There were a lot of young people there, most of them were with there parents.  I did see a few there on thier own.  I interviewed a few of the kids to get their perspectives.   Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email 07/05/2009

One of the most memorable quotes I heard during the speeches was, "A democracy is where two wolves and a sheep set down to vote on what is for dinner.  In a republic the sheep has a gun." Here are some more interviews from the day.  These were just average people, no one had a canned speech or message. Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email 07/05/2009

I went to the TEA Party in Brentwood CA yesterday.  There were about 200-300 people present.  Some were coming and going.  At the height of the party I think it was close to 300.  We had a number of speakers.  I went around and did some interviews.  Attached are some of them. Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email 07/05/2009

Brentwood Memorial Park is on Balfour at the corner of Griffin. The Brentwood Swim Center and Brentwood Senior Center set on the same site. There is plenty of off street parking. Near the entrance at end of the parking lot the park features a rose garden and a series of flags commemorating those that have served this country. The main flag pole has the US Flag, California Flag, and a POW Flag. Then there are six more flags for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Merchant Marine. The park has a lot of large open space and is serene as befits a Memorial Park. There are a large number of trees, but most of them are young. When the trees grow mature and stately I think it will add to the beauty and peacefulness of the park. The park has horse shoe pits, bocce ball lanes... 06/30/2009

July 4th is coming up.  This is a day when we celebrate the birth of freedom in this country.  Most people have an enjoyable day and if we are lucky it is part of a nice three day weekend.  We enjoy the good things God has given us as a people; we BBQ, camp, swim, go boating, fishing, hiking, watch a parade, enjoy the fireworks and have a picnic. Liberty is in trouble.  She is being threatened from within and by our own leaders.  The things that are going on are the biggest threat to our country since the Civil War, maybe bigger. Taxes are being raised like crazy.  Cap & Trade (Tax and Raid) will curb your freedom and cost each American Freedom.  Taxes are being spent to support ACORN in its effort to steal elections (they are being investigated all over the country) - The Brown Shirts ... 06/29/2009

I have told you all about the Wednesday night Free Concert Series at the Streets of Brentwood, but on July 1 there is a bonus.  Before the Concert, starting at 4:00 PM there will be a Free Classic Car Show at the Streets of Brentwood.  This absolutley Free.  So pack a picnic, or better yet buy one from one of the excellent eateries featured at The Streets of Brentwood.  For more details on Free Things in Brentwood go to my new Web Page www.ContraCostaCountyEvent.com.   Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email         06/25/2009

When I wrote my post last week on the Free Concert Series in Brentwood I confused two events and had to go back and correct my original post.  That post was on the Free Wednesday Night Concerts at The Streets of Brentwood. There is another series of concerts given on Friday Night by the city in the Park at City Hall on Second Street.  These are from 7-9 PM.  There are two dates in July and another Date in August. Go to my new Web Page ContraCostaCountyEvents.com for details on the concerts.   Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email       06/25/2009

The other night my wife and I went to a small Mexican place, the El Camino at 6611 Brentwood Blvd in Brentwood. Near the corner of Lone Tree. I had eaten here years ago when Brentwood was a small farm town and I came out this way to adjust insurance claims.  I had long forgotten about the place, but I should not have. The El Camino is a very simple place with an authentic south west/Mexican motif.  They do not take credit cards, it is cash only, but there is an ATM machine in the restaurant.  The menu is a full plate of different Mexican dishes.  What stood out to me was the Chili Reano, it was the best one I ever had.  Frequently they are too moist or too dry and do not cut right.  This one was perfect, not too hot or too mild; the the right amount of kick. If you are in the mood for a... 06/25/2009

Streets of Brentwood on Sand Creekhas a Free Concerts Series featuring County, Rock and Blues Music. .  These concerts are every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.  Bring your own chairs and something to eat, or grab a picnic dinner from one of the fine establishments at the streets of Brentwood.  This is one of the great advantages of Living in Brentwood and enjoying Your Contra Costa County Home. For more information follow the link here. If you like this information you really should subscribe to this blog for regular updated information.   Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email         06/19/2009

My wife and I love to Bowl.  She is very good - I am not even though I have the body of a bowler.  This summer you can sign up on line to recieve two free bowling coupons a day for each kid in the family.  The coupons are good from opening until 7:00 PM.  You even get the Shoes for Free!  This offer is good at a number of bowling centers around the country. I don't think it gets much better than this.  The kids get some excersize and out of the house and it cost nothing. Follow the link here for sign up. Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email If you think this is a cool offer you really should subscribe for more offers.  Please let me know what you think and let me know about other events I can post.       06/19/2009

Rave Theatres in Brentwood is showing Free Movies every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 am until July 29. 2009.  This are kids movies all rated G & PG, primarily cartoons.  Nothing out at the threaters now, but fairly recent movies.  So if you are Living in Brentwood and need something to do this may be the thing for you.  The price is right. You may link the information here.   Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email You really should subscribe if you want more information like this on a regular basis.       06/19/2009

