Some little known facts about Yountville, the heart of the Napa Valley - 01/31/12 01:26 PM
Every once in awhile, I write a blog about little known past facts about Yountville, were I live and work. I have been here for nearly 35 years and find it fascinating how much history this small Town has. Here again are a few tidbits for your fancy. Cheers from the Napa Valley
 
The California Veterans Home chose Yountville over several other sites before it opened here in 1884. Before the Veteran's Home was built, Yountville's population was only 150. When the Vintage 1870, now V Marketplace, was first built, wine grapes brought $126 per acre, compared to $9 per acre … (4 comments)

A great story about Yountville, the heart of the Napa Valley - 01/30/12 01:49 PM
There was a very good story about Yountville by Jennifer Huffman in the Napa Register awhile back, Slow, quaint Yountville suits most just fine, which reminded me of the article I wrote for Relocation Bay Area Magazine about a year ago. Her story does get to why many of us who live here truly appreciate the haven Yountville really is and why us Yountvillians are accepting of the fact, there are a lot of visitors here every day of the year. Below are a few quotes from both Jennifer's story and my article, Yountville, A Personal Perspective. 
It is been especially busy this last summer … (2 comments)

The Veterans Home of California at Yountville, a true Napa Valley Gem - 01/28/12 12:33 PM

A true Napa Valley Gem, the Veterans Home of California at Yountville

An article by Howard Yune in Sunday's Napa Register, Yountville: Where old vets go to live, reminded me of the many visits I have taken up there. Granted its only one quarter mile away and approximately 100 feet in elevation above my office, but every time I go there I feel as if I am be elevated. Some of visits have been to the Napa Valley Museum, the local Greek Festival at Greek Easter was held there for three years, the wonderful Lincoln Theater and the very thoughtful Verteran's Home Historical Museum of the … (2 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas January 26, 2011 - 01/26/12 12:23 PM
Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas January 26, 2011
This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and around the Napa Valley. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
January 27 -- Oxbow Market Tour and Cooking ClassFood Education: Cooking with Julie. We meet at Oxbow Public Market to purchase our provisions, then a private tasting and then back to the kitchen for … (2 comments)

Yountville, another Napa Valley town's 2011 real sales statistics - 01/24/12 12:15 PM
Here is another Napa Valley town's 2011 residential real estate sales statistics. This time I have chosen Yountville, arguable the heart of the Napa Valley. Yountville besides being such a gastronomic hot spot has been a place well know and a favorite for both residents and those who purchased second homes here. In my estimation, approximately half who reside here are full time residents, a quarter are second homes and a quarter are rentals.
Also included here is my ongoing tally of the residential sales numbers, number for sale as of January 1st, average & median prices and days on market (DOM) for the past six years.

… (0 comments)

Some good advice to anyone shopping for the lowest mortgage rates - 01/22/12 02:08 PM
Shopping for the best rates
Interest rates are the lowest in decades, enticing many borrowers to shop for a loan.  Mortgage lenders adjust their rates based on perceptions of risk, so unless the borrower can show they’re a low-risk individual, the borrower is unlikely to qualify for a rate that matches those seen in recent advertisements and headlines.
Making sense of the story
The rates quoted are averages drawn from a variety of financial institutions, and lenders use varied approaches to set them.  Consumers who want to try for the lowest rates available need to consider basic factors, such as credit … (4 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update January 21, 2012 - 01/21/12 01:06 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           13 med price $609,000; avg days on market 154
current sale pendings  1  med price $408,500; avg days on market 281
sold in last 6 months    8 med price $558,750; avg days on market 63
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings
44 Lande Way, $800,000, 3 br 3 ba, 1,796 sf
Price Reductions
23 Forrester Ln,  $499,900, 2 br 2 ba, 1,069 sf 
19 Forrester Ln, … (2 comments)

