Random Bits of Information

3150 Stinson Circle in Walnut Creek, California, offered at $889,950

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:06:27 -0500

3150 Stinson Circle in Walnut Creek's "Diablo Shadows"

3150Stinson.com
Offered at $889,950

Entertainer's Delight!
Open Sunday, 3/21/10, from 1-4pm

Beautifully updated and remodeled home, located in prestigious Diablo Shadows in the Northgate area of Walnut Creek. Designer perfect with contemporary flair, yet traditional enough for the most discriminating taste. This stately two story home boasts of 2,402 square feet, per public records, and the fenced yard is almost a quarter acre, 10,800 square feet per public records.

Mostly dual pane windows
Newer asphalt shingle roof in 2005
Anderson door slider leads to a serene and private back yard that features a 2,500 gallon koi pond, three waterfalls, river rock rustic pavers with redwood patio cover, river rock landscaping and yard lighting, auto sprinklers front and back
In-ground solar heated pool/spa, resurfaced with Pebbletech, new tiles and coping in 2005
Gourmet kitchen updated in 2009. New cabinets, granite counter tops, skylight and stainless steel appliances. Profile gas cook top. Italian porcelain tile floor. Recessed lighting
Hardwood floor in family room
3 car garage, two doors with auto openers
Inside laundry room
Central air and heat
Wood burning fireplace
Some vaulted ceilings
Fresh designer paint inside and out in 2009/10
Brick entry way and new etched glass front door
Three large bedrooms plus an office/bedroom downstairs (closet can be added upon request)
2.5 updated bathrooms, slate tile floors and stone counter tops
Fabulous walk-in closet with organizers

For more information please contact Leila Hamalainen of Diablo Realty, 925.975.5221
www.LeilasHomes.com

2242 Gladwin Drive in Walnut Creek, California, priced at $645,000

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:13:21 -0600

2242 Gladwin Drive in Walnut Creek, California, priced at $645,000

Wonderful South Walnut Creek Location

Desirable end unit. Amenities offered: Community swimming pool, tennis courts and club house. Dues only $750 a year.

3 spacious bedrooms
Extra large master suite with own balcony
Some nice local views
2.5 bathrooms
Square footage is 2,149 per public records
Lot size is 3,150 per public records
Inside laundry
2 car garage with auto opener
Private back yard, great for entertaining
Central air and heat
Ceiling fans
Mirror closet doors
Wood burning fireplace

For more information, contact:

Leila Hamalainen
925.975.5221
www.LeilasHomes.com

1843 Woodsdale Drive in Concord, California, offered at $385,000

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:52:22 -0600

1843 Woodsdale Drive, Concord, California, offered at $385,000

Open Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 1-4 pm. Come join us for hot cider!

3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Dual pane windows
Laminate flooring and hardwood flooring
Open and airy floor plan
Eat-in kitchen
Fresh exterior paint
Covered patio with a park like yard
1,571 square feet
8,300 square foot lot

For more information, contact Bev Marshall of J. Rockcliff Realtors
925.825.7915
BevHouses@aol.com

- offering website design, re-design, maintenance, hosting and virtual assistance

5910 Horseman's Canyon #6A in Walnut Creek offered at $399,500

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:05:28 -0600

5910 Horseman's Canyon #6A in Walnut Creek offered at $399,500

NO STEPS on first floor of luxury building, includes 2 parking spaces, close to elevator.

Care-free living at Pinnacle Ridge in Rossmoor, a 55-and-over community in Walnut Creek. Nestled among the Redwood trees, plantation shutters throughout, spacious and modern; one of the last developments at Rossmoor.

2 bedrooms

2 full baths

Built in 1995

1,415 square feet

2 covered spaces

HOA Dues: $648/month

Click here for more information.

Offered by:

It is our goal as your full service real estate company specializing in the Walnut Creek, Danville, and Pleasant Hill areas, to provide you with superior service at all times. Our local expertise and extensive real estate experience will benefit you whether you are serious about buying or selling a home at this time, or are a returning client checking out the many homeowner resources we offer. Michael 925.209.5140 925.209.5140, Jackie 925.209.5130 925.209.5130. www.WalnutCreekTeam.com

5501 DeMarcus Boulevard #649 in Dublin, California offered at $228,000

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:03:53 -0600

5501 DeMarcus Boulevard #649 in Dublin, California offered at $228,000

SOMA Style loft, spiral staircase, stainless steel, granite kitchen, view, top floor, walk to BART.

Enjoy Big-City style in the suburbs. Loft living in a 3-year-old building across from BART station. Modern kitchen with Granite counters and stainless appliances. Climb the spiral staircase to the loft and patio. Secure building with assigned parking. Lots of natural light with high, high, high ceiling!

