East Bay Real Estate Guide Volume 18 Issue 7

PUBLIC SERVICE WARNING:

Nestled among gorgeous redwoods in the quiet section of a highly rated complex, this ground-level Hot New Listing in Walnut Creek is only a short walk to BART and the 680 freeway. Priced under $399K and with one of the lowest HOA dues in the entire town, this beautiful condo offers a loan rate buydown option

Call 925-202-6597 for details.

As a result of multiple lawsuits, in a few weeks California Realtors will be required to sign buyers to a buyer representation agreement before showing them any homes. Since sellers will no longer be automatically obligated to offer compensation to a buyer’s agent, buyers may find themselves contractually required to compensate the buyer’s agent when there is no or insufficient compensation from the seller’s side. This will most likely impact first-time buyers who often have limited funds for closing. The Steve Hill Team strongly believes that all buyers should have access to the American Dream of home ownership. Therefore, if there is ever a shortfall in compensation and the buyer is the only recourse, the Steve Hill Team will defer receipt of buyer $ for years and at $0 interest.

Rea l GUIDE

PATRICK McCARRAN

BEYOND STUNNING! This beautiful estate shows pride of ownership. Stunning 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms, with downstairs bedroom & full bath, 3 car garage, 4252 ft.² on a premium lot with breath taking pool & hot tub. The large primary bedroom has a beautiful sitting room den that can also be easily converted to a 6th bedroom. This home is across from a 2 acre park, it has a great floor plan with high entry ceiling with custom staircase surrounding the second floor, Game room for family fun, upstairs loft, new carpet, laminate flooring and AC unit. The amazing large backyard is an entertainers dream, 2 large side yards for possible boat access with some adjustments. Walking distance to shopping, walking trail, restaurants, 5-10 minutes to Bart, cherry picking and boating is just 10 minutes away. Listing Courtesy Angela Pena Cell: 925-437-4568

Cottage/Cabin style with

of potential and awesome views of the Bay, GG Bridge, Mt. Tam! Enjoy village life, walking trails & easy freeway access is a plus. Marin alternative

Listing Courtesy Ron Pilgrim

Thank you Jody! Jody was very knowledgeable, it was apparent immediately that she had a wealth of experience. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy a home. We couldn’t have had a better agent to walk us through the home buying process! Verified by RateMyAgent

The Very Best Jody and her team were amazing from the moment we reached out to them regarding potentially selling our home too after we closed on our sale! They were thorough, responsive, and efficient. She truly had our best interest at heart and helped us navigate through the selling process. We would recommend her again and again! Verified by RateMyAgent

She was very knowledgeable, professional and friendly through the whole process Jody Is a great real estate agent. Very knowledgeable of the market we were entering. She addressed all of our concerns and helped us understand how the whole process was going to go and made it a lot less stressful. She gave us great advice on how to present the house for the sale, and showed such a high level of professionalism that it put us at ease throughout the whole process. The house sold fast and for a lot more than we were asking for! We would definitely recommend her and use her again if we ever need real estate agent again. Verified by RateMyAgent

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

CLAYTONCountry living at its finest. 2 Homes on 10 acres on Marsh Creek. 1ST HOME: 4 bedroom, 2½ baths, approximately 2100 sq ft 2ND HOME: 3 Bedrooms, 1 bath, approximately 1100 sq ft 4 Horse Stall & Paddock. $1,299,000

PITTSBURG: Own the last Piece of the beautiful historic Buchanan Ranch in Pittsburg. 1.67 acres of bare land nestled between the park and the Buchanan family homes Phenomenal opportunity for development or a family compound. Shown by appointment only $839,000

Augustus Asuncion DRE#01713767 925-433-1880

DRE#01733171 925-565-7633

DRE#002134011 925-849-0446

3600 Byer Rd. Just Listed!

30 Acres | Listed $6,800,000 Situated in CCC wine country, 120 Olive trees. 5 Ensuite Bedrooms with private baths, 7.5 Baths , 7,723 Sq. Ft. In-Home Theater, 20foot plus ceilings, 35 car garage. 23,000 sq ft under roof including contiguous garages, office, gym, sports court, accessory dwelling, outdoor seating area and outdoor kitchen and bar.

3301 Hosie Ave. Byron, CA 94514

30 Acres | Listed $2,300,000

Land is zoned Ag 2, 5 acre minimums 2 Homes on property

Main: 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 1,800 sq. ft.

2nd Home: 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1,400sq. ft.

Desirable high end soil for farming and irrigation water with BBID. Barn & Machine shop

21619 E Highway 12 Rd. Clements, CA 95227

Price Improvement!

4 bed, 3 Bath, 3,031 sq. ft. with 10 usable acres, covered lit Arena 80x120, large hay barn with storage, 24 stalls. There is a trainer's apartment in the barn/ groundskeeper. Plus ADU/ cottage. Close to the Mokulumne River and 60 miles from Ski Resorts.

