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The Real Story has been talking to Kathleen Craig all week, and, listening to  Kathleen’s view of the appraisals side of the business, has shared information about the way that an entire business has been overturned.  The question stands:  is the consumer is paying the bill on this one, through higher appraisal fees, longer turn-around time, and no way of knowing whether an appraiser is a local expert—or even licensed?  The new clearinghouse system is collecting fees, halving the income of appraisers, and opening appraisals to a “next-in-line” brand of quality control.

This new Housing Valuation Code of Conduct has only been in place since May, yet there has been a petition for a moratorium on it since June.  If home sales are going to pick up and stay afloat, how is this new system going to affect the recovery?

NOTE:  Last night, KCBS hosted a business mixer for The Real Story, with a panel that included Stan Humphries from Zillow, Alison Rogers from CBS MoneyWatch, Caroline Said of the San Francisco Chronicle, and Chris George from the California Mortgage Bankers Association.  It’s wonderful to see an auditorium full of consumers, looking for ways to make lemonade from all the lemons this economy has thrown their way.  Many thanks to all who attended, and to those who participated in a free-wheeling discussion about all of the things that have made this real estate market so unique.  The panel discussion was taped and will be available as a webinar online at The Real Story some time next week.

We’ve all been there. Standing in front of the egg cooler, cartons stacked high, confusion growing by the second. Cage-free, free-range, organic, hormone free, antibiotic free: what do these mean and what difference do they really make in nutrition and flavor? With quality food such a big part of life here in the Bay Area, The Real Story did some digging into what makes a good egg. Here are some memorable findings:

Organic vs. free-range

The main thing to remember is that certified organic eggs are always free-range, but free-range does not mean organic. Also: always look at labels with skepticism, as there are no regulations for terms such as “natural,” “hormone-free,” or “antibiotic-free.” It’s best to research the farm and find out the facts of how the hens are raised and what they are fed.

Because there are no USDA standards for free-range, the “happy chickens” image free-range implies is not necessarily the reality. Free-range means only that hens are allowed access to the outdoors, not that they spend any time there. They may be crowded into sheds and fed animal-derived byproducts or GMO (genetically modified) crops, the same as factory-farmed chickens.

On the other hand, certified organic eggs, which are all certified by the USDA means farmers met specific production standards. The hens are raised on only organic feed, which improves flavor and health benefits of the eggs. They are in a cage-free environment, allowed access to the outdoors and encouraged to roam around so they can pick and forage natural plants. There are also high standards of animal welfare, and antibiotics are used only when there’s an infectious outbreak. These higher standards for production result in higher cost, but it’s a price worth paying.

The ultimate free-range eggs are from pasture-raised hens, a process requiring diligent management, as hens are moved to a fresh patch of grass every day. The poultry is provided grain and oyster shells to supplement its grass and grub diet. These usually come from small-scale farmers and are hard to find.

Where can you find good eggs in the Bay Area? Here are a few popular brands. Happy hunting!

Marin Sun Farms pasture-raised eggs
Marin Sun Farms Butcher Shop, Point Ryes Station
San Rafael Civic Center Farmers Market
San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco

Uncle Eddie’s
Berkeley Bowl, Berkeley
San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market

Sky High Ranch Eggs
Monterey Market, Berkeley
Rockridge Market Hall, Oakland

B & B (seasonal)
Berkeley Farmer’s Market

Soul Food Farms pastured eggs
Café Rouge meat market, Berkeley
Avedanos butcher shop, San Francisco
Magnani Butcher Shop, Oakland
Prather Meat Co., San Francisco Ferry Building
Fatted Calf, Napa

Sources:
www.greenlivingtips.com

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21675726/

www.culinate.com/articles/features/The+eggsentials?page=0&pageSize=1

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The good news on the down housing market comes to us all in the form of a message from the County Tax Assessor: there is a good chance, given the fact that almost every neighborhood has been hit with a value loss, that you have recently received a letter saying that the assessed value of your house is now lower than in earlier years.  This means you will be paying a less in property taxes this year.

When you’ve been on the financial services side of the real estate business for as many years as Kathleen Craig, you don’t get upset when your home assessment doesn’t reflect the realities of the market —you get on the phone. Kathleen, who is president of The Builder’s Concierge, says that the assessment on her own home was much higher than the recent sales prices of comparable homes in her neighborhood.  She did her research, presented her case to the County Assessor, and got notice of a new—and much lower– reassessment

Do you think your home has been assessed fairly?  How can you best educate yourself about the process? Try www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/prop8.htm#18. The site has a wide ranging and very complete set of questions and answers about California’s property tax assessments and the built-in adjustments for declining property values.  It’s an easy read, has lots of examples, and just might be the good news you need in a bad market.

