New Listing With Private Setting At End Of Cul-De-Sac

4791 Laura Dr. in Concord is nestled in a tranquil location on a generous 0.31-acre lot and positioned at the end of a cul-de-sac. This private residence enjoys the luxury of only one adjacent neighbor.

An expansive backyard beckons for gatherings and relaxation, including a cute shed, perfect for yoga sessions, board games, or a shady retreat. Here, you’ll also discover a rejuvenating hot tub and convenient RV parking.

The inside of the home is thoughtfully designed. It presents three ample bedrooms, each equipped with spacious closets, as well as an upstairs room that offers versatility as an office or an additional bedroom (albeit without a closet). The cozy primary suite takes center stage, boasting a balcony overlooking the enchanting backyard, providing a serene retreat.

Cooking adventures await in the spacious eat-in kitchen with Corian countertops. For more formal occasions, an inviting dining room awaits. The home offers both a quiet living room and a generously proportioned 18-by-19 family room, perfect for hosting large gatherings or creating an immersive entertainment space for watching sports and movies with family and friends.

Notable features also include dual pane windows, energy-efficient solar panels, new carpeting, hardwood floors, and a delightful assortment of fruit trees, adding to the charm and character of a place to call home. The property is listed for $1,000,000 and is a total of 2,412 square feet. It is a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home. Come check it out today!

Dreams Come To Life @ 255 Tamarisk – New Walnut Creek Listing

Nestled within the charming Diablo Shadows subdivision in Northgate, this single-story residence exudes timeless appeal. Seamless indoor/outdoor integration enhances its allure, with four sliding doors gracefully connecting the interior to a backyard oasis, revealing two patios and lush grass for play, plus RV/boat parking, a potential pool site, and solar power. It’s an entertainer’s haven where dreams come to life!

The eat-in kitchen with bar seating opens to the living area, destined to be the heart of countless gatherings. Beyond, a versatile formal dining area stands ready for transformation into a refined home office or even a fourth bedroom, adapting to your evolving needs. The spacious living room, adorned with a cozy fireplace, offers exceptional tranquility—a place to retreat and unwind in blissful seclusion.

The primary bedroom showcases a remodeled bathroom and a separate area for hair/makeup application, with a sliding door leading to a patio. Bonus: Finished garage, new flooring, and adjacent to the laundry room lies a lengthy pantry, catering to storage needs and providing a place for essentials and more.

Beyond the property’s boundaries, a realm of conveniences and delights awaits. Top-rated schools, shopping, dining, and the Iron Horse Trail, weaving through the neighborhood, offer scenic pathways for leisurely dog walks or invigorating jogs. The trail leads to a charming park and a quaint Little Library. This home is a place where cherished memories are born and treasured for a lifetime.

Check out this 4 bed, 2.5-bath, 2,241 square foot home on a one-third acre lot at our Open House this weekend. The Open Houses will occur on Saturday, Aug. 26th and Sunday, Aug. 27th from 1-4 p.m. There will be a Broker Tour from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29th, too. The home is listed at $1,695,000.

New Condo For Lease!

Are you looking to lease a condo in Walnut Creek? I have a meticulously renovated ground-floor unit boasting new windows, a modernized bathroom, an updated kitchen, upgraded hardwood flooring, and stylish fixtures!

This 1-bedroom, 1-bath space has a fenced patio, new decking, a wine fridge, a tankless water heater, and an in-unit washer/dryer, all for just $2,300/month. Make it into your own cozy retreat with wonderful amenities at an affordable price.

Included in the lease are a TV, a shed, and patio furniture to enhance the home’s desirability. It is situated conveniently near the Pleasant Hill BART station and the Iron Horse Trail, with parks, shopping, restaurants, and easy access to the 680 freeway in close proximity.

This home presents an optimal and inviting living environment. These pictures here are current as the home is sold vacant, there are other pictures on line with furniture to give you an idea of how you can make the home your own!

Uh-Oh: No More Home Insurance?

You may have heard recently that several insurance companies will no longer be insuring homeowners policies in California. Wildfires, inflation, and regulations have all become too much for the following list of insurance companies to bare, I guess:

  • State Farm
  • Allstate
  • USAA
  • Progressive (property)
  • Nationwide
  • National General
  • Pacific Specialty
  • Stillwater
  • Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
  • American Modern
  • Travelers (some restrictions)
  • Safeco (some restrictions)
  • The Costco Insurance Agency
  • Lemonade

I’ll let my friend Jay Vorhees, of JVM Lending, explain the rest. Here are a few relevant excerpts (edited by me for length) from a recent blog:

