Should I sell my home in Tracy, CA? There are several appropriate answers to this question....I'm only going to give one answer here.... more to come. First - WHY? Why are you wanting to sell? Simple question however your answer can make a difference on the answer. IF you are selling because you have equity and the $800,000 house that you wanted to buy in 2002 is now on the market for $400,000 - yes 50% off.  It might be time to sell.  Yes I know you bought your house 10 years ago, and at one time it was appraised at $500,000... however you didn't refinance or take money out... so now your house will sell for $250,000... a 50% difference -- HOWEVER do the simple math --- the difference is you save $150,000 by buying now, as opposed to buying in 2002.   If you had paid $800,000 -- now ca... 08/06/2010

"I have to short sale my house. I am so embarrassed.  I don't want my neighbors to know. I don't want a sign.  Can you keep it out of the MLS?  Do you have to TELL people it's a short sale? I just don't know what to do anymore, Please help me.' WOW _ the above SPILLED out of the mouth of the caller when I answered my phone today.  Not even a breath to ask who was calling, how they reached me, just an over whelmed seller who FINALLY decided to ask for help. As reported by the National Association of Realtors 40 - 60% of homeowners are upside down.  My guess is in parts of California, specifically Northern California,  and more directly Tracy and Mountain House, CA these numbers are probably higher.  In additon to the numbers of people who are upside down the latest studies show that 70-8... 08/05/2010

Cars Loans VS Home Loans ---                     VS                    I was listening to a radio ad today talking about if YOUR CAR payment is a lot more than you want to pay, or if you need a new car -- call them.  They can make your car loan go away.So... that made me think about how this relates to Strategic Defaults... We've all heard for years and years -- if you buy a new car, the second you drive it off the lot, it will lose it's value.  If you financed this said car -- don't you immediately owe more than you could sell it for?  By 10 - 25%?  How many car owners, then turn around, tell the bank they no longer want to pay thier car loan?  WHY not?  Because they will repossess the car............. once said car is repossessed Can't you just go out and buy a new one?  How about lea... 07/28/2010

    Are you wondering what to do in Tracy this weekend.  Saturday, July 24th come on out and celebrate teh 100'th birthday of the City of Tracy. You can read about all the activities here along with video clips depicting the City of Tracy through the years. There will be everything from the dedication of the  Tracy Transit Station (Multi-Modal Station) Corner of Central and 5th to tours of town being provided by the Tracy Historical Society.  Only 40 people per bus so sign up early.  The Celebration continues into Saturday night with a formal ceremony that recognizes former mayors, special presentations and other dignitaries.  Immediately following, at 8:00 will be the start of the "Taste of Tracy" event.  I've been to this before and it's really fun, and a great way to taste many of th... 07/22/2010

This Saturday, July 24th, everyone is invited to celebrate the City of Tracy's 100th birthday.  The festivities begin at the Tracy Transit Station at 8am with the Civic Center Art Dedication.  At 9am, the Westside Pioneers will be offering historic bus tours in downtown Tracy.  The 9am, 11am and 12pm tours will be absolutely free to the public.  These tours are limited to only 40 people each.  So, pre-registering is recommended by calling 209-831-6858.  However, if you are unable to register for a tour before Saturday, you will still have an opportunity to register the day of the event. At 7pm, there will be a formal ceremony outside City Hall at the Civic Center Plaza to honor former mayors of the City of Tracy as well as council members and other government dignitaries.  There will b... 07/22/2010

I had my first in 6 years and I hope ONLY experience with a Mortgage Insurance Company, Chase Bank and a Short Sale Seller in Tracy CA. Tracy CA, Short Sale, we got a GOOD offer with in the first 2 weeks.  The Seller accepted the offer on the short sale and the buyer was committed to waiting. The entire file was sent to Chase.  We were told on day 10 that Chase has instituted a new Short Sale policy, all homes must be on the market 90 days prior to any decision by Chase Bank.  Ouch - pain 1 Finally we get an answer on day 92!  The Mortgage Company wants $15,000 and will approve the loan immediately.  The MI company OFFERED to give the sellers a zero percent loan payable for 10 years at $120/mo.   This is a purchase money loan, it was never refinanced, it has been current until 6 months ... 07/13/2010

