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The Real Estate Informer

Email
Bernard@BernardGibbons.com

Direct Line
(925) 648-5354

Web Site
www.BernardGibbons.com

December 2005


East Bay Market Changes

Homes Take Longer To Sell As The Market Becomes More Balanced

The National Association of REALTORS® and the California Association of REALTORS® appear cautiously optimistic about the market in 2006, both predicting increases, albeit lower ones than those to which we have become accustomed over the past few years. A closer look at their recent statements reveals that their comments refer to “averages”. It seems that not everybody will see their home’s value increase in 2006.

This should not be surprising. Simple economics would seem to dictate this, since if prices were just to continue to escalate ahead of the rate of income increases, pretty soon, nobody would be able to qualify to buy their first home and the market would grind to a halt.

Currently, many of those areas where percentage price increases have continued to shatter records month after month are now seeing a significant slow-down. Homes are sitting on the market for longer periods of time and price reductions are commonplace. In short, the market is becoming more “balanced”. Desirable, well-presented homes that are priced aggressively are still selling quickly - not within days, granted, but generally, that is only the case in an over-heated market. In a balanced market, a seller that has a correctly priced home should expect to agree a sale within 30 days.

Without the benefit of a working crystal ball, it is impossible to predict the future direction of real estate prices in the East Bay with any accuracy. One thing that is likely though, is as we move into 2006, unlike the past few years, there will be no shortage of homes for would be buyers (although there may well be a shortage of would-be buyers).

The message to sellers is clear – If you want to achieve a sale in a reasonable time frame, listen to your agent’s advice when setting a price and be prepared to take weeks rather than days to agree a sale. If you are buying, ensure that your agent shows you recent comparative “comps” for any home you are considering and don’t feel pressured into writing a full-price offer. If you are buying and selling in the same market, welcome these changes. For most people, a balanced market is preferable to any other.

 


 

Restaurant Review

Teatro ZinZanni, Pier 29, The Embarcadero, San Francisco

Rather more than just a restaurant but an ideal venue for a holiday celebration or just a party at any time of the year. In their own words: “Set along San Francisco’s historic waterfront, Teatro ZinZanni is a bewitching evening of European cabaret, cirque, divas and madmen, spectacle and sensuality with live music and a gourmet five-course dinner—set in the nightclub of your dreams!” The concept was established in Seattle in 1998 and was immediately a roaring success with a sold-out 14 month run there. They repeated the formula in San Francisco in 2000 and continue to enjoy a similar level of success.

Sylvia and I found ourselves at Teatro ZinZanni as part of our daughter Michelle’s birthday celebration in November. Like a cross between Cirque Du Soleil and a European night-club, Teatro ZinZanni provides a blend of interactive theater, spectacle, fine arts and fine dining. The frequently changing cast of characters features world-class practitioners of some of the oldest and most time honored traditions in entertainment - singers, dancers, jugglers, trapeze artists, comedians and more. All of them are professionals of the highest caliber.

As a venue, it is not easy to describe. Imagine taking a circus tent and shrinking it to a quarter size then decorating it in the sumptuous style of a 1930s Paris nightclub. Doors open at 6pm and the show begins at 6.55pm sharp. The entertainment is continuous until closing with breaks during the various courses. Dinner is included in the price of admission and a complete 5 course meal is served with a choice of main course between coq au vin, Moroccan spiced sirloin of lamb and two vegetarian dishes.

The food is superb. We had an antipasto plate followed by curried parsnip soup and a salad with lettuce, walnuts and pears before moving on to the main course. The lamb was melt-in-the-mouth tender. A chocolate silk cake with cranberry sauce and coffee completed the meal.

All of this comes at a set price of $110 or $135 per person (plus $10 gratuity) depending on the night. Prices are higher in parts of December. This does not include wine and they have a extensive (though a little over-priced) wine list and a full bar is available. For those who prefer to take their own wine, a corkage charge of $25 applies.

While this is not the kind of venue that would be likely to visit on a frequent basis, even if you lived in San Francisco but definitely worth going at least once. See much more at www.zinzanni.org.  

