Melanie's Blog

Benicia Potential Short Sale Sellers--Come on out!! The Buyers are waiting!

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:53:31 -0600

I have been really excited about the news regarding the improvement for the short sale process the government has been putting in place. There has been much ado in the news about what this process and what it means to us as Real Estate Professionals. My partner and I have been doing short sales for over three years now. Three years ago the words "short sale" were barely breathed and the next breath Realtors would give you a look of pure disbelief. Yet we tackled it head on.

This past January I told my partner, mark my words, short sales is where it will be. Foreclosures are not what they were earlier this year. There are many potential sellers out there who are scared or donot understand the process. We have become more adept at navigating the whims and ways of our sellers' banks. We have been fortunate to close both from a seller side and buyer side multiple short sale transactions every month. However, our business does not stand still, in order for us to be on top of it, we need to explore what does it take to get a home sold in today's climate. Just like the weather outside, our real estate climate changes constantly.

With the improved process the govt is touting, if even a smidgen of it comes to fruition, I am saying THANK GOODNESS!! It is a trial and scavenger hunt with every bank to hasten a process that can be bogged down with layers BUT with my expectations from banks who have chosen to go this way, I believe there is tremendous opportunity for sellers who have been waiting on the side lines to jump in and go for it. The short sale process may not be the long sale process.

Sellers---we have the buyers for your home!! In fact there will most likely be more than one buyer. Come on out, talk to a Realtor who is a Certifed Distressed Property Expert. They are your advocate to give you options and if need be get your home sold. Coupled with the new guidelines now is the time to DO IT.

In Benicia, CA we currently have 50 single family homes on the market (per Bay Are Real Estate Information 12-3-09). I remember at the height of the market 5 years ago we had only 36. Prices are very reasonable. Inventory is WAY LOW. Think about it, is it time for you to sell?

Vallejo CA

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:23:07 -0600

Vallejo, California $150,000

MLS#20931729

Desirable home in Dawson Ridge neighborhood in Vallejo for sale. Three bedroom, two and a half bath that has been well maintained. Approximately 1478 Sq Ft per tax records. Downstairs has a den with closet gives a buyer ample space for living. Cozy fireplace for cool evenings. Two sliding glass doors open to the outdoor living space. Spacious outdoor deck looks upon the open space. Fruit trees provide lemon and oranges. Close to SF for a quick commute. Please call Melanie Ross, Coldwell Banke Solano Pacific @707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda @707-592-4444 for more information or to view. This one will not last at this price!!

Where Oh Where did the Listings Go?

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:18:49 -0500

Where oh where did the listings go? SOLD is one way and there is very little coming on the market.

I was updating my website last night for some July numbers from our local Bay Area Real Estate Information. OF course it is a point in time for posting what is happening in the Vallejo, CA real estate market. So that means some Realtors do not post a listing SOLD quickly or at all. However the source gives a very good picture of what is happening in today's world.

As of last night, in Vallejo there were 252 homes listed for sale (single family and condo), 78 are foreclosures and 116 are short sales. There were 193 homes sold (at least posted sold) from July 1- July 31.

At this rate we have less than a month and a half of inventory at this pace of homes being sold. The homes are slowly trickling out from the REO agents. We have homes that are in pre-marketing and eviction status. However, from talking to other REO agents, that number is no where what is was last year.

Everything that stands up with four walls is getting multiple offers in Vallejo. Short sales are getting multiple offers which was unheard of. The good side many are being approved. Patience is a virtue when waiting for a short sale to be complete, but can be worth the effort.

My personal opinion is there are many homeowners who are watching what is going on with short sales and will eventually jump into the market. So there is an inventory out there waiting to make a move.

Is it enough for all the buyers who are hungry to purchase a first home, an investment home or move up? Time will tell.

Most important is PATIENCE. If you want to buy or sell, your time will come and it will happen.

Now you tell us you reduced the closing credit-we recorded!?! What a way to keep from paying us.

