It’s Hard To

Imagine

the Thrill!

Imagine the thrill of approaching a brand new golden-steel span from San Francisco to Marin County for the very first time on May 28, 1937, extending across the water where before, only ships and boats had access. The bridge spans 1.7 miles across the gap between San Francisco and Marin County, is 90 feet wide and was celebrated with great fanfare:

“When U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in Washington on May 28, 1937 to signal the bridge’s official opening to the world, it set off a cacophony of church bells, fog horns, car horns, and shouts that inaugurated a week of celebrations. Thirty eight ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet steamed under the new crossing. Flood lights illuminated the bridge at night turning its paint a rich gold, and it quickly became known as the “Span of Gold.”… Eighteen hundred cars and 2100 pedestrians crossed in the first hour of its operation and by midnight of opening day, an estimated 25,000 cars and 19,350 had paid their tolls (fifty cents per car, five cents per pedestrian).” Read more at Today In History

Much has been written about the making and opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. Click historical facts and information for details.

2012 Marks the 75th Anniversary of that historic and thrilling day and local events have been planned MONTHLY to celebrate! Below is a list of a few events. You can plan your own participation from the Official 75th Anniversary site here! Click this link for the list of events as of this writing.

1. The Main Anniversary Celebration is a two-day festival on May 26-27, 2012 spanning the entire waterfront: Crissy Fields, Marina Green, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Presidio, and more! The Bridge’s auto traffic will remain open, and will be closed to foot traffic. There will be no Bridge walk, according to the Official Site, and transit information and other details are in the making right now so be sure to check back often!

2. Share a Bridge Story, Win Prizes
Post your story by January 16th and you will be entered to win a 75th Anniversary calendar, Golden Gate National Parks picnic blanket and Crissy Field fleece vest.

3. 75 Tributes to the Bridge
A detailed schedule of community tributes, including dates, times and locations, will be posted early in 2012. Click Here for a list of particpating organizations and programs to date.

4. GET UPDATES sent to you as Events and Times are Finalized HERE!

We are a lucky group of people to live around such beauty. To walk or bike Crissy Fields, Marin Headlands or the several Surrounding Forts and experience the white capped waves, bundle up against the wind, be amazed at a warm, calm day, watch nature’s whip cream dance through and over the red towers, thick, dense, all encompassing. Or stand high above, next to whirling cars and look down as ships pass under the bridge! It’s all here for our appreciation, to admire, to care for.

Happy Anniversary Golden Gate Bridge!

Department of Defense

Awards Alameda $225,000 for

‘Alameda Point Strategy’

Wow!  This is really big news for the city…especially after all its been through with the base already.

It takes a lot of money to prepare a detailed economic development strategy (Strategy) for Alameda Point.  It’s 918-acres of the former Naval Air Station Alameda (NAS Alameda)!

The OEA funded strategic plan is expected to be completed by October 2012.  Click here to read the full press release from the City of Alameda site.

Access to BART from Alameda has limited options, until now…

You may have heard, and I want to make sure, about the new shuttle from the West End, through the Webster and Posey Tubes.  It began August 15th and is a trial funded by a one-year grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and, depending on the success of the shuttle, will be eligible for a second year of funding.  So that means we have to use it or we may lose it!

Click Here for the map of the Shuttle from the City of Alameda’s site, along with all the general information, the schedule of times, information for bikes, etc.  The schedule is pretty comprehensive for the commuter.

SEE YOU ON THE SHUTTLE!

Trusts – the mere mention of the word causes eyes to glaze over.  It’s an important subject and can be very complicated depending on the situation.

In working with Placer Title Company in Alameda, I learned the following FAQ are common around selling a home that is in a Trust, and what the Title Company may need or allows.

It is important to note that Title and Escrow are handled differently throughout the United States so check with a local company in your area, and ALWAYS, consult with a real estate lawyer and CPA to see how any current rules and regulations will affect your personal situation!

Contact me now if you are planning to sell your home, or the family’s home, and if you have questions about selling in a Trust.

1.  When is a copy of the Trust and full Amendments required?

Generally the Title company does not require a copy of the trust unless they are dealing with successor trustees.  They will want to make sure the person purporting to be the successor, is in fact, the successor as set forth in the trust, and the original trustee has been properly replaced.

They also want to make sure that the successor has the power to deal with the property in the transaction, because often the successor only has the power to distribute the property to the beneficiaries.  They will also require a Certification of Trustee signed by the successor trustee.

2.  What is required if trustees are no longer acting?

If the trustee is no longer acting, the following documents will be required:

• If the trustee is deceased, certified copies of the death certificates(s) will need to be provided.
• If the trustee is legally incapacitated, the trust will govern the succession of trustee(s) and the applicable standard by which the incapacity is to be shown.  Often letters, attesting to the trustee’s inability to manage financial affairs from two doctors is required.
• If the trustee has resigned, an acknowledgement of resignation is required.

3.  Can a Power of Attorney be used if title to the property is held in a trust?

Unless the trust specifically provides that the trustee can appoint an attorney, a power of attorney cannot be used.   The trustee of the trust is a fiduciary, and as such, is generally prohibited from delegating his authority to any other person.  There is often confusion concerning this issue because estate planning attorneys will prepare a complete set of documents for the principals, usually including a trust, will, and durable power of attorney, which sometimes leads the principles to believe these documents can be used together.  This is untrue.  Probate Code Section 16012 states the general rule that a “trustee may not delegate to others the performance of acts that the trustee can reasonably be required personally to perform”.

If a Power of Attorney is allowed make sure the Trustee has executed the form in the correct capacity, and that it refers to the provision of the trust for the Power of Attorney.

4.  When is a Tax ID number required?

A Tax ID Number is required for every transaction.  If the original trustee is deceased and their Social Security Number was used as the Tax ID, the Successor Trustee will need to request a new Tax ID Number.

5.  Can a disbursement from escrow be issued in the names of trustees individually?

No, disbursements must be issued in the name of the trust.

Love Mid Century Mod?  Bring the family and pick your bedrooms today from 1:00pm – 4:00pm! Click ‘Photos’ below on the left to see more…

It s A Wonderful Life!

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Video Open House Market Stats

$619,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Interior: 1516 sqft Lot: 4,400 sqft Location 3275 San Jose Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the “Like” button below:

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Colleen McFerrin Bayside Real Estate (510) 387-3790 colleen.mcferrin@gmail.com http://www.colleenmcferrin.com     Listed by: Bayside Real Estate

Our recent listings It’s A Wonderful Life! Queen Anne Triplex Delightful 3 Bedroom Home Ready to Move-In Spacious, Quiet End Unit! BANK OWNED CONDO Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

Recycling is a common practice for residents throughout many cities today, thankfully.  In Alameda, the City is working to incorporate commercial and multi-family properties.  Here is some information for you and a contact resource if this impacts your situation.

Feel comfortable passing it on to anyone you know, and call me now, if you are thinking of selling your property.  I get the ‘Highest Possible Price‘ for my clients! If I have a buyer for your property…would you sell?

Sometimes very special properties come onto the market. Sometimes a famous person lived there, or the home’s historic importance is of special interest, or the quality of the interior decoration or updates are interesting.

1501 – 1503 Central Avenue in Alameda has it all, an interesting owner known for elegant taste, a beautiful and stately Queen Anne architecture, and interiors that are beautifully appointed.

Watch the great video above and call me now for more information and a private showing!

Colleen McFerrin Ph: 510-387-3790

For more information on this property “click here”