Real Estate Guide 03.16.18

ESTATE REAL G U I D E THE PRESS

MARCH 16, 2018

Hello, neighbor.

Jill Fister Leadership That Moves You!

Photo by Tony Kukulich

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is here and that’s great news for you. Our new

name comes with years of experience from leading real estate affiliates nationwide.

It brings the promise of stability to a market

that’s been anything but. And it offers you the confidence you need when buying or selling a home.

Get to know us at:

REALTOR®, DRE #01308896

BHHSDrysdale.com

(925) 765-5701 jillfister@gmail.com

www.thelistinglady.com Drysdale Properties Good to know.™owned and operated member of BHH Affiliates, LLC An independently

©2014 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Information not verified or guaranteed. If your property is currently listed with a broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Hello, Equity!

What is your home worth?

Find out now: thelistinglady.com

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REAL ESTATE GUIDE

MARCH 16, 2018

Living Longer… Good News – Bad News

I

was visiting with my Aunt and Uncle recently

With the changes that HUD made last year a reverse mortgage allows you access to some of our equity today and preserves more of your equity for tomorrow.

and my Aunt told us a great story about my Grandmother. My Grandmother’s mother and

It is important to look at your options before the calamity hits. When people wait until a crisis has already happened they are then forced into a situation, under the worst of circumstances. The best time to do research is when you are not yet ready to make a decision. That puts you in the driver’s seat.

her grandmother both died at 89 so my Grandmother decided that she, of course, was going to die at 89.

As a side note, I do not know if it is grammatically correct to capitalize Grandmother but in our world Grandmother was such a strong, imposing, independent, and in many ways intimidating, survivor of a very difficult life that it just always seemed appropriate to capitalize her name – Grandmother. We were never allowed to call her gramma, or nanny, or mimi, or any of the other intimate familiar names that people assign to that person in their lives.

To all the family it was Grandmother – with the emphasis on Grand! To write it I think it should look like GRANDmother.

My Grandmother’s birthday is in January. She was born in 1898. In November 1986 my Aunt asked Grandmother to go shopping with her to buy Christmas cards. My Grandmother said “no, I am going to die before January”.

My Aunt tried to convince her that that was just superstition.

My Grandmother was blind and frail but overall was pretty healthy. But Grandmother was having none of it. She was thoroughly convinced that she would not be here come January so there was no sense in sending out Christmas cards.

Well, come November of 1987 my Aunt tried again to get Grandmother out to the card shop but oh no, last year was just a fluke. I will be gone before January so there is no point in wasting hard earned money on Christmas cards. It was the same story in 1988, and again in 1989.

Finally, at Thanksgiving of 1990, at the ripe ol’ age of 92 Grandmother announced that she would like to go shopping for Christmas cards. She realized she was coming up on 93 in January, so she might as well admit that she still had some living to do. There was no further discussion, they just went out and bought cards and hand addressed each and every one, as was her rule. Grandmother died in the summer of 1994. She was 96 and a half!

The moral to the story is that none of us know what date is on the other side of the hyphen. We know our birth year, but until the day comes, we don’t know the year we will leave this planet to begin our next journey.

So given we do not know how many rotations around the sun we will enjoy, how do we even begin to plan. I heard a saying recently – we shouldn’t plan for how long we think we will live but rather how long we could live.

If we look at current actuarial tables and analyze recent longevity research that could be a really long time. Add in medical advances and we are hard pressed to figure out how much will end up being enough.

We can look to our family history, our own current health, our gender, our smoker status, and a host of other factors that will ultimately impact the date on the other side of the hyphen. All of this information will give us some idea of when we might pass but let’s face it, there is no crystal ball.

Given all the variables, we must make some assumptions.

We can assume that we will spend more of our retirement dollars in the earlier years of retirement than in later years.

We can assume that we are going to live longer than our parents and grandparents.

There are a lot of what I call 1-800-reversemortgage companies you can contact. They are call centers in San Diego, or Florida, or Michigan. They Fed Ex a package to you and then call you 3-4 times a day to sign quickly before ‘this limited time offer expires’. They then use a signing service to complete the transaction. You never meet your Loan Officer.

Beth Miller-Rowe has been in the mortgage industry for 36 years specializing in reverse mortgages for the past 10 years. Beth has degrees in economics and business administration.

We can assume that we will need more money for health care costs both because it is just more expensive but also because we are going to live longer which means we will be around longer during the years when we use the health care system most. Seems a little ironic to me.

So where do we go from here. In my opinion this brings us to a point where we have to take a hard look at our assets and set realistic expectations for ourselves, and for our kids and/or heirs.

Let’s take a look at your whole big bucket of retirement monies.

