If you have not discovered the bargains and outstanding selections at the Dress Best For Less Store, you need to consider upping your shopping skills.  This outstanding resale store was established 30 years ago as a way of collecting and reselling high quality clothing and other household items to benefit the Piedmont Educational Foundation.  It has been a rousing success.  In September, 2013, DBFL donated $60,000 to the schools, and in May, 2014, the Foundation received $50,000.  Overall, in the last 30 years, DBFL activities have raised more than $1,000,000 for the PEF.  

They also highlight special seasonal events, and currently have a delightful selection of clothes and accessories that are just right for that perfect Halloween costume party.…

1682 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Here are some truly gracious hillside homes for your consideration. Contact me today for further information. Sort by: Price, Low to High Price, High to Low  

Magnificent Mediterranean Villa W/sparkling Sf ...

$1,988,000 City: Oakland, CA Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40674244 Price: $1,988,000 City: Oakland Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40674244

Magnificent Mediterranean Villa W/sparkling Sf & Bay Views! On Special Cul-de-sac In The Montclai...

Photo of Listing #40674244 View Details Save to Favorites Map

Easy Access Custom-built Home At The End Of A C...

$1,899,999 City: Oakland, CA Beds: 5 Baths: 4 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40675284…

1648 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Whether you have lived in Oakland or neaby Piedmont, there is a very good chance that you have not discovered all that Oakland has to offer you, and any family and friends that may be in town.  There is a wealth of things to do, no matter what your age.

The website VISIT OAKLAND is a source of amazing information about the city. The site is devoted to subjects like "Things to Do", "Places to Stay", "Where to Meet".  From there, you can decide which direction you want to travel.  As an example, it offers "101 Things To Do--Building Your Own Oakland Bucket List".  This is where the site really shines, because it highlights things you might not even know existed.  How about a learning to fly on a trapeeze at a circus school, or horseback riding in…

1844 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Take a moment to view this handsome home in a pleasant neighborhood in Castro Valley.  Located just a short distance from downtown Castro Valley, BART and 580, this well placed home will offer you many appealing surprises.

 

Situated on a spacious corner lot, it features a handsome front yard with fruit trees and vegetable beds designed to please any weekend gardener.  A newly fenced enclosed back yard boasts a pleasant patio for  outdoor entertaining

 

  This 3 bedrooms and 2 bath home is ideal for family living.  It has an updated eat-in kitchen for informal evening meals, but  immediately adjacent is a formal dining room for family parties and holiday events. 

                                               

 

 

 

 

The…

1722 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

There are two times in particular when you may want to consider updating or upgrading your Oakland home.  The first is when you are preparing it for sale, and the second is just after you move in, and want to adapt it for your own personal needs.  While either event is an excellent time to move forward, it is important that consider your additions with respect to their future appeal. 

At one point or another, you may want to sell this home and move elsewhere.  If you have changed it to the point where it is so customized for your needs, you may have trouble convincing new buyers to consider it for their family's needs. 

1. Take Time Consider Comparable Homes When Upgrading: When you see magazine and website pictures of elaborate and expensive…

1696 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

                                                                 

 

This coming Sunday, September 28th, is the time to bring your family and friends to the annual Harvest Festival.  Held at the Piedmont Community Center, 711 Highland Avenue, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., it promises to offer fun, food, and fall scarecrows and pumpkins, with the goal of generating  funds in imaginative ways for Piedmont's three elementary schools. 

To help get you into the holiday mood, there will be a celebration of jazz music, starting at 11:30 a.m., featuring the Piedmont High School Jazz Band.  After that, on the hour, throught the rest of the event, there will be a selection of various area jazz groups providing background music as you enjoy the day. 

In…

2018 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

4304 VERONICA AVENUE   CASTRO VALLEY

Take a moment to view this handsome home in a pleasant neighborhood in Castro Valley.  Located just a short distance from downtown Castro Valley, BART and 580, this well placed home will offer you many appealing surprises.

 

Situated on a spacious corner lot, it features a handsome front yard with fruit trees and vegetable beds designed to please any weekend gardener.  A newly fenced enclosed back yard boasts a pleasant patio for  outdoor entertaining

 

  This 3 bedrooms and 2 bath home is ideal for family living.  It has an updated eat-in kitchen for informal evening meals, but  immediately adjacent is a formal dining room for family parties and holiday events. 

…

1906 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

You have just purchased a new home in Piedmont.  It is a major investment, and you plan to live there for many years.  Maintaining any home can be expensive, and the costs, of course, are added on to your monthly housing payments.  As a result, you want to be practical, yet careful, in the funds that you are going to spend to keep your future home as close as possible to the condition that it is now, at it's purchase point.

Here are four reasonably inexpensive, yet valuable, steps that you can take to give you your biggest return on your maintenance dollar:

1. Have Regular Termite Inspections:  While your home is turned over to you termite free, it is still very hard to assure that every nook and cranny in your home was covered by the last…

1724 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Discover these architectural gems with stunning views and spacious grounds. Sort by: Price, Low to High Price, High to Low  

The "morgan Estate" An Iconic Architectural Mas...

$2,900,000 City: Oakland, CA Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40649625 Price: $2,900,000 City: Oakland Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40649625

The "morgan Estate" An Iconic Architectural Masterpiece On 2.67 Acres Overlooking San Francisco B...

Photo of Listing #40649625 View Details Save to Favorites Map

Extraordinary Custom Estate Completed In 2002. ...

$2,200,000 City: Oakland, CA Beds: 6 Baths: 7 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40661505…

1685 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Often, when your first consider buying a home in Oakland or a nearby Piedmont home, your tendancy is to look at the asking price for the home as a working figure to decide whether you can afford it or not.  While that is certainly the most sensible starting point, and knowing that all home prices could be negotiable, you still have other costs that you should put into your budget before moving forward. While some of these fees may also be negotiable among seller and buyer, it is best to include them in your plans. 

1. A Home Appraisal Fee: Your lender needs to know the value of the home, so you should plan on paying this fee.  Costs vary, but are usually around $500.

2. Additional Closing Costs: When you submit your loan application, you must be…

1800 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post