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San Leandro, CA Real Estate News

By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
I presented an offer on a Short Sale listing, and quickly realized that the listing agent was not familiar with these types of sales. For my client to have a chance of getting his offer accepted I had to step in and diplomatically "guide the listing agent through the process of a short sale." This was his very first short sale listing. I know that part of being active in AR is to contribute blog posts on subjects we are familiar with or situations in which we have been that will ideally help others either understand a new process or learn from our experiences. Reading posts in different blogs and following closely on their comments by other Professionals who give advice and who offer their 2 cents worth of experience in the matter serves as an important educational process. Short sales ...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
By giving free dance lessons at their house in the middle of the week, these Realtors are looking for business to the tune of the cha-cha-cha and even tangoing with their potential home buyers. A few minutes before 7 PM the door bell rings, a voice comes through the video monitor and shouts "I'll be right there..." as the 2 visitors wait for the door to open they are joined by another couple that just arrived, then another, and another, some with children in tow, they all have made a commitment to be there every week exactly a 7:00 PM.  As the group greets each other the door opens and the sound of music can be heard, hugs and kisses greet the visitors, someone brings a case of water but most bring a pair of extra shoes. The music playing in the background and the colorful Christmas str...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
The Inauguration party in Washington D.C. is over. It appears to me that the new President is the kind of medicine that we need... right about now. "Change" & "Hope" were the tag lines for his run to the Presidency, I am optimistic about this change, I believe the infamous "economic stimulus package" will actually become reality very soon and that it will help my clients; the homeowners in distress. I am optimistic that we will see the housing market stop the slide and start the slow, long recovery. I like this young president, a black man who grew up with no father figure, no silver spoon to speak of and from an economic background that could have never be expected to be worthy of a house like the one he will be living in for the next four years... The white house. He has done it! He h...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
In Oakland if you travel along, let's say Fruitvale Avenue you will come across the cross streets East 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on. When you get to what should be East 14th Street you will notice International Boulevard.  East 14th was renamed to reflect the political correctness movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.   International Boulevard was thought to better reflect the different neighborhoods the street past through. So Viola, East 14th Street became International Boulevard.   Did this move increase business along the corridor?  Just by looking at the vacant businesses up and down International Boulevard, my guess is that the name change did absolutely nothing except spend millions of dollars of city and private money to change all the addresses of the businesses and ...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
Long time ago I read something that said, "it is not what happens to you, but how you react to what happens to you that determines the result..." Often times I am asked that infamous question; How is the real estate business? As we all know, when it is real dark in one part of the world, there must be a very high noon kind of sunshine in the other side of the world. Don't believe me? Call Australia tonight. Therefore, when some people believe this is the worst real estate market in eons... there is a great market for a bunch of people who never thought that one day they could afford to buy their very first house or better yet, their very first investment property, or for a seasoned investor to improve their portfolio of properties by acquiring more. There is in one side of this market, ...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
I am considering doing a coffee table book of lesser photographed views of historic mansions.  The servant's entrances so to speak.   The entrances most of us would have had to enter these historic properties from. Here are some views from the rear side of the Dunsmuir - Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland California.    This property is located 20 houses away from my home at the San Leandro - Oakland border. This property was used in several movies. Burnt Offerings (Bette Davis, Karen Black, Burgess Merideth, Oliver Reed) A View to A Kill (Roger Moore, Tanya Roberts) So I Married an Axe Murderer (Mike Meyers, Nancy Travers) Phantasm Gloria (Sharon Stone) True Crimes (Clint Eastwood)   And now for the view everyone has been familar with The front view as seen from the Northern estate ent...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
San Leandro is full of fall color everywhere you look.  Who needs trips to Vermont and New Hampshire to see fall foliage?  You can get a blast of color on every street in town. Bancroft Avenue has some brilliant yellow Ginko trees with Pops of color that cannot be ignored. The Crepe Myrtle trees also have a wide variety of colors from green, gold, red, yellow and orange.    Ginko  Crepe Myrtle Crepe Myrtle Decorative Pear? If you are interested in moving to the East Bay, give me a call and I will be more than happy show you around.
