August 2019
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES DRYSDALE PROPERTIES
TACKLES AFFORDABILITY WITH NEW CREATIVE PARTNER
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AT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES,
WE CONTINUE TO LIVE, LOVE AND SELL IN ALAMEDA CALL TODAY TO MAKE YOUR BEST MOVE!
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chieving the American Dream in the Bay Area marketplace is increasingly becoming more difficult as the affordability crisis continues to rise. Many people can afford a monthly payment, but they are struggling to save for a down payment for their dream home. In a study done by the California Association of Realtors, they found when consumers were asked if they could get into a house with a lower down payment, 70% said they would and 80% of renters said they would like to own one day. There have been government policies proposed and some even made law. However, there is still an absence of homeownership capability in the Bay Area. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices have partnered with a groundbreaking company, ZeroDown, and have taken a hold of the situation and is tackling the crisis head on. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices values creating wealth in its communities and values homeownership. They are consistently focused on taking the real estate industry to a higher standard and that’s why they have partnered with ZeroDown. ZeroDown, a San Francisco based company, is creating a new pathway to homeownership. They are offering a program in which homebuyers can buy a home with no down payment. This program specifically targets the San Francisco Bay Area market, which is saturated with all cash offers, typically above asking price. ZeroDown is the innovative solution prospective homebuyers have been searching for in the Bay Area that presents the benefits of homeownership with the flexibility of renting.
“We feel very passionate about making homeownership more attainable for more people and about giving our customers true white glove service,” said Gretchen Pearson, brokerage president, and CEO at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Drysdale Properties. “ZeroDown couldn’t be more aligned with this approach, and we look forward to our ongoing partnership.”
Step Three: Go home shopping and pick out your future home! ZeroDown and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale will work together to make an all-cash offer to buy the home! Step Four: Move into the home and make monthly payments to ZeroDown building towards a 20% down payment in the future to buy the home from them when you’re ready. In short, the company is offering a lease-to-own opportunity to homebuyers while they build up their down payment.
IS THERE A CATCH? HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK? There’s no “catch” and no hidden fees Step One: The potential buyer associated with ZeroDown. According qualifies with an easy and secure online to their website, the company is in approval process through the company the market for homes ranging from website. $500,000 to $1.75 million. This is a great Step Two: Once an applicant is opportunity for first-time homebuyers approved, they will be connected to with strong careers and high credit scores a partner real estate professional from but who haven’t been saving for a down Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices payment. Or people who have close to Drysdale Properties, who will help enough savings for a down payment, but the consumer find a property in their have their money invested elsewhere. The company charges a flat-program preferred neighborhood. fee of $10,000 when they submit an offer on the home of your dreams. However, if the purchase does not go through, the $10,000 is refunded to the customer. Once an offer is accepted, ZeroDown takes cares of all the other closing related costs of buying the home. That’s it! No other costs, no hidden fees! ZeroDown and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices are offering buyers the flexibility they need to purchase their dream home. For more information and dates to exclusive training, email ZeroDown@bhhsdrysdale.com, or call (415) 410-3455. n
YOUR MONEY PAGE 2
IN THE COMMUNITY PAGE 3
WOLFGANG PUCK RECIPE PAGE 8
GAMES AND PUZZLES PAGE 10
KIDS: WIN A GIFT CARD! PAGE 11
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
YOUR MONEY
planning ahead
Publisher The Drysdale Team DRE#01499008
THE JOURNEY: OVERCONFIDENCE LEADS TO
MISTAKES IN RETIREMENT PLANNING
by Janet Kidd Stewart
885 Island Drive, Suite 200 Alameda, CA 94502 (510) 523-1144 www.bhhsdrysdale.com
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Part of the problem is overconfidence. EBRI and Greenwald & Associates found a troubling disconnect between workers’ overall level of savings and their confidence in a secure retirement. The Retirement Confidence Survey found 67 percent of workers feel confident they have enough resources to retire comfortably, yet a relative few have spent much time creating formal financial plans and many have not saved enough. Strong stock market gains and economic growth likely drove the confidence numbers, officials said. Combining overconfidence with a six-figure 401(k) plan leaves a lot of vulnerable near-retirees, Stoltmann said. “Early mistakes can doom a lottery winner or a retiree in much the same way,” he said. Here are a few of the most common mistakes that Stoltmann sees:
mong 55-plus working households, four in 10 have saved at least a quartermillion dollars for retirement, according to a long-running retirement confidence survey. Is that enough to maintain their lifestyle in retirement? It’s difficult to say without knowing the full range of assets and matching them to former income. However, this top group in the Employee Benefit Research Institute survey does have enough to attract the attention of unscrupulous advisers and salespeople, says a veteran advocate for fraud victims. Attorney Andrew Stoltmann, who says he represents lottery winners, finds a lot of similarities between the lucky few and the masses of near and new retirees getting ready to roll over their 401(k) savings on their own. “The parade of ‘horribles’ around MISSING THE RISK TARGET lottery winners, professional athletes Misjudging how conservative and rollovers are legendary,” said or aggressive to make the portfolio Stoltmann.
