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San Leandro, CA Real Estate News

By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
SAUSAGE & SUDS SUNDAY OCTOBER 5TH 10:00 AM TO 6:00 PM Parrott Street between East 14th Street and Washington Avenue   San Leandro's long history in Food Processing has brought fourth the annual Sausage & Suds Festival.  San Leandro for a long time has been home to many of the Portuguese Linguicia companies.  Casper's Hot Dogs are made at SPAR sausages on Williams Street.  Saag's sausages also call San Leandro home. San Leandro is also home to many micro-breweries too. It's only natural that San Leandro has a Sausage & Suds Festival.  Live music will add to the ambiance as you partake in the beer and sausages! I hope to see you there.
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
I have an idea that I want to work out with a client. To me one thing I have noticed is that some people run out of steam mid-flip on their rennovations. To me it just makes too much sense to pre-shop all of your building materials before you purchase your flip house. Have an idea of what you can do best.  If you have a talent for fixing craftsman houses than stock up on items for that type of property.  Stick with that type of property flip to flip.  Use what you need and re-supply your inventory after each flip. Create a warehouse for sheetrock, appliances, light fixtures, trim, tile, flooring, cabinets, plumbing fixtures and paint. Remember classic never goes out of style. Keep room in your budget for the things that must be fresh and cannot be stored easily.  We are talking about la...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
Taking buyers and sellers of real estate out of the equation, I thought it was going to be difficult to find anyone who could possibly be enjoying this depressed market, but once you start looking carefully you will find them! People who are actually having a ball in this market! There are some real estate service providers who are enjoying an all time high because houses aren't selling. Home stagers: They are running out of furniture and since they make money by renting it, the longer it stays put the better the margin of profit. Staging houses to look good is their job. But on a market where PRICE seems to be the only issue, sometimes staging doesn't even help. To borrow a line from the politicians that applies very well to our real estate market: If the pig has lipstick... it is stil...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
I was talking to my source at my lead generation company.  His office is not too far from Hershey Pennsylvania and the conversation soon turned to the sweet stuff. I had to rub it in that San Leandro also has a chocolate company with in our borders.  Ghirardelli Chocolate company is located on 139th avenue between East 14th Street and Washington Avenue.  Our chocolate is actually world famous for being good chocolate. As everyone knows that the Ghirardelli chocolate company started off in San Francisco at what is now known as Ghirardelli Square.  In the 1960s the factory was moved over to more modern facilities here in San Leandro. For a while it shared the same building with Golden Grain pasta company.  You may have heard of them also, they are the makers of Rice-A-Roni and Past-A-Roni...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
The challenges of this "Buyer's Market," are very unique, with inventory of homes for sale at an all time high, plus banks getting ready to acquire more properties via Foreclosures and then ad them to the list of "For Sale" homes, having an offer is sort of... a privilege, a blessing. But what if you, Mr. seller, get a "Low-Ball" offer on your house?  Recognizing that an offer is an opening salvo for the beginning of negotiations is critical. Unfortunately, some sellers get right down... offended by a low offer. They refuse to take it seriously and a rejection is the result that kills any chance they could have had of getting to a mutually agreeable compromise with the buyer. After 23 years of selling real estate full time I have learned to counsel my clients, the sellers to be open min...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
Near the corner of Bancroft Avenue, East 14th Street, 150th Avenue and Hesperian Boulevard in San Leandro is Ricky's Sports Bar.  Rated as the #2 sports bar in the nation by Sports Illustrated Magazine. Here are some videos from their web page. http://www.rickys.com/videos/best_sports_bar.cfm if you don't believe me take a look for yourself. Ricky's has been around for what seems like forever in San Leandro.  It's always been a family friendly location thanks to owner Ricky Ricardo's "No Knucklehead Policy" Ricky's is party central at Superbowl and World Series time.  It is not uncommon for professional players to stop on by when passing through town.  You'll never know who you'll meet in Ricky's. Don't feel like driving, the Bayfair BART station is just a short 10 minute walk from Rick...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
Being the caregiver I am, I drove my mother down to Classique Styles this afternoon for her regular hair styling appointment.  It's always a good feeling for a cancer patient to look good, it makes her feel good on the inside too.   She smiles allot more when her hair is done up. Classique Styles is located in the neighborhood shopping district of Bancroft and Dutton in San Leandro.  Mom always goes to stylist Irma.  She does a great job with my mother. While my mother is getting her hair all done over, I'll walk across the street to Zocalo Coffeehouse for a nice Mocha coffee drink. Zocalo Coffeehouse is a great neighborhood resource and it is truly the heart of "The Broadmoor" and "Estudillo Estates" neighborhoods.   Tim Holmes and his wife 'Mitch' have created a wonderful place to go ...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
