Melanie's Blog

Collective Market Conscience or CMC

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:33:40 -0500

Our owner of Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific coined the word "Collective Market Conscience". This means that everyone else at the same time wants to buy the same house. Now most of you may say "multiple offers in this market?". And I say YES and YES again.

With the home prices being at the price point they are, buyers are starting to realize if they do not want to miss out they best put an offer in. Early in the year some buyers would not even look at any new homes coming on the market. They just thought to wait it out. Thinking the price will come down, kind of like letting them "season"!

What is happening in today's market, the homes coming up for sale are past the "seasoning" stage and many are priced to sell NOW.

For example, I had a condo in Vallejo for $60,000, and it was move in ready. Delightful little place and at the same time, BOOM, collective market conscience, three buyers were ready to buy.

As a local Realtor who lists bank owned homes, short sales and yes even conventional sellers, I am having multiple offers appear before me. Enough to make me truly believe in "Collective Market Conscience" or CMC.

Benicia Foreclosure Mid Year Update

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:13:33 -0500

As I have said in the past, foreclosures cross all cities and neighborhoods. In Benicia as of 7/21/08 Multiple Listing Service (Bay Area Real Estate Information Service), we have 150 homes listed for sale. Of those homes, 26 are foreclosures also known as "bank owned".

Prices range from a low of $149,900 to a high of $524,900. We have seen some very high end homes come on the market that sold for close to $1,000,000 in 2005, become bank owned and resell for $600,000-$700,00. All the upgrades that anyone would dream of having and close to award winning schools. There is a style, location, and price for most everyone!

Benicia is wonderful city situated on the Carquinez Straits. You see water everywhere and can watch the ships go chugging by. The sail boats scurry on windy days across the choppy waters. Fun activities fill our summer weekends.

Don't miss the Jazz and Art Festival this weekend July 26th and 27th. What a great place to hang your hat and buy a great home at some fantastic prices!!

Mid Year Foreclosure Update - Vallejo

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:55:44 -0500

Time has flown since I last posted foreclosure numbers for Vallejo. The number of foreclosures has increased. In March of this year, a large number of mortgages reset to higher payments. We are now seeing the demise of homeowners who were not able to keep up the new payment schedule.

Information extracted from our local Multiple Listing Service, (Bay Area Real Estate Information Services 7/21/08) indicates Vallejo has 502 homes for sale that are bank owned out of a 1053 total homes listed for sale. Almost 50%. And 397 of these are under $300,000. Foreclosed homes range in price from $54,999 to $634,900. A price for every one. By golly, you could buy a car for the price of $54,999. Older homes, newer homes, in the hills, on the flat land, near the water, near a golf course.... a little bit of every neighborhood has a foreclosure for sale.

We have some incredible opportunities for buyers. I am busy with first time home buyers. With downpayment assistance and some outstanding loan programs, people are getting into homes for the same they pay in rent. And they can fix it up the way they want!!

On the seller side, our bank owned homes are getting multiple offers for those priced right.

The bottom line is - this is what our market is! Just because the seller is a bank should not be scary. They are sellers wearing a different hat and want to sell their inventory. They may not have lived in the home or painted it the wild colors, but they do want to sell it. Just like a conventional homeowner wants to do.

REO-Original Family Really wants it!

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:51:46 -0500

The past several weeks on one of our bank owned properties, an agent has called multiple times and even submitted a very low ball offer. Come to find out today, the kids are trying to buy the home for their mom who once lived there. She was not the previous owner foreclosed on. There is "good" history with the house and the mom would love to live there again.

Unfortunately the home cannot be bought for the price she might have sold it for....but they keep trying. And now we have multiple offers on the house. My partner said do what is best for your client, however, understand the bank has already declined the lowball offer. She told the agent her clients need to assess what is this worth to the family. The home is already the least expensive in a desirable city.

So an offer came in today from them again. We are pulling for the mom to get the home she loved living in. However, the bank makes that decision, not us.

