Cchomes julyfinal

JUNE/JULY 2017 DELIVERED TO 80,000 HOMES & BUSINESSES

PLEASANT HILL • WALNUT CREEK • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • CONCORD • CLAYTON A monthly publication of Community Focus, the Concord Pioneer and Clayton Pioneer

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Eye-Catching Front Doors Three Ways to Add Your Personal Style

At its core, the desire to create a home with curb appeal is a desire to make a home uniquely one’s own. After all, no matter how beautiful they are, rows of homes that look the same inherently fail to capture attention. Using personal touches, people want friends and family to know which home is theirs.

Dressing up your front door is a quick and affordable way to personalize your home and add curb appeal. One way to do that is by installing a custom wood door. Wooden doors are most often used in custom or specialized designs since they are easiest to manipulate. With countless options such as wood species, side lights, transoms, decorative glass, etc., you can customize the look you want for your entryway.

To achieve a one-of-a-kind look for your front entry, consider these three ways to personalize your wood door.

Choose your favorite wood. Although homeowners can choose from several different materials for their front door, wood allows greater flexibility for customization and creates enduring value. From modern to traditional, doors are available in many different wood species to meet your personal taste. If you like the look of high-end furniture, cherry or walnut might be right for you, while exotic woods like sapele mahogany have distinctive patterns for an eye-catching door. Woods like knotty alder create a casual, rustic look, while Douglas fir provides a timeless appeal.

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Julie McCoy

Julie McCoy - Realtor®/Broker Associate 925-980-8095 www.JulieMcCoy.com

®

RE/MAX Accord

ABR, CDPE, e-Pro, QSC, SRES Five Star Professional Award, 2012-2016 Cal BRE Lic. # 01260930

Go big. If you’re planning a new home, or a remodel of your existing home, replacing the front door with an extra-large door is an impressive way to fashion a grand entry. To make a big impression, wood doors can be custom ordered in virtually any large size. For example, a door that is 5 feet wide by 8 feet high is almost two times larger than the typical front door, and is sure to capture the attention of visitors to your home. Wood door manufacturers recommend that if you have a large door, consider making it 2 1/4” thick, which is a common thickness for a custom entry door.

Add a touch of class with glass. Wood door manufacturers offer a wide range of glass designs to complement your door. Depending on the look you prefer, these range from a full lite door, in which the glass extends from top to bottom, to quarter lite doors, in which the pane is limited to the top one-fourth of the door. Glass is tempered to resist breakage and to help keep intruders out.

Additionally, you can choose from options with a wide range of transparency, to ensure the right balance of privacy and natural light for your situation. Some manufacturers, like Simpson, offer easy-to-use design tools for choosing door and glass designs. The company’s online Glass Taste Test tool enables homeowners to see how different glass types will look in their door, and the degree of privacy the glass provides.

Source: Brandpoint

3

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

A Real Estate Agent’s View Practical Advice from Peter Paredero, Dudum Real Estate Group

BY JOE STOKELY

Investors and property owners often look for a few specific things when they’re seeking professional property management services. Pete Paredero from Dudum Real Estate Group works with investors and people buying and selling homes all the time. For this column, Peter offered to share the qualities that smart homeowners will want in a great property manager.

Opt for a Full Service Property Manager My family has been involved with investment properties for a while, and I have owned a handful of my own, so I have experience knowing what a good property manager does and doesn’t do. And I also work with a lot of investors. What I look for and what my clients look for is full service. It has to be a company that can screen tenants and have all the support that’s needed.

Basically, we look for a big rolodex of numbers and resources. We need a team of professionals when we hire a property manager, including access to electricians and painters. I know quite a bit about properties, and I could probably do it myself, but I know I can’t go through the screening process as well as a professional manager can. And I don’t want to deal with the phone calls from tenants. Many people who purchase investment property aren’t familiar with the many working parts of property management. When things go wrong, which eventually they will, that’s when investors really see the value

of professional management.

Time and Expertise Sometimes, investors will try managing their property on their own and then they’ll run into trouble. I’ve worked with several whose first instinct was to just sell the property, but I helped them get back on track by suggesting a property manager. It just makes a lot of sense unless you have the time for a demanding job. It’s not automatic. It also requires a level of expertise.