For those of you readers not familiar with our region, I want to share with you our neighbors to the East.  The East Bay Regional Park System. There are miles upon miles of open park space going all the way to San Ramon.  The largest features of this park space is Lake Chabot Regional Park and Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The East Bay Municipal Utilities District (E.B.M.U.D.) controls the area around Upper San Leandro Reservoir.  There are park facilities along Redwood Road near Upper San Leandro Reservoir.   Redwood Road Runs all the way from Castro Valley to Oakland. Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro turns into Lake Chabot Road after the Leland Heights tract of Bay-o-Vista.  Lake Chabot Road will take you on a scenic overlook along the Western shore high above Lake Chabot. From Interst...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
While rushing to get home today, I was stopped "dead on the road" so-to-speak by... a funeral parade. It reminded me of an important funeral that gets talked about in almost all of my family reunions.  My aunt Carmen (her real name) is one of those women that can get almost everything right in life except a good man. An attractive 40 something, twice divorce, active person, Carmen one day announced to the family that she had finally found the right man, she was in love... again. Welcome "Alfonzo". (His real name,). And after they met they had the most wonderful time of their lives... all 3 weeks of them! That is when they had the first big fight and parted ways... for a few days... only to re-connect a few days later.  For the next year & half, they fought, split apart and reconciled al...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
This came across the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association's email server.  I thought I would share it with you.  It looks like it will be a very informative evening for all of those who live in the Broadmoor area of San Leandro. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A while back, there was talk about the history of the Broadmoor - fact, fiction and lore.  Who planted the magnolia trees along Broadmoor?  Which are the oldest houses?  How old is your home?  Who lived in your house before you?  How was the Broadmoor developed? We've arranged for one of the senior librarians to do a special presentation for Broadmoor residents to give us the real story about our neighborhood's history and a tour of the History Room at...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
When we received an offer on a house we have listed, the very first person we contact, even before the seller, is the Loan Officer who provided us with a pre-approval letter. We need to assure the seller that this offer is good, or not so good depending on what we know about the buyer's qualifications from the loan officer's report.  As frustrating as it is, most loan officers do not want to divulge any information at all! Granted, we know the confidentiality agreement created with his client: the buyer, our buyer now. Some of them refer us to the agent who wrote the offer, The Selling Agent, who in turn does not provide helpful information either. To me this is like... for the next 30-45 days, you will be living in my house... and you don't want to talk to me? All we want to know is ho...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
Our Name tag is "The Realtors In Motion" because we are also amateur ballroom dance competitors. In the last 3 years we have done over 200 free ballroom dance demonstrations at schools, nursing homes, boys & girls clubs, churches, senior centers and many other places. We dress up the part, full ballroom gown for my wife and a competition tux for me, we dance our 5-dance International Style routine; the Waltz, followed by the Tango and the Viennese waltz and finish with the Foxtrot and a lively Quickstep. We take these opportunities to do a full dress rehearsal and do our competition routines by the book. Our audiences get an up close and personal demonstration of the romance and elegance of ballroom dance, we get a great practice session in front of a live audience, It is a "Win-Win" si...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
I re-organized the Open House information from the San Leandro Times just for you.  I am still experimenting with this format as it shows up differently on my editing screen as it does in the final blog.  I'll get it right eventually. If You miss some of these, I would be happy to show them for you. I would very much enjoy being your Agent of choice.  Give me a call   Sat Sun Address City Price Beds Baths Realtor   1-4 pm 24833 Santa Clara Street S Ldro $459,000 4 2 UBRE 1-4 pm   2223 Warbler Court S Ldro $459,000 3 2.5 UBRE 1-4 pm 1-4 pm 3444 Chaplet Street S Ldro $525,000 3 2.5 UBRE   1-4 pm 16090 Gramercy Drive S Ldro $549,888 3 2 Century 21   1-4 pm 18365 Joseph Drive C Vly $559,000 3 2 Re/Max 1-4 pm   1200 Rosewood Way Alam $599,000 4 2 UBRE   2-4:30 pm 29 Olive Avenue Pied  $     ...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