Blessed to be Stressed!

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:24:29 -0600

I am sure the saying "Blessed to Be Stressed" has been coined somewhere by somebody. Many of my friends or relatives will say (not even ask) "Wow business must be really tough for you". They are so surprised to hear - just ask my husband and family what time I get home at night. Tonight I am working from my home office and my wonderful husband brings a tray of food up to me. I am taking a break to write something here, instead of doing a monthly status report or complete a trashout report for one of our bank owned listings!

My manager always says business breeds business and it is so true. My trusty and fantastic partner, Jenny, and I are blessed to be stressed!! Our listings are getting shown and offers being written and accepted. New clients have been coming to us via my website (which I have been working at for a year) and we are getting them into homes. These are delightful first time home buyers and savvy investors. Clients I remain in contact with call for information and seek my advice. I keep my nose to the grindstone and don't look back.

I am enjoying these times, never stop learning, continue to make long time friends/clients and never, ever complain I am too busy for your business or referrals! Each client and transaction is worth their weight in gold.

Yes, I am "Blessed to Be Stressed"!

Why rent, When You Can Own a View!

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:29:07 -0600

109 White Pine Vallejo, Ca $189,000

Townhome situated on a hill with a view of the city. Enjoy the lights at night. Watch the birds fly by. 2 bedroom/21/2 baths ready for a new homeowner. Private atrium and outdoor deck. Some upgrades have been completed with tile in the kitchen and laminate floors. Single car garage with direct access to your home. Indoor laundry room. Small complex close to shopping, schools, and San Francisco. Hop, skip and a jump to the Napa Valley Wine Country. Call Melanie Ross @707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444. Bank-Owned and ready to be bought!

Hidden Jewel in Pinole

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:19:09 -0600

900 Patrick Dr Pinole, Ca $327,900

Least expensive 4 bedroom/2bath home in Pinole. Close to San Francisco, this bank owned home is waiting for your personal touch. Tucked away almost to the end of a street, it has RV parking, two outside sheds for storage, and laminate floors. Call Melanie Ross @707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444 for more information or to view.

Glen Cove Beauty

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:14:28 -0600

105 Camino Del Sol Glen Cove, Calif $436,000

Lovely home with three bedrooms and 21/2 baths (oer 2000 Sq Ft) in the gated community of Vista Del Mar. Sparkling community swimming pool. Close to shopping. schools, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Quick jaunt to Napa Valley for wine tasting or if you like water, kayak/boat/sail close by in the Carquinez Straits. This is a bank owned property ready for a new homeowner. Call Melanie Ross @707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444.

Think Your Real Estate Taxes are too High?

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:12:00 -0600

Have you heard of Proposition 8? This is a proposition that allows a homeowner to seek temporary reduction of their assessed value of real property if the market value of the property as of January 1st is less than its assessed value. This could apply to buyers who purchased homes in the past several years.

Deadline submissions are important to know. Call Solano County Real Property Division of the Assessor's office at (707)784-6210 for more information or go to WWW.solanocounty.com.

There is a form to submit for an assessment review. Click here for a copy of it.

For more information about real estate please visit me at www.melanierossrealestate.com.

Pretty in Pinole

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:26:17 -0600

2177 Bluejay Circle Pinole, Ca $515,000

Lovely single story home in Pinole, located near the foothills in Contra Costa County. This 4 bedroom/2bath home had many upgrades and is ready for a new homeowner. Hill views from the backdeck to be enjoyed year round. This home is bank owned. Call Melanie Ross @ 707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444. MLS #20801792.

Benicia Foreclosure Update for January 2008

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:52:39 -0600

Foreclosures are top of mind in today's news. Neighbors, friends, relatives, clients, people in the grocery store, customers waiting in line at the bank, you name it if I wear my badge they will ask about the current market. This is an update to the foreclosure market as of January 12,2008.