Property managers stay up to date on all the laws, which change every year in California. The forms are always updated. It’s not a static business. Like the real estate industry, things are always shifting and changing.

Reputation There are a lot of mom and pop property management companies out there. They probably do a fine job, but when you’re choosing a management company, you want to go with a name you’ve heard. Do your research and look for a local company with a great reputation.

If you have any questions about property management and qualifying and screening tenants, please contact us at Stokley Properties.

Joe and Sheila Stokley are licensed real estate brokers and owners of Stokley Properties, located in Pleasant Hill. Reach them at 925.658.1415 or stokleyproperties.net.

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Sculpture in the Garden

Photos by Cindi Stephan

Exhibition Returns to Ruth Bancroft Garden

BY CRICKET RILEY

Wandering along the paths of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, one expects to be awed by the beauty and artistry of nature -- the arching agaves, the corridor of cacti, and the towering palms. With the arrival of the 23rd annual Sculpture in the Garden Exhibition and Show, these inspiring natural forms provide the backdrop for the creations of more than 50 artists. The contributors range from first time participants from the Bay Area to returning, internationally known, large- scale public sculptors.

“Every time I take my work and put it in a different space, I feel like I’m learning about the sculpture I make,” says artist and contributor Katie Swan. “So, to see it in the garden with exotic, otherworldly looking plants, it’s like it’s at home, like it’s supposed to be there. It’s an honor to be able to come back every year.”

Pieces in the exhibit are installed throughout the garden and nursery. Many pieces will stay for the duration of the show, while others are available to take home when you leave. Sculpture in the Garden runs through August 13. Stop by during the show to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Participating artists Renata Allen Solomon Bassoff Mary Bayer Ted Bayer Vicki Behringer Margrit Weinreich Bivetto Joe Bologna Kenneth Bottomley Rick Butler Henriette Cons Ponte Kathleen S. Farros Eileen Fitz-Faulkner Bill Florence Christopher Fortin Carol Hathaway Roger Heitzman Xuan Ho Wes Horn Stan Huncilman

Lee Kendall Peter Keresztury Joanna Kidd John King Flavia Krasilchik Karina Kudymova Mike Laflin Katie Swan Laich Julie Langley Michael Larson Lisa Lee Allen Lescure Jefferson Mack Jeanette Morrow Rana Nassar Jeff Owen Eric Powell Mark Rafter Marsha Rafter

Ernest & Lois Rich William Rose Ellen Sachtshale Leslie Safarik Eric Saint Georges Christopher Sawyer Kate Schaffner Reeven Sensi-Rosen Anita Sulimanovic Roy Tatman Clayton Thiel Lidija Tkalcevic Karen Van Galder Monica Waldman Julia Wilson Wilma Wyss Emil Yanos

GARDEN & NURSERY

Artwork by Dan Woodard.

Artwork by Eileen Fitz-Faulkner.

Artwork by Leslie Safarik.

For more information about ordering custom succulent centerpieces, call (925) 944-9352 or stop by the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery at 1552 Bancroft Rd. in Walnut Creek.

Planting Season Prep your garden for summer with drought tolerant plants.

Enjoy 10% off any succulent or plant purchase at the nursery Offer valid until July 31.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek

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Artwork by Wilma Wyss, available at upcoming exhibit at Ruth Bancroft Garden.

5

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

DIY Projects to Prepare for Sale Inspire Buyers with a Great First Impression

If you’re looking to sell your home quickly and for more money, it’s essential to make popular areas of the house look appealing to potential buyers. Fortunately, with a little Do it Yourself effort, you don’t have to invest in expensive home repairs or real estate-staging services.

Consider these easy DIY projects that can help ensure your home is market ready when it’s time to sell. If the property is particularly appealing, you may even start a bidding war.

