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The Bridge, The Bay, The Battleship

2012-05-25T20:56:01Z

Memorial Day around the Bay

Memorial Day Weekend approaches, as does the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. Appropriately enough, I know of two military related occurrences going on around the Bay this Saturday.

First, the USS Iowa is finally going to be towed out of her berth in Richmond and down to San Diego, going through the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday sometime between 12:00 and 3:00.

On an earlier blog I mentioned that the ship was leaving last weekend, but rough seas delayed her departure. This time they're pretty sure she's heading out, and they expect a crowd lining the headlands to watch her go.

Second, the 12,000 square foot Visitor's Education Center for the Rosie the Riveter/World War 11 Home Front National Historical Park will be dedicated at a celebration from 10am to 5pm Saturday in the Oil House at the Ford Point building.

Here's the fun part and the good news: If you're a WWII history buff you don't have to miss either event. You can head for the Rosie the Riveter celebration in the morning, and have a ring side seat as the tugs hook up to the USS Iowa and tow her out.

Check out this map:

As you can see, the battleship will sail right by the Ford Point Building Craneway Pavilion, right where the Rosie the Riveter celebration is taking place. Pretty cool!

I hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!

For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you.

Celebrate Bay Area

2012-05-21T18:49:47Z

Bridging the Gaps

This week we honor two Bay Area monuments. Both are monuments to personal freedom: Harvy Milk; and The Golden Gate Bridge. Both inspire us to follow our hearts no matter what blocks our way.

Harvy Milk, with amazing courage and humour, galvanized both gays and straights to go beyond cultural constraints and claim the freedom to be the people we want to be.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a beautiful landmark that symbolizes both connection and freedom by encouraging us to extend the boundaries both man-made and emotional and travel freely.

Take this week to fully appreciate how far we've come, how much more is available to us, and how far we can go. We can overcome the barriers that keep us from living the life we want. May we be an example to others by bridging the gaps in understanding and compassion that may exist in our own lives and embodying freedom of choice.

And, now for the FREE FUN.

Tuesday May 22nd:
Harvy Milk Day: Free admission to the GLBT History Museum

Wednesday May 23rd:
Free Comedy in Oakland: Senseless Bureau of Improv

Thursday May 24th:
Live Music at Jack London Square: SoundWaves

Friday May 25th:
"Summer Nights" at the Oakland Museum of California: 1968 Movie Night. BTY, if you haven't seen the historical display here about 1968, check it out.

Saturday & Sunday May 26th & 27th:
Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary Celebration

For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you.

Attention All Home Buyers

2012-05-17T18:22:12Z

Competition among home buyers has become stiffer, especially in the Berkeley area, so it's more important than ever to have a source of instant information on housing availability.

If you're in the market for a new home, I can offer you several ways to get a jump on the competition. First, connect with a site like ListingBook or MyREAlert. These sites will help you fine-tune your search parameters so only the homes that most closely match your requirements will show up in your email.

Going to Real Estate Open Homes is another important way to get a good idea about neighborhoods and home styles that meet your needs and fit your budget.

But how do you find out when a house is going to be available for public viewing?

the Berkeley Association of Realtors' Thursday Tour Sheet and Ad Review Thursday Update is one of the best ways. It's an up-to-the-minute account of weekly open homes in the Berkeley Area.
Drawn from the tour data entered into the MLS by some listing agents, the BAR Tour Sheet is an excellent supplement to the Ad Review Brokers' Tour Update--some listing agents enter their brokers' tour information only in the MLS and not in the Ad Review.

Many listings will appear on both lists. Some of these properties may be appearing here and now for the first time anywhere. You'll find out about Open Homes and Brokers Opens as soon as the Realtors do.

Did you know that consumers are also welcome to visit homes during Brokers' Tours (except where noted in the individual property details)?

Contact me and I'll be happy to send you these lists and set up the home search engines for you, and when you're ready to go on your tour, please tell any attending agents where you drop by that I sent you.

For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you

Empty Nester News

2012-05-14T21:47:50Z

Brings Back the 60’s, Man.

My daughter got a two-for –the-price-of-one ticket to the Oakland museum and invited me to go with her to see the exhibits. As a budding graphic novelist herself, she was interested in the work of cartoonist Daniel Clowes—an exceptionally gifted man with a pen, I must say. The drawings were superb.

As we paid our fees to enter, another show caught my eye. It was called “The 1968 Exhibit”. I expressed interest in seeing that, and after an exhaustive (and exhausting) look at what else the Fine Arts Wing had to offer, and a delicious lunch in their café overlooking the koi pond, we went to see the 1968 show.

Wow.

Seeing this amazing time in my life, especially that year, so strikingly displayed was an incredible experience. I, and others my age, led kids and granddads around the displays to add our two cents about what was happening in our own lives when Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were shot and men went to the moon.

We admitted that, yes, we did wear pants like that, watched TV on those awkward looking sets, spent time on the panhandle, used those bulky phones, thrilled at the moon landing and wept for King and Kennedy.

