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Spring Real Estate 2012 - Section 1
The Palo Alto Weekly's Spring Real Estate 2012 special publication (section 1).
4QSJOH3FBM&TUBUF 2012 A PUBLICATION OF THE ALMANAC AND PA L O A LT O W E E K LY PSYCHING OUT THE `FACEBOOK EFFECT' PAGE 6 RESEARCH, THEN REFINANCE PAGE 12 PSSST ... HAVE I GOT A HOUSE FOR YOU! PAGE 29 COMPETITION FOR HOMES HEATS UP PAGE 60 TOP THREE MYTHS OF THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET: One � THERE IS NO INVENTORY � The Truth... MENLO PARK MENLO PARK W NE ING T LIS G IN M N CO OO S MENLO PARK MENLO PARK W NE ING T LIS G IN M N O O C O S Two � PROPERTY VALUES ARE LOW � The Truth... MENLO PARK -- WEST OF BAYSHORE 101 Menlo Park is up 14% 3,000 THE AVERAGE PRICE OF SOLD PROPERTIES PALO ALTO Palo Alto is up 42% 2.000 1.500 PRICE (000'S) PRICE (000'S) THE AVERAGE PRICE OF SOLD PROPERTIES SAN CARLOS San Carlos is up 14% 1,000 THE AVERAGE PRICE OF SOLD PROPERTIES 1,000 PRICE (000'S) 2,000 DAYS 1000 500 500 500 1,000 09/11 10/11 11/11 12/11 SOLD AVERAGE PRICE 1/12 2/12 3/12 10/11 11/11 12/11 SOLD AVERAGE PRICE 1/12 2/12 3/12 12/11 1/12 SOLD AVERAGE PRICE 2/12 3/12 SOLD AVERAGE PRICE TREND SOLD AVERAGE PRICE TREND SOLD AVERAGE PRICE TREND Three � ALL REAL ESTATE AGENTS ARE CREATED EQUAL � The Truth... hank you for all the hard work and effort in getting our house sold in amazing time and for above asking price! We researched who was the best agent in the area and it was clearly you and you proved it out as well. We had high expectations and you exceeded them. You oversaw all the preparatory work in our absence and your attention to detail was excellent. Whenever an issue arose you were quick to respond and eliminate it as a potential stumbling block. Your knowledge and connections were critical in pricing the house correctly, negotiating and getting things resolved very quickly. We have moved a lot and you were clearly the best agent we have had. We highly recommend Elaine to anyone." --Jesse and Alison, Menlo Park Sellers "T "I am goal oriented--you tell me the result you want, and I will find away to make it happen." "My job is to give you the information; your job is to make the decisions." ELAINE BERLIN WHITE COLDWELL BANKER TOP 1% WALL STREET JOURNAL'S TOP 150 AGENTS DRE #01182467 Real Estate Broker Attorney at Law 650.566.5323 firstname.lastname@example.com www.ElaineWhite.com Page 2 I Spring Real Estate Special Section E xclusive Upper Olive Hill Location 308 Olive Hill Lane, Woodside ocated on one of the premier streets in Woodside, this stunning 5BD, 5BA residence has been beautifully remodeled with great style and inspiration. L With over 4500 square feet, the open and welcoming floor plan is an entertainer's delight. It offers the finest in California's fabled lifestyle, with gleaming wide-planked wood floors, four fireplaces, abundant natural light, soaring vaulted ceilings, skylights and a genuine sense of privacy. Doors throughout the home provide direct access to the grounds for seamless indoor/outdoor living. Additional Features s 2EMODELED+ITCHEN-ASTER"ATHROOMASWELLASTHE additional Bathrooms. s "EDROOM "ATHROOMGUESTHOUSE s -ULTIPLESKYLIGHTSTHROUGHOUTMAINHOUSEANDGUESTHOUSE s 6AULTEDORHIGHCEILINGSINMOSTROOMS s #ENTRALHEATINGANDAIRCONDITIONING s 'ORGEOUSWIDE PLANKEDWOODmOORSTHROUGHOUTMAIN and guest house, new carpet in bedrooms, recreation room and landing; tile in bathrooms s CARDETACHEDGARAGECARPORT s 3PARKLINGPOOLANDBEAUTIFULLANDSCAPEDLAWNAREAS s 3ECURITYALARMSYSTEM s STALLBARNWITHTURN OUTAREASPADDOCKS s !PPROXIMATELYSQUAREFEETOFLIVINGSPACEPER DataQuick) s ,OTSIZEOFAPPROXIMATELYSQUAREFEETACRES PER$ATA1UICK Offered at $5,798,000 | 6IRTUAL4OURATWWW/LIVE(ILL,ANECOM Exclusive Listing Agent: DRE#00870112 Sean Foley Realtor � | email@example.com | 650.207.6005 Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 3 SPRING REAL ESTATE 2012 *OTJEF A Palo Alto Weekly and Almanac publication WWW0ALO!LTO/NLINECOMsWWW!LMANAC.EWSCOM 6 Psyching out the 'Facebook effect' 3ELLERSBUYERSHESITANTTOENTERTHEFRAY 44 Big brother is watching 46 Worth the risk? 48 RentWatch (OMEOWNERSPRIVACYISUNDERATTACK 10 Palo Alto snapshot 3EEKINGTHEIRNEXTFIXER UPPER (OMEOWNERSGAMBLEWITHHOMESAFETYVALUE 12 Research, then refinance "EPREPAREDFORANIT PICKINGPROCESS #ANLANDLORDOUSTATENANTTOMAKEROOMFORIN LAW 29 Pssst ... Have I got a house for you! 36W hat's happening here? 3UPER SECRETSUPER HIGH ENDHOUSESFORSALE 53 Is it really location, location, location? 7HATCANYOUFINDATDIFFERENTPRICEPOINTS 3INGLE FAMILYHOMESCONDOSAREONTHERISE 60 Competition for homes heats up 68 Linfield Oaks 2ENTSARECREEPINGHIGHERASECONOMYIMPROVES .EARSHOPPINGPARKSCHOOLYETQUIETANDWOODSY EDITOR: #AROL"LITZER DESIGNER: $IANE(AAS ON THE COVER: 4HISTHREE STORYHOMEINAPLANNED UNITCOMMUNITYAT-ORGAN,ANE-ENLO0ARKWASOFFEREDFORIN EARLY!PRIL"UILTINTHEHOMEHASFOURBEDROOMSANDBATHROOMS0HOTOGRAPHBY6ERONICA7EBER Page 4 I Spring Real Estate Special Section Atherton $501 M OVER ILLION SOLD Menlo Park $201 M OVER ILLION SOLD Successfully getting RESULTS in your neighborhood #1 Agent, Menlo Park � El Camino Office, 2011 Ranked #53 Nationally by The Wall Street Journal, 2011 Over $1.4 Billion in Sales Portola Valley $175 M OVER ILLION SOLD Woodside $284 M OVER ILLION SOLD Providing A Network of Reputable Home-Improvement Professionals WWW.HUGHCORNISH.COM 650.566.5353 email@example.com DRE# 00912143 Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 5 SPRING REAL ESTATE 2012 SELLERS RETICENT TO LIST, BUYERS HESITANT TO ENTER THE FRAY by Carol Blitzer he rumors are flying: Once Facebook goes public, scarce housing will become even scarcer; prices will go sky high. Best to hold onto your house and list it after May, when Facebook's initial public offering is expected; best to buy now before the hordes enter the fray. We're doomed. While some folks are digging in, postponing selling to take advantage of the upcoming Facebook millionaire's club, local Realtors are pointing out the obvious: Inventory has traditionally been low in Palo Alto and surrounding communities, and people still move only when they have to: marriage, birth, divorce, remarriage, job transfer, retirement, death. (See sidebars.) Realistically, not that many of the 20-somethings suddenly getting a potload of money will want to live in Palo Alto, pointed out Bob Taylor of Taylor Properties, Palo Alto. "They're young; they don't have families. It's not the demographic for those buying houses in Palo Alto or 5 At the lower end of Menlo Park's market, this two-bedroom, two-bath home at 1112 Hollyburne Ave. was offered at $319,500 in March. Menlo Park." When a company goes public, it's common to bring in more mature management, he added, and those people might be looking. Keri Nicholas, of Coldwell Banker, Menlo Park, is already seeing the effects of the impending IPO. "Clearly Facebook has an impact. It has an impact right now," she said in late February, soon after the announced IPO. "A lot of people are somewhat panicked that it's coming." But Nicholas pointed out that 16 companies between San Jose and San Francisco are going public in the next nine months, and that too will have an impact on local markets. "The average age of a Facebook employee is 26. They're going to want to be in the City. They want more of a community, not a $20 million house. "If they have families, they want to be in Menlo Park, not on a 2-acre parcel," she said, noting that all aspects of the real-estate market are being affected, not just the high-end. The minute Facebook announced its IPO, "You feel like everyone sort of thinks, `Should we wait nine months to put our house on the market?' You don't want everyone to go on at the same time. "There's some anticipation as to who's going to be buying. (But) they're buying right now," she said. Nicholas, who's currently working with Facebook and Accel employees, said those at the higher end have already purchased homes, borrowing in the secondary marketplace through private banks, if necessary. She, too, sees the greater market impacts in San Francisco, Menlo Park and Palo Alto, "based on the fact that they're young. That may change in five years when they get older." t's the talk of the Valley -- and on the minds of every buyer and seller," Tom LeMieux, of Tom LeMieux Associates, Menlo Park, said. He recalls similar conversations in 2004 when Google went public. "Oftentimes the expectation does not match the reality. I firmly believe the halo effect is a positive trend for our real estate market; what gets forgotten is these things play out over a longer time than people want to believe," he said. (continued on page 8) Veronica Weber 1TZDIJOHPVU UIF�'BDFCPPLFGGFDU� Towards the high end of Menlo Park's market, this fivebedroom, five-bath home at 3 Patricia Place was offered at $3,999,999 in April. �* Page 6 I Spring Real Estate Special Section Veronica Weber Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 7 SPRING REAL ESTATE 2012 Single-family homes sold Homes Sold 2011 East Palo Alto Los Altos Menlo Park Mountain View Mountain View Palo Alto Palo Alto Redwood City Atherton Los Altos Hills Portola Valley Woodside 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Redwood City Atherton Los Altos HIlls Portola Valley Woodside 30 60 90 120 150 Homes sold 2010 Homes Sold 2009 East Palo Alto Los Altos Menlo Park Days on Market for Single-Family Homes 2011 2010 2009 *Information provided by the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS� from the MLS Listings Inc. *Information provided by the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS� from the MLS Listings Inc. Google stock vs. buying a house Google stock price August 2004* February 2005 March 2012 $85 $204 $615 What 10K shares was worth $850K $2.04M $6.15M Median Palo Alto house price $1.15M (2004) $1.30M (2005) $1.43M (2011) Median Atherton house price $3.0M (2004) $3.0M (2005) $3.29M (2011) Built in 2008, this four-bedroom, six-bathroom home at 2950 Alexis Drive in Palo Alto was on the market for $7,895,000 in April. "I'd like to believe that our market is driven by many more fundamentals than one or two high-profile IPOs -- by NASDAQ, how well firms are doing in the Valley," he said. That's what leads to the optimism his clients are feeling now. LeMieux is seeing the most action in Palo Alto in the under $2.5 million range, along with a resurgence at the higher end. "Atherton had two sales above $10 million in 2010" but had nine last year and already one so far this year, he added. But other things besides Facebook's hoopla are impacting prices, mainly low inventory, Taylor said. On a sunny day in February, there were only 30 properties on the market in Palo Alto, with even less in Menlo Park. He pointed to the difficulty in qualifying for loans, especially if they're looking to move from a $2 million house to a $3 million house. "It's a painful process. (People say) rather than go through that, I just won't move," he said. If you received 10,000 shares of Google stock at the IPO price of $85, it was worth $850,000 in August 2004, but that rose to $2,040,000 six months later when most shares were eligible to sell. If you didn't sell the stock until March 2012, that stock would have gone for $6,150,000. Meanwhile, if you'd invested your Google stock in Palo Alto real estate in 2005, you could have bought roughly one-and-a-half medianpriced Palo Alto homes at $1,300,000 each. The value of those homes could have increased to $2,246,350 by 2011 (again, roughly one-anda-half median-priced homes of $1,431,500 each). If you had made a down payment on one house in Atherton in 2005, you would have paid $3,000,000. If you'd held on to the stock and bought a home in 2011, when your stock was worth $6,150,000, you could have bought a median-priced Atherton home free and clear for $3,290,000 million. *most shareholders not eligible to sell stock until six months later Chris Ricketts Entry level in Palo Alto in April included this one-bedroom, one-bath home built in 1928 at 3370 Park Blvd., offered at $508,888. not an overnight phenomenon," he said. "A lot of sellers who are in a posi(continued from page 6) tion to pick their time certainly are A year after Google's IPO (after balancing whether now is the right any lock-up period preventing early time -- and I think it's a very good sale of stock), Atherton values detime for sellers. It begs the question: clined by 5 percent. Yet Menlo Park Will a year from now be better? No had a strong market that year (see one can answer," LeMieux said, addchart). ing his speculation that the market "I spend a fair bit of my day trying will be the same or better a year from to dampen down the over-excitement now. about this. I do think it's positive, but `Facebook effect' 5 hose brave enough to test the market are finding a fastpaced atmosphere. Nicholas said she's seeing "multiple offers on most properties," noting that she's seeing a large increase in off-market sales "getting tremendous prices." Of 14 sales to date, eight were off-market, she added. And that competitive environment comes right back to lack of inventory. "We traditionally have had an undersupplied market here; there are no more large tracts of land to add to the supply, LeMieux said. "We also have an area that people like to stay in. If you sell, where are you going to go?" he added. Nicholas is in total agreement. "I don't foresee that much more inventory coming -- more, but not to levels that we're used to. A lot of people are unsure of where to go," she said, noting that the area doesn't have a lot of senior housing. She contrasted this to 20 years ago when people would hit a certain age and move. "(Lack of inventory is) causing everyone to go, `Uh oh, are we go- ing to get in?' The market has always been strong," she added. LeMieux agreed that inventory was the biggest obstacle to sales. "Over the last 10-15 