The Greater Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County has several good residential property management company.  Lee Shapiro is the owner/Broker of Realty World, Premier Properties in Concord have been the property management company I have recommend for many years.  Lee and his team offer a great service at a competitive price.  They truly care about their clients and tenants in Contra Costa County.

These uneven economic times have created more tenants and more real estate investors.  Buying residential investment real estate in the Contra Costa County is on the rise and so is the need for rentals.

What if Facebook was called…

• “Stay in touch with your children”
• “Find out what your grandchildren are interested in”
• “Learn more about the history of your community”
• “Stay informed about events in your city “
• “Receive insider promotions and coupons for local businesses”
• “Track the real estate trends and growth in your area”
• Or, coming full circle, “Share your life with friends and loved ones, nearby and far away!”

Facebook may have started out as a network for college students to quickly find and chat with each other about studies, events, and members of the opposite sex, but it has rapidly evolved into something else: a global tool of connection utilized in all areas of personal, family, community, and business communications. In short: Facebook is here to stay. And in reality, Facebook is here for you.

Please, don’t let a name hold you back from enjoying the benefits of Facebook.

After you find your friends and family on Facebook and “add” them to your network, we encourage you to search for local businesses, restaurants, clubs, and organizations to include as part of your favorite pages. These groups and pages will keep you up-to-date about the “goings-on” in your town and will often give their Facebook followers perks and coupons or advance notification of sales and events.

Of course, we at Real Estate 680 are pleased to have our own Facebook page, The Greater Walnut Creek Area’s Senior Community Resource, and we hope you will add us to your valued network.

Real Estate 680 is committed to providing a meaningful hub of information through our blog and our Facebook Page. When you are subscribed to The Greater Walnut Creek Area’s Senior Community Resource Facebook page, we will provide you with ~

• valuable news and announcements relevant to the Greater Walnut Creek Area’s Senior Community
• real estate listings updated daily, allowing you to search for homes in your area and compare your home value to others in the neighborhoods nearby
• weekly real estate trends and analytics for the Walnut Creek Area plus the benefit of expert information on the forecast of the real estate climate, both locally and nationally

If there is anything you would like to see included on our page, just let us know by emailing us at  Sam[at]RealEstate680.com or giving us a call at 925-262-4299.  We are always seeking to build our page around your needs.

Join our Facebook page now and let’s get to know one another better ~ beginning today!

While its proximity to Mount Diablo is a strong draw for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers, Northgate’s stellar schools are another reason for its popularity among families settling down in Walnut Creek. Northgate High School, Foothill Middle School and Valle Verde Elementary School all rank among the Bay Area’s best public schools, with excellent faculty, outstanding facilities, and a support network of passionately-involved parents. Northgate High, a two-time winner of the California Distinguished School Award, educates 1600 students who benefit from advanced AP-level classes as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities and athletic teams (go Broncos!)

Northgate High, Home of the Broncos

When not cheering on the Broncos or roaming scenic Mount Diablo on foot or horseback, Northgate residents can be found swimming or playing tennis at Heather Farm Park, playing a round of golf at the Boundary Oaks Golf Course, or shopping or dining out at nearby Encina Shopping Center. The cosmopolitan charms of downtown Walnut Creek are just a few minutes away, and the entire Bay Area isn’t too much further via BART or nearby freeways.

With so many reasons to call Northgate home, it’s no surprise that homes here command a premium over prices elsewhere in Walnut Creek. As you can see from the chart below, median home prices in the 94598 ZIP code which includes Northgate (the blue line) are around $750,000 at the moment, second only to the 94597 ZIP code which encompasses several affluent neighborhoods to the west.

Interested in getting to know Northgate even better? I’ll be happy to open the gate to this vibrant neighborhood by taking you on a personal tour of homes currently on the market. Or feel free to browse the latest home listings on my website…your new Northgate home could be just a few clicks away!

Image courtesy of Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek

The arrival of Neiman Marcus confirms Walnut Creek’s growing stature as one of the East Bay’s most desirable residential and lifestyle destinations – and a sign of the region’s economic resurgence after a rough few years. Neiman Marcus joins other major retailers including Nordstrom, Macy’s and Target in the heart of Walnut Creek, making it arguably the hottest shopping district in the East Bay.

Neiman Marcus is celebrating its Grand Opening with a gala celebration the evening of March 9, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits including the Diablo Regional Arts Foundation, the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay, the Monument Crisis Center and The Taylor Family Foundation. Tickets to the gala are unfortunately already sold out, but you can still enter their sweepstakes for a $5000 shopping spree at the store. If you’d like to check out this swanky new addition to our downtown landscape, the store opens at 10 am on Friday, March 9…or visit them online at the Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek website.

