Category

Sonoma County info

Mar 03
0

Your biggest nightmare when buying a home

By | Buyers, Financial news, ID Theft, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

Anybodies worst nightmare: you have worked on keeping your credit just perfect and by the time you find yourself ready to finally buy your first home (or for that matter refinancing your home) and you have to deal with Identity Theft. Please read enclosed article in PD: Woman’s stolen identity not easily restored.

Can you even imagine what this means? You’re getting ready to be pre-approved and you are denied because of purchase you did not do, creditcards you did not open, hospital bills while you were not hospitalized.

Cannot be said enough: CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR! Or any time you detect suspicious activity. You can go to www.AnnualCreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

An other great website is www.FTC.gov/idtheft.

While writing this I come to realize that I am due my yearly check for my credit report. So guess what I am doing the coming days…

Enjoy your day

Mirjam (mirjam@c21alliance.com)

Feb 14
0

The Stimulus Package!

By | Buyers, Financial news, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

That’s the buzz word right now! It will be extremely beneficial for our local real estate market. As we discussed in our office meeting this morning, the most interesting part will be that the ‘conforming’ loan limits will go up but even more important, that the loan limits for FHA loan programs will go up.

Hmm for many agents …. FHA… let me think, that was a long time ago that we would even do these loans in Sonoma County, the current loan limit is around $ 380,000. Yep, but it’s going to be good, FHA (Federal Housing Administration) allows for 97% financing, it can be combined with gift funds (Nehemia program) and is very lenient with your credit score and the best part… the rates are great!

This increased limit for FHA loans might take an other month or before it can be used by lenders but it’s good news.

I am not going to repeat the stimulus program, please visit the info on the CAR website or  this link to Inman News

An by the way… there are some tremendous deals out there right now, this property at 421 Manka Circle for $349,900 is one of them.

Have a great day!

Mirjam de Rijk Mirjam (mirjam@c21alliance.com)

Feb 09
0

It feels like spring!

By | Bennett Valley, Buyers, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

It’s a beautiful week in Sonoma County, feels like spring. After all the rain we had in the last weeks everybody is cheering up. When I moved to California from Netherlands (where it usually rains) I could not believe how we are influenced by rain.

This weeks MLS meeting was a busy one. The Real Estate market has been picking up a bit over the last 10 days or so. There were quite a few agents that had ‘buyers needs’ -> were looking for a specific property in a specific/or not so specific neighborhood.

The real deals, priced well, good neighborhoods do get a lot of attention. I even do hear and see even short sales getting into escrow -> this means that the bank accepted an offer. Apparently the banks are able and willing to cut their losses. The fed rate cut did help the banks, their balance sheet looks much better now so this is a great benefit for the real estate market.

There was a nice selection of properties on tour. My personal favorites were:

4548 Fable Ct in Bennett Valley. Absolutely gorgeous, great setting consisting of 2 parcels. The original owner bough the lot next to the lot the house is on to have more privacy. It was worth it!

112 Junior – This property is in a tucked away neighborhood close of 4th lane across from the McDonald area.  It’s a craftsman style home, great floorplan with an extra guest quarter/office above the garage

Should you like to see any of these, just call me.

Mirjam

Feb 06
0

International Networking Week

By | Sonoma County info | No Comments

Breaking News

My, how we’ve grown!

International Networking Week
February 4 – 8, 2008

International Networking Week™ is an initiative BNI started in 2007. In 2008, International Networking Week™ will feature a number of networking events across the world.

The goal of the week is to celebrate the key role networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world.

Simultaneous events will be held globally to celebrate International Networking Week™.

Visit http://www.internationalnetworkingweek.com to learn more and visit YouTube to watch an 8-minute video about BNI’s International Networking Week™ initiative.

Feb 02
0

Market Overview

By | Sonoma County info | No Comments

It’s February already, can you believe it? I did see some early signs of spring this morning, some trees start blooming, the mustard seed looks pretty in ‘the naked vineyards’. Sonoma County is pretty.

I did promises some overviews for Sonoma County so here they are. These are overview of all residential properties.

First a 2 year overview of the homes that are for sale versus the ones that did get an accepted offer or sold that month. It’s interesting to see the yearly trends although this January 06 was a lot more favorable that this January.

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However, the amount of properties on the market did go down…

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There are plenty of great opportunities out there, it’s a great market for buyers who finally will be able to purchase a home in Sonoma County, for people who want to move up to a nicer home, and for investors. This market comes around only every 15 years. Might as well take advantage of it. Call me for an overview of interesting properties/great deals!

Mirjam – 707-486-2638