If You Build It, They Will Come (for Permits!)

Have you been following the story of the Danville man who built a baseball practice field for his son's little league team in his back yard? Sounds sweet doesn't it? But it is also a good reminder to get those permits when you are making any additions or alterations to your home--from upgrading a bathroom to building a miniature AT&T Park in the back forty.

Here's the basic information. The Danville man spent about $300,000 to transform 18,000 square feet of his lot into a baseball field and practice location with batting cages and more. However, he did not get the proper permits to build something so large, especially the 14-foot high fences that obstruct his neighbors' views of Mt. Diablo and the hills. Some neighbors complain that the structure looks like a prison.

The City of Danville has denied the man's belated permit requests and ordered him to deconstruct the unsightly addition. He is, however, trying to make peace by lowering the fences to below 6 feet high. But he is unlikely to get approval.

You can read the coverage of the whole story in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Some people think that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Our cities and communities have zoning laws and permit processes for a reason--to preserve the sanctity and value of the community as a whole. While this man has a right to make improvements to his property (within reason), his neighbors also have the right to their views and quiet enjoyment of their own property. How would this man feel if his neighbor built a huge windmill in his backyard because he just love windmills? By the way he plays the game, that would have to be acceptable as well.

Need more reminders to run your improvement plans by the city for permits? This man in Rolling Hills Estates in Southern California is getting one day in prison for every foot of un-approved fence he put up on his property's border. The fence is 180 feet long. That is six months in jail, because the new fence poses a safety risk on a popular horse trail.

So, even if you are just making minor improvements, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you have questions about permits and city ordinances, please let me know. I am always happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.

Labor Day Weekend Events

So, what are you going to do this weekend? Remember, the Bay Bridge will be closed, so keep alternate transportation in mind. As I wrote yesterday, you can get all the 411 right here. Here are some ways to have fun and avoid the freeways.



If you are in the East Bay, I highly recommend the annual Art & Soul Festival in Downtown Oakland. Six stages of music (including Lucinda Williams and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), rides and activities for kids, an artisan marketplace, food and wine tasting, and more. This is a great event each year!

Or take the Ferry to the Sausalito Art Ferry. Now in its 55th year (!!!), the best artists and artisans from the west coast show of their latest work in one very beautiful location. If you've never been, you must check it out!




Or take BART to the Big City for two very different events. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love with a reunion concert in Golden Gate Park. And, the gay community celebrates bear culture at the huge new event--the 4th Annual Hairrison Street Fair. (Woof!).

No matter what you choose to do...have a great time with your friends and family. Have a great weekend!

Bay Area Bridges--Good News / Bad News

Well, there are a lot of developments with Bay Area bridges, and I just had to weigh in. I've written about the bridges (and public transportation) before, and here is an update.

So the new Benicia Bridge opened this past weekend, and it is a wonderful thing! In addition to having an expanded capacity, the bridge features "open road tolling" allowing FasTrak users to glide on by at the speed limit with no slowing down. There are no toll booths to slalom through. Previously, when I took this bridge during the evening commute, there would be a traffic jam waiting to get across the bridge that could hold you up 15-20 minutes. We literally flew across the bridge yesterday at the height of rush hour. Heaven!

As the traffic reporter on the radio said as crossed the bridge, "Property values just went up in Benicia thanks to the new bridge!"

And, unless you've been living under a rock the last month, you probably already know that the Bay Bridge will be closed all of this Labor Day Weekend for retrofitting. Highway Patrol will start to close off access to the bridge by 8pm in both directions. It will not re-open until Tuesday at 5am.

So, how will you get around? BART will be running around the clock to its main stations, and the ferries will be expanding their services. Or, you can stay off the freeways, relax, and enjoy your community. Last year, when the Bay Bridge was closed in just one direction over Labor Day Weekend, there was a significant drop in traffic across the system and other bridges.

For more information on the Bay Bridge closure and other transportation options, please visit the Bay Bridge website.

Market Update

The media continues to spread a message of gloom and doom about the real estate market. While the reports should be listened to and deeply considered, always keep your individual situation in mind if you are currently active in the real estate market.

CNN reports that the "glut of homes hits 16-year high." Keep in mind that this statistic is on a nationwide basis. That information is helpful for a large snapshot of the market and for a look at macroeconomic trends, but you are presumably buying or selling a home in the Bay Area. Well, today the San Francisco Chronicle calls the market in East Oakland a "dead zone," and finds the inventory of homes for sale to be rising, and homes in escrow to be flatlining. But even that requires a closer look. That same article mentions that there have been 65 homes sales in Oakland over $1 million since May.

So, it is same old story that the rich are getting richer and the poor can't buy homes. And, the market is undergoing a correction period more than a freefall or collapse.

