Michael's Blog

Okay,

I just have to stand up onto my soap box and yell out to the crowd. 

 Bail Out!

The banks are not the ones we need to bail out, we need to bail out the homeowners! 

What would happen if the U.S. Government would buy up several streets in each town.  I am talking about streets that are devastated by foreclosures where the for sale signs out number the residents.

Let's take those streets back,  get them into the public domain.  Use them for the public good and service.

This would take homes off the market and increase home prices for the remaining neighborhoods.

This is the ideal time for the government to secure the land for the long delayed highway project.  Are your Schools overcrowded?  Let's secure the land for new schools and libraries.  The cities do not necessarily have to build right away, but the land will be 'banked' for when they are ready

Why do we have to purchase our eminent domain property at the peak of the market?  This is the ideal time for the for our government to take advantage of the lower prices currently available.

What becomes of the homeowners who are displaced in these projects?  They will purchase replacement properties to move to.

The result the glut of homes on the market shrinks and prices go up and the economy stabilizes again.  With the better economy, people get hired to good jobs and homes get purchased.  It's a good cycle to be in.

Send a message to both Presidential candidates and let them know that there is an option.  Let all you local government Representatives know that we have options out there!

Let's get some chatter going on this.  Can you spread the idea around your community

The following is from the microfilm copies of the San Leandro Reporter. Article is dated April 20^th, 1934.

Mayor's history is briefly told; Derry not new to gavel waiving.

     San Leandro has a new mayor, but to many persons the chief executive is an unknown quantity though he is probably one of the more widely known members of his community, as is witnessed by the huge number of votes cast for him in 1932 when he was elected to the city council.

     Prior to his coming to San Leandro in 1928, Derry had served as a councilman and mayor in his hometown of Ashley, Michigan, where he lived for eight years.

      Derry was born and raised in Ithaca, Michigan where he lived until he was 25 at which time he married and moved to Ashley, a small city 14 miles from his birthplace.

       After moving to Ashley he went to farming, which pursuit he followed only a short while.  He then came to California and stayed one winter in Oakland.  Unable to find suitable business to enter, he returned to Ashley where he engaged the farm implement business with his father for a period of eight years.  It was during this time that he was elected to the city council and served 18 months of his term as mayor.

      With the wane of agriculture, Derry disposed of his interests to his father and again turned this interests west this time settling in Elmhurst where he opened a real estate office on E, 14^th Street.

       Shortly thereafter he became engaged in the building business and constructed 15 homes on 87^th Avenue in Oakland.

     Finding the contracting business to his liking, Derry then turned his attention to San Leandro, and opened what is known as the Del Orta Tract through which California Street Runs.  Here he built 15 homes, which he disposed of after he opened up the Cherry City Tract laying between Superior Avenue and Foothill Boulevard and Dutton Avenue, where he built 56 homes. He then turned his attention to Broadmoor Park where he built approximately 50 homes.

       Upon his entrance to business in San Leandro he moved his office  from Elmhurst to the Freidman Building and about a year ago moved into his present offices on the Mason Property where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business with his brother Tom Derry.

************** My side notes on tracts by Derry Bros. ***********************

"Del Orta Tract" is California Avenue behind San Leandro City Hall.

"Cherry City Tract" is Superior Avenue between Dutton and MacArthur Boulevard

"Broadmoor Park Tract" is Lee Avenue and Arbor Drive in "Estudillo Estates"

"Lealand Heights" is the older portion of Bay-o-vista above Estudillo Avenue

"New Broadmoor Tract" is Glen Drive, Begier Avenue, Oakes Boulevard and Superior Avenue (east of Chetland Road) in "Estudillo Estates"

Other tracts where Derry, Weaver & Derry or Derry Bros. homes can be found are; "LeBrun Tract" and select parts of "Estudillo Estates" (Bridge, Collier, Cary and Rondey).

It was 140 years ago today that the Hayward Fault let loose with the "Great Quake".

San Leandro which was the county seat up until that time was in ruin.   The Alameda County courthouse located at the intersection of Davis Street and Clarke Street was destroyed.

An iconic photograph of the San Leandro courthouse became the symbol for that disaster.

How prepared are you for the next shaker on the Hayward Fault?

