You can own a home like this for $25 a month - 11/30/09 12:40 PM
I took my kids on a ride on an electric street car that ran out of the Western Train Museum in Rio Vista.  There were a number of vintage ads that ran along the roof line.  One caught my attention.  I hope taking a photograph of these, and posting them are not some type of copyright violation!
      

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Welcome Brandon Carpet - 11/29/09 11:38 PM
I'd like to welcome new Active Rain member, Eric Brandon. Eric and his son have taken a number of real estate courses with me at the local junior college.  Eric owns a floor covering business in Sebastopol, CA called Brandon Carpet.  I've referred him to several jobs, and like the way he does business. I've been bugging him and his son, Kyle to join A.R. for the past 4 months as they work their way toward taking the state R.E. test.  Here's a link to his profile. http://activerain.com/brandoncarpet  .  Eric is a pleasure to do business with, a real family owned and operated local business. 
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Some Assembly required! - 11/29/09 11:14 PM
I can't believe as a society we get more "days off" for Thanksgiving then we do for Christmas.  Anyway, I always enjoy an extra long weekend.  We usually go to Monterey Friday thru Sunday, but we decided to stay home.  How did you spend your weekend?
               
Setting up the Blowmold nativity scene.  The light inside one of the wisemen was giving me trouble.  Stupid wiseman!  (Yes I'm wearing shorts. It was a beautiful 75+ today.)   
 
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"The Wine Country's a nice place to live Charlie Brown" - 11/29/09 07:16 PM
We had family and friends come over for Thanksgiving who drove in from out of town.  "We love driving to the Wine County, what's with all the Peanut characters all around?"
I've gotten use to seeing them around, but there are a lot of Peanut characters around Santa Rosa, and all over the Sonoma County.  Charles Schulz lived most of his life here, and had his studio on the west side of Santa Rosa.  
 
 
Is the fact that our county airport is called the Charles M, Schulz any indicator of how important Charles is to our community?

 
 
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Wine Country Rental in Windsor, CA - 11/29/09 05:50 PM
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Windsor, CA - 11/29/09 12:46 AM
Thinking of relocating to Northern California?  Consider the Town of Windsor.  With a polutation of about 25,000 it is just the right size to provide all the services of a medium sized city with a small town feel.  Windsor incorporated in the mid 1990's and is quite progressive.  Wineries are a short distance drive in any direction, and a bike ride in the country is always just around the corner. 
 
I think the highlight of the Town of Windsor is it's newly developed Town Green.  It's a work/live devolopment that is bordered by Old town Windsor, and a huge lawn/park.   … (2 comments)

Let there be crab! - 11/28/09 10:53 PM

 
Crab season is in full swing.  In the Wine Country, Crab feasts are a regular event!  They are a bit pricey, but if you go to one, you'll go every year.  Here is a list of up coming "All you can eat " crab feasts for this crab season. Hope to see you there! 
 
Santa Rosa High School Foundation Jan. 23, 2010
All you can eat crab Salad Clam Chowder, dessert, beer & wine $45 545-4095 Piner High School Crab feed  Jan 29, 2010
No-host bar Silent auction Salad, bread, dessert Live band & dancing $40 836-9735 Ursuline High … (3 comments)

Christmas tree farms in Sonoma County - 11/27/09 01:04 AM
Thanksgiving is over and it's time to look forward to ...   Christmas.
We are so lucky that we have tens of Christmas tree farms in the county.  There is nothing better to get you into the Christmas spirit then picking out the family christmas tree!    If you cant make it to my favorite tree farm in Rincon Valley (North Eagle Christmas Tree Forest 6191 Sonoma Hwy Santa Rosa 707 538-2554) then here are some other excellent choices: 
Buddy's Christmas Trees  8575 Graton Road Sebastopol, CA 707 823-4547 www.grandmastrees.com
Celesta Farms: 3447 Celesta Ct., Sebastopol, CA 707 829-9352
Frosty Mountain Tree Farm: 3600 Mariola Road … (5 comments)

Cut your own Christmas tree in Rincon Valley - 11/25/09 06:15 PM

 
Looking for something fun to do this Christmas?   Go to Rincon Valley's own Christmas tree farm, and pick and cut your own tree.  Nothing is more fun than heading out in the cold with a saw, and picking out your own tree.  Bring the kids and a thermos of hot apple cider.
 

