Nevada County Real Estate Blog

When a seller is getting ready to listing their property, most likely they are going to be choosing a REALTOR® from a local real estate company to assist with the sale.  What a seller needs to know is that REALTORS® and real estate companies do not always have the same ideal ology as to how to market a property.  So, it is a good idea to interview at least two different sale associates, as to how they are currently marketing the properties they have listed.  Also, during the interview process you will get an idea if you and your potential agent’s personality are going to be a fit which is important, as you will be in constant communication with the agent you choose.  The following are some questions that you should be asking during the interview process:

• How long has the REALTOR® serving their community been selling real estate?
• What types of marketing are they currently using?  Are they marketing their listings with newspaper ads, online advertising or with their personal website? 
• What type of advertising program does the REALTORS® company provide (some companies have their own marketing plan that goes alongside the sales associate’s  such as running their own website, advertising with various online real estate sites, and company newspaper inserts which will give your property even more exposure).
• How many listings does the REALTOR® currently have?  There are actually two ways of looking at answer to this question.  Some feel that if an agent has a multitude of listings then the agent may not have the time to handle the client’s listing the way they want them to.  Another theory is that if the agent has a good supply of listings then there are many people in the community who have entrusted them to sell their property, and they are successful at getting properties sold. This is especially true if they have a team of assistants working for them.  It all depends on your perspective.
• Does your REALTOR® promote your property with an open house?  Depending on the location of the property, an open house will not only give the agent an opportunity to promote your property, but also give your agent a chance to find a buyer for your property.
• Ask your REALTOR® if they have any testimonials on file that they are willing to share with you.  This will give you an idea of how respected the sales associate is in their work.  Also, you may want to ask them what kind of volunteer work that they do for the community.  It will show you how well rounded they are as an individual and it will also speak to their character. 

Taking the time to ask questions of the potential candidate should really help you determine which agent will work well with you in the sale of your property.  If you have a good rapport with your REALTOR® and you are confident in their abilities, the more likely you will have a great experience when selling your property.

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley.  He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com.  You may also visit his website at http://www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

As a real estate professional, it is always exciting to write or receive an offer from a buyer that is all cash with no loan. Most of the time with a cash offer, the buyer can obtain the house from the seller in a faster time period since there is no loan contingency. However, when a buyer is prepared to pay cash in a real estate transaction, it is important that they are aware of how fast they can get the cash from their banking institution. If buyers are getting their money from investments such as stocks, it can take longer than expected to get funds transferred to the title company. If you wait until the last minute to procure funding for the transaction, it can possibly delay the closing of the transaction which is never good especially if the seller has scheduled their move with a moving company.
Another item that is worth discussing is insurability of a property. When a buyer’s offer is accepted by a seller, normally you have a certain amount of days to conduct your inspections and review disclosures regarding the property. This includes insurability of the property. In some areas of Nevada County, insurance companies are no longer writing insurance policies due to the location of the property (how far away the fire department is from the subject property), and the amount of forestation that is around the property. So within your set time frame in the contract, it is important to get a hold of your insurance company so that they can send a representative out to preview the property for insurability. It may be required that work be done around the property such as trimming branches, or brushing some of the foliage in order to have a proper fire clearance so that the buyer can in-fact obtain fire insurance.
As a seller, you should be discussing with your real estate agent to see that they have checked with the buyer’s agent as to the funding of the transaction and the insurability as sometimes these important items do get overlooked. This is especially true during the inspection period where the buyer is focused on getting to know the property they are potentially purchasing. If as the seller, you know that you do not have proper fire clearances and tree branches leaning over the roof, it would be in your best interest to take care of it prior to listing your property.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate here in Nevada County, please contact a REALTOR as they will be there every step of the way making the sale or purchase of your property as seamless as possible.

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley. He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com. You may also visit his website at http://www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

Sellers: Here are some thoughts on how to keep your property looking great for potential buyers during the fall season:

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley. He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com. You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

As most Nevada County residents know, our market right now is much different than it was six years ago. What used to be a seller’s market years ago has definitely turned into a buyer’s market. If you are considering selling your property right now, it is critical that you do not overprice your home when putting it on the market. Most buyer(s) who are looking for property have a very good understanding of the market conditions, and will not purchase a property that is not in line with values.

