The weekly Valley Marketing Association meeting in Pleasanton, CA was another big success. I can’t say enough positive things about how Roy Dronkers and his team are evolving the meeting and the association. The VMA represents hundreds of professionals associated with the real estate industry working in and around Pleasanton and Dublin, California.

Many of the members of the Valley Marketing Association are also members of the Realtors Marketing Association, representing Alamo, Danville and San Ramon; Contra Costa Realtors in Motion, representing Walnut Creek, Concord and surrounding communities; and the Castro Valley Marketing Association.

These associations provide the network of Realtor and real estate agent connections that result in the successful sales of property. Combined with the MLS’s that serve these areas, these networks are probably responsible for 80% or more of the real estate transactions (my opinion).

Additionally, these associations are the community liaisons that provide the channels for the association members to give back to the communities and offer support to those in need. As I stated in one of my first blog posts, I was totally surprised by how much the marketing associations and the individual members give back to the communities.

My first pic is of Roy kicking off the meeting. What you can’t here is the rock and roll… maybe some day I will video the proceedings.

Phil Vermont, a local attorney, took the stage to lend his years of experience to members:

• Keep a full photo log of property inspection for disclosure report
• Have a neutral witness attend property inspection
• Keep a clear paper trail
• Background checks on all persons involved in the transaction – at the very least Google them
• Use CaliforniaCourts.com for checks of litigation histories
• Use registered mail
• Be sure to get FAX and Email confirmations
• Surpass the minimal education requirements and keep a log

Phil noted that “water issues” are at the root of most litigations.

There were many more new listings presented today at The Valley Marketing Association than there were at the Realtors Marketing Association in San Ramon yesterday. New listings included:

• 7586 Stonedale Drive, Pleasanton
• 849 Montevino Drive, Pleasanton
• 8952 Marwick Court, Dublin
• 4693 Augustine Street, Pleasanton
• 5824 Sterling Greens Circle, Pleasanton
• 3144 Cranwood Court, Pleasanton
• 3005 Stonegate Drive, Alamo

We can help you with buying any of these or other properties for sale. We offer a written buyers guarantee and a cancellation guarantee.

The most moving segment of the meeting was the presentation of a video interview of  Bono of U2 fame and then Otto Catrina of O’Laughlin Realty talking about his upcoming trip to Africa to add his support to the fight against AIDS. I hope to have more on Otto in a future post.

The question I have for Roy - How is it that Pamela Ellis comes in late and gets the big stuffed dog?