• Do you have enough emergency supplies to last you and your family for several days?
• Do you know how to shut off the gas supply to your home?  Do you have a wrench handy to do this task if needed?
• Have you backed up your important family papers?
• Have your retrofitted your home and or bolted the frame to the foundation.
• Do you have supplies for your pets too?
• Do you have your prescriptions and medical supplies readily available?
• Is your water heater strapped properly to the wall?
• Don't forget to look after elderly neighbors after an event!
• Does your family have an emergency plan and place to meet up after and event?

Check the front of your AT&T phone directory for useful disaster prepardness information.  Also check out the Red Cross website.

Check out this Wikipedia article on the 1868 Great Quake

If you have any real estate needs, please give me a call.

• city or town where property is located: hayward, ca
• neighborhood where property is located: cherryland
• price the property is currently listed at: $ 325,000
• homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $ 270,000 - $ 600,000     $ 375,000 median
• difference in value between this property and the comps: $ 50,000 to median
• Probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional: this home is an R.E.O.
• days on the market: 66

On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested projects along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners.

Agents please do not forget to supply estimated costs

1. project: remove all the tile on the floors $ 1,000
2. project: hardwood floors $ 5,000
3. project: kitchen $ 10,000
4. project: bath 1 remodel $ 4,000
5. project: bath 2 remodel $ 4,000
6. project: landscaping $ 5,000
7. project: siding $ 5,000
8. project: victorian gingerbread millwork $ 8,000
9. project: lighting $ 2,000
10. project: decks and patios $ 4,000    Approx TOTAL $ 48,000

For the property address and further information, please contact me at: Michael Greenslade 510 334-7800

I would like to help you take advantage of this opportunity / investment

 

In the Elmhurst section of Oakland California, near the corner of 98th Avenue and International Boulevard is the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church.

This church according to my father and that what was told to him from his parents and grand parents that his Great Grandfather was the pastor-reverend that built the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church.

William Moor Greenslade was a Civil War Veteran who served in the Army of the Cumberland as a member of the 81st Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry.   During that time the family lived in Livonia Indiana just east of French Lick.

In 1898 he moved to Elmhurst and lived there until after the death of his son Theodore in 1907.  The family then moved to Morgan Hill California, just South of San Jose.

We were going through some old boxes of my father's belongings (he passed in January 2008) and came across the obituary for his Great Grandfather (my great great grandfather) dated May 11th, 1910.

This spurred me onto go and scan in his obit and photograph the old church.  Does anyone know where Hatzfeld Avenue was or is?  Hatzfeld Avenue has to be in a bay area city, anywhere from San Martin all the way up to Oakland.

I'm going to have to check with Betty and Gail at the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey to see what they know about this church's history.

Just thought I'd share with you all.

Just showing you that my family has been around the San Francisco Bay Area since 1898!  Give me a call if you would like to buy or sell some real estate in the area. 510 334-7800

As I was typing in my last blog entry, I was keeping an eye on NBC11 (San Jose) and their broadcast of NBC Bay Area Bargain Hunter program.

They covered a bargain for viewers, whereas viewers would get 25% off (when you mention Bay Area Bargain Hunters) of a new lawn installation of Realawn.

Realawn is part of homeworks, a nationally known home services and installation company.  There is a video of this Bay Area Bargain Hunters episode online at their site Click here to view

I was impressed that technology had progressed along so much that these lawns look real.   I would actually consider putting one of these down in my landscaped challenged front yard.   I have a Hollywood driveway where lawn is intended to be planted between the wheel strips of the driveway.

Once again I transcribed the open house guide from the San Leandro Times and rearranged it for your convenience. 

If you miss seeing any of these, I would be more than happy to represent you as the buyer.  Call me and I can arrange for a viewing.

I have set aside this weekend to showing homes to people just like you.  In fact, it could be you!  Give me a call at 510 334-7800 to schedule. 