When a seller contacts a REALTOR® to potentially list their property, your selected REALTOR® should come to your property to preview your home. After they review a list of the property’s features, they should put together a Current Market Analysis of your property. This is where your agent checks comparable(s) of similar properties that are currently active, pending and sold in your neighborhood to determine what they feel is a fair value of your property.
If your property is in good overall condition, and if you are competitive with your asking price, it is likely your property will sell. However, if you list your property for more than fair market value, your property will most assuredly be on the market for a greater period of time. You will be end up doing what the industry calls “chasing the market down” in your listing price. Some seller(s) feel that if the buyer(s) are truly interested in a property they are selling that they should just put an offer in even if the asking price is a little high. I want to stress that in this competitive market place, most buyers will not even look at a property if the asking price is not competitive with current market prices. Also, no amount of marketing such as listing flyers, postcards, open houses and online advertising will sell an overpriced property. So it is a good idea to review your CMA with your REALTOR®, and decide if it is the right time for you to market your property.

If you are thinking of listing your property, please consult a REALTOR®. They will not only assist you with determining the value for your property, but also create a marketing plan to help you sell your home. We are always here to help you with your real estate needs.

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley. He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com. You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

Here is a video perspective on whether it is a good time to market your property during the fall season.

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley. He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com. You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

Here is a video with a couple of tips that a first time home buyer should keep in mind before looking at property with a REALTOR for the first time….

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley. He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com. You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

As a follow up to my previous blog regarding first time home buying here in Nevada County, I felt it was important to discuss the area of inspections prior to completing the purchase of a property. When a buyer goes into contract with a seller, the buyer has a set number of days in which to complete their investigative period.  The investigative period includes the buyer’s right to conduct various inspections of the property.  In most cases, when purchasing a home, it is suggested that the buyer conduct all of the following relative inspections:

• Pest Inspection:  This is usually the first inspection that the buyer will conduct during their inspection period.  During the pest inspection, the chosen inspector will check the house to see if there are parts of the home that have termite damage, dry rot, or water damage from leaks in the plumbing. 
• Home Inspection:  When conducting a home inspection, the inspector will thoroughly examine the prospective house from stem to stern, looking at various areas of the home including the roof, chimney, siding, windows, plumbing, electrical, and all other major components for possible areas that need repair.
• Well Inspection:  If the property that the buyer is planning on purchasing has a well, it is recommended that a well inspection be conducted. A well inspection consists of checking the well’s systems and testing the rate of production (gallons per minute).  This test usually takes 3 to 4 hours.  At the end of the test, the well inspector will be able to determine how many gallons a minute the well is producing.  The inspector will also take a sample of the water to test for potability (to see if the water contains any harmful bacteria).  This sample will be given to a lab and the result of this test is usually available to the buyer within 2 days.
• Septic Inspection:  If the property you are purchasing has a septic system, it is recommended that the buyers conduct a septic inspection of the property.  During the inspection, the septic tank is pumped and examined.  In addition, the other systems such as the leach lines are also tested to see if they are working properly. 

Once these inspections are complete, the prospective buyer will have the results which outline the condition of both the home and the property.  They will also have a clear understanding of what repairs, if any will be needed prior to buying the home as well as those that may be needed in the future.  With that knowledge, the potential buyer will be able to make an educated decision as to whether they want to proceed with the purchase.  Although these inspections will cost the buyer a little bit of money, it will be well worth it in the end, as it will greatly reduce the amount of unforeseen costs the buyer might face when moving into their dream home.

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley.  He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com.  You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

In the past couple of weeks, I have been busy showing property to potential buyers here in the Nevada County area.  Upon arriving at one of the properties, I was reminded of how important it is for the seller to understand that making a good first impression is critical in generating a sale.  Curb appeal is the key to keeping a buyer interested in looking further to the inside of a home. Here are some simple things that a seller can do to the outside of their home to attract a potential buyer.

• Lawn- Mow and water regularly.
• In the yard- Cut dead, overhanging tree branches, rake leaves, remove any dead or dying vegetation in the yard.
• Flowers- Plant flowers that add color (especially at the front of the property)
• Exterior of house- Look to see if minor repairs may be needed to the siding, gutters, shingles on the roof, or the paint. 

