Just SOLD this fantastic Dublin Ranch home for $950,000.  Call Adam Golden at 925.899.6103 for more details.

Our family often celebrates New Year’s Eve all together.  Usually, we head over to a neighbor or friend’s house and spend our night with other families.  Often it’s potluck appetizers, chatting, board games, and ringin’ in the New Year with lots of noise and laughter.

What are your family’s traditions?  Are there any hotels or restaurants that you attend every year?

Next year I’d like to do a Tri-Valley New Year’s List, so please help me out by commenting on your Tri-Valley New Year’s Eve traditions. Thanks, and Happy New Year!

Typically, winter in the Tri-Valley and other areas has been a time when Buyers slow their home search and Sellers opt to wait until the early Spring to put their home on the market.  However, winter can be a great time to sell or buy a home.  Here are a few supporting reasons:

Buyers that exist in the winter marketplace are serious Buyers.

Sellers are motivated.  Having a home for sale during the holidays is not an easy task.

Buyers want to close deals quickly.

Most likely, there are fewer Buyers and fewer homes available = less competition.

Homes show better in the winter due to the holiday season

What has your experience(s) been like with selling or buying a home during winter?

Are you considering buying real estate in the Danville or San Ramon cities of the Tri-Valley area?  If so, here is one more reason to make the move.  Danville and San Ramon have just been named as one of the top 50 safest cities in California.  I have included the full article by Glenn Wohltmann of the San Ramon Express.  Enjoy!!!

San Ramon has been named 10th in a list of the top 50 safest cities in California. The rating comes from Safewise.com, a home security website, which used data from FBI crime statistics, combined with its own research. To qualify for consideration, a city had to have 20,000 residents or more as of 2011. In its summary, Safewise said San Ramon “boasts a remarkably low crime rate” and notes that Bishop Ranch,which includes several Global 500 companies and over 21,000 workers, expects to add 16,000 jobs over the next 15 years. San Ramon placed just behind Danville, which came in as ninth and offers “a powerful sense of community,” Safewise said. Safewise praised both communities for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Both Danville and San Ramon made a recent list of the safest cities in the entire country as well. In a list prepared by NeighborhoodScout, San Ramon placed at number 87, with Danville at number 85, separated by Lakeville, Minn. NeighborhoodScout selected cities with 25,000 or more people and based its list on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Those crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, forcible rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault, using FBI data. Other local cites fared well on the Safewise list, with more than a dozen in the Bay Area making the cut. Those included Dublin, which ranked number 35. Safewise notes “just 16 robberies were reported to law enforcement in 2011.” Pleasanton placed number 45 on Safewise’s safe cities list. Newcomers, Safewise said, “will be welcomed into a community that boasts a low unemployment rate of just 3.9 percent and a pro-business government.”

Like many Tri-Valley residents, I frequent the Iron Horse Trail for exercise and for fun.  The trail actually runs along a portion of South San Ramon Creek.  Did you know that along this portion San Ramon has an interesting form of natural weed control?  The answer may surprise you – Goats. My family and I came across these animals just off of the Iron Horse Trail a few weeks back. 

An online search provided a probable explanation… natural weed abatement!  Goats can be extremely helpful in “vegetation control,” eating up the dried brush and vegetation that winter rains bring up.

When is a hike an inspired adventure? When does a walk turn into a meandering surprise? More often than not, outdoor adventurists might argue, but I know my family would say “every time” we walk the paths of North Berkeley. An article in the October, 2009 issue of Diablo magazine piqued our interest. The article, “Take a Walk on the Wild Side,” reported hidden paths in the North Berkeley hills and outlined four walks to follow the footpaths for a “stunning mixture of nature, architecture, history, and scenic beauty.” As I write this, we’ve had the pleasure of following two of the four paths for day outings filled with family fun, adventure, and even surprise.

According to the article, in the early 20th century developers began building new neighborhoods in the Berkeley hills. Pathways were built as shortcuts through the winding streets to the electric train line that newly connected San Francisco to the East Bay.

The two paths we’ve explored, Kids Walk and Waterfall Path, were so fun and completely enjoyed by all.  The great thing about these walks is that you almost feel like you are on a scavenger hunt, searching for small path signs, following the article’s instructions like, “Follow the path east through the trees and across a wooden bridge to a spiraling staircase that stretches from the ground as if it actually grew there.”  Wow. Talk about an adventure!

This Weekend in the Tri-Valley area,  July 18-21
Be sure to reserve your tickets now at LVwine.org

Signature Event:

TASTE OUR TERROIR  |  July 18th 6-9pm at Casa Real  |  $85
Livermore Valley’s annual quest for food and wine pairing excellence.  Winemakers partner with Bay Area Chefs to compete for honors.  Taste 20 delectable pairings and cast your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award!  More details here.

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, JULY 19th 

29 Minute Meals with Chef Tracey  |  Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery   11AM – 1PM

Olivina Tour and Lunch  |  Retzlaff Estate Winery  11AM – 3PM

Secrets of a Sommelier: The Art of Blind Tasting  |   Double Barrel Wine Bar  4PM – 5:30PM

Steven Kent Single Vineyard Cabernet Comparison  |  The Steven Kent Winery  4PM – 5:30PM

Ports of Call Wine Stroll  |  Various Wineries  7PM – 9:30PM

 
SATURDAY, JULY 20th 

Cooking Demonstration with Chef Ryan Scott  |  McGrail Vineyards & Winery   11AM – 1PM

Grilling with Wente Vineyards and Vin X  |  Wente Vineyards 1:30PM – 3:30PM

Let’s Talk Cabernet  |  Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery  4PM – 5PM

