Real Estate in Oakland, Berkeley and Piedmont, California » Buyers

Background of Piedmont CA

agentevo — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:05:33 +0000

The Background of Piedmont CA.

Piedmont is a small, primarily residential community with fine architecture, tree-lined streets, and outstanding public schools. Because of its school system, low crime rate, good weather, and high property values, it is regarded as one of the most desirable residential communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Piedmont was named one of the “25 Top-Earning Towns” in CNN Money Magazine’s list of ‘The Best Places to Live.’

Piedmont is almost entirely zoned for residential use. Piedmont has minimal commerce compared with statistically similar cities. Shopping, however, is plentiful in adjacent Oakland neighborhoods such as Piedmont Avenue, Montclair, Grand Lake, and Rockridge. Piedmont has a small commercial district in the center of town located on Highland Avenue, which includes a gas station, three banks and some professional offices.

Located in the East Bay hills, Piedmont is surrounded on all sides by the city of Oakland. Piedmont provides its own fire and police services but does not have its own public library or federal post office; these services are shared with Oakland. Piedmont’s three ZIP codes are all shared with Oakland. The relationship between Oakland and Piedmont is remarkable among American cities; although property in Piedmont is surrounded by Oakland and residents depend on neighboring communities for supermarkets and other commerce, property taxes on Piedmont real estate are not shared with Oakland. Some residents have remarked that, in a sense, Oakland’s most valuable real estate and most wealthy residents are actually in the city of Piedmont.

The city is served by two local weekly newspapers: the citizen-run Piedmont Post and the Piedmonter, a neighborhood newspaper organized under the Contra Costa Times news organization.
Piedmont has several parks and a community center.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia

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Piedmont CA Schools

agentevo — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:58:46 +0000

Piedmont CA Schools

Piedmont Public Schools fall within the Piedmont Unified School District. The district, coinciding with the municipal boundaries, includes three elementary schools (Havens*, Beach, and Wildwood), a middle school (Piedmont Middle School), a high school (Piedmont High School), and an alternative high school, Millennium. Piedmont High School matriculates a high percentage of students bound for college. Many graduates continue their education at both public and private colleges and universities.
The Piedmont Unified School District is one of a few California public school systems to achieve such success. This can be largely attributed to the dedicated population of parents who choose to pay higher prices for housing so that their children can attend Piedmont schools instead of private schools. In particular, cost-benefit analyses will reveal that, for many households, Piedmont schools make more economic sense than private schooling. Such analyses, for example, may take into consideration real estate prices, mortgage interest rates, projected real estate value appreciation, local taxes, federal tax deductions, quality of schools, private tuition costs per student, and number of children.

Piedmont voters regularly approve bond measures earmarked for maintaining and/or improving educational facilities. For example, Witter Field, home of the Piedmont Highlanders, was rebuilt over a period of years (1996–1999), transforming it from the older facility to a newer and markedly improved one. Similar improvements have been made to the fields adjacent to the Beach Elementary School.

In 2005, Piedmont citizens voted in favor of Measures B and C with an overwhelming majority. Measure B renews the school district parcel tax, which pays for 21 percent of the district’s budget, and Measure C adds an additional amount that compensates for reduced funding from state and federal sources.

In 2006, voters authorized the Piedmont City Unified School District to issue up to $56 million in bonds to improve Piedmont public school buildings so as to reduce dangers from earthquakes, to meet state and federal seismic safety standards.

The Piedmont Educational Foundation awards a number of grants for academic innovation in Piedmont schools each year, and provides a sustained source of funding for the PUSD through its Endowment Fund.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia

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The History and Creation of Piedmont CA

agentevo — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:51:59 +0000

The History and Creation of Piedmont CA

The area grew largely from wealthy San Franciscans fleeing the devastation after the Great Quake of 1907. Families relocated to the area seeking privacy, good weather and views of the greater San Francisco Bay.

Residents originally sought incorporation in 1907. Two elections were held among the citizens of Piedmont in 1907, both of which narrowly upheld the decision for Piedmont to become a separate city, rather than become a neighborhood within the city of Oakland.