• Social Security income and/or Pension income • Employment income • 401K, IRA, 403B assets • Investment assets and/or income • Equity in your home.

For most homeowners the equity portion of the retirement bucket represents more than 65% of the total bucket. Yet surveys say that most seniors wait to consider accessing their equity until there is a shock to their financial security – perhaps the death of a spouse, or a major medical crisis.

There are many reasons for this reluctance.

Misinformation about equity extraction – reverse mortgages, HELOCs, equity share programs – it can be confusing and even hard to get honest and thorough information. There is the desire to leave a legacy to our kids or alma mater or favorite charity. There is just the general attitude about becoming or remaining debt-free. And there is the very real need to save for the possibility of future long term care requirements.

Whatever the reasons are the bottom line is that retirees cannot afford to ignore home equity as a means of extending the life of their retirement bucket.

A reverse mortgage may give you exactly the edge you are looking for to be able to live more comfortably, feel more secure, and have a little freedom to enjoy some of those things you might hesitate about right now.

Call me today. I will meet with you in the comfort of your home. We will explore what you hope a reverse mortgage can do for you. I will review all the information with you and then leave it with you to re-review, mull over, and you decide if it is right for you. If it is, give me a call back and we will get started.

We hope to see you at the Home Sweet Home educational event on March 13, 2018 at 1:00. It is at the Summerset Orchard Lodge at 770 Centennial Place, Brentwood, CA. It will feature several guests addressing everything from long term care insurance, in-home health care, Meals on Wheels, reverse mortgages and much more.

Please take a moment to RSVP. You may call Sydney at my office at 925-969-0380 or you may call Chelley Brucker at 925-513-1391. Chelley is a resident of Summerset Orchards and regularly coordinates informational events in the area. If you get voicemail, please leave a message with the number of attendees.

– Advertorial

Let’s take a look and see if we can Make Your Retirement Dreams Come True.

Beth Miller-Rowe Branch Manager and Reverse Mortgage Specialist

The Reverse Mortgage Group • A Division of American Pacific Mortgage Corp.

Office: 925-969-0380 Cell: 925-381-8264 Beth@YourReverse.com

3478 Buskirk Ave., Ste. 1000 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Your Retirement Dreams Can Come True!

A Division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation NMLS 1850

BRE: 00950759/01215943 • NMLS: 294774/831612/1850

Licensed by the Dept of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act

Reverse mortgages are loans offered to homeowners who are 62 or older who have equity in their homes. The loan programs allow borrowers to defer payment on the loans until they pass away, sell the home, or move out.

Homeowners, however, remain responsible for the payment of taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other items. Nonpayment of these items can lead to a default under the loan terms and ultimate loss of the home. FHA insured reverse mortgages have an up front and ongoing cost; ask your loan officer for details. These materials are not from, nor approved by HUD, FHA, or any governing agency.

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

MARCH 16, 2018

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3B

Navigating through the real estate market AMY SCHRADER

T

here’s no doubt that real estate continues to be a seller’s market in East County,

which is great news for those selling a Jill Fister is a five-star QSC (quality service certification) rated agent and is wellknown for her tenacity in satisfying her clients’ needs, wants and goals.

home but can prove more difficult for those looking to buy.

Having an experienced real estate agent can ease the process and help navigate through today’s competitive market. Jill Fister, top agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, was recently awarded the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Realtor of the Year for her exemplary service and outstanding achievements.

Fister is also a five-star QSC (quality service certification) rated agent and is well-known for her tenacity in satisfying her clients’ needs, wants and goals.

“It has always been my utmost goal to

Photo by

ON THE COVER: Jill Fister, top agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, helps clients navigate the sometimes difficult waters associated with buying and selling a home. Photo by Tony Kukulich/ Home courtesy of the Donzelli family of Perfect Star Heating & Air Conditioning.

Tony Kukulich

ensure a positive real estate experience for my clients,” said Fister. “I pride myself on my ability to prevent or iron out the inevitable wrinkles sometimes associated with such large transactions.”

Fister’s clients reap the rewards of her

experience and dedication in servicing their needs.

“You look for someone who is going to work in the way you want to be represented, has integrity and works to make sure you are taken care of,” said Brentwood

Dreaming of homeownership?

resident Nahleen Cloninger. “Jill took care of everything and handled the sale of our home and purchase of our new home when we were in Italy. She was amazing see Real Estate page 11B

Leticia Banuelos

NMLS #236686 | 925.278.6641

Sean Carey

NMLS #957120 | 925.457.6555

Rita Caruso

NMLS #278812 | 925.640.5746

Chris Dyer

NMLS #257153 | 510.691.2252

Our Antioch team is staffed with skillful loan officers who can guide you through the homebuying process.