Musing about those times, and the kinship we felt with kids like us in Chicago, L.A., Berkeley, San Francisco, and all over the United States and across the world who wore peace buttons in their lapels and flowers in their hair. I realized I miss that feeling of being kindred spirits with so many others my age, sharing a language and life so different than our parents.

It’s so different in this divisive time. However, as I eavesdropped on others like myself, sharing memories with their companions, I realized that we are still those people. We lived through an amazing time and were deeply and indelibly effected by our experiences working to change the world and ourselves.

As the lyrics goe in the song "For Good" in the musical “Wicked”:

"Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

I have been changed for good..."

See this show about 1968 at the Oakland Museum. It will be there through August. Remember what happened, remember those things we did, and more importantly, remember yourself!

For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you

Realtors Want To Keep People In Their Homes

2012-05-12T17:18:37Z

Counter Intuitive? Not Really.

Good neighborhoods mean good property values, and good property values are a direct result of attractive neighborhoods with thriving, happy familys who care for their homes. Residents who live in their own property and feel secure are much more likely to take good care of their homes. Owners whose properties are in forclosure are not. Realtors know that neighborhoods with lots of forclosed properties are less attractive to buyers, so keeping struggling homeowners in their homes and creating secure and happy neighborhoods is a priority that enriches all of us.

From CAR (the California Association of Realtors) comes this:

"REALTORS® not only care about getting families into homes, we also care about helping distressed homeowners keep their homes. That’s why C.A.R. is launching an initiative to warn and educate consumers about mortgage fraud. We’ve produced public service announcements (PSAs) in four languages, which we hope will air on radio and television stations throughout the state. We’ll partner with the California District Attorneys Assn. and hold news conferences in key regions to highlight the issue. We’ve also dedicated a section on car.org where REALTORS® and consumers can get information and tips to avoid being scammed and learn where to report scams. Look for future updates here on our loan fraud prevention efforts. View the PSAs and check out the loan fraud section here. "

For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

One Dog's Opinion

2012-05-09T22:12:17Z

The Perils of Puppy Training (and the lack of it)

We all need to go to school. The only exceptions are animals with the IQ of a gerbil. Like a Gerbil. Or a cat. But all working animals and trainable animal companions need some schooling.

I’m sure you’ve seen those unruly dogs tearing around a park or neighborhood with a helpless owner crying George, COME! GEORGE! COME!!. Does George come? Of course not! He’s too busy playing in traffic, scaring small children and knocking the elderly out of his way. George needs schooling.

I am a proud graduate of puppy school, and I have a diploma to prove it hanging prominently in my room. Not only that, I have homework on a regular basis. My people put me through my obedience lessons often. This helps to refresh my memory so vital skills like "sit" and "stay" are at the ready. You’ve got to practice what you’ve learned to keep your brain sharp.

I matriculated at the University of Berkeley Humane Society. They have a great deal where adopted dogs, like me, get a discount on the cost of the classes. There I met some nice dogs and did very well on all my assignments with the exception of ONE.

Here’s what I was supposed to do: I was to come to my person when she called me. Sounds simple, doesn't it. She was on one end of an aisle made of chairs, and I was on the other. She had a tasty treat in her hand, and she called me and I was supposed to come to her.

Here’s why I didn’t. There was an open part of the “walls” of the aisle, and in that spot was a cat.

Later I found out that it was a mechanical cat, but at the time I didn’t know that. I couldn't decide whether to chase the darn thing or flee from it. It was moving in this weird way and making an infernal racket. My person was calling me, beckoning me thither with a wealth of treats in her hands and what did I do? I froze. I stared at that cat and pondered my potential fate.

I had learned from my home experience that there are two types of cats: cats that run from a dog, and cats that attack a dog. I had no idea what type of cat I faced, but I couldn't’t go to my person without knowing for sure. The last thing I wanted was to be popped on the nose, or worse yet, my butt by that infernal cat.

All the other dogs and people were watching. I was as embarrassed as I could be, but I could not move. Finally the head trainer came to my rescue. She took my leash and broke the spell that stupid fake cat had over me.

Sigh. I had failed that assignment. guess you can’t be good at everything. But you really can’t be good at anything if you don’t have the opportunity to learn, and you can't learn if you don’t have a good school to teach you.

Long story short, I hear there’s a measure K (remember K for K-9) on the ballot that will help the local schools. This dog says vote YES. It’s very important for all young ones to get good puppy training so they’ll become responsible, intelligent adults. They may not be enrolled at the Humane Society, but hopefully their education will be as good as mine was with a little help and support from the community.

For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

Mothers, Memorials, and May

2012-05-05T21:08:45Z

Remember the Maine, Remember your Mom.

There's a couple of very special events in May. You know what they are. The first is

Mother's Day on May 13th (for a bunch of cool info about Mother's Day, click HERE). Those of you who still have your moms, be sure and let them know how special they are. I know, you hear it every year. You take her to brunch or give her some flowers and thats the end of it. I imagine some of you feel a little annoyed at the "have to" feeling about Mother's Day, cursing the card companies for creating a fake event just to make a buck. I'm not going to guilt trip you with my "If my mom were alive" wish list. I'm just saying: You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. Nuf said.

