June 30, 2011
A Lafayette city employee was making the usual summer rounds in Burton Valley yesterday, checking to make sure the Spring & Summer yard growth hadn’t made it hard to see important city signs. But – alas — it had. Have you checked the signs along your yard lately? Our recent rains have really nourished our foliage. It may be time to pull out the trimmers...
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June 27, 2011
Drive through Lafayette on any recent Sunday afternoon and it’s hard to ignore all the Open House signs. It’s clear — as a buyer in Lafayette, you have wonderful options today. Still, home buying almost always involves compromise because each home is unique. We take our wish list, prioritize it and then get as close as possible. If we’re lucky, the only work is unpacking...
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June 25, 2011
740 Glenside Circle – $1,250,000 Wonderful 5BD/3.5BA family home, close to trail and town. Turn-key, updated kitchen and baths. A must-see! Wonderful backyard with pool and fireplace – enormous enclosed front yard too. Take the virtual tour. Better yet — stop by on Sunday and see for yourself. It’s open from 1 – 4 p.m. Follow
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May 12, 2011
I read with interest last Friday’s (May 6, 2011) edition of Lafayette City Manager Steve Falk’s weekly email update. In it Steve listed some early indicators of a shift to large home construction projects in town – 5 projects that would result in homes varying from 5,500 sq. ft homes to 9,900 sq. ft. in size. “Is the trend shifting away from minor additions and...
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May 4, 2011
Perfection in Burton Valley Rebuilt from Head to Toe! SNEAK PEEK TWILIGHT TOUR FRIDAY, MAY 6, 4 – 6:30 P.M. $1,365,000 395 CASTELLO ROAD 4 BD/2.5 BA/2505 Sq. Ft. Nestled in the heart of Burton Valley, this beautifully rebuilt 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom, 2,505 sq. ft. home is located on a pristine quarter-acre property. High-end finishes, thoughtful attention to detail and quality craftsmanship are evident throughout! The...
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April 22, 2011
It is with great excitement that I announce our affiliation with Pacific Union International (PUI). It always amazes me how life comes full circle. I started my real estate career with Pacific Union when they were independently owned. At the time, they were an amazing boutique firm with cutting-edge marketing and incredible presence in the markets where most Lamorinda buyers relocate from; Oakland, San Francisco,...
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April 11, 2011
It’s all over the press: Lots of interesting things are happening in today’s National real estate market. Don’t let people tell you that houses aren’t selling locally, though. They are. We are currently in the process of closing several homes that went pending within the first fourteen days of listing. Buyers are out there, but they’re smart. They know what they’re looking for — condition, neighborhood,...
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April 7, 2011
It happens over time to our homes, whether we’re selling them or not. Things break. There are needed upgrades. Sometimes that means we need help. Who do you turn to when that happens? We always start with Dana’s Black Book. A list of trusted service providers Dana started years ago, it’s our lifeline when we’re helping clients. We get lots of calls for referrals, so...
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April 4, 2011
Searching for a recommended “chalkboard guy” at the Alameda Antique Faire on Sunday proved harder than expected. No vendor laid claim to the moniker in the faire’s brochure, and asking other vendors for help in finding him just ruffled a few competitive feathers. “There might have been someone who once thought he was THE chalkboard guy,” said an Oregon-based vendor, pointing to her own inventory....
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April 2, 2011
Clutter. Have you noticed that your house has it, both some other houses don’t? Don’t be fooled — every family has at least a little clutter, even if it’s just mail, school phone books and bathroom toiletries. Some people are just better at hiding it. What’s the secret? Do what professional home stagers do: Hide clutter in plain sight for both visual design appeal and...
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March 30, 2011
It wasn’t that long ago that single property websites were the “new” thing in real estate marketing. But it has been long enough. Already, we’re dealing with online shrapnel, bumping into “legacy” property websites that compete for Google attention with new websites we’re building for current listings. Legacy sites are the websites and blogs used by sellers when a property was previously on the market. These...
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March 28, 2011
Just off Reliez Valley Road, a small cul-de-sac leaves a big clue about local neighborhood history. That clue is in its name: Rossi Street. We used that clue to find the typed transcript of Serafino Rossi’s 1973 oral history in the file cabinet at the Lafayette Historical Society. Serafino Rossi — From italy to Lafayette Reading Rossi’s oral history transcript feels a little like we’re...
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March 25, 2011
It’s true — there were a few moments of sun today, but they didn’t last and the outlook for the weekend is likely going to impact outdoor youth sports. Again. So what are we supposed to do? One of the nice things about Lafayette is its easy access to freeways and BART. If you’re up for either a BART or car ride, consider taking advantage...
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March 23, 2011
Three blocks from Burton Valley Elementary School, in the heart of Lafayette’s Burton Valley neighborhood, the Rancho Colorados Pool is quiet today. The only movement? Raindrop ripples. But this won’t last. Soon it will be jammed with kids in Wahoo blue and gold. Swim team is a big tradition in Lafayette, and it starts with March sign-ups. Last week it was Las Trampas. This week,...
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March 21, 2011
The late architect Julia Morgan (1872-1957) collected several “Firsts” throughout her career that helped clear a path for future women architects and engineers. Among other things, she was the: The first woman graduate of UC-Berkeley’s Engineering Program The first woman accepted into the Ecole de Beaux Arts architectural school in Paris Julia Morgan, the “People’s Architect” Likely, you recognize her as the famed architect of...
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March 18, 2011
It’s a pretty good bet that it’s going to rain tomorrow, so you can forget those Little League games and other outdoor sports. What’s a family to do if that happens? Something unusual and fun, if you just drive onto Saint Mary’s College campus. (Another reason we love living so close to this college campus — there seems to always be something happening we can...
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March 14, 2011
It’s learning the old fashioned way – neighbors sharing personal stories. And it works. There’s something really compelling happening on the recently updated Sustainable Lafayette Website. There’s a growing archive of real world local stories — sustainability successes, lessons and new ideas, divided into categories: Resident Stories Business Stories Non-profit Stories School Stories Our current favorite? The article about the new home Lafayette residents Gwenn and...
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March 12, 2011
Two great Burton Valley homes for sale are open on Sunday, March 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 380 Read Drive: 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 3153 sq. foot Tudor style home located walking distance from Burton Valley Elem, Rancho Colorados Pool and Lafayette Community Park. Large parcel and amazing views. 688 Michael Lane Offering pristine views, architectural charm and quality...
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March 10, 2011
Thinking of updating your home? Or, maybe you just upgraded to a larger house and you’re looking for easy ways to fill some of that new space. Chameleon Consignment Furniture Here’s a local shopping tip from the Dana Green Team’s Stagers, Linda Gidre and Kelly Wood: Start with a stop in Chameleon Consignment‘s Lafayette showroom (1003 Blackwood Lane, just off Mt. Diablo Blvd). Don’t...
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March 4, 2011
Fantastic Lafayette Real Estate Opportunity 979 Hawthorne Drive, Lafayette, CA Sneak Peek: Open One Day Only Sunday, March 6 • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t miss this Pottery Barn charmer in a highly sought-after Lafayette “trail” neighborhood Offered at $1,049,000 Interior Highlights Beautifully remodeled kitchen with white cabinetry, dark granite counters and stainless steel appliances Open floor plan that includes dining area, large living room...
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