East Bay Real Estate

You never know who you might run into when on a November flight to a Thanksgiving Paradise - Santa Claus!

For the past five years our extended family has enjoyed a week in Hawaii for our Thanksgiving celebration.  This year on our flight to Hawaii, one of the most unusual moments of my life unfolded.  As I am getting ready buckle up in my seat a man walked by me headed for the cockpit.  From just a fleeting glance he had a long white beard, white hair, a tropical shirt that had “Santas” on surfboards all over it, and shorts and flip-flops.  He was at least 70 years old and certainly had the belly that one would expect from Santa. 

As I watched him enter the cockpit, the pilots welcomed him as a long lost friend, and “Santa” took over the pilot’s seat and fooled around with the controls a bit.  This man was a dead ringer for “Jolly Old St. Nick”.  As he walked back past me to his seat I got a good look at his face and his spectacles that rested on his nose.  I was convinced that this was the real Santa!

I got out of my seat and followed him to his seat.  Seated next to him was Mrs. Claus!!!  I kneeled down in the isle and asked if I could speak with him for a moment.  I asked him, “Are you who I think you are?”  He said, “If you think you are talking with Santa, you are correct!”   There was a whole series of questions that I just blurted out. 

The short version of what I learned was he starts the logistics of his annual trip over 30 days before his sleigh fide on Christmas Eve night.  He and Mrs. Claus were on their way to the spot where they launch their annual adventuer - Hawaii, and I happened to on the SAME airplane.  The conversation he was having with the pilots was to let them know they may be seeing some UFOs on their radar screens about a month from now, but not to worry.  It would just be him on his annual ride.

Eventually we got to the topic of what I wanted for Christmas.  It got a little overwhelming when I started off on the topic of solving world hunger, clean drinking water for everyone, and world peace with every national leader being a woman since they never start wars. 

He interrupted me and asked if there was something just for me that I might want him to drop off when he visits our home.  There is actually nothing I need in my life.  I am blessed beyond measure.  But, I did come up with a small request.  My earring that I have had since I sailed across the equator in 1997 broke a few weeks ago, so I let him know that it would be nice to get a new one.  He said,  “I will do what I can to find the perfect replacement and drop it off on my way by Christmas Eve.”  WOW! 

We ended our conversation with him thanking me for taking a few moments to chat, and his final words were, “Never stop counting your blessings, and never stop sharing them with others”  I promised I would and we said goodbye.  On Christmas Eve night, I will be waiting all night for his arrival so we can check in with each other again.  This was the most unforgettable Thanksgiving moment I have had in memory - meeting the real Santa Claus! 

We are sending you our best wishes as you spend time with your family and friends counting your mountain of blessings.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be just once a year.  Until next time…your East Bay lifestyle detective remains on duty!

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This past week Congress interviewed some of the top executives in the Banking industry to find out what was delaying their institutions from providing liquidity back into the mortgage markets.

The heads of the major Banks had tough questions presented to them this past week in Washington.  They did not have any credible answers.  They are still holding on to cash that has been provided to them from the $850 Billion bailout Congress passed last month.  It appears that they are adding to the delay in having consumers start to recover from credit meltdown.  Congress told them that the bailout was meant for them to provide instant cash into the mortgage markets.  It is not happening.

Further, Congress let them know that if the liquidity issues is not addressed immediately, the next steps in the economy may cause it to sink further into the abyss of a deep recession.  The facts are that until the real estate markets are back in business the U.S. economy will be hard pressed to make a comeback. 

In addition, the added CRISIS is the U.S. auto industry’s pending collapse.  Now they have their hands out for an additional $25 Billion “loan” from us, the consumers.  The president of GM, Mr. Wagner, was asked in an interview on Thursday how he could justify a 30% increase in his compensation this year to a $17 million salary when GM is tanking.  His repsonse was that GM was considering an executive pay freeze.  What a novel proposal!?!?!?  Six years ago Toyota started a complete re-tool of their line-up of car choices to the consumer with an focus on fuel efficient cars - including the Prius Hybred.  It is a stretch to imagine that because GM, Ford, and Chrysler continued to focus on quarter profits instead of long term planning Toyota was planning for the future.  Now, it appears we are expected to bail out GM/Ford/Chrysler because of their shortsighted vision for their companies.  Does this make sense to anyone else.  I welcome your thoughts about the steps that need to be taken in the next few months to begin our long awaited economic comeback.  Until next time. 