years it's been harder to be a buyer than a seller," he said. In 2008-09, the "playing field leveled a little bit; now that seems to be tipping again toward the sellers," he added. Some may be encountering challenges in financing, but LeMieux pointed to the "higher-quality buyer where financing is not a problem." Taylor noted that he's been seeing many more cash sales -- one way to get around the financing difficulties. "Now it's all income and credit; equity is irrelevant," Taylor said. "If you're downsizing, as long as you don't need a loan, you're fine." "We do have a fair number of cash buyers," LeMieux said, but noted that, "One buyer could pay all cash but is almost incentivized (continued on page 10) Veronica Weber Page 8 I Spring Real Estate Special Section Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 9 SPRING REAL ESTATE 2012 Single-Family Home Sales Palo Alto Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Sales 605 532 516 463 356 387 443 452 Median $1,150,000 $1,300,000 $1,345,000 $1,555,000 $1,550,000 $1,334,500 $1,385,000 $1,431,500 % price change 27.1% 13.0% 3.5% 15.6% -0.3% -13.9% 3.8% 3.3% Median prices for single-family homes City East Palo Alto Los Altos Menlo Park Mountain View Palo Alto Redwood City Atherton Los Altos Hills Portola Valley Woodside Median Price 2011 $254,450 $1,647,500 $1,198,801 $965,000 $1,431,500 $684,000 $3,288,000 $2,300,000 $1,850,000 $1,800,000 Median Price 2010 $247,250 $1,550,000 $1,200,000 $902,500 $1,385,000 $717,900 $2,900,000 $2,315,000 $1,722,000 $1,755,000 Median Price 2009 $249,750 $1,510,000 $1,095,000 $874,840 $1,334,500 $672,000 $2,790,000 $2,435,000 $1,650,000 $1,568,000 Menlo Park Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Sales 500 451 377 410 300 315 356 373 Median $975,000 $1,255,000 $1,270,000 $1,261,000 $1,386,000 $1,095,000 $1,200,000 $1,198,801 % price change 15.1% 28.7% 1.2% -.7% 9.9% -21% 9.6% <.1% *Information provided by the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS� from MLSListings Inc. `Facebook effect' (continued from page 8) *Information provided by the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS� from MLSListings Inc. to finance because of a mortgage subsidy (offered) through his company as part of his relocation package." But the cost of borrowing is "attractive. Even though lenders are scrutinizing buyers more closely, we have the type of buyers here lenders want to lend to," he said. LeMieux sees a gradual improvement in the market this year. "All of that is creating a scenario where buyers are more confident in their jobs, stock positions, their income, how their companies are doing. If you don't have confidence in that, you're not going to go out and buy a home," he said. he said. "We've enjoyed the building process; we've done two houses, and we were ready to do another project. We enjoy finding something and remodeling." "At one phase we needed a park in the backyard; now we're off on weekends, going to sports, taking vacations together and don't need as much space," said Kelly, who describes herself as a "stay-at-home mom" who loves the creative process of remodeling houses. "I enjoy looking at the new products, new appliances, modern technology that you can put in your home. I'm a nurse but have this side that needs to create and decorate. We work well together; we've found great contractors, had positive experiences," she said. "The other part of building that I like is it's physical, tangible. You actually can accomplish something," Mitch added. "So much of my business (selling consulting services at Cisco Systems) is service-oriented. I deal with people, problems -- it's never really done. "With a house, you build it and it's done." So they rented a home in Old Palo Alto and started scouting for their next project. "We'd been shopping around; we put an offer on one house that had the crazy 20 offers kind of thing. We didn't get it," Mitch said. But just before Christmas the mother of a friend passed away. "We knew the family. Our families grew up together," Mitch said. ob Taylor believes the bigger "Facebook effect" will kick in down the road, long after restrictions on employees' sale of stock are lifted, which could easily extend from six months to a year after the IPO. "Psychologically, it's there immediately, but we really won't see it for a year or more," he said. Other factors will be impacting home sales, such as how many companies are hiring in the Valley and the general revival of the tech sector and rising rents that "will eventually push people to buy," he added. But he keeps coming back to local reality. "There's pent-up demand," he said. Looking down the line, Taylor sees the "Facebook effect" having a poHe mentioned to the family that if they were interested in selling, the Zengers would like to do a direct transaction. Part of the process of looking for their next house was studying the local market. "We did the comps ourselves. ... We track it all the time. It's kind of a hobby of ours. We know the area and can find out a lot on the Internet," Kelly said. "Both parties were easygoing, trying to be fair." "There were no multiple bids or price war. We had conversations directly with the family. I did the competitive analysis, did the comps, did all that negotiation," Mitch said. The hardest part was settling on financing. "Getting the mortgage was an absolute nightmare, with the lender asking multiple times for ridiculous requirements," Mitch said. That included six months of pay stubs plus a live person answering the phone to say he worked there and a letter from the CEO saying Mitch wasn't an owner of the company. Ultimately, the bank misspelled the street name, Southampton, adding a second "h" in the middle. "We had to redo everything," Kelly said. "They stalled; I had to sign a letter acknowledging I had to pay additional interest. It's borderline infuriating/comical. You have to laugh because it's so ridiculous," Mitch said. In the end, "We just tried to be super patient. You can't rush them; # tential large impact not so much because of the instant millionaires but because the company projects hiring 9,000 people in the next few years. "Where are they going to live? They want people to live nearby," Taylor said, pointing to Google's college-like campus and recent rezoning of nearby Mountain View properties that can be used for housing. "It's a company-town model: If they're successful, it'll have a spillover effect on real estate," he said. And he sees an even bigger effect in the years to come when Facebook starts buying other companies. "Then a group of employees will get instant money," he said. N Associate Editor Carol Blitzer can be emailed at firstname.lastname@example.com. you know they have the control. You just show up -- even in San Jose -- with the papers," Kelly said, always being gracious and thanking them for their time. Even with requesting a rush approval that was supposed to take 24 hours, funding was delayed eight days. But they ultimately closed on the new house in Leland Manor. Next comes finalizing plans to add about 800 square feet while upgrading the kitchen and bathrooms and adding a master suite. The whole project should take four to six months. Because they've done this three times, the Zengers can offer advice for others seeking houses in Palo Alto. s ,OOK ON THE -ULTIPLE ,ISTING Service, talk to friends, let it be known you're looking. "Real estate agents can only do so much; you're personally invested in finding a home for your family. It's just easy to do a little investigative work yourself," Kelly said. s#HECK#RAIGSLIST s7RITELETTERS-ITCHMENTIONED that if a house looked abandoned, they've asked neighbors -- "not that that ever worked out," he said. s 4ALK TO MULTIPLE AGENTS h7E were concerned with how busy agents are; some are too busy and don't call you back," Kelly said. Her final thought: "You don't want to be too aggressive, but find out as much as you can about a property, who owns it." N -- Carol Blitzer Veronica Weber Kelly and Mitch Zenger stand in the dining room of their new home, which was decorated in a country-farmhouse motif. Their plan is to remove the fireplace and turn it into a master bedroom. 1BMP"MUPTOBQTIPU SEEKING THEIR NEXT FIXER-UPPER , elly and Mitch Zenger sold their Midtown Palo Alto home last year and were biding their time, waiting for the right property to come on the market. Their intent was not to leave Palo Alto but to downsize, move to a neighborhood closer to Palo Alto High School and to find another place to fix up. The Zengers and their four children had lived on Bryant Street for 10 years, in an odd part of town where the kids went to El Carmelo Elementary and JLS Middle School but continued on to Paly -- without their peers who went to Gunn. "They're always the new kids," Mitch Zenger said. "We didn't need as much house anymore," Kelly Zenger said, adding that their oldest son is in college, with one in high school, one in middle school and the last in elementary school. While location and downsizing were important, what the couple really wanted was "our next project," Page 10 I Spring Real Estate Special Section !$(#'#%) 0 %$*(*()$"$",)'$$"( #)'$$"( 0 %%'$-")!.(&*') 0 '")!+#'$$",)'%! #)!''.#$'"!##'$$" 0 1( )#,)(*!##' #$%#"!.'$$" 0 '"#$*("()''$$"(*) %!*(($#"()'(*) 0 ')$#"'$$",)*!!' 0 *#'$$"#*!!) 0 "%')*'$#)'$!!,#!!' 0 ))'' 0 *!$*(#.$##!!+,( 0 %%'$-")!. '( 0 -!!#)!$)$#*()"#*)()$ $""*)'$*)( 0 !.''!$!)$($$!( /'*%$#'&*()/ $$&#$& !'$& 650.888.0846 email@example.com www.BonnieBiorn.com DRE# 01085834 MENLO PARK | 1377 El Camino Real | 650.324.4456 #$%"'$#"%!!('#$'(%#'+% '#&#&#* *"% '#&#&#' Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 11 SPRING REAL ESTATE 2012 3FTFBSDI UIFOSFGJOBODF BE PREPARED FOR A NIT-PICKING PROCESS by Eric Van Susteren hen Midtown Palo Alto residents Aviva and Ben Saitz successfully refinanced their house in fall 2011, they were able to take advantage of interest rates that are dramatically lower than they were three years ago. "We ended up saving like $200 a month," said Aviva Saitz, whose interest rate dropped from about 4.4 percent to 4 percent. "But I was surprised; it was equally as cumbersome in terms of paperwork as it was buying the house." The increase in paperwork is a byproduct of heightened regulation in the industry after the financial crisis, said Sheryl Klein, owner and broker at Crescent Capital in Palo Alto. But Klein said there are benefits for borrowers that come with the extra scrutiny. "I think there's a lot more transparency for them even though it's a little more cumbersome for us," she said. Anti-steering rules prevent loan originators from "steering" borrowers toward a particular plan that might be most beneficial to the originator. By using intermediary appraisal-management companies, contact between brokers and appraisers has been limited to stymie any unethical influence on the appraiser a broker might have. Christine Kani, a private mortgage banker with Private Mortgage Advisors LLC, said the people who probably benefit the most from 8 refinancing are those who will stay in their houses for some time. "If they did a financing event even a year ago, chances are it's worth an investigation," she said. "A lot of things can happen and they're looking at dropping potentially 2 percent. For people who haven't done anything for four or five years that's kind of the delta." Even with low interest rates and newer regulations, Samira Kolia, senior vice president, homes sales manager at Bank of America said it's important for borrowers to be familiar with the ins and outs of the refinancing process, particularly in the Palo Alto area, where the average mortgage loan is more than $500,000. Borrowers should first consider their goals and what it is they are looking for in a loan in relation to their future plans. Those who are going to be in their house for a short period of time will have different priorities than those who are hoping to retire in their house, said Klein. "A good loan officer is going to ask you about your 5- to 10-year plan and your personal and economic situation," she said. Saitz and her husband refinanced through Bank of America, the bank with which they had an existing relationship, but another Midtown resident who asked not to be named said she found success by shopping around. "I'd really recommend to check Google and (continued on page 16) Interest rate trends since 2010 `If something doesn't make sense, then find out about it. It's one of the biggest financial decisions people make and an educated borrower is the best kind of borrower.' --Sheryl Klein, owner and broker, Crescent Capital, Palo Alto 6 30-year fixed-rate mortgages 15-year fixed-rate mortgages 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages 5 Interest rate 4 3 Annual averages: 4.69 4.20 3.82 2010 2 J F M A M J J A S O N D Annual averages: 4.45 3.68 3.31 2011 2012 J F M J F M A M J J A S O N D Page 12 I Spring Real Estate Special Section Midtown Realty presents... By Appointment 385 ANITA AVENUE, LOS ALTOS A wonderful opportunity to build your dream home! Spacious lot of over 14,000 square feet U Rustic setting yet just minutes from schools, parks, shopping and transportation U Situated on a small cul-de-sac U Outstanding schools U Light and bright home... U 2 bedrooms 1 � bathrooms U Updated kitchen and bathrooms U Hardwood floors U Large deck overlooking the grounds U Approx. 1,056 sq.ft. of living space Listed by: Tim Foy Offered at $1,700,000 SOLD SOLD �ǣ��,>>�-��ii�]�*>���U�}��>`��}��i���i�i>���v�`�� 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom |Approx: 1,021 sq.ft. of living space |Approx: 6,030 sq.ft. lot size ��x� i��]�*>���U�-���������}t 2 bedrooms, 2 baths |Approx 1,445 sq. ft. of living space...with the feel of a single family home Listed by: Tim Foy Offered at $1,150,000 Listed by: Tim Foy & Molly Foy Rich Offered at $1,100,000 SOLD SOLD ����i��i��i]������U� ��>}i��>���iii`����ii������� 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom | Approx. 