Abram Frenes

NMLS #241149 | 925.628.0960

Annie Fuller

NMLS #1406893 | 925.759.9644

Susannah Harte

NMLS #473612 | 510.409.1061

Michelle Paxton

NMLS #831343 | 408.891.0090

Jason Peterson

NMLS #200686 | 925.818.1376

Find out why so many people choose Guild.

Let’s talk.

Kathy Mertens Pickett

NMLS #325906 | 925.584.4368

Delmy Steward

NMLS #231410 | 925.864.7717

Sandra Ybarrolaza

NMLS #255601 | 925.550.5406

Guild Mortgage Company. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #3274. Licensed by the California Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. All loans subject to underwriter approval. Terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Branch address: 5829 Lone Tree Way, Suite D, Antioch, CA 94531.

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REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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MARCH 16, 2018

There’s no place like home in East County Oakley continues to be a place for families, and many, many people are being attracted to the smalltown charm, low crime, great schools and high quality neighborhoods that Oakley has to offer.

TONY KUKULICH

W

ith the approach of spring comes the traditional start of the home

buying season, and signs advertising new homes pop up like wildflowers across East County.

East County has much to offer families including great schools and parks, affordable homes, convenient shopping, access to public transportation, fabulous weather, diverse recreational opportunities and a wide variety of area events. Builders and developers are prepared to meet the demand with new home construction from the cities of Brentwood and Oakley to the unincorporated towns of Discovery Bay and Bethel Island.

The City of Brentwood, with just over 60,000 residents, has a long and storied history in agriculture and farming production. That tradition continues today even with the residential growth the city has experienced over the last several years.

In the late spring and summer months, local farms are brimming with agri-tourists seeking the latest stone fruits, corn and

– Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery Photo by Tony Kukulich

In Oakley, hundreds of new homes are being built with a focus on development along East Cypress Road with neighborhoods like Emerson Ranch and DeNova. cherries. Over the past five years, the city has added an average of nearly 500 homes a year and there are currently 32 residential projects in various stages of activity on the Brentwood development plan.

Development in Brentwood is occurring at points all across the city.

Villagio has built approximately 90 of the planned 160 executive estate homes with five unique floor plans ranging from approximately 2,330 to 4,400 square feet. Trilogy the Vineyards, the over-55 community located off Vineyard Parkway, is expected to account for nearly 20

percent of the new homes planned for 2018. Situated in the middle of scenic vineyards and adjacent to Mount Diablo, homeowners here enjoy a location that is close to exceptional hiking and mountain biking, horseback riding, renowned vineyards, wine tasting and 3,500 acres of nature preserve – all while being only a short one-hour drive to downtown San Francisco. Trilogy at The Vineyards offers see Home page 5B

www.sasvilleproperties.com

Home prices are up. Inventory is down. The time to sell is NOW! Call Us Today! (925) 513-4483 REDUCED

COMING SOON

REDUCED

PENDING

Craig Sasville (925) 550-6447

Chris Sasville (925) 998-6227

Broker/Owner CAL BRE# 01746093

Owner CAL BRE# 01806829

Ron McCaslin (925) 354-1802

Bryon Gutow (925) 437-3529

Broker/Assoc. CAL BRE# 01180620

Pete Hansen (925) 918-2154 CAL BRE# 02013174

Karen Muccio (925) 548-8641 CAL BRE# 01153943

Ken Whitaker (925) 876-6100

8601 Livingston Way, Discovery Bay Beautiful single story in The Lakes. Corner lot home w/ 4 BD, 3 full BA. Separate wing w/ 2 BDs & bath, junior suite & private master BD. Great room, upgrades throughout, formal dining. Private courtyard, stamped concrete, retaining wall, walkways & patio. $525,000. Presented by Craig Sasville

FOR SALE

Beautiful Discovery Bay Property Located on Willowlake Call for price and details.

925 667-8127 Presented by Laura Call

FOR SALE

925 Lido Cir., Discovery Bay 549 Livingston Ct., Discovery Bay Adorable 2 BR/ 2BA townhome, w/ dock and boat Gorgeous two story in the gated The Lakes resort slip w/ hoist. Large master w/ fireplace, updated style community w/ parks, views of water, open bathrooms, whole house fan & new backyard spaces and Mt. Diablo. Like new home, w/ new carpet patio fencing. Exterior freshly painted. Water views, and paint featuring 3 Bedrooms + Den, 3 full Baths, overlooking gorgeous Lido Bay, minutes to fast water. Master Bedroom with retreat, 3 car tandem garage.

Presented by Chris & Craig Sasville $408,000. Presented by Chris Sasville

FOR SALE

COMING SOON!

