A quick green tip for you.  As we start to make our landscape plans this year, let's keep in mind the impact that watering our plants and grass has on the environment.  Water is a very valuable resource and should be treated as such...even when we want to have greener grass.  Now please understand that I am not suggesting we don't water our grass and plants.  As a Realtor, I know first hand the importance of curb appeal.  Especially in the current real estate market where there is a lot of inventory available for Paradises prospective buyers and a lot of competition among Paradise sellers.  Before you hook up the sprinklers and turn on the hose, consider purchasing a rain barrel.  This will capture rain water that you can later use for watering.  They range in price and type so I have a... 03/03/2008

This past Thursday, the Gold Nugget Museum, some local volunteers, and Mendon's Nursery made some great headway in restoring one of Paradise's most well known historical attributes; the apple.  By planting 12 different varieties of apples, they took the first step towards developing a community apple orchard on the Gold Nugget Museum's grounds.  The 12 varieties of apples were donated by Mendon's Nursery and then planted by the volunteers.  All of the varieties have historical roots to Paradise from the 20th century.  The hope is that this orchard will provide a place for Paradise residents to learn and relax.  With the orchard being right on the Gold Nugget Museum grounds , residents can take a museum tour that provides a history lesson of Paradise all while visiting the orchard to lea... 03/02/2008

Even if you could "time the market," that strategy would most benefit first-time buyers. You see, people who already have a home usually need to sell it in order to come up with the down payment for their next home. Even if they don't, they would have to carry the debt and obligations on two homes at the same time. This can create financial hardship, even when you rent out the previous home. There are maintenance costs, renters don't always make their payments on time, the rent may not cover the mortgage and other costs, and sometimes the property may be vacant. So if you are downsizing or a move-up buyer and want to purchase your next home during a depressed market, you generally have to sell your current paradise home during that same depressed market. If you want to sell during a boo... 03/01/2008

Lately, when I present a market analysis to Paradise area residents interested in selling their home, the discussion becomes similar from house to house.  “My neighbor just sold their house for 5% more than that less than a year ago” or “ I had my house appraised for more than that just 6 months ago.”   Because the Paradise real estate market has slowed and the prices have started to drop, my home analysis is understandably received with frustration and concern.  Everyone wants to maximize their profits and protect their investments whenever selling a home.  However, the other thing that is often similar among many of the Paradise sellers I am visiting is their need and desire for more space.  They want to sell their home to “move-up.”  Whether it is due to expanding families or the ri... 02/28/2008

Ok all you Butte County Seinfeld fans, a great little soup story for you!!  An article was recently featured in the Paradise Post and I wanted to share it with all my fellow Seinfeld lovers!!  The Original SoupMan’s soups are now being sold right here in our very own Butte County at Raleys.  Both the locations in Chico and Oroville will carry the soup.  So now you can go and buy the SoupMan’s soup, but don’t expect anyone from Raley’s to yell “no soup for you,”  I think they really want it to keep selling well. 02/28/2008

Things are definitely looking up in the Paradise real estate market.  After looking at the activity level of this past week, the local market is showing signs of improvement.  We had 8 properties close escrow and another 15 properties go under agreement.  There were 16 new listings that hit the market, which is promising considering we had the 15 listings that went under agreement.  With 20 price reductions last week, it is clear that Paradise sellers are still eager to sell, and attempting to have their properties noticed amidst the 309 total listings currently on the market in Paradise.  The most significant real estate activity in Paradise continues to be on those single family homes priced under $250,000.  There was a slight increase in activity on single family homes priced betwee... 02/27/2008

Well into a buyers market with the indicators shouting loudly yet few home buyers are listening?  Lots of inventory means choices in homes, great interest rates could mean lower payments so those wanting to move up.  Home prices reduced are a better bargain for home buyers.  Seems while home buyers stand at the sidelines waiting for the touchdown, savvy investors snag up on the biggest housing bargains. We are aware home buyers are actually looking at homes in our Paradise California real estate market, I believe the thaw is set to occur in our Paradise area.  What seems to be frozen is the tightening lending standards and it's going to be tough for prospective buyers, even though they want the homes.  If people have a good track record of paying their bills timely, the loans are there.... 02/27/2008

It is very well known fact that Seller Financing sells properties fast, especially in cases where properties or prospective Buyers do not conform to traditional lending or mortgage requirements. The Seller offers to hold the mortgage note (seller financing mortgage) and receive the monthly payments from the Buyer as a bank would. The problem with this approach has been that Sellers sometimes don't want to collect small monthly payments, but instead want to cash out at closing to buy another property, to cover closing costs or for many other reasons. The benefits of seller financing are many, but sometimes these are not enough to help close a deal. The interest rate on an owner-carried loan is negotiable, but remember that the seller is not willing to carry a loan for a lower return than... 02/24/2008

It's a dream we all have - to own our own home and stop paying rent. But if you're like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house that's not yours. How could it when you're not even permitted to hang a picture without a hassle. You feel like you're stuck into renting with no way of rising up and owning your own home. It doesn't matter how long you've been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem. The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner. With this information, you will begin to see how you really can: A.  Save for a down payment.B.  Stop lining your landlord's pocketsC. Stop wasting money on rentThe problem that most renters face isn't your ability to me... 02/24/2008

If your seeking a lifestyle simplicity, then your most likely looking for some place called "PARADISE".  While on vacation, I decided I didn't want to leave.  The reason, I said, I did not want to leave, was because I had found "Paradise".  But, I did go home after all.  Guess what happened? The very next day, I drove to "the Paradise Ridge" that looked over the Feather River Canyons and declared "these views are available to me every day, and by many vistors this could be called "paradise" just like where I live now, this is Paradise, Paradise, California.  Paradise is a location, but Paradise is a state of mind!" Here are five things I discovered about Paradise. 1.  Consider every moment, right now...Your Paradise.   If you do what your love, with family and go to places you enjoy, yo... 02/23/2008

