March 2009

Mar
31

Multiple Offer Madness… ( S A L E ! )

Posted In: Listings, Local Market Statistics
Ok ladies and gents, this is crazy.  Check out this list of multiple offers from this week: Julia St., Berkeley, Duplex, REO last I heard there were 17 offers Halkin Lane, Berkeley, regular sale: 3 offers after price reduction Cochrane, Oakland, regular sale, 5 offers Davis St, Oakland, short sale, 3 offers Angels Bay Ct., Richmond, regular sale, had accepted [...]
Mar
24

EveryBlock.com : What’s Happening in Your ‘Hood?

Posted In: Community, Web/Tech
An interesting resource that I came across is EveryBlock.com.  EveryBlock filters an assortment of local news by location so you can keep track of what’s happening on your block, in your neighborhood and all over your city.  It lists everything from traffic stops and violations to houses for sale and apartments for rent to building permits and zoning to which restaurants [...]
Mar
20

Whut? Parkway to Close?

Posted In: Community, Oakland
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Ok, that is it.  I’ve had enough of this economic crisis crapola.  Enough is enough!  I just got word that the Parkway in Oakland will be signing off on Sunday.  I can’t believe this.  THE PARKWAY, closing?  First Scharffenberger, then Elephant Pharmacy, and now The Parkway?  Another beloved East Bay iconic gem, gone. I’ve seen 49er-Raider games there.  I’ve seen Rocky [...]
Mar
19

What I Saw On Tour Today in Albany…

Posted In: Albany, Home Improvement
…was quite creative! I was touring a house on Santa Fe in Albany, a cute little 3 bedroom house.  Downstairs, through a very narrow stairwell, was the 3rd bedroom.  In the corner, next to the stairs, was a small bookshelf, about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.  The bookshelf was on a hinge.  Swing “open” the bookshelf and you will find [...]
Mar
18

To Earthquake Insurance or to Not

Posted In: Home Improvement, Insurance
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Oh, the $10,000 question.  Or in most cases, the $75,000 question.  Most of my clients, and even my family and friends, will at some point ask me what I think about earthquake insurance and whether they should get it.  Each time I say “You need to contact an insurance representative, go over the costs together, and then make a decision.”  Or [...]
Mar
16

Federal Tax Credit For Energy Efficiency

Posted In: Taxes
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I love it when readers tell me some great tips.  When Obama signed the stim. bill, the tax credit on energy efficiency items was extended into 2010.  Tax credits are a good thing.  An increase in the amount of the tax credit is even better.  Now if I could only convince my husband why we need a Biomass Stove. On February [...]
Mar
12

Tour Wooden Window in Oakland: TONIGHT

Posted In: Community, Neighborhood Businesses, Oakland
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Tour Wooden Window and Learn about Window Restoration and Replacement and the Green Movement The Oakland Heritage Alliance is offering people a unique opportunity to learn all about wooden windows -their care, restoration and construction – on Thursday March 12th. Please join us when Bill Essert, president and CEO of Wooden Window, will offer a special tour of his company [...]
Mar
11

Bring on the Wealthy

Posted In: Economy
In California those families with a combined income of $250,000 or more are considered wealthy.   ARE YOU SERIOUS??  Do these people know that the median income for a family of 4 in California is $74,801?  Wealth should not be defined as what you make in a calendar year.  For instance, Family A and B each made $250,000 in 2008.  Famiy A lives [...]