Ignore the news

Usually it is important to ignore the headlines, especially surrounding real estate. Why? Typically they are 3 months behind. But right now, with Berkeley and the surrounding areas down 30+% in inventory, the media is currently caught up.

Because we have so few sales there is not much else to report.

But here are a few things the media may not know.

-the median price in Berkeley and the surrounding markets is up 35% from the same time last year

-30% of CA sales are cash

-the REO market makes up 7% of sales in CA

-inventory is the issue and NOT demand

Wanna Know About East Bay Schools?

I am at the Berkeley Board of Realtors and learning about the plans for WCCUSD, AUSD, BUSD.

Major topic across the board? How to close the achievement gap.

Did you know that…

- 92% of Albany High kids go on to college

- all 3 districts have “academy” schools which teach vocational skills. WCCUSD has 21!

- all 3 districts have “edible gardening” programs in the elementary schools

- WCCUSD has a partnership with Holy Names University where SAT’s are not a factor for admission

- Albany High will be starting their own student-run student store to teach business skills

- El Cerrito High School has an auto shop that both AUSD and BUSD high school students use

-El Cerrito High School has a renowned theater

- WCCUSD has the largest funding available for rebuilding of all 50 schools

- gone are the days of wood shop and sewing- now it is digital photography and IT

- All districts have Title 1 schools which means free and reduced lunch paid for by federal funds. There is additional support for parents, tutors, etc. 36% of students in kindergarten @ BUSD and 52% in middle school are title 1 students. WCCUSD has the largest percentage.

- Chevron is the biggest supporter for WCCUSD.

- Berkeley High has “small learning communities” which provides flexibility in choices for students- half of the high school students participate.

- BUSD has an elementary lottery system- 80% of students get their first choice. They use a green bus system to transfer the students from one end of Berkeley to the other. All elementary schools are offering the same programs and same support so there isn’t a better school than the other.

- teaching kids to think is more important than test scores: the new Common Core program will force the districts to refocus the teachers to bring technology into the classroom.

- WCCUSD has brought in a Scholar in Residence to help strategize special Ed needs and differentiated instruction. Portola Middle School will start this.

- Portola Middle School will be rebuilt within 3 years.

- closing the academic gap requires bringing in additional support, NOT dumbing down the curriculum

- El Cerrito High School has an Ivy League tract program

- Berkeley has 3 Berkeley-run preschools, but anyone can attend

- Berkeley has a universal preschool screening tool to check for kindergarten readiness

- Transitional kindergarten exists in all districts

- Spanish Emersion program in Berkeley: half of students are Spanish program and half is English. In kindergarten the classroom starts out as 90% English and 10% Spanish; over the course of the year it switches. Le Conte has this program.

- Albany is considering a mandarin-English bilingual program.

- School districts do not care about being a US Citizen

- Berkeley high school is an open campus

- Cooking and gardening program in Berkeley just lost its funding, Berkeley is now seeking community grants and support

- After school programs are much more uniform and offer homework support, enrichment and fun

- Vote YES for all parcel taxes so schools can continue to provide smaller class sizes, music, and art.

- COMMUNITY SUPPORT will make or break the schools. Keep supporting!

I have the greatest clients…

What I love about my job are the amazing people I meet.  This job is very much about relationships.  Buying or selling a home is a very intense experience and there is a lot of communication throughout the process.  Recently I had the privilege of helping a wonderful family sell their home in El Cerrito.  The house had been in the family for decades, since it was built.  I met multiple generations of the family and everyone was such a treat.  I received this email from them the other day and just had to share:

“Krista- My husband and I have had the fortune to purchase and sell properties in Kensington CA, Lake Tahoe, Reno NV, Hawaii, Portland OR and Scottsdale AZ.  In all those transactions we have never experienced anyone as professional and caring as you have been in selling our Parent’s home. Your assistance thru the entire sale went far beyond that of anyone we ever used.   Your help with acquiring painters and stagers to the appraisers and inspectors was amazing. Emailing us the daily comps and getting us abreast of the market value was so important to our decision on the listing price. You advised us on the perfect price and with your knowledge,the sale within two weeks was beyond our expectations.  Out of our nine previous real estate transactions you rose above them all.  Please feel free to use this message as a recommendation to future clients.  Thank you so much, Doug and Laurie”

Doug, Laurie, Andy, Donna and especially Mr. Hendrickson- Thank YOU for everything.  It is clients like you that make my job the best around.

Berkeley Association of Realtors Gives Away Over $30,000 In Grants

Yesterday the Berkeley Association of Realtors gave away $30,010 to 32 local community groups.  I am proud to say that every agent in my office contributes a portion of each commission to this wonderful cause.  I was at yesterday’s reception and couldn’t have been more humbled by all of the grant recipients.  What amazing work these local groups do.

The following press release was just made by the association:

Berkeley, CA – April 25, 2013 – On Wednesday, April 24, 2013 the Berkeley Association of REALTORS® (BAR) awarded grants totaling $30,010 to thirty-two (32) area community groups during a gala reception at the BAR.

BAR has administered a Grant Program for their Youth Arts & Education Fund and the Workforce Housing & Homeless Fund since 2006.  The dollars are generated through various programs including direct contributions by REALTOR® Members and Affiliates as well as numerous BAR fund-raising events.

