BENICIA HOMES FOR SALE-BUYER'S HOME INSPECTION What to Do / Expect During YOUR Home Inspection . . . Arranging the inspection with current owner.  Owners will need to know when the inspection will take place.  This contact with the owner to arrange the inspection time is usually taken care of by your realtor.  The current owner will typically leave during the inspection however, some owners do stay. Home access.  Make sure your realtor arranges with the owner to have full access to the property.  Garage, sheds, barns, ect, should be unlocked or have keys & remote door openers present. Time of the inspection will vary.  We do not just complete a quick or "on-site" checklist, like so many inspection companies do.  A typical home will take about 3-4 hours to inspect and in some cases longe... 07/01/2010

Marvelous Monday morning to all, Positive economic news this morning. Be very careful with bonds at these levels. Rate Guard Update Have a great day! 06/28/2010

BENICIA REAL ESTATE-HOMEOWNERS' FINANCIAL LIABILITY AFTER A FORECLOSURE Many homeowners' are frustrated by their lenders when facing foreclosure.  Many have been told by their lender that they may qualify for HAMP/HAFA programs and been given hope that these programs will save their home only to find out that they have been foreclosed on.  Many attorneys are also telling their clients to walk away from their homes as the best option and let the foreclosure happen.  Here is some information about what a homeowner's potential long term liability will be if they do incur a foreclosure.  It is important to contact a Realtor® to find out about the potential of doing a short sale and if may be right for your situation. For more information on Benicia real estate, please contact via phone, ema... 06/28/2010

The 4th of July starts the day before in our historic city Benicia. Benicia is located about 35 miles northeast of SF.  For many years the downtown parade has been an annual hit for all ages.  The night before one will see lawn chairs and blankets mysteriously appear along the parade route marking their prime viewing spot. The torchlight parade kicks off several days of activities in Benicia.  The parade lasts for at least 1-2 hours so be prepared to see bands, dancing, creative floats, decorated horses, local service groups and my favorite.....Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific Kazoo Band.  This fanciful party of Realtors surrounds a "real band" which provides the base for our marching and blowing kazoos to the band's music.  We have done this for the past several years.  It is a great hit... 06/27/2010

Fabulous Friday morning to all, GDP came in lower than expectations which is helping us recover ground lost yesterday! Rate Guard Update Have a great weekend! 06/25/2010

Terrific  Tuesday Morning to all, Existing home sales stalled W-St rally so far this morning. Richmond Fed Man index has softened the last two months. Rate Guard Update Have a Great Day 06/22/2010

Ladies first - tips for first time, single female Benicia homebuyers Single females continue to be a driving force in the housing market. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2007 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, one-fourth of all recent first-time home buyers were single women. They also represented 20 percent of all home buyers, up two percent from 10 years ago. The Coldwell Banker® organization recommends the following steps for women considering buying their first home: Get your finances In order. First and foremost, check your credit history. Order a report from one of the three major agencies and take immediate steps to rectify any problems. Make sure you pay your bills on time and have established a solid savings plan. You want to be on firm financial fo... 06/21/2010

Nicole Monary of Coldwell Banker® helps you determine how to sell your Benicia home at the right priceEstablishing a reasonable and profitable listing price for a home is perhaps the biggest challenge for every home seller. Many sellers ask themselves, "The home next door sold for a high price, can I sell mine for the same?" or "Can I raise the asking price in a hot market?" These and various other factors must be considered before determining the right cost. Nicole Monary at Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific recommend taking the following steps before establishing an asking figure. Choose the right sales associate. While many people use a friend or relative's referral to select a sales associate, it is smart to interview several prospective agents. Invite different agents to show their li... 06/21/2010

Marvelous Monday Morning to all, W-St is on a rally based on Chinas announcement of allowing it's currency to move more freely. Be careful! Rate Guard Update Have a great day! 06/21/2010

BENICIA REAL ESTATE-FORECLOSURE PREVENTION RESOURCES Many people struggling to make their mortgage payments want to know where they can turn for help.  Here is a list of resources that may be helpful to homeowners' facing foreclosure.   For more information on Benicia real estate, please contact via phone, email or text.  To see what's for sale throughout the Benicia, please visit my website at: www.soldbynicole.com and click on search the MLS.  If you want to know how much your current home is worth, click on CMA and I will happily provide you with a complimentary, no obligation, "Current Market Analysis" of your Benicia home.  I also write a blog about market statistics for most of the bay area markets.  Click here to view my blog:  http://activerain.com/blogs/nicolemonary     06/20/2010

