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Mendocino County, CA Real Estate News

By Rob Spinosa, Mortgage Loan Originator, Marin County
(US Bank)
How to Rock Cannabis Income on a Mortgage Application   Fifty years ago, when the Doobie Brothers were flying high and the folks in China Grove were rising for another day, it would have been hard to imagine that marijuana would eventually be legal in some states.  But, not legal in all states and not legal at the Federal level and that means those who work in the marijuana and cannabis industries can see their mortgage opportunities go up in smoke if not aligned with a lender who knows which programs and investors can navigate this relatively new industry. So let's take it to the streets and find out just how a homebuyer or homeowner can get a mortgage approval if they are employed in a cannabis business and get income from a business in the cannabis space.  Need some solid advice abou...
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By Michael Jacobs, Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393
 This Is No Knock Knock Joke     This Is No Knock Knock Joke    I recently saw the  newly released documentary Mike Wallace Is Here.  In fact I saw it when it was overlapping with the time I usually see 60 Minutes.  Tick Tick Tick...  Although the television show has been broadcast for a long time(the first show premiered September 24, 1968) I wasn't aware of it from the onset but I am familiar enough with it and the concept to be a more than a casual viewer.   Sometimes informative.  Maybe a topical story.  Perhaps more in-depth than might be regularly be seen.  Exploitative?  Sensational?  Perhaps it might be called  overly sensationalized.  This is not a discussion on the state of news journalism today or of the recent past. You may have an opinion or simply care to think of somethin...
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By Michael Jacobs, Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393
    There Is No Slouching Towards Bethlehem     There Is No Slouching Towards Bethlehem   It has been quite some time since I have read anything by Joan Didion the author of Slouching Towards Bethlehem a collection of essays that share a glimpse of what was happening in the  1960s as that decade was unfolding. Her storytelling voice is an important one to hear I believe.  We tell ourselves stories in order to live                                                                                                     Joan Didion   Although they are of a similar age and my Mom reads extensively we have not discussed Ms. Didion or her writings.  However, I do remember hearing "Don't slouch" often during and beyond adolescence and that request was in the back of my mind from the first time I be...
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By Michael Jacobs, Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393
Making A Right Turn From The Left Lane  Making A Right Turn From The Left Lane   Recently I saw it happen.  For a split second I wanted a police car to show up but it was early, very little traffic so I guess this may be example of  "No Harm".    I then wondered about changing directions.  Was that it?  A missed opportunity?  A possible short cut idea?  My mind wandered a bit and that later led to some pondering.    You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.  You're on your own, and you know what you know.  And you're the guy who'll decide where to go.                                                                                                                  Dr Seuss   When it comes to direction it doesn't always ...
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By Michael Jacobs, Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393
   On The Second   On The Second  Do the one thing you think you cannot do.  Fail at it.  Do better the second time.  The only people who never stumble are those who never mount the high wire.  This is your moment.  Own it.                                                                                                            Oprah Winfrey   Quotes about the first or being the first can be memorable.  Encouraging.  Motivating.  Reaching and maintaining Number One is admirable afterall.  Right? Does that change when the subject is "the second"?  Second Chances. Second Hand Selection.  A second choice.  Is there a second spouse stigma?  Doesn't experience tell us that we now know better and perhaps know more in any situation the second time?   So on this second day of April.  I say let...
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By Chris Freck, EstaR Mortgage, A Bilingual Brokerage
(EstaR Mortgage)
VA Mortgage Loans in Albion  CA and 100% VA Loans -the best loan program in the country! VA Mortgage Loans are one of the best mortgage loan programs available today for both honorably discharged Vets and active duty military personnel. Here are some of the great features of this fantastic program: - Up to 100% financing, with no down required. - No monthly mortgage insurance added to your payment. - More lenient credit qualifying standards than other types of mortgage loans. - Low rates compared to other loan programs. So how do you qualify for a VA Mortgage Loan in Albion CA? The first step is to verify your eligibility. Eligibility is verified by ordering your Certificate of Eligibility or COE. You can work with an approved Windsor  CA VA mortgage loan lender to order your COE quick...
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By Dave Roberts
(Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty)
This is the time of year when weather comparisons start to bite. Massive snowstorms and cold in the East and Midwest compared to sunny skies and warm temperatures in the Southwest and west coast. This shot of a coastal meadow in Mendocino County north of Ft. Bragg isn't meant to antagonize any snow-shoveling agents near Boston, but if you have ever wondered why people pay more to live in California, this may be a clue.