The first home in what is now Lakewood was built in the 1850s by Ygnacio Sebrian, from whom Ygnacio Valley Road gets its name. The lake at the heart of Lakewood owes its existence to the later settler Robert N. Burgess, a key figure in the development of Walnut Creek. In addition to developing the Diablo Country Club, Burgess also envisioned an exclusive private neighborhood with a three acre lake at its center. Construction on the dam to create the lake started in 1930, and soon after Burgess began selling home lots near the lake starting at $800 apiece. (Yes, prices have gone up just a bit since then.)

Lakewood’s newly-created namesake in 1932. Photo courtesy of www.walnutcreeklakewood.info

Development continued after World War II, and most of the homes in Lakewood date from the post-war period. In addition to boating and lounging lakeside, Lakewood boasts a wealth of recreational opportunities. Shell Ridge offers miles of scenic hiking and horse trails, and Indian Valley Swim Club features a large lap swimming and diving pool as well as tennis and basketball courts. Nearby Howe Homestead Park is a popular spot for outdoor strolls and picnics, and offers a glimpse of Walnut Creek’s history in the form of the Howe Homestead. The park’s community garden and annual harvest festival bring a bit of the country to the city and are long-time favorites of Lakewood residents.

The view of the pool at Indian Valley Swim Club. Photo courtesy IVSC.

Lakewood is also home to Indian Valley Elementary school, a part of the Walnut Creek School District. One of the best elementary schools in the East Bay, it’s been honored with a Calfornia Distinguished School Award and boasts a dedicated faculty supported by a network of proud parents.

If you’d like to live in Lakewood, you can expect to pay a bit more than most other Walnut Creek neighborhoods. As you’d expect, lakeside homes command even more of a premium – that is, when they come on the market, which isn’t often. If you’d like me to take you on a personal tour of Lakewood homes for sale, just ask…or feel free to check out the latest Lakewood home listings on my website.

The active adult communities of Summerset and Trilogy at The Vineyards are key drivers of this upward price trend. Boasting an array of stylish home designs ideally suited to the 55+ lifestyle, these vibrant communities feature dozens, if not hundreds, of recreational options. Both are just a short drive from all the cultural attractions of the Bay Area and Sacramento. And both communities are within easy reach of the California Delta, a paradise for boaters, anglers, birders and anyone else who enjoys the tranquil beauty of this watery wonderland. Ask around and you’re sure to find plenty of residents who have a boat moored in a nearby marina…and may even offer to take you out for a cruise! In my experience as a realtor, Summerset and Trilogy residents are some of the friendliest around, and it’s always a pleasure when my work takes me out to see them in Brentwood.

With over 2000 homes, Summerset is divided into four developments specifically designed for the 55+ set: Summerset 1, Summerset Palms, Summerset Vista and Summerset Orchards. Each has its own home owners association, private clubhouse and recreational amenities. The centerpiece of the community is an impressive 18 hole golf course accessible to all residents.

Trilogy at The Vineyards offers what I’d call a resort-style experience, with swimming pools, tennis courts, spas, cabanas, fine dining and even a meditation garden. At the heart of the community is Club Los Meganos, a 34,000 sq ft social and recreational center with its own athletic club and restaurants. There’s a touch of Old World charm about this place, reflected in details like its beautifully tended gardens, bocce courts and well-appointed billiards lounge.

Club Los Meganos, the center of social life at Trilogy at The Vineyards.
Photo courtesy of Trilogy at The Vineyards.

Interested in a home at Summerset or Trilogy in Brentwood? I’ll be happy to show you what’s currently on the market, and believe me, I’d love an excuse to go spend some time in these stunning communities!

Elevation Sketch Courtesy of the City of Walnut Creek Planning Division

24-Hour Fitness, the athletic anchor of this impressive development, is one of nation’s largest fitness chains with over 400 gyms in 17 states. Speaking as a realtor, and with all due respect to concrete, this is definitely one of the most exciting developments underway in Walnut Creek at the moment. Bay Area home buyers are some of the most health-conscious anywhere, and having a world-class facility like 24-Hour Fitness in our community will make Walnut Creek an even more attractive place to settle down.

Highlights of the 24-Hour Fitness facility include a swimming pool, basketball court, workout studios and dozens of weight and fitness machines. Members will be able to choose from classes including aerobics, boot camp, cycling, dance, swimming, strength training and Zumba.

After working up an appetite in the pool or on the machines, the tasty (and healthy) menu of Chick-fil-A awaits next door. This newcomer to Walnut Creek’s dining scene will be the first Chick-fil-A in the East Bay…previously you’d have had to drive all the way to Fairfield for your chicken fix.

