I've been working with 2 first-time homebuyers and we keep running into multiple buyers that are bidding up prices well beyond the list price. Last week we offered $410,000 on a home in Petaluma (Sonoma County) that was listed for $389,000 and didn't get it. There were 14 offers. Today, I learned that another client of mine didn't get a home in American Canyon (Napa county) for which we offered nearly 6% above the asking price, and there were 20 offers! Maybe it is the fact that the $8000 federal tax credit will expire at the end of November, or maybe it's just that buyers are sensing that prices may have hit bottom, but for whatever reason, it seems, at least for some segments of the market, that the days of multiple offers and overbids are back! 09/14/2009

As of September 11, 2009 an impressive 60% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow.  (Petaluma has been on fire!) For the month of August 2009 58 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $432,600. The average original asking price of these homes was $463,470. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $170,000 to a high of $925,000. Of the 58 homes that sold, 30 of which were distress sales, 7 sold at their original asking price and 22 sold for more than their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 107 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available on our MLS click here. To learn more about this area visit my website or contact me directly. 09/11/2009

As of August 13, 2009 an encouraging 40% of available listings in the town of Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of July 2009 51 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $438,500. The average original asking price of these homes was $454,159. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $220,000 to a high of $989,000. Of the 51 homes that sold, 3 sold at their original asking price and 16 sold over their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 98 days to sell. To search our MLS and see everything that is currently available for sale, click here. For more information about this area visit my website or feel free to contact me directly. 08/14/2009

As of July 8, 2009 a whopping 57% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of June 2009 55 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $427,717. The average original asking price of these homes was $478,302. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $156,230 to a high of $1,200,000. Of the 55 homes that sold, 26 were distress sales.  Of these same homes 3 sold at their original asking price and 10 sold over their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 129 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale, click here. To learn more about this area, including all the fun things to do around here,  visit my website or contact me directly. 07/09/2009

A Spanish Mobile Notary of Sonoma County, CA Sergio Musetti, Italian/Spanish Certified Signing Agent, Notary Public with National Notary Assoc. since 2003...... ...... Based in Cotati, traveling to your office or residence. Rohnert Park, Novato, Santa Rosa, Penngrove, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, Marin County, Napa County. 24 hour notary public service. Northern California Spanish Notary Public. http://aSpanishMobileNotary.com c1tagz@gmail.com Mobile Notary Service areas: Annapolis Bodega Bodega Bay Boyes Hot Springs Camp Meeker Cazadero Cloverdale Cotati Duncans Mills El Verano Eldridge Forestville Freestone Fulton Geyserville Glen Ellen Graton Gualala Guerneville Healdsburg Jenner Kenwood Monte Rio Occidental Penngrove Petaluma Rio Nido Rohnert Park Santa Rosa notary public, s... 06/11/2009

As of June 3, 2009 42% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of May 2009 48 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $420,758. The average original asking price of these homes was $455,017. The range of final selling prices of these homes was from a low of $220,000 to a high of $950,000. Of the 48 homes that sold, 5 sold at their original asking price and 13 sold over their original asking price.  The remaining 30 homes sold for less than their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 109 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS, click here. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly. To see some of the fun things to do around here click here. 06/03/2009

Petaluma, Sonoma County CA April 2009 Residential Property Market Snapshot Are you interested in current market statistics & conditions for the Petaluma Market Area of Northern California Real Estate?   Following are the stats for the April 2009 market as well as what is currently (as of May 24) listed in the residential real estate market.    Residential meaning, Single Family Homes, Condo's as well as Farms/Ranches.   This month I am changing this up a bit by dividing out the detached single family homes from the condo market. As of Today May 24, 2009 the Petaluma CA Market Area has: 284 MLS Listed Properties: 262 Are Single Family Home with List Price Range of $175,000  - $14,000,000 Average List Price $738,785   *    Median List Price $499,900   23 are Bank Owned aka REO/Foreclosed ... 05/24/2009

As of April 6, 2009 a very encouraging 40% of available listings in Petaluma, CA are in escrow. For the month of March 2009 48 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $401,822. The average original asking price of these homes was $447,419. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $220,000 to a high of $1,225,000. Of the 48 homes that sold, 2 sold at their original asking price, 8 sold over their original asking price and the remaining 38 sold for less. It took these homes an average of 131 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available on our MLS, click here. To learn more about the area visit my website or contact me directly. 04/07/2009

Dryer Vent Cleaning:  Tumbling to Disaster as Danger Lurks in Dryer Vents   On a cold winter day, there is nothing nicer than wrapping your arms around the warm load of laundry as you pull it out of your clothes dryer.  Let this be a reminder that the source of this nice warm bundle can overheat and cause a fire.   Over 15,000 clothes dryer fires are reported each year; most are the result of poor dryer vent maintenance.  Failure to have professional dryer vent cleaning performed each year is the number one cause of clothes dryer fires.   Dryer vent systems which are clogged with lint will overheat and ignite; this type of fire spreads quickly.  Other things that lead to dryer fires are cleaning rags soaked with flammable chemicals.  These should be line dried, even if they have been wa... 03/08/2009

As of March 6, 2009 36% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of February 2009 25 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $380,027. NOTE:  A whopping 20 of the 25 homes that sold were distress sales! The average original asking price for these homes was $408,036. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $205,000 to a high of $1,100,000. (Only 1 property sold for over a million, everything else was $485,000 or less.) Of the 25 homes that sold 2 sold for their original asking price and 8 sold for more than the original asking price. It took these homes an average of 101 days to sell. To see what Petaluma's past sales history looks like, click here. To see everything that is currently for sale in Petaluma, click here. To learn more a... 03/06/2009

