Michael's Blog

Time Out:

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:09:44 -0500

Well, I received a phone call from one of my ex-coworkers Rich the other day. Rich was also a fellow computer hardware engineer in Silicon Valley. We both worked together at Redback Networks designing on the SMS10000 as the SMS1800 products.

Rich is now at a company called Data Robotics working on their new products. Mark who was the director of hardware at Redback Networks is now also at Data Robotics as Vice President of Engineering.

Rich called me and asked if I could help out with the new products. Well considering that I am in need of some currancy in my bank account to pay my bills, the choice was easy.

Yes, I will be helping Rich out down in Sunnyvale for a few months. I will be working floor time and open houses on weekends.

If any business does come in to my cell phone while I am working I have already made an arrangement to refer business to some associates at the Grand Lake Oakland Prudential Office.

Housing prices in the East Bay (Early July 2008)

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:14:13 -0500

Here is a breakdown of homes available in our local towns. The data reflects today July 3rd, 2008. The data is broken down to the number of homes broken down into pricing catagories and the number of homes in each catagory.

This number reflects condos, townhouses and detached single family homes. This does not include the listing for duplexes and multiple family residences.

San Leandro

under 200k = 9
201k - 300k = 76
301k - 400k = 146
401k - 500k = 95
501k - 600k = 51
601k - 700k = 27
701k - 800k = 12
801k - 900k = 3
901k - 1.M = 3
over 1M = 4

Oakland

under 200k = 511
201k - 300k = 436
301k - 400k = 313
401k - 500k = 230
501k - 600k = 123
601k - 700k = 57
701k - 800k = 50
801k - 900k = 40
901k - 1.M = 30
over 1M = 71

Hayward

under 200k = 59
201k - 300k = 278
301k - 400k = 320
401k - 500k = 117
501k - 600k = 64
601k - 700k = 45
701k - 800k = 34
801k - 900k = 9
901k - 1.M = 9
over 1M = 17

Alameda

under 200k = 2
201k - 300k = 10
301k - 400k = 13
401k - 500k = 19
501k - 600k = 29
601k - 700k = 26
701k - 800k = 16
801k - 900k = 15
901k - 1.M = 11
over 1M = 16

Berkeley

under 200k = 0
201k - 300k = 4
301k - 400k = 14
401k - 500k = 16
501k - 600k = 14
601k - 700k = 12
701k - 800k = 10
801k - 900k = 15
901k - 1.M = 11
over 1M = 21

Getting back into the groove.

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:19:25 -0500

Okay blog readers.

I have been away for awhile. I have been checking my email regularly. I had Eric Lim at the office as my appointed alternate back up.

I am back from a whirlwind three week tour of the Mississippi River area. You see it was my Mother and Father's 50th wedding anniversary. My Mother had planned this trip for the entire family as her anniversary celebration. Attendance was mandatory, however my youngest brother was given a pass.

Mom had planned for us for us to sail up the Mississippi River about the paddle wheel river boat the "AMERICAN QUEEN". The actual departure date of June 7th was to be mom and dad's anniversary date. The cruise would go from New Orleans to Memphis and take a grand total of seven days to travel that distance.

Dad passed away on January 27th of this year. Mom still wanted for us to take the cruise. Mother asked her cousin Carolann to come along and be her cabinmate for this trip. My older brother Bill and his wife Donna came along. Donna invited her mother Gail along for some mother daughter bonding of their own.

I arranged for use my timeshare in New Orleans (Avenue Plaza Resort. on St. Charles Avenue) I arranged for two 1 bedroom condo units. Each unit had a bedroom and then a sofa sleeper in the living room for a max sleeping capacity of four per unit.

We arrived in New Orleans on May 31st and stayed until the 7th of June. We had a great time exploring the city. We took an excellent guided city tour seeing the highlights of the city. The Garden District is where I would want to live if I ever moved to New Orleans. Bourbon Street and the French Quarter was certainly one of the most incredible places. I am a huge fan of architecture, and to see all the wonderful New Orleans architecture was just awesome. At night, Bourbon Street takes on a whole new atmosphere of partying, dining and music.

We made a couple of side trips up near Baton Rouge to tour some plantation houses. The first one was Houmas House, which was restored to perfection. The second was Nottaway Plantation, which is a magnificent building and over 50,000 square feet in size.