1,000 sq. ft. of living space | Approx. 5,828 sq.ft. lot size xn��>���i]�*>���U�}�wi`�L�}>�����ë>V��]ʫ��>�i�L>V�}>�`i]�>`�����}�� 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom |Approx. 860 sq.ft. of living space | Approx. 6,180 sq.ft. lot size Listed by: Tim Foy Offered at $995,000 Listed by: Tim Foy Offered at $1,050,000 SOLD SOLD ���-i�>`��i]���>�6i��U�i>��v��V`o� �iʫ���������� 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms |Approx. 1,614 sq.ft. of living space ǣx�-ii�7>�]�*>���U� i>]� >��V� Vi��i����*��>�i� ����>�` 3 bedrooms, 2 baths | Approx. 1,424 sq. ft. of living space | Approx 6,000 sq. ft. lot size Listed by: Leslie Zeisler Offered at $659,000 Listed by: Lisa Knox Offered at $1,085,000 2775 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306 | Phone: (650)321-1596 Fax: (650)328-1809 DRE#00849721 Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page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age 14 I Spring Real Estate Special Section %1(6'%3)(+5281(6 &)(52206 5(5220%1(-&5%5< )//%5:-7,7%67-1+&%5 1)<%5(7)11-6'2857 :::)2/)-/67%7)'20 217)0325%5<"22(6-()67%7)'20 325%5<,-7)',,20) 1+9-):62*7,)%< 0:-7,A2%7-1+67%-5 )(/-&5%5<%1(2*@') -71)66')17)5 85.)<%50%1)'20 2/21-%/67</),20) &)(+8)67,286) )48)675-%1*%'-/-7-)6 27720322/'%&%?% %513/86 67%//&%51 Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 15 SPRING REAL ESTATE 2012 INTERIOR DESIGN IS AN ART FORM. LET US HELP YOU CREATE YOUR MASTERPIECE. RKI Interior Design is a full service firm with a dedicated office, resource library, and staff to handle any project: Residential, Commercial or Hospitality. We also collaborate with architects and builders to provide clients with individual and creative design solutions for new home construction and remodeling projects. The RKI team strives to create living and working environments within a range of decorating styles suited to the client. Refinance (continued from page 12) LEED AP & Certified Green Building Professional Commercial & Residental Wealth of experience Attention to detail Fluency in all design styles Excellent references 2198 AVY AVENUE MENLO PARK 650.854.9090 www.rkiinteriordesign.com Yelp," she said, referring to the online review website. "People who have had really good experiences will sometimes write about them." The resident said she was able to decrease the interest rate on her 30-year fixed loan from 4.15 percent to 2.75 percent. A major part of the process is appraising the market value of the borrower's home. Kani said the use of appraisal-management companies has broadened the range in which an appraiser might work. "They do it regionally, but our region might extend all the way east of Pleasanton," she said. "And you have no control over who's going to do it." Klein said appraisers unfamiliar with the local area can work against borrowers. "Sometimes there are nuances about a particular neighborhood that the appraiser might not be aware of if they don't live here," she said. To counteract this, Kani will sometimes advise clients to order a 48-hour rush appraisal of their home, usually at the cost of an administrative fee. This tactic increases the chance that the borrower will get an appraiser familiar with the area, because few appraisers will want to drive hours to a location, drive back, and then file the report within a 48-hour time span. Borrowers should be prepared to have all of their financial information closely scrutinized by the lender before the loan takes place. Saitz said the level of detail her bank went into surprised her, checking for details from even small deposits into her family's account. Klein said it's best not to take this part personally. "Realize it's not just you," she said. "It's everyone who has to do this, and it's a result of the mortgage crisis and all the loans before where people had to provide less documentation." Kani said this part of the process can be particularly difficult for the self-employed, many of whom are able to reduce tax burden by writing off a significant number of costs as business expenses. While this strategy saves money in taxes, it can be problematic in attaining a conventional loan. "Those people who are preparing their taxes should consider not writing as much off so that they can fit into a particular qualification, and after they refinance go ahead and write off what you want in the following year," she said. "Collaborate with your broker and your CPA, and your CPA might say that you should pay more taxes and in the end you should come out ahead from the refinance." Borrowers should be sure they understand their good-faith estimates -- the document that contains all costs associated with the loan -- in minute detail, said Klein. Excessive closing costs and other fees might counteract or render useless the savings from a refinance. "With no points and standard closing costs, my rule of thumb is that your rate should improve by at least half a percent," said Kani. "If there are no costs whatsoever, even just reducing your rate by just a quarter can be worth it." Klein said one of the main things she does is encourage people to ask a lot of questions. "If something doesn't make sense, then find out about it," she said. "It's one of the biggest financial decisions people make and an educated borrower is the best kind of borrower." N Editorial Assistant Eric Van Susteren can be emailed at firstname.lastname@example.com. Pe n g din e Sal 329 Oak Ct, Menlo Park 1455 Woodland Ave, Menlo Park 133 Burns Ave, Atherton* Omar Kinaan Realtor, CDPE DRE#01723115 650.776.2828 email@example.com *Represented the Buyers Recent Sales in Menlo Dis Park & Atherton RE/MAX nc ve Properes Work with someone who cares! 350 McKendry Pl, Menlo Park 1475 Woodland Ave, Menlo Park* 648 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park Page 16 I Spring Real Estate Special Section 5060 Middlefield Rd, Atherton* 1023 Henderson Ave, Menlo Park* Phone: (650)776-2828 www.Kinaan.com a p r. c o m There is a reason you see so many of our Sold signs in your neighborhood. We are ranked the #1 residential real estate firm in Silicon Valley* and fifth largest in the nation. Put our 20-plus years of knowledge and strength to work for you. Contact an APR sales professional today. *Source: San Jose Business Journal � March 30, 2012 Source: 2012 REAL Trends Top 500 survey, ranked by Closed Sales Volume in 2011 PA L O A LT O | 5 7 8 U n i v e r s i t y Av e n u e M E N L O PA R K | 1 5 5 0 E l C a m i n o R e a l W O O D S I D E | 2 9 3 0 Wo o d s i d e R o a d 650.323.1111 650.462.1111 650.529.1111 Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 17 a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. COMING SOON Alan Dunckel and Derk Brill 650.543.1117 email@example.com Palo Alto � Grand Crescent Park estate. 6 BR/5BA plus 1 bedroom guest cottage on park like 75,000sf lot. One of Palo Alto's largest parcels. A one of a kind opportunity. $8,995,000 Alan Dunckel and Derk Brill 650.543.1117 firstname.lastname@example.com Los Altos Hills � Expansive Tuscan style home. 7BR/6.5BA with over 7,400sf of living space, newly updated kitchen and media room. Ample entertaining with outdoor kitchen and pool. Call for Price NEW CONSTRUCTION Joe Parsons 650.279.8892 email@example.com Menlo Park � Outstanding quality new construction underway 2012. 5700+/-sf, 5bd/6ba + office or 6th bedroom. 3 levels. Add your own personal touch. Menlo Park Schools. Sherry Bucolo 650.207.9909 email@example.com Palo Alto � Prime Old Palo Alto. Spacious & upscale 5 bd/4.5 ba floor plan + 4 car underground garage. Near Walter Hays Elementary, Jordan Middle & Paly. $4,898,000 $4,695,000 SOLD Alan Dunckel and Derk Brill 650.543.1117 firstname.lastname@example.com Los Altos Hills � Dramatic contemporary new construction with 200 Green Point raiting. 5BR/5.5BA featuring walls of glass and the latest tech advancements. Quiet and serene, yet 5 minutes to highways. $4,488,000 Kelly Lawson 650.255.3983 email@example.com Los Altos Hills � Gorgeous Mediterranean villa surrounded by grape vines. Chef's kitchen, vaulted ceilings, beautiful pool area, views. 5 car garage. $4,295,000 SOLD Alan Dunckel and Derk Brill 650.543.1117 firstname.lastname@example.com Los Altos Hills � Resort style living minutes from downtown. 5BR/6BA on 1+ acre is the ultimate in entertaining and indoor/outdoor living with pool, outdoor kitchen and gardens. $4,288,000 Christy Giuliacci 650.380.5989 email@example.com Palo Alto � Exquisite 6,853� home built in 2007 with the finest amenities on a 15,600+ sf lot. Stunning lower level w/home theatre. Represented Buyers. $4,250,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 18 I Spring Real Estate Special Section a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. SOLD Julie Tsai Law 650.799.8888 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Rare opportunity in North Palo Alto. Over 30,000 sq.ft. lot with 3 buildings on the same parcel. Mary Gilles 650.814.0858 firstname.lastname@example.com Menlo Park � Classic and elegant 5bd, 3-level home in Central Menlo offers estate amenities in a friendly neighborhood close to downtown. Fantastic public and private schools. $4,200,000 $3,999,999 Grace C. Wu 650.208.3668 firstname.lastname@example.com Los Altos Hills � Privacy & luxury remodeled home with lovely Bay, hills and city light views. Extensively renovated in 2001. 4bd, 3.5ba offers state-of-the-art amenities and premier finishes. Diane Rothe 650.787.9894 firstname.lastname@example.com Woodside � 3000+/-sf structure built April 2011, on 3+/-ac parcel. Live in exceptional contemporary guest house while you build your new main residence, with "approved" plans. Spectacular Western hills views. Call for Price $3,999,000 Sherry Bucolo 650.207.9909 email@example.com Menlo Park � Exquisite custom home built in 2002 with unrivaled style and design. Picturesque & private 1/2 acre lot in desirable Menlo Oaks near top schools. Ellen Ashley 650.888.1886 email@example.com Portola Valley � Featuring sweeping views of the hills, this custom-designed 5bd, 7-year old Craftsman style home was designed with an emphasis on light and open spaces. $3,950,000 $3,875,000 SOLD SOLD Connie Linton 650.400.4873 firstname.lastname@example.com LOS ALTOS � Sensational new 6500+ sq. ft. home located on quiet N. Los Altos cul-de-sac. 5bd/5.5ba, home theater, wine cellar. Many fine luxury appointments. Represented the winning Buyer offer. $3,750,000 Colleen Foraker 650.380.0085 email@example.com Menlo Park � Stately traditional 5bd / 5.5ba home with classic architectural details situated on over 1/3 acre lot. Sold off market with multiple offers! $3,495,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 19 a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. COMING SOON Jenny Teng 650.245.4490 email@example.com Palo Alto � Stunning newer custom home built with exquisite attention to detail. 4 spacious bedrooms, 3.5 baths. Located in desirable Community Center location. Ted Paulin 650.766.6325 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Historical Professorville home with 5 bedrooms, 2 baths upstairs, amazing wood work, full basement with windows and in near original condition. $3,395,000 Call for Price Alan Dunckel 650.543.1074 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Fabulous prime Old Palo Alto 5bd, 2.5ba, approx 2800 sq ft. Elegant and comfortable large living room with fireplace, hardwood floors and glass doors leading to back patio. $3,195,000 Kathleen Wilson 650.543.1094 email@example.com Palo Alto � New Mediterranean home located in quiet location in Midtown. 5bd/4.5 baths 3 full suites, Separate office, 2 car garage, 8800+/lot 3000+/- home. $2,998,000 JUST LISTED Ellen Ashley 650.888.1886 email@example.com Portola Valley � Spectacular views from this beautifully updated 4bd/3.5ba contemporary style home on 2.5+/-acres in central Portola Valley. $2,995,000 John Forsyth James 650.218.4337 email@example.com Los Altos Hills � 1 of 3 Newly constructed Spanish inspired homes, backs to LA gold course 6bd/4ba - 3891 sf. $2,798,000 SOLD John Forsyth James 650.218.4337 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � New 5bd/3.5ba Craftsman construction by Roger Kohler with 3,070+/- sq.ft. � chef's kitchen, family room, oak hardwood, & covered porches. Elyse Barca 650.743.0734 email@example.com $2,788,000 San Carlos � Breathtaking panoramic views include SF , Treasure Island, 3 bridges. 6000+/-sf. Amazing details in this 6bd/6.5ba with office, 4-car garage. $2,750,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 20 I Spring Real Estate Special Section a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. SOLD Shari Ornstein 650.543.1077 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Exquisite, Bright Top Floor, 3bd/2 ba Condo in Downtown Woodmark Complex has Many Upgrades & Custom Cabinetry of Exceptional craftsmanship. $2,495,000 Colleen Foraker 650.380.0085 firstname.lastname@example.com Menlo Park � Successfully represented buyer in the purchase of this charming 5bd / 3.5ba Allied Arts home with multiple offers! $2,490,000 SOLD SOLD Connie Linton 650.400.4873 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � A wonderful blend of open floor plan with traditional architectural details in this newly remodeled home. 4bd/3ba in Crescent Park neighborhood location. Represented the winning Buyer offer. Christy Giuliacci 650.380.5989 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Spectacular 3,100 � sf Craftsman built in 2006. Large 9,444� sf lot with extensive patios and outdoor kitchen. Sold for over the asking price with multiple offers. $2,399,000 SOLD Denise Simons 650.543.1104 email@example.com Palo Alto � Located in sought after Community Center this updated 4 bed, 3 bath Atrium Eichler, with soaring ceilings and an open floor plan, sold with multiple offers above the list price. $2,350,000 Michael Hall 650.465.1651 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Beautifully located 4 bedroom, 3 bath Traditional home in North Palo Alto, family room/kitchen. Built in 2000. Duveneck, Jordan, Paly. $2,230,000 SOLD SOLD Julie Tsai Law 650.799.8888 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Elegant home situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in Adobe Meadow. 