With so many questions about what is selling and what is not in our local Sonoma County market and what prices these listings are selling for I figured I would start posting current market statistics.   This page contains local sales stats for Petaluma California Real Estate?   Following are the stats for the January 2009 market as well as what is currently available in the Petaluma residential real estate market.    Residential meaning, Single Family Homes as well as Condos Farms/Ranches. As of Today February 28, 2009 Petaluma has the following: 280 Active Listings: List Price Range $189,000  -  $7,500,000 Average List Price $636,155 Median List Price $449,000 Of these 280 listings, 53 are Bank Owned aka REO or Foreclosure properties & 92 are Short Sales 99 Listings In Escrow in "Conti... 02/28/2009

As of February 7, 2009 33% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of January 2009 40 homes sold in Petaluma with an average final selling price of $376,508. The average original asking price of these homes was $412,714. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $162,000 to a high of $720,000. Of the 40 homes that sold, 2 sold at their original asking price and 9 sold over their original asking price.  All others sold for less. 29 of these 40 homes were distress sales. It took these 40 homes an average of 101 days to sell. To see all homes that are currently available for sale, click here. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly. 02/07/2009

As of January 13, 2009 an encouraging 29% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of December 2008 45 homes sold for an average final selling price of $432,537. The average original asking price of these homes was $467,226. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $223,000 to a high of $1,020,000.  Of the 45 homes that sold 3 sold at their original asking price and 11 sold for more than their original asking price. 24 of the 45 homes that sold were distress sales. It took these 45 homes an average of 98 days to sell. To see all homes that are currently available for sale, click here. To learn more about this area visit my website or contact me directly. 01/14/2009

As of December 6, 2008 34% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of November 2008 50 homes sold in Peataluma for an average final selling price of $466,698. The average original asking price of these homes was $520,517. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $270,000 to a high of $3,200,000. It took these homes an average of 127 days to sell. Of the 50 homes that sold 3 sold at their original asking price and an impressive 15 sold for more than their original asking price.  36 out of the 50 were distress sales. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly. 12/06/2008

Since 1989 Discount Graphics has been servicing the art and framing needs of Bay Area Home Stagers, Residential and Commercial Clients, Hotels, Hospitals, Corporate offices, Charity Auctions, and Specialty Stores.  They are well known for custom framing designs and factory outlet pricing.   Come see them at their NEW location:  501 Lakeville Street #A, Petaluma, CA  94952   Online at http://www.DiscountGraphics.net   By email at DiscountGraphics@aol.com or By phone at 707.765.3997 You can also visit them at Home Shows throughout California and the De Anza College Flea Market in Cupertino.   Mention (or print) this post and receive 10% OFF on any product or service they offer between now and December 31, 2008.   This offer may not apply to other sales or specials being offered.   11/11/2008

As of November 6, 2008 an encouraging 38% of avaialble listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of October 2008 77 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $489,077. The average original asking price of these homes was $557,472. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $165,000 to a high of $2,200,000. Of the 77 homes that sold 2 sold at their original asking price and an impressive 16 sold over their original asking price-and 41 were distress sales. It took these homes an average of 138 days to sell. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly. To see everything that is currently available for sale click here. 11/06/2008

As of October 6, 2008 39% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow. For the month of September 2008 52 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $464,644. The average original asking price of these homes was $500,669. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $247,500 to a high of $1,020,000. It took these homes an average of 95 days to sell. Of the 52 homes that sold 1 sold at the original asking price and an impressive 17 sold over the asking price. Of those same 52 homes, 36 were distress sales. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly. To see all homes that are currently for sale, search our MLS. Photo Courtesy of LoopNet   10/08/2008

With all the news and opinions swirling about most people entering the Real Estate market are convinced that all things Real Estate are Bad.  So I blog to tell you that amidst all the bad news, rates finished .125 percent better than where they began a week ago. A small indication that the Federal takeover may bring more good news to those dealing with the Mortgage rates, on a regular basis.  As far as things in Sonoma county are concerned, it is apparent that the first wave of the homes hit by the foreclosure storm are most likely gone by now. And everything that remains on the market is slim pickins for those who have been waiting on the sidelines. The World rewards people who are bold and take chances. Now is the time to strike and seize your oppurtunity to upgrade your current livin... 09/08/2008

As of September 5, 2008 36% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow.  This is a refreshing and encouraging trend. For the month of August 2008 46 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $498,526. The average original asking price of these homes was $530,621. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $196,000 to a high of $2,407,900.  (Only 2 homes sold for over $1M.) Of the 46 homes that sold 6 sold at their original asking price and 10 sold over their original asking price.  Another refreshing and encouraging trend. Of those same 46 homes 22 were distress sales, ranging in final selling price from $196,000 to $941,500. It took an average of 97 days for all 46 homes to sell. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me direct... 09/05/2008

I have always been of the mind that a person should always continue to further their education.  In that light i have registered for new ways to remain active and to continue to improve my ability to serve my clients.  I am implementing a system known as "the edge" which is used by some of the top professionals Nationwide. Please feel free to inquire about anything you may be concerned about, and i'm sure that i can alleviate those for you. 08/18/2008