Sick and tired..

.. of being sick and tired!! I have had the pleasure of catching the wonderful summer cold going around town and it's a doozy! It starts innocently enough, a slight irritation at the back of the throat and a heaviness around the eyes .. allergies, I'm sure it must be all the pollen in the air, I thought. Then it hits - bang - your head feels twice it's size and the greatest effort you can muster is the treck from your bed to the couch!

Well, that was a week ago, and I've come to the conclusion that this cold absolutely loves me. It has moved as slowly as possible from the top of my head to my nose - it especially liked it there - and today has settled in ever so nicely into my lungs. So with my ears humming, nose running and an especially sexy cough, I bid you adieu for this week hoping my brain will be cleared by next week and I can get back to sharing much nicer information!

A poignant moment

Last week was filled with smiles, screams, hugs, balloons, flowers, flying caps and tearful beaming parents as the Classes of 2010 graduated across the island. As a parent, you remember them all. I can still see my son in his kindergarten graduation gown – a large black trash bag with slits for the head and arms – walking along to pomp and circumstance to receive his diploma. Then there’s my daughter walking across the stage in her first pair of high heels when she completed the 8th grade, always the sensible one, she avoided the 3+inch heels some of her classmates attempted.

But this year one Alameda parent had the ultimate graduation experience.

Six years ago I joined the Alameda Education Foundation as Treasurer. By then Ron Mooney had already been working on behalf of public education for years. PTA’s, School Boards, Foundations, you name it, Ron was involved. Ron ran for the AUSD School Board in 2008 knowing we were heading into the most difficult times public education has faced. Fortunately for us, he won! So on Friday when his eldest son William stepped up to receive his diploma as a member of the Encinal High School 2010 graduating class, Ron had the extraordinary honor as President of the Alameda School Board to present his son with his diploma. A well deserved honor for a truly committed Alamedan. Congratulations Ron, William and all 2010 graduates!

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Okay, lets talk interest rates! Now, I've always made it a practice to let the mortgage professionals manage my Buyer's loan process so I can focus on the purchase process. I've found this works best for my clients and I have no intention in changing now. However, rates are so low right now I can't help but find myself talking about them.

On June 16 interest rates were as follows:

30 year fixed (below $417k loan amount) 4.625 with 1 point; 4.875 with 0 points;

30 year fixed (above $417k to $729,750) 4.875 with 1 point; 5.125 with 0 points.
15 year fixed, as above in first example, 4.0 with 1 point; 4.25 with 0 points.
(Provided by Peter Holmes of Sterling Mortgage)

In essence, if you have a $500,000 loan at 6% and you pay 1 point ($5k) you'll recoup your refinancing cost in about one year. If your interested in more information, call me and I'll be happy to refer you to someone who can help reduce your mortgage payments.

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Finally, I want to thank Joe at the Encinal Market for making another wonderful improvement to an already fabulous establishment. I've always loved the neon Van de Kamp's Bakery sign that stands at the corner of High St and Encinal. So what a special treat it was to glance in the direction of the sign on my way home and, lo and behold, the vanes on the windmill were spinning around!! It looks so terrific I just couldn't help but break into a big smile. Thanks Joe!!

That's it for this week, Monday marks the first day of summer so make it a good one!!

And to all you Dads, Happy Father's Day!

 

 

What's your fancy?

One of the things I love about Alameda is whatever you're interested in you'll find a group of people that share your passion. For my husband it's cycling. He's one of those you see geared up in crazy colored jerseys, far-to-form fitting shorts and bike shoes that announce their arrival from down the street, clickety clacking away like an old milk horse. For him a quick ride consists of leaving the house on Encinal, heading up through the Oakland Hills to Tunnel Rd. and back again. What he prefers is training 80 - 100 miles through Mt. Diablo, Mt Hamilton or Skyline in preparation for the Death Ride. A 129 mile ride just outside of Tahoe, which consists of about 15k feet of climbing in altitudes of 8,500 ft plus, all in one day. This is what he considers fun, it's what I consider insanity!!

Now whether your idea of riding a bike is taking a weekend jaunt to Park St, stretching 10, 20, or 50+ miles on any given Saturday or making riding a lifestyle choice, there's a group in Alameda that will suit you perfectly. Bike Alameda is an amazing group dedicated to making bicycling an everyday part of life in Alameda. Team Alameda was formed to encourage cycling as an individual, family and community sport with weekly no drop rides ranging from Family rides around Alameda to long range local rides. Then there's Alameda Velo for those who train for cycling events throughout California and beyond.

So what's my point? As with cycling, Alameda is sure to have a group or organization dedicated to your interests. Not sure where to look, just phone or e-mail and I'll be happy to help you find them!