Memorial Day Weekend is the second. There's a whole panoply of events in the Berkeley Area that weekend. I won't list them all here. Google it, and you'll see. There's just one thing I think should occur on Memorial Day: we might all like to give it up for our men and women in the service. However you feel about war, what's done is done, and right now those who served need our support and gratitude. Thank you in advance for thinking of them.

Right about here in Friday/Saturday Blog, I usually give you a list of free events that are happening this week, but I just noticed that there are free events that happen every week of every month all through the year. I thought I'd give you a partial list of some of those so you can focus on Mother's and Memorial Day and plan accordingly.

Free Events that Happen Every Week.

Motown Mondays at the Madrone starts at 6pm
Summer of Art free festival at the United Nations Plaza every Tuesday from 12 to 2pm
Honky Tonk Jamboree in North Beach every Wednesday at Fiddler's Green
Bicycle Bingo Night at the Actual Cafe in Oakland. Every Thursday at 7pm
Friday Night at the DeYoung Every Friday at 6:30
Stock up on all the books you want (limit 100) at the Free Book Store in El Cerri to Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 6pm Berkeley Underground Film Society present Rare 16mm Film Night at the Tannery in Berkeley

Have Fun! Love to your MOM, and best wishes to you and all the service men and women out there. Thanks to one and all.

For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

It's Time to Sell Your Home. Really. Best Time Ever! I Kid You NOT!

2012-05-02T21:21:10Z

Read this Post, and you'll see what I mean.

Okay, Home Sellers: LISTEN UP.
"After several years of an oversupply of homes on the market and an undersupply of qualified buyers, the tables have turned for the Bay Area’s housing market. It may be hard for some consumers to believe, but our local housing market has bounced back in a big way over the past year or two. Eager buyers are once again out in force ready to purchase their next home. But ironically, the only thing stopping them is a serious shortage of homes for sale!"

Here's Where YOU Come In.
"We’ve come a long ways from the recessionary days when homes sat on the market for many months or even a year or longer waiting for a buyer. Today, properties are once again being snapped up quickly, often with multiple offers due to the shortage of inventory. While this imbalance is frustrating some would-be buyers, it is also creating a great opportunity for savvy homeowners who have gotten the message that now may be the best time in many years to sell their home.

It's About INVENTORY. That's Realtor-speak for YOUR HOME.
"In the Bay Area, inventory levels are down more than 62 percent from a year ago in some areas. This comes as the economy gains momentum and the job market and the financial markets improve – all providing more ready cash and incentives for buyers to purchase. The result is that there are more offers for good homes for sale. Sellers are getting higher prices and properties are moving faster than they have in years."

So We're Back to Multiple Offers and OVERBIDS.
"As a result of this shortage of homes for sale in the Bay Area, we are back to seeing offers with no contingencies in some cases, and buyers making offers on several properties before they actually get into contract on one. Multiple offers of $100,000 to $200,000 over asking price is not unusual in some prime neighborhoods. In one extreme example, there were 28 offers on one property that sold over listing price by 20 percent.

"The Bay Area isn’t alone. According to the California Association of Realtors, the state’s overall housing inventory declined in February, with the unsold inventory index for existing, single-family detached homes decreasing to 5.3 months, down from a revised 5.7 months in January and down from the 7.5-month supply in February 2011. The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate."

And, of course, there's those LOW Interest Rates.
"Adding to the strong buyer demand are record-low interest rates. Interest rates fell to historic lows again in April. Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.87 percent, down more than 1 percent from a year ago, according to Bankrate.com. Fifteen year fixed rates dropped to 3.11 percent and adjustable-mortgage interest rates were 2.73 percent in April.

"To be sure, the housing market is once again coming alive. Real estate agents are seeing 80-100 visitors at some open houses, multiple offers are no longer exception, but the rule in many communities, and buyers are showing a sense of urgency perhaps out of concern that record low interest rates could be heading higher before long. Some recent comments from our local managers:

“Stale listings are selling, there are sales in one day, 17 offers on a fixer-upper, most probates are being overbid, heavy open traffic, frustrated buyers, off-market pre-emptive sales, cash deals winning the bidding. Great time to list!”

“A condo that was listed 12 months ago and did not sell came back on the market with a five percent higher listed price and sold within a week at over asking price.”

“New listings are flying off the market with double digit multiple offers, which are making final prices over asking. Inventory is still low. We are also seeing cash buyers more frequently. Buyers are ready to go.”

“Our office had a high-end property listed on the MLS last year for 90 days that did not sell. The seller re-listed it this year and received multiple offers and it will close escrow over list price. What a difference a year makes!”"

Here's Your Action Item:
"Sellers need to sense the same pent up demand, excitement and urgency in the market that buyers have sensed for the past year. They need to take the long postponed leap to list their homes for sale now.

