There is not too much land in Pleasanton left to develop and in the Pleasanton real estate market which includes the new Ironwood community land is hard to come across. The Pleasanton Presbyterian Church was blessed with 6.5 acres at the corner of Busch and Valley in Pleasanton which is part of the Ironwood community built by Ponderosa Homes. Pleasanton real estate will set the price of an acre at around a $1 Million, but the Pleasanton Presbyterian Church was able to grab it for $2.5 Million! Below is a video and a few photos borrowed from Pleasanton Presbyterian Church.

Dublin Ranch has see many changes over the years. From the Villages condo development to the Dublin Ranch Golf Course. Most developments are great to see and use, and others still just promises. Set to be open by Christmas, Lowe’s and the Grafton Station will retail will bring a new and exciting addition to Dublin Ranch. Below is a video taken today of the progress on the Lowe’s center.

Dublin Ranch will also see the addition of one more park. Located at the corner of Chancery and Finnian. See video below and sketch. Click sketch for larger image.

We all know Spring is the hottest time to sell a home, but your home is on the market now, or maybe you know someone who is trying to sell now. Here are a few tips on Selling in the winter and around the Christmas party season.
1. Let there be light. There is nothing worse then a house with no natural light, so open all the blinds and curtains. Keep the light on in a dark room.
2. Turn up the heat. If you are one of those people who only run the heat when your toes are about to fall off, now is not the time for that. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature at ALL TIMES!
3.Its Christmas, not a Christmas tree lot. Keep the scents to a minimum. You may love the smell of a lavender-cinnamon scented candle, but allergies and potent smells will make buyers run.
4. First Impressions last forever. Christmas is a great time to decorate and enjoy the season, but lets not get crazy! Do you need all the reindeer, Santa, the elves, frosty, and a recreation of the north pole like its Sim City on your lawn? You probably are not Deacon Dave so maybe just a simple manger scene this year.
5.Flexability. Not everyone celebrates Christmas or has 13 Christmas parties to go to, so… if someone wants to see your home in 2 hours, do your best to make it ready.

The biggest thing to remember is that just because you are slowing down on the number of people looking at your home does not mean you should pull your home off the market. This is a busy time for a lot of relocation buyers to come out. Be ready at all times, and you will sell.

Despite declining home prices as recently reflected in an S&P/Case-Shiller home price statistics survey, on average, the nation’s top markets have experienced price appreciation by as much as 50 percent over the past five years, according to comparable data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“It’s important to keep things in perspective,” said NAHB President Brian Catalde. “The current housing price correction is most pronounced in the once super-heated markets in California, Nevada, Florida and Arizona. In most other markets, price declines have been pretty modest.”

According to the NAHB’s comparable data tables, home prices in Los Angeles dipped 5.7 percent in the last year, but have appreciated by 88.9 percent since 2002. San Francisco home prices have declined 4.2 percent in the last year, but have seen appreciation of 46.7 percent since 2002. Home prices in San Diego have fallen by 8.3 percent in the last year, but have appreciated 54 percent since 2002, according to the report.

Remember it is time in the market that will produce the results we all desire in real estate. Trying to time the market, you will never win, but with the market we are in now you have an opportunity to buy the best home at a great price and when you sell you will be the home that has 20+ offers on it.

Here is the latest info on the Pleasanton Real Estate market. This list is all detached homes that sold in Pleasanton.
Sold Homes for the month of October in Pleasanton.

View by clicking link.

November Housing Update - Sold detached homes in Pleasanton, CA in October

Last Tuesday the city council agreed to do a study on the zoning of the proposed Grafton Plaza paid for by the developer. The main concern I am hearing from a lot of people is the height. City council says it must mot exceed 10 stories, but that is 4 more than the current tallest building. The general plan already puts a limit on East Dublin of 6 stories unless there are special circumstances. They way I see it is that the idea of having a mix-use building, sports club, hotel and luxury penthouses will be a nice set up, but the height of 10 stories will be seen by Pleasanton, San Ramon and the first thing for Livermore and Castro Valley drivers. Grafton Plaza affects the entire Tri-Valley. Whats your take? Should Dublin move in the direction of being a city where 10 story buildings are lining the freeway? Other community residents need to make their voice heard either for or against this development which will set precedent.