In my area of Ukiah, CA. which is in Mendocino County, CA. (Northern California) we are finding that buyer activity has slowed. What does it mean? That is the question that was being discussed today at a meeting of the local realtor chapter. I have given some thought to this and perhaps it's nothing more than summer slow down. Last summer home sales also slowed during this same time frame and then picked back up in the fall after the kids were back in school.  The other thought that I have is that home values have risen so much over the last two years that it is no longer a steal to buy a home. Investors had led the markets and now that values have increased it's just not as attractive. The other thought I have is that two years ago it was cheaper to purchase a home than pay rent. I don... 08/27/2014

  Looking for gifts for the body, mind, and soul?  You’ll find them in historic downtown Ukiah.  Three Sisters has long been a place that people like to come and gather and shop.  When it was for sale in 2006, people wanted it to stay in the community, so two midwives, Ellen and Leslie jumped in and bought the store. Overtime it came to reflect their interests and passions.  Important to them was that the store offered items of beauty, purpose, meaning, things that felt good to people.  They focused on products made locally, then from the rest of the country, and if from overseas, items from producers who used fair trade practices.  Leslie also liked to know who makes the products she offers in order to have a more personal connection with them.  She can then better explain the products... 08/14/2014

Interesting statistics put out by C.A.R. (California Association of Realtors) yeterday about home affordability. With the rising prices of real estate we have hit a five year low! I have seen that in my market area of #Ukiah, #Willits and #Mendocino County, that many people are already priced out of the market and they are having to go into other areas. I saw this before interest rates increased and of course now that rates are in the mid to upper 4's, it is even worse. The lack of inventory have hurt many a buyer who have been out trying to find a home. Now, some of these borrowers will have to make a decision whether to continue to rent or look elsewhere. This is happening everywhere as the median price of housing has increased over the last year from $185,000, to $202,000. What is i... 08/14/2013

According to a survye of 100+ real estate experts, economist, etc., done by Pulsenomics,  real estate price appreciation will be 6.7% for 2013. Thereafter, appreciation levels will be at more of a subdued 4.7%. They are also expecting that cumulative appreciation will be 23.7% by year end 2017. Worse case numbers,, (the bearish members of the survey)  would still indicate cumulative appreciation of 13% by year end 2017. I remember, before the "heady" appreciation of 2004-2006, that the average appreciation of 3-4% was a "normal" number! It appears that the snap-back increased prices of real estate, are starting to level off. More data that we are approaching market equaliberium. In #Ukiah or #Willits or #Mendocino county, it will be interesting to see what the real number ends up being... 08/12/2013

This morning a new report indicated that new home sales are up 14%. The key word there is "new". Could the new home sales be taking away the home buyer from the existing home sales? In the market area's i service which is #Ukiah and #Willits in #Mendocino county, #CA. this summers sales seem to be "lackluster"!  There are not any new home subdivisions  in my marketing areas, but, in other places where there are, could be a reason for a slow down in existing home sales? In many parts of the county there has been reports of a slowing of home purchase activity. Now I know some of this is because of  lack of inventory and some of it is seasonal (it's summer, time to play) but if there is a pick up in new home building, and there is, we may find that our problems with inventory are thing of ... 08/09/2013

Great to hear that delinquent loans fell to a five year low in the second quarter of 2013 (reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association). However, FHA loans increased. Why is this a big deal? The US Government doesnt want to be in an insurer of conventional loans as mentioned this week with the potential closing of #Fanniemae and #Freddiemac. But, it will continue with #FHA which the government does and will continue to insure. I am not sure I understand why you would want to wind down two entitites that are now making money and have paid back 3/4 of what it borrowed and continue with program that has constantly struggled to remain solvent. Perhaps it ought to be the other way around? 08/08/2013

Are prices beginning to stablalize and property sales starting to slow? Are borrowers quiet? Is it just summer? Some of the markets I do business in are starting to report that maybe things are beginning to slow. I think this is a great thing as nothing would be better than a market that doesnt favor a buyer or a seller. A normal market would be perfect for everyone! I guess over the next few months "more will be revealed"! 08/07/2013

Every summer in Ukiah when hot mid-afternoon temperatures give way to cooler evenings, Sundays in the Park free music concerts reaffirm and celebrate the soul of our community.  On the lawn of beautiful Todd Grove Park you see grandparents, parents, college, high school, junior high, elementary, and pre-school kids talking, laughing, dancing, eating food from the many local vendors and most importantly, enjoying the free concerts featuring world-renowned artists as well as local talent. Heading now into its 20th year, there have been 121 free Sunday evening concerts featuring over 140 bands to listen to or dance and sing along with. In 1998, founder Spencer Brewer and John Schaefeer of local Real Goods Solar created a solar battery inverter system to power the series making it the first... 06/09/2011

"I've been gardening all my life," Joanne Horn told me. "It runs in the family. My parents were gardeners and my sister owns a nursery!" And now Joanne grows all the herbs used by her home and body care company, AfterGlow Naturals.AfterGlow Naturals was formed in 2000 to provide healthy herbal alternatives to the widespread use of harmful and filler materials in products we use on our skin. Joanne points out that people are far more aware and discerning about what they eat than what they put on their skin. Her products are made of only top quality, gentle and beneficial natural ingredients, and Joanne adds, only those known to have dramatic, proven effects.She began with a body rub to help out her parents. When creating a new product, Joanne begins by asking herself what she wants this ... 04/05/2011