4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, around 2736 sq. ft. Represented buyer. Grace C. Wu 650.208.3668 email@example.com Palo Alto � Traditional Tudor home: 5bd/3ba, spacious LR, Formal DR, kitchen/FR open to large yard & pool area. Master suite with office & fireplace. New Roof, carpet & yards. $2,280,000 $2,222,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 21 a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. SOLD SOLD Anna Park 650.543.1080 firstname.lastname@example.com Los Altos Hills � 1.13 Acre lot w/ plans by Architect Torin Knorr. Approx. 7,109 +/- sf of living on 3 levels. 6 bd/6 full, 2 half ba, plus study. 3-car garage w/ elevator. Greg Celotti 650-740-1580 email@example.com Palo Alto � Sold within a week above list price with multiple offers! Beautifully remodeled 4bd/2.5ba home with large 7,500+/-sf lot plus gorgeous kitchen, family room & master suite! Call for Price $1,940,000 Valerie Lo 650.288.2237 firstname.lastname@example.com SOLD Michael Hall 650.465.1651 firstname.lastname@example.com Menlo Park � Beautifully updated 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with 2 bedroom, 1 bath in-law unit over 3 car garage. Built in 1990. Las Lomitas Schools. Delia Fei 650.269.3422 email@example.com Palo Alto � Elegant 4br, 2ba Ranch home in desirable Community Center area. Detailed with bay windows, crown molding, skylights and more. Sold within 7 days! $1,890,000 $1,895,000 COMING SOON COMING SOON Julie Tsai Law 650.799.8888 firstname.lastname@example.com Saratoga � Updated ranch style home with excellent Saratoga schools. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, around 2856 sq.ft. Call for Price Jack & Jolaine Woodson 650.740.9694 firstname.lastname@example.com Menlo Park � Lovely 3bd/2.5ba home in west Menlo. House is 2170+/-sf, Lot is 10,010+/-sf. Office with half-bath and separate entrance. Vaulted ceiling in living room. $1,849,000 SOLD Emely Weissman 650.543.1057 email@example.com Palo Alto � Gracious Crescent Park three bedroom, two bath home with cottage, on a handsome street. Listed and sold by Alain Pinel Realtors, with Emely representing the buyer. Leika Kejriwal 650.218.5345 email@example.com Palo Alto � Downtown Fourplex, just blocks away from University Ave and Stanford University. Great Unit mix . Walkscore:86. Represented Buyer. $1,775,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 22 I Spring Real Estate Special Section a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. Joe Merkert 650.387.5464 firstname.lastname@example.com SOLD Menlo Park � Beautifully remodeled Mary Merkert 650.303.2221 firstname.lastname@example.com SOLD 4bd/3.5ba on a quiet cul-de-sac in sought-after neighborhood. Las Lomitas schools and access to Stanford. Represented Buyer. Julie Tsai Law 650.799.8888 firstname.lastname@example.com Menlo Park � New construction on a large 10,400 square foot lot , 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms, around 3284sq.ft. Represented buyer. $1,760,000 Call for Price COMING SOON SALE PENDING Julie Tsai Law 650.799.8888 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Spacious home on one of the most desirable streets in Midtown. 5 Beds, 3 Baths, over 2500sq.ft. Elyse Barca 650.743.0734 firstname.lastname@example.com Call for Price Cupertino � Premium Cupertino foothills location. Handsomely updated 4bd/2.5ba, 2-story on almost half acre. Expansive lawns, private setting, fabulous canyon view. $1,699,000 COMING SOON COMING SOON Julie Tsai Law 650.799.8888 email@example.com Palo Alto � Green Gable Gem! Over 2000 sq. ft. of living space on over 8000 sq. ft. lot. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Call for Price Estela Freeman 650.323.1111 firstname.lastname@example.com Los Altos � This charming home with a contemporary feel is located on a beautiful tree-line cul-de-sac near the village in Los Altos. Turn-key. Excellent Los Altos schools. Close to commute routes. $1,598,000 Betsy Dwyer 650.543.1056 email@example.com Menlo Park � Beautiful newer home, Morgan Lane in desirable Lindfield Oaks. 4bd/3ba with a state of the art kitchen, elegant master suite & so much more! $1,595,000 Shelly Roberson 650.464.3797 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Charming north Palo Alto home featuring 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 baths, cozy eat-in kitchen, elegant living/dining room, wood floors, ample yard, top schools. Call for Price apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 23 a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. Joe Merkert 650.387.5464 firstname.lastname@example.com Colleen Foraker 650.380.0085 firstname.lastname@example.com SOLD Menlo Park � Located in the desirable Willows Mary Merkert 650.303.2221 firstname.lastname@example.com SOLD Menlo Park � Spacious 4bd / 2.5ba Scott O'Brien 650.833.8636 email@example.com neighborhood, this 3bd/2ba home features beautiful gardens and expansive deck. Menlo Park Schools. $1,550,000 contemporary style home on a private wooded lot and nestled in a quite Sharon Heights culde-sac. $1,550,000 Nancy Mott 650.543.1049 firstname.lastname@example.com SOLD Palo Alto � Lovely expanded and updated 5bd, Jennifer Buenrostro 650.543.1097 email@example.com SOLD 2ba home in desirable Green Gables. Great home in a wonderful neighborhood with top PA schools. Sold for over asking price with multiple offers. $1,548,000 Lori Buecheler 650.543.1119 email@example.com Palo Alto � Sixteen offers on this highlydesirable Midtown property. Fabulous opportunity to renovate and/or expand on this large 8,000+ SF lot. Represented buyer. $1,523,000 SOLD Arti Miglani 650.804.6942 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Wrap around yard with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, family room, formal living/dining in the Greater Crescent Park Addition, Large 10, 700 sq ft lot. Potential to add on or remodel. Jing-Jing Guo 650.543.1058 email@example.com Los Altos � Beautifully updated and expanded home. Close to all North Los Altos schools. Represent Buyers. Sold with multiple offers within a week. $1,495,000 $1,428,000 SOLD SOLD Arti Miglani 650.804.6942 email@example.com Palo Alto � Charming remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1280 sq ft home, on a 7000 sq ft lot. Great Mid Town location. Janise Taylor 650.302.2083 email@example.com Menlo Park � Turn-key 3bd/2ba home in the heart of University Park. Lovely knoll-top setting with picture windows offering wonderful treetop views. Represented buyer. Call for Price $ 1,350,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 24 I Spring Real Estate Special Section a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. Joe Merkert 650.387.5464 email@example.com Alan Dunckel 650.543.1074 email@example.com Menlo Park � Outstanding opportunity for Menlo Park Charmer 3bd,3ba home. Storybook charm on quiet tree-lined Menlo Park street. Formal Living Room with fireplace, vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors. $1,295,000 Mary Merkert 650.303.2221 firstname.lastname@example.com Menlo Park � Ranch-style 3bd/2ba with family room in Stanford Hills. Freshly painted, new carpets and new roof. Pool. Las Lomitas Schools. $1,295,000 Denise Simons 650.543.1104 email@example.com Palo Alto � Charming 4bd, 2ba home on large lot in desirable Professorville. Close to Stanford University, Walter Hayes Elementary school, Rinconanda Park, Jr. Museum and zoo. $1,295,000 Marybeth Dorst 650.245.8890 email@example.com Pacifica � Exceptional 4bd/3.5ba home in a peaceful neighborhood. Elegant features paired with modern comforts. Short distance to beach and great commute location. $1,225,000 Derk Brill 650.543.1117 email@example.com Menlo Park � Outstanding opportunity to build your dream home. Move right into this remodeled 2BR/1BA with approved plans for new 3,500sf home on an expansive 10k+sf lot. $1.195,000 Colleen Foraker 650.380.0085 email@example.com Palo Alto � Charming 2bd / 1ba cottage in Crescent Park, just blocks from downtown Palo Alto. Sold with multiple offers! $1,195,000 Monica Corman 650.543.1164 email@example.com Menlo Park � Fabulous opportunity to build one or two houses on a very large 19,758+/-sf lot: 77.45' wide x 255'deep, in award-winning Menlo Park School District. Anna Park 650.543.1080 email@example.com Palo Alto � Charming 3 bd/2 ba Eichler. 1,396 sf of living space on 6,014 sf lot. Remodeled kitchen, enclosed courtyard, and new backyard lawn. Represented Buyer. $1,150,000 $1,100,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 25 a p r. c o m T h e r e i s a s p ir i t t h a t d i s t in g ui s h e s u s . To g e t h e r w e s e e k b o l d inn ova t i o n s in th e way we manag e t e c hn olo g y, or ganize our c omp any a n d a d van c e t h e s t a n d a r d s o f o ur in d u s t r y. Ling Lau 650.543.1055 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � As seen on House Hunters. Beautiful 4bd/2ba Eichler. Chef's kitchen. Sun-filled great room. Expansive windows. Private backyard. Mature trees & green house. Excellent PA schools. $1,085,000 John Forsyth James 650.218.4337 email@example.com Palo Alto � Short stroll to downtown Palo Alto shops and dining, this sophisticated condo features a 2bd/2ba floor plan with approx. 1,270 sq. ft, $998,000 SOLD Shari Ornstein 650.543.1077 email@example.com Mountain View � Situated on a beautifully landscaped lot in Cuesta Park, this light filled charming 3bd/2 ba home has been graciously updated & well maintained. Nadr Essabhoy 650.543.1124 email@example.com $995,000 Mountain View � Charming home located on a beautiful 10,000 sq ft lot just a couple of blocks from all of the activity of Downtown Mountain View. Call for Price COMING SOON John St. Clair & Lydia Kou 650.740.8363 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � 2bd, 2ba unit in downtown PA. Close to many amenities and conveniences. Spacious and bright master bedroom, living room and patio. This unit is perfect for indoor/ outdoor entertaining. $899,000 Pam Page 650.400.5061 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Wonderful updated townhouse style condo. Quiet downtown North location. 3bd (includes loft bedroom/study), 2 ba, 2 decks, 2 garage spaces. Call for Price Lynne Mercer 650.906.0162 firstname.lastname@example.com Mountain View � Delightful 3br/2ba Eichler with great indoor/outdoor feel. New paint, carpet, landscaping, and 7 skylights! Close to CalTrain, Google campus. Karen McNay 650.543.1091 firstname.lastname@example.com Palo Alto � Charming 2 bedroom/1 bath cottage in the heart of College Terrace. Fireplace in Living Room. Walk to Stanford, schools and shopping. Call for Price $759,000 apr.com | Palo Alto Office 578 University Ave 650.323.1111 Menlo Park Office 1550 El Camino Real, Suite 100 650.462.1111 | Woodside Office 2930 Woodside Rd 650.529.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 26 I Spring Real Estate Special Section *No slogan needed 342 Avenue,Palo PaloAlto Alto 470Hawthorne Santa Rita Avenue, Open Representation Sunday SOLD - Seller 342 Hawthorne Avenue, Palo Alto 630 Lincoln Avenue, Palo Alto Open Representation Sunday SOLD - Seller Awarded the #1 Team in Keller Williams International for 2011 SOLD - Seller Representation 551 Hale Street, Palo Alto 342 Hawthorne Avenue, Palo Alto 68 Adam Way, Atherton Open Representation Sunday SOLD - Buyer 342 Hawthorne Avenue, Palo Alto 1000 Godetia Drive, Woodside Open Representation Sunday SOLD - Seller 342 Hawthorne Avenue, Palo Alto 126 Lowell Avenue, Palo Alto Open Representation Sunday SOLD - Seller Trophy Properties in... Old Palo Alto Crescent Park Lindenwood 342 Hawthorne Avenue, Palo Alto Open Sunday SOLD - Buyer & Seller Representation 342 Hawthorne Palo Alto 3610 Ramona Avenue, Circle, Palo Alto PRIVATE OFFERINGS Open Sunday Miles McCormick Number One Team out of 79,000 Keller Williams agents Averaging 10,000 Visits Per Month H o m e s O f Th e Pe n i n s u l a . co m 650-400-1001 DRE 01184883 Spring Real Estate Special Section I Page 27 FOR SALE EXCLUSIVE LISTING 196 Selby Lane, Atherton Impressive 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath Craftsman with glorious gardens, pool, and spa on a private cul-de-sac Offered at $3,695,000 198 Heather Drive, Atherton Desirable one-level Lindenwood home with lovely grounds, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and pool Offered at $3,150,000 PENDING SALE SOLD 1222 N. Lemon Avenue, Menlo Park Custom classic Craftsman on a private lane, 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, pool, spa and sport court Offered at $3,850,000 C O M I N G S O O N � M E N LO PA R K 4-bedroom, 3-bath home in Central Menlo Park Call for details 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home, highly rated Menlo Park schools Call for details 355 Woodside Road, Woodside Charming Woodside home with gorgeous grounds, pool, and vineyard Price upon request C O M I N G S O O N � AT H E R T O N Spacious Lindenwood area home on 2 acres in Atherton Call for details Approximately 2.6 acres in Central Atherton, prime building opportunity Call for details 650 329 6645 firstname.lastname@example.com tomlemieux.com DRE# 01066910 Coldwell Banker Top 1% Internationally Top 50 Nationally, Wall Street Journal, 2011 Page 28 I Spring Real Estate Special Section