can make a pot of savings either needlessly volatile or so conservative that it gets eaten by inflation. Lottery winners and retirees often are thrust into a risk profile very different from what they’ve had in the past, so they are particularly vulnerable to errors here. Workers who spent their careers stuffing contributions into a target-date fund without thinking much about how the allocation was changing could be particularly unprepared. The trick is to understand this and ask questions about how any investment manager arrived at the risk profile being recommended. PAYING TOO MUCH Both types of investors hear lots of pitches for financial services, sometimes without knowing how to compare them. Drill down on the cost of investing (expense ratios of mutual funds and ETFs, for example) and then ask how the firm charges for advice. Compare the total fees your prospective adviser will charge with
what your old employer charges. Most 401k plans allow retirees to leave assets in the plans, though few have easy-to-use mechanisms for drawing regular income. Some charge based on a percentage of assets they manage, while others offer flat fees. Know both what you’re paying and what you are getting for the money. FAILING FIDUCIARY By now the term fiduciary has become fairly widely known, but this is still a tricky area. Fee-only financial advisers tout their pledge to put the interests of customers ahead of their own. You can get these advisers to sign a fiduciary pledge and investigate their track record, but that doesn’t mean they are free from future temptations toward fraud. And digging deeper, are they truly providing usable tax advice? Using a robust withdrawal strategy? In short, earning their fee? n ©2019 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
AROUND TOWN
in our community x
THE ALAMEDA WINE & ART FESTIVAL W
e’re glad we got to see and visit you at the Art and Wine Festival! Hopefully you were able to stop by the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties booth and take a photo with Warren Buffett! The best celebration of the summer, Alameda’s 35th Art and Wine Festival, clearly will hold its title as the Best Event in Alameda. The free street festival was home to 250 artisans, festival foods, craft wine and beer, and live music! Locals and tourists flooded the streets of Alameda over the weekend of July 27th and enjoyed everything the festival had to offer. All proceeds from the Art & Wine Festival help the Downtown Association accomplish its goals and objectives of keeping the district economically sustainable and thriving for businesses, the community, and visitors. A portion of beverage sales are placed in a special fund for projects that help keep Downtown Alameda clean, green, and safe for all to enjoy.
Each day offered continuous music, many laughs, and valuable community support. The local musical talent stole the show, some of the favorite artists included: The Spazmatics, an 80’s New Wave Show, Drew Harrison, local singer/ songwriter, and Lucid Rays, a classic rock band. The community kept their dancing shoes tied and hands clapping throughout the entire weekend. In addition to the musical talent, there were local crafts for sale and delicious food!
We asked a local resident about the event. Jennifer Nielsen stated, “The garlic fries were by far the best food item, but the whole event was amazing from start to finish. There was something fun to do for everyone in all walks of life. No one was bored!” Thank you Alameda, for a spectacular event. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties cannot wait to participate again next summer! n
A HARBOR BAY STORY...
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TRUST • STRENGTH • INTEGRITY
erkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties is dedicated to providing the highest level of quality real estate services throughout Northern California and Nevada. These services include residential real estate sales of existing homes, new construction, and condos. We have specialists available for transferring buyers, corporate relocation, third party relocation, acreage, commercial real estate and other niche markets. A home is more than just a financial investment - it’s an emotional one, which requires honest straight talk and smart practical thinking. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties, we take great pride in knowing that our reputation, knowledge, and quality of service help our clients. Founded in 2005, we are one of the largest woman-owned real estate brokerages in the United States, and we have grown to be among the Top 13 most successful Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages in the nation. Our agents are focused on taking the real estate industry to a higher standard and making the homebuying and selling process a rewarding one. They are committed to maintaining an open line of proactive communication, providing information on market data and trends, and creating that
all-important trust between client and agent that leads to long term relationships. With more than 1,200 licensed agents, serving 25 counties in 40+ offices throughout California and Nevada, we have an agent to meet your needs regardless of the style, price, or age of the property you are looking for. We at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties conduct our business with the highest regard for good business ethics, fair housing practices, and a fundamental belief in the right to own real property. We look forward to helping you sell your home or find that dream home you are looking for. We
believe in each other and ourselves. We understand that trust is earned, and that good professional service is an essential part of that. A BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY STORY Our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices story starts with a sign: We call it like we see it. When one of the world’s most admired companies puts its name on a real estate sign, that’s a sign buyers and sellers want to see. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a brand-new real estate brokerage franchisee network built for a new era in residential real estate. The brand, among the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned
Berkshire Hathaway name, brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of stability, strength, quality and innovation. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties is refreshingly real, whether they’re operating in the high-end residential markets, in entrylevel neighborhoods, in commercial real estate, or in the kind of middleclass, middle-market communities that are integral to society. The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand resonates so closely with that of Harbor Bay. “It is with great enthusiasm that our real estate families have joined forces,” says Pearson. “The Harbor Bay agents have earned a reputation of integrity and trust. This partnership enhances the services to the East Bay marketplace.” For the past two years, the partnership with the agents and our dedication together to serve the community has been miraculous.
