East Bay Real Estate

Disneyland just selected Jim Walberg as the past employee they are dedicating the park to for the entire 2009!

In the late 1960’s I lived in Redondo Beach, California.  While going to college at that time I worked at Disneyland as one of my part time jobs.  Apparently last week there was a drawing from all the names of past employees as to which one would have their name all over Disneyland for one year.  I had no idea this was happening, and I was just informed yesterday that my name was selected.   You will be blown away as to the news broadcast that was just posted about this event.  I hope you enjoy the video clip as much as I have.  Have a wonderful New Year’s Celebration.  2009 is going to be an extraordinary year for all of us.  Until next time… 

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A week of celebrating Family, Community, and African culture in the East Bay!

December 26^th is the first day of Kwanzaa. After seven days of celebrating it ends on the first day of the year.  Each of the celebration days has a topic.  The final day is focused on Imani - Faith, “…the faith to believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, our righteousness, and the ultimate victory of our struggle.”

For each of the seven days’ celebrations, a specific place in the home is chosen to display the symbols of celebration.  A table is spread with a beautiful piece of African cloth.  The mat is placed on the cloth, and all of the other symbols are placed on it which symbolizes the deep roots of traditions.  Next, the candle holder is placed on the mat and the seven candles are placed in the candle holder. The colors of the candles are black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle - one black candle, three red candles, and three green candles.

The table is then set with two ears of corn, and the Unity Cup. The ears of corn symbolize that all of us are social parents of the children of our community. The Unity Cup is used to pour the “libation” to the ancestors in remembrance and honor of those who paved the path down which we walk and who taught us the good and beautiful life.  Finally, the table setting is added to with African objects and books on the life and culture of African people to symbolize their community to heritage and learning.

The last day of Kwanzaa, January 1^st,  is for African people a time of sober assessment of things done and things to do, of self-reflection and reflection on the life and future of the people and of recommitment to their highest cultural values in a special way. It is a time to ask and answer soberly and humbly the three Kwanzaa questions: 1) Who am I;  2) Am I really who I say I am; and, 3) Am I all I ought to be? And it is a time to recommit ones self to the highest ideals of what it means to be both African and human in the fullest sense.  We all need to honor and hold special the many cultural celebrations of this world. Kwanzaa is one of those special celebrations.  All of us start 2008 with high expectations of an unforgettable year of special moments with our loving family and friends. Here’s to every aspect of your magnificent life coming true in 2008!  Until next time…I remain, your humble East Bay Real Estate lifestyle detective.

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Our family sends you Holiday greetings and best wishes for 2008!

This is the time of year that all of us spend time with family and friends, and remembering the many blessings that we receive each day.  One of my wishes for you today is that it is not a time that is only focused on a few days in December, but actually everyday.  There are so many grateful moments that we need to pay attention to each day!  There are people to love, to serve, and even to just listen to that will improve whatever condition they are in.  There is a quote I really like, “If you are wondering if your mission in life is complete, it is not if you are still alive.”  Below is a prayer that we will be using at our Holiday celebration dinner.  Make a copy of it and review it from time to time.  It means a lot to us.

Dear God, this is the Season of getting together with our loved ones; feast, toast, enjoy the blessings of life - and give thanks.  Thanks for life all around us, under foot, and overhead.

Thanks for the ability to remember the things that we love as well as to forget how much we’ve been hurt. Thanks for fine young bodies and old, venerable minds; for sun on our faces, the rain on the roof, and the food on the table grown by people we don’t even know.  

Thanks that the jets overhead aren’t dropping their bombs, that our healing hands have a place to practice, that children are born every minute of the day, and that death is there to gather us up at the end. And thanks for at least a few days a year when we all take the time to get some perspective.

We send you our very best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season with your dear family and friends!  We are in a time in history that is allow all of us to rediscover what is truly important in our lives.  It is certainly not “things”.  It is our relationship to each other and to humanity.  If you have a “loaf of bread” this Season, be sure to give a slice.  Until next time…

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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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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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Talk with your kids about what is going on in our crazy and scary economy.  They have fears, too.  They need to be addressed!

