Opinions
by John M. Zukoski on August 31, 2010 | 
14 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Businesses · Opinions
Located at the corner of Dublin Boulevard and Dougherty Road in Dublin, CA, Tralee Village is a stunning retail and residential mixed-use infill project that combines timeless architecture with the ultimate in accessibility and convenience. While most of the retail space at Tralee Village has been leased out, nearly all of the 233 residential units sit vacant. The project’s developer, Pinn Brothers, defaulted on its loan, and lender Wells Fargo has assumed ownership of the Shops at Tralee and the unsold condos and townhomes.
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on August 28, 2010 | 8 Comments | Topics: Opinions
With home affordability increasing and interest rates at all time lows, many Tri-Valley residents are considering the possibility of renting out their current homes, so they can buy another primary residence at an attractive price. Meanwhile, people are looking to rent in safe neighborhoods with great schools at an affordable price. Many experts anticipate that the number of renters will increase nationally by 10% over the next year or so.
If you are ready to become a landlord, here are the top five tips to consider when renting out your home:
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on August 25, 2010 | 19 Comments | Topics: Local Issues · Opinions
A leading factor in Dublin’s City budget woes is that police expenses have continued to skyrocket, while tax revenues have dropped precipitously. In order to balance its budget, the City of Dublin may have to pass a local tax eventually, if it cannot keep the cost of police services down. Dublin currently contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for police services, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has continued to pass along exponential cost increases to Dublin, seemingly without providing any additional services. One strategy to keep Alameda County’s pricing competitive is to allow police agencies in neighboring cities like Pleasanton and San Ramon, Sheriff’s Offices in other counties, and private armed security firms to bid on Dublin’s police services contract.
Private police forces have operated throughout the United States for decades. Many cities such as Portland, OR and New Orleans, LA have already augmented their existing police forces with armed private security guards. Former public police officers, military veterans, and other highly-trained individuals typically comprise these private armed forces. As recently as last year, the City of Oakland hired armed private security guards to patrol its most dangerous areas. According to the Wall Street Journal, while Oakland spends about $250K per year on each police officer, it only cost $200K per year for Oakland to hire four armed private guards.
Continue Reading
by Tyler Moxley on August 22, 2010 | 1 Comment | Topics: Opinions
If you are looking at different neighborhoods in Dublin, CA, please visit our Dublin Ranch Neighborhoods page. This page features information on schools, parks, floor plans, and an interactive neighborhood map of Dublin Ranch.
The number of detached homes sold in Dublin, CA decreased in July. A total of 29 homes sold in July compared to 33 in June. The number of homes for sale at the end of July is 78. The highest sale price for a Dublin detached home was $925,000 on Bloomfield Terrace. That home sold at $268 a square foot. The lowest sale price for a Dublin detached home was $440,000 on Limerick Avenue. That home sold at $227 a square foot.
Average days on market for Dublin homes was 21 with an average list price of $656,139 at $292 a square foot. The average sale price was $650,268 at $290 a square foot.
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on July 30, 2010 | 9 Comments | Topics: Opinions · Schools
With the recent departure of Principal Rick Boster, many parents are wondering what is in store for Murray Elementary School. In an effort to cut expenses and potentially boost reserves, the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) may be considering the closure of Murray Elementary School. By shutting down Murray Elementary School, DUSD could save at least $250K of operating expenses each year. Additionally, the sale of the Murray Elementary campus to the City or a developer would likely yield a significant one-time boost to the District’s currently non-existent operating reserves.
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on July 29, 2010 | 7 Comments | Topics: Opinions · Public Works
The 14-mile southbound I-680 Express Lane is set to open on September 20th at 5AM between Pleasanton and Milpitas. It is currently free to carpoolers, motorcycles, and hybrid vehicles. Alameda County will be using the FasTrak system to collect Express Lane tolls from drivers Monday through Friday during the hours of 5AM-8PM. The California Highway Patrol will enforce the FasTrak requirements at the various entry and exit points. Alameda County will be using a “dynamic pricing” model to increase or decrease tolls depending on the amount of traffic in the Express Lane. Motorists pay $5-$7 to travel in the Express Lane during peak hours. In 2011, a second Express Lane is set to be unveiled on eastbound I-580 along the 11-mile stretch between Hacienda Drive and Greenville Road.
Tolls collected from the Express Lane motorists will primarily be used for providing transit services and adding more Express Lanes along I-680/I-580; however, what portion of the driving tax proceeds will be used for other purposes such as bridging State funding gaps for various County and local agencies remains unclear. The freeways are no longer free.
What Do the New Express Lanes Mean For Your Wallet?
Continue Reading
by Tyler Moxley on July 27, 2010 | 1 Comment | Topics: Opinions
Dublin Detached Homes
The number of detached homes sold in Dublin, CA, dropped by 1 in June 2010. A total of 32 homes sold in June compared to 33 in May. The number of detached homes up for sale in Dublin at the end of June was 66. The highest sale price for homes in Dublin was $1,120,000 on Turnberry Drive. That home sold at $202 a square foot. The lowest sale price for Dublin homes was $380,000 on Alsea Street. That home sold at $340 a square foot. Average days on market for Dublin homes was 22 with an average list price of $700,980 at $271 a square foot. The average sale price was $691,181 at $270 a square foot.
Here is a Summary of Data for all Dublin Detached Homes sold in June 2010.
Here is Detached Home Sales in Dublin for June 2010.
Continue Reading
by Eric Haggin on July 24, 2010 | 1 Comment | Topics: Opinions
I own some investment properties that have done very well. In January one property had a pipe break in and sustained significant water damage; in March another part of that same property was completely destroyed by arson. Fortunately no one was hurt. Had I not been properly insured, I would have been financially devastated.
From these two incidents, I have learned a great deal about filing insurance claims and seeing the recovery process through to completion. The first, and probably the most important, thing you need to do right away is making sure your home and investment properties are properly insured. You must have the “endorsements” or “riders” appropriate for your needs. A generic policy may be an acceptable start, but pay special attention to what makes your circumstances and properties different:
- Do you use your home for a home-based business?
- Do you operate daycare from your home?
- Do you have unusually valuable items stored on the property?
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on July 21, 2010 | 40 Comments | Topics: Opinions · Schools
Based on the latest data available from the California Department of Education (CDE), Tri-Valley students from high schools in Pleasanton, Danville, and San Ramon, CA, have significantly outperformed those from high schools in Dublin and Livermore, CA, on the SAT Reasoning Test (SAT). This observation is consistent with the trend in API and the trend in AP exam scores for Tri-Valley high schools. SAT results for 2008-2009 reveal that Dublin High School students scored lower on average than students at Livermore High School and Granada High School. Additionally, students at Dublin High School have progressively scored lower on the SAT each school year from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009.
The SAT is a standardized test used by nearly all college admissions throughout the United States to evaluate a student’s college readiness. Owned, published, and developed by the College Board, the SAT consists of three distinct sections that objectively measure the critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills of the students. Each year, more than two million students take the SAT.
Continue Reading