January 20, 2011 Napa Valley and California Fast Facts - 01/20/12 11:44 AM
Napa County Residential Properties including condos/townhomes (Source: BAREIS)
Listed for sale (482): lowest $59,000, highest $29,500,000, average price $1,261,887, median price $612,000, DOM 170 Contingent sale pending (257): lowest $109,200, highest $8,350,000, average price $481,165, median price $338,000, DOM 148 Sale pending (106): lowest $97,500, highest $1,250,000, average price $317,169, median price $272,000, DOM 91 sold last 6 months (684):  lowest $60,000, highest $9,000,000, average price $495,072, median price $326,450, DOM 118 Calif. median home price: December 2011: $285,920 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. highest median home price by region/county December  2011: Marin: $693,880 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. lowest median home price by region/county December 2011: Madera: $106,000 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: November 2011: 109.8, … (0 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas January 19, 2011 - 01/19/12 10:26 AM
This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
January 18 - 22 -- The American Institute of Wine & Food 2012Wine Education:The grand Savor Wine Country special events include: exclusive tours and wine tastings, private chefs dinners at restaurants, cooking classes and the Celebration Dinner and Auction with guest of honor Margrit Mondavi. 1314 McKinstry … (0 comments)

Napa County real estate stats for 2011 - 01/18/12 12:11 PM
Here are the stats for 2011 for the Napa Valley
The most significant thing to note is the consistency of the number of sales, the dwindling inventory but the fact prices have remain flat from 2010 to 2011. The other very interesting stat is the static days on market. This is due primarily to the hot market in sales of anything priced correctly under $400,000 especially in the Cities of Napa and American.
Over the nest few weeks I will be doing several upvalley cities and the Town of Yountville. Here, you will be surprised how different the market is especially … (0 comments)

California pending homes sales up year over year, distressed still make up 44.9% of all sales statewide, in the Napa Valley it is 37.3% - 01/17/12 01:31 PM
California pending home sales post higher for seventh straight month
California pending home sales fell 9.1 percent in November but were up from a year ago, according to C.A.R.’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)*.  The index was 109.8 in November, based on contracts signed in that month, down from October’s index of a revised 120.9.  However, the index was up 11 percent from November 2010, marking the seventh consecutive month that pending sales rose from the previous year.
At 55.1 percent, equity sales made up more than half of home sales in November, up from 53.9 percent in October and 54.4 … (3 comments)

Only 1 in 6 of the 5.5 million loan modification applicants receive one, that's 910,000 doing the math - 01/16/12 12:13 PM
Housing Scorecard shows overall outlook mixed
HUD and the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury released the December edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard this week.  Data in the Scorecard show some subtle improvements in the market over the past year, but underscore fragility as the overall outlook remains mixed. For example, new and existing home sales rose compared with the prior month and remain higher than a year ago, and homes are more affordable than they have been since 1971. Median-income families today have nearly double the funds needed to cover the cost of the average home.  However, home prices … (5 comments)

Hope for real estate in the Napa Valley, number of Napa County foreclosures at four year low - 01/15/12 12:25 PM
The number of Napa County foreclosures in 2011 are at a four-year low. From the Napa County Assessors office there were 1,087 property owners here who received a Notice of Default (NOD) in 2011 compared to 1,173 in 2010. A notice of default may be filed after an owner is 90 days delinquent in payments, or longer, depending on the lender.
Here are the statistics for NOD's and foreclosure for the past five years:

 
 
 
For comparison to nearly a decade ago, in 2002 and 2003 there were only 10 Trustees Deeds recorded in Napa County each year.
What does this mean for … (4 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update January 14, 2012 - 01/14/12 12:11 PM
Stats for last 7 days
new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 1,  sold 0
Median prices, average days on market
current for sale           12 med price $592,000; avg days on market 160
current sale pendings  1  med price $408,500; avg days on market 274
sold in last 6 months    8 med price $585,750; avg days on market 63
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions none
Sale Pendings
6701 Washington St, $408,500, 3 br 2 ba, 1,247 sf
Solds none
… (2 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas January 13, 2011 - 01/13/12 12:07 PM
This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!  
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Bank of America reduces short sale back-up offer submission period from 14 days to 8 days - 01/12/12 10:39 AM
Short Sale Soundoff: BofA shortens backup offer period
 Bank of America has made a change to its short sale process in regards to backup offers.  According to BofA, based on agent feedback and to reduce overall cycle times, the bank is reducing the window agents have for submitting a backup offer on a short sale.  Instead of 14 days, backup offers must now be submitted within eight calendar days after the initial offer becomes invalid.
When a backup offer becomes necessary, agents should contact their short sale specialist immediately, and let the specialist know if they have a backup offer to … (4 comments)