If you are Living in Brentwood, Ca your home price is starting to Break upward. If you want to Buy a Home in Brentwood Ca, now may be the time to do so. This month’s market report is based on Single Family Homes pulled from the MLS on June 12, 2009. As I have noted in past reports the market has been firming up and now it has turned. The sold priced have gone up over 3% in one month. This is based on the figure I think is most important; price per Square Foot (SF). This may be a temporary trend. The housing supply on the market is less than a month and a half. Some of the Brentwood housing numbers, especially for active listings are skewed upwards by some very high end homes with land that continue to set on the market. For the best numbers look at the sold numbers. If you have any othe... 06/13/2009

You think I am kidding. How could things not change in one of the worst markets in history? Well I am in Brentwood California and I did my research. Here are the facts: Three years ago you could hardly find any properties around here for $500,000.00. Today I checked the MLS again and you can still hardly find any properties for $500,000.00. The more things change the more they stay the same! 06/07/2009

The modern home is getting more and more complex. There are more things to maintain and more things to do on a regular basis. Have you ever bought a new home? Have you seen the maintenance package that comes with it – the list of everything you need to do to care for your home? Do you do those things? Tell me: When was the last time you changed your furnace filter? Do you know how often you should? Sealed your granite counter tops? How often should you? Sealed the grout? How often should you? Checked your toilet seals? How often should you? How many other items of maintenance can you list? How many are you up to date on? If you are a landlord does your tenant do this for you? Do you have a record of all your maintenance? Do you think a home seller would like a list of the maintenance? D... 06/05/2009

We all like to put our best foot forward. The same is true when selling a home. Lisa Bosques did an excellent blog on deceptive photos posted by Real Estate Agents. I agree with her completely, but where is the line? I met my wife on line and it was a great way for us to meet. However, I constantly hear disaster stories about deception; this is especially true of photos. Now when I sent photos to my wife to be did I suck in my gut? Yes I did and this is getting harder and harder to do. Did I include pictures with my two cute little boys (that set the hook)? You know I did! Did I send her a picture of me crawling out of bed to go to work? Are you nuts! Of course not! Did I send her pictures around the house after my boys have been around for about 10 minutes? No Way! We all want to start... 06/05/2009

I did a survey of the Homes for Sale in Brentwood, CA last month and found 40 Bank Owned Homes for Sale. Then I looked at who the Listing Agents are on these properties. Half of those agents are from out of the area; some from as far away as Los Angeles. People not in the business probably do not know you do not have to be a local professional to buy a membership in the local MLS to List and Sell homes. I am sympathetic to the banks on some points, but the way the banks handle real estate is frustrating. In theory they should want to get the best price and a fast sale. The problem here is that everything they do is counter to that effort: Listing with out of area agents means the agent will not know the market, nor have the ability to market the property effectively. The out of area age... 06/04/2009

A few days ago it was announced buyers can use the $8,000.00 tax credit as part of the down payment.  Then it was announced they could not. Now they can!   Each home is unique and if you want an evaluation of your home please let me know. If you are interested in Buying a Home or Selling a Home in Brentwood or anywhere in East Contra Costa County, Antioch, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pittsburg and others please contact me. I specialize in helping buyers of Bank Owned Homes. For regular updates please subscribe to this blog.     Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email       05/30/2009

As a Realtor Living in Brentwood I often get asked about the schools. It is always hard to explain that my kids do not go to school in the Brentwood public schools. I have nothing against the Brentwood public schools. I hear very good things about them, have always had a positive experience when dealing with them, and know some very fine people who work in the Brentwood Public Schools. But my kids go to CAVA (California Virtual Academy), a charter public school that involves self study at home. Before I had kids I had wanted to home school. I did not want to have kids to send them off to someone else for the day. I have wanted the joy of helping them learn and the freedom and flexibility to run our family our way (also a reason I have been self employed for over 15 years). My wife, who ... 05/29/2009

I have a client looking for the home on the low end (very low). He is a good guy and single. But he is a project type person with a lot of stuff (in some quarters called junk). He wants a decent sized lot and a single family home in Brentwood or Oakley. He has been Living in Brentwood for some time. We have actually found several homes in his price range that he likes. The problem is he is getting a VA loan, and he had to shop around to get that with the DTI that he needs. So why can’t he get the home he wants? Because the VA will not loan on a home that needs too much fixin. The FHA will loan on a home that needs some fixin via a 203K loan. These sellers are banks. They don’t want to invest in repairs for a potential sale and are not to wild about waiting around on a 203K loan. He migh... 05/29/2009

“Live Free or Die” for those young people inflicted with a modern education is not a Bruce Willis movie. The full quote is: “Live Free or Die: Death is not the worst of evils.” Today the sentiment might seem kind of radical; even scary. It could get a person put on the FBI watch list. Teachers or social workers might judge us as being a person with violent tendencies needing therapy. A more modern quote might be “Live Free or at Least with Government Assistance.” I had always assumed this was a quote from the Revolutionary War. It is a quote from a true and under appreciated hero of the Revolution: General John Stark. It was made on July 31, 1809 as part of a toast to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Bennington. Due to his poor health he had to mail in the toast to be read for him... 05/29/2009