***** REAL ESTATE TIE IN ******

While I was in New Orleans I walked over to Prudential Gardner Realty on St. Charles avenue and made contact with the floor agent at the time. If I ever need to refer to anyone in New Orleans, I now have a name and a face associated of a person I could work with. Mosella Sanders-Newman. Hopefully, Mosella will remember me when she comes across anyone looking to relocate to Oakland or the San Francisco Bay Area.

***** REAL ESTATE TIE IN ******

We boarded the AMERICAN QUEEN on the 7th of June and off we went chugging up the Mississippi. Gail and I (469/471) each had the small 1 person inside cabins. Bill and Donna, Mother and Carolann had the larger 2 person stateroom cabins (309 Arizona/311 North Carolina).

Oh the food served aboard was so very good. I enjoyed every single meal served. I think that I enjoyed the raspberry iced tea on the "front porch of America" each evening the most.

We had stops in Baton Rouge we toured the Myrtles Plantion and it's neighboring planation Rosewood. In Vicksburg we toured the National Battlefield memorial toured in the "Battlefield and Seige Tour".

In Natchez we toured three historic homes. Calling the homes in Natchez would be in error since these homes were the city homes for the plantation owners. The heights of the bluffs of Natchez was not where the plantations would have been. The flat land of Louisiana across the river was where all the cotton plantations were located.

The tour ended with the Longwood Plantation home. Longwood built for the family of Haller Nutt was still under construction when the Civil War broke out. The Northern craftsmen being used to build the mansion, dropped their tools where they were when the news of the war broke out and abandoned the job site. The home's exterior was completed and sealed off from the environment, allowing it to survive to this day. The home's basement was finished off by local builders. The Nutts were never able to finish the remaining five floors above, they remain unfinished to this day. (That's correct a six story plantaion mansion)

Longwood

After the cruise we spent two days in Memphis Tn. We just had to visit Graceland, Elvis Presley's estate. We also enjoyed some BBQ on Beale Street. Beale Street was very much like Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Mother, Carolann and Gail were able to experience Beale street. They were affraid of Bourbon Street. They enjoyed the whole experience very much.

In Memphis we also stopped off at the PEABODY HOTEL and saw the show of the ducks leaving the fountian promptly at 5pm. I had to stop off at that gift shop and get something duck related. I ended up with the boxer shorts with the works "BUTT QUACK" across the back side. My sick sense of humor.

**** REAL ESTATE TIE IN AGAIN *****

After that we went to Las Vegas Nevada for a few days to visit my uncle Richard and aunt Debbie. I got to see all the construction that is going on in that town. I was blown away by the construction of the City Center. Uncle Richard is looking at possiblty purchasing one of the units there as an investment.

**** REAL ESTATE TIE IN AGAIN *****

I gambled a whopping twenty one dollars while I was there. It was a Megabucks machine at Santa Fe Station. I wasn't too lucky.

well so long for now.

Networking with Prudential Gardner Realtors of New Orleans, La.

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:51:23 -0500

Even whilst on vacation I found time to wonder into a Prudential office. I met a local Realtor Mosella Sanders-Newman. I enjoyed meeting this very nice lady.

She was on floortime working out of the St Charles Avenue office location. I introduced myself as being a Prudential agent from Oakland California's Grand Lake office.

Mosella printed out a copy of the Louisiana 7 page purchase/listing agreement. The simplicity of the form is refreshing compared to the complicated mess of C.A.R. forms. I just quess that California is just that much more lawsuit happy.

Now I have met someone in the city of New Orleans that I can refer business to within Prudential. I told Mosella about activerain.com and the power of blogging. I hope that we see her and some of her associates here on activerain.

San Leandro's Marina & Waterfront

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:23:07 -0500

On the Western edge of the city of San Leandro is the San Leandro Marina, Oyster Bay Regional Park and the Monarch Bay Golf Course.

The Marina was concieved in the early 1950s and built in the late 1950s to early 1960s.

Along the shoreline are restaurants:

Pelusso's Blue Dolphin Restaurant. A fine dining establishment with banquet facilities. This building was built on pier pilings and was closed and torn down in recent years.
El Torito, this building was originally the Casa Maria Restaurant. The restaurant later became Tia Maria Restaurant. Similar restaurants were built at other Marinas including Berkeley. The Chain restaurant company El Torito now operates in this location.
Horatio's a fine dining establishment offering excellent food was the last to be built.

http://www.ci.san-leandro.ca.us/PWMarina.asp

There is some recent debate as to whether or not to dredge the marina's channel that runs out into the middle of the bay.