No matter if you think you are an empty nester or not, you are NOT! We have three kids in college at this time. Yikes!  ( You now know why we are so highly movitated to continue to evolve two very profitable real estate companies.)  Well, two of our three kids surprised us by showing up at home on Friday. They are both in college in Santa Barbara  so they carpooled home. We asked them why they came home for 48 hours? Their first answer was because they needed to do laundry and they were out of detergent. ( It is a six hour drive for them to get to the Bay Area so we know that was not the real reason.)

They ended up just hanging out with us for the two days. During our many conversation they asked a lot of questions about what is going on with our real estate business, because our success is important to funding their college costs. It was an amazing time of dealing with our kids’ concerns about the economy and their concern about us and our success. They wanted to check in and find out if we were OK. We let them know that not only are we OK, we are thriving, but it is taking seven days a week of intense lead generating and client services.

They asked the $64,000 question just before they left to drive back down to school about an hour ago. “Mom and Dad, what do you suggest WE do regarding our future plans for our careers?  Should we wait a bit and apply for corporate interviews after this economic crisis has subsided?”   I gave them an old quote from Napolean Hill  that has served us well. I hope you find it useful, too.

“Do not wait to take action! The time will never be “just right”. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command. Better tools will be found as you go along.”

It was a very inspiring time to spend time with our kids who our the future leaders of our country’s economic success. They thanked us for spending time with them.  And…as they were walking out the door they turned and said, “Could you loan us about $100 for gas money?”  ( Have you EVER had your kid pay you back for the LOANS that you gave them for gas money? And, yes, I gave them five $20. )   We loved to see them and can’t wait for our next time with our kids. The condition of being empty nesters is really fun, but we have to admit we miss the “joyful noise” that is in our home when they are home. Until next time…DON”T WAIT! Take action now in ALL aspects of your lives.  Contact me anytime for your real estate needs!

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Last night Keller Williams Realty - Danville and The Bay Area Team celebrated the grand opening of their brand new office at the Rose Garden Center!

What a night!!!  The East Bay community was out in mass last night celebrating the grand opening of Keller Williams - Danville’s  new expanded location at The Rose Garden Center  The Bay Area Team,  owned by Jim Walberg and Ann Marie Nugent,  has been a part of Keller Williams Realty for almost four years as they continue to expand their real estate resource center.  They have been serving the real estate needs of the East Bay community for over 30 years.  It felt like the Academy Awards last night because of the excitement of all those who attended.

Keller Williams Realty has only been in the local real estate scene in the East Bay for about seven years - a relative new kid on the block.  However, since they arrived, they have evolved into one the preeminent real estate brands in the Bay Area.  Keller Williams is the fastest growing real estate company in North America ranking fourth among the national brokerages.  They have over 76,000 Realtors at 665+ market centers.  The growth of Keller Williams in the East Bay has been nothing but extraordinary!  Since their Danville office came to town five years ago they out grew their location at the corner of El Cerro and freeway 680, with almost 200 Realtors as part of their Market Center!

The impact they have had in serving the real estate needs of the East Bay has been so dramatic that the East Bay Business Times last year awarded the company “East Bay’s Real Estate Company Of The Year!”  This honor is reserved for company who has demonstrated the significant market share in the region, an extraordinary customer service model, and a commitment to serving the greater needs of the local community.

Jim and Ann Marie have distinguished themselves within their industry and are leaders in their various business disciplines;  Fine Homes & Estates;  Relocation - local,  national and international;   “Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate”;   “Baby Boomer” - Second & Third Homes - locally and internationally;  Fractional Deeded Ownership real estate - United States, Caribbean, Southeast Asia;  Empty Nesters & Seniors;  International Investors;  First Time Home Buyers;  and, For Sale By Owners.   They have also received many industry awards acknowledging their commitment to their community, some of which are,  Realtor Of The Year  three times, Top Team - Keller Williams Realty- Danville  Rotarian Of The Year, and Northern California’s Community Service Award.

There is great excitement at Keller Williams Realty and The Bay Area Team as they have opened a new chapter of the expansion of their real estate services to the East Bay.  During these stormy economic times they are constantly focused on being the local “lighthouse” for their clients -  remembering that real estate markets are ALWAYS local no matter what the doom and gloom the National media may be printing.  In the midst of this moment of celebration, the mantra of the day is, “Do not be fearful!”   Jim and Ann Marie are so grateful for the support of the army of “raving fan” clients and friends who continue to seek out their real estate services.  Until next time…contact me today  with any of your real estate needs or questions.

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