Michael's Blog

Here is an email contact that I sent to Braddock & Logan builders asking for some historical information regarding development of the San Leandro and San Lorenzo areas.

So here I am beginning my search into this developer who is still going strong 60 years later.  I sent this email to their website.

If anyone knows information, of a community that they have lived in, or assisted buyers or sellers, please let me know.

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Hello,

I am a local Realtor who does a local real estate history blog.  I am aware that Braddock and Logan got their start in San Leandro and San Lorenzo just after World War II.

I  am interested in doing some articles about the older Braddock and Logan communities in the San Leandro and San Lorenzo area.  I am interested in telling my readers, where Braddock and Logan went to next and where they might be able to find neighborhoods that share builder "DNA" and architectural "DNA".

Can you please assist me in finding, or directing me to information about Braddock and Logan for the 1940's and 1950's.

Thank you,

Michael Greenslade

Prudential California Realty

I want to share with everyone an online group that I belong to.   It's called Storybookers, it's a website dedicated to the Storybook Style whimsical homes built in the 1920s and 1930s.

It started out as a fansite to the coffee table book "Storybook Style: Americas whimsical homes of the 1920s and 1930s" by Arroll Gellner.   It has since morphed into an online homeowner's association and resource for those who own and or want to own or build a Storybook Style home.

It is NOT a site for posting listings of homes of that style.  So I would highly advise not posting to the site with the intention of advertising your listings!   Local resources for experts in construction, painting, landscaping, inspections, plumbing and roofing are always welcome.

The website to start out your experience is www.storybookers.com  The site was created by Nano-Science novelist and my friend, John Robert Marlow. 

The yahoogroups site Storybookers started as an offshoot of that site.  There is an E-group link in the menu of the storybookers site that sends you over to the associated yahoogroup.  I am one of the very first members of this group.

If you have any questions about storybook homes, please give me a call.  My contact information should show up somewhere on this page depending on where you are visiting it from, Activerain, localism or my outside blog.

I re-organized the Open House information from the San Leandro Times just for you.  I am still experimenting with this format as it shows up differently on my editing screen as it does in the final blog.  I'll get it right eventually.

If You miss some of these, I would be happy to show them for you. I would very much enjoy being your Agent of choice.  Give me a call

12-4                        976 Helen Avenue                S Ldro             $599,000     4          4     Prudential

I enjoy sharing with you my kitchen design experience with you.

When you go into a cabinet show room you will notice each manufacturer's sales display.  In these displays you will see samples of all the doors and finish styles. 

On the back side of each of these doors is an illustration of a 10' x 10' sample kitchen.  There is also a price for that kitchen with no frills based on that door style and finish.

This 10' x 10' pricing allows for you to compare all the cabinet styles on a level playing field.  Now here comes the big difference in prices....options.

Do you want all wood construction?

Do you want the upgraded drawer glides on all your drawers?

Do you want finished sides on all the cabinets, or just the ones visible to you?

Do you want Glass doors on your cabinets?-------Don't forget the matching interior option!

Don't forget the finishing molding to complete your kitchen.  Crown molding, scribe molding and toe kick.

Let's go out and find a fixxer upper and I can even help you with your kitchen design assistance.  I can also recommend some really great local designers, still working in that job.

SUSAN MARTIN at the Oakland Home Depot

NOAH HAMMOND at the San Leandro Home Depot

Following up on my blog the other day about kitchen design.  If you read the blog from the other day, you'll know that I worked for a time as a kitchen designer.

I want to address in this blog the extra goodies that you can fill your kitchen with.

1.  In your base cabinets try to find a place for a tray base cabinet.  These cabinets are generally 9 or 12 inches wide and are for storing cookie sheets and other trays.  These are great for keeping the odd sized items stored.

2.  For an inside base corner location get a wire rack lazy susan.

3.  A 3 inch spice rack pull out filler is great for storing all those tiny spice bottles.  This can be ordered for base or upper locations.  Be careful when considering the upper version as the bottles will be stored up high and will be harder to reach for shorter people.

4.  A base pantry cabinet is great for storing lots of food densely without taking up valuable vertical space that can cut through your counter space. (the more counter space the better and cleaner the kitchen will look)

5. Recylcing bins or trash bins on metal slide outs under the sink are a great way to hide the garbage bins out of sight.

6.  A cutlery organizer drawer is a very good thing.  Be sure to get the one with the wooden drawer within a drawer to double your organization possibilities.

In my next version of this blog-string will be how to build a banquette seating area for a breakfast nook.  Keep posted.