San Leandro

1441 Regent Drive, San Leandro

Offered at $639,900.00 through Rinetti & Co. Realtors

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 2-4

 

1481 Gilmore Street, San Leandro

Offered at $450,000.00 through Coldwell Banker

4 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

3444 Chaplet, San Leandro

Offered at $499,000.00 through United Brokers Real Estate

3 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sat 1-4    Sun 1-4

 

16723 Hannah Drive, San Leandro

Offered at $374,900 through Prudential California Realty

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

San Lorenzo

Nothing this week :(

 

Hayward

27087 Columbia Court, Hayward

Offered at $599,000.00 through Prudential California Realty

4 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

Castro Valley

4291 Omega Avenue, Castro Valley

Offered at $565,000.00 through Hometown GMAC Real Estate

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

18303 Vineyard Road, Castro Valley

Offered at $524,900 through Prudential California Realty

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

17565 Oakshire Place, Castro Valley

Offered at $1,099,000 through Prudential California Realty

4 bedrooms / 3 baths

Sun 1-4

 

Oakland

Nothing this week :(

 

Piedmont

Nothing this week :(

 

Fremont

Nothing this week :(

 

Alameda

3032 Flora Vista, Alameda

Offered at $451,000 through Re/Max in Motion

4 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

San Ramon

Nothing this week :(

 

• city or town where property is located: oakland, ca.
• neighborhood where property is located: san antionio park
• price the property is currently listed at: $230,000
• homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $160,000 - $565,000    286,000 median 
• difference in value between this property and the comps: $56,000 to median 
• Probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional: this home is a short sale

On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested projects along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners.

Agents please do not forget to supply estimated costs

1. project: new kitchen $6,000
2. project: exterior painting $2,000
3. project: interior painting $1,000
4. project: replacement windows $1,500
5. project: front landscaping $1,000
6. project: refinish hardwood flooring $2,000
7. project: rear landscaping  $3,000
8. project: section 1 pest report $26,000
9. project:
10. project:             approx TOTAL $42,500.00

Some photos courtesy of the listing agent

For the property address and further information, please contact me at: Michael Greenslade 510 334-7800

I would like to help you take advantage of this opportunity / investment

I thought that these Envirosax were a great idea.  I never liked the idea of showing up at the Safeway's check out line with bags exactly like the ones they are selling right before entering the check out.

This way you can have a bag that is unique enough where the cashier won't try to ring it up again.   I like the kitchen retro set.

By-the-way this is my first "reblogging" but I thought that it was highly worthy of sharing it with you.

Mike

My last posting on Frontier Village, San Jose's beloved little old west theme park, we concluded our tour of the park.

You may be asking yourself what ever became of this little park and why haven't I heard about it before.  Well, Frontier Village closed in 1980 and was torn down shortly afterward.

Why did Frontier Village close?  Many factors went into the closure of Frontier Village.

First off, increased competition from a new large theme park in Santa Clara "Marriott's Great America".  Great America being at least four times the size of Frontier Village, could offer something that Frontier Village could not, size.

Great America was much closer and much more modern.  Great America made it's debut in 1976 and was backed by a huge hotel conglomerate with deep pockets. 

The Marriott corporation was going to build three identical Great America parks in different regions of the country.  Santa Clara got the West Coast Great America, Gurnee Illinois got the Midwest Great America.  The Washington D.C. area was to get the third Great America park.

Frontier Village by this time had been sold to Rio Grande Industries, a railroad company.  Rio Grande Industries also owned local roller coaster manufacturer Arrow Development Corporation.  It looked like Frontier Village could soon be the debut location for all sorts of ride & roller coaster innovations.

Frontier Village had room to expand into the Badlands as well as some additional land adjacent to the park proper.

Behind Frontier Village was the Hayes mansion, which could be seen from the stagecoach ride.  It always looked like an old haunted house.  It was just a historic property in a state of disrepair.   Frontier Village was actually built on the gardens of the Hayes estate, known as Edenvale.  The large Eucalyptus trees that graced frontier village were part of that much older estate gardens.  

http://www.dolce-hayes-mansion-hotel.com/

San Jose was also experiencing explosive growth due to the emergence of Silicon Valley.  Whereas frontier village was all alone in the orchards in the southern part of town.  By 1980 frontier village was in the middle of a neighborhood of single family homes.

Frontier Village wanted to expand however, between Great America, the historic Hayes property and the approaching neighborhoods, the city declined frontier village's application to expand.

