blogging from Brisbane!

Yesteryear Brisbane!—
In 1948, Brisbane had two cleaning businesses: Wright Cleaners and Hillside
Cleaners.  Both offered alterations and repair of clothing.  Coats, pants
and sweaters began at 65 cents.   Suits and overcoats, $1.35.
Bates Beauty Shop on Mariposa Street offered permanent waves @ $6.50 while a
shampoo and finger wave $1.25.  Satisfaction guaranteed!
The Brisbane Rexall Drug store, at 49 Visitacion had specials: Duncan Yo Yos
15 & 35 cents, Kolynos Jolly Kap 9 cents, (have no idea what that was!)
Nyltone for Nylon Stocking protection 29 cents and Glenmore 90 poof Straight
Whiskey (5th) $4.99!
While Hillside Pharmacy offered: Jeris Hair Tonic and Jeris Cream Oil-both
for 51 cents plus tax.
Brisbane Radio Shop at 33 Visitacion,  were “Dealers in the Best Line of
Radios,” Zenith, Howard, Philco, and Packard-Bell, portable-console and
table models, and also offering expert repairing.
Anderson’s Store at 341 Visitacion  had “The Best Quality Line of Electrical
Appliances,”   Bendix Washers, Western Holly Stoves, Norge Refrigerators,
vacuum cleaners and radios.
The Sweet Stop at 165 Visitacion featured frozen fresh ice cream, fountain
dishes, wholesome lunch and dinner service.  They were open 8am to midnight!
Dagler’s Market, 301 Visitacion did TWO deliveries daily!  They provided
fancy groceries and choice meats and were consistently the best! There was
also Midtown Market, Thee Market and Joe Demarco’s grocery store where women
shopped for families.
Phil’s Liquor Store and Fountain was at 311 Visitacion (now a Laundromat)
had a complete line of all popular brands of beer, wine and liquors AT San
Francisco prices, fountain service, magazines, ice cream and tobacco.
There was even a women’s clothing store, plus a family shoe store!

After World War II, Brisbane was bustling with new construction,  returning
vets, the newly married and war workers who didn’t go back “home”  and big
changes to come.  Some had automobiles, rarely two.  Many took the Greyhound
to San Francisco, others rode a tiny orange Brisbane bus that circled
Brisbane, and going to Bayshore for major shopping.   Bayshore had a
Safeway, bank and other shops to browse through.
Men were working, purchased automobiles and women learned to drive.  Big
changes occurred.  Shopping malls, nearby, provided the wants and needs of
families, after World War II.  At one time Brisbane provided what residents
needed for their homes and themselves.  There was little need to take the
bus or drive out of town.  Now, in my opinion, Brisbane truly is a “bedroom”
community.

This is from Dolores Gomez

Come to Brisbane and check out the city-wide garage sale this Saturday July 18th.

There will be quite a few events going on in town. Download a flyer here.

I had a great strategy meeting with my agents this morning. We face many challenges and have resolved to meet them head on.

This video was an inspiration to us so I thought I would share it with you. I hope you like it.

Ron

If there has ever been a doubt that the way we think and the things we do are impacted by what we read, what we watch, the people we spend our time with and the environment we choose to live and work in every day, the last year has cleared that up.  I make a conscious decision everyday to spend time focusing on keeping mentally tough and keeping a positive attitude, but I have to admit, this last year it has been real tough with all of the doom and gloom everywhere you look…newspapers, the news, magazines, internet, people, etc.  If I don’t pay attention and keep focused, I find my mind drifting into the gutter where all of those outside influences are trying to lead me.

Think about it for a minute.  Over the last year, if you had not looked at your bank account…you had not listened to the news…had not read the headlines on the internet…had not talk about how the world is coming to an end with your friends and coworkers, is your life really that much different today than it was a year, or two, or three ago…really?   For some I know it is, but for most it really has not changed much except for the conversation we have going on in our head.  And for many of those who are struggling, the reason why, is the conversation they have going on in their head has sabotaged them…it is what has caused their pain and suffering.   This last year has really taught me that one of the biggest keys to success or failure is determined by one of two words…Confidence or Fear.  Those two words have more to do with our circumstances…our success or failure than anything else.   Confidence or Fear determines our attitude and mindset…our attitude and mindset determines our actions…and our actions determine our circumstances.

    * What caused the stock market to spiral down?  Sure there where many financial and fundamental reasons it pulled back, but what really caused it to crash?  FEAR

    * What has caused the stock market to start and recover a bit over the last couple of months?  Yes things appear to have stopped free falling, but are things really that much different today than they where just 2 months ago?  The main thing that has changed is people are turning more CONFIDENT.

So, what is confidence and fear?  They are nothing more than thoughts and feelings.  And if they are the two things that will have the biggest impact on our success or failure, we better make sure we are giving ourselves a check up from the neck up everyday…probably several times a day.  We better pay attention to what we read, what we watch and who we spend our time with.  Don’t ever underestimate the power and influence of the people we spend our time with and the environment we choose to live and work in.  Remember, the thing that will determine our success or failure at almost anything in life is our thoughts….guard them.