Paint the front door. First impressions count when it comes to a home sale. You want your entryway to be inviting so homebuyers want to look further. An easy way to update an entryway is to paint the door with a new color that complements your home and surroundings. Simply remove the hardware, clean the surface, prime, and apply the new paint color. While you’re at it, consider painting exterior accent features - such as shutters or window boxes - the same color for a cohesive look.

Repair and refresh walls. Painting is an easy and affordable way to freshen an entire home so that buyers take notice. However, cracks and holes in freshly painted walls can make a poor impression. For a DIY project that yields a professional result, spackle and sand to fill holes and cracks on surfaces throughout the home before the first swipe of the paint brush.

Update kitchen and bath hardware. Do you have kitchen and bath hardware that’s decades old? If so, it may be worth your time to replace these dated details.

Adding small features such as modern cabinet hardware can visually update a room, so explore affordable options at your local home improvement store. Once you select the style you like best, just get your screwdriver and swap out the old for new.

Re-caulk the kitchen and bathroom. Exposure to water and moisture over time can cause caulk to look dirty and unsightly. Potential buyers are sure to note mold, mildew, dirt, and stains on old caulk. For a clean appearance, remove the old caulk, thoroughly clean the area to remove any dirt or residue, then re-caulk with a siliconized kitchen and bath sealant that repels water and stains.

Revisit lighting throughout the home. Proper illumination isn’t just useful, it can open up a room and highlight beautiful architectural features. All lighting should be Lic.0506034

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dusted, but for those fixtures that are old, outdated, or broken, consider inexpensive replacement options. Something as simple as replacing glass globes can add high-impact style. Adding task and accent lighting is another smart investment.

For example, under-cabinet lights in the kitchen are easy to install and are likely to impress potential buyers.

Preparing a home for sale doesn’t have to be a daunting process. With these five projects, you’ll be well on your way to have a beautiful home ready for listing.

Source: Brandpoint

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Got a Blank Wall? Picture This...

Where to Hang that Perfect Piece

BY JENNIFER LEISCHER, DESIGN AND DÉCOR

You’ve just returned home from a visit to a local portrait studio. The prize for a morning spent with your family in a cozy 10 by 10 foot studio is a lovely, framed, family portrait. You had the perfect spot in mind - above the mantel in your living room - but now that you have the framed photo in front of you, you’re rethinking the placement. Maybe it would be better in the dining room? Or the entry? In the master bedroom? Hmmm.

The physical act of hanging a framed piece of art is usually a pretty basic task, but the placement of art in a living space is just as important as the upholstery you select for the sturdy family room sofa.

Public vs. Private Viewing

A family photo, a watercolor you purchased at the Art & Wine Festival, a group of dogs playing poker... where, oh where should these pieces hang?

Artwork is so very personal. The beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder, but there are a few things to be considered when deciding what should be placed where.

A family portrait in the powder room? That’s maybe not the best location for viewing. Consider a focal wall in your living room or a bookcase in your family room. A cheerful watercolor in the laundry room? Maybe, but how about perking up a dreary hallway that needs some color and life? A group of dogs playing

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poker? Let’s circle back to this one.

Some artwork is meant for the masses, and some artwork is best suited to be viewed on a more personal level. At a minimum, art should be appropriate to the design aesthetic of a living space and the level of sophistication and understanding of its viewer.

Have a plan of attack

When hanging or re-hanging artwork, it’s good to have a plan. If you’re looking to create a collage wall, spend a good amount of time collecting the anchor pieces: a metal garden gate that you will flank with black and white photography, sailing flags that you’ve been collecting for your home office that will be organized with sepia toned pencil sketches of yachts, or your children’s artwork that you’ve had transferred onto stretched canvas to hang in the playroom along with all of their school photos.

Instead of placing random pieces of art here and there, consider the location. Is the wall big enough for all your goodies? Do you have enough space to walk around the wall if you are using pieces that protrude? This may sound a little tedious, but when working with so many pieces the plan can make the difference between success and pulling your hair out.

Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Send questions and comments to jenna@j-designs.com.

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Celebrity Homes Who Owns the Painted Ladies?

