Dana Estates Neighborhood in Concord, CA

Sunrise on Lynwood Dr. Looking Southeast along Lynwood Drive in Concord, CA.

Dana Estates Neighborhood

The Dana Estates neighborhood is located on the eastern border of Concord. The neighborhood is bisected by Landana Drive. Willow Pass Road forms the areas northwestern border. Dana Estates' southeastern border is Concord Boulevard.

Read about Dana Estates below.

Concord Real Estate News (December 7, 2017) | Dana Estates Real Estate

December 7, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

Concord Real Estate News (December 7, 2017)

Here are some of the latest Concord real estate news headlines. During this past month, house prices shot up again. If you’re a renter, check out some of the cheapest apartment rentals in Concord. Speaking of rent, Concord’s new ordinance get’s its first test as a dispute has arisen over a rent hike. Also, check out what it would take to bring a University to Concord, and finally, discover the local happenings this holiday season.

The cheapest apartment rentals in Concord, explored

If you’re apartment hunting, you know how hard it can be to find a good deal. So what does the low-end rent on a rental in Concord look like these days and what might you get for the price?

We took a look at local listings for studios and 1-bedroom apartments in Concord via rental site Zumper to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find around the Town.

Take a look at some of the cheapest listings available right now: Read More…

What will it take to bring a university to Concord?

CONCORD — The city plans to develop a long-term strategy to attract a four-year university to the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

Contra Costa is the only county in the state with a population of at least 1 million that does not have a Cal State or a UC campus. Consequently, many high school graduates leave home or commute to another county to pursue a bachelor’s degree, creating what assistant city manager Kathleen Trepa called a “brain drain.” Read More…

In dispute over $275 rent hike, Concord ordinance gets first test

CONCORD — The panel that hears disputes over proposed rent increases will hold its first public hearing Wednesday, Dec. 6…

In July, Walnut Creek-based Key Property Management notified a tenant of 1491 Bassett Drive, a 10-unit apartment complex, that it was raising the rent for his two-bedroom apartment by $275 per month, bringing it to $1,600 — a 21 percent increase.

Under the residential rent review program Concord adopted in May, tenants of all buildings with three or more units who receive a rent increase of more than 10 percent in a 12-month period may seek mediation. Read More…

Bay Area housing: Sales dwindled in October and prices shot up — yet again

Reflecting the chronically tight supply of available homes, Bay Area housing sales fell in October from a year earlier as prices marched up across the nine counties by nearly 11 percent. The region’s median sale price of a single-family home was $800,000 and surpassed $1 million in four of its counties. Read More…

Local Happenings: Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Martinez Dec. 8 and beyond

Discover all the many events happening this holiday season from ice skating and Christmas carols to events and more! Click Here for a complete list.

Having a knowledgeable and experienced real estate broker on your side helps protect your interests and insure you make the best possible decisions. We are dedicated to keeping on top of the real estate market and keeping you informed of changes. You can rest easily knowing you made a well-informed decision based on experience and insight into the Concord California market.

To reach Peter Maclennan please call 925.385.8798 or email us at peter@maclennaninvestments.com.

Search for the newest listings in Concord by map (click the map below):

concord california map — Concord CA Real Estate Map Search

Feeling ‘Stuck in Place’? You Aren’t Alone… And There’s Hope! | Concord Real Estate

November 16, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

Feeling ‘Stuck in Place’? You Aren’t Alone… And There’s Hope! | Concord Real Estate

The Concord real estate market is still very active. Reasonable sellers are receiving offers quickly and buyer confidence remains strong. There are multiple price points and types of houses available in Concord, CA.

Particularly around the Dana Estates neighborhood 94519 zip code, homes are in demand. The neighborhood provides convenient access to Highway 4 and to downtown Concord. It is also about equal distance from both the Concord BART station and the North Concord BART station.

Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions that a family can make. Because of the size of the transaction, there are many complicated decisions that surround the purchase of a home.

Today we are going to talk about: Feeling ‘Stuck in Place’?

Whether you are a renter who is searching for your dream home or a homeowner who feels like your only option is to renovate, you have at least one thing in common: feeling stuck in place.

According to data from the National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the average amount of time that a family stays in their home remained at 10 years in 2017. This mark ties the highest marks set in 2014 and 2016. Back in 1985, when data was first collected on this subject, homeowners stayed in their homes for an average of only 5 years.

There are many reasons why homeowners have decided to stay and not to sell. A recent Wall Street Journal article had this to say,

“Americans aren’t moving in part because inventory levels have fallen near multidecade lows and home prices have risen to records. Many homeowners are choosing to stay and renovate, in turn making it more difficult for renters to enter the market.”