What is going on in Benicia? We do not have the same degree of foreclosures/bank owned properties as some parts of the state and country. That is a fact. What is here must be sold. That is a fact. Banks are not in the business to own homes. And that is a fact!

As of 1/12/2008 the multiple listing service for Benicia listed 144 homes for sale. These include condos and single family homes. 10 are foreclosures. They range in price from $259,900 to a high of $859,900. The foreclosure median price of $494,900 compares to $552,500 for a "regular" home. This information is fluid and most likely will change tomorrow as people put in offers this weekend or new homes come on the market.

And guess what? Whether it is bank owned or not, the bottom line is... there are wonderful choices out there. In every size and price. In the hills and down by the water, single family and condos. Benicia is a wonderful place to live so come check it out!

For information about Napa or Vallejo read these blogs: Napa or Vallejo

Vallejo Foreclosures January 2008

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:39:21 -0600

Foreclosuresare a hot topic. Solano County certainly has its share of foreclosures. When misfortune happens and people lose their homes for what ever reason, something has to happen to the homes. The banks are not in the rental business nor want to own homes. They are in the business of lending. This is an update to a previous blog last year as to the state of foreclosures.

So how many foreclosures are there in Vallejo? Our local multiple listing service as of 1/12/2008 indicated there are 358 single family homes or condos that are now owned by the bank and listed with a Realtor to sell in Vallejo out of a total of 1070 homes on the market. Their price range is from a low of $113,900 to a high of $869,900. The median price is $299,700 for a foreclosure. That compares to a home not foreclosed on at $359,000 median price in Vallejo.

Vallejo certainly has some lovely neighborhoods to choose from, all the way from contemporary to historic homes. Close to San Francisco, Napa Valley, and the Lake Tahoe region, Vallejo has something to offer everyone.

With the incredible selection of homes to meet any buyers pickiest needs, come check out the homes in Vallejo.

You may also be interested in foreclosures in Napa or Benicia.

Napa Foreclosure Update for January 2008

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:33:14 -0600

Foreclosures occur across all states and cities. NO city is immune to people losing their home. Napa is a sought after location to live and work. Foreclosures do happen in Napa. This is an update to a blog written last year.

So what is happening in Napa? This information is for the city of Napa, not to be confused with the entire Napa Valley real estate market. As of Bay Area Real Estate Information Service 1/12/2008, there are 503 homes for sale. The median price is $578,000 for homes listed for sale. The price of homes for sale range from a low of $265,000 to a high of $11,425,000!!

How does this compare to foreclosed homes for sale in Napa? These homes are bank owned and the banks have contracted with Realtors to sell the homes in their inventory. Banks are not in the ownership or rental business. They have to get these sold. As of 1/12/2008 per the Bay Area Real Estate Information Service, Napa has 26 homes listed as foreclosures. The median price for a foreclosed property for sale is $429,950. The lowest price is $274,500 and range up to $903,000.

Napahas a rich supply of housing to meet the most discriminating buyer's wants. Historical homes, bungalows, contemporary, traditional to name a few. Close to the wineries, commutable to San Francisco, a day's trip to Lake Tahoe, Napa is an ideal choice to consider.

Read my blogs for foreclosures in Benicia and Vallejo.

User Friendly GPS Typing-DUH!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:30:13 -0600

Is it just me or because I got a GPS finally (TOMTOM) to find my way around some places that is takes me 10 minutes to type an address?

The key board, if you can call it that, is set up alphabetically. This really,really bugs me. I know how to type by touch plus know where to look to find a number or letter from the key boards I have grown up.

So now I have to say the alphabet out loud and look for the next letter to type in. Why couldn't the manufactures think about how people input information. The key board for typewriters and eventually computers have been around forever. Even babies are growing up on the traditional keyboard.

So I am just venting as I get so frustrated, especially if I don't say the alphabet correctly...

OR am I the only one. and will I get used to it?? or am I behind the times and there really is a GPS with a keyboard I am familiar with?