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Hunger never takes a Holiday!  The Food Bank Pantry is almost empty, and the need is GREAT!

Every month there are 70,000+ meals served in Contra Costa and Solano Counties!!!  And with because the financial stress of the last year and specifically the last few months the need for meals has skyrocketed, and the Food Bank  resources have shrunk.  Unemployment is rising, the economy is still being impacted each day by the credit meltdown, and people are acting from fear when it comes to meeting the needs of their specific family.   The East Bay real estate communities are banding together with a commitment to find people like you to help.

The Food Bank warehouse is located in Concord, California, and it is huge!  If you stop by there this week, the shelves are almost bare.  The demographics of the East Bay range from incredible wealth to incredible poverty - all within a 20 mile radius.  Those with a loaf of bread need to share a slice of it with someone.  Those with only a slice of bread need to share a bite with someone.  It is even more important for us, in these uncertain financial times, to live out the words, “Service Above Self”.

The Food Bank is the one at the front lines of providing meals to those in need in our community.  They desperately need our help - NOW.  In Contra Costa and Solana Counties 33% of the people receiving emergency food are children and 21.4% are over 50 years old. The Food Bank has created a method for you to “shop on line”  in order to fill their Pantry.  Also, any cash donation allows them to purchase $6 worth of food for every $1 donated!  With the need so great, please take action today.  It will only take a few moments of your time and the meals served because of your kind help will sustain thousands less fortunate than you.  And, if you are driving downtown Danville this next week, please drop off any non-perishable food or checks made out to the Food Bank to our office at 760 Camino Ramon, Suite 200, Danville, in the Rose Garden Center.  Or, contact me  and I will come and pick up any donations from your home or place of business.  Until next time…your East Bay lifestyle detective remains on duty.  

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WCR is committed to serving the needs of woman in the East Bay real estate community - both Realtors and those women at risk!

For the 24^th year Women’s Council of Realtor’s  Bay Area chapter produced and hosted their annual “Enchanted Nights” Fashion Show.  This year’s elegant show was held at the Palm Event Center  in the heart of the Livermore Valley wine region.  The event is one of the many that WCR hosts during the year as they support the needs of women.  Karen Kohne,  the current president of the Southern Alameda chapter, shared their Mission Statement. “We are a network of successful Realtors empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.  Through our influence as successful business professionals, women will effect positive change in the real estate profession and within the broader community we serve.”

The Fashion Show models are all local Realtors and service providers.  WOW!  There were some beautiful people who volunteered to be the models!!!  They even invited me as the token “old guy”.  All of the women and men’s outfits were donated by Helen Lyall’s  elegant women’s boutique, and the Men’s Warehouse  in Pleasanton.  This event would not be possible without the direct support of these gracious and professional merchants.  Sue Evans Photography  also provided many of the photos for the models.  The Fashion Show was in at the same level of excellence that we have seen at the Luxury Real Estate conferences. In fact, it may be a GREAT idea for LRE to start an international Fashion Show supporting community needs.  I will report back on that idea.

WCR’s members live their Mission/Vision each day with this group of professionals - both women and men, serve their community in very significant ways.  For example, one of the organizations they support is Shepard’s Gate  in Livermore.  Shepherd’s Gate has earned the reputation for rebuilding shattered lives. Since 1984,  they have helped over 8,700 battered and homeless women and children. They provide a safe haven for women and their children who are homeless because of abusive relationships, addictions, loss of financial support and other factors.  Our real estate community has GIVING BACK as a key value statement.

In addition to their work in supporting community needs, they sponsor a monthly educational seminar for the real estate industry.  WCR is one of the key organizations that focus on life long learning for our industry.  Some of the presenters that have been a part of the 2008 education programs have been California Associate of Realtor’s leadership team, real estate attorneys sharing key legal issues regarding Realtors and consumers, and even a panel of Realtors sharing their best ideas for a market that is in midst of one of the most dramatic shifts in past 20 years.

Again, this is not a group just for women.  Even the leadership teams of many of the WCR chapters include men who recognize the benefits of being a part of this dedicated group of professionals.  I have been a member of WCR for years.  Contact me  if you want more information about this group, or if you just want to buyer or sell real estate.  Our team is standing ready to serve.  Until next time…your East Bay life style detective remains on duty.

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