If you are considering purchasing a home, now is the time.  The Federal Rsuerve cut its benchmark interest rate by .5%.  What that means - is the rate which was 5.25% since 2003! is not just 4.75%.  If you are a first time buyer, a conforming loan purchaser, this will definately help you!Why aren't you buying now?  Call me - let's talk.Susan 09/18/2007

Total # of Residentail properties listed in the city of Tracy: 951 Total # of SHORT SALES(pre-forclosure homes) on the market in Tracy: 177 (93 last month ) PENDING SHORT SALES: 5 or 2.8% SOLD SHORT SALES (in the past six months): 8 Total # of vacant homes for sale in Tracy is 389.. Total # of Residential REO's(bank owned) for sale in the city of Tracy: 183 (2x last month) # of REO's sold (closed) over past 6 months: 31 PENDING REO SALES: 18 Bank-owned(foreclosed homes on the MLS) have a 19% market share of available properties, 37% if you include short sales, not to mention that 40% of the homes for sale in Tracy are vacant. We have seen a huge increase in the amount of short sales(pre-foreclosures) on the market. Modified mortgages: Lenders talking, then balking Congress, banking reg... 09/14/2007

Did anyone watch this football game?  If you live in Tracy, you had to be rooting for Merrill West High School, Didn't you?  First, it was fun to see kids I know on TV.  Second, they got BLASTED by Monte Vista.  I will say that the announcers stated several times how Monte Vista played so poorly last week when they got "spanked" badly by James Logan High School.  I tie into James Logan High since that is where my husband teaches and coaches.  He's coaching Freshman football this year, so he was at the game. His comments were "WOW Monte Vista is rated top 10 in the state, and we beat them easy!"  Perhaps the announcers just weren't at the game last week?I think it's great that local stations are airing local sports.  Perhaps we have Little League World Series to thank for that?  09/13/2007

According to Dian Hymer of Inman News, "Listings are most salable when they're new on the market. To maximize your chances, your home not only needs to be priced right and properly prepared for sale, you also need a comprehensive marketing plan. You want to make sure that information about your listing reaches as many potential buyers as possible. So, pick your listing agent carefully. A prospective listing agent should provide you with a marketing plan. Ask to see samples of the marketing materials that will be used to promote your home. Make sure that your home will receive Internet exposure. Over 70 percent of today's home buyers start their home searches on the Internet." 09/12/2007

22 Questions You should ask a realtor before you list your house. 1) How many years have you been in the business? 2) Are you a full-time agent listing and/or selling real estate? 3) Do you have a marketing plan? How does it work? 4) What professional training – on the local, state, and national level – do you attend? 5) How many potential buyers do you work with? 6) How many homes have you marketed? This year? Last year? How many sold? This year? Last year? 7) How long dose a typical listing stay on the market with you? 8) Do you notify top selling agents about property before it appears in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? 9) What systems do you have in place that keep you in constant contact with clients during the listing /buying and transaction processes? 10) What type of guar... 09/12/2007

22 Questions You should ask a realtor before you list your house. 1) How many years have you been in the business? 2) Are you a full-time agent listing and/or selling real estate? 3) Do you have a marketing plan? How does it work? 4) What professional training – on the local, state, and national level – do you attend? 5) How many potential buyers do you work with? 6) How many homes have you marketed? This year? Last year? How many sold? This year? Last year? 7) How long dose a typical listing stay on the market with you? 8) Do you notify top selling agents about property before it appears in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? 9) What systems do you have in place that keep you in constant contact with clients during the listing /buying and transaction processes? 10) What type of guar... 09/12/2007

Welcome to Tracy and the Dry Bean Festival.  This is a fun event for the entire family.  The Dry Bean Fesitval is hosted downtown by the Chamber of Commerce.When I moved to Tracy 13 years ago I had no idea what beans were used for other than eating, or how many different varieties there were.  I grew up in the Midwest, we grew green beans in the garden.In Tracy, there are acres and acres, like over 60,000 acres of beans.  Black beans, lima beans even baby lima beans.  Beans are used for salads, but most if not all of the baby lima beans are shipped overseas to Japan to  make candy!The S&W can of beans from Beans Around The World usually makes a visit.If you have just moved to Tracy or been a long time resident, you need to visit the Dry Bean Festival at least once.  It's fun for everyone. 09/08/2007

Was the football game fun or what?  Congratulation to Tracy High on their Junior Varsity and Varsity Wins.  Congratulations to West High on the Frosh Win!I was at the game, the cheerleaders and dance teams from both schools were very entertaining.  The Tracy High marching band did a great job entertaining the crowd at half time.So were you there?  Did you enjoy the game?Pet Peeve - kids running amuck! and Language that I don't want to hear. But then it is a High School game, and I"m pretty sure when I went to football games I didn't watch the game, but went to socialize.I guess if I'm completely honest, I went to the game tonight to socialize, but I did "sorta" watch the game. 09/07/2007

Does this sound like you?  Do you feel like your swimming in a toilet bowl?  Are you quickly becoming depressed, scared, just don't know where to turn? Call me!I know what it's like to stop opening the mail, it's all past due bills anyway.  Or to not answer the phone until you've checked caller ID, it's always someone telling you your late paying your bills.  You already know all that.  What you don't know is how to fix it.If you own a home, you MAY have some options. Know that you are not alone, there are many homeowners in the Tracy, California area that are in the same position as you.First thing is communicate with your lender.  If you've encountered a hardship let the bank know NOW!  They may work with you, especially if you have a way to make it up to them.Selling your home may be... 09/06/2007

