Summer is upon us and we have already expecienced the hot hot weather.  Here are some tips I found helpful for our four footed family members. Never leave your pet alone in a car during hot weather.  A car's inside temperature can increase as much as 40 degrees in an hour-with 80 percent of that increase within the first 30 minutes.  On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows cracked slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes! Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool. Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool. Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those wit... 06/23/2008

Large family home on top of Columbia in Castro Valley, California is now available.  4 bedrooms, 3 baths, plus bonus great room, family room, living room, kitchen, formal dining area and large private backyard all located on quite court. Professionally staged by Kym Hough's Staged to Sell www.Staged-to-Sell.com serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in the San Francisco Bay Area. 06/15/2008

The May statistics are in for Castro Valley and home sales have remained constant with 37 single family homes that went pending and 29 closings for the month of May.  The inventory for single family homes has taken a slight increase from 201 to 208 during the month. The average days on the market is 50 days prior to receiving an acceptable offer.  The average list price is $750,000 and the average sales price $567,000.  The market is brisk and there are pleny of homes to choos from. Date 3/07 4/07 5/07 6/07 7/07 8/07 9/07 10/07 11/07 12/07 1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 For Sale 136 169 188 195 220 217 211 205 195 177 176 177 190 201 208 Sold 26 23 31 35 36 30 23 22 20 20 19 23 25 39 29 Pended 31 22 36 33 32 27 24 19 23 18 24 30 30 35 37 Months of Inventory based on Closed Sales 5.2 7.3 6.1 5... 06/14/2008

Today I received the Central County market trends and housing statistics for the last several years.  I thought I would share this information with you.These were provided by Kenny Braillard with Chicago Title, Castro Valley. Central County Market Trends Report 1999-2007 Castro Valley Annual Real Estate Market Trends Castro Valley(Single Family Homes) PricesOtherPercent ChangeAverageMedianSoldDOMSP/LPAverageMedianSold1999$314,785$291,5007183398.5%   2000$392,105$370,00064921100.3%24.6%26.9%-9.6%2001$430,622$395,5055442798.2%9.8%6.9%-16.2%2002$476,736$449,9506632299.0%10.7%13.8%21.9%2003$513,272$475,0007012698.7%7.7%5.6%5.7%2004$618,120$573,00061321100.2%20.4%20.6%-12.6%2005$722,822$680,00052320100.8%16.9%18.7%-14.7%2006$720,247$675,0004412798.5%-0.4%-0.7%-15.7%2007$686,198$645,500304429... 04/08/2008

OhloneThe Ohlone lived in Castro Valley for thousands of years. Spanish explorers called them "Costanoans" (Coast people). San Lorenzo Creek was a perfect location for a village. A variety of plants grew in the area that could be used for food, medicine and shelter. The creek attracted animals such as deer, elk, rabbits, squirrels, and birds.Homes were made of Tule reeds. Tule grows along marshes and creeks. The homes were not large because people only used them for sleeping. Ohlones spent most of their day together in the center of the village. Life in the village was not all work - there was plenty of time for games and relaxation. Illustration from "Indians of California", U.S. Department of the Interior.Acorns were the main food for Ohlone people. Acorns have to be cracked open, pou... 03/28/2008

Here are the facts and trends for February that I pulled from Trendgraphix.com for the Castro Valley activity.  The good news is we are pending more property and based on our current inventory and pending sales we have about 6.1 months of inventory to clear out.  Let's stay positive and educate our buyers and sellers on our current market place and we will get through our challenges.Happy St. Patricks Day!Date12/061/072/073/074/075/076/077/078/079/0710/0711/0712/071/082/08 For Sale10910299136169188195220217211205195177176177 Sold443232262331353630232220201923 Pended353526312236333227241923182429 Mon of Inv. on Sold2.53.23.15.27.36.15.66.17.29.29.39.88.99.37.7Mon of Inv. on Pended3.12.93.84.47.75.25.96.98.08.810.88.59.87.36.1Avg. Act Price898888918869906853857812786788791749734739737 Avg... 03/16/2008

Ribbon Cutting of the New CVHS Football Stadium! Filmed and Edited by Anthony Arsondi www.TheSerenityTeam.com Friday September 29th was a Grand Night. Castro Valley High School celebrated their New Sports Stadium. The 46 year old stadium was torn down on June 16th, 2006. The new stadium was built over the past year and includes and artificial turf, 4000 metal bleacher seats, a synthetic track, concession building, Restroom building and an incredible sound system. The Northup family was there in full force as our son Travis Northup is the ASB president of Castro Valley High School. It was a blast!!! Anthony and I had the opportunity to interview Travis while the daytime festivities were going on. This included, tours of the stadium, Booths from the student groups, clubs and Athletic Boos... 10/03/2007

Filmed and Edited by Anthony Arsondi www.TheSerenityTeam.com This Friday Castro Valley High School will celebrate the New Sports Stadium. The 46 year old stadium was torn down on June 16th, 2006. The stadium includes an artificial turf, 4000 metal bleacher seats, a synthetic track, concession and bathroom building and sound system. Starting at 1:00 on Friday September 28th the Student Leadership Council will offer tours of the stadium every half hour. Meet in the back of the Center for Performing Arts. There will also be booths from the student groups, clubs and Athletic Boosters to sell food and merchandise. At 4:15 JV Football Game Against Mt. Eden. 6:45 Dedication and Ribbon Cutting and then 7:00 the Varsity Football game against Mt. Eden. The Serenity Real Estate Team is very proud... 09/19/2007

Castro Valley Taco Bell Destruction Filmed by www.CastroValleyForum.com Amongst the beautiful hills of Castro Valley , Down goes Taco Bell and up comes a new Taco Bell. Interesting that our beautiful town has over 10 fast food restaurants to choose from. The most fast food restaurants in a square mile throughout the East Bay. Is something wrong with this picture? We think so!!!! What is this teaching the kids of Castro Valley? Fast Food Is Good for you??? We could use some health food restuarants, and some fine dining in Castro Valley. Save some room for a little more entertainment and more activities for our children. Any ideas??? Let us know. We will be talking more about how we can all help make Castro Valley #1 Place to live in the East Bay. Thanks, Serenity Real Estate Team 09/12/2007