FHA notice on delay in FHA condominium changes:   Implementation of FHA's new policy guidance for condominium project approval and condo unit financing will be delayed until December 7th  2009.    The new guidance, to be issued within the next two weeks, will:   Ø  offer additional leniencies to address the difficult market conditions   Ø  augment some portions of FHA Mortgagee Letter 2009-19, providing additional information and clarification.    Until the new guidance takes effect on December 7th, 2009 lenders may continue to use the Spot Loan Approval guidance issued in Mortgagee Letter 1996-41.  Further, the site condo changes that have already been implemented are not affected by this delay.   To read FHA Mortgagee Letters 1996-41 and 2009-19 please visit:http://www.hud.gov/of... 10/28/2009

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. Acc... 10/24/2009

It is normal for a Seller to suggest they take their home off the market over the Holidays. I had many years where my best quarter of the year was the last quarter. There are  a lot of reasons for a Seller to keep their home on the market in November and December, especially in this market. When the competition is withdrawing from the market, the Sellers have a better chance of selling their home. You can also decorate your "For Sale" signs in December with big red bows and ribbon around the sign post. You can find these "exterior Red bows" at the hardware store or at Costco.Here are a couple of articles that may be of interest to you:Holiday Season Presents Best Time to Buy Real EstateDon't Beat a Seasonal Retreat Nancy Costa, Broker, EcoBrokerReMax Accord in Pleasanton, CaliforniaOwne... 10/21/2009

In our conversations with my Sellers and Buyers there is an on going theme of mistrust with the system, banks and government plus a whole lot of confusion. In my 24 years in the Real Estate Business I have never seen it this hard. I know many of you are tired and here the war stories from friends and family. No matter what, in life if there a goal that is worth having then you need to get back on that horse you just fell off so to speak and keep your eye on the goal! We are here to support you with excellent information, guidance and support.....  whether you need to sell or buy let us put some light on the subject ,  give us a call Today so we may Brighten your day. ~ Nancy & Larry 10/21/2009

It's no wonder that buyers seek out condos for sale in Pleasanton CA. The city of Pleasanton California has it all; historic downtown with chic boutiques, awesome schools, multiple parks & recreation areas, access to the Iron Horse Trail, favorable climate and great deals on Pleasanton CA real estate! Use this link to Search the MLS for Pleasanton CA condos and Pleasanton California townhomes for sale. What do condos in Pleasanton CA sell for? Click here to request a list of all townhomes and condos for sale in Pleasanton including address, photos and description. This Real Estate Market Snapshot for October 19, 2009 reveals that there are currently 25 townhomes and condos for sale in Pleasanton CA.*   0 - Studio units are currently available for sale   0 - One Bedroom units are current... 10/20/2009

By the end of 2009, consumers nationwide will be able to take advantage of a federal "cash for appliances" program offering rebates on purchases of a wide array of home appliances certified as energy-efficient by the EPA's Energy Star program.Backed by an initial $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state-run rebate program is intended to help make American homes more energy-efficient while further stimulating the economy. View the entire article. Nancy Costa, Broker, EcoBrokerReMax Accord in Pleasanton, CaliforniaOwner of Healthy Homes by DesignHealthyHomesbyDesign@gmail.com "From the sale of our home to the purchase of our new home Nancy was there making us feel secure from start to finish. We were very satisfied. We felt very lucky to have her ... 10/14/2009

October 10, 2009 Investment Properties in Pleasanton CA - Fifteen Short Sales in Pleasanton CA sold and closed during September 2009.  11 were single family detached homes and 4 were attached homes (townhomes).* The 11 detached single family homes that were Short Sales in Pleasanton CA had a low sales price of $525,000 and a high sales price of $1,400,000. The median sale price for short sales in Pleasanton for this period is $610,000. These homes were on the market an average of 54 days. The 4 attached homes that were Short Sales in Pleasanton CA sold from $286,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath townhome with a reported 1,146 square feet of living space, to $414,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath townhome with a reported 1,611 sq. ft. of living space. October 10, 2009 - There are 77 Short Sale... 10/13/2009

October 10, 2009 - 8 REOs in Pleasanton or Foreclosures in Pleasanton CA sold and closed during September 2009. 5 were single family detached homes and 3 were attached homes (a condo and two townhomes).* The 5 detached single family homes that were REO Bank Owned Foreclosures in Pleasanton CA had sales prices from $375,000 to $1,111,000.  The median home price for REO Bank Owned Foreclosures was $605,000 and the homes were on the market for an average of 45 days. The 3 attached homes that were REO Bank Owned Foreclosures in Pleasanton CA had sales prices from $260,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1 ½ bath condo with 1,130 square feet of living space, to $283,240 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with 1,043 sq. ft. of living space.  The homes sold after average of 23 days on the market. October 10, 2009... 10/13/2009

