Mary Wells - What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One lyrics

WHAT'S SO EASY FOR TWO IS SO HARD FOR ONE Mary Wells Well well well well Let's get together and go for a walk in the park And while we're walking we can steal a little kiss in the dark I wanna walk with you (I wanna walk with you) I wanna talk with you (I wanna talk with you) But it's up you to say "Come on baby" If you don't hurry up I'll go crazy 'Cause a walk in the park all alone is just no fun CHORUS: What two can easily do, what two can easily do Is so hard to be done by one I'm sure that you know that I love you with all of my heart But a love that's true really takes two to start I wanna do my share (I wanna do my share) To show you that I care (to show you that I care) 'Cause a one-sided love will never do You gotta show me that you love me too 'Cause falling in love all alone is just no fun (chorus) One can build a love affair slowly Two can build a love affair fast One can make a love get started Two can make it last (instrumental) So come on and take me by the hand Lead me up to the preacher man Together we can do all the things that should be done (repeat chorus and fade) From: Collins Crapo Song lyrics | Mary Wells lyrics

You didn't know I could sing did you? ...

The San Francisco bay area is the best place for meeting your sweetheart.

10 K and the burgeoning condo and residential market.....condos within blocks of each other....ahhhh...burgeoning tech industry ...mmmmmm........one stop place with everything about Oakland...

One of my customers who is now planning to reside and  invest in Downtown Oakland and is a former resident of Detroit Michigan mentions that Downtown Detroit had and continues to have a bad reputation for crime. The city of Detroit is working no that image. But in the midst of this is a revitalization project of Detroit's beautiful water front. 

So what's happening in Detroit now? You've heard the stories and read the facts : the so-called Murder capital of the country( 5.16 times more murders than other major cities) .

Admist all of that, the city's downtown area is thriving, it' coming along fast. Major theater chains such as the Fox are being revitalized, the riverfront is undergoing a massive redevelopment and the most important thing: PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN AND  INVESTING AND PROPERTY IS APPRECIATING: People From the suburbs,downsizing and entrepreneurs... Sound familiar....

My point: the same is and will happen in Oakland because it's happening in Major Cities throughout the world. You need to get in on the ground level and in years your investment will pay off.

(The photo: Harbortown Condos facing the Detroit Waterfront)

A reality: There is crime in Oakland as with most cities. But I'm optimistic that the best  in people shall overcome. I am encouraged today by an article I saw in the Contra Costa Times about Oakland's potential against the landscape of the crime. Last week was a pivotal point in the history of Oakland as a fine citizen of Oakland was killed. 

 Crime across the country

However, one must not overlook that across the country in many major urban centers crime exist; but  major revitalization project exist in many downtown areas. I can remember when it was once said that Manhattan was not a safe place to be. But by many accounts it is still a city that has a vital energetic core and some say it's safer today than ever.

Hope for Oakland

The contra costa time listed some of the fantastic things going on in Oakland. It takes energy to make things happen, and I predict overtime that same positive energy will bring new life to Oakland. According to the article Oakland if full of artistic energy. And one of the most innovative programs started last week:

Innovation in the Arts

"The shuttles to Art Night program started last week. Starting as the typical workday ends, at 5 p.m., the shuttles will loop around 31 galleries and the Great Wall of Oakland"...and restaurants, bars and nightlife oriented businesses will extend their hours so people can have a full experience in the city.

Oakland needs your support.

Thank you!

Oakland Magazine

Oakland Unwrapped

Shuttle to the Arts Program

Jack London News

Jack London District Association

Port of Oakland

Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau

Oakland Police Department

North Lake Merrit Neighborhood Group

The Bay area : the most diverse area in the world.  No where on the planet will you see a fusion of cultures and a mix of diverse people adapting and learning about each other's culture...It's Salsa this week, and Art shows in the same area of Oakland downtown within blocks of each other...

This weekend marks the first Annual Salsa Fair on Jack London Square. The salsa fashion is sure to be be eye opening and attract attention along with the staccato dance steps. The bay area has  a wealth of salsa resources  from dance clubs, lessons and more.

See you on August 11, 2007 at Jack London Square 10:00 to 6:00 for the Salsa Fair and at my office the same day for the Art Showing. 

