed income, and families hit with unexpected expenses. The Food Bank is seeking non-perishable nutritious food such as canned tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables and fruit, non-sugary cereals, and spaghetti sauces.

Please consider stopping off at an Open House this weekend and making a donation.

Posted by: Susan Clark

A Mansion Like No Other

2011-10-28T06:08:17Z

Working with Alain Pinel Realtors- the “preeminent purveyor of luxury homes in the San Francisco Bay Area” has allowed me to see some incredible homes. Recently, I toured the most amazing property I have ever seen. This home is not listed on the MLS, but it is on tour for anyone to see. With 160 rooms, including 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 40 staircases and three elevators, the Winchester Mystery House is a Victorian mansion filled with architectural oddities, such as stairs that lead to the ceiling, doors that go nowhere and chimneys that stop just short of the roof!

After the death of her daughter and her husband, a spiritual medium instructed Sarah Winchester to move west and appease the spirits by building a great house for them. As long as construction of the house never ceased, Mrs. Winchester felt her life was not in danger. She believed this never-ending project would bring her eternal life. She hired the best carpenters to work in shifts around the clock. At the turn of the century the house had grown into a seven-story mansion! The estate eventually grew to 161 acres of farmland, which included orchards of apricots, plum, and walnut trees to supplement Mrs. Winchester’s income.

The Winchester Mystery House is located in San Jose on Winchester Boulevard, between Stevens Creek Boulevard and Interstate 280. Click here for more info.

For Bay Area open homes on tour, visit open.apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Burlingame, A Great Place to Call Home

2011-10-13T17:11:39Z

The mid-peninsula real estate market is going strong according to Joanne Wondolowski, Burlingame Manager with Alain Pinel Realtors. Conveniently located near cultural activities, an International Airport, Silicon Valley employers, world-class restaurants and top-notch schools, make Burlingame and surrounding areas a great place to call home.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

San Francisco Real Estate Market is Alive and Well

2011-10-03T00:00:00Z

The San Francisco real estate market is robust with first-time buyers and luxury home buyers alike, according to Tim Murray, VP and Regional Manager at Alain Pinel Realtors. Many cash buyers from the Pacific Rim are fueling the upper-end market, particularly luxury condominiums, while entry level and move-up buyers vie for desirable homes throughout the city.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Real Estate Market Remains Strong in San Mateo

2011-09-19T00:00:00Z

San Mateo’s proximity to employers, recreation and travel make this peninsula community a great place to call home. You will find a broad range of home styles and prices here and in the neighboring coastal communities according to Ron Gable, Alain Pinel Realtors, V.P.

For more information on San Mateo and neighboring communities, watch this video and go to APR.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

School Time Safety

2011-09-01T18:18:25Z

As the new school year begins, we want to encourage parents to take a proactive stance on traffic safety by taking the time to talk with their children before they head back to school.

If your kids are walking to school, it’s a good idea to plan the route ahead of time with your child. Once it has been planned out, walk the route to school together before the start of the year to assess hazards and select a course with the least number of traffic crossings. It’s important to tell your children that they should find a walking buddy and stay on the same course each day.

Reminder for your kids:

They should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old.Remind them that they should never speak, accept gifts or rides from a stranger.Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars.Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them.Wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or skateboard.They should know their phone number, address and cell phone number of a parent.

You can find more school safety tips here.

For more information on Bay Area Communities, please visit open.apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Bob Gerlach, manager of the Palo Alto office of Alain Pinel Realtors, says Palo Alto is experiencing a robust real estate market

2011-08-08T00:00:00Z

The Palo Alto Real Estate Market is “red-hot” according to Bob Gerlach, Vice President and Manager of our Palo Alto office. Palo Alto is home to Stanford University as well as numerous high- tech companies. Many residents first came to attend Stanford, and have ended up staying here. Mr. Gerlach says Palo Alto, with its top-rated public schools, strong employment conditions and ideal location, make this town a very desirable place to live. As a result, he believes the strong market activity should continue for the foreseeable future.

For more community information, please visit apr.com or open.apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Bay Area Train Trips

2011-07-18T13:56:00Z

During the summer months we occasionally entertain out of town visitors. After they visit the Golden Gate Bridge and ride the Cable Cars, we like to suggest some lesser known, yet equally fun, attractions. Recently, we told our guests (who are train enthusiasts) about a few Bay Area day trips that you might also enjoy.

The Roaring Camp Railroads located in Felton, is only a short 30 minute drive from San Jose, but once you board the train, you travel back in time to the 19th Century! The Redwood Forest Steam Train travels over trestles and through beautiful redwood groves. The narrow gauge track twists and turns through some incredible scenery.The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company operates passenger service on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. Your trip follows the scenic San Lorenzo River to the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, which is California's oldest surviving amusement parkAnother fun trip is onThe Niles Canyon Railway. Travel aboard vintage rolling stock behind both steam and diesel locomotives. This popular route connects Sunol and Niles in the East Bay. In September 1869, four months after the famous golden spike ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah, the Central Pacific Railroad completed the transcontinental rail link between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay, finishing the track through the Niles Canyon.The Napa Valley Wine Train provides a relaxing three-hour thirty-six mile trip between the historic town of Napa through world famous vineyards to the little town of St. Helena and back. The Wine Train is actually a moving restaurant. On board you can enjoy a gourmet lunch or dinner as you view vineyards and wineries from a Pullman Dining car. This truly is a unique way to see- and taste - all the Napa Valley has to offer.

For more information on Bay Area Communities, please click here.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Livermore Vineyards

2011-07-01T00:00:00Z

Did you know that the Livermore Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in California? The first commercial grapes were planted in the 1840s. When most people think of California wines, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino are the first wine regions or appellations that come to mind. However, more and more people are discovering the Livermore Valley, which is experiencing something of a wine-making Renaissance. And for good reason!

The Livermore Valley Wine Country is located in San Francisco’s East Bay Area approximately 30 miles east of San Francisco. The valley, surrounded by coastal mountains and foothills helps funnel marine air to cool and moderate the temperature. The soil conditions also help intensify the flavor of the grape. Location, location, location.

There are more than 5,000 acres of vineyards here growing many California varietals plus a few European varietals. Many boutique wineries have recently opened their doors to welcome visitors from far and wide. In all, there are more than 45 wineries ranging from the small family run business to larger, older wineries like Wente and Concannon. The official Livermore Valley AVA includes Danville, Diablo, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Dublin and the eastern boundaries of Castro Valley and Sunol.

Urban expansion throughout the Bay Area and Livermore has reduced much of our agricultural heritage. However over twenty years ago, local winemakers, conservationists and forward thinking officials wrote legislation where any new development would have to set aside land to grow crops, including grapes. These efforts have put several thousand acres of grapes under agricultural easements and insured that vineyards will continue to dot the landscape of the Livermore Valley. Enjoy more pictures of the valley.

For more information about the communities we serve, visit APR’s community information page.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Summer is Music to My Ears

2011-06-27T00:00:00Z

Now is the time to enjoy a summer evening in one of our many local parks or town centers. With the longer days and warmer weather, we often pack a picnic dinner, a blanket and some lawn chairs and listen to some great music in an outdoor setting. From June to September, many of our Bay Area Communities offer free “Music in the Park” series.

With acts that entertain the whole family, the concerts are a perfect opportunity to get outdoors and spend good times with others in your community. Since most events have become so popular, you should plan on arriving early to nab a desirable spot. For dates, times and other details, links to some of the more popular music series are listed below:

Pleasanton, Los Gatos, San Jose, San Francisco, Fremont, San Mateo, Redwood City, Santa Rosa, Mill Valley, Cupertino

For a little summer fun… all it takes is a blanket and an outing to one of the many Bay Area venues to enjoy some “Music in the Park.”

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Summer in Los Gatos

2011-06-20T21:48:29Z

Summer is finally upon us it seems, and with this beautiful weather in our wonderful town, comes the annual Music in the Park Concert Series, as well as the Jazz on the Plazz Concert Series.

Music in the Park is held on Sundays (June 19th – August 28th) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The fun takes place on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn. Starting this series off on June 19th was Livin’ in the USA – A Cross Country Music Trip. There are a lot of wonderful musical guests, but please don’t forget to come and see us at the Alain Pinel sponsorship booth on July 31st when Petty Theft – a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will be performing.

Jazz on the Plazz, a series of jazz concerts, will be held at the Los Gatos Town Plaza on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Starting the series off on June 22nd is Spencer Day.

Both of these series are free to the public, so come join us here in Los Gatos this summer. Click the links for the schedules and more information on both Music in the Park and Jazz on the Plazz.

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Art and Wine Festivals Abound!

2011-06-20T00:00:00Z

It’s that time of year again! June is the kick-off month for festival season in the Bay Area. From Santa Rosa to Carmel, Half Moon Bay to Livermore there are scores of Art, Wine and Music festivals to be found. Each one seems to have a distinct ambience and focus, but they all share in showcasing creative arts, crafts and music from far and wide.

Strolling the vendor booths, while enjoying a premium glass of wine, a cold microbrew or fresh squeezed lemonade, is a fun way to spend a summer afternoon. Most festivals have free concerts, offering a variety of music and entertainment for the whole family. And if you like to sample different foods, you are in the right place! You can usually find B.B.Q sausages, kabobs, roasted corn and delicious fare from around the world. I can never leave without a bag of warm kettle corn.

I have marked my calendar for a couple of favorites: The Los Altos Art and Wine is held the second weekend in July. It is touted as the largest mid-summer event in the Bay Area. It offers a juried show with contemporary fine art and one-of-a-kind crafts. The Danville Fine Arts Faire is a wonderful East Bay event drawing some of the area’s finest artists. Later in the summer, I hope to visit The Mountain View Art and Wine Festival, which also offers a tremendous variety of arts, crafts, music and of course great food.

Finding an Art Festival is very easy; there are dozens of sites that list upcoming events.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Congratulations Michi Olson!

2011-06-09T15:42:52Z

We are pleased to announce that Michi Olson, SGMS, WRS, Vice President of Relocation and Business Development for Alain Pinel Realtors has received the 2011 Meritorious Service Award from Worldwide ERC®, the association for workforce mobility. The Service Award program formally recognizes that Worldwide ERC®'s success is a direct result of the dedication of members and the devotion of their time and expertise for the betterment of the industry.

Michi is a frequent speaker and author at Worldwide ERC® meetings and other industry gatherings, holds the Senior Global Mobility Specialist designation from Worldwide ERC®, and serves on the association’s U.S. Advisory Council. The Council highlights emerging trends and identifies opportunities for the growth and betterment of the relocation profession in the relocation industry. She also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Advisory Council for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.