CAL BRE# 01219019

Cathy Engle (925) 570-6667 CAL BRE# 01891985

Linda Sepulveda (510) 432-2770 CAL BRE# 01221706

CAL BRE# 01828196

Laura Call (925) 667-8127 CAL BRE# 01440006

Christine Wallin (925) 525-7402 Cynthia MacDermott (209) 914-3360

CAL BRE# 01720106

CAL BRE# 01222446

Sandy Strobel (925) 766-3791

CAL BRE# 01475112

Max Austin (925) 550-0199 Alisa Ortiz-Proft (925) 323-2216

CAL BRE# 01430026

CAL BRE# 01416959

3527 Wells Rd., Oakley Make this one yours, this is a two bedroom, two bath condo with delta views, newer carpet, two toned paint.

Boat dock with Hydrohoist included, tennis courts and more! $230,000. Presented by Ron McCaslin

1893 Seal Way, Discovery Bay 6061 Seneca Cir., Discovery Bay Highly desirable single story w/private dock. Open Gorgeous two story in the gated community of The floor plan with large bedrooms, vaulted ceiling, deck Lakes. Over 4,000 SF home in a resort style type with wonderful water views and view of Mt. Diablo. community. Like new home, with brand new carpet Large kitchen with double oven, gas cooktop and and paint. 4 Bedrooms + Den, 4 full Baths, Master breakfast bar. Great opportunity, don’t miss out.

Bedroom w/ retreat and 3 car tandem garage.. $689,000. Presented by Chris & Craig Sasville $614,900. Presented by Chris & Craig Sasville

1634 Marina Way, Brentwood

Julie Harris (408) 835-7415

Call for price and details.

925 550-6447

Mike Muccio (925) 809-5405

Presented by Craig Sasville

1555 Riverlake Rd., Ste. M, Discovery Bay (925) 513-4483 www.sasvilleproperties.com

CAL BRE# 01741631

CAL BRE# 01446338

Grace Milne (925) 980-6014 CAL BRE# 00950602

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

MARCH 16, 2018

Home

from page 4B

families, and many, many people are being attracted to the small-town charm, low crime, great schools and high quality neighborhoods that Oakley has to offer,” said Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery.

In Discovery Bay, the Pantages Bay development has been on the books since 2013. The project plan is based on a 171-acre site located at the end of Point of Timber Road between the Kellogg Creek and the Lakeshore developments.

The project will be a gated community of 292 detached single-family homes with 116 homes situated on deep-water lots that include docks.

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members a multitude of active lifestyle choices and spectacular new home designs around $500,000 all of which include solar power.

In Oakley, hundreds of new homes are being built with a focus on development along East Cypress Road where neighborhoods like Emerson Ranch and DeNova offer families affordably priced charming homes with bigger yards and comforting amenities. Features include a soccer field, a baseball diamond, basketball courts, picnic areas, walking trails, play areas and a scenic lake with fountains.

“Oakley continues to be a place for

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FOR SALE 2560 Concord Avenue BRENTWOOD

• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • 1772 sq. ft.

• Built in 1964 • 6,000 sq. ft. building • 3.83 acres, Zoned A-40

listed for $999,888.00

Specializing in:

JAMES W. GRAYDON Broker

• Real Estate Sales • Home Loans • Refinancing

BRE# 01236065 NMLS #995241

Jim brings a unique combination of experience, expertise and commitment to all of his East County clients.

SERVING EAST COUNTY FOR 19 YEARS

925-584-9886 www.AllPhAseBrokers.com

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REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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We’ve MOVED!

Now in Shops at Fairview (Next to Sherwin Williams)

MARCH 16, 2018

Understanding VA loans AMY SCHRADER

S

ince 1944, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been

National Flooring & Supply • Carpet • Hardwood • Ceramic Tile • Laminate Flooring “We have a similar selection & low prices as the Big Box Store, with a small town feel.”

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925-634-4111

www.nfsbrentwood.com Your referrals are our greatest compliments.

A portion of our sales go to help St. Jude’s Hospital charities.

helping military service

members become homeowners with its VA loan program.

The flexible, no-down payment loan program has helped more than 22 million service members move into the home of their dreams.

“Without my VA loan, the money down would have been a killer,” said Brentwood resident and Air Force veteran Chad Sachs. “The VA loan helped my family tremendously.”

While some think VA loans may have been put on the backburner in today’s competitive market, they are still a viable and advantageous form of financing for those who have served our country. The easiest way to take advantage of the opportunity VA loans present is to have a realtor and lender who are experienced representing veterans and understand the VA loan process.

Realtor Laura Nelson of Keller Williams Realty has helped represent many veterans in East County become homeowners.

“I take the time to educate my clients,” said Nelson. “First, I make sure that they

Existing SFR Sales: Closed transactions of properties listed on various MLSs across the state during the current month for the selected geography and property characteristics.