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I think the $1billion figure is for a completely custom chip. Slapping together a standard ARM CPU, GPU, and a bridge/controller or two on one die is not a completely custom chip. So I highly doubt the A4 cost Apple that much.
Also think about ROI. The A4 is likely to be obsolete in a year simply because of the progress of technology. I don't see iPad sales being anywhere near iPhone sales so they would never recoup costs at that rate.
iPad A4 Chipset Cost Apple $1 Billion?
We typically don't run those stories about iPhone or iPad component costs anymore because they're just silly -- a couple of hundred dollars in metal parts per unit never takes into account R&D and marketing costs, and things like paying $1 billion for the new Apple A4 chipset in the iPad. Or so hints the New York Times:
At the same time, Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm are designing their own takes on ARM-based mobile chips that will be made by the contract foundries. Even without the direct investment of a factory, it can cost these companies about $1 billion to create a smartphone chip from scratch.
And this would be for an ARM + PowerVR chipset assembly, how much will it cost when Apple starts spinning their own PA Semi designed chipsets whole? And what's the competitive advantage that they're willing to spend so much?
Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment! Need help with something else? Ask in our forums!
Reader comments
iPad A4 Chipset Cost Apple $1 Billion?
I think the $1billion figure is for a completely custom chip. Slapping together a standard ARM CPU, GPU, and a bridge/controller or two on one die is not a completely custom chip. So I highly doubt the A4 cost Apple that much.
The competitive advantage is the complete marriage between the hardware and software elements of their products. I think I read something similar to what I just wrote in that interview with Steve Jobs in Rolling Stone or somewhere. Something as simple as the presence or absence of a hardware decoder can alter the battery life by maybe a factor of five to ten -- right in the vicinity of where Jobs was putting the differences in battery life with Flash versus h.264. An mp3 player typically has hardware supported mp3 decoding; playing ogg or FLAC files on the same player cuts the battery life substantially.
Having custom hardware also means that the software and hardware cannot be easily separated from one another. That forms protection against issues like Psystar -- a company that was financially supported by people motivated against Apple to test the law that enables Apple to control the sales of its OS. If the OS and the hardware are functionally and practically inseparable, then issues relating to the possibility of their being separated cannot come up at all.
Finally, there is an issue of company secrets -- things that are not patented but are maintained in secrecy, because they are considered to be crucial to the existence of the company and its products. Sometimes they are not patented because they aren't actually patentable; sometimes they aren't patented to keep certain details out of public documents.
All of these things -- performance, protection, and secrecy -- are aspects of the same thing. That's why it makes sense for Apple to spend $1B on a project like this. They also have an incredible amount of money, more than they've ever had -- what else are they going to do with it?
first off, 1 billion is a gross exaggeration.
second, I did a bunch of analysis on how the A4 contributes to Apple's platform here: http://stevecheney.posterous.com/apple-the-platform-company
Very well put comments thus far.
I think Rene is just wondering what PA Semi is really doing. Again, I don't think PA Semi can or even should try to provide custom chipset components for Apple, as IMO they can do just fine using available components to design chipsets to certain specifications. I think there's a lot that can be done in the design of the chipset that discourages or prevents hacking, for instance. (One example I've seen recently was from a forum discussion somewhere, of what to do with an old Tivo; apparently due to the hardware design, it's basically impossible to hack a Tivo into a Linux box, for reasons that I couldn't understand.)
Regarding the $1B number, there are all kinds of things that could have been put into that calculation, including the cost of acquiring PA Semi, all the expenses involved in assuming control over all of its operations, infrastructure costs, bonuses and stock options that changed hands (if any), the cost of the big "You're a Part of Apple Now!" party that they certainly threw, the salaries of all the employees who spent time working on the acquisition of PA Semi as well as the chipset design, the cost of prototyping and testing, etc. The particularities of all that matters more to stockholders and for the requirement of publicly reporting expenses and earnings, and for accounting and tax issues.
The main thing is that this number was released in response to the recent stories about the cost of producing the iPad versus its retail price. Apple has been very active in monitoring its reputation and image, possibly because they were taken a little off guard by the intensity of some of the criticism after the iPad announcement.
The $1B figure is a ridiculous exaggeration. Sure maybe Intel spends that or even more developing a new CPU, but this isn't anything even remotely like that. You just take an existing licensed ARM core and PowerVR silicon from ARM and wrap it in some logic to connect it to the PINs, add RAM, add some buses, maybe some custom logic. I worked on one that involved maybe 8 hardware engineers ($100k each per year) for maybe 9 months, plus NRE to the fab company, plus licensing costs. Probably in the small single digit millions.

