Hmmmm....guess it's more than the title of an old 1947 song by Frank Loesser!  Many people have fabulous plans for celebrating the new year, and I'll try to list a few local events that might be fun.  As for me, I prefer to stay in the safety and comfort of my own home on this particular annual occurance.   If I can't find...Read More!

Sorry for being late with the stats from last week's sales in the Santa Maria/Orcutt real estate market!  Still celebrating Christmas with out of state family, and it's hard to get back to business!  Next week will be better, I am certain, and in any case the following week will bring an update for the entire year.  Looking at the...Read More!

  Hope you are enjoying your Christmas Day as much as I am!          Read More!

When preparing your home for sale, don't make the mistake of doing it half-way.  Some folks paint some of the interior, but leave the flowery wallpaper in the master bath, for example.  Do it all --- paint is cheap and the return on your investment is five-fold.  Buyers want move-in ready, and don't want to have to take down that...Read More!

I'm doing everything possible to sell it --- hardly anyone comes to see it, and if they do, they don't make an offer!  Does this sound like you??  Have you had a frank conversation with your agent about pricing?  There are many things that can't be controlled: the economy, the interest ratest, the fact the house is on a busy...Read More!

We are very close to the Christmas holiday now, and yet sales are pretty steady!  This past week 53 new sales were generated, compared to only 31 the week before.  In general, people are postponing serious decisions until after the holidays, when we will see an up-tick in home sales again.  After all, interest rates for some loans are under 4% and...Read More!

A picture is worth a thousand words --- need I say more?  Loan modification scams are alive and well, and a local real estate salesperson has been charged with 8 counts, including felony embezzlement, according to a report in yesterday's Santa Maria Times.  I posted earlier this week about scams, click here for that story.  The Times story  was brought...Read More!

In essence, a short sale is a transaction, subject to the lender's approval, in which the lender consents to a sale of the home for less than what is owed on the note, and accepts the proceeds in full satisfaction of the loan amount.  A short sale requires extensive paperwork and preparation on behalf of the borrower.  Typically, before applying...Read More!

What a wonderful Christmas Parade in Old Town Orcutt last Saturday!!  It was a radiant, sunny day, with brilliant blue skies and just enough crispness in the air to know it's December in California!  People lined the streets to see the high school marching bands -- the boys & girls scout troops -- the fire trucks --- and as in many a...Read More!

Sales are down a bit this past week, but that is to be expected as we are definitely in the holiday season, and Christmas is approaching fast!  We had a jump in new listings, adding 27 to our inventory, and at only 15, not so many pending or contingent sales --- again, to be expected.  Here is a link to...Read More!