East Bay Real Estate Guide Volume 18 Issue 3

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GOOD BUYER’S AGENT?

Has 500+ successful buyer transactions in his career (not counting listing sales)

Has better than 80% success rate in multiple offer situations when competing buyers’ offers have similar price & terms

Guarantee: Should his client ever lose to another offer with similar price and terms, he WILL PAY $ to his client!

Knows 7 ways to (often) beat out all-cash buyers without offering a higher price

Has decades of experience helping buyers buy foreclosures (REOs), short sales, new construction, BMRs, HUD homes, & auction homes

Has professional certifications for representing buyers in residential home purchases & new construction

Offers free, no-obligation, Zoom or face-to-face initial consultation so you can ask all the questions you want and see if a good fit

Steve

It's Not To Late...Let's Talk

Here’s what my clients have to say…

Hire Cathleen Griebling if you want someone who is knowledgeable, professional, and determined to getting your home sold. We can’t say enough good things about Cathleen. She knows her stuff. We hired Cathleen based on recommendations from family and friends who had used her in their real estate transactions. There is no doubt that we would hire her again in a heart beat to handle any future real estate needs. Whether your buying or selling, it is so important to have a knowledgeable real estate professional watching your back and negotiating the best terms for you. Thank you

Cathleen Griebling.

Robert T.

Cathleen is a true professional! She knows the business inside and out, works hard for her clients and follows through. We've had the pleasure to work with her on multiple occasions. Cathleen has helped us purchase 2 properties and sell 3 over the last 10 years. Even with the drastic ups and downs in the housing market over the last decade, she doesn't miss a beat. I can't recommend a more hardworking and trustworthy realtor.

Heather

Cathleen Griebling is a true real estate professional. She knows her community, the market and the best way to sell or buy a home. She has the utmost integrity and will be completely honest with you about how the process works, what you should know and expect. She works well with others and you can trust that Cathleen will do whatever it takes to get your deal done. I highly recommend Cathleen Griebling and due to her hard work my house sold over the listing price in the midst of Covid-19

. Julie

Direct: 925-783-8286

COMPASS

E-mail: Scottymac4homes@aol.com

I used the Real Estate Guide when I first started in the business over 16 years ago. When things slowed down a bit I moved to a less expensive publication. Big Mistake. I track all my marketing expenses annually to see what works & what doesn’t. My calls from ads dropped 75%,

The Real Estate Guide is a textbook example of “You get what you pay for”

I’ve been back with Steve for the last several years and can honestly say my business has picked up because of my ads I run in the Real Estate Guide. This is not some second or third section of a daily paper, or an after thought to the Sports page. This is where serious buyers & sellers go when they need information on the Real Estate Market.

Thanks Steve, here’s to a successful 2024.

What a great time to be buying property !!!!!!!!!

Scott MacIntyre COMPASS

CLAYTONCountry living at its

1ST HOME:

4 bedroom, 2½ baths,

2ND HOME:

3 Bedrooms, 1 bath, approximately

4 Horse Stall & Paddock.

112

Welcome

$1,779,444

306 MARTI MARIE COURT, MARTINEZ

1351

$1,169,000

Welcome to your dream home located! 5 bdrm total with 2 primary suites 1 up and 1 down, 3.5 baths. Suite w/beautiful spa like bath, walk-in in closet & French doors! 2 bdrm downstairs & 3 upstairs including the Jr. Primary Suite. Custom Kit w/granite counters, SS appliances, herb window, custom pantry & breakfast bar. Lg Laundry Room w/a laundry chute from upstairs! Cozy gas frplc in the LRthat adjoins to the DR. FR adjoins the kit w/French doors. Paved Fire Pit area roasting marshmallows on warm nights. DUAL ZONE Heating & Air. Dual-paned windows. Minutes to Shopping & Historic Downtown Martinez with Coffee shops, Restaurants, Live Music, the Marina and more! Close to SF & Napa Valley, Quick

$850,000

Spacious

Patio. Huge Lemon Tree. Feeds into Hidden Valley Elementary, Valley View Intermediate & College Park High School. Close Proximity to Shopping, Schools, Park & Freeway.

2550 HOLLY VIEW COURT, MARTINEZ

$875,000

Your New Home Awaits! Situated on a Cul-de-Sac, Boasting 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths. Soaring Ceilings upon entry into the Great Room. Open, Light & Bright. Spacious Eat in Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances, Gas Range & Recessed Lighting. Expansive Primary Suite with Custom Built in Closets & Bamboo Flooring. Dual Pane Windows. Cozy Fireplace downstairs in Family Room. Just minutes from John Muir Elementary and beautiful Mountain View Park. Storage Shed & Lots of Storage under House. Close to Shopping, Entertainment & Freeway Access.