This dynamic addition to Walnut Creek’s urban landscape was designed by Galen Grant of FCG Architects, a firm which has already made a big impression on the local scene with Rossmoor’s Del Valle Pool Complex, for which it won the city’s 2008 “Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth Award” for Best Recreational Facility. The property will be just down the street from the new North Main Apartments at 1960 N. Main Street, and promises to make this neighborhood one of the hottest ones in Walnut Creek for fitness-minded residents.

As the Home Rearrangements website puts it, Donna’s service will help you “rearrange, reuse, regroup, redesign, recycle and renew what you already own for a complete new look to your entire home.” This can be an especially valuable service for seniors who’ve recently moved and aren’t sure how exactly to recapture the magic of their previous residence. With this in mind, Rossmoor has arranged for Donna to present a class specifically focused on furniture rearrangement to make the best use of space while creating an aesthetically pleasing experience.

Donna’s class meets next Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. in Rossmoor’s Multipurpose Room 3. Class participants are encouraged to bring photos from rooms that could use some help to get Donna’s expert advice. Not sure where your favorite couch should go in your new place, or which end the end table belongs at? Snap a photo and bring it along!

The Home Rearrangements class is free for Rossmoor residents, but space is limited, so make reservations with Kelly Berto by calling 925-988-7703. And if you’d like to schedule Donna for a consultation at your Rossmoor home, you can contact her through the Home Rearrangements website. Let the rearranging begin!

As the chart below illustrates, condo and townhome prices in Walnut Creek have been rising steadily over the past 6 months, with the exception of a dip around the holidays when few buyers are actively looking. Speaking as a realtor, I see this trend as being closely tied to the fact that active seniors love the convenience and comfort offered by these types of Walnut Creek homes.

Value is also a major consideration for seniors who are retiring and often adjusting to a fixed income. Condo and townhome prices are less than half of those for single family homes in Walnut Creek, so it’s not surprising that many seniors are looking to trade in the big old family home for something smaller and cozier…especially when it means they’ll end up with a lot more money in their pockets.

Photo courtesy of 1860 Tice Creek Drive, Walnut Creek

The Market Action Index for Walnut Creek condos and townhomes also clearly reflects this trend. An index over 30 is considered a sign of a seller’s market, and as you can see, that’s definitely the case here:

So what advice would I take away from these charts and data? If you own a condo or townhome in Walnut Creek and are looking to sell, this could be a great time to do it. And if you’re a senior (or anyone else) thinking of buying, you may have a bit of competition for the best units on the market. But I wouldn’t let that deter you, especially since the market may get even hotter in a few months with the arrival of the peak spring and summer buying season.

Thinking about “rightsizing” to a condo or townhome in Walnut Creek? Simply click here to view the latest listings!

First, let’s take a look at median home prices over the past year in these three locations:

As you can see, Lafayette is by far the priciest of the three, with home prices just under $1 million. Walnut Creek is next, with median prices just over $700,000, and Concord is the most affordable for home-buyers with median prices in the $300,000 range. So that’s the pricing landscape we’re dealing with…now, let’s take a look at market activity in each place, using Altos Research’s proprietary Market Action Index metric:

As you can see, Concord has the highest market activity ranking, followed by Walnut Creek and Lafayette, meaning that their level of market activity is inversely correlated with their respective pricing ranks. The simplest conclusion to draw from these two graphs is that value-conscious buyers are most active in the market at the moment, while those with larger budgets are either chosing to bide their time, or may have found that their budgets aren’t so large after all following the tough economic conditions of the past few years. I’d guess many of those buyers with reduced budgets are shopping for homes in Concord whereas in the past they may have been looking in Walnut Creek or even Lafayette.

Lafayette’s relatively low level of market activity is also reflected in its declining home prices, which have fallen from above to below $1 million over the past year. Without the support of buyer activity, prices have only one place to go…down. Looking ahead a few months, this could mean that we’ll be seeing an uptick of activity in Lafayette as word gets out that luxury homes are going for bargain rates.

You may also be wondering how exactly this Market Action Index I’ve been using actually works. As Altos Research explains it, “The higher the Index goes, the hotter the market. Like a thermometer, the measurable scales goes from zero to over 100.” Anything with an index value of 30 or above is considered a seller’s market, and anything below 30 is considered a buyer’s market. And as you can see, despite the differences in activity between Concord, Lafayette and Walnut Creek, all three indexes fall below 30, meaning they are all technically buyer’s markets at the moment. So if you’re considering buying a new home in Contra Costa County, you might want to do it while those graphs are still well below 30!