Sandy Vickrey's Winters, CA Blog

Well, this listing has been out there a little over a week and 4 days of that was the Thanksgiving vacation!   I got an offer on Monday and tonight it went pending.  I am very happy for everyone.  This is a great house with lots of potential for updating.  Plus it is in a nice quite neighborhood.

I know that these are hard times for many of us.  Some of us have lost loved ones this year, a job or possibly a house.  One thing I learned along time along is that no matter how bad things my seem I can always find someone I would never want to trade places with.    That seems to put things into perspective for me. 

I hope your holiday is a happy one full of hope and love.  My best to you and yours.

Sorry this is a little late, my internet was down yesterday but I think the message gets through.   Now, on to the rest of the holiday season!

I just listed 114 Riverview Ct.   I love this floorplan.    It is the 2 story model and there are several homes of this model in this neighborhood.  When my son, Chad was in high school his friends lived in this model.  Upstairs there is a large loft and 2 large bedrooms  and a full bathroom.  Plus there is a large storage area.  As my owner says, behind this door is Christmas!  Chad and his buds used to hang up there by the hour playing their music, video games and who knows what else and I am sure I don’t want to know.   Downstairs is a large living room, family room and one more bedroom and the master bedroom.  The lot is over 9000 sq ft so it is a definite must see!    Give me or your favorite realtor a call for a showing.

If you are looking for a great investment deal, ask me to show you the new listing on Washington Street.  It needs some TLC but is priced right around $140K.  The other nice new listing is on Martinez Way and is priced at $175k.    The only way to see it at the moment is to come to an Open House that is not being advertised and there is no sign out front.    I can’t even call the owner to show it, can you imagine that!?  Oh well, good thing you know an agent to help you.    The house at 611 Snapdragon just closed yesterday for $245K.  It has been on the market on and off for over a year.  I am sure the  neighbors will be realy glad to get an owner in there to take care of the lawn and house.   I think they will really like their new neighbors.  Have a happy weekend and stay dry!

I am getting so frustrated as over the past 4 to 6 weeks we have a seen a major negative shift in appraisals.  This isn’t just happening in Winters, but all over our area from the people I have talked to.    We have a buyer and seller agree to a price and the appraisal may come in $30k to $50 less than the agreed price.  When you look at the appraisals the appraiser has made an adjustment for a declining market rather than a neutral or appreciating market which is what we have seen here since at least February.    They say they are seeing this in the sold sales but if a house sales for more than it was listed for then how is that a declining market?  I have talked to other appraisers who agree with me.   The unfortunate thing is that when an appraisal comes in low, then it effects the  entire market for 3 to 6 months as other appraisers will use that sold as a comparable.  So, when an appraisal comes in $50k less than it should then everyone in town has just lost $50k of equity in their home.  It just doesn’t seem right that one person on the planet ,who hasn’t been in all the homes they are using for comps has that kind of power.   Times are hard enough as it is without someone being able to strip  us of what little equity we may have left.   Something needs to be done about this very soon or we are going to be in a whole lot more trouble than we are right now.   Any suggestions?

At long last the new Winters Library will open its doors for everyone to see and enjoy on Saturday, November 14, 2009!  I got to go to a “pre party” a few weeks ago.  I was so impressed with how large the space is and what nice large windows it has to let in lots of natural light.  There is a conference room, a children’s book room and several quite places to relax and read throughout the building.  We are so lucky so many people have worked on this project and have not given up over the years inspite of several setbacks.  We will all reap the benefits.  Right now they have a campaign to “stock the shelves”.  The library is collecting money to buy new books for the library.  What a very worthy cause.  Hope  to see see you there.  Happy reading.   Thank you Margaret Parsons for helping make this happen.

Well there are two new listings around $220k  and less in Winters.   The first is owned by my friend and located right across the street from the high school.  The spent all of last week  painting and installing new pergo and carpet.   He also planted new lawn in the backyard so it is all fixed up now.   It is a 3/2 with a one year old HVAC system.  I hpe this sells quickly for him.  The other house in on Edwards Street over by Waggoner School.  I am sorry to say I have not been in this one yet.  I have seen it in years past but not lately.  That is on e my to do list.  I like to make sure taht I go in every house that is listed in Winters.  I will keep you posted.

Well the listing on Jefferson sold for cash.    I don’t know the sales price but I do know it is pending.   It really  needed a lot of work and cash was the best bet.   The previous owner had removed a lot of the sheet rock, looked like they might have been thinking of doing some rewiring.  The  kitchen was also a do over as they say.  The nice thing was that the other houses on the street had been updated and really look nice.  I am sure all the neighbors will be thrilled when this house is fixed up.    This should help their value.

Whoa!  Have you been waiting to buy an investment property for under $100K?!  Well, here is your opportunity.  808 Jefferson just came on the market and is definitely a project.  Some of the sheet rock has been removed and I would suggest  you do some rewiring.   This is a home for a conventional buyer as there is no stove and there are a lot of holes in the walls and work to be done, be sure to bring your tool box.  The first thing would be to secure the house as not all the doors close.  If you have been looking for a great investment buy, here you go!  Give me a call at 530-681-8939.

Tonight is the big game for Winters High School and this afternoon the parade and ralley were right downtown at the intersection of Main and First Street.  i have attached some photos of the floats for youall to see.  Boy have thing changed since we were in high school!  No more floats rooting on your team and telling them to crush the opposition, gather that isn’t PC anymore.  SO check out the floats, tehy are very internation.  I have no idea who came up with the but they were cute and creative, I will give them that.  GO WARRIORS!