Elaine King's Real Estate Blog

Happy Super Bowl weekend!  A great time to get together with friends, even if football in not your sport.  This year, there will be 2 Super Bowl parties at Summerset!  So, if you want your own house party; without the mess, you can share the fun with others at the clubhouse! 

Summerset is an “over 55” active adult community (50 miles east of San Francisco).  We are a community of 2,000 gently-used homes that were built from 1994-2004.  Resale homes currently run from $180K to $545K.  Here is a link to these homes.

 In addition, a resale at Trilogy Vineyards is on this list at $629K. Trilogy (Shea’s active lifestyle community) is a new destination to live for those wanting a resort location.  Trilogy has fabulous NEW home designs from 1465 to over 2800 square feet, and prices starting just under $400K. 

 Do you want to hear a great real estate statistic? Currently, there are 25 ACTIVE homes on the MLS in both Summerset & Trilogy.  This is only 1% of all homes in all the communities!   

Enjoy your weekend, the game, and those fun Super Bowl commercials.  If you want more information on Brentwood’s “over 55” communities, let me know.

Happy Belated New Year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and may you have a healthy 2012!  After an enjoyable Christmas, I caught a bionic cold, and it is great to be back at the computer and seeing the sunshine. 

There were 69 homes SOLD in Summerset in 2011 and homes SOLD for 97% of List Price! The highest sale was $500K (list price of $536K) and the lowest price sale was $180K (list price of $179,900).  The average days on market (DOM) was 61 days and the average sales price in Summerset was $291,900! 

Comparing 2011 to 2010 Sales, the DOM went up 16 days, from 43 days in 2010.  The average sales price for 2011 went down $15,000! ($306K average of 2010)  This is only -5% vs. YAG!  The number of homes SOLD in Summerset for 2011 went down to 69 homes, vs. the 74 homes that sold in 2011.  This shows a market that is still desirable for those over 55, wanting to live near a large city and have medical facilities less than 10 minutes away!  The average price per square foot cost went down -6%.

Here is a link to homes SOLD in Summerset in 2011…..

Summerset (an over 55 community) is located in Brentwood (50 miles east of San Francisco) and made up of 4 communities and just over 2,000 homes that were built from 1994-2003.  Each community has its own recreation center, pool/hot tub, and work out area.  The Brentwood golf course runs throughout all four communities; it is a public course and no fees are paid by Summerset residents for its upkeep.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

If you would like more information, please give me a call.  I live in Summerset!

The holiday spirit is in the air at Summerset in Brentwood.  Residents are decorating their yards and their homes; as well as filling grocery bags with food for needy Brentwood families.  Each year, Summersetters donate non-perishable food for “Feed the Children” and purchase gifts for needy Brentwood children via the angel gift giving tree and toys for tot drive. 

Each community hosts its own Christmas party, but other holiday events are open to all Summerset residents. Each Summerset resident receives a monthly activity calendar, allowing you to partake in the activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

Currently, there are 27 homes for sale in Summerset, a 30% increase from last year.  Prices range from $200,000 for 1300 sq. feet in Summerset 1 to $549,950 for 2857 sq ft home in Summerset 3.  (A third of these homes have been on the market more than 100 days.)  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, but are missing the updates that today’s buyers seek.  Homes priced under $300K tend to move quickly.  Here is a link to current homes on the market.

Not sure that you want to live in a retirement community?  Try renting!  Rents start about $1250/month for a duet (attached unit with a 1 car garage), but rental units under $1500 go quickly!  Here is a link to current Summerset rentals.

The Date: The first Thanksgiving was on September 8, 1565 near St. Augustine, Florida. Thanksgiving was a traditional New England holiday that celebrated family and community and descended from Puritan days of fasting and festive rejoicing. Abraham Lincoln, spurred on by the lobbying efforts of writer Sarah Josepha Hale, proclaimed an annual national day of thanks in 1863 for the many blessings enjoyed by Americans. 

It wasn’t till later in the 19th century, though, that the popular image of the “First Thanksgiving” took root. Earlier, while the Indian wars were still raging, scenes of settlers and natives engaging in a joint gathering seemed inconceivable.

In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt modified Lincoln’s chosen date of the last Thursday of November to the second-to-last Thursday of November in order to extend the post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas shopping season. J Then in 1942 FDR signed a law making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November, a law which is still in effect today.

Why a Turkey?  One story tells of Queen Elizabeth (16th century England eating a roast goose at a harvest festival, and upon hearing that the Spanish Armada had sunk on its way to attack England, the queen ordered up a second goose to celebrate the great news.  Thus, the goose became the favorite bird at harvest time in England. When the Pilgrims arrived in America from England, roasted turkey replaced roasted goose as the main cuisine because wild turkeys were more abundant and easier to find than geese.

Why Pumpkin Pie?   In 1621, at the first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, they ate pumpkin custard flavored with maple syrup and spices, baked in pumpkin shells.  In 1796, an American cookbook by Amelia Simmons was published. It was the first cook book that developed recipes for foods native to America.  Her pumpkin puddings were baked in a crust and similar to present day pumpkin pies.

