Visit www.BernardGibbons.com for the Latest Listings and Real Estate Information Email Bernard@BernardGibbons.com Direct Line (925) 997-1585 Web Site www.BernardGibbons.com March 2005 It's A Great Time To Move ! But it's better for some than for others Most people are well aware that home prices in the East Bay have never been higher and many have seen the equity in their homes increase substantially over the past few years but the comment I hear every day from people who would really like to live in a better home is Where can we go? There is nothing on the market A more important question though is: What is my present home worth? With multiple offers abounding due to a shortage of homes for sale, many sellers are astounded to see what their homes bring. And many factors that traditionally discourage buyers such as noisy or busy locations, deferred maintenance etc. appear to have much less effect on price than is normally the case. So if you want to sell your home for a great price with no hassle, get it on the market now.   You have little competition, particularly in the lower and middle price ranges. Now as to where you can go, that depends on your circumstances. If you are moving out of state or to another part of California you probably don't have a problem. Your money will buy more in most places than it will in the Bay Area. If you plan to move locally it depends very much on your target price range. While there is certainly a shortage of homes for sale, this is much less of a problem in higher-end homes than it is in other price ranges. If you are selling in the $700-900,000 range and buying above $1million for example, then today's market could work very well for you. At the time of writing, there are just 13 homes for sale in Danville under $900,000 yet there are 27 above this price. This does not include Blackhawk where there are none under $900,000 and 28 above. Also bear in mind that interest rates are still low so your monthly loan payment will cover a higher mortgage than it would have a few years ago. If you are down-sizing, and you don't need to move just yet, it may certainly pay you to stay put for a while and just keep accumulating equity as home prices continue to rise but if you are planning to move up to a better home and you delay too long the home you can afford to buy now may move out of your reach very quickly. Home prices in the East Bay are generally expected to rise at least 15% this year and possibly a lot more in some areas. And a significant increase in interest rates is also a possibility at some point.     Favorite Area Restaurants 2005   Traditionally, the start of the year heralds the start of the awards season. In the same spirit, I offer my choices for Favorite Restaurants in the San Ramon Valley and Lamorinda. Do you agree? Disagree? Email your comments to feedback@BernardGibbons.com   Favorite Indian Restaurant - Sangar, Pleasanton . Granted it is short on ambience and is generally too brightly lit but the Indian food here is as good as I have tasted outside the UK . (Chutney's at Blackhawk has a better ambience but the food does not come close) Favorite French Restaurant - Alouette's, San Ramon . Enjoy traditional French food in an intimate dining room reminiscent of many family owned restaurants throughout France . Great food. Excellent service. (Honorable mention to The Left Bank in Pleasant Hill ) Favorite Mexican Restaurant - El Charro, Lafayette . Consistent. Predictable. Affordable. Great enchiladas. Generous portions. Colorful Mexican style ambience in both inside dining areas or dine outside when the weather permits. Other come and go. El Charro stays the course. Favorite Mediterranean Restaurant - Faz, Danville . Something for everybody on Faz's menu from pizza to steaks to fish to pasta. The food is good but it's really more about the outside dining under the redwoods. What a great location. (Honorable mention to Café Baci in Pleasanton ) Best Chinese Restaurant - PF Chang, Walnut Creek . Very different compared to traditional Chinese restaurants but the food is good and the surroundings impressive. Good wine list too. (Honorable mention to Uncle Yu's in San Ramon with an outstanding wine list) Best Fish and Chips - Mr Pickwick's English Pub, Pleasant Hill . Yes I know the Crown in Danville offers better surroundings and their fish and chips was the best for a while but Mr Pickwick's really has the edge. And just as good a choice of beer and other English dishes. Best New Restaurant - Bing Crosby's, Walnut Creek . Absolutely no contest. It’s a piano bar, cocktail lounge, late night (for Walnut Creek), top-class restaurant that appears to have been fitted out regardless of expense and not the place to head for when you are budget conscious. Standing room only at the weekend and the in place to go. More Manhattan than downtown Walnut Creek definitely a hit with the locals.     Homes Currently Offered For Sale on the Contra Costa MLS as of March 2nd, 2005 (Figures in parentheses show the numbers at the beginning of last month)   City # of Homes Price From Price To Alamo 23(14) $1,100,000 $4,295,000 Blackhawk 29(19) $949,000 $10,999,000 Danville 39(34) $309,950 $4,350,000 Diablo 8(5) $1,999,900 $6,950,000 San Ramon 47(22) $319,950 $1,755,000 Walnut Creek 46(37) $285,000 $2,965,000     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 Sale Price)     Address City Cross Street BR Full Bth Part Bth S.F. Lot SF LP Sold Price DOM 1285   Danville Blvd Alamo La Serena 4 3   2700 20328 $1,375,000 $1,250,000 7 41   S Via Lucia Ln Alamo Las Trampas 3 2 1 2978 17600 $1,399,000 $1,435,000 2 2427   Alamo Glen Dr Alamo Stone Valley 4 2 1 3380 21726 $1,399,950 $1,450,000 2 63   Mathews Pl Alamo Sara Ln 4 4 0 3530 15300 $1,684,000 $1,600,000 90 102   Muir Ln Alamo Camille 3 2 0 3191 86180 $2,700,000 $2,600,000 0 628   Hartley Dr Danville Boone 2 1 1 1207 0 $450,000 $475,000 5 213   Jewel Ter Danville San Ramon Valley 3 2 1 1742 2479 $599,950 $580,000 20 167   Verde Mesa Dr Danville Green Valley Rd 3 2 0 1298 12600 $693,550 $725,000 28 226   Abigail Cir Danville Maison 4 2 1 2396 4000 $799,950 $799,950 5 55   San Vincente Ct Danville Camino Ramon Pl 4 2 0 2021 10539 $878,000 $900,000 5