Welcome to 1139 Canyon Hills Road, San Ramon! Enjoy the convenience & privacy of a gated community, complete with 3 beautiful pools and 2 tennis courts. This home offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2360+/-sf, on .15+/-acre lot. Mostly original, kitchen with breakfast nook & walk-in pantry. Living room with built-in shelving, marble-faced fireplace & vaulted ceiling. Family room with fireplace, wet bar, and large slider to access the beautiful backyard with views and a fountain. Laundry room and half bath on main level. Upstairs you’ll find the primary bedroom suite with walk-in closet, soaking tub, & glass-enclosed shower. One secondary bedroom w/closet can be accessed from the primary bedroom and the hallway. Two additional bedrooms at the front of the house, both with mirrored closets. Bathroom with skylight and a tub with glass enclosure. Linen closet in the hallway. 3-car garage with some built-in storage. Excellent home for multi-generational living in an excellent location!

https://listings.allaccessphoto.com/sites/1139-canyon-hills-rd-san-ramon-ca-94582-4269342/branded

380

ANTIOCH - $595,000

HARBOUR PARK BEAUTY! Rarely available Sbranti home in a highly desireable neighborhood and quiet court location! Beautifully landscaped front yard has an extra wide driveway and slate tile walkway. Spacious family room has a fireplace with a wonderful oak mantle, vaulted ceilings and dining room. Kitchen updated with granite countertops, newer appliances including refrigerator, LED recessed lighting, and two pantries for lots of storage. Primary bedroom has an updated bathroom with dual sinks and tiled walk-in shower. Upgrades include ceiling fans, eagle shield insulation, plantation shutters, dual pane windows and solid core interior doors. Custom private backyard with stamped concrete patio, new sod, adobe style fireplace and outdoor kitchen! Plenty of side yard space and possible boat parking. Close to neighborhood park, shopping, dining, BART and easy freeway access. It's a must see! 3 bed/2 bath 1634 sf 7344 sf lot Court Location.

ANTIOCH - $637,000

Beautifully updated and move-in ready! Situated on a 9000 sf lot with RV/Boat parking in a quiet court location. This stunning split level home has a fantastic open floor plan that is drenched with lots of natural sunlight, gorgeous HARDWOOD floors, fresh interior paint, newer Simonton dual pane windows, recessed lighting throughout, newer HVAC system and water heater, a full bed and bath downstairs, a bar area and indoor laundry room. Large eat in kitchen features newer maple cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances that include refrigerator and built-in microwave/ oven. All the bathrooms have been recently updated with beautiful vanities, granite, marble, tiles, 2 walk-in showers and dual flush toilets. Enjoy entertaining on your private front or back patio. Huge sideyard with room for possible ADU. Close to BART, dining and easy freeway access. Come check it out!!

ANTIOCH - $535,000

Location, Location, Location! Tucked away in the rolling hills of Antioch, in a wonderful, well established neighborhood with beautiful views of Mt Diablo, this lovingly maintained home is ready for your personal touch and creative visions. The possibilities are endless! Already done for you are dual pane windows, gorgeous slab granite countertops and backsplash in the kitchen, central heat and air, meticulously maintained yards with fantastic viewing deck in back! Conveniently located near schools, parks, restaurants,

In the dynamic world of real estate, success is often synonymous with collaboration and networking. One entrepreneur's journey beautifully exemplifies the incredible impact of connecting with like-minded individuals in the field.

For me, the real estate community is not just a marketplace; it's a tightly-knit network of professionals who actively support each other to thrive. Through this thriving network, I had the opportunity to join forces with remarkable talents like Marcus Jackson Photography, Rob Sogomonian of the media company, and Scott Bigelow, the visionary behind Basset Wine.

Thanks to Steve Margolis and Real Estate Guide Magazine, my business found an exceptional real estate marketing platform in our local area. This valuable exposure has greatly benefited my brand and success within the real estate community.

The synergy of these partnerships has proven to be a game-changer for my business marketing efforts. Marcus Jackson Photography brought an artistic eye that elevated property visuals, Rob Sogomonian harnessed the power of media to broadcast the brand's unique story, and Scott Bigelow's expertise in the world of wine offered a delightful touch to client interactions.

It's not just about the individual successes; it's about the collective strength of this vibrant community. These collaborations are more than just transactions; they represent an exchange of knowledge, creativity, and support that is truly priceless for real estate professionals and their brand.

Intriguingly, the initial connections with these talented individuals and many others were forged through the cornerstone of my real estate success – the weekly real estate meetings in Walnut Creek and Danville. These gatherings serve as a nexus for ideas, camaraderie, and opportunity. The networking power inherent in these meetings has, without a doubt, been the driving force behind my flourishing business in 2023.

