If this newsletter does not
appear to be formatted correctly with images, colors and links, this is
probably related to
your email client settings. You can read the complete newsletter
in your web browser at http://www.sbgibbons.com/archives.shtml
|
Visit www.BernardGibbons.com
for the Latest Listings and Real Estate Information
June 2005 NAR Economist Optimistic on Real
Estate Market RISMEDIA,
June 6 – (KRT) – The housing market is not a bubble waiting to burst, but a full
balloon that will gradually leak air, a top economist stated on Friday. “I believe we have more oomph in real estate for
the remaining years of this decade,” said David Lereah, chief economist for
the National Association of Realtors, “but”, he added: “At some point, the
air will come out, and you may end up with 4 percent annual price
appreciation.” The demand for houses has boomed nationwide, and
prices have particularly accelerated in highly populated coastal areas such
as Lereah predicts that house sales will hit record or
near-record levels this year, with sales of existing homes of 6.7 million and
new homes of 1.2 million. He expects prices to rise about 9 percent
nationally. The boom is caused partly by historically low mortgage rates,
below 6 percent for a 30-year loan. Observers predict that if mortgage rates rise,
many buyers will be priced out of the market, and lower demand will push down
housing prices. Lereah predicts mortgage rates to rise to about 6.5 percent
next year -- still cheap by historic standards. But Lereah said there's more to housing demand
than cheap mortgage money. The main cause is that the giant baby-boom
generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is now in its peak earning years,
with plenty of money to spend on mansions and second homes. In fact, second
homes accounted for 36 percent of home sales last year, Lereah said. Immigrants are also buying houses, although it
typically takes them awhile after moving to the In addition, Lereah said, buying a house has become a lot easier, thanks to new types of mortgages and technology that allows for faster loan approvals. Restaurant
Review
Mudd’s Restaurant, 10
Boardwalk, I’m
surprised to note that I have not previously written a review of Mudd’s, undoubtedly one of the top restaurants in San
Ramon and one of my personal favorites. Mudd’s is a San Ramon landmark. Established originally in 1978 it
comprises a number of interesting and attractive buildings set in large
attractive gardens cultivated with flowers, herbs and vegetables where diners
are invited to walk between courses. The
main building is divided into a number of separate dining rooms and a small
bar area and wherever you are seated, the feeling is
one of intimacy. The curved cedar ceilings are particularly noteworthy and to
me at least, evoke a nautical flavor. There are also a number of outdoor
dining areas abutting the gardens, extremely popular on warm summer evenings.
Mudd’s is also a popular venue for weddings and
other gatherings when it brings the banqueting room into play. The
food is consistently outstanding and the menu changes with the seasons. Last
time we dined here, a couple of weeks ago, we shared a portion of fried
calamari to start then Sylvia had a lamb curry for her main course that was
out of this world ($19.95). Not an Indian curry, rather a curry with Prices
are what would probably be called “middle of the road” these days. Main
courses range from $17 to $35 at Dinner although they also do a brisk
lunchtime trade where main course prices are around $10-20. They also have an
excellent wine list with many interesting selections. I chose a 2003 Watt’s
Reserve Chardonnay at $28. This is from Mudd’s is well signposted off Check
out their excellent web site at www.muddsrestaurant.com
Reviews such as the one above are included as a
service to introduce people to interesting restaurants in the Homes Currently
Offered For (Figures in parentheses show the
numbers at the beginning of last month)
Information To Help You
Understand The Value Of Your Biggest Investment
Most Recently Closed
Sales In Alamo, Blackhawk,
|
|
Address |
City |
|
BR |
Bth |
½ Bth |
SqFt |
Lot SF |
List
Price |
Sold
Price |
DOM |
|
|
|
La
Serena |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2700 |
20328 |
$1,375,000 |
$1,250,000 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
0 |
3720 |
15000 |
$1,559,000 |
$1,587,000 |
6 |
|
|
|
Royal
Oaks |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3200 |
30000 |
$1,600,000 |
$1,600,000 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
3 |
0 |
3174 |
20010 |
$1,599,000 |
$1,650,000 |
5 |
|
20 |
|
Royal
Oaks |
5 |
3 |
1 |
3346 |
22922 |
$1,695,000 |
$1,805,000 |
3 |
|
|
Blackhawk |
|
2 |
2 |
1 |
2259 |
13600 |
$899,950 |
$1,025,000 |
15 |
|
|
Blackhawk |
|
4 |
3 |
0 |
3635 |
7260 |
$1,469,000 |
$1,375,000 |
40 |
|
3680 |
Blackhawk |
|
4 |
3 |
0 |
3138 |
7150 |
$1,399,000 |
$1,375,000 |
15 |
|
3236 |
Blackhawk |
Quail |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2871 |
9000 |
$1,499,000 |
$1,499,000 |
0 |
|
|
Blackhawk |
B’khawk Club |
4 |
3 |
1 |
3912 |
15000 |
$1,939,000 |
$1,870,000 |
10 |
|
3177 |
Blackhawk |
|
4 |
3 |
2 |
4509 |
23040 |
$2,499,000 |
$2,462,000 |
6 |
|
127 Lawnview Cir |
|
Greenbrook |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1542 |
1564 |
$649,950 |
$640,000 |
12 |
|
|
|
Silverlake |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1553 |
1553 |
$669,950 |
$650,000 |
8 |
|
226 Abigail Cir |
|
Maison |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2396 |
4000 |
$799,950 |
$799,950 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
2 |
0 |
2000 |
10080 |
$899,950 |
$875,000 |
14 |
|
420 |
|
Jasmin |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2314 |
5500 |
$959,950 |
$960,000 |
4 |
|
|
|
El Cerro |
3 |