My two cents about over priced listings and whether one should even take them - 11/30/11 02:59 PM
This is a comment to a Featured post Meet the new real estate agent….same as the old agent….. by Ruthmarie Hicks which I felt was good enough to be a post on my blog. Let me know what you think.
Upfront, I admit I read only about half the comments and if my two cents has been mentioned by someone else, kudos to them.
Granted the seller sets the price in the end, but if more agents would walk away from over priced listing, more sellers would "GET IT". In most cases, I refuse to take over priced listing. Yes, occasionally I … (3 comments)

•Installing home solar panels can cut your electric bill and shrink your carbon footprint. But the upfront costs of buying and installing a system can be considerable, even with government rebates. the cost and return from adding solar panels, and whethe - 11/30/11 11:45 AM
Installing home solar panels can cut your electric bill and shrink your carbon footprint. But the upfront costs of buying and installing a system can be considerable, even with government rebates. the cost and return from adding solar panels, and whether the home's roof is positioned to benefit from them, are some key factors to examine before making the move. Those who have a section of roof that faces south with few obstructions, such as tall buildings or trees will benefit the most from installing solar panels. Once the estimate for how big of a system is needed, an online calculator … (0 comments)

HARP 2 refinance plan a boost to borrowers, banks - 11/29/11 11:02 AM
The Obama administration announced broad outlines of the revised Home Affordable Refinance Program on Oct. 24. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued guidance last week that filled in most of the details.
HARP 2 greatly reduces or eliminates the risk-based fees Fannie and Freddie charge on many loans and virtually eliminates the chance that lenders will have to pay for losses on loans that go into default if they made underwriting mistakes. It also vastly streamlines the underwriting process.
Although lenders can begin taking applications Dec. 1, it could take several months before the new loans are made. Fannie Mae said … (0 comments)

California home sales increase in October - 11/28/11 03:09 PM
Home sales increased 8.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 493,240 units in October compared with a year earlier, C.A.R. reported. On a month-over-month basis, home sales in the state rose 0.9 percent.
“Based on preliminary analysis, it appears that the lower conforming loan limits has had a cooling effect on home sales in October, particularly in the higher-cost markets across the state, such as the San Francisco Bay Area and coastal regions of Southern California,” said C.A.R. President LeFrancis Arnold. “This evidence supports the need for reinstating the higher loan limits while the housing market is in transition … (0 comments)

Town of Yountville Has More Michelin Stars Per Capita Than Any Other Place in the World. Add to This All the Napa Valley Has to Offer and Oui La Heaven - 11/28/11 02:55 PM
Yountville with its six Michelin stars is reputed to have the highest number of these twinklers per capita than any other place on this earth. With its tiny population of 2,933, per the 2010 US census (about 800 in this number living in The California Veterans Home), and six stars it isn't hard to understand this math.

The French Laundry leads all with three stars, its fifth successive year doing so, and single stars for Redd, Bouchon and Etoile at Domaine Chandon. There were two restaurants awarded the new Inspectors Favourites for Good Value, Bottega and Bistro Jeanty.

Frank … (0 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update November 26, 2011 - 11/26/11 12:41 PM
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 0,  sold 1
Median prices, average days on market
current for sale           13 med price $679,000; avg days on market 184
current sale pendings  2  med price $424,000; avg days on market 162
sold in last 6 months   13 med price $565,000; avg days on market 73
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions none
Sale Pendings none
Solds
118 Vineyard Cir, $552,500, 2 br 2 ba, 1,213 sf
Thank you for reading this post. … (0 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas November 25, 2011 - 11/25/11 01:24 PM
This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas as listed in the Yountville Chamber of Commerce’s E News newsletter. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks
November 25 Friday 2:00–6:00 p.m. 23rd Annual Festival of Lights
December 5–11 Monday–Sunday Dungeness Crab Festival @ Hurley's Restaurant
December 8 Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Annual Town Tree Lighting & Chamber Mixer@ Yountville Community Center
Thank you for reading this post. If I can ever be of help in finding you the perfect … (2 comments)

Be Thankful, a poem from me to you for today - 11/24/11 10:58 AM
BE THANKFUL
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.
It's … (7 comments)

When in the Napa Valley why not try something different and visit one the Winery Collectives - 11/23/11 11:46 AM
Ian White of 7x7SF continues with his best of series for wineries and things to do here in the Napa Valley with Wine Napa's Winery Collectives: Try New Things and Leave Time for Your Favorites. You have to go to the article to see the photos. If you find his information as useful and fun as I do, please go to the 7x7SF site and give them some link-love by clicking on a few of the ads.
My friends want it all when they come to the wine country. They want to visit all their favorite places but grumble when … (0 comments)

