Elaine King's Real Estate Blog

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?

Per Foreclosure Radar, foreclosure activity slowed in April, with California Foreclosures down.  In Contra Costa county NOD’s were down 27% vs YAG *(year ago), notice of sale -31% vs YAG, Bank Cancellations +17% vs YAG, Back to Bank -18% va YAG and Sold to 3rd party (typically investors) -27% vs YAG.  For a link to the complete Foreclosure Radar report, click below:

http://www.foreclosureradar.com/california/contra-costa-county-foreclosures

Happy May!  Don’t you love this sunshine, with cooler mornings and perfect temperature evenings?  Now that May is here, the pool is now open at Summerset; awaiting folks to enjoy a water aerobics class, time shared with grandchildren or just an evening swimming routine.  The Brentwood Golf Course, which runs throughout Summerset, has a much busier parking lot.  The bocce courts are now being played, and people are working in the community garden and in their yards. 

Currently in Summerset, there are 29 homes for sale; sizes from 1250-2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $250K-$549K.  The best values  per square foot are an occupied BANK OWNED home located on Liberty Lane, priced at $155 per square foot and a private-party sale on Tayberry Lane,  priced at $168 sq ft.  (Both properties in Summerset 2)  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, however few have granite countertops, wood floors or stainless appliances that are now important to today’s buyers.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

Not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community?  Renting is a great way to test the waters; however, very few rental homes are currently available in Summerset.  There is a high demand for rental properties between $1250-$1600/month.  Click here for rentals; link good for 30 days!

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities, each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, 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.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

Spring is here and welcome to the 2nd quarter 2011!  Currently, there are 113 homes for sale in Brentwood CA 94513,  priced under $350K!  The lowest priced home is $129K, the median priced home is $259K, and the average “days on market” DOM is 57 days for a home to sell in this market.  Here is a link to view the current homes for sale.

I love living in Brentwood, please call me with any questions.

UCLA’s Anderson report just came out stating that althought the US economy is growing, housing s expected to lag due to glut of houses created during the bubble years of 2004-2007, as well as the stricter lending standards.  Also, lender increased down-payments and fear of prices going down further are also contributing to housing’s “modest” recovery.  The glut of homes in the outer areas (Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Vacaville, Tracy, Lathrup, Manteca) are also causing the stall on building.  California’s unemployment rate is also an issue and it is not expected to fall until early 2013.   Click here to view the article

March is here and the clocks are almost ready to spring-forward!  This is the month of green beer, mardi gras, and the start of the home-buying season.  If you are over 55 and want an affordable “over 55” retirement area that is close to shopping and a major city, think Summerset; Brentwood’s original active adult community.

Currently in Summerset, there are 26 homes for sale; sizes from 1121-2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $225-$550K.  The best value per square foot is a SHORT SALE located on Centennial Drive, priced at $155 per square foot for 1582 sq feet.  This home is located on the golf course and has granite countertops.  Unfortunately, this home is priced under comps in the area, but you may get lucky with the bank accepting your offer!  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, without granite countertops or stainless appliances and tile/wood floors that were not so important when these homes were built 7+ years ago.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

February had only two homes sell in Summerset.  Both were the same model and on the same street.  Here is a link to those homes.

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards).  Each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, 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.  The monthly HOA’s range in price from $84 – $125 (approx), depending on the community.  Golf Club at Brentwood has its course run throughout Summerset; this is a public course.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 26^th at 8PM.  Brentwood’s Relay for Life Benefit concert is taking place at the beautiful and historical El Campanil Theatre (602 W Second St in Antioch CA).

This year’s benefit concert features FOREVERLAND, the BayArea’s 14 Piece Tribute to Michael Jackson.  Foreverland is direct from sold-out performances in San Francisco, at Yoshi’s & Bimbo’s.  For tickets & more information please contact the El Campanil Theatre at (925)757-9500 or online at www.elcampaniltheatre.com.  Tickets are priced at $40 for Premium Seating and $30.00 Adults ($25.00 Seniors/Juniors) for general seating.  There is not a bad seat in this theatre and ALL PROCEEDS will benefit the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life in Brentwood!

Relay For Life of Brentwood is scheduled for June 11-12 at Liberty High School. For more information, please call Ron at 925 550-1182.

It is Super Bowl Weekend, and we are blessed with above average temperatures.  People are outside enjoying the sun, walking and taking part in other outside activities.   This weather makes us feel like Spring, and that is the start of the house buying season.

Summerset in Brentwood has much to offer those 55 & over: pool, hot tub, bridge, bunko, pinochle, poker, pool/billards, singing, tennis, weight control, line dancing, bocce, poker, ceramics and more.  Unfortunately, no Super Bowl events were planned.    

New listings come on the market almost weekly, and there is a strong demand for detached homes priced under $300K.  Currently in Summerset, there are 21 homes for sale; sizes from 1268 – 2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $225-$550K.  Most homes in Summerset are gently used.  However, most buyers will want to update with granite countertops or stainless appliances that were not so important when these homes were built 7+ years ago.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

Not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community?  You may want to rent first and test the waters.  See if you like living in a golf course community?  Find out for yourself how friendly the residents of Summerset can be, and participate in all Summerset events.  Click here for rentals; link good for 30 days!

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards).  Each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, 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.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call at 925-852-1659