Mignonne is One!

Johnelle Mancha, Proprietor of Mignonne (Johnelle and her mother, Kimberlee are a mother-daughter team that love everything French) Also pictured is Johnelle's brother.

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Alfonso Dominguez, (Johnelle's fiancee and business partner, they own Drift)

Mignonne Decor is a boutique in Old Oakland offering new modern and quality vintage objects in an inspiring environment. This is the place to go for hostess gifts, a unique treasure, or inspiration.

For Mignonne's first birthday party champagne and refreshments were served, bistro tables surrounded the boutique, and a DJ played an eclectic arrangement as people mingled and shopped.

As an Oakland Realtor and resident I want to shop in Oakland and this is the exact type of business Oaklanders have been craving. You would see a boutique like Mignonne on Union Street in S.F or Fourth Street in Berkeley, but being that Johnelle is an Oakland native, we are privileged to have her on our turf! Please take the time to visit Mignonne and support one of Oakland's own!

Urban Living Tour, Oakland

Mark your calendars for the Urban Living Tour, benefitting Rebuilding Together Oakland. Sunday September 15th from 11 am - 5 pm. The tour will start at the Historic Oakland Train Station. The tour promises to celebrate the East Bay's unique urban fabric.

I searched for more information without luck, but the event sounds tempting and it is for a good cause. 100% of the proceeds will go to Rebuilding Together Oakland. Rebuilding Together Oakland (RTO) rehabilitates the homes of low-income elderly and disabled homeowners, so they may live in safety, comfort and independence. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.

This photo is of an Amtrak train approaching the Oakland Train Station at Jack London Square. (Where the tour begins!)

Source: http://www.theoaklandberkeleyjournal.com/w...

In the Green

If you have browsed through my blog, you will see various interior colors and the effects that colors have on the majority of the population.

So what do you think about green?

Touring homes for sale in Oakland and Berkeley, I think sage green is the number one color right now. I love green with lavender and red, and I even love this lime green, pictured here.

Green creates security and it has also been known to heal the heart.

By the way, this photo is from the 2006 Decorators Showcase House in San Francisco. I absolutely love this bathroom sink, as it is fabricated out of Corian. That means no rotten wood vanities in the bathroom, no grout or mildew, and it comes in five colors. The sink was designed by Steven Miller Design Studio.

One more thing!! The green walls are covered in glass, so you can Windex,(or vinegar and water) your walls clean.

Source: http://www.theoaklandberkeleyjournal.com/w...

Outdoor Movies in Old Oakland

Do you want some free family fun! Pack your camping chairs and blankets and take the quick drive to Old Oakland for a free outdoor movie.

The 4th Annual Old Oakland Outdoor Cinema series

My family and I have gone several times and we felt like we were in a different world watching a movie outdoors in quaint Old Oakland.

Schedule:

August 18 - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE-- preceded by short by Oakland filmmaker Anthony Lucero

September 15 - THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL -- preceded by short by Oakland filmmaker Manijeh Gonzalez Fata

October 20 - BABE

Location: Old Oakland, 9th and Washington

Time: Films begin at sunset. The start time is earlier as the year progresses.

Seating: Limited chairs provided -- feel free to bring your own

Parking: Free parking at 8th and Washington. 12th Street BART two blocks away. Or ride your bike!

Questions? Call the Oakland Film Office at 510-238-4734 or go to, Film Oakland.

Source: http://www.theoaklandberkeleyjournal.com/w...

The Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge

San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge, 1936

Ambitious taxpayer-financed public-works projects helped to put people back to work. Once such project, the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, would alter Oakland's regional position forever. Since travelers no longer had to board ferries to reach San Francisco, Oakland became a city that too many people knew only as the place they drove through on their way across the bay.

Currently Oakland's location is amongst the best in the Bay Area. Some Oaklanders get to work in downtown San Francisco faster than San Francisco residents who have to wind through the streets.

Of course as an enthusiastic Oaklander I can talk all day about the many benefits of living in Oakland.

Source: http://www.theoaklandberkeleyjournal.com/w...

Moving to Oakland? Don't Forget the Closing Costs.

So, you are ready to buy a home. What will it actually cost in terms of out of pocket expenses. In addition to your down payment, there are closing cost. The approximate cost is 3% of the purchase price of your new home. Here are some of the fees:

Title Insurance - (This insures that you are receiving the property free and clear of liens, except your new mortgage)

Prorated Property Taxes - (You will make sure the property taxes are current, however you are paying the taxes at the sellers tax rate. Within 6-12 months you will receive a Supplemental Tax Bill which is the difference between the sellers property bill and your property taxes. Property taxes are based on the purchase price of your home.)

Any lender fees - Often these fees are minimal

City transfer tax - the city wants their money

The following is a list of the cities in Alameda County and their transfer tax. (Emeryville has No city transfer tax!!!) Typically this tax is divided equally between the buyer and seller, for example if the city transfer tax is $15 per $1000 dollars of purchase price and the purchase price is $500,000 then the buyer and seller will each pay, $3750 in transfer cost as part of their closing cost.

Transfer Tax in Alameda County Cities:

City of Alameda: $12.00 per thousand

City of Albany: $11.50 per thousand

City of Berkeley: $15.00 per thousand

City of Hayward: $4.50 per thousand

City of Oakland: $15.00 per thousand

City of Piedmont: $13.00 per thousand

City of San Leandro: $6.00 per thousand

County transfer tax is $1.10 per thousand and this is generally paid by the seller.

If you are confused at all, call me at 510.693.4253 or email me at deidrejoyner@comcast.net

Source: http://www.theoaklandberkeleyjournal.com/w...