Wishing you…  sincere Thanksgiving wishes for a day spent with loving friends and family enjoying great food.  I personally give thanks for my health, the abundance of America, for family & friends, and for the day we set-aside to give gratitude.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Hannah Nicole Vineyards is offering its acoustic weekend afternoons for your enjoyment.  Come out to Brentwood and enjoy a bottle of wine from their tasting room and grab some cheese, salami and crackers from their gift shop or bring your own picnic! 

Artists are scheduled to perform between 1 and 4 PM. Tickets are not required to enjoy the music and it is open to all ages! If the weather gets cold or wet, the music will be moved inside; so you can enjoy the tunes while you’re warming up with a glass of your favorite red!  

Below is a schedule of Acoustic Afternoons performances… 

November 19 – Chris Ahlman

Country influenced vocalist.

November 20 – Owen Plant

 Encore appearance by this eclectic artist who fuses island, classic and rock styles

November 26- Steve Marvel

Crowd favorite! Always a good afternoon of entertainment and music with Mr. Marvel!

November 27 – Toree McGee is Back!

A talented emerging voice with a strong set list and a great guitarist!

November is here and the leaves are just starting to fall in Summerset, an over 55 “active adult” community located in Brentwood.  This past weekend, was a yearly craft fair benefitting the Summerset 2 Social Club.  Now, plans for food drives, parties and charity donations are on the calendar.  Holiday tours of San Francisco, Santana Row, and the Dickens Christmas Faire are just some of the plans on the upcoming calendar.  One thing for sure, you can definitely fill your calendar when you live here at Summerset!  Each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, tennis court, bocce court, workout room, pool table and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

Currently, the number of homes available in Summerset has been reduced to 26; that is a great statistic, as it represents less than 2% of all homes in the development.  Prices currently range from $250-$550K.  Smaller sized homes move quickly, especially those priced under $250K!  Here is a link to current homes in Summerset!

Homes for rent in Summerset have also been snatched up quickly these past few months.  Renting is a great option if you are not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community; while enjoying all the benefits of an owner.  Rents start at $1250 for a duet; however, currently the lowest price rental is going for $1625.

Should you have any questions about Summerset, call me.   I live in and enjoy sharing the opportunity to tell others about Summerset.  Wishing you a Happy Autumn Season!

This weekend, come enjoy this wonderful weather and one of the last weekends at Hannah Nicole Vineyards (Brentwood, CA) listening to live acoustic music. There will be great music, good times, tasty food and, of course, wonderful wines to enjoy while sitting in a gorgeous vineyard location.

Let the afternoon drift by as you enjoy music, a bottle of wine or some treats from their grill/pizza oven.  You can purchase cheese, salami and crackers from their gift shop or bring your own picnic snacks.  Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make a memorable fall afternoon, also don’t forget a blanket or low-back chair. 

Tickets are NOT required and the show runs from 1-4PM.  Please click here for more information.   NO PETS, OUTSIDE ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES OR SPORTING EQUIPMENT ALLOWED!! 

Here is a list of last scheduled performances…

October 22 – Ken Koening ;   A new recording artist at HNV.  Ken brings the influence of The Beatles, Dave Mason, Dave Matthews and a touch of Petty in his music. 

October 23 – Chris Ahlman;  A bright recording artist and guitarist with folk and pop rock influences – reminds us of John Mayer. 

October 29 – Ken Maffeo;  A Singer, Songwriter, Musician and Recording Artist.  You’ll love him! 

October 30 – Nathan Kent Duo Returns!    We get more requests for these two guys to play. Come find out why!

Hannah Nicole winery (Brentwood, CA) continues their live acoustic music on Sunday afternoons. Plenty of sunshine, good times, tasty food and drink with summer memories for everyone will be in store for you.

East Bay BMW will now be at the winery, too.  Your eyes can view a new “ultimate driving machine”, your ears can listen to beautiful music and your mouth can enjoy some wonderful wine.  Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make a memorable summer afternoon! 

Let the afternoon drift by as you enjoy music, a bottle of wine from their tasting room, or some treats from their grill/pizza oven.  You can purchase cheese, salami and crackers from their gift shop or bring your own picnic snacks. 

Tickets are NOT required and the show runs from 1-4PM.  Please click here for more information.  

Here is a list of scheduled performances…

August 14, David Trevors – Spanish and Classical

August 21, Owen Plant – Acoustic Influences

August 28, Nathan Kent Duo – Encore Appearance

Celebrate Summer on Sunday afternoons at Hannah Nicole Vineyards!  Plenty of sunshine, good times, tasty food/drink and live acoustic music will be in store for you.

Let the afternoon drift by as you enjoy music, a bottle of wine from their tasting room, or some treats from their grill/pizza oven.  You can purchase cheese, salami and crackers from their gift shop or bring your own picnic snacks.  Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make a memorable summer afternoon to remember!  

Tickets are NOT required and the show runs from 1-4PM.  Please click here for more information.    Here is a list of scheduled performances…

 July 10, Nathan Kent Duo 

July 17, Steve Marvel Goes Solo

July 24, Kurt D. On The Vineyard Stage

July 31, David Trevors – Classical and Spanish Guitar

You have a mortgage worth $400K on a home now worth $225K, would you continue to pay this mortgage?  Many Californians are in this situation, especially in the East Contra Costa.  Here is a link to an article and a survey for you to take.  After you vote, you will see how others view this action.  I was surprised at the result, were you?