The Pointe at Gale Ranch is perched atop rolling foothills and a verdant 18-hole championship "Bridges Golf Course" designed by the renowned Johnny Miller. Built by Shapell Homes, these impressive and expansive estate residences with impressive floor plans feature four or five bedrooms and have up to 5,228 square feet of living space. All homes in The Pointe at Gale Ranch located within the Gale Ranch master-planned community and are situated within the highly acclaimed San Ramon Valley Unified School District.Homes of The Pointe at Gale Ranch boast impressive old world charm and style with authentic exterior details representing three historic European architectural styles. The terra cotta pavers, stone and brick masonry veneer accents replicate historical architecture and are accented... 02/19/2008

Just when you think you've seen it all, it's fun to realize that, in fact, you have not! Rubion is tucked away high atop Norris Canyon above San Ramon CA. These elegant homes, built by John Laing Homes, will meet and exceed the attributes of that home you have been dreaming of but didn't know existed.  The scenery from the top is simply breathtaking.John Laing Homes is currently offering two different collections in Rubion, the Chateau Collection and the Estate Collection. Having toured the three Estate Collection models, I departed with a feeling of helplessness. Each model was perfection unto itself. There were similarities, all boasted very functional and fully equipped prep kitchens tucked away behind the primary family and entertaining kitchen, elegant interiors and fantastic maste... 02/19/2008

Norris Canyon Estates, nestled in the western hills of the San Ramon Valley, boasts spacious homesites averaging over one third acre and views, views, views from this grand comunity! This gated community is situated in the highly rated San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Located within Norris Canyon Estates is a private community park with basketball , volleyball and tennis courts, a tot lot, and a facility for community functions. Additionally, access to the abundant open space of the community and the East Bay Regional Park District's extensive trail network begins at the trailhead located within Norris Canyon Estates.Toll Brothers is currently offering a selection of larger homes, from just over 4,000 square feet to well over 6,000 square feet priced from $1,655,975. As of Febr... 02/19/2008

Going, going, gone! Wisteria at Gale Ranch is almost sold out of the eighth and final release of luxury townhomes! These courtyard townhomes are built by Shapell Homes. The homes in Wisteria at Gale Ranch are located in the master-planned community of Gale Ranch. They are located in the highly regarded San Ramon Valley Unified School District, as are all homes in Gale Ranch. Remaining units are offered from $649,642.Wisteria at Gale Ranch homes have a courtyard and two-car garage. The Viticella is approximately 1,658 square feet and boasts four bedrooms, two and one half baths and optional loft. The Viticella End Unit is approximately 1,669 square feet and boasts four bedrooms, two and one half baths and optional loft. The Jasmine is approximately 1,425 square feet with three bedrooms, ... 02/12/2008

Fioli of Windemere is offering townhome-style condominiums. These new homes for sale in San Ramon are built by Centex Homes. Fioli of Windemere will have 154 homes upon completion. The on-site builder's representative said today that phase one is literally sold or reserved at this time. She added that customers actually camped out for opening sales day. Fioli homes will have three, four and five bedroom homes with up to three baths. Each will have a two-car garage with opener and two transmitters. Residence One is approximately 2,044 square feet and Residence Two is approximately 2,133 square feet. Starting prices for both Residence One and Two are in the low $500,000's. Residence Three is approximately 2,327 square feet and Residence Four is approximately 2,332 square feet. Starting pr... 02/12/2008

"Over the top" would be how I would describe the homes of Santorini at Windemere, new homes for sale in San Ramon. The builder, Brookfield Homes, refers to them as the "Coupe De Grace at Windemere". Either way, I think you get the point.Santorini of Windemere by Brookfield Homes is offering three different estate-style residences. Residence One offers approximately 4,202 square feet and boasts four bedrooms, three and a half baths, casita with bath four, arts and crafts room, loggia, portico, deck and 2-car garage plus 3rd car tandem. Residence Two offers approximately 4,411 square feet and boasts five bedrooms, four and a half baths, loggia, 4-car tandem garage, optional loft, bonus room and den. Residence Three offers approximately 4,645 square feet and boasts five bedrooms, three and... 02/12/2008