Sales activity has been quite good in the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood since June of 2009!!  So far 14 homes have been sold, 2 are pending and 3 are active on the market.   For the most part homes in Pleasanton Meadows are not staying on the market for too long, on average homes are on the market for under a month.  There are a few exceptions of course where the homes are staying on the market longer!! Prices are holding well and even the "bargain list priced" home at 3410 Stacey Way, went for over $550K!!!!! Please feel free to contact me with any questions about homes and real estate in the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood.  To view all the homes currently on the market in Pleasanton Meadows please visit:  www.nahidsellsre.com/Pleasanton_Meadows_Homes_and_Real_Estate.html To view al... 10/12/2009

Are you a member of Green America yet? I am, and I get wonderful newsletters from them with information on how I can help the environment.  Here is information about being a Green Business.  They even have GreenPages to list your green business and be found by like-minded clients! I continue to learn about environmental issues so I can do my part, and also so my clients can benefit from my green training and experience. Nancy Costa, BrokerReMax Accord in Pleasanton, CaliforniaOwner of Healthy Homes by Design(925) 577-4777HealthyHomesbyDesign@gmail.com "From the sale of our home to the purchase of our new home Nancy was there making us feel secure from start to finish. We were very satisfied. We felt very lucky to have her as our agent." - DG 10/11/2009

Simply Greek - Pleasanton, California (Alameda County, CA) Simply Greek is simply the best Greek restaurant in the Tri-Valley area of the San Francisco East Bay, California. They are located at 4220-C Rosewood Drive in Pleasanton, just two minutes off the 580 freeway at Santa Rita Road. They have another location in Oakland at 4060 Piedmont Avenue. My favorite menu item at Simply Greek is their gyros, but they also have excellent chicken, pork and lamb souvlaki! Service is always friendly and fast, you order and pay at the register then they bring the food out to your table when it's ready. The owner is Greek and he's a lot of fun to talk to if you run into him while you're there. Prices are very reasonable and the food is delicious, so I recommend giving Simply Greek a try for lunch, d... 10/08/2009

The Pleasanton CA real estate market had a strong September, with 64 closed sales.  The sales ranged from $375,000 to $2,400,000.  The median home price in Pleasanton for Sepember was $685,000, with 2 sales over $2 million dollars.  The average days on market for these closed sales was 59, with a median price per sq ft of $339. The Pleasanton neighborhoods of Mission Park, Laguna Oaks, Del Prado, Pleasanton Meadows, and Vintage Hills II/Vintage Heights all saw strong activity. Click here for a complete list of closed home sales.                 10/08/2009

Homes in Pleasanton, especially those priced under $800K, continue to sell well.  I recently represented the seller of this beautiful, upgraded home, built by K&B Homes (CA Somerset), and within walking distance to the Fairlands Park. This home is convenient to highway 580, the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station, the Fairlands Elementary school, shopping, and everything that Pleasanton has to offer! The home was priced at $649K and received several offers.  It sold for very close to the asking price and closed in June of 2009. Please contact me with any questions or if you need any details about this home. To view a virtual tour of this home, please visit: http://tour.circlepix.com/tour.htm?id=712708&refurl=nahidsellsre.com To view all of the homes currently for sale in the Pleasanton Meado... 10/06/2009

The September 2009 median home price in Pleasanton CA was $685,000 for single family detached homes*. There were 63 home sales of single family detached homes in Pleasanton CA, the highest priced home sold for $2,400,000, the lowest price home sold for $375,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for September 2009 in Pleasanton California was $820,845. These homes were on the market an average of 47 days. Your Pleasanton California real estate market update was written October 2, 2009. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end. What did 3574 Wind Cave Ct. in Pleasanton CA sell for? 3574 Wind Cave Ct. in Pleasanton CA sold for $375,000 after 26 days on the market: What did 1941 Clover Ct. in Pleasanton CA sell for? 1941 Clover C... 10/03/2009

