Meridith Zomalt

Great deals are to be had in this award-winning senior community, with prices ranging from approx. $78,000 to over $1MM. Baby boomers are seeing the value of living in Rossmoor, a secure, gated and unique community for those 55 years or better. Located in the beautiful Tice Valley area of Walnut Creek, between Lafayette and Alamo, Rossmoor is centrally located in one of the East Bay's best areas with easy access to many activities.

With five clubhouses, two golf courses, swimming, tennis, fitness center, and over 200 organizations, there is no end to what you can do with your new life in Rossmoor.

Transportation is available within Rossmoor and to local shopping, medical facilities and BART.

Contact me for a FREE information packet or a private showing of available homes, or visit our website at http://www.WeSellRossmoor.com.

The Waterford at Rossmoor is nestled in the lush Tice Valley of Walnut Creek, surrounded by its own exquisitely landscaped grounds and the surrounding Mount Diablo foothills.

The Waterford is considered independent, congregate living. It differs primarily from a life-care retirement community because you purchase your own condominium home. It is perfect for those who are not yet ready for assisted living and want to enjoy the combination of carefree and independent living.

One main meal, either lunch or dinner, is provided in the club-style dining room and weekly housekeeping is also included. There are many social events at The Waterford, and you can also participate in any of the other Rossmoor community activities. Located approximately 30 minutes from San Francisco and just moments from downtown Walnut Creek and neighboring communities via BART and regularly scheduled bus services.

Waterford condominiums range in size from studios and one bedroom units to a variety of two bedroom floor plans, some with dens or two smaller units combined. Prices range from approximately $100,000 to $800,000.

Select the link below for a virtual tour of the Waterford. Or call for more information and/or your own private tour.

Meridith Zomalt (925) 899-3550

Prudential California Realty

http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1974569

If you are still on the fence about 55+ communities, why not visit Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, CA. Rossmoor is the Bay Area's Premier 55+ community. Rossmoor was built into the natural landscape of 2200+ acres, all conveniently located 5 short minutes to downtown Walnut Creek, and only 25 miles to San Francisco.

Rossmoor has too many amenities to mention here, however with Two Golf Courses, Tennis Courts, Aquatic Center, State-of-the-art Fitness Center, 200 Clubs and Organizations, and walking trails, you will surely find something that tickles your fancy.

Prudential California Realty's Tice Valley Office, is proud to present it's Rossmoor Open House Extravaganza this Sunday, August 16th from 1 - 4 PM. Over 25 properties will be open and on tour. Prices in Rossmoor range from the low $100,000's to $1,000,000 Plus.

Rossmoor is a secure and gated community, so you must call ahead for access.
Call (925) 899-3550 and I'll give you all the details.

Choosing the Right Community for You

By Meridith Zomalt

Prudential California Realty

If you are buying a home, one of the first things your real estate professional will do before taking you on home tours is interview you to determine the type of house you want such as a 2,000-square-foot four-bedroom, split-level with a formal dining room and two-car garage. But just as important is the type of community you want to live in. Knowing what your requirements are will help narrow your home search and save time.

To expedite the house-hunting process, start by making a list of the dream home factors that are most important to you and your family's lifestyle. Consider style, location, proximity to work and schools, yard size, children in the community, and of course, price.

Price and location generally are the key factors you'll use to identify the communities that best suit you. If you are moving within the same city, you may want to start your community search by getting in your car and exploring. There are also resources on the Internet that let you compare communities.

You'll want to ask yourself critical questions, such as: Do you dream of something quaint and charming that can only be found in an older area? Or, do you prefer everything new? Are you willing to sacrifice size and space for architectural detailing? What about drive and commute time to the office and schools? Will you forgo the number of bedrooms and a big yard for proximity to a lake or other recreational areas?

Whether you have children or not, buying a home in a community with good schools is important. It not only adds value to your property, but also is an attractive feature when and if you decide to sell. There are plenty of resources available to get information about schools within the communities you are considering. Various Internet sites offer school reports and profiles. They provide statistical data such as graduation rates, college-bound percentages, and standardized test scores. You can also learn about special programs the schools offer. In addition to these reports, many schools have their own Web sites you can peruse. And of course you can always talk to people in the area or take a tour of the school.

