Category

RE Investing

Nov 16
0

Foreclosures

By | Buyers, RE Investing, Sonoma County info | No Comments

If you read the local newspaper you might think that every house on the market is a foreclosed property. While in some areas this might be the case, in Sonoma County this is certainly not the case. However, there are more foreclosed properties than usual. But buying a foreclosed property is not without hurdles. There are some things you need to know. Kevin Boer’s blog had a great posting today by Bart Marchioni, Realtor at Keller Williams Realty – Silicon Valley about Lien Priority. I could not have written it better, should you have any questions, or are curious about foreclosed properties in Sonoma County, just call me. There are some great deals out there.

Have a great day!

Mirjam

(707)-486-2638

Nov 02
0

Quotes about Owning Real Estate

By | Buyers, RE Investing, Retirement, Sellers, Sonoma County info | One Comment

And you thought now is about the worst time to buy Real Estate let alone own Real Estate? Over priced, not worth it, etc etc etc. Let me share some quotes with you:

“A home is where a bad investment is” – San Francisco Examiner 1996. -> Average price of a home in San Francisco in 1996 was $250,000. Ten years later is was $750,000

“Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment” – Kiplinger’s Personal Financial Magazine, 1993 -> Average home price around $190,00o

“If you are looking to buy, be careful. Rising home values are not a sure thing anymore” -Miami Herald 1985 -> Average home price around $120,000

“The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans”- Business Week 1969 -> Average home price around $ 25,000

“Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers” -Science Digest, 1948 -> Average home price around $ 7,000

Here it is, the history makes it clear: buying a home has always been expensive, first time home buyers have always been in a difficult spot, the first year is hard. However, rewards are there for those who take the challenge and go for home ownership.

Think of it, I don’t know how old you are, but the people who were starters in 1965, are retired by now, their home has become a nice nest egg…

Have a great weekend!

mirjamnew.jpg Mirjam

Oct 19
0

Art Trails – Real life in Sonoma County

By | RE Investing, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry | No Comments

at-2007-cover-web.jpg Coming weekend is the second weekend of Art Trials in Sonoma County. It’s the 22nd year and voted “Sonoma County’s Best Outdoor Art Event”. It provides a rare opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their studios and learn about what they are doing. And of course enjoy the art.

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It’s going to be gorgeous again this weekend, the colors are beautiful, it’s life the wine county at it’s best, my husband calls the best place on earth to life (he’s done quite a bit of traveling). So when your visiting or live locally: get out and enjoy life!

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board came out with the employment report for September for Sonoma County: Local unemployment dropped slightly in Sonoma County to 4. 5 %. Employment is up slightly in September for two primary factors: Farm jobs are up 16% a month over; extra help must have been hired for the harvest. Also, government is up 11% after a 28% increase in local government education hiring a month over. Teachers have gone back to schools. Other sectors mostly had minor dips or rises within a few percentages.

All reasons to life and invest in living in Sonoma County. Investors have started to buy Real Estate for investment, it’s a great time to buy property, and an even better time to move up. Contact me for more info.

Have a great weekend!

mirjamnew.jpgMirjam

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

Aug 18
0

Getting tired of all the financial whoes?

By | Buyers, Financial news, RE Investing, Sonoma County info | No Comments

mirjamnew.jpgThe fed did cut it’s rates and that is great news, but it’s more interesting in the sense that it addresses  investor fears. I really do appreciate Pat’s level headed comments on what is going on in his article “Why the stock markets keep falling”.

Bottom line is that fear is contagious and investors are not immune for this, the stock market is notorious for it’s over reactions. Also the media does an awesome job in feeding on fears since that is what sells: bad news sells better than good news.

Oh well, that’s life. However, just to put some things into perspective for our buyers/investors:

Yesterday I was at our local Realtor breakfast in Windsor and there are tremendous loan programs out there. A few that were mentioned: Chase still will do 100% financing on stated income but the Fico score has to be 740 or higher. WaMu has a Mortgage Plus loan program, a flexible mortgage that lets you change your rate when rates go down (no closing fees, no origination fees, no pmi).

 

For all of you that have been thinking about buying a home, either move up or move down, just call me. Now is a great time to do either one of them, despite the news. In my next post I will spend some  ‘blog space’ on this.

 

Yes, now is an opportune time to take advantage of the great opportunities that are available in Sonoma County. Just call or email me for a list.

 

Mirjam