One of the most dynamic and engaging downtown districts in the Bay Area is located in Mountain View. Anchored by Castro Street, Downtown Mountain View organically has all the elements of a New Urbanist community: it’s pedestrian-friendly, served by public transit, offers a mix of uses (including a multitude of restaurants), diverse architecture and easy access to residential areas. In short, it’s the genuine article when it comes to a lively destination.

As part of an award-winning redevelopment project completed several years ago, street life flourishes in Downtown Mountain View. Castro Street was reconfigured from a four-lane thoroughfare to a three-lane pedestrian-oriented street with many usable outdoor spaces that encourage sidewalk activity. Today, the street is alive with outdoor cafes, vendors, street performers and shoppers.

When you head out to Castro Street, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to stroll and explore. Here are some places you’ll want to be sure not to miss:

Mountain View Farmer’s Market
Sunday’s 9-1
Caltrain Station Parking Lot
With some 70 vendors, this market is definitely worth visiting. In addition to a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, the market features baked goods, fish, meat and entertainment.

Books Inc.
This independent bookseller has a wonderful selection of books and periodicals—plus wi-fi and a café. Frequent readings and workshops.

Gelato Classico
Cool down with a street treat from this charming café. Flavors include exotic selections such as lychee and hazelnut.

Maru Ichi
House-made Japanese noodles—right in front of you! It’s the perfect lunchtime tummy-warmer.

Pioneer Park
A nice, well-manicured little spot of urban green just behind the City Hall. The park’s Tree Walk makes a pleasant and educational stroll.

Chez TJ
This Michelin-rated restaurant offers contemporary French cuisine.  Located in an 1894 historic residence, Chez TJ’s is a Mountain View landmark. The Prix Fixe Menu is a culinary adventure that’s very well priced.

Mountain View Public Library
The city of Mountain View has one public library—a popular spot for reading, study, Internet use and community activities.

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
The city sponsors a performing arts venue with a year-round schedule that includes dance, music, theatre and visual arts.

Frequent Community Events
Castro Street is MADE for street fairs, and the City makes the most it. The Spring Parade in April, A la Carte & Art, Thursday Night Live (Summer Music) and the Art & Wine Festival are among the many events.

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Get this: a year ago, when you needed an appraisal on your home in order to sell your house, you paid about $350. Today, that same report, completed by an appraiser who not only may not know your area, but may not even be licensed, is going to cost you about $450.  What’s with that?

According to Kathleen Craig, president of The Builder’s Concierge, the new central clearinghouse organizations put in place by the Home Valuation Code of Conduct has increased the price of an appraisal to the consumer, and cut in half the fees to the appraisers. In fact, according to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, the consumer is going to pay about $2.8 billion in extra fees and higher costs. So who’s making the money? The clearinghouses—some of which are owned by the very banks that are making the home loans.

The Home Valuation Code of Conduct was put into place in May, its goal to create an arms length distance between the originator and the appraiser, so that undue influence isn’t used to coerce a higher value for a property. The problem now is that so many appraisals are coming in so low that real estate deals are tanking—no way to rebuild the housing market.  By June, a petition for a moratorium was already moving around the marketplace.  Today, it has 70,000+ signatures of the 100,000 it needs for further action.  Take a look online, at www.hvccpetition.com.

Where do old cell phones go to die? Or when they get replaced by a newer, sexier model? In the U.S. alone, 11 million cell phones per month are abandoned to the dark recesses of desk drawers, closet shelves and (oh the shame of it!) landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 10 percent of cell phones are recycled—which seems the natural answer for this growing waste management issue.

Mobile phones and accessories are made from valuable reclaimable resources such as silver, copper and plastics. Recycling these will divert them from the waste stream, reduce greenhouse gases and conserve natural resources. The EPA estimates that recycling a million cell phones is the equivalent to taking 33 cars off the road for a year in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The EPA has worked with major cell phone retailers, providers and manufacturers to set up e-cycling programs. These partners take different approaches to recycling, so be sure to check out the partner  links.

Here are some options:

Drop it off
Through the EPA Plug in to e-Cycling program, you can drop off your old cell phone, PDA, accessories at several service providers or retailers, including AT&T, Best Buy, Office Depot, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile, LG Electronics and Verizon Wireless.

Mail it in
Retailers and service providers with mail-in programs include Nokia, Sprint, Samsung, T-Mobile, Motorola, LG Electronics, Verizon Wireless and Sony Ericsson.

Sell it
The Real Story found a web site that pays $5 to $200 for old cell phones. Log on at CellForCash.com and check the model list of more than 600 phones. If your phone is not on the list, the company will recycle your phone for free. If it IS on the list, submit your information and the company will send you a pre-paid return label. Once your phone is received, payment will be sent to you within 30 days, the site claims.