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
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...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
Co-Branding with a real estate agent is a good way to generate leads and solidify a referral relationship.  I am sharing the cost of advertising on a web site in Ukiah, CA. http://yourmendorealty.com/mortgage-pre-qualification/ and so far the realtor has generated a few leads or enough interest to pay for the cost of the advertising. Part of the process is  what web site to advertise on, how much do you want this to cost you and what is your expectation? We both agreed to pay for some AdWord advertising on Google and so far the realtor seems to be pleased by the results. My results have been zero but we have only been working on this for a month and my expectations are "if the realtor is happy, then I am happy" because sooner or later one of those leads that have reached out to him, wil...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
In Ukiah, CA. You Need To Be Pre-Approved For A Loan To Buy A Home When shopping for a loan in Ukiah, CA, it is important that you have been Pre-Approved for a mortgage loan. The market is very competetive and if you havent been Pre-Approved your offer will no doubt NOT be accepted by the seller. It is also important that you use a local lender. Ukiah, CA. is in Mendocino County, CA.  and this area, because of rural property, has many more lending issues than a typical home in a subdivision in an urban area. Getting Pre-Approved by a local lender who understands the area will make the home buying process much smoother for all parties in the transaction. If I can help you get Pre-Approved for a home in Ukiah, CA. or anyplace in Mendocino County, CA. please visit my web site at https://ww...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
In my marketing area, Ukiah, CA. or Mendocino County, business seems to have slowed a bit this summer. Maybe its just that time of year as it was the same last summer. Or, are the markets getting to the point where the price appreciation has made it more difficult for the buyers to qualify? Or perhaps its not longer cheaper to purchase then rent? I believe that the latter will slow things down.   In 2010/2011, one could argue that the cost of renting was more then purchasing a home so why not buy? I dont think we can say the same thing any longer at least not North of the Golden Gate bridge.   Very interested in knowing how other real estate markets are doing? 
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By Cindy Lindgren, Mendocino County Real Estate
(Cindy Lindgren, The Landlady)
  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...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
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...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
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...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
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 ...
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
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?
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By Rick Costa, FHA/VA/USDA expert
(Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. NMLS 3094)
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"!
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By Cynthia Larsen, Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA
  Lincoln Realty | (707) 459-4599 382 Creekside Dr, Willits, CA Downtown Willits - Near Recreation Grove Park! 3BR/1BA Duplex   $1,100/month Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Sq Footage Unspecified Parking 2 dedicated Pet Policy Conditional Deposit $1,500 DESCRIPTION Located near downtown Willits, this 3 bed 1 bath duplex was completely remodeled in 2007. The fenced yard is almost 6,000 square feet, and Recreation Grove Park is only yards away. 1 car attached garage has hookups for your washer and dryer.   see additional photos below RENTAL FEATURES - Dishwasher - Garbage disposal - Microwave - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Fenced yard - Lawn - Garage - Attached - Off-street parking - On-street parking   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Front of Duplex Kitchen Bathroom Ba...
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of July 11, 2012 42% of available listings in Marin County are in escrow. For the month of June 2012 278 homes sold (56 of which were distress sales) for an average final selling price of $912,195. The average original asking price of these homes was $928,313. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $93,000 to a high of $4,135,000. Of the 278 homes that sold 72 were purchased with cash--no loans. It took these homes an average of 92 days to sell. To see all homes that are currently available for sale through our MLS click here and register with me as your agent. To learn more about this area in general search more around this blog or feel free to contact me directly Cyclists On The Trails at Phoenix Lake by Kelley Eling, Marin County Realtor
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By Mike Hendrickson, Fine Homes, Short sales, excellent client services
(Premier Agent Network)
After talking to numerous fellow realtors, I have discovered that there is a noticable drop in moderate to low price inventories.  We are seeing more new buyers and bidding wars.  With the prices dropping and interest rates low, the bent up demand is finally starting to kick in.  The only lagging part of the market is the million dollar plus properties that are sitting on the market, but this can be explained by one word "affordable".  Just figure if a property sells in the $400,000 area with these low interest rates the payment would be in the $2,000 a month range. A million dollar property loan would have a payment of $5,000 a month. I'll post more examples as they appear.  So stay tuned!
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Mendocino County, CA Real Estate Professionals