Just a quick note to let you know how we can help anyone you might refer to us.

Blythe and Chris bought their first home seven years ago. Since then they’d added two daughters to their family, and that once-spacious home was feeling very cramped. They wanted to move into a larger home, but believed the only way they could afford it was if Chris worked a second job. They hated the idea of Chris being gone even more and seemed resigned to staying put.

What Blythe and Chris didn’t know was how much the value of their current home had increased. We were able to get them a full-price offer on their home and help them move into a larger home, still within their budget — and without Chris taking on a second job. A week after closing Chris called and said, “I didn’t realize how much Blythe hated my being gone so much. I think you saved my marriage!”
Dave & Carla Higgins, Your Real Estate Consultants For Lifewww.DaveAndCarla.com, 510-595-7699
PS: Do you know a growing family that’s ready for a larger home but not sure they can afford it? Please give us their name and we’ll contact them. Thanks!

Ok, We hear it from First-Time Buyers all the time "I would love to buy that home in Oakland's wonderful neighborhood of Rockridge but I need to save more money for my down payment.
Saving for a down payment can be a bit more complicated but here are some tips to help along with the process.
Money
Saving money might be as easy as saying “CFL” the next time you purchase light bulbs.

“CFL” stands for “compact fluorescent lamp,” but it’s actually a light bulb that operates differently from a regular, or incandescent light bulb. Regular bulbs create light by heating a filament inside the bulb; the heat makes the filament white-hot, producing the light you see. A CFL contains a gas that produces invisible ultraviolet (UV) light when the gas is “excited” by electricity. The UV light hits the white coating inside the
fluorescent bulb and the coating changes it into light you can see.

Now, don’t confuse a CFL with those overhead fluorescent tube lights in your office or dentist’s waiting room. CFLs are light bulbs made in different sizes and shapes to fit in standard household light sockets such as table lamps, ceiling fixtures and backyard lights. What isn’t standard is the performance of various CFLs; according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Web site, you should look for ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs because they’ve been tested to meet stringent performance criteria established by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.

So, how does an ENERGY STAR CFL save you money?

· It uses at least two-thirds less energy than a regular bulb to provide the same amount of light, and can save $30 or more in energy costs over the bulb’s lifetime.
· It lasts up to 10 times longer.
· It generates 70% less heat than a regular light bulb, which can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.

Need another reason to say “CFL”? If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR CFL, we’d save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

The Internet has a wealth of information about CFLs; a good place to start is by going to http://energystar.custhelp.com and doing a search for CFL. In Canada, visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar and click the “Switch and Save” icon.