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ASK A REALTOR
Q & A with the real estate expert
SELLING AFTER A SHORT STAY
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Dear Ringo, They say new homeowners should generally be in their home for at least five years before selling whether to upgrade, move locations or simply profit. However, I recently accepted a new job and will be relocating out of state after only living in my property for less than one year. I do not believe that I will be capable of becoming a landlord and renting my property, so selling is currently my sole option. Do you have any advice that can help minimize losses and get my home on and off the market quickly? Austin.
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Dear Austin: Selling your home after one year or less can be a stressful experience. While moving for a job is always a fair reason, it’s important to keep in mind you aren’t likely to come out
ahead. By the time you factor in the costs and taxes of selling—especially when selling prior to the home value appreciating—it’s unlikely you’ll profit. That being said, if you know what you’re doing, you can get through it without getting crushed and move on to the next phase, which for you would be a great job in a new neighborhood. The best thing you can do at this time is focus on the current state of the real estate market. With the help of an experienced Realtor, it’s possible to sell quickly and minimize costs—especially with someone who knows the state of the market you’re in and what buyers are currently seeking. Selling while the housing market is at its peak (current season 2016-present) can maximize the value of your home regardless of the lower appreciation than an average listing. And, by
focusing on what styles buyers are trending towards, there are easy ways to increase the curb appeal and interest with a few simple upgrades. Before listing your home, if you have dark colors on the walls, paint them a lighter color (this actually increases the listing price of most homes going into the market). Likewise, if your home already has light colors throughout, think about adding a few accent walls to give the home unique characteristics buyers wouldn’t see in another home they might be considering. Another quick fix is to add more curb appeal. Make sure to take some time to landscape, plant flowers on the property, and paint the front entry door with a fresh, bright color. By following through with these two easy pre-listing projects, you’re likely to sell quicker and will likely be closer to breaking even.
I hope you’ve found this helpful. If you’d like assistance listing your home or have additional questions, please reach out to my team and I at (510) 523-1144. We’re here to help! n
Ringo Liu REALTOR® Luxury Collection Specialist (510) 523-1144 DRE #01106012
WHAT IS YOUR ALAMEDA HOME WORTH?
FIND OUT FOR FREE: www.IslandScoop.com 4
ADVICE & TIPS
this month: pack it up l
MOVING MADE SIMPLE
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oving is an exciting time as you look forward to settling into your new home sweet home. However, it’s also a stressful time as you try to move your belongings from one place to another, as well as set up all the services you need, such as mail, cable and internet. Before you get stressed, take a deep breath and know that in a few simple steps, you can save time while making your move easier. Here are some top tips and tricks to take the stress out of moving so you can look forward to settling into your new home: SORT AND LABEL BOXES WISELY
Not only will being organized help you pack faster, it will also streamline the unpacking process at your new place. Label boxes by item type and and room. For example, one box might be labeled “kitchen: pots and pans” while another might be labeled “master bedroom: shoes.” You might also consider using colored markers for each room type or adding a shape, such as a star or triangle, for easy visual sorting. Don’t forget a box for donations to charity with items you no longer use. MOVE CABLE AND INTERNET WITHIN MINUTES
If you have Xfinity, you can transfer your services digitally in about a minute through Xfinity. com. Simply log in, add the move date and new address,
and schedule an installation. Having your xFi WiFi service up and running quickly means the whole family can get back online in your new home and you can shop for all those last-minute things (like new doormats) that you forgot about. If you already have X1 video service, simply say “Move with Xfinity” into your voice remote to get started.
KEEP IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS WITH YOU
Whether you’re moving by yourself or hiring movers, there are plenty of boxes that need to make it from point A to point B. A few things should never be in those boxes, mostly because they aren’t worth the risk of getting lost or damaged. These include personal documents such as birth
certificates, bank records and wills. These should be kept with you in a safe spot at all times. Moving can be hectic, but these five tips will help limit the chaos and simmer the stress so you can worry less and be excited more. Remember, enjoy the journey as much as the destination. n ©2019 Brandpoint.
