City of Walnut Creek Ca kicks off it’s 7th annual Holiday out door ice skating rink. Starting Nov 15, 2011, through January 22, 2012. Starting on January 3, Tuesday nights the whole family can ice skate for just $25. The rink appears to be a little bit bigger this year, and has a canopy for skating rain or shine. You may view the webcam and see all the fun ice skating going on in downtown Walnut Creek. This is not too far from my new Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate office in Walnut Creek Ca.
Click here to take a look at the ice

January 2011 Walnut Creek California real estate update

Residential Home sales were 20 for the month of January, with an average sales price of $618,205, which is down 12.8 % to January 2010 which is $91,000 lower than 2010. Median sales pricing for January 2011 is also down 13.6% compared to January 2010 which is a whopping $94,000 lower than 2010 home prices. Walnut Creek home prices being lower create a great home buying opportunity for buyers who could not otherwise afford to buy a Walnut Creek Single-Family Detached home for sale last year. It’s the perfect time to buy a Walnut Creek home.

Walnut Creek Home Sales Jan 2010 vs. 2011

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Condo-Townhouse sales for January were up 33.3% with 20 units sold compared to 15 in 2010, with an average sale price of $288,285. Volume is up and median pricing is up by $48,000 but still very affordable. Pending condo-townhouse sales are also up 4 units to 33 compared to only 29 in January 2010. The supply of Walnut Creek condo-townhomes for sale is up 5% to 123 units compared to 117 last January 2010. Some of the most attractive pricing in years is in the $200,000 and below which include 1 bedroom condos as low as $113,000. The sales price as a percentage of original list price remains steady at 91.7%. The average days on the market are shorter by 11 days from 84 in January 2010 to 74 in Jan 2011.

Walnut Creek Condo-Townhouse Sales Jan 2010 vs. 2011

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Residential Home sales were only up 1 sale compared to January 2010, and the average pricing was down -$92,000. Condo sales volume is up by 5 units as well and our inventory is is slightly increasing by 6 condos or town homes, however in January we saw a drop in our average sales prices of only $13,000 to last year. In summary, the market is definitely moving, single family homes are staying on the market longer while condo and town-homes are on the market shorter.  Properties that are priced well are moving quickly. There are still great property values out there to be had, especially with interest rates being as low as they currently are. This is a perfect time to explore an home or investment in Walnut Creek California of the beautiful San Francisco East Bay Area of Contra Costa County.

From the CA High Speed Rail Authority

America’s renewed interest in high speed rail could be a tremendous opportunity for real estate investors.

Why High Speed Rail is an Investment Opportunity?

Land around major transportation infrastructure projects like freeways, Interstate Highways, airports and mass transit lines often goes up in value. Passengers who ride on this new form of transit are going to require services. New service businesses will pop up to seize this opportunity.  These businesses need land and because of the increased demand the value of that land rises.

High speed rail lines in Europe, Asia, and the Northeastern US attract hundreds of thousands of passenger’s everyday. The new high speed rail lines in the US are likely to do the same; these passengers will spend their cash at all kinds of service based businesses who need real estate and will pay top dollar for prime locations near high speed rail lines.

Another good investment is rental property within walking distance of a station site. This is another investment that could pay for itself in the form of rents while the owner waits for a developer to buy it. Even if a developer doesn’t buy the property, the owner will probably be able to increase the rents the high speed rail line opens for business.

The California department of transportation has a high speed rail website where you can find a map of the proposed lines and also a trip planner where you can see the distance and estimated time it would take for that trip.

The California proposed fast rail system will make a trip between Los Angeles and Bakersfield in less than an hour possible. Since real estate costs and living in Bakersfield are much lower than in LA many people will move to Bakersfield and commute to Los Angeles on the high speed rail. Naturally, real estate developers will take advantage of this with new subdivisions for all those new commuters.  This further move away from the cites could affect the home values in Los Angeles Suburbs, but most likely will have no effect.

The proposed high speed rail system won’t run through Walnut Creek.  The closest proposed stations are San Jose, San Francisco, and Sacramento.  A connecting line between Sacramento and San Jose, or San Francisco is the logical next step and it is in the plans.