1 bedroom

1 bathroom

950 square feet

Built in 2007

1 car garage

HOA Dues: $347/month

Bonus room in Loft

Click here for more information.

Offered by:

1129 Ptarmigan Drive #3 in Walnut Creek, California offered at $199,000

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:02:19 -0600

1129 Ptarmigan Drive #3 in Walnut Creek, California offered at $199,000

NO STEPS to this single level home in Rossmoor. End unit includes large, private patio. 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths. Fresh paint and flooring.

Easy living in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek's fabulous 55-and-over community. 2 golf courses, 3 pools, full gym and lots of clubs and activities. You won't get bored unless you want to get bored!

Come and see it, we'd love to show it to you.

Built in 1967

1,049 square feet

2 bedrooms

2 full baths

1 covered parking space

HOA Dues are $666/month.

Click here for more information.

Offered by:

REAL ESTATE AND STAGING WITH FENG SHUI by Consy Malasoma

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:56:17 -0600

When I sent out our most recent StagersLIST Newsletter I offered to blog articles for our members. Consy offered this one, and I think it is very educational. Consy is a Feng Shui practitioner, writer, speaker and home stager in Washington.

REAL ESTATE AND STAGING WITH FENG SHUI by Consy Malasoma

The recent headlines announced that December 2009 had the lowest home sale values since 1963. We are now seeing lenders, builders and the federal government's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac change the process of qualifying and buying the American Dream of owning your own home. Many neighborhoods in pockets of the U.S. have lost home values to short sales and foreclosures and the end is not yet in sight. So how does Feng Shui play a role in meeting the challenge of this economic meltdown?

When preparing a home for sale, those of us that live and breathe Feng Shui understand that a key element is to clear out the clutter that has accumulated and set our intention to allow fresh, new energy and new beginnings into our lives. Clutter translates to stagnant energy in our spaces and creates an impediment to the introduction of the desired new energy. Another Feng Shui aspect is tapping into Nature's five elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The combination of these elements equally represented in a décor or building's interior adds a sense of beauty and balance. There appears to be a natural order to our Universe and more and more healers know it plays a large role in our lives.

Curb appeal using Feng Shui is another logical and necessary step in the preparation of a property. A meandering, curved walkway to the main entrance is much more visually pleasant to straight, linear lines. A clean front door with fresh potted plants and outdoor lights in working order is another must to showcase a property whether it is on the market for sale or occupied. Care, upkeep, and maintenance are a sign of pride of ownership and love for a property. This equates to higher property values and a sense of community in a neighborhood.

According to the Chinese, we may not have control over our birth date, or the birth luck that we have in our lives, but with Feng Shui there is some measure of control over our environment by where we choose to live, the "lay of the land" and the rivers and valleys we choose to live on and around. Feng Shui is more popular today than ever before because we look for ways to de-stress, to connect back to nature, to meditate and find the time and space to connect with our Spirit and with others on a meaningful level.

Realtors, builders, stagers, architects and even zoning officials would be served well to work with a Feng Shui practitioner. A great example is the house or building that sits on the T of a street that virtually has energy or Sha Chi rushing towards the main entrance. It is similar to pushing strong energy towards the structure. I have dealt with several clients who could not understand why their home business failed or their luck changed after moving into a different property. Compass directions, water ways, steep hillsides and busy intersections all have an impact on our homes and eventually on our lives.

Attending a planning commission meeting in your community to look at the parks we play in and use for future generations would be enhanced with curves, colorful beds of flowers and places to meet and congregate which are all Feng Shui elements.

Using the Bagua or nine sections of a home or commercial office lends to a natural flow between rooms, hallways and doorways. Feng Shui principles use the natural beauty and co-existence in nature to promote balance and feelings of well-being in the interior and exterior of a home. Wind chimes at the front or back door clear the Chi or energy and have a lifting affect. Using colors according to the elements of nature accent architectural features that help to showcase a home.

A home staged with design enhancements and Feng Shui elements is sure to improve salability in a slow market. Refer to the IFSG website for a practitioner in your area for tips and ideas for your property.

Prepared by: Consy Malasoma of Consy Malasoma Design/ www.consymalasoma.com
Consy is a Red Ribbon Professional at the International Feng Shui Guild\
425-891-9018
702-245-6855
Consy@ConsyMalasoma.com

4254 Dubhe Court in Concord, California, offered at $259,900

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:32:21 -0600

Open Sunday, 2/21/10, from 1-4pm
Join us for hot cider!