BY LYNNE FRENCH

Renowned actor Michael Shannon recently sold his corner Queen Ann Victorian in San Francisco’s “Painted Ladies” row for $900,000 below the asking price. The sale price was $3.1 million. He bought it for $65,000 in 1975. The five-bedroom home was built in 1892.

The Painted Ladies are along Steiner St. in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley adjacent to Alamo Square. The colorful houses are one of San Francisco’s most photographed tourist attractions.

About 48,000 houses in the Victorian and Edwardian style were built in San Francisco between 1849 and 1915 and many were painted in bright colors. One newspaper critic noted in 1885 “red, yellow, chocolate, orange, everything that is loud is in fashion.”

During World War I, many of these houses were painted battleship gray with war surplus Navy paint. Over time, many were demolished or had the Victorian décor stripped off or covered with tarpaper, brick, stucco or aluminum siding.

In 1963, San Francisco artist Butch Kardum began combining intense blues and greens on the exterior of his Victorian house. His house was criticized by some, but other neighbors began to copy the bright colors on their own houses. He became a color designer, and he and other colorists began to transform dozens of gray houses into Painted Ladies. By the 1970s, the colorist movement, as it was called, had changed entire streets and neighborhoods. This process continues to this day.

Michael Shannon’s house is the oldest and largest house on the row.

Fame could be one possible reason for the reduced selling price. Owning a piece of history isn’t that appealing if thousands of tourists are taking a picture of your front door every day. Michael’s spouse says, “Living here feels like Disneyland at times.”

Shannon’s house has been featured in about 70 movies, ads and TV shows, including Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 1978. But it is perhaps best known for appearing in the opening montage of Full House, the popular sitcom that aired from 1987 to 1995.

The last Painted Lady to sell was the house next door to Shannon’s,

Painted Ladies of the lower Haight.

which belonged to Alice Walker, author of “The Color Purple”. That house sold for 1.2 million 10 years ago.

Lynne French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates, CalBRE #01122025. Contact her at (925) 672-8787, Lynne@ LynneFrench.com, or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

ELEVATING THE ART OF REAL ESTATE...

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Energy Saving Upgrades Multiple Ways to Improve Your Home’s Efficiency

Enhancing your home’s energy-efficient features is a savvy way to make the space more livable while reducing the impact on the environment and your bank account.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average American homeowner spends about $2,000 a year on energy for heating, cooling and other power needs throughout the house. However, inefficiencies caused by poorly operating systems, drafts and other energy drains may account for as much as 10-20 percent of wasted money each year.

Whether your motivation is reducing home energy expenses, creating a more earth-conscious lifestyle or both, there are numerous ways you can make a significant impact on your home’s energy efficiency.

Windows

Faulty seals and cracks are responsible for as much as 20 percent of air infiltration into or out of the home, according to U.S. Department of Energy data.

Windows are a major culprit for these types of leaks.

If a complete window replacement is out of your budget, there are still several ways you can improve the energy efficiency of existing windows. Caulking and adding weather stripping around windows can make a noticeable difference, as can window coverings such as blinds or drapes that minimize the transfer of heat and cold through window panes.

Doors

Like leaky windows, the perimeter around doors can also be a source of lost energy. Poor insulation due to faulty installation or simply wear over time can contribute to energy loss.

Aside from ensuring a properly installed, insulated and sealed doorway, the door itself can also make a difference when it comes to energy efficiency. For example, foam insulated entry doors offer greater energy conservation than wooden alternatives. Also remember that proper sealing and installation applies to all access points, including garage doors.

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Fifth Wall (a.k.a., the Ceiling)

An often overlooked home element, but one homeowners and interior designers are increasingly turning attention to, is the ceiling, affectionately dubbed the “fifth wall.” Not only does this surface offer a blank slate for introducing new style to a room, it’s also an ideal space to integrate energy-efficient features such as skylights.

Skylights engage all of the senses while providing balanced, natural light that reduces reliance on powered light and ventilation fixtures. In addition, skylights can work in concert with vertical windows to create the “chimney effect” where cool, fresh air enters through vertical windows and warm, stale air escapes from the skylights, cooling your home without using electricity.

Some models are powered by solar energy, making them even more efficient.

