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To all my readers, followers, and clients – current, former, and future. This will be the final Walnut Creek Lifestyle blog, as I’ve decided to pivot to a different marketing strategy moving forward. Blogs have been replaced with Podcasts, Insta, Tik Tok, and still around Facebook – I got hacked on FB a few years ago and had to start my blog anew and never really regained the followers. Thank you all for your years of companionship on this little blog of mine. It has meant the world!
As far as the work aka Real Estate itself goes, I’m still going strong! You can still follow my posts on social media (see list below), and I’m always available for your real estate needs in the Bay Area! Visit my website or give me a call anytime you have a question or want to buy or sell.
I hope my recommendations, recaps, and reviews over the years have proven useful to those in and around Walnut Creek! I also want to thank Jeremy Dorn, who has for many years helped me get these articles published. He originally answered an ad to pass out flyers and I found out he was a college graduate transitioning to another job and for about a year he helped me with various tasks, then moved away, got married and now has kids of his own. Thank you, Jeremy!
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I received a nice testimonial from one of my recent clients, Chris! I appreciate the love (see his review below). As he mentions, I’ve worked with his family on various purchases and sales for several years. It really pays to have a realtor who has the local understanding and years of experience I have!
We originally asked for a large credit and they didn’t counter us – they had another buyer who would have netted them more. I said let’s give it another go, so we sent a different request and we were still higher than the other offer and Chris got the house! Not to mention at a better interest rate than there is available now. Give me a call if you’re looking to buy or sell in the Bay Area.
Welcome to this inviting townhome in the Pine Creek community in Concord! Freshly prepped for its next owner, this home features stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, tile flooring downstairs, a refreshed kitchen with newer cabinets, warm butcher block counters, and a fully updated half bath.
Upstairs, enjoy brand new carpet, three bedrooms, an updated full bath with shower over the tub. Step outside to a cozy back patio with new plantings for a perfect spot to unwind or light up the grill for a BBQ. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or looking to make the move from renting to owning, this is a fit for you.
This thoughtfully updated home offers comfort, charm, and an ideal location with easy access to 680. There will be two Open Houses this weekend, Saturday, Apr. 19th and Sunday, Apr. 20th, both from 2-4 p.m. I hope to see you there!
I love this article from 7×7 about where in the Bay Area to take your dog on a hike. I enjoy getting outside in the beautiful California weather with my pup Poppy and there’s nothing like a little fresh air through one of the many gorgeous hikes available to us Bay Area residents. Here are their seven suggestions:
Rodeo Beach, Coastal + Miwok Trail (5.2-mile loop)
You really can’t beat the Marin Headlands for hiking. Most of the state park is dog friendly and this reasonable loop has everything – the beach, ocean views, and some good, heart-pumping climbs. Three hours for a decently experienced hiker!
Cataract Falls (credit: 7×7)
South Beach Trail(7.1 miles out-and-back)
Here’s a long hike, but without the climbs. This is at the Point Reyes National Seashore and follows a stunning coastline to ocean bluffs. You might even catch sight of an elephant seal on this path!
Cataract to Mickey O’Brien Trail (6.6-mile loop)
This is outside of Mt. Tam’s State Park trails, which aren’t dog-friendly, so you and your pup can trek up the county’s highest peak! Meander through meadows and forests and so much more, passing a waterfall along the way!
Bolinas Point Loop (2.5-mile loop)
For older or less active dogs, you can’t go wrong with an oceanfront stroll in Marin County. This is just a 2.5-mile hike and mostly flat, but offering a world-class view for all to see.
Muir Beach to Tennessee Beach (7.8-mile loop)
On the other hand, this is a hike made for the high-energy dog (or person). The trail hugs the coast for much of it and you can splash through the waves on the beach a few different times. Don’t miss the Pelican Inn at Muir Beach at the end for a pint and a dog-friendly lawn.
Tennessee Beach (credit: 7×7)
Burdell Mountain Loop (4.5-mile loop)
Mount Burdell is Marin’s largest open space preserve. The landscape resembles the oak woodlands of the East Bay more than the rocky shorelines you might be used to around there. There’s a section of this trail where dogs can be off leash!
Taylor Mountain via Western, Eastern + Sky Lupine Trail (5.8-mile loop)
Pairing wicked inclines with beautiful views of Santa Rosa, this is a wonderful hike through Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. You’ll spend the first three or so miles letting your dog pull you up, up, up, before a nice descent on the way back.
Of course, I am in the East Bay and we don’t get the ocean views, but one of my go-to hikes with my dog is Shell Ridge Open Space. You can make it a short loop or a very long hike. It takes me six minutes to get to the trailhead from my house behind Kaiser and the best part is dogs are allowed off-leash. Poppy gets many more miles in than me because she is running all over the place.
At this time of year, Fossil Ridge has become a destination to see all the poppies (flowers, not my dog) and the neighbors have complained about the parking, thus cars are not longer allowed to park on the street leading to the entrance. The hillside is beautiful, but I will be happy when it isn’t so crowded.