The San Mateo County Assessor’s Office asked the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to send out the following cautionary note regarding unsolicited property tax reduction offers.

In the past week, San Mateo County property owners have been blanketed with solicitations from private companies that are luring people to spend money to reduce their property taxes. These companies cannot guarantee a reduction in property taxes to anyone. The law establishes which properties are eligible for this property tax relief program known as a “Decline in Value.”

A “Decline in Value” request is FREE to any homeowner. We need your help to get the word out–tell your constituents, employees, friends, neighbors and family NOT to get ripped off–do NOT pay for these services. If anyone should ask, this is how the Decline in Value program works:

First, a property owner requests a Decline in Value review by filling out a simple form and sending to the Assessor’s office (online, by fax, mail or in person). It only takes a couple of minutes to complete.

Second, our offices review the request. If a property’s assessed value is more than its market value as of Jan. 1, the property owner will be eligible for a temporary reduction in assessed value. We will start the process that will lower their property tax bill or earn them a property tax credit.

Third, if the property is ineligible for relief, we will advise the owner as to why their property did not qualify for a reduction.

Where can someone get a form?  Decline in Value request forms are available online and in downloadable paper formats from our web site at www.smcare.org. We will also mail them to a property owner and forms are available in our office if a person stops by.

And lastly, properties that are reduced are reviewed by the office on an annual basis. If the property continues to qualify, it will remain on the program in future years until the property’s value is regained.

Spread the word!

Now That’s One Good Cup Of Coffee!

Where do you turn for a tip on a great restaurant or the best movie that is currently out in theaters? If you are anything like me, chances are that you will ask a friend at work or a family member what they would recommend. The endorsement of a trusted friend can go a long way. It really hit me the last time I was in Madhouse Coffee, talking with a client exactly how powerful a simple recommendation can be.

I looked around the coffeehouse in awe that so many people were enjoying a great cup of coffee, not because they had been persuaded to stop by because of a silly jingle on the radio or a billboard on Bayshore Blvd. Instead, Madhouse Coffee was packed with folks who had heard from someone they know that Madhouse Coffee has the best coffee and service around. Madhouse Coffee has managed to build a fantastic business through the power of word of mouth introductions.

By now, you might be saying, “Okay you’re right” I could not agree more. Madhouse Coffee does have amazing coffee and sandwiches, but what in the world does that have to do with real estate? In a way, it has everything to do with real estate because it is the exact way I have chosen to build and grow my business. I committed a long time ago to never be that annoying guy on the radio peddling my goods (thank goodness for both of us). Instead, like Madhouse Coffee, I have been reliant on past clients, family, and you to help me get introduced to folks that might need help. In this respect, I’m like the Madhouse Coffee of real estate and want to say thank you.

I’ve come to recognize that in trying times, it is more important than ever for people to work with and be connected to people they know and trust. I sincerely appreciate the times you step up and speak out letting the folks at your work, church, health club, and everywhere else you go know that you have a friend in the real estate business. Thanks again, and I’ll keep an eye out for you at Madhouse Coffee!

Ron Davis

Real Estate Broker

Ron Davis & Company Real Estate

400 Visitacion Ave.

Brisbane, CA 94005

415-467-4000

Do you know what percent of our body is water?  We BEGIN life as a fetus at 99%…when we are born, it drops to about 90%…then the average human body settles in some where around 70%.  So, from a simple physical perspective, we are all made up for the most part of water!

Let me ask you a simple question…if you had a choice to drink from a body of water, which would you prefer….a river or a pond?  Why?

Water in a river remains pure because it is moving, and it is generally agreed that the quicker it is moving, the more pure it is.   When water is stagnating, trapped, or immobile, what happens? It collects a lot of crap and becomes polluted…right? 

So, what is the message we all can learn from water?  That it is critical for us to be moving fast and forward if we are interested in improving and not becoming polluted and turn into crap.  It is interesting to note that as children, we are expected to grow and improve every year mentally, physically and emotionally.  That is why we have different grades in school and you must improve each year in order to move on. 

Then we graduate and what happens?  Most people stop or slow down drastically that growth process…except around the middle.  And the unfortunate thing is when we stop growing, we don’t stay the same…we actually start to move backwards year by year.  What are you doing to improve every year mentally, physically and emotionally?  Are you reacting to life or are you attacking and taking from it?  It is a choice…just continue to be a kid…have fun, learn and improve everyday. 

Let’s all make a commitment to keep in action, keep moving, changing, flowing; mentally…physically…emotionally.  It is going to help purify who we are.  Let’s not turn into crap…let’s continue to get more and more pure!!!!

On a side note, be sure and drink lots of water since 70% of our body is made up of it and we don’t want it just sitting in our bodies stagnant like a dirty pond…purge the old and replenish with new fresh clean water everyday.  Like most of you, one of my New Years resolutions is to eat healthier.  There is a group of about 20 people I am doing food logs with.  Everyday we send everyone in the group an e-mail with everything you eat/drink for the day…everything.  It is amazing how much of an impact this little exercise has on what you eat and what you drink.   One of the most important things we are all making sure we are doing is drinking a lot of water.  I have been drinking about 100 ounces a day.

Make it a powerful week!!!!!

Tom