Wednesday, February 26, 2014

5 Stats Every House Hunter Should Know

Source: Forbes.com
5 Stats Every House Hunter Should Know
Buying a new home can be quite the undertaking, and in many ways, it’s a numbers game.
Here are five stats, numbers and percentages you’ll need to be familiar with to give you that winning edge.

90% Of All Home Buyers Begin Their Home Shopping Online

Let your fingers do the walking. Did you know that today 90% of all buyers begin their house shopping online? It’s the best way to get familiar with the market, the houses, the prices, the neighborhoods and the current inventory, without leaving your home or office. With every click of that mouse, you become a more educated, smarter home shopper. And a smart buyer gets a better house – and pays less. You can search for properties, compare similar properties, research the neighborhood, calculate commute times, rate schools and even pull up crime stats for you area. It’s so easy for anyone to get instant access to a property’s current value and even get a good ballpark idea of prices in each neighborhood. But most important, you will get an invaluable education about how much or how little your money will buy.

5-7 Years
Statistically, based upon the national rates of home appreciation and prices, most homebuyers should consider buying only if they plan to live in their home for 5 years, minimum.  Otherwise, financially it may not make sense. If you have to sell again relatively soon, you could lose money. Generally, a home is not a good short-term investment because the transaction costs are too high. Yes, you will have been paying down some of your mortgage monthly, but when you factor in paying an agent between 4-6% of the sales price and monthly costs, this can amount to more than the average long-term annual national home price appreciation rate. So, depending upon your metro area, if you have to sell after only a few years, it might made more financial sense to keep renting.

Number of Days on Market

When house shopping, knowing how long a home has been on the market can help you gauge if it’s priced too high, has too many flaws or if something else is a factor. On Trulia, you’ll find this important stat right under the photos of the for sale home.

Great homes in the right neighborhoods that are priced correctly tend to spend the least amount of days on the market. Homes in fringe neighborhoods that may be overpriced compared to comps, or have major structural or cosmetic issues, tend to sit on the market much longer. These homes with long for-sale shelf lives aren’t all duds. Some of them may be slightly overpriced and just need a bit of TLC.  With a little imagination and the right guidance from an agent, this could be your dream home!

 Dollars Per Month


This is how much the home will cost you out of pocket every month: your mortgage and estimated taxes and insurance.  You can find this on Trulia  on every for-sale home’s listing page. Having this “stat” right up front lets you tailor your shopping choices to those homes you can actually afford.

43% of Your Income

This is a very important stat and a new development in the housing market. Under the brand new “Qualified Loan” mortgage rules, in general, the borrower’s debt, including mortgage payments, can’t total more than 43% of gross monthly income (although there are exceptions to that cap for the next several years). Also, points and fees are limited to 3 percent of the loan amount.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

New Listing - Winery Estate at 29181 S. Lehman Rd. Tracy


 
This 9.36 acre Winery Estate has approx. 6 acres of bare land available for farming and  includes La Bonne Vie Cellars Winery (Tracy's oldest winery), a 3616 sq ft two story, 4 bedroom,3.5 bath custom home (with lots of storage) built in 1998 with solar power services for the entire property which has reduced  the once 1200 to 1500 monthly electrical bills to now approximately $1,000 annually..
 
If you love to entertain, you will be impressed with the size and potential of the available facilities, including; a 2800 square foot barn housing the tasting room, refrigerated barrel room, refrigerated cased goods room, and a work shop. The outside space includes a large grassy area facing a stage, a 2400 square foot open air patio, a excluded tree covered picnic area, a covered, a Bocce ball court,  a covered luau pit and lots of off-street parking is also available.
 
La Bonne Vie Cellars is a fully bonded and operational winery in the Tracy hills appellation. It is Tracy's oldest winery and has been upgraded from boutique winery status to small winery status this last year. The winery has a annual production of approx. 500 cases of wine (or about 1188 gallons).
 