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
www.dunsmuir.org is the website to go to. Located at the Oakland San Leandro Border is the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate.  Each year at this time of year the home and all the out buildings are all decorated for the Christmas holidays. The mansion and grounds are open for weekends during December for the Holiday Show.  Stop on by and say hello if you see me up there. The high tea at the Dinkelspeil house located at the north gate is a must for anyone wanting a relaxing break from touring the mansion and gift shopping. I've been volunteering up there since 1987. Fa-la-la-la. Enjoy a spot of tea at the Romantic Storybook Normandy Tudor.....Dinkelspeil House. The Mansion at the Dunsmuir - Hellman Historic Estate Oakland, California. Dunsmuir Hellaman Mansion Long time volunteer and good ...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
The other day someone from a sub-contractor for Pacific Gas & Electric came by my neighborhood and replaced all the old spinning dial meters with a new one that transmits the data directly to their billing offices. An example of the old style spinning dial meters where someone would have to go home to home and read and document the readings. An example of the new SmartMeter.  The install the new meter is only a matter of removing the metal ring around the meter and unplugging the old meter. The new meter is then plugged into the socket, the metal ring re-installed and the installer moves on to the next home. A few weeks later this same installer came back and added a similar SmartMeter for my gas meter. PG&E is making this change so it can layoff or redirect the meter reading staff.  A ...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
Imagine a couple of dancers taking to the dance floor, ready to dance their choreographed routines at a ballroom dance competition. They know that in order to win they must be perfect on... everything! They must have good posture, execute their steps with clarity, use correct alignments on the floor, have a positive attitude and be creative in the use of space on the floor. They are athletes and performers and everybody is looking at their every move.  During the dance competition they must be aware of other people on the floor at all times; the judges who watch everybody from the sidelines while taking careful notes, other competitors who will be dancing their own routines. And the biggest and most important part of this scenario: The audience, which is the paying public, those who com...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
The following is from the microfilm copies of the San Leandro Reporter. Article is dated April 20th, 1934. Mayor's history is briefly told; Derry not new to gavel waiving.      San Leandro has a new mayor, but to many persons the chief executive is an unknown quantity though he is probably one of the more widely known members of his community, as is witnessed by the huge number of votes cast for him in 1932 when he was elected to the city council.      Prior to his coming to San Leandro in 1928, Derry had served as a councilman and mayor in his hometown of Ashley, Michigan, where he lived for eight years.       Derry was born and raised in Ithaca, Michigan where he lived until he was 25 at which time he married and moved to Ashley, a small city 14 miles from his birthplace.        After...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
About a year ago we built a Pirate Ship for Halloween in front of our house, we had lots of free time in the summer of 2007 since the real estate market was not going anywhere. We track the traffic in our website regularly, in June '07 we had 5,000 hits, 4,000 in July, August & September between 4,000 and 3,000. dismal numbers to say the least and going down daily. Most of these are simply local market statistics, but very important for us. We had this idea of building a Pirate Ship in front of the house for Halloween, the project took a life of its own, and almost got out of hand. We built it by pieces inside the ballroom in our house. On October 1st. we took the pieces out to the front yard. As we started building the ship, we had people stopping by and asking about where we found the...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
We work mostly out of our home office. While typing my last sentences for a relocation report , I ignored the small little rubber ball that was being dropped at my feet over and over again. My 2-year old Pomeranian dog Prince wasn't going to stop inviting me to go out and play. The phone rings and the moment I pick it up I can hear one of my clients almost yelling at me complaining about a Realtor that just left her house. He showed up 30 minutes early for a showing of her house and she was in the shower and the house was not quite ready. She was very upset and wanted me to file a complain to his broker because of his early showing.  It took me a few minutes to calm her down, as I hung up, I directed the dog to get out of the office! Out! I called pointing towards the door, I did not wa...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