Existing SFR Median Price: Median price of all closed sales listed on MLSs across the state during the current month for the selected geography and property characteristics.

know all of the ins and outs of the process.

I also set their expectations and let them know how we can structure their offer to make it as strong as possible for a seller to take into consideration.”

According to Nelson, VA loan-savvy realtors can not only structure offers more effectively but can also communicate with the selling agents of the house to negotiate, educate and ease any concerns that the sellers may have.

“Being in the real estate business for more than 15 years, I have seen the ups and downs of the market,” said Nelson.

“Communicating with and educating clients is very key to success in my business. I do not like being left in the dark, and I know my clients don’t either.”

While working with an experienced realtor is important, finding a lender who specializes in VA loans is essential.

Stonecrest Lending in Oakley specializes in, among other things, VA loans for veterans.

“At Stonecrest Lending ... we have done hundreds (of loans) and continue to work with our veterans every day,” said Laura Cunha, branch manager.

Cunha and her team were also key participants in helping to build the Oakley Veterans Memorial. see VA page 7B

Existing SFR Med. Price/Sq. Ft.: Median price per square foot of all closed sales listed on MLSs during the current month for the selected geography and property characteristics.

Existing SFR Med. Sales-to-List Ratio (%): Gap between selling and listing prices for homes sold on MLSs during the month for the selected area and property characteristics.

Here are the Market Statics for the Delta region for January 2018. Inventory is still low and demand is high supporting a healthy price increase.

For more information contact the Delta Association of REALTORS® 925-757-8283.

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

MARCH 16, 2018

VA from page 6B According to Cunha, VA loans are always going to be the most favorable option for veterans. They provide the best rates, are the easiest loans to qualify for and are a lifetime benefit to the veteran – not just a one-time use.

VA loans offer 100 percent financing up to the county limit, but Cunha is hopeful that with new legislation, there will soon be no more county limits for VA financing.

“In Contra Costa, that is $679,650 for a single-family home,” said Cunha. “The financing available goes up to $1,500,000 with a small down payment. “ There are many myths when it comes to VA loans, the first being that VA loan financing has changed.

“There is a misconception that there are changes to this financing,” said Cunha.

“What changes is the real-estate market.”

Another belief is that the seller must pay for the closing costs.

According to Cunha, when it is a sellers’ market, like it is now, there are not a lot of sellers giving a credit to cover closing costs.

Since the veteran cannot pay for a few of the fees, realtors take this option off the table.

“The lender can always pay for the closing cost fees through a lender credit therefore not needing any funds from the seller,” said Cunha.

Other misconceptions include contracts.

“Unfortunately, sellers are not given the facts when it comes to accepting an offer with VA financing,” said Cunha. “Should a contract with a buyer using VA financing fall

Without my VA loan, the money down would have been a killer. The VA loan helped my family tremendously.

– Chad Sachs, Brentwood resident and Air Force veteran apart, the appraisal stays with the veteran, not the seller.”

The termite report is another concern for many sellers. According to Cunha, it is required, but only the inspection fee needs to be paid by someone other than the veteran. All repairs are negotiable between both parties.

Stonecrest Lending is located at 2170 A Main St., in Oakley, and has VA loan workshops available for Bay Area realtors and veterans.

For more information, including upcoming workshops, call 925-625-1471 or visit www.stonecrestlending.net. For more information about Laura Nelson of Keller Williams Realty, visit www.lauranelsonhomes.com, call 925-392-4152 or email lnelsonhomes@gmail.com.

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As a Local Realtor & Mom of two boys, keeping your family happy is important to me. I am not only working smarter, but working harder to make sure your dream home becomes your reality!

Susan Redgrave Realtor

925-483-3294 RedgraveRealty@gmail.com • www.RedgraveRealty.com

CalBRE#01997935

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REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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MARCH 16, 2018

Sodeornslyq ft

$.55 p

Spring Sale!

Large Selection of: Perennials and Shade, Fruit and Palm Trees

Photo courtesy of Horizon Homes

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Manufactured homes like the one above, offer affordable alternatives to conventional homeownership. Horizon Manufactured Homes is offering a new community in Clayton.

Entire purchase with this ad

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Manufactured homes offer affordable solutions AMY SCHRADER

W

ith home prices

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able. With luxurious options available within family-friendly communities on beautiful lots, today’s factory-built homes bear very little resemblance to those of the past.

Clayton Palms Community is a manufactured-home community in Clayton, featuring Horizon Manufactured Homes in an all-age community.

“The community is nestled in the rolling hills along Marsh Creek,” said Victoria

continuing to skyrocket in the East Bay, more

and more residents are looking for

2601 Walnut Blvd. at Payne Ave., Brentwood

(925) 516-1052 www.pereznursery.com

Open 7 Days a Week 8:00-4:30

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Voted Best of Brentwood for 16 Years!