About a year ago, my wife and I saw the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" We both liked it, and as the movie ended she turns to me and says "Wouldn't it be nice if we make it look like a Pirate ship in front of our house for Halloween...? I turn to her and starting to say... "Are you craz... you know what? That is a great idea! Before I knew it I was looking at pirates' ships on line, at dead captains, anchors, cannons and all kinds of nautical paraphernalia. The summer of 2007 found me at sitting at open houses with the plans of a Pirate Ship on the table. It was a perfect time to do that since nobody was coming thru the open house. I figured I could do that at home, but why not do it at a listing on a Sunday afternoon... with the door open... just in case. Because of the lack of buyers...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
In doing my seven years of research into William Raymond Yelland, the architect I am almost 100% positive that the Derry Brothers were building his designs. Modest versions of his designs, but his designs none the less. The one exception which you do not see is the WR Yelland's Normandy style.  You would tend to think that this style of his would be very expensive to build.  I'd imagine that the Derrys wanted to build the simpler and easier to build homes.  Although some edited versions do appear in Estudillo Estate's Begier Avenue.  I'll blog about that relation on another date. The Broadmoor, Lealand Heights and Estudillo Estates neighborhoods by Derry, Weaver & Derry and the later Derry Bros., appear to be outright collections of his designs from other areas where he worked. In this ...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
I want to say that I want to find the buyers for the following Derry, Weaver & Derry homes.  I believe in "The Secret" and I want to put this out there that I would like to find these buyers. Built in the 1920s, The Cherry City tract features storybook Tudors and mission revival bungalows. 574 Superior Avenue, A Storybook Tudor listed by Harbor Bay Realty for $649,000.00 495 Superior Avenue, A Mission Revival listed by Realty Results (the sign says "coming soon") Give me a call and I will be more than happy to arrange a showing for you.  Heck, I'll even help fill out a purchase contract with you! I have studied this developer for seven years.  My studies into this developer has dovetailed into my research of the famous arts & crafts storybook architect William Raymond Yelland.  My resea...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
On August 5th we had our 14th annual National Night Out Against Crime block party.  We had a great time.  I am attaching the group photo for this year.  Our photographer Tim photoshopped himself in at the far right side of the photo. We have a great group of neighbors.  It's one of those rare suburban neighborhoods where everyone knows everybody's name.  There are two homes available on our street one on our 500 block and the corner home on the 400 block. We'd love to have you join our next block party. On our homeowner association's email server "THEBNA" it appears that Broadmoor Boulevard and Cambridge Avenue also had block parties.  Those two streets posted reviews on THEBNA email string.  I also know that the 400 block of Superior is now in their 5th or 6th block party.  I also noti...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
Tonight is the block party on our front lawn, "National Night Out Against Crime".  It's our neighborhood's 14th year.  So as soon as I finish blogging this I need to get out and wash down all of the lawn furniture chairs and tables and lug them down two houses to mother's front lawn. Today is the Grand Lake Office's office meeting at 9am.  I don't think that I will be able to make it today.  I'll have to check in with Nick later when I head to the office. Now this is where it gets exciting.  I have two clients that are ready to write contracts. I will be working with David between 2 and 3 to show him a by appointment only condo that he is very interested in.  We saw the place yesterday from the outside and he absolutley loved it.  It's at a price that is at the comfort range within his ...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
August 5th, 2008 is the first Tuesay in August and it's time again for the National Night Out Against Crime. This will be the 14th year our street has been doing the Night Out Block Party.  It's always held on my mother's front yard.  The City of San Leandro will not allow us to close off the street for our block parties because the Alameda County Fire Department uses Superior Avenue as an emergency access route to Interstate 580. I will be bringing my famous open house fudge to the block party.  The residents on the odd side of the street are bringing deserts this year.  Since my address is odd, I get to bring my fudge.   Mother is feeling well enough to make her chocolate eclair desert.   Across the street the even addresses are bringing salads and easy entrees. Each year "The Broadmo...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
I was thinking of what to blog about today.  I thought that I would address another of my pet peeves. Pet Peeve "Caltrans"   This Pet Peeve is named "Caltrans".   In San Leandro and Oakland Caltrans seems to be ignoring basic maintenance along interstate 580. First off the entire length of 580 through Oakland and San Leandro are absolutely strewn with litter.  It looks really bad. Caltrans is not being a good neighbor and not maintaining their property.  Not only are the highways dirty, but so are the on-ramps and the exit ramps. Next on Interstate Eastbound I-580 in the slow lane directly next to San Leandro's Grand Avenue On-Ramp's gore point is a very large sink hole developing.  You can see cars dip and bounce as they pass this location.  The lane needs to be closed, the roadway rem...
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