Black Friday- get your FDIC coupons here

Something to be thankful for

Have you heard that the holidays are upon us? Chances are you have. Thursday is Thanksgiving and here in the Bay Area, despite falling home prices and falling leaves, the weather is still warm. At 9am this morning my daughter and I left for our daily walk to her daycare wearing only light jackets. Later that morning my sister called to tell me that it was snowing in Boise, where she lives-the first snowfall of the year. I listened with envy, wishing I was also dancing in the snow.

Thanksgiving in my family is very small, just my husband, my daughter, and me. Years ago my husband and I decided that Thanksgiving would be about us. Sometimes family can be...well...a little much so each year we leave our home and leave our family and head to the mountains. South Lake Tahoe is our destination and each year we stay at the same little hotel a few blocks from Heavenly. Some years there is snow, some years there isn't. Some years we ski, some years we hike. But what is consistent is the dinner. Every year our Thanksgiving feast is at LewMarNels, a lovely restaurant near the water. The staff never changes, and neither does the food. But this is what we like about it. They offer a 5 course meal complete with fondue, soup, salad, choice of entree, and dessert. Each year we fill up our stomachs so much that it hurts to laugh.

This tradition is one that we look forward to every year. Not only does this form of family community remind us how lucky we are to have each other, but how thankful we are.

Despite these economic times, I know there is something that we can all be thankful for.

Berkeley bungalow cute as a button

Broker's Tour today didn't produce much. Inventory is down, WAY down. Perhaps people are wanting a place to live to cook their turkey's. I don't blame them!

But I did see something worth mentioning: 2705 Mathews in West Berkeley. This 1 bedroom Craftsman bungalow is located on a wonderful tree-lined street in Berkeley's Left Bank. It has been remodeled with nice touches, has a sweet back yard, and original charm and details. Close to shopping, restaurants, and the new West Berkeley Bowl (http://juicyrealestate.blogspot.com/2008/11/hooray-new-berkeley-bowl-is-on-its-way.html), I think this great condo-alternative is priced close to where it should be, $439,000.

Hooray! A new Berkeley Bowl is on its way!

Berkeley Bowl is back in the news. Not because John G. was banned, and not because nuts are flying off of the shelves, but because Berkeley Bowl Marketplace has just given birth, well, almost.

This second store, expected to open early 2009 will be a full-service, one-of-a-kind, green, environmentally friendly, and sustainable marketplace at the corner of 9th Street and Heinz Avenue in the mixed-use neighborhood of West Berkeley. The Project includes construction of two buildings: (i) a grocery marketplace with retail, administrative offices, and associated storage space over an underground parking garage, and (ii) a prepared food service area with limited seating and a community room.

(information provided via http://www.kavamassiharchitects.com/)

New Conforming Loan Limits set for 2009

Word on the street is that the new loan limits have arrived for 2009! (I know you just can't contain yourselves!)

For Alameda and Contra Costa Counties:

1 unit-$625,500

2 units-$800,775

3 units-$967,950

4 units-$1,202,925

Now go buy a house!