It is the day after Christmas the house is a mess, you are tired of cooking, and you haven't started your new year's diet, now what? Go to Bakesale Betty's for a
Fried Chicken Sandwich. Bakesale Betty is know for their fabulous chicken breast sandwiches garnished with cabbage slaw. Visit Betty's at 5098 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. If you are not satisfied with your sandwich you can call me to complain!
On the ninth and tenth day of Christmas...
Go to Vessel and Susan Gildea's Personalized Stationary on Ashby Avenue in Berkeley near the Claremont Hotel. At Vessel you can find hand crafted uber-luxe jewelry, original art, home accessories and more. Tell owner Lonnie Lee, hello!
At Susan Gildea you can order personalized stationary, labels, stickers, notepads, jewelery and more. Susan is super friendly and you will be surprised how affordable personalized stationary can be.
On the Eighth Day
For a man or woman who enjoys a cocktail every now and then. Hangar One Fruit Infused Vodka is a phenomenal vodka created in small batches the old fashion way in still pots. The fruit infused vodka is made with real fruit grown by local farmers. Buy Hangar One at Montclair Spirits in Montclair Village or at HangarOne.com
Here is a recipe from HangarOne.com
KAFFIR LIME-ADE
Scott Beskow, McCormick & Schmick’s, Kansas City, MO
Juice of one lime (approx. 2 oz.)
Four sugar cubes
Lime wedge
1-1/2 oz. Hangar One Kaffir Lime vodka
Water
In a 16 oz. pint glass muddle sugar cubes and lime wedge in the lime juice. Add ice, vodka and water to fill. Shake. Serve in the pint glass with a lime garnish.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas....
Maribel is a great new and gently used clothing and accessories boutique on Lakeshore Avenue. Owner, Ann brings in great contemporary finds from designer jeans and shoes to hats and jewelry. Ann sells Viv and Ingrid Jewelry, fun jewelry created by two local girls who met at Cal and started a highly success jewelry business.
Visit Maribel at 3251 Lakeshore Ave and mention Oakland Realtor Deidre Joyner to receive 10% off your jewelry purchase!
On the Sixth Day of Christmas...
Cracker Jacks is a fabulous resale and new clothing store for kids. Owner Elizabeth Helm has created a hip store full of carefully selected new and gently used toys, clothes and shoes for children. For the baby or toddler pick one of Crackerjack's cool tee shirts. Mention Oakland Realtor, Deidre Joyner and receive 10% off! Visit Elizabeth at 14 Glen Street off of Piedmont Avenue and tell her Deidre said hello. CrackerJacksKids.com
On the Fifth Day of Christmas....
Here is a great Christmas tip! Philippa Roberts on Piedmont Avenue is a wonderful newly added boutique. Here you can buy jewelry by several artists (including Philippa), candles, home accessories and more. Mention me, (Oakland Realtor, Deidre Joyner) and receive 10% off your purchase! Go out and support our local businesses in Oakland while buying great gifts! The earrings pictured above are a Philippa Roberts design! Visit Philippa's website, www.philipparoberts.com
On the Fourth Day of Christmas...
This is the perfect gift to give a couple or a baby. Seriously, a baby does NOT need another stuffed animal or piggie bank! Give a gift certificate for Oakland photographer, Karlya Benjamin. A $100 gift certificate gets a mini photo session in the Oakland area, 20 custom-made notecards and a life long memory. Karlya specializes in capturing special moments in a natural setting. I have had photos taken in the Redwoods up at Roberts Park and Lake Merritt. Call Karlya at 510-388-2945 or visit her website, www.Karlya.com.
My children Nia and Miles photoed by Karlya above.
On the Third Day of Christmas...
Do you have someone on your list who has everything? Buy them a GuavaPeel candle by Bluewick. The smell is heavenly! (I burn them at my open houses and in my house.) Rockridge Home on College Avenue sells these amazing candles and if you mention me, you will receive 20% off!!!
KPFA Craft Fair this Weekend
December 8th and 9th KPFA will be hosting their craft fair at the Concourse on the corner of 8th and Brannan. There will be tons of original art and live music. For more information click here.
On the Second Day of Christmas...
My tip for today is: Stop by Mignonne Decor and enjoy 15% off an item when mentioning me! Mignonne Decor is an urban chic French inspired store in Old Oakland. I absolutely loved the Pamplemousse french liquid handsoap that I purchased there. Hint! I would prefer it over a bottle of vino.
Tell the owners Kim and Johnelle that I said hello! Go Oakland!
On The First Day of Christmas...
Maybe I am not your true love, but here is my holiday tip for today.
Asha Stokes is a 20 year veteran message therapist. She is ABSOLUTELY phenomenal! For a loved one or someone who has everything, give a 1 hour message gift certificate. The cost is $100, but if you mention me, (Deidre) she will give you 10% off. (She has beautiful gift certificates.)
Last Saturday night Asha helped me and two other Redwood Heights moms host a pamper party. We had Benefit Cosmetics do make-overs and Asha gave mini massages. Can I tell you, 3 or 4 people came up to me thanking me for bringing Asha! They all said she changed their life.
Call Asha at 510-407-0636 so you can check someone off of your list!
Also!
Don't forget that tomorrow is Montclair Village's Holiday Stroll. Many stores will be open late with refreshments. One of my favorite shops is SnapShot Mosaics on LaSalle. Visit Snapshot Mosaics and do a FREE craft project. Tell Gina and Milton I said hi!