“Michi is one of the most highly respected professionals in the industry,” said Paul L. Hulme, CEO and President of Alain Pinel Realtors. “This award is further testament to the hard work and expertise she brings to not only our firm, but to relocation as a whole.”

Congratulations Michi!

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Congratulations Graduates!

2011-06-08T07:59:45Z

On behalf of the Los Gatos Alain Pinel Realtors and myself, I wanted to take a moment to say congratulations to all of the graduating classes of 2011! Whether you are graduating from elementary school, middle school, high school or college, I know this is an every exciting time for all of you. I wish you all the best on the next step of your journey. Good luck and congratulations on your accomplishments!

The Los Gatos High School graduation ceremony will take place on the Los Gatos High School front lawn on Friday, June 17th at 6 p.m.

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Visit a Farmers’ Market

2011-05-26T15:47:28Z

Buying locally grown food, in season, is a wonderful way to celebrate and enjoy our good fortune of living in the Bay Area.

More and more people are discovering our local Farmers’ Markets. It’s a great way to experience first-hand the agricultural bounty of our region with just-picked vegetables and ripe fruit. Nothing says “summer” quite like a fresh, sweet basket of berries. Vine ripened, heirloom tomatoes are also one of my favorites. Most markets are not limited to produce; some have fresh seafood, poultry, baked goods, jams and jellies, herbs, spices, flowers and other offerings as well. We also enjoy the social aspect of outdoor Farmers' Markets. It’s a great way to connect with your community. While buying local products, you can be entertained as well! Local musicians and other artists often enliven the market and add a festive atmosphere and make shopping downright fun. There is a plethora of Farmers’ Markets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Finding and using locally produced food has never been easier. Check out: California Farmers’ Market Association or Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association for current locations and schedules.

For more community information visit: apr.com or open.apr.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Building Strong Communities

2011-05-12T07:16:38Z

As a real estate brokerage, we take great pride in building strong communities in the areas we serve. To be sure, we are located in some of the finest communities in Northern California.

On our website, we proclaim: “Where you live shapes your life.” I would like to take this idea and add: “You shape your community.” While window shopping with my wife recently, we spotted a poster in a small, neighborhood boutique entitled “How to Build Community.” The message was very simple and straight-forward and reminded us of what it takes to make a great community. It urged all to:

Turn off your TV...Leave your house…Know your neighbors…Look up when you are walking…Greet people…Plant flowers…Use your library…Buy from local merchants…Share what you have…Help a lost dog…Take children to the park…Support neighborhood schools…Fix it even if you didn't break it…Have pot lucks…Honor elders…Pick up litter…Talk to the mail carrier…Listen to the birds… Put up a swing…Hire young people for odd jobs…Organize a block party…Bake extra and share…Ask for help when you need it…Open your shades…Share your skills…Seek to understand.

Community strength isn’t a new concept. We’ve all heard the phrase, “it takes a village” and the beautiful thing about community is we soon learn that we are more alike than we are different. Whatever our differences, a strong community brings us all together. What can you bring to your community?

For more information, please visit open.apr.com or apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Bay Area Community Information at Your Fingertips

2011-05-06T07:59:32Z

We are pleased to offer a complete Bay Area wide online open home guide - not just Alain Pinel Realtor listings - but all brokerages!

Also, if you are looking for community information and market analytics in the San Francisco Bay Area, this is a great place to start. More than two dozen communities are profiled and additional areas will be added to this site frequently.

Simply click on the Community Tab and select the area(s) that interest you.

Here you will find a description of the area cities and neighborhoods, school information, interactive maps, pictures and local market conditions. Learning about a community has never been easier!

While on this site, you can subscribe to a number of local real estate market reports that offer real time market profiles. We invite you to take a look.
For further information visit apr.com or open.apr.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Summer fun in Los Gatos!

2011-04-20T07:21:15Z

With all of the crazy wet weather we have been having lately, it’s kind of strange to think about getting ready for the summer. Our family recently received the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation summer catalog. The recreation department offers a wide variety of courses, camps, and summer school. They range from toddler programs to adult programs. You can sign up for just about anything you can think of. If you want to be outdoors, perhaps you’d like a soccer, rock climbing, football or basketball camp, swim or tennis lessons or even boating classes held at Vasona Lake. My son will be going to summer school through the rec. department, as well as participating in the Los Gatos Youth Theater. The LGYT is a wonderful program if your children like acting, singing and performing in general. They put on two plays each summer. One is for children 7-10 years old and the other play is for ages 11-14. This summer they will be performing Grease, School Edition (11-14 year olds) and Jungle Book Kids (7-10 year olds). Auditions are coming up in the beginning of May so sign up now. The LGYT is also having a three week Day Camp from June 27– July 15.

Go to the websites for more information on the Los Gatos Rec. Dept and the Los Gatos Youth Theater. Have fun planning your summer!

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

San Francisco Market Data

2011-03-21T15:14:23Z

This is the Market Data handout I use in my open houses to help people understand the broad picture of the San Francisco market. In order to get enough data to present a meaningful snap-shot of the market, I use data taken from the San Francisco Multiple Listing Service for the nine areas of San Francisco I serve. I also use averages as opposed to median data, because I feel it is not only more accurate, but less influenced by the effect of short-sale and foreclosure transactions, of which there are fewer in San Francisco than in some other areas of California and the United States. In recent weeks I have seen the amount of inventory increase, the sales prices increase slightly and the days on market in all categories decrease. This is most likely a seasonal fluctuation as we enter the prime selling part of our year here in San Francisco.

San Francisco Market Data as of Sunday March 20, 2011

Presently there are 501 Single Family Homes, 1017 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 202 2-4 units listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in Districts 1-9 in San Francisco.

Last 30 Days:

197 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 58 days on the market.
~ Average Listing Price was $1,187,756
~ Average Selling Price was $1,212,927

287 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 74 days on the market.
~ Average Listing Price was $777,879
~ Average Selling Price was $761,840

34 2-4 Units sold after an average of 87 days on the marke
~ Average Listing Price was $1,348,116
~ Average Selling Price was $1,407,405

Same 30 day period 1 year ago

149 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 60 days on the market.
~ Average Listing Price was $1,113,321
~ Average Selling Price was $1,109,902

178 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 66 days on the market.
~ Average Listing Price was $756,314
~ Average Selling Price was $740,178

29 2-4 units sold after an average of 101 days on the market
~ Average Listing Price was $1,135,772
~ Average Selling Price was $1,091,397

The information is based on:

A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1,992 sq ft. and a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,183 sq ft and a 2-4 Unit Building of approximately 3,042 sq ft. All data subject to ERRORS, OMISSIONS, or REVISIONS and is NOT WARRANTED. - Copyright: 2006 by San Francisco Assoc of REALTORS Copyright ©2007 Rapattoni

Posted by: Bill Wygant

Alain Pinel Realtors Relocation Department Honored

2011-03-18T13:11:50Z

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a global real estate network, has awarded Alain Pinel Realtors the RELO® Quality Certification (RQC). Alain Pinel joins a select group of companies that currently hold this prestigious certification, after completing the program’s rigorous application process. Less than 5% of member companies have achieved this distinction and Alain Pinel is the only California-based company to receive this designation.

The RELO® Quality Certification (RQC) recognizes real estate companies whose relocation departments have achieved professional distinction. Companies are evaluated by a committee of industry-leading professionals who review every aspect of the relocation departments – including office facilities, technology resources, performance and production, staffing, training and continuing education, relocation services, advertising and marketing, and customer satisfaction.

“We are delighted to recognize the team at Alain Pinel Realtors, led by Michi Olson SGMS, for their exceptional service and commitment to quality in staffing, training and performance,” said Cecelia Chott, CRP, GMS, Executive Director of Programming for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. Ms. Chott adds, “Only the most highly respected relocation departments in the industry earn the RQC. Each RQC firm makes relocation an integral part of their company, creating the kind of department others wish to emulate and offering clients an unmatched level of standard.”

Congratulations to the Alain Pinel Relocation Department!

For further information, visit www.apr.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

A Sophisticated Client Can Help Sell A Property

2011-03-18T09:35:32Z

Once in a while I come across a client who understands real estate in a sophisticated way, which is really nice because it allows us a lot of flexibility in the way we are able to respond to a buyer's offer and even help define who the buyer should be.

It was immediately apparent I had such clients in front of me when I first met the owners. We were immediately able to discuss how his office building might be sold as a TIC interest, where they remain as a partner for a period of time, or how we might create two commercial condos out of it, so the initial purchase price for two new owners would be not only lower, but easy to finance. We even worked together with a lender to evaluate an SBA loan program that allows a buyer to buy the property with only a 10% down payment. We talked about how seller financing might be handled and the 3-5 year time period they might be willing to stay involved with the property for the right person. It’s great when you have a client that not only has options, but understands what they are and how they work to everyone’s benefit. Indeed if someone were to buy the entire building it is a great opportunity to buy a boutique professional office building ideally located in the central part of San Francisco near City Hall and Administrative Offices, Federal and Civic Courts. The most logical buyer for us seemed to be an attorney, CPA, tax professional, architect, or other professional who needs access to the downtown area of San Francisco. It may also be suitable for a physician since the location in close to the proposed location for the new CPMC medical center on Van Ness.

Here’s a YouTube video that talks about the proposed Cathedral Hill Health Center that will be located close to our listing at 1636 Bush St.

Essentially, working with the seller’s we were identifying the proper buyer for the property. It turned out that ultimately we feel they will be one or two owner-user’s of the property, who need access to the central part of San Francisco, who are currently paying more than $3,000 a month in rent for 1250’ of professional office space. If you know of anyone like this they might be interested in taking a look at our website for the property.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

Alain Pinel Relocation Hosts RQC Committee

2011-02-24T16:44:00Z

On Friday, February 18th, The RELO Quality Certification Committee visited Alain Pinel’s Relocation Office in San Ramon. The visit marks the final phase in a lengthy process to determine if APR meets the rigorous criteria to earn this prestigious certificate. RQC identifies the top relocation departments in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® network. Currently less than 5% of member organizations have achieved this distinction.

Pictured left to right: Martha Marshall, SVP/Director of Corporate Real Estate Services, Ebby Halliday, Chris Homonnay, APR Relocation, Susan Schmidt, APR Relocation Assistant Manager, Jean Gerards, APR Client Services, Lori McBride, APR Office Administrator, Michi Olson, APR Vice President Business Development and Relocation, Tammy Dobbs, APR Outgoing Referrals and Cecelia Chott, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Executive Director of Programming.