KEEP CLOTHES HANGING
It’s a pain to have to unhang clothes, fold and then rehang on hangers when you unpack. Instead, when clothes are still in your closet, group by four or five and use a garbage bag to protect and hold them together. Open the plastic bag and insert clothes from the bottom up, then tie the top around the hangers. Voila! Grouped, protected and ready to move. USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Your smartphone is a great tool for keeping up with move to-do’s since you always have it with you. Utilize text reminders from services related to your move. For example, Xfinity sends updates on your move right to your phone through SMS, so you know what the next steps are and you don’t have to stop what you are doing and call. Also, if you want to keep your children entertained while you’re unpacking, download the Xfinity Stream app to your smartphone or tablet until the family’s TV room is up and running. 5
LIFESTYLE
local flavor
C’ERA UNA VOLTA: A LITTLE ITALY IN ALAMEDA
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any great stories start at C’era Una Volta. In other words, its name—which translates to “Once Upon a Time”—is fitting. Plus, the dishes that were served once upon a time in Tuscany are available to Alameda locals and visitors today. This Italian restaurant with charm and class is open yearround. Customers reviewing the site often mention its excellent service. Those with Italian backgrounds have commented that the food tastes authentic, just like they remember relatives from “the old country” making in their childhood. In 2018, C’era Una Volta added to its long list of awards with a Diners’ Choice Award from Open Table and a Seal of Approval from l’Associazione Cuochi Fiorentini. The origin of the dishes
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ith the proliferation of boxes being delivered daily on front porches these days, it makes one wonder— how do retail stores survive? Look around Alameda and you will not see a lot of mom & pop retail establishments selling products. However, rents in the shopping centers are not as outrageous as many people believe. The rents in Berkeley, Downtown Oakland, and of course, San Francisco are much higher than Alameda.
is Tuscany. The cuisine of that region of Italy is often considered rustic. However, the simplicity of the dishes is imbued with folklore and romance thanks to the history of Florence’s Medici family. If the meals taste authentic, it is for a reason: the ownership and executive chef are steeped in Italian cuisine. After Catholic mass every Sunday, owner Cheryl Principato used to eat pasta in her grandmother’s (nonna’s) kitchen. In her childhood, she was surrounded by the hustle-and-bustle of Italian eateries, watching her father manage restaurants and eventually working the coatcheck counter. In 2004, when Cheryl opened C’era Una Volta, she was already drawing on two decades of experience. The Chef, Rutilio “Rudy” Duran, became a US citizen
in 2000 after being raised on the west coast of Tuscany, in the port city of Livorno. Rudy had gotten his start in the culinary arts on the Mediterranean Sea: he served as the chef on private yachts and on cruise ships following his completion of training in Italy. He has more than 40 years of experience serving the same style of meals that he creates at C’era Una Volta. Rudy’s perspective as a chef was shaped most greatly, though, by his experiences of post-World-War-II Italy. He and his family were determined to make the most of meager circumstances—to
both are offered in a quaint Italian atmosphere. If you are planning an event, you can taste various options for your entrées, appetizers, desserts, and wines. You can have a traditional meal at C’era Una Volta, served in a family-run establishment. If you would rather eat at home or on the run, pizza takeaway service is available. Start your own story at this Alameda gem today.
C’Era Una Volta Ristorante Italiano 1332 Park Street, Alameda (510) 769-4828 www.ceraunavolta.us
WHERE IS RETAIL HEADED?
