Helping Hands In Lamorinda Build Dreams

 

Lafayette Reservoir1

Helping Hands Build Dreams

According to EBMUD, the Lafayette Reservoir has 1 Million… yes 1,000,000 visitors every year (that’s over 3,000 per day)!  

Ten years ago, a Lafayette resident named Heather Winther had a dream of creating a playground and bringing the entire Lamorinda community together to build it.  It didn’t take long for Heather to convince her friends, Gayle Burleigh and Michele Goldsmith, to hop on board and join her in her quest.

Within a few months this dynamic threesome recruited other community leaders and together they assembled the volunteers, raised the money, convinced EBMUD to donate a space at the reservoir, and secured donations of materials & tools necessary to fulfill a dream. In just 4 days, hundreds of hard working residents from Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda volunteered their time and effort and built the Reservoir Playground. 

After it’s official opening, the playground became so popular that EBMUD had to widen the walking path in front of the playground and put in “stroller parking” so that the overflow would not interfere with the daily walkers/runners. There are hundreds of people to thank for creating such a terrific play space for our community. The Reservoir Playground is a treasure that is enjoyed by so many people and will continue to provide smiles for generations to come.

Who do you know who volunteered to help build the playground in May of 2004?  Let’s give them a shout-out and let them know how grateful we are of their efforts.

 

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/COMMUNITY-Hard-work-makes-a-playground-2759467.php

Lafayette Reservoir 2

A Contemporary Cape Cod In Happy Valley!

A Contemporary Cape Cod in Happy Valley

www.3985NPeardale.com

Open Tuesday, April 9th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Twilight Tour Tuesday, April 9th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm

N Peardale Front Pic

Built in 2003 and set on a .94+/- acre meticulously landscaped lot with park-like grounds, this exquisite 6 bedrooms + library/den, 5 baths, 6,038+/- sq. ft. home is part of the sought after Peardale Loop and offers a grand yet comfortable appeal. The grand dining/living room, the chefs dream kitchen, and magnificent outdoor kitchen with gated beach-entry pool make this home an entertainers dream.

Offered at $4,995,000

A Burton Valley Gem!

A Very Special Place To Call Home!
386CastelloRoad.com
Open Sunday, April 7th:  1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Catered Tour Tuesday, April 9th:  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

002_Burton Valley Opportunity

This delightful 1,890+/- sf home in sought after Burton Valley is filled with opportunity.
With 3BD/2BA and charming curb appeal, this wonderful floor plan offers
a sophisticated living room, beautiful large formal dining room, galley eat-in kitchen
that opens to sunlit family room and private back yard.
Close to Burton Valley Elementary School, Rancho Colorados Swim & Tennis Club,
Lafayette Community Fields, and the Lafayette/Moraga bike trail.
A special opportunity for a very special home!

Offered at $749,000

 

A Pleasant Hill Charmer!


002_Front

www.125PleasantViewDrive.com

 Drive up to this bright and lovely updated 2,017+/- square foot home located on the border of the sought after Poet’s Corner neighborhood of Pleasant Hill and immediately fall in love. Charm abounds this great 4 bedroom / 2.5 bath corner lot home. Enjoy the sensational backyard with large flat grass area, raised garden beds, sandbox and storage shed (which would make a great playhouse!)
Don’t miss this gem that is close to the Contra Costa Canal Trail and Pleasant Hill Elementary!
Offered at $689,000

Open Sunday 1-4 – A Happy Valley Treasure!

Exterior main Front

www.1170UpperHappy.com
Built in 1964 / Rebuilt in 2001
5 Bedrooms   2 ½ Baths
3,300 +/- square feet of living space
.48 +/- acre lot

A Happy Valley Treasure ~ This beautifully crafted New England traditional style two-story home captures one’s heart and soul. Rebuilt in 2001, the home is set on a .48 +/- private acre lot and is meticulously landscaped with a secured gate. This exquisite property is tucked off the main road and has a grand yet intimate appeal with a beautifully designed yard. The abundant foliage and surrounding hills offer incredible beauty. The interior of the home matches the exterior with a grand, but warm entrance and a very fluid floor plan that accommodates daily living as well as entertaining. Interior detailing is thoughtful with exceptional millwork including beautiful wainscoting and oversized crown and trim.

DINING ROOM:
The large formal dining room and living room are oriented next to the kitchen in such a way so as to achieve the requisite sophistication while maintaining an open floor plan. The French doors bring sunlight to the formal dining room while the classic wainscoting exudes elegance.

