“Batter Up!” The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 89 - March 25, 2009
What’s New?
Watching my son come up to bat last week, I was once again reminded how difficult baseball is - a game where even the best players in the world only get on base once out of every three attempts.
Statistically, baseball is a game of failure; a game where every miscalculated step or strike out is painfully on display for all to see. There’s no hiding in the pack like with soccer, basketball, lacrosse or rugby (what exactly happens in a “scrum?”). Even water polo has plenty of activity to redirect the eye. Not baseball! While baseball is theoretically, a team sport, you often stand alone.
So in spite of the atheist in me, like many an anxious parent, I always pray for a little help each time my son approaches the batter’s box or whenever a hit sails deep into left field toward his outstretched glove. Fingers crossed, eyes looking toward heaven, I silently pray, “Please, please, please . . .” as I watch him react and race to the ball.
At the risk of offending those who pray for more than baseball, I know that it isn’t prayer that makes the difference in my son’s success or failure - it’s practice. Because so much time is spent waiting between plays, the inescapable truth is that my son will only be ready to act in the moment, if he is adequately prepared before he sets foot on the field. Mastering critical skills should happen before - not during - a game, so that when action is required, the play is automatic!
Preparation is the key in real estate as well so that when the right opportunity comes along, you are set to execute the corresponding play. Preparation starts with clarifying your goals and then qualifying your actions, understanding your finances and then pre-approving your loan, outlining a timeline and then visiting Sunday Opens, selecting an experienced REALTOR and then effectively communicating your needs (and that’s just your warm-up). Fine tuning your real estate skills should happen before, you find the right home - not after.
While today’s INTERNET generation is more apt to research and explore the market on their own, yesterday’s consumer had it right in one important strategic component: they relied much more on their agent’s experience and often started with a well-timed phone call to their Realtor FIRST.
Even with today’s unrestricted access, there’s no doubt that aligning yourself with a local REALTOR from the onset, automatically improves your odds in the game. No one wants to bunt if they should be swinging for the fences (and my husband thinks I don’t know baseball!).
As a neighborhood specialist, I am in the best position to know what is coming to the market, what has withdrawn, what is due for a price reduction and which sellers are open to an offer long before the most adept Googler. Like a well-honed athlete (or a boy scout) it is my job to be prepared; to know the players, to understand their strengths and weaknesses and to manage the game from beginning to end.
So while I am more than happy to help the home buyer or seller who waits to contact me until the 7th-inning stretch, YOU are better served by capitalizing on my knowledge and experience from the very first swing. Like Baseball, Real Estate is essentially a team sport; however, unlike baseball - you never have to stand alone.
Just think of me as your personal batting, pitching, and base coach all rolled into one. I am your back up man, your “go to” girl, your supportive trainer and your strategic manager. I study the competition, know the landscape, and do my best to craft a winning game plan.
So whether it’s a curve ball, an off-speed pitch or a fast ball crossing the plate (bear with me, I’m on a roll. You can think Tudor, Mid-Century Contemporary or quintessential Brown Shingle). you will be prepared to hit the pitch out of the ballpark, round the bases and arrive safely at home!
Batter up!
What’s Coming?
Anian Tunney has just listed 10 Huntleigh Road near Hampton Field in Piedmont. This chic and stylish home with gracious open floorplan seamlessly combines formal and informal living. Built in 1980, this beautiful Brown Shingle, features spacious formal rooms, inviting kitchen, beautiful brick patios for entertaining, family/media room down, elegant master suite, high ceilings, French doors and garden fountain. List price: $2,900,000. Shown by appointment only! www.grubbco.com
Anian Tunney has also listed 330 Hampton Road. This striking Contemporary was famed architect, Clarence Mayhew’s, own home and features 4bdrms/3bths, walls of glass, family room off of the kitchen and lush gardens on a large corner property, nestled amongst California Live Oaks. List price: $1550,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30
Don’t miss Michelle Winchester’s listing at 191 Sandringham Road. This beautiful Monterey Colonial features 5bdrms/3+bths, elegant formal rooms with Bay views, paneled library, big media/family room down and inviting brick courtyard. List price: $2,195,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30. www.191Sandringham.com
I will be back at 308 Pala Avenue this Sunday afternoon, 2-4:30pm. Please join me at this elegant Mediterranean which features 4bdrms/3bths, formal living and dining rooms, sunny spacious kitchen, bonus media/family room down and renovated rear garden in Central Piedmont. List price: $1,850,000. www.308Pala.com
(I haven’t mentioned every special home - just a few of my favorites! For a more complete guide, please feel free to email me at jgardner@grubbco.com or better yet, give me a call 510 326-0840!)
