Jean Powers CRS,PMN,ASP Broker, Northern California

I do not change offices frequently. I have been at 3 offices in the last 25 years. The last office was only for 11 months. I am now going to a new office and probably will stay for a long time. I could go out on my own but in this market I do not think it is a good idea. How long have you been at your office? For those of you who are your own boss, has that workded for you?

My new office would like me to put an article in the local paper for October. I feel the content should be information that will help consumers. There is so much to talk about and I cannot decide what is best. Do any of you have suggestions.

Thanks.....

For all you buyers in Northern Calfornia who want to purchase a Bank Owned or Short Sale property:

1. Please do not believe what you hear or read from the Media.

2. Please listen to the advice of your Realtor.

3. Please believe us when we say the lenders are not willing to give away the properties.

4. Please understand that that the lenders are taking anywhere from 30 to 50 per cent loss on the home.

5. Please understand for the most part the lenders will not take less than listed price.

6. Please understand that when the property is in great condition and in a good location that the there

will be multiple offers.

7. Please understand that when there are multiple offers, you need to offer more than listed price.

8. Please understand that real estate in the long run has always gone up in value.

9. Please understand that interest rates will not remain low forever and now is the right time to buy.

10. AND finally, Please understand that there are not any deals! The deals are here right now! Homes

are ON SALE right now!!!

Jean Powers, CRS

Broker-Associate

Windermere Welcome Home

Homes@JeanPowers.com

510.908.9002

Okay! I have been waiting 4 1/2 months now for an accepted offer on a short sale. My buyer, believe it or not, is still waiting. The listing agent said she was assigned a new negotiator. The lender is Countrywide and told the agent that they will give a 5% not 6% commission. I do not know why they are taking so long. They have had 3 appraisals and the property is not worth more than what we offered. We came in a bit over the listing price. Has anyone dealt with Countrywide and do they come through? I truly do not want to deal with any short sales but most of my buyers can only afford these homes. I have just written a third offer with another buyer on a short sale. The first loan is with Wells Fargo and the second is with Countrywide. My friend just viewed a property with a listing price of $545,000, the owner is a real estate agent. The owner said the lender witll not take less than the first loan wihich is $620,000. Then why is it listed for $545,000? He said at the higher price there hasn't been any activity. This does not make sense. Some buyers do not believe that they will not get an offer accepted if they try to negotiate less than the listing price. The media tells the public they can get a deal! In my area this does not happen. Is anyone closing short sales? I do wish that the buyers would listen to their agents and respect their knowledge of the business.

Have a pinic, wind surfing or just walking Alameda's Beach after your children enjoy visiting Crab Cove!

Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda features all new exhibits opened in April 2004. You can see bay creatures in the 800-gallon aquarium system, use interactive stations for varying age groups to view microscopic animals, build a crab from the inside out, or get a lug worm's view of the mudflats. You'll see amazing depictions of the underwater world of San Francisco Bay. At the Visitor Center you can also plunge into San Francisco Bay without getting wet, or travel back in time to Alameda's colorful past.

These entertaining educational opportunities all have a serious purpose--to increase public understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay. There is strong emphasis on the interdependence of marine life and shore life and on the urgency of preserving the marine and estuarine environment.

Dedicated to interpreting relationships between people and the earth's marine environment, this center attracts visitors from all over the Bay Area.

A focal point for this educational effort is the Visitor Center's Old Wharf Classroom. There, in a picturesque setting, youngsters and adults alike can learn about such topics as shoreline wildlife and the food chains that sustain all living creatures.

The waterless plunge takes the form of a display case showing a cross-section of bay, with lifelike models of shoreline and underwater animals. Adjacent rooms contain an aquarium and lots of interactive exhibits.

Education continues just outside the center, where the Crab Cove Marine Protected Area, at the foot of McKay Avenue, was designated the first California estuarine marine reserve. Its mud flat and rocky shore area are an important wildlife habitat. A special ramp allows wheelchair users to explore the tidepools at low tide. Collecting or disturbing creatures in this protected area is forbidden, thus preserving a unique shoreline environment for study and education.

Naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups are available Wednesday through Friday by advance reservation. See the Field Trips page for details or call visitor center at (510) 521-6887. Weekend programs provide exciting opportunities for you to learn about Bay ecology and the local area; download our monthly program guide to see a list of upcoming activities.

Up until the late 1930s, the area now occupied by the visitor center was part of a thriving resort community featuring bathing spas and an amusement park. Later, during and just after World War II, it was the site of the U.S. Maritime Service Officers School, a training base for Merchant Marine commanders. What is now the visitor center building was the base infirmary.

State Senator briefs REALTORS®: On Friday (3/7), State Sen. Ellen Corbett gave the Valley Marketing Meeting in Pleasanton a behind-the-scenes look at what's happening in Sacramento and legislation she's working on that addresses real estate issues. Corbett represents the 10th Senate district which includes the cities of San Leandro, Fremont, Hayward, Union City, Pleasanton, Milpitas and Newark and part of San Jose, as well as the communities of Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and Sunol.

Here's a quick summary of her comments:
State budget: The governor's plan to deal with the state's multi-billion dollar budget deficit could have major negative consequences for public schools. Corbett urged REALTORS® to oppose these cuts because of the impact they could have on property values. She alluded to the possible formation of a coalition of interest groups that could fight to protect school funding and suggested REALTOR participation.

Foreclosures: Corbett discussed pending legislation that would ease the tax burden for property owners faced with a foreclosure.

Transportation: Commute times and traffic congestion have a direct impact on the quality of life for Alameda County residents. Corbett explained efforts to secure funding to improve I-580 and praised work by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty to ensure our region gets a share of transportation resources.

Corbett also took questions from the audience. While she's not officially involved with the San Leandro School District, she did an admirable job responding to concerns about out-of-district students attending San Leandro Schools.

REALTOR® Impact: Corbett chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee which reviews legislation that may impact the real estate profession. It is in our interest to cultivate a strong relationship with the senator and ensure she understands REALTOR® issues.

Next Steps: Regarding the senator's comments about a school funding coalition, C.A.R. hasn't been approached to join any such group - yet. However, C.A.R. has historically supported school funding bonds and in 2000 supported Proposition 39, which made it easier for school districts to pass bond measures to finance school construction and improvements by reducing the vote requirement from two-thirds to a 55 percent supermajority.

Senator Corbett really enjoyed speaking at the Valley Marketing Meeting this week and her visit to the Tri-Cities group earlier this year. We're looking forward to hosting her at the Central County Marketing Meeting in the near future.

This information is compliments of David Stark Bay East Association of Realtors