Did you know  that most stagers offer a service to assist you in setting up your new residence to not only look like a model home but to also function for everyday living?

Yes it's true.

Ask your Realtor to recommend their stager to help you move into and set up your new home. 

The stager will make your home look great and help you get organized in your new home to keep it looking great.  It's a fantastic service that they offer.  Take advantage of it.

As a buyer's agent and a stager, I can offer this service to my clients as a value add to my already great service.

Why not give me a call and let's find a great place for you to live in the San Leandro, Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley or Piedmont areas.

So you've been looking at homes for sale.

The kitchen just is not up to snuff with a home you are looking at.

You're lucky, before becoming a Real Estate Agent I was a home stager and before that I was a Kitchen Designer at the Home Depot.

I have plenty of experience in kitchen design.

1.  Avoid turning your home into a theme park.  Be true to your home's original design intent.  Don't go dropping an ultramodern Swedish IKEA Euro kitchen into a stately old Tudor.  The same can be said for dropping in an over the top tile and wood spanish extravaganza into mid-century modern Eichler.

2.  Lay out a good prep work triangle betwixt sink, stove and refrigerator.  Like wise also pay attention to the cleaning work triangle of sink, dishwasher and storage.

3.  Base cabinets are 24 inches in depth as a standard from the NKBA.  Cabinets can be reduced or increased in depth.  Be sure to consult your cabinet manufacturer's specifications for details.

4.  Wall cabinets are 12 inches in depth as a standard from the NKBA.  If you opt for glass doors make sure you choose the matching interior option. 

5.  Classic never goes out of style.

6.  The top row of cabinets does not have to match cabinet to cabinet with the bottom row of cabinets.

7.  Build some walls to add architectural interest to your cabinets, build a hutch between the walls.

8.  Not all kitchens are big enough for an island,  Islands require 42" of clearance in a working area near sink, refrigerator or stove for a single cook and 48 inches of clearance with two cooks.  36 inches of clearance is required for a walk way on the side of the island in a non working area.  Don't forget that the island will require an electrical outlet.

9.  Each major appliance does require it's own dedicated electrical circuit and breaker.

10.  Get permits and check with your city for building codes in your area.

11.  DO NOT DEMOLISH YOUR OLD KITCHEN UNTIL YOUR NEW CABINETS ARRIVE AND HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR DAMAGES.  Many people complain because their kitchens have been out of commission for months on end.  My question to them is why tear out the old one so early?

12.  Set up a temporary kitchen in the dining room, move the refrigerator and microwave.  A good contractor can build you a temporary sink (ask for it in your contract)

13.  Account for your finished floor height.  If you are going to be putting in really thick tiles you may have to build up the bottom of the cabinets to be at that the finished floor height.  You will have problems installing your dishwasher if you don't take this into consideration.   Check your cabinet manufacturer for a raised dishwasher cabinet to save your back!!!!

Any questions please contact me and I will be glad to assist you.   Let's find you fixxer uppers a great project house to work on.  Give me a call

I re-organized the Open House information from the San Leandro Times just for you.  If You miss some of these, I would be happy to show them for you.

I would very much enjoy being your Agent of choice.  Give me a call

I came across this in a catalog I had seen at my mother's house.  It's a personalized map centered on the address you select (Client's new address) and made into a jig-saw puzzle.

It would also be ideal for staging a family room and partially completed on a game table setting.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/11037.asp

When I first started my research into the architecture of William Raymond Yelland.  I remember getting the archive collection listing of properties designed by W. R. Yelland.  One thing stands out right away is that a large number of homes in the archives at UC Berkeley that are located in Clarksburg.

I remember googling the map of Clarksburg and seeing the street map of the town and knowing that nine archived buildings are located in this one area.

It's a great place to start your research into understanding this architect.  I traveled from San Leandro to Clarksburg, turned off of South River Road onto Netherlands Avenue.  It was like being back home in my "The Broadmoor" neighborhood in San Leandro.

The Clarksburg Community Church is the first building you see.  It is classic William Raymond Yelland with it's checkerboard brick and stucco gables, conjoined double gables, catslide roof and brick around the main chapel doors.  It's a down-right gorgeous building http://www.clarksburgcc.org/

Then the other big building in town the Amalgated Sugar Company building with it's six or so story tall Willy Wonka style factory buildings.  This building is being redone as the Old Sugar Mill and Galeria Do Vinho http://www.oldsugarmill.com/  Future plans include artist studios, galleries, a Cafe, Bistro and Micro Brewery.

That trip to Clarksburg started a many year long obsession that I like to call Yellanding explorations.  That is, going to the towns where the archived houses are located and searching out the homes and businesses designed by this fun and quirky architect.