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:50:49 -0500

Talk about a weird day this past week. I am confident we will get it worked out ---- somehow. Maybe it is just us, but every time we have had a transaction with an Asset Link REO, strange things happen or just nothing happens for days. YET they want it NOW and they want it ALL.

Here is the story, closed escrow this past week on a lovely home for a lovely buyer. It is an Asset Link REO which is handled thousands of miles away from us to begin with. 10 days after loan docs were signed and we kept bugging the title company (who was great!), the title company continued to press for the seller hud to be signed. seller did sign a estimated HUD with all conditions as per the contract etc, etc. We finally record, FINALLY.

My partner calls me with a perplexed (to say it nicely) voice message and said the title company called her and said the AM comes back after it recorded and told title there was an addendum to reduce the closing cost credit from x to x (difference of $3000). Seller signed an estimated HUD, which we were told is customary and then the final HUD gets done. The estimated had exactly what was signed and contracted for. And of course the final HUD matched the estimated HUD. NOW they pitch a fit?

Okkkkkkk what kind of addendum do THEY have since we are in Calif and use the CAR for changes in contracts after we have all ratified seller addendums etc, etc. Of course we have no addendum what ever it looks like, not signed by our buyer, no emails about a change, title has nothing, and how about this the listing agent knows nothing either!!!!

First time for anything in the REO world. As an REO listing agent and in this case representing the buyer, this kind of conduct totally blows me away. I am sure it will work out, but what is this asset company doing??? and yes it is holding up any payment of any kind. Given the plummeting of our market, selling a $300K house is a nice thing to accomplish. Good thing I do not spend my money before getting it!!

Short Sale Not A Long Sale

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:03:14 -0500

We just completed a short sale with ACS and Wells Fargo HE. Closed yesterday above asking price less than 8 weeks from the time it went into contract. "We" is an all inclusive term as the seller was the driving force behind its success. My partner and I have found that when the seller is actively engaged the chance of success is optimized.

Our client had spent many months educating herself on loan modifications and short sales-- reading, talking, and attending short sale seminars for sellers. When she decided to go for it, she was not behind on any payments and was not able to get a loan modification. She had detailed and I mean detailed every conversation to the minute prior to choosing us as her listing agents. She interviewed several agents to find the right fit. and by the way, she found me through the Internet!!

Our client had scripted out the entire transaction from marketing to accepting an offer to closing right before her birthday. (Yes she would even admit to being on the TYPE A side. Like alot.) We strategized and refined the sales plan and we executed it successfully. My partner had a wonderful negotiator at ACS who is a gem to work with. This negotiator got right down to business without blinking an eye to move forward. Unfortunately we would have closed two weeks earlier if it had not been for the Wells Fargo Home Equity side.

When a client is active in the transaction the chances of going through increase dramatically. She did more than her fair share to insure this short sale MUST go through. She is the poster child for doing a short sale. The buyers got a lovely home well maintained and ready for the next generation of owners. Our client can move on now and celebrate her birthday coming up. Recorded yesterday June 26th!!

FREE Movie in Benicia Friday June 26th!

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:49:50 -0500

Today's weather is predicted to be beautiful. Why not bring your blanket, low beach chairs, and picnic baskets for delightful evening watching the popular movie "Kung Fu Panda" outside in our wonderful downtown City park.

The Blues Defenders, a Sonoma County music group will start the festivities by playing their brand of "gritty roadhouse style West Coast Blues" from 6:30-8PM.

This event is sponsored by Benicia Parks and Community Services Department along with Benicia Performing Arts. Movie night downtown has been going on for quite some years. I can remember taking a blanket and sitting on the lawn watching movies played against the side of the historic Capitol Building at least 7 years ago with my twin daughters.

It is an opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors and meet new friends!! The location in the downtown City park provides ample space for adults to mingle and children to run free playing on the famous playground which my daughters loving called the "wood park".

