Shopping for Your New Home

Every week I scratch my head and try to thing of a unique theme for this column.

Last week I wanted to do something in Liz's honor, since it was her last week with the Patch. Liz told me her ideal home would have a place to garden and a "patch" of fruit trees, inspiring Living off the Land in Your New Home.

It was a wonderful topic that the homeowners embraced. Pride of ownership was obvious as they described in great detail the number and type of fruit trees and the vegetables they enjoyed harvesting. With my blackish thumb, it's something I never would have thought of on my own.

The question I asked Liz, I now pose to you: what is important to you in a new home?  A feature that you would love to have? This week I will take a trip down memory lane and revisit a few of my favorite themes -- and maybe spark your thought process. I invite your input for next week's theme.

Here are a few of the homes that have been recently featured in this column, along different themes:

From Living off the Land in Your New Home:

Alamo

1437 Twelve Oaks Court is offered by Susanne Smith and Gretchen Scheid of Alain Pinel. This is a 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 3,357 square foot home on a large 2/3 acre lot. There are nice details in this home such as hardwood floors throughout. The bedrooms are all large with a separate entrance to one bed/bath combination. There is an amazing total of 16 sets of doors that lead outdoors: to courtyards and to the gardens. In the back of the lot, there is a large garden area that is patterned after those at Mt. Vernon (in fact, in the kitchen of this home, you'll see a map of the Mt. Vernon gardens hanging on the wall). This garden includes vegetables and fruit trees: apple, pear, peach, plum, two kinds of persimmons and fig trees. The back yard includes a lovely pool, and the Iron Horse Trail is a nearby convenience. Priced at $1,175,000. See the virtual tour. For showings, please call Susanne at 925-683-8238 or Gretchen at 925-323-7450.

From

Danville

308 Pheasant Run Drive in Blackhawk is offered by Carole Cline of J. Rockcliff. This is a beautiful estate within the gates of Blackhawk. It has nearly 6,400 square feet with four bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms on a large .43 acre lot. The back yard is spectacular — views of the golf course with a beautiful pool, spa, gazebo and outdoor kitchen. Priced at $2,890,000. See the virtual tour. For showings or questions, please call Carole at 925-683-0488.

From

San Ramon

18115 Bollinger Canyon Road is offered by Ron Gatti of J. Rockcliff. A delightful “ranchette” that is described as “city close, country quiet.” Three separate residences on 4.5 acres plus a pool. This property backs to Las Trampas Park, so you can ride your horse directly to the trails. Priced at $1,575,000. For showings or more information, please call Ron at 925-596-1972.

From

Dublin

2483 Encanto Way is a Braddock & Logan new home in the community of Biella at Positano. This is a six bedroom home with 3.5 bathrooms and 3,389 square feet, priced at $843,486. It has a granite kitchen with stainless appliances, gleaming hardwood floors, and many other upgrades already selected. The model home (same floorplan, upgrades may differ) is shown in the virtual tour. There are other homes available, the community will have a total of 99 homes when complete. It opened in May, and so far 24 homes have been released, and 19 of those are sold. There are three models and five floorplans, and you can see the floorplans and get more information at www.BraddockandLoganHomes.com. To visit the sales office (open Tuesday – Sunday from 10-6 and on Mondays from 1-6), Take Highway 580 to El Charro/Fallon Road exit; go north on Fallon Road; Right on Positano Parkway and follow signs to Biella.

From

Pleasanton

2320 Crestline Road is offered by Matt Castro of Bay Valley Realty. This is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with 1,854 square feet in Pleasanton Valley near Walnut Grove Elementary. It is a single story with gleaming hardwood floors and a large backyard. Priced at $679,000. For questions or showings, please contact Matt at 510-909-1340.

From

Livermore

7795 Cedar Mountain Road is offered by Donna Garrison and Fran Cunningham of Keller Williams (the Fabulous Properties Team). This is an amazing Tuscan-style estate with vineyards. There are 14+ acres of income-producing grapes and a luxurious 7 bedroom, 7 bathroom home with gorgeous views. The home has 6,671 square feet and was built in 1999. The home sits on a 16 acre lot with lush landscaping and a pool and spa. Priced at $3,950,000. See the Virtual tour. For showings or more information, please call Donna at 925-980-0273 or Fran at 925-202-6298.