Contact me for a history driving tour --- so much fun.

The following is a listing of open houses for Sunday 8/17/2008 from our group of Prudential California Realty offices in the Oakland Area.  Grand Lake Office, Montclair Office and Piedmont Avenue Offices.

Give me a call if you miss any of these properties and I would be more than happy to represent you.

• 5230 Cochrane Ave Oakland
• 3 Stanton Court Orinda
• 5651 Colbourn Place Oakland
• 261 Sheridan Road Oakland
• 323 Florence Avenue Oakland
• 1872 Grandview Drive Oakland
• 5 Spy Glass Hill Oakland
• 4216 Atlas Ave Oakland
• 7970 Shay Drive Oakland
• 264 Euclid Avenue Oakland
• 1511 Rose Street Berkeley
• 2766 Seadrift Lane Hayward
• 3806 Clarke Oakland
• 10925 Cliffland Avenue Oakland
• 466 Crescent Street #404 Oakland
• 2481 Rawson Street Oakland
• 375 Jayne #402 Oakland
• 532 Simon Street Hayward
• 1032 San Luis Avenue Daly City
• 3233 Magnolia Street Oakland
• 3615 35th Avenue Oakland
• 3849 Coolidge Avenue Oakland
• 10833 Breed Avenue Oakland
• 1057 44th Avenue Oakland
• 555 Jean Street Oakland
• 320 Parkview Terrace Oakland
• 1005 102nd Avenue Oakland
• 401 Monte Vista Avenue #106 Oakland
• 19710 Medford Circle Hayward

Contracts everywhere!

I don't know about the rest of you but, I am starting to get really busy.

a) I placed an offer for my client Dave M for a small bungalow in San Leandro's Downtown area.  As it turns out that it's in the Del Orta tract within the Best Manor H.O.A.   Del Orta was a tract by my favorite builder Derry, Weaver & Derry and Joseph St. Mary.  My client recognized the quality as soon as he walked in the front door.

b) Over in the Dimond District of Oakland I have a couple that are interested in a home that I held open.  As soon as I finish here I have to call them and make them aware that there is interest from others now.

c) I also have some clients in San Leandro who are looking at new construction and I found two developments that are just right for them and in their price range.  Tbey are pre-approved and ready to go!

(tie-in to "the secret" group)  I asked for it and now it's coming to fruition.  I am really digging the way this works.

In doing my seven years of research into William Raymond Yelland, the architect I am almost 100% positive that the Derry Brothers were building his designs.

Modest versions of his designs, but his designs none the less.

The one exception which you do not see is the WR Yelland's Normandy style.  You would tend to think that this style of his would be very expensive to build.  I'd imagine that the Derrys wanted to build the simpler and easier to build homes.  Although some edited versions do appear in Estudillo Estate's Begier Avenue.  I'll blog about that relation on another date.

The Broadmoor, Lealand Heights and Estudillo Estates neighborhoods by Derry, Weaver & Derry and the later Derry Bros., appear to be outright collections of his designs from other areas where he worked.

In this case study we look at the Bosso residence from the Oakland Tribune clipping.  It was to be built on Harbord Drive in Rockridge Highlands.

When comparing the Bosso residence to the Derry Bros. constructed home at the corner of Benedict Drive and Estudillo Avenue we can see that there is a definite relation between the two houses.

I find the Lealand Heights (Bay-0-Vista) home to be very much like the Bosso Residence.  Both houses have the garage over on the right side.  The left side of both homes juts out at the staircase.  The staircase in both houses has a large stepped side railing.  Both houses contain a porthole window.

It appears that both houses were as I like to think on the drawing boards in his office at the same time.

It's interesting to note that the new owners of the San Leandro home added the room above the garage just like the sun-room depicted in the illustration for the Bosso Residence.

So, where the Derry Brothers building Yellands?  My years of research point very heavily toward that conclusion.

Just look at those beautiful obelisks near the front door.

I had driven past this house a few years before.  It had caught my attention that it could be a Yelland!Back then I remember saying to myself, it looks like a Yelland but what are those crazy obelisks doing there.  I was unfamiliar with that design detail in his designs at that time.

When I started showing the S.E. Taylor Residence designed by Yelland, I started noticing some simularities between that home and the one I had seen years before. 

In fact I remember that the S.E. Taylor house had me fooled for years too.  I remember hearing from the Oakland Heritage Alliance (Betty Marvin and Gail Lombardi) that there was a Yelland on Alma Place off of Park.  I had always assumed (and correctly at that) 816 was the Yelland in question at the very end of the street. 

