I was reminded today of the importance of a buyer speaking with a mortgage lender prior to beginning the home search process. I received a call from a local renter wanting to take advantage of the current buyer's market. I suggest the person speak with our local Century 21 Mortgage broker, Steve Guenza; all of our agents have enjoyed working with Steve, whose gone the extra mile to help people get mortgages and make sure escrows close. In this particular case the person was unable to qualify for the mortgage but now knows what to do so that in a couple of years qualifying will not be an issue. Taking the time to speak to the mortgage broker saved that buyer the potential heartbreak of finding the dream home only to know it was unobtainable. In general, knowing what you can afford allows your Realtor to only show you properties in your price range and avoids disappointment.
Yesterday I picked up my two new pooches! Gus and Bitsy. Both are Toy Fox Terriers, rescued from a hoarder who had over 60 dogs. Gus is about 7 pounds and Bitsy is about 4; she is absolutely the tiniest thing - so delicate it's scary. They are sweet, loving and already a good fit with my other two and my mom's one. (And yes, that's five in my house now.) After my last TFT was killed a year ago I didn't think I would get another small dog, but I felt my heart being tugged every time I saw a little dog, so I decided it was time to adopt a couple of them - well, I only wanted one, but these two came as a pair. It feels good to give a good, loving home to a couple of otherwise maltreated dogs.
Business continues to be busy. I have more clients coming in to town this weekend to look again and I get the feeling that other Realtors are seeing the same thing - people are ready to buy. I am noticing that sellers are coming to terms with the reduction in prices and I am not getting the same disagreement on pricing that I got even a year ago. The general pick-up in the economy isn't hurting either.
I hope it is as beautiful and sunny where you are today as it is here in Mendocino today. Utterly gorgeous. Makes me glad I live and work in this county.
This weekend is a weekend to dance! The Anderson Valley Health Center is holding a benefit at the Philo Grange with Catfish Jack and Maria Villaboy opening for Dean Titus and the Coyote Cowboys. Up in Fort Bragg the Boonville Big Band is holding a dance to benefit the Mendocino Sister Cities project. Both should be a lot of fun - but how to choose which to go to???
Hope to see you at one of them!