Simply put, there just aren’t enough homes on the market to meet the tremendous demand from buyers. And this is true in all price segments, from small starter homes and condos right up to multi-million-dollar Previews properties."

Make a Buyer Happy!
"The days of buyers being only interested in distressed properties at bargain basement prices are over. Homebuyers are pounding the pavement looking for good, well-maintained properties at fair prices in every segment of the housing market.

The real estate market has always come down to two simple factors: the law of supply and demand, and consumer confidence. Right now, both of those are creating a sellers’ market here in the Bay Area. Consumers are feeling more confident as the economy picks up steam and the stock market turns in strong gains in 2012. Clearly, the scales of supply and demand are tipping heavily in favor of sellers today."

Look Sharp, Feel Sharp, BE Sharp:
"Smart, strategic homeowners understand all this, and they’re making their moves right now – not six months or a year from now. They’re the ones getting multiple offers for their home because there just isn’t a lot of competition for buyers’ attention. They’re out there now, before everyone else joins the “house party” and tips the scales back in favor of buyers once again."

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, now is the time. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have, and to help you get the very best possible price for your home while demand is so strong!

From Coldwell Banker of Northern California.

For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

May your May be Amayzing!

2012-04-30T22:13:06Z

May is one of our favorite months in the Berkeley area. We usually have beautiful days, then a bit of fog to cool things off. This week, however, cloudy days are in store, with rain this weekend.

So maybe the crystalline days of May are going to be a little less than beautiful, but you can get your required dose of beauty at all the art museums that abound around here, for this is the week when most of them have FREE DAYS!

You can see pretty crazy fashions from that guy that designed Madonna's ice cream cone bustier at the DeYoung, and some pretty cool cartoon art at both the Cartoon Museum in SF and the Oakland Museum.

On the 5th celebrate Cinco De Mayo. There will be parades on both the 5th and 6th at various locations around the bay.

All and all, plenty of fun, beauty, and gaiety are in store whatever the weather. Here's a short list:

Tuesday May 1st

Free Museum Entry: Legion of Honor, DeYoung Museum, Cartoon Art Museum, SF MOMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Wednesday May 2nd

San Francisco Zoo free day

Thursday May 3rd

Berkeley Art Museum

Friday May 4th

First Fridays Temescal Alley Art Walk

Saturday May 5th

Cinco De Mayo Festival at Dolores Park

Sunday May 6th

Asian Art Museum Free Day

For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

Is It Safe to Sell Your Home?

2012-04-28T20:42:53Z

If you live in the Berkeley Area,
Now's Your Chance.

The California Associate of Realtors sent me this encouraging article. If you've been thinking of selling your home, this will be of interest to you.

"While analysts debate when the housing market will hit bottom, for a surprising number of cities the turnaround has already begun. In December, prices rose in 109 of the 384 metro areas tracked by data firm CoreLogic.

Making sense of the story
There are certain signs to help determine if a particular neighborhood is on the verge of a rebound. For instance is local employment on the upswing? That’s a critical factor for a region to get itself on the path to recovery. Improving jobs picture has led to shrinking housing stock across the country, as investors and bargain hunters have started buying up foreclosures that have been preventing a recovery.
For years, buyers were scared of overpaying for a home, but less so now. Many buyers have grown accustomed to thinking they’ll score deals, so they tend to act slowly, and typically start bidding around 10 percent to 15 percent below list price. However, a growing number of buyers are beginning to realize that if they wait too long in this market, they may miss out.

Sellers can hold firm on price if they’re patient. The days of having to deal with low-ball offers are coming to an end. The higher the price, the more patient the seller must be. Cheaper homes are affordable to more buyers and appealing to investors, so recoveries usually start there.
Sellers should keep in mind that while they don’t have to placate low-ball offers anymore, they also can’t shoot for the moon either. Working with a REALTOR® and setting a realistic price from the get-go is key.
Sellers should know what they’re competing against. Homeowners should let their home’s value dictate the price. While this may seem self-evident, some owners may have lost sight of it during the bust. On the one hand, some sellers clung to the false hope of a return to boom prices, so they set prices unrealistically high. Others may have gone too far the other way, and set their price too low.
It’s also important that sellers understand they’re no longer competing with gutted foreclosures. Buyers are tired of looking at worn-down, neglected, distressed properties and often don’t have much extra money to do a lot of fixing up. REALTORS® often report their clients are willing to pay a little more for a home that’s ready to move into."

Click HERE for more information.

One Dog's Opinion

2012-04-26T18:54:43Z

Are you an Alpha?

"I Practice Loving Kindness" --The Dalai Lama

In the newspaper today was a shocking story. I heard about it from my person, who was telling a friend what happened when we took our morning walk.