What’s Pending?
The open and inviting view home on Scenic Avenue, listed for $995,000 hit the market last week and went pending very rapidly. This well-priced home sits squarely within the “sweet spot,” I wrote about a few weeks ago. Homes perceived as a “good value” continue to attract strong attention!
While it’s tempting to hold out for the “deal,” it’s really the “value” you want in this - or ANY market.
What’s Happening?
Last week I spoke about the “tipping point” being near at hand and sure enough, Kenneth Harney’s article in last Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle confirms my belief.
It’s worth noting that Bank of America is leading the way in true Jumbo financing and will be originating loans up to $1,500,000 but they won’t be alone!
For the last several months, loans above the “super conforming” loan limit of $729,750 have been difficult to come by and significantly more costly for the borrower, which has created a backlog of high-end properties.
With news that ING Group is offering loans as high as $2,000,000 and Luxury Loans of San Diego is underwriting mortgages from $3,000,000 -
$6,000,000 for large commercial banks to put into their investment portfolios - homes that were previously unattainable may now be back on the table for high-end buyers.
Jumbo borrowers - start your engines!
What’s Fun!
The annual Tri-School fundraiser takes place on April 4, 2009. This is the only event all year that benefits all three elementary schools.
Beach, Havens and Wildwood parents are cordially invited to attend Retro Fever Auction 2009! Celebrate, Dance and Dine at the Sequoyah Country Club and enjoy live music, great food, signature drinks, and far-out auction items, including children’s art, vintage wines, exciting getaways and groovy parent parties. Now that’s fun!
Tickets are limited so RSVP to:www.PiedmontSpringFling.org by March 30, 2009 to reserve your spot.
The Piedmont Plug!
Setting aside my neutral stance on all things political with respect to Piedmont, I am going to put in a plug for Measures B and E that are scheduled for a vote on June 2, 2009.
Together, these two measures address some (not all) of the lost revenue our schools have recently experienced due to BIG budget cuts in Sacramento. Measure B continues the parcel tax we already have in place, for an additional four years, while Measure E seeks to backfill a portion of the revenue that supplements Piedmont’s fine academic programs.
Without addressing the complex feelings that surround these measures, I will speak as a local REALTOR who analyzes the market every week and wishes to remind all of you that our high property values are directly tied to the health and well-being of our PUBLIC schools. While other communties statewide have suffered the impact of dramatic downturns, Piedmont still remains relatively stable, due primarily to the strong demand for our K-12 education!
Compromise the quality of our children’s education and you are sure to see a comparable decline in the value of your homes. As a community that has always placed a high premium on educational excellence, can we really afford to abandon this position now - especially now?
Yes on Measures B & E. “BE” Pro-Education!
PS - While some of us pay a disproportionate amount of property taxes, compared to our long-established neighbors, Parcel Tax money is exclusively for education here in Piedmont, and it is the only school tax money that we control 100% locally. Parcel Tax funds account for a much-needed 27% of the school’s annual budget. So please feel free to forward this message. Every “yes” vote counts!
See you next week!
THANKS FOR READING!
For more information about any of the properties or events listed above, please call me at (510) 339-0400 x264, or simply respond to this email. I’d love to share my real estate tips and my experience in the Piedmont community with you!
Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well.
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