Brentwood leaders schedule discussion of big-box stores By Paula King  Contra Costa Times Amid rising community concerns that retail giant Walmart may try to build a store in Brentwood, city leaders are holding a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss the possible effects of big-box retailers. Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor and Councilman Erick Stonebarger proposed holding the special City Council meeting, which will take place at 2 p.m. in the council chamber. The meeting will focus on the Sciortino Ranch property at Brentwood Boulevard and Sand Creek Road that is slated to become a major commercial and residential hub with apartments, multifamily and single-family housing, retail stores, parks and office space. Although no application has been received by the city, the site's devel... 10/18/2011

How Affordable is Housing in Brentwood Ca 94513 Right Now? Right now people seem to be a little concerned that housing prices are not going down and may even be going up a little.  And in some Markets in Brentwood Housing Prices may be going up. However, Housing is much more affordable than last year.  The main reason - Interest Rates.   Last year if you purchased a $300,000.00 home with 20% down at a rate of 5% the payment would be $1,288.37.   This year if you purchased a home at $335,000.00 with 20% down at a rate of 4% the payment would $1,279.47. I will tell you right now there is no market in this area were prices have climbed by more than 10% in the past year but Housing Affordability keeps coming way down.   I cannot imagine Interest Rates getting much lower and there are report... 10/18/2011

  The Little Things You as the Seller Should Know About the Realtors Property Resource (RPR) Program  The Goal of RPR is plain and simple, Accurate Home Valuation with the use of RVMs In some markets, RPR displays Realtors Valuation Model® (RVM®) property estimates in addition to or instead of Automated Valuation Model (AVM) estimates. RVMs are similar to AVMs but also factor in MLS listing, sales and off-market data to yield a more accurate home valuation. RPR is rolling out RVMs in phases across the country. RVMs are displayed for a property only if criteria for an accurate result are fulfilled, such as having a minimum of two comps (CMA) from active or inactive listings to help calculate the estimate. So if you’re thinking of selling your property let Mike with Area Pro Realty Bay Ar... 10/15/2011

Tired of College Football already? Is Baseball going to be over before Christmas?Why not do something different on this beautiful Fall Saturday, first have some Happy,Home,Hunting,Online (IDX=H3O) this afternoon at the Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas web site http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com/ or http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com/  (Twice the FUN)Then give Mike a call at (925) 550-9194 and plan a FUN tour for Saturday. 10/14/2011

OPEN HOUSE this Sunday, October 16th, from 1-4pm! Mark Schweller | Keller Williams | (925) 819-1072 1436 Hillsborough Blvd, Brentwood, CA Expansive Single Story on 1/2 Acre! 3BR/3BA Single Family House offered at $475,000 Year Built 2003 Sq Footage 2,864 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 20,037 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION OPEN HOUSE this Sunday, October 16th, from 1-4pm! Expansive Single Story on 1/2 Acre lot. Kitchen Features Double Oven, Eat-in Kitchen, Breakfast Bar, Island, Corian Countertops and Plenty of Cabinets! Resort style backyard and swimming pool with Basketball Court, Worshed, Side Access and Covered Patio! Stone Fireplace in Family Room! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fire... 10/14/2011

Summerset Homes In Brentwood Ca 94513 Summerset Homes are a very popular 55 + Gated Community in Brentwood Ca.  Summerset is divided into four different communities Summerset I, Summerset II, Summerset III, and Summerset IV. Each Summerset Community is gated with a Pool, Club House, Billards, Tennis Courts, Walking paths, Green Belts and lots of social activities.  The different communities share facilities and activities to provide variety.   Summerset Homes are near fine shopping, dinning, golf, fishing; and other exciting East Contra Costa Activities.  However, you are still within an hour to San Francisco and two hours to the High Sierra.    With a Summerset Home you are not just buying a Home but a Life Style.   Take a Look at these Great Summerset Homes! Now Call Me at 925-260-432... 10/13/2011

FSBOs On October 7, 2011, in Economist Commentaries, by Jed Smith, Managing Director, Quantitative Research   Recently a REALTOR® emailed NAR Research, asking about the advertising site ForSaleByOwner.com. “ForSaleByOwner” states that with a FSBO, “Sellers save big by not paying a hefty 6% commission.  They go on to state: “According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), for sale by owner sellers not only sell faster, but they usually get closer to their asking price.” We thanked the REALTOR® for alerting us to the website’s statements. This advertisement is an example of the old phrase, “We gave them the facts, just not all the facts.”  Here are more facts to take into consideration: In 2010 for an arms-length sale, the median sale price through a Realtor® was $200,000 for ne... 10/13/2011

10/12/2011

Att. Private Sellers & Banks, Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas is here to work for you. If your planning on selling your property, We would love to handle the listing. We won't just post a "For Sale" sign and walk away. We beleive your property listing deserves 100% Effort with 24/7 Exposure, that's why each property is shown to the public on such sites as http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com , http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com , plus http://www.twitter.com/buybrentwood , http://www.youtube.com/user/buybrentwood and also on http://www.wn.com/buybrentwood, just to name a few of the many sites we post on.  And even though we love to expose your property to all of the world with modern technology we still believe in holding a good old fashion Advertised Open House at least once ... 10/12/2011

Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas understands it takes more then just a "For Sale" sign in the lawn to sell a   property today, it takes a lot of exposure.     So call Mike with Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas at (925) 550-9194 and let's talk about the many different ways we can give your property that 24/7 exposure it needs.   Visit http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com & http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com (IDX=H3O) 10/11/2011