Napa Valley Wine Values, Some Very Good Second Labels - 11/22/11 01:34 PM
Many of us here in the Napa Valley are always on the look out for great wine values. It is a thrill when you go in a drug store in Napa, many of them sell wine, and you buy a bottle or two of wine which you have never heard of for under $10 and upon drinking it a few days later you discover it's great. The next day you go back to the store and purchase all of this wine they have in stock. Generally it is only a few bottles for they never buy more than a case or … (3 comments)

Significant difference in inventories, timelines between judicial and non-judicial foreclosure states - 11/22/11 10:43 AM
The September Mortgage Monitor report released by Lender Processing Services Inc. continues to show significant differences between states that process foreclosures following a judicial vs. non-judicial foreclosure process.

Ranked by the percentage of loans that are non-current, seven of the top 10 states are judicial foreclosure states. Foreclosure inventories in these states continue to climb, accounting for nearly 7 percent of the entire active loan count. Additionally, foreclosure timelines in these states continue to extend at a greater rate than in non-judicial foreclosure states. The time from last payment to foreclosure sale in judicial states is 761 days, 6 months … (0 comments)

As of the end of the second quarter 2011, CoreLogic states nearly 11 million American homes are underwater - 11/21/11 11:45 AM
Nearly 11 million homes are underwater in America as of the end of the second quarter of 2011, according to CoreLogic data. In response to the widespread illness of homes with negative equity, Credit Sesame created an interactive graphic to illustrate how each state stacks up.
The Western region and the Southeastern region have been hit harder by the struggling economy while much of the Midwest is outperforming the rest of the nation.
When you hover over each state, it offers that state’s percentage of homes underwater and near underwater, alongside the total number of homes nearing negative equity or those … (0 comments)

Napa Valley and California Fast Facts November 20, 2011 - 11/20/11 11:06 AM
Napa County Residential Properties including condos/townhomes (Source: BAREIS)
Listed for sale (584): lowest $70,000, highest $35,750,000, average price $1,467,138, median price $679,500, DOM 167 Contingent sale pending (255): lowest $81,750, highest $8,350,000, average price $452,348, median price $328,750, DOM 144 Sale pending (90): lowest $99,000, highest $7,250,000, average price $490,335, median price $290,102, DOM 82 Sold last 6 months (730): lowest $60,000, highest $9,000,000, average price $476,423, median price $329,000, DOM 115 Calif. median home price: October 2011: $278,060 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. highest median home price by region/county October 2011: Marin: $781,250 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. lowest median home price by region/county … (1 comments)

The tale of the buyer from hell, good riddance - 11/19/11 02:21 PM
I thought I would share a buyer's tale making an offer on a REO. The lender had requirements for submitting offers which included proof of funds and/or loan approval. Besides this, there were already two very good offers in on the property.
Not only did the buyer want to offer below asking, but failed to get his bank to give him another loan. He was an investor and already had 10+ loans on properties with his bank. He had about half the cash needed but had a property in escrow from which he would receive sufficient funds to close the deal. However, this escrow … (2 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update November 19, 2011 - 11/19/11 11:49 AM
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 0, sold 0
Median prices, average days on market
current for sale 14 med price $689,000; avg days on market 184
current sale pendings 3 med price $439,500; avg days on market 131
sold in last 6 months 13 med price $529,500; avg days on market 71
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions none
Sale Pendings none
Solds none
Thank you for reading this post. If I can ever be of help in … (0 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas November 18, 2011 - 11/18/11 12:11 PM
This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas as listed in the Yountville Chamber of Commerce’s E News newsletter. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
November 14–19 Monday–Saturday Wild Game Week@ Hurley’s Restaurant
November 17–20 Thursday-Sunday Flavor! Napa Valley
November 18 Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m. Trivia Night @ Girard Tasting Room
November 19 Saturday 5:30 p.m. Dreams of Toyland Opening Reception@ Napa Valley Museum
November 19 Saturday–Sunday 2:00 p.m. The Nutcracker @ The Lincoln Theater
November 20 Sunday … (0 comments)