Listed: $1,274,500

18615 Marsh Creek Rd. Brentwood, CA 94513

270 Acres | Listed: $4,250,000

52 acres of producing, mature, Olive Orchard with 50,000 trellised trees, seasonal reservoirs, (6) wells & Marsh Creek Riparian Water

Client Review (2023)

“I did a lot of research and went through a lot of agents to find someone who could help sell the house and get the best value. Rather than undersell a house that needed a lot of complex repairs to a flipper, Mike had unique skills to flip my own home He helped me to totally fix it up, get a loan, and sell for the best value. He is action oriented, 40 years experience, knows the steps to carry out a complicated process. When you meet him you can sense his eagerness to spring forwards to action. When I met him and he saw the disrepair and potential of what we had he said “This is my Wheelhouse. This is where I can bring the Best Value of my Skills”. and it was TRUE!

MARTINEZ,

WOW This is the best location! Prime for Diablo Country Club! Mid-century modern design, very open to the lush outdoors. The creekside setting offers many possibilities for across the new bridge development... perhaps a tree house, or...? New improvements including HVAC system, tankless water heater, guest bath, and bridge. All upgrades in keeping with the character of the home. Just steps from Diablo Country Club, offering fine dining, golf, swimming, tennis and many youth activities, a variety of memberships available.

Amir Aliloupour

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 achievements and innovations within the ever-evolving real estate community.

THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN 5 ‘L’S

Most people agree that the United States has a shortage of housing across the country, This shortage is in the millions of units and growing. There are 5 reasons why tis is true. There are answers to this, some easy, some not. What follows is a list of these reasons. Perhaps we can find solutions.

LAND

A wise can once said, ‘Buy land; they ain’t making anymore of it.’ Finding land to build homes is always a problem. The cost of land, its location to other urban, suburban, or other possible building sites are just a few factors in the development of new building sites. Buildable land is also more rare and easily more expensive. It is a very major concern in the cost of construction.

LABOR

Finding available labor is more and more difficult. Construction of a home in today’s world is much more than pounding boards, running wiring and plumbing the home. It has become a very high-tech enterprise requiring more than just basic trades, Getting quality labor is a problem during high employment cycles.

LUMBER

The cost, availability, quality, and delivery of the basic construction materials is more expensive and rare to find than in a very long time. Getting materials to the worksite is one of the more difficult aspects of home building. Material availability can take months. If there are supply chain problems, it can take even longer.

LENDERS

Lenders today are bound to ever growing new rules and legislation to construct a loan program for a borrower. The process and laws may cause difficulties. Today’s interest rates appear to be a problem, given that home prices have not reacted to the high cost of money, yet.

LAWS

The legal landscape is more restrictive than any other time in our history. City zoning laws, environmental blockades, building restrictions and inspections, antigrowth interests supported by elected officials, and any number of other rules and regulations requiring tons of time and output of tons of paperwork and time awaiting approvals may be the largest impact of the lack of housing construction to meet this country’s housing needs.

As I wrote above, some of these items could be easily improved. It has been my experience that those that scream loudest about this are often contributors to at least one of the 5 ‘L’s. I am available to help people to try to find a way to smooth that way. I believe that when these problems get solved, we will be on our way. If something cannot last forever, by definition, it will end.

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

The New Broker In Town

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

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 One of the LARGEST networking groups in Contra Costa

PRESIDENT

Michael Moore

Stokley Properties Inc.

925-588-4846

Michael@StokleyProperties.net

SECRETARY

Lisa Lilley REALTOR® 925-787-5105

lisalilleyre@gmail.com

PAST PRESIDENT

Joe Stokley

Stokley Properties Inc. 925-658-1415

JoeStokley@StokleyProperties.net

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Ben Buehler

Cross Country Mortgage 925-787-7515

ben.bueniel@ccm.com

Visit CCRIM on Facebook!

VICE-PRESIDENT

Amir Aliloupour RE/Max Accord 925-876-0255

Aliloupour@yahoo.com

TREASURER

Rod Abdolhosseini

Keller Williams Realty 925-407-7667

RodAbdo@kw.com

TOUR DIRECTOR

Jake Kemper Windemere Realty 925-817-9820

JKemperSells@gmail.com

SERGEANT-ARMS

Ellen Osmundson Windemere Real Estate 925-890-4276

Ellen.Osmundson@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Robert Sogomonian

Keller Williams Realty 925-766-0869

RSogomonian@kw.com

Photo courtesy of Marcus L. Jackson Photography

“CHANGE the way you look at things, CHANGE 2024 …. We also do COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK along with providing the excitement of achieving homeownership!

• 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. Exciting possibilities and realizing e dream of ca ing a place your own. Happy Home Hunting!

Current and potential customers can explore properties from any device, at their convenience, 24/7. Enjoy a fully interactive experience, similar to Google Street View, that lets you navigate every room as if you're actually there.

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.

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DAN THOMAS

OASIS/ARTIST RETREAT

• Joined Old Republic Title in 2005

• Knowledgeable Escrow Officer with 19 years of experience

• Residential and commercial experience

• Received various awards for her outstanding achievements

• Strives to create positive experiences for clients and customers by encouraging communication and organization throughout transactions

• Strives to exceed her clients’ expectations and do what it takes to keep the escrow process as stress-free as possible

• Contra Costa County native

• Grew up in Pittsburg and is a long-term resident of Oakley

• She can be found spending time with her husband and two daughters, or watching her eldest daughter ride horses