Since around the February 2012 thaw, buyers’ confidence appears to have increased and the housing market has been heating up. This coupled with very low inventory of homes for sale has produced a hot market for sellers. Listings that are priced reasonably and are in relative good condition are seeing multiple offers. Homes that are turn key such as investor flips or equity sales have had over 60 offers.

So what is a buyer to do? It has been my experience that when it is meant to be it will happen, However it is important that when opportunity knocks you are ready to open the door. Start shopping for a home now search the internet work with a agent to start touring homes so you become familiar with the market and are prepared to offer market value , or slightly higher , when the right home for you comes on the market. I highly recommend working with a buyer’s agent to fully represent your best interests.

My advice on value is to not get too focused on the listing price. Unlike a retail store the asking price is not always representative of the value of the home or even what price the owner is necessarily looking for. This may apply to bank owned, short sale and even investor flips which may be under priced possibly to garner multiple offers and drive the price up through a “bidding war”. However they can also be overpriced for a variety of reasons. I have also seen the use of marketing auctions on occasion whereby the home is listed at very low starting price to generate interest however they traditionally have a reserve price which is secret minimum price that needs to be met by the bidders before the seller is obligated to accept an offer. This reserve price is usually at or above fair market value.

So what is a buyer to do? First of all do not give up hope, next keep watch and when a home that fits your needs becomes available jump on it! Make an offer based on the value of the home to you. Focus on your needs and remember prices are at historic lows so the potential for equity in the long run is great. If you look at a few thousand dollars difference over 30 years it may put it in perspective. Keep your offer clean, consider making the offer “as-is”, this does not mean you waive your rights of inspections it simply represents that you do not expect the seller to perform any repairs which make your offer more desirable that one that may ask for repairs. In my experience when it is meant to be it will happen.

Call a today to get started. As always feel free to contact me for more information.

Patrick McCarran can be reached at (899) 899-5536 or www.PatrickMcCarran.com. Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. is a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

pportunity.

Rock Bottom Records in Antioch, a local hotspot for CD’s and DVD’s for over 33 years, is closing in August.

Rick Armstrong, owner since 1979, says the retail music business has rapidly changed in the past 10 years from physical to digital product.

“Luckily, we have had a bunch of ‘old school’ customers who love CD’s to keep us going,” he added.

Armstrong purchased the store in 1979 and it was located where the Wendy’s restaurant on A Street, is now. After five years he relocated the store across the street to the Antioch Square, behind Rite Aid.

The store moved again in 1994 to the Lucky shopping center, now the “Grocery Outlet” center, down by the old Ernie’s Liquors store. Then three years ago, Armstrong made the final move down next to Lamothe Cleaners.

Dale Parsons has been Rick’s manager for 14 years and is a virtual guru of song titles and artists. Over 300 local adults and kids have worked at the store through the years.

Stop by and say “Hello” and “Good-Bye” to Rick, dale and the other employees. They will miss all of you, too.

See their ad in the July issue of the Herald or on this website for specials.

At Lone Tree, we are a First Tee facility. The summer session just began and I have the privilege to teach the Eagle class which is the level the kids achieve after completing Player, Par, and Birdie certifications. The program is fantastic and this month I wanted to give readers a feel for the fun the kids and coaches have by sharing one of the life skill and golf skill concepts we touch upon in Eagle class, Strength through Diversity. The following are some of the activities that we will introduce to the kids that introduce diversity and appreciation for diversity. The coaches goal is to keep the learning “activity based” (not lectured based learning). Some activities are as follows

• Diversity warm up/introduction: Discussion regarding favorite food and favorite foods their family enjoys during the holidays. This is always interesting conversation with the kids and stimulates great conversation and interest in other family traditions.

• Play an entire hole with their #7 iron. By having the limits of the seven iron, appreciatition for other clubs occur, ie. The driver and the distance it gets from the teeing area. Because they putt with a #7 iron, they get creative on how to putt. I’ve seen hooded #7 irons, bellied 7 iron putts, and even putts off the toe of the 7 iron. With this exercise they also learn to change different ball positions to hit the ball lower and get more roll if the shot calls for it, or in the situation where they have to have a softer shot, they move ball position forward to get more height or softness in the shot. So again learning about the diversity of shots with diversity in their set up.

