The Fremont Jail is a small detention facility located at the southern edge of Alameda County and is operated by the Fremont Police Department. Typically, this facility will hold a small amount of arrestees from Fremont for up to 72hours or until the arrestee's first court appearance before they are shipped off to the Main County Jail. The nice part about community jails like Fremont is their ability to operate efficiently because they are not overwhelmed by volume. A perfect example of how the Fremont Jail operates efficiently is how quickly they process bail bonds and release inmates. In most cases once a bail bond is posted at the Fremont Jail, the arrestee will usually be released within 30 to 45 minutes. Compare this to a large facility like Santa Rita, where the release time is 6 ... 06/24/2011

His name is Retro. Initially, it was one of those 70's retro popcorn ceiling light fixtures. "He" was later created by dotting on a little mud on after removing him from our popcorn ceiling during our popcorn removal fest in our Fremont home.  Frugal as we are, my wife and I were sure that we could remove the stuff ourselves--keep in mind that the living room has a 12 foot high ceiling that measures 28 X 12. The 1700 sq ft task was labor intensive, exhausting and messy--and we supposed to have been prepared. We were not. Pooped out from popcorn removal, I tried to inject a little humor into the project. I run around the house while holding "Retro," making robot sounds and chasing the kids with it during breaks. My Fremont real estate office http://www.tricityhome.com recently sold anot... 06/18/2011

I just read a newspaper story about high performing schools in Santa Clara County. The article puffed with pride over the consistently high ranking of those schools. They should be proud. High performing schools are important to students, school staff, families, the community and homeowners. Yes! High performing schools are in desirable residential areas. Fremont, Ca. is a case in point. If you are interested in buying real estate in Fremont, Ca. you will pay a premium if the new home that you seek is in the Mission San Jose School District. Schools in the attendance area of Mission San Jose School District are also consistently ranked among the top performing California schools. We know that quality schools drive real estate values and that is true in the Mission San Jose School Distri... 05/05/2011

There was a time where I blog posted every day about Fremont real estate and homes in Fremont CA.  Since then, I have not blog posted about Fremont homes or anything for that matter until now.    In the Brookvale Elementary School area, a couple things are stirring. First, my Fremont home for sale on 3670 Alder Ave is back on the market and getting many showings--we need the exposure. It is a good Fremont home at a good Fremont sales price. The Trulia link is here at http://www.trulia.com/property/3028428984-3670-Alder-Ave-Fremont-CA-94536.  Second, and not so related, is that significant sized trout are being caught in Fremont CA at the Quarry Lakes. I have seen Fremont trout being caught twice just by observing the Fremont fishing enthusiasts giving it a try. During the most recent b... 04/13/2011

There is a lot of hard work that goes into a good article or a good blog, for that matter. After all, it takes time to write. More than that, however, it takes quite a bit of concentration and organization for the brain to dictate what to write.   As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said: “All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath. “   When you swim under water, you are in a different space. When you write, you take your readers to a different ‘world’ where your ideas reign supreme. And when you hold your breath under water, you are playing with time - for how long can you stay submerged in water? When you labor to excel in your craft, your aim is to be different and to be recognized – essentially, you are taking a risk…and you are holding your breath.      Funny, I chan... 04/07/2011

They're wild. They're yellow. And they're in our backyard in Fremont, CA. Whether you look at the whole army of yellow flowers or just isolate one yellow bloom, they surely bring a bright disposition to its audience.     03/30/2011

MLS data holds a wealth of information that can provide explanations, support or negate assumptions by quantifying real estate transactions that fit certain criteria. Here is a look at MLS data in Fremont, CA which aims to gain a better perspective of short sales that become foreclosures. Specifically, this is an attempt to answer and put numbers to the following questions:  What percentage of sold REOs were previously listed as short sales? What is the sold price of REOs vs. their list price when they were short sales? How long were the short sales listed before they were pulled out of MLS? To set the base of this analysis, the following MLS data were pulled:  Sold REOs that were short sale listings within 6 months prior REOs sold Jan. 1 - Mar. 25, 2011 (recorded sold per MLS) Propert... 03/29/2011

It was an amazing sight to behold - birds flocking together in a rhythmic pattern across the blue skies of Fremont's Lake Elizabeth. Whether they are just playing or seriously sticking together for security, they send a message loud and clear - there is strength in their number. For is not a flock strong because of the individual birds that have bound themselves together in pursuit of a common goal? A single bird is as strong as the flock that supports it; conversely, a flock is only as strong as the birds that form it. This flock of birds displays it so gracefully, unknowingly showing us humans that simple yet powerful virtue called UNITY.  03/15/2011

When I decided to go bike riding with my daughter, I had no idea what I was getting into. We started our workout on the Sequoia entry point on the Fremont side of the Alameda Creek Trail, which spans the cities of Fremont, Newark and Union City.   The long curving trail runs a distance of a good 12 miles. And no, we did not bike ride that distance, not even close! But whatever we traversed, the labor of pedaling wasn’t all that bad, and in fact was made a little lighter by sceneries of the gorgeous hills of the Niles, the refreshing sound of the running stream and occasional ducks on the side.   And after cycling our way back home, my knees finally gave in and cried “I’m sore!” And my response: It was well worth it! 02/14/2011