town? Even though I mention above that the rents are not crazy high, it is still a factor as an essential cost for a retail business owner. Also, there are employee, advertising, utility, garbage, janitorial, insurance, bookkeeping, taxes, security costs, etc. However, my opening line is about the significant change in people shopping online vs. going to the store (brick and mortar). Big and small retailers have made it extremely easy for customers to order products and get them delivered right to their So, why can’t retail stores front door. Sometimes, that fill all the empty storefronts in delivery is the same day! Also,
these savvy retailers make it easy to shop and return items without cost. For instance, I can order two sizes of the identical tennis shoe and pick the one that fits and return the one that didn’t. All for just the cost of the purchase of the product. All because you can typically get items shipped to you at no cost, at a particular value, and then return items for free. Such a deal! HOW ARE STORES EVOLVING? This is even affecting the medium to larger retailers as well. Many of the large department stores are changing
gears and modifying the store sizes and quantity of stores. Most of the discount stores owned by the major retailers are still doing good business, but there is a problem with leasing too much real estate. They are paying to operate two stores when a company could use one store to handle all of the traffic. For instance, Nordstrom is working on adding their sister store, Nordstrom Rack, into the sites of the main stores and saving real estate leasing costs. Large companies are also embracing online shopping and have changed their philosophy and presence on the internet. We will see how these major retailers evolve. Shopping centers are evolving as well. We are seeing many centers change their entire dynamic with big blocks of retail space going vacant, and they are transforming into lifestyle and services uses. Bowling alleys, movie theatres, skating rinks, health clubs, medical stores and more are seeing their way into the empty spaces. The United States is entirely OVER SHOPPING CENTERS. When I lived in Southern New Jersey in the 1980s,
(510) 523-1144 | 6
embrace living and the world around them. Taste became a way to feel the pleasure of life. Rudy views food as a way to experience community and pass on tradition. He recognizes it as the centerpiece of cultural special occasions worldwide. The inside of C’era Una Volta is a cozy place to spend a rainy evening. If you want to take in some sun on a bright day, you can sit out on the terrace. There is a balcony overlooking the main floor within the restaurant as well. Whether you are most in the mood for fresh seafood or homemade pasta,
I lived in a town that was not large but had a strip center on the main road at every other block. Today, most of those centers are entirely gone. We are seeing shopping centers being rezoned for mixed uses, including residential components being added. Just in our town of Alameda, the South Shore Center is working on removing some retail and adding residential units. CHANGE IS INEVITABLE So, as the saying goes, change is inevitable. Expect retail to continue to evolve, packages will keep coming on doorsteps and the shipping companies and warehouse owners will continue to thrive. However, maybe take a breath, get off the internet
shopping sites and take a short walk or bike ride to your local retail stores and get out. They would love your business and you will have the chance to meet new people and experience the outdoors. See you in and about town! n
Rich Krinks Broker Associate Berkshire Hathaway Drysdale Properties
WWW.BHHSDRYSDALE.COM
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hether you rent or own, a happy home means finding distinctive ways to continuously improve your space. A full renovation or re-design can be pricey, but making your home feel fresh and current doesn’t have to be. We’ve thought through cost-effective solutions to make your home a place you love.
UPGRADE YOUR SPACE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
MEASURE YOUR MOOLAH: Understanding the budget is a crucial first step to any home project and money can be a sensitive subject. To conquer the awkwardness, download a finance app to get a sense of your spending habits. This will give you an accurate measure of how much moolah you have to spend on your home, and could help you save a buck or two on overall spending as well. SCORE SOME SMART SOLUTIONS: Once you understand the budget, invest in smart solutions to have the place feeling fresh and updated in no time. If you’re interested in smart temperature control, check with your local energy provider to see if they offer incentive programming or kickbacks for making the switch! Easy changes like Bluetoothconnected plugs, meat thermometers and smart lightbulbs will use less energy and make you more connected to your home.
cabinets is by signing up for subscription services that take the thinking out of upkeep. There are a number of practical subscriptions you can opt in to, like FilterEasy, a service that sends you filters for your HVAC exactly when you need them. Or, if cleaning supplies are something you continuously forget to buy, subscription services take the thought out of having home supplies at the ready, under your sink, whenever you need them. If you’re looking for a simple upgrade, you can receive art that matches your style or fresh flowers. There is a subscription for almost everything and, when used strategically, they are a great way to manage your spending while investing in your space.
SWAP THAT SHOWERHEAD: If you’re looking for more of a visual change, swap out a faucet or showerhead—an easy but impactful update regardless of rent/own status. Brands like Peerless Faucet make products specifically designed to be on trend, but easy to manage. As long as you select a faucet that matches the current setup of your countertop (e.g., single handle or double handle, with or without soap SPARK JOY WITH CLEANING: dispenser), you can swap out any standard faucet for Speaking of cleaning, when you make the switch one that matches your vibe. From the kitchen to the bathroom, investing in a few key pieces for your home to your summer wardrobe and your annual spring will last you a lifetime, especially if you pick multi- clean, take the time to assess what, as Marie Kondo would say, sparks joy versus what has seen better functional pieces like the SideKick Shower System. days. By taking ownership of what must stay, and saying thank you and goodbye to things that TRY SUBSCRIPTION SOLUTIONS: An easy way to spruce up your tables, walls and are ready to go, your belongings won’t feel like a
(510) 523-1144 |
DESIGN & DECOR
affordable updates
burden, because everything will have a purpose. When you begin to spring clean, think through new methods of determining what should stay and what should go. Once you’ve done these things, if you are looking for more, here are some quick fixes: • Add new fabrics (e.g., cushions, curtains, throw blankets) in the living area and bedroom. • Create an accent wall with adhesive wallpaper.
• Hang mirrors to create an illusion of a larger space and spread light throughout the space. • Go green, add plants.
• Swap out the knobs on your kitchen/bathroom cabinets. • Change the light fixtures.
