Elaine King's Real Estate Blog

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!

Yesterday, I attended “The BIG EVENT”, hosted by Contra Costa  at the Lesher Theatre in Walnut Creek.  Two main speakers were there speaking: Robert Kleinhenz PHD, Deputy Chief Economist for Calif. Assoc of Realtors (CAR) and Gov Hutchinson, asst. general counsel & VP of  CAR.  This once-yearly meeting talks trends/forecasts and new laws coming into effect on January 1^st.  The event is open to members of the Contra Costa Assoc. of Realtors. Below are some highlights of the talk:

• Unemployment for California remains around 12%. (10% in Contra Costa.)  The non-farm recession job losses are about 1 million jobs; however, since Jan 2010, 222,400 jobs have been added to the state. 
• The economy is recovering, but moving slow.  GDP for 3^rd quarter 2011 was 2.5% for the same time last year, it was 2.7%. 
• Consumers are not spending, and also DRAINING down their savings.  This will be a slow healing process, as consumer spending is needed to improve the economy.
• Interest rates are historically LOW, and this makes it a great time to buy.
• The California median home price is $287,400, down 8.3%.
• 2012 is predicted to mirror 2011 in the California housing market.  We are close to record affordability.  34% of buyers are first time buyers.
• Tax credits helped sales in 2010; they say this is a transition year and sales have to move forward by themselves.   Equity sales rose in 2011.
• There will continue to be foreclosure thru 2014!
• Current inventory in CA is 5 months; down from 7 months.  Homes over $1 million have a 10 month inventory and those under $300K have a 4.7 month inventory.  Broken down by inventory type, in California there is a 2.6 month inventory for REO’s. A 5.9 month inventory for regular sales and ad 7.9 month inventory for short sales.
• Most buyers shop for 4 months before contacting an agent; 80% of buyers used an agent.
• Financing continues to be a challenge.
• Some new laws going into effect 1/1/12: Landlords can prohibit smoking and it must be written in the lease.  Tenants can display political signs.  HOA transfer CANNOT be more than $250, and HOA MUST discloses if unit cannot be rented out.  If a home is listed for less than the liens, than it MUST be listed as a short sale.
• If a DRE member is on the Top 500 tax delinquent list, they will lose their license. WOW!
• For a link to this speech go to: www.car.org/marketdata and then click the speech section on the left hand side.

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.

Grapes have been growing in Contra Costa County for more than 100 years, and now they’re being used to make award-winning wines.  At the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine Competition, Brentwood’s Bloomfield Vineyards took the BEST OF SHOW for its 2008 Pinot Noir and an additional five other awards.  You can taste Bloomfield wines at the Co Co County Wine Company, 633 First Street in Brentwood. 

Hannah Nicole Vineyards received 1 gold medal for its 2009 Le Melange Bland and four silver awards. Hannah Nicole’s wine tastings are held Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6PM at their vineyards, located at 6700 Balfour Road.

Tamayo Family Vineyards received 4 awards: one gold metal, two silver and one bronze award.  You can also taste Tamayo wines at the Co Co County Wine Company, 633 First Street in Brentwood. 

Here is a link to the complete article on the 2011 Brentwood winners.  When you are visiting these great wineries, don’t forget to stop and sample local olive oils at McCauley Olive Groves and Brentwood Olive Oil Company.

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

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.  The beloved Thanksgiving pumpkin pie may have evolved from this treat.  In 1796, an American cookbook, American cookery, by an American orphan by Amelia Simmons, was published. It was the first American cookbook written and published in America, and 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 /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.  

For your enjoyment here is a link to an Iroquis prayer of thanks and a fun Thanksgiving Trivia Link.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

State treasuries are holding billions of dollars waiting to be returned to the rightful owner.  This money goes back to the state when the owner cannot be found on forgotten bank accounts, insurance policies, uncashed checks and dividends.  Check out www.missingmoney.com or www.unclaimed.org to see if you are the owner.  Also, be sure to check every state that you lived, check maiden names and the names of your deceased family members.  

