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Sonoma County info

May 07
0

Snapshot of our market

By | Buyers, Economy, RE by the numbers, RE Investing, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

I know the market fluctuates all the time but I have been noticing that a lot of homes have been going into escrow, it has been rising over the last 5 weeks. It started slow but then it picked up. And yes, a lot of the homes that went into escrow also closed. Look at the statistics that I pulled from Broker Metrics a program that very conveniently pulls the data from our local MLS system.

The media is giving you info that the economy is going through the drain, the Fed will have to cut interest rates again. Perhaps they are right, but keep in mind John D. Rockefeller who said “The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets.”

The info is also great for sellers, should you need or want to sell your home, the numbers clearly indicate the  ‘new reality’.picture-2.png

The above statistic is from all Sonoma County. The drop shows that a some people have take their home of the market at the end of the year, some home owners who were trying to do a ‘shot sale’ did not succeed and the property went into foreclosure (these properties will come back a few months later as an REO) and it clearly show the increase of activity.

I look forward to your feedback!

Mirjam de Rijk   Mirjam (707-486-2638)

Apr 27
0

Smart Home Choices Workshop

By | Buyers, Foreclosure, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

Yesterday we had what most likely will be the last in a series of the Smart Home Choices Workshop. It was a great success, I counted about 80 home owners and great feedback.

It was great to see that banks have ramped up their assistance for troubled homeowners but it was clear that if you need help from your lender you do need to do a lot of homework -> banks are not social security. Should you like a copy of the handouts given, please let me know.

Data from Harvard University’s Joint Center of Housing Studies illustrate not only that the median net wealth of homeowners is 34 times greater than that of renters, but also that over half of that wealth is generated from home equity.

The website Housing Markets Facts mentions :The Department of Commerce reports that between 1995 and 2004, the average renter accumulated a little over $4,000 in net worth. The average homeowner accumulated $184,400. That translates into $180,000 more, or $1,500 per month. In other words, each month that the average first-time buyer continues to rent, it costs them $1,500 in lost wealth accumulation. Furthermore, renters are subject to rent increases as well as higher tax rates because they cannot take a mortgage deduction.

So no matter how difficult it is: if you can, hold on to your house.

Have a great day!

Mirjam de Rijk

Apr 16
0

Great time to sell too!

By | Sellers, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry, Wine Tasting, Winery with picnic place | No Comments

Today a totally different thought. You will read everywhere how bad the market (Press Democrat) is, that we are in a depression (see CNBC article), but don’t forget, the current market conditions do have a silver lining.

Home owners who are reluctant to sell because prices have fallen, should do the math, and realize that the market downturn could work in their favor. Yes a home owner will sell their home for less than a few years ago, but the home he or she would love to move up to, is also a lot less.

For example: if the house you covet used to be $500,000 but its price has fallen 20 percent to $400,000, it is a deal, even if your own home also has lost 20 percent of its value.

Of course this is really tough for people who bought about four years ago at the height of the market, but even then, selling now may make sense as long as you can at least break even. When the market was so hot, many people bought homes that was their second or even their 3rd choice. Right now, if moving will help you to get rid of the most negative unchangeables in your current home, and replace them with better unchangeables in a new home, moving does make sense. Once the market really turns around, the growth will be bigger in the better house, that’s a historical fact.

Here it is, my thought of the day, should this make you think about selling, you probably have an idea about the market value of your house and contact your Realtor (Of course, feel free to contact me) and get a professional opinion and get started.

francis_ford_coppolacannesphotocall.jpg P.S. This weekend we went to pick up our wine club shipment at Francis Coppola in Geyserville. They are doing a major remodel but the temporary tasting room is worth a visit. It’s food and wine tasting, the wines are great. Love the Diamond Collection Claret!

Have a great day!

Mirjam (707) 486-2638 

Mar 06
0

Barrel Tasting !

By | Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry, Wine Tasting, Winery with picnic place | No Comments

Yes, last weekend was the first weekend for this years Russian River Wine Road barrel tasting. Coming weekend will be the second. But last weekend was great and there were some great wines to taste. Make sure you pick up the little program book -> great for making notes.

We did go to Sunce and that is always a great place to go (they have a boche ball court and picnic tables). The Nebiolo futures was great and the Cab Franc future was my favorite. An other favorite was Martin Vineyard. You may or may not know that they are transitioning the winery into a biodynamic winery called Truett Hurst Winery. A few of the owners were there and is was great to hear their plans -> I am looking forward to the gardens (rumors are that the person who designed the old Fetzer gardens will also design these) and they are planning on having animals there too. Great for a picnic , your kids will love the animals! But this will take a while, hopefully some is ready by the end of summer.

Carol Shelton opened a wine tasting room at 3354 B Coffee lane, it’s in an industrial building. They are having a great thing going there. Her zins are spectacular, my favorite was the Karma Zin, Tony (my dearest hubby) loved the Petite Syrah from the barrel.

There is a fairly new winery of Piner Road, Benovia. Great location, they had life music. Their chardonnay is pricey but absolutely delicious!

And the winner was… for the first year part of the barrel tasting, normally NOT open to the public but the best of the afternoon… Windsor Oaks. They are grape growers and only a very small part of their grapes are used to make wines. But boy Julie the wine maker does know how to make wines! A long and beautiful road over the 720 acres they own, of Arata Lane in Windsor bring you to the winery. Great place and the wines… well let’s say we both loved their wines. We loved the Pinot Gris(barrel) and their Estate Chardonnay(barrel) and their Pinot, and their reserve Cab and their reserve Zin and the Malbec (barrel). Hat’s of for the winemaker. I talked to her, she wanted to make sure that you know that they are grape growers and NOT open to the public, only for events. So maybe I should not brag about her and keep it a secret… But all these secrets make Sonoma County the best place on earth to live!

So buy Real Estate in Sonoma County, all the more reasons to live and invest here!

Have a great day, enjoy the Barrels! (and drink responsibly)

Mirjam (mirjam@c21alliance.com)