Kevin Dielissen, Realtor at Empire Realty Associates has been the "The Neighborhood Expert" for practically the better half of 30 years. He has lived in Dublin with his wife since 1980, is very active with the community and schools, and loves helping families find the right home. One of the neigborhoods Kevin specializes in is Dublin Ranch. This is what Kevin has to say about Dublin Ranch:
Q: Tell me about Dublin Ranch...
A: Dublin Ranch is a premier Robert Trent Jones 18 hole Golf and housing development, that was built by 7 builders; Toll Brothers, Pulte Homes, Standard Pacific, Centex Homes, Shea Homes, Greenbriar, and Lennar. Dublin's Eastward expansion into the Tassajara Valley was supported by former 2 term mayor, Guy Houston, who went on to the State Assembly. The product mix goes from condominiums and small single family homes all way up to luxury Golf Course homes over 4,000 square feet. The community is very close to the Dublin B.A.R.T. station, The Waterford Shopping Center, and the new Grafton Station which is now under development and just approved for more retail space.
Q: There has been a lot of development in Dublin Ranch over the last six years, tell me more about that...
A: Dublin Ranch has a public 18 hole Golf Course that opened in 2003, 2 new schools; John Green Elementary and Fallon Middle School and two new parks. There is a 300,000 square foot shopping center that is opening soon with Whole Foods, a new Club Sport, and many retail stores and restaurants.
Q: What are some of the main things that draw people to this community?
Dublin Ranch is a small community to itself, insulated yet close to Downtown Pleasanton and easy access to I-580/680 and a good commute to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. The draw here is good schools, parks, low traffic, affordable home prices compared to neighboring San Ramon, Danville, and Pleasanton. Dublin Ranch has modern and upscale shopping, lots of employment nearby, and is a small community of well built production homes.
Q: What price range can people find in Dublin Ranch??
A: Prices range from the mid $300,000 range for condominiums to over $900,000 for large luxury homes. Dublin Ranch affords an opportunity to live in a well planned suburban community. Here's the site for the golf club too.
Q: Why do you think Dublin is a great place to live?
A: Dublin is the Cross Roads of the East Bay. It's a small City, incorporated in 1982 and sits at the very crossroads of I-580/680. The City emblem, the Shamrock is actually shaped in the crossroads of the freeways. While being a small City and very easy to get around in locally, with a small town friendly attitude, it also is very commutable to: Silicon Valley/San Jose/Santa Cruz; Stockton/Sacramento/Lake Tahoe; San Francisco/Oakland/Berkeley; and Walnut Creek/Concord. It also has two B.A.R.T. stations. Shopping, restaurants and a large movie theater complex are all within a few minutes as are premier recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, and swimming.
Thank you Kevin! For more information please contact us today!
For Dublin local market stats, click here (update weekly!)
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posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
I was recently talking to Don Morton about Westside Alamo. Don is a Realtor at Empire Realty, and very involved in the Alamo Rotaty Club. He has lived in Alamo for over 30 years! Here is what he has to say about this beautiful area here in the East Bay:
Westside Alamo - As Good as it Gets!
Westside Alamo is an idyllic prestige community located in the hills between the City of Walnut Creek and the Town of Danville in the San Ramon Valley. Historically Westside Alamo was that area located in the hills West of Danville Blvd the original highway throught the valley with the western backdrop of the Las Trampas Hills Regional Park with its many hiking & horse riding trails. Since the completion of I680 many newcomers refer to the Westside as anything West of I680.
Housing is the home to top & rising executives with many CEO's of major corporations living there and housing prices are among the highest in the East Bay with the average price of $2,000,000 even in today's market. The standard lot size is one half acre or larger and the Westside can best be described as established neighborhoods with ancient trees including majestic oaks, narrow country lanes and winding creeks. Some modest homes were built near the freeway and Danville Blvd but the majority of Westside homes have estate qualities. Westside Alamo is a destination area where people choose to live because of the tree covered lanes, charm and friendly neighbors who are affluent enough to afford the real estate prices.
Westside Alamo is especially attractive to young families because of the exceptional award winning schools & the Iron Horse Trail that provides for walking, running, biking, and horse back riding parrallel to Danville Blvd without the noise and traffic. The trail extends through Alamo from North to South. The Westside also has the "best" weather in the San Ramon Valley and affords comfortable outdoor living as the area is the closest thing to being without wind & fog. The majority of homes enjoy swimming pools.