Hiddenbrooke Beauty for $632,000!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:03:38 -0600

7208 Willow Creek Circle Vallejo, Ca $632,000

What an executive home this is! Over 3100 sq ft per tax records. 4bedroom and 3 1/2 baths, Subzero fridge, wine cooler, gas stove, formal dining room, master bedroom has built-ins and gas fireplace for romantic evenings. MLS#20741620

Incredible price of so much! This Bank Owned, but don't be afraid!! Call/Text Melanie@707-319-2828 or Jenny@707-592-4444 for more information. This home is spotless and ready for a new homeowner that is not a bank! Visit www.MelanieRossRealEstate.com for more homes.

Pre-Auction Great Priced Condo Vallejo

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:06:21 -0600

109 White Pine Dr $266,000

2 Bedrooms and 2 Baths with over 1100 sq ft per the tax records. This townhome has the added benefit of an attached garage. No getting wet hauling your groceries in the house!! Some updates have been made with crown moulding, but needs your personal touch. This is bank owned and is in pre-auction status. It is scheduled to go to auction in Feb. Come see this and make your bid!! Call Jenny @707-592-4444 or Melanie @707-319-2828 to view this lovely townhome. Close to shopping, schools, and transportation. Great first time home buyer programs in Solano County. Visit WWW.MelanieRossRealestate.com for more listings.

Lovely Bank Owned Single Story in Vallejo

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:55:26 -0600

187 Fleming Ave Vallejo $349,000

Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 home located in a popular neighborhood of vintage homes. Wainscoting and wide-plank floors greet you in the living room and dining room. Spacious family room with built-in cabinets and sliding glass door to outside patio with cover. Trees to shade the summer sun, patio to barbecue year round. This is a BANK OWNED home, but don't let that deter you!! Let Melanie or Jenny guide you through the buying process for this lovely home at a great price! Call Jenny @707-592-4444 or Melanie @707-319-2828. Visit WWW.MelanieRossRealEstate.com for more featured listings.

Lovely Bay Area Home Close to San Francisco

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 16:08:34 -0600

2823 Oxford Ave Richmond, Ca 94806 $487,900

This is a lovely home ready for your personal touch to bring back its lustre. Huge back yard great for entertaining. Sunken living room with fireplace for chilly, foggy evenings you can snuggle up to. Formal dining room plus eat in updated kitchen. Three bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs. Spacious family room downstairs with sliding glass door to outside patio area. Tax records say 1405 Sq Feet on a 9800 Sq Ft lot. Close to schools, shopping and transportation. MLS#20741434. Bank Owned and ready to close!! Call Melanie Ross @707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444 for more information.

Sittin' on the Fence

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:37:35 -0600

Sittin' on the fence is my most comfortable position. As much I would like to write thought provoking posts, I am not about to cause a firestorm of controversy or hundreds of comments because I don't know anything techie or profoundly business like with words that have two or more syllables or post fantastic pictures or be able to regurgitate vast quantities of information so people can understand life. Then worry about punctuation, then grammar, do I sound intelligent, educated, knowledgeable? That means I have to really say something that will draw people in. And probably not with this post.

I am just basic, sittin' on the fence, reading wonderful blogs that teach, make you laugh, make you cry, make me wish I would get off the fence once in a while. I am in the middle, normal, want to be likable, a hell of a hard worker, believe in giving back.

What inspired me to get off the fence tonight...BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH Especially the comment "Write like no one is going to read you"

So here I am and I did (Write as if no one is going to read me!)

I just know I am not the only fence sitter out there, being quiet, commenting, waking up in the middle of the night with great blogs in mind, fall back asleep and cannot remember them in the morning. NO, I am not going to keep a pad of paper on my nightstand. People cannot read my handwriting as it is and I can't either if I scribble in short hand at 3AM in dark.

Oh my goodness! I jumped off the fence!

Wait a minute, just one second, AHHHHH I am back sittin' on the fence again. Anyone care to join me or am I really in the minority on this?

Happy Holidays to all!