It was the end of the trail for Frontier Village!   The park was auctioned off piece by piece until there was nothing left.

In my next posting we will examine the legacy of Frontier Village.

 

Part 1 http://activerain.com/blogsview/717285/Frontier-Village-Part-1

Part 2 http://activerain.com/blogsview/718430/Frontier-Village-Part-2

Part 3 http://activerain.com/blogsview/718484/Frontier-Village-Part-3

Part 4 http://activerain.com/blogsview/721314/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 5 http://activerain.com/blogsview/721431/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 6 http://activerain.com/blogsview/723682/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 7 http://activerain.com/blogsview/732184/Frontier-Village-Part-7  

Part 8

• city or town where property is located: san leandro, ca
• neighborhood where property is located: washington manor
• price the property is currently listed at: $ 269,900
• homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $ 260,000 - $ 457,000   $ 350,000 median price
• difference in value between this property and the comps: $ 80,100
• Probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional: this home is a R.E.O.

On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested projects along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners.

Agents please do not forget to supply estimated costs

1. project: 8 replacement windows budget $200 each     $1,600
2. project: new bathroom surfaces and fixtures   $3,500
3. project: exterior paint and trim paint  $1,000
4. project: new sheetrock, tape for interior  $4,000
5. project: new lighting fixtures budget $150 each   $1,500
6. project: interior paint $700
7. project: front landscaping $3,000
8. Project: rear landscaping $3,000
9. Project: master bath and enlarging master bedroom addition $50,000
10. Project: kitchen remodel $8,000    approx Total $76,300

For the property address and further information, please contact me at: Michael Greenslade 510 334-7800

I would like to help you take advantage of this opportunity / investment

Once again I transcribed the open house guide from the San Leandro Times and rearranged it for your convenience. 

If you miss seeing any of these, I would be more than happy to represent you as the buyer.  Call me and I can arrange for a viewing.

 

San Leandro

976 Helen Avenue , San Leandro

Offered at $599,000.00 through Prudential California Realty.

4 bedrooms / 3 baths

Sat 12-4   Sun 12-4 (cancelled)

 

474 Juana Avenue, San Leandro

Offered at $349,950.00 through Coldwell Banker Bartels

2 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 11-3

 

1445 Avon Avenue, San Leandro

Offered at $449,000.00 through Gallagher & Lindsey Inc.

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 2-4:30

 

420 Elsie Avenue, San Leandro

Offered at $439,000.00 through Prudential California  Realty

3 bedrooms / 1 bath

Sun 1-4

 

1385 Sandelin Court, San Leandro

Offered at $509,000.00 through Rinetti & Co. Realtors

3 bedrooms / 1.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

16723 Hannah Drive, San Leandro

Offered at $374,900 through Prudential California Realty

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

14416 Outrigger Drive, San Leandro

Offered at $449,000.00 through United Brokers Real Estate

3 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sat 1-4

 

San Lorenzo

1372 Jacqueline Place, San Lorenzo

Offered at $269,000 through Prudential California Realty

2 bedrooms / 1.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

 

Hayward

27087 Columbia Court, Hayward

Offered at $599,000.00 through Prudential California Realty

4 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

Castro Valley

2368 Farley Street, Castro Valley

Offered at $349,950.00 through Prudential California Realty

2 bedrooms / 1 bath

Sun 1:30-4

 

18340 Joseph Drive, Castro Valley

Offered at $549,000 through Re/Max in Motion

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

18365 Joseph Drive, Castro Valley

Offered at $539,000 through Re/Max in Motion

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

 

18303 Vineyard Road, Castro Valley

Offered at $524,900 through Prudential California Realty

3 bedrooms / 2 baths

Sun 1-4

 

4557 Lawrence Drive, Castro Valley

Offered at $569,000 through Re/Max in Motion

3 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

32075 Palomares Road, Castro Valley

Offered at $794,850 through Prudential California Realty

2 bedrooms / 1 bath

Sun 1-4

 

19013 Helton Street, Castro Valley

Offered at $738,000 through Coldwell Banker

4 bedrooms / 2.5 baths

Sun 1-4

 