Real Estate Guide exemplifies that in the world of real estate, the key to success lies in the ability to collaborate, network, and harness the collective genius of the community. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of unity within the real estate industry.

Discover more inspiring stories like this in our magazine, where we celebrate the

and innovations within the ever-evolving real estate community.

"Each

B Walker Ranch has a solution.

B Walker Ranch is dedicated to making a profound difference for those families whose lives have been touched by autism. A working Ranch program that can be duplicated in communities everywhere.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?

The problems that buyers and sellers in the real estate market can be solved. They will be but the actual change will come over time, perhaps measured in years. There are 3 large changes in the real estate economy that need to come about before a more normal market emerges. We must understand that change usually comes slowly and shows up without fanfare or celebration. What follows on this short note are the 3 items that need to come about to help us as consumers in the real estate market,

We need more homes.

The size, location, and type (single family, condominium, apartments, etc.) is fairly irrelevant. People in need of housing will purchase or lease the ones that are most adaptive to their needs. The USA is need of over 4 million homes now (some say 40 million). Whatever the number is, the fact is that we are far short of the number of what is needed for the increasing population in this country.

Inflation needs to be reduced and normalized.

The value for your money is being reduced every day. The true cause of this is simple. There is too much cash chasing too few goods. The net result is that prices will continue until such time that the money in hand balances the productivity of the country. There are hundreds of examples of this that one may think of, the easiest is the comparison of what your food bill is today when compared to last year or even last month. Other examples are energy (gasoline, utility), entertainment, and other things that you encounter every day. Many of us are now facing some hefty increases in insurance of all types as well. At some point this situation will crack and give us price relief but that may cause some job losses as well.

Property owners will need to look hard at what price they might sell.

I often look at prices to see how they are holding up. If you look at the prices of properties currently on the market, it looks like prices appear to be fairly strong. If you look at similar properties that have recently been sold, the purchase price is significantly lower for most markets. One may wonder why there is pressure on home prices when everything else is mor expensive. The factors are: Salaries over the past 3 years have fallen in real terms. While prices have increased during this period, salaries have not kept up with the increases of inflation; when income is reduced, again, in real terms, the amount of income must be distributed to everything. In food prices are up when real salaries are not keeping pace, the ability to purchase other things, including a new home, must be constricted.

The changes needed from these situations will not come easily to be sure. However, delaying the purchase or sale of property will cost you more, no matter the economics you are facing. The hiring of an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent, a mortgage broker (if you need one, of course) are essential not just in difficult situations but in good ones as well. Your agent deals with these problems each and every day, with the end being the complete satisfaction of the client. Give use a call, we would love to talk to you,.

John Case is a Broker Associate with Corcoran Icon Properties (CA) & Stanberry Realtors (TX) He has dealt with all aspects of Real Estate during his career and can answer any question that you may have regarding your home.

CalDRE Lic:00622378

He is also the editor of the East Contra County Real Estate Economic Report. He works with his wife Diana in Brentwood. They can be reached at 925-382-9771 or by email at johnacase@stanberry.com

CCRIM Invites You to visit our website:

www.CCRIMToday.com

SELLERS:

List your home with a CCRIM agent who will have your home on our Caravan Tour & Tuesday Broker Open.

BUYERS:

Ask your agent to attend the CCRIM meeting to learn about "Coming Soons"

AGENTS & AFFILIATES :

Attend CCRIM every Tuesday

Doors open at 8:00 am

St. Stephen Catholic Church

1101 Keaveny Court Walnut Creek, CA

Buy a House Make it a Home WE CAN HELP

Dean Langston

Sales Manager I NMLS267068

925.718.3974 • 925.394.7783

dlangston@changemtg.com changemtg.com/advisors/dlangston

370 Diablo Road, Suite 101 Danville, CA 94526

Glenna Nickerson Mortgage Advisor I NMLS244083

510.409.2570 • 925.498.2487

gnickerson@changemtg.com changemtg.com/advisors/gnickerson 370 Diablo Road, Suite 101 Danville, CA 94526

Embrace 2024 with the excitement of achieving homeownership goals! May this be the chapter where your dreams of owning a home come true. To make it happen, remember to:

• KNOW that the inventory is increasing: Stay informed about the growing housing market and the increasing availability of homes. Knowledge is key to making informed decisions on your homeownership journey.

• Get Pre Approved with CHANGE Home Mortgage: Take the first step towards homeownership by getting pre-approved with Dean or Glenna. This sets the stage for a smoother and more confident home-buying experience.

Here's to a year of exciting possibilities and realizing the dream of calling a place your own. Happy New Year and happy home hunting!

