Mark your calendars for a tail-wagging good time! On October 27, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, join all the furever-loving babies at the City Center Costumed Pet Parade where your prized and precious furbabies will take center stage, showing off their cutest and spookiest costumes. The parade kicks off at Alexander Square, so get ready to watch your dogs strut their stuff!

You will get to see some adorable canines, ensuring they’re as happy as they are stylish. Don’t forget to snap a photo or two at our Halloween-themed selfie station, where you and your pets can pose for some paw-some memories.

Event Details

• Date: October 27, 2024
• Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Location: City Center Bishop Ranch, Alexander Square

Come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with your furbabies and fellow furparents. Whether your pet’s costume is spooky, silly, or downright adorable, they’ll have their moment to shine.

Add this event to your calendar and let’s make this Halloween unforgettable for our four-legged friends!

For more info, click here: Halloween Costumed Pet Parade

We can’t wait to see you and your costumed furbabies there!

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial transactions most people will ever undertake. As such, it's crucial to have the guidance and support of a trusted real estate professional. In California, recent changes stemming from a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement bring several important updates that benefit homebuyers. Here, we break down what these changes mean for buyers and sellers in the Tri-Valley area, including San Ramon.

Key Changes for Homebuyers

1. Written Agreements Before Home Tours: Starting August 17, before you can tour a home with your agent, you'll need to sign a written agreement. This contract is essential as it outlines the terms and conditions you've negotiated with your agent. Ensure that you understand the services provided, the value offered, and the associated costs.

2. Clear Compensation Terms: The buyer agreement must now include specific details about the agent's compensation. Here are the four critical components:

• Disclosure of Compensation: The agreement must clearly state the amount or rate of compensation the real estate agent will receive or how this amount will be determined.
• Objective Compensation: The compensation must be definite and not open-ended. For instance, it cannot simply state that the "buyer broker compensation shall be whatever amount the seller offers."
• Prohibition of Excess Compensation: The agent cannot receive any compensation for brokerage services from any source that exceeds the agreed amount or rate in the agreement.
• Negotiable Broker Fees: There must be a conspicuous statement indicating that broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law.

3. Applicability to Various Tours: These written agreements are mandatory for both in-person and live virtual home tours. However, if you're merely discussing services with an agent or talking to them at an open house, you do not need a written agreement.

4. Seller's Role in Compensation: Sellers can still offer compensation to your agent, but this information cannot be shared on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLSs are local marketplaces used by both buyer brokers and listing brokers to share property information.

Implications for Sellers

For sellers in the Tri-Valley area, these changes mean a few adjustments in how you work with your real estate agent and potential buyers' agents:

• Transparent Compensation Offers: When offering compensation to a buyer's agent, this information cannot be included in the MLS listing.
• Understanding Buyer Agreements: Be aware that buyers touring your home will have signed a detailed agreement with their agent, which includes clear terms about agent compensation.
• Negotiation Flexibility: Remember that all broker fees and commissions are negotiable, providing you with the flexibility to discuss and adjust terms that work best for your situation.

Navigating the New Landscape

As these new practices come into effect, both buyers and sellers in the Tri-Valley area should take the time to understand and adapt to these changes. Here are some tips to help you navigate this new landscape:

• For Buyers: Always review and comprehend the written agreement with your agent before touring homes. Don't hesitate to ask questions and negotiate terms to ensure you receive the best possible service and value.
• For Sellers: Work closely with your listing agent to understand how these changes affect your property listing and compensation offers. Be prepared for negotiations and ensure that all terms are clearly communicated.

By staying informed and proactive, both buyers and sellers can successfully navigate these new regulations and achieve their real estate goals in the Tri-Valley area. If you have any questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to reach out to a trusted REALTOR® in your community.

Our team, Asante Reatly, recognized as the #1 team in San Ramon, is committed to help you fulfill your real estate dreams. Call us today at 925-415-0835 to start your home buying or selling journey with a realtor you can trust for a lifetime! 