city or town where property is located: San Leandro, Ca. neighborhood where property is located: Assumption Parish price the property is currently listed at: $ 279,900 homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $ 310,000 - 440,000 / $343,525 median difference in value between this property and the comps: $ 63,625 to median Probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional: this home is a R.E.O.   On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested repairs and upgrades along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners. Agents please do not forget to suppl...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
Not too far from Bayfair Center at the corner of Hesperian Boulevard and Lewelling Boulevard is San Leandro's newest eatery, In-N-Out Burgers. The Southern California institution has finally come to San Leandro.  Burgers, fries, shakes and Soft drinks are the only things on the menu.   A simple menu keeps the restaurant running at top efficiency and cutting operating costs keeping prices fair for the consumer. San Leandro's In-N-Out is not the familiar white, red and yellow color scheme.  This In-N-Out has a different look to it.  The entire property where this restaurantpad is located is part of the redevelopment of the old Target store.  Wal-Mart will be taking over that location.  The In-N-Out appears to be giving us a preview of what the Wal-Mart will end up looking like. No In-N-Ou...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
A reprint from THE Broadmoor Neighborhood Association's email server.   Hello Neighbors,You are invited to the BNA Popcorn and Movie Social this Saturday. Come havefun, watch a locally made film about the first 100 years of San Leandro,enjoy fresh popcorn, bring the family, and enjoy a self-guided tour of theHistory Museum, Art Gallery, and Peralta House gardens.BNA Popcorn and Movie SocialSaturday, October 41 to 3 p.m.San Leandro History Museum and Art Gallery320 W. Estudillo Ave. (Next to the Peralta House)
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
Add on and save your home's integrity.  Lately some homes have been added onto in San Leandro's "The Broadmoor" neighborhood. These homes were built in the 1920s.  These homes in general were built as single level homes.  The existing foundations were only capable of supporting a single level. These homes I am blogging about today have added a second level without having to disturb the existing foundation too severely. This photo shows two houses side-by-side.  These homes were practically identical (rare for "The Broadmoor") and next door to each other. The home on the right is in it's original single level configuration.  The home on the left has been added to.  If you notice closely that the second level steps back about 18 inches from the original side elevation and has it's own new...
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By Michael Greenslade
(Better Homes & Gardens | Mason-McDuffie Real Estate)
Multiple offers are back folks.   Here in the Oakland/San Leandro area if you find a home that you like at a great price, you will most likely be competing against other offers.  We are starting to see the very early beginings of a Seller's market. Run, do not walk!   Write an offer TODAY not tomorrow. Your home will have multiple offers just about everytime.  Properties are getting gobbled up.  This month at the Grand Lake Prudential Office was one the best months in over 8 years. Don't think about writing a low ball offer either.   The offers that get selected are the ones above asking price. When a seller gets 22 offers they get to choose the best offer for them. GET PRE-APPROVED ****** If you find the home you like, it will be too late if you have to stop and then get pre-approved. ...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
The debate has never been settled; Sellers and Realtors disagree as to the possibility of finding a buyer for the house while holding it open for the general public. Some think it is a waste of time, others believe there is a valid reason to set up shop for 4 hours on a Sunday afternoon in somebody's house. After 23 years selling real estate I am a true believer of the power of open houses. Not all people that come thru the house are simply lookers or neighbors, there are true homebuyers choosing a house to purchase. I look at my own habits, when was the last time I went looking at cars? When I needed to buy one, when did I look at furniture? Appliances? I only went when I needed to buy any of those items. From the buyers point of view it does make sense to go out and look at open house...
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By Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate, "The Realtors In Motion"
(RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA.)
I joined Active Rain about 3 months ago, and I must confess that I am addicted to this group of professionals. I have learned a lot from the members of this group, there are tons of useful tips on how to handle almost anything relating to real estate. I have pick up a few marketing tips that have made a difference and I have met some wonderful people who's knowledge is so generously shared that I have nothing but admiration and respect for them. During this time I have had two of my clients move out of the area. In the past I will look for the nearest office or look up the CRS or GRI members on that area and hand over my clients without knowing much about the individual except the number of years in the business and the professional designations, I figure if I have those designations an...
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