For further information, please visit: www.apr.com

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Michi Olson Named Vice Chairperson of Prestigious Advisory Council

2011-02-03T00:00:00Z

Michi Olson, APR’s Vice President of Business Development and Relocation, has been appointed vice chairperson of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is a leadership group comprised of top business development professionals who offer their talent and feedback to the LeadingRE management team, mentor other members, and serve as ambassadors for the network regarding the various tools and benefits available to members.

Michi, who assumes her role as vice chairperson this March, serves as APR’s primary point-of-contact for company-wide relocation services, including our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. She manages APR’s corporate relocation network and assists thousands of families annually when they move from one state to another for work purposes, or increasingly, to global destinations in job-related moves. She is also responsible for developing new strategic business opportunities and initiatives for APR.

Joining Michi on the Advisory Council are 11 other real estate professionals from around the country.

For more information click here.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

Getting Organized for the New Year

2011-01-20T00:00:00Z

I think that when we enter a New Year, most of us not only make New Year resolutions, we also vow to get organized. The problem with that is we don’t quite know where to start in the process. If you just start somewhere, you are ahead of the game. First try to “de-clutter” your head by getting rid of distractions and negative thoughts. Focus on one thing at a time. You should finish any important tasks that you haven’t dealt with from the previous year. Tie up all the loose ends and then you will be ready to go!

I find that making lists is very helpful. Start by jotting down the things that you want to accomplish and then you can go back and prioritize them. Use a tablet or sheet of paper, not a bunch of sticky notes. You can use an online “to-do list” or tracking system, whatever is easiest and most comfortable for you. Next you might want to figure out how to work your “to-do list” into your already busy schedule. Do you want to try and check off one item a day, one a week…..? Again, try and keep it simple and tackle only one item at a time.

Once you find a system that works well for you, you can organize your office, home, fitness and health regimen, children’s schedules, etc. I know it can seem overwhelming at first, but once you get started it should become easier to get, and stay organized. Of course there are many websites as well as phone apps that can help you out. Here are a few:

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Organized
http://www.organizetips.com
http://mashable.com/2008/12/30/organization-iphone-apps

I wish you all of the best for getting organized in 2011! Good luck!

Take care,
Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

New Year’s Resolutions

2011-01-05T00:00:00Z

Like most of you, I have been thinking about what or if anything, should be my New Year’s resolution for 2011. This then led me to think about where did this tradition come from in the first place? Here’s what I found from the website ezinearticles.com.

The Babylonians

The first recorded New Year’s resolutions were made by the Babylonians around 4000 years ago. Most commonly, it revolved around returning any borrowed farm equipment, as their New Year coincided with the start of their farming season.

The Romans

Not long after, the Romans would start the new year by counting the stock of the previous year and setting a goal to accomplish more in the coming year.

The Chinese

The Chinese set a special New Year’s resolution - house cleaning. Most people nowadays would relate this to Spring-Cleaning. At the coming of the New Year, the Chinese would clean their house from top to bottom. What a great way to start the year, with a beautiful clean house!

Of course we still have our own tradition today. Some of the most popular resolutions are: to lose weight, get in shape, quit smoking, get our finances together, spend more time with the family and get organized. So no matter what your personal New Year’s resolution is, I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy 2011!

Thanks,

Jeff Barnett - Alain Pinel Realtors

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Don Faught, manager of the Pleasanton office of Alain Pinel Realtors says that Pleasanton is a great place to live

2010-12-29T00:00:00Z

Category: Pleasanton

Pleasanton retains its small-town charm while still being home to thriving business parks and retail areas. In recent years a number of software and bio-tech companies have moved into Pleasanton, making the town a great place to both live and work. This East Bay community has all the conveniences of a larger suburban city while still retaining its small-town character. Don Faught supports the claim that Pleasanton is one of the most desirable cities in the Bay Area.

For more information on Pleasanton, watch this video and also go to APR.com.

Posted by: Tom Smyth

A Holiday Wish

2010-12-21T17:13:35Z

No matter how you celebrate, my family and I want to wish you a very Happy Holiday Season. As we come upon the New Year, this is always a time of reflection. I think of this past year with all of its trials and tribulations, as well as the happy and sweet moments. There were definitely both the good and bad but right now I want to look forward to 2011 and wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Cheers!

Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Founder of Alain Pinel Named to Prestigious List

2010-12-17T16:01:40Z

We are proud to announce that Paul Hulme, founder and CEO of Alain Pinel Realtors has just been added to the prestigious Inman 100, an annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate (visit InmanNews at Inman.com). Mr. Hulme has long been regarded as a visionary and a prominent leader who has influenced the real estate industry with his words, actions, insight and innovation.

Mr. Hulme is the driving force behind the development of state-of-the-art software, technology, and computer applications in real estate that has attracted national attention. Combining this with high-end marketing expertise and award-winning advertising and marketing, Alain Pinel has attracted superstar managers and agents. In 2009, with over $5.68 billion in sales, Alain Pinel Realtors ranked second in the nation among privately-owned independent residential brokerages and sixth in the nation among all residential real estate companies.

For more information, please visit www.apr.com.

Posted by: Michi Olson

Happy Holidays in Carmel-By-The-Sea

2010-12-16T18:30:00Z

Carmel is ablaze with holiday lights and filled with happy shoppers! Young and old have been enjoying all the fun activities in Carmel since the first of the month - the tree lighting on Ocean Avenue, the Nutcracker Ballet, the Smuin Ballet, phenomenal music programs, art gallery open houses, and all kinds of other holiday festivities. Special events will continue throughout the month. Don’t miss the Camerata singers performing “A Day For Dancing” at the Carmel Mission 12/17-19 or the eighth annual celebration of “Lessons and Carols” also performed at the Mission on the 19th at 7:00pm.

Alain Pinel Realtors is also all decked out for the season with beautiful Christmas trees in our offices and Santa out front in his little red Mini Cooper pulled by two dashing reindeer.

At this time of year, we also turn our thoughts to those who are not as fortunate. On Friday, December 17 from 3:00-5:00pm you are invited to visit our office on Junipero between 5th and 6th in Carmel and enjoy a warm coffee drink with our compliments. We will be collecting items that will be donated to CPY (Community Partnership for Youth). CPY provides safe alternatives to gangs, drugs, and violence and offers an after school program where children can discover new possibilities for their lives. Items needed are legos, all kinds of balls, board games, and art supplies.

2010 is coming to a close, best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends and may the rest of the year be filled with joy and love.

Posted by: Susan Clark

‘Tis the Season

2010-12-06T14:38:00Z

Could it really be that time again already? It feels like it comes earlier and earlier every year, doesn’t it? Well, no matter how fast it gets here, the holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year! Here in lovely Los Gatos there are many holiday events for you and your family to attend. If you haven’t done so already, you don’t want to miss The Fantasy of Lights held at Vasona Lake County Park through December 31st. It’s a 1.5 mile drive through the park with a beautiful light display. There are animated displays including Santa Claus playing basketball, dinosaurs, hiding elves, playful penguins and so much more. My family and I have been going to this for years and still enjoy it. For dates, times and pricing, click here.

Another fun thing to do is the Horse Drawn Carriage rides through the historic neighborhoods of downtown Los Gatos. The rides are hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. You’ll need to make reservations for this one so for more information on times, cost, etc., click here.

Finally, if you have young ones, you’ll want to bring them to see Santa and sit on his lap at the Los Gatos Town Plaza Park on Sunday December 12th and 19th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

This activity is free but don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the special moment!

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season!

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Parks in Los Gatos

2010-11-29T16:31:00Z

Did you know that here in our little town of Los Gatos we have many, many parks and play lots? Some are large and some are small but there is definitely something for everybody. Here is a list of some of our parks and what they have to offer:

Bel Gatos Park is 17 acres of natural woodlands and wildlife. It has equestrian, cycling and hiking trails. Within the park is a playground, picnic tables, lawn area and restrooms.

Blossom Hill Park is a neighborhood park with 6 lighted tennis courts, a baseball field, picnic areas, BBQ pits, a large lawn area and restrooms. It’s great for birthday parties and jump houses. Just don’t forget to get your “special use permit” from the Town of Los Gatos.

Live Oak Manor Park has a large lawn area, a playground for the young ones, a basketball court and picnic tables.

La Rinconada Park has a half mile, creek side walking trail as well as BBQ pits, picnic tables, a play ground and a tennis court.

Bachman Park is a neighborhood park with a large lawn area, play structures, picnic tables and a basketball court.

Oak Meadow Park is a 12 acre park with access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona County Park. It has the Billy Jones Railroad and the W.E. Mason carousel, which the kids love! It also has many BBQ and picnic sites and can accommodate large parties. You do need to reserve the large picnic areas through the Online Parks Reservation System .

And the list continues with Howes Play Lot, Fairview Plaza, Novitiate Park, Oak Hill Play Lot and Worcester Park. For more information regarding park hours, rules, regulations and special use permits, visit this website.

With so many parks to choose from here in Los Gatos, why don’t you pack up the kids and join us for some outdoor fun! Please feel free to call me for more information.

Thanks.

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Indian Summer in Pebble Beach

2010-11-24T00:00:00Z

Indian Summer exploded on the Monterey Peninsula in late October and continued through mid November to the delight of our residents and visitors. As I drove to my Open House at 1080 The Old Drive in Pebble Beach in early November, I couldn’t help notice how vibrant and brilliant Pebble Beach was at this time of year. After driving through the Spanish Bay Gate, I glanced over at the emerald green fairways of the Links at Spanish Bay. A lone deer looked up for a moment; then went back to chewing. On my left lining the 17 Mile Drive were beautiful multi-million dollar homes that enjoy views of the golf course, the ocean, and the Spanish Bay coastline.

Since I was early, I decided to take a slight detour and continued on the 17 Mile Drive along the coast – a view I never tire of. I passed bikers, walkers, golfers, and visitors with their cameras taking pictures of the glorious vistas. Everyone was following their passion and taking advantage of this phenomenal weather. I stopped at the turn out named “Restless Sea” and was immediately immersed in the aura of the ocean; the pounding waves on the rocks, the salt air, and the squawk of the gulls. After a few minutes, I glanced at my watch and realized it was time to go.

