Livermore, CA

Agents try a new tactic!

Recently a new phenomenon has appeared in the local real estate market in the tri-valley.

Many homes in Livermore and homes for sale in Pleasanton are affected.

Several homes have come onto the market at very deep discounts. These are bank owned properties or “REO”s. The asking price is so low that it does not really reflect the true value of the home. For example, a property in Livermore bank owned and 2100 square feet was listed at an asking price of $330,000. The last home similar to it sold and closed for $550,000 one month ago. There currently exists two others similar on the market for the low $500,000s. By listing the property at an artificially low price, the bank and listing Agent aims to get a lot of excitement and activity immediately and therefore generate multiple offers. The house I give as an example genrated over 20 offers in only 4 days on the market! The idea here is to have buyers ‘bid up’ the price by competing with one another!

There is nothing wrong with this of course nor is it unethical, but I do believe that innocent buyers who believe that they are seeing a great deal need to be counseled that their chance of being successful on purchasing one of these homes at these discounted prices even if they offer full or over asking price is unlikely, moreover they are sometimes being led into the competitive bidding war.

Take care before you make an offer to purchase. Make sure you see the last 2 months sales in the neighborhood of similar homes. We are still in a declining market but if something seems too good to be true, probably it is....

It's once again time for Livermore Downtown Inc.'s 22nd annual Downtown Trick or Treat Night to be held on Wednesday, October 29th. from 4pm-7pm. The Livermore Police Department and the City of Livermore have made it very clear that the handing out of the candy on our public sidewalks and streets must stop promptly at 7PM. Livemore Downtown Inc. staff, board and volunteers will be coming to your areas to assist in the shut down of the candy distribution. Please note the street closure begins at 3PM in order to make sure all cars are removed and event areas are set up by the 4PM event start time.

This year the streets will be closed from 3pm-9pm and event enclosure is as follows;

• First Street from Maple Street to O Street
• Second Street from Livermore Ave to M Street
• Livermore Ave, McLeod & M Street from First Street to Second Street
• J, K & L Street from First Street to Third Street

The streets will be posted with temporary no parking signs to notify the public of the closure. Per Livermore Police requirements, no vehicles will be allowed to enter or leave the closure area during the event. If your business is inside the enclosure then we invite you to participate by passing out candy either inside or in front of your store. In addition to passing out candy, some fun additions would be to decorate your store and store front, play spooky music and/or sounds, have employees dress up in costumes and maybe even have a costume theme!

Considering Moving to Livermore or the East Bay? ~ Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

Search East Bay Area Properties

Visit my website at http://pamwinterbauer.com

Community Service Day 2008 ~ Every year Windermere Real Estate closes all of their offices on the third Friday in June to give back to the communities we serve. Each office takes on a project in the community where all of their associates participate from 8 AM to 5 PM.

This year our office Windermere Welcome Home will be volunteering it's time at Shepherd's Gate, a non-profit organization in Livermore, focused on rebuilding the lives of battered and homeless women and their children. Shepherd's Gate provides services and programs to anyone regardless of race, age, religion, color, creed, etc. As of 2006, Shepherd's Gate has helped over 8000 battered & homeless women and their children who came from abusive relationships, addictions, loss of financial support and other factors.

Each of Shepherd's Gate's two Residence Halls in Livermore provides transitional housing for up to 32 women and children at a time. Both of these shelters provide a home-like atmosphere for the women and children who live there. Women and children stay anywhere from 30 days to 6 months.

For more information or if you are wishing to participate, volunteer or donate to this event, please call me (Pam Winterbauer) at 925 824-4878 or email me at winterpam@windermere.com.

Concerts at Wente Vineyards offers a very unique concert experience. Imagine top talent performing in the stunning ambiance of a spectacular vineyard setting. Seating is in a terraced outdoor amphitheater surrounded by gardens, vineyards, hillsides, and tile-roofed winery buildings designed in the style of old California. The intimate nature of the setting limits the number of tickets that can be sold and ensures every seat is a good one. All events are rain or shine, a warm jacket is highly recommended; raincoat and hat if there is a chance of rain.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at 10:00am. You will be able to purchase tickets online at TicketMaster or through Ticketmaster outlets or Ticketmaster call centers at 925-685-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 408-988-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS or 209-551-TIXS. You can also call or visit the box office at 5050 Arroyo Road, 925-456-2424, in Livermore, Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

The outdoor amphitheatre provides Guests with several seating options, some include superb dining experiences:

Restaurant Front Row, stage front seating Front Row seating is the "Best in the House" and includes only the 40 seats located in the front row of the restaurant section, approx. 10' from the stage. Restaurant Dining combines a four-course dinner in our award winning Wente Vineyards Restaurant with complimentary Reserved parking, stage-front seating, the evening's performance, tax and gratuity. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of these tickets, however they are available for purchase from the restaurant's extensive wine list.

Premium Outdoor Dining (Tables A - RR) This seating option provides concert guests with Premium Stage outdoor dining at reserved tables of ten, within the first three rows of tables (approx. 50-80' from the stage). The Guest's seat for dinner is their seat for the show. The price of the ticket includes premium seating, the evening's performance, a buffet style dinner (served from 6:00 - 8:00pm) prepared by Wente Vineyards Catering, tax and gratuity.

Outdoor Dining (Tables 1 - 42) This seating option provides concert guests with outdoor dining at reserved tables of ten, within the 3 middle rows of tables in the venue (approx. 80-120' from the stage). The Guest's seat for dinner is their seat for the show. The price of the ticket includes premium seating, the evening's performance, a buffet style dinner (served from 6:00 - 8:00pm) prepared by Wente Vineyards Catering, tax and gratuity.

Mezzanine Dining (Tables 100 - 174) This seating option provides concert guests with dining at reserved tables of eight, within the last three rows of tables within the venue (approx. 120-140' from the stage). The Guest's seat for dinner is their seat for the show. The price of the ticket includes premium seating, the evening's performance, a buffet style dinner (served from 6:00 - 8:00pm) prepared by Wente Vineyards Catering, tax and gratuity.

Orchestra Seating Orchestra seating is in reserved stage front chairs located stage left and right. Food and beverage is not included in the price of these tickets. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the venue. Seats in the orchestra stage right section are all considered possibly obstructed view (see explanation below).

Terrace Seating Terrace seating is in reserved chairs on the elevated terrace. Food and beverage is not included in the price of these tickets. These seats may be moved forward, depending on needs of the venue. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the venue.

Obstructed View Seating (O.V.) Seats labeled as Obstructed view are available in the Orchestra and Mezzanine Dining seating options. These seats are full price and could be up to 25% obstructed, depending on the placement of speakers by the artist performing that evening.

2008 Line Up

Crosby Stills & Nash 6/9/2008

Earth, Wind and Fire 6/24/2008

Chris Isaak 7/08/2008

Lynyrd Skynyrd 7/21/2008

Clint Black 7/22/2008

Boz Scaggs 7/30/2008

Lyle Lovett 7/31/2008

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 8/4/2008

Huey Lewis & the News 8/5/2008

Dana Carvey 8/20/2008

Chicago 8/28/2008

Bonnie Raitt 9/2/2008

Willie Nelson 9/3/2008

Foreigner 9/17/2008