Wehad some clients moving from Kensington to Piedmont and they were very concerned about making the move as stress freeon their children. We found this article and passed it on to them and thought you might find this useful as well.
Prepare Your Kids For Moving
Moving from house to house, city-to-city, state-to-state, or even country-to-country is stressful on everyone, especially children. Each year, about 13 million children relocate, and most of these kids struggle with the transition. Think about it: the parents are extra busy, meaning the children are receiving less attention. Their entire world is about to change, and they may loss all of their friends, their comfortable daily routine, part of their identity, and everything familiar. Did they even get a say as to whether or not you should move? Maybe they are now going to have to miss their championship soccer game or their long-awaited prom. Are you separating them from their boyfriend or girlfriend? If the move is accompanied by either a divorce or death, then the child will struggle to transition all the more. Here are some basic steps to help your child transition.1. EXPLAIN & LISTEN: Even though you as a parent are being pulled in all different directions, one of your top priorities needs to be your children. No matter what the age of your child, you will have to devote special time and energy into helping them with this moving transition. The first step to helping your child transition is very logical – take time to both explain the move thoroughly and listen to your child thoroughly. Make sure you answer all their questions. Be receptive to both positive and negative reactions. Remember that just because this move may benefit them, all they see are the losses. Allow your child to hurt. 2. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: I’m not talking about the child – but YOU! You need to keep a positive attitude around your children throughout the entire transition period. You may be stressed. You may not even like the fact that you are moving. However, for the benefit of your child, keep a positive attitude about the situation. During this transition, your moods and attitudes will communicate one of two things: uncertainty and insecurity, or assurance, confidence and hope. 3. INVOLVE YOUR CHILD: If you’re just moving across town, make sure you take your child to visit. Explain which room will be theirs. Ask them which color they would like their room; this will help the child take ownership and feel like a part of the decision process. On moving day, give your child a badge that states their responsibility, such as “pet control” or “beverage go-getter.” Advice for Children Under the Age of 6Children under the age of six may be the easiest to move since they have limited capacity to understand what is going on. They will still need guidance. The following steps will help the ease the transition process for your youngster.
Keep your explanations clear and simple.
Talk about the move every night when the time to move gets relatively near. Try using a story to explain the move. Tell the story at bedtime. Tell the story on the way to the grocery store. Then while the move is happening, refer back to the story you told. Ask them what happened in the story. But remember be honest. Help your child understand that they will not be seeing their friends and babysitters very much anymore. This will enable your child to say the necessary goodbyes.
When you are packing your child’s toys, make sure that you explain that they are just putting them away. If your children have a vivid imagination, tell them that their toys are sleeping for a little while.
Familiarize them with the new house. If your home is nearby and you take your toddler to see the house, grab a few toys for the ride. Leave the toys at the new house. If you go again, do the same thing. If the house is far away, get a few pictures to show them. Explain where their swing set will go.
Consider keeping the child’s old furniture for at least a few months for it may provide a sense of comfort and familiarity amongst the ciaos.
Do not try to potty train or switch a child from a crib to a bed during this major transition period.
If you can, on moving day, have the child either go to preschool, stay with a babysitting, or at least have a family member come and entertain your child. This will relieve you to answer countless questions and run tons of errands.
If there is something that your child has wanted for awhile, wait until after the move. This will give your child something to look forward too.
Make sure that you leave out a few toys for your child to play with as the house is being packed, or you will be trying to answer endless questions while entertaining your child.
Once you get to your new house, unpack the toys first and get their room situated as quickly as possible.
Advice for Moving with Elementary-Age ChildrenChildren who have to change their home and school all at once need serious time and energy throughout the transition. To this day, the debate, whether it’s better to change schools during the summer or during the mid-point of the year, is still not solved. So no matter which time frame you choose, make sure you talk over all the details with the school your child’s leaving and the school your child’s joining to eliminate any glitches that would further complicate the move for your child. Gather any information from the school your child’s leaving that the school your child will be attending may need, such as report cards, birth certificates, medical records, transcripts, and test scores.
During the move, give the elementary age child two disposable cameras and tell them to be in charge of taking pictures. Designate one of the cameras for the moving out and saying goodbye process. Designate the other camera for the moving into the new house and meeting the new neighbors. Advice for Moving with TeensTeens struggle the most, out of all the ages, with moving. In fact, many will out rightly rebel against the move. Do not get angry or discouraged yet. Put yourself in their shoes: they probably invested a significant amount of time and energy into their friend groups, job, and girlfriend/boyfriend. And depending on when you choose to move, they may miss playing a varsity sport their senior year, acting in an upcoming play, or participating in the marching band. Parents often make the mistake of making their teen feel that their concerns, fears, and objections are invalid and unimportant. You obviously do not want to communicate this to your teen! Allow your teen to be angry. Ask yourself a few questions: did I make this decision without their opinion? Did I make my child feel like their opinion didn’t matter? What is my child losing? When you talk with your teen, make sure you are not trying to calm their fears and objections with blanket assurances like we will have a bigger house, you will go to a better school, and dad will be making more money. You will make your teen feel unheard. If your teen is extremely upset about missing an event, make the necessary sacrifice in order to get them back for that event. Maybe they could finish out the school year by living with a friend. Are you willing to consider that? Allow yourself to compromise. No Matter What the Age
Always take time to say good-bye. Walk through the house when it is empty and then around the yard. Say goodbye. Allow you and your children to cry.
Have a fresh pair of clothes for everyone moving in a designated and easy to reach bag. That way, if you spill something, get drenched in the rain, or airsick on the plane, you do not have to suffer.
Advice for After the Move
As stated earlier, get your child’s room in order.
Maintain a regular schedule of eating meals together
Try and keep the same bedtime routines.
Take walks around the new neighborhood with your child.

We all know how hard it is to hear that you need to list your home at a lower price than you had hoped for.The truth of the matter is that we are in a declining market (Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Alameda all over the Bay Area) with interest rates starting to rise so timing is not on our side.
Reasons to Price Correctly
TIME Chances are your home will sell at its fair market value. Pricing it correctly at the outset simply increases the likelihood for getting the most money in the shortest time with the fewest hassles.
COMPETITION Buyers educate themselves by viewing homes on the market. They know what a good price is. If your home is not priced competitively in value with those they have seen, it won’t sell. Buyers typically look at home within a $10-25K price range. If your home is not priced within the correct range, it very likely will not be exposed to its potential or targeted buyers.
REPUTATION Overpricing causes most homes to remain on the market too long. Buyers, aware of a long exposure period, are often hesitant to make an offer because they fear "something is wrong" with the house. Often homes that are on the market for a long time eventually sell for less than their fair market value. This is another poor strategy.

INCONVENIENCE If overpricing keeps your home from selling promptly, you can end up owning two homes - the one you've already purchased and the one you're trying to sell. This can prove costly and worrisome, as well as inconvenient.

Labels: Correct Pricing

407 Orange, Oakland, CA 94610 (Adams Point)
$399,000.00


Stunning Adams Point Condo
Condo
Beds: 2
Baths: 2
Sq. Ft.: 1331
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Day Care
Elementary School
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Close to shopping
Near highway/freeway
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Property Details:Stunning corner unit condo in move-in condition enjoys spaciousness, a beautiful interior. Conveniently located in Adams Point, in a well maintained, secure building, benefits from residing next to the greenbelt. Wonderful appointments, including a large dining room, living room, with a handsome, wood burning fireplace for romantic interludes, an inviting master bedroom suite with plenty of room for storage, an updated kitchen, perfect for entertaining guests, and a cozy deck to enjoy the outdoors. For more indoor enjoyment there are dual pane Anderson windows. All this and more, only a short distance from Lake Merritt, theatres, bistros and shops.