As I drove into the driveway to prepare for my open house, I realized what a bargain this home is! Although it is a “stone’s throw” from numerous expensive homes, the ocean, and golf, it is priced at a modest $849,000. It boasts an open floor plan, three bedrooms, three and a half baths and is 1948 square feet. The kitchen has been beautifully remodeled with granite counters and pecan cabinets. The interior was just painted and new carpet and vinyl was installed. It’s bright and light with huge windows and skylights and the sunny back patio offers an outside dining experience complete with the sounds of a waterfall and pond. Come see for yourself. Open House 1/15/11 1-4pm and 1/16/11 2:30-4:30pm. www.1080TheOldDrive.com.

My best wishes to you for a Happy Thanksgiving with your family and loved ones. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect and show gratitude for all of our many blessings. Thank you to all my clients, associates, and friends. I am so grateful for your presence in my life.

Posted by: Susan Clark

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-23T14:38:00Z

I felt that since the holidays are upon us I just wanted to post a “Happy Thanksgiving” to all of you. We all celebrate in different ways. I am looking forward to our annual Barnett Thanksgiving dinner held at our home for our friends and family. My wife always cooks a turkey in the oven which makes the house smell wonderful! I just purchased a smoker this past summer, so I will be smoking a turkey as well. I’m looking forward to this little friendly competition with my wife. I am sure both turkeys will be fabulous! Of course along with the turkey, we have all of the trimmings! Everyone brings their signature dish along with a variety of tasty desserts. Of course it wouldn’t be a Barnett dinner without some wonderful wines as well. But, truly, the best part of the day is spending it with family and friends. We are so very lucky and grateful for all that we are blessed with. So whether you volunteer serving food somewhere, share the day with a lot of guests or just have an intimate dinner with a few friends, my family and I wish you the very best Thanksgiving! Enjoy.

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

SF Market Data For October 2010

2010-11-01T16:15:00Z

There are good values across all property types of San Francisco real estate. Please call me if you would like information on a specific area of San Francisco where you are currently looking to purchase a new home.

San Francisco Market Data as of Sunday October 31, 2010

Currently there are 729 Single Family Homes, 1323 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 271 2-4-unit buildings listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in Districts 1-9 in San Francisco.

Last 30 Days:

266 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 55 days on the market.

+ Average Listing Price was $1,009,264

+ Average Selling Price was $1,050,856

302 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 82 days on the market.

+Average Listing Price was $767,076

+ Average Selling Price was $795,571

67 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 82 days on the market

+Average Listing Price was $1,192,032

+Average Selling Price was $1,062,664

Same 30 day period 1 year ago

304 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 56 days on the market.

+ Average Listing Price was $1,075,629

+ Average Selling Price was $1,159,536

365 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 78 days on the market.

+Average Listing Price was $723,766

+Average Selling Price was $712,991

85 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 85 days on the market

+Average Listing Price was $1,374,882

+Average Selling Price was $1,445,095

The information is based on:

A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1752 sq ft., a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,260 sq ft. and a 2-4 unit building of approximately 3137 sq ft.

· All data subject to ERRORS, OMISSIONS, or REVISIONS and is NOT WARRANTED. - Copyright: 2006 by San Francisco Assoc of REALTORS Copyright ©2007 Rapattoni

Posted by: Bill Wygant

Your Home "Fix It" List

2010-10-26T11:29:00Z

Have you ever noticed that when one thing goes wrong, it seems like it’s followed by at least two more things going wrong? That’s what has happened at my house as of late. First, it was our TV satellite going on the fritz. That was followed by the oven going out, the microwave not heating and a breaker switch that kept “tripping” for apparently no reason.

You know the saying, “It takes a village”? Well, when you’re a home owner it seems like it takes a village to keep everything in working order. It’s important to do some research to get information on reputable companies, contractors, repair people, etc. One of the best ways is to get referrals from friends or business associates. Another way is to look online for the company ratings or check them out with the Better Business Bureau.

Thank goodness my wife and I have a list of wonderful repair services and contractors that we keep readily available to us at all time. Some of those people include our general contractor, plumber, electrician, well repair company and appliance repair company. It gives us peace of mind knowing that we can trust these folks since they came highly recommended and have proven to be reputable.

So do your homework, make your own list and keep it handy. Hopefully you won’t have to use it too often, but when you do, you’ll feel better knowing you have someone trustworthy that you can turn to.

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Don't miss out on Halloween fun in Los Gatos!

2010-10-26T09:08:00Z

Los Gatos has ongoing events for young and old alike! If you haven’t doesn’t so already, there is still time to take the kids to the Haunted Harvest Festival featuring Goblyn’s Glen at Oak Meadow Park. I posted the information on a previous blog. You can also go to the website for dates, times and more information.

Another fun event that you may want to partake in this weekend is the Goulish Grand Old Winery Tours! This will take place at the Testarossa Winery which is the oldest, continuously operating winery in the Bay Area. It will be held on Sunday, October 31st. Tours are at 12:00 and 2:00pm and the cost is $10.00. For more information contact the .

Have a fun an safe Halloween!

Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

October Events in Los Gatos

2010-10-08T15:40:54Z

Los Gatos always seems to have wonderful events going on with the month of October having some great ones! You and your kids absolutely don’t want to miss the Haunted Harvest Festival at Oak Meadow Park. It runs from October 8 through October 31 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. There is the Goblin’s Glen Haunted walk for children 12 and under as well as the “Witching Hour” from 9-11 pm for the older ones. The Billy Jones Railroad and Carousel will be running as well so it’s an event that you surely won’t want to miss. For ticket prices and more information, please go to: www.goblynsglen.com.

On another note: The Morris Animal Foundation has launched the Canine Cancer Foundation to help raise money for the cure of cancer in dogs. On Sunday, October 10, Los Gatos will hold the K9 Cancer Walk to benefit the foundation. Registration is at 9:00 am. If you and your pup would like to participate, click here for information.

Thanks,
Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Pebble Beach~A Sparkling Jewel on the Monterey Peninsula

2010-10-05T00:00:00Z

Pebble Beach has long been a sparkling jewel on the Monterey Peninsula known for its famous golf courses and mansions, but the real treasure lies in the six miles of scenic coastline. Scattered with sand dunes and beaches and home to all kinds of wild life, the Pebble Beach seashore attracts visitors and locals alike. Walking along the shore you’ll hear seagulls squawking, spot pelicans flying in formation, and watch otters and sea lions frolicking in the sea. Tucked between the seaside towns of Carmel and Pacific Grove, this exclusive gated community is situated in Del Monte forest and has remained unspoiled thanks to the early forethought of Samuel F. B. Morse. Beginning in 1919 as President of Del Monte Properties Company he insured that future development would be done with planning and the intention to preserve the Del Monte forest and pristine coastline. Having been renamed the Pebble Beach Company; in 1999 an investor group led by Clint Eastwood, Arnold Palmer, and Peter Ueberroth acquired it.

Interested in moving here or purchasing a second home? Here are some statistics on Pebble Beach sales. Since January 1, 2010, 65 homes have sold and closed escrow priced from $438,000 (an REO fixer) - $25,000,000. Currently there are 7 homes in escrow and 110 active listings (priced from $649,900-$19,500,000). Not that many years ago there were few homes under the $1 million mark, but today you can purchase a modest home starting from $649,000 within the gates of Pebble Beach. (Currently there are 16 homes available under $1 million.) For more information on Pebble Beach properties, call me at 831-320-6801.

Posted by: Susan Clark

Ways to Winterize Your Home

2010-09-27T21:14:00Z

As we leave the warmth of summer, we head into the higher energy bills of winter. Here are a few quick and easy things you can do to help lower your heating bill and make your home more energy efficient:

Insulate your furnace if you haven’t done so already and change the furnace filters about once a month to help make your home more energy efficient. Also, go through your home and check the doors and windows for any gaps or areas where wind may come through. You can eliminate those problems simply with weather stripping and/or caulking.

Another great way to reduce your heating cost is to make sure that your roof is efficient. Check to see that there are no tiles or shingles missing, and there are no warped areas on the roof. Also, check to see if the caulking needs to be touched up, and make sure the gutters are securely fastened to the roof. If you do have any major roof problems, you should call a professional for help.

Finally, I think we all know that lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day, and dropping it even lower at night, will save you a lot of money on your heating bill.

Here is a list of the biggest energy users: Clothes washers and dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, portable heaters, water heaters, ranges and refrigerators.

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Unwind with Wine - The Los Gatos Wine Walk: September 25, 2-5 pm

2010-09-21T00:00:00Z

Los Gatos always has such fun events and this is no exception. The Los Gatos Wine Walk will be held on September 25th from 2-5 pm. You can purchase your tickets online. Once you get there just make your way to the Los Gatos Wine Walk welcome booth where you will get a wine glass and a program guide. So come drink some wine, enjoy some live music and a perhaps a little shopping while you are at it!

For all of the information and to purchase your tickets go to: losgatoschamber.com

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

San Francisco's Down Payment Loan Assistance Program

2010-07-15T10:04:00Z

San Francisco is re-instating its DALP Program August 1st. DALP stands for Down Payment Assistance Loan Program. It is a mortgage assistance program unique to San Francisco that helps first-time home buyers buy houses and condos. They do this by offering a second loan on the property with no interest or monthly payment. When the buyer sells their home the principal and interest on loan is repaid with a share of the appreciation.

This is a great loan program for entry level buyers with less than 20% down. The second loan the city program provides allows buyers to avoid mortgage insurance and keeps their payments more affordable since they are only paying a monthly payment on the 1st mortgage. Many times this type of arrangement works out to have the monthly payment being less than what people are currently paying for rent.

There are some guidelines and restrictions for this program. Please visit their website for more infomation.

This program typically runs out of funding pretty quickly. If you are in the market for a home in San Francisco and would like more information on this program and how the home buying process works please give me a call.

Posted by: Bill Wygant

San Francisco 6-month Market Data

2010-07-11T22:50:00Z

Below are some market statistics I regularly use when working with clients to help us get a picture of the market in San Francisco. What is surprising about this last 6-months compared to other years is the amount of property that is selling and the attractive pricing. This 6-month period does not show the successive price drops in the past several years when the average price of a 3-bedroom home was more in the neighborhood of $1,400,000 than $1,190,000. In recent months there also have been some substantial increases in inventories in all categories and many again at very attractive prices. In the last week there has also been a nice interest rate drop and conforming 30-year loans are available well below 5% with a 20% down payment. Attractive financing and pricing as well as substantial inventories make this a great time to look for a home in San Francisco. Please call me if I can help you.