subset: commoncrawl


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Sunflower Pineapples Flower Sculptures By Preston Bailey (So Cool!)
Pineapples are a symbol of hospitality, so Preston Bailey invited guests into this wedding with these larger-than-life faux fruits made out of bright sunflower blooms. "[Together] two ordinary things become fun, conversational pieces that enhance a breezy and warm event," says Preston. An over-the-top installation like this makes the perfect dramatic entrance...read more


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Direct link to the new doTERRA Virtual Office : http://beta-doterra.myvoffice.com/
Great news from the dōTERRA corporate office!
The beta introduction of your new dōTERRA office (aka the new Virtual Office) is going very very well. We are hearing lots of positive feedback and are happy with the way things are progressing.
A few of our favorite comments so far:
"I am GIDDY over the new back office changes!!!!! GIDDY. Could cry tears of joy! ♥"
"I love how simple and clear things are! I'm able to see my team's wonderful efforts in ways I have never seen. They are really working hard and I now have even more reasons to reach out and congratulate them. Thank you dōTERRA!"
"The way the site has my qualifications, LRP information and earnings right up front is sweet. I liked what I saw at convention, but now that I see information from my own team in there it's so much more relevant!"
If you have not experienced it yet, please do!
1. Go to http://mydoterra.com and login
2. You will see the old Virtual Office. On the left navigation area at the top, you will see a silver button that says 'Qualifications'. Click it.
3. Your new mydoTERRA office will open up in a separate tab. So, you'll have both the old and the new open in two separate tabs in your browser.
You can skip steps 1-3 by setting a bookmark for the new beta version of the Virtual Office after accessing this link: http://beta-doterra.myvoffice.com/
For more information on the topic, please see the following:
New my dōTERRA office PowerPoint Presentation (from Breakout Workshop at Convention)
New my dōTERRA office Q&A
Remember, about 85% of the new virtual office features are free, as always. The remaining 15% are Premium features, which are free for you to use for 30 days after signup.
After we have implemented any fixes or 'beta mode' updates, we will notify you of additional trainings on how to use the site all the premium feature 'goodies' — web conferencing features, business groups feature, advanced messaging feature, seeing who has opened your messages and so forth.
Stay tuned! This is very exciting for the dōTERRA family.
Comments are closed.


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Gresso launches OTT luxury Avantgarde mobile phones
Look out Vertu, Gresso has launched its "Avantgarde" collection of luxury mobile phones.
There are two models available - the Sol, which would set you back around £3,400 - and the Luna priced at about £4,700.
What makes these phones so expensive? Well, each one is handmade from gold and 200-year-old African Blackwood so no two phones are alike.


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HSBC "lift" by Grey London
Agency: Grey London
Rating: 5.0
campaignlive.co.uk, Monday, 26 March 2012 12:00AM
The compilation of the Top 100 tables is an ongoing process. Three months before publication, agencies on Nielsen's database were asked to update their billings and give details of account moves (note that updating billings/account move data does not in itself guarantee inclusion). Reference to 2010 rankings is based on what is known now, so can differ from printed results last year. This is either as a result of agencies that were late in updating their data last year or because of other changes, such as mergers or agencies that have ceased trading.
The media measured in all tables in the report are television, display press, radio, cinema and outdoor (which does not include airports, ambient, international sites or point of sale). For the second year running, we now include online display advertising spend also. Direct marketing such as direct mail is not included, hence the low billings for most of the direct marketing agencies featured. Agency client assignments are compiled by Nielsen from data supplied by agencies and media owners on a regular basis, alongside information published in the marketing press. The figures are estimated costs of buying media space based on a number of factors, including ratecard, discounts and viewing figures. Data does not include actual billings or agency revenues. Press expenditures include an Advertising Association discount factor, which varies according to the sector and quarter.
Not surprisingly, agencies lobby hard to influence the way data is presented; the Top 100 tables, school reports and scores can affect everything from share prices to client perceptions to staff motivation. But the objective representation of the dynamic agency market is crucial, so the tables are checked rigorously and analysed to ensure the data presented is a fair reflection of the information we are given.
In order for agency brands to be reported as a single listing within the table, the agencies need to have provided Nielsen with unequivocal proof that they are recognised as one legal entity, which is then checked at Companies House.
The Top 100 has been affected by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the US, which prohibits the public release of unaudited financial information. Sarbanes-Oxley has led agencies owned by public holding companies listed in the US, such as Omnicom, Interpublic and WPP, to withhold financial data, hence the absence of declared billings and some income data in the tables.
To ensure receipt of a copy of the next questionnaire, e-mail: email@example.com
This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk
Before commenting please read our rules for commenting on articles.
If you see a comment you find offensive, you can flag it as inappropriate. In the top right-hand corner of an individual comment, you will see 'flag as inappropriate'. Clicking this prompts us to review the comment. For further information see our rules for commenting on articles.
Agency: Grey London
Rating: 5.0


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Any comment on future shortages of food, metals, and energy is likely to be wrong, ill-informed, and of limited perspective. So why not another one this evening? (more…)
Posts Tagged 'resources'
Earth's Resource Limits. Mining Limits.
Posted in About the news, Human relations and mining, mining, Money & Mining, mountaintop mining, tagged limits, mining, resources on September 7, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Teck, BC Ballet, and Bliss
Posted in British Columbia, opera, tagged ballet, BC, bliss, glass, mozart, ravi shankar, resources, Teck on May 13, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
We thanks another mining company for supporting the arts in British Columbia. Teck Resources is listed as a Corporate Partner of Ballet BC in the program for last night's ballet, Bliss. (more…)


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The real problem with the rich's "fair share"
My colleague Mark Perry published a really interesting chart today on AEI's blog showing the taxes paid by the top 400 taxpayers versus the bottom 50% of Americans in 2009. A simple glance dismisses, at least to me, the charge leveled against the rich that they don't pay their fair share in taxes.
As you can see, the top 400 pay close to the same amount as the bottom 69 million. The tax code certainly should be progressive, but looking at this chart begs the question of how much more is required for the tax code to be fair.
The problem isn't that the rich aren't paying their fair share, it's that so many of them have access to their "fair share" of everyone's taxpayer dollars — the special deals and privileges that only the well-connected can enjoy. Our anger should be directed at those who leverage their insider access to secure taxpayer money to line their pockets. It's the one thing the Occupy Movement and the Tea Party activists had in common, and it's where all free enterprise advocates should focus their energies. After all, were we not bailing out auto executives and their union allies or loaning funds to "green energy" start-ups run by campaign donors, perhaps we wouldn't need to collect so much tax money to begin with.
By no means do I wish indict all of America's rich. Many got where they were through old-fashioned ingenuity and hard work. But it is worth pointing out that a level playing field would be much less costly than the system we're currently supporting. For more on this topic, check out Luigi Zingales's piece in yesterday's LA Times.