Life Changing Books That We Recommend
You Can Change YOUR Paradigm Today!
Have A More Fulfilling Life, Begin Reading These Life Changing Books Today!
Every now and then a book comes along that can change your life for the better.

We want you to know about just that kind of book.
We dream big and want all of our clients, associates and employees to have a more fulfilling life.
That is why we want to share with you select books that can help you achieve that.
Here are the latest “must read” books:
The Prayer Of Jabez - Bruce Wilkinson
The Dream Giver - Bruce Wilkinson
The Purpose - Driven Life - Rick Warren
The Travelers Gift - Andy Andrews
Good to Great - Jim Collins
Choosing To Cheat - Andy Stanley
How Good Is Good Enough - Andy Stanley
Visioning - Andy Stanley
The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership - John C. Maxwell
The 8th Habit - Stephen Covey
Thinking for a Change - John C. Maxwell
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

If you have a recommendation for a life changing book that may help others achieve a more fulfilling life -

How to Sell a House that Didn't Sell
Why Most Homes Listed for Sale Don't Sell and What to Do About It
If your home has just come off the market and hasn't sold, don't be discouraged. The reason your home did not sell may have nothing to do with your home or the market. In reality, your home may have been one of the more desirable properties for sale.
So Why Didn't Your Home Sell?
Last year almost half of the homes listed for sale never sold at all, and many sellers found that there was a tremendous amount a homeowner needed to be educated on to sell their home for top dollar in the shortest time period.
Don't risk making the wrong choices and losing both time and money on your investment. Before you hire a real estate agent, know the right questions to ask to save you time and money.
Industry experts have prepared a free special report called "How to Sell a House that Didn't Sell" which educates you on the issues involved.
Order this report NOW to make sure your home sells the next time you list it for sale
go to http://www.daveandcarla.com/ to order this report or call us at 510-595-7699

525 MANDANA BLVD #402OAKLAND, CA 94610 PENDING
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Stunning rooftop penthouse with pano views of Lake Merritt! Chic new kitchen w/stainless appliances and handsome granite, large living area w/fireplace, office, stunning master w/remodeled bath. Rooftop patio, 2nd view deck, keyed elevator, adjacent to Grand & Lakeshore retail 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bath(s) 1,810 Est. Sq. Ft. Listing # 40269005 $699,000

Have you ever met anyone who always has EVERYTHING going wrong with them? Health issues, Relationship issues, Financial issues... Etc??? Whenever you mention anything they always find the negative slant.... Ok, so maybe it is best to not hang around negative people like that but sometimes they are family members and you have no choice.... On the flip side, have you ever met anyone that no matter what their circumstances they always find a positive way to look at their situation?? What is the difference between these two people? The way they choose to look at things in their lives
Isn't it amazing how our thoughts create our own reality?? I have been thinking a lot about this lately.... We can have negative things happen to us but it truly is our choice on how to react to the actions that happen to us....I have been trying to focus almost soley on positive thoughts for that last couple months and guess what??? I can't remember the last time I had more fun.... have more energy and enjoy my beautiful children, Kylie 3 and Lola 1 and really have been enjoy real estate more as well...
Anyway, all it takes is focusing on the positive in life as opposed to the negative that comes into my life... It takes some practice but I wish I had practiced this more earlier in my life.

We recently had some clients that were interested in a home in the Haddon Hill Section of Oakland. They had just started their search but fell inlove with this home immediately. They had to work quick to get pre-approved as there were other people also interested in making offers on the property as well.
24 Hour Loan Approval: 6 Questions Answered
"... the Mortgage Application Process Has Changed, Get the Inside Track .."
Mortgage regulations have changed significantly over the last few years, making your options wider than ever. Subtle changes in the way you approach mortgage shopping, and even small differences in the way you structure your mortgage, can cost or save you literally thousands of dollars and years of expense.
Get the Right Information Whether you are about to buy your first home (Berkeley,Oakland,Albany,Alameda?) or are planning to make a move to your next home, it is critical that you be informed about the factors involved.
Recent changes in the way in which mortgage loans are approved now makes it possible to get your loan approved very rapidly. Why go through the long, outdated process if you don’t have to? "24 Hour Loan Approval: 6 Questions Answered" will provide you with an understanding of the process and benefits of rapid mortgage loan approval.
How Does It Work?
It used to be that all mortgages were put through the long process of manual approval. Today there is a process of computerized approval which can be done very quickly. The benefit is not wondering for weeks whether your loan is approved. You are also able to close on your home more quickly and with less hassle.
Does Everyone Qualify?
Everyone qualifies to go through the computerized process, but not every person will get approved. In some cases your loan will be "referred" to the manual underwriting process. Even in these cases it’s helpful, as it provides valuable insight.
What Is Required To Get Started?
As soon as you have completed the application process your loan can proceed to the approval stage. An answer comes back as to whether the mortgage loan is approved or not. If your loan isn’t approved, your broker can work with you to make changes that may help you gain approval through the computerized process.
Are There Other Uses Of This Technology?
Yes, there are! Probably the best example of these uses is the ability to get pre-approved for your home purchase in this same short time frame.
What Are The Benefits?
One of the leading reasons that real estate transactions fail to close is that the mortgage loan runs into difficulty after the final loan commitment date. Learning about potential problems early allows more time to resolve them. Why risk your hard earned money and time finding the property? Use a mortgage broker who has this ability.
How Soon Will I Be Able To Close My Mortgage?
If your mortgage loan is approved through this process, it is possible to close very quickly. Ask your mortgage broker to assess your unique situation and provide you with your specific timeline.