San Francisco Market Data as of Sunday June 30, 2010

Currently there are 609 Single Family Homes and 1319 Condos/TIC/Lofts listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in Districts 1-9 in San Francisco.

Last 180 Days:

937 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 58 days on the market.Average Listing Price was $1,199,382Average Selling Price was $1,189,3441223 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 74 days on the market.Average Listing Price was $763,484Average Selling Price was $753,080Same 180 day period 1 year ago

645 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 62 days on the market.Average Listing Price was $1,161,767Average Selling Price was $1,141,317777 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 76 days on the market.Average Listing Price was $821,168Average Selling Price was $853,149The information is based on:

A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 2,000 sq ft. and a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,200 sq ft.

All data subject to ERRORS, OMISSIONS, or REVISIONS and is NOT WARRANTED. - Copyright: 2006 by San Francisco Assoc of REALTORS Copyright © 2007 Rapattoni

Posted by: Bill Wygant

Summer Concert Series in Los Gatos

2010-06-17T16:19:00Z

I feel so lucky to live in this wonderful, little town of Los Gatos. There are always so many fun things to do here. I know that summertime is finally upon us when we get the new listings for the summer concerts series for both “Music in the Park” and “Jazz on the Plazz.”

Music in the Park is held every Sunday from June 20 – August 29 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn.Jazz on the Plazz is held on Wednesday evenings from June 23 – August 25 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Los Gatos Town Plaza.

Not only do you get to hear some really good music, it’s a great time to get together with friends and family. Bring your chairs, food and drinks and then just sit back and enjoy!

Below please find the first artists for both Music in the Park and Jazz on the Plazz as well as the links to their websites with all of the details.

June 20 (Sun.): Music in the Park - Elton John/Billy Joel tribute by Lee Alverson | Civic Center lawn - 110 E. Main St. - 5:00 to 7:00 PM (Los Gatos Music & Arts 408-354-1155)

June 23 (Wed.): Jazz on the Plazz - Artist: Kathleen Grace | Park Plaza - Main St. and Santa Cruz Ave. - 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Alain Pinel Realtors is a proud Gold Sponsor for Music in the Park as well as a Jazz Ensemble Sponsor for Jazz on the Plazz. Come visit our booth at Music in the Park on Sunday, July 25 and Jazz on the Plazz on Wednesday, July 14.

Take care, Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

The U.S. Open Golf Tournament 2010 - Pebble Beach

2010-06-17T00:00:00Z

The most anticipated event of the year on the Monterey Peninsula has begun! The U.S. Open Golf Tournament played on the Pebble Beach Golf Links begins its Championship rounds Thursday and runs through Sunday (June 16th – June 20th ) after several days of practice rounds. It is expected that 37,000+ people will be coming to Pebble Beach every day to watch the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, and Tom Watson. For the golfers, winning the Open means prestige and a large cash prize. For the gallery, it means lots of fun and enjoying seeing their favorite golfers play against a backdrop of sunlit courses and crashing waves.

As Realtors we view these huge events that bring thousands of visitors to our area as an opportunity to showcase our properties for sale to prospective buyers. Many of our real estate sales on the Monterey Peninsula are to second-home buyers who live in other areas, but like to spend time here. We start planning our marketing months in advance by creating unique advertising for the print media and other innovative promotional efforts. Our Alain Pinel Carmel office came up with a unique idea to promote our sellers’ properties during the Open. Since many of the affluent golf enthusiasts arrive in private jets at Del Monte Aviation in Monterey, why not be there to greet them when they get off the plane with a gift bag full of goodies and promotional materials? For those who come into the terminal, we would provide an espresso bar and frozen yogurt bar so they could have a snack after their long flight.

For the last two days I’ve taken part in this promotional event and what great fun it has been! When a plane landed, we raced out to greet the passengers with our gift bags and invited them to enjoy our snacks. As our visitors sipped on a café latte we chatted with them about where they are from and what’s going on in real estate. Will some of our visitors be lured to find the coveted prize – a home on the Monterey Peninsula? Time will tell – in any case, they will remember Alain Pinel Realtors.

Posted by: Susan Clark

Congratulations Graduates!

2010-06-10T16:29:49Z

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

I have an app for that...

2010-05-26T09:30:00Z

Considering that most of us have grown an extra appendage, namely some sort of smart phone, I have decided to share with you some of my favorite “apps.” Yes, that’s right…my extra appendage is an iPhone. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that there are applications for just about everything you could want or need. You could spend hours or even days looking at all of the possible apps. Since I am in the Real Estate business, here are some related apps you might find useful (or just plain fun).

I use the Dragon Dictation iPhone app for a variety of things. You just press the red record button and speak into your phone and when you are done press the button again. What you have recorded is then on your screen in written form. You can make changes to your document if you need to. You can then send your results by text message, email or copy it to your iPhone clipboard.

Evernote takes your notes, ideas, snapshots and recordings from your iPhone and syncs them directly to your MAC or Windows desktop. A great way to stay organized!

Real Estate Headline News gives you daily updates of all of the latest Real Estate news and information.

Real Estate Investment Calculator - This app tells you what a property is worth based on its cash flow.

You can even go house hunting by phone! There are various apps out there with info on open houses, current listings, home amenities, school info and much more. Alain Pinel Realtors has a great smartphone application for any web phone. Go to www.apr.com/mobile

I’d love feedback on your favorite apps. If you need further information, please feel free to contact me.

Take care, Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

A Few Tips on How to Keep Your Home Safe from Burglars

2010-05-17T17:38:00Z

I was reading an article the other day on this subject and thought it was worth revisiting. Of course there are some obvious things about keeping our homes safe from burglars such as always locking your doors when you leave the house and be creative when it comes to hiding the spare house key (you don’t really hide it under the front door mat, do you?).

Burglars look for homes that appear to be unoccupied so when you go on vacation have someone pick up your newspapers and mail daily. Have them move your car to different places in the driveway and put your interior and exterior lights on timers.

You don’t ever want to leave an outgoing message on your home phone message machine stating that you will be out of town. For that matter, you don’t want to shout it to the world on your Facebook page either!

Keep in mind that burglars want to get in and out as quickly as possible so you might want to think about fencing in your yard or planting low shrubs or hedges around your property to cause a barrier. Burglars know where you keep your jewelry (jewelry box, bedroom or bathroom counter, hidden in your sock drawer…) so even though it may be an inconvenience, lock up your valuables in your safe when you’re not using them. Which brings up another point; burglars also know that safes are often set to open with a half turn or an easy 123 access code for convenience sake so it’s in your best interest to use a difficult password or change it frequently.

Finally, if someone comes to the door and says they are with the phone company, for example, don’t just let them into your home, and always check their identification. Call their company for verification. The same thing goes for someone claiming to be with the police department. Get their badge number and call the station to make sure. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.

Stay safe and take care.

Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

Moving to a New School? – Do Your Research Now

2010-05-11T17:41:00Z

Is it really May already? I can’t believe that in just about one month the kids will be out of school and starting their summer vacation. Even as summer approaches, if you are thinking of moving to a different school district or if your child is moving up from one school to the next, now is the time that you may want to do some research on your neighborhood schools. Some important information that you may want to look at is: the school ranking, test scores, class sizes, credentialed teachers, core academic courses and activities. If you are moving to a new area, you will also want to find out about registration requirements for the new school your child will be attending. There are plenty of places where you can get your school information. Of course my favorite is www.apr.com where an agent will be glad to help you. I have also listed a few other links for you to check out: School-ratings.com, GreatSchools.org, SchoolDigger.com. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Take care,

Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Barnett

My Committment To Buyers

2010-04-29T16:05:00Z

I want the people I work with to know in writing the scope of services I’m committed to providing my clients looking for homes is San Francisco:

Explain agency relationships in the State of California as required by state law. Outline the home buying process and provide a clear calendar timeline of the escrow process once your offer is accepted. Agree on a way of continuing our ongoing communications in a way that fits your lifestyle i.e. phone, e-mail, SMS. Review the costs involved in a home buying purchase. Using my experience help you create a picture of the property you are looking to call home. Provide a free home buying tool called Clean Offer that provides the most up to date information on properties available for sale in San Francisco as well as other utilities that will make your online home search more efficient. Make available a weekly market snapshot of San Francisco to show how home prices are trending on a city wide basis. Organize and coordinate property tours on your schedule whenever possible. I normally only show 5 properties at a time to allow you to absorb what you are seeing. Provide resources to obtain information about the area you are moving into, such as location of health studios, gyms, places to walk your dog, schools, or nearby recreational facilities. Help you write your offer to obtain the best possible price and terms. Use e-signatures and a secure transaction website for all paperwork when it meets your needs and preferences. Negotiate strongly for you as your representative on all offers. I present all offers to the seller if possible, something not all agents are comfortable doing. Read and review all documents, contracts, disclosures and inspection reports prior to asking you to sign them. Answer all of your questions about the property. In certain cases I may as a result refer you to other professionals to obtain a clear picture of the property you are purchasing. Schedule and attend all property inspections and appraisals. Monitor your loan approval process and advise you of your options. Accompany you on the property walk-through inspection prior to closing as provided in the contract. I provide all clients with a 1-year Home Warranty at close of escrow.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

For Wine Lovers - Wine Tasting in Los Gatos

2010-04-28T18:16:00Z

Being a self described wine connoisseur and wine collector I thought I would share one of my favorite activities with you – Wine Tasting! When you think of wine tasting you generally think of Napa Valley. I am here to tell you that you don’t need to go that far for a day of wine enjoyment. Here in Los Gatos we have many wonderful local wineries. There are over a dozen to visit! Please go to LosGatosChamber.com/Wineries.html for information on the wineries, their locations, wine tasting and upcoming events.

Don’t forget the upcoming community events for this weekend:

Sierra Madre & Graham Family Vineyard Release Weekend
Date: May 1, 2010 - May 2, 2010
Time: 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Children’s Fantasy Fair
Date: May 1, 2010 held on the Los Gatos High School front lawn
Time: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Cheers!
Jeff

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Ricky Fishman's ChiroMedica on Union Street

2010-04-26T17:02:00Z

Union Street runs east-west through the classically San Franciscan neighborhood of Cow Hollow. Rather than large chain stores, the street is full of small merchants who treat customers with the wonderful personal quality San Francisco is famous for and very familiar to people who live in the north part of the city.

Ricky Fishman has operated an integrative healing center there called ChiroMedica for over 20 years. He’s a widely regarded specialty chiropractor and has gathered around him a team of Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists and Medical Doctors all under one roof. The effect is a cutting edge personal healing practice that also reflects the intimate personal quality of the area it is located in.