Overview of How We Got Here

  1. Wildfires/Claims: 2017/2018 were two of the most destructive fire seasons, with a combined claims payout of almost $30 billion. Over 39,000 homes were destroyed by fires within the last five years alone.
  2. Inflation/Increased Costs: The cost to rebuild a home in CA is drastically higher compared to other states, while insurance premiums in CA are amongst the lowest in the nation. The cost of labor and supply have increased about 40% during the last couple of years, but insurance rates have stayed somewhat the same during that time period. This led to insurance carriers paying out more than they were bringing in. The industry average was about $1,85 getting paid in losses for every $1 earned in insurance premiums.
  3. Regulatory Environment: In order for insurance carriers to adjust their rates to match the increased fire risk and higher costs to rebuild homes, they have to go through an approval process with the Department of Insurance. This process has been challenging during the past couple of years. Approved rate increased dropped from 71% in 2019 to 29% in 2022. There were also a few moratoriums in place barring insurance companies from non-renewing policies in certain areas.

What Should Homeowners Do?

Home insurance rates will increase for current owners, often substantially, for several years. New homebuyers will have fewer options. More customers will have to use the CA FAIR Plan, which is state-run, and often more expensive than private policies.

So, I recommend homebuyers start shopping for insurance as early as possible. Waiting until the last minute will come back to bite you in this current insurance climate. Budget accordingly if you’re buying a home in California, too. Now you know, and high insurance rates should not shock you. There are also local brokers writing new policies in California. Here is a partial list:

  • Bamboo
  • Hippo
  • CSE
  • Traveleres
  • Safeco
  • Farmers
  • Mercury
  • Aegis
  • Universal North America

I just had a client call me and tell me the home she closed on in the last month, the insurance company sent an adjuster out and was told her roof was 25% decrease in granulation. They told her they would cover the insurance through August but if she didn’t get a new roof by then, they would cancel the policy. She ended up going with Abdullah at Goosehead Insurance with no issues.

JVM refer borrowers to a few providers, but a standout is Abdullah Al-Hadeethi, as he is extremely professional, polished, and responsive. He is also a broker with access to numerous providers, and wrote most of the blog from JVM

Abdullah Al-Hadeethi; Goosehead Insurance; Agency Owner; (573) 592-9665; abdullah.alhadeethi@goosehead.com

Antonio Banuelos-Cruz; Banuelos Insurance Solutions (Farmers); (925) 258-1010; pedro.jbanuelos@farmersagency.com

Kevin Hennessy; Farmers Insurance; (925) 944-3588; khennessy@farmersagent.com

Just Sold: La Salle & Plaza Nogal

In the last few weeks, I’ve had both a home at 2227 La Salle and one at 5557 Plaza Nogal close. They both went on the market within a couple of weeks of each other, one in Walnut Creek and one in Concord. Given the current market right now, I thought it would be interesting to share the dichotomy of offers, nearby schools, etc. that may have led to the closings.

Plaza Nogal is in Concord, was listed at $995,000, and had nine offers; the winning offer closed at $1,290,000 after nine days on the market. They were the busiest open houses I have had in a long time. One potential buyer pointed out that listed under “great schools,” the high school was Northgate. I was very surprised as Northgate is in Walnut Creek, but is part of the Mt. Diablo School District. At that price point and near Northgate High, we had a lot of interested buyers. Clayton Valley High School, which is less than two miles away, chartered out of the Mt. Diablo School District. But it became a very popular option and anybody in the district can apply there, or go to Northgate.

LaSalle is in Walnut Creek but happens to also be in the Mt. Diablo School District and was zoned for Ygnacio Valley High School, a very low-scoring middle school, and the very desirable Bancroft Elementary School. Some people apply to Foothill Middle School and Northgate High School and may get accepted if there are enough spots available after all the kids who live in the neighborhood boundary of Northgate get in. We listed LaSalle at $1,280,000, were on the market for six days, and received one offer at our exact asking price.

With a low inventory market and higher interest rates than in the past 12 years, homes near good schools will prevail. Walnut Creek tends to be higher priced than Concord, but closer to freeways, which offers less commute time. However, high school ratings are a huge factor overall in price and buyer desire. Even though part of Walnut Creek is in the Mount Diablo School District instead of the Walnut Creek School District/Acalanes, the schools in Walnut Creek tend to have higher test scores. Is this because it is a more affluent neighborhood? Do families get more involved in their children’s education? Or is it something else? I just find this trend, overall, to be very interesting.

I Am Honored To Receive This Award

I am honored to receive the Better Homes and Gardens/Reliance Partners Platinum Award for the 2022 calendar year. This means I was one of our top producers and had a successful year selling homes, all thanks to my clients, referrals, and some hard work.

This week, I attended the awards lunch and had a great time with all my amazing colleagues. None of this would be possible without you – my wonderful clients! Thank you for entrusting your homes (and home searches) to me. Here’s to many more years of success!

