The varied and wonderful Oakland Neighborhoods.

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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You are seriously considering selling your Montclair home.  You have been hearing that this is an outstanding time to do so.  You have been given all kinds of advice from friends and neighbors as to which price would be the best one when you finally put it on the market.  Everyone has an opinion.  Where are the  three best sources to begin with to get the most accurate information about the current marketplace?

1. My Website--www.brucewagg.com--Even before you call me to represent you in selling your home, you can get an amazing amount of information from my website. Here you will find the full list of homes as represented on the area Multiple Listing services.  Using the powerful search engines, you can discover what homes in your area are…

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Oakland's Jack London Square has become an amazing venue for both local and international visitors.  Sitting right on the Oakland Estuary, it is a collection of handsome restaurants, shops, and it's famous Sunday Farmer's Market.  It is also the starting off point for the San Francisco Ferry which will take passengers to the City or Marin county.  However, if you want to spend some leisure time on San Francisco Bay, the USS Potomac is the place for you.  There are no high speed trips across the water, just leisurely tours packed with lots of information.

Originally built for the U.S. Coast Guard in 1934, this 165 ft. vessel was renamed the USS Potomac, in 1936, and became Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Presidential Yacht until his death in 1945.  It…

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You have been seriously considering buying an Oakland home, and you feel that you can afford to do so, so you begin to take some important first steps to see what options you may have, and what you might be able to buy.  However, nothing can be more upsetting and discouraging than finding out that potential lenders have turned down your loan application because of your poor credit rating.  There are a lot of elements that contribute to your final credit ratio, and it is entirely possible that you are not aware of all the details, because you may not have checked your complete credit picture until now.  Additionally, many potential buyers are unsure about how to get a report, or have misinformation about how to do so. 

Obiously, whether you are you…

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 Oakland's historic Joaquin Miller Park located in the Woodminster area of Oakland, is a delightful place to hike, bicycle, picnic, or just enjoy the dramatic views of the San Francisco Bay area from it's hillside heights.  Most long term residents know that it is also the location of an amazing waterfall cascade that was built in 1941 as a waterfall feature of the 2000 seat Woodminster Amphitheater that is located directly above the falls.  Designed by Howard Gilkey, it was dedicated to California writers, one of who, Joaquin Miller, lived right in the Park area. 

As with any outdoor structure in a park, it needs attention and maintenance, and that is just what is planned for Saturday, August 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on site.  The…

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You are considering selling your Oakland home.  You know that your home is in very good condition, but you are not sure about what issues might turn up with a professional home inspection.  Should you move ahead and order one before putting your home on the market?  The answer is "Yes, you should".

While this may seem an additional expense that you do not want to incur when selling your home, if you are concerned, or even curious, as to what may result from this inspection, you should make plans to order one.  The advantage of doing so puts YOU in control of the situation immediately.  Doubts are removed.  You know just where you are, and that is a good thing. 

Here are the advantages to you for doing so:

1. You can then decide what you can,…

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Discover these beautiful hillside homes. Many have amazing city views. Sort by: Price, Low to High Price, High to Low  

Panoramic Views From Nearly Every Room! Situate...

$2,000,000 City: Oakland, CA Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40663294 Price: $2,000,000 City: Oakland Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40663294

Panoramic Views From Nearly Every Room! Situated On Private Cul-de-sac, Lot W/ Landscaped Areas. ...

Photo of Listing #40663294 View Details Save to Favorites Map

Stunning Views Of Bay Bridge, Sf, Golden Gate! ...

$1,899,000 City: Oakland, CA Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Type: Single Family MLS® #: 40659413…

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