3262 Louise Street, Oakland, CA 94608 (Oakland)
$625,000.00


Stunning Free Standing Condo - 3 Levels
Condo
Beds: 3
Baths: 3
Sq. Ft.: 1764
More details

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Locate Near By:
Day Care
Elementary School
Hospital
High School
Restaurant
Shopping Mall
Other GO
Close to shopping
Near highway/freeway
Public transportation access
In-suite laundry
Eat-in kitchen
Fireplace
Ceramic tiles flooring
Security system
Walk-in closet
Ceiling fans
Balcony
Patio/deck
2-car garage
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Chef's Kitchen

Open Space, 11 ft ceilings

French doors to enclosed terra

Master Bedroom

Balcony

Freestanding 3 story condo
Property Details:Fabulous two year old 3 story condo, with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. Loads of stunning designer finishes, a gorgeous open living space with bamboo floors, 2 zone radiant heat, chef’s kitchen w/ butcher block and granite counters, new stainless steel appliances. Light filled great room with 11 ft ceilings, wainscoting, crown molding, a detailed fireplace with ceramic surround, has French doors that open onto the patio. The spacious master bedroom is adjoined by a huge master bath, dual sinks, Jacuzzi tub, with sep stall shower and ceramic floors. Laundry rm comes w/ front loading washer/dryer. Plus room, skylights, 2 car garage.

920 NORVELL STEL CERRITO, CA 94530
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Spectacular & gracefully remodeled to the highest standards. Smoothly rounded corners, coffered cieling, arches, and custom built-ins. Unique river stone fireplace, beautifully remodeled eat-in kitchen, sunny private rear yard and attached garage. 2 Bedrooms1 Bathrooms 891 Est. Sq. Ft. Listing # 40281119
$599,000

We received these....
Always nice to hear nice reviews

We cannot speak highly enough of our realtor Amy Loughran !!! She is an Alameda Mom of twin boys, has wonderful friendly demeanor, smart, and honest(in a sea of shark types-a rare find). She has been in the bay area for over 15 years and knows all the different neighborhoods. (She drove us around everywhere and was able to tell us about countless neighborhoods and schools-we moved here from Seattle.She is always calm and professional in tough negotiations. She is the one to call to get it done (510)295-9633, Amy's cell phone. She is terrific! mailto:amygorman@alamedanet.net

I read the most recent recommendation for Dave and Carla Higgins (daveandcarla.com) and had to chime in. Their expertise was invaluable when we moved this summer. Our old home, which only a year ago had languished on the market for over two months with no offers before we gave up and took it off the market, sold for asking price in just two weeks thanks to Dave and Carla's aggressive marketing strategy. If this wasn't impressive enough, their shrewd skills of negotiation resulted not only in buying our wonderful new house for asking price, but also getting $25K back from the sellers to finish the section one work. They also were quite helpful in referring us to reputable contractors to complete the necessary work before moving in. Dave and Carla were great to work with: very personable and energetic, and we would recommend them to any friend looking for a top-notch real estate sales team. Deirdre

