About Alameda's Fernside

ALAMEDA NEIGHBORHOODS - THE FERNSIDE

ALAMEDA NEIGHBORHOODS - THE FERNSIDE A. A. Cohen a railroad baron built his home in Alameda in an area he called "Fernside" in the 1870's Cohen made millions selling his San Francisco, Alameda & Hayward Railroad to the Big Four railroad barons (Hopkins, Stanford, Crocker and Huntington). His home cost $300,000 a huge amount for the time. In the "Ultimate Victorians", Elinor Richey described the Cohen's home as, "the most splendid of all Italian villas in the East Bay."

The beautiful home was destroyed by a fire in 1987. The family remained in the Fernside area until the death of the Mrs. Cohen in 1925. The children subdivided the estate and sold land to developers. The developers created homes with their own distinctive personalities. Mediterranean style homes are shoulder to shoulder with half timbered Tudor Revival and shingles decorated craftsman home.

The Twenties was a time of prosperity, a time when most could afford to purchase a home. The Fernside became the place to purchase a home. Most of the homes built in the Fernside were bungalows with one story or one and a half stories and porches or stoops. In January 1913, Sunset Magazine described a bungalow. "When you see a cozy one-story dwelling, with low-pitched roof and very wide eaves, lots of windows and an outside chimney of cobble or clinker-brick half hidden by clinging vines - that is a bungalow...."

TUDOR STYLE FERNSIDE BUNGALOW

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE FERNSIDE BUNGALOW

A FERNSIDE MEDITERRANEAN JEWEL

The Ferside neighborhood in Alameda is still very desirable. Good schools, proximity to shopping and transportation, lovely homes and tree lines streets combine to make the Fernside neighborhood one the best in Alameda.

Alameda is a wonderful island community. If you would like more information about Alameda please call or text me at 510-504-5612

Contact me for a free Market Report on Alameda real estate

SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON SECOND GRADERS IN ALAMEDA

SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON SECOND GRADERS IN ALAMEDA Edison School has sent out the school supply list for second graders:

• Mr. Sketch markers - flat not pointed (10 pack)
• 1 set of thin markers(colored)
• 1 set colored pencils - sharpened
• 1 black felt pen(no Sharpies)
• 10 - #2 pencils - sharpened
• 1 Pink Pearl type eraser
• 1 large glue stick
• 1 - 4 oz bottle white glue
• 1 pair scissors
• 1 plastic pencil box (5 x 8 in)
• 2 flat folders with pockets
• 1 box facial tissue
• 1 bottle liquid hand soap with pump (last name A-M)
• 1 bottle hand sanitizer with pump (last name N-Z)
• No binders

I Every time I have a broker's tour in my island city, I always (ALWAYS!) serve Chinese dim sum appetizers and bottled water. It's become sort of a "signature" refreshment, and people who know me, know I will always serve dim sum.

Today, I held a broker's tour for my newest listing at a very desirable part of Alameda called Marina/Fernside. Here's the VISUAL TOUR.

Over 50 agents toured the place, and many chatted for a spell. I was expecting a good turnout, but I can't believe just how many came.We even had agents from neighboring cities ---- and that's a rarity in itself.

Did I do anything different?No, nothing new. But I did:

• Post it on craigslist (some agents said they or their clients saw the ad, and wanted to check it out
• Create a visual tour
• Posted it on VFlyer
• Advertised in the Tour View of the MLS that I am serving dim sum while they last

Some of us were discussing what seems to be a sudden turn in events, following dismal 2007 and 2008. Perhaps the crowded broker's tour is a harbinger of good news. And what is causing this?

Observations and opinions

1. There's a pent up demand
2. Buyers probably believe that in their case, it's the right time to buy
3. Buyers are afraid that we've probably hit bottom now, and judging from recent multiple offer situations, the market is on the mend
4. The tax incentives and credits are only for a certain period of time. Who knows when we will have credits like these again?
5. Interest rates are too attractive to pass up. Even if the prices of homes go down, if the interest rates rise, then it's a wash. So why wait?
6. Homes in desirable neighborhoods, and that are priced right and look nice, will still sell.
7. There is a dearth of good properties in desirable neighborhoods, that are priced right and look nice
8. It's the rite of spring --- and expect more homes to come on the market!

Open house --- huge turnout? Gee, I hope so. I am now poised to have a big turnout this weekend, based on how many agents came. Some of them said they're sending their clients to the open house. Oh yes, please do!

RELATED POST: Marina/Fernside contemporary home with detached multi-purpose room