If you forget to bring a snack, popcorn will provided by local volunteer groups. Or just walk across the street to Safeway. Just remember this is an alcohol free event! For more information you can call 707-746-4285.

Another reason to consider living in Benicia, CA. Free Movie Night in the summers!

VA Appraisal Condition Pitfalls-Anyone know what they are?

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:48:22 -0500

I need some help from my Active Rain Encyclopedia of Peers who know everything and have an opinion on anything. Let me say up front I absolutely know that it boils down to what the VA appraiser will say. I am looking for general information, stories, and advice, etc etc. Since it is Sunday and I know many of you are out there......I cannot wait til Monday. Can you help me??

My VA buyer desperately wants a home. They realize they may be at the bottom of the food chain when putting an offer in with all the competition on our area. (On a side note and probably a whole new blog---why are our veterans treated this way??)

We have looked at countless homes and put competitive offers in, yet cash is king, then conventional loans then FHA and then maybe, just maybe, a VA offer will get the nod from the seller. In our case it most likely will be a bank.

Yes I know about Sec 1 and 2 must be cleared, I feel comfortable writing an offer and have gotten several VA loans through in the past year. I know if I see holes in the walls or no stove or the furnace does not work it will be called. We are trying to think outside the box and looking at older homes which have their own arms and legs to them.

Can ANYONE tell me if a garage is stand alone does it have to pass Sec 1 and 2? What if it was built in 1940? What if there is a back unit which was permitted, BUT not the bath/small kitchen that was put in later?

How far does the appraiser look for permits? I am trying to scratch the surface to find out the deal dropper appraisal requirements/conditions for VA past the Sec 1 and Sec 2.

Please rain upon me with you help!

OUI! OUI! OUI! Excuse my French!

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:26:32 -0500

With summer starting full tilt and people deciding what can we do this summer for a "staycation", think of visiting Benicia, CA June 13th. Experience a French Theme Event along our famous promenade next to the Carquinez Straits. Sponsored by our wonderful Benicia Street Program this will start at 10AM and run til 4PM. Come browse the vendor booths filled with delicious treats, arts and crafts, jewelry....plenty to keep your interest piqued! Listen to the sounds of Paris by several local musicians.

"Marche Benicia" is a new event for our lovely city. Sip wines imported from France staffed by our local Soroptimist International of Benicia in the wine garden. Add some Champagne and mimosas and OH LA LA!! C'est Bon!!

*Short Sale Help

Thu, 14 May 2009 21:36:04 -0500

I just received my CAR weekly news update plus I read an earlier email about what Obama is attempting to due for all the homeowners under water on their homes.

I say HURRAY!! I sincerely hope that the servicing companies a homeowner calls trying to get a loan modification heeds this important news.

Homeowners---Push the envelope with your lender read this:

May 14, 2009 reprinted from C.A.R. News update:

News Flash

Obama Administration Announces Financial Incentives and Uniform Process for Short Sales

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) today announced that the Obama Administration

has added new incentives and uniform procedures for short sales under its new Foreclosure Alternatives

Program (FAP), part of the administration's Making Homes Affordable plan.

Loan servicers may consider short sales or deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure for borrowers who do not qualify to

have their loans modified on a permanent basis under the Making Home Affordable Loan Modification

Program.

! Borrowers/homeowners qualify under the FAP if they meet minimum eligibility requirements for the

Home Affordable Modification program, but don't qualify for a modification or do not successfully

complete the three-month trial period. Before proceeding with a foreclosure, servicers must

determine if a short sale is appropriate.

! Incentives include: $1,000 for servicers for successful completion of a short sale or deed-in-lieu of

foreclosure; $1,500 for borrowers/homeowners to help with relocation expenses; and up to $1,000

toward the cost of paying junior lien holders to release their liens (one dollar from the government

for every $2 paid by the investors to the second lien holders).

! The program will include streamlined and standardized documents, including a Short Sale

Agreement and an Offer Acceptance Letter. The goal is to minimize complexity and increase use

of the short sale option.