17565 Oakshire Place, Castro Valley

Offered at $1,099,000 through Prudential California Realty

4 bedrooms / 3 baths

Sun 1-4

 

Oakland

 Nothing this week :(

 

Piedmont

Nothing this week :(

 

Fremont

Nothing this week :(

 

Alameda

Nothing this week :(

 

San Ramon

Nothing this week :(

 

• city or town where property is located: San Leandro, Ca.
• neighborhood where property is located: Assumption Parish
• price the property is currently listed at: $ 279,900
• homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $ 310,000 - 440,000 / $343,525 median
• difference in value between this property and the comps: $ 63,625 to median
• Probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional: this home is a R.E.O.

 

On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested repairs and upgrades along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners.

Agents please do not forget to supply estimated costs

1. repair: Brick front porch needs to be rebuilt.  $4,000.00
2. repair: Missing 2 interior bedroom doors. $400.00
3. repair: Light fixtures missing in kitchen, living and dining rooms $600.00
4. repair: Paint exterior trim on house $300.00
5. repair: Kitchen project 50% complete upper cabinets are missing.  The bottom cabinets appear to be Home Depot In-Stock (American Classics Sandalwood Maple) $500.00
6. repair: Single car garage was converted to a bonus room. remove 1 wall and restore garage goor functionality $300.00              Approx TOTAL $6,100.00

 

1. upgrade:
2. upgrade:
3. upgrade:
4. upgrade:
5. upgrade:

 

For the property address and further information, please contact me at: Michael Greenslade 510 334-7800

I would like to help you take advantage of this opportunity / investment

Here is a breakdown of homes available in our local towns. The data reflects today October 7th, 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 MLS AREA: 3100

• under 199k =  17
• 200k - 299k = 90
• 300k - 399k = 117
• 400k - 499k = 55
• 500k - 599k = 31
• 600k - 699k = 17
• 700k - 799k = 5
• 800k - 899k = 3
• 900k - 999k = 0
• over 1M = 3

Oakland MLS AREA: 2600

• under 199k = 630
• 200k - 299k = 347
• 300k - 399k = 246
• 400k - 499k = 150
• 500k - 599k = 84
• 600k - 699k = 55
• 700k - 799k = 53
• 800k - 899k = 42
• 900k - 999k = 18 
• over 1M = 67

Hayward MLS AREA: 3400

• under 199k =  88
• 200k - 299k = 285
• 300k - 399k = 216
• 400k - 499k = 79
• 500k - 599k = 38
• 600k - 699k = 29
• 700k - 799k = 26
• 800k - 899k = 8
• 900k - 999k = 5
• over 1M = 18

Alameda MLS AREA: 2900

• under 199k = 3 
• 200k - 299k = 6
• 300k - 399k = 15
• 400k - 499k = 18
• 500k - 599k = 22
• 600k - 699k = 18
• 700k - 799k = 20
• 800k - 899k = 13
• 900k - 999k = 11
• over 1M = 0

Berkeley MLS AREA: 2300

• under 199k = 1
• 200k - 299k = 1
• 300k - 399k = 10 
• 400k - 499k = 16
• 500k - 599k = 22
• 600k - 699k = 11
• 700k - 799k = 14
• 800k - 899k = 10
• 900k - 999k = 10
• over 1M = 25

Castro Valley MLS AREA: 3300

• under 199k = 2
• 200k - 299k = 7
• 300k - 399k = 29
• 400k - 499k = 26
• 500k - 599k = 36
• 600k - 699k = 22
• 700k - 799k = 25
• 800k - 899k = 10
• 900k - 999k = 10
• over 1M = 25

• city or town where property is located: San Leandro, Ca.
• neighborhood where property is located: "The Broadmoor" district
• price the property is currently listed at: $ 239,900.00
• homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $ 275,000.00-$505,000.00  $339,950.00 median
• difference in value between this property and the comps: $ 100,000.00 median
• Probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional: This home is a R.E.O.

 

On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested repairs and upgrades along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners.