Finally some credible good news about home appreciation in California - 11/18/11 12:00 PM
I found this video ABC & News in San Francisco from the San Francisco Gate blog I read. In the video it states from the UCLA Anderson School Forecast, home appreciation to be 11.5% for 2012, 10% in 2013 and by 2017 the total from then till now to be 52.5%. Granted the Andersen economists are the same group which predict the housing bubble and they have a very vaulted repurtation but I think they are incorrect in this prediction. After working through this down turn, I feel if homes appreciate by half this amount during this period, we should count … (2 comments)

Significant difference in inventories, timelines between judicial and non-judicial states - 11/17/11 01:52 PM
The September Mortgage Monitor report released by Lender Processing Services Inc. continues to show significant differences between states that process foreclosures following a judicial vs. non-judicial foreclosure process.
Ranked by the percentage of loans that are non-current, seven of the top 10 states are judicial foreclosure states. Foreclosure inventories in these states continue to climb, accounting for nearly 7 percent of the entire active loan count. Additionally, foreclosure timelines in these states continue to extend at a greater rate than in non-judicial foreclosure states. The time from last payment to foreclosure sale in judicial states is 761 days, 6 months longer … (0 comments)

The Napa Valley Cities of St. Helena, Calistoga and Town of Yountville Are Shrinking in Size and Have Higher Vacancy Rates According to 2010 Census Data - 11/16/11 11:55 AM
The newly released 2010 Census statistics shows the upper Napa Valley Cities and Town of Yountville are slowly becoming smaller. Though this is true for St. Helena and Calistoga, Yountville's number is a bit misleading for the Census does count the members of The Veteran's Home here in its statistics and its population is approximately 1,000 down from a high of 1,500. Given there are fewer people, the Upvalley school districts enrollment also fell slightly.
The vacancy rates did increase in all areas of the Upvalley but again this is a bit misleading given the number of second homes that are … (3 comments)

Majority of Americans say housing will influence their vote and my take on the state of how the powers to be are dealing with the problem - 11/15/11 01:34 PM
As I watched last week's Republican presidential candidate debate from Oakland University in Michigan, I was not surprised by the lack of questions about how to fix the real estate market, but was taken back by the overall lack of understanding of this issue by some of the candidates. I didn't watch every single minute, maybe three quarters of the overall debate. Of the portion I watched, ten minutes was devoted to real estate out of the two hours.
A perfect example of a few of the misstatements was Newt Gingrich's answer to CNBC's Michelle Cabrera's question about how to fix … (0 comments)

My experience in being on AR and what business it has brought me and what would you suggest to do to improve it?? - 11/14/11 02:55 PM
The question I have is how being a Feature Post equates into generating business. Granted you get many more views, but has it gotten you more business?
I have been on AR since July 2008 but have come on gone with my posting and participation.
Here is an overview of my "Statistics":
between 7/08 to 11/09: 11 posts, range 428-725 views, one day highest 2,676, Rainmaker
hiatus from 11/09 to4/11: no posts
from 4/11 to 8/11: 112 posts, range 8-112 views, not a Rainmaker, member only posts
8/11 to today, range 30-116 views, 86 posts Rainmaker and started commenting daily
one … (9 comments)

Interesting new Coldwell Banker statistics about Baby Boomers and The Real Estate Market - 11/14/11 10:42 AM
A rather lengthy but very interesting graphic from Coldwell Banker on how Baby Boomers are looking at real estate as they hit their golden years. What caught my eye is how the younger baby boomers look at real estate differently than the older part of the generation…
See a larger version here at the Coldwell Banker site.
Thank you for reading this post. If I can ever be of help in finding you the perfect property here in the Napa Valley, please email me at Curtis@NapaValleyAddress.com.
Your Broker Extraordinaire, selling Napa Valley Real Estate from its heart, Yountville
My website & … (3 comments)

Price of Thanksgiving dinner up 13% from last year, highest annual increase since 1990 - 11/13/11 01:14 PM
Diners might not be in a thankful mood as they sit down in a few days to a Thanksgiving dinner that cost 13% more than it did last year.
The price of a classic holiday meal for 10 people will hit $49.20, jumping from $43.47 in 2010, the American Farm Bureau Federation said Thursday. That's the highest increase since 1990, as the cost of sweet potatoes, rolls, stuffing and even whipped cream spiked this year.
Bad weather, rising commodity prices and other factors have caused a run-up in food and beverage prices over the last few months.
On Nov. 24, a … (6 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update Novemebr 12, 2011 - 11/12/11 12:45 PM
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 0, price reduced 1, sale pending 0, sold 1
Median prices, average days on market
current for sale 15 med price $679,000; avg days on market 183
current sale pendings 3 med price $439,500; avg days on market 124
sold in last 6 months 13 med price $529,500; avg days on market 71
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions
44 Lande Way, $860,000, 3 br 3 ba, 1,796 sf
Sale Pendings none
Solds
6630 Finnell Rd, $800,000, 2 br … (3 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas November 11, 2011 - 11/11/11 12:44 PM
This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas as listed in the Yountville Chamber of Commerce’s E News newsletter. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
November 9–13 Napa Valley Film Festival
November 12 Saturday 11:00–3:00 p.m. Grgich Hills Chocolate Festival@ Grgich Hills Estate
November 12 Saturday 6:30 p.m. Renteria Wine Dinner@ Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley
November 14–19 Monday–Saturday Wild Game Week@ Hurley's Restaurant
November 17–20 Thursday-Sunday Flavor! Napa Valley
Thank you for reading this post. If I can … (0 comments)