It was only when I had seen the collection of photographs at the Berkeley Heritage Alliance that I recognized that 857 Alma was the Yelland that every one had been referring to.   It was another one of those houses that looked like it could be but it had those obelisks.  The photo collection from B.A.H.A. only just confirmed it.

Obelisks are IN when it comes to Yellandesque

It had always been nagging me that that house up off of Keller and Edwards could be a Yelland and I should go back and give it some further investigation.

I am glad I went back and hunted down the home from my memory of a few years ago.  This time I brought a camera.

Have any of you local Oakland agents seen any obelisks on any properties you've seen!  Let me know so I can investigate it.   Wooo-hoooo  too much fun.

Well, I was thinking about what to blog about again today.  I was drawing a blank.....again.  Then it occurred to me that I am going to be doing some community service volunteering.

It's been a while since I've given a tour.  I am a docent - tour guide at the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland, California.  I have been volunteering there since 1987.

I used to give tours all the time when I worked a 9-5 Monday through Friday job.  I was able to give to Sunday tours no problem.  Being a Real Estate Agent I find my Sundays are taken up with open houses or showing clients around and hopefully writing contracts...

Not only has Real Estate cut into my volunteer time but so has being caregiver for my mother who is being treated for cancer.  I really don't mind, you've got to do what you've got to do.  Karma Points!!!

I really enjoy volunteering there.  It's a great place to get a way from the hectic East Bay life.  So I was asked by Teresa up at the mansion if I could do a tour on August 26th.  I jumped at the chance.  I am so very much looking forward to leading a group around the mansion and talking history.  As if you would have to twist my arm to do that.

And now for some photography black and whites of the Dinkelspiel House on the grounds of the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate.  This house was built in the in 1920s as the Florence Hellman-Dinkelspeil's summer home on the grounds near the Northern entrance to the estate. It's a wonderful Storybook Style Tudor.

I want to say that I want to find the buyers for the following Derry, Weaver & Derry homes.  I believe in "The Secret" and I want to put this out there that I would like to find these buyers. Built in the 1920s, The Cherry City tract features storybook Tudors and mission revival bungalows.

• 574 Superior Avenue, A Storybook Tudor listed by Harbor Bay Realty for $649,000.00
• 495 Superior Avenue, A Mission Revival listed by Realty Results (the sign says "coming soon")

Give me a call and I will be more than happy to arrange a showing for you.  Heck, I'll even help fill out a purchase contract with you!

I have studied this developer for seven years.  My studies into this developer has dovetailed into my research of the famous arts & crafts storybook architect William Raymond Yelland.  My research points clues to Derry, Weaver & Derry building exclusively W. R. Yelland or W. W. Dixon homes.

In all cases the Derry, Weaver & Derry homes of the 1920s and 1930s as well as the Derry Bros homes of the 1940s and 1950s are all high quality homes. 

Their homes are noted for being well done with great interior trim work.  My research finds that the Condell brothers worked for the Derrys doing the interior trim.

In Lealand Heights I would love to find the buyer for the following Derry Bros., home.

• 1229 Sandelin Avenue, A 1940s Cape Cod ranch style home listed by RE/max at $549,976.00 email me and I can arrange a showing or send you the virtual tour link.

Below are some scanned images from Derry Bros for the "New Broadmoor" tract of Superior Avenue (600-800 blocks), Glen Drive, Oaks Boulevard and Begier Avenue.  You'll see that they are the builder developer for Cherry City Tract, New Broadmoor, Lealand Heights, Broadmoor Park and what they simply call Hayward.

On August 5th we had our 14th annual National Night Out Against Crime block party.  We had a great time.  I am attaching the group photo for this year.  Our photographer Tim photoshopped himself in at the far right side of the photo.

We have a great group of neighbors.  It's one of those rare suburban neighborhoods where everyone knows everybody's name. 

There are two homes available on our street one on our 500 block and the corner home on the 400 block. We'd love to have you join our next block party.

On our homeowner association's email server "THEBNA" it appears that Broadmoor Boulevard and Cambridge Avenue also had block parties.  Those two streets posted reviews on THEBNA email string.  I also know that the 400 block of Superior is now in their 5th or 6th block party.  I also noticed on my way back from my client showing that the 400 Diehl Avenue also had a block party.   I heard of Glen Drive having parties on several blocks along it's length.

San Leandro is a great place to live.  Call me to find out how you can live here too.  I have a great loan consultant, Shane with Metrocities Mortgage (formerly The Home Loan Group) at Prudential.