A dog tied in the back of a truck fell out of said vehicle that was traveling down the freeway. He was battered by truck and road and strangled by the rope. A caring person tried to alert the driver, who paid her no attention. Finally, the rope broke and the dog was flung into the retaining wall.
It lay their hurt and shaken. The good woman stopped her car, put a warm cover on the dog, and called for help. The dog owner drove on. The humane society has the dog, and is asking for donations to help pay medical costs (click the link provided, then "donate", then "Maya fund".

First, dogs in the back of a truck is a time-honored and stupid idea. When I ride, I ride in the backseat with a seat belt through my harness. I lie down too, so I have the lowest center of gravity possible.

But enough about me. Let's talk about you.

Humans, like dogs, are pack animals. They respond to peer pressure and strong leaders. Are you an alpha in your pack?

An alpha knows the right thing to do for the well=being of the pack and leads the pack in the right direction. In this dog's opinion, your leaders are not the alphas you should be following. Selfishness and greed do not benefit the whole pack.

The rise of bullying in the schools, in this dog's opinion, proves my point.

Bullying happens because people let it happen. They're afraid to mix in. Why? Because they might be hurt themselves. It's reasonable, but is it right? Of course it's not right!

Perhaps defending the bullied will show other pack members how to behave in the face of a threat, and they'll rise up to support the defender.

The woman who tried to stop the truck was an alpha, doing what was right rather than what was convenient.

You can be an alpha.

Do what's right, defend the weak and put-upon, help the helpless, human or not. Be compassion in action, an alpha guiding the rest of the pack out of the darkness and back to the light.

Pixie, Guest Blogger

For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

What's Next, What's to Do & What's Free This Week

2012-04-23T21:05:54Z

Computers: Time Savers or Suckers
Sometimes, only the FBI knows for sure.

Before we get to the free events, a word of warning about possible computer headaches down the road. If you haven't heard about this already, here's the skinny sent from a client of mine who put it very succinctly:

the FBI and Estonian police arrested several cyber criminals in “Operation Ghost Click”. The criminals operated under the company name “Rove Digital”, and distributed DNS (Domain Name System) changing viruses. Under a court order, expiring July 9, 2012, the Internet Systems Consortium is operating replacement DNS servers for the Rove Digital network. This will allow affected networks time to identify infected hosts, and avoid sudden disruption of services to victim machines. After that date those "clean" servers will go off-line. If your computer is infected by the DNS changer malware and you do not know it you will be using the altered version of the Internet after that date and who knows how that will mess up your internet usage and/or your computer.

There are several ways to check to see if your computer is using the "altered" DNS servers or not. The attached document describes these several check-it-out processes. One way is to go the website http://www.dcwg.org and follow the simple instructions.

There now. I know that you'll have a lighter heart (and more free time) if you check into this NOW. You'll find that you'll be able to enjoy these cheap-to-FREE Bay Area Events with your computer troubles put to rest!

TUESDAY APRIL 24
Do you enjoy the comic "Lio" by Mark Tatulli? Do you know someone who loves Zombie. Then you might enjoy this exhibit, and it might be the One art exhibit you might talk your favorite teenager into attending with you, and only $5!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 25
Does your child hate fish, but might like to watch fish eat? Enjoy a fish feeding frenzy in Sausalito.

THURSDAY APRIL 26
Another art show that the kids might enjoy. Celebrating the 200 year anniversary of the Brothers Grimm, modern German artists present their takes on these old stories.

FRIDAY APRIL 27TH
If you love to read but haven't found the next great book, head for A Great Good Place for Books for their Debut Author Night

SATURDAY APRIL 28
Dance around a May Pole. Celebrate Beltane at Golden Gate Park

SUNDAY APRIL 29th
For Your Gardening Pleasure: Spring plant sale and block party in Berkeley

For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

Blue Skies for Earthday and our Local Economy

2012-04-22T00:34:48Z

A Beautiful Day, and Signs of a Brighter Economic Future for the Bay Area

It couldn't be a better Earthday. The weather is bright and shiny, coaxing us outdoors the better to enjoy our beautiful East Bay.
Not only is the weather incredible, with sunny, summer temperatures, and bright blue skies, but the news has been really good for homeowners, job seekers, and Earthday participants. Since, as they say, a high tide rises all ships, we realtors stand to benefit from the good news as well.

First, for potential home sellers, March home sales last month out sold March 2011 by quite a lot, and multiple offers were standard. Experts say that it's looking like 2012 will be the rock bottom year for housing, meaning there's no place to go but up; especially if the current economic trends like a strengthening economy and no big serge in distressed properties, hold.

As to a strong economy, It looks like we're we're hanging tight in the Bay Area. Front page news in this morning's headlined that the Bay Area is on a job-gaining roll, adding nearly 11,000 jobs.

Great Earthday news is that venture capitalists are loving clean technology, providing more capitol to green innovation than before the recession, which means there could be the potential of still more jobs in clean technology.

As for distressed properties, it doesn't look likely that they'll flood the market, Attorney General Kamala Harris has her way. She is seeking changes in the foreclosure process, that would allow homeowners to challenge the proceeding in court. She'd also like to ban the robo-signing, and dual track foreclosures.

