On Tuesday, October 20 the Pleasanton City Council rezoned three vacant parcels in the Hacienda Business Park near the Pleasanton BART station to allow for mixed-use development. Two of the three parcels are located on Gibraltar Avenue across from the Sienna town home development. The third parcel is located on Owens Drive across from the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station.

The land is currently zoned for office, R&D, light manufacturing and allows for the development of six-story buildings.  The property owners now have the flexibility of building mixed-use developments which could include multi-story buildings with retail and services on the ground floor and residential units above. 

The Council action on Tuesday night only rezones the land - they did not approve any new development. According to our sources, there have been no plans for developing these parcels submitted to the City of Pleasanton.

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to Pleasanton or the East Bay Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

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NAR is stepping up pressure on Congress to extend the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. Their strategy includes a nation-wide call-for-action which more than 450,000 REALTORS® have answered by either calling or emailing their elected officials. NAR is also placing ads in Washington D.C. newspapers and on the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post and Google websites. 

Finally, NAR officials are meeting directly with congressional leaders. Earlier this week NARs First VP Ron Phipps testified in front of the Senate Banking Committee about the impact the Tax Credit has had on home buying activity in 2009.  You can read Mr. Phipps testimony by clicking here.

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

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Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Faced with a $4.2 million budget deficit, the Newark City Council will place a 3.9 percent utility tax on the November ballot. If approved by the voters the 3.9 percent tax will be applied to electricity, gas, telephone and cable television services. Revenue from the tax will pay for police and fire protection and other basic city services including street and park maintenance. Newark city staff claim the tax will generate approximately $2.6 million annually. Bay East has not yet taken a position supporting or opposing the tax. 

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the Newark or the East Bay Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

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On Thursday, July 30, the Federal Reserve Board's Truth in Lending "Regulation Z" took effect and applied new disclosure requirements for both new mortgages and refinancings.  Among other things, lenders must now provide good-faith estimates that include loan costs within three business days of receiving a loan application; a loan cannot close until a seven-day waiting period has ended; an updated disclosure must be provided if the loan's interest rate changes by more than 0.125 percent

The Mortgage Bankers Association has prepared a summary of Regulation Z which you may review by clicking here. 

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Board has already circulated extensive changes to Regulation Z, which are now out for a 120 day public comment period. To review the proposed changes as published in the Federal Register, please click here. 

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

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Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

It may seem hard to believe, but we've already waved goodbye to the beginning of summer. Before the hottest days of late summer descend upon us, consider tackling these summer projects:

Air conditioning-It's important to have your air conditioner in perfect working order. Taking care of any issues in the midst of a heat wave can potentially result in an increase in price, as well as an increase in the time it takes for a technician to visit your home. You should also replace any filters now. Simply remove the old one and take it to your local home improvement center. Sales representatives should have no problem finding its replacement.

Clean out your garage-Organizing a garage can be an excruciating experience during the hottest time of summer, so if that's something you need to do, check the upcoming weather reports and plan accordingly. Once you clean out your garage, either donate any unwanted items or sell them.

Paint-Summer is an ideal time to paint the interior of your home since the weather best lends itself to keeping your windows open, allowing the fresh air in and the paint fumes out. If you decide to paint the inside of your home, think about lightening the existing color as opposed to darkening it. Lighter colors are not only inviting, they create the illusion of a bigger, more open space.

Buy fans-Installing ceiling fans and using portable fans are great methods for cutting the heat inside your home. They are also far less expensive to use than an air conditioner. Using fans of any kind also enables you to keep windows open at night, allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the house.

Install dimmer switches-Dimmer switches not only add ambience, they also cut down on energy and the unwanted heat given off by brighter bulbs. Another tip is to use low-wattage light bulbs whenever possible.

Good luck and happy "summerizing!"

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

Search East Bay Area Properties   

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

A Healthy Beginning to the 4^th of July Holiday in Looking for a fun holiday event that positively affects your waistline? Join the City of San Ramon Parks & Community Services Department for the annual Run San Ramon 10k/5k/3k Run/Walk. This is a certified, flat, paved route beginning at the San Ramon Community Center at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd, right off the 680 freeway at Bollinger Canyon Road.

Race is open to all ages with medals given to the top 3 finishers in 18 different age groups for those 5 and over. As well as complimentary commemorative race t-shirts for all those who pre-register for the event.

Race day registration begins at 6:30am and the first race starts at 8:15am.

How to Register - Registration forms are available online: Click Here to Download

or by calling 925.973.3240.   Register Online: >>Click Here 

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

Search East Bay Area Properties   

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

San Ramon Central Park ~ 5:00pm-10:00pm   

The City of San Ramon's Red, White & Blue Picnic & Fireworks is scheduled for Saturday, July 4th in San Ramon's Central Park located at 12501 Alcosta Blvd from 5pm - 10pm. Enjoy our beautiful park setting with a family picnic and music from KKIQ radio being broadcast for your listening enjoyment.  There will be a spectacular fireworks display synchronized to music at 9:30 p.m.  For those of you not in Central Park, the accompanying music for the fireworks can be heard on KKIQ radio, 101.7.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic to the park, enjoy time with family and friends and celebrate the birthday of our great nation. Please note that there will not be any food booths or live entertainment on-site this year.  Plan to bring your food and non-alcoholic beverages with you.  Please be kind to your pets and leave them secure at home. 

The charge for parking in lots surrounding Central Park will be $10 per car. Handicapped parking will be located in the Community Center lot off of Alcosta Blvd. Residents are encouraged to go green and carpool and walk to the park to help the environment. 