Sam Khater, Deputy Chief Economist for CoreLogic, equated the lack of inventory to “not having enough oil in your car and your gears slowly [coming] to a grind.”

Historically, a normal market (in which prices increase at the rate of inflation) requires a 6-7 month supply of inventory. There hasn’t been that much supply since August of 2012! Over the course of the last 12 months, inventory has hovered between a 3.5 to 4.4-month supply, meaning that prices have increased and buyers are still out in force!

Challenges in the new-home construction market have “helped create a bottleneck in the market in which owners of starter homes aren’t trading up to newly built homes, which tend to be pricier, in turn creating a squeeze for millennial renters looking to get into the market.”

“Economists said baby boomers also aren’t in a hurry to trade in the dream homes they moved into in middle age for condominiums or senior living communities because many are staying healthy longer or want to remain near their children.”

So, what can you do if you feel stuck & want to move on?

Don’t give up! If you are looking to move-up to an existing luxury home, there are deals to be had in the higher-priced markets. Demand is strong in the starter and trade-up home markets which means that your house will sell quickly. Let’s work together to build in contingencies that allow you more time to find your dream home; the right buyer will wait.

Source… KCM Peter Maclennan Blog

To reach us please call 925.385.8798 or email us at peter@maclennaninvestments.com.

Search for the newest real estate listings in Concord, CA by map (click the map below):

concord california real estate search by map — Concord CA Real Estate Map Search

Trouble on The Naval Weapons Station’s CAC?

November 14, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

Trouble on The Naval Weapons Station’s CAC?

The East Bay Times is reporting that a former City Council Member and chairman of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) resigned from the committee this week.

Former councilman Dan Helix abruptly resigned last week from the committee advising the city on plans for the first phase of development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station.

According to the article, Mr. Helix is concerned that the members of the CAC was not properly educated and informed by the staff as to the process and the zoning uses.

“I hope out of this that someone will say we need to slow down, we need to schedule more small group study sessions, we need to make sure everyone is understanding, then we can
forge ahead,” Helix said.

Local politics are never without their excitement.

It looks like the developer is still trying to push a road through Dana Estates at Beechwood Dr. (see page 58 of the plan as indicated by a black arrow). The designation says “Pedestrian & Other Possible Connections” (emphasis added). The Concord Reuse Project Website has agendas and other items available online.

Dana Estates Residents should reach out to the Concord City Council with your thoughts on the CNWS project.

City Council citycouncil@cityofconcord.org

DENA Neighborhood Meeting Notes from October 23, 2017

November 2, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

One of the things that makes Dana Estates Real Estate and the Dana Estates Neighborhood so special is the Dana Estates Neighborhood Alliance (DENA). DENA holds two meetings a year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The 2017 Fall Meeting was held on October 23, 2017 at the First Lutheran Church in Concord. The meeting was attended by neighbors and some of the Concord City Council attended as well. Here is a summary of the meeting.

DENA Neighborhood Meeting Notes

The meeting started with a few business items, including a welcome from DENA Chair, a thank you to all the volunteers that make DENA possible, a donation update, and information on the election of the DENA board. Check the DENA website for voting information in mid-November.

Next, there was a small update on Neighborhood Watch. It only takes about 10 neighbors to start a neighborhood watch. In general an organizer is needed and a place to meet. Contact the DENA neighborhood watch coordinator through the DENA website.

Concord Naval Weapons Station

An update on the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse was shared. The Naval Weapons Station was part of a bid by the City of Concord and 4 other cities in the Bay Area to lure Amazon’s HQ2. Some interesting reports and information were shared about Concord.

Also in the update came a reminder that as the neighborhood immediately adjacent to the Naval Weapons Station, Dana Estates Residents need to consistently weigh in with the Concord City Council and Community Advisory Committee. The developer has proposed changes to the design, the phasing, and even the placement of some of the roads within the development. (The developer would like to connect Beechwood Drive to the development as a street with automobile traffic, not just a walking path.)

The next Community Advisory Committee Meeting is November 7th at 6:00pm. Stay tuned to the Concord City Council’s webpage for updates on when the CNWS will next be on the agenda.

Concord Connect App

The City of Concord has a great app for Apple and Google users to download on their smartphones. The Concord Connect App “allows you to connect directly with City of Concord staff in order to more effectively resolve issues in your community.”

Council members informed the meeting that it is a great way to report potholes on Concord Roads and for reporting nuisance items. Because the app is connected directly with the city, problems can get placed in a queue for resolution. While resolution isn’t immediate, submitting either online or through the app may speed the process.

Code Enforcement & Concord Police Update

Attendees at the meeting received an update from Concord Code Enforcement. Two main functions of code enforcement are dealing with 1) private property issues and 2) Neighborhood Watch.