Based on these news stories, I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about our future. The happy news adds to the feelings of well-being that living in the Bay Area on a beautiful Saturday can so easily generate.

I hope you enjoy your Earthday!

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.

Don't Curb Your Eyesore!

2012-04-18T23:08:40Z

Recycle, recycle, recycle, with help from the BAR.

This year, my wife and I had a lovely surprise waiting for us under the Christmas tree. Our kids had pooled their resources and bought us a flat screen TV. They said it was the one thing they knew we'd both like.

I'm a little embarrassed to say they were right.

You might be wondering why I'm mentioning our Christmas gift in April. I'll tell you.

When we installed the new TV ( and, man, did that flatscreen make our living room look slick) the old one became an inconvenient, bulky eyesore. What in the world were we going to do with it?

We toyed with the idea of leaving it on the curb for someone to pick up, but leaving electronics out in our moist (and potentially moister) East Bay weather didn't seem like a good idea. Yet we had to get rid of the thing, and no one seemed to want it. What to do?

A solution came our way courtesy of the Berkeley Association of Realtors. In honor of Earthday, BAR is holding an Electronics Recycling event at their office on the corner of Martin Luther King and Cedar Street. Everyone is welcome to hand over their old laptops, printers, cell phones, monitors, and, of course, large, old fashioned, TVs like our old one.

BAR is partnering with the Green Citizen in a celebration of their first anniversary in Berkeley. They will be on hand to share information about their services, and all donors will receive on free Green Bag filled with eco-goodies and information.

If you have any questions, give me a call. I'll be happy to answer them.

Calling all retirees, empty nesters, and moving on-ers:

Wouldn't you like to recycle your HOME? There's a lot of buyers out there, and not much inventory. it looks to many of my Real Estate professional colleagues as if a buyers market is shaping up, especially in the high-end market. If you are thinking of selling your home, I'd love to help.

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

Some Free Fun in the Bay Area

2012-04-16T22:56:42Z

. . .For You In This Taxing Tax Time

Tomorrow is tax day, when all the sins of the last year, in budgetary form, come to haunt us and possibly hurt us in our most vulnerable spot: our wallets. Like the proverbial deer in the headlights, we confront our avarice, our disorganized files, our checkbooks, and our household costs. We make vows for change, swearing that next year we'll be better. We'll start earlier, we'll get our budgets under control, and we'll lead a credit-free life.

With finances front and center, it's no wonder that we search for cheap distractions. That's where The Beat comes in. Here are some fun events, both cost and guilt-free, that we can do to take our minds off the IRS.

TUESDAY APRIL 17
Get a free single serving of Shanghai Angus Steak at Panda Express on Tax Day 2012 – Valid only on April 17th.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 18
Join East Bay Green Drinks every Wednesday for free bites and snacks by Local 123. Local beer and wine will be on tap along with $3 Trumer Pils.

THURSDAY APRIL 19
Free Film in Oakland: Vegucated is a feature-length documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks

FRIDAY APRIL 20th
Art Bazaar and Food Trucks in Oakland

SATURDAY APRIL 21
Berkeley Earth Day is an annual event held in April to celebrate the environmental movement and creatively challenge the destruction of our planet.

SUNDAY APRIL 22
The 2012 Cherry Blossom Festival parade begins at the Civic Center at 1:00 p.m., proceeding up Polk to Post Street, and ending in Japantown at Post and Fillmore streets

On the Real Estate front, it looks to many of my Real Estate professional colleagues as if a buyers market is shaping up in the high-end market. If you are thinking of selling your home, I'd love to help.

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

Birthday Parties, Old and New.

2012-04-13T19:54:34Z

Favorite Destinations
for Birthday Boys and Girls.

It's my daughter's birthday today. Now that our kids are grown, we have special dinners or brunches for them and, of course, presents. The big parties with treat bags, tons of kids, and, often, other parents are a thing of the past.

I wax nostalgic when I think of the parties we've thrown for the kids when they were younger. We're so lucky we live in the Berkeley area, home to an amazing array of choices, from free to not free, that make incredible birthday celebrations pretty effortless.

My daughter loved parties at Tilden Park. She and her girlfriends would dress as forest fairies, and, with their home-made wands and a little imagination, they transformed the already beautiful park into fairyland.

Our oldest son, the intellectual, liked nothing better than the science lab parties at the Lawrence Hall of Science, especially the Bubble Blowing Party where they made all sorts of different kinds of bubbles, including a huge one that swallowed up the kid of honor.

The Youngest boy loved hosting his friends at the Adventure Playground in the Berkeley Marina. They happily built and painted forts--using real hammers, giant nails, water-based paint and huge paint brushes--and, when they got tired of that, sped down the zip line that ran across the arena,

Tomorrow, right around the Adventure Playground, is the Berkeley Bay Festival. This wonderful FREE event is happening tomorrow, 75 years after the Marina first opened in 1937. According to the information on the web site, The Bay Festival "will showcase activities and environmental education that is available here at the Marina and all around the region. Come celebrate the earth and our Bay by listening to Music, eating wonderful food, and enjoying a day by the Bay. Entertainment for all ages." They're not kidding. Go to the website to see the amazing variety of activities available and get to know the Berkeley Marina.