Early every Saturday morning Charline Ford (and sometimes John) comes down the Willits grade to Ukiah and sets up her table and signs, John Ford Ranch and Here's the Beef, at the Ukiah Farmers Market. Their grass fed herd is on their ranch up the road in Willits.John tells it that years ago they ran out of the beef they raised for themselves and bought some at the store…they couldn't eat it! So they began selling 1/2s and 1/4s. But one year they had 80 boxes left over - what to do? Coming home from school, their daughter told them they should be doing farmers markets.  That was late August and with some resistance at first - they went - and sold out in October.They took orders through November for another 20 boxes and in January when the boxes arrived, people were lined up in their Will... 03/27/2011

Nestled in Northern California's beautiful Mendocino County wine country, Tres Classique has been in business since 1985. I thank the day I discovered their balsamics at the Ukiah farmers market. I not only use them regularly now but also send them as gifts to very grateful family and friends around the country. Tres Classique sells their custom infused balsamic vinegar and oils at farmers markets, street fairs, winery events and Christmas festivals. Once you try them, you’re hooked! Their products are made by hand. The infusion process of garlic, ginger, basil, rosemary, red apple, currant, wild blueberry, or haberrano (their custom blend of garlic, Serrano, and Habaneros in 18 year old balsamic vinegar) produces an unforgettable flavor experience. And these are just a few of the incre... 03/17/2011

The Ukiah Farmers Market. What a great place to meet friends every Saturday morning!  A cup of coffee and we're walking through the tables of locally grown, fresh produce, and made goods. My husband reminded me of a scene in Argentina. Twice a week a grandfather walked by with his grandson in hand to buy local fresh produce out of a neighbor's garage.  Friends stopped to talk, connect, smile, debate, laugh, pick up some fresh veggies and strengthen community ties. I thought about the gift that grandfather was giving to his grandson weekly connecting the two of them as they connected with their community. I was also impressed that the grandfather walked at the grandson's pace discovering the community with each step. Grandfathers, grandsons, discovery, connecting, community, fresh locall... 03/04/2011

Finding the right real estate agent need not be the hardest part of looking for or selling property. But it can be as important as any other part of the process.  It will make all the difference in how the rest of the process goes. Like most communities, there's more than one agency and many agents in each agency. Finding the right real estate agent will get you through the times when things don't go as planned at your end or at the other end, and that happens! Here is a beginning checklist to work down as you look for the right agent. 1. Referrals are a good way to begin finding the right real estate agent. Ask your family, friends, people you work with, call a local title company or the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Office. 2. Real estate listings in the local newspaper and rea... 03/03/2011

Mendocino County has many views to offer including rugged coastlines to the west, rolling hills studded with oaks, madrones, firs, bays, serene pear orchards, and lush vineyard expanses and wineries. Our county has majestic mountains and the Mendocino National Forest to the east inhabited with hiking trails, recreation in its streams and rivers, and abundant wildlife. It is a pristine county with pastoral agricultural valleys where you will still find cattle and horse ranches and possibly a sheep ranch, now almost a memory. You will also find vast timberland in Mendocino County, once the economic center of the county. Now there are lost and forgotten trails and remote waterfalls deep into areas of woods and forests where only those who know the way can take you to those hidden roads and... 02/25/2011

As a former mortgage broker and small business owner, one who now works for a big bank that thankfully kept its nose clean through the frakus, I continue to be amazed at the stupid and ineffective laws that congress continues to try to put in place just to look like they are doing something; and, once again, I take offense at the way people in politics continue to thoughtlessly slander the mortgage broker. "Mortgage brokers sold unaffordable mortgages to collect their commissions. Stock brokers made huge, risky bets to get big bonuses. And now that taxpayers rescued Wall Street, greed is making a comeback. - Daniel Mintz, MoveOn.org"   This is just one quote from a political action organization.  But the feeling it represents seems to permeate the political world.  It's bipartisan! The ... 02/16/2010

I've been away from ActiveRain for a while.  And I've been away from the place where my first child was born.  But I'm back! I love Ukiah.  I feel like it is the perfect place to raise my two boys and I also love that after moving away 11 years ago, my family and I have been able to come back.  Thank you State Farm!  I'm so looking forward to putting down new roots and working with my old and new friends and neighbors in Mendocino County. Please join the new group I just started, Ukiah Valley Lounge.   We can use the group to support each other here in Mendocino County!     02/14/2010

This beautiful custom built residence is situated on 5 acres within a gated community. Beautiful vineyard views abound. Quality exudes from every angle of this 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,200 s.f. home. Including a 600 s.f. guest suite with private bath. Fully equipped with a gourmet kitchen, central vacuum system, oversized rooms, and a magnificent master suite. The property also includes motion detecting lights and two spacious garages all surrounded by beautiful redwoods. Listed at $1,195,000.00 MLS #20802676. Contact Tom Larson, Full Spectrum Properties, at 707-462-1600. Staged by Star Staging, 707-578-3508. 04/24/2008