North Eagle Christmas Tree Forest
6191 Sonoma Hwy.Santa Rosa, CA 95409


 
 538-2554
Open:7 days a week, 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Types of trees offered (you choose and cut):
Douglas Fir Scotch Pine Monterey Pine Cedar Coastal Redwood Giant Sequoia Fresh pre-cut … (1 comments)

Are you asking the right question? - 11/22/09 08:07 PM
I recently read a post written by an agent in Hawaii, who suggested potential sellers and buyers only work with "Full Time Real Estate Agents".  I have nothing against "Full Time Real Estate Agents"  My question is what is a full time real estate agent? 
Do you become a full time real estate agent by being at the brokerage from 8 to 5pm?  Because I know some agents at my brokerage who seem to be there night a day, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure they've completed more than a couple of transactions for 2009.  Is it the number … (6 comments)

Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank - 11/22/09 12:40 PM
Sonoma County is home to lots of famous people, Fred MacMurray, Harry Morgan, Charles Schulz, Robert Ripley, Raymond Burr, Joe Montana and more.  Although fun to see, and claim as local residents, none have left an impact on the county as Luther Burbank.
Luther Burbank was a botanist and horticulturist who came to America from England he developed a better potato call the Burbank Potato.  Burbank sold the rights to his potato and $150 and used the money to travel to America, where he settled in Santa Rosa at age 26.  He found Santa Rosa to have the perfect growing season, weather, … (2 comments)

Should you buy down a loan? - 11/21/09 04:35 PM
I have a client now, and have had clients in the past, who want to know whether or not they should pay points to buy down their loan.  First of all, let me say that I'm not a mortgage broker, and don't pretend to do lending.  I believe I should do what I do best, and let other professionals do what they do best.  Also, what I'm explaining here is a principle, so don't blog me back saying that you can beat this rate, and ask my client to call you.
What is a buydown? 
It is paying money upfront to … (4 comments)

What is this? - 11/21/09 08:37 AM
I was driving down the road about a month ago and saw these  three stacks on the side of the road in a field that use to have a horse.  I thought, what the hell are those?  Underground ventilation?  State water testing? 
 
 
 
 
Then a few nights later...
 
 

 
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Things to do in Sonoma County this weekend - 11/20/09 06:12 PM

Looking for a reason to visit the Wine Country this weekend.  Let me give you 11!
20th    Lisa Lampanelli; 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; Queen of Mean with her no-holds-barred, insult comedy routine. 7 p.m. $42.75. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa. 546-3600. www.wellsfargocenterarts.org. 
20th -  Possessions of Mrs. Jones;6th St Playhouse; 8pm $15 - $25; Evelyn Jones lives in a shiny happy suburban fantasy. But when God and Satan emerge from her washing machine to enlist her help in preventing a hostile corporate takeover of Heaven and Hades, Evelyn begins to unravel.523-4185. www.6thstreetplayhouse.com
20th - 22nd  PAC WEST BARREL … (2 comments)

Farm Fresh Turkey - 11/20/09 08:22 AM
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I'm sure a lot of Sonoma County residents will be buying their birds this weekend.  All the supermarkets are packed with Butterball and other mass produced birds.  If you want to try something new this year, I highly recommend our local Willie Bird Turkeys.  They are raised in Sonoma County and shipped all over the country by mail order.  Willie Bird Turkeys are free range turkeys that have incredible taste.  Willie began raising the birds locally 40 years ago, and are a real treat.
You can pick up a pre cooked, or ready cook bird at … (0 comments)

Great rates - 11/17/09 07:00 PM
This week continues to see great rates on 30 year fixed rate home loans.  Below is a chart from Freddie Mac of the countries averages.  Low rates with tax credits make this a great time to get out there and buy a home!  Call me if you would like any further informationl.
 

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Agency Disclosure just got a little easier in California - 11/16/09 07:01 PM
Just read some good news.  C.A.R. is moving away from a frequently confusing topic.  Agency Disclosure (A.D.).  I hate explaining this to clients, and really hate explaining it to other agents.  In California the listing agent is suppose to get an agency disclosure signed by the seller before taking a listing.  And a buyer's agent is suppose to get an Agency Disclosure signed by his client before writing an offer.  That's not confusing... but here's the part that is: The buyer's agent is suppose to get a third Agency Disclosure signedby the seller.  A lot of agent's are surprised when I … (3 comments)

Where there's smoke... There might a $400 fine - 11/15/09 10:11 AM
When people think of the Wine Country, they don't usually think of air pollution.  However... two things are hurting Sonoma County.  Our proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area, and our rural agricultural roots that allow farmers to burn their discarded vegetation.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has been authorized  to declare "Winter Spare the Air Days" between November 1, and February 28th.  This means nothing can be burned including fires inside your chimney at home not even pellets in a pellet stove.  There are a few exceptions, however most of us don't qualify for them such as: if a wood burning … (6 comments)

FHA Home Loans, Santa Rosa, CA - Top 10 FHA Loan Benefits for home buyers - 11/15/09 09:13 AM
I have been meaning to write about the benefits of FHA loans but have not found the time.  Coincidentally I read this blog today which is written by a fellow real estate professional, Anthony Ebright, who does a lot of loans with Wells Fargo.  Anthony can be reached at 707-548-0752 if you need more information about FHA or VA loans. Both are great products for first time home buyers

Via Anthony Ebright - Santa Rosa Home Loans - Purchase and Refinance Mortgages (FHA, VA, Jumbo, Conforming Loans - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage):
FHA Home Loans, Santa Rosa, CA - Top 10 … (1 comments)