Holiday in The Park...Six Flags Discovery Kingdom-Vallejo

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:31:11 -0600

My daughters are past that giggly girly phase where they wanted to visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom all the time. We live close enough to get season tickets. It was wonderful to go for a few hours and know we did not have to fight traffic or a long drive home from Vallejo.

That was when the park was known as Marine World. Marine World had moved from Redwood City, CA eons ago. At least it seem that way. It has since changed names and gone through reconstruction with new rides and events, ever evolving to provide a worthwhile destination point for people of all ages.

The most memorable event was Caroling with the Animals during a December Holiday time period (about 1995 or so). They only did it a few times. Season pass holders were the invitees. We walked in a huge group from site to site and sang carols to the animals. The words were changed to fit the "Animal Theme". They provided hot chocolate and cookies.

Since then the park name has changed several times, the winter holiday special events were few and far between. And... The official name of the park is now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Now Holiday in the Park for this season has been launched!! In addition to providing a great place to spend a day and experience holiday cheer unlike anything else, Six Flags wants visitors to honor our troops by selecting servicemen and women to correspond with through personal messages. Take the time while visiting the park to write an inspirational letter describing your visit or just write what is in your heart.

Tonight (Dec 14) is the tree-lighting ceremony that starts at 5:45PM. One of the world's largest Christmas Tree will light up the sky.

Take a break from shopping, enjoy the festivities, and do a good deed by writing to the troops!!

Oh, and sing a song to the animals!

Third Annual Holiday Tour d'Lights This Weekend

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:08:56 -0600

Benicia Transit is hosting for the third year a festive, inexpensive way to see the holiday lights in Benicia.

Ride in a "luxurious Benicia Breeze Coach" and enjoy Benicia's annual light shows around the city. There will be some refreshments and drinks on board. The tours last approximately one hour.

All for the minimal cost of $1.50 each!! You cannot drive a big SUV for that and see all the twinkling, colorful holiday vignettes.

WHEN: Friday Dec 14th, Saturday Dec 15, and Sunday Dec 16.

WHERE: Meet at Military West and First Street

TIME: 7PM

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a holiday gathering you will want to make tradition in the years to come!

For more information you can call Benicia Breeze at 707-745-0815 or "511"

Visit Benicia Breeze website also.

Foreclosures in Napa

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:47:13 -0600

Foreclosures occur across all states and cities. NO city is immune to people losing their home. Napa is a sought after location to live and work. Foreclosures do happen in Napa.

So what is happening in Napa? This information is for the city of Napa, not to be confused with the entire Napa Valley real estate market. As of Bay Area Real Estate Information Service 12/10/2007, there are 536 homes for sale. The median price is $536,000 for homes listed for sale. The price of homes for sale range from a low of $12,000 to a high of $11,425,000!!

How does this compare to foreclosed homes for sale in Napa? These homes are bank owned and the banks have contracted with Realtors to sell the homes in their inventory. Banks are not in the ownership or rental business. They have to get these sold. As of 12/10/2007 per the Bay Area Real Estate Information Service, Napa has 21 homes listed as foreclosures. The median price for a foreclosed property for sale is $452,900. The lowest price is $274,500 and range up to $921,500.

Napa has a rich supply of housing to meet the most discriminating buyer's wants. Historical homes, bungalows, contemporary, traditional to name a few. Close to the wineries, commutable to San Francisco, a day's trip to Lake Tahoe, Napa is an ideal choice to consider.

You also might be interested in Benicia Foreclosures and Vallejo Foreclosures.

YIMBY-Yes In My Back Yard!

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:45:12 -0600

Right in Vallejo's back yard there are three post-secondary schools to choose from. Each one different and special in its own right. This is an incredible opportunity for local citizens to take advantage of increasing their employability skills without a commute.