Additional features can further enhance the energy-saving benefits of installing skylights. For example, for added flare and light control, homeowners can add blinds to skylights, choosing from a plethora of colors and styles.

HVAC System

Climate control accounts for as much as half of the average home’s annual energy costs, so while it’s a behind-the-scenes home feature, it’s an important one.

An outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, or a system that isn’t big enough or strong enough for your home’s footprint, will draw more energy than necessary to maintain a desirable temperature. Regular service can help keep systems operating smoothly, but eventually all HVAC systems need replacing.

Source: Family Features

11

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Execute a Power of Attorney Don’t Delay on this Vital Estate Planning Tool

BY JEFFREY HALL, ESQ.

A durable power of attorney is an extremely important estate planning tool, even more important than a will in many cases. This crucial document allows the person you appoint – your “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” – to act in place of you, the “principal”, for financial purposes when and if you ever become incapacitated due to dementia or some other reason. The agent under the power of attorney can quickly step in and take care of your affairs.

But in order to execute a power of attorney and name an agent to stand in your shoes, you need to have capacity. Regrettably, many people delay completing this vital estate-planning step until it’s too late and they no longer are legally capable of doing it.

What happens then? Without a durable power of attorney, no one can represent you unless a court appoints a conservator or guardian.

That court process takes time and costs money, and the judge may not choose the person you would prefer. In addition, under a guardianship or conservatorship, the representative may have to seek court permission to take planning steps that he or she could have implemented immediately under a simple durable power of attorney.

This is why it’s so important that you have a durable power of attorney in place before the capacity to execute the document is lost. The standard of capacity with respect to durable powers of attorney varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some courts and practitioners argue that this threshold can be quite low; the client need only know that he trusts the agent to manage his financial affairs. Others argue that since the agent generally has the right to enter into contracts on behalf of the principal, the principal should have the capacity to enter into contracts as well, and the threshold for entering into contracts is fairly high.

If you do not have someone you trust to appoint as your agent, it may be more appropriate to have the probate court looking over the shoulder of the person who is handling your affairs through a guardianship or

Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

conservatorship. In that case, you may execute a limited durable power of attorney that simply nominates the person you want to serve as your conservator or guardian. Most states require the court to respect your nomination “except for good cause or disqualification.”

Because you need a third party to assess capacity and because you need to be certain that the formal legal requirements are followed, it can be risky to prepare and execute legal documents on your own without representation by an attorney. To execute a durable power of attorney before it’s too late, contact your elder law attorney.

Jeffrey Hall, Esq. is an experienced trusts & estates attorney. Call 925.230.9002 for a free 30-minute consultation, or visit www.HallLawGroup.com.

BRYCE SCHUMACHER Bryce’s experience in real estate has been a

JEFFREY HALL, MBA, CPA, Esq.

tremendous asset to our house search. He was able to provide us with the information we needed to make the right choices, explained the process and was involved in each step of the way. We highly

The Law Office of Jeffrey Hall, Inc., is an estate planning law office serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties in a wide range of estate planning matters, including:

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Lic. 01379459

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CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

May Home Statistics CLAYTON

Source: www.ccartoday.com

CONCORD

Homes 2016 2017 Homes 2016 2017 New Listings 21 13 New Listings 147 144 Pending Sales 13 11 Pending Sales 115 145 Closed Sales 17 12 Closed Sales 101 113 Days on Market Until Sale 28 30 Days on Market Until Sale 19 13 Average Sales Price $830,471 $775,513 Average Sales Price $570,986 $630,563 Inventory of Homes for Sale 20 17 Inventory of Homes for Sale 121 86

Townhouse-Condo Attached New Listings Pending Sales Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale Average Sales Price Inventory of Homes for Sale

2016 3 3 3 11 $588,333 2

2017 3 1 1 6 $555,000 2

LAFAYETTE

Townhouse-Condo Attached New Listings Pending Sales Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale Average Sales Price Inventory of Homes for Sale

