Homes

REAL ESTATE REALITY

By Carl Medford, CRS

Special to the Times GUEST COMMENTARY

God is in the Details

Jolted recently by a sharp, intense pain originating from a fi nger, I discovered a tiny, almost invisible sliver. The pain was so intense I literally stopped everything, focused on my hand and did nothing else until the offending piece of wood was removed. I was amazed at how such an extremely small object produced such a negative effect. It is no secret that small details matter. Meis Van der Rhoe, one of the most signifi cant architects of the 20th century, is credited with the statement, “God is in the details.” Simply put, the small things matter. Attention to detail is critical. Van der Rhoe is also credited with the phrase, “Less is more,” inferring that too much of anything, no matter how good, can spoil the overall effect. This explains the mindset behind the effective preparation of a home for the market. People are stimulated visually and consequently, when they see a home that has been carefully prepared and effectively staged, it triggers a pleasing emotional response which can lead to an offer. The more attractive the home, the higher the potential for awesome offers. Beautiful staging is like the icing on the cake; effectively done, it showcases the home and sets the stage for a sale. Ironically, no one would typically live in a home the way it is staged – the staging is done to provide a visual effect, not demonstrate effective living. In contrast, homes that are not effectively prepared can cause a reaction similar to a sliver: instead of motivating a buyer to engage, they can effectively prevent meaningful offers. Many sellers, looking at the current overheated market, believe that all they need to do to get an amazing sale price is put their home up for sale without spending time or money on preparation. While it is true that, due to the current inventory crisis, they will more than likely get an offer, it will not match offers they could have obtained had they spent the time and money on the details. Today’s buyers, on the whole, do not want to improve a home after the purchase. They want turnkey properties and, with many real estate companies providing property preparation and remodeling services along with funding options, there is almost no excuse for a home to hit the market without the details effectively sorted. Like it or not, it is the details that make or break the sale.

Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association. Association.

The Castro Valley Forum and San Leandro Times Present… WOMEN IN BUSINESS

March 16 (CVF) & 17 (SLT), 2022

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How to Get the Lemon Tree to Produce More Fruit

BUZZ BERTOLERO

THE DIRT GARDENER

By Buzz Bertolero

The Dirt Gardener

QI have a fi ve-year-old healthy lemon bush that only produces lemons on the lower branches. There are no fl owers or fruit in the upper two-thirds of the lemon tree. How do I get lemons on the upper portion of this plant?

Most citrus is budded or grafted onto a rootstock, which is a different type of citrus. The rootstock is an aggressive grower, producing rapidly growing shoots or suckers throughout the canopy of the desired variety. The shoots originate from below the ground or off the main trunk or stem, below the point from where bud or graft union is located. The area is visible to the naked eye and is a diagonal line on the trunk. The desirable portion is a vivid green color, while the rootstock is a dull tan or brown. Extremely long, nasty-looking thorns characterize this growth with leaves in three groups. Also, it produces no fl owers or fruit. The desirable shoots decline over time and are pruned off, leaving the rogue growth to dominate. This is what I believe has happened with your lemon. Here is what I’d do. First, examine the plant closely and divide the fruiting section from the non-bearing part. Then, prune off the fruitless area after St. Patrick’s Day. With monthly feedings of

an organic Citrus Food, you’ll encourage the new growth that increases the fruit-bearing portion of the lemon bush. Be on the lookout for more rogue growth during the growing season and prune off as soon you see it. NOTE: The rogue growth from below a bud or graft is also a problem with roses deciduous fruit trees such as peaches, plums, apples, fl owering trees, and other plants. A Three years ago, I grew some beautiful lettuce. But then, I had problems. First, the seeds would Q sprout, but they would not grow. Then, someone told me that I needed to disinfect the plastic containers. So, I washed them with soapy, bleach water. I’m now growing Lettuce again. Did the container have bacteria, toxComing Soon! 4107 Wilson Ave, CV ins, or something? Would I have