Try these simple tips to spruce up any room in no time! n ©2019 Brandpoint.
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SPOTLIGHT
this month: home style l
DESIGNER TRICKS TO MAKE A SMALL SPACE
appear larger
by Kathryn Weber
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ith the tiny house movement gaining momentum, the movement toward spacesaving rooms and homes is clearly growing. But whether you want to hitch up your home and haul it around the country, or you simply want to make the most of your small space, there are designer tricks that can fool your eye so that your space not only looks larger, but it lives that way too. COLOR FIRST Color is the first tool for making your space look and live larger. How so? One of the best ways to do this is to
use a single color generously. The color that usually pops to mind is white, and that’s the color that really opens up a space. It’s trending now too. But it’s important to follow some color guidelines for making your room seem large. Opt for all one color that is light so your room expands visually. Or, use different shades within the same color family, but keep the contrast down. This also applies to curtains and drapes. By selecting a drape that’s solid and in the same color family as your wall paint, you’ll keep the look unified and that keeps your space looking and feeling larger. For hanging drapes, place them high up on the wall to help make the ceiling
feel taller; it makes your eye crowded. On the floor, use move upward, creating a look the same neutral tone from the walls and opt for a small of spaciousness. pattern or simple texture to FURNISHING FOR SPACE add interest. Oddly, having In a small space, watch your one or two large pieces in arms and legs. Go with a glass a small space can sometimes coffee and end tables on tall make it seem larger, so don’t legs or chairs with open legs be afraid to add one or two you can see beneath. Both pieces that are large. keep your space looking and feeling open and airy. Opt for BIG ANGLE One designer trick that armless chairs (slipper chairs) and sofas that have small really opens up a room is arms. Rolled arms attract to place an item diagonally your eye and creep out into to the doorway that captures valuable floor space. The same your attention. By stretching your vision across the room, is true in a dining area. Select chairs without arms the space seems larger. Try or whose arms are small angling furniture here, too, enough that the chairs can such as a club chair. Having be pushed under the table to a chair on an angle makes the keep the room from feeling eye sweep from side to side.
Keep your furniture pulled away from the walls for more space to walk and for the eye to see. SIZEABLE ACCESSORIES For more size-worthy options, opt for larger accessories. When you see multiple small items, your room will look cluttered and small, like the accessories. Look, too, for a few statement pieces of artwork with strong coloring. This dynamic look in an oversized picture, for instance, makes the room seem more commanding, and that always makes it look larger. n © 2019 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PASTA WITH SUMMER VEGETABLES DIRECTIONS
separate batches in the saucepan of salted boiling water, boil each of Bring both a large pot of unsalted the vegetables for 1 minute in the water and a medium saucepan of saucepan. As each vegetable is done, remove it with a wire skimmer, rinse lightly salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in under cold running water until cool, a heavy medium-sized skillet over drain well, and transfer to a bowl. Add all the vegetables to the sauce, medium-high heat. When the oil is hot enough to shimmer slightly and flow and stir well to heat them through. freely when the skillet is tilted, add the Keep warm. As soon as the large pot of water cherry tomatoes. Leave the tomatoes undisturbed until they start to blister, comes to a boil, salt the water. Add the 1 to 2 minutes. Then, stir them gently, pasta, and cook until al dente, tender season lightly with salt and pepper, and but still slightly chewy, following the leave about 30 seconds longer. Remove manufacturer’s suggested cooking time. from the heat. Drain the pasta and, while it’s still In a blender, combine 1 cup of the vegetable stock with the tomatoes, the slightly dripping, stir it into the sauce parsley, 2 tablespoons of the basil, and until well coated. Remove the pan the roasted garlic. Blend until pureed. from the heat and, if you like, stir in Transfer the mixture to a the Parmesan. To serve, divide the pasta and saucepan, and add the remaining vegetable stock, a small or large pinch vegetables among four large warmed of red pepper flakes to taste, and salt serving plates or pasta bowls. Garnish and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil each serving with the remaining over high heat, then reduce the heat to shredded basil and, if desired, medium and simmer briskly, stirring some Parmesan. Serve immediately. occasionally, until the liquid reduces Serves 4. n and the sauce thickens slightly, 5 to 7 minutes. © 2019 Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. While the sauce reduces, in Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 8
INGREDIENTS • 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, stems removed
• 2 cups good-quality canned vegetable stock or broth
• 1 cup 1-inch pieces fresh green beans • 12 stalks asparagus, tough ends snapped off and discarded, stalks cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup shelled fresh peas or canned frozen petite peas
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon bottled pureed roasted garlic