2016 28 26 25 13 $279,357 26

2017 30 27 33 9 $331,115 19

MARTINEZ

Homes 2016 2017 Homes 2016 2017 New Listings 33 44 New Listings 57 67 Pending Sales 34 39 Pending Sales 43 58 Closed Sales 32 37 Closed Sales 43 49 Days on Market Until Sale 15 15 Days on Market Until Sale 27 22 Average Sales Price $1,531,338 $1,507,473 Average Sales Price $651,603 $692,806 Inventory of Homes for Sale 43 50 Inventory of Homes for Sale 73 53

Townhouse-Condo Attached 2016 New Listings 2 Pending Sales 1 Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale 0 Average Sales Price $0 Inventory of Homes for Sale 5

2017 1 2 0 $0 5

PLEASANT HILL

Townhouse-Condo Attached New Listings Pending Sales Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale Average Sales Price Inventory of Homes for Sale

2016 21 13 13 6 $391,577 14

2017 17 17 12 16 $394,839 12

WALNUT CREEK

Homes 2016 2017 Homes 2016 2017 New Listings 23 32 New Listings 75 74 Pending Sales 31 40 Pending Sales 58 67 Closed Sales 28 24 Closed Sales 63 56 Days on Market Until Sale 14 16 Days on Market Until Sale 13 20 Average Sales Price $755,200 $751,563 Average Sales Price $1,133,839 $1,126,438 Inventory of Homes for Sale 18 26 Inventory of Homes for Sale 57 59

Townhouse-Condo Attached New Listings Pending Sales Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale Average Sales Price Inventory of Homes for Sale

2016 17 11 11 9 $524,636 10

2017 11 11 11 11 $471,000 3

Townhouse-Condo Attached New Listings Pending Sales Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale Average Sales Price Inventory of Homes for Sale

2016 42 39 43 14 $546,019 30

2017 45 42 29 18 $585,577 35

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Battle of the Corridor Charity Softball game Helps Local Organizations

Contra Costa Real Estate in Motion (CCRIM) and Real Estate Marketing Association (RMA) are local real estate professional networking groups that meet on a weekly basis in Walnut Creek and Danville. Each year they face off on a charity softball game with all proceeds going to Helping Hands and the Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation. This year’s event brought much anticipation since CCRIM has won the last 10 games.

Team CCRIM was led by president Ryan Keller of Keller Williams Realty and manager John Fondnazio of Dudum Real Estate. Team RMA was led by president Carol Peterson of Keller Williams Realty and manager Nathan Mahlik of State Farm Insurance. After jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, team RMA hung on to win 13-12. Treasurer Robert Ring of Skyline Home Loans was proud to present each charity a check for over $2800.

The Helping Hands mission is to provide financial assistance to members of Contra Costa Association of Realtors, their immediate families, and to members of the communities that CCAR serves due to prolonged illness, accident or other catastrophic occurrence, and to contribute to the local communities. To become a CCAR member, please contact Glenna Nickerson at 510-409-2570.

The Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation provides college scholarship grants to qualifying students in the fields of finance, business, marketing, communications, and real estate. The association’s commitment to support higher education is the heart of the Contra Costa Association of Realtors’ desire to make a difference! If you know a student, whose parents reside in Contra Costa County, has above a 3.0 GPA, and is a full time student in any of the above fields, please have them reach out to CCAR president Lynda Dimond at 925-787-9595.

13

14

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

REAL ESTATE • LENDING • GARDEN • HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME MAINTENANCE • INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DECORATING

CCAR Calendar Contra Costa Association of Realtors® Education, Events & Meetings

June 29 - Management of Offices and Supervision of Licensed Activities. Webinar Remote Learning, 10am-1pm June 30 - NAR’s Military Relocation Professional Certification, Webinar Remote Learning, 9am-4pm

A Monthly Resource for Homeowners and House Hunters

July 6 - Residential Property Management (PMC1), Webinar Remote Learning, 10am-2pm July 6 - Social Media Basics, CCAR Computer Lab, 9-11am.

Central County

HOMES For Central Contra Costa Homeowners & House Hunters

Have your business seen by over 200,000 residents in Central Contra Costa Special pull-out section will be delivered to 80,000 homes and businesses in Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Lafayette, Clayton and Concord.