! Servicers will independently establish both property value and minimum acceptable net return, in

accordance with investor requirements. The price may be determined based on an appraisal or

one or more broker price opinions (BPOs), issued no more than 120 days before the date of the

short sale agreement.

! In the Short Sale Agreement, servicers must give borrowers/homeowners at least 90 days to

market and sell the property, or up to one year, depending on market conditions. Property must be

listed with a licensed real estate professional with experience in the neighborhood. No foreclosure

may take place during the marketing period (at least 90 days) specified in the Short Sale

Agreement.

! The Short Sale Agreement must specify the reasonable and customary real estate commissions

and costs that may be deducted from the sales price. The servicer must agree not to negotiate a

lower commission after an offer has been received.

! Servicers may not charge fees to borrowers/homeowners for participating in the FAP.

! The program is in effect through 2012.

! Servicers have the option to require the borrower/homeowner to agree to deed the property to the

servicer in exchange for a release from the debt if the property does not sell within the time allowed

in the Short Sale Agreement (plus any extensions).

REMEMBER use an experienced Short Sale Realtor!! We are having success with short sales and now is the time to put your home on the market, before the next wave of predicted foreclosures.

Where have all the Vallejo bank owned homes for sale gone?

Sun, 03 May 2009 19:53:53 -0500

Well..... they have been sold with not much more inventory coming on the market for buyers to choose from.

From January 2008 through April 2008 time period 175 homes were sold. $65,000 was the lowest price and $620,000 was the highest. Median price was $261,000. All information is from Bay Area Real Estate Information dated 5/2/09.

From January 2009 through April 2009, 725 homes have sold. The lowest price was $23,000 (price of a car and life expectancy is longer!) and the highest price home sold was $495,000. The median price was $120,000.

WOW, more than a 50% drop in median price.

As of 5/2/2009 there were 152 foreclosures for sale. You do the math, not a whole lot of inventory to choose from!!

There are homes coming on the market every day, just not as many as last year. Now is the time with interest rates low, for buyers to jump in and still get some great deals. Let a Realtor help you find the best home to meet your needs.

Benicia, CA Foreclosure-Short Sale Update 4/09

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:47:55 -0500

Our inventory of homes for sale in Benicia, CA has dropped tremendously since the last year. HUGE drop in inventory. As I have written previously this is now a seller's market with multiple offers on homes time and time again-as soon as they hit the market.

As of 4/19/09 per the Bay Area Real Estate Information (MLS), Benicia has 106 homes for sale (single family and condos). We had almost twice as many last year.

19 of these listed homes for sale are foreclosures and the new news from several months ago is the number of short sales has gone up. There are 36 short sales listed. And short sales are going through. I recommend to my buyers that if a short sale home for sale appeals to them, go for it. It will be a long bumpy road, however, could be worth the wait. Every month we as Realtors become more adept in navigating the short sale process and getting the banks to approve a sale. It is important the buyers agent and sellers agent work closely together and communicate every week, even if the bank is not doing anything at that moment.

The interest rates are still great and there are some lovely homes for sale!! Until more foreclosures get released, as the news has indicated, it is still a great time to buy. Prices are not going up nor are they going down with all the multiple offers. They are hovering!

Remember -- use a trusted Realtor to assist you!

Vallejo, CA Foreclosure-Short Sale April 09 Update

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:42:40 -0500

Our inventory of homes for sale in Vallejo, CA has dropped tremendously since the last year. HUGE drop in inventory. As I have written previously this is now a seller's market with multiple offers on homes time and time again-as soon as they hit the market.

As of 4/19/09 per the Bay Area Real Estate Information (MLS), Vallejo has 491 homes for sale (single family and condos). We had that many listed as foreclosures 6 months ago!!