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 12 ounces dried pasta strands such as bucatini or spaghetti or bite-sized shapes such as bowties, torchio or penne
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup broccolini cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup finely shredded fresh basil leaves
TRAV E L
pool party
FAMILY TRAVEL FIVE:
COOL POOLS AND WATER PARKS
by Lynn O’Rourke Hayes FamilyTravel.com
that include a Lazy River, a zero entry pool and 25 luxury cabanas for privacy and relaxation. Contact: www.JWTurnberry.com
D
iving boards and the deep end have been replaced by daredevil drops and surf zones. Here are five places where you and the family can splash together in cool pools and water parks. ROYAL CARIBBEAN, PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY Visitors to the cruise line’s recently relaunched, 125-acre private island, CocoCay, can choose to Thrill, Chill or both while the ship docks for the day at a newly built pier. For those who opt for the Thrill Zone, the centerpiece is Daredevil Peak, a 135-foot high slide, said to be the highest in North America. A dozen other slides, a wave pool and assorted water play areas will keep youngsters and the young at heart busy for hours. Also, in the neighborhood you’ll find a helium balloon ride, a 1,600-foot-long zip line and casual hang out zones from which to watch others tackle the heights. On the Chill side, expect a long stretch of beach, options for snorkeling, wave running, paddle boarding, kayaking and simply soaking up the sun while floating on a royal blue raft. Contact: www.RoyalCaribbean.com
GRAND WAILEA RESORT, MAUI, HAWAII This island haven may be most famous for its beaches, but don’t pass up the chance to explore what this resort has to offer. The whole family will be eager to explore the 25,700-square-foot area that includes nine free-form pools. Travel via a “river” to check out the slides, waterfalls, caves, water elevator, swim-up bar, rope swing and more that are part of this water wonderland. Adventurers will want to check out the 262-foot Lava Slide, a 14-second thrill ride that includes a 30-foot drop and speeds up to 22 miles per hour. Contact: www.GrandWailea.com
your toes in the sand at the Sunset Beach pool or join the festivities at the Sonoran Splash pool where water slides, music, games and dive-in movies up the fun factor. Kids can fish in the lagoon, play golf or spend the day at the Trailblazers Kids Club where activities include ping pong, learning about desert wildlife, making s’mores in a solar oven and recreational games. The day ends with an ice cream social. Sweet treats aside, parents will appreciate the Lifestyle Cuisine menu for FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS, adults and children that focuses on providing SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. A family stay at this Sonoran desert resort healthy choices. Contact: Fairmont.com/Scottsdale; is full of fun surprises, beginning at the Kid’s ExperienceScottsdale.com Check-in desk. In no time, your gang can dig
(510) 523-1144 |
AQUATICA, ORLANDO, FLA. With 42 water slides, rides, rivers, and lagoons, this award-winning water park in Orlando is part of the SeaWorld family. Check out the Walhalla Wave, a family raft ride that includes more than 600 feet of drenching twists, turns, and drops into darkness. Earlier this year, Aquatica Orlando became the world’s first water park to be recognized as a certified autism center with the ability to offer resources and tools for families with members that have autism and other special needs. Contact: www.AquaticaOrlando.com. n
JW MARRIOTT MIAMI TURNBERRY RESORT & SPA, AVENTURA, FLA. This South Florida resort recently opened the Tidal Cove Waterpark, an integral part of a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation project. The new five-acre fun zone includes a 60-foot tower with seven water slides, a 4,000-square-foot kids pool with an aquatic play area, and a triple Flow Rider simulation pool, the first of its kind in the country. The 42-foot wide surf simulation machine incorporates elements of surfing, bodyboarding, skateboarding, skimboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding. The new ©2019 FamilyTravel.com. water features connect with current facilities Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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CROSSWORD
PUZZLE
answers
just for fun l ACROSS
55 Team up ... or, literally, what the last words of the answers 1 One of seven in to starred clues can do “Jabberwocky” 61 Giggly Muppet 7 Shabbat celebrant 10 “Baby __”: 2008 Fey/Poehler 62 To and __ 63 Poker challenge comedy 64 Academic leader in NBC’s 14 Like some classroom aids “Community” 15 Angst-filled rock genre 65 Author Kesey 16 Disembarked 17 *Project with many obstacles 66 Kind of tax 19 Wheels for a star DOWN 20 __ Grey tea 1 “Law & Order: __” 21 Vacation abode 2 It often comes to those 22 *E! talk show focused on who wait celebrity outfits 3 Volcanic fallout 26 Longest reigning Brit. 4 Rapa __: Easter Island monarch 5 Popular mall jewelry store 28 Neighbor of Venezuela 29 Discriminatory, as in hiring 6 Mosque-goer’s deity 7 Like Cain, of Abel 32 Pet adoption org. 8 Leading characters in 33 Deg. for a suit “Mork & Mindy”? 36 Annexation 9 Stir-fry pan 38 Put on a pedestal 10 __ Yousafzai, sharer of the 40 Morsel 2014 Nobel Peace Prize 41 Printed scorecard numbers 11 Cover story 43 Went (on) monotonously 12 Copycat 44 Monotony 13 Make things right 46 Gp. with mail trucks 18 Course where tangents are 47 *Britannica, e.g. relevant 52 Cutting 21 1997 movie partly set on a 53 Leaderless plane called the Jailbird 54 Strengthen 22 Handy “Mr.”
