When I look  at REO’s in Sonoma County, I look for possible damage that has been quickly covered up to help sell the property. Also the agents who perform the repairs to the property often have very little information regarding the property. After all the goal of the listing agents is to sell the properties as quickly as possible and the agents  choose not to find out anything regarding the  history of the properties..

Therefore, it is the responsiblity of the buyer and his or her agent to make sure that the property has been permitted for the structures currently on the property. Looking closely at an unusal cement walkway leading to nowhere is a clue that maybe a pool was there and the second home on the property was really just zoned for a pool house. Obviously, the listing agent does not research these conditions and prefers to remain in the dark. The buyer’s agent must insist that the buyer  researches  the property at the proper City or County agencies to ascertain whether the REO is really what it appears to be. I happen to really enjoy the challenge of determining the value of these  properties. When I graduated from U.C.L.A. I went to work as an Administrative Assistant for the City of Los Angeles. I am very comfortable researching with my clients at the Sonoma County Permit and Resources office all the available information regarding the properties.

I have been very successful in finding REO’s for my clients in Sonoma County that have required very few repairs.  One property that was listed originally for over two million the buyers were able to buy it as an REO for just over a million .

Nevertheless, I highly recommend for investors and for clients who plan in living in the property to look closely at the REO’s that are now available. There are many diamonds in the rough that can make great investments. Especially now is the time to buy. The economy is obviously turning around and there are many buyers currently looking to buy. Don’t wait too long since I believe this is the bottom of the decline in home prices in Sonoma County and now is the time to take the leap into home ownership. Call me  at 707 495-4356 to discuss your concerns about home ownership or investment properties. The rental market is fantastic and will continue to support higher rents;  plus the cost of purchase money is at historic lows. ACT NOW.

When I moved to Sonoma County thirty seven years ago from Palos Verdes, California, all my friends from U.C.L.A. thought that I had moved to Siberia. Now, in hindsight, my life long friends have told me how lucky I was to move to a slower, more relaxed area with little crime and abundant parks where my children could run freely on their bicycles. It looks like Healdsburg in particular has been “Discovered”.

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Pending home sales reflect the activity in the market that hasn’t been tabulated until the homes are sold. Pending home sales, which are based on signed contracts but not closed, rose 2.0 percent higher in January from December and were 8.0 percent higher than January 2011. The Natonal Assication of Realtors reported. The January index is the highest since April 2010 when homebuyers were rushing to take advantage of the first-time buyer tax credit.

NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun says the uptick in pending home sales is a hopeful indicator going into the spring home-buying season. However, he states that the headwinds of tight credit still exist.  Mr. Yun named the favorable changes in the economy to be the job gains, high affordability and rising rents which are pushing the market into what appears to be a sustained housing recovery.

Already, the good news is reflected in the recovery of the large home builders rise in stock prices since October, 2011 as well. The inventory for new homes is at a record low.

Beautiful single story view property located on its own knoll in the exquisite  town of Healdsburg. The new owner will enjoy all the benefits of design and elegance that was created in 2001 with a professionally designed kitchen, gorgeous landscaping, a  small vineyard of Merlot grapes, and exceptional views of Alexander Valley and the hills beyond. When you walk into the home, a private entry foyer greets you. Next  you enter the great room which features a gas fireplace surrounded by custom built-ins and  10 foot high ceilings add to the feeling of  spaciousness and a wall of windows floods  the interior with light . You are greeted with the sunny southern exposure of the gorgeous backyard  which was professionally landscaped  and includes a large patio as well as a covered deck  where you can enjoy the view. A high hedge defines the boundary of the backyard and provides privacy to enjoy a glass of wine with your evening meal throughout the year.

The home is designed with two separate master suites on opposite ends of the home which truly is helpful since you can expect to have lots of visitors coming to enjoy the exceptional quality of life of Sonoma County and especially the town of Healdsburg.  From my own personal experience over the past 36 years I have seen Healdsburg change from a sleepy agricultural town to a world renowned hamlet featured in articles throughout the world. We boast the finest restaurants including Cyrus where I have enjoyed the highest quality of food and service. Besides Cyrus there is Ravenous on North Street,  Willi’s Seafood Food Raw Bar on Healdsburg Avenue, Bistro Ralph on the Plaza, just to name a few of the highest quality restaurants in Sonoma County and perhaps the world.

This exceptional .7 acre property is located just a few miles from Healdsburg’s famous square. One can walk from your new home to downtown and enjoy your morning coffee at the Flying Goat Coffee on Center Street where the locals gather every morning to enjoy conversations with each other. Another favorite  Mexican restaurant is El Sombrero on Center Street where I have enjoyed the best the town has to offer in Mexican cuisine without the fuss of a fancy place.

Another benefit of this home is the exceptional professionally designed kitchen with a center island featuring a huge slab of  light yellow Zodiac . The highest quality of appliances are featured along with a gorgeous  limestone tile floor. The highest quality of flooring is featured throughout the home as well as the 10 foot ceiling which adds to the feeling of spaciousness. The office is separated from the living area by a wall of gorgeous glass that serves to reduce any noise from the great room. The home is furnished with exceptionally beautiful furniture which one could purchase separately so that the property may be bought as a “turn key”.

This property is proudly offered at $1,139,000.