The District Commander from the City of Concord shared some wonderful crime prevention suggestions:

Make areas light outside of your home.
Burglars are often coming in the daytime.
Keep garage door openers in your purse and not in your car if parked outside overnight.
Don’t leave valuables or anything that looks valuable (including kids’ backpacks) in the car.
Don’t walk with your phone in your hand.
Vacation checks for mail or newspaper may actually lead to theft.
Police VIPS will do a vacation check
Utilize Amazon Locker Service at local grocery store to prevent package theft during the holidays.

City of Concord’s 150th Anniversary

Next year is the City of Concord’s 150th Anniversary of its founding.

The Concord Historical Society is celebrating the upcoming 150th anniversary of Concord with a statue of Don Salvio Pacheco, Concord’s founder. The statue will be unveiled in Todo Santos Plaza on July 4th, 2018. There will be a brick patio surrounding it, and the Concord Historical Society is inviting you to become part of the city’s history by ordering a commemorative brick engraved with your name or sentiment. Check out their website for more info.

Dana Estates Concord CA | Moving-Up to a Luxury Home? Now’s the Time!

October 24, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

Dana Estates Concord CA | Moving-Up to a Luxury Home? Now’s the Time!

The real estate market in Concord, California is still very active. Reasonable sellers are receiving offers quickly and buyer confidence remains strong. There are multiple price points and types of houses available in Concord, CA.

Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions that a family can make. Because of the size of the transaction, there are many complicated decisions that surround the purchase of a home.

Today we are going to talk about Moving-Up to a Luxury Home? Now’s the Time!

If your house no longer fits your needs and you are planning on buying a luxury home, now is a great time to do so! We recently shared data from Trulia’s Market Mismatch Study which showed that in today’s premium home market, buyers are in control.

The inventory of homes for sale in the luxury market far exceeds those searching to purchase these properties in many areas of the country. This means that homes are often staying on the market longer which can eventually lead to a price change.

Those who have a starter or trade-up home to sell will find buyers competing, and often entering bidding wars, to be able to call your house their new home.

The sale of your starter or trade-up house will aid in coming up with a larger down payment for your new luxury home. Even a 5% down payment on a million-dollar home is $50,000.

But not all who are buying luxury properties have a home to sell first.

In a Washington Post article, Daryl Judy, an associate broker with Washington Fine Properties, gave some insight into what many millennials are choosing to do:

“Some high-earning millennials save money until they are in their early 30s to buy a place and just skip over that starter-home phase. They’ll stay in an apartment until they can afford to pay for the place they want.”

Bottom Line

The best time to sell anything is when demand is high and supply is low. If you are currently in a starter or trade-up house that no longer fits your needs and you are looking to step into a luxury home, now’s the time to list your house for sale and make your dreams come true.

Source…KCM Peter Maclennan Blog

To reach us please call 925.385.8798 or email us at peter@maclennaninvestments.com.

Search for the newest listings in Concord by map (click the map below):

DENA Neighborhood Meeting 10/23/2017 & Fundraiser

October 20, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

DENA Neighborhood Meeting

One of the benefits of living in the Dana Estates Neighborhood is the Dana Estates Neighborhood Alliance (DENA). The fall meeting for DENA is Monday October 23, 2017 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held at First Lutheran Church on Concord Boulevard.

Speakers for the event will include two police officers to update the neighborhood on Crime Prevention and the Neighborhood Watch. Also, Contra Costa Animal services will to update the neighborhood on animals that are lost and/or found.

See their Facebook post below:

DENA Fundraiser at P-Za Pie

DENA is a non-profit organization that depends on the generous donations of the neighbors in Dana Estates. The board of DENA has planned a fundraiser with P-Za Pie restaurant in the Dana Plaza Shopping Center on October 26th, 2017 (10/27/17). A portion of all the proceeds the night of 10/26 between 5:30pm-7:30pm will go to DENA.

If you can’t make it to P-Za Pie but would like to donate to DENA you can follow the link on their website: https://www.danaestates.org/make-a-donation

Make sure to follow the Dana Estates Neighborhood Alliance on Facebook to keep up to date on their events and happenings.

Dana Estates – Concord CA | Thinking of Selling? You Should Do It TODAY!!

October 20, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions that a family can make. Because of the size of the transaction, there are many complicated decisions that surround the purchase of a home.

Today we are going to talk about Thinking About Selling?.

That headline might be a little aggressive; however, as August 2017’s housing market data begins to roll in, we can definitely say one thing: If you are considering selling, IT IS TIME TO LIST YOUR HOME TODAY!

In a recent article by CBS News, they explained that the number of existing home sales is shrinking, and Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, said:

“There should be 3 million homes on the market right now…Yet, there are only 1.9 million.”