166 of these listed homes for sale are foreclosures and the new news from several months ago is the number of short sales has gone up. There are 222 short sales listed. And short sales are going through. I recommend to my buyers that if a short sale home for sale appeals to them, go for it. It will be a long bumpy road, however, could be worth the wait. Every month we as Realtors become more adept in navigating the short sale process and getting the banks to approve a sale. It is important the buyers agent and sellers agent work closely together and communicate every week, even if the bank is not doing anything at that moment.

Remember -- use a trusted Realtor to assist you!

Benicia "Green Generation Earth Day" Come Celebrate!!

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:38:56 -0500

Earth Day April 22,2009 will be celebrated in Benicia with venues that will provide tools to residents and homeowners who want to learn about being energy and water efficient. This is a wonderful opportunity to take the family to learn what each one of us can do to live in our environment and save it for future generations. And of course in today's economy, finding how to lower your PGE and water bills would be worth the drive or walk to this event.

The location will be at the Veteran's Memorial Hall 1150 First Street Benicia. The event is from 5:00-8:00 PM. Mark your calendars today!!

Event Participants will include: Allied Waster- Recycling Techniques, PGE-Climate Smart Program, Master Gardeners-Household composting, Pedrotti ACE Hardware-Green Product Line, Farm Fresh to You-Locally Grown Produce, to name a few!!

The city of Benicia will present Climate Action Plan, Green building and energy efficiency retrofit information, tree program and many more.

Bring your old batteries and cell phones, bring old, unused TVs, computers, monitors as there will be on-site recycling

This event is sponsored by the Community Development Department. For more information call 707-746-4370.

Benicia is a great place to live, come check us out!

Vallejo CA Short Sale Success!

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:35:48 -0500

Two year ago my partner and I were the first in our office to list homes as short sales. The banks were awful to deal with and dragged the process out. As a buyer a short sale can be a great way to buy your dream home and as a seller an opportunity to get out from under a undesirable situation.

Alot has happened since two years ago. Sellers who need to get out from under their mortgages should consider a short sale. Granted it is NOT for everyone. It is an alternative to consider when researching your options on wanting to move on with your life.

As agents listing homes that are short sales, organization and constant communication with the banks is paramount. I am so proud to say we have gotten two approved short sales in the past month in Vallejo CA. Our clients are ecstatic. A short sale process may not be the answer to your concerns, BUT, it is an alternative.

Most important is to gather information so as a distressed homeowner, you can make an informed decision that will best suit their needs.

It is taking it one step at at time, and before you know it, you will know what will be the best solution for your situation. Just remember talk to someone knowledgeable about the short sale process and decide if this is right for you.

Buyers Market REALLY? Are you Sure?

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:31:01 -0500

Having listed numerous bank owned homes as a listing agent and assisting buyers in buying foreclosed homes, the tide has turned for some properties listed at $150K or less.

Just this past week 23 offers were received on a Vallejo property listed for $60K. My partner and I have a bank owned property in Vallejo that the bank dropped the price to $121,900. We have had this property listed since last summer. It started at $197,000. Never thought we would get an offer back then for that price. BUT, we did and the deal fell through because of the financing for the buyer.

This home stayed under the radar, as we say, for 5 months with gradual price reductions. Four bedroom, 2 bath with new stove, laminate floors, updated kitchen. It did need new carpeting (too many pets!) and paint. Overall a decent home for a buyer or investor.

We lowered the price to $121,900 it still did not get any offers, many calls and viewings, but no offers. Out of the blue 5 offers at one time with three over asking price.

The past few weeks we have been showing property in Vacaville, again in the $150K price range. We put an offer in for a home that needed work and had no offers for over 80 days. Well everyone else must have decided to do something as this house got 3 offers the same weekend.

Just yesterday, AGAIN out looking at homes just listed on the market in Vacaville, three of the homes had multiple offers or accepted offers---two days on the market.

Our buyer looks at the number of cards when he goes in to a home and silently shudders wondering how many offers on this place. And it has been on the market only a couple of days? Agents must be waiting at the door for when the lockbox is installed!