City of Walnut Creek Ca kicks off it’s 6th annual Holiday out door ice skating rink. Starting Nov 15, 2010, through January 15, 2012. Tuesday nights the whole family can ice skate for just $20. You may view the webcam and see all the fun ice skating going on in downtown Walnut Creek. The outdoor ice skating is just across the street from my real estate office. Corner of Civic and N. Broadway, Walnut Creek, Ca 94596
Click here to take a look

Situated at the base of Mt. Diablo and in the middle of everything in the Bay Area.  Located just to the south of Napa and Sonoma County Wine Country; to the North of the Silicon Valley; and to the East of vibrant and bustling Oakland and San Francisco. Beautiful destinations such as Monterrey, Carmel and Lake Tahoe are just day trips away. Close to the finest golf courses, premium fitness clubs, and most beautiful resorts in the world. Creating an ideal lifestyle for everyone who owns a Walnut Creek Home.

Downtown Walnut Creek Real Estate is located immediately east of the I-680 and SR-24 intersect, with Walnut Creek Homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. In this 20 square mile city there are 31,425 homes, condos, duplexes, townhouses, and apartments; 70% which are owner occupied. In these neighborhoods there are 22 parks and 2702 acres of open space. This is more open space than any other city in California! Walnut Creek Schools are excellent! There are 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 8 private schools. The job market is pristine with top employers The John Muir Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Bank of the West, Contra Costa times, and many others.  The city is always improving making it a great time to buy a home.

The  General Plan for 2025 adopted April of 2006 aims to maintain and enhance the already exceptional experience and quality of life for residents, workers, and Walnut Creek Home owners. A recent survey shows citizens think their community is one of the best in the country. It was given excellent ratings as a great place to live, a great place to raise children, a great place to work, a great place to retire, and a great place to own a home.

“Walnut Creek has scored, hands down, higher than almost everybody else, There are a few communities up there with it, but not very many.”
–Heather Locke, Director of the National Citizen Survey Program

These all make it a great reason to buy a Walnut Creek home or a piece of Walnut Creek Real Estate. Use our free tools on this site to Search Walnut Creek, CA Homes for Sale, subscribe to an RSS feed of the latest Homes on the Market, view Foreclosures, browse Walnut Creek Schools, and obtain your free Live Market Snapshot. These tools will assist you whether it be securing your future through investing in Walnut Creek real estate or finding your Walnut Creek dream home.

Click on the green markers on this map search to get started looking at San Francisco East Bay Area Foreclosures. These homes are bank owned and ready to buy. Some of the real estate has special bank financing. Prices range from $40,000 bank owned foreclosures to $3,000,000 luxury bank owned estates. Investors and Fist time buyers are welcome to use our Free Foreclosure Search.

Fannie Mae says they will be offering special incentives in the way of 3% of the purchase price to pay for buyers closing cost, new appliances or home upgrades to help buyers and to help move the huge amount of homes expected to come on the market this year in 2010. This would mean anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 in home buyer assistance. Combine that amount with the federal government $8,000 first time buyer tax credit or the $6,500 tax credit for previous home owners who are now buying another home, wow what a great time to buy a home in Walnut Creek.
Low Interest rates are also going to make this one of the best years ever to buy real estate while locking in historically low long term interest rates and low home prices. In California under proposition 13 buyers will also take advantage of locking in Lower Property Taxes. If property values go up California property taxes are limited to only a 2% tax increase per year. For example: if you buy a home for $300,000 the property tax payed to Contra Costa County Assessors Office would be $7,500 per year. The maximum increase is limited to 2% of the previous years property taxes which is a $150 increase. California and San Francisco Bay Area home buyers are in for a real treat in this up coming year 2010.

I have put together a list of the Walnut Creek Schools for you including some basic contact info and up to date individual links to each school and links to their district office.

We have 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools inside of Walnut Creek City Boundaries. Residents of Walnut Creek also attend other schools in adjacent cities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette and town of Alamo. The second part includes all the Walnut Creek Private Schools. Also included are renowned Private Catholic High Schools, Carondelet High School and De La Salle High School, famous across the United States for their De La Salle High School Football winning record and championships.

