FOR RENT:
1559 Almond Ct is a 2 Bd, 1 Ba with a fireplace, no dishwasher, patio, 1-car garage, shared W/D, new paint/carpet $1,750/mo.
'Rustic Cottage on Shuey': 1 BD, 1 BA. The bedroom has a skylight and a mirrored closet across one wall. Efficiency kitchen w/microwave and an under counter refrigerator. Bath has a slate floor, a claw foot tub, and a door opening onto the garden. $735/mo
1907B Shuey Ave. 2 Bd, 1.5 Ba Duplex (1,023 sq ft) $1,700/mo
FOR SALE:
1518 Brooks St is a 3 BD, 1.5 BA 1,349 sq ft. Started at 749 on April 8. Reduced to 718 on May 6. Reduced again to 698 on May 25. (Total Days on Mkt: 49)
SOLD!
1987 Shuey Ave started at 699 last November. Reduced to 659. Sold for 625,000. (Total Days on MKT: 141)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Free Money? Lower Your Property Tax Payments Now!
Who said that there is no such thing as free money? OK, well maybe it's 'hidden' money. One of the few silver linings (dare I say benefits) of this 'transitioning market' is the ability to reduce your property tax liability. As your property tax payment comes due and payable this Thursday, I have a some potentially good news that the county is not exactly promoting.
As a result of the recent decline in the housing market, the California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 51(a)(2), under Proposition 8, allows for homeowners to request a reduction in property tax if the fair market value of their home is lower than the assessed value as of lien date January 1, 2008.
Properties that will have a drop in value are those that were most likely bought in the last few years. Those homes bought more than four years ago are unlikely to have dropped in value.
There are several opportunistic companies that have popped up to help facilitate the process; some for a hefty fee. As your neighbor and REALTOR-advocate, I have a tip.... it's actually quite easy to do it yourself - and I can help.
The process is fairly simple. First, you must download and complete this form. It is recommended that you submit the form along with supporting documentation. This may include sales comparables, appraisals, listings, written value estimates or information about the condition of the property.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss the current state of the market or to provide you with the supporting documentation you need to submit your property tax reduction request.
I am here to help.
As a result of the recent decline in the housing market, the California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 51(a)(2), under Proposition 8, allows for homeowners to request a reduction in property tax if the fair market value of their home is lower than the assessed value as of lien date January 1, 2008.
Properties that will have a drop in value are those that were most likely bought in the last few years. Those homes bought more than four years ago are unlikely to have dropped in value.
There are several opportunistic companies that have popped up to help facilitate the process; some for a hefty fee. As your neighbor and REALTOR-advocate, I have a tip.... it's actually quite easy to do it yourself - and I can help.
The process is fairly simple. First, you must download and complete this form. It is recommended that you submit the form along with supporting documentation. This may include sales comparables, appraisals, listings, written value estimates or information about the condition of the property.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss the current state of the market or to provide you with the supporting documentation you need to submit your property tax reduction request.
I am here to help.
Happy Spring...
It's been awhile since I posted to the Almond-Shuey Blog, but there is plenty going on in the neighborhood and around Walnut Creek.
Regardless of real estate market conditions, spring is always the time when a 'seasonal bounce' of buyer activity is evident. There is no doubt that we will be seeing 2-3 For Sales signs in the Almond-Shuey over the next couple of months. There is a 'Coming Soon' sign on Brooks and some intense renovations on Shuey that may indicate a forthcoming sale. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have an interest in selling your home or would simply like to discuss current market conditions.
Spring is also the time to clean out the old garage. This past weekend, my family held a garage sale on Shuey that had an incredible turnout. A few signs and a free Craigslist ad combined with beautiful weather resulted in lots of traffic and lot of 'treasurers' (junk) being hauled away. If anyone in the neighborhood is interested in holding another sale - perhaps several of us could hold one in the same day - let me know. I would be happy to contribute signs. I have a few 'Garage Sale' A-frame (stand up) signs that you are welcome to use. Just let me know.
Enjoy the weather!
Regardless of real estate market conditions, spring is always the time when a 'seasonal bounce' of buyer activity is evident. There is no doubt that we will be seeing 2-3 For Sales signs in the Almond-Shuey over the next couple of months. There is a 'Coming Soon' sign on Brooks and some intense renovations on Shuey that may indicate a forthcoming sale. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have an interest in selling your home or would simply like to discuss current market conditions.