Agents please do not forget to supply estimated costs

1. repair: 16 replacement windows $200.00 per window budget $3,200.00
2. repair: paint exterior $500.00
3. repair: paint interior $900.00
4. repair: landscape front yard 20x10 $1,500.00
5. repair: open kitchen-dining-living floorplan $5,000.00

 

1. upgrade: 10x10 home depot kitchen (american woodmark) $2,000.00
2. upgrade: new bathroom surfaces & fixtures $3,000.00
3. upgrade: lighting fixtures $100 per room budget $800.00
4. upgrade: kitchen and bath granite slabs $1,000.00
5. upgrade: 800 sqft laminate hardwood floors $2,000.00     Approx TOTAL: $19,900.00

 

For the property address and further information, please contact me at: Michael Greenslade 510 334-7800

I would like to help you take advantage of this opportunity / investment

• city or town where property is located:
• neighborhood where property is located:
• price the property is currently listed at: $
• homes in the same neighborhood are selling for: $
• difference in value between this property and the comps: $
• probate / short sale / R.E.O. / 1031 exchange / traditional:
• days on market

On visual inspection of this property I have noticed that the following repairs would make a difference.  Here is a list of suggested projects along with the estimated costs involved. Please consider the cost price estimates to be for supplies only.  These postings are for contractor investors or serious do-it-yourself homeowners.

Agents please do not forget to supply estimated costs

1. project:
2. project:
3. project:
4. project:
5. project:
6. project:
7. project:
8. project:
9. project:
10. project:

For the property address and further information, please contact me at:

I would like to help you take advantage of this opportunity / investment

I wanted to share with you the mortgage calculator tool that can be found on my Prudential Website (The Webtop).  It's available to you and all who access it 24/7.   

www.prurealty.com/michael.greenslade/mortgageInfo.aspx

Here is a break down of what a 6% fixed 30 year mortgage will cost you.  For the samples below, I just did the price buckets at each 100,000.00 increment up to the jumbo conforming limit.

$ 100,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 599.50 / mo

$ 200,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 1199.10 / mo

$ 300,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 1798.65 / mo

$ 400,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 2398.20 / mo

$ 500,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 2997.75 / mo

$ 600,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 3597.30 / mo

$ 700,000.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 4196.85 / mo

$ 729,750.00 at 6% over 30 years = $ 4375.22 / mo

Keep in mind the additional expenses such as taxes, insurance and homeowner's association dues.  For a exact look at your financial picture contact Shane Wihlidal at our in office Metrocities Mortgage.  Shane can help you get pre-approved. swihlidal@metrocitiesmtg.com or at (925)-395-3488

 

Not too far from Bayfair Center at the corner of Hesperian Boulevard and Lewelling Boulevard is San Leandro's newest eatery, In-N-Out Burgers.

The Southern California institution has finally come to San Leandro.  Burgers, fries, shakes and Soft drinks are the only things on the menu.   A simple menu keeps the restaurant running at top efficiency and cutting operating costs keeping prices fair for the consumer.

San Leandro's In-N-Out is not the familiar white, red and yellow color scheme.  This In-N-Out has a different look to it.  The entire property where this restaurantpad is located is part of the redevelopment of the old Target store.  Wal-Mart will be taking over that location.  The In-N-Out appears to be giving us a preview of what the Wal-Mart will end up looking like.

No In-N-Out would be complete without the palm trees crossed into an "X" someplace out in the landscaping.  According to wikipedia, it was one of the owners homage to his favorite movie, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World.  In that movie the buried treasure was stashed underneath the giant "W" which was two sets of crossed palms.

Bon Appetite

Okay now that we have explored the Badlands on Stagecoach and Train excursions, now is the time to explore some other transportation methods that could be found in Frontier Village.

Old 99 was a small train ride where the little kids could become the engineers of their own steam engine train.  There were no cars following the engines, just the little cartoon looking steam engines.  They would go around at a very slow speed around a small circuit of track.  If I remember there was a small bell that you could pull the rope and make it go clang, clang, clang as you went around engineering your train around.

Near Old 99 was the Antique Autos ride.  These small cars would travel around on a small circuit concrete roadway.  These were electric powered by bus bar and were fun to drive.  They had steering wheels that did absolutely nothing.  The course it took was very twisty and as the park aged it was lushly landscaped.