By the Roaring Twenties, Piedmont was known as the “City of Millionaires” because it had the most resident millionaires per square mile of any city in the United States. Many of these millionaires built mansions that still stand, notably on Sea View Avenue and Sotelo Avenue/Glen Alpine Road in upper Piedmont. Piedmont became a charter city under the laws of the State of California on December 18, 1922. On February 27, 1923, voters adopted the charter, which can only be changed by another vote of the people.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia

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Laurel District Bungalow for sale on Maybelle Ave Oakland

agentevo — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:31:29 +0000

This adorable 1 bedroom California Bungalow has got to be one of the cutest (and least expensive) homes for sale in the Laurel District of Oakland. It was purchased by a contractor and extensively brought back to life. He paid attention to retaining the original character that is present in many of the Laurel District homes. The home is 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen, living room and adorable side patio-garden.

If you do the math, it is likely that you could purchase this Laurel Bungalow for less than it would cost to rent elsewhere. Listed at $175,000 it truly is a great value.

My name is Brian Santilena and I’ve been selling homes in Oakland since 1998. If you would like more information about this Laurel District Bungalow or properties in other terrific Oakland neighborhoods please feel free to drop me a note.

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Home Remodeling in Piedmont CA

agentevo — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:03:54 +0000

Buying a home in Piedmont CA is an achievement on its own. Now add a home addition or remodel to it and the task may seem impossible. Architectural limitations, the design review process, obtaining permits, city inspections and hiring a good contractor are all important considerations.

This coming Tuesday August 10, 2010 at 7:30 PM, two individuals with experience in the process of doing construction projects in the city of Piedmont CA are giving a free presentation at the city of Piedmont Community Center.

If you are a Piedmont real estate agent, Piedmont home owner or a prospective Piedmont home buyer, you may want to attend this free event.

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Montclair, Oakland Homes for sale

BrianS — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:46:37 +0000

The Montclair neighborhood of Oakland and the Montclair Village is a quaint semi hilly community in the Oakland Hills. The area offers many of the best Oakland Public Schools and the Montclair shopping area has everything you need in a convenient proximity to the living neighborhoods. The Montclair park offers a children’s playground, a baseball diamond, a fishpond and several picnic areas. Every Sunday there is an outdoor Farmers Market and there is an annual wine and jazz festival. Artists show their work twice yearly at the public art show and sale. Montclair East Bay Homes For Sale range from the low $600’s to over $1m. If you are interested in living in Montclair I’m happy to be of assistance. Feel free to call or write. Have a great day in Oakland’s Montclair District.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Lead paint and renovating homes in oakland hills and Montclair CA

BrianS — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:29:25 +0000

As of April 2010 all contractors, property managers and others who disturb painted surfaces are obligated to comply with the Federal Lead-Based Paint Renovations, Repair and Painting Program or RRP. I’ve been working and selling homes for years in the Oakland Hills CA, Montclair, Glenview, Crocker Highlands and Terstle Glen. Let’s face it, they were almost all built before 1978. Now when a home buyer or home seller wants to prepare their home for sale or repair the home they just bought, the cost of the project just went up. Way up!
There is a “Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right” booklet for contractors and a “Renovate Right” brochure for the general public.

As the seller of a home in the Oakland Hills CA you now need to disclose work done to the property that may not have been done in compliance with RRP. I guide my Oakland Montclair Hills home buyers and Oakland Montclair Hills home sellers on how to complete the disclosure documents properly as well as the things to look out for when buying a pre 1978 home. Especially when children are involved.