Spring is also the time to clean out the old garage. This past weekend, my family held a garage sale on Shuey that had an incredible turnout. A few signs and a free Craigslist ad combined with beautiful weather resulted in lots of traffic and lot of 'treasurers' (junk) being hauled away. If anyone in the neighborhood is interested in holding another sale - perhaps several of us could hold one in the same day - let me know. I would be happy to contribute signs. I have a few 'Garage Sale' A-frame (stand up) signs that you are welcome to use. Just let me know.
Enjoy the weather!
Monday, December 10, 2007
What's in and what's out...
In case you missed the article in the Contra Costa Times about the ever-changing retail & dining scene in the downtown area, here is a synopsis;
Recently opened restaurants, stores and shops
Bartlett Baron men's fashion 1501 N. Broadway
Betsey Johnson store Broadway Plaza
Cole Haan store Broadway Plaza
Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 1685 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
LaCoste store Broadway Plaza
Le Cheval restaurant 1375 N. Broadway
Maria, Maria La Cantina restaurant 1470 N. Broadway
Saxby's coffee shop 1630 N. Main St.
WineStyles store 1532 Locust St.
Yosh for Hair salon 1255 S. Main St.
Restaurants, stores and shops in the works
1515 restaurant 1515 N. Main St.
Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Co. Broadway Plaza
Bare Escentuals Broadway Plaza
Counter Burger The Mercer, 1655 N. California Blvd.
Eleve Vietnamese restaurant 1677 N. Main St.
Lululemon Athletica store 1530 Olympic Blvd.
Starbuck's coffee The Mercer, 1655 N. California Blvd.
Terra Mar restaurant 1610-1620 N. Main St.
Urban Outfitters store 1530 Olympic Blvd.
Tumi store Broadway Plaza
Stores closing/closed or vacant space
Andcronico's Plaza Escuela, 1181 Locust St.
Bombay Co. Olympia Place, 1601 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Dress Barn 1403 N. Main St.
Good Guys 2044 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Halloween store 1556 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Small shops 1517-1529 Olympic Blvd.
Thomasville Furniture 1450 N. California Blvd.
Recently opened restaurants, stores and shops
Bartlett Baron men's fashion 1501 N. Broadway
Betsey Johnson store Broadway Plaza
Cole Haan store Broadway Plaza
Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 1685 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
LaCoste store Broadway Plaza
Le Cheval restaurant 1375 N. Broadway
Maria, Maria La Cantina restaurant 1470 N. Broadway
Saxby's coffee shop 1630 N. Main St.
WineStyles store 1532 Locust St.
Yosh for Hair salon 1255 S. Main St.
Restaurants, stores and shops in the works
1515 restaurant 1515 N. Main St.
Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Co. Broadway Plaza
Bare Escentuals Broadway Plaza
Counter Burger The Mercer, 1655 N. California Blvd.
Eleve Vietnamese restaurant 1677 N. Main St.
Lululemon Athletica store 1530 Olympic Blvd.
Starbuck's coffee The Mercer, 1655 N. California Blvd.
Terra Mar restaurant 1610-1620 N. Main St.
Urban Outfitters store 1530 Olympic Blvd.
Tumi store Broadway Plaza
Stores closing/closed or vacant space
Andcronico's Plaza Escuela, 1181 Locust St.
Bombay Co. Olympia Place, 1601 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Dress Barn 1403 N. Main St.
Good Guys 2044 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Halloween store 1556 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Small shops 1517-1529 Olympic Blvd.
Thomasville Furniture 1450 N. California Blvd.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Almond Lofts - Design Review Commission Info
The City of Walnut Creek has posted the agenda for their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, December 5. The fourth item under the 'Public Hearing' section is the proposed Almond Loft Project.
An 18-page detailed summary of the project can be reviewed by clicking here.
You can also review the arborist report and detailed drawings, including floorplans, by clicking here.
An 18-page detailed summary of the project can be reviewed by clicking here.
You can also review the arborist report and detailed drawings, including floorplans, by clicking here.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Almond Lofts - Neighborhood Development
Per city requirements, public notices have been posted in the area immediately surrounding the 1/2 acre lot on the corner of Almond Avenue and Oakland Boulevard. The project before the design review commission, next Wednesday, December 5, is called 'Almond Lofts', a 12-unit (3 building) attached unit loft-style project that would front Oakland Boulevard.
The owner/developer is Galen Grant, a local architect from Danville. He held a neighborhood meeting last year in which several of us attended and voiced opinions (both pro and con) on the project. I understand that our feedback has resulted in some design change. However, the city has not yet posted the agenda nor the plan details on their website. Once these are posted, I will make sure to include a link to this blog.
Here is the rub... the 1/2 acre parcel actually consists of two lots; 1 'sliver-size' lot on Oakland Blvd and a much larger piece that fronts Oakland, but also borders Almond.