We had a couple clients 1 in Rockridge and 1 in Adams point in Oakland that recently asked us for advice on hiring a financial planner.
Here is an article that we found that gives tips on this.
10 Questions To Ask When Choosing A Financial Planner
These questions will help you interview and evaluate several financial planners to find the one that’s right for you. You will want to select a competent, qualified professional with whom you feel comfortable, one whose business style suits your financial planning needs. An interview checklist has been included for your convenience.
1. What experience do you have?
Find out how long the planner has been in practice and the number and types of companies with which she has been associated. Ask the planner to briefly describe her work experience and how it relates to her current practice. Choose a financial planner who has a minimum of three years experience counseling individuals on their financial needs.
2. What are your qualifications?
The term "financial planner" is used by many financial professionals. Ask the planner what qualifies him to offer financial planning advice and whether he holds a financial planning designation such as the Certified Financial Planner mark. Look for a planner who has proven experience in financial planning topics such as insurance, tax planning, investments, estate planning or retirement planning. Determine what steps the planner takes to stay current with changes and developments in the financial planning field. If the planner holds a financial planning designation, check on his background with the CFP Board or other relevant professional organizations.
3. What services do you offer?
The services a financial planner offers depend on a number of factors including credentials, licenses and areas of expertise. Financial planners cannot sell insurance or securities products such as mutual funds or stocks without the proper licenses, or give investment advice unless registered with state or Federal authorities. Some planners offer financial planning advice on a range of topics but do not sell financial products. Others may provide advice only in specific areas such as estate planning or on tax matters.
4. What is your approach to financial planning?
Ask the financial planner about the type of clients and financial situations she typically likes to work with. Some planners prefer to develop one plan by bringing together all of your financial goals. Others provide advice on specific areas, as needed. Make sure the planner’s viewpoint on investing is not too cautious or overly aggressive for you. Some planners require you to have a certain net worth before offering services. Find out if the planner will carry out the financial recommendations developed for you or refer you to others who will do so.
5. Will you be the only person working with me?
The financial planner may work with you himself or have others in the office assist him. You may want to meet everyone who will be working with you. If the planner works with professionals outside his own practice (such as attorneys, insurance agents or tax specialists) to develop or carry out financial planning recommendations, get a list of their names to check on their backgrounds.
6. How will I pay for your services?
As part of your financial planning agreement, the financial planner should clearly tell you in writing how she will be paid for the services to be provided. Planners can be paid in several ways:
a salary paid by the company for which the planner works. The planner’s employer receives payment from you or others, either in fees or commissions, in order to pay the planner’s salary.
fees based on an hourly rate, a flat rate, or on a percentage of your assets and/or income.
commissions paid by a third party from the products sold to you to carry out the financial planning recommendations. Commissions are usually a percentage of the amount you invest in a product.
a combination of fees and commissions whereby fees are charged for the amount of work done to develop financial planning recommendations and commissions are received from any products sold. In addition, some planners may offset some portion of the fees you pay if they receive commissions for carrying out their recommendations.
7. How much do you typically charge?
While the amount you pay the planner will depend on your particular needs, the financial planner should be able to provide you with an estimate of possible costs based on the work to be performed. Such costs would include the planner’s hourly rates or flat fees or the percentage he would receive as commission on products you may purchase as part of the financial planning recommendations.
8. Could anyone besides me benefit from your recommendations?
Some business relationships or partnerships that a planner has could affect her professional judgment while working with you, inhibiting the planner from acting in your best interest. Ask the planner to provide you with a description of her conflicts of interest in writing. For example, financial planners who sell insurance policies, securities or mutual funds have a business relationship with the companies that provide these financial products. The planner may also have relationships or partnerships that should be disclosed to you, such as business she receives for referring you to an insurance agent, accountant or attorney for implementation of planning suggestions.
9. Have you ever been publicly disciplined for any unlawful or unethical actions in your professional career?
Several government and professional regulatory organizations, keep records on the disciplinary history of financial planners and advisers. Ask what organizations the planner is regulated by, and contact these groups to conduct a background check.
10. Can I have it in writing?
Ask the planner to provide you with a written agreement that details the services that will be provided. Keep this document in your files for future reference.

We have gotten a few calls from clients about Homeowners Insurance since we added our last Blog on it.
Here is an article that we found on how your credit rating can affect your Homeowners Insurance policy.


How Your Credit Affects Your Homeowners Insurance
If you've researched or gone through the process of getting a home loan, you know how important it is to have a good credit history. But did you know insurance companies also use your credit habits in determining whether they'll provide you with insurance and how much you'll pay?
Insurance companies have traditionally used many factors in determining how much of a risk you are to get into an accident or incur losses resulting in claims.
For example, insurers will look at your driving record and how long you've been driving when you seek auto insurance. Likewise, when you apply for homeowners insurance, they'll look at the age, size, and construction of your home.
Through the years insurers have found a person's credit information to be a highly accurate predictor of risk, according to the Insurance Information Institute, a non-profit organization supported by the property and casualty insurance business.
While insurers look at the same factors as lenders, they weigh each factor differently.
"The biggest difference is that insurance risk scores look for stability, but credit risk scores look for a reliable pattern," Craig Watts, a spokesperson for Fair, Isaac, and Co., whose insurance risk scores are used by about 300 insurers nationwide, told www.insure.com.
Insurance companies typically weigh the factors as follows, according to FIC:
30 percent: How much you owe. This typically evaluates how many accounts you have, how many have balances, and how much is owed on existing loans.
15 percent: Length of credit history. Usually the longer your credit history, the better your score on this section.
10 percent: New credit. If you've opened a lot of new accounts in a short period of time, your score will be lower. The system also takes into account how long it's been since you've opened an account. And if you had a bumpy period followed by a strong payment history, it will be considered favorably.
35 percent: Payment history. You'll score high here if you make your payments on time and you don't have any bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens, or the like. If you have made late payments in the past, your score will reflect how frequently you were late and how late you were - in the eyes of insurance companies 90 days is viewed as much riskier than 60 days.
10 percent: Types of credit. This will factor in your credit mix - retail accounts, installment loans, credit cards, finance companies, etc.
"Insurance scores are also more interested in how regularly you pay than in how much you already owe," Watts said.
Credit scoring is usually an advantage for those who have stellar credit histories because it can mean lower rates. It can also be advantageous to those who have a good history but may have filed claims in the past.
If you have a wobbly credit history, you can work on cleaning it up by:
Requesting a copy of your report and making sure it's accurate.
Keeping your balances low.
Paying off your debt.
Making payments on time.
Refraining from opening new accounts.
Re-establishing credit if you've had problems in the past - but do so responsibly.
Contacting a legitimate credit counselor, like Consumer Credit Counseling Services.
Knowing that closing an account doesn't wipe it from your credit history.
And if your credit score has bumped up your insurance rates or if you're looking for ways to reduce how much you pay for homeowners insurance, you can begin by shopping around and comparing rates. You can also lower your premiums by raising your deductible amounts. Written by Michele Dawson