Here’s just one of his Yelp reviews: “Ricky comes highly recommended so I made an appointment and went to see him today. He’s a very skilled, informative, passionate and professional chiropractor who made my back feel better on the first visit. He asks good questions and is a very genuine guy. I recommend Ricky with enthusiasm!! Oh and a good location too.” Ally G. from San Rafael

Here’s a short YouTube Video where Ricky talks a bit about his work:

There’s some more information on him on his website too: RickyFishman.com

Here’s the google map show the location of his practice at 1700 Union St. in San Francisco.

Dr. Fishman is extending a 50% discount on an initial visit that includes a history, exam and first treatment if you mention my name, Bill Wygant, when making the appointment.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

Upcoming Los Gatos Events

2010-04-22T17:06:00Z

As a longtime resident of Los Gatos, I am always amazed that there is always something new and exciting to do here. Whether you want to shop at the antique stores, dine at one of the many wonderful restaurants, walk through a museum or go wine tasting there truly is something for everybody!

Here are a few of our upcoming events:

Rivers of Chocolate 2010!
This event consists of chocolate and wine tasting, Hors d’ouevres, a silent auction and live music. The event will be held at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA on April 25th from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Tickets are $95.00 and the proceeds go to programs that benefit EHC LifeBuilders. For more information, please go to: ehclifebuilders.org/roc

A Week of Wine and Fashion in Los Gatos
This event runs from April 26th – May 1st and will be held in Downtown Los Gatos. This event includes daily luncheon fashion shows and much more. For all of the details, please go to: losgatoschamber.com

Enjoy and take care,
Jeff Barnett

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

It's a dog's life in San Francisco

2010-04-12T17:29:00Z

A National Geographic article in 2006 talked about dogs in San Francisco’s Marina District having appointments with masseurs, acupuncturists, sitting on command to have their portraits taken and of course having their star charts read by their astrologers.

It was estimated that San Francisco at that time had 745,000 residents and 110,000 dogs packed into a 49 square mile area of land.

If you have just relocated to San Francisco and have a dog it is safe to say that San Francisco is still just as dog-friendly as it was in 2006. The North side of town made up of Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow and the Marina has several off-leash dog parks and dog play areas that may be of interest to you if you already have a dog, or plan on joining the crowd now that you are in town.

Crissy Field - located at the end of Mason St in the Marina has 100 acres of walkable terrain that offers seacapes and also some unique views of this city by the bay at nearby Ft. Point.
Note: California beach areas have some restricted access due to endangered species- click here for more information Mountain Lake Park - Located at 9th and Lake St.and built in 1875 by Willliam Howard Hall the architect of the Golden Gate Park, the dog walking area is located at the east end of the park. The park is home to small birds and ducks and at one time housed a white alligator someone once took for a walk there and left behind. Alta Plaza Park - a former rock quarry that was built in 1888. It is bordered by Clay St., Steiner, Jackson St and Scott St. and has 12 acres of dog walking area, public restrooms and is very popular with people who live in the area. Also located nearby, but not an off leash dog walking area is Lafayette Sq park that is popular with dog walkers. During some parts of the day in the tall Eucalyptus trees at the east end of the park you can find the famed “Parrots of Telegraph Hill” who were featured in a movie by Judy Irving, a well known San Francisco filmmaker.

On a sunny day in the Marina, Cow Hollow, or Pacific Heights you will find dog’s not only in the parks chasing frisbees, but also lounging in cafes along Union, Fillmore, or Chestnut street, because for a lot of San Franciscan’s dogs are really part of the family.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA)

2010-04-06T20:46:00Z

With all of the short sales and deed in lieu of foreclosures (DIL) that are happening now, I am happy to be able to provide the following information from the Treasury Department regarding HAFA – Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program. HAFA provides incentives used to avoid foreclosures. This program went into effect April 5th, 2010. Please click on the link below for all of the details.

http://www.realtor.org/governmentaffairs/shortsales_hafa

Please contact me for more information. Take care.

Jeff

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Free Luxe-Tour Video

2010-04-01T20:50:00Z

As an Alain Pinel Realtor I am a member of the largest network of independently owned real estate companies in the world. We have over 5,000 offices in over 44 countries. So any of my listings have a strong and powerful international network behind the sale of your home.

For instance take our internet marketing as an example. Over 91% of buyers begin their home search today on the internet. As part of my service to home sellers I offer a free Luxe-Tour video, which is a 60 second guided tour of your home distributed to YouTube the world’s largest video sharing website.

Here’s an example of the video.

I also have the ability to generate analytical reports to show you how effectively our complete internet marketing plan is working to market your property.

This is just one element of a focused marketing strategy I can employ to help you sell you home at the highest possible price today’s market will provide.

Please call me today for more information on how tools like the Luxe-Tour video can help you sell your home.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

San Ramon Valley Veteran's Memorial Building

2010-04-01T01:25:00Z

Become a sponsor for the New Veteran’s Memorial Building in Danville, California. This will be a great resource center for not only our Valley’s Veterans but for our community. There will be many meeting rooms available for use by the community. Every donation makes a difference. Please visit their website at www.srvveteranshall.org!

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

Welcome to Los Gatos

2010-03-31T18:10:00Z

The town of Los Gatos is in Santa Clara County approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco. It’s a quaint little town located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its surrounding cities are Saratoga, Campell, San Jose and Monte Sereno. It’s just minutes away from the fast paced Silicon Valley. Los Gatos is made up of wooded hillsides, residential neighborhoods, businesses, shops, restaurants, walking and biking trails, creeks and streams. It even has its own Lake!

The town is a community with a mix of ages, income levels and family sizes. It boasts a beautiful downtown with many shops and restaurants. Downtown Los Gatos is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of its small town image, Los Gatos continues to be a favorite of community members as well as visitors.

The month of April is Keep Los Gatos Beautiful Month: www.losgatosca.gov/keeplosgatosbeautiful

For more information, please contact me. Take care.
Jeff Barnett

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Union St Easter Parade and festivities in Pacific Heights

2010-03-29T17:34:00Z

The annual Easter parade festivities along Union St. will begin at 10 am on April 4th. The parade begins at 2 pm along Union St. between Gough and Fillmore. Besides the parade there will be live music, a petting zoo, outdoor dining, pony rides, vintage cars on display between 10 am and 4 pm. Awards for the best hat will be given out at 3:30 pm.

Many merchants along Union St. have special promotions during this time of year:

Jest Jewels - 1869 Union St., 415-563-8839: 30-70% off selected items. They sell an eclectic mix of jewlery and accessories. The Union St. store is one of 3 stores the owner Elenor Carpenter operates.

Lucy Active Wear - 1974 Union St, 415-292-6274: 30-50% off selected items. Lucy’s sells active wear that make women feel good about themselves while exercising. The store also offers FREE yoga classes the first Friday of every month.

Fog City Leather - 2060 Union St, 415-567-1996: 20-50% off selected items. Fog City sells handmade leather jackets. Many of the coats and leather accessories are made by Peter the owner in his Union St. store. Very unique products that can be personally tailored to the customer.

Bar None - 1980 Union St, 415-409-4469: on Thursday’s $2 Coronas and $1 Sliders. This is one of San Francisco’s world famous watering holes.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

New! $10K California Home Buyer Credit

2010-03-26T19:29:00Z

Hot off the presses. Governor Schwarzenegger has signed new legislation for a new tax credit for California residents. Please spread to the word to anyone you know who could benefit from up to a $10,000 Tax Credit on their California State Taxes.

The credit is for up to $10,000 and is for both new AND existing homes. The California credit takes over May 1 right after the Federal Credit expires on April 30.

It’s similar to the state credit from last year but the budget has been doubled to $200,000,000. Last year’s budget of $100,000,000 was used up 8 months before its expiration so buyers should hurry and buy their home before the entire $200 Million is used up.

Click here for full details.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

HARP Loan Extension

2010-03-25T15:10:00Z

This morning I was talking with Jennifer Marshall from First Capital Group Inc and she mentioned that the HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) had been extended until June 2011. Jennifer has used this program successfully over the last year to lower the interest rate for homeowners who have less than 20% equity in their property and subsequently unable to refinance their home loan. The HARP program is part of the Stimulus Recovery package and it allows a homeowner to refinance their loan up to 125% of the appraised value IF the current loan is a Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac loan. Without this program homeowners were left with few options, most of which could lead to foreclosure and loss of their home. If you want to know if your loan is owned by Freddie, or Fannie, please call me 415-593-8622 and I can show you how to look it up.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

Pacific Heights Needs Census Workers

2010-03-19T21:02:00Z

While shopping at the Marina Safeway near my home I talked with a recruiter for the U.S. Census Bureau looking for people to help with the 2010 Census. They had hoped to have 300 people signed up by the end of March. Currently they have only 30 people from the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco signed up to take these jobs that pay between $22-$25 an hour.

The census is of course essential to determine how federal monies are spent for many things that matter most to people including:

Health Care Education Jobs Home ownership Community Safety Community Services Aid for children and seniors

So it is important that San Francisco be fully and accurately represented in the 2010 census. Perhaps if census taking is not your cup of tea you could pass this information along to someone else?

You can get more information at www.2010censusjobs.com or the toll-free hotline 1-866-861-2010.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

Realtor Property Resource

2010-03-19T19:58:00Z

I recently returned from a meeting at our local MLS where I attended a very exciting demonstration of a product from our National Association of Realtors called Realtor Property Resource. We are the first MLS in the country to be able to beta test this new product which is for Realtors only. It is a software program which allows the Realtor to pull any property address in the United States for their clients. By doing so, they will get an automatic evaluation of what the property is valued at.

Agents can also use Realtor Property Resource to pull reports, comparable sales, property and tax records, school scores and much more. This is such a valuable tool for Realtors because it allows them to share their search results with clients.

Silicon Valley will be the first to roll out this program in the next 120 days. I will keep you updated as this proceeds. For more information, please call me.

Take care,
Jeff

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Are you a Wachovia Loan Holder in a Distressed Situation?

2010-03-11T14:56:00Z

(click for full size flyer)

You’re invited to attend an informative seminar regarding options! The objective of the seminar is to “get ahead” of the situation so that you can control what occurs. Tim Joyce and Celeste Pacelli of Alain Pinel Realtors will be presenting material relating to the foreclosure process and short sales. Both Tim and Celeste are certified as short sales specialists by the National Association of Realtors.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of your lender’s authorities.