It is my personal opinion that the channel should be dredged! There may come a time after an earthquake when the Marina may have to be used as an East Bay ferry terminal.

There is a hotel at the Marina, it is called smartly enough "The San Leandro Marina Inn". http://www.sanleandromarinainn.com/ The Marina Inn is a great place for business travelers due to it's picturesque waterfront location and location to the Oakland International Airport.

There is a ParCourse exersize circuit out on the berms that create the Marina Park and lagoon.

The golf course started out as the Tony Lema Golf Course (Named after a local golfing champion). It was later renamed Monarch Bay Golf Club. http://monarchbay.americangolf.com/ and http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.asp?course=102345

Giving back

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:16:38 -0500

Well, another week has gone by. Wednesday, I took my mother to another one of her chemotherapy appointments.

As I had done in the past, while she was getting her infusion, I took the walk down to Starbucks. I had my usual, a Vente Mocha not-too-hot with whip (whip me). I also picked up another gift card to give to the other caregivers back at Doctor Darosa's office. While I am indulging in my mocha I sit in one of the upholstered chairs and write a quick little note on the little envelope that comes with the gift card.

"I too am a caregiver and I know what you are going through. I am taking care of my mother who is going through chemotherapy currently. I know how important it is for the caregiver to just sit back, relax and take a break sometimes. Here is a gift card for a drink at a Starbucks"

I then enclose one of my Prudential cards with the gift card.

I came back from the Starbucks and handed the card off to Tina one of the chemo nurses and asked her to give the card to one of the caregivers. Unlike last week, Tina waited until I was gone to give the card out to one of the caregivers. I actually like it that way it's more anonymous and random that way.

I'll find out from Tina next time I see her how the caregiver liked getting a "little break".

If you're ever at the Castro Valley Starbucks located at Lake Chabot Road and Castro Valley Boulevard on any given Wednesday around 10am, be sure to say hello. I'll be the one filling out the gift card envelope.

I think this would be nice if every Realtor would bring along a gift card to their doctor's appointments too and give the caregivers they run across a little break in their lives!

Oakland's Historic District Sheffield Village

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:46:53 -0500

At the East end of Dutton Avenue is the Oakland enclave of homes known as Sheffield Village. Sheltered from Oakland by the Dunsmuir - Hellman Historic Estate and the rolling hills to the East of the area.

Back in 1928, the site of Sheffield Village was to be Saint Mary's College. It was during an 11th hour bid that Moraga won out and took the bid from what was then San Leandro.

Developer E.B. Fields and Architect Irwin Johnson created a wonderful "Leave it to Beaver" suburban community.

Sheffield Village was one of the first planned communitues after World War II.

The streets in the area are all named after British sounding places such as Covington, Roxbury, Danbury and Middleton.

The Oakland Cultural Heritage Alliance gives walking tours during the summer months and Sheffield Village is often on of the tours each year. The neighborhood has been given the status of "Historic District".

For the most parts the homes are 1940's ranchers and Cape Cods. Homes most always have wood burning fireplaces, large lots and hardwood floors. The homes are well kept and the tree lined streets make for a great neighborhood.

Close to shopping just thru the Marlow Drive under pass, MacArthur Boulevard offers shops and restaurants.

Come by, drive around and give this area of Oakland a look or a second look.

I thought this was an interesting place

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:59:28 -0500

I have a client who may be interested in this.

(Another Agency has this Listing and it is not my Listing).

The Common Area Courtyard.

From The Front Door Looking In

From The Outside

Exposed Ceiling Rafters and Arched Attic Window

So anyway, I posted this pictures here for my family and friends in Myspace.com could take a look at this unit.

If you know me and my love for historical older buildings, you'll know how cool I think this building is. I hope that I can get my client into this one. What a Rush that would be..... I'm putting it out there to the universe to make it happen (the secret)

Nouveau Riche University = an evening of laughable entertainment

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:27:15 -0500

Yesterday after mother's chemo appointment, she wanted to get something to eat. If she wants to eat, we eat. I don't question her chemo non-reactions or actions, so we went out for lunch.