Yogofina Frozen Yogurt - Downtown Pleasanton, California (Alameda County, CA) Yogofina Frozen Yogurt is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop (also called "fro-yo") which are seemingly ubiquitous nowadays throughout California. They all have a variety of flavors that you dispense yourself, then you can add toppings as you please. Once you're done with your yogurt and topping selections, you simply take it to the cashier and place it on a scale because you are charged by the ounce. Most places I've been to in the San Francisco East Bay range from 38 to 43 cents per ounce. My favorite fro-yo is...Yogofina Frozen Yogurt! It's located in downtown Pleasanton, Alameda county, California. They have the most variety of flavors (fourteen) and two of those are unbelievably, supremely delicious - peanut... 09/28/2009

The city of Pleasanton California is well known for its historic downtown with chic boutiques, awesome schools, multiple parks & recreation areas, access to the Iron Horse Trail and more. Only about two miles to the west of Downtown off of the aptly named Foothill Rd., lies the neighborhood of Moller Ranch.  Nestled in the foothills, Moller Ranch homes are convenient to both the 580 and 680 Freeways and are a mere stone's throw from the Stoneridge Mall. Close by is Moller Park a lovely green space for walking and relaxing in the shade. Just down Foothill Rd. to the South is well recognized, for both academics and athletics, Foothill High School. Further south off Foothill Rd. is Castlewood Country Club, offering a private and challenging golfing experience on two 18 hole courses.  Turno... 09/27/2009

RE/MAX Accord Market Statistics       Alameda & Contra Costa Week Ending 9/24/09 (Bay Side)             Listings Current Week Change From % Last Year %   Listings Last Week   Listings   Alameda 83 -7 -7.78% 105 -20.95% Albany 20 2 11.11% 14 42.86% Berkeley 76 6 8.57% 91 -16.48% Discovery Bay 62 3 5.08% 157 -60.51% El Cerrito 36 -1 -2.70% 43 -16.28% Emeryville 4 0 0.00% 3 33.33% Fremont 230 -10 -4.17% 444 -48.20% Kensington 6 1 20.00% 7 -14.29% Newark 44 4 10.00% 132 -66.67% Oakland 560 -13 -2.27% 1438 -61.06% Oakley 110 -10 -8.33% 298 -63.09% Piedmont 26 3 13.04% 22 18.18% Richmond 180 -10 -5.26% 791 -77.24% San Leandro 100 3 3.09% 294 -65.99% San Lorenzo 23 2 9.52% 115 -80.00% San Pablo 61 11 22.00% 219 -72.15% Union City 52 6 13.04% 206 -74.76% Totals 1673 -10 -0.59% 4379 -61.79%    ... 09/27/2009

Information about toxic coal ash from the Sierra Club On August 31st the location of more than 580 toxic coal ash sites were released to the public. The waste at these sites contains toxins like arsenic, selenium, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, boron, thallium, and aluminum, and yet federal disposal regulations classify coal ash the same way they classify household trash. Find out if you or a loved one live near a toxic coal ash site, and then email the EPA today to tell them it's time to regulate coal ash for the safety and health of our communities. Nancy Costa, Broker at Remax in PleasantonOwner of Healthy Homes by Design 09/26/2009

September 26, 2009 real estate market update for Pleasanton CA Real Estate*. Luxury homes for sale in Ruby Hill are among some of the nicest homes for sale in Pleasanton CA. The MLS shows 28 luxury homes for sale in Ruby Hill Pleasanton CA (26 detached homes, 1 townhome, 1 duet) priced from $1,379,999 to $10,000,000. Click here to request a list of homes for sale in Ruby Hill in Pleasanton CA Eight homes in Ruby Hill are currently pending sale or under contingency contract. These 7 homes range in price from $959,000 to $6,900,000. The average price of homes for sale in Ruby Hill in Pleasanton CA that are under contract is $2,543,986. These homes were on the market an average of 99 days. Ruby Hill is the place to buy a home in Pleasanton if you are seeking spacious newer homes on an esta... 09/26/2009

From an energy stand point, with all the money on Capital Hill going in all different directions, some of the stimulus has come or way in reference to energy efficiency and green.  Here are some lf the energy related provisions that can affect your real estate business: 6.3 billion for Energy Efficiency for multi-family housing getting Federal Assistance like HUD sponsored low income housing 5 billion given to weatherize more than 1 million homes owned by modest income families (definition of modest income is unclear to me) 4.5 billion to increase the energy efficiency of federal buildings 4 billion to repair and modernize public housing units 2 billion to increase tax credits for hybrid cars to 7,500 1.4 billion for bonds to carry out state and local renewable energy and conservation p... 09/22/2009