This facility has recently been contacted by Amazon and a major line of grocery stores to sell their wines. Also it should be noted that they have a port label that was grandfathered in, this is important because this is the only winery in Tracy who will ever be able to call there Port a port. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

10 Kitchen Trends Here to Stay


Source: Centsationalgirl.com

The kitchen is where we cook and bake, and spend time with family and friends. It must stand up to daily wear and tear, moisture, heat, and the march of time when it comes to design trends. In the past few years, many trends are proving they have staying power, here’s a glance at ten looks that are defining modern kitchen design.

Open Shelving. This bistro style has surged in popularity over the past few years and while many have questioned whether it’s timeless (including me) it’s a look that so many of us embrace now and ranks high on many a homeowner’s list as an opportunity to showcase pretty dishes or glass containers within easy reach.

Two Color Cabinetry.  It used to be two separate colors between the island and surrounding cabinets, but now the two color cabinetry look is different. Now the two tone look is above and below. Choosing lighter cabinets above gives the illusion of less weight while the darker color on the base cabinets feels grounded. This is a modern and stylish way to mix tones, and one way to give an older single color kitchen a new look.

Tile to the Ceiling. This is my favorite look in kitchens, those feature walls of tile that go straight up to the ceiling and/or wrap around windows. Yep, it’s an added expense and unnecessary for function beyond the back of a range and the few inches needed above the counter but wow, what a statement it makes, right?

Brass Fixtures. The warmth of brass is surging again and looks equally as appealing next to warm grays and wood surfaces as it does against cooler white or black tones.

Wood Countertops. They’re a higher maintenance surface, but offer a warmth that granite or marble can’t provide. Have your wood countertops custom made by a local maker, or consider butcher block versions are readily available from vendors like IKEA and easy to install without professional help.

Recycled & Reclaimed Materials.  Compared to the generations of the past, we’re fortunate to have so many choices of eco-friendly materials including recycled glass tiles and countertops, cork and bamboo floors and reclaimed wood, all at the top of the list for many considering a remodel.

Neutral Painted Cabinets. Gray, greige, taupe, and gray greens offer a nice change to the stark white kitchens we’ve love but have seen over and over – the slightly warmer yet neutral hues feel elegant and refined.

Contemporary Wood Fronts. The warmth of wood is returning to the kitchen scene as many designers are including cherry, maple, and walnut woods. The door and drawer fronts are streamlined with no raised or beveled paneling and partnered with modern pulls for contemporary appeal.

Less or No Upper Cabinets. So many are now opting out of bulky upper cabinets and instead choosing the beauty of just windows or feature tile. What they sacrifice in storage they gain in an airy aesthetic, but often this look requires architectural consideration from the beginning of a kitchen’s design.

IKEA Cabinets.  IKEA is giving every kitchen cabinet manufacturer serious competition with their streamlined styles and lower prices. Anyone who has ever walked through the IKEA kitchens in stores knows that there are several styles and finishes to choose from, all of them making a kitchen remodel that much more affordable.

What are your thoughts on these kitchen trends? Do you agree they are here to stay or do you think they will fade away in a few years? What styles appeal to you most?

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February 2014 Newsletter ~ Tracy Community Events

Tracy; February Community Events

Lots of no-cost and low-cost community events coming in Tracy, California in February of 2014.

FRIDAY, FEB. 7

'Charlotte’s Web’

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave.

DETAILS: Tracy Repertory Theatre’s production of “Charlotte’s Web” opens at the Grand Theatre, telling the story of the young girl Fern, her pig Wilbur and the titular spider Charlotte. Additional shows are scheduled 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.

COST: $12

INFO: Grand Theatre box office, 831-6858 or www.atthegrand.org


SATURDAY, FEB. 8

‘Thunder Soul’


WHEN: 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tracy Branch Library, 20 E. Eaton Ave.

DETAILS: Community members are invited to the library to watch the documentary “Thunder Soul,” about members of the Kashmere High School Stage Band who reunite after 35 years, in 2008, for a tribute to their adviser. The screening is sponsored by Tracy Friends of the Library.

COST: Free

INFO: Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Libraries, 866-805-7323 or www.ssjcpl.org
TUESDAY, FEB. 11

Senior lunch, movie


WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave.

