Candidate Interview Wrap Up - 08/29/08 06:52 PM
The Bay East Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (BORPAC) Trustees finished interviewing candidates running for offices in Dublin, Fremont and Pleasanton.
This week the BORPAC Trustees heard from Steve Brozosky and Jennifer Hosterman (both running for Pleasanton Mayor) and Bob Wasserman who's running for Fremont Mayor.  Brozosky and Hosterman differed on the two competing hillside initiatives and had slightly different takes on how to deal with traffic congestion and how Pleasanton should work with neighboring cities on regional issues.  Mayor Wasserman expressed his support for the Oakland A's planned move to Fremont, shared his concepts for "downtown" Fremont and plans for improving public safety.  The BORPAC … (0 comments)

Local Election Results - 08/26/08 05:21 PM

The Bay East Association of REALTORS® is proud to release the election results for its Officers and Board of Directors. Pat Huffman of Pat Huffman Real Estate in Pleasanton has been elected as the Association's 2009 President. Pam Winterbauer of Windermere Welcome Home in San Ramon will serve as the 2009 President-Elect and Otto Catrina of Catrina Real Estate & Investments in Castro Valley as 2009 Treasurer.
Newly-elected District Directors include: Central County (Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and North Alameda County): Craig Ragg of Craig Ragg Real Estate Broker in Castro Valley and Lisa Sterling of Sunshine … (6 comments)

Fremont Planning Director at Tri-Cities Marketing Meeting - 08/22/08 01:02 PM
On Thursday (8/21), Jeff Schwob, Planning Director for the City of Fremont, briefed the Tri-Cities Marketing Meeting on community development issues that impact the real estate market. 
Mr. Schwob reported on the General Plan and how it impacts land use and housing policies, the status of the Oakland A's plans to move to Fremont and the ordinance which will allow neighborhoods to ask the City for a temporary ban on second-story additions.  The Fremont City Council will adopt that ordinance at their September 23 meeting.
REALTOR® Impact:  While the final decision on city policies are made by the City Council, it is the … (1 comments)

Local Candidates for Up Coming Elections Interviewed - 08/22/08 12:41 PM
Bay East interviews Local Candidates:  Earlier this week the Bay East Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (BORPAC) Trustees interviewed candidates running for offices in Dublin, Fremont and Pleasanton.  Each candidate was asked about their position on real estate-related issues including private property rights, housing, land use policies, public safety and point-of-sale ordinances.  The Trustees did take time to educate those candidates who were unaware of point-of-sale ordinances and their impact on real estate transactions.
The following is a list of issues that candidates commented on during their interviews:
Dublin: The future of residential and retail development topped the list of issues for Dublin City … (0 comments)

Highlights of the $7,500 First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit - 08/15/08 11:32 PM
The credit is $7,500 or 1% of the purchase price whichever is smaller. First-Time Home Buyers purchasing homes on or after 4-09-08 and before 6-30-09 may be eligible for the tax credit. 
The buyer must not have owned a principal residence during the last 3 years prior to purchase. In the case of married taxpayers, neither of the spouses may have owned a principal residence in the last 3 years.  If one has, neither qualify for the tax credit. 
SFRs, condominiums, and PUDs are all eligible.  Income limits are based on a buyers Modified Adjusted Gross Income.  The limits are: $75,000 for a … (16 comments)

Everyday Living Tips that Can Save You Time - 08/15/08 11:23 PM
Check Out Your Airline Seat:  You book your ticket and select a seat. When you get on the plane, you find that the seat is less than desirable. Seat Guru can help ease your travel woes. Start by selecting your airline. Then, specify the type of plane. You'll get a map of the seats. You can see which seats are good and which are bad. You'll also see if a seat has a power outlet. SeatGuru offers other helpful tools, too. You can find contact information for an airline. There are also answers to your questions on baggage, checking in and … (6 comments)

Shrewd Tech Tips for Today - 08/15/08 11:12 PM
Backup Your Smart Phone: Dashwire makes it easy to back up your data. You just connect your phone to your computer. You need to remember to synchronize your phone. That's often easier said than done. Dashwire will help. You don't need to connect any cables. You don't need to remember to back up. It's all done automatically and backed upto the Internet. You can also update your phone from the Web! Now, that's handy.Dashwire works with Windows Mobile smartphones. But it will soon work with BlackBerrys, too. http://www.dashwire.com 
Picking A New Cell Phone and Provider Is Tough:  Choosing a phone is … (14 comments)