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2886 Oregold Lane, Brentwood

3907 Folsom Drive, Antioch

4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 2,472 +/- sq ft

4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 2,188 +/- sq ft

CALL FOR A PRIVATE SHOWING

LISTED AT $519,950

Manufactured homes offer an alternative to conventional homes that are not only affordable but also attractive and customiz-

see Homes page 9B

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156 Trent Place, Brentwood

665 Bartlett Court, Brentwood

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 2,082 +/- sq ft

3 Beds +Den | 3 Bathrooms | 2,374 +/- sq ft

LISTED AT$529,950

SOLD for $600,000

Who you work with MATTERS. Tom’s experience in your local neighborhood gives you the advantage when buying or selling here in East County!

TOM SCHIEBER REAL ESTATE Broker Associate | DRE# 01404116

925.487.3172

Tom@TomSchieber.com www.TomSchieber.com

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REAL ESTATE GUIDE

MARCH 16, 2018

Homes from page 8B Brennan, Horizon Manufactured Homes general manager. “Residents can explore the secluded scenery, offering hiking, biking, horseback riding and much more.”

The community is a quick, 15-minute drive to Brentwood and Antioch, is close to schools, entertainment and shopping and is packed with its own amenities, including a community pool, fitness center, sports court, clubhouse and recreation room. The community is also in the process of creating a dog park and a soccer field, which are expected to be completed this summer.

The main draw, however, is the community’s beautiful homes, which range in price from $120,000 to $200,000 – enough savings to lure many homeowners out of their conventional homes.

“Due to the upturn in the housing market in the area, many East Bay residents are selling their homes for far more than what they paid for five to 10 years prior,” said Brennan.

After selling their conventional homes, they are able to purchase a manufactured home for cash, with plenty of savings leftover in the bank.

“We also see many buyers coming from rental homes where the rents have become so high, they are no longer affordable,” said Brennan. “The buyer can pay less to own than to rent in Clayton Palms.”

There are also third-party lenders that offer financing.

“There is a common misconception that these homes are not financeable,” said Brennan. “I’m happy to debunk that rumor.

Many of our clients have received financing to assist with the purchase of their home.”

The process itself is as fast as it is easy.

Homebuyers choose a vacant lot amongst Clayton Palm’s beautiful community. Then, they design their home and, after three months of construction, their home is ready. When selecting a home, buyers choose from Horizon Manufactured Homes’ contemporary designs, which offer a choice of two to three bedrooms and range in size from 900 to 1,500 square feet.

This price includes all set up, delivery, utility connection, covered carport parking, a driveway, stone skirting front landscaping, central air and heating and more. Buyers also have their choice of several upgrades including 9-foot ceilings, stainless-steel appliances, walk-in closets, fireplaces, garden tubs, spa jets and more.

“These houses are truly custom,” said Brennan. “We are evolving to be more on trend with colors and features. There are countless options for clients to choose, such as flooring, countertops, cabinetry, lighting features and exterior finish.”

Those who already live in the community love their homes and the picturesque setting.

“I’ve lived here for a couple of years, and I love it,” said resident Elizabeth Reilly. “It’s away from the hustle and bustle of things and has beautiful views of the hills. Management is super awesome.”

Clayton Palms Community is located at 16711 Marsh Creek Road, in Clayton. For more information, visit www.claytonpalms.com or call 925-278-7145. For more information about Horizon Manufactured Homes, located in Helmet, call 951-537-6850 or visit www. horizonmh.com.

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Spring is here and it’s time to get movin!

Call me if you’re Buying or Selling PENDING

COMING SOON

We work with you to design your home and manage the entire construction project so you don’t have to! Our home packages include driveway, carport awning, stone skirting front landscaping, central air & heating and much more!

Three months for construction!

Customize your own 2-3 bedroom home from top to bottom! Choose your own layout, cabinetry, appliances, flooring, and hundreds of special features! Popular upgrades include 9’ ceilings, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, fireplaces, garden tubs, spa jets, and much more! Homes are wheelchair accessible upon request.

Financing available! We work with qualified lenders who specialize in manufactured homes in communities.

New homes starting at 1709 Periwinkle Way 3 bedroom / 2.5 Bath Duet Pending in 7 days!

Sandy Strobel (925) 766-3791 DRE# 01828196

5354 Riverlake Road 3 bedroom / 2 Bath Call me for details.

Voted #1 Real Estate Agent 2017 1555 Riverlake Road, Suite. M, Discovery Bay

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120,000

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9B

Clayton Palms is an all-age community located on beautiful Marsh Creek Road near Brentwood.

