Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, says he doesn’t think that anyone should give campaign donations to politicians, specifically member of Congress and the President “…until a fair, bipartisan deal is reached that sets our nation on stronger long-term fiscal footing”. In addition, he said, “Our companies are going to hire. We are going to accelerate growth, employment, and investment in jobs.”Warren Buffett wrote an op-ed piece that was published in The New York Times on Sunday in which he complained that the rich, including Warren, himself, are not being taxed enough. In part, Buffett said, “Americans are rapidly losing faith in the ability of Congress to deal with our country’s fiscal problems.” He went on the say, “My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.”F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.” Well that would certain apply to Mr. Buffett, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals and Mr. Schultz whose income was reported to be $22 million in 2010. Yet both of them understand the necessity for limits on spending combined with additional revenue in order to bring the country’s debt woes under control. In addition, Mr. Schultz pledges to do his part to increase employment which is another key to lifting the nation out of its economic doldrums.They get my early vote for cover of Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue.

This Thursday, July 22^nd, from 5:30 to 8:30, the second summer street party will be held in downtown Hayward, Ca. Stop thinking about buying or selling real estate for a few hours and relax and enjoy yourself. “B” Street will be closed between Foothill and Mission Boulevards as an assortment of western themed attractions, activities, and booths take over. Treat the kids (old and young) to pony and wagon rides and meet Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen Danielle Williams.

Music will be provided by the aptly named California Cowboys and the Diehards. Classic cars and hot rods will share street space with food and craft vendors. There will be jugglers, face painters and games for the kids. The cost of admission…FREE!

I plan to attend so don’t call me about your Hayward real estate plans tomorrow evening.

I was recently visiting a house in Fremont that our real estate team was about to put on the market. It is a short sale. As I was headed for my car, the neighbor from next door hailed me. He asked if I had a couple of minutes to spare to talk to him. In the real estate business, you never say “no” when a neighbor wants to chat. Maybe it is a new listing opportunity. Maybe he has a friend or relative who has always wanted to live in the neighborhood and is a prospect to buy the real estate that we are selling. Of course I wanted to talk to him but the conversation surprised me.

He wanted to know if there was a way that he could know that the new buyers of the house were “legitimate”. I did not understand the nature of his concern. He told me of an experience that a friend of his had related to him. The friend lived next door to a house that went up for sale. In due time, new neighbors introduced themselves. They seemed like nice folks and were welcomed to the neighborhood. The problem, as it turned out, was that those folks were not the new owners. In fact, the house had not sold. The “new neighbors” had simply moved in and taken occupancy. They were squatters!

The neighbor of the Fremont house that we are listing was concerned that a similar scenario might unfold next door to him and his family. I assured him that was highly unlikely because the owner planned to stay in the house until it is sold. It is not going to sit empty and become a target for takeover by squatters.

It is a shame that a neighbor, or neighborhood, has to worry about an issue like this. Truth is that we know that it happens from time to time. Whether in Fremont or elsewhere as foreclosed houses sit empty and seemingly abandoned, they become targets for those who are looking for a free place to stay. What happens to and in these squatter-occupied houses certainly does not enhance the quality of a neighborhood.

We have long known that high performing schools drive real estate values upwards in the areas around those schools. In the Mission San Jose School District of Fremont, Ca. a buyer will pay more for their new home than they will for a similar home in surrounding communities or even other parts of Fremont. Why? A recent newspaper article in the San Jose Mercury proudly points to the highe number of high performing elementary schools in Santa Clara County and the Peninsula. What the article does not mention is that the list of the top ten elementary schools ranked by API scores includes two schools in the Mission San Jose School District of Fremont.

Yes…if you want to have a great public school education and live in a neighborhood where your home value is boyed by the excellent neighborhood schools, real estate in Fremont, Ca. is a good choice.

The Medford Team covers the East Bay, including Pleasanton, Fremont, Danville, Newark, San Ramon, Livermore, Union City, Hayward, Dublin, San Leandro and other nearby cities.

