• Main Page
• Homes by Email
• Listings
• Meet Adam Golden

The Slow Concept

Have you ever heard of Slow Food?  Most likely you’re aware of fast food, but have you ever thought about what the opposite of that would be and why whatever the opposite of it is would be so inspiring to so many?

Just this past Labor Day weekend, San Francisco played host to Slow Food Nation.  This huge event was a gathering of people, food, market and music to celebrate the concept of Slow Food.  My wife is way into food, restaurants, and eating, so when I heard about the event I thought of her and decided to learn a bit about it. 

According to the Slow Food USA website, “Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.”  Very interesting. 

As I perused their site, I remembered reading an article about the concept of Slow Home.  Yes, they are interrelated.  In fact, Read more

Two San Ramon Pizza Favorites: Zachary’s Vs. Z Pizza

We should all feel so fortunate to have two vastly different yet phenomenal pizza restaurants right here in the Tri-Valley city of San Ramon.

Let’s start with one pizzeria that has been a staple in the East Bay for over 25 years.  Zachary’s Chicago Pizza has quickly become a Tri-Valley favorite with its newest location in the heart of San Ramon.  Zachary’s Pizza is best known for serving up deep dish style pizza.

For years, I have traveled to the Berkeley restaurant just to pick up a couple of half-baked deep dish pizzas to bring home.  As I started my return trip, the amazing smells that emanated from the box put me into an euphoric state. I remember numerous times being so overwhelmed that I almost pulled the car over on the 580 highway just to take a bite. 

Obviously, I like pizza. Not only are the Read more

A True Juggling Act – What should a Tri-Valley Buyer or Seller Do in this Real Estate Market?

At open houses… at listing presentations… at dinner parties…  I get asked the same question everywhere.  “When are we going to see this real estate market turn-around?”  Good question.  I wish I had a concrete answer. 

I monitor the various media sources and do diligent research daily.  The flip-flopping of opinions that occurs on this issue is prevalent.  One day, reports claim that the market is doomed for the next few years, and the following day information appears that indicates a recovery will ensue. 

The bottom line is that there are too many dynamic factors to make a case for either side at this time.  In recent history, it would be fairly simple to throw out a line, “Well, I don’t have a crystal ball, but in my opinion Tri-Valley home prices will level off in the foreseeable future.”  Now, I don’t even feel comfortable giving likely scenarios.

My prediction unease is market-dependent and well-founded.  No one does have a crystal ball.  Especially not now.  In my opinion, there are Read more

Contra Costa County’s First LEED Certified Homes are Located in Danville

Here is something great to pass along to your environmentally conscious friends who are in the market for a luxury home.  Hansen Lane Estates, built by Clarum Homes, is the first housing subdivision in Contra Costa County to be recognized as LEED certified.

Most of you are probably asking what makes something LEED certified.  LEED certified, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a strict set of standards used in the construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council recognizes performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Danville’s Hansen Lane Estates subdivision incorporates all those key areas.  Not only is Hansen Lane Estates a zero-energy community, but more specifically, some of the eco-friendly features in the homes are solar power, solar hot water heaters, special heating and cooling systems and web-based irrigation controllers. 

I should tell you that these homes do not come cheap.  The subdivision boasts ten luxury homes in the $2 million range.  One perk of note, however is that on the website it reveals the homes come with a Prius!  The model is open Thursday-Sunday, 11-5PM at 20 Rhett Place, Danville.

Dublin, San Ramon, Danville, Pleasanton, and Livermore’s End of August Real Estate Update

 

This graph consists of real time inventory numbers for Danville, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon and Pleasanton. Here are the stats for the Tri-Valley cities for the end of August.