A Silent Napa Valley and Yountville Gem, the Verterans Home of California at Yountville - 01/11/12 02:10 PM
An article by Howard Yune in Sunday's Napa Register, Yountville: Where old vets go to live, reminded me of the many visits I have taken up there. Granted its only one quarter mile away and approximately 100 feet in elevation above my office, but every time I go there I feel as if I am be elevated. Some of visits have been to the Napa Valley Museum, the local Greek Festival at Greek Easter was held there for three years, the wonderful Lincoln Theater and the very thoughtful Verteran's Home Historical Museum of the facility and of many of the Members.
Here are a few facts about the … (0 comments)

Yountville, Napa Valley's gastronomic capitial, holds it third annual Movable Feast, come for some great deals - 01/11/12 01:33 PM
I can't think of a better cure for the generally dark and dreary days, and hopefully rainy soon,  of January and February this 2012 than with a fresh start in Napa Valley's beautiful Yountville. From now until February 29, the town's third annual Moveable Feast offers visitors and locals alike amazing opportunities to experience its world-class selection of eateries, accommodations and wineries/tasting rooms at unbeatable values. This means indulgent prix-fixe menus, wine tastings and luxury travel packages all to be found in the heart Napa Valley, Yountville.
You can look forward to delicious meals and deals at favorites like Bistro Jeanty, Bouchon Bistro, Hurley's Restaurant and Bar and many others. … (0 comments)

Loss in home values for U. S. homeowners continues in 2011, estimate nearly $700 billion - 01/10/12 12:57 PM
U.S. homes set to lose nearly $700 billion in value during 2011
U.S. homes are expected to lose more than $681 billion in value during 2011 – 35 percent less than the $1.1 trillion lost in 2010 – according to analysis of a recent Zillow Real Estate Market Reports.
The bulk of the total value lost during 2011 was in the first half of the year. From January to June, the U.S. housing market lost $454 billion. From July to December, Zillow projects residential home value losses will total a significantly lower $227 billion.
Regionally, only nine out of 128 markets … (2 comments)

Home sellers who purchased prior to 2007 are overpricing homes - 01/09/12 01:33 PM
Current home sellers who purchased their home in 2007 or later are overpricing their homes by an average of 14.1 percent, according to analysis of for-sale listings on Zillow. By comparison, sellers who bought before 2002 price their homes about 11.6 percent over market value, and those who bought between 2002 and 2006 price their homes 9.3 percent above market value.
Zillow compared the asking price of 1 million for-sale homes with those homes' previous purchase price, then factored in the change in the Zillow Home Value Index at the ZIP code level to determine that home's current market value.
Zillow … (2 comments)

January 9, 2012 Napa Valley and California Fast Facts - 01/09/12 11:16 AM
Napa County Residential Properties including condos/townhomes (Source: BAREIS)
Listed for sale (477): lowest $59,000, highest $29,500,000, average price $1,288,920, median price $599,000, DOM 172 Contingent sale pending (247): lowest $97,500, highest $8,350,000, average price $460,969, median price $325,9500, DOM 155 Sale pending (98): lowest $124,000, highest $1,250,000, average price $343,322, median price $279,474, DOM 80 Sold last 6 months (691):  lowest $60,000, highest $9,000,000, average price $490,111, median price $326,900, DOM 116 Calif. median home price: November 2011: $280,960 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. highest median home price by region/county November  2011: Marin: $736,410 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. lowest median home price by region/county November 2011: Madera: $103,330 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: November … (0 comments)