Tonight is the block party on our front lawn, "National Night Out Against Crime".  It's our neighborhood's 14th year.  So as soon as I finish blogging this I need to get out and wash down all of the lawn furniture chairs and tables and lug them down two houses to mother's front lawn.

Today is the Grand Lake Office's office meeting at 9am.  I don't think that I will be able to make it today.  I'll have to check in with Nick later when I head to the office.

Now this is where it gets exciting.  I have two clients that are ready to write contracts.

I will be working with David between 2 and 3 to show him a by appointment only condo that he is very interested in.  We saw the place yesterday from the outside and he absolutley loved it.  It's at a price that is at the comfort range within his overall price range.  I may have to call in Michelle Lang to team up with me. This condo is located not too far from San Leandro High School near Palma Plaza shopping center.

I then have to come back and finish setting up the block party for 6:30pm start time.

Not done yet.

I'll have to hop in the car again and visit megan who had seen the house that I showed on Sunday for an open house.  She loved it and wants me to show it for her husband to see too.  According to her, this was the one.  The house is a wonderful storybook style home located on a very nice secluded street in the Dimond District of Oakland.  It would be great if they wanted to write an offer.  I will have to bring along a copy of the contract pre-printed with the house's information. 

I'll have to dash back to what's left of the block party and try to catch a meal.  I hope to take some photos for this blog.

I'll have to then break down the block party haul everything back to my storage shed.

(tie-in to the secret----I asked for this and Viola, here it is - this is awesome.   Life is good and I am grateful)

Here is a breakdown of homes available in our local towns. The data reflects today August 4th, 2008.  The data is broken down to the number of homes broken down into pricing catagories and the number of homes in each catagory. 

This number reflects condos, townhouses and detached single family homes.  This does not include the listing for duplexes and multiple family residences.

San Leandro

• under 199k = 14
• 200k - 299k = 85
• 300k - 399k = 128
• 400k - 499k = 81
• 500k - 599k = 47
• 600k - 699k = 19
• 700k - 799k = 7
• 800k - 899k = 2
• 900k - 999k = 3
• over 1M = 4

Oakland

• under 199k = 607
• 200k - 299k = 420
• 300k - 399k = 271
• 400k - 499k = 208
• 500k - 599k = 113
• 600k - 699k = 62
• 700k - 799k = 43
• 800k - 899k = 38
• 900k - 999k = 29
• over 1M = 63

Hayward

• under 199k =  78
• 200k - 299k = 278
• 300k - 399k = 261
• 400k - 499k = 95
• 500k - 599k = 47
• 600k - 699k = 40
• 700k - 799k = 31
• 800k - 899k = 10
• 900k - 999k = 7
• over 1M = 22

Alameda

• under 199k = 2
• 200k - 299k = 6
• 300k - 399k = 17
• 400k - 499k = 22
• 500k - 599k = 30 
• 600k - 699k = 25
• 700k - 799k = 19
• 800k - 899k = 15
• 900k - 999k = 11
• over 1M = 13

Berkeley

• under 199k = 0
• 200k - 299k = 6
• 300k - 399k = 14
• 400k - 499k = 13
• 500k - 599k = 13
• 600k - 699k = 12
• 700k - 799k = 14
• 800k - 899k = 10
• 900k - 999k = 9
• over 1M = 19 

August 5th, 2008 is the first Tuesay in August and it's time again for the National Night Out Against Crime.

This will be the 14th year our street has been doing the Night Out Block Party.  It's always held on my mother's front yard.  The City of San Leandro will not allow us to close off the street for our block parties because the Alameda County Fire Department uses Superior Avenue as an emergency access route to Interstate 580.

I will be bringing my famous open house fudge to the block party.  The residents on the odd side of the street are bringing deserts this year.  Since my address is odd, I get to bring my fudge.   Mother is feeling well enough to make her chocolate eclair desert.   Across the street the even addresses are bringing salads and easy entrees.

Each year "The Broadmoor" homeowner's association kicks down $50.00 toward sausages and hot links.  Mr Schumann is always the designated BBQ master. 

Target Stores the National Sponsor for National Night Out Against Crime is donating party supplies such as plastic utensils and napkins.

The Mayor of San Leandro, City Council members, police officers and fire fighters all stop by.  The fire fighters let the kiddies play all over the fire engines and pretend like they are driving it.

We have a very tight knit neighborhood.  I encourage all neighborhoods to participate in this event.

I know all my neighbors, do you?

I will have some flyers printed up with some of my real estate information to give out to all my neighbors.  I must not miss this opportunity to reach out the farm of prospects.