Fantastic Friday Morning to all, GREAT Rally with bonds yesterday= Low rates. No economic news this morning, W-ST trying to rally however slight gains so far. Go grab your Realtor and find the home of your dreams. Rate Guard Update Have a great weekend! 06/18/2010

Terrific Tuesday Morning to all, Positive start with bonds so far this morning. Moodys downgraded Greece yesterday which helped bonds rally in the afternoon. Rate Guard Update Have a great day! 06/15/2010

BENICIA REAL ESTATE-SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE Many people struggling to make their mortgage payments want to know which is best for them, a short sale or foreclosure.  Well here is a side by side comparison that will hopefully help. For more information on Benicia real estate, please contact via phone, email or text.  To see what's for sale throughout the Benicia, please visit my website at: www.soldbynicole.com and click on search the MLS.  If you want to know how much your current home is worth, click on CMA and I will happily provide you with a complimentary, no obligation, "Current Market Analysis" of your Benicia home.  I also write a blog about market statistics for most of the bay area markets.  Click here to view my blog:  http://activerain.com/blogs/nicolemonary   06/14/2010

Marvelous Monday Morning to all, Today's economic news is focused on a positive economic read with European growth. The Euro is also bouncing back. W-St is in a rally mood with no real economic news here to offset the global sentiment. Rate Guard  Update Have a great day! 06/14/2010

I admit it, I love where I live. Benicia, Ca is the hidden jewel that people often stumble across when traveling down 780 to get to Concord going east or head west to intersect HWY 80, which takes takes you across country!!  Maybe you have heard of the antique stores that dot our First Street, where there is not a traffic light unless you count the one at the very end of Military and First. Enjoy cuisine from around the world at eateries on First Street. A beloved friend, Besty said "everywhere I look there is water".  Yes, the Carquinez Straits are in front, Suisun Bay is to the side, Napa River and San Pablo Bay are on the other side and of course hills and open space separate us from other cities.  We live on top of a hill and enjoy views toward San Francisco and the Carquinez Strait... 06/13/2010

The Wall Street Journal reported over 50% of the fixed rate mortgages were at 5.75% or higher. The recent issues with Europe especially, China, and Japans debt has caused a flight to quality which had driven MBS (Mortgage Backed Securities) bonds to amazing heights= LOW INTEREST RATES! The opportunity might exist to potentially save over $100,000.00 in interest paid re-financing while rates are still low. The actual savings will vary on loan term, loan amount but this could have a major impact in your life. CLICK BELOW                                                                                THE COST OF MONEY OVER TIME 06/12/2010

Fantastic Friday Morning to all, Retail sales were off this morning. W-St is dropping with the retail sales news. That should help bonds recover. Rate Guard Update Have a great weekend! 06/11/2010

Waters End has always been the neighborhood locals and people moving to Benicia look to as a favorite place to live.  These homes were/arebuilt by Shea and Centex starting in the early 2000's.  Shea is still building out their lots so there are some brand new homes to pick from. Contemporary, Cape Cod, and Craftsman look were just some of the favorite exteriors.  Spacious lots with views to Mt Diablo, water views of Suisun Bay, paths for walking the open space, parks to play in....a delightful community neighborhood Benicia is proud to have. Waters Endis bound by Rose Drive, McAllister Dr, McCall Dr and the open space.  Conveniently located close to Mathew Turner Elementary School, many parks, and freeway access for a day trip to Lake Tahoe, Napa Wine Country, our capital city of Sacram... 06/10/2010

BENICIA REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURE TIMELINE Many people want or need to know what the timeline for a foreclosure is in Benicia.  Here is a copy of a publication from the California Association of Realtors (registered trademark). For more information on Benicia real estate, please contact via phone, email or text.  To see what's for sale throughout the Benicia, please visit my website at: www.soldbynicole.com and click on search the MLS.  If you want to know how much your current home is worth, click on CMA and I will happily provide you with a complimentary, no obligation, "Current Market Analysis" of your Benicia home.  I also write a blog about market statistics for most of the bay area markets.  Click here to view my blog:  http://activerain.com/blogs/nicolemonary 06/10/2010

Terrific Thursday morning to all, Economic news: Jobless claims came in much better than expected. W-St is trying to recover lost ground, and world markets were up. Rate guard Update Have a great day! 06/10/2010