BAR President Anita Thede noted that, “We award grants to under-funded and developing programs that support youth in the communities served by our REALTOR® Members and related real estate professionals.  Our Grant Program also supports organizations that provide direct assistance to the homeless and their advocates as well as organizations that provide affordable housing within our communities.  As REALTORS® and real estate professionals it is important that we reinvest in the diverse communities that we serve.”

From the Workforce Housing & Homeless Fund seven (7) grants were awarded to:

• ·         Rebuilding Together  – Funding for materials for National Rebuilding Day
• ·         Berkeley Food & Housing Project – Funding for their Meals Program
• ·         BOSS  Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency – Funding for their Children’s Learning Center
• ·         MISSEY – Funding for Case Management services at-risk, sexually exploited girls
• ·         Options Recovery Services – Funding to renovate the Women’s Residence Home
• ·         YES!-Youth Enrichment Strategies – Funding for Summer Camp for low-income youth
• ·         Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center – Funding for Housing Case Management Staffing

From the Youth Arts & Education Fund twenty-five (25) grants were awarded to:

• ·         Youth Spirit Artworks – Funding for a mosaic sign at Malcolm X Elementary School
• ·         Berkeley Symphony – Music in Schools Program
• ·         Pegasus Project – Marine Environment/Education Voyages
• ·         St. Mary’s College High School – Funding for the purchase of Clear Com Communications System for the Performing Arts Program
• ·         Berkeley Ballet Theatre – Funding for Outreach Performances for school children
• ·         Community Alliance for Learning – Funding for Writer Coach Connection Program
• ·         Rosa Parks Elementary School PTA– Funding for Green Schoolyard Program
• ·         Aurora Theatre – Funding for the Student Education Program
• ·         Victory Garden Foundation – Funding for Climate Solutions Summer Program for Berkeley High School Students
• ·         Berkeley Arts Magnet – Funding for Funnel Ball Game for the Kindergarten yard.
• ·         Thousand Oaks Elementary School PTA – Funding for Character Development Through Song Program
• ·         Studio Ephemera – Funding for High School Art Class Workshop
• ·         Berkeley Public Education Foundation – Funding for Scholarships for “Jumpstart at the Cazedero” music program
• ·         Community Resource for Science – Funding for Science Superstar Challenge Program
• ·         Bridges Academy at Melrose (Oakland Unified School District)- Funding for Physical Education Program
• ·         St. Martin de Porres School – Violins for 5-year old students
• ·         Oakland Leaf Foundation – Funding for Creative education for community youth & families
• ·         Nia House Learning Center – Funding for New chairs in the Preschool
• ·         Lincoln Child Center – Funding for Program to expose urban youth to No. Cal. Aquaculture
• ·         Kensington Education Foundation – Funding for Band Program
• ·         The Berkeley Project – Funding for Community service projects for local elementary & middle schools
• ·         Green Branch -  Funding for the Bookmobile
• ·         Kala Art Institute – Funding for the MLK Jr Elementary School Mural Project in Oakland
• ·         Berkeley Repertory Theatre – Funding for Art education & Outreach Programs
• ·         Sponsored by Councilmember Darryl Moore’s Office - Funding for customized student backpacks for Rosa Parks Elementary School

Also recognized during the event were real estate offices that make a total commitment to the Community Funds, boasting 100% Agent Participation by contributing at the close of every escrow.  Recognized for their participation in the Community Funds 100% Club were:

• ·         Pacific Union International
• ·         Berkeley Hills Realty- woot woot!
• ·         Thornwall Properties, Inc.
• ·         Northbrae Properties
• ·         Daniel Winkler & Associates
• ·         McGuire Real Estate Berkeley
• ·         Marvin Gardens Real Estate Solano Office

The Youth Arts & Education Fund and the Workforce Housing & Homeless Fund are 501C3 organizations administered by the Berkeley Association of REALTORS®.  Since 2006 BARGrant Recipients has contributed a total of $173,710 in grants to organizations who make the communities they serve a better place.  

The Berkeley Association of REALTORS® (BAR) is a trade organization offering educational services, professional support and political advocacy for its 700 REALTOR® and Affiliate Members since 1902.

New Listing: 7343 Schmidt, El Cerrito

I am so excited about my new El Cerrito listing.  It isn’t everyday you come across a family who has lived in their house since it was built.  It isn’t everyday you come across a person who physically built their retaining wall in the backyard out of rocks from the old El Cerrito rock quarry.  It isn’t everyday you sit in a chair that a member of Credence Clearwater Revival once sat in.  But these are the stories of my new listing located at 7343 Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito.

Happiness!  For decades this home has been filled with warmth, laughter, music and family.  Since the early 1950′s the Hendrickson family has owned this home.  They raised a family, watched their grandchildren play, participated in block parties and befriended neighbors.  Every ounce of this home has been meticulously cared for.  The joy is shown in the backyard garden: it is a garden full of life, color, and energy.  It is fitting that we brought the house on the market on the first day of Spring as the garden is starting to show off its colorful grandeur.

It is time for the next generation to make its place here, hopefully for years, or decades, to come.

Join me this Sunday from 2:00 – 4:30 and see for yourself why it would be easy to fall in love for a lifetime.

http:www.7343Schmidt.com