Reviews such as the one above are included as a service to introduce people to interesting restaurants in the San Ramon Valley. They should not be taken as any form of recommendation. We have no connection with any restaurateurs in the area and all opinions expressed are strictly those of the writer.

 


 

Homes Currently Offered For Sale on the Contra Costa MLS

as of December 1st, 2005

(Figures in parentheses show the numbers at the beginning of last month)

 

 

City

# of Homes

Price From

Price To

Alamo

52 (62)

$579,950

$12,500,000

Blackhawk

42 (49)

$915,000

$5,898,000

Danville

121 (133)

$450,000

$1,629,000

Diablo

7 (10)

$1,499,000

$5,250,000

San Ramon

206 (227)

$255,000

$2,898,888

Walnut Creek

163 (194)

$253,000

$2,945,000

 

 

 


 

LISTING ALERTS: Click here to get details of all new listings that could interest you sent from the Contra Costa / Alameda Multiple Listing Service direct to your email in-box



San Ramon Valley Market Update

Information To Help You Understand The Value Of Your Biggest Investment

Most Recently Closed Sales In Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville , San Ramon and Walnut Creek

(Sorted By City and Price)

Address

City

Cross Street

BR

Bth

½ Bth

SqFt

Lot Sq Ft

Sold Price

DOM

1396  Danville Blvd.

Alamo

Stone Valley

2

2

0

1156

0

$570,000

1

1394  Danville Blvd

Alamo

La Serena

2

2

0

1220

0

$597,000

6

231  Sydney Dr

Alamo

Castle Crest

4

4

0

3231

28260

$1,100,000

73

26  Shandelin Ct

Alamo

Stone Valley

4

2

 

2319

16065

$1,250,000

7

1809  Piedras Cir

Alamo

Whitegate Rd

4

2

0

2199

14520

$1,295,000

15

263  Livorna Heights Rd

Alamo

Livorna Road

4

3

1

3600

26223

$2,000,000

5

17  Garden Park Ct

Alamo

Danville Blvd

4

4

1

4700

27617

$2,650,000

27

3682  Silver Oak Place

Blackhawk

Blackhawk Dr.

3

2

1

1869

1869

$765,000

41

22  Birchwood Pl

Blackhawk

Buttonwood

3

2

0

2140

8400

$1,199,000

9

4100  Fox Creek Court

Blackhawk

Fox Creek Drive

4

3

 

2706

15200

$1,230,000

51

616  Birchwood Court

Blackhawk

Buttonwood

4

3

0

3156

6156

$1,339,000

17

2000  Scarlet Oak Place

Danville

Holly Oaks

4

3

 

3016

15600

$1,349,000

32

4020  Eagle Nest Ln

Danville

Eagle Nest Place

5

4

0

3578

7600

$1,585,000

14

5223  Blackhawk Dr

Blackhawk

Eagle Nest

5

3

1

4000

17750

$1,800,000

54

584  Silver Lake Dr

Danville

Doral

2

2

0

1496

3600

$720,000

24

10  San Vicente Ct

Danville

Camino Ramon

4

2

1

2263

2409

$755,000

30

32  Sage Hill Court

Danville

Brush Creek

3

2

 

1693

3060

$799,000

6

67  Ramona Rd

Danville

Gill Blas

4

2

0

1639

11500

$805,000

1

1643  Harlan Drive

Danville

St. Christopher

4

3

 

2500

9086

$960,000

3

1224  Robyn Dr

Danville

Paraiso Drive

4

2

1

2408

10710

$1,075,000

52

143  Parkhaven Drive

Danville

Cloverbrook

5

3

 

3491

9360

$1,255,000

14

251  Fairway Dr

Danville

Diablo Road

5

3

0

2850

21879

$1,325,000

7

54  Cameron Ct

Danville

Blackhawk

4

3

0

3121

20400

$1,550,000

20

10  Sky Terrace

Danville

Railroad Ave.