The zoning on on the larger lot is M-1, meaning 'Multi-Family' 1 unit per 1,000 square feet of lot area. This typically allows larger, denser, higher development - similar to other Oakland Avenue buildings. The larger lot is zoned D-3 (same as Almond-Shuey neighborhood), meaning 'Duplex-Residential' with specific area lot requirements for number of units, area, width, setbacks, etc.
For this project to fly, the developer would need the city to allow him to sort of 'blend' the zoning of these to lots and allow him to build a denser project on the larger (Oakland-Almond) lot. There are legitimate arguments on both sides of this.
Stay tuned!
The owner/developer is Galen Grant, a local architect from Danville. He held a neighborhood meeting last year in which several of us attended and voiced opinions (both pro and con) on the project. I understand that our feedback has resulted in some design change. However, the city has not yet posted the agenda nor the plan details on their website. Once these are posted, I will make sure to include a link to this blog.
Here is the rub... the 1/2 acre parcel actually consists of two lots; 1 'sliver-size' lot on Oakland Blvd and a much larger piece that fronts Oakland, but also borders Almond.
The zoning on on the larger lot is M-1, meaning 'Multi-Family' 1 unit per 1,000 square feet of lot area. This typically allows larger, denser, higher development - similar to other Oakland Avenue buildings. The larger lot is zoned D-3 (same as Almond-Shuey neighborhood), meaning 'Duplex-Residential' with specific area lot requirements for number of units, area, width, setbacks, etc.
For this project to fly, the developer would need the city to allow him to sort of 'blend' the zoning of these to lots and allow him to build a denser project on the larger (Oakland-Almond) lot. There are legitimate arguments on both sides of this.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Christmas for Everyone
Once again, the holidays are upon us. It's that time of year when we unpack our boxes of decorations, dust off the holiday CDs, decorate the house with lights and dread venturing downtown to brave the crowds.
This is also the time when we are inundated with requests for donations to charities. I wanted to bring to your attention a very worthwhile organization that I have been a part of for the past 6 years.
For 23 years, Christmas for Everyone has provided Christmas Day services (Food, Clothing, Gifts & Household items) to the working poor, homeless and lonely seniors in Contra Costa County. Last year, we provided services to over 2,700 people!
Personally, this will be Wendy's and my 6th year involved with this worthwhile charity. Wendy is responsible for leading the volunteer recruitment effort and I am responsible for the kitchen output (did I mention 2,700 people?!?) on Christmas Day.
I was personally introduced to this organization through a colleague and after serving my first Christmas and seeing the need, along with the heartfelt warmth and appreciation of the less-fortunate in our own backyard, can tell you that this is where I will be on Christmas for as long as they continue to operate.
The services are provided at The Full Gospel Church 2120 Olivera Road (off Hwy 242) in Concord. Each year, we begin to set up the church in the 1st week of December (Dec 6 this year). We receive donations of gently used clothing, gifts, money & other household items. Volunteers who come and go according to their schedule help us sort and display the items that will be given away on Christmas morning.
If anyone in our neighborhood is interested in participating in this event, please send Wendy an email and we will schedule you. If you are interested in donating either money or items of gently used clothing, toys or household items, please visit the CFE website for dropoff hours and information.
Have a warm and safe Thanksgiving!
This is also the time when we are inundated with requests for donations to charities. I wanted to bring to your attention a very worthwhile organization that I have been a part of for the past 6 years.
For 23 years, Christmas for Everyone has provided Christmas Day services (Food, Clothing, Gifts & Household items) to the working poor, homeless and lonely seniors in Contra Costa County. Last year, we provided services to over 2,700 people!
Personally, this will be Wendy's and my 6th year involved with this worthwhile charity. Wendy is responsible for leading the volunteer recruitment effort and I am responsible for the kitchen output (did I mention 2,700 people?!?) on Christmas Day.
I was personally introduced to this organization through a colleague and after serving my first Christmas and seeing the need, along with the heartfelt warmth and appreciation of the less-fortunate in our own backyard, can tell you that this is where I will be on Christmas for as long as they continue to operate.
The services are provided at The Full Gospel Church 2120 Olivera Road (off Hwy 242) in Concord. Each year, we begin to set up the church in the 1st week of December (Dec 6 this year). We receive donations of gently used clothing, gifts, money & other household items. Volunteers who come and go according to their schedule help us sort and display the items that will be given away on Christmas morning.
If anyone in our neighborhood is interested in participating in this event, please send Wendy an email and we will schedule you. If you are interested in donating either money or items of gently used clothing, toys or household items, please visit the CFE website for dropoff hours and information.
Have a warm and safe Thanksgiving!
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