Do you need to sell in Redbridge?  Do you know what is going on around you? Do you know that I have homes for sale in Redbridge?  Call me today to see how I can help you.   Redbridge, Tracy, CA 08/31/2007

Are you looking to BUY a home in Tracy, California?  Are you a first time home buyer?  Do you have equity in your home?  Do you want to sell your home in Tracy, California?  Are you behind in your mortagage payment? Do you have a question about Tracy Little League, Tracy Soccer, Tracy Babe Ruth?  Do you have a question about anything in Tracy, California?I'm here to help you in whatever you need.  Call me.Susan 08/31/2007

I just wanted to share this. My daughter was asked to be her friends Maid of Honor about 1 year ago. Well, in the meantime my daughter (Krystal) got pregnant. She was very worried about being in the wedding because she said, "Mom, I'm going to be 8 months pregnant! I don't think I can be Melissa's Maid of Honor I'll be huge and fat". I told her she made a comittment and she has to be there for her friend. Was I wrong? I don't think so. In fact I think even pregnant she looked as good as the bride.  In the pictures below, she is the tall blonde on the right of the bride. Our granddaugther is a ham so she had to be in this picture with her Aunt Krystal at the reception.Yes if you laugh at this picture I'll know why. My daughter pointed it out right away. Oh well that's what the little ham... 08/29/2007

There are ONLY 910 homes on the MarketThere are 55 homes PENDING30 homes sold in the last 30 daysAverage sale price was $485,000  average asking price was $496,000  Average $/sqft was $229 and the average days on market was only 55 days.So what does this mean?  It means that there are lot of great opportunties for people to buy the home of the dream in Tracy, CA right now.  What are you waiting for.  There is a 30 month inventory.Susan GouldingKeller WilliamsLocal Realtor, Tracy & Mt. House CaliforniaLocal Specialist.      08/27/2007

There are ONLY 910 homes on the MarketThere are 55 homes PENDING30 homes sold in the last 30 daysAverage sale price was $485,000  average asking price was $496,000  Average $/sqft was $229 and the average days on market was only 55 days.So what does this mean?  It means that there are lot of great opportunties for people to buy the home of the dream in Tracy, CA right now.  What are you waiting for.  There is a 30 month inventory.Susan GouldingKeller WilliamsLocal Realtor, Tracy & Mt. House CaliforniaLocal Specialist.      08/27/2007

Are you a home owner in Tracy, California?  Do you owe more on your home than it's worth?  Do you need to sell?  Do you need help?  Call me.What you need is compassion, help, a listening ear.   I may not have all the answers, but if I can help I will.  You MAY have options, but don't wait until it's too late.call someone today.  08/27/2007

 AND THE NEWS ROOM WHEN SILENT........... ALL JOKING ASIDE    I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT BEING CAUTIOUS WHILE SHOWING HOMES!  We just had a bulletin emailed to us from our local Central Valley Association of REALTORS which read:                   ATTENTION! Nearby Incidents Suggest You Put Your Safey First!    You may have read or heard news about personal security issues for agents while showing properties. Recently, an agent was assaulted while showing property in the Greater Sacramento Area. Two other incidents involved suspicious calls to agents asking for after-hours meetings. While these specific incidents were not in San Joaquin, Stanislaus or West Merced counties, please be aware they did occur.Remember to take extra caution anytime you are meeting someone for property showings,... 08/22/2007

How about Tracy, California? Have you ever thought about it?    Do you know about Tracy? Let me give you a little back ground you might love it so much you'll think about wanting to live here. I've been here for over 20 years and I know you'll enjoy it too.  Tracy started as a railroad town in the 1800's. The city was named for Lathrop J. Tracy. Yup Mr. Tracy, you can see a carved statue of him located across the street from the Orchard Resturant on Toste Rd. It used to be Tracy Pontiac, Cadillac, GMC when the artist was hired to carve out Mr Tracy with a chain saw in the late 1990's. I know this for a fact because I was there when he did it.Where is Tracy you say? It's located in the San Joaquin Central Valley about 80 miles east of San Francisco and about 70 miles south of Sacramento.... 08/21/2007

i was thinking of helping out one of the local non-profits.there are alot of non-profit events and groups here Tracy Ca, i just do not have the time to contact the organizers, sio i guess an open offer may be the best ideaany ideas or suggestions who may need a videoTour "pro bono"? 08/21/2007

There are several options on how you can purchase a home with ZERO money.First, is if you are a first time home buyer.  The CalFHA program is for you.  There are homes in Tracy, CA that will fit into the price limit guidelines.  The process is straight forward, and you can be a home owner instead of a renter.Second, if you are a teacher.  There is an incredible program for you.  Even if you just graduated and are in your very first teaching job.  As the wife of a teacher, I know how hard you work, how valuable you are, and I promise to help you find the perfect property.Third, the City of Tracy has a down payment assistance program for homes in the designated downtown area.  You can qualify for up to $75,000 for you down payment - WOW!Lastly - I'm certfied as a Mortgage Assistance Progr... 08/20/2007

Some of you have subscribed to my blog, so tonight, it's all about me!First, I've been married to a high school teacher for almost 28 years.  WOW!  He's a freshman football coach and the Varisty Baseball Coach at James Logan High School.  He's really good at what he does.  I'm insanely jealous of the fact that he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up from the time he was in 5th grade.Enough about him.....I've got 5 children, 4 boys and one girl.  I don't know what it's like to not be busy and I love it.My boys are: 22; 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force, he graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2007.  He is also a Professional Golfer, yep he's won some money - in the Colorado Open.  I guess playing as #1 on the Air Force Falcon golf team did him some good. Son, #2, is a Sophomo... 08/20/2007