Real Estate Information

Oakland, Calif.  July 15, 2010 — Crocker Highlands, one of the oldest and most distinctive neighborhoods in Oakland, will showcase the 2010 Home and Garden Tour to be held October 3^rd from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.  All proceeds from the tour will benefit Crocker Highlands Elementary school.  Tickets are priced at $40 each and are available through the Crocker Highlands Home and Garden Tour website - http://www.crockerschool.org/hometour/.

“This is a tour about education and inspiration,” said Carla Higgins, co-chair of the tour.  “Not only are we showcasing the broad range of architectural styles that are the hallmark of our historic neighborhood, we also are raising money to support one of Oakland’s most diverse and successful elementary schools.”

The Crocker Highlands Home and Garden Tour is a PTA fundraiser for the benefit of Crocker Highlands Elementary school.  All proceeds will help fund the salaries and equipment needed for the Physical Education Program, Vocal Music Program, and Computer Program, a librarian, and discretionary teacher-directed projects and scholarships.  Crocker Highlands Elementary School serves around 365 students from kindergarten through 5th grade. 

Known as a veritable fairyland of rolling hills and wooded dales, the Crocker Highlands neighborhood was primarily developed in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  The picturesque neighborhood consists of tree lined streets, period lamps, gardens and gracious homes which include examples of traditional architecture such as Tudor, Italian Renaissance, Spanish, Monterey, French provincial, and Colonial styles.

Many of Oakland's best known architects worked in the neighborhood over the years: Julia Morgan, Maybeck & White, Charles McCall, A.W. Smith, William Schirmer, Kent & Hass, Frederick Reimers, William Wurster and Irwin Johnson.

Homes on the tour include examples of classical old world charm and 21^st century living, including:

• Carefully Preserved Architectural Gem: This 1928 home designed by architect Hamilton Murdoch is an example of the gracious standard of living that was typical of the Oakland Hills early in the century, and includes a butler’s pantry, tea room, library, and piano alcove.  The unusual layout is based on two wings, which allows the main rooms to have windows on three sides. The house is an architectural gem, with copious period details including glass, wood, tile, and metalwork that have been carefully preserved.
• Lovingly Restored and decorated in Period Style: This Mediterranean home designed by noted San Francisco Architect W.W. Dixon and features period details such as stenciled beams in the living room and intricate period ironwork on the stair railings. The current owners have lovingly restored the home, carefully preserving existing elements. An extensive recent renovation includes a “forever” kitchen designed to be timeless, historical, and personal.  Custom tiles set the tone and color palette for several rooms, echoed most notably in the lavishly glazed cabinetry and beautiful terraced garden.
• Tudor adapted to Modern Entertaining and Family Life:  A beautiful Tudor with details including ogee arches throughout and leaded details on the windows. The house has been renovated top to bottom by the current owners including a custom-designed kitchen with a magnificent honed Carrara marble entertaining island, and an outdoor patio kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, warming drawers, and an Italian pizza oven. All the outdoor stonework, including a handsome outdoor fireplace, was built with salvaged cobblestones from 19^th century San Francisco streets.  
• Charming Cottage: The oldest home on the tour is a charming cottage-style house built in 1922 on an unusual triangular lot. The interior features high-beamed ceilings in the living room, restored molding, an updated kitchen with French doors leading to a brick patio.  The exterior features period landscaping with well-established plantings, combined with fresh accents and welcoming enclosed outdoor area. A vine-covered trellis, hanging plants, lanterns, and bird house complete the cheery country-style garden.

Another highlight of this year’s tour will be the unveiling of Phase I of Crocker Highlands new Outdoor Classroom. Designed by Tyrone Perry Landscaping, the school's interior courtyard has been completely rebuilt with custom designed concrete raised beds, benches, and dining tables. The garden features fruit trees, a butterfly habitat, vegetables beds, and native plants, each of which has been integrated into the science, literary, and arts curricula. Phase II will include beautification with mosaics and other artworks created by the students. Built entirely with PTA moneys, this is an example of how funds raised by the Crocker Highlands Home and Garden Tour directly impact and enrich the educational experience of our neighborhood’s children. 

During the second quarter ended June 30^th, our average sales price increased when compared to the first quarter of 2010.  The first quarter gave us an average sales price of 829,375.  The average sales price in the second quarter rose to $938,111.  I am proud to say The Grubb Company represented the seller for the high offer in our community for the first half of this year.  Our days on market for listed homes has also shortened with the average being 24 days to sell a home in the first quarter dropping down to 18 days in this second quarter past.

If you are considering a move in the coming months, you will find that there are ample buyers wishing to move into our neighborhood.  It is crucial however that the pre-market preparation of your home is well thought out, your pricing is in-line with market expectations suggesting value, and lastly, you have market representation that will maximize your opportunity.  Homes that are not selling in this current market are most likely suffering from a lack of one of the three above mentioned factors.

Please feel free to contact us for a confidential discussion regarding the value of your home and the timing for a successful sale.

A mortgage broker associate of ours by the name of Paul Laterza recently wrote this book for the public called. 'Your Key To A Successful Home Financing'.

The goal of the book is to educate the average home buyer on there options when it comes to buying a house with a mortgage and the best ways to go about it.

You can learn more about Paul Laterza and his book by clicking the link below:

Remember, it's a great time to buy here in the Oakland, Piedmont area.  Rates are at record lows and homes are at great prices!

http://homefinancingbook.com/Home_Financing_Mortgage.html

Oakland Magazine recently published its 'Best of Oakland' addition ranking Crocker Highlands Elementary School as #1 in the reader choice division.  Go Crocker!