Side note, this is the work of one man who, over the years, has had a vision of transforming the Open Space to the way it looked to John Muir when he walked the hills of the Sierras and surrounding foothills. What are some of your favorite Bay Area hikes to do with your fur baby? Comment below!
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I liked this Zillow story because not only do they list out common mistakes by first-time buyers, but give you tips on how to avoid them. Here is my summary, with my own take at the end! Hopefully, if you are a first-time home buyer now or in the near future, you will heed this advice.
Credit: Zillow
Don’t hesitate to ask for information or clarity
Do not plan to take out a bank loan for your down payment
Try to build and protect your credit score
Investigate down payment assistance programs before seeking financing
Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping for homes
Budget for closing costs at the close of the sale
Negotiate those closing costs! (through the offer in discussion with your agent)
Consider the monthly payment before you make an offer
Learn about interest rates and how they affect affordability and buying power
Don’t take getting rejected for a home personally
Note that pre-approvals are good for an extended period
Do not buy more house than you can afford…comfortably
Be aware of low-interest mortgages that can be assumed from the homeowner when you buy
Make sure to negotiate concessions from the seller
Do your research before you choose an agent!
Don’t only consider turnkey homes
Look at all types of homes, including new construction, but go with your agent so you are represented.
Be flexible – it’s best to be willing to compromise on some home features, neighborhoods, etc.
Don’t automatically write off homes that have lingered on the market
Think about potential hidden costs before buying – it depends on the city, county, or state
Do not waive the home inspection…EVER!
Consider what might be able to be changed or upgraded when shopping, even if the home doesn’t fit your exact list of needs
There are some things an agent should be advising you on. For instance, if you are starting to look at homes, get approved so you really know what you can afford and what the monthly payment for a home might look like. Sit down with an agent and interview them, ask them how they work, do they have integrity, do you feel they will look after your best interest. How are there reviews and how do you feel when you interact with them. I am a firm believer that the right home will present itself and it works out for the best even if you have made multiple offers or don’t believe you can really get into a home. If you would like to sit down over a cup of coffee and chat about I work, give me a call.
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There is a food truck called Chicken and the Farm on Boulevard Way in Saranap that will also have a brick-and-mortar shop next to it. They are known for their sauces and have been making the rounds at festivals and racing events. They typically dress up their food truck area with plants and a faux grass to make it cozy.
I gave it a try recently and thought it was quite good (though very rich!). Menu items include their famous bone-in wings, chicken sandwiches (and other meat sandwiches), salads, loaded fries, and small sides like cauliflower bites. It looks like the brick and mortar store (The Farmstand) will open this year, with the food truck parked in front of it. They are not always open, so check the website for Days & Times. It is worth a try!
Their concept is simple: bring the best of the farm directly to your plate, with a menu inspired by the variety and abundance found on a farm and celebrating those flavors. Aesthetically, they definitely hit the mark. There are a lot of fresh and colorful vegetables incorporated into many dishes, and you can tell there is no mass production of ingredients going on.
I tried the the chicken tenders and he worked his magic with the sauce – it was his recommendation and I just let it flow.
Next time you’re in that part of Walnut Creek, give Chicken and the Farm a try. Or find them at their next event, wherever and whenever that may be – usually at the Lafayette Art & Wine, but there will be a line, so just mosey on over to 1322 Boulevard Way!
Did you know it is “Daylight Saving” Time, not “Savings?” I’m sure I’ve been saying that wrong for years! I hope you remembered to turn your clocks forward this past weekend and that those of you with young kids didn’t have to deal with too much chaos on Sunday. That was always the worst part of Daylight Saving Time when my boys were young!
Shelly Sutter at Chicago Title shared some fun facts about Daylight Saving Time I wanted to re-post below:
It’s Daylight SAVING Time; you’re not savings daylight, right?
Daylight Saving Time was not, in fact, invented to benefit farmers; Benjamin Franklin actually first suggested the idea in 1784.
During World War I, Germany was the first country to officially adopt the light-extending system in 1915.
Up until 2006, Daylight Saving Time in the United States began in April and ended in October; in 2007, it was extended to March through November.
About 70 countries around the world observe Daylight Saving Time, but the following states and territories do not observe it in America: Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Hawaii, and most of Arizona.
According to a list by Mental Floss, the average person loses 40 minutes of sleep the night we have our Daylight Saving Time switch. I don’t know about you, but it feels like a lot more than that! Some other fun facts from Mental Floss:
Daylight Saving Time cost airlines and other transportation companies millions of dollars when it was extended, due to the price of rearranging flight, train, etc. schedules.
Pets can notice changes in humans’ behavior during Daylight Saving Time; they thrive on our predicable schedules, so they know when something is different!
Most farmers actually oppose Daylight Saving Time; think about it, cows get milked the same time of the day every day, no matter what the clock says!
Daylight Saving Time can deter crime, but can pose health hazards and waste energy, too.