5

3

1

0

104544

$1,798,500

27

2665  Fountainhead Dr

San Ramon

Bollinger Canyon

2

1

1

954

1296

$445,000

9

2709  Fountainhead Drive

San Ramon

Fountainhead

3

1

1

1276

880

$470,000

6

9973  Alcosta Blvd

San Ramon

Ensanada

3

2

0

1153

7100

$599,950

3

2312  Amaryllis Cir

San Ramon

N Wedgewood Road

4

3

0

1557

0

$665,000

3

9507  Davona Dr

San Ramon

Alcosta

4

2

0

1812

6800

$685,000

33

251  Dexter Pl

San Ramon

Milo

3

2

0

1530

7000

$745,000

4

40  Haven Place

San Ramon

Davona

3

2

0

1309

8100

$758,000

8

464  Santander

San Ramon

Talavera

4

2

0

1713

5400

$777,000

2

7438  Inverness St

San Ramon

Broadmoor

3

2

0

1780

9200

$829,000

30

132  Pebble Pl

San Ramon

Scotia Ave

4

2

0

2021

7000

$864,000

29

1824  Barossa Dr

San Ramon

Arrowfield

4

3

0

2378

4300

$911,000

9

109  Jasper Hill Ct

San Ramon

Jasper Hill Dr.

4

3

0

2520

0

$949,999

10

908  Linda Vista Court

San Ramon

Summit View Dr

4

3

 

2570

9000

$965,000

25

220  Cascadas Ct

San Ramon

Cobblestone Road

4

2

1

2416

6350

$1,045,000

16

195  Terrazzo Cir.

San Ramon

Montevideo

4

3

 

3007

6591

$1,060,000

27

450  N Civic  Dr

Walnut Creek

Parkside

1

1

0

701

0

$299,000

16

2127  Overlook Dr

Walnut Creek

Parkside Dr

4

3

1

2181

10880

$800,000

13

2733  San Benito Dr

Walnut Creek

Los Cerros

4

2

 

1742

8250

$830,000

11

748  Lisboa Ct

Walnut Creek

Hutchinson

4

2

1

2671

12200

$950,000

17

44  Loma Vista

Walnut Creek

Cuesta Way

4

3

0

2738

21600

$1,170,000

28

624  Creekmore Dr.

Walnut Creek

Filbert Dr.

4

4

 

2965

15470

$1,298,000

30

150  Adams Ranch Road

Walnut Creek

Meadow Lane

4

2

1

3632

61855

$1,300,000

42

 


For more detailed information on home sales anywhere in Contra Costa or Alameda County , contact Bernard Gibbons on (925) 997-1585 or by email at Bernard@BernardGibbons.com


Community Calendar – December 2005

 

Sat Dec 3rd,10th,17th,24th,31st

Danville Farmers Market 9am-1pm

Sun Dec 4th,11th,18th,25th

Walnut Creek Farmers Market 9am-1pm

Sat Dec 3rd – Sun Dec 4th

Holidays in the Vineyards – Livermore Valley Wineries

Sun Dec 4th

Holiday on the Farm – Forest Home Farms, Walnut Creek

Thu Dec 8th – Sun Dec 18th

A Christmas Carol – Dean Lesher Center, Walnut Creek

Fri Dec 9th

Winterfest Jazz Concert – San Ramon Community Center, 4pm

Sat Dec 10th

Breakfast With Santa – San Ramon Community Center, 8.30am & 10.30am

Fri Dec 16th

Holiday Concert – SR Symphonic Band  - San Ramon Community Center, 8-10pm

Fri Dec 16th – Sun Dec 18th

The Biggest Gift - Dean Lesher Center, Walnut Creek

Tue Dec 20th

Tis The Season, Holiday Concert - San Ramon Community Center, 7-10pm

Sun Dec 25th

CHRISTMAS DAY

Sat Dec 31st

New Years Eve Party – Blackhawk Motor Museum, 7.30pm – 1am

 

PS: I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as much as I enjoy producing it but it is very much a one way affair most of the time. I really would appreciate an email from you now and then with comments, questions, suggestions for improvements or just to say “Hi”.

 

All The Best

 

Bernard Gibbons

bernard@bernardgibbons.com

 

 


This newsletter is produced and distributed by Bernard Gibbons of Intero Real Estate Services. It is provided for information purposes only and nothing herein is offered as advice. It is not Intended to solicit any properties currently listed for sale with a broker. All content is believed to be accurate but is not verified or guaranteed.

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