Special offer

Chico, CA Real Estate News

By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
The Tour of Lights is a wonderful local Chico CA holiday tradition. Chico residents love to pile in their cars after dark to take a leisurely tour of all the brilliantly decorated Chico area homes. For some, it's a grand event, worthy of a limousine rental! Our family likes to enjoy Christmas music playing on the radio, and we always bring along mugs of hot chocolate or apple cider. Add in candy canes and Grandma and Grandad, and we have beautiful holiday memories in the making! My favorite part is watching the faces of the children as they spot one unexpected treat after another: Santa in a sailboat, angels on rooftops, moving elves, and magical light displays. Of course, half the fun is viewing all of the Chico home properties gloriously lit up at night! The Chico Enterprise Record ma...
Comments 5
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
I recently had a client tell me that I was a "black and white" Chico CA Realtor. "Of course I am!" was my first thought. "Why would you want me to be any other way?" was my second thought. I wouldn't want my lawyer, or accountant or doctor to sugar-coat the truth for me. Why would a buyer or seller not want their Realtor to be straight up? We had a very interesting, light-hearted debate over lunch as to the virtues of "telling it like it is" versus "sugar-coating" (my term, not his). Given the excellent company, great Mexican food and a couple of Coronas, the discussion was enjoyable and thought-provoking, to say the least. In my opinion, the contracts that we utilize to transfer Chico CA Real Estate ARE pretty "black and white." An entire team of lawyers worked together to ensure they...
Comments 5
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
A Chico CA Realtor (or any Realtor, for that matter) owes specific duties to his or client, as well as other parties that may be involved in a Chico CA real estate transaction. If you are a buyer or seller, it's important that you know what you are entitled to from your Chico Realtor. After all, your relationship is going to be a very important one, considering that a home is probably the largest investment you will ever make in your lifetime! Your Chico Realtor will be your "fiduciary." A fiduciary is a person who holds a special position of trust and confidence, and one who is held by law to high standards of conduct. It is the job of your Realtor to work with your best interests in mind. Specifically, your Chico Realtor owes you these fiduciary duties: 1. Reasonable care and skill 2...
Comments 4
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
by guest writer Mike Wiegert, broker, Chico Homes  SUBPRIME! TEASER RATE! ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE!  Locally, these terms were once only known to those people that worked in the Chico CA real estate or mortgage business and a small percentage of people that took an actual interest in the workings of national mortgage markets. Today, these words are commonly known to anyone who reads a newspaper or watches a daily news program.  Our newfound familiarity with mortgage terminology is primarily due to the recent crisis surrounding a near collapse of the sub-prime mortgage markets. Why do they call it market? Because, essentially that is what it is, or was. In recent years, Chico homebuyers and those refinancing existing Chico home loans had a huge array of loan programs to choose from. Much...
Comments 2
By Scott Gormley
(Oak Valley Mortgage-California Home Loans and Refinancing)
  My thoughts and prayers go out to Wayne Harder's family and friends after a tragic car accident in Chico,California on Sunday evening. I had the privelage of talking with Wayne a few times and he was a good man and a leading example of what it means to be a community leader and Chico REALTOR®.Respectfully, Scott Gormley
Comments 7
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
I'm always a little surprised when I sit down to write a purchase offer on Chico CA Real Estate for a new buyer, and they don't have their checkbook with them! It seems that many buyers don't know that they are expected to submit a good faith deposit with their offer to purchase a property. I often hear "Oh.... um... JEEZ! I forgot my checkbook!" Unfortunately, in California, a contract must have consideration (a deposit) to be valid. A good faith deposit is an amount of money that the buyer submits with the offer to show that he or she is acting in good faith and intends to fulfill the terms of their agreement. The deposit basically says to the seller, "I want your house badly enough, I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is!" The amount of an acceptable good faith deposit varies ...
Comments 7
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
by guest writer Mike Wiegert, broker, Chico Homes At this time of holiday cheer and good will towards men, I really feel the need to express my gratitude and thanks for the many blessings in my life. First there is the love of a healthy family and friends. Next, I'm grateful for my own personal health and well being. I'm thankful that none of my sons are involved in an unnecessary war in a desperate land thousand of miles from home. I'm grateful that I live in a community like Chico, CA where a day never goes by without a hearty greeting from someone I've haven't seen for a while. And I can't forget to mention how thankful I am to be a Realtor in these times of prosperity and exceptional market conditions. WHAT? WHOA! STOP! HALT! SCREECH! What did that idiot just say? Is that the same m...