Finally, Ben Franklin was mostly joking when he suggested Daylight Saving Time; credit for the idea formally goes to an entomologist who did his insect hunting at night and became frustrated by how early the sun set during summer months. When his idea to spring clocks forward for the summer to allow more daylight for bug collecting was proposed to a scientific society in 1895, it was panned. Two decades later, Daylight Saving Time would begin its spread across the industrialized world.
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Chris is the son of my past clients and a first-time home buyer. He is 37 years old, which I mention because the average age for first-time home buyers now is 38. Anyway, Chris had some help from his parents and wanted a detached home because the HOAs would have decreased his purchasing power. Ideally, he wanted to live in Concord or Martinez, but Pittsburg also has many homes priced under $600,000.
Chris was qualified up to $625,000. This home was listed at $600,000 and we offered $615,000 with a $2,500 credit. There were four other offers and they’d already countered one when we made ours. They never responded to the counter-offer, so we got into contract. I recommended we do a few more inspections because the repairs were done by a handyman an the owner. We did another roof inspection because the skylight was leaking on a rainy day and we also found the sewer lateral needed to be replaced.
It turns out the original roof inspect did not note the skylights were not the right type for the slope of the roof and that the roof itself was at the end of its useful life. So, much more work needed to be done (about $30,000). We asked for that in a credit/price reduction and the seller said no, so we wrote a new counter asking for a total credit of $12,881 and they agreed.
Luckily, Chris has some handy people that can help do some or part of the work and he will do the clearance. This home is a smaller one, but others in the area are going in the low $700,000 range. So, Chris can do some of the work now and slowly make improvements as rates start to fall. In six months, he might be able to get a lower rate, too. Speaking of the area, this home is in a wonderful spot in Concord and I’m so glad he landed here.
Now, Chris has a 3-bed, 1-bath, 929-square foot home with a garage on a small lot. Nestled in Concord’s Holbrook Heights neighborhood, it contains modern luxury amenities like vinyl plank flooring and recessed lighting for a contemporary ambiance. Vaulted ceilings, sliding doors, and a spacious backyard are nice touches. A gas range, a convenient laundry room, and wood-beam ceilings offer attractive qualities to the home. Where this home really shines is the expansive backyard with a patio, pergola, mature trees, and plenty of space for entertaining, gardening, or relaxation. Congrats, Chris!
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You may remember a recent blog about a property I had listed with incredible views. Well, it didn’t take long for that lovely little gem to be snapped right up! Just a few days ago, my client and I closed with a buyer on the property at 979 Via Montanas in Concord.
We ended up with four offers and sold it for almost $100,000 over asking. Originally listed at $1.25 million, the 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2,310-square-foot home was officially sold for $1.335 million after just six days on the market. Frankly, I was not surprised given it was on .90 acre lot, single story and had the view. See below:
Via Montanas is a desirable place to live for many reasons, but you really can’t beat those views from the backyard. It shows off everything we love about living in the Bay Area, doesn’t it? The house was in original condition from 1985, however my client did a great job doing the things needed to get it looking good for the market, such as painting, deep clean, carpets cleaned and staging the home to show its full potential.
Next time you need help buying or selling a home in the East Bay, who you going to call?
I was lucky to link up with a past client I have worked with on a couple of homes before. He was looking for a smaller home closer to San Francisco and wanted to focus specifically on Walnut Creek – my specialty! We began by looking at 2-bed, 2-bath condos, but most did not have a garage, which he preferred.
We looked at one in Sky West, but it needed a lot of work and the patio was open to the community space and was a little crowded with so many personal belongings it was hard to see the house and the list price and final closing price reflected how it showed. It started at $699,000, was listed at $630,000 and closed for $600,000. Thus, I decided to create a buyer letter and started knocking on doors in Sky West.
By doing this, I discovered that an agent had two listings not yet on the market and my client really liked one of them. They were priced at $749,000, but we had just seen the one that closed at $600,000, so we wanted to negotiate before it got on market. They decided to put up a Coming Soon sign and got a full-priced offer before my client was ready to go higher.
However, that agent tipped us off about another agent with a home coming soon in the same complex. We went to see it and my client hemmed and hawed a bit before the seller considered a lower offer. We came up a bit, they came down, and we had a deal at $738,888.
And, just like that, my client closed on a 1,339 square-foot 2-bed, 2.5-bath townhome with an attached 2-car garage! He really likes the peaceful setting at this location in Walnut Creek (though he still thinks about the one he missed out on!). Luckily, he can do some of his own improvements to bring that up to the the one he purchased, i.e. new doors and wood flooring upstairs and on the stairs. The one he bought had an attached garage and that was really important to him. I think he will be really happy once he makes it own!
This is what a savvy and knowlegeable realtor can do for you. I saw my client had a demand but we had no viable options, so I got creative with the buyer letter and door-knocking. That overturned three new opportunities, including the home he ended up buying. Think about giving me a call if you want a similar level of dedication when you buy or sell a home!
Kristin Lanham
kristin@lanham.com 
KristinLanham.com 