Today's home buyers want it all! They want features, amenities AND value. I believe it's all there in the homes of Escalante at Windemere.  I've previewed or toured most of the newer homes in San Ramon, and I haven't seen anything that impressed me, both in features and values, like Lennar's Residence Three today. This 3,548 square foot home with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, loft, bonus room and 2 Bay garage plus 1 Tandem garage was being offered today for $999,150.You'll find that Lennar's homes for sale in San Ramon, Escalante at Windemere include elegant bullnose granite slab countertops throughout the house; kitchen, master bath, secondary baths and even the laundry room. The tub and shower surrounds throughout the house are granite as well, giving a high-end impression, yet it's all incl... 02/12/2008

Lennar's SOLARplus package offered as a standard feature could significantly reduce your energy costs and help the environment. This feature allows you to view your home's energy production and usage online from any internet connection. In addition to the SunPower® SunTile® on the roof, the homes include energy efficient heating, improved insulation, high-efficiency appliances, high-efficiency windows, energy efficient air conditioning, modern energy efficient lighting and an inverter  that converts solar electricity for household use. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that whenever your electrical production exceeds use, you will receive credit from your local utility. When buying or selling San Ramon CA real estate, contact me as I am a skilled agent, offering extensive area kn... 02/12/2008

Today's first home buyers are an interesting group. They've done their homework. They've shopped online. They've visited the model centers. But they're still looking, wanting to review all their options prior to making their final decision.Meeting and greeting these individuals and couples at recent open houses has been revealing. One of the ice-breakers I use at open houses is to ask prospects to tell me about what else they've seen. It's generally perceived as a non-threatening question and quite easy for them to respond to. I get to learn more about what they like in a home and find memorable. As a result I can share corresponding information about the home we're standing in. Abbington at Mosaic at Gale Ranch is getting good word-of-mouth. Some say they really like the stylish exteri... 02/11/2008

On Friday, February 8th, 2008 there were 13 detached single family homes on the market in Gale Ranch of San Ramon CA. The least expensive home is a four bedroom, three bath home with a reported 2,019 square feet listed at $729,000. The most expensive home is a five bedroom, four and half bath home with a reported 5,288 square feet being marketed at $2,339,900.On Friday, February 8th, 2008 there were 3 attached homes on the market in Gale Ranch of San Ramon CA (all townhomes). The least expensive townhome is a two bedroom, two and a half bath home with a reported 1,356 square feet listed at $562,500. The most expensive townhome is a four bedroom, three  bath home with a reported 1,684 square feet  being marketed at $654,950.The median listing price in Gale Ranch as of this date is $999,0... 02/11/2008

On Friday, February 8th, 2008 there were 51 detached single family homes on the market in Windemere of San Ramon CA. The least expensive home is a three bedroom, two and a half bath home with a reported 1,646 square feet listed at $649,950. The most expensive home is a five bedroom, four and half bath home with a reported 4,051 square feet (including casita) being marketed at $1,499,950.On Friday, February 8th, 2008 there were 8 attached homes on the market in Windemere of San Ramon CA (all townhomes). The least expensive townhome is a two bedroom, two  bath home with a reported 1,211 square feet listed at $489,900. The most expensive townhome is a three bedroom, three  bath home with a reported 2,346 square feet  being marketed at $719,000.The median listing price in Windemere as of th... 02/11/2008

The January 2008 median home price in San Ramon CA was $795,000 for single family detached homes. There were 31 home sales of single family detached homes in San Ramon CA, the highest priced home sold for $2,325,000, the lowest price home sold for $490,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for January 2008 in San Ramon California was $886,586. In January 2008 median home price in San Ramon CA was $494,750 for attached homes including duets, condos and townhomes. There were 8 attached units sold, the highest priced unit sold for $595,000, the lowest price unit sold for $286,000. The average selling price of attached homes for January 2008 in San Ramon California was $458,116. When buying or selling San Ramon CA real estate, contact me as I am a skilled agent, off... 02/08/2008

One of my favorite things to do in San Ramon CA is attend wine tastings. Although there aren't any wineries in San Ramon, there IS a great opportunity to attend wine tastings that will please the palate and broaden your horizons. The great thing about wine tastings at WineStyles is their focus on tremendous values on boutique wines from smaller production runs that you just can't find in larger chain stores (most are priced under $25). Tastings are every Thursday and Friday from 5:30 until 7:30 and each has a theme, this week they will be pouring Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon accompanied with a smile and a flourish. It's a great deal of fun to try new wines in a cheery shop close to home where you may mix with old friends and greet new acquaintances. The cost is a mere $10 per ... 02/04/2008