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,361 square feet
Updated eat-in kitchen with laminate floors
Living room with fireplace
Formal dining
Fresh interior paint
New carpet
Inside laundry
2 car garage
Walk to shopping & transportation
HOA $250/month, community pool, 2 nice patios and park-like grounds

For more information, contact Bev Marshall of J. Rockcliff Realtors
925.825.7915, BevHouses@aol.com

- offering website design, redesign, hosting, maintenance and virual assistance

Wordless Wednesday - Furry Friends

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:06:09 -0600

Rescue a Beagle in Contra Costa County - 8 Beagles need homes asap

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:16:34 -0600

I just came across this story in the Clayton Pioneer.

Sherrie Henderson of TLC Pet Grooming in Clayton has been working very hard to rescue 18 dogs ranging from 1-5 years old, all pure bred Beagles. The dogs have been used in labratory tests and the lab where they were being used is done with them . This means they are going to be put to sleep. The dogs were scheduled to be put to sleep at the end of January, Sherrie was able to get an extension through February. 10 of the dogs have been adopted, there are 8 still available. We only have until the end of February, please act fast.

According to Sherrie, the only thing wrong with these dogs is that they are used to living in a cage, therefore are not yet potty trained. Sherrie does not even know which lab the dogs are in, however has a contact, Debbie, who let her know about the situation. If you can help please call Debbie directly at 925.698.2976 or call Sherrie at TLC Pet Grooming, 6078 Main Street in Clayton, 925.672.2547.

According to Sherrie, when the labs are done with the test animals every few months, they are put to sleep if rescue efforts are not made.

This is just one of the many reasons I only buy products that are NOT tested on animals whenever humanly possible. Please adopt a Beagle if you can.

Thank you,

Webinar - Learn How to Make Your Photos Market Ready with Jackson West!

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:41:29 -0600

Webinar - Learn How to Make Your Photos Market Ready with Jackson West!

This Saturday, 2/13/10 at 7pm ESTjoin this one hour webinar for only $25.

Have you met Jackson West?

Jackson West is the owner of Reveal Estate Home Staging and a Certified Staging Professional Trainer. Jackson's work has been featured in Home Staging for Dummies, as well as in several issues of Staging Standard Magazine.

Jackson has a penchant for excellence when it comes to presenting photos. Grab this opportunity to see live how he does it. You can have great photos too!

This webinar is an online course, you sit in the comfort of your own home, in front of your computer, listening and watching a presentation with a LIVE host. It is interactive and you can ask questions. Please call 1-888-782-4464 to secure your spot. Or click here to register for the webinar.

I was lucky enough to meet Jackson in person last month in Las Vegas. He's a lot of fun and he knows what he's talking about. Do yourself a favor and sign up for his webinar, you will be happy you did!

What to do with your little one on rainy days?

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:59:20 -0600

My daughter and I both love to read. Of course, we also love to help support our local community libraries. We are lucky that the Clayton Community Library is walking distance for us!

If you have a child 5 and younger and are in the Clayton, California area, you can take them on Tuesday or Thursday mornings to the Clayton Library for story time! If you are not in the Clayton, California area, check your local libraries, I am sure they have similar programs.

Currently at the Clayton Library:

Tuesdays through March 2
Patty Cakes
Story time for babies to 3 year olds
Child must attend with caregiver
Drop in at 11am

Thursdays through March 4
Picture Book Time
Story time for 3-5 year olds
Child may attend without caregiver
Drop in at 11am

More upcoming events at the Clayton Community Library:

Creekside Arts Celebration
March 5 between 6-8:30pm, March 6 between 10am-6pm, and March 7 between 1-5pm
The theme is "A Community Comes Together... Arts, Culture and Nature"
The deadline for artist submissions is 2/12/10
Visit www.creeksideartists.org or www.claytonlibrary.org for more information

"Behind Barbed Wire"
Author John Keibel gives a talk about the Concord Naval Weapons Station
March 15, 7pm

The Rainbow Community Center's crab feed fundraiser in Concord, ca is March 6th

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:08:50 -0600

The Rainbow Community Center is having their 6th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser.

When: Saturday March 6th from 6-9pm
Where: Moose Lodge in Concord, 1805 Broadway Street
Tickets: $40 advanced sale ONLY

The fundraiser also includes a raffle and live auction. To reserve your ticket, call the Rainbow Community Center at 925.692.0090 or visit their website, www.Rainbowcc.org.

I love the Rainbow Community Center in Concord, California. They have so many great programs. A new one I just learned about:

THE MONTHLY POZ DINNER
Last Monday of each Month
We've started a monthly meal/gathering for people living with HIV/AIDS in Contra Costa County. The free meal is open to all living with HIV, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. We will serve a nutritious meal and have an opportunity to become acquainted with each other. We hope to see you there!