What this means in common sense terms is that if you have money, you should have no problem continuing to buy real estate. Mortgage lenders are tightening up their regulations. If you are a buyer, you are going to need 20% down and a great FICO score in almost every situation (and you should consider great tools like the Monthly Mortgage Assistance Programs). If you are a seller, you might need a little patience and a lot of courage to price your home lower than you expected.

It is a complicated market there. It always has been, and it always will! If you would like to discuss the East Bay real estate in more depth, let me know. I'm always happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.

"All the world's a stage..."

You might be wondering if you need to stage your house to help sell it. I can tell you right now that you do indeed need to stage your house. You might be thinking, "Hey, she hasn't even seen my lovely home. What does she know?" I know that you need to stage it. Let me tell you why.

You are trying to sell your house, not your home.

While I am sure your home is lovely, but it is your home and it is full of your personal taste, furniture, and memories. To sell your house, you need to present it as a showplace, cleared of its past and ready for the future--ready for new ideas and new adventures.

Buyers want to see a house that is light, airy and open--a blank slate for them to envision their futures. They want to see new furniture, new designs, and they want to see as much of the floorplan as possible so that they can begin to imagine their own furniture and ideas in the space. Buyers want to see your house as their future home.

Professional stagers can help you with everything from de-cluttering and re-organizing to providing new paint and new designs to maximize your house for the market. Take a look at the following before and after pictures of the dining room of a house I recently sold so that you have a better idea of what stagers can do for you.

Before:
















After:

Which would you prefer? Look at the difference in space and color and think about which one you would want to buy.

This staging was done by Scout, and there are many terrific staging companies in the East Bay, such as Jackie Brown. If you would like to further discuss the power of staging or need a referral, please let me know. I'm always happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.

Have a great weekend!

6 Degrees of Separation

Writing about Bryan's HOA banking services yesterday reminded me of the power of referrals and our networks of friends, families, and colleagues. What a great way to live and work!

I met Bryan after my son referred him to me. He had gone to high school with Bryan's sister and knew of Bryan's home search in the East Bay. After Bryan was in his new home, I referred him to Pam, another client of mine who does landscaping. Coincidentally, Pam's son used to work for me. So many of my personal and professional relationships have fascinating connections like this and makes life a lot more interesting.

I also just returned from an inspiring professional retreat produced by Buffini & Company that focuses on the power of referrals. Who would you trust more....a plumber that your good friend or sibling recommends, or one you find on the internet or phone book?

After more than dozen years of working in real estate in the East Bay, I am so pleased to look at the talented group of people I know and work with. If you ever need a referral f0r some help in the East Bay, let me know. And, I just might ask you next time I need a referral (like it would be great to know some wonderful caterers or mechanics!). Check out my ever-growing network of referrals at Mary's List or just drop me a line. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.

(And, oh by the way, if your friends and family ever need a realtor, I'm never too busy for your referrals!)

A New Way to HOA?

One thing to always keep in mind when planning to purchase a condominium or into a similar “common-interest community,” is the HOA, or Homeowner’s Association. You will need to think about how involved you will be in the HOA and how much you can afford to spend on the monthly fees and possible special assessments.

The HOA is a community comprised of all the individual homeowners and is represented by an elected board consisting of homeowners who oversee the management and development of the entire building or organization. They do everything from enforcing the rules of the building to organizing maintenance and upkeep to handling problems that might arise. If you are living in a smaller development, say two to eight units, you will more likely be involved with the HOA versus if you live in a larger building, of say 100 units or more.

Monthly HOA fees can vary wildly, so you need to figure how much you can afford. They might cover general maintenance to utilities to the salary for a concierge. The arrangement is different for every association, so make sure to find out what it covers. You might also get hit with a “special assessment” should a significant problem arise. Perhaps the roof develops major leaks and a new roof is needed. Or perhaps a driveway or garage requires re-paving. Special assessments can surprise you, they can cost a lot, and you are responsible for your share.

But, keep in mind that the HOA can be your friend. For instance, the HOAs in several Emeryville condo buildings have been battling their developer for poor construction that led to mold and other problems. Those HOAs have led the legal battle on behalf of the residents and have made great strides so that the individual homeowners could continue their day-to-day lives as smoothly as possible.

But, could there be a better way to HOA? Bryan Wong is the VP of Community Association Products and Services for Popular Association Banking, and he specializes in helping HOAs run effectively and smoothly. For instance, he can arrange loans and banking services so that HOAs can better manage their money and create more affordable payment plans for the dreaded special assessments. Plus, they can help with litigation should that arise, or wisely invest the HOAs holdings to help prepare them for the future.

If you would like more information about HOA management, I invite you to get in touch with Bryan at 925-730-2183 or BWong@bpop.com. And, of course, I am always available for any of your needs at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.