• Play a team alternate shot where one player hits only metal-woods, one hits only full irons, one is only the dedicated chipper or sand shot, and one is only putting. We follow with discussion of how if you are good with the driver, you might want to put a good putter or chipper on your team to help your be the most competitive. We talk about how when doing a group report at school do you want all team members who are just like yourself or is their strength by having a mix of people with different talents and abilitities?

• Chip with various clubs. Initially, we start with a basic chip shot on short, fairway cut grass and ask the kids to chip and get it close. Leaving instructions at that. Invariably the kids grab their wedge and chip away. Then we try the same shot but with a putter (texas wedge). Then with a hybrid or fairway wood. Then with a 7 iron. Then we will try these diverse clubs in different positions, just off the green but in the rough; or up against the curtain of the green. The learning for different clubs in different positions occurs fast. You might try it, chips aren’t always about the wedge.

• We hit clubs while seated in a chair on the driving range. Or while kneeling on a towel. Standing on one leg, then the other. Or with one arm only. Further understanding of how the swing works occurs from these exercises and when mentioned that golfers with physical disabilities might play in a similar manner, appreciation continues.

At the end of such activities, we close with discussion and the kids have much to share. It is truly a delight. You might try a couple of the above and see if you can strengthen your golf game and more through such an activity.

To add a personal note, As your Pro, there is not a day that I don’t think of this life skill while working at your golf course. The diversity of golfers and patrons that support and frequent here, and the diversity and dedication of managers and employees here, paired with the diversity of our Lone Tree Board of Directors and their business acumen they lend, and the support and commitment from the various City Officials and representatives, and the patronage of the untold community organizations truly make Lone Tree an amazing public Golf Course and Event Center, the best public course in Northern California in my opinion, one that truly embodies and understands the First Tee’s concept of Strength through Diversity. Thank you to the so many who are a part in that.

If you are interested in further supporting the First Tee, The annual First Tee Golf Tournament and fundraiser will be help at Lone Tree and Diablo Creek on July 20, 2012. Go to www.lonetreegolfcourse.com under events to get more information.

Ron Parish is the Director of Golf at Lone Tree Golf Course in Antioch, and a member of the PGA.

Help Reduce e-Waste in our Cities and Landfills

In order to create a cleaner environment for our community, Somersville Towne Center is hosting an electronic waste [e-waste] recycling collection event.

DATE:  Saturday, July 28th and Sunday, July 29th, 2012

LOCATION:  Somersville Towne Center’s main parking lot directly across from Kaiser on Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch.

This event is a free service to both city residents and businesses to properly dispose of their computer obsoletes, and at the same time, help reduce improper and illegal dumping in our city and landfills.  More importantly, the event helps protect our planet from various toxicities from reaching our soil and environment.

E-Waste includes electronic products or devices, such as computer monitors, televisions, PC systems, printers, copiers, facsimile machines and home entertainment systems that have reached their useful end, whether in working condition or not.

Please come and show your support for a cleaner environment by sending e-waste away from our city and landfills to the appropriate recycling process.

For more information on Somersville Towne Center for this or other events, visit www.somersvilletownecenter.com.

Somersville Towne Center is the only enclosed, air conditioned mall in Antioch.

It is owned by Macerich, a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. Macerich now owns approximately 64 million square feet of gross leaseable area consisting primarily of interests in 63 regional shopping centers.  Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company’s Web site at www.macerich.com.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Once again, firefighters in Contra Costa County will be participating in the annual “Fill The Boot” fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

This year, on Monday, July 23rd and Wednesday, July 25^th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. firefighters will be at the intersection of Somersville Road and Delta Fair Blvd in Antioch.

Last year the Contra Costa Firefighters raised $76,000 through their annual effort. This year’s county-wide goal is $80,000 and the firefighters in Antioch are trying to raise $10,000.

According to MDA Executive Director Kirsha Zupetz, “The funds raised will stay local and will provide hope and help for local families living with muscle disease. More specifically the funds will go towards multi-disciplinary clinic visits at Stanford, UCSF and Forbes Norris, MDA summer camp for children ages 6-17, support groups, wheel chair and leg brace repairs, as well as research.”

The International Association of Firefighters has been participating in the “Fill The Boot” campaign since 1954.

So, when you see the firefighters with the boots in their hands, drop in a dollar or two, or more, later this month.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA is the largest nongovernmental sponsor of neuromuscular disease research. For more information visit www.MDA.org or call (925) 460-8260.