Comments 0
I wanted to share with you some of the beautiful rural areas of Chico, CA. This beautiful community has soooo much to offer the outdoor adventuress! Rural Red Barn- Chico Outskirts, CACorn Fields- Chico, CACow Friends- Chico, CAPlant- Chico, CAHorseHay Stacks- Chico, CAUrban Downtown Chico Building- Chico, CAPhotos by Jennifer HortonRealtorTrin Hong Real Estate Inc.www.JenniferHortonSells.com
Comments 1
By Ryan Vaught
(Ryan Vaught Real Estate)
By: Ryan Vaught, Keller Williams Realty, Chico CAWell, cold isn't such a good word for it, when talking about the market these days. It isn't a hot market, so does that means it's such a bad market? No. Nearly the same amount of homes sold this year compared to last (in Chico), so you can hardly argue things aren't selling. They just aren't selling, like hot cakes. Oh well, the price of gas is going up also, we will survive.Recently, there have been three properties I have witnessed, which got multiple offers in the first several days on the market. This proved a point I have noticed: Properties are moving, but only the very best priced ones. Seems like a simple point right? No. Sellers don't understand it, and this is why:Multiple Offers or no offers?A listing I took on 3rd street in d...
Comments 1
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
This is part 3 in a series of helpful hints to purchasing foreclosures in Chico, CA. Did you miss parts 1 and 2? Read here! Foreclosures: What you should know BEFORE you make an offer, Part 1 Foreclosures: What you should know BEFORE you make an offer, Part 2 Chico CA real estate buyers and investors LOVE foreclosures. The problem is, there aren't that many to go around! Many areas of California have experienced a high influx of foreclosures thanks to the recent mortgage meltdown. Chico, CA however has fared a little better in terms of relative numbers of repossessions.  Chico CA buyers are competing to snatch up the bank-owned (REO) property when it DOES come along. It's important to remember, however, that purchasing an REO property can be quite a bit different than a traditional Chic...
Comments 6
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
This is part 2 in a series of helpful hints to purchasing foreclosures in Chico, CA. Did you miss part 1? Read here. Bank-owned property (REO) is some of the most sought-after Chico CA real estate of all time. In a market where many buyers are sitting on the fence waiting for the bottom to fall out, savvy investors are picking up REO's as fast as Chico Realtors can churn them out! It is important, should you be considering purchasing a bank-owned (REO) listing, that you understand up front what exactly you're getting yourself into. For the uninitiated, a look into the world of REO can be quite surprising. (In case you're wondering, I don't necessarily mean that in a good way.) Before offering on a Chico, CA REO property, you should know:  1. Most REO property won't leave you feeling all...
Comments 10
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
This is part 1 in a series of helpful hints to purchasing foreclosures in Chico, CA. "Foreclosure" sees to be the new buzzword around Chico, CA these days. Everyone wants to score that awesome Chico CA real estate deal, and people are looking to the foreclosures in Chico to make it happen.  The process of purchasing a foreclosure can be significantly different than your average residential purchase. Not always, of course, but often enough that you should know ahead of time what you might run into. Before offering on a Chico, CA foreclosure, you should know: 1. Not all foreclosures are phenomenal deals! Just because the listing agent labels it "Chico, CA foreclosure!" doesn't mean that it is a steal. I work with a least one bank that takes the appraisal price and ups it by 5% to arrive a...
Comments 12
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
    By Guest writer, Mike Wiegert.  (Sandi Bauman's broker at Chico Homes!) So you’ve been marketing your Chico, CA home for the current average market time of 94 days and maybe you’re being transferred from our gorgeous gem of a town to Who Knows Where, Tennessee.  You thought that your house was really something special, better than any of the others on your street, but here you are over three months into the process and the moving vans are on their way.  A very dear and knowledgeable friend insists that your new employer must have a relocation program and would be ever so happy to buy your home for whatever you think it’s worth. So you make the call to Tennessee and your employer informs you that he is extremely regretful to inform you that the company that you’ve worked for a billio...
Comments 7
By Jennifer Horton
(Trin Hong Real Estate Inc.)