Some factors to consider if the housing market is truly bottoming in 2012 and whether to buy or not - 01/08/12 12:42 PM
Five issues for housing in 2012Just as in 2011, in 2012 many will be trying to figure out where housing is headed.  While the housing market didn’t worsen in 2011, it also didn’t stabilize either.  This year, the story will be about local markets.  While many housing markets rose and fell together, they’re recovering at difference paces so talking about housing on a national level is not beneficial.
Making sense of the story
Confidence and jobs: Housing is more affordable than it has been in decades, but many would-be buyers are worried about buying today if prices are going to be … (0 comments)

Yountville Weekly Real Estate Update January 7, 2011 - 01/07/12 12:54 PM
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           13 med price $575,000; avg days on market 161
current sale pendings  1  med price $439,500; avg days on market 115
sold in last 6 months   10 med price $541,000; avg days on market 57
Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none
Price Reductions none
Sale Pendings none
Solds none
… (0 comments)

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas January 6, 2011 - 01/06/12 01:47 PM
This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!!
January 6 -- A Taste Tour of Europe @ Back Room WinesWine Education: Come to Back Room Wines for "A Taste Tour of Europe." Taste and enjoy five great wines from all over the "Old World." From Champagne bubbles to Riesling to Italian reds to Port and who knows what else, you'll travel all over Europe by wine glass. Come take part in the … (2 comments)

Now average 735 days to foreclose, plus foreclosure statistics for the nation, Napa Valley, Napa County and the City of Napa - 01/05/12 10:50 AM
At my office meeting yesterday, the management showed us the following slide presentation on foreclosures from ForeclosureRadar.com C.A.R. The presentation had some interesting facts for national foreclosures but broke it down for what is happening the Napa Valley areas including the Napa County and the City of Napa .
Here are few of the highlights, please note some the graphs may seem duplicated but both City of Napa and Napa County are included:
Average time nationwide to foreclose is now 735 days Nationwide delinquencies, now 7.6% of housing stock, and foreclosures trending down 2.2 home nationwide under water and 900,000 homeowners have stopped making payments In California there are quite … (0 comments)

Finally some good news about real estate sales in California and here in the Napa Valley - 01/04/12 12:28 PM
The total number of residential sales in the Napa Valley for 2011 is 1,429 which is 6.5 percent increase over last year. Below is a ten year look at residential sales in Napa County.

California pending home sales post higher for seventh straight monthCalifornia pending home sales fell 9.1 percent in November but were up from a year ago, according to C.A.R.’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)*.  The index was 109.8 in November, based on contracts signed in that month, down from October’s index of a revised 120.9.  However, the index was up 11 percent from November 2010, marking the seventh consecutive … (0 comments)

Upper Napa Valley residential home sales for fourth quarter 2011 - 01/03/12 02:55 PM


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Some good advice for borrowers who are behind on their home mortgage payments - 01/03/12 02:02 PM
Getting back in the blackMore than 2.6 million households are at least 60 days delinquent on their mortgage payments, according to the nonprofit coalition Hope Now. While those who are delinquent 60-120 days can make back payments to help them become current, those who are more than two months behind may need to employ other means to catch up.
Making sense of the story
Beyond the obvious threat of foreclosure, falling behind on a mortgage can be costly:  Lenders charge late fees as well as legal and administrative costs, and the borrower’s credit score will suffer.  Experts say the sooner a … (1 comments)

January 1, 2012 Continued Tracking of Napa Valley Distressed Properties in the $800,000 to $2M Range, now 8 of 58 - 01/02/12 01:09 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 8 distressed sales of 58 active listings in this price range with two of these in escrow, compared to 6 of 74 on December 1 st. Three of these … (3 comments)

My history with Yountville, the heart of the Napa Valley - 01/01/12 12:07 PM

Here is a link to a .pdf if this is not legible, Yountville a Personal Perspective
… (2 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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