LIVING ROOM:
The stunning and sophisticated living room serves as a perfect conversation area. The focal point of the room is the beautiful fireplace with its striking oversized mantel. This is accented by classic moulding, beautiful windows and wood floors.

FAMILY ROOM:
The wonderful family room off of the kitchen has walls of custom built-in cabinets and shelves for books and entertainment, vaulted ceilings, two skylights and a gas fireplace with marble surround providing a convivial focal point in this light-filled family room. A wall of windows with a sliding door opens onto the backyard.

KITCHEN:
Form and function are exquisitely expressed in the artistically customized chef’s kitchen with granite countertops, white cabinetry, 5-burner stove, double-oven, Sub Zero refrigerator and a large walk-in pantry. A massive island provides the welcome surface area that any chef covets. A built-in desk offers convenience. The informal eating area has a sliding glass door that open to the serene backyard.

MASTER SUITE:
The lovely second floor master suite is a peaceful retreat with a beautiful fireplace, coffered ceiling, plantation shutters and a sitting area overlooking the majestic views. The large walk-in closet provides ample space. The luxurious master bath offers a jetted tub, separate shower, water closet and a double vanity.

BEDROOM WING
Three spacious bedrooms are located upstairs and boast beautiful views and an abundance of natural light. The closets each have built-in closet organizers. A separate full bath has a double vanity and a separate water closet.

Office
The office/optional 5th bedroom is located off of the entry and has beautiful built-in cherry desk and shelving.

BACKYARD
The majestic yard is beautifully designed, meticulously maintained and provides perfect privacy. The well designed outdoor living spaces include a level lawn area, a putting green, children’s play area and two outdoor patios. A built in barbeque, bar completes this delightful entertainment environment.

OTHER FEATURES
• Security System
• 2 Zone Heating and Air-Conditioning
• Surround Sound in Master Bedroom and Family Room
• Located only minutes from downtown Lafayette, BART and freeway access.
• Located near top rated Lafayette schools.

Offered at $1,750,000      Shown by appointment only with 24 hour notice.

Exclusive: Coming Soon In Lafayette

A HAPPY VALLEY TREASURE!

Exterior main Front

With 4 bedrooms, 2 .5 bathrooms and an additional office/optional 5th bedroom, this beautifully crafted New England traditional style two-story home will capture one’s heart and soul. Rebuilt in 2001 with 3,682+/-sf, 1170 Upper Happy Valley is set on a .48 +/- private acre lot and is meticulously landscaped with a secured gate. This exquisite property is tucked off the main road and has a grand yet intimate appeal with an exquisitely designed yard. The abundant foliage and surrounding hills offer incredible beauty. The interior of the home matches the exterior with a grand, but warm entrance and a very fluid floor plan that accommodates daily living as well as entertaining. The interior detailing is thoughtful with exceptional millwork including beautiful wainscoting and oversized crown and trim. Don’t miss this beauty!   1170UpperHappy.com    Call for more information, 925.285.8336

Where are the Lamorinda Listings?!?!?

Where are the Lamorinda listings?!?  We have buyers anxious, qualified and ready to pull the trigger. Do you know of anything that may fit our buyer’s needs?
*Up to $2.8k in Lamorinda with large flat lot.
*Up to $1.8k in Lamorinda
*Up to $1.7k in Lamorinda with 4+ bedrooms, 3,000sf+, nice yard
*Up to $1.7 in Lafayette (Baywood)
*Up to $1.2k in Lamorinda with 4+ bedrooms
*Up to $900k in Lamorinda with 4+ bedrooms, some flat yard
*Up to $800k in Lamorinda with 3+ bedrooms, some flat yard
*Up to $700k in Orinda or Lafayette, 3+ bedrooms, some flat yard

Crystal Ball Sees Stability in 2012

“After years of decline, housing prices are expected to stabilize or even increase in some parts of the Bay Area this year, according to a new forecast.”  This is according to an article written by Pete Carey in today’s Contra Costa Times (January 9, 2012). http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_19691780

The article states that Bay Area home prices in the San Francisco-East Bay metro area were down 4.7% in 2011 and are expected to increasd 0.1% in 2012. (Source: Clear Capital)

The lack of inventory in the Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda (Lamorinda) area has been our biggest hurdle. Due to this fact, many homes have moved quickly and have had multiple offers. These are typically houses that are turn-key with a nice flat yard area.

Interest rates will likely help continue this momentum with conforming rates below 4% and jumbo rates at or just above 4%.

We will just have to wait and see!