Sponsored by the Pacelli/Joyce team of Alain Pinel Realtors

When: Tuesday, March 23rd or Wednesday, March 31st

Time: 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Where: Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street, Danville, Ca.

To register, click the desired date below:

3.23.10 event

3.31.10 event

For further information, contact me at celeste@apr.com or 925.395.1511.

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

2010 National Association of Realtors Issues Conference, San Diego, CA

2010-03-04T22:53:00Z

I just returned from San Diego where I attended the National Association of Realtors Issues conference. The conference is an excellent way for Realtors to share and exchange ideas, examine market trends and cultivate relationships with Congressional leaders.

On the agenda were discussions about the top ten legislative priorities for 2010:

Mortgage Interest Deductions The future of Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae and other GSA Short Sales Commercial Real Estate Eminent Domain National Flood Insurance Small Business Health Coverage Depreciation – Tenant Improvements Wetlands/Clean Water Act Transportation Reauthorization

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) volunteer leaders are given the opportunity to work with congressional leaders, their staff, and congressional political and policy experts. They are working together to try and make a difference on key federal issues affecting the real estate industry and the consumers it serves.

At this three day conference we covered a lot of issues and had a variety of speakers. My favorite speakers were Senator Johnny Isakson from Georgia, who is also a Realtor, and The Honorable Gary Miller – US Representative from California. They both spoke about the abysmal mess of the political system in Washington. Very interesting!

As a political contributor for NAR, I am fortunate to be able to attend these very informational meetings and I look forward to bringing you updates as I get them. As always, please feel free to contact me for more information on anything I’ve discussed.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

HouseLogic.com- Homeowner's Newest Resource

2010-02-24T18:06:00Z

HouseLogic.com – A Homeowners free source of information and tools supplied by the National Association of Realtor’s.

I wanted to share a great website that the National Association of Realtors has supplied to you, the homeowner. It is HouseLogic.com. HouseLogic is a free source of information and tools that can help you increase and protect the value of your home.

You will start by creating an account tailored specifically to you and your home. Once you sign into your account you can: plan and organize home projects, create “to do” lists and reminders, save important articles and information as well as set goals and measure your progress.

HouseLogic also provides information on such things as home maintenance, improvements, tax information, green remodeling, financing and insurance.

You will also receive continually updated relevant news about: the housing market, community, home energy, and much more. It’s a great way to protect the value of your home so log onto HouseLogic.com today.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Try a Healthy Lifestyle - in Carmel Valley

2010-02-16T23:11:00Z

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to try a healthier lifestyle in the new year? How are you doing so far? Perhaps you should consider moving to an area that promotes a healthy way of living – and makes it easy and convenient. In a previous blog entry, I extolled the virtues of the Brookdale/Quail area of Carmel Valley. Not only is this incredible area just 5 minutes from the coast, it boasts numerous ways to lead a robust life.

Eat healthy. Close by is Earthbound Farm where you can buy farm fresh organic salads, fruits, and vegetables. They also have many educational programs to promote wholesome eating.

Exercise and stay fit. Down the road is Carmel Valley Athletic Club (CVAC) where you can play tennis, swim, work-out, and take advantage of the many fitness classes from Yoga to Zumba.

Golf. Numerous golf courses are close by such as Quail Golf Club, Carmel Valley Ranch and Rancho Canada. Golf provides “mental” exercise as well as physical.

Hiking and Horseback riding. Experience the miles of hiking and horseback riding trails in the 4500-acre Garland Park. Not only will you get great exercise; you’ll enjoy the great outdoors!

Ok, convinced? There are many lovely homes for sale in this area that could provide you with a lively setting for your new vigorous lifestyle. Let me suggest one. Situated on an acre, 6435 Brookdale is a bright, light 4BR/2.5BA U-shaped home with an extensive outdoor patio and a huge flat backyard. The living room and family room both offer fireplaces for a relaxing evening after a day of exercise. Off one of the guest rooms, there is a private patio with a hot tub – just in case you need to soak sore muscles at the day’s end and the remodeled kitchen is perfect for creating those hearty and healthy meals. The list price is $1,195,000. Click on this link to tour the home: 6435Brookdale.com. To tour in person, call me for an appointment or come by the Open House on Sunday, February 21 between 1:00 – 4:00pm. You’re going to love it!

Posted By: Susan Clark

Foreclosures & Buying/Selling Strategies for Distressed Properties

2010-02-16T22:52:00Z

Don’t miss an excellent opportunity to learn more about the process of short sales and foreclosures. There are many options available to homeowners that may not be widely known. This is a chance to hear industry experts speak about what’s happening with foreclosures and short sales in Contra Costa County. For starters, we know that when most people get behind in their mortgage payments, they expect things to improve and don’t tend to get proactive with their bank. The time to get proactive is immediately! Additionally, there are strategies for selling distressed properties as well as strategies for buying distressed properties. Come learn the best way to approach this end of the real estate market.

Date: February 25, 2010

Time: 5:30 to 7:00pm

Location: Round Hill Country Club

Cost: $10.00

RSVP Today!

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

Alain Pinel Realtors introduces the first complete, bay area wide open house website

2010-02-15T19:37:00Z

I wanted to let you know that Alain Pinel Realtors is now offering a complete online open house website. Visit our user friendly website at Open.APR.com and get information on properties, agents, communities and more!

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

What's happening in Danville, California Feb. 20, 2010

2010-02-15T18:13:00Z

Don’t miss the Recreation Expo 2010 held on Saturday, February 20th.

Hours: 11am to 2pm
Location: Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street
Telephone for further information: 925.314.3400
Website: www.ci.danville.ca.us

This is an event you don’t want to miss as this will be your opportunity to hear about summer camps, aquatic programs, a new Daycation for adults, facilities for birthday parties and weddings, plans for the New Veterans Memorial Building, and events being held at the Village Theatre Art Gallery.

The first 150 guests will receive a free Town of Danville tote bag. Also 10% discounts will be offered on summer camp registration for some programs.

An opportunity to enjoy some treats from local restaurants that you don’t want to miss!

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

The Monterey Peninsula Welcomes the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Golf Tournament February 8th - 14th

2010-02-12T18:54:00Z

The “Crosby Clambake”, a small tournament for Bing and his friends, has transformed into an incredible event that never fails to bring thousands of visitors to the Monterey Peninsula in early February. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the organization that puts on the tournament, expects 150,000 – 200,000 attendees and hopes to raise $7 million for local charities. Practice rounds began in the beginning of the week, and on Wednesday the “Birdies for Charity Shoot-out” took place. Thursday is the first day of play and the final round takes place on Sunday. What draws such a large gallery? Golf enthusiasts not only like to watch great golf, but also like to ogle the celebrities that participate from the worlds of sports, music, and the big screen. The likes of Michael Bolton, Tom Brady, Kenny G, Andy Garcia, Chris Berman, Tony Romo, Don Cheadle, Chris O’Donnell, and Vince Gill will be on the course and ready to sign autographs. Also playing, comedians George Lopez and Bill Murray will keep the gallery in stitches with their antics. I remember one year, Bill Murray was horsing around with a spectator and the poor woman fell into a sand trap!

There are two things that the players and commentators are raving about this year. First is the great weather! It’s clear and sunny and perfect for enjoying the great outdoors and the tremendous ocean views. Since the event takes place in February, some years the winter storms get the best of the tournament. Last year on Sunday a blustery storm ended play and toppled a 40-foot Monterey pine tree on the 3rd hole of Pebble Beach shortening the tournament to 54 holes. Secondly, instead of Poppy Hills Golf Course as was custom in previous years, the newly redesigned Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course is one of the three courses played in the tournament (the other courses are Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach). Pictured is the author on one of the par 3 holes on the Shore Course. The participants that are playing on the MPCC Shore course today are ecstatic and in awe of the incredible ocean views from almost every hole. The course follows along the shoreline in Pebble Beach offering breath-taking ocean views and white surf crashing on the rocks. There is no place like the Monterey Peninsula to showcase Mother Nature’s gifts!

It’s not too late, come on down to the Monterey Peninsula! If you do, you’ll leave here with delightful memories of inspiring golf, crashing sunlit waves, and beautiful clear blue skies.

Posted By: Susan Clark

Why Real Estate Assessments Matter - Understanding Your Property Tax Bill

2010-02-11T17:25:00Z

It’s important to take time to understand your real estate assessments, your property tax bill, and most importantly, whether or not you are paying too much in taxes. A large amount of revenue that is raised for your local schools, libraries and hospitals, etc. comes from you - the homeowner - and the property taxes that you pay. When real estate values decline, your local government gets less money from property taxes. That said, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your tax assessment letter for any potential discrepancies or mistakes. Your tax assessment letter will show what your local government thinks your property is worth. Your assessor will normally use one of two methods to figure out that amount. The method most commonly used is that from comparable home sales in your area. If there aren’t recent comparable sales the assessor will calculate how much it would cost to rebuild your home and add that price to your land value. With so much ground to cover, many assessors rely on formulas that assess neighborhoods or streets instead of one house at a time. So read your real estate assessment letter carefully and challenge it if the amount seems too high!

You’ll also want to see if you qualify for any property tax exemptions, as this could alter your tax bill. Whether you contest your tax bill or qualify for an exemption, you could save some money. For more information you should go online or call your local tax assessor’s office or your CPA.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Open.APR.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Open House Information in the Bay Area

2010-02-09T18:20:00Z

The easiest OPEN HOME guide around! No need to log onto any other site for your local open houses than our new website open.apr.com. Alain Pinel is one of the leading real estate firms in the Bay Area and as a market leader we have developed a one stop shopping Open Home Guide. This includes all open homes, not just from our firm. No need to look any further than the new Alain Pinel guide. Alain Pinel prides itself on their technology tools and this is just one more example of the dedication of our firm in helping all new, prospective and current homeowners.

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

Carmel's Hidden Secret - Living in Carmel Woods

2010-02-05T17:33:00Z

While I was holding my listing open on San Marcos Road, a neighbor stopped in and whispered to me “Carmel Woods is our hidden secret.” After many showings and numerous Open Houses at this property, I have to agree. Removed from the tourist frenzy of Carmel-by-the-Sea, but just a few blocks from town, this peaceful neighborhood is a treasure. Residents meander through their winding wooded streets taking their daily constitutional waving to their neighbors as they go by. Homeowners “in the Woods” enjoy a rare intimacy with their fellow residents unknown in some of the other areas.