Additional factors you'll want to consider during your community search are crime, recreational activities, proximity to shopping and restaurants, and other specific family needs.

Once you've narrowed your search to two or three communities that fit your price range and lifestyle, make comparisons of price and sales activity. Your real estate professional can help you determine which communities are most sales-worthy at present, and which are more likely to continue to be.

There are many factors involved in selecting the right community for you and your family. Discuss your options with your real estate professional. This will provide the information he or she needs to help you find property listings to tour. Remember, a targeted approach to house hunting is less time consuming, less expensive and more efficient.

Meridith Zomalt can be reached at (925) (899-3550). Please visit her website at www.eastbayhomesales.net Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The Home Selling Process from Start to Finish

By Meridith Zomalt

Prudential California Realty

You've made the decision to sell your home. Even if you've sold a house before, this process can be daunting because it is a major financial transaction that involves many steps from selecting a sales professional and marketing the home, to negotiating with buyers and finally receiving funds at the closing. Yet, the home-selling process doesn't have to be intimidating if you know what to expect. The process can be divided in nine steps.

Step 1: List your property with a real estate professional. Select someone who is knowledgeable, listens carefully, and with whom you feel comfortable. Interview at least three real estate professionals. Use their listing presentations to compare their preparation and professionalism. Don't base your selection solely on selling price or commission. It's probably best to avoid working with someone who promises you the moon-in this case, an unrealistically high price-then has to make price reductions until the property sells. Instead, focus on marketing plans, service and past results.

Step 2: Establish price and time frame. Determining a fair asking price is crucial in this market. Price the property too high and it could languish on the market. Of course you could always decrease the price later, yet you've lost potential buyers. Your real estate professional can help you determine true market value based on a comparable market analysis, which will include recent home sale transactions as well as homes currently on the market. Supply and demand, craftsmanship, amenities, condition and any special circumstances can also impact price. For instance, a relocation move might necessitate a quick sale.

Step 3: Develop and implement a marketing strategy. To get the most exposure for your home, you should have a marketing plan with clear objectives and an outline of specific resources to be used. Your plan should include a mixture of conventional and online marketing to optimize your reach to potential buyers.

Step 4: Get Your Home in Show Condition. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. So make sure your home is in tip-top shape inside and out. Eliminate clutter and remove personal items. Refresh the paint, clean the carpets and make minor repairs. Keep the grass trimmed and add color to your landscape. You may also want to consider hiring a professional to stage your home. A home in move-in condition is much more attractive to buyers in a competitive market.

Step 5: An offer is submitted. Once your home is on the market, a buyer will make an offer through his/her real estate sales professional. The buyer's sales professional will present the offer to your representative, who will promptly relay it to you and help you evaluate the offer.

Step 6: The negotiation process begins and eventually an offer is accepted. One of the most critical roles played by your real estate professional is in the negotiation phase. Negotiations over the terms of a home-purchase contract can be extremely sensitive. The process of offer and counter-offer may go on until parties arrive at an acceptable contract, which can go very quickly or take days, even weeks.

Step 7: Buyers submit a loan application and home inspections are scheduled. Most often, the loan approval is contingent upon a satisfactory appraisal and various inspections.

Step 8: The loan is approved and the closing process begins. Once the buyer's home loan has been approved, preparations begin for the closing. The closing, also referred to as settlement or close of escrow, is the final step toward completing the sales transaction between the buyer and seller. During this process, your sales professional will funnel all the necessary closing documents to the escrow agent. This may include the deed, mortgage, tax receipts, a Certificate of Occupancy and other documents. A final walk-through will also be scheduled. Once the escrow agent receives the paperwork and the funds pertaining to the sale of the property, the escrow is closed.

Step 9: Time to move!

Of course this is a simplification of what is otherwise a complex transaction. As you are going through each stage of the process, look to your real estate professional to provide guidance so that you feel comfortable every step of the way.

Meridith Zomalt can be reached at (925) (899-3550). Please visit her website at www.eastbayhomesales.net Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.