One of the Westside's best features in that it offers casual country living yet is close to transportation and local shopping. Alamo has rejected incorporation three times in the past and is governed by the County Board of Supervisors; however, Alamo residents exercise a lot of local control through its improvement association and the community is particularly sensitve to development and will fight to preserve its rural atmosphere. Numerous private organizations with their share of intelligent and independent thinking people also find the time to maintain the high standards of the Alamo community.
Westside Alamo - it's a great place to live!
For more information about Alamo and/or to see market stats, please click here!
Thank you Don! If you have a neighborhood or community story you'd like to share, please leave us a comment or send us an email!
posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
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Bancroft Village
Sherry Hutchens is an Empire Realtor who specializes in working with buyers and sellers throughout the Diablo Valley. She especially loves Bancroft Village. I was able to speak to her about this charming community, and this is what she had to say!
Q: Where is Bancroft Village?
A: Bancroft Village is in the heart of residential Walnut Creek, a few moments from downtown via Ygnacio Valley Road. It's bright, clean, well-kept, and close to everything! It's bordered by a park and a canal trail, so it's also a great place for people who want active lifestyles close to nature.
Q: What kind of homes are there?
A: Bancroft Village is a PUD (planned unit development) built in several phases during the 1970s and 1980s. It is made up of 400 townhouses, ranging from 2 bedroom/2 bath up to 3 bedroom/3 bath. Each townhouse has a small courtyard in front, an attached 2-car garage, and a backyard.
Q: How would you describe this neighborhood?
A: Bancroft Village used to be known as a Rossmoor alternative. If you wanted a nice home in a good location, but didn't want to deal with the care of a house and the yard, and you weren't quite ready for Rossmoor, then Bancroft Village was an excellent place to call home.
These days, you'll find a wide range of homeowners - everything from senior citizens enjoying retirement, to families who want their children to attend the excellent Walnut Creek schools, to singles and newly married couples who are pleasantly surprised by Bancroft Village's affordable homes.
Q: Why is it called Bancroft Village?
A: Bancroft Village was built on what used to be the Bancroft family farm, founded in 1880 by Hubert Howe
Bancroft and made up of approximately 400 acres of walnut and fruit trees. Mr. Bancroft, an avid collector of books about the American West, also gave his name to the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley.
The family farm was passed down through the family and as the city of Walnut Creek grew and farming moved east to the San Joaquin Valley, the land was gradually sold off to developers including the one that built Bancroft Village.
The Ruth Bancroft Garden on Bancroft Road is the last remaining piece of undeveloped land from the original farm. In 1989, it became the first garden in the United States to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy and has been open to the public since 1992. If you've never visited, you're in for a real treat! Don't be surprised if you catch a peek of Ruth Bancroft - she's still active in the garden at 100+ years old.
Q: What makes Bancroft Village so popular?
A: Many reasons, including the fact that it is a clean, well-kept and affordable complex where the exterior of the homes, front lawns, common areas and streets are all maintained by the financially healthy HOA. There are two sparkling pools and several tennis courts on the premises. Feel like a walk? The Contra Costa Trail is just steps away. How about a visit to Heather Farm Park? Bancroft Village homeowners have special access via a locked gate at the back of the complex. And downtown Walnut Creek, with its world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, is only a short, five-minute drive away.
Interested in becoming one of the Village people? Contact Sherry today, she can give you the grand tour and show you some homes that you will love.
Looking for other neighborhood information? Check out our blog!
posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
Press Release | 9-16-09
EMPIRE REALTY WELCOMES KITTY COLE AND ASSOCIATES FOR STAFF COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP
Danville - Kitty Cole recently provided Empire's staff with her dynamic and insightful training course on communicating effectively. This particular course targets key areas of speaking techniques and communication strategies proven to benefit personal development and leadership skills. Geared for larger groups, ranging from approximately 50-500, Kitty tailored the course to effectively engage smaller groups of our staff and delivered it in two separate, two hour segments. Offering this course has provided our staff as well as our agents with empowering tools and techniques to successfully develop and nurture personal and professional relationships.
"Empire is committed to investing in our staff and Kitty Cole's workshops have proven to be a successful and powerful investment." says Judi Keenholtz, Chairman of the Board, Empire Realty Associates.
Kitty is a member of The Institute of Management Consultants and the National Association of Realtors. 
