With the Holiday Season upon us, many are starting to think about ways to give, not only to family and friends, but to our larger community as well. By starting, or continuing, family traditions of community service, kids get the chance to learn and participate, becoming the next generation to care for the world. There are a lot of inspiring events and causes here in the Bay Area to get your holiday spirit going, so choosing can be fun.

To get you started, I thought I'd mention Piedmont's very own Havens Community Service Crew, and some of the organizations that they work with. The Havens Community Service Crew is a great way to get your elementary school kids involved in community service, with monthly weekday and weekend activities. Working with…

1995 Views, 0 Comments

You are considering selling your Montclair home. You are wondering if it is worth taking the time and money to stage it.  There is just no question that a clean, bright, and visually appealing home will command more buyer attention that one that appears uncared for and drab.  Obviously, the former condition inspires confidence in the buyer that the home has been appreciated and attended to, and will cause it to stand out among its competitors in the real estate marketplace.  If your goal is to move your home promptly, and command a competitive price, you might want to consider the conclusions that were arrived at by StagedHome.com last year on this subject. 

Whether a buyer looks at a home online or during an Open House or home tour with his…

1699 Views, 0 Comments

Oakland's Montclair Village homeowners and neighbors have two special events to choose from this weekend.  The first is an opportunity to help in turning the Montclair Library grounds into a beautiful spot to visit.  This Saturday, November 16th, (and again on November 23rd),volunteers are encouraged to attend Community Gardening Days for Montclair Library.  The goal is to turn the present backyard of the library into a very special garden--one with low water use, bird and butterfly friendly plants, and featuring native plants. Volunteers are encouraged to bring labor, tools, benches, birdhouse, plants, etc. and join others from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on both Saturdays.  If you don't know what to bring, there is a list available for your reference. …

1572 Views, 0 Comments

One of the most important events in selling your Oakland home is to have it inspected before the sale, so that both you, and the future buyers, know it's condition-both structurally and functionally.  Many future negotiations will revolve around the home inspection, so it is important that it be done correctly and efficiently.   

I am going to suggest that the most efficient time to have this home inspection is just before your put your home on the market.  While this may be a bit concerning to some sellers because of what may result, it really makes sense in many, if not most, cases.  Why?  Because knowing your issues ahead of time puts you in control of the direction that will be taken.  Here is why:

a. It puts you in control of what you can…

1676 Views, 0 Comments

FORBES' Magazine has just released their annual list of America's Most Expensive Zip Codes.  Working with Altos Research of Mountain View, who calculated the median home prices of more than 22,000 U.S. ZIP codes, using data from listings of both single family and condos, and using a 90 day period rolling average, they arrived at this list of the top the nation's 500 Most Expensive Zip Codes.

Not surprisingly, Silicon Valley homes topped the list.  #1 was Atherton, CA with a Median Home Price of $6,665,231, with Average Days on the Market of 141 days.  Second place went to Los Altos Hills at $5,404,692, with an Average Days on the Market total of 85 days.

So what does this mean to Piedmont homeowners?  First of all, Piedmont's ZIP code Median…

1967 Views, 0 Comments

While the Chabot Space and Science Center always has exciting things for nearby Oakland and Piedmont residents, these next few weeks promise more excitement as the Center prepares for the projected arrival of Comet ISON which is expected to trek around our sun in the near future. No matter what their age, children can be involved in learning about world of science and space.  Events include:

1. TYKE EXPLORER PROGRAM-Designed for 3-5 year olds, these Tuesday night presentations involve lessons from instructors, self-guided learning and hands on experimentation.  Advance registration is required, and this month's theme is "Flying Through Space".  There are three program presentation times scheduled each Tuesday to meet the needs of the little ones. …

1701 Views, 0 Comments

If you want to create the maximum interest and attention from Piedmont or Montclair home buyers, you must be prepared to invest some funds into making your property one of the most attractive to potential buyers.  The good news is that it does not have to cost a great deal of money, but can, with some planning, reward you in the long run by increasing the value of your home, thus allowing you to recoup your expenses while meeting these goals. 

1. Clean, Organize, and Simplify Each Room--The goal is to present a fresh, open, and easy to appreciate space in every room of the home.

2. Spend Time Creating A Pleasant Atmosphere in Every Room--Have some style or design for each room, so it is easily viewed, and is immediately appealing.  Take some time…

1532 Views, 0 Comments

Compared to it's neighbors of Oakland and San Francisco, Piedmont seems like a very small city indeed.  While it isn't large in size, it does have a very interesting history, which may be unknown to some of it's Piedmont residents. Many do not know that silk was produced here at the last of the 19th Century, that a very popular amusement park was in place on the west side of the city during that same time frame, or that an elaborate labryrinth and adjoining park was once in place where Witter Field stands today. 

The Piedmont Historical Society has been established to provide that education to all who are interested.  Located at 358 Hillside Drive in Piedmont, it houses a collection of all kinds of historic memorabilia for those who want to discover…

2443 Views, 0 Comments

Every year, the delightfully titled "Boo at the Zoo" event attracts Oakland families to join in all kinds of Halloween fun centered around the zoo animals and the many scheduled Halloween themed events planned for zoo visitors-big and small.  

  Scheduled for BOTH Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the event promises a wealth of activities designed to  maximize contact, and provide information for the children about the animals.  An example is the Wildlife Theater Animal Encounter at 11:30 a.m., and 12:15 p.m.. In between these times is the Costume parade at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with the Zoo's mascot Roosevelt joining in. All children 2-14 in costume will receive a free ride ticket. 

There are…

2180 Views, 0 Comments

When Piedmont residents and schoolchildren come to Mulberry's Market in downtown Piedmont to pick up a special treat or sandwich, they may not be aware that this market was named in honor of part of the historic events surrounding an amazing historical site in the city--the Piedmont Ladies' Silk Culture Club. Created during the era of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which stressed creative and imaginative artistic endeavors, it was located just a few blocks away from the market at the top of Oakland Avenue. 

At this site, were over 6000 mulberry trees, and a two story building in which more than 100 women worked spinning the thread that came from the cocoons that grew among these mulberry trees.  It was in fact, the first factory in Piedmont, and the…

1991 Views, 0 Comments