Charming home with separate studio, close to Castro Valley High School. Enchanting single level home that the same problem with ceramic, terracotta, or wood containers? has been totally remodeled. Beautifully updated kitchen

with custom cabinets, granite countertops and cute break- A The advice you refast nook. Also featuring 2 large bedrooms with enclosed sunroom o primary bedroom, hardwood oors, replace, inside laundry room and more. Lovely landscaping. Asking $1,200,000. Call Trish ceived is correct. It’s advisable to disinfect any container that you are recycling. Damping Off (Rhizoctonia soColdwell Banker Real Estate lani) and Pythium are problems

Call Trish Radovich: 510-367-7999 / calltrish@comcast.net 21060 Redwood Rd. Ste. 100 • Castro Valley with seedlings. Before sowing your seeds, disinfect the containers with a mixture of nine parts of water to one part of bleach and let them air dry. Also, be sure to watch the watering while the seeds are germinating. The problems mentioned above can still be a problem from keeping the soil too wet. I’d suggest that you pre-moisten the soil fi rst and then sow the seed. It also helps to use a heating mat for bottom heat. The heating mat increases the soil temperature speeding up germination. Be careful not to splash water around the plant as the splashing water spreads the disease to healthy seedlings. Heating mats are available at many garden centers or online.

RECENT HOME SALES

Home sales information is compiled and provided by CalREsource and includes Bedrooms, Square Feet and Year Built when available

CASTRO VALLEY

Total: 11 – Average Price: $1,328,454 High: $1,900,000 – Low: $590,000

17203 Ehle Street 94546: $590,000 [2 BD - 1,344 SF - 1949 21250 Hobert Street 94546: $968,000 [3 BD - 1,223 SF - 1947 2532 Watson Street 94546: $1,085,000 [4 BD - 1,471 SF - 1948 35697 Palomares Road 94552: $1,200,000 [3 BD - 1,524 SF - 1958 7353 Buren Place 94552: $1,270,000 [3 BD - 1,887 SF - 2002 4289 David Street 94546: $1,300,000 [3 BD - 1,610 SF - 1952 4124 Omega Avenue 94546: $1,420,000 [5 BD - 3,006 SF - 1981 20878 Sherman Drive 94552: $1,520,000 [3 BD - 2,082 SF - 1997 11235 Crow Canyon Road 94552: $1,600,000 [3 BD - 3,155 SF - 1975 7647 Pineville Circle 94552: $1,760,000 [4 BD - 2,757 SF - 1993 25657 Crestfield Drive 94552: $1,900,000 [3,526 SF - 2000

25410 Southwick Drive #101 94544: $300,000 [3 BD - 1,705 SF - 1991 1510 E Street #20 94541: $368,000 [1 BD - 708 SF - 1974 27829 Haldane Court 94544: $550,000 [4 BD - 1,080 SF - 1953 21103 Gary Drive #210a 94546: $590,000 [2 BD - 1,100 SF - 1993 1807 Panda Way 94541: $610,000 [2 BD - 1,129 SF - 1972 274 Dogwood Court 94544: $685,000 [2 BD - 1,094 SF - 1973 25143 Del Mar Avenue 94542: $750,000 [3 BD - 1,094 SF - 1960 26586 Jane Avenue 94544: $775,000 [3 BD - 1,130 SF - 1952 665 Macabee Way 94541: $790,000 [2 BD - 1,227 SF - 2013 624 Artistic Place #31 94541: $794,000 [3 BD - 1,595 SF - 2004 26006 Jane Avenue 94544: $800,000 [3 BD - 1,070 SF - 1952 1078 Old Oak Lane 94541: $840,000 [3 BD - 1,748 SF - 2010 26290 Stanwood Avenue 94544: $865,000 [3 BD - 1,041 SF - 1952 2375 Bermuda Lane 94545: $900,000 [3 BD - 1,215 SF - 1957 25347 Parklane Drive 94544: $975,000 [4 BD - 1,909 SF - 2020 2386 Kelly Street 94541: $975,000 [3 BD - 2,056 SF - 1954 25325 Parklane Drive 94544: $996,000 [4 BD - 2,119 SF - 2019 2602 Jacobs Street 94541: $1,020,000 [4 BD - 2,442 SF - 1953 2730 Sleepy Hollow Avenue 94545: $1,020,000 [3 BD - 1,128 SF - 1956 1840 Trym Street 94541: $1,027,000 [3 BD - 1,380 SF - 1956 143 Poppywood Court 94544: $1,099,000 [4 BD - 1,807 SF - 2001 2428 Homer Lane 94545: $1,210,000 [4 BD - 2,134 SF - 2012 1527 Denton Avenue 94545: $1,312,500 [4 BD - 1,979 SF - 2017 23701 Glenbrook Lane 94541: $1,650,000 [3 BD - 2,920 SF - 1992 57 Dunfirth Drive 94542: $2,525,500 [5 BD - 4,044 SF - 2017