If you are interested in other 'Best of Oakland' locations (from restaurants to haircuts) click this link:

http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/media/Oakland-Magazine/July-August-2010/Best-of-Oakland/

Now pending is our fabulous 6201 Ruthland Road listing. This home is located in Montclair just above Pinewood.  Truly a magnificent property, if you missed one of our two open houses, it's not too late to see the inside.  Just click here for a great photo tour!

If you want to see all the homes currently for sale in Montclair, try logging on to mlsEastBay.com, there you will see everything that is on the market with value estimates and mapping features.

Pending after multiple offers:

774 Kingston Avenue,
Piedmont CA 94611

Traditional English Country Estate surrounded by lush manicured gardens with gated privacy.  

Upon entering the first level of the home you will be taken back by the exquisite wood paneling in the entry hall, formal living and dining areas. French doors, box beamed ceilings and Oak Hardwood flooring set the tone for this fine property. Fireplaces are found in both the living and dining rooms of his level, as is the bright airy kitchen with breakfast area and an additional private wood paneled study and two half baths.

The second level of the home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and sunroom with the third level (originally the servant quarters) offering an additional full bathroom and two oversized bonus rooms.

Off the back of the estate you will find a detached two car garage with separate studio space and full bath.

Fountains, statuaries, trellises combined with mature plants and trees create an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion in a park like setting.

Just blocks from Piedmont Avenue, this rare estate is an ideal home for someone wanting to live in Piedmont, be minutes from shopping and entertainment, yet have privacy and seclusion.

Dramatic New Construction Mediterranean.

This Montclair home features a state-of-the art chef ’s kitchen with butter slab granite counters, Moreno glass wall accents and stainless appliances, three ovens and a five burner gas cook top. Adjacent to the pass-thru pantry is a walk-in wine cellar and tasting room.

Exotic Mahogany hardwood floors cover the main floor of the home and the kitchen opens onto both a large living-dining great room and large family room with fireplace and valley views.

Upstairs, the master bedroom suite and master bath are highlighted by an oversized steam shower with frameless glass, shower door and five shower heads. Two additional bedrooms on the upper level have direct access to the manicured back gardens.

An office and junior master suite are found on the entry level of the home which is accented with a cathedral ceiling foyer and fashionable concrete floors.

Designer fixtures are found throughout the house including Grohe faucets, Toto porcelain fixtures and bathtub, MTI whirlpool tub, GE monogram kitchen appliances and a Mr. Steam shower steam system. The home has two tankless hot water heaters to keep you from ever running out of hot water.

The home has been designed for an elevator should the new owners wish to add one and the lot may be approved for a second house.

 • Four plus bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms

 • Chef ’s kitchen with walk-in wine cellar

 • Top-of-the-line fixtures and appliances

 • Two on-demand hot water systems

 • Master suite with steam shower and heated floor

 • Main level master suite and office

 • Private patio and rear gardens

 • Fully wired for technology, sound and security

Dramatic 2010 Montclair Mediterranean featuring an inviting, state-of-the art chef’s kitchen with butter slab granite counters, Moreno glass wall accents and stainless appliances, three ovens and a five burner gas cook top.  Exotic Mahogany hardwood floors cover the main floor of the home, with the kitchen opening into a substantial family room with fireplace and valley views. Adjacent to the pass-thru pantry is a walk-in wine cellar with tasting room.  Upstairs, the master bedroom suite and master bath are highlighted by an oversized steam shower with frameless glass, shower door, five shower heads and two walk-in closets. Two additional bedrooms lead to the manicured gardens.  An office and second master bedroom are found on the entry level of the home which is accented with a cathedral ceiling foyer and fashionable concrete floors. Designer fixtures are found throughout the house including Grohe faucets, Toto porcelain fixtures and bathtub, MTI whirlpool tub, GE monogram kitchen appliances and a Mr. Steam shower steam system. The home has two tankless hot water heaters to keep you from ever running out of hot water.  The lot has also been approved for a second house, should the owner ever choose to build.

 Offered at $1,399,000.00

First open house Sunday June 20^th 2-4:30

     2 Bedroom, 1 bathroom, level lot, updated & spacious kitchen.

Meticulously maintained bungalow on a sunny tree lined street.  Large updated kitchen with stainless appliances, new windows, abundant cabinet space and laundry. Pristine hardwood floors and a light filled living and dining room.  Spacious detached garage, and private fenced backyard. The seller has owned and lived in this home for years and the pride of ownership shows.  Retiring back to their home town, this property is now available for the next happy home owners to enjoy.

Press Release:
May 25th, 2010

Dave and Carla Higgins, top Realtors in the greater Piedmont, Oakland and surrounding community marketplaces have announced this week that the have aligned with The Grubb Company based in Oakland.  Dave and Carla said that they made this move due to what they consider to be a great brand alignment.  "The synergy of the Grubb Company brand with ours will really add significant horse power to our marketing and advertising abilities. We really feel the firm represents the highest level of quality in the residential brokerage arena here in the East Bay" says Dave.  "We have always placed our clients first and are on a continued mission to better represent them.  Both Dave and I think this move will be nothing but positive and feel that our clients will really benefit" said Carla.  Dave and Carla Higgins will be working out of the Montclair Branch of The Grubb Company which is located at 1960 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611.  The Grubb Company also has a second office located at 3070 Claremont Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705.  Dave can be reached at 510.339.0400 ext.331 and Carla can be reached at 510.339.0400 ext.332