It is surrounded by horse ranches, farms, the gorgeous Round Valley Regional Park Preserve and Mt. Diablo State Park.

This is a unique, one-of-akind location! Our residents enjoy the peace and quiet of rural living yet close to schools, hospitals, entertainment, and great shopping in Brentwood. Come and visit us!

Amenities include pool, fitness center, sports court, clubhouse, and recreation room.

10B

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REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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REAL ESTATE OFFICES AND AGENTS

James W. Graydon All Phase Brokers (925) 584-9886 1145 Second St., Brentwood jwgraydon@aol.com www.AllPhaseBrokers.com BRE #01236065 NMLS #995241

50 Eagle Rock Way, Suite D Brentwood (925) 584-6761 matthew.anderson1@yahoo.com www.eastcontracostacounty realestate.com

Maureen Prince Broker® Flat Rate Realty (510) 882-1030 Maureen@MaureenPrince.com www.1percentListings.net BRE #01196634 Jeff Gray Realtor® Associate Flat Rate Realty (408) 663-0196 JGray5055@Yahoo.com www.1percentListings.net BRE #02005431

Jill Fister Berkshire Hathaway (925) 765-5701 141 Sand Creek Road Brentwood jillfister@gmail.com www.thelistinglady.net Cal BRE #01308896

Delta Association of Realtors® 3428 Hillcrest Ave., Suite 200 Antioch (925) 757-8283 www.deltaaor.com

Susan Redgrave Realtor® Dudum Real Estate Group

(925) 483-3294 60 Eagle Rock Way Brentwood RedgraveRealty@gmail.com www.RedgraveRealty.com Cal BRE #01997935

Esther Kennedy Area Specialist Realtor® HomeSmart Optima Realty (925) 963-9475 www.55Places.com www.discoverybayhomesforsale. com Cal BRE #01483022

Craig Sasville Broker/Owner Cal BRE #01746093 (925) 998-6227 155 Riverlake Road Discovery Bay 80 Eagle Rock Way Brentwood www.SasvilleProperties.com

Tom Schieber Realtor®, Broker Associate J. Rockcliff Realtors (925) 487-3172 Tom@TomSchieber.com www.TomSchieber.com Cal BRE #01404116

Laura O. Medina Keller Williams East County 91 Sand Creek Road, Suite 100 Brentwood (925) 683-3645 Hablo Español Real_Laura22@yahoo.com www.LauraMedina.kwrealty.com Cal BRE #01847791

Patrick McCarran Broker Cal BRE# 01325072 925-899-5536 cell www.CallPatrick.com pmccarran@yahoo.com

Matthew Anderson Realtor® DRE#01417175 JDK & Associates Realty, Inc.

Chris Sasville Owner Cal BRE #01806829 (925) 998-6227 155 Riverlake Road Discovery Bay 80 Eagle Rock Way Brentwood www.SasvilleProperties.com

Sandy Strobel Realtor® (925) 766-3791 mobile 1555 Riverlake Road, Suite M Discovery Bay www.SandyStrobel.com DRE #01828196

MARCH 16, 2018

WHO’S WHO

IN THE BIZ!

Real Estate and Loan Professionals

MORTGAGE AND LOAN

James W. Graydon All Phase Brokers (925) 584-9886 1145 Second St. Brentwood jwgraydon@aol.com www.AllPhaseBrokers.com BRE #01236065 NMLS #995241

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Patrick McCarran Broker Cal BRE# 01325072 925-899-5536 cell www.CallPatrick.com pmccarran@yahoo.com

Jason Peterson Guild Mortgage 5829 Lone Tree Way, Suite D Antioch (925) 278-6677 (925) 818-1376 jpeterson@guildmortgage.net www.guildmortgage.com NMLS #200686

Beth Miller-Rowe Branch Manager and Reverse Mortgage Specialist 3478 Buskirk Ave., Suite 1000 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925) 969-0380 office (925) 381-8264 cell Beth@YourReverse.com www.YourReverse.com NMLS: 29477/831612/1850 BRE: 00950759/01215943

Renee Parrett Senior Financial Advisor 1115 Second St. Brentwood (925) 513-6004 renee.c.parrett@wellsfargo.com www.wellsfargoadvisors.com CA Insurance #0C92754

Agent Showcase

Your key to finding the right local real estate professional.

I am not just a real estate “salesperson.”

I strive to truly service my clients and the public at large. I take the time to discover your wants and needs and sometimes my advice will be to NOT buy or sell real estate. No pressure, just a sincere desire to help. If that results in a transaction, I will negotiate the best price and terms. I

will anticipate and fulfill your needs along the way with all the details surrounding inspections, the loan process and finally moving day! If challenges come up, I will handle them in a calm, confident manner, while keeping your best interests in mind.