Now’s the time to Buy! Now is a great time to buy! Why you ask? Because now those great properties in the ‘perfect’ condition with the ‘perfect’ locations are up for grabs! Unlike before, they don’t have that giant price tag that comes with them. A few years ago, a typical buyer would find that “perfect” home, only to find out there’s ten other buyers that thought it was also their perfect home. Ten people would fight over the same property- jacking up the purchase price, dropping their inspections contingencies and the winner would end up with an over-inflated price tag and some very ugly terms. Now, a buyer can stroll into that same property, submit an offer that is not even asking price, ask for all the inspections they want and still get repairs done to boot! Sounds like buyers get ...
Comments 0
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
There is a new kid on the block (East Avenue, anyway): Longs Drug Store.    Located on the corner of East Avenue and Marigold, it will be a convenient stop for the Chico neighborhoods that line either side of East. The new store features a drive through pick up window, beer and wine, and a selection of grocery items. Of course shoppers will still find the pharmaceutical items and general merchandise associated with Longs Drug.  The opening of the new store was a bittersweet event for longtime local residents. The opening brought about the closing of Terrace Pharmacy, which began serving customers in 1957. Terrace also collected PG&E payments and served as a U.S. Postal Substation over the years. Fortunately, many of Terrace's employees can be found at the new Longs Drug, and customers c...
Comments 3
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
   Statistics for:  Single Family Detached, Condo, Duplex, Mobile On Land Date Range=10/2007-10/2007   Current Active                            Avg List Price                            Avg DOM           464                                      $404,743                                        105  Listed            Sold              Pct Sold             Avg List Price Sold               Avg Price Sold   123              53                  43%                    $368,148                        $349,222  Sale Price/List Price Ratio                  Avg DOM                          Expired                94.86%                                         79                                    34%  Chico CA Real Estate Blog and Chico MLS listings Search 
Comments 0
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
There is no disputing the fact that Chico, CA is currently in what is commonly known as a "Buyer's Market." That is FABULOUS news for all the buyers out there who have patiently been waiting for this day. The inventory is high, the prices have dropped, and the interest rates are still phenomenal! Now is the time to get a great deal!   A "Buyer's Market" is a wonderful thing. A Chico, CA home that might have cost $400,000 in 2005 may only set you back $350,000 today. On average, prices seem to have corrected between 10 and 15 percent for residential properties. I have noticed a growing trend with buyers. In an effort to get the absolute lowest price on a property, they attempt to entice the sellers with a very short escrow period. For some sellers, a quick sale in this market is a dream ...
Comments 7
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
                            I just couldn’t resist stopping at Sycamore Beach Park yesterday to get this picture. I was driving through the California Park neighborhood in Chico, CA to preview a new listing. (It should be a nice Chico foreclosure property if you’ve been watching for something in this area! Drop me a note, and I will be sure to let you know when it hits the market.) Let me get back on track… Sycamore Beach Park is one of several beautiful park areas located in the California Park neighborhood. There are three green areas located on Idyllwild Drive alone! The Sycamore Beach Park is one of my favorites because of the large grassy area and gorgeous view of California Park Lake. The area is usually wide open- you feel like you have the whole place to yourself!  Be sure to st...
Comments 5
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
Need a great idea for a Chico, CA family outing?                       How about a bike ride through Lower Bidwell Park! Young and old alike will delight in hopping aboard a bicycle to peddle their way through the 418 acres of cherished Lower Bidwell Park. The ride is a leisurely one, virtually level throughout so that riders can can fully appreciate the beauty around them.   The smooth paved roads are perfect for little people still learning to ride, while the smaller side trails offer an exciting diversion for the more adventurous. Bidwell Park is enormously popular regardless of the season or the weather. Expect to share the road with a variety of walkers, runners, dogs, skaters, bicyclists, strollers and horses, all out enjoying the day. Make sure that you plan time for exploring a...
Comments 6
By Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor
(Chico Homes Real Estate)
Take a ride with me! The California Park residential neighborhood is the only one in Chico, CA that boasts lake frontage. Truly, the view from the water is unlike anything you will see from the road! The first time we put our canoe in the water, we were in awe of the variety of home styles: we saw everything from "southern charm" to "ultra modern." Each back yard had something different to offer. There were private boat docks, a sand beach, hammocks, landscaped terraces, gorgeous waterfalls, weeping willows, and my all time favorite: bright red canoes! If you have the opportunity to visit the California Park area, a tour from the lake is a fun way to explore. (Note: The lakes are private. You must actually be a resident or guest.) There are 3 lakes altogether, and two of them connect un...
Comments 8
Explore Chico, CA