Buying a Home in Brentwood Ca 94513 - You want a Discount! A lot of people come out to Brentwood thinking about Buying a Home.  My job (which I love to do) is to help them find the the Perfect Home for them. So we find that Perfect Home within the budget they have given me.  Then what happens?  They want to put an offer in way under asking price!  Well they have read the paper and they know that they housing market is down and this is a buyers market - they expect to save money. Now don't get me wrong.  I don't think you should over pay for a property.  If a property is over priced I will let you know and advise you not to offer that much.   But a property is worth what a property is worth.  These properties have already been discounted, most are 50% or less of what they were 5 years ag... 10/07/2011

  Evaluating Roofs                                        (925) 687-9087 Jim Koeppel, Owner of friendly building inspections, says that there are two common techniques of evaluating roofs.   1. Inspection and reporting the overall physical condition of the material and installation of the roof coverings, flashing, framing and sheathing.   2. Simply answering the basic question "Does-it- leak?" The preferred method employed by professional real estate inspectors is the first technique of inspection and reporting the physical condition of the roofing system inside and out.   The alternate point of view, the "does-it-leak" approach, is a faulty form of wishful thinking. It assumes that because a roof has not leaked in the past, it is not likely to do so in the future. This flawed reasoning... 10/06/2011

Brentwood Ca 94513 Real Estate - Making an Insurance Claim? This morning I caught Russel Ray's post:  Dear Insurance Company:  Don't even think about denying my Claim! Well Russel sent me on a rant that I am going to share in this post: I do have an Insurance Background.  I spent over 20 years in claims.  You are right and wrong.  Insurance companies have gotten tighter and tend to deny more stuff.  I have had to go to the DOI and legal route to get a couple claims paid in the last few years. That being said, I have seen the other side of it.  There is an incredible amount of Fraud.  This drives cost.  No doubt each one of us pays at least several hundred dollars a year due to fraud. The insurance contract is complex because we are a culture of lawyers and we are dealing with a complex ... 10/05/2011

How much is that doggie in the window? Well if RPR could determine the value of doggies you would know,   but since it can't would you like to know how much your home is worth?   Call Mike with Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas at (925) 550-9194 to find the True Value with   Realtors Property Resource (RPR)       Looking for your Dream Home? visit http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com withIDX   or http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com to find the Home of your Dreams today.     10/04/2011

Treasury moves to help more military qualify for HAFA  by JON PRIOR   The Treasury Department clarified guidelines for the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program Thursday. The move is an effort help more military service members qualify for short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure.   Enough military families raised an issue with a caveat in the program: a permanent change of station was not being considered a financial hardship. A Treasury spokesperson said enough phone calls through the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline persuaded officials to make the clarification. "An example of such hardship includes a service member citing a 'Permanent Change of Station' order as the basis for his or her financial hardship when requesting HAFA even if such service member’s income has not been ... 10/03/2011

What Makes a Good Coach? There are lots of types of coaches; probably as many types as there are personalities in people.  Often what I see is those that are very successful at what they do are not good coaches.  In sports I see this at the proffesional level, college level, and even at the youth level.   I have 6 boys and the four oldest have and do all compete competively on some level and at some sport, the younger two will. For a person to be incredibly good at something they have to be driven - very driven.  We might say that drive comes from a need to succeed or win.  But I think that is too easy.  Often driven people are driven in different ways towards the same goal and each can be very successful being driven in different ways. What I see with very driven people that have been ... 10/01/2011

You can find the Home of your Dreams 24/7 at http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com/ with IDX   and now also at http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com/   "Finding your dream home just keeps getting easier with Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas"       Want to take a drive and go see some Beautiful Brentwood Properties? Call Mike at (925) 550-9194 10/01/2011

No plans for Saturday yet?   Why not do something different and have some Happy,Home,Hunting,Online (IDX=H3O) tonight with   Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas at   http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com/ or also now at http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com/   and then call Mike at (925) 550-9194 and let's plan some FUN Home tour's for Saturday         09/29/2011

What are the best Investment Properties in Antioch Ca? I work with lots of Investors in Antioch Ca and in other areas.  We are always looking for the homes that provide the  best Return on Investment when shoping for Investment Properties.   The Best Investment Properties provide the greatest return on the money that you invest in the property.  Considerations include:  Cost of the Investment Property, Rent the Investment Property can Bring in, Cost of Repairs to Rehab the Investment Property, and How fast the Investment Property can be rehabbed and rented out.  Another consideration not included on the Return on Investment (on a rental basis) is long term maintenance cost and potential for appreciation. If some of these terms in regard to Investment Properties are confusing down load T... 09/29/2011

What makes RPR special? Well that's simple to answer, RPR is not a cookie cutter program where one format fits all. You have the ability to "Refine to Define" (cool phrase I just thought it up) that's right if you need to allow for a major kitchen remodel or a minor bathroom remodel you can, do you need to adjust for needing a fresh exterior paint job? go right ahead and DEFINE what makes this property stand out from the neighborhood and how you arrived at it's estimated value. Why not put RPR to the test if your selling your property? Call Mike with Area Pro Realty Bay Area Villas at (925) 550-9194     Find your Dream Home at:   http://www.michaelroache.areaprorealty.com and now also at http://www.michaelroache.bayeastweb.com 09/28/2011