Jodi Marfia is a real estate broker

GET AN INSTANT HOME VALUE ESTIMATE...

The real value of a home is good to know™

Debbie Neely REALTOR®

925-550-0748 CalBRE#02027630

141 Sand Creek Road Suite E Brentwood, CA 94513 debbie.neely@bhhsdrysdale.com

and has been in the business for 15 years; 10 of them with Sharp Realty. She is involved in her community and currently serves on the planning commission for the City of Brentwood. She can be reached at 925.354.8919 or email jodi@ dreamhomesbyjodi.com.

Jodi Marfia

MBA, Associate Broker at Sharp Realty Planning Commissioner, City of Brentwood

CalBRE License #01715736 jodi@dreamhomesbyjodi.com www.dreamhomesbyjodi.com/ Mobile: 925.354.8919

If your home no longer fits and you are planning a move, please give me a call!

FULL SERVICE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENCY • Our primary focus is to maximize the value and profitability of your real estate investment assets.

• We have recently expanded and are now representing profit-minded owners in the Brentwood, Oakley and Discovery Bay area.

• Most thorough tenant screening process in the industry.

• Over 25 years of industry experience.

Judy Pipkin

CALL TODAY!

Property Manager-Owner Broker

jpipkin@diablovalleypm.com

License #01290636

925-487-5065

www.DiabloValleyPM.com

Kim Cerda

As a Local Realtor & Mom of two boys, keeping your family happy is important to me. I am not only working smarter, but working harder to make sure your dream home becomes your reality!

REALTOR® | CalBRE#02020399

SERVING EAST COUNTY FOR 19 YEARS

JAMES W. GRAYDON Broker BRE# 01236065 NMLS #995241

• Real Estate Sales • Home Loans • Refinancing

925-584-9886 WWW.ALLPHASEBROKERS.COM

As a Brentwood mother of two, I’m proud to live and work in our amazing community.

Please know that your referral is the best compliment I can receive which is why I always ensure that my clients are “Cerda-fied” happy!

925.586.4384

kc@propertiesbykim.com www.propertiesbykim.com

Susan Redgrave Realtor

925-483-3294 RedgraveRealty@gmail.com • www.RedgraveRealty.com

CalBRE#01997935

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

Real Estate from page 3B and literally took care of everything for us. It was such a different experience than any we have previously had with real estate.”

Making sure things run as smoothly as possible involves multitasking. According to Fister, there are many key players inside real estate transactions, and keeping everyone on task and leading all involved to a successful close of escrow is one of her greatest strengths.

“Clients need an agent who possesses so many skills and who can successfully counsel, question, listen, communicate, negotiate, risk-manage, price, strategize, network, merchandise, promote, market, organize, facilitate, trouble-shoot and, most of all, problem solve,” said Fister.

In today’s market, where inventory is very tight and supply has been on the decline, having a realtor with these skills can give buyers a competitive edge and help those selling a home get higher returns on their investment.

“This can be a challenging market for buyers, who need to put their best foot forward right off the bat when making offers and come out swinging,” said Fister.

According to Fister, some of the reasons why home inventory continues to decline are due to capital gains hits, low property taxes, low rates on mortgages and the fact that many people simply can’t afford to move out of their homes and purchase a new home in California.

California’s housing prices are causing many homeowners to migrate out of the state.

It has always been my utmost goal to ensure a positive real estate experience for my clients. I pride myself on my ability to prevent or iron out the inevitable wrinkles sometimes associated with such large transactions.

– Jill Fister, Berskhire Hathaway HomeServices Looking forward, Fister doesn’t expect the market to get any easier for buyers and predicts interest rates to possibly hit 5.5 to 6 percent in upcoming months.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties is located at 141 Sand Creek Road, Suite E, in Brentwood. For more information about Jill Fister, visit www. thelistinglady.com or call 925-765-5701.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

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11B

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12B

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REAL EATATE GUIDE

Live where you play.

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MARCH 16, 2018

KiperHomes.com

MosAic AT ThE LAkEs From THe mID $500,000 s 3–5 BeDs, 2.5–3 BATHs 2,330–2,751 sq uAr e F e e T 7026 HArBorHAven wAy DIsCovery BAy, CA (925) 478-7362

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The builder reserves the right to modify features, specifications, plans and/or prices without notice.

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R E GATAT REGATTA ThE TA LAkEs From THe Low $500,000 s 3 – 5 Be Ds, 2.5–3 BATHs 2 , 1 0 6 – 2 ,7 3 1 sq uA r e F e e T 92 13 s HeA rwAT e r C IrC L e DIsCovery BAy, CA ( 92 5 ) 26 6 -59 59