23 “Master of None” star __ Ansari 24 “Law & Order” gp. 25 Couldn’t sit still, say 26 Exxon, once 27 Lustful look 30 High-speed skiing event, familiarly 31 Discipline 33 Capital of Belarus 34 Honk 35 Tacks on 37 Green land? 39 Bridge table quorum 42 Vacuum effect 44 Ligament kin 45 Lo __: noodle dish 47 Threw a fit 48 Forced absence 49 Terra __ 50 Cellphone self-pic of a group, slangily 51 Smells 55 N.Y. airport since 1963 56 Miner’s matter 57 Chinese zodiac animal 58 “The World Factbook” org. 59 Inexact fig. 60 Get © 2019 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
P U Z Z L E created by Crosswords Ltd.
Managing your own properties can be overwhelming. Don’t trust your valuable investment to just anyone. Drysdale Property Management is dedicated to providing the highest level of quality services throughout Northern California. With a main focus on property management, our affiliates can also provide residential real estate sales of existing homes, new construction, and condos. We have specialists available for transferring buyers, corporate relocation, third party relocation, acreage, commercial real estate and other niche markets.
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KIDS!
Enter to Win Our…
PARENTS: Have your child color this picture. To be entered in a drawing for a $25 Gift Card to Tucker’s Ice Cream, take a picture (of your child’s coloring page along with the filled out “Artist Information” section) and email it to de.wilmore@bhhsdrysdale.com by September 15, 2019. The Winner will be announced in the next issue.
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THE ALAMEDA MARKET T
he City of Alameda is an amazing place to live, as anyone here can tell you. All you have to do is look at income and employment statistics, and you’ll understand why things look so bright in this little corner of coastal California. The real estate market is stable. It is actually a prime time to sell because the number of available homes dropped substantially between June and July. A lower volume of homes means you can ask for more, which is why properties are typically being sold for tens of thousands over the list price. Plus, there is great news nationally: the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time in a decade, bringing many more buyers out to take advantage of ideal mortgage rates. The average income of an Alameda resident is well over the US average. In fact, at $42,331, it is 48.2% higher than the national average of $28,555. There is a major gap in median household income between Alameda and the nation as well. At $76,439, Alameda’s figure is 42.9% higher than the national median of $53,482. Year-over-year, there has been a 1.4% rise in the job market. Furthermore, the forecast is sunny, with the area expected to grow at 36.6%, set to outpace the expected US job market expansion of 33.5%. It is a seller’s market right now in Alameda simply because there are so few homes in inventory. The median list price is stable, dropping slightly, 1.5%, year-over-year. However, since the inventory is so tight now and since Zillow predicts a 0.7% decline in value over the coming year, now is
ALAMEDA
J U LY 2 0 1 9
M A R K E T U P D AT E
C A L I F O R N I A
H O MES SO L D
53
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
38 CONDOS & TOWNHOMES
15
TOTAL
INVENTORY a great time to enter the market. Also consider that the value of homes does not match what people are paying. While the median list price of homes is $948,975 and there is a median value of $968,800, the median sale price is at $974,600. What’s most compelling right now, though, is that the last month has seen a 14% drop in the inventory, from 47 to 40 homes available. Now is the time to stand out
AVER A G E SAL E PR I C E S
AVERAGE DAYS ON THE MARKET
16
$1,057,741 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
$1,196,784
15
CONDOS & TOWNHOMES
CONDOS & TOWNHOMES
$705,500 NEW LISTINGS
29
17
ACTIVE LISTINGS
43
from the crowd. Furthermore, news that the Federal Reserve will potentially lower the interest rate has the real estate market abuzz. Certainly these moves by the Federal Reserve get attention and hugely impact markets. When Fed Chairman Jerome Powell spoke before the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee, he stoked expectations that a rate
PENDING SALES
62
decrease was in the works. Following his statements, on July 11th, the Dow and S & P ended at record highs. Given the steadily improving job market in Alameda, now is a great time to move. Add to that the expectations that home prices in Alameda could lower slightly over the coming year, the current shortage of homes in inventory, and the Fed rate cut, and you have a recipe for a seller’s market. n