If repairs are needed, it is highly recommended that these be made prior to the seller showing their property. Once these improvements have been made to the outside of the property, the next step is to focus on the interior of the home. 

• Clean- especially in the kitchen and bathrooms!!  Cleaning carpets and other flooring is also critical.  If there are wood floors that show a lot of wear and tear, it is suggested that the seller have them re-finished.
• De Clutter-open up the space inside your home, you may need to rearrange or possibly remove furniture in the house.
• Depersonalize the home- remove excess photos and art pieces.
• Paint – chose colors that are neutral.

Taking these steps will help insure that the home feels inviting and spacious.  This allows potential buyer(s) to imagine their furniture and other personal belongings in the home that they are looking to purchase. 

Though these ideas entail a bit of work, it will most likely pay big dividends.  Again, having a property that is show ready has the potential to get an offer faster and will increase the likelihood of the owner getting at or near their asking price.  After all, isn’t that the goal of every seller who places their home on the market?

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley.  He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com.  You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

I had the pleasure this last week of working at Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty’s Booth at the Nevada County Fair.  During my time working at the booth, there were many who stopped by the booth looking for information regarding what properties were on the market here in Nevada County, what a short sale is, and is it difficult to get a home loan right now?

However, I had one couple who approached me that inspired me to write this article. This couple shared with me that they are interested in purchasing a home for the first time, but had no idea on how to start the process.   They had been online for three weeks looking for information on how to get started, but they did not find any information out there.  So, I gave them some information on how to get started, and with a smile they were on their way.

Being a first time home buyer can be a wonderful experience, if you are prepared.  There are many steps a buyer should take in order to have a successful purchase of a new home.  Here are some tips for the first time home buyer:

• Think about what you are looking for in your first property (features you like or dislike number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc.)
• If you are getting a loan, talk with a loan specialist to find out what your credit score is, what loan program is right for you & what loan amount you qualify for.  Knowing what you can spend makes the process more enjoyable for everyone involved.
• Connect with a Realtor® who is familiar with the area.  They will be able to help find a neighborhood and property that is right for you.
• Once you find the property that is right for you, make sure you get a home inspection by a licensed inspector.  Getting a home inspection will curtail surprises with the property down the road.
• Investigate the neighborhood you are thinking of moving to such as, what schools are nearby, what utilities are offered, etc.
• Remember that the purchase of a property has many steps, so take the time to process and do not make “hurried” decisions.

Remember your Realtor®, and your selected mortgage professional will be there for you every step of the way to make your home buying experience a success.  With property values where they are at today, along with low interest rates being currently offered, it is a fantastic time to buy a home!!

Jason Dempsey is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty located at 855 Sutton Way, Grass Valley.  He can be reached at 530-205-4650 or you may e-mail him at jason.dempsey@coldwellbanker.com.  You may also visit his website at www.dreamhomesnevadacounty.com.

CLICK HERE to read a 1 page article in the Nevada County Land Trust’s Spring 2011 newsletter about Mark Weyman.

Mark Weyman

913.1200

SFGate.com

By DEREK KRAVITZ, AP Real Estate Writer

Monday, April 25, 2011

More people bought new homes in March, giving the battered industry a small lift after the worst winter for sales in almost a half-century.

New-home sales rose 11 percent last month from February to a seasonally adjusted rate of 300,000 homes, the Commerce Department said Monday. That follows three straight monthly declines. Still, the pace remains far below the 700,000 homes a year that economists view as healthy.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE.

Mark Weyman

913.1200

Research looks at how mortgage delinquencies affect scores
How much impact does a short sale have on FICO® Scores? How about a foreclosure? Since I frequently hear these questions from clients and others, I thought I’d share new FICO research that sheds light on this very subject.

The FICO study simulated various types of mortgage delinquencies on three representative credit bureau profiles of consumers scoring 680, 720 and 780, respectively. I say “representative profiles” because we focused on consumers whose credit characteristics (e.g., utilization, delinquency history, age of file) were typical of the three score points considered. All consumers had an active currently-paid-as-agreed mortgage on file.

Results are shown below. The first chart shows the impact on the score for each stage of delinquency, and the second shows how long it takes the score to fully “recover” after the fact.