  The drive from Fremont to Sacramento required for us to take several freeways, the main ones being I-880, I-680 and I-80. In certain sections of the freeways are carpool lanes, intended to ease traffic especially during peak hours.   Interestingly, carpool rules differ from one freeway to another, that’s why I had to constantly look for the carpool signs to make sure I followed the rules and avoid being penalized a huge $381.   Entering I-880’s carpool lane was almost automatic for me and my husband; I knew carpool meant a minimum of 2 persons per vehicle. But when we approached I-680’s Benicia Bridge (also known as George Miller Jr. Bridge), the rules of the game changed. We were no longer privileged to get into the carpool lane, since the definition changed to 3 persons per car.   ... 02/12/2011

FHA Government Loan is still available in Fremont CA .. for now Did you know? FHA (Federal Housing Administration) Government Loans allow low to moderate income families to purchase/refinance their own home. FHA loans take experience in originating, processing, underwriting and closing---that's why working with an experienced lender is so important. Here is what I can do for an FHA Government Loan: - Down payment as low as 3.5% ! - down to 500 FICO Credit Score - 45% DTI (Debt to Income Ratio) for housing expense. Up to 57% Total DTI with strong compensating factors -Can do NO DOCUMENTATION with streamline without appraisal program (Email /call me for more details to see if you qualify) -Can Receive 100% of the down payment and closing costs from an approved gift source (like a family m... 02/11/2011

  The library provides a comforting respite amid the stress and pressures of work or just the boredom of one’s daily routine. And so it was with much anticipation that drove a few blocks down to the local Centerville Library, not so much as to seek quiet – since most of the library patrons were kids whose energetic voices filled the small library with a delightful buzz.   But instead, my purpose in going to the library was to sit, relax and watch a DVD movie which I have borrowed from this same library last week. The movie, “The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros,” a Filipino Indie film nominated for Best Foreign Film during the 2007 Annual Academy Awards), was now going to be due in two days, and what better way to avoid late fees than to watch it and return it at the same time, while you’... 02/10/2011

5 Steps to First Time Homebuyer Happiness in Fremont CA 1) Find out what you can afford to pay for a house, condo, or co-op with a First Time Homebuyer Program(This will all depend on the amount of cash you have available for a down payment, your credit, income, assets and overall financial situation)                         - Mortgage qualification is easier if all the documents are provided to the lender upfront in a timely manner   2) Without a formal loan application, an issued prequalification letter does not carry the weight of a preapproval letter. HOUSE HUNTING TIP: You are in a much stronger position negotiating with a seller if you have a preapproval letter stating that you are qualified for the mortgage you will need to close the sale. It could be essential if you are competi... 02/04/2011

Sellers who delayed listing their homes in December finally made that jump in January, as new listings increased by 50% from the previous month. At the same time, the number of sold homes in January plummeted by nearly 50% to its lowest level in 12 months.   As a result of an increase in new listings, and decline in sold homes, the current inventory of properties on the market increased, even as there were more expired listings in January than the month prior.   Regular sales continue to dominate the market, although the majority of pending sales are short sales.                     About Fremont Fremont is located on the southeast side of the San Francisco Bay, and is a city of about 213 thousand residents, making it the Bay Area’s fourth largest city. Fremont boasts of its highly-rat... 02/03/2011

02/02/2011

Low Mortgage Rate Refinance in Fremont CA The Washington Post, By Dina ElBoghdady February 2, 2011 A record number of homeowners are kicking in cash when they refinance their mortgages, in most cases to qualify for Low Rate Mortgage Refinances that are now near historic lows, mortgage financier Freddie Mac reported this week. In the fourth quarter, 46 percent of borrowers who refinanced their primary mortgages brought cash to settlement to lower the balance on their loans to receive a low rate, Freddie Mac said. That's the highest share of "cash-in" refinances since the company started tracking the numbers in 1985. Borrowers, in essence, are buying peace of mind about their debts by moving to more affordable mortgages and, according to the firm, coming out ahead by using cash that's ear... 02/02/2011

The newest version of Microsoft Excel has not been quite friendly to users like us, and most especially to those who have been well-versed with the older versions of Excel. Creating a line chart is like a discovery game, and the icons that you used to find with ease, are now playing hide and seek with the new version.   So, here is an attempt to make life a bit easier with creating trend charts, something I use regularly for my market reports.         "This post is written as a submission to the ActiveRain Kodak Video Challenge contest. I have the chance to win the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Pocket Video Camera, great for realtors looking to create wide angle home tours and real estate marketing videos!"         01/26/2011

  The trip to DMV in Fremont, CA proved to be a very smooth one, contrary to my expectations. I went there to register my new address (finally!) after learning that DMV’s fine for failing to notify them of an address change within 10 days has increased to a whopping $214! DMV did say that the fine may be reduced with proof of correction…but still.   As I entered the DMV office, there were long lines cutting across different directions. All windows were loaded with lines of people who seemed to have accepted the long wait ahead of them. I scrambled to look for the window with the sign “START.” In 5 minutes, I was talking to the DMV person at the window, gave her the completed form, and she gave me back a card. That completed my task, mission accomplished, no need to get in another line.... 01/22/2011

Absorption rate: 5.9 months (this means it will take 5.9 months to clear out the current housing inventory)   Here is the rest of the real estate activity in Fremont for these past 7 days:             About Fremont Fremont is located on the southeast side of the San Francisco Bay, and is a city of about 213 thousand residents, making it the Bay Area’s fourth largest city. Fremont boasts of its highly-rated schools, as well as beautiful parks, like Lake Elizabeth.     It is wise to assess the market condition, including home prices, before making that giant step in pursuit of the American dream!   Always available for your questions,     01/22/2011

Front yard in Fremont, CA.         01/19/2011