16703 Rolando Avenue 94578: $440,000 [4 BD - 2,691 SF - 2002 710 Martin Boulevard 94577: $722,000 [2 BD - 807 SF - 1942 15035 Churchill Street 94579: $738,000 [3 BD - 1,020 SF - 1950 2385 Yukon Street 94577: $768,000 [3 BD - 1,008 SF - 1950 133 Pershing Drive 94577: $800,000 [2 BD - 1,066 SF - 1943 547 Blossom Way 94577: $900,000 [3 BD - 1,464 SF - 1940 2227 Shoveler Court 94579: $900,000 [3 BD - 1,321 SF - 1999 14997 Swenson Street 94579: $925,000 [3 BD - 1,418 SF - 1952 669 Durant Avenue 94577: $950,000 [4 BD - 1,987 SF - 1923 2167 San Remo Court 94578: $1,205,000 [4 BD - 1,918 SF - 1964 1094 Oakes Boulevard 94577: $1,255,000 [3 BD - 1,927 SF - 1945 1498 Via Coralla 94580: $696,000 [3 BD - 1,031 SF - 1951 16078 Via Media 94580: $772,000 [3 BD - 1,336 SF - 1944 1928 Via Buena Vista 94580: $906,000 [3 BD - 1,031 SF - 1953 1688 Via Sarita 94580: $1,029,000 [3 BD - 1,515 SF - 1952

HAYWARD

Total: 25 – Average Price: $937,080 High: $2,525,500 – Low: $300,000 SAN LEANDRO

Total: 11 – Average Price: $873,000 High: $1,255,000 – Low: $440,000. SAN LORENZO

Total: 4– Average Price: $850,750 High: $1,029,000– Low: $696,000

Mortgage Rates Decrease Slightly

Even with this week’s decline, mortgage rates have increased more than a full percent over the last six months. Overall economic growth remains strong, but rising inflation is already impacting consumer sentiment, which has markedly declined in recent months. As we enter the spring homebuying season with higher mortgage rates and continued low inventory, we expect home price growth to remain firm before cooling off later this year.

SAT. & SUN. FEB 19h & 20th

CITY SAT SUN ADDRESS PRICE BDR./BA. REALTOR AGENT PHONE

H 2-4 427 Shirley Avenue $750,000 3/1 Re/Max Accord The Lovewell Team, 510)351-5555 H 1-4 29217 Eden Shores Ct. $1,499,000 6/3 Re/Max Accord The Lovewell Team, 510)351-5555

CITY GUIDE

A = SAN LEANDRO • B = BERKELEY • C = CASTRO VALLEY • D = DUBLIN • F = FREMONT • H = HAYWARD L = LIVERMORE • M = MODESTO • S = SHEFFIELD VILLAGE • SLZ = SAN LORENZO • W = WALNUT CREEK • Z=ALAMEDA

All real estate advertised in the Castro Valley Forum is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. The Castro Valley Forum will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.