Category

Press Democrat

Jul 06
0

Bittersweet Windfall?

By | Buyers, Economy, Press Democrat, Sonoma County info, Wine Tasting | No Comments

The Press Democrat had a article about the “Bittersweet windfall”: when you bought you home at the height of the market, you can ask for an adjustment for your property taxes. Your Realtor can help you with the ‘comps’ by the way, just call and ask. he/she will know what you need.

However, coming back on the article: Now is a great time to buy property, most people know that by know. However, ever thought of the fact that it’s also a great time to move up/move down? Yes you will sell your home for less than if you would have sold it in 2005 however, what you are moving into is also less and guess what the basis is for your property taxes… yep, current market value, in most cases the price you paid for the home. And for investors: quite a few properties do cash flow…

Actually my friend Raquel stated it very smart: it doesn’t matter when you buy or sell as long as you do it in the same market. It’s very difficult to time a market, investors do in some way, but so far the people that were waiting for the market to come down/go up have done nothing at all. So Raquel is right: ‘do the math’ see whether it makes sense and make your dreams come true!

And some stats to prove that sales are picking up:

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Have a great weekend. Great recommendation from Pat Pisenti (best Chiropractor in town) for a small winery with great wines: Porter Creek Vineyards. I haven’t been there recently so let me know what you think.

Have a great day!

Mirjam de Rijk – email: mirjam@c21alliance.com

Nov 07
0

Sonoma County in the fall

By | Buyers, Press Democrat, RE by the numbers, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry | One Comment

As my husband always acclaims: Sonoma County is the most beautiful place in the world to live. Well there are other beautiful places but the fall colors in Sonoma County together with the dramatic skies never fail to catch my breath. Our dear friend Vernon Nelson has taken some beautiful pictures, feel free to visit his website for some beautiful pictures. His wife owns a spa and is one of the best massage therapists I know (A Place To Relax on Cleveland Ave).

Anyway, this morning The Press Democrat had a gallery with beautiful pictures: The Colors of Fall.

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Just some Real Estate numbers for your information: As of this moments we sold a little bit over half the amount of properties that were sold in the all time high top year 2004. Considering that 2004 was a crazy year in Real Estate and that we are now paying the price for the ridiculous lending practices, it’s not that bad. Also, isn’t it interesting to see how fast the median home price went up? That was not healthy either. It was time for a correction. 

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By the way, should you be interested to see these numbers for your neighborhood, please contact me.

Enjoy the colors of the beautiful fall and enjoy the day.

mirjamnew.jpg Mirjam

Oct 13
0

Soggy weekend

By | Buyers, Press Democrat, RE Investing, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry, Wine, Wine Tasting, Winery with picnic place | One Comment

This weekend is going to be a soggy weekend in Sonoma County. The unseasonable rain has the grape growers running to harvest the grapes before they rot (see PD article)and the rain will not boost buyers confidence to go shopping for homes. Most people don’t realize but investors have started to pick up good opportunities. This week we did put an offer in on a fixer on Montgomery drive. Interesting to see that there were 5 competing offers… Yes it was a good deal.

Recently I have seen quite a few properties with a price per SqFt around $260, great opportunities in great neighborhoods.

So the best thing to do this weekend is go, enjoy the drive through beautiful Sonoma County, visit a small winery and get a feel for the hustling and bustling of the winegrowers. A great small winery of the beaten path is Sunce on Olivet road, great wines, a lovely place to enjoy a pinic -should the sun decide to show up- with a lovely bocce bal court.

Their 2005 Zinfandel won double gold at the Harvest Fair and rightfully so…

Have a great weekend!

mirjamnew.jpg Mirjam

Jul 20
0

SONOMA COUNTY Rents rise, vacancies slip

By | Bennett Valley, Buyers, Press Democrat, RE Investing | No Comments

Mirjam de RijkDenise had mentioned in before that you should Buy Buy Buy in Sonome County.

There was an interesting article in the Business section of the Press Democrat today:

“Rents inched higher in Sonoma County during the second quarter as apartment vacancies tightened, according to a report issued Wednesday.
The vacancy rate fell to 4.5 percent in the second quarter, down from 5.2 percent a year ago. The average rent increased to $1,140, a 2.6 percent hike over $1,111 a year ago, according to RealFacts, a market survey and investment services company based in Novato.
Apartments have been steadily filling up in Sonoma County, the result of job growth and the continuing housing slump. As home prices fall, more families are staying in apartments instead of buying a home while they wait for the housing market to level off. Even with the decline, most rents are still cheaper than monthly mortgage payments.Across the Bay Area, 3.8 percent of apartments were vacant in the second quarter, the same as a year ago. The average rent rose to $1,489, up 8.3 percent from $1,375 a year ago.
— Kevin McCallum”
This means good new for investors, with rents going up and the tremendous buyers market we currently experience. Time to ad to your Real Estate Portfolio. Mabye a duplex unit, they tend to have long term tenants so less overhead. Some examples in Bennett Valley: a duplex on Lyn Ct and one on Hilliard ct, both are cull de sacs of Hoen Ave. For more info, just contact me.

Mirjam