All in all, we saw:
• The magnitude of FICO® Score impact is highly dependent on the starting score.
• There’s no significant difference in score impact between short sale/deed-in-lieu/settlement and foreclosure.
• While a score may begin to improve sooner, it could take up to 7-10 years to fully recover, assuming all other obligations are paid as agreed.
• In general, the higher starting score, the longer it takes for the score to fully recover.
• Even if there’s minimal difference in score impact between moderate and severe delinquencies, there may be significant difference in time required for the score to fully recover.
This study provides good benchmarks of score impact from mortgage delinquencies. However, it is important to note that research was done only on select consumer credit profiles. Given the wide range of credit profiles that exist, results may vary beyond what’s in the charts above.

Last week the Nevada County Planning Commission held our meeting up in Truckee. The applicant was Teichert Aggregates. They currently have a plant known as the Boca Quarry. The site is appoximately one mile northeast of the Hirschdale community. They currently have an extraction area of 40 acres and the request was to expand the extraction area to 158 acres on approximately a 230 acre site. This exspansion would allow the operation to go from 100,000 to 1,000,000 tons of aggregate per year. Ten times the current level. This material is used to build roads and other construction needs.

The planning commission passed the Use permit with a 5-0 vote in favor of the expansion.

I personally feel that when companies are still investing in expanding their operations it is a positive sign that these companies feel that the economy is and will improve and the product that they have will be needed to put folks back to work.

Ruth Poulter
530-277-6960
rpoulter@coldwellbanker.com

I view

We at Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty have ended 2010 on a positive note.  Our year over year figures compared to 2009 show about a 16.3% increase in the number of homes/land sold.  This is good news for both our buyers and sellers.  Our average sales price did not see any improvement however the fact that we have some terrific inventory (homes/land for sale) and with interest rates still below 5%, it’s an ideal time to consider the purchase of a home.

According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales — which reflect contracts, not closings — rose in November. The trend over the last five months indicates a gradual recovery into 2011, said Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist, although the organization’s Pending Home Sales Index is still 5 percent below a year ago.

“In addition to exceptional affordability conditions, steady improvements in the economy are helping bring buyers into the market,” Yun said in a release. “But further gains are needed to reach normal levels of sales activity.”  Yun noted that the U.S. added 27 million people in the last decade, but the number of jobs is comparable to 2000 levels. The NAR is predicting existing-home sales to rise about 8 percent in 2011. But prices will remain essentially unchanged, up 0.6 percent.

To view all the properties for sale in our community please visit us at http://www.nevadacounty4sale.com.

HAS WELLS FARGO BECOME THE BIG DOG?

According to Bloomberg News, Wells Fargo’s 2008 purchase of Wachovia has pushed WF to the very top of mortgage lending in the entire country. Wells has just posted a record quarterly profit for the first time in more than a year: “Net income up 21 per cent.”

All of this occurred during the past two-year-plus period when many competing banks were driven out of business. NPR reports today that 157 banks were closed in 2010. Seven more just last Friday. Consolidation means that the Big Banks are getting bigger.

My current personal experience with Wells Fargo indicates that they are becoming the go-to institutional lender for properties for which financing is difficult to find elsewhere:

*Manufactured homes.

*FHA 203K Renovation Loans.

*Residential properties with unusual characteristics such as two homes on one parcel. Especially if one of the homes is manufactured.

*Properties which do not meet the secondary market purchase template of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac — where most mortgages are sold.

My research indicates that most other Big Banks and mortgage brokers are not offering mortgages that fall outside the criteria required by the secondary market.

It is apparent that Wells Fargo is staffed and trained for loan products difficult to find through mortgage brokers, a couple of whom told me that Wells has some loan products only available on the “retail side”. In other words, mortgages originated at the bank with a bank employed loan consultant — not brokered to the bank.

WF was a quiet player in the mortgage origination world in the past. Few of our colleagues worked directly with WF. But many of our independent mortgage consultants brokered our clients’ loans to Wells Fargo.

Will Wells Fargo become a more dominant mortgage lender in the next few years? Stay tuned. Meanwhile, if you are having difficulties finding financing for an unusual property, ask me about the most competent lenders I have found at Wells Fargo.

Check in next week for another Blog on the 2011 real estate market. 