In print and online with links to advertisers’ websites and emails.

PLEASANT HILL • WALNUT CREEK • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • CONCORD • CLAYTON A monthy resource publication of Community Focus and Concord Pioneer & Clayton Pioneer

Print and Digital packages available.

FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION: PIONEER COMMUNITY FOCUS Tamara@claytonpioneer.com info@ourcommunityfocus.com 925-672-0500 office 925-335-6397 925-285-8612 cell communityfocus-ecomulch-ad-2014-8.pdf 1 8/29/14 12:46 PM

10 CELEBRATING

YEARS

July 7 - Managing Single Family Homes & 2-4 Unit Residences (PMC2), Webinar Remote Learning, 10am-2pm July 7 - Valuing the Resource Efficient Home, Webinar Remote Learning, 10am-2pm July 11 - Paragon Basics, CCAR Computer Lab, 1-3pm July 11 - Keys to Closure - the Probate Process, Webinar Remote Learning, 9am-1pm July 18 - Working with Investors, Webinar Remote Learning, 10am-2pm July 20 - All About Disclosures, Webinar Remote Learning, 10am-1pm July 20 - Zipform Basics, CCAR Computer Lab, 1-3pm July 24 & 25 - Real Estate Negotiation Certification Class with Adorna Carroll. A 2-day class from 9am-5pm at Pleasant Hill Community Center, McHale Room, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill.

July 26 & 27 - Seller Representative Specialists Designation Course with Adorna Carroll. A 2-day class from 9am-5pm at Shadelands, 111 North Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek.

July 27 - RPR Basics, CCAR Computer Lab, 1-3pm

Annual CCAR

Local Organic Mulch, Soil and Compost We design landscape products that are environmentally preferable and ecologically friendly.

GOLF TOURNAMENT All funds raised are split between the Helping Hands Charity and CCAR Scholarship fund.

August 7 11:00am - 5:00pm Round Hill Country Club

$200 Per Player $350 Tee Sponsorship $1000 Tee Sponsorship and Foursome

C

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• Colored Mulch • Natural Mulch • Organic Soil • Compost products

Register by contacting: John Fondnazio at 925.817.9053 or John@Dudum.com Nathan Mahlik at 925.838.5433 or Nathan@MyAgentNathan.com I’m not in trouble anymore!

CY

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I called Hire My Husband to take care of our “Honey Do List”!

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Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner 5 Years in a Row! Community Focus Readers’ Local Favorite 2014 & 2015

• Interior Painting 5010 Pacheco Blvd., Martinez (925) 228-1673 MyEcoMulch.com Like us on Facebook!

• Quality Home Repair Projects • Handyman Services Contractor Lic. # 943231

www.HireMyHusband.com

925-969-0133

15

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

Auctions, Flea Markets & Estate Sales AUCTIONS & MARKETS

Michaan’s specialists offers free verbal

Saturday, July 8

Saturday and Sunday, July 29 & 30

Sunday, July 2

appraisals on up to five items every

11AM – 5PM

10AM – 4PM

6AM – 3PM

Wednesday. If an item is too large to

Jack of All Trades Market

Treasure Island Flea Market

Alameda Flea Market

bring, feel free to bring a photograph.

Historic Jack London Square in Oakland

A Bay Area hallmark and Northern

2900 Navy Way, Alameda.

www.michaans.com

The new market is held every second

California’s largest monthly gathering

Saturday and has quickly become a

of artists, collectors, designers, craft-

Every first Sunday of the month, the Alameda naval base hosts one of the

Saturday, July 8

favorite place to shop local and meet

ers and food trucks. Held every last full

largest flea markets in Northern Califor-

10AM – 5PM

the makers. The market is free and has

weekend of the month. $3 entry and free

nia. Over 800 stalls along miles of aisles

Michann’s Estate Auction

unique items, live music, food and craft

parking, kids 12 & under free; pet friendly.

packed with furniture, ornaments, paint-

Main Gallery, 2751 Todd Street, Alameda

beer, and is dog friendly.