We went out to the China AA Buffet on Mission Boulevard in Hayward. First time there and it was very good. I was totally surprised by the choices offered. I know mother enjoyed her meal. That is always a very good thing.

While dining my cell phone rang. It was Chris from Nouveau Riche University wanting to know "If I would like to make more money, more often". Well, sure I would like to do that. They were having a seminar that evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in Emeryville that evening at 7pm. I would be able to go if interested.

I said sure I could free up some time to see their presentation. It was interesting to note that you had to dress in business casual to attend.

I also needed to call Chris when I reached the lobby to let him know that I had arrived and signed in. Well, I called Chris when I showed up and he met me in the lobby. He was like glue on me for the first five minutes. He and the other sales people associated with this Nouveau Riche University were all slick model/actor looking people. You know the type, if they were actually salespeople they would make a ton of money legitimately.

I was sort of dissappointed with the presentation, no soft drinks, no appetizers, I had foregone dinner for this presentation. They had pictures of ice water and a bowl of cheap hard candy at the back of the room.

The presentation started and this one guy was telling us how he had worked in education and industry but was selling his time for money. He was giving up all his time with his family for working for an employer.

The next presenter was a nice and entertaining person named Clifton. He was telling us how he had signed up with NRU and within a month he had purchased a property with positive cash flow of 600 per month. He went on to tell us about the property concierge and how you can purchase properties with just one click of a mouse button. But you needed to be at a higher level to be able to access this information.

www.propertyconcierge.com and then login as quest.

Oh yeah, he bought the property sight unseen. The company NRU was so respectable that we should never question the offerings either. They (NRU) finds the property, rehabs the property, rents the property, manages the property and then offers it to you all as a positive cash flow offering. Just one click and it's yours. You're gonna be buying a property with nothing down and using that "OPM" other people's money.

Now for the multi-level marketing part of this program. You can make extra money by spreading the word about NRU.

The tuition for the Nouveau Riche University 20 day Real Estate education "regents" program is $16,000.00 with $3,500 worth of books and media known as the collection. Once you get four other people to join in you can now earn 50% commission on each new person. That would be $9,750.00 for each person you sign up at that "regents" level. You can get all down loaded to a debit visa card twice a week!

http://nouveauscam.blogspot.com/

The presentation departed from being an education opportunity about 1/2 way through and became all about signing people up.
The people sitting around in the audience were plants. I thought the guy next to me would wet his pants each time the speaker said something like "wouldn't you like to make more money too?"
If the property concierge was such a great deal, why aren't the principals in this endeavor taking advantage of these proprieties?

My shout out to Chris, who read my activerain blog to recruit me for this presentation. Chris, you can make more money without going to jail in this pyramid scheme. If you want to find some positive cash flow properties, consult a real REALTOR. It takes access to the MLS, county tax records and an Excel spread sheet to determine and find positive cash flow properties.

Caring for cargivers

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:28:10 -0500

Well, today was another day taking care of mother and taking her to her doctor's appointment for her weekly chemotherapy appointment.

As I had blogged before

http://activerain.com/blogsview/298734/Caring-for-Caregivers on 12/06/2007

http://activerain.com/blogsview/419709/Here-we-go-again on 3/12/2008

I wanted to take care of some of the other caregivers I came across while taking care of my mother at the oncologist doctors while she was getting her chemotherapy.

Well, having had my first transaction close through escrow and with a little cash in my pocket. Today, while mother was getting her infusion, I walked about a mile down the road the the Starbucks at the corner of Lake Chabot Road and Castro Valley Boulevard.

I ordered myself a vente mocha with whip and not too hot. I also purchased a gift card for a caregiver back at Dr. Darosa's office. It didn't matter who the care giver was, I just wanted the card to go out to a caregiver.

When I got back to the office, I jotted down a little note about taking care of caregivers and how they could use a break every so often. I explained that I am also taking care of my mother and that they should enjoy a break on me.

Well, I handed the card to nurse Susan and she took the task of giving it to a caregiver. She wasted no time and gave it to a young lady who was taking care of her father in the other infusion room at the other end of the office.