The Spirit of Kitty Hawk was one of the later rides added to the park.  It was little airplane themed vehicles.  They had a large rudder type of wing in front of the vehicle and you could grab the handle in the wing and let the wind direct your ride journey.  Each of these airplane themed vehicles was attached to spokes radiating from a central spinning hub by way of chains in front of and behind each vehicle up to the spokes above.   This was one of my favorite rides because it generated quite a cool breeze on a summer day.

The Round-up was a carnival ride where you stand up in half round pods.  A chain across the pod would be the only thing to hold you in.  These pods were placed around the perimeter of a large flat disk.  As the ride began to spin you would be stuck against the wall of your pod.  The disk would then start to go up on an angle and soon you would be doing some gravity defying rotations.  The outside of this ride had large longhorn cattle horns on it and it was totally Frontier Village.

The Antique Autos weren't the automobile ride in the park there was also Duster's Turnpike.   This ride also one of the last rides to be added to the park was located right near the entrance log stockade fort and on the fort side of the creek.  Duster's Turnpike was a higher tech larger gasoline powered car ride.  The vehicles were kept onto the track by way of a metal bar that ran down the center but the steering wheels actually turned the wheels.  This is much like the car rides you see in other parks that survive today.   Duster's Turnpike also had a much larger layout than the Antique Autos ride.  Dusters Turnpike had overpasses and underpasses and just wasn't a flat layout.   I really liked this ride.

Part 1 http://activerain.com/blogsview/717285/Frontier-Village-Part-1

Part 2 http://activerain.com/blogsview/718430/Frontier-Village-Part-2

Part 3 http://activerain.com/blogsview/718484/Frontier-Village-Part-3

Part 4 http://activerain.com/blogsview/721314/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 5 http://activerain.com/blogsview/721431/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 6 http://activerain.com/blogsview/723682/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 7 http://activerain.com/blogsview/732184/Frontier-Village-Part-7

Part 8

In my last blog on the defunct amusement park, we had just taken the Apache Whirlwind and Canoes for a ride.

In this episode of my blog we will explore the wilderness of Frontier Village.  There were many ways of getting out there.  The best was by the train.  You could catch the train at where else, the train station at the front of the park.  The train would travel out of the town area and head toward the real train tracks along Monterey Highway.  Once beyond the main part of the park and clearing the lake it would make the turn back into what was called on the maps as "The Badlands".  It was landscaped enough where you couldn't see much of the park beyond the lake.  It felt like you had actually gone into the wilderness of the frontier.

There was a creaky old tunnel that the train would go through.  In reality it was the garage for the train at nights and off season.   But the story us tourists were told that there was some TNT lost in that tunnel from when they were digging.   We had to go very slow so we didn't blow off the TNT by accident.

After the tunnel, would be the dangerous area where train robbers were known to have been active recently.  Sure enough, I was always unlucky because my train was always robbed somehow.   How's that for odds, I guess that makes my modern adult life somewhat safer since we got "robbed" so many times when we were kids.

Another way to get back in to the badlands was to take the stage coach.  I cannot tell you how much fun the bumpy dusty stage coach ride was for a little kid.   We sometimes got to sit on the seating on the roof of the stage.  Funny how things happened, stage coach bandits would be out in the badlands to rob the stage too.

The Frontier Village Sheriff and his deputies were very busy people.  No wonder there were so many gun fights on Main Street.

One last way to get back to the badlands was to go on the slow burro pack train.  It was fun for a small kid who only traveled by 1965 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon.

I can't believe how much fun this series of blogs has been.  The words just keep jumping off my keyboard as memories come back.  I promise this tour into local history (hence my username here at activerain Historytours) will have a real estate tie in later.

 

Part 1 http://activerain.com/blogsview/717285/Frontier-Village-Part-1

Part 2 http://activerain.com/blogsview/718430/Frontier-Village-Part-2

Part 3 http://activerain.com/blogsview/718484/Frontier-Village-Part-3

Part 4 http://activerain.com/blogsview/721314/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 5 http://activerain.com/blogsview/721431/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 6 http://activerain.com/blogsview/723682/Frontier-Village-Memories-Part

Part 7 http://activerain.com/blogsview/732184/Frontier-Village-Part-7