Bishop Ranch Upcoming Events - 08/15/08 11:00 PM
Pleasanton First Wednesday Street Fair  ~  Come visit our booth at the first Wednesday Street Fair, September 3rd in downtown Pleasanton from 6pm - 9pm. This will be the last street fair for the year and we'll have free give-aways and coupons. Dogs are welcome, so bring your dog and stop by to say "Hi".
San Ramon Emergency Preparedness Fair  ~  Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center has proudly been asked to participate in the San Ramon police department's emergency preparedness fair. This event will be held Saturday, September 13th from 9am - 2pm at the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Danville at … (0 comments)

Playing in the Rain - 08/10/08 11:49 PM
Today was one of those catch updays and a few extra hours to sleep in. 
My pupp had other ideas....she wanted to go out and play in the yard, sit in the sun and chase mr. squirrel.  She has a mind of her own and has earned the nickname of "bossy bitch"!
So we ran, played and enjoyed the day.  Now she is tired and snugged up tight with me while I sit here in the rain. 
When it is all said and done she is a cute little baby and I am very blessed to be her caretaker. 
Considering Moving to the East Bay?    … (18 comments)

How death can be a double loss! - 08/10/08 07:00 PM
The loss of a loved one is a very tramatic event and that is the time when we are most vulnerable.  There are people who prey on loss's and are there to scam you.
The loss of a loved one is never an easy experience for a family, and people are often understandably distracted and overwhelmed with things to take care of. Unfortunately, scam artists often use the obituaries in the newspaper as a way to target potential victims.
Here are some tips to help you or your loved ones avoid scams during times of loss:
Protect Your Home:  If funeral … (9 comments)

Save on cooling costs - 08/04/08 12:22 AM


Heating and air conditioning usually represent the biggest portion of home energy bills. As we head into the hottest part of the year, here are some ideas from author and home improvement expert Don Vandervort that will help you stay cool...and save money in the long run:





Get 'In the Zone': Creating heating and cooling zones that let parts of your house become warmer and cooler than other parts is a great way to save both energy and money. If your home has a ducted system and wasn't originally designed with a zone system … (15 comments)

Keep yourself with summer foods - 08/04/08 12:14 AM
Summer time is one of the best times of year to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that aren't available year-round. But recent salmonella outbreaks are an important reminder about handling food properly. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that there is no way for consumers to detect salmonella since it can't be smelled, tasted, or seen. Here's what they recommend to reduce the risk of exposure:
Wash, Wash, Wash ~ One of the best ways to protect yourself is to wash all produce, including organic produce, with cold running water. You should scrub your produce gently with a … (6 comments)

Where does your mail go when your away? - 08/04/08 12:09 AM
Think about what lands in your mailbox...bank statements, credit card bills, and maybe even DVD's. Where do they all go when you're gone? If you've been asking a nosy neighbor to pick up your mail--or worse, letting your mail pile up in the box--there's a better option and it's easier than ever!
Whether you're on vacation or an unexpected business trip, you can rest easy knowing your mail is safe and sound by asking the Post Office to suspend delivery while you're gone. They'll hold your mail from 3 to 30 days, and then resume normal delivery on the date you … (15 comments)

Did you hear the news on FIRPTA - 08/02/08 11:23 PM
It seems once again our rules and reg's have changed here in California.  California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) announced this week.
SELLER NEED NOT REVEAL SSN TO BUYER UNDER FIRPTA: Effective immediately, sellers are no longer required to provide to their buyers the Seller's Affidavit of Nonforeign Status (C.A.R. Form AS), which includes the sellers' social security numbers, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). Instead, as another option, no federal withholding is required if the seller furnishes the Seller's Affidavit with his or her social security number to escrow or other qualified substitute as defined, who in … (7 comments)

The ABC's of the Revovery Act - 08/02/08 12:37 AM
Today I received a letter from Barbara Boxer thanking me about my recent letter regarding the Economic Revovery Act.  Please find her letter and her take on the Act.
Dear Pam
Thank you for contacting me regarding the current foreclosure crisis. I appreciate hearing from you.
I am pleased that the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 has passed Congress and was signed into law on July 30, 2008 as P.L. 110-289.
Although this legislation will not solve all the problems in the current crisis, it includes wide-ranging measures to help stabilize the housing market, provide help to homeowners and … (6 comments)

Ceiling fans vs air conditioners - 08/02/08 12:23 AM
We still have a bit of summer ahead of us and keeping the cost of electricity down is important.  Instead of running an air conditioner at a cost of 16 cents per hour or 43 cents per hour for central air, use a ceiling fan.
If you use an air conditioner, select an ENERGY STAR variety, which will save 20 to 40 percent in energy consumption as compared with conventional air conditioners, according to The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time, by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen
Considering Moving to the East … (9 comments)