Well, a few minutes later this young lady popped her head into the doorway of our infusion room to thank me. We (mom and I) invited her in for a nice conversation. She is going through the same thing that I am. She too is a middle child taking care of the parents. She too also has two brother, neither of which is actively involved in taking care of their ailing parents. She was very greatful in getting the gift card and she said that she sure could use a break. I explained my sitiuation and that I totally understood where she was at in this point of her life. I told her every so often to just take a deep breathe and count slowly to 10 and let the stress out.

I feel that I did good and got some good kharma out into the universe. I will do the same again next week when we go back to the oncologist for that weeks infusion. I will try to make other people's life better.

Hopefully, it will all come back to me later when these people need to sell or buy they will remember that nice realtor in the chemo doctors office that gave them a nice break from the stress of daily caregiving for a loved one.

I have followed the secret and this has got to come back as some good in the future for me. Everyone if you can pray for my mother that would be cool too.

Have a great day

At Grand Lake now

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:20:37 -0500

Well, I made the move. I am now working out of the Grand Lake Oakland office. The office is located at 3320 Grand Avenue in Oakland's Lake Merritt area.

We are located down the street from the old 1930s movie palace, the GrandLake Theater. The theater has seen much better days. Once adorned with columns topped with statuary and lots of architectural ornamentation. Today only about half of it's original detail remains. I see old photographs of the theater and the area around it on the walls of this office. I get saddened to think of how far it has fallen.

The current owners of this movie palace are avid anti-war and anti President Bush activists. Each week on it's grand marquee is some sort of political whoo-ha babble. I wish they would spend some of their energy into fixing this wonderful landmark building.

I am on floortime duty as I write this today. This office has good foot traffic and potentially a really great client base. Piedmont an elite posh community within Oakland is just up the road from this office. The existing agents at this office tell me that the floortime here is "OFF DA HOOK"

I had my very first close......(pause of applause).......... It was a deal here in Oakland and it was for a foreclosed property, I represented the buyer and it was an all cash offer which propelled us past the other 13 offers that came in on the property. Now I am waiting for the commission check to show up.......(pause of applause)..........

So I am still learning my way around this office and the area. There is 4 hour free parking under Interstate 580, which is only a very short walk from the office. I can use the exercise, so it doesn't bother me. Now I need to get used to the "system" here in the office.

Next stop Grand Lake Office

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:12:16 -0500

Next stop Grand Lake Office

well, as i sit and type this they are packing up all the computers and printers in the office here in alameda and moving them all to the Grand Lake office in Oakland.

The client I am working with to close has gone home to get some papers. I am affraid that there will not be a computer to work on when he gets back.

I will be able to use Dani's computer (the OA) across the office as her's will be the last one to go out the door.

So I can say that during my first deal, the office was literally shutting down around me. I am sure that will scare some rookie later on when we all tell our war stories.

next stop 3320 Grand Avenue.

Better Highways

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:51:30 -0500

I've spent alot of my life commuting. Before getting into real estate I worked many years in Silicon Valley. I've given it much thought. The 20 mile trip would some times take up to two hours to get from point A to point B in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic.

There has to be a better way of doing this entire highway experience.

It got me to thinking that restricting trucks to the two right hand lanes is just silly. These professional drivers should be all the way over in the center lanes. Let the professional drivers have the most dangerous lanes when it comes to the possibility of head on collisions. Then also allow in to the lane the folks who are going long distrance travelling. Let's just say you need to be travelling more than 25 mile to be in this lane.

The next lane in should be for the folks who are travelling slightly less of a distance, Let's also say you change lenes right if you are exiting the center lane. Let's restrict this to people with 10 - 24 miles to their destinations.

Then each lane to the right you get closer to your destination.

Until you are in the furthest right lane for the people going 1 or 2 miles and exiting... Let's just call them the locals. Let these folks stay in the right lane for easy on and easy off hops!

By doing this, this will increase the likelyhood that the truckers and the long distance drivers keep moving. The right lanes dedicated to the quick on and off without having to dodge all the semi-trailers.

Sacramento and Caltrans, are you paying attention?

What does all this have to do with real estate, it's all about quality of life...... and where you live.

Housing prices in the East Bay

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:56:17 -0500

Here is a breakdown of homes available in our local towns. The data reflects today April 28th, 2008. The data is broken down to the number of homes broken down into pricing catagories and the number of homes in each catagory.

This number reflects condos, townhouses and detached single family homes. This does not include the listing for duplexes and multiple family residences.