With ongoing drought conditions in California and two local fires breaking out over the last three weeks, it is important to consider fire safety in Tracy.  Since the wet winter weather helped bring more vegetation to the area, weeds have easily gotten out of hand in many Tracy neighborhoods.  In fact, both of the fires mentioned above were a result of overgrown weeds.  That's why it's important to keep on top of the landscaping in your Tracy home.  Don't let the garbage pile up either, since it can be both a health and fire hazard. You shouldn't neglect fire hazards inside your home either.  Install smoke detectors and change the batteries every six months to help insure that they are working when needed.  A simple way to remember is to change your batteries when you change your clocks... 07/08/2010

Come celebrate the 4th of July in Tracy, CA.  There is a full schedule of events happening that day at Lincoln Park and Tracy High Stadium, including an early morning hot air balloon lift-off, a pancake breakfast, the annual 4th of July parade, a presentation of colors, kids activities, arts and crafts, vendors, live entertainment and, of course a fireworks show.   Lincoln Park Schedule of Events (Corner of Eaton Ave & Holly Dr, Free to the Public):6:00am - 8:00am - Hot air balloon lift-off12:00pm - Opening ceremonies, BSA presentation of colors, National Anthem and welcome by Mayor Brent Ives12:00pm - 7:00pm - Vendors with food, arts and crafts and commercial items12:00pm - 6:00pm - Kids activities, carnival12:30pm - DJ Music performs on the Community Stage1:00pm - 4th of July Parade (... 07/01/2010

How much does it cost to do a Short Sale? NOTHING Who pays the REALTOR commissions? THE BANK as part of the sale.   I was asked this question again today in Tracy, CA, How much will it cost me to do a short sale? I'm not surprised that 70% of all distressed home owners NEVER speak to a REALTOR, Tax Advisor or Real Estate Attorney.   Distressed Sellers who are wonder what to do about their upside down home in Tracy, CA or Mountain House, CA call for HELP today! It will cost you NOTHING TO CALL AND ASK SOMEONE YOUR QUESTIONS.  If a REALTOR wants to charge you, RUN, there are plenty of GREAT agents that specialize in Short Sales who will answer your questions for FREE. Susan Goulding, that's me, is ONE of them. It will cost you NOTHING TO LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE.  That is correct, it costs... 06/29/2010

HELP!  What do you do when your Short Sale Seller's won't cooperate?  I truly believe that helping short sale sellers in Tracy, CA is the most basic way to help people who have a hardship. I take it personal when the seller accuses me of only selling their Tracy home as a short sale because I want to make money. When they state that I am "THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL BE benefiting from the short sale of their property." I want to set the record straight: 1) a successful short sale means EVERYONE has to work together.  Everyone is the seller, buyer, both agents, bank, title company, etc. 2) a successful short sale means that the bank is going to ask for additional documentation and the seller needs to provide it as quickly as possible.  Frequently there is a deadline as to how long the bank wi... 06/21/2010

Do you need a Central Valley Short Sale Specialist?  If you have any questions or would like to discuss any real estate related issue please contact Pat Holkesvig at (209) 471-6516 or complete our Contact Form. Pat Holkesvig & Your Home Team specialize in Stockton short sales, Lodi short sales, Lathrop short sales, Manteca short sales, Elk Grove short sales, Tracy short sales, Ripon short sales and Tracy short sales. Request a cost-free FREE MARKET EVALUATION for your home at the Valley's BEST homepage homes-in-stockton.com. Click here to search the MLS like a realtor or the following links to view the homes available in the following neighborhoods! Brookside Brookside Golf Morada Lincoln Village Morada West Spanos West Lincoln Village West Quail Lakes Spanos East Weston Ranch UOP Lodi... 06/19/2010

Parents Avoid Heartache, protect your children, pets and wildlife.  Pool Safety in Tracy CA Swimming Pools can equal great sadness!  It's summer, please be careful, Tracy, CA. Swimming Pools can equal great sadness.  Just today in the Tracy Press, was an Police Blotter Blurb about a Toddler that drowned over the weekend. Please, no parent should endure the drowning of their child. Drownings can be prevented by some very basic steps. If you have a pool, even a wading pool, children, especially toddlers should NEVER be left unsupervised. 1) Put an alarm notification on all doors AND windows that lead to the pool.  (Yes even the windows, kids are sneaky when they really want to go somewhere) 2) Put up a safety gate on the pool and keep in LOCKED unless you will be supervising. 3) Keep the ... 06/08/2010