Carmel Woods is located just north of the village of Carmel and includes many lovely homes situated on forested lots – some having ocean views. Good values are to be had by the savvy buyer, since these homes normally sell for less than they would if they were located right in town. For instance, my listing at 24447 San Marcos recently sold for $755,000 and was a lovely 2BR/2BA home on an over-sized corner lot. If you are looking for a Carmel home, consider Carmel Woods as a great alternative to some of the more expensive neighborhoods. I think you’ll be delighted!

Posted By: Susan Clark

2009 Real estate ends on a good note

2010-02-04T17:49:00Z

When we think about the economy and job loss of 2009, it’s hard to believe that in Santa Clara County we experienced a 44% rise in home sales in December.

2009 was the busiest year for real estate sales since 2006. The year also showed an increase in the median sales price which went up 15% from Dec. 2008. One of the main reasons for the increases is that the high-end home sales in 2009 exceeded those of 2008. Also, in Santa Clara County, 14% of homes sold were for buyers of vacation and second homes, or investors. The federal tax credit for first time home buyers was also a good incentive to buy. This tax credit has been extended until April 2010!

I am hopeful that 2010 will be another good year for the real estate industry. Please contact me for any other information.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Property Tax Exemptions

2010-01-14T18:48:00Z

I’d like to start the new year off with some information about possible property tax exemptions as well as some local community information for Los Gatos, CA.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Los Gatos events and real estate update

2009-12-10T23:50:00Z

Jeff gives some information as to why foreign buyers are buying real estate here in the US. He also talks about the existing home buyer and new home buyer tax credit and about how now is a great time to buy real estate. Jeff also gives an update on the Los Gatos community holiday events.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY...

2009-12-03T04:47:00Z

The 3rd quarter of this year showed that more than 70% of homes sold were considered to be affordable and therefore now is a good time to buy. The affordability of homes along with the $8000 home buyer tax credit helped to drive many home buyers into the market last quarter.

The President and Congress extended the original Nov. 30 deadline for the Federal tax credit which will continue to help stimulate the housing market. As reported by the National Association of Home Builders, a typical American family with the average median income could afford to buy 70.1% of all the homes sold in the U.S. during the 3rd quarter of this year which is quite a leap from the 56.1% in the third quarter of 2008.

So with the extension of the “new home buyer” tax credit of $8000 along with the $6500 “existing home buyer” tax credit, the outlook for continued affordability of homes is looking good. Now is the time to buy!

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Median Home Prices and Holiday Events in Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay Area

2009-11-24T23:23:00Z

Los Gatos Alain Pinel Regional Manager, Jeff Barnett giving an update on the rise of the median home prices in Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay area. Jeff shares some Los Gatos community and holiday event information.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

The Beautiful Brookdale Area, Carmel Valley

2009-11-13T23:43:00Z

There are many wonderful neighborhoods in Carmel Valley and the “Brookdale area” close to the world renowned Quail Lodge and Golf Course is one of the most-desired. It’s just five minutes from Hwy One but far enough from the Coast to have warm sunshine in the summertime instead of the coastal fog. The weather is ideal for outdoor living so whatever your passion may be … golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, or walking on the beach – it’s close by.

There are numerous golf courses (Quail, Rancho Canada, Carmel Valley Ranch) to choose from within a few miles and the nearby Carmel Valley Athletic Club (CVAC) offers swimming, tennis, fitness training and classes.

Just across Carmel Valley Road is September Ranch where you can board your horse and ride on beautiful valley trails for miles. Garland Park is a treasure also with miles of trails for hikers, equestrians, and even bird watchers! The white sands of Carmel Beach are a few minutes away and if you travel south a few miles you’ll experience the phenomenal Point Lobos.

The Brookdale area is served by the Carmel Unified School District. The elementary children go to the highly regarded River School in Carmel, then to Carmel Middle School and High School. There are also very fine private schools not far from this neighborhood such as All Saints and Junipero Serra School. All of these attributes are great, but when you talk to the residents who live here the number one thing they find so desirable is that it is a “real neighborhood” with caring neighbors who look out for each other. Not always easy to find these days. If you’d like to consider living in this fabulous area, give me a call (831-320-6801); I have just the home for you!

Posted By: Susan Clark

Carmel Valley Open House Extravaganza

2009-11-13T22:12:00Z

Saturday, November 14, 2009 1:00-4:00pm

Why do so many people want to live in Carmel Valley? Come see for yourself this Saturday when Alain Pinel Realtors will have ten Carmel Valley listings priced from $799,000 - $3,800,000 open from 1:00-4:00pm. I currently have several listings in Carmel Valley and am often speaking to prospective buyers who are looking in the area. Everyone has their specific reasons for wanting to be there and nowhere else on the Monterey Peninsula. After digesting their thoughts and having a few of my own, this is what I think Carmel Valley has to offer. I will elaborate on each point in future articles. If there are other great reasons to live in Carmel Valley I haven’t mentioned, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Top Ten Reasons for Living in Carmel Valley Incredible views! Warmth and sunshine Land – lots of land! Golf Great schools Horseback riding Tennis anyone? Hiking, Biking, and … swimming! Rural environment “The Best of Two Worlds”

Come see the fabulous properties we have open. Call me for more information 831-320-6801 or see our ad in the Monterey Herald Friday Real Estate section. Pictured are two of the properties being held open on Saturday. In the much-desired Brookdale area just five minutes from Carmel is 6435 Brookdale Dr. listed at $1,195,000; www.6435Brookdale.com. Closer to Carmel Valley Village a fantastic view property on 11+ acres at 310 Country Club Hgts. listed at $1,895,000; www.310CountryClubHgts.com.

Posted By: Susan Clark

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2009-11-12T19:16:00Z

Just one year ago, in the midst of the financial crisis, it would have been highly implausible for most of us to imagine that we would be in an extremely hot residential real estate market today. But that’s exactly where we are, with multiple offers and overbids being the rule rather than the exception. Today’s lower prices, historically low interest rates, higher conforming loan limits, FHA loan availability, and the recently extended and expanded home buyer tax credits are giving the housing market a huge boost. Buyers have clearly recognized this period as the single best home buying opportunity in a generation - and are jumping in with both feet!

Posted By: James Sherman

Market on the rise

2009-11-10T18:28:00Z

As we approach the holiday season, I’m glad to be able to share this good news with you. With the best showing in the past two years, the U.S. economy grew 3.5% in the third quarter. Consumer spending on big-ticket goods rose at an annualized rate of 22.3% in the 3rd quarter as well. With the largest jump since 1986, spending on housing developments rose at an annualized pace of 23.4% nationwide!

The outlook is positive for Real Estate: According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales activity is at the highest level in over two years. Existing home sales jumped 9.4 % by October. According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, NAR, housing supply is the lowest it’s been in two and a half years.

On a local level, inventory is low and buyers are active. As buyers absorb the inventory, home prices are predicted to rise in the first and second quarters of 2010. I’m also seeing some multiple offers for properties that are well-priced. High end properties are still moving slowly. Now may be the time to act. Give me a call with any questions.

Enjoy your Holiday Season!

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Twittering Price Changes

2009-10-30T21:34:00Z

As a result of the number of my transactions I seem to be on everyone’s e-mail list for flyers and notices of status changes of properties in San Francisco. I began to think about what I could be doing with this flow of information and how it might work for my clients and others. Recently I began experimenting with forwarding price reductions of properties to my Twitter account. These price-tweets provide a quick, easy way to be notified of recent trends in the market. In fact I’ve begun encouraging agents to send this type of information to me to be forwarded as tweets. If you would like to receive this type of updated San Francisco price information you’re welcome to follow on my account billwygant at Twitter.

Posted By: Bill Wygant

Albion Castle-An Incredible Piece of San Francisco

2009-10-28T20:17:00Z

Although a little windy it’s a beautiful day here in San Francisco.

Charlene Attard (415-608-8585 caattard@aol.com), on of our agents just finished giving our Alain Pinel office a tour of the Albion Castle, a very unique part of San Francisco. It was fun! How often do you get to tour a castle? With Parking!

Located at 881 Innes Drive in the Bayview section of the city, the Albion Castle is built over a natural spring that provides 200 gallons of fresh water daily. The property sits over several underground caves containing reservoirs. The quality of the spring water is pure enough that from 1895-1917 the Albion Ale and Porter company produced beer and ale and for a time also served as an early bed and breakfast inn.

Today the property, which is priced at $2.9 million waits for a new owner with a vision of what a very cool property could be. The access into the area on Evans Boulevard would certainly support tourist traffic coming for tours, or to sample a revitalized micro-brewery. A destination brew-pub, or B&B Inn might fit in well with future plans for a revitalized Candlestick.

Although Charlene has no plans to hold an open house, the underground caves would be a great place to tour on Halloween.

(Here’s a picture of Charlene with Tim Murray Vice-President and Regional Manager for Alain Pinel at the front of Albion Castle.)

Posted By: Bill Wygant

Several areas of San Francisco real estate show relative gains

2009-10-26T19:47:00Z

This week several areas of San Francisco real estate show relative gains in price and number of sales as compared to a year ago at the same time.

More Single Family Homes were sold this month and only at slightly lower prices. The San Francisco market saw increased Condo/TIC/Loft sales at about a 15% price discount. 2-4 unit sales also showed an increase in the number of sales and at a 15% gain compared year to year.

The one constant remains that days on market are faily long, mostly due to a more rigorous environment for obtaining financing.

San Francisco Market Data as of Sunday October 25, 2009

Currently there are 567 Single Family Homes, 1207 Condos/TIC/Lofts and 241 2-4-unit buildings listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in Districts 1-9 in San Francisco.

Last 30 Days:

225 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 56 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,104,332 Average Selling Price was $1,158,747

283 Condo/T.I.C/Loft sold after an average of 84 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $731,285 Average Selling Price was $727,276

48 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 88 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,415,556 Average Selling Price was $1,508,690

Same 30 day period 1 year ago:

135 Single Family Homes sold after an average of 48 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $1,151,614 Average Selling Price was $1,164,114

182 Condos/TIC/Lofts sold after an average of 60 days on the market.

Average Listing Price was $862,780 Average Selling Price was $854,841

27 2-4 Unit Buildings sold after an average of 66 days on the market

Average Listing Price was $1,307,111 Average Selling Price was $1,307,926

The information is based on:
A 3 bedroom 2 bath home of approximately 1817 sq ft., a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo of approximately 1,249 sq ft. and a 2-4 unit building of approximately 3,133 sq ft.

Posted by: Bill Wygant