Napa Valley and California Fast Facts November 11, 2011 - 11/11/11 12:37 PM
Napa County Residential Properties including condos/townhomes (Source: BAREIS)
Listed for sale 601, lowest $70,000, highest $35,750,000, average price $1,538,729 median price $679,000, DOM 165 Contingent sale pending 268, lowest $81,750, highest $12,995,000, average price $505,841, median price $320,200, DOM 149 Sale pending 92, lowest $132,200, highest $7,250,000, average price $519,338, median price $312,000, DOM 80 Sold last 6 months 739, lowest $60,000, highest $6,600,000, average price $467,496, median price $330,000, DOM 11 Calif. median home price: September 2011: $287,440 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. highest median home price by region/county September 2011: Marin: $786,590 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. lowest median home price by region/county … (2 comments)

Here's what happened at Live in the Vineyard from the November 5,6 & 7 event in the Napa Valley - 11/10/11 02:20 PM
Live in the Vineyard is an annual event held here in the Napa Valley which happened this last weekend. Below is a great story highlighting what happen by Ian White of 7x7SF. He continues to write some the best articles about the Napa Valley in his series for wineries and things to do here in the Napa Valley. Here is his article about Live in the Vineyard, Concert at 35,000 Feet Kicks Off Napa's Live in the Vineyard Weekend. You have to go to the article to see the photos. If you find his information as useful and fun as I … (0 comments)

Great Interview by Jay Thompson on Zillow's purchase of Diverse Solutions - 11/09/11 02:54 PM
There has been a great deal written here lately regarding Zillow's purchase of Diverse Solutions. Being a IDXpress user, I share your concern on how this will affect DS for those of us who use it.
Jay Thompson of Thompson's Realty, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, has taken it one step further and interviewed the CEO of DS, Justin LaJoie. He has gracious allowed me to repost his interview, An Interview With Justin LaJoie on the Zillow Acquisition of Diverse Solutions, her on AR. Since this material belongs to Jay, please do not repost it without his permission. Hopefully you will find it … (0 comments)

Short Sale Soundoff: Short sales increasing nationwide - 11/09/11 11:32 AM
With 9,145 completed short sales, the Los Angeles area had more short sale transactions than any other metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the second quarter of this year, according to a recent blog post from RealtyTrac.
These short sales came with an average discount of 32 percent and at an average price of $350,237.
Phoenix ranked second in number of short sales for the second quarter with 8,434 short sales, which came with an average discount of 27 percent and an average price of $133,793.
According to the RealtyTrac blog post, the metros with the highest numbers of short sales in … (4 comments)

Cities of Napa and St. Helena and Town of Yountville to raise water fees and the cost to flush toilet, water lawn will go up - 11/08/11 11:57 AM
The City of Napa will increase their all water rates for the next five years. This is true of Yountville and St. Helena where water rates are nearly doubling. I guess for all who haven't installed low flow toilets and other water saving devices, you might want to consider doing so sooner than later. From an article by Kelly Doran of the Napa Register:
If you get your water from Napa, it will cost you more to run your tap, keep your lawn green, take a shower and flush a toilet.
The Napa City Council unanimously increased water rates in each … (0 comments)

Home buyers unrealistic about home value appreciation - 11/07/11 01:48 PM
A recent survey by Zillow found that 42 percent of prospective home buyers believe home values typically appreciate by 7 percent a year. Historically, home values in a normal market tend to appreciate by 2-5 percent annually.
In the survey, Zillow surveyed prospective home buyers and asked basic questions about the home-buying process. Despite the unrealistic expectations about home value appreciation, respondents seem fairly knowledgeable about the home-buying process, answering 65 percent of questions correctly.
However, several important parts of the process confused them. Two in five (41 percent) buyers think they are required to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI) regardless … (1 comments)