Another home that languished on the market for at least a year in Vallejo, listed for $169,900 had 6 offers and one accepted before we could even put an offer in. As agents we HAVE to call every listing agent before showing the property as you never know if there are pending offers. We can then counsel our clients and strategize if they want to put their offer in with all the others. It is one more step we need to do in the process of being a buyer's agent. It is a horrible experience to show a home, a client love it, put together an offer, and find out the bank has already accepted an offer, but the agent has not updated the MLS. No matter what, even if we call and there are no offers at that time, those fax machines work 24hrs a day and that agent could be receiving an offer as we spoke and not realize it.

Lesson learned is have your agent do as much due diligence as possible, realizing we cannot control others actions!

I had written a blog about Collective Market Conscience. Now more than ever this is happening.

That is not to say there are not great opportunities out there, just be prepared to put your running shoes on to grab one! It is still worth your time to buy a home in today's real estate market.

Coldwell Banker International Convention - San Antonio

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:42:59 -0600

First CB convention I have been too. San Antonio is gorgeous!! There have been some great classes with many always touching the tech side, about blogging, social media, etc, etc.

I took a Previews class and talked about Active Rain. Took some names and hopefully we will have some new members! I stressed how Active Rain is THE encyclopedia for Realtors and wonderful tool for gaining new friends, new clients, and new business associates!

Next year it was announced there will be regional meetings which will be interesting how that is rolled out. Back to the office with renewed and regenerated enthusiasm.

Homeowners BEWARE of letter from Property Tax Reassessment!!!

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:32:37 -0600

My neighbor called me frantically this week as she received a letter from a company called Property Tax Reassessment. She said if she did not pay by 2/26/09 there would be a late penalty. She thought it was from the Solano County Tax Assessors Office.

I told her without even seeing the letter, NO WAY would Solano County being sending this out. It had to be someone trying to get a unsuspecting homeowner to send money to them to do something that is FREE to begin with. The appropriate form to use is on my website, you can also call the Assessors office @ 707-648-6210 for more information.

Sure enough this "official letter" would look real to someone and with all the media hype about real estate I am afraid homeowners will not look at this carefully and read all the fine print. Our local paper, Times Herald, had an article about the company....read what they have to say!

Local Homeowners BEWARE!!!!

Benicia, CA Foreclosure 2008 Year End Review

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:11:44 -0600

What a year in Benicia, Ca real estate!! No community is immune to foreclosures.

This past year there were 238 residential(single family and condos) sold in Benicia. 76 of them were foreclosures. (source:Bay Area Real Estate Information 1/4/09) While the first of 2008 saw us having few foreclosures to sell, as the year progressed, that inventory increased.

We currently have 108 homes for sale and 29 of them are foreclosures.

Make 2009 the year you invest or maybe move into a new home!! We have some great values from older homes to newer ones in the coveted Waters End neighborhood.

For a free list of homes for sale, foreclosed or not! call Melanie Ross @ 707-319-2828 or just email her- Melanie.Ross@solanopacific.com.

Vallejo, CA Foreclosure 2008 Review

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:03:00 -0600

A year has passed way too quickly. As time marches on, so do the foreclosed properties for sale. A quick glance from the Bay Area Real Estate Information as of 1/4/09 indicates the majority of sold residential properties in Vallejo, CA were foreclosed properties.

There were 1457 properties SOLD. 1191 were foreclosures. A whopping 82%!!!

Sales prices ranged from a low of $27,000 to a high of $650,000.

As of today we have 885 residential properties for sale. 536 of them are foreclosures. In the city of Vallejo we are selling homes quickly when they are priced right. From historical homes to newer homes we have it all to meet your needs!

With interest prices low and FHA having some wonderful low downpayment programs, make 2009 the year you invest or purchase a home to live in!!

Now is the year to make that move in Real Estate!! and Vallejo, CA is a great place to buy! For more information or a free list of foreclosures for sale, contact Melanie Ross @707-319-2828 or email me @ melanie .ross@solanopacific.com

Just a can a week!