When you found your millions, don’t forget who sent you the link! LOL

Hey Contra Costa, would you like access to a self-help website giving away FREE items?  Until July 3^rd, click this link and you can have access to items that will maximize your enjoyment of life through improving both mental and physical health. Want to know more about laws of attraction, improving your memory, weight loss schemes, financial power or hypnosis?   This may be a great way to find what you are looking for at no cost.  ENJOY!

Hey Contra Costa, here is a FREE Global Wellness Summit live web event.  By listening, you will hear over 20 world leaders in the Complimentary Medicine and wellness movement.  Several of the speakers will even be offering a free gift to everyone who registers, and a live question and answer time during the presentation.  Please click on this link to reserve your free pass to join a world-wide audience of like minded people.  This series will alter your view of possibilities on wellness and healing.  ENJOY!

Are you ready to shop for bargains?  Brentwood this weekend is all about YOU saving money at these yearly events.  Tomorrow, May 22^nd is Summerset’s ANNUAL GARAGE SALE.  Summerset has four communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards) and each community will be open to the public.  (A great way to see life behind the gates!  )  The hours are 8AM – 2PM, but go early for the deals!    I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

Brentwood will also host the SPRING YARD SALE for the Soroptimist’s at 1201 Dainty Avenue (Central near Griffith)

The Oakley Ranch development (Brentwood Blvd & Charles Way) is also hosting a weekend GARAGE SALE from 9-4 on 5/22 and 5/23.

Need Fido washed?  There will be a dog parade, dog wash and walking to benefit HARP (Homeless Animals Resource Program) at the Shops at Fairview (1301 Balfour Road) This location is between all four (4) Summerset locations.

Don’t forget to buy your fresh fruits and foods from the Brentwood Farmer’s Market!  Located in downtown Brentwood on 2nd street; the street vendors offer fresh fruits/vegetables, organic eggs and meats, breads, plants, and prepared foods. They open at 8AM!

So, come to Brentwood to find some old treasures to enjoy and have a great weekend!

Social Media is all the buzz, with Facebook (FB) being the media darling; but how safe is your information?  Do you want merchandisers to know the TV Programs/videos/movies you watch?  Do you want potential employers to know you get drunk every weekend?  Do you want everyone of your 763 “friends” to view your kids?  Does anyone know 763 friends?  My FB friend  just posted on FB significant upcoming monies she will be getting from a stock sale with her old company, and her new personalized CA license plate.  Do you possibly see a stalker issue?  If you are a single female do you tell 763 friends about the quiet trail you run?   

Two great articles came out this past week regarding FB Privacy.  I sent them to my friends, and NO I don’t have 763 friends!  If I don’t know someone, they aren’t a friend.  My dad was a cop, and I was raised to be cautious.    This article talks about how to set your privacy settings and things to possibly delete, so they are not shared.  Please take time to read this article and the blogger comments below it!  My nephew, a 42 yr old sales rep/weekend triathloner, just CLOSED his FB account because of privacy concern.

CNN just ran a similar article, but it talked about how FB has changed and that it will continue to change.  The author recommended keeping your information private for “friends” only.   I loved this quote from the article: “How do you bust up a giant landmass into seven pieces without anybody noticing? Slowly. How do you turn an uptight, closed-off Web business built by a few college students into a sprawling creature that seems capable of sharing anything with anyone anywhere? Very, very slowly. But when something big happens, people start to notice the small stuff that they wish they’d seen earlier.”  Will you wait for something BIG to happen to worry about your privacy?  Please read this 2nd article and the blog comments below, and make up your own minds. 

Finally, stop and think before you “FRIEND” someone on FB, and make sure what you post on FB will not cause you or a family member future harm.  If you don’t want to share it with the world, don’t post it!  View this video about FB and about their “privacy policy”!