And this situation will be affected greatly by recent natural disasters. Yun continued by saying:

“Before the hurricanes I would have predicted 1.35 million in new-home construction in 2018…I’ll have to scale that down now.”

NAR, in their August 2017 Realtors® Confidence Index, indicated that:

“Amid sustained job creation and sustained historically low mortgage rates, REALTORS^® reported…that buyer demand is stronger compared to conditions one year ago… and that fifty percent of properties were on the market for less than one month when sold.”

The only challenge to today’s market is a severe lack of inventory. A balanced market would have a full six-month supply of homes for sale. Currently, there is only a 4.2-month supply of inventory, which is down from 4.5 months one year ago.

Bottom Line

With demand increasing and supply dropping, this may be the perfect time to get the best price for your home. Let’s get together and discuss the inventory levels in your neighborhood to determine your next steps.

Source… KCM Peter Maclennan Blog

To reach us please call 925.385.8798 or email us at peter@maclennaninvestments.com.

Search for the newest listings in Concord by map (click the map below):

Concord Summer 2017 Activities & Events

June 27, 2017 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

With summer getting into full swing, take advantage of the fun activities & events in and around downtown Concord!

Independence Day Celebration!

With Independence Day quickly approaching, don’t miss out on the downtown holiday festivities!

8AM: Concord Police Association Stars & Stripes 5k and Fun Run @ Todos Santos Plaza – Race day registration opens at 6:45AM or register online here.

10AM: Independence Day Parade @ Todos Santos Plaza

4PM: Holiday Entertainment & Kids Carnival @ Mt. Diablo High School

9PM: Fireworks @ Mount Diablo High School

See the Concord Fourth of July website with a map & schedule here.

Music & Market Series and Tuesday Night Blues

Come on out on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8PM at Todos Santos Plaza for Farmers’ Markets and free concerts featuring musicians from around the Bay Area.

Got the summer blues? Check out the Tuesday Night Blues on July 11, 18, and 25th from 6:30-8PM

See the schedule of performers here.

Cool Concord Cars

Enjoy a free car show at Todos Santos Plaza the same evening as the first Tuesday Night Blues! From 5:30-7:30PM, Concord car owners will be displaying their rides around the park.

Have a cool car and want to win a prize? Registration is free as well! Visit ci.concord.ca.us for more details.

Dana Estates Market Report – June 2016

July 18, 2016 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

With the passing of another wonderful Independence Day, we have an update on the housing market for our beautiful neighborhood in the month of June.

Currently Active Homes in Dana Estates
Number of Houses Active	Average List Price	Average Days On Market
2	$ 532,450	36

Pending Properties in Dana Estates
Number of Houses Pending	Average List Price	Average Days On Market
3	$ 544,650	20.3

Sold Properties in Dana Estates – June 2016
Number of Houses Sold	Avg. List Price	Avg. Sale Price	Avg. Sale Price/ Avg. List Price	Average Days On Market
5	$ 594,399.80	$ 591,800	99.56%	21.4

Houses went up in price last month compared to previous months, although they are not selling quite at listing price.

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This graph shows that home prices are much higher for the month of June than any other month this year (no sales were closed in January 2016).

Based on information from the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® MLS as of 07/05/2016. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

Dana Estates Market Report – May 2016

June 10, 2016 by Peter Maclennan Leave a Comment

Can you believe Summer is here already? Maybe you can, because it seems to come every year.

Just as the seasons run their courses, the housing market runs its own. Below you will find a Dana Estates market summary for the month of May.

Currently Active Homes in Dana Estates
Number of Houses Active	Average List Price	Average Days On Market
2	$ 512,475	25

There are still not very many homes on the market. A few more have come on in June, but there are still many options out there.

Pending Properties in Dana Estates
Number of Houses Pending	Average List Price	Average Days On Market
7	$ 535,978	34.1

The number of pending and sold homes indicates that homes that are priced right are selling. In fact we probably could have double the number of active homes to meet market demand.

Sold Properties in Dana Estates – May 2016
Number of Houses Sold	Avg. List Price	Avg. Sale Price	Avg. Sale Price/ Avg. List Price	Average Days On Market
5	$ 501,400	$ 517,500	103.21%	13

Much to the delight of sellers, properties are selling (on average) over their list prices after a short 13 days on the market.

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The chart below shows the number of houses sold each month since June of 2015. As you can see, October was the hottest month, followed by June, December, and March in terms of house sales.

If you would like to see your home listed in the “Sold” category, please give me a call at 925.385.8798.

Based on information from the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® MLS as of 06/10/2016. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

Dana Estates Neighborhood in Concord, CA