Sonoma County: A Different Kind of Wealth

Annadel SP

Cobblestone Trail, Annadel SP

While economic struggles in recent years have put a bit of a strain on local jobs and the housing market, despite the financial uncertainty, Sonoma County remains full of wealth. Our wealth comes, not just in the form of the almighty dollar or the value in our properties; rather much of our prosperity comes from the magnificence and beauty within local communities, our environment and all of the splendid things we can see and do.It’s so easy to be caught up in our busy lives and overlook what is just around the corner. Yet, there are nooks and crannies, events and places of prosperity here that cannot always be measured in monetary value. Let’s take a short journey through the experience.

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The Gamble House

Gamble House, Pasadena, California, by Charles...

The Gamble House

What do arts and crafts, Procter and Gamble and Pasadena, California have in common?

Give up?

Arts and Crafts, in this case, doesn’t mean paper, scissors and glue. It refers to the American Arts and Crafts Movement in architecture created by Charles and Henry Greene at the turn of the 20th Century. The American Institute of Architects in 1952 recognized the Greenes’ contribution to a “new and native architecture” and credited the brothers with fostering a new way of considering buildings and their furnishings as examples of artistic craft.

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Get an Inspection to Avoid Buying a Lemon

Olive Hill, KY, June 2, 2010 -- FEMA Mitigatio...

Image via Wikipedia

You have found the home that you think is perfect. You know you are in love with it. You are so ready to close the deal.

But wait!

Before you close the deal you really need to make sure you aren’t picking a lemon. Now it’s time to get a home inspector involved. Back in the day it was not heard of in the home market to have a home inspection. If a person loved the house, like you do, he or she depended on that good feeling and what the real estate agent said. Now the process is different. Most real estate purchase contracts give you the right to order one or more professional inspections before you close.

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Foreclosure—What’s True and What’s Not

Half million dollar house in Salinas, Californ...

Foreclosure

With so many people going into foreclosure in these past few years, a lot of misinformation, fraud, rumors, speculation, conjecture and ignorance have latched onto people like grass burrs. What is true and what is not?

One of the nation’s largest home loan investors, Freddy Mac, initially charged with expanding opportunities for home ownership, is now focusing on the needs of people to become financial stable again. Freddy Mac is also working on myth busting, to help people know the truth. It offers “Top Foreclosure Myths” and the truth behind what is and isn’t true.

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Choosing Not to Get an Inspection

Real Estate = Big Money

Image by thinkpanama via Flickr

Back in the day people didn’t use home inspectors before they purchased their home. Then when they found out all the problems that hadn’t been obvious, they were stuck.

In an article by Marcie Geffner entitled “Goodbye Inspection, Hello Trouble,” dated Jan. 2, 2011 in the Official Site of the National Association of Realtors, Marcie talks about one of the strange things that happens in a hot real estate market, like in San Francisco, considered one of the nation’s hot real estate markets.

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Understanding Closing Costs

Sea Level

Image by Let Ideas Compete via Flickr

Is this the first time you are buying a home of your own? Do you know that the price you agreed to on the house is not all you will have to pay to close? Here are some of the other costs that you need to factor in. Some of these you will be able to choose a vendor and lower the cost. Others are what they are.

The good news is that your lender and real estate agent will be able to give you a “good-faith estimate” of your expected settlement costs so you are not taken by surprise.

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QR Codes–Something new under the sun

QR Code: URL http://sk.wikipedia.org/

QR Code

What in the world is that?

I’m sure that you have seen some of these around and have wondered what it is. It’s called a QR code and it might be the best thing in advertising since sliced bread.

QR is short for Quick Response, which is what you get when you use it.  You can insert it into an ad, a direct mailer, a house for sale sign and even a sign in the middle of a park; and people get instant access to any information stored digitally over the internet.

This new technology might be or might not be a real change in advertising. It’s been around for about a year and people are impressed.

So what can it do?

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How Do You Get the Home of Your Dreams?

Lot of houses for sale due to mortgage crisis,...

Image via Wikipedia

Drive around in any subdivision and you will see homes on sale.

They may be fixer-uppers or look great on the outside. You are interested, but you aren’t exactly sure what you want. Before you take up a realtor’s time, you and who you will be sharing the space with need to sit down and think about what you would like.

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What Happens When Foreclosure Happens?

Sign of the times - Foreclosure

There is no winner in a foreclosure.

The downturn in the economy may be easing, but it might be too late for some homeowners. There have been thousands of foreclosures in the US in the last few years. Many people still own their homes, but are struggling to avoid foreclosure.

Do you know the complete impact of defaulting on your loan? Can you prevent this?

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Open Cupboard Food Drive – Santa Rosa

Dear Friends,

Real Estate is important to us and likely to you. However, as the temperature drops around the North Bay we should remember to think about those without a roof over their head or food in their belly.

With the season of giving upon us, we are reminded of the great need in our
community this year.  Once again, we will be collecting non-perishable food
for the local food banks.  As a means of saying thank you, when you make a
donation or two, your name will be entered in our drawing to win one of two
$25 gift cards to the local store of your choice.

By giving a little we can all help those with a little less.  Please make
your donations and sign up for the drawing at our office at

1303 College Avenue
Santa Rosa
707-303-3333

Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for a blessed and joyous holiday season.

Sincerely,
Martin

facebook.com/martinlevyrealtor

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