DETAILS: Older Tracy residents are invited to join friends for lunch in the lobbies of the Grand Theatre, followed by a Valentine’s Day movie with free popcorn.

COST: $5

INFO: Stephanie Arganbright, 831-4230 or stephanie.arganbright@ci.tracy.ca.us

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Memorial balloon release


WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Tracy Mausoleum, 8842 W. Schulte Road

DETAILS: Local community members are invited to join in a balloon release to remember the lives of loved ones. Refreshments will be served, and children can visit a cookie decorating station. Balloons will be released all together at noon. Those who plan to attend should call to reserve a balloon.

COST: Free

INFO: Fry Memorial Chapel and Tracy Mausoleum, 836-1970

‘Expressions’ art show opens

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Tracy Community Center, 950 East St.

DETAILS: An exhibit of local artists’ work will be open for public viewing. The show continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 16 and from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 17 to 21.

COST: Free

INFO: Tracy Art League, www.tracyartleague.org

Drama workshop

WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts Studio Theatre, first floor, 715 Central Ave.

DETAILS: The Grand will present a performance of “Freedom Riders” by Sankofa Theatre Company of Modesto on Feb. 20, and students at least 12 years old and their older family members are invited to attend a free workshop with members of the company. Participants will learn about the 1961 Freedom Rides for civil rights and will take part in role playing and improvisation. Registration is required.

COST: Free

INFO: Elizabeth Sayre, arts education coordinator, 8316279 or elizabeth.sayre@ci.tracy.ca.us; www.tracyartsandrec.com

Lions’ cioppino dinner

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6:30 p.m. dinner

WHERE: Portuguese Hall, 430 W. Ninth St.

DETAILS: The Tracy Breakfast Lions Club will serve a cioppino dinner in memory of Louie “Gee Gee” Galli. The menu features crab and other seafood in a rich tomato sauce, mixed salad with Italian dressing and French bread. Tickets can be purchased from Breakfast Lions members; at Yerian Insurance Agency, 4600 S. Tracy Blvd., Ste. 118; or by calling 832-2002. Proceeds go to local charities.

COST: $45 each

INFO: 832-2002

‘The Sun Kings: A Beatles Tribute’

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave.

DETAILS: Fifty years after The Beatles appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Feb. 9, 1964, The Sun Kings tribute band will perform The Beatles’ three 1964 albums — “With The Beatles,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Beatles for Sale” — back to back.

COST: $20 to $50, varies by seat

INFO: Grand Theatre box office, 831-6858 or www.atthegrand.org

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

‘The Loving Story’

WHEN: 3 p.m.

WHERE: Tracy Branch Library, 20 E. Eaton Ave.

DETAILS: The library will show the Emmy-nominated documentary “The Loving Story.” The film chronicles the 1958 marriage of James Loving, a white man, and Mildred Jeter, a woman with black and Cherokee heritage, and their fight — all the way to the Supreme Court — against a Virginia state law that forbade interracial marriage.

COST: Free

INFO: Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Libraries, 866-805-7323 or www.ssjcpl.org
Trailer Park Troubadours

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave.

DETAILS: Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours perform a musical comedy act incorporating poetry, ballads and tales of the good life.

COST: $15 to $25, varies by seat

INFO: Grand Theatre box office, 831-6858 or www.atthegrand.org; www.unhitched.com
FRIDAY, FEB. 28

New Jerusalem’s Got Talent


WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: New Jerusalem School gymnasium, 31400 S. Koster Road

DETAILS: Families are invited to support the New Jerusalem community as local children show off their talents. Concessions will be available for purchase.

COST: Free

INFO: New Jerusalem Parent Teacher Club, 298-8190 or njs_ptc@yahoo.com

Friday Night Jazz

WHEN: 8 p.m.; doors open at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave.

DETAILS: Jazz musicians will perform in the Grand lobbies, which take on the guise of a jazz nightclub once a month for Friday Night Jazz. All ages are welcome. Refreshments will be sold, including snacks, desserts, craft beers and wine. Entry includes a mini hors d’oeuvre.

COST: $8 at the door

INFO: Grand Theatre box office, 831-6858 or www.atthegrand.org