 Wine and Food Pairing 101  |  Concannon Vineyard 4PM – 6PM

SUNDAY, JULY 21st 

From Vine to Glass: Through the Winemaker’s Eyes|  McGrail Vineyards & Winery 11AM – 1PM  

French vs. American: Wine & Cheese Tasting  |  La Rochelle Winery 11AM – 1PM

Wine & Food Pairing  |  AuburnJames  2PM 

]]> http://trivalleyvine.com/2013/07/18/taste-of-terroir-in-livermore-valley-wine-country/feed/ 0 http://trivalleyvine.com/2013/02/21/tri-valley-inventory-numbers-2006-through-2013/ http://trivalleyvine.com/2013/02/21/tri-valley-inventory-numbers-2006-through-2013/#respond Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:36:32 +0000 http://trivalleyvine.com/?p=348

Inventory levels across the Tri-Valley area remain low. The graph above shows inventory levels during the month of February from 2006 until 2013.  The inventory levels for Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon are at their lowest levels in years.

I believe the sharp decrease in inventory from 2011 to the present can be attributed to a couple of factors – the lack of an equity position by homeowners, limited number of move-up properties, and increased Buyer demand.  In my view, the lack of an equity position by Sellers was the primary culprit.  This was and continues to be a show-stopper for many Sellers.  Underwater Sellers could sell their property through a short sale.  However, the problem is that they are not able to immediately purchase due to the credit impact of selling short.  Sellers who are underwater and can make their payments are staying put.

Interestingly, Sellers who are in an equity position are also not making a move.  Due to the limited number of move-up homes, these Sellers are sitting on the sidelines until inventory numbers improve.

Right now, we have Sellers who are underwater and Sellers in equity positions both waiting on the sidelines.  Compounding the issue, Buyer demand has increased. The volume of active Buyers in today’s marketplace is keeping inventory numbers low. Multiple offers are commonplace for many properties being sold in today’s marketplace.

If there is a silver lining, low inventory numbers combined with high buyer demand should increase home prices.  Also, inventory numbers are starting to show evidence that they are increasing as we approach spring.

The Walmart Neighborhood Market opened on Wednesday in San Ramon.  This is a first for the Bay Area.  The new store sells groceries and produce in competition with supermarkets.

“We’re offering the community a new grocery option,” Walmart spokeswoman Deborah Herron said. “Our mission is to help families save money so they can live better lives.”

Herron said the store also brings in about 85 new jobs to the community.

Mayor Bill Clarkson said that the store will bring in property and sales taxes to the city. “I’ve heard from businesses in the shopping center that are happy that there is now a large anchor tenant to bring in customers,” he said

Information regarding this story was taken from the Oakland Tribune and more information on this story can be found at Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to taste over 40 different wineries from the Livermore Valley Wine Country.

This is during the peak of harvest season on Sunday and Monday of Labor Day Weekend!

For more information go to Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association.

Market Pulse for Tri-Valley Neighborhoods

At this time, there are two things of which Tri-Valley Sellers and Buyers should be very aware:

1. There is very limited, if not zero, inventory in many neighborhoods including San Ramon, Dublin, Livermore, Danville and Pleasanton. 
2. Buyer demand is high in many neighborhoods.

 For Sellers:  If you are a homeowner who is thinking of selling their property, this is an excellent time to consider your options.

 The bottom line is that the current marketplace is providing an opportunity to capture a great price on your home—possibly one that we have not seen in years.

WHAT TO DO

Contact Adam Golden immediately for a consultation.  I will discuss my strategy for securing maximum value for your home in this marketplace.  As an experienced Realtor, I am ready and excited to be your real estate advocate, including helping prepare your home for sale, assisting in sales price establishment (getting this right is key!), guiding the negotiation of offers, and managing your transaction.

For Buyers:  If you are considering purchasing a property in the near future, it is highly likely that you will encounter a multiple offer situation for your purchase.

The bottom line is that the current marketplace is providing an opportunity to capture a home at a great interest rate.  However, capturing the home is the key.

WHAT TO DO

Contact Adam Golden immediately for a consultation.  I will discuss my strategy for negotiation and maximizing your ability to secure a home in such a competitive market place.

This is your opportunity to bring the entire family and gather with friends for a perfect summer evening in San Ramon Central Park. Enjoy great music, have a picnic and let the kids enjoy dancing barefoot in the grass. This is one of life’s simple pleasures relax and enjoy the moment.

• July 4th – Pride and Joy (R&B/Soul)
• July 15th – Sun Kings (Beatle’s Tribute Band)
• July 22nd – Livewire (70’s. 80’s & 90’s)
• July 29th – Fabulous Cruisetones (Oldies)
• Aug 5th – David Martin’s House Party (High Energy)

Here is what to expect:

• A feast of all-American foods (includes hot dogs, apple pie, and root beer
• Activities such as sack races, a watermelon-eating contest, and water balloon tosses
• Kid-friendly activities like face painting, inflatables, and wagon and tractor rides
• A variety of American music, with performances by both folk musicians and a local blues band
• Dignitaries from Dublin’s past

For more information, please visit the City of Dublin website at www.dublin.ca.gov, under Special Events.

For one, the interest rate you are securing will most likely be at a higher amount.  For example, if you are shopping for a home and have determined that you will need a loan amount between $625,500 and $729,950 that loan will now be secured at a higher interest rate.  As of this article, a jumbo loan rate is about ½% higher than a conforming 30 year fixed rate according to Bankrate.com.

Another impact is that a loan over the $625,500 mark will require a down payment of at least 20%.  The option to put less than 20% down for loans between $625,500 and $729,950 will be no longer.

Both factors could mean weaker demand for homes in the high cost markets.  This eventually could lead to downward pressure on prices.