Labels: Homeowners Insurance

771 KINGSTON AVE #401OAKLAND, CA 94611
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Sophisticated Piedmont Ave Condo. New hardwood floors thru-out the main areas and bedrooms, chef's kit with granite slab c tops, solid cherry cabs & Italian ceramic tile floors. 2 updated baths with tumbled marble floors and new vanities, wired for sound in LR. Great city view. Open Sun 8th.2-4:30 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms 1,214 Est. Sq. Ft. Listing # 40281112
$519,000

Here in the Greater East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Albany, Alameda, Kensington, El Cerrito) Housing prices can be steep enough without additional cost to consider so these additional cost when you are considering making a home purchase.

13 Extra Costs to be Aware of Before Buying a Home
"The last thing you need are unbudgeted financial obligations cropping up hours before you take possession of your new home."
Whether you're looking to buy your first home, or trading up to a larger one, there are many costs - on top of the purchase price - that you must figure into your calculation of affordability. These extra fees, such as taxes and other additional costs, could surprise you with an unwanted financial nightmare on closing day if you're not informed and prepared.
Some of these costs are one-time fixed payments, while others represent an ongoing monthly or yearly commitment. Not all of these costs will apply in every situation, however it's better to know about them ahead of time so you can budget properly.
Remember, buying a home is a major milestone. Whether it's your first, second or tenth home, there are many important details to address, during the process. The last thing you need are unbudgeted financial obligations cropping up hours before you take possession of your new home.
Read through the following checklist to make sure you're budgeting properly for your next move.
1. Appraisal Fee
Your lending institution may request an appraisal of the property which would be your responsibility to pay for. Appraisals can vary in price from approximately $175 -$ 300.
2. Property Taxes
Depending on your down payment, your lending institution may decide to include your property taxes in your monthly mortgage payments. If your property taxes are not added to your monthly payments, your lending institution may require annual proof that your taxes have been paid.
3. Survey Fee
When the home you purchase is a resale (vs. a new home), your lending institution may ask for an updated property survey. The cost for this survey can vary between $700- $1,000.
4. Property Insurance
Home insurance covers the replacement value of your home (structure and contents). Your lending institution will request proof that you are insured as it protects their investment on the loan.
5. Service Charges
Any new utility that services your hook up, such as telephone or cable, may require an installation fee.
6. Legal Fees
Even the simplest of home purchases should have a lawyer involved to review all paperwork. Shop around, as rates vary greatly depending on the complexity of the issues and the experience of the lawyer.
7. Mortgage Loan Insurance Fee
Depending upon the equity in your home, some mortgages require mortgage loan insurance. This type of insurance will cost you between 0.5% -3.5% of the total amount of the mortgage. Usually payments are made monthly in addition to your mortgage and tax payment.
8. Mortgage Brokers Fee
A mortgage broker is entitled to charge you a fee in order to source a lender and organize the financing. However, it pays to shop around because many mortgage brokers will provide their services free to you by having the lending institution absorb the cost.
9. Moving Costs
The cost for a professional mover can cost you in the range of:
$50-$100/hour for a van and 3 movers, and
10-20% higher during peak demand seasons.
10. Maintenance Fees
Condos charge monthly fees for common area maintenance such as grounds keeping and carpet cleaning in hallways. Costs will vary depending on the building.
11. Water Quality and Quantity Certification
If the home you purchased is serviced by a well, you should consider having your water checked by your local experts. Depending upon where you live, determines whether or not a fee is charged, to certify the quantity and quality of the water.
12. Local Improvements
If the town you live in has made local improvements (such as the addition of sewers or sidewalks), this could impact a property’s taxes by thousands of dollars.
13. Land Transfer Tax
This tax is applied whenever property changes hands and the amount that is applied can vary.

July 15 (and every Sun afternoon through Aug 5): Free Annual Oakland Municipal Band Concert – Lakeside Park Bandstand
Come out and enjoy the Annual Oakland Municipal Band Concert at the Lakeside Park Bandstand, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Bring beach chair and picnic, and hear jazz, contemporary, pop, big band, international, classical, marches and show tunes.
Come on out to hear the great music!