Before & After: 2227 La Salle

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a house that had just been listed (and then quickly went pending) in Walnut Creek. I wanted to show you all how amazing (and quickly) we made some updates and why it helped maximize their home’s value when they decided to sell. We had about four weeks to get all the work done.

The seller was out of town for two weeks, so I coordinated the entire project – my background in project management came in handy. We painted the interior and patched and painted parts of the exterior, painted the kitchen and put in new handles and fixtures throughout, new flooring and placement of lights in the bathrooms, and spruced up the yard. About $20k was spent on getting the home ready and really most of it was deferred updating as it was pretty much the same as when he bought it in 2011.

Here are the side-by-side pictures of 2227 La Salle in Walnut Creek, before and after renovation:

As you can see, with a bit of paint, effort, and new fixtures, the space was completely transformed. The previous owners remodeled the kitchen and we just modernized it a bit, even minor touch-ups made a huge difference.

It’s really amazing what a nice, light paint color, new lighting, and some modern fixtures can do to a home. Not to mention some excellent staging for the photos! The seller definitely put money and intention into renovating before selling and the transformation was well worth it! We went into contract 6 days after listing. If you want somebody to manage the process of getting your home ready to sell, give me a call at (925) 899-7123.

Just Listed & Now Pending: 2227 La Salle Dr. in Walnut Creek

Only seven days on the market, and this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1,888-square foot, single-story home in the desirable Carriage Square neighborhood just went pending! Built in 1963 with a current refresh, this home is ideally located, just a few minutes from the Highway 680 entrance and BART, and minutes to Bancroft Elementary School.

You can also walk to the Countrywood Shopping Center easily from this location – the convenience is really unbeatable! The home boasts an open and inviting floor plan flowing seamlessly from the eat-in kitchen to the spacious family room. Upgrades include dual-pane windows, granite countertops, and hardwood floors.

The bedrooms are large and have ample closet space, offering plenty of room for storage. The interior and exterior have both been freshly painted and the bathrooms have new fixtures and LTV flooring. But wait…there’s more! The backyard offers a fantastic space to enjoy summer evenings with its spacious patio.

All in all, you can’t beat the combination of location, tasteful upgrades, and warm and inviting atmosphere this home offers. It is the perfect place to call home.

A New Listing In Concord (That Went Pending Today) – 1 Week On The Market With 9 Offers!

This exquisite Seven Oaks property is a splendid single-story rancher, nestled at the end of a peaceful court, surrounded by the verdant hills of Mount Diablo. Boasting an open floor plan with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, this home is a gem!

As you step into the spacious entryway, you are greeted by an inviting ambiance that draws you in. The living room, with its vaulted wood-beamed ceiling, exudes warmth and character. The home features hardwood floors and fresh paint on the interior walls, while the living room and bedrooms are adorned with new carpeting.

The primary bedroom suite is a true haven, offering ample space and comfort. The sliding glass door opens to the backyard, creating a seamless connection with nature. The remodeled bathroom features modern amenities and fixtures that add to the comfort of the home.

The formal dining area adds a touch of sophistication. The kitchen/family room combo is perfect for entertaining guests, with easy access to the wrap-around deck, pool with waterfalls, spa, and a cozy fire pit. The drought-resistant landscaping adds to the overall charm of this serene setting, creating an idyllic retreat that you will be proud to call home.

Just Sold: 433 Sutcliffe Place

The buyers at 433 Sutcliffe Place were renting just three doors away, and now they’re moving into a dream home! One of the buyers is from Scotland and the other is from Singapore, so the buying process can be a bit scary in a new country. I’m so glad it worked out for them. We had 5 offers and it sold for $1,800,000. However 2 of the offers were at $1,825,000, but the sellers took this offer because I happened to meet them at the open house and wrote an offer for them, reducing the commission 1%.

It is a meticulously-kept traditional home in Northgate with a formal living room, vaulted wood ceilings, and a dining area with a large, light-filled window. An eat-in kitchen was updated in 2006 and is located next to the family room with French doors out to the back patio. Speaking of the backyard, it comes complete with a putting green, refinished pool, pond with waterfall, and patio seating (all in the backdrop of Mt. Diablo!).

Nice extra perks include a built-in gas grill in the backyard (natural gas is piped in), a new gas stove in the kitchen, owned solar, and a large potting shed with electricity in the side yard. Downstairs boasts one bedroom and a full bath while upstairs has four bedrooms, a spacious primary bathroom, and a walk-in closet. It is the perfect home for entertaining!

The buyers got this immaculate home from sellers who had lived there for more than 45 years. The owners were very handy, so the place looks amazing and no repairs were needed. The sellers downsized to a new single-story construction in Martinez to be closer to their grown kids and grandchildren.