Anti-Deficiency Protection Almost There: On Thursday, August 19, the California Senate approved SB1178.  This bill extends anti-deficiency protections to homeowners who refinanced their mortgages, but didn’t take any cash out, and are now facing foreclosure.According to C.A.R. under existing law, if a homeowner defaults on a mortgage used to purchase a home, the home owner’s liability on the mortgage is limited to the property itself.  However, homeowners who refinanced the original purchase debt, even if only to obtain a lower interest rate, were not extended the same protections. C.A.R. sponsored SB 1178 to close this loophole and extend foreclosure protections to consumers who refinance their home loans but don’t take cash out as part of the refinance.

SB 1178 still must be signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.

Information provided by David C. Stark, Public Affairs Director, Bay East Association of REALTORS, Pleasanton, Ca.

Helping my clients to buy or sell thier house is what I spend most of my time doing. But life is not all about real estate. Next weekend is the Good Guys Summer Get-Together custom car and hot rod show and swap at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, Ca. The event runs August 27, 28, and 29th.

We will soon find out. The verdict is in for the Johannes Mehserle trial being held in Los Angeles.

Fear of civil unrest following the announcement of the verdict is causing the Alameda County Recorder’s Office to close until the coast is clear. No one knows if this will really happen or, if it does, how long the closure will be in place. This raises the specter that transactions will not close on time because deeds will not be recorded, property will not be transferred and new loans will not close.

We live in interesting times.

It has been a good Christmas Season. I just got back from two days away visiting family in the Sierra foothills. Cold, but no snow. Warm inside with great-grandparents, grandparents (me included), parents and children all gathered for the holiday fun and joy. Lots of good food and love in several helpings. I got my share of both.

Back to work now. I am looking forward to a busy week before the New Year rolls in. This used to be considered a dead time in real estate. Not anymore. With the local market being dominated by lender controlled short sales and REOs and buyers hungering for good properties or, at least, well-priced properties the market in Fremont, Newark, Livermore, Pleasanton, Union City, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and all of Alameda County is fast moving, vibrant, and challenging for buyers. Buyers who are properly approved for necessary financing, well coached by their Realtor and perseverant will get the home that meets their needs.

My long-time friend, Don Signer, has set up a web page and started a blog. The first entry makes me sad. Don is the owner of Signer Buick-Cadillac in Newark, Ca. The only Buick-Cadillac sales point ever in the Fremont, Newark, and Union City area. I was manager of a bank in Fremont when I first met Don. I think it was 1982 or 83. Don, with a partner, was opening up a new Buick dealership in Fremont. It was a time when foreign-made cars sold strongly and American-made cars did not. (Some things never change.) Don was frequently required to answer questions about the wisdom of opening a Buick dealership. He had been raised in a family that sold G.M. cars. He believed in the brand. He stayed true to his beliefs. His business succeeded. He bought out his partner. He moved to a new, larger location for his dealership. He also added Cadillac to the Buick line of cars. 

Don succeeded. He made a living. He became part of the Fremont community. He became active in the Chamber of Commerce. He has been president of his Rotary Club. His roots are planted in our community. Fast-forward to the present. We all know that G.M. has had its share of problems. G.M.’s problems have caused problems with many other business and individuals across our nation. G.M. decided that Signer Buick-Cadillac could no longer be a G.M. dealer. 

Whether it’s loss of a house due to foreclosure, loss of a job due to a business trying to cut expenses, or the total loss of a business, itself, our economy has been unkind to many in the last few years. The City of Newark, Ca. will suffer the loss of sales tax that was generated by Signer Buick-Cadillac. The employees who have lost their jobs will no longer have the salary that was paid by the dealership to spend in Fremont, Newark and Union City.

Check out Don’s site at www.DonSigner.com.

So…how does this relate to real estate in Fremont, Newark, Union City or any other nearby towns…Pleasanton…Livermore…San Ramon…Danville…Milpitas…and others? Don is a homeowner. Many of his employees are homeowners. It is naive to think that, among all those who are directly affected by the closing of Signer Buick-Cadillac that no one will have personal financial difficulties due to their job loss. Maybe someone will sell their house that they can no longer afford. Maybe someone else will be subject to a short sale, or worse, a foreclosure.

My best wishes go out to Don and to all of his employees.