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

Search East Bay Area Properties   

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

On Friday, June 26 the House passed HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Thanks to NAR's efforts an energy efficiency labeling program will be limited to new construction only. The legislation also includes incentives for homeowners to make their properties more energy efficient. 

Media coverage of this legislation has raised questions about how it will impact real estate transactions.  NAR staff has prepared a one-page analysis of the bill which you can read by clicking here. You can also read a "Myths vs. Facts" document by clicking here.

While the House has passed HR 2454 it's unlikely the Senate will take any action on the bill until after their August recess.

   Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

Search East Bay Area Properties   

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Bay East in conjunction with its Professional Standards Council has developed a Speakers' Bureau, designed to increase industry professionalism with 15-minute presentations filled with timely topics.

Location: Bay East Conference Center (7901 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 121, Pleasanton)

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Space is limited and seating will be first-come, first-served.  For more information on the Bay East Speakers' Bureau visit our website at https://www.bayeast.org/membership/programs/speakers

  The following is the list of presentations:

•·         Dual/Variable Commissions  What is it? When and how must it be disclosed? If you do it incorrectly, is it a violation of MLS Rules, Professional Standards, or both? What is the maximum fine for breaking this rule? As the listing agent, do you have to disclose the exact details to an inquiring selling Broker?

•·         Misuse of remarks in the listing  What can and what cannot appear in the remarks section of the MLS printout. The answer may surprise you!

•·         Referral Fees and Gifts  When are they legal, when are they not? The penalties are severe. It is no joke. Think you can't get caught? Think again!

•·         Coming Soon Signs  Depending on whether you have the potential buyer, or the seller, you may love or hate these signs. Find out what is abuse and what is a good use of this marketing tool.

•·         Internet Advertising and Other Media  What is a "blind ad" according to NAR's Code of Ethics? Can a REALTOR® call on a FSBO that is listed on the "do not call list"? In marketing mailers what can you include about active listings, pendings, solds, etc. What is the potential fine for breaking these rules?

•·         Advertising - Phone, Fax or Email  If you are cold calling how often must you check the "do not call list"? What are the fines for violation?

•·         Advertising - Fair Housing Compliance  Guideline to assist you in complying with state and federal fair housing laws.

•·         MLS Time Frames & Data Entry  What does "LS" mean? What does "EO" mean? In what "views" can you find this information? How long do you have to submit a listing once it is signed by all parties? How long does the seller have to make it available for showing, once it is submitted to MLS? What is the MLS Waiver form? When must it be submitted to MLS? What is the fine if it is not? Suppose the seller has changed some information on you or you have a change to submit, how long do you have to get that into MLS? When you have an old listing that is not selling, and you decide to reissue it as a new listing are you required to get a withdrawal signed from the seller? If so, what is the penalty if you don't?

•·         The Rules of Presentations  When must you go through the listing broker? When can you go directly to the seller? If an offer comes in after an acceptance, do you have to present it? When can you say "no"? Does the buyer's broker have the right to present to the seller? Does the seller's broker have the right to present the counter offer to the buyer? If the listing agent does not present in a timely fashion, is there a $5,000.00 fine?

•·         Disclosure of Relationships  When and how do you disclose to a buyer or seller that you have a relationship with the "other" side? What are the penalties?

•·         Electronic Signatures  When does the client need a copy? When can you use an electronic copy? What the heck is that? When should you use a wet signature? (There are 10 specific forms. Do you know them?)

•·         Phone Contact with a principal  If a listing broker refuses to disclose the expiration date of a listing to an inquiring broker, can the inquiring broker go to the seller direct to obtain that information? How many hours must a buyer's broker wait before going to the seller directly? What are the penalties?

•·         Unlicensed Activity  With the increases in commissions, there has been a huge rise in the number of people posing as agents who are not licensed. How and when do you check out a license status? What do you do if your seller accepts an offer written by someone who is not licensed?

•·         Procuring Cause  You write an offer, get it accepted, close the escrow and a month later you get an Arbitration complaint from the Association signed by another agent who claims you owe them your commission... you have a procuring cause problem. Find out all about procuring cause and how it affects you and your commission checks.

•·         Compensation  Who knew there were so many rules? Who pays the buyers agent? Can you offer a bonus in MLS for selling your listing? Can you change the commission offered on your listing? Can you get a higher commission than is offered on another broker's listing? What happens to the commission on a short sale? The answers might surprise you, but knowing the right answers may save you thousands of dollars! 

Can't make it to the June 30 presentation, to schedule a presentation at your office, select two topics from the Speaker Request Form and fax it to (925) 730-0264. For a quicker response, you can email the form as a PDF attachment to amberc@bayeast.org. Allow for a two-week lead time when requesting a date. 

Remember .... "Dream Green" 

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

Search East Bay Area Properties   

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Use these green tips for keeping your landscaping (and watering) on the eco-friendly side!

Just one leaky faucet or spigot can waste approximately 2,000 gallons of water each year. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures indoors or outdoors. If you suspect a leak, try this method to help you verify the problem: check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.

Research the various shading strategies that will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate. To block solar heat in the summer but let much of it in during the winter, use deciduous trees. To provide continuous shade or to block heavy winds, use dense evergreen trees or shrubs. For more information on regional and microclimates, visit the Energy Savers Web site. Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between full-grown plants and your home's wall. 

  Remember .... "Dream Green"

Considering Moving to the East Bay or Tri Valley Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?     

 Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?     

Search East Bay Area Properties   

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com