Thursday, November 20, 2008

Giving Back to Your Community!

Give Back to Your Community!

20 Ways to Give Back!!

Have any of you wondered how to find as many ways as possible to give back to your community. Well, here are 20 ways in which you can help others! 20 Simple Ways to Give Back to Your Community. Not every volunteer effort has to change the world. Let your efforts make your corner a little brighter. Here are some simple ways you can improve your community:

1. Help an elderly neighbor rake leaves, grocery shop or do home repairs.

2. Give away free flowers, seeds or plant to a neighbor in the Spring.

3. Put out flags for the Fourth of July in neighborhood front yards.

4. Sponsor a Little League team or any children's athletic team.

5. Become active in the Chamber of Commerce.

6. Start a garden or historical walk.

7. Speak at career day at the elementary school.

8. Repaint a playground.

9. Take your pet to the local senior center.

10. Organize and gather goods & beds for the Women's Shelter.

11. Be a Big Brother or Sister to a child.

12. Encourage homeowners to donate clothing and furniture.

13. Get involved with your local community.14. Sponsor a school to help with their needs.

15. Bring a carload of newspapers,towels & blankets to the animal shelter.

16. Ask a local teacher what supplies his or her class needs most and donate them.

17. Hold a canned food drive and deliver the goods to the food bank..

18. Organize a town or beach clean-up day.

19. Take a lonely child with you when your family goes to the movies.

20. Sponsor a family in need who needs food and clothing.

Alameda County Housing Statistics

October 2008

The continued decline in home sales prices throughout most of southern and eastern Alameda County has increased housing affordability and inspired buyers to act. Sales activity remained strong in the Central County and Tri-Cities regions in October 2008 fueled by modest month-to-month price drops. Sales, on average, dropped 9% in the Tri-Valley markets.

Sales prices proved once again the variability between real estate markets.

Prices actually increased in specific communities from September to October.Central County (Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo)Castro Valley was the notable exception in the Central Valley by showing a 10% increase in median sales price from September to October. However, units sold slipped by 20% in Castro Valley. Active listings were also down an average of 4% throughout the Central County communities - a trend that's consistent with decreasing inventory throughout Alameda County. Pending sales increased an average of 9% month-to-month. In terms of actual units listed and pending sale, the pace of home sales has remained steady since August 2008.

Tri-Cities (Fremont, Newark and Union City)Union City showed positive growth in all market indicators this month. Units Sold shot up 76% from 21 units in September to 37 units in October; pending sales were up 13% and active listings increased 7%. The median sales price increased 7% from $480,000 in September to $511,500 in October. Newark did well last month, too. A modest 2% increase in sales prices, a 13% increase in units sold and a 7% increase in active listings. However, it was the only Tri-City community to post a decline in pending sales. Median prices slipped 16% in Fremont from $685,000 in September to $573,000 in October. Sales activity was virtually the same with only two fewer units sold in October.

Tri-Valley (Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton)All Tri-Valley communities, but Danville, saw a drop in sales prices in October. Livermore prices decreased 16% from $499,950 to $420,000 while prices in Dublin, Pleasanton and San Ramon dropped 8% and 4%. In terms of actual dollars, the prices in each community are still well above both the state and county median prices. The pace of home sales and pending sales also slowed throughout the region with the exception of Livermore which saw a 10% month-to-month increase in actual units sold. Meanwhile, with the exception of Pleasanton, active units increased across the rest of the Tri-Valley

Information is deemed reliable but not verified