San Leandro

under 200k = 6
201k - 300k = 59
301k - 400k = 153
401k - 500k = 128
501k - 600k = 62
601k - 700k = 36
701k - 800k = 12
801k - 900k = 3
901k - 1.M = 0
over 1M = 4

Oakland

under 200k = 270
201k - 300k = 473
301k - 400k = 402
401k - 500k = 277
501k - 600k = 149
601k - 700k = 66
701k - 800k = 46
801k - 900k = 34
901k - 1.M = 18
over 1M = 84

Hayward

under 200k = 34
201k - 300k = 201
301k - 400k = 326
401k - 500k = 172
501k - 600k = 98
601k - 700k = 44
701k - 800k = 37
801k - 900k = 22
901k - 1.M = 7
over 1M = 22

Alameda

under 200k = 1
201k - 300k = 6
301k - 400k = 26
401k - 500k = 18
501k - 600k = 30
601k - 700k = 23
701k - 800k = 20
801k - 900k = 8
901k - 1.M = 7
over 1M = 12

Berkeley

under 200k = 0
201k - 300k = 4
301k - 400k = 17
401k - 500k = 20
501k - 600k = 18
601k - 700k = 14
701k - 800k = 4
801k - 900k = 8
901k - 1.M = 4
over 1M = 31

A Very Tough Sell

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:11:56 -0500

I saw this the other day while I was out with a client. We didn't go to this location, we drove right past it. My client was looking for single family foreclosures and not new construction. I couldn't believe it. I had to come back and take a photograph.

This development is in East Oakland, not too far from the Oakland Coliseum. It's called "Arcadia" and it's being developed by a very large and reputable builder. There will be different areas with in this tract, some units will be called "Villages", some will be called "Enclave" and some called "Towns"

I just question it's location

Next to a shipping container storage yard

The sales staff for this tract will certainly have a job on their hands.

The Secret: My gratitude rock

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:50:13 -0500

Wow,

Another fantastic day...more to come. A home that I had watched on my very own street has been sitting on the market for a whopping 211 days. I blogged about it earlier today while at the office.

Read my earlier posting here

I came home and then walked down to mom's house (two houses away) and spent some time with her.

I walked out and a saw a nice couple looking at the home for sale. I walked down, introduced myself and asked them if they needed a Realtor.

She lives in "Sheffield Village", a little enclave of ranch style homes in East Oakland and accessible only from San Leandro's "The Broadmoor" neighborhood.

He lives in North Berkeley. They are looking for a home that they could live in together as their house. They both love the house.

I have an appointment for Monday at 10:00am to look at the possibility of selling her home in Sheffield Village and getting them into this wonderful Storybook Tudor.

The secret is really paying off for me lately and boy am I grateful and getting more and more so each and every day.

I would like to share with all of you a picture of my gratitude rock. It really seems to be working, It reminds me of everything that I have to be grateful for ... It's with me everywhere I go.

I certainly would do things differently

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:27:56 -0500

There is a wonderful home a few doors down from me that has been on the market for a staggering 211 days. The listing agent representing the owners had done practically nothing to get this home in-front of the public.

No flyer's in the box at the sign. No Virtual tour. No open houses. It's very rare that any of the neighbors see any activity at the property at all.

The home is in wonderful condition, new roof, new windows, new landscape. The pest reports were $500 dollars for section 1.

The price of the home is considered high for the city of San Leandro, but the same home in neighboring Alameda would be easily $200,000.oo higher.

This home was constructed by Derry, Weaver & Derry and is one of the nicer homes in one of the nicer neighborhoods in all of San Leandro. This home is a wonderful storybook style tudor with leaded glass windows and dramatic vaulted ceilings.

The home has one modern day flaw which can be corrected. The home has amnesia as to where it's garage went to. The home was built with an attached two car garage. The homeowner would drive the car down the driveway and turn the car around on the large patio surface and park the cars under the rear section of the home.

During the 1970s it was a fad to turn such spaces into family rooms. This home as well as two other homes on this block that have this type of garage all suffered the same fate. One home with the same floor-plan (with completely different exterior elevation) had a detached 2 car garage built in the backyard.

Apparently the scuttlebutt around the neighborhood is that someone was looking at buying it and wanted to build a garage similar to the other one. The city denied the permits because of modern day lot line setbacks.