We are still looking for enthusiastic volunteers for this season and the next. If you want to check out some great volunteering opportunities, call us at (925) 692-0090 (925) 692-0090, or e-mail us at rcc@rainbowcc.org.

In Memoriam of Jan Eversole

New AR Group - the REALTOR & HOME STAGERS INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:59:00 -0600

I think this group is a great idea! I'm joining and I hope you will too. Thanks Birgit!

Via Birgit Anich (Redesign Your Space, Fairfield county, CT):

For a couple of months I am now an Active Rainmaker and I am really thrilled with the content that you all are sharing. Exploring most groups on AR I have noted that there are groups that are being almost exclusively (with a few exceptions) commented by either just Realtors or just Home Stagers. What I have been missing is a group that would bring our two professions closer together. Therefore, I have created a new Group on Active Rain called "Realtors & Home Stagers Information Exchange".

This community is designed to exchange information, ideas, success stories or discussions about related topics in order to build a closer team approach between our two specialized professions.

What we as Home Stagers and Real Estate Agents are doing is very much related. Working closely together we can achieve the best marketing / home selling strategy for our clients, the home seller. Without a great looking and appealing product (the house) it is harder to sell it for the best possible price. The price becomes then the only differentiating decision factor for buyers. (Click here to read about "Is YOUR Home Selling Strategy Complete?").

Is this what our clients, the home sellers, want? Or do they prefer that their home sells fast and at the highest possible price, so they can move on with their life as quickly as possible?

What do home buyers want? Do most of them want to buy a house with a long "to-do-list" before moving in? Or do they prefer buying a house where they feel home right away?

By combining our strengths as Real Estate Agents and Home Stagers, we can increase the satisfaction of home sellers and buyers. A Win-Win situation for everyone involved - faster sale at a higher price:

1.       Home Sellers are satisfied because they sold their home faster and at a higher price

2.       Home Buyers bought a home they love

3.       Real Estate Agents will be able to move on to the next listing faster. Earnings are higher because of the higher sales price. Satisfied clients will refer you more business.

4.       Home Stagers are happy that our combined efforts have achieved all of the above

Let's combine our strengths, join the "Realtor & Home Stagers Information Exchange"

Invite others to join as well.
Birgit Anich, Redesign Your Space

Home Stager & Redesigner   I   HSR, RESA, ASHSR

Fairfield county, CT   I    www.redesignyourspace.com

Click here to join the new REALTORS & HOME STAGERS INFORMATION EXCHANGE group

I was the first Active Rain member to do (what?) with Vegas Bob this week

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:58:19 -0600

I went to Las Vegas from Sunday to Wednesday for the RESA convention. Well, I didn't go to all of the convention, I went along with my mother for the networking and it was a lot of fun.

Since I was going to be in Vegas, of course I had to meet my very famous online friend, Vegas Bob. Even though he had a cold and had worked all day, Bob came to the strip to take me on a tour of the City Center. Of course, he had his camera. I am not used to being photographed. Vegas Bob made me laugh in front of this strange, Terminator style artwork.

We saw many interesting things on our walk. Art can be very beautiful or very strange, depending on the person looking at it. This looks like a giant eraser to me. Vegas Bob is a very interesting person. He is currently writing a book, which I am looking forward to reading. If you visit Las Vegas, please give Vegas Bob a call and expect to be photographed.

Vegas Bob and I have been online and phone friends for a while now, but this was the first time I got to meet him in person. I am very happy to have been able to finally. As many of you know, Vegas Bob often posts photos and stories about aliens, which I also love to talk about. He also has a real estate network for posting your listings for FREE. We also talk about Active Rain and blogging in general.

But most importantly, what was I the first Active Rain member to do? Meet Nu Nu!

Nu Nu is obviously very used to being photographed. After our tour, Vegas Bob and I met Nu Nu for a giant bowl of soup. I got very full from the tofu in my soup, but it was very good.

Nu Nu is just adorable and so bubbly and fun. She laughs a lot. Nu Nu likes to tease Vegas Bob that he is only on Active Rain to talk to girls. After our dinner, Nu Nu and I were going to visit her store and then she would take me back to my hotel. We teased Vegas Bob that we would be going to see Thunder From Down Under instead.

Nu Nu gave me a pair of lovely earrings from her store to take home to my daughter. At her store I met her brother as well and he is quite a character. He jokes quite a bit and made us both laugh. I had a great time meeting Vegas Bob, and certainly had a lot of fun meeting Nu Nu. I felt like I knew her already from Bob's blogs. She has such a happy spirit and positive attitude, it was a delight to meet her in person. It was also very interesting to hear about her life growing up in Burma.

If you are in Vegas, I suggest you call Vegas Bob. Maybe you will get lucky and get to meet Nu Nu as well!