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Mortgage Broker info for home buyers

BrianS — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:42:50 +0000

Home buyers that are considering purchasing a home in Oakland, Piedmont or Berkeley California will inevitably find themselves communicating with a mortgage broker or a retail bank about obtaining a mortgage. This short video answers some basic questions about the differences between banks and brokers, what are loan points, reasons to use a local institution and information of the pre approval process. It is not intended to answer every question but as a home buyer I hope it will provide you with a starting point of which to begin building your understanding of the overall home buying and loan process.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Brian Santilena, Sr. Sales Associate and top real estate agent with Pacific Union Real Estate, representing home buyers and home sellers in the Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills and Piedmont California marketplace since 1998. He is a Realtor, Certified Residential Specialist(CRS) and is highly knowledgeable in real estate for sale in the Oakland Hills premier neighborhoods such as Haddon Hill, Rockridge, Montclair, Glenview, Trestle Glen, Crocker Highlands, Oakmore, Laurel District and Redwood Heights. Berkeley Hills neighborhoods such as Northbrea, Westbrea, North Berkeley Hills, Berkeley Flats, Thousand Oaks, South Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto, Elmwood, Uplands, Claremont, LeConte. City of Piedmont, City of Kensington, City of Albany. Please feel free to CONTACT BRIAN if you have any real estate needs in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont CA.

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10 tips when hiring a Contractor

BrianS — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:02:03 +0000

When preparing a home for sale or making improvements to your new home it is very important to protect yourself from unscrupulous contractors. There is nothing worse than getting shotty work or getting ripped off all together.

Here are 10 tips to help ensure that you don’t get ripped off when hiring a contractor.

1. Make sure that the contractor you are considering has a California State Contractors Liscense. You can check a contractors license status at California State Lic Board or calling 800-321-2752. You will need the contractors name or Lic. number.
2. Ask if the contractor carries liability insurance and if he uses employees ask if he/she has a workers compensation policy.
3. Get references and call them.
4. Get 3 bids and make sure the same scope of work is being performed.
5. Get a written contract and don’t sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
6. Never give more than 10% or $1000 (which ever is less) as a deposit.
7. Don’t let your progress payments get ahead of the work performed.
8. Don’t pay cash and keep proof of all payments made.
9. Don’t make a final payment until you are satisfied with the job.
10. Keep a file of all papers relating to your project. This will help you if down the road a mechanics lien has been recorded and you need to prove it was done in error.

There are no guarantees but adhering to a few basic principals will help ensure that you keep from getting involved with a contractor who may leave you without your money or a properly completed project.

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Homes Sold in Upper Rockridge Q1 2010

BrianS — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:20:29 +0000

This Upper Rockridge real estate sales report covers single family homes that have sold in Oakland’s Upper Rockridge district during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Brian Santilena is a resident and has been selling Upper Rockridge 1998. If you would like more details about buying or selling in Upper Rockridge please call Brian directly at Pacific Union Real Estate 510.338.1380. For up to date details of homes on the market and comming soon please become a Fan of my Homes In Upper Rockridg on Facebook.

15 MARGUERITE DR
1 BEDROOM
1 BATH
1056 SQFT
SOLD AT $550,000
16 DAYS ON THE MARKET

115 MANDALAY ROAD
3 BEDROOMS
1 BATH
1310 SQFT
SOLD AT $613,550
58 DAYS ON THE MARKET

228 FLORENCE AVE
2 BEDROOMS
1 BATH
1466 SQFT
SOLD AT $755,000
10 DAYS ON THE MARKET

4401 HARBORD DRIVE
3 BEDROOMS
2 BATHS
2364 SQFT
SOLD AT $900,000
8 DAYS ON THE MARKET

5039 PROCTOR AVENUE
4 BEDROOMS
3 BATHS
2300 SQFT
SOLD AT $995,000
14 DAYS ON THE MARKET

30 WILDING LANE
3 BEDROOMS
2 BATHROOMS
2172 SQFT
SOLD AT $1,130,000
12 DAYS ON THE MARKET

54 STARK KNOLL PLACE
3 BEDROOMS
2 BATHS
2018 SQFT
SOLD AT $1,405,000
10 DAYS ON THE MARKET

59 BOWLING DRIVE
5 BEDROOMS
6 BATHS
6000 SQFT.
SOLD AT $3,200,000
OFF MARKET SALE

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