Public Schools

Walnut Creek School District 925-944-6850
• Buena Vista Elementary, 2355 San Juan Ave. 925-944-6822
• Indian Valley Elementary, 551 Marshall Dr. 925-944-6828
• Murwood Elementary, 2050 Vanderslice Ave. 925-943-2462
• Parkmead Elementary 1920 Magnolia Way 925-944-6858
• Walnut Heights Elementary, 4064 Walnut Blvd. 925-944-6834
• Walnut Creek Intermediate, 2425 Walnut Blvd. 925-944-6840
Acalanes Union High School District 925-935-2800
• Las Lomas High School, 1460 So. Main St. 925-935-4110
Mt. Diablo Unified School District 925-682-8000
• Bancroft Elementary, 2200 Parish Dr. 925-933-3405
• Valle Verde Elementary, 3275 Peachwillow Ln. 925-939-5700
• Walnut Acres Elementary, 180 Cerezo Dr. 925-939-1333
• Foothill Middle, 2775 Cedro Ln. 925-939-8600
• Northgate High, 425 Castle Rock Rd. 925-938-0900
• Ygnacio Valley High, 755 Oak Grove Rd., Concord 925-685-8414
• Pleasant Hill Elementary, 2097 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill 925-934-3341
• Pleasant Hill Middle, 1 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill 925-256-0791
• College Park High, 201 Viking Dr., Pleasant Hill 925-682-7670
Lafayette School District 925-284-7011
San Ramon Valley Unified School District 925-552-5500

Berean Christian High School
245 El Divisadero Avenue, Walnut Creek
925/945-6464
Grades: 9 – 12

Contra Costa Christian Schools
2721 Larkey Lane, Walnut Creek
925/934-4964
Grades: PK – 12

The Dorris-Eaton School
1847 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek
925/933-5225
Grades: PK – 8

Garden Gate Montessori School
63 Sandy Lane, Walnut Creek
925/943-7484
Grades: PK – K
School Info: Offers a beautiful, peaceful, and personal part time morning Montessori program

North Creek Academy & Preschool
2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek
925/210-9048
Grades: PK – 8
School Info: Christian

Palmer School
2740 Jones Road, Walnut Creek
925/934-4888
Grades: K – 8

St. Mary School
1158 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek
925/935-5054
Grades: K – 8
School Info: Catholic

Seven Hills School
975 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek
925/933-0666
Grades: PK – 8

Springfield Montessori School
2210 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek
925/944-0626
Grades: PK – K

Walnut Creek Christian Academy
2336 Buena Vista Avenue, Walnut Creek
925/935-1587
Grades: K – 8

Carondelet High School
www.carondelet.pvt.k12.ca.us
1133 Winton Drive
Concord, CA 94518-3598
(925) 686-5353

De La Salle High School of Concord
www.dlshs.org
1130 Winton Drive
Concord, CA 94518
(925) 288-8100

College and University

Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill – (925) 685-1230

California State University East Bay Concord Campus
4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord, CA, 94521
(925) 602-6700

John F. Kennedy University
100 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, California
94523-4817 USA
800.696.5358

University of California, Berkeley
University Ave, Berkeley Ca

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ron Insana, a recognized financial expert, is saying now is the absolute best time to buy a home for both buyers looking to buy their primary residences and investors looking to buy foreclosures. He explains in the video clip why now is the time to buy real estate. The $6500 tax credit for existing home owners that he refers to in this video, requires that the property being purchased be the primary residence. And of course first time home buyers can receive an $8000 tax credit.
Homes in top Walnut Creek neighborhoods are available under $600,000. Home buyers and real estate investors are able to purchase Condos starting under $200,000 within easy walking distance to Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill BART Stations and the popular downtown Walnut Creek shopping and restaurant district.
Many investors and first time buyers are finding real estate bargains in the outlying SF Bay Area communities of Contra Costa County. Newer homes in Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley are being bought up quickly. Foreclosures, Short Sales and Distressed, three thousand square feet, four bedrooms, three bath homes can be found for $300,000.
Luxury Estate Homes in Alamo of the San Ramon Valley that may need some work, used to sell for close to 2 million dollars are being snapped up sometimes close to 1 million dollars.

If you’d like to tour the best priced homes on the market, contact me at mike@thehomeseller.com

A chart of median Walnut Creek home price for the previous year.

The chart above shows the median selling price for single family residential homes (not including condos) in Walnut Creek, CA from October, 2008 through October, 2009. This October the median home price was at $669,100, down 4% from $699,000 in October of last year. This is only a slight drop compared to the previous year where median home prices dropped 17% from October 2007 to October 2008. The decline in Walnut Creek median home price is slowing down. This is one indicator of the direction of the home market in Walnut Creek, California. In my next post we’ll take a look at another indicator of where Walnut Creek home prices are headed, supply and demand.