(Salsa dancing at lunchtime on Wednesday in Oakland City Center)

Come on down and see the beautiful art work August 18 on Saturday. We'd love to meet our internet fans and also show you around the area.

Artists on Exhibit(Reception 6pm-8pm):

Teresa Brazen
Gabriela Hernandez Lepe
Alanna Spence

Click Here to the artist's blog

Two Oakland High Profile core downtown hotels bought by a L.A. Investment group. CIM Group( which specializes in Urban areas such as San Diego, San Jose and Los Angeles) paid 66 Million for the Courtyard Hotel and for the downtonw Oakland Marriot Hotel. Major upgrades and new retail outlets are expected in the vicinity of the hotels.

Here are the reasons cited by the investors:

1) They see the potential for Downtown Oakland

2)  They have a good feeling about what's happening in Oakland

3)  There is untapped potential in Oakland

4) Business Leaders in Oakland welcome their presence

5) Market Analysis looks favorable on what other developers have done downtown

6) Very few new hotels are being built in the Oakland area which supports these two major hotels as focal points in downtown Oakland. 

7) Hotel occupancy rates on the increase in recent years

8) Developers in the area are planning three new office buildings

and more. Read the full article here.

(Our Jack London Loft/Office 311 Oak Street Suite 116 Oakland California 94607 , 510-452-1927)

Here are some things to keep in mind when you buy condos and lofts in California. The marketing agent in many condominiums represent the fiduciary interest of the Seller. It's important for you to have an agent which represents your interests at the negotiation phase. And this phase starts surprisingly at the first visit as the marketing agent begins qualifying you and determining your needs. I think this is one of the most important reasons you need an agent with you on the first visit. You never know if the place you see will be the eventual living space you settle upon. If you find a place you like your emotional attachment can keep you from focusing objectively on the important purchasing facts.

To maximize the use of your agent for go sees; first,  find the location you like ; conduct internet research on real estate  websites such as Realtor.com and Zillow to get comparable prices. Once you have a definite price in mind and location, contact your agent and take them with you on your first visit.

Other Tips:

1) Don't go at it alone. An  experienced agent can help you negotiate closing costs and other incentives. 
2) If the purchase price is too good to be true it may not include upgrades. 
3) Some of the better condominiums have extra services and amenities such as  24 hour concierge, fitness centers, libraries, underground parking, secured parking, fully equipped business centers.
4) Many  amenities or perks(such as free home owner fee periods) are available to those  purchasing with the preferred lenders
5) Most condos have two sets of preferred brokers: A Major  bank  lender(s) and a loan broker for people who need more flexible options.
6) Many units in a condominium sell out because of their location within  the building(your agent can help you pick out the best units)
7) Try to view the space in spite of the staging and imagine if your furniture will fit in the space. Visit the unit(s) on a second day as the lighting affects the mood and highlights certain features.

Business Partners:Cynthia Kelsaw-Sales Associate, Bach Nguyen-Broker(in rear) and  Michael Kelsaw(right) at Jack London Realty.

A few reasons which indicate more growth in Oakland. Get in now while the market is cool. Think long term. In about 3-5 years you'll be kicking yourself if you didn't invest in Oakland.

1) Grocery chains are venturing into the area.

2) Oakland's commercial space occupancy is on the rise.

3) Plans for retail options downtown are on the table.

4) Affordable day studios for Artists in the work ( 400 to 600 dollars/month).

5) New Oakland Cathedral in the works.

6) Class A offices 90% full and fueling the development of small business office development.

(photo courtesy of free foto.com)

Former Mayor Jerry Brown initiated the 10K program during his term with the goal of  bringing 10,000 new residents to downton Oakland. It is working. The growth has been phenomenal and more growth will occur. As in life,there are pains associated with growth. Some had predicted that the poor would be totally displaced. However, what has developed is a sound plan of mixed growth and a variety of housing identities. Unlike some other  Urban Core areas under development, Oakland has managed to maintain its rich cultural blend of people and social institutions. There is a there there. The "there" is a mixture of cultural expression expressed through its  restaurants, businesses and the arts.

As of May 2007,This is the state of development:

2274 units completed
2059 units under construction
2354 units with planning approval
3760 units in planning   

For a more detailed analysis read the full report here.