Hollister Clothes or the City of Hollister?  Bathrooms?  Hmmm...  Can this sign be real? When I think of Hollister, I think of the city...  Sitting snug between Highway 101 and Highway 5, when we have to pass through it on our way to Los Angeles.  An area that we never really think of, except when we want to go 4X4'ing...  So when the brand Hollister started becoming popular, we giggled...  Since we would never really want to wear a shirt from there, since it was our backyard growing up.  But I guess it's kind of cool that it is becoming internationally known! And "Los Banos" makes us giggle too...  With a "tilde" over the "n" it becomes "bathrooms"...  But it was named by the Spanish after a natural springs that bubble up in the area. So the next time you see Hollister or Los Banos... ... 05/13/2011

Here are some recent sales statistics for San Benito County, hich includeds the city of Hollister.  Data is from Realist: Sales Statisticsfor SAN BENITO County CA Realist's most recent recording date for this county is 12/15/2010  Single Family Residence  Time Period Number of Sales Median Sale Price   Nov 2010 44 $285,000   Nov 2009 71 $300,000   Oct 2010 39 $255,000   Oct 2009 72 $271,500   2010 YTD 570 $283,500   2009 905 $265,000   Condominium  Time Period Number of Sales Median Sale Price   Nov 2010 1 $63,000   Nov 2009 7 $129,000   Oct 2010 1 $280,000   Oct 2009 6 $130,000   2010 YTD 31 $145,000   2009 57 $139,000  01/01/2011

A home inspection is a wonderful tool that every home buyer should use when purchasing a home. It puts the client at ease in many cases. Most people don’t buy a house every day and many only buy one their entire life. I had an Aunt and Uncle that got married on the ship one the way to America around the turn of the century, settled in Richmond CA and never moved from that spot. There is a lot to be said about that but that is another story. HUD has a form that will be signed during the process that actually states the 203k inspection is NOT a Home Inspection, if you want a home inspection then you should order that. Many of us can provide both and save you some time scheduling appointments but they are clearly two different animals.  Let’s look at what a “home inspection” is. It is an ... 10/21/2010

Joyous tidings and saluations!   Out of 136 active listings 23 of those are REO or bank owned and 31 are short sales. REO and shorts account for about 40% of our market currently. Currently 89% of the SOLDS are REO or Short sales in the last week. 79% of the Pending sales in the market currently are REO or Short sales. The REO market is turning to a short sale market. Home buyers must learn to put up with Banks that take their time accepting offers and agreeing to terms with their sellers. Escrow periods are increasing and pricing is slowly, ever so slowly increasing. Banks are tightening on money at least that's the way it appears here in San Benito County, Hollister California, USA.   www.rayandpeggy.com From our little piece of paradise called Hollister, CA all our best, Ray 03/22/2010

Merry Christmas from Peggy and I in our little part of the world 12/21/2009

Peggy and I took in the movie "UP" last night. Very cute and ended differently than we thought it would. It is really not just a kid movie in fact I'm not sure it's for kids at all. The 2 year old behind us was scared and through the questions he asked his Dad he did enjoy most of the scenes. My grandchildren 8-12 loved it. It's not for everyone but we liked it. Have a great day! Ray 06/03/2009

  Today, Veterams Memorial day in Hollister California, the motorbikes are out at the Hollister Hills State Park one of the few day you can hear them from my house at the mouth of the Cienega Valley. The Veterans are lining up downtown I bet in rememberence of the fallen during all the wars. They stand close to the the monuments and the name plaques in front of the Veterans Memorial building. a Brother's, Uncle's and Granfather's plaque rest there we are going to apply for my wife's Uncle's plaques to rest there in rememberence of their duty to the country. We rember them all days but especially this day.   Hollister is a great little town, a great little community. Have a Great Day!   Ray 05/25/2009

  Boy the pollen count is up the number of people going to the doctors is up because of pollen related symptoms. The weather is beautiful in the 70's typical weather this time of year. The spring flowers are bloomin' the weather is beautiful prefect night to lay in the hammock and lock at the stars...waiting for that falling star. Have a Great Day! Ray 05/21/2009

WEDNESDAY, April 30th GDP grew at a 0.6% rate in Q1 compared to expectations for a 0.2% pace. Over the past year, the economy expanded at a 2.5% rate. Inventory investment was a positive contributor to growth during the quarter while residential investment, consumer spending and stronger imports proved to be detractors. While growth was mildly positive in Q1, data suggests there is little momentum heading into Q2. The GDP price index, an economy-wide measure of inflation and a mainstay for the Fed, increased 2.6% in Q1. The price index continues to ease from its cyclical peak of 3.4% registered in Q405. The FOMC cut rates by 25 basis points today, as widely expected. The target for the fed funds rate now stands at 2.0%. This is the seventh policy easing for a cumulative 3.25 points sinc... 05/06/2008

Yes, I know, what I am doing talking about a 1987 movie, La Bamba? Well, the reason my wife and I saw the movie (again after almost 20 years) and the life-lessons that I picked up by watching it are the reasons I write about it today.Lou Diamond Phillips starred in this film about an early rocker, Ritchie Valens and his meteoric rise to stardom at age 17 back in 1958. Born in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California, Ritchie had a keen ear toward music from an early age and was constantly learning and innovating as he grew into his teenage years. On one of his dates with his girlfriend, Donna, Ritchie would bring his guitar. In fact, he ALWAYS took his guitar with him everywhere he went! Donna would ask him "do you always carry that guitar around?" Ritchie would reply to her with ... 01/14/2008