Aren't you all Realtors? - 11/14/09 09:54 AM
I think one of the most misunderstood titles is that of Realtor.  I know it doesn't matter to other real estate agents, but this blog is written to explain a few commonly and frequently misunderstood terms in real estate:
Sales Associate:  This is probably the most common type of real estate agent the public comes in contact with.  A sales associate can also be called a Salesperson, or simply a Real Estate Agent (although this last term is deceiving).  In California, a Sales Associate is anybody who is at lease 18 years old, and takes 3 college level real estate courses, one … (6 comments)

Federal Home Buyer Tax Credits - 11/13/09 11:42 AM

 
President Obama extended the first time home buyer   new $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credit program.  Here are the details of how it works:
 
 
For the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer tax credit:
You have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000. The tax credit does not have to be repaid. The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or … (0 comments)

11 reasons to visit the Wine Country this weekend - 11/13/09 08:39 AM
Here is a list of happenings this weekend in and around Sonoma County.  Hope you'll come and visit!
13th   Growing up in Neverland  $8-$12; Sonoma State University Everete B. Person Theater; Based on the story of Peter Pan about a boy who refuses to grow up.  www.sonoma.edu/performingarts
13th  Possessions of Mrs. Jones  6th Street Playhouse; $15 - $25; Evelyn Jones lives in the shiny happy suburban fantasy.  But when God and Satan emerge from her washing machine to enlist her help in preventing a hostile corporate takeover of Heaven and Hade, Evelyn begins to unravel. Playing thru Dec. 8 523-4185, www.6thstreetplayhouse.com
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The death of a newspaper - 11/10/09 06:33 AM
One of my favorite things to do in the morning, is to read our local paper, The Press Democrat, over a cup of coffee.  I've noticed over the past year that the morning paper is getting thinner and thinner. On Mondays it has gone from 4 sections to just 2.  It's really become a bit of a joke. 
I have a friend who is a journalist for The Press Democrat, and she said that readership is down, all the newpapers around the country are struggling and being shut down.  She told me that staff writers are being laid off, and that it's really … (11 comments)

Loan program for California public employees - 11/07/09 10:07 AM
I recently sold one of my listings to a buyer who was getting a CalPers loan.  I had heard of this loan program but was not very familiar with how it worked or what a great product it was.  Here's how the program works:
You have to be a public employee such as a police officer, teacher, judge etc, who is in the CalPers retirement system.  There is no minimum amount of time in the system, you can apply for a loan on you first day on the job.
CalPers advertises that it's loans are highly competitive, however applicants are told to examine their Truth in Lending … (2 comments)

Google 411 - 11/07/09 01:27 AM
The people at Google just amaze me.  I always think"too bad there isn't anything left to invent"  It seems that way until a new product comes on the market and we think "Oh, I could have thought of that!"  It seems obvious after somebody else introduces us to something new. 
Anyway Google launched a new application recently that I had just heard about.  It's called Goog411.  A cell phone or land line is used to call 800-GOOG 411 or 800-644 6411 for free business telephone listing!  When you call the number a person states: "what is the business you are looking … (4 comments)

Things to do in Sonoma County this weekend - 11/06/09 11:07 AM
Looking for something to do this weekend?  Come to Sonoma County and enjoy some of the wine country's best entertainment.
5th   Jimtown Store First Thursday Wine Bar;6pm - 8pm; $40 at the door; Wine Education: Presenting, Winemaker Laura Catena, to discuss the wine regions of Argentina and share wines from her family wineries: Luca Winery and Bodega Catena Zapata. Visit us online for featured wines and Chef Peter Brown's hors d'oeuvre menu. 6706 State Hwy 128, Healdsburg$10 Off for Non-wine drinkers Phone Number: (707) 433.1212
6th 7th& 8th  Actors' Theater Presents GO, DOG, GO!Family Fun, Performing Arts: This classic children's book comes … (1 comments)

DocUsign - 11/05/09 12:40 PM
I recently helped a client write an offer for a condominium. The other agent sent me documents that had been signed with e-signatures.  It looked very impressive.  I was interested in using the service, but was really ignorant as to how it worked, what it cost, and how difficult it was to use. 
I called the other agent who told me that she really like it, it was easy to use, and the cost would pay for itself in savings on gas, and my time.  I signed up with DocUsign by going to www.docusign.net  and for about 18.00 a month was … (8 comments)

Scary real estate - 11/01/09 11:58 PM
Cant believe another Halloween has come and gone!  Fall is one of my favorite times of the year in Sonoma County.  The rush to crush the grapes in full throttle.  There is a sweet smell in the air of sweet grapes still hanging and fermenting on the vine.  The nights are cool, and the days are still warm. 
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Jim Cheney Rincon Valley Real Estate

Santa Rosa, CA

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Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA

Address: 5373 Gold Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, 95409

Office Phone: (707) 538-9095

Cell Phone: (707) 494-1055

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