If you have a favorite Berkeley Birthday venue, please share. I'd love to hear about it.

Happy Birthday, Kelsey!

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

One Dog's Opinion

2012-04-11T21:04:28Z

Flea and Cat Scratch Fever

I live with 4 cats, more or less comfortably. Two fear me, one is indifferent to me, and the 4th is she-who-must-be-obeyed.

As a newcomer to this household, I went through a period of adjustment. I chase anything that moves quickly. It's just who I am. Most cats move pretty quickly when they see a dog, even a cat-sized dog like myself, and when I see them move, I give chase.

This one cat, she-who-must-be-obeyed, the power cat, took matters into her own paws. She swatted me on the nose when I chased any of the other cats. No kidding, she'd actually seek me out to punish me! Why she cares, I don't know. She despises the other cats almost as much as she despises me, but there you are. Eventually, after some pretty nasty altercations, I learned to curb my enthusiasms and became a "good dog" with regard to the cats.

In my opinion, I'm a good dog no matter what. But I digress.

Cats are company, I give you that, but you won't find me curling up with them. I've seen the photos on facebook. Adorable kittens snuggling in the giant forepaws of the lovable great dane. Not me, Not ever.

Besides being, well, cats, they also wander around the neighborhood collecting fleas. Then they bring them home to me. It's getting pretty bad. We're all pretty itchy. looks like another flea pogrom is on the way at our house.

Frontline, that flea and tick goop applied monthly, stopped working. Why, I don't know. PetVet, the combo veternarian and pet supply place in El Cerrito (if you don't know it you might check it out. The prices are good there, and if you're a little short on cash, the Pet Vet will help keep your animal healthy) suggested we try Advantage. We bought it, but a few things must be done before application.
For me, it starts with a bath, especially if I haven't had one in a while.

As I air-dry (no hair dryers for ME, thank you very much), the powers-that-be vacumn rugs, wash bedding, and corral the cats in an upstairs bedroom. That way they won't escape while each of them take their turn having liquid flea death applied between their shoulder blades.
They hate that. heh, heh, heh.

When I'm completely dry, and the cats are all dosed, I get my turn to be flea free. It's an uncomfortable process, but I guess it's way better than scratching.

Oh, speaking of pet supplies, Pet Food Express a locally owned pet supply store, has a new location in El Cerrito. They gave away a whole pound of doggy treats as an grand opening present, so you can bet my people went to check it out. I do go through the doggy treats. It's conveniently located right next door to Safeway, so they got their groceries too.

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

Berkeley Area FREE Fun Report

2012-04-09T22:13:26Z

By the Bay, By the Bay, By the Beautiful Bay . . .

I've been rereading a favorite author, Patrick O'Brian , who wrote a series of riveting books about life the tall ships when Britannia truly ruled the waves. As a result, the sea has been much on my mind.

As you might have guessed from previous posts, I have a fascination with ships. Perhaps that's just part of my Scandinavian heritage (among other things), but we do have the sea chest of my grandfather who used to pilot the Balclutha in our living room, so I could very well have salt water in my blood.

All that being the case, I decided to dedicate this Berkeley Area list of fun and free events to activities that deal in some way with the sea (or the bay, for you persnickity folks). I included a talk on global warming, figuring that if the skeptics are wrong, we'll find the ocean lapping at our feet one day in the (hopefully) much distant future.

But even if the skeptics are right, we might want to familiarize ourselves with the ocean. It's the life-blood of our planet.

In honor of the ocean and those that travel in and upon it, the first bit of bay area entertainment I recommend you visit I placed arbitrarily on this Tuesday (you can visit it any time). It is:

Tuesday April 10th
A tour of the 3 masted Balclutha at the San Francisco Maritime National Museum. Not free, I suspect, but you can poke around the pier anyway and have a great time.

Wednesday April 11th
Open Minds are alive and well in Berkeley: Skep Talk: Why so many are skeptical of Global Warming is being presented by Mark MacCaffrey.

Thursday April 12th
Learn some sea chanties and Folk Songs of the Oceans and Rivers at the El Cerrito Library

Friday April 13th (my darling daughter's birthday, whose name means "from ship island")
2000 Bikes Under The Sea: Bike Party in El Cerrito

Saturday April 14th
The Berkeley Bay Festival presented by the city of Berkeley is taking place at Shorebird Park.

Sunday April 15th
Day two of the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco. Not sea-related, you say? I beg to differ. The Japanese are Island folks, and a such are very familiar with sea life. Their traditions and food reflect that.

And if you'd rather stay home, I can reccommend a very good series of books. Yo Ho Ho!

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

Attention Empty Nesters

2012-04-06T20:26:17Z

Eager Buyers are Waiting For YOU!