Founder of Kitty Cole & Associates in 1993, Kitty has built a robust practice based on skills and techniques she honed as both a business executive and individual performer earlier in her career. She counts herself as one of the fortunate who can base a career on personal passions she has discovered: the power of communication and the sharing of that power with others to enrich their lives too.
For more information, please contact Kitty Cole and Associates at (925) 296-0800 or at kitty@kitty-cole.com
To view info on Kitty's dynamic agent training class at Empire, click here
posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
Press Release | 9-15-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES HELPED TO RAISE OVER $50,000 FOR SCHOOLS AND CHARITIES
ALAMO - An enthusiastic group of Empire Realty agents shared a sponsorship for the 27th annual Alamo Music & Wine Festival held on September 12; Angela Fitzgerald, Dawn Smallwood, Jane Thacker, Joy Pratt, Linda and Frank Cookson, and Raelene Sprague were the contributing agents.
The proceeds from the combined event sponsorships exceeded $50,000 and will be donated to the San Ramon Valley school music programs and community charities. Local Alamo eateries provided delicious and assorted dinner options and the children and "the young at heart" enjoyed the rhythms from various bands and vocal groups. The threat of stormy weather did not dampen the festivities of this traditional Alamo "block party". The Alamo Rotary is to be commended for its annual organization and planning of this fun, charitable community event!
Empire agents work with buyers and sellers throughout the Diablo, Tri-Valley and Lamorinda communities. For addition info about how Empire gives back to the community, click here!
For addition information please contact Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, 925.217.5004 or klance@empirera.com
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We are the Empire Realty Associates Marketing Team! Marketing Manager Katie Lance, Marketing Coordinator Audrie Nguyen, Marketing Assitant Erin Yee, Listing and Sales Coordinator Kendra Spencer.
Empire Realty Associates is a local real estate company with deep roots in our community. Our offices in Danville and Walnut Creek are home to nearly 100 agents, many of whom have worked and lived in the Diablo and Tri-Valleys for over 20 years. Our team of talented and experienced agents are masters of our market and intimately involved in our communities.
Empire Realty is built on a unique shareholder business model. Over one-third of our agents are shareholders, distinguished as partners in the company. All agent associates are invited to participate in leadership roles and to impact the way we do business.
Leadership opportunities at Empire Realty include:
Because Empire Realty Associates was created by and is wholly owned by agents whose licenses are held at Empire Realty, it is a place of career empowerment. We are viewed by our industry as an innovative real estate model where people work together to benefit our clients and our communities.
Our offices specialize in the sales of fine homes throughout the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a luxury home in a fine neighborhood, or looking to get started in a place where you can enjoy the benefit of fine schools and a quality lifestyle, our real estate firm is equipped to handle your needs.
If you are a top sales associate and have reached the limits of your potential at your current firm, please call me for a confidential interview to learn how you might benefit from the type of support and staff which Empire Realty Associates offers its' sales team.
Executive Team
Empire Realty's executive team and talented staff create a thriving, energetic environment to support the goals of our partners and associates.
veteran with over 20 years' experience, has demonstrated his leadership in negotiation and contract issues, working with the risk management team, and sharing his knowledge and experience in business development with agents and management. O'Grady has earned the GRI and CRS designations, closed hundreds of transactions, and served on the Contra Costa Association of Realtors' Grievance and Mediation committees. Linked-In ProfileBoard of Directors
Membership on the Board of Directors for Empire Realty is an honor and a responsibility. Board members must be partners in the company and are voted into their term by the agent-partners of Empire. A board member completes a 1-year tenure, during which time he or she guides the policies and initiatives of the company.
2008/2009 Board Members
RELOCATION DIRECTOR | Sara Dillion-Ardell
Sara Dillion Ardell brings over 20 years experience in the corporate relocation arena to Empire. Her attention to details is unsurpassed in the industry. In addtion, Sara has an extensive network and access to many different relocation channels to help corporations with group moves as well as individual clients. Contact Sara today!
OPERATIONS TEAM
Corporate and Operations Manager | Michelle Lee
Controller | Karen Marano
MARKETING TEAM
Marketing Manager | Katie Lance
Marketing Coordinator | Audrie Nguyen
Marketing Assistant | Erin Yee
TRANSACTION LIAISON & BROKER REVIEW
Transaction Coordinator, Office Manager (WC) | Tracey Casella - DRE licensed
TLC/Sales Coordinator | Dawn Hembree - DRE licensed
Listing/Sales Coordinator | Kendra Spencer - DRE licensed
TLC/Sales Assistant - Karma Allen
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