First school to be highlighted is California Maritime Academy (also known as Cal Maritime) California State University's smallest campus but huge on educational offerings. Located on a bluff with the best views in town, this college is on a growth spurt. Over the course of the next few years a new Residence Hall, Physical Educations Building, and state of the art Simulation Center will be built. Recently complete buildings include the Technology Center and Engineering Lab.

This school offers bachelor's degrees in business administration, facilities engineering technology, global studies/maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, marine transportation and mechanical engineering. It is the only West Coast maritime academy. It is one the best kept secrets in higher education opportunities.

Solano Community College Vallejo Center is brand spanking newly located at 545 Columbus Parkway. This opening is a homecoming of sorts as Solano Community College originally opened in Vallejo in 1945 before locating to Fairfield campus. This campus location is state of the art, covering 40,000 sq ft and will be able to serve 3,000 students once it is fully built out. This campus will feature lecture and lab spaces fully integrated with technology and the latest multi-media resources for leaning. The new center currently has a science lab, computer lab, learning lab, art classroom multi-use rooms, faculty, student and administrative services. You won't have to go far to take a variety of classes to meet your higher learning needs and wants.

Last but not least is Touro University. This college has been rapidly expanding on Mare Island. Mare Island is full of history, once being a busy, thriving naval base. Surrounded by San Pablo Bay, huge trees line the streets, quiet neighborhoods reminiscent of years past, this campus is the perfect location to focus on graduate health related careers and teacher preparation programs. Touro is active in the community and committed to providing educations on the cutting edge. Graduating students are well equipped to secure well paid careers.

For more information about schools in Vallejo, contact Melanie Ross, your trusted Real Estate Resource, by calling/text 707-319-2828 or email Melanie.Ross@solanopacific.com or visit www.MelanieRossRealEstate.com

Soaring to New Heights in Real Estate!

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:27:18 -0600

An agent, Andrew, in our office always has a fun fact to share. One last week was "at any one time there are 60,000 people in the skies across the United States"

That is a good size city!! So how does that relate to real estate. You have to understand my sense of imagination and humour runs the gamut. So I thought and thought about this.

Soaring to new heights. Yes, I thought to myself, the seat I sit in on the plane is like real estate. I am renting/buying it for a short period. And I have to deal with my neighbors just like real estate, I have to know my boundaries. I try to keep my thighs from spilling over. Tuck my shoulders in and elbows in, especially in the middle seat. Of course my neighbor may not always be so gracious. Taking up my part of my small real estate by hogging the armrests, polluting the air, and then they want to talk!! Oh my goodness, I thought this little piece of real estate was mine and you cannot intrude on my space. Sometimes when I move in, the area is spotless, other times not so. What about the disclosures of who was here before me?

What about easements if you are seated in the window seat and have to go? I mean to the bathroom. What if they are not granting access? Holding it is tough. Very tight squeeze and sometimes you have to wait for important people to pass, like the stewards and stewardesses, who in real life could be similar to the city services department. They clean up, provide help when needed, act like a cop if you are not obeying the rules.

But back to your little spot of real estate in sky. Very small lot, cannot be considered spacious unless you are in first class. Then you are talking the upscale, gated community real estate. Wow those extra fees will pay for everything!

So as you fly across the United States this holiday season, think about your little lot of real estate in the sky. Be thankful to arrive at your destination and enjoy your holidays!

Affordable, Cute Condo Close to San Francisco!

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:38:56 -0600

90 Elder Dr Unit C, Pacheco $314,000

This lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath condo centrally located in Pacheco, Calif. End unit on the first floor has a spacious back and side yard, often times unseen in condo living. Crown moulding complements many of the rooms. Each bath has been updated. The kitchen features stainless steel dishwasher and newer microwave. Electric stove and washer/dryer stay. With the chilly winter days upon us, light up a fire in the fireplace. For the hot summer days enjoy the sparkling community pool. Abundant lighting at night around the complex, well maintained landscaping, and located close to schools, shopping, and transportation. This is bank owned.

Call today for a private viewing. Easy to see! Call Melanie Ross @707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444.