March was a very eventful month for this intreped real estate agent. I had the priviledge of representing the seller in 2 sales (2445 Ashby and 1110 Cornell) and the buyer in 2 sales (Yale and Bayview Terrace). It feels great to be closing 4 escrows in one month, and April looks like another good month.

My listing on 22 Windsor is in escrow, and there's an office building on Telegraph that I'm sharing with a collegue that would make a dandy live-work.

I love working with a lot of buyers, but I'm always grateful for more listings, That's where you empty nesters come in. If you've thought of downsizing, now is the time. Not only are there lots of buyers waiting for a home like yours to move into, there are some very nice condos and single family homes in good walk score locations waiting just for you.

Check out my website. Here you'll find a map of popular neighborhoods in the Berkeley & Oakland areas. Click your favorite, and you'll find some homes for sale pictured there. If you're not sure what neighborhood fits your needs, I've included in my copy links of some of the local restuarants, hot spots, entertainments, parks and schools.

If you find something you like, give me a call. Not only will I be happy to give you information about the home you like, I can set you up with REalert so you can receive instant information in your inbox about similar homes for sale if that one is not available.

I would also love to help you sell your present home. Now is a great time to sell in the Berkeley area. Based on the growth of my buying client roster, the buyers are out there in droves.

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

Polishing Up a Dull Boy

2012-04-02T22:33:49Z

Ways to Spring Clean the Spirit

Sparkling clear days after a gully washer of a rain last week makes getting outdoors almost irresistible. Weather like this is both an advantage and a disadvantage for real estate agents like myself. On one hand, showing buyers home inventory is so much more pleasant in the sunshine. The homes look so much better, the views are clear and bright, and you're not fighting with your umbrella or worried about wet footprints marring someone's freshly cleaned entry.

Home sellers have an advantage too. The gardens look lush and beautiful, and, once again, the views are clear and bright and you're not fighting with your umbrella or worried about wet footprints marring someone's freshly cleaned entry.

On the other hand, spring fever has hit me with a vengeance. I'm not feeling a whole lot like doing the "W" word. The best way to handle it, I've found, is to make sure that part of every day is devoted to enjoying the sunshine.

To that end, my wife, my dog, and I find ourselves taking regular early evening walks, then returning home to enjoy a glass of wine while sitting out on our deck.

The dog prefers beer.

Finding something fun to do every day keeps you fresh. All work and no play DOES make Jack a dull boy, so, in the interest of polishing up all you potential Jacks out there, here's a day by day list of FREE Bay Area activities for the coming week.

MONDAY APRIL 2
Author Cheryl Strayed talks about her recently released book on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

TUESDAY APRIL 3
Legion of Honor
De Young Museum
MOMA
Yerba Buena Center

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
Exploratoruim Free Day

THURSDAY APRIL 5
Berkeley Art Museum Free Day

FRIDAY APRIL 7th
Oakland Art Murmur

SATURDAY APRIL 8th
Undiscriptive title, but go see this amazing space and with lots to do. Bring the kids to The Cruciable Open House "The Science of Art".

SUNDAY APRIL 9th
Union Street Easter Parade

For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.

If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.

BLOG.WHATSNEXTHOMES.COM

The Bridge, The Bay, The Battleship

Memorial Day around the Bay

Celebrate Bay Area

Bridging the Gaps

Attention All Home Buyers

Empty Nester News

Brings Back the 60’s, Man.

Realtors Want To Keep People In Their Homes

Counter Intuitive? Not Really.

One Dog's Opinion

The Perils of Puppy Training (and the lack of it)

Mothers, Memorials, and May

Remember the Maine, Remember your Mom.

It's Time to Sell Your Home. Really. Best Time Ever! I Kid You NOT!

Read this Post, and you'll see what I mean.

May your May be Amayzing!

Is It Safe to Sell Your Home?

If you live in the Berkeley Area, Now's Your Chance.

One Dog's Opinion

Are you an Alpha?

What's Next, What's to Do & What's Free This Week

Computers: Time Savers or SuckersSometimes, only the FBI knows for sure.

Blue Skies for Earthday and our Local Economy

A Beautiful Day, and Signs of a Brighter Economic Future for the Bay Area

Don't Curb Your Eyesore!

Recycle, recycle, recycle, with help from the BAR.

Some Free Fun in the Bay Area

. . .For You In This Taxing Tax Time

Birthday Parties, Old and New.

Favorite Destinations for Birthday Boys and Girls.

One Dog's Opinion

Flea and Cat Scratch Fever

Berkeley Area FREE Fun Report

By the Bay, By the Bay, By the Beautiful Bay . . .

Attention Empty Nesters

Eager Buyers are Waiting For YOU!

Polishing Up a Dull Boy

Ways to Spring Clean the Spirit

If you live in the Berkeley Area,
Now's Your Chance.

Computers: Time Savers or Suckers
Sometimes, only the FBI knows for sure.

Favorite Destinations
for Birthday Boys and Girls.