If they only knew that the city inspector lived just down the street, they might be able to fudge it enough with the city to get the historical setbacks that the rest of the entire neighborhood enjoys.

Well, back to topic. I would make sure that this home has flyer's in the box refreshed and refilled daily.

The home is located on a street that has become a I-580 access route during 7-8am and 4-6pm. I certainly would hold a twilight open house with some light food and appetizers. The theme for the evening, "If you lived here you'd be home right now".

The price needs to be lowered to reflect San Leandro's market pricing... Even though this home is a bargain to Alameda's pricing it's not being marketed to Alameda buyers.

The home needs to be taken off the market, the price lowered just a tad and re-listed with an office in Alameda (hint, hint) instead of Castro Valley. For Castro Valley, this home is a price increase over the base price of homes. For Alameda, this home is a steal.

No brainer.

GIVE ME A CALL---- I'D LOVE TO SELL IT TO THE BUYERS!

Meet Jack

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:56:29 -0500

1) What's your first name? "Jack"

2) Which city do you live in? "Alameda"

3) Neighborhood or district within that city? "Point Alameda in the West End"

4) Do you own or rent? "I Rent"

5) What occupation are you in? "Retail Visual Merchandising, I create department store displays"

6) Favorite restaurant? "Croll's - The New Zealander" " Phnom Penh House, a great Burmese restaurant on 8th Street in Oakland"

7) Do you have a business you'd like to promote? "Retirement"

Starting a new folder for something fun.

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:38:29 -0500

I've started a group here on Activerain for everyone to have yet another reason to BLOG.

I've created the group "MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS"

http://activerain.com/groups/Meetyourneighbors

The way I would like to see this to working is, when on floor time when we see someone looking at the homes displayed in the window.

Go out and greet them as usual, ask them questions about what they are looking for and how much etcetera. When wrapping up that conversation ask them if they wouldn't mind participating in your blog. It will be an ideal time to capture their contact information!!!

Tell them you have a new feature, "Meet the neighbors". You'll take a nice quality Black and White portrait head shot of your new friend smiliing. You ask them some basic non-intrusive questions (found in the group page).

You can add this into your main blog, city groups and neighborhood groups. Being sure to add them into the "meet your neighbors" group also.

First Open Escrow

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:09:59 -0500

WOW what a rush this is.

I got the call today that the flaky offer ahead of us had fallen out. Our offer (All Cash) is now the offer accepted.

It's my first offer and now escrow. The other agents around the office are happy for me. All the parties involved are looking for a quick close.

The property that my client is purchasing is a foreclosed home in Oakland California. The bank is looking for a quick close, my client is looking for a quick close.

So, lots of work ahead for me. New things to learn. I am like a sponge, I want to soak it all in.

Next up inspections. I already called to set up an appointment. The Pest Control Company was closed for the day and I left a message. I will call first thing in the morning.

excited

Getting nervous about the move coming up

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:56:03 -0500

Just in case you haven't heard the news, the Alameda office of Prudential California Realty will be shutting down and agents are being merged into the Grand Lake Oakland office.

I am looking forward to working around Oakland's Lake Merritt and in the hills around Oakland. There are some very amazing properties in these areas and it will be an exciting place to set up base camp.

Just up Grand and Lakeshore Avenues is the POSH community of Piedmont. Piedmont is like the Beverly hills of the East Bay. There are some incredible mansions up on Glen Alpine Road that will amaze and bewilder just about anyone. (I'd love to sell you one or two)

The Grand Lake office does come with some down sides. Parking is pay at the meters only. I understand that from people in the office already parking tickets are going to be a fact of life.

Grand Avenue is full of fancy schmancy dinning establishments. I am more of a burrito and a coke type of lunch guy. A good deli sandwich would do me just fine. I am affraid I am not going to be eating anywhere near the office or just plain brown bagging it.

If I have to take clients out I think that I will take them to Becketts, The Englander, Harry's Hof Brau, or Paradiso

If you're looking for me at the Grand Lake office, my desk is at the very far back side of the building in the 1 1/2 floor level tucked in between floors 1 and 2 (have you ever seen the movie being john malcovich). I chose that location just because it's quirky and I could say I work on the first and half floor.