Mark Weyman

www.markweyman.com

mweyman@nccn.net

530-913-1200

THE 2011 VACANT LAND MARKET

Last week’s Blog focused on market-driven pricing of residential property to be realistic in today’s market.

This week we look at vacant land activity. Our colleague Charlie Brock just did an informal email poll among agents from our four Nevada County offices. It was a simple call for feedback about who is working with land buyers and what is happening.

The results of his “unscientific” survey:

Of the 22 agents who responded…

16 are currently working with 28 potential land buyers.

6 have no land buyers.

One has 5 – all “hot” ready-to-go buyers.

Most report that their buyers have very little urgency.

One has a buyer looking up to $450K for view property,

One just wrote an offer for his client.

One just went into escrow with 3 buyers (all on distressed properties).

This encouraging feedback from a third of Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty agents came as a surprise to me. The Nevada County Association of Realtors statistics (see Graphs from last weeks 1.10.11 Blog) indicate another year in a 10-year continuous decline in annual numbers of units of vacant land sold (with, however, a very insignificant up-tick in totals 2010 over 2009).

Does this survey portend of an increase in land sales in this year? Is there a pent-up demand from folks who want to build their dream home from the ground up? Will spec builders find confidence? There are still plenty of excellent unimproved parcels in Nevada County.  We all know housing starts are down locally and nationwide. We also know that the price of most existing homes has been much less than the cost of buying the underlying land and the cost of building at today’s prices.

But, the average sale price of vacant land has declined by about 40 per cent since 2006. Will this “correction” in land prices make new construction more attractive?

I believe this feedback tells us to take a fresh look at the vacant land market. Be prepared for a possible renewed opportunity for our clients and our industry.

Check in next week for another Blog on the 2011 real estate market. 

Mark Weyman

www.markweyman.com

mweyman@nccn.net

530-913-1200

MARKET-RIGHT PRICING

In evaluating a home’s current fair market value, appraisers and Realtors turn first to the common denominator yardstick of dollars-per-square-foot comparisons. The average $$/SF in any given market rises and falls with the prevailing market trends. If I had done market research on your home five years ago, the average $$/SF would have reflected that much higher valued era, prior to the overall decline depicted in the attached 20-plus-year real estate market history graphs. The $$/SF analysis is a starting place from which we ask ourselves about a specific property: “How does its superior or inferior quality or features affect it as being higher or lower than the average $$/SF for the compared homes?”

At this point in my analysis, I look to the “plusses” and minuses” of your property. The features that will attract a buyer versus the aspects that will be what I call “market-acceptance limiting issues”. One-level or two? Useable land? Paved road or gravel? Functional floor plan or obsolescent? Quiet location or high traffic? Updated appointments or dated features?

The right price is a balance of the positives and negatives in concert with the prevailing market and for what price other homes in your area are selling. You can figure that the average selling price of homes in Nevada County has declined up to 40 per cent since the “peak” near 1/1/2006. I understand it is not comfortable for most sellers to reckon with the new Market Reality.

But it is very important to get the price as right as possible from the start. The Days on the Market (DOM) noted in many listings does not reflect the true (cumulative) DOM. The MLS Property History on a significant portion of the current listing inventory (Active, Sold & Pending) shows:

   (1) Many were listed with previous brokers at higher prices

   (2) There have been a series of cascading price reductions

   (3) The cumulative DOM show many sellers have chased the market downhill.

The result is a sale price less than might have been achieved had the original price been more realistic.

It is an awesome responsibility to price your home. We don’t want to leave money on the table. Neither do we want to do you a disservice and overprice your property in a market that expects further declines, (in other words – the price you can get today will likely exceed the price you can get 12 months from now.)

See the attached graphs from which I note the following:

The Average Sales Price (residential property) has declined approximately 6 per cent from year’s-end 2009 to 2010. Not as painful as the 16+/- per cent decline from 2008 to 2009. The graph indicates that the 2010 year-end average sale price is back to the level it was between 2001 and 2002.

The good news is a notable increase in the number of Units Sold. Residential sales up 11+ per cent 2010 over 2009. Residential units-sold numbers are back to the 1996 to 1997 numbers when the real estate market began recovering from the recession of the early 1990’s. This increase in units sold is the first upward trend in increased activity since the market peaked in 2004.