The paradise site was inspected in February and found to have numerous violations.  The property had solid waste curbside containers and dumpsters filled with rain water, garbage and junk. Garbage, batteries and sofas were also found on the ground.   Some large containers filled with water could cause an abundance of mosquitoes, all of this because of a anonymous tip.....Thank you tipsterTwo code enforcement citations Wednesday for polluted water and refuse and waste matter.   The company was told to be a good neighbor and clean up its mess. He gave the company a 30-day period to clean the property. We expect the clean up to be done within that timeframe.   02/23/2008

The National Weather Service is forecasting a late February storm that is bringing significant rain and wind. Paradise residents should know a high wind advisiory has been posted for Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24th. 2008.  According to the latest advisory, breezy winds will develop Saturday afternoon and are expected in increase in severity as the evening progresses. By Saturday night winds are expected to approach 20-30 MPH with 40 MPH sustained.  Here is the tough part of this storm.  The ridge could experience gust of 60 miles per hour.  This morning would be a great time to buckle down the hatches and prepare.  Because in addition, the winds will be accompanied by moderate to heavy rainfall creating driving rains and poor visibility on the roads.  Live Traffic Cams - Caltr... 02/22/2008

Just a quick post to all you Paradise goers!!  Let's make sure we wish the Paradise Ladies Basketball team our luck and congratulations.  Looks like they will be starting the playoffs as the No. 3 seed.  Both the varsity team and the Freshman team had a great season!!  The Freshman ladies went undefeated.  So if you see a Lady Bobcat out there..take a minute to say congrats and Good Luck!  02/21/2008

Spring may finally be coming.  After looking at the Paradise weather forecast for next week and at the activity level improvement of the real estate market, I think Spring may be around the corner.  A cooler spring than years past, but spring no less.  The real estate market experienced a slight increase in activity with 10 properties going under agreement and 7 properties closing escrow.  Little has changed on where most of the activity lies with the single family homes under $250,000 and manufactured homes making up the highest percentage of pending properties.  There were however 17 new listings and 12 price reductions signaling that the Paradise real estate market is still very much in favor of the buyer.  Interest rates also remained very low this week, experiencing virtually no ch... 02/21/2008

At the beginning of January, I posted a blog about my reasons for trying to live more of a green lifestyle. I therefore have been trying to post articles and information that I think are interesting and relevant as I see them come into the area.  Here is an article I wanted to send your way from the Paradise Post. This article really grabbed my attention.  Children from our Paradise community are being taught the importance of our environment and specifically the impact of composting with the help of worms!!  Take a peak at this article, you may enjoy it.  Thanks!! 02/14/2008

Paradise's real estate activity over the last couple of week's has been relatively slow and steady.  Interest rates remained low, experiencing virtually no change, going from 5.68 to 5.67 for the 30 year fixed rate.  There were 9 Paradise properties that went under agreement and 5 properties that closed escrow.  Most of the activity again took place on manufactured homes and those Paradise homes listed under $300,000.  We saw a very large number of price reductions last week in Paradise as sellers attempt to get their properties noticed amidst the large amount of Paradise properties for sale.  So the story hasn't changed much this week in Paradise;  great interest rates, plentiful inventory, resulting in a perfect market to buy real estate in Paradise.  02/14/2008

Do you have cabin fever?  It is that time of year when everyone is ready for spring.  We have had some tough weather this winter here in Paradise and I am ready for a change of scenery.  Luckily the Butte county community is hosting some great events towards the end of this month and into March.  One that sticks out in my mind is the California Nut Festival which is going to be held February 21st through February 24th right in the midst of Almond Blossom season.  The event will be held at a variety of locations in Chico, you can click this link for a full detail of events and locations during the 4 day festival.  Some pre-festival events will even start this weekend where merchants will be hosting tastings, tours, and demonstrations.  This event makes me feel like spring is right around... 02/14/2008

Despite the fact that the Paradise real estate market is slower now than it was in 2005 and 2006, one major thing remains the same.  Kitchens and baths are still a  huge factor in selling you Paradise home.  Prospective buyers first look at all the major items in the home; roof, furnace, electrical, plumbing, siding, and windows.  Then it is on to the kitchen.  Can the prospective Paradise buyer picture him or herself making pancakes on Sunday morning in your kitchen?  Would they feel good about entertaining in your kitchen?  Although they won't say it, that is what they will be thinking in their mind.  The kitchen is the heart of the real estate purchase for many.  Often times, just having a more modern feel to a kitchen makes all the difference in the world.  You don't necessarily hav... 02/08/2008

The Paradise Real Estate market had some great activity this past week with 9 sold properties and 9 properties that went under contract.  There were 16 new listings that hit the Paradise market, with 7 listings expiring, and 13 listings undergoing price reductions.  The bulk of the properties that go under contract and sell, continue to be manufactured homes and single family residential homes priced under $250,000. With the mortgage rates still remaining at near record lows, and plenty of Paradise real estate opportunities on the market under $300,000, now is an amazing time to enter into Paradise homeownership.   02/07/2008

 Last weekend I dropped by the local home improvement center to get a few things for a room fix up, we are doing this week.  Is it just me or did the prices of building materials dropping?  Drywall was the best example I can think of right now.                                       Right after the Katrina storm the building supplies skyrocketed and now they are adjusting downward, or is it that the construction of home building in Chico, Paradise and surrounding Butte county is almost non existant.  Whatever the reason, I am sure that local Paradise California home owners are liking the reduction in prices.  When your ready to take on another project to fix up your home, you will appreciate those lower building material costs in Paradise.                              02/04/2008