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:09:19 -0600

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific at 900 First St, Benicia has two huge barrels looking for a can a week from YOU!

Last year we filled barrels with food for the Solano County Food Bank. This year, even more so, than last year there is need for food to fill the stomachs of children and adults who may not have the ability to pay for food. People are losing jobs, losing homes, Please help us keep everybody fed!!

Just a can a week. We are open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5:30PM.

Stop by and drop off some food!! We sincerely appreciate your help!

It's A Pajama Party November 22 Downtown Benicia

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:27:58 -0600

Benica Main Street is continually coming up with new ideas to promote our lovely city of Benicia. The newest tradition will start this coming Saturday November 22.

EARLIER THAN THE BIRD is what they are promoting!!

Jump out of bed, stay in your pajamas, grab your family, neighbors, and friends-Head to downtown Bencia for a head start on your Holiday shopping.

Time: 7AM-10AM for the best deals.

You can not beat being comfy to shop til you drop. and you even have time to go back home to get a nap!

For more info call Benicia Main Street @707-745-9791

Teddy Bear Tea @ the Camellia Tea Room

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:18:17 -0600

Start your own holiday tradition in downtown Benicia at the Camellia Tea Room. Every year for at least 10 years that I know of, the local hot spot for tea and lunch takes reservations for two sittings. One is Sunday 11/10 and the other is Sunday 12/7.

I can remember a cold, rainy morning in 1998 waiting in line before the shop opened to secure coveted tickets to the tea. My twin daughters and I would make a big production of what to wear. All of us eagerly waited for THE DAY. Dressed in our finery we made our way downtown. Children are encouraged to bring their teddy bears along with them!

What a warm cozy tea room, festive with Christmas trees, and decorations everywhere. The aroma of freshly baked goods, tea brewing, soft music, and the voices of excited children are wonderful memories I share with my daughters.

My girls were treated to sing alongs and story book readings, while sipping a fragrant tea, daintily snacking on a deliscious assortment of goodies.

As a memento of the occasion we would buy a teacup ornament to put on our tree at home.

Make your own memories this year, call 707-746-5293 and reserve a spot!! I guarantee you a delightful time that you will want to do over and over again.

Boo Time in Benicia!

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:33:21 -0500

This last week of October don't miss out on the First Street Scarecrows!

Stroll the sidewalks on First street and pick your favorite scarecrow. Local businesses have dressed a scarecrow. Some are truly scary and others are fun. You might recognize some of the "crows". Edward Scissor Hands is one of my favorites. Of course my very favorite is in front of Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific!

You can pick your favorite scarecrow for the contest sponsored by the Benicia Main Street Program. Stop by any business for a ballot.

The fall season is one of my favorites as Downtown Benicia is forever having events and activities to satisfy any picky person or family! Drop by the Benica Main Street Depot at the end of First Street for first hand information.

Or visit: www.beniciamainstreet.org

American Canyon-Napa County

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:17:00 -0500

18 Vine Terrace American Canyon $395,000

MLS#20832702

Single Story 4 bedroom and 2 baths. 3 car garage with tandem side. Napa County Award winning school districts. Popular Montevino subdivision. Spacious floor plan with over 2100 sq ft per tax records. Contact Melanie Ross Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific 707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda 707-592-4444.

Court Location-Views Galore!

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:09:21 -0500

4636 April Ct Vallejo Price Reduction! $299,000

MLS #20832969

Fantastic court location with back views of Sulphur Springs Mts. 4 Bedrooms and 2.5 Baths. Enjoy the fireplace in the spacious family room and enjoy the backyard views. You will feel like you are on top of the world. Master suite has huge soaking tub and separate shower. Walkin closet. AGAIN-enjoy the views from your master suite. Contact Melanie Ross Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific 707-319-2828 or Jenny Castaneda 707-592-4444. Move in time for the Holiday season just around the corner.