Oakland City Council Passes Ban on Plastic Bags at Point of Sale
Last week I voted with a majority of the City Council to ban the use of plastic carry-out bags at grocery stores and other retail stores which gross more than $1million a year. The ban takes effect in January 2008 and specifically exempts restaurants. Plastic bags will still be OK for take-out food, since it there isn’t another ready alternative to keep liquids from leaking out of food containers. The new ordinance does not affect the plastic bags used to hold vegetables and fruit in the produce sections.
I think the plastic bag ban is a good first step to changing consumer behavior away from one-use disposable plastic, which is causing major environmental problems. Re-usable canvas bags will be sold in grocery stores, and the City will be promoting their use for carrying home groceries. That is already the norm in many countries, but it will definitely require a change of mind and habit for us in America where convenience is king. I am now keeping three canvas bags in my car so they’re handy if I decide to stop at the store. It takes awhile to change our habits, but remembering to bring the canvas or string bags is not that hard once you’ve done it a few times. Paper bags will also still be available in stores, but reusable bags are the real goal. The manufacture of paper bags also has negative environmental consequences, but at least they are compostable, unlike plastic.
One of the key reasons for banning the plastic bags is that they are not recyclable as a practical matter, despite what it might say on the bag. Several recycling companies testified that even if you take your plastic bag back to the store, it is highly unlikely that it will actually be recycled. Though the bags look alike, there are many different “recipes” for making the plastic so they cannot be combined to recycle in the same way. They just get put in the landfill or end up blowing around and ending up in waterways where they choke wildlife. One biologist testified that there is now a higher volume of plastic bags in the ocean than of zoo-plankton.
The plastic bag ban ordinance will take us one step closer to achieving the City’s zero waste goal. To date the City has taken major strides in expanding and improving recycling and composting services. We can easily recycle garden clippings, kitchen scraps, glass, aluminum, newspapers, magazines, cardboard and other paper products, and certain plastic containers. Now that so much can be recycled, my household garbage consists mainly of plastic packaging. That’s a big step forward in the last few years. So, I hope you’ll join me in trying to reduce plastic waste by taking your own bags with you when you shop for food.

Here is an article that we found helpful on knowing what is covered on your homeowners insurance policy.
What Your Homeowners Insurance Does, Doesn't Cover
A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover what you think it does -- not flood or earthquake damage, not stolen or damaged vehicles on your property, not a break in the water service or sewage line and not termites moving in nor pets stolen away.
Many homeowners are under the mistaken impression that a standard homeowners policy provides more insurance protection than it does and that could mean large unexpected out of pocket expenses -- when you can least afford them.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), an organization of state insurance regulators, found that 33 percent of U.S. heads of household still hold the false belief that flood damage is covered by a standard homeowners policy -- despite extensive post-Hurricane Katrina news coverage of scores of homeowners with claims turned down because they didn't have the required flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
"Many homeowners learned the hard way that their insurance policies did not provide flood protection," said Walter Bell, NAIC President and Alabama Insurance Commissioner. "As we enter the 2007 hurricane season, we strongly encourage consumers in flood-prone areas to check whether they are properly covered."
That's not all.
NAIC also found:
Sixty-eight percent who think vehicles such as cars, boats and motorcycles stolen from or damaged on their property are covered, could get run over by unexpected costs.
Fifty-one percent who think damages from a break in the water line on their property supplying water to their home are covered will be swamped in bills which they, not the insurance company, will have to pay.
Thirty-seven percent who think damages due to a break in the sewer line on their property that connects to their municipal sewer system are covered are making a really foul mistake.
About one in three who believe damages from earthquakes, mold, termites or other infestation are covered, could wind up crawling with bills.
Twenty-two percent who think pets stolen from or injured on their property are covered, should get more dogged about the truth.
Perhaps worse of all the NAIC survey revealed that 24 percent of respondents indicated their policies insured their homes for the actual cash value, while 64 percent said their policies covered the replacement cost. Another 12 percent said they did not know which type of coverage -- actual cash value or replacement cost -- they purchased.
Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to a home and its contents after depreciation. Replacement cost coverage, the better option, will cover the amount it would take to replace or rebuild a home or repair damages with materials of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation.
NAIC's InsureUOnline website offers the following tips:
Add insurance coverage as you enhance the value of your home, and acquire expensive possessions, such as furniture, computers, stereos and televisions and other electronics. Keep in mind computers and other high-end electronics may require special coverage.
Alert your insurance company when making any major home improvements that cost $5,000 or more. Update your homeowners insurance policy to reflect the new enhancements and prevent being underinsured.
Maintain your property by clearing clutter and other dangerous conditions to reduce the potential for liability suits. In many states, you could be held legally responsible for the actions of anyone who drinks in your home and then has an accident in your house or after leaving it. Your policy should protect you against lawsuits due to these types of liability issues.
Backyard items, such as a trampoline, pool, hot tub or spa may require you to increase your liability coverage through an umbrella policy.
As you acquire more valuables -- jewelry, family heirlooms, antiques, art -- consider purchasing an additional "floater" or "rider" to your policy to cover these special items. They're typically not covered by a basic homeowners or renters policy.
It's a good idea to make an inventory of all of your personal property, along with a photograph or video of each room. Also, save your receipts for major items and keep them in a safe place away from your house or apartment so you'll have them if you need to file a claim and substantiate value. Written by Broderick Perkins