Come to Lincoln Park (Eaton Ave & Holly St) on Saturday, June 5th for the 16th annual Juneteenth celebration in Tracy, CA.  Hosted by the Tracy African American Association, the Juneteenth festivities are meant to celebrate slavery's abolition in Texas in June 1865.  Vendors will be on hand offering African American collectibles and memorabilia, African clothing, accessories, jewelry and books for sale.  Enjoy the tastes of BBQ ribs and links, fried chicken, fried fish, red beans and rice, popcorn, snow cones, peanut brittle, nachos, hot dogs and desserts as well as beverages available for purchase.  Some of the entertainment for the day will include a taekwando demonstration, magician, mimes, circus performers, local singers, dancers, poets and more.  The event takes place at Lincoln P... 06/04/2010

Just Sold in Tracy, CA! 4460 Cove Court$317,000 5 Bedrooms3 Baths3712 Square Feet3 Car Garage2-Story Home   If you or anyone you know wants to sell their California home,please contact The Silveria Team today! For a free instant online home or investment property valuation,please visit: FreeInstantHomeValue.com. 06/03/2010

Once upon a time in the town of San Mateo lived a Husband and Wife. They were so comfortable in their 800 sq. ft cottage, where everything neatly had a place. 12 years passed, and several homes later the Husband and Wife moved to the Town of Tracy, CA. They moved to Tracy so that the wife could stay home and raise their 4 rambunctious boys. The Husband as do most men in Tracy drove 50 miles each way to teach school in the San Francisco Bay area. They pay is better in the Bay Area, the home prices are better in Tracy. So the couple bought a large family home, boasting 5 bedrooms and 2500 sq ft. There would never be too little space in this new giant home. 3 years go by a daughter is added to the mix of boys, so their Russian Princess must surely have her own room. (And a Russian Princess... 06/01/2010

Some Gave All -- All Gave Some -- Memorial Day 2010 After viewing Bubba Sorenson's Memorial Rock, where these words are predominant I was inspired to provide this great song by Billy Ray Cyrus, written long before 9/11. I love this song, with a son in the Air Force.... take time to listen...........  PR: wait...  I: wait...  L: wait...  LD: wait...  I: wait... wait...  Rank: wait...  Traffic: wait...  Price: wait...  C: wait... 05/31/2010

Honor of Memorial Day.  Thank you to ALL who have Served to keep our Country great. I came across these photos of Memorial Rock in rural Idaho.  What started as a graffitti rock out side a rock quarry in rural Idaho has become one young man's tribute to our military and Veterans everywhere.  Be sure to check previous years. Amazingly enough this Bubba Sorenson paints over the previous years art work EVERY YEAR. Here a few images from 2010... When you see a Veteran today - Say THANK YOU!  I thought the flag was draped ON -- it's not....... it's painted on!  Amazing.  I love the song by Some Gave All by Billy Cyrus... Everytime I look at these photos I see something else incredible.  Amazing - thank you Bubba Sorenson - so much passion for a 19 year old man. You can watch Billy Ray Cyrus'... 05/31/2010

Is a Pre-Approved Short Sale in Tracy, CA fact or fiction?   First - Let's discuss what I consider to be an Approved Short Sale in Tracy, CA.   An Approved Short Sale is when the lien holder, seller and potential buyer all agree to the price, terms and conditions of the purchase contract. Frequently we see real estate agents pricing short sales at the "too good to be true" price.  Most often this is a real estate agent "panicking and fishing for an offer."  Then the real estate agent "submits this 'too good to be true' offer to the bank" HOPING for a counter.  Once the bank counters back at near market value, the buyer walks, and the real estate agent that listed the property for sale as a short sale now knows the amount the bank will accept.  The Real Estate Agent who has listed this s... 05/30/2010

The Folsom Zoo will be holding a Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 29, 2010 beginning at 10am.  The Folsom Mounted Patrol, The Stanford Home, The Blood Source, Folsom K-9 Units, Pony Tails the Clown and lots more interesting and fun groups will have booths set up giving out information and offering their services to participants.  Plenty of vendors will be on hand and you can even see a display of some very cool hot rods.  It's fun for the whole family and it's absolutely free.  Don't miss out on a great opportunity to enjoy fun with your entire family at the Free Family Fun Day at the Folsom Zoo! Frank Silveria and The Silveria Team, your Tracy real estate experts 05/27/2010

Just Sold in Tracy, CA! 2742 Dorset Lane$280,000 4 Bedrooms3 Baths2782 Square Feet3 Car Garage2-Story Home   If you or anyone you know wants to sell their California home,please contact The Silveria Team today! For a free instant online home or investment property valuation,please visit: FreeInstantHomeValue.com. 05/27/2010