www.treasureislandflea.com

ings, jewelry, vintage clothing, children’s

Auction will be offering a wide range

www.jackofalltradesoakland.com

toys and more, all at great prices. Ad-

of property from estates, private col-

mission: $15 (6-7:30am); $10 (7:30-9am);

lections and institutions throughout

$5 (9am-3pm). Free for children 15 and

the West Coast. Jewelry will highlight

under. alamedapointantiquesfaire.com

antique and period pieces, wrist and pocket watches, natural jadeite jade and

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 4 & 5

fine diamonds. Fine Art has a selection

10AM – 5PM

of paintings, sculptures, photographs

July Annex Auction

and graphics; Asian Art will be showcas-

2701 Monarch Street, Alameda.

ing fine jade carvings, porcelains,

Auction will feature over 2,000 lots of

bronzes, glassware, scrolls and textiles

property from a myriad of estates.

and the Furniture and Decorative Arts

www.michaans.com

section of this sale offers silver, rugs and carpets, glassware, porcelains, figurines

Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26

and American and European furniture.

10AM-1PM

www.michaans.com.

Free Appraisal Event Main Gallery, 2751 Todd St., Alameda

JOHN

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ANTS • SPIDERS • MICE • RATS • FLEAS • 1 TIME SPRAY OK 80,000 COPIES DELIVERED MONTHLY

Central County

HOMES For Central Contra Costa Homeowners & House Hunters

PUBLISHERS

ADVERTISING CONTACTS

Tamara Steiner

Community Focus info@ourcommunityfocus.com 925-335-6397

CLAYTON & CONCORD PIONEER

Elena Hutslar & Becky Coburn COMMUNITY FOCUS

GRAPHIC DESIGN Trish Heaney

COPY EDITOR Alison Clary

Pioneer CCHomes@pioneerpublishers.com 925-672-0500 office 925-285-8612 cell

16

CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES | JUNE/JULY

6200 Center St. Clayton, CA 94517 56 Karkin Place, Clayton

NEW LOCATION

0 D OL 5,00

S

for

$69

Black Diamond - This stunning duet has impressive soaring ceilings and has been updated with fresh paint, rectangular “wood-like” porcelain tiles, carpet and fixtures. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths situated on a cul-de-sac.

$689,000

Michelle Gittleman CalBRE 01745325

(925) 768-0352

Michelle@MichelleGittleman.com

1854 Lambeth Way, Concord

Westmoreland - Fabulous 3 bed, 2 bath nestled in quite neighborhood.

Spacious family/Kitchen combo light and bright. Stunning pool for entertaining with mature landscaping.

Everything I touch turns to sold

$629,000

925.798.7525 themouldingcompany.com 5117 Commercial Circle, Concord, CA 94520

Sylvia Jones CalBRE 01331733

(925) 200-7491

SylviaJones@windermere.com

1101 Whispering Pines, Clayton

Morgan Territory - Recently updated, single-story home in breathe taking country setting at the foot of Mt Diablo. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. Flat 1 acre lot with sparkling pool, spa and gardens.

LE G SANDIN PE

$1,025,000

MOVING & STORAGE, INC. Our priorities are clear…

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Moving You On To Better Things

Kelly McDougall CalBRE 01156462

(925) 787-0448

KMcDougall@windermere.com

1109 Crest Ridge Ln., Concord

Live Oak - Charming 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath duet in desirable community.

PENDING with 11 Offers!

Call me for advice on getting your home ready for sale & staging plan.

G DIN fers

f N PE h 11 o wit

$539,000

Carol VanVaerenbergh CalBRE 01221965

CVanVaeren@aol.com

(925) 683-2568

“Heather is fantastic!”

“From start to finish she negotiated great terms for us, kept everything in line and moving forward, never a step back. Heather was juggling both our sale and purchase. She gave 100%, 100% of the time. That alone makes her a real professional. She is an all around all star in real estate. If you are looking for someone to take all the stress out of your sale or purchase, or both, look to Heather and you will not be disappointed” Heather Gray -Chris C. CalBRE 01329100

(925) 765-3822

www.RealEstatebyHeather.com