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If you're a first time home buyer or purchasing a newly built home you may still qualify for a tax credit if you purchase a home this year. California is offering a tax credit of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000, whichever is less, spread over 3 years. The credit is available for homes purchased between May 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011. In order to receive the credit, you must complete form 3549-A as instructed and return to the state within 2 weeks after close of escrow for a first time home buyer or when you've entered into an enforceable contract on a New Home.

It is important to note, the state has placed a $100M cap on both of these credits, and the credits are issued on a first come first served basis. In other words, if you are a first time home buyer and purchase a home in November and the state has already issued and approved $100M in credits to others, you will not be able to utilize this offer. The state has already authorized over $50M in first time home buyer credits, so this program may not last much longer.

If you are considering taking advantage of either of these credits, please contact your tax preparer or the Franchise Tax Board at 888-792-4900 (press 1). As a Realtor it is important that I'm aware of these kinds of programs and pass the information along to others, but I am not a tax expert and strongly urge you to seek professional tax advice.

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This week we all had the opportunity to have our say about who we want to represent us and how we want our state to be run. As always, some my favorites won and others did not, but over all I'm pleased with the outcome.

I have to admit, I look forward to voting. For one thing, it's one more way to share my opinion, and let's face it, I'm never short of opinions! But the thing I love the most is it's still a family affair at our house. Once the children were old enough to walk, they joined us at the polls. My son was 4 or 5 years old when Bill Clinton first ran for President. When I came home from work he couldn't wait to walk me to the polls. He'd been given strict instructions not to tell me the results before I voted - remember, back then we Californians knew the results before our polls closed! On our way home, I told him he could go ahead and tell me how we were doing. He ran to our neighbors yard and said "see that step, that's Bush, and see that one (pointing at the higher level), that's Bill Clinton!" He was absolutely beaming, another Democrat was born!

As they grew up they continued to be engaged with voting. We'd talk about candidates, discuss why I was voting certain ways on Measures and Propositions and then they'd join me in the voting booth and punch the card, draw the line or push the button so our statement could be made. So, just like the first time she voted, my daughter and I headed off to Lincoln Middle School on Tuesday to cast our votes. As a parent, it's a great feeling knowing you've raised concerned citizens who take their responsibility seriously. Though I must admit, I miss looking down and seeing my children looking up at me with pride in their eyes knowing they helped do something really important.

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Well, that's it for this week. I'll be holding 2034 Santa Clara Ave open on Sunday from 2-4. It's a a beautiful 4 bedroom home perfect for entertaining. Stop by and say Hi!

And away we go!!

I'd like to welcome you to the newest blog, mine!

Each week will reveal the REal Alameda - or at least my take on it. Some posts will be focused on Real Estate, while others will cover Real things going on or around Alameda. I also hope to help highlight events - big or small - so don't be shy, send your event my way and I'll do my part to spread the news.

Of course, I'm sure you won't be surprised when you find our amazing schools, teachers and programs highlighted on a regular basis!

So why not start there. I'm sure you are all very aware of the replacement parcel tax Measure E. Your ballot arrived in the mail last week. Hopefully you cast your vote - it's no secret I've endorsed a Yes vote - signed and dated the envelope and returned it in the mail. For those of you who may still be on the fence, I would ask what is more valuable then educating our public. According to the National Association of Realtors, good schools are one of the top attributes of a good community. It's what Buyers ask for and Sellers promote. Voting yes does more than ensure our students get the best education we can provide, it maintains how we define ourselves and our community. Measure E will keep our property values strong and our crime rates low. This in turn helps our small businesses thrive as Alameda continues to be a favorite destination for dining, shopping and entertainment. For detailed answers to any questions you may have, visit the FAQ page at http://www.alamedaschools.org/

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Will you be making any home improvements this summer? Be careful or it may cost you a lot more than you expect!!! At a recent office meeting Alan Kanady of Omega Termite & Pest Control spoke about the new Federal requirements for lead-safe practices. Basically, if you're home was built before the mid 80's and you are planning home renovations, you will probably need to use a Lead-Safe Certified Contractor or Painter. If your renovations will be disturbing 6 sq ft or more on the interior of your home or 20 sq ft on the exterior, you could be fined if the work performed does not follow the EPA guidelines for lead paint disposal. If you are doing the work yourself, you are required to complete the training and keep records showing you completed the training and followed the removal guidelines while performing work on your home. Like it or not, it's the law.

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My husband and I were walking the dogs the other evening and spotted one of our favorite Encinal High teachers, Gene Kahane, outside the Alterena Playhouse. He took one look at us and laughed, then let us know the play he's directing - Sylvia - was right up our alley. It's a story about a man, the love he has for his dog, and how that relationship was impacting his marriage. It's playing
through June 13 and we're going to be sure to catch it. If you happen to see the play the same night we do, I'll be the one elbowing the man saying "See what I live with!!"

That's it for now. If you or anyone you know is looking for a move in ready 2 bedroom 2 bath home, stop by and see me at 3510 DePassier Way Sunday from 2-4.

Have a great weekend! Anne