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Willamette World News Chronicles the International Student Experience
Willamette World News is a blog managed by Willamette's Language Learning Center, and it provides a great way to learn from international students who are studying here in Salem.
The current theme, appropriate for the season, is national holidays. Interested in learning about the history of German and Austrian Christmas markets? How about the electoral system in Chile?


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Shake Your Foundations guitar pro by Ac Dc, added: October 19th, 2007
Profile History
WARNING: You are trying to view content from Ultimate-Guitar.com in an unauthorized application, which is prohibited. Please use an official Ultimate Guitar Tabs application for iPhone, iPad or Android to access legitimate chords, guitar, bass, and drum tabs from Ultimate-Guitar.com database. Type "ultimate guitar tabs" in Apple App Store's or Android Market's search to find the application.
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You got Malcolm and Cliff mixed up. Cliff is the bassist and Mal plays rhythm guitar
Bad...very bad to my mind...nothing common with the song...


text: Spey - I think the only way we can help regulate commercial fishing, sports fishing poaching and other illegal harvesting of ESA listed fish is through regulating ourselves until the State takes the money from the sports fishing industry out of the General Fund and puts it back into the resources we are paying for e.g. more enforcement officers. Derek, I agree with helping the tribes see the benefits of fish traps vs. gill netting, however, i don't think money is an issue for the tribes as much as it is the ease for someone to place a net. In addition, I am not even sure if fish traps are legal in the state. It would benefit the tribes I think for them on their own to do a better job of self-regulating their tribal members on their fishing practices and explore alternatives to netting as we, non-tribal members do our part. I agree that development, timber harvesting and other factors have diminished habitat, but until we all work together, what we are doing now, just isn't working. I think we can all agree that pointing fingers isn't working, it is through action, unified action that will make a difference.


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Enter Special Agent Mike Sanborn of the FBI's Fugitive Task Force in Phoenix, a burly ex-Marine with a nose for hard cases. Sanborn studied Nova's FBI interview, searching for clues. The couple often stayed in Super 8 Motels, so he sent photos of the pair to every Super 8 in the country. When Craig's oldest son played in the state high school baseball playoffs, the stadium was swarming with FBI agents and local cops. But Craig never showed. "It was my feeling they weren't in the country anymore," says Sanborn.
The special agent now believes that after Craig and Nova hooked up again, they fled to Belize. There they spent about eight months on the island of Ambergris Caye, a snorkeling and fishing paradise. With robbery money running low, Nova probably worked in a local restaurant, while Craig occupied himself day-trading. Eventually, agents say, Craig and Nova moved farther afield, spending time in London, Athens and Cyprus. After the September 11 attacks, Sanborn figures, the couple decided it would be too risky to re-enter the United States, given tighter security checks. But where in the world were they?
In July 2003, four years after Nova's disappearance, Sanborn got a tip that the pair was seen at a nightspot in Cape Town, South Africa. The tipster said Nova was working at the Bossa Nova Club under the name Andi Brown. Sanborn thought it was far-fetched at first, "but several things made sense," he recalls. Nova had worked as a waitress before, and often used aliases that were "four-letter names." So he e-mailed the FBI's legal attaché in Pretoria and asked about Cape Town.
"I got a one-sentence response," says Sanborn: "Cape Town is a fugitive haven." In less time than it takes to park at the airport, Sanborn "Googled" a website for the Bossa Nova that included hundreds of photos from theme parties, where costume-clad regulars and employees danced the night away. "I got to about picture 300, and there she was, plain as day."
The photo, labeled "Giorgos & Andi," shows an attractive, dark-haired woman, smiling cheek-to-cheek with club owner Giorgos Karipidis. But Sanborn had never met Nova in person, and he needed to be sure. "I sent the photo to the Denver agents who had interviewed her, and they said, 'Hey, nice picture of Nova. Where'd you get it?' "
Sanborn then assigned undercover agents from the FBI along with South African police to stake out the club. (South Africa has an extradition treaty with the United States.) Andi had an American accent, agents noticed, and a large sunburst tattoo on the small of her back—just like Nova's. But Craig was nowhere to be seen. Then, Craig—or "Dane," as he was known around the bar—walked in. When he greeted "Andi" warmly, the jig was up. "The two of them hugged and kissed," says Sanborn, who was directing the stakeout via cell phone from Phoenix, 10,000 miles away.
Four nights later, South African police arrested Craig and Nova without incident as they were sitting down to a dinner of Chinese takeout in their $325-a-month sparsely furnished apartment in a mixed oceanside neighborhood. Cops found a pile of fake passports in the apartment, but no guns — or wads of cash. "They were living near the poverty level," one of the arresting agents observed.
Bossa Nova owner Karipidis, who says he frequently loaned cash to Craig and Nova, had become close with them during their two-year stay. When he heard they'd been arrested, "I thought it was a joke," he recalls. He says Nova managed the club and had access to his bank codes and accounts. "They could have taken close to half a million dollars," he explains. "It seems obvious to me they came here to change." They left in handcuffs—after a final embrace that Karipidis arranged through a friend in Immigration.
It was likely their last kiss. Nova, now in custody near Denver, pleaded guilty in May to three robberies and will get a sentence of up to 20 years, but could serve much less. The following month, Craig, while being held in Arizona, also pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery, as well as a gun charge. He is looking at 20 to 22½ years behind bars.
Karipidis says Craig and Nova's crime-free life in South Africa should be considered by prosecutors or parole boards. "They're not the same people they were," he says. "And they never hurt anybody."
Laurie Pulzato, who no longer works as a bank teller after being robbed at gunpoint herself, disagrees. "The mental duress during robbery is extreme," she says. "What flashes through your mind is your kids, and you're just praying, Please don't kill me." She says Craig's real victims are their children, who've spent years being stigmatized in classrooms and on the same baseball diamonds where Craig once shone, because of their father's misdeeds.
It's not too much of a stretch to view Nova as yet another of Craig's victims. "He feels responsible for her," says Karipidis, who spoke to Craig in prison. "He feels he's the one who got her into trouble."
But Nova's mother says blaming Craig is too easy. "Had she served the Lord and not strayed from what she knew," says Delores Guthrie, "this would not have happened." Nova's brother Gerald puts it another way: "We all follow a path, don't we? He had a life to lead, and she had a choice to follow."


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Beat the Devil
Gore and His Reinventions
What an odd presidential race! So long as George W. Bush keeps his mouth shut and remains in seclusion he floats up in the polls. His best strategy would be to bag the debates, take Laura on an extended vacation and come back a couple of days before the election. Meanwhile, Gore reinvents himself on an almost daily basis. Nothing has been more comical than his "populist" posturings about the Republicans being the ticket of Big Oil and himself and Lieberman being the champions of the little people.
This is the man whose education and Tennessee homestead came to him in part via the patronage of Armand Hammer, one of the great oil bandits of the twentieth century, in whose Occidental oil company the Gore family still has investments valued between $500,000 and $1 million.
At the LA convention the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee was on the 42nd floor of the Arco building, and the symbolism was apt. In 1992 Arco (recently merged with BP Amoco) loaned the Clinton/Gore inaugural committee $100,000. In that same year it gave the DNC $268,000. In the 1993-94 election cycle it gave the DNC $274,000. In the 1995-96 cycle it ponied up $496,000 and has kept up the same tempo ever since.
Was there a quid for the quo? You bet there was. Early in Clinton-time, the President overturned the longstanding ban on the export of Alaskan crude oil. Why that ban? When Congress OK'd the building of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in the seventies, the legislation triumphed by a single vote only after solemn pledges were made that the North Slope oil would always be reserved for domestic markets, available to hold prices down. Congress had on its mind precisely such emergencies as this year's hike in prices and consequent suffering of poor people, soon to be trembling with cold for lack of cheap home-heating oil.
With the help of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary, Arco was also, at the start of the Clinton era, in the process of building refineries in China. Hence Clinton's overturn of the export ban was an immense boon to the company, whose CEO at the time, Lodwrick Cook, was given a White House birthday party in 1994. The birthday presents to the favorite oil company of the Clinton/Gore era have continued ever since.
While the Democrats and mainstream Greens fulminate about Bush and Cheney's threat to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, nary a word has been mentioned about one of the biggest giveaways in the nation's history, the opening of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Back at the start of the nineties Arco's Prudhoe Bay reserves on Alaska's North Slope were dwindling. Now Arco will be foremost among the oil companies exploiting a potential $36 billion worth of crude oil.
Gore's "populism" is comical, yet one more facet of a larger mendacity. What suppressed psychic tumult drives him to those stretchers that litter his career, the lies large and small about his life and achievements? You'd think that a man exposed to as much public derision as was Gore after claiming he and Tipper were the model for the couple in Love Story, or after saying he'd invented the Internet, would by now be more prudent in his vauntings. But no. Just as a klepto's fingers inevitably stray toward the cash register, so too does Gore persist in his fabrications.
Recently he's claimed to have been at the center of the action when the strategic oil reserve, in Texas and Louisiana, was established. In fact, the reserve's tanks were filling in 1977, when Gore was barely in Congress, a very junior member of the relevant energy committee. The legislation creating the reserve had been passed in 1975. At around the same time as this pretense, the VP claimed to have heard his mother crooning "Look for the union label" over his cradle. It rapidly emerged that this jingle was made up by an ad man in the seventies, when Al was in his late 20s.
As a clue to why Al misremembers and exaggerates, the lullaby story has its relevance as a sad little essay in wish fulfillment. Gore's mother, Pauline, was a tough character, far more interested in advancing Albert Sr.'s career than in warbling over Gore's cot. Both parents were demanding. Gore is brittle, often the mark of the overly well-behaved, perfect child. Who can forget the panicked performance when his image of moral rectitude shattered at the impact of the fundraising scandals associated with the Buddhist temple in Los Angeles?
"He was an easy child; he always wanted to please us," Pauline once said of him. The child's desire to please, to get the attention of often-absent parents, is probably what sparked Gore's penchant for tall tales about himself.
Gore's official CV is sprinkled with "epiphanies" and claims to having achieved a higher level of moral awareness. In interviews, in his book Earth in the Balance and, famously, in his acceptance speech at the 1992 Democratic convention, Gore has shamelessly milked the accident in which his 6-year-old son was badly hurt after being struck by a car. Gore described how, amid his anguish beside the boy's hospital bed, he peered into his own soul and reproached himself for being an absentee dad. He narrated his entry into family therapy. But Tipper and the children didn't see more of him as a consequence. Despite that dark night of the soul beside Al III's bed, Gore plunged even deeper into Senate business and spent his hours of leisure away from the family, writing Earth in the Balance while holed up in his parents' old penthouse in the Fairfax Hotel. Soon after, he accepted Clinton's invitation to run for Vice President.
Gore's a fibber through and through, just like Bill. A sad experience in the closing weeks of the campaign is to encounter liberals desperately trying delude themselves that there is some political decency or promise in the Democratic ticket. There isn't. Why talk about the lesser of two evils, when Gore is easily as bad as Bush and in many ways worse? The "lesser of two evils" is by definition a matter of restricted choice, like a man on a raft facing the decision of whether to drink seawater or his own urine. But in this election there are other choices, starting with Nader and the Greens. It isn't just a matter of facing seawater or piss.