In December of 2007 median home price in San Ramon CA was $775,000 for single family detached homes. There were 46 home sales of single family detached homes, the highest priced home sold for $1,937,923, the lowest price home sold for $455,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for December 2007 in San Ramon California was $941,828. In December of 2007 median home price in San Ramon was $552,000 for attached homes including duets, condos and townhomes. There were 8 attached units sold, the highest priced unit sold for $657,500, the lowest price unit sold for $353,000. The average selling price of attached homes for December 2007 in San Ramon California was $459,562.Contact Vickie Nagy at (925) 407-7987 for more information on short sales and other deals in San Ra... 01/31/2008

WOW, or Women of Windemere, is a women's club with a novel geographic twist. The group was established to bring neighbors together in a social setting for fun events with and without children and families. Windermere is quite a large development  with 5,170 housing units and has a diverse cross-section of singles, families and empty nesters. From what I can see, this is one of the great reasons to live in the Windermere Development in San Ramon CA. What a wonderful way to meet and network with local residents! One must reside in Windemere to be a member.The benefits are many as their activities include playgroups, adult social activities, women-only social activities, family-oriented social activities, involvement in community fundraising and outreach activities. Members also have acces... 01/28/2008

Looking for that perfect place to take your four-legged family member and let him/her run free? Missy MacGregor, the Scottish Terrier my life recently enjoyed her trip to Memorial Dog Park Run. This fenced, off-leash park is just over and acre and provides separate areas for small and large dogs. Missy thinks she is a B-I-G dog, so we joined the group of large dogs and owners. One dog in particular was very large, but well-behaved like all the others. The park offers shade, benches and views!  From I-680 exit Bollinger Canyon Rd, go west and cross San Ramon Valley Blvd and the park on the left. There's plenty of parking space.When buying or selling San Ramon CA real estate, contact me as I am a skilled agent, offering extensive area knowledge and strong negotiation skills and am truly f... 01/28/2008

Shampooches in San Ramon offers professional pet grooming that makes my Missy MacGregor spiffy and she knows it. At least I think she does. Missy tugs at the leash to get into the door and races back with an attendant in a rush.  Perhaps it's the warm bath and gentle grooming she's looking forward to, but the way she comes strutting out when she's all done makes me believe she loves her new "do".The staff of 7 professional groomers has an impressive combined experience of over 100 years. I'm quite sure this is a determining factor in the fact that ShamPooches has been voted "Best in the East Bay" by the Diablo Magazine for the past seven years. I know I've always been pleased with the cuts over the years.Shampooches also offers self-bathing pet facilities for owners that want to bathe t... 01/25/2008

Nob Hill Foods, located in the Marketplace of San Ramon at the corner of Alcosta and Bollinger Canyon, is a lovely place to pick up tonight's meal...whether it's from the deli, or the ingredients for a fine meal including wine and spirits. This market has undergone an amazing transformation within the last year including a merchandising facelift, new convenient collections of associated foods. It's now easy to grab some white wine to go with that cheese; it's right there! They've added a comprehensive selection of gourmet foods which continues to expand, broadened the natural foods section and created a convenient area with the gluten free food offering. With Valentine's Day coming you'll find a seasonal collection on a free-standing island that includes bears, champagne, chocolate, can... 01/23/2008

Bay Books is a family owned book store with a H-U-G-E inventory carrying new, used and rare books in their two locations, one in San Ramon CA and another in Concord CA. I've had the pleasure of browsing, shopping and selling used books there for several years. Today I spoke a bit with the owner, Diane Van Tassell about the inventory they carry. Bay Books carries the latest best-sellers in paperback and gently used books of all kinds...approximately 200,000 titles! As Ms. Van Tassell put it, "We try to have everything." The current used books are generally offered at half of list and the offering of rare books is market priced.Bring the young readers in your family when you come as there is a tremendous selection of children's books. The store buys, on average "hundreds" of gently used b... 01/23/2008

Having been a member of several different fitness centers, I can easily detail the reasons why I like San Ramon Super Sport 24 Hour Fitness so much... hours, comprehensive class schedule, quantity and quality of cardio equipment with working audio links, quantity of strength training equipment, cleanliness, large locker rooms and at least one skilled trainer, my trainer Adriana Alvarado. Adriana has worked with me over a period of weeks to isolate my weak links, such as balance, leg strength and core body strength, and improve on them. I can attest to the fact that she pushes me to the limit and forces me to look within myself and take the workout to new heights each session. Looking back, I've made lots of progress in just four short weeks. This club has it all! Classes, cardio, streng... 01/22/2008