Bottom line is that there is some good news but also uncertainty. If you are a seller in 2011, your Realtor will have to be a diligent student of prevailing market trends and of recent comparable sales that will guide you toward pricing your home close to its current fair market value.

Check in next week for another new Blog on more up-to-date information on the 2011 real estate market.

**Click on the photos 2x’s to see full size**

Mark Weyman

www.markweyman.com

mweyman@nccn.net

530-913-1200

I showed my first home of 2011 today. Sunday. Day after New Year’s. My new listing. Picked up the Listing Agreement on New Year’s Day. This confirms the good feelings I have about 2011.

To be certain there is still hardship for many of our neighbors.

But — what I do know, from my interaction with new clients and past clients as well, is that there is an increase of families looking to make a change, trade to a home more suitable for their current needs. Or just more people drawn to our County, attracted by its charm, culture and rural ambience.  Out-of-towners, equity immigrants, urban refugees. Who most of us were when we first discovered the special community we now call home. Equity immigrants.  Urban refugees. 

The past year was dominated by first-time home buyers taking advantage of tax credits, bank-owned credits to buyers and the unbelievably low interest rates. And prices unimaginable five years ago when many of these buyers, particularly younger folks, thought they were priced out of home ownership forever.

Word from several lenders I have talked to since Christmas is that even though the rates are at historic lows, the lenders are tougher than ever with the qualifying process. But don’t be discouraged. I have found that with seasoned negotiating skills and perseverance, the “American Dream” of home ownership is definitely possible. If you, as Buyer, are prepared to be participatory in your home search effort and dedicated & committed to submitting to the Financial Strip Search that might be required for you to get that loan.

The loose and perhaps irresponsible lending practices of the early part of the past decade are gone. The New World of lending is a reaction to the “mortgage meltdown” crisis.

My advice: Get in the game if you can while rates and prices are both down. Find a Realtor who is a good fit and who has the skills to guide you through the intense financial documentation, potential obstacles and possible setbacks that accompany today’s home purchase process.

There is every expectation that 2011 will be a better year than 2010 for Nevada County Real Estate. Just as 2010 was an improvement over 2009.

Check for my new Blog next week when I will share MLS statistics for average sales prices and units sold from 1989 through year-end 2010.

Mark Weyman

www.markweyman.com

mweyman@nccn.net

530-913-1200

At the Nevada County Planning Commission meeting last week the planning commission approved a use permit for a group known as Animal Place. Animal Place is a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary that houses rescued livestock and poultry.

If you are not familiar with this organization please go to their website and check it out at animalplace.org.

I visited the site prior to the planning commission meeting and I am so impressed by what these folks are doing there. The sanctuary is on a 590 acre parcel, only five of those acres can be developed the rest is protected and can only be used for grazing. The use permit will allow farm tours, classes, events, and an onsite farm stand for the sale of site-produced organic produce and eggs.

The animals are saved from factory farms, slaughterhouses, research facilities and neglect or cruelty cases. I visited the bunny house, the chicken haven; there were a variety of pigs and goats that have been rescued and some very large cattle. It was amazing!

They have a volunteer and internship program that I plan on becoming a member of.

Please plan a visit with your family, set up a school tour for your children and look for the upcoming events that will be held at the farm. Our community is very fortunate to have this farm and I hope folks will support their efforts.
Ruth Poulter
Realtor
rpoulter@coldwellbanker.com
530-277-0690

I just returned from a wonderful weekend in Yosemite with a group of coworkers from Coldwell Banker. A relaxing time and fun memories created with great friends in a very special place. We took Hwy 49 back home and it was such a treat to see all the other small towns along the same road that we live along. Towns like Jackson, Jamestown and Mariposa that I have heard about for years and never seen. I can honestly say that we live in the most scenic by far, Grass Valley and Nevada City and the beauty that sounds our sweet towns are like non other. We are fortunate to have the proximity to Hwy 80 for easy access to other large communities, yet the quaint quality of life that we all love so much here in Nevada County. It was fun to cross all the rivers; Merced, Cosumnes & American and then return home to our gorgeous Yuba, again like non other. I never take for granted how fortunate we all are to live in such a special community surrounded by some of the most incredilble natural beauty in the state. So blessed we are!!