Here are some points buyers should consider before looking to buy a home - 11/06/11 01:19 PM
Before starting the house hunt, there are a few things buyers need to consider.
Credit score: Lenders are generally looking for buyers to have credit scores of at least 620 nowadays.  Although the Federal Housing Administration will extend loans to borrowers with credit scores as low as 580, most banks are imposing higher scores. Reserves: Even when renting, financial advisers recommend saving four to five months’ worth of expenses in case of job loss or any other unforeseen event.  Homeowners should add an additional two months’ worth to their savings. You employment situation.  Will your job still be in the same location in the near future.  If you have … (3 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update November 5, 2011 - 11/05/11 01:13 PM
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 1, price reduced 2, sale pending 0, sold 0
Median prices, average days on market
current for sale 16 med price $644,000; avg days on market 202
current sale pendings 3 med price $439,500; avg days on market 117
sold in last 6 months 12 med price $527,250; avg days on market 75
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
27 Forrester Ln, $775,000, 2 br 2 ba, 1,069 sf
Price Reductions
Lincoln Ave, $710,000, 3 br 2 ba, 1,950 sf
44 Lande … (0 comments)

Finally Some Relief for Excessive Home Owner Association Document Fees in California - 11/04/11 01:15 PM

Finally relief from those $300 or $400 fees charged by some HOA management companies plus you don't have to buy everything any longer. You can pick only the documents you need or only those required by law for transferring a property in a common interest subdivision.
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill that prohibits companies from charging home buyers in a common interest development such as a condominium or townhouse from being charged excess document fees.
Homeowner associations are required to provide specific documents to prospective purchasers of such homes, where each homeowner has an exclusive interest in a … (19 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas November 4, 2011 - 11/04/11 12:59 PM
This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas as listed in the Yountville Chamber of Commerce’s E News newsletter. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
November 5 Saturday 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Howell Mountain Harvest Celebration@ V Wine Cellar
November 5 Saturday 11:30 a.m.
Annual Lobster Feast@ Silverado Vineyards
November 5 Saturday 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Dia De Los Muertos Family Fun Day@ Napa Valley Museum
November 8 Tuesday 8:00 p.m.
Wynonna@ Lincoln Theater
November 9 Wednesday 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
7th … (0 comments)

Lender cash relocation incentive programs, lenders are paying short salers cash to assist in getting their properties sold - 11/03/11 10:35 AM
The story below was in this weeks C.A.R. Newsline. What it doesn't say, this practice has been being used by other lenders for about six months. One lender I know has offered a seller a $35,000 incentive in their short sale. THE ONE MUST DO TO GET THE MONEY, THE SELLER HAS TO ASK FOR IT UP FRONT. So if you are in the unfortunate position of needing to short sale your property, please ask if they have an incentive relocation program and ask if there is a range. You will gain nothing if they don't but could loose big if … (3 comments)

Napa County 2010 to 2011 ytd Sales Comparison, inventory for sale at a ytd low - 11/02/11 12:18 PM
As you can see from the chart below, property for sale here in the Napa Valley is a year to date low and nearly at a two year low. Only November and December of 2010 were lower. This is a signal for buyers who are waiting for lower prices to consider buying now.
Of the buyers who are out there making offers, they are finding very frustrating times for all properties under $300,000. If they are fairly priced, almost every one of these are receiving multiple offers. I have heard of a few homes receiving as many as ten offers and … (1 comments)

November 1, 2011 Continued Tracking of Napa Valley Distressed Properties in the $800,000 to $2M Range, now 6 of 74 - 11/01/11 02:08 PM
This is the continued tracking, started in July 2009, of the number of distressed sales (in foreclosure, a short sale or a bank owned property) for homes priced from $800,000 to $2,000,000 in the up valley region of the Napa Valley. By up valley I mean the Cities of St. Helena, Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Oakville, Rutherford and the Town of Yountville and only those listed in BAREIS, my MLS. Today there are 6 distressed sales of 74 active listings in this price range with two of these in escrow, compared to 5 of 79 on October 1 st. Three of … (0 comments)

 
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Curtis Van Carter your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire in Yountville

Yountville, CA

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Brokers ofthe Valley, Yountville Napa Valley

Address: PO Box 2905, Yountville, CA, 94599

Office Phone: (707) 944-0421

Cell Phone: (707) 815-8584

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