Is the Water You Drink Safe?
North America has one of the safest water supplies in the world. Oakland and Berkeley rate high on National water rating test as well..... However, national statistics don't tell you specifically about the quality and safety of the water coming out of your tap. That's because drinking water quality varies from place to place, depending on the condition of the source water from which it is drawn and the treatment it receives.
What contaminants may be found in drinking water?
There is no such thing as naturally pure water. In nature, all water contains some impurities. As water flows in streams, sits in lakes, and filters through layers of soil and rock in the ground, it dissolves or absorbs the substances that it touches. Some of these substances are harmless. In fact, some people prefer mineral water precisely because minerals give it an appealing taste. However, at certain levels minerals, just like man-made chemicals, are considered contaminants that can make water unpalatable or even unsafe. Some contaminants come from erosion of natural rock formations. Other contaminants are substances discharged from factories, applied to farmlands, or used by consumers in their homes and yards. Sources of contaminants might be in your neighborhood or might be many miles away. Your local water quality report tells which contaminants are in your drinking water, the levels at which they were found, and the actual or likely source of each contaminant. Some ground water systems have established wellhead protection programs to prevent substances from contaminating their wells. Similarly, some surface water systems protect the watershed around their reservoir to prevent contamination.
Where does drinking water come from?
A clean, constant supply of drinking water is essential to every community. People in large cities frequently drink water that comes from surface water sources, such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Sometimes these sources are close to the community. Other times, drinking water suppliers get their water from sources many miles away. In either case, when you think about where your drinking water comes from, it's important to consider not just the part of the river or lake that you can see, but the entire watershed. The watershed is the land area over which water flows into the river, lake, or reservoir. In rural areas, people are more likely to drink ground water that was pumped from a well. These wells tap into aquifers--the natural reservoirs under the earth's surface--that may be only a few miles wide, or may span the borders of many regions. As with surface water, it is important to remember that activities many miles away from you may affect the quality of ground water.
How is drinking water treated?
When a water supplier takes untreated water from a river or reservoir, the water often contains dirt and tiny pieces of leaves and other organic matter, as well as trace amounts of certain contaminants. When it gets to the treatment plant, water suppliers often add chemicals called coagulants to the water. These act on the water as it flows very slowly through tanks so that the dirt and other contaminants form clumps that settle to the bottom. Usually, this water then flows through a filter for removal of the smallest contaminants like viruses and Giardia. Ground water is naturally filtered as it passes through layers of the earth into underground reservoirs known as aquifers. Water that suppliers pump from wells generally contains less organic material than surface water and may not need to go through any or all of the treatments described in the previous paragraph. The quality of the water will depend on local conditions. The most common drinking water treatment, considered by many to be one of the most important scientific advances of the 20th century, is disinfection. Most water suppliers add chlorine or another disinfectant to kill bacteria and other germs. Water suppliers use other treatments as needed, according to the quality of their source water. For example, systems whose water is contaminated with organic chemicals can treat their water with activated carbon, which absorbs or attracts the chemicals dissolved in the water.
What are the health effects of contaminants in drinking water?
The contaminants fall into two groups according to the health effects that they cause. Your water supplier will alert you through the media, mail, or other means if there is a potential acute or chronic health effect from compounds in the drinking water. You may want to contact the supplier for additional information specific to your area. Acute effects occur within hours or days of the time that a person consumes a contaminant. People can suffer acute health effects from almost any contaminant if they are exposed to extraordinarily high levels (as in the case of a spill). In drinking water, microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, are the contaminants with the greatest chance of reaching levels high enough to cause acute health effects. Most people's bodies can fight off these microbial contaminants the way they fight off germs, and these acute contaminants typically don't have permanent effects. Nonetheless, when high enough levels occur, they can make people ill, and can be dangerous or deadly for a person whose immune system is already weak due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, steroid use, or another reason. Chronic effects occur after people consume a contaminant at levels over safety standards for many years. The drinking water contaminants that can have chronic effects are chemicals (such as disinfection by-products, solvents, and pesticides), radionuclides (such as radium), and minerals (such as arsenic). Examples of the chronic effects of drinking water contaminants are cancer, liver or kidney problems, or reproductive difficulties.
How can I help protect drinking water?
Using the new information that is now available about drinking water, citizens can both be aware of the challenges of keeping drinking water safe and take an active role in protecting drinking water. There are lots of ways that individuals can get involved. Some people will help clean up the watershed that is the source of their community's water. Other people might get involved in wellhead protection activities to prevent the contamination of the ground water source that provides water to their community. These people will be able to make use of the information that local authorities and water systems are gathering as they assess their sources of water.
Other people will want to attend public meetings to ensure that the community's need for safe drinking water is considered in making decisions about land use. And all consumers can do their part to conserve water and to dispose properly of household chemicals.