Pamela Morey
Coldwell Banker Grass Roots
pamela.morey@coldwellbanker.ocm
530-913-7308

At the Nevada County Planning  Commission last month a group of folks received thier approval for a project on historic Champion Road just outside of Nevada City.

The applicants are not developers, but people that banded together to purchase the land, take on the costs of development and hung in there for years to get their approval.  This is one of the reason I voted in favor of the project.

The  site is 84.66 acres that will be subdivided into 8 clustered large residential parcels ranging from 5.98 acres to 21.58 acres.  Should note here that the zoning allowed for up to 16 lots.  Deer Creek occurs near the southern boundary and the Champion-Newtown Canal occurs near the norther boundary.  These folks have  dedicated a trail on their property that will connect with an 8 mile trail that is being developed by the American Rivers group and others. The individual owners will be building their homes on 6 lots leaving two additional lots to be sold to help pay for the costs of road improvements required on Champion Road.

I am looking forward to watching the homes being built, the trail developed, the community gardens to be planted and welcoming these newcomers to our community.

If you would like to see a parcel map of the project, email me and I will send it to you.

rpoulter@coldwellbanker.com

530-277-6960

Well, Cliff and I listened to our favorites rate shopping show Saturday morning on KNCO and purchased a certificate to  Main Street and had a wonderful lunch.  This is one of our favorite restaurants and it is especially nice to have a discount.  If you haven’t tuned into the show try it, there are great discounts on local places.

Cliff and Margie Weeks
530-205-4634
Coldwell Banker Grass Roots
weeks@nccn.net

weeks@nccn.net

Wow, last week’s national real estate headlines were all doom and gloom. I spoke with a reporter from Reuters last Wednesday morning who asked how we are coping with this information. Well, national, is the key word here! I realize that there needs to be some sort of measurement of the market but to look only to the negative aspect is short sighted. Locally, things are different!

Here in Nevada County, we are experiencing a “hot” summer so far. Our sales have been steady and in spite of the typical slow-down due to the Nevada County Fair and the return of children to school, we are experiencing a strong summer selling season. Our year to year figures at Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty show that we sold 229 units (homes and land) from January to July 2009 versus 306 units for the same period this year

What does this mean to home buyers and home sellers? It means that we are selling homes in Nevada County. Interest rates are in the mid 4’s (can you believe that) and prices are superb. If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, get off the fence and do it now while the time is right!

Diann Patton
Sales Manager
530-273-8050

Saturday I tuned into KNCO shopping show and bought some of the great restaurant coupons.  What a great way to try some different restaurants and have a fun evening or lunch and save at the same time.  The first restaurant we have tried was the 5Mile House, what a great meal.  We ate in the gardens and the setting was beautiful, service was very good and the food wonderful, try the steak!  If you have eaten there and have a favorite let me know.

Margie Weeks
530-205-4634
Weeks@nccn.net

The Union Newspaper posted a “kudos” to Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty for their support of the Nevada Union Snow Board Team.  CBGRR held an E-Waste fundraiser at their Earth Day event recently and donated all the proceeds to the Snow Board Team.  Way to go Rooters!  Very cool to support our community by showcasing all the “Green Vendors” of Nevada County, providing a place for folks to drop off their electronic waste, and obtain education about how we can all help to save our planet.

Diann Patton
Sale Manager
Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty
(530) 273-8050

Real Estate is not just about the home you live in – it’s about the community.  The people who surround you; those you know, those you don’t.

The other evening I had the pleasure of attending a benefit concert for Women of Worth.  This local organization supports women and children who are victims of domestic violence.  The purpose of this event was to raise money to help open a “safe house” where women who feel threatened in their relationships can go and obtain help and support from others in similar situations.  The community comes together to help these families in need and my community did just that last night!

We enjoyed music from a local band, a taste of fabulous wine from one of our local wineries, Starr Vineyards, a simple but delicious meal prepared by volunteers amid good friends and yes, even laughter.  Of course there were tears but there was also joy in knowing that each one of us present that evening was there to support those in need, to give a hand or just a friendly smile.  Even though this issue is a serious one, our local friends have the ability to come together, have some fun, and unite as one.

I am proud to be a member of this amazing community and to call it home.  I am proud to wear the badge of Realtor in my home town.  I am proud of those I live and play with.  I am proud!

Diann Patton
Sale Manager
Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty
(530) 273-8050