Event: Magic Show with Magical Mark
Date: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Dougherty Station, 17017 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94582

A Magical Experience for All Ages

Prepare to be enchanted as Magical Mark brings his unique blend of magic and comedy to Dougherty Station! This captivating event is perfect for children of all ages, offering an unforgettable experience that combines wonder, laughter, and interactive fun.

Why You Should Attend:

• For Children of All Ages: Whether you're a toddler, preschooler, or tween, Mark's show is designed to delight and amaze.
• Interactive Fun: Magical Mark's engaging style ensures that everyone in the audience gets involved, making the magic feel personal and real.
• Family-Friendly Entertainment: It's a perfect way for families to spend quality time together, enjoying an hour of pure, magical entertainment.

Event Highlights:

• Charming Magic and Comedy: Mark’s performance is not just about tricks but also about storytelling and comedy, making it a well-rounded entertainment experience.
• Imaginative Journey: Watch as Mark captures the imagination and brings the impossible to life right before your eyes.
• Inspiring Moments: The show is designed to inspire and astonish, leaving audiences of all ages with a sense of wonder.

Event Details:

• Sponsored by: San Ramon Library Foundation
• Suitable for:
  • Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
  • Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
  • Children (6 to 9 years)
  • Tweens (9 to 12 years)
• Type: Arts, Entertainment, and Performances
• Language: English

Don’t miss this magical event that promises to be both entertaining and inspiring. Mark your calendars and join us at Dougherty Station for a morning filled with magic and fun!

For more information, please visit the San Ramon Library Foundation.

Looking for something exciting and unique to do on Saturdays? Join us at Forest Home Farms from 11am to 2pm for our FREE Fun on the Farm Activities! These events are the perfect chance to dive into farm life and explore the charm of the late Victorian era. Let’s step back in time and enjoy the simpler things in life!

*Note: Special events hosted by the San Ramon Historic Foundation require registration and a fee, which will be clearly indicated.

July Events

July 20: Ice Cream

Beat the summer heat by learning how to make delicious homemade ice cream! Help crank the ice cream maker and enjoy a tasty sample of this delightful treat.

July 27: Sun Rings

Create stunning sun prints using the 19th-century cyanotype process. Collect objects from around the farm and make your own beautiful print to take home.

August Events

August 3: Kaleidoscopes

Join us in crafting your very own kaleidoscope! Invented in 1817, kaleidoscopes are fascinating instruments that create beautiful patterns and colors. Make one to take home and enjoy your own little world of beauty.

August 10: Weather and Time

Discover the tools Victorian farmers used to tell time and predict the weather. Learn how they determined wind direction and kept track of time without modern gadgets.

August 17: Bread & Jam

Experience the farm-to-table process by threshing, grinding, and sifting wheat to make flour and bake bread. Learn about the canning process and the unique jams Ruth Boone made and sold right here on the farm.

August 24: Hello? Operator?

Step into the world before personal phone numbers! Learn the history of the telephone and create your own vibratory telephone set.

August 31: CLOSED for Labor Day Weekend

About Forest Home Farms

Located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Forest Home Farms Historic Park is a treasure trove of history and charm. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, the park features various exhibits and displays, including a Tractor Museum and a newly installed Railroad Depot Display. Grab a pamphlet from the bulletin board at the parking lot entry and enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds.

Becoming A Park

In 1997, Ruth Quayle Boone generously bequeathed the 16-acre Boone family farm to the City of San Ramon to create a municipal historic park in memory of her husband, Travis Moore Boone. The farm’s preservation amidst the rapid development in Contra Costa County is a testament to her vision and generosity. The site, divided by Oak Creek, features 22-room Dutch colonial Boone House, fourteen outbuildings, and structures dating back to the 1850s, offering a glimpse into a century of residential development.

So, what are you waiting for? Come and experience the magic of Forest Home Farms every Saturday! We can’t wait to see you there!

Forest Home Farm location.