Tag: happy

Philz brings an energetic twist to WC coffee scene

In the plaza next to Genova Deli and CVS, the old Marie Callendar’s space has been overtaken and it couldn’t look any more different. Whereas Marie Callendar’s was your typical homey, but outdated diner, now the new space is full of color, music, art and mostly millennials sipping their craft coffee.

That’s right, the new coffee in town is Philz, a national chain that emphasizes creativity and friendliness at their locations. I went there recently and was amazed by how packed it was. In fact, it was difficult to even find parking in that massive lot because of it.

As with many coffee shops now, the walls in the sitting area were covered with art from a featured artist and the walls were as colorful as the baristas themselves. Between battling for tips (Destiny’s Child vs. TLC was the battle du jour on the tip jars when I was there), asking exactly what type of coffee I “felt like” so they could create the perfect concoction, and the sheer amount of joy they seemed to take in their work, I really had fun on my visit.

I ordered a Phil-tered Soul, and it was really delicious coffee. They take a little longer to make than most places because they only do pour-over coffee at Philz. Also, they have some small food items and pastries that looked delicious, I tried their zucchini bread – it had chocolate chips which I don’t particularly like with zucchini. I will go back but only on occasion!  Of course, as with all specialty coffee, they come with a hefty price tag of $3.95-$5.00 or more.

Donna is our latest satisfied customer!

My assistant Lilly and I recently closed on a home for Donna, an 85-year-old client. Donna lived in San Mateo many years ago before moving to Las Vegas to be closer to family.

It didn’t take long for Donna to realize that Vegas wasn’t her scene, so she moved back to San Mateo. Once there, she quickly learned that she’d been priced out of her little town, and needed to find a less expensive option.

So, Donna started exploring Concord! That’s where we met – at one of my listings. She told me she was looking for a white kitchen in a traditional rancher. A few months later, she found her dream home in Concord

I stopped by on Saturday before a hike with my dogs to give Donna the key and help her carry in a few items she brought over.  They would have loved to help too and I would love to help you – dogs are extra ;-).

 

Congratulations to Mckenzie!

I recently closed a home for my client, Mckenzie. She currently lives in the city and will be moving to Clayton. Thus, we met at the Legion of Honor to see the Monet exhibit, celebrate her closing and give her the house key, as seen below.

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IMG_1020The tenant doesn’t leave for another six weeks so this was a great way to celebrate and she was very happy to have closed! The process became a bit stressful as the family wanted to use their local bank in the valley, and the parents were co-signing. However, this bank was primarily an AG bank and did not close on very many condos.

Buyers rarely understand at the onset what a difference a great lender can make and the lasting experience everyone involved will have. If it is a great experience, the impression is minimal, but when it is not so great, it can become one of your worst nightmares. This ultimately ended well because of the family’s relationship with the local bank, yet, we still needed an eight-day loan contingency extension (but only closed four days late).

If you want to be the next client who buys or sells a property with me, I will help you navigate the process to a successful close! Just reach out at www.kristinlanham.com or call me direct at (925) 899-7123.

Happy Easter from my clients!

This is why I do real estate. How awesome are these pictures and the nice messages from a client who clearly loves their new house? It’s moments like this that remind me why I love this job so much!

“Happy Easter, Kristin! We had our first formal family dinner at our house today and even broke in the fine china and family silverware.”

Ripples of Positivity

Recently, I watched a funny, but inspiring Ted Talk in which the speaker discussed how to train your brain to be more positive. I thought the video was well worth watching if you have 12 minutes to spare.

Basically, what the speaker gets at is that spending a few minutes a day doing things like journaling, meditating or sending a complimentary email to a friend or colleague will rewire your brain to be more optimistic.

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He said if you do the following activities every day for 21 straight days, your brain will scan the world not for the negative, but for the positive:

  • Write three new things that you’re grateful for
  • Journaling about one positive experience you’ve had in the past 24 hours
  • Exercise
  • Meditate
  • Random acts of kindness, like writing that positive email.

Doing these things will create ripples of positivity and help reverse some of the doom and gloom we subject ourselves to on a daily basis when we read or watch the news. You can watch the full video embedded below if you’d like:

Why You Feel Healthier and Happier with Pets

Displaying FullSizeRender.jpgDisplaying FullSizeRender.jpgpetsSome of my past clients recently received a complimentary copy of American Lifestyle Magazine’s “Pet Power” issue. They learned all about my dog Bodie and were invited to share their photos of their pets on this blog. Now’s your chance to do so too!

In the meantime, have you wondered why your pet makes you so darn happy? Here’s are six reasons from American Lifestyle. Check it out, and don’t forget to comment with your favorite pet photo!

1. They Can Decrease Stress and Blood Pressure

Research has found that hypertensive or high-risk patients’ blood pressures are lower when their pets are around. Another study found that people experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a spouse, family member, or close friend was nearby. When a person connects with a pet by petting it, oxytocin, the hormone related to stress and anxiety relief, is released.2. They Can Help You Socialize

Multiple studies have found that pet owners are more social than non–pet owners. There is typically more social interaction in neighborhoods with pets, which also makes these neighborhoods seem friendlier to observers. Even if you live alone, having a dog or cat has the same emotional benefit as that of a human friendship.

3. They Can Build Immunities in ChildrenpetfriendsThis one may sound counterintuitive, since many people might think cats and dogs cause allergies rather than prevent them. However, many studies have shown that having multiple pets actually decreases a child’s risk of developing certain allergies. Families that had children who were exposed to two or more dogs or cats as babies were less than half as likely to develop common allergies as children who had no pets in the home.

4. They Can Boost Your Mood

Pets create endless entertainment, whether you have a comedian or a scaredy-cat on your hands. Pets offer unconditional love, but they also give their owners a sense of purpose. Smiling at your pet can raise your serotonin and dopamine levels, which are neurotransmitters associated with joy and happiness.

happycouple5. They Can Help Your Heart Health

Many pet owners would agree that a pet can fill your heart with love, but did you know that they can also do a lot more for that organ? Research has shown that pet owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels—all of which can ultimately minimize a person’s risk for having a heart attack.

6. They Can Help You Detect Medical Conditions

Research has found that one-third of the pets—such as dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits—who live with people who have diabetes would change their behavior when their owner’s blood sugar level dropped. Other reports have indicated that canine friends have sniffed or licked a mole or lump on their owner’s body because they may have the ability to smell cancer.