East County March Against Violence marchers head north on A Street in Antioch, Sunday evening, July 8, 2012.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

About 40 faith, community leaders and residents from Antioch and East County joined together on Sunday night, July 8, 2012 to march against violence in Antioch.

East County March Against Violence marchers

Led by Antioch Church Family and coordinated by Contra Costa Interfaith Community Supporting Organization (CCISCO), faith leaders, such as Pastor Tuma Johnson of International Christian Ministry in Pittsburg and community leaders, such as Keith and Iris Archuleta of the Youth Intervention Network, Mayor Pro Tem Wade Harper and Antioch School Board Trustee Walter Ruehlig, participated in the march.

“We were hoping to bring the faith community together, primarily in Antioch, but all of far East County to visibly make a statement to the community that we are aware and that we stand with those concerned about the violence in Antioch and East County,” said Irish Archuleta. “Also, we wanted to make a strong statement to those committing the violence that we are not sitting by idly and letting that happen.”

Nearly a dozen congregations from the area have joined the movement that aims to bring hope and address the issue of violence in East County.  The participating congregations include: St. John Lutheran Church; Antioch Christian Center, Antioch Church Family, East County Shared Ministry (Pittsburg Community Presbyterian & First Congregational Church of Antioch); International Christian Ministry; Grace Bible Fellowship; St. Ignatius of Antioch; Most Holy Rosary Church; Islamic Center of the East Bay; and St. George Episcopal Church.

This was the second of monthly marches planned for the second Sunday at 7 p.m.  The march will start at a different church, each month.

After witnessing violence in their own churches and the impact it was having on their congregation members, the faith leaders were determined to do something to address the critical issue of violence.  The night walks is only the first step in what they see as a strategy to decrease the violence in their communities.

The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, seven different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network.  For more information call (925) 779-9302 or visit them at 202 G Street, Suite 1 or online at www.CCISCO.org.

In November 2010 Contra Costa Fire Chief Louder told the Board of Supervisors the district would deplete its reserves by the next fiscal year because it had used $8.7 million in reserves, deferred $4M in workers’ comp to patch its budget hole and all possible cutbacks and consolidation had occurred, leaving only personnel cuts. (Salaries and benefits accounted for more than 85% of the departments budget.) He told Supervisors that as many as 8 fire stations could close if voters rejected a parcel tax in 2011.

In June 2011 Supervisor Goia announced that the Contra Costa County Professional Firefighters Local 1220 voted to save the County $6.2 million per year by approving an amendment to their contract that would cut their salaries by 5%, waive the right to a previously negotiated 5% salary increase, extend their contract through 2014 and agree to discussion of pension benefits in summer 2012. The agreement would allow the district to maintain the same level of high service and prevent layoffs.

What happened? Why are residents again being threatened with station closures and layoffs unless we approve a parcel tax? Why is the Contra Costa County Fire Chief now stating that, without a parcel tax in November 2012, he’ll have to shut down 6 of the district’s 28 fire stations and lose 63 firefighters

Yup folks, on June 27th Chief Daryl Louder presented a report to the Contra Costa County Fire Board of Directors, aka the CCC Board of Supervisors, entitled “Report on Tiered Tax Rate Structure for a Special Tax Measure to be Placed on the November 6th Ballot“.

The Board then provided direction to the Fire Chief on the special tax provisions, including a tax amount of $75 annually, a sunset provision of seven years, and rate structure tiered by property type. July 31, 2012 was fixed as the hearing date to consider adoption of a resolution calling for a special election on 11/6/12 and adoption of a special tax ordinance to be submitted to voters on 11/6/12. (No mention was made as to inclusion of a senior citizen exemption to the parcel tax.)

As much as I value safety personnel such as firefighters and police, I’m not about to approve additional taxes which would put me in the poor house. Certainly not when they’re receiving generous pay and benefits, overtime, and a 3% at age 50 retirement package. (The County Administrator stated in April that Con Fire’s benefits cost is 103% of salary.)

Firefighters make up 40% (268 out of 645) of the Contra Costa County‘s $100,000 Pension Club, compromised of those retirees/beneficiaries of Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association (CCCERA) who are receiving pensions of $100,000 or more. In fact, Contra Costa Consolidated Fire Protection District (ConFire) firefighters fill 180 of the Club membership slots. CCCERA retirees were granted a 3% cost of living adjustment on April 1, 2012.