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Morning Preview: Google, Bank of America Earnings, and 3 Fed Events
- By Stefan Cheplick+ (@scheplick) editor @stocktwits |
- April 16th, 2014
Today's Wednesday morning preview is all about earnings on StockTwits. More than 100 companies report earnings this week including names like Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Goldman Sachs, Google, and General Electric. Here are the 3 earnings reports that everyone is talking about on StockTwits right now:
1.) Google ($GOOG, $GOOGL) reports earnings after the market close today and already it is one of the most talked about stocks of the day. Sentiment on StockTwits currently stands at 67% bullish vs 33% bearish. Message volume is also on the rise, up nearly 10% as everyone prepares for its earnings:
$GOOG analyst report out today. http://stks.co/r0DV3
— Newt (@AAPLTradingRoom) Apr. 16 at 02:43 AM
Google CEO Lawrence Page Sells $22,570,472 in $GOOG http://stks.co/r0DSR
— ARN Insider Trades (@ARNInsiderTrades) Apr. 15 at 07:06 PM
Solar Powered Drones, Driverless Cars, and More Revenue Growth Ahead $GOOG $FB http://stks.co/q0DAV @TechStockRadar
— Estimize (@Estimize) Apr. 15 at 02:28 PM
2.) Bank of America ($BAC) reported earnings this morning and the big news was its legal costs. The bank spent roughly $6 billion in legal expenses. Here's what some traders are saying:
$BAC this quarter was all about the revenue.. putting most of legal issues behind..nothing fuzzy about that
— BlueLion (@BlueLion) Apr. 16 at 07:21 AM
$BAC Nothing bad about this ER. Remove the litigation costs, etc., & they would have beat. Expect a short term drop today & then a reversal.
— Keith (@tradinwarrior) Apr. 16 at 07:23 AM
3.) There are some notable Fed events happening today. This includes a speech from Janet Yellen Economic Club of New York and also a speech from Richard Fisher in Austin, Texas. Then, at 2:00 PM ET, the Fed's Beige Book will be released:
$SPY for the first time, I thank Fed for bringing in some volatility.
— Steve (@first1billion) Apr. 15 at 04:47 PM
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Update: Sassy is back home. Thanks for your help.
Missing: a red, female Miniature Pinscher puppy from the Gardenwood Lane area of Culberson, NC. She answers to the name "Sassy."
The photo is of her sister. She looks very similar but has a longer tail. Please call James Sizemore at (828) 361-8906 with any information.
Feel free to share any post from the WKRK website that you feel is beneficial to your community. We encourage input from local law enforcement, government officials, emergency management officials, schools and other public service organizations. To send us information, use the form on our WKRK Info page.
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text: When He Joined The Navy In 1943, Paul Newman Was Already Hot Dodai StewartProfileFollowUnfollow Dodai StewartFiled to: oldies but goodies Paul newman 1943 Paul Newman Celebrity Navy Military 11/22/10 5:05pmEditDelete Invite manuallyPromoteXDismissXUndismissBlock for jezebelHideShare to KinjaGo to permalink Yowza. Just saying. The Smoking Gun knows what we like. 128Reply 128Discuss


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by rocknrollrocksout tags 8,726 views 100 items
My Top 100 Music Artists of All Time
I made this list years ago, when I was about 13. Back then, my tastes in music had not fully developed to what they are now, and my list of 100 artists was inaccurate. This is the updated version. Note: based only on which artists have made MY favorite songs. Certain artists like Bob Marley would rank higher on a legitimate list, and some artists I picked would rank lower. Partially calculated by adding up rankings of songs on my top 500 song playlist.
Rank Name
- Tip: Navigate with your { left and right } arrow keys1Easily my favorite artist ever. I was thinking Oasis would come out on top by sheer number of songs in my top 500. The Beatles ended up with 22 songs on the list, with the top 5 being A Day in the Life (#4), Eleanor Rigby (#27), Hey Jude (#30), Abbey Road Medley (#57), and In My Life (#73).l< << PREV 1 of 100 NEXT >>


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Registrar's Notes – March 31, 2014
Fall Registration
Priority registration ended last Tuesday and all current students are eligible to register for Fall 2014 courses. An email was sent last Friday to 4,867 undergraduate students who are registered this semester, but have not yet registered for fall and have no registration holds. The email encouraged students to register and provided contact information for advisors and the Registrar's Office if they need assistance with the registration process.
Final Exams
As we enter the last few weeks of the Spring 2013 semester, here are some things to remember regarding final exams:
Final exam week is scheduled for April 21 to April 25.
All final exams must be held as scheduled in the final exam schedule which can be found on the Registrar's Office website at: http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/finalexam- spring.html.
All final exams are held in the normal classroom, unless other arrangements have been made with the Registrar's Office.
To schedule classroom space for review sessions, please e-mail the Registrar's Office at firstname.lastname@example.com
If any student is assigned four exams during the same day, University policy will allow the student to request that one exam to be given at the make-up time.
In every class taught, all faculty shall give a final examination, i.e., some form of comprehensive evaluative academic exercise appropriate to the course, during the last week of the semester.
The final evaluative exercise may be distributed before the time scheduled for the final exam provided that it is due and collected on the day the final exam has been scheduled.
Guest Application
WMU students planning to attend another institution as a guest student over the summer can apply using a guest application. If the student is seeking enrollment at a Michigan college or university, they can complete a Michigan Undergraduate Guest Application. Students can access the guest application in GoWMU. The application will be filled in automatically with all the required information, including the WMU seal and the registrar's signature. The student only needs to print, sign and mail the application to the guest school. The application can also be found online at http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/pdf/forms/ MichiganUniformGuestApplication.pdf.
Students using the non-GoWMU version will need to bring the application to the Registrar's Office to have part II of the form completed. All students interested in taking a course over the
summer at a guest institution should contact that institution to determine if additional requirements are required for admission or enrollment. Students must arrange to have a transcript sent of any credit earned from the guest institution back to WMU upon the completion of the semester/session.
Desire2Learn (D2L) Grading Issue
It was discovered last week that there is an issue with grade submission impacting instructors who submitted midterm grades from D2L. If an instructor reported a midterm through D2L, which faculty were encouraged to do, they are unable to submit a final grade for those students. The system is informing instructors that the grade has been sent through as a midterm grade.
This issue has been escalated to the leadership at D2L and we hope for a resolution soon.
Upcoming Dates:
April 21-25—Final Exam week
Saturday, April 26—Commencement
Tuesday, April 29--Spring grades due at noon


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It's a known fact that the best things come in threes. Just don't try and convince your other half with this line of thought! See below for our list of favourite trios who have changed the world for good. Three is a magic number and at Les Trois Garcons you can be part of an evening that will leave you in awe. The famous restaurant and celeb haunt is the perfect place to experience fantastic fine-dining in a fun setting and with today's Groupon you can be a part of it all: three courses at Les Trois Garcons for just £18!
Leaving the Square Mile heading for trendy Shoreditch and Hoxton you will find Les Trois Garcons Restaurant. Inspired by luxury and executed with impeccable taste it is a place to marvel. The dark interior is softened by candle light and the reflective sparkles emanating from the chandeliers. There is attention to detail in all aspects of this restaurant. The main room seats 75 and is regularly frequented by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Jade Jagger and Gilbert & George.
The menu is packed full of flavour, using top ingredients and classic French technique to form the modern approach to the enjoyment of food. This is fine-dining without it being stuffy. The menu is the main focus and they believe that creativity and innovation will keep Les Trois Garcons at the forefront of the London dining scene. With today's Groupon you get to indulge in three fantastic courses from the a la carte Menu. Choosing just the three can prove to be quite tough but we suggest that you simply cannot miss the indulgent dark chocolate and praline millefeuille with confit sultanas and raisins, tea ice cream and coconut 'croquant'. Absolutely delicious!
Some of our favourite trios:
- Bacon, lettuce and tomato
- The Three Ninjas
- Huey, Dewey and Louie McDuck
- The Three Amigos
- Indiana Jones Films (last one doesn't count!)
- These three puppies
What people are saying...
"Took my wife as a surprise to Les Trois Garcons as she had always wanted to go after i told her how great it was when i visited with work. She was over the moon with the whole evening. The service was impeccable and with a smile all the way through. We really appreciated that they took the time to explain all the dishes to us before we ordered and as they were putting it down on the table. The food was really tasty and imaginatively presented. The combinations were interesting. My wife commented that it was one of the nicest meals she has had for a long time."
"Mains proved equally accomplished: saddle of rabbit came with a liver- and kidney-stuffed roulade and rich, creamy polenta; and thick, tender slices of Herdwick lamb were matched with braised shallots, spätzle and an unctuous, star anise-spiked carrot purée. Service is impeccable, with tap water delivered graciously, along with relatively affordable recommendations from the weighty wine list. A fiercely popular venue."
"Duck breast stuffed with black truffles, cannon of lamb with a curry and chocolate sauce, and halibut with spring pea purée, shimji mushrooms, grapes and tarragon jus taste as exquisite as they look. The beautiful staff deserve praise too, for their warmth and knowledgeable service. "