I have Warrior fever
I have always enjoyed watching the Warriors play basketball... the Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Moullen days to the to now. Last season the Warriors showed the nation that we have a serious team here in Oakland. This holiday season go see the Warriors. It is an amazing experience; the music, the roaring crowd, the graceful moves and the confidence that the Warriors now have. Go to www.Warriors.com
What Does "As-Is" Really Mean?
So you are selling your first home in the Temescal area of Oakland. You informed your Realtor that you want to sell your home "as-is"; you declare that you do not want to credit the buyer on needed repairs that could be discovered during the inspection period. You feel that you and your Realtor have priced your home fairly, and you have strong convictions that no home is perfect. You purchased your home in a strong sellers market and you agreed to the flaws, as you are realistic about home ownership.
So, here is the short of it. You can promote your property as an "as-is" sale. This might not be advisable, as the perception to buyers is, "as-is" equals, "fixer".
It would be wiser to find out all of the major flaws first, disclose them and price your house accordingly. When a buyer asks about the great price, your Realtor would respond by stating, "The roof will need replacement soon, and the seller took that in to account in regards to price."
If you decide to sell your home "as-is" both the seller's and buyer's Realtors will still suggest inspections. It is highly encouraged that any buyer fully inspect their future home. A home purchase is the biggest investment that we will ever make. So you telling your buyer don't ask for a credit if there are newly discovered problems is giving your buyer the following choices: walk away from the transaction or accept the house with all of its problems. In real estate everything is negotiable until all of the contingencies have been removed. (Call me if you have questions about contingencies.)
What you as a seller should want in this market is a negotiation. Wouldn't it be better to share some of the expense, than lose the buyer altogether? Remember, this is a real estate market that favors buyers and real estate finance can be difficult.
Sellers keep in mind, if you are in contract with a buyer and they cancel for any reason, you will need to disclose their inspection reports to any new buyer if your house goes back on the market. When houses go back on the market after they have been pending, buyers do not give them as much attention, as they do new listings.
Remember real estate is a negotiation. There is no buying frenzy right now. When selling your home, work with a Realtor who will be honest with you, even when it is uncomfortable.
Is losing a transaction over a few thousand dollars of credit to a buyer worth it? or did you not really want to sell your home?
Holiday Inspiration for the Foodie
Right now it is only 6:20 and I am siting at my desk cold to the bone. I can't believe it is November and in less than two weeks I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. I stubbled across this blog from a San Francisco Writer, who will surely give you food inspiration. Click here for the Chez Pim Blog
Really!
Facts about the Oakland and Berkeley Real Estate Market:
· Pricing your home on the low side of its competitive value will give you a bigger audience of buyers.
· Local Realtors who have a great reputation amongst their colleagues command big support and interest from the real estate community for their listings.
· Selling your house naked is a bad idea. With fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors and staging, your house will get a second look by buyers.
· Gone is the day that you can post your home on the MLS and the buyers will come. Don’t chase the real estate market! Use a quality Realtor; they will bring the market to you.
· Whenever clients follow my advice in regards to pricing and preparation they have been thrilled with the results. Their homes sell for over asking in a short time frame.
· Really!
New Listing in Upper Laurel
I am pleased to present 4508 Steele Street in Oakland. This will be a great home for some lucky homebuyers, as it is priced below the two other homes listed on the same street. For photos, maps and more, click here.
Oakland's Historic Warehouse District
Oakland is really pushing to make this, (almost) water front location the place to live. 200 Second Street and 288 Third Street are two recently completed new construction condos. I have recently toured these condos, and they do have great incentives. If you are interested in new construction you do need your Realtor to register you first. (Even though these new construction buildings have office hours, your Realtor needs to bring you to your first viewing.) Let me know if you are interested and I will register you and give you all of the information you need, so you can make a sound decision regarding new construction, existing construction and your best options.
Oakland's Historic Warehouse District Before
Western Pacific Railroad drove its first spike into the ground in 1906, driving Oakland's economic growth
The Posey Tube, opened in 1928, was the first concrete construction of its kind and a major engineering accomplishment for Oakland
Also in 1928, the US Treasury declared Oakland a port, allowing the city to compete with other ports, including San Francisco
...And Now!
The historic Warehouse District is a bustling neighborhood of lofts, condos and live-work spaces, all close to one of the Bay Area's top destinations!
Famed Jack London Square
Oakland Produce Market
Bed, Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble and more
Yoshi's, Regal Cinemas and California Kayaks
Scott's Seafood, Everett & Jones' Barbeque, Il Pescatore and Ben & Jerry's
Train (2 blocks to Amtrak), Ferry (1/4 mile), Freeway (3 blocks to Hwy 880) or BART (5 blocks)
Living in Oakland and Berkeley
Living in Oakland and Berkeley, energy conservation is an important way of life. I have found that many of my friends and neighbors are conscientious of our energy shortage and are trying to make a difference in some way.
I was recently on my colleague's blog and saw that she took a test to find out her carbon footprint. I took the short test and found it fun and informitive. Click here to take the Carbon Calculator Test.
Oakland's Oldest Movie Theatre
The Piedmont Cinema opened it's doors in 1917 and is the oldest operating movie theatre in the city of Oakland. Now with Piedmont Ave's thriving restaurant scene you should take date night,(or girls night out) to the Avenue.
Be sure to drop by on a Saturday night when prizes from local merchants and film-related memorabilia are given away before each screening.
Tonight at midnight they are playing Scarface, click here for movies and showtimes.
Your Oakland Realtor says, Shop Oakland!