Clients, Clients Everywhere

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:15:37 -0500

Wow, 2 in a row. I was sitting there at the front desk of the office doing floortime and I got a call from Mac the broker of the Grand Lake Office (my office will soon be merged with that office) telling me that there was this lady standing out in front of a home in Alameda. Mac asked me if I would like to go and help her....Would I?

I hopped onto the MLS and got the information about the house. A huge victorian in Alameda that is a major fixer upper. The price is an amazing $550,000.00 which is a bargain for any small bungalow in Alameda let alone a huge victorian.

I arrived and did not see her. So I got on my phone (newly bluetooth, thanks to my brother Raymond and his wife Emily's Christmas present) and was in the process of calling the lady. Then around from the corner of the house comes two ladies. I asked if one was Donna. The lady responded that she was indeed Donna.

The other lady was the homeowner who had seen her outside and showed her the house for me already.

She loves it and has ready an all cash offer....That's two great clients in two days. If you recall I just submitted an offer for an all cash deal for a foreclosed home in Oakland.

Donna wants to see the house again and will be bringing a friend along. I am in like Flint

A recommendation for a contractor.

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:46:28 -0500

I would like to recommend Chris Kinser of Kinser Restoration & Construction for your construction and restoration. Kinser Construction is located in San Leandro's "The Broadmoor" and can service the entire East Bay area.

The residents of Superior Avenue in San Leandro have hired Chris and love his work.

As soon as I get some money in (and I will) I will be having Chris remodel my laundry room to tile the walls, and remove the old tank water heater and to install a brand new tankless water heater.

By installing a tankless heater, I will finally have room in the laundry room for a washer & a dryer.

Tim, one of my other neighbors has offered to give Chris some glowing references!!! We stick together on Superior Avenue....

That's why we are Superior..... Just kidding, Superior Avenue was named after the Great Lake and not an attitude.

KINSER RESTORATION & CONSTRUCTION

CA Lic 912863

538 Superior Avenue

San Leandro, Ca. 94577

510-862-1202

BART to Alameda, Could it be done? I say think outside the box!

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:47:00 -0500

Each day as I commute into Alameda from San Leandro, I travel along Doolittle drive past the Oakland Airport on a stretch of roadway I like to call the Watermelon Coast.

See Blog posting http://activerain.com/blogsview/394965/Commuting-along-the-Watermelon

I often get to thinking that this would be an easy way to get the BART system over to the city of Alameda. Here's how you do it.

The Oakland Airport has long been trying to get a hard link from the Oakland Coliseum station. There was at one point in time a proposal for a monorail that would do the trick.

There has even been mention of a complet BART line also doing the same thing.

I say that the line would be more productive if it would have three stations, Oakland Coliseum -- Oakland International Airport -- Alameda.

How would you get BART to the island of Alameda? You don't that's the kicker here. The route for the line would be the same as what had been planned for many times before to the airport from the coliseum. The difference is from the return line from the airport the train would take a detour down Ron Cowan Parkway and making a right turn on Harbor Bay Parkway. The trains could run down Harbor Bay Parkway and the staion could be located on that landfill mound across from the golf course near the Bay Farm Island bridge.

After picking up passangers the trains would return to the Oakland International Airport and then back to the Oakland Coliseum station.

I personally like the idea of using a monorail. Monorail vehicles are fairly standardized (alweg-bombardier) and the concrete beamway construction is quicker and faster to build. The existing BART system is a one-of-a-kind gauge, which make's it much more expensive and time consuming to build. To learn more about monorails please go to the monorail society at www.monorails.org

Riding the Real Estate Roller Coaster

Michael Greenslade (Prudential California Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:03:16 -0500

Over in my other blog on myspace, I was catching up with my cousin Julie Schaul (Moniz). Julie had been a real estate agent 20 years ago back in Santa Cruz California.

She said that she wishes that she had stayed on the "real estate rollercoaster".

I replied that I am on the rollercoaster, but the part that I am on is right after the station and it's a long, dark and twisted tunnel.

She replied that she got a great chuckle out of that.

I just wrote my first offer last night and faxed it off. It is an all cash offer for a foreclosed property here in the Oakland California area.

I responded back to Jules (as she likes to be called) and told her that I may be still in my long dark and twisted tunnel, but I can hear the Klanking and Klunking of the good old chain lift to take me up that lift hill.

I can't see the lift yet but I can hear it. Maybe a few more turns.