FOR AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION THEN THINK MAINTENANCE

By Patrick McCarran ~ Real Estate Broker

The rain may have started and it may be wet still but the weather will be worse soon so there is still time to do some deferred maintenance to make sure your home is in tip-top shape. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home, you should still add these chores to your list to help preserve your home’s value and help avoid major repairs later on.

Walk Around the Outside

Check for any past damage. Look for those sagging, loose and leaking gutters. Now is the right time to clean out the gutters. Is your roof missing any shingles, or if tile are there any slipped out of place, or is there any water damage under the eaves? A common nuisance is foliage growing in and on the roof, such as grass and weeds or an overhanging tree. Check the valleys where the slope of the roof meets, this is a common area where debris forms or birds make a home and will cause leaks. Mother Nature is a formidable force and over time you’re your home will prove no match. Promptly schedule repairs for those items you can’t do yourself.

Walk around your yard as if you were a first-time visitor. What impression does your home make? Be sure to clear away fallen branches and leaves. A great idea is a vegetable garden we have a great climate in the area and it is very rewarding to have food you grew yourself not to mention educational if you have children. Prune shrubs and trees to keep them manageable.

If your irrigation water supply has been off for the winter, turn it back on. Test your automatic sprinkler system or connect your water hose and check for cracks and leaks. Replace old washers or sprinkler heads.

Don’t forget the backyard! Is it time to condition your deck? Be sure to hammer in any loose nails, or replace them with galvanized deck screws. Replace any broken boards or rails. Consider renting a power washer to clean dirt and mildew from the wood, and then apply an all-weather sealer or stain. Cover and protect that patio furniture from the weather.

Check your fences and repair any broken fence boards to protect from future storms. If you have good neighbor fences you may add a small board at the base to make sure the board don’t fall out during the next wind storm. It is a good idea to stain your fences once a year to extend the life of your fence. If you are just moving in what a great time to get started. Clean the pool if it has been covered all winter. Wash windows, screens and windowsills; repair any past damage.

Take A Tour Inside

The first step in any successful endeavor is to make a list. Start by going around to each room and make a list of things to do in each room. Then dive in. Dust walls and ceilings to remove cobwebs and wash any grimy areas, don’t forget the ceiling fans. Wash window curtains or remove drapes for dry cleaning, dust the blinds. Deep clean rugs and carpets. Dust and polish wood or laminate floors. Don’t forget the kitchen cabinets with a little maintenance such as Old English can really extend the life of your cabinets and give the whole room a fresh look.

Check the central air-conditioning unit for debris and obstructions it is important to have good air flow for maximum efficiency and to prolong the life of the unit. Vacuum the main condenser coil on top of the unit. Check the operating condition of window air-conditioning units; remove

and wash filters in mild soapy water. Make sure all exhaust fans and vents are clean and clear. Don’t forget to remove the lint buildup from the clothes dryer vent.

One often-overlooked area is the fireplace. Be sure to sweep ashes carefully into your fireplace’s ash pit or into a dustpan. If you used it frequently then you may want to call a professional chimney sweep to have it cleaned and lower risk of fire. Clean and lightly oil fireplace tools.

Look around for clutter. Are there items you don’t use any longer? If you are planning on moving, what items will you not need? Consider having a garage sale and then either donate or trash the remaining items.

And lastly, possibly the most important of all, don’t forget to replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors even if they are not dead put some fresh ones in

(and remember to recycle the old ones). You may have missed it this year but in the future plan to change them when you change your clock for daylight savings.

Although performing these chores may be dreaded task, they go a long way in maintaining and even enhancing the attractiveness and quality your home and save this list for the spring, it will go quicker if have started now.

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker DRE# 01325072. He can be contact by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo. com or www. CallPatrick.com. An independently owned and operated office. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE# 0193160. Equal Housing Opportunity.

What are some of the perks of doing a Virtual Real Estate Open House?

Without a doubt, virtual open houses lead to greater opportunities to connect with your prospects or leads because of three main reasons:

• It expands your reach: Virtual open houses no longer just serve the needs of

who come to see the home in-person. Hosting open houses online means that your videos can be viewed without limitations of time or space. All it takes is a link to be shared out for another opportunity to be created.

• You can offer the convenience of anytime, anywhere: You can save you and your buyers time from having to travel and coordinate schedules to meet. Virtual tours are viewable until the day the property closes escrow.

• Buyers will want the option: Not everyone is interested in commuting to see a house in person for the first time. Occasionally, buyers will be more interested to vet a potential investment by first scanning it online. Whether or not social distancing enforcements are making it mandatory for you to only conduct virtual tours or not, having these be a part of your practice can help you filter out non-serious leads as it encourages only serious buyers to approach for further information.