The last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific railroad was welcomed by several hundred history buffs, train buffs and curious Benicians as it rolled through Benicia earlier today as part of a 32-day tour celebrating the 140th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike. Benicia planning commissioner Rick Ernst organized the event and said he didn’t expect more than 50 people to attend. To his surprise, four or five times that number showed up, including Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Vice-Mayor Tom Campbell and Councilmen Alan Schwartzman and Mike Ioakimedes. Ernst set up an impromptu Benicia train station (a tent) in hopes that the train would make a temporary stop along its way from Roseville to Oakland — the Western-most destination on its 32-day round-trip journey from Cheyenne, ... 05/15/2009

It’s been a few months since President Obama announced his Making Home Affordable housing plan. Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, including right here in Benicia, Vallejo and much of the rest of the Golden State, the plan likely won’t have much of an impact. And, judging by what many of my colleagues in other parts of the state or country are saying, the program may be one of those that sounds good but has little impact in some of those areas as well. In case you missed it, the Making Home Affordable Plan is supposed to help up to 9 million U.S. homeowners refinance or modify their loans in an effort to prevent responsible owner-occupants from instead becoming foreclosure casualties. The program targets two different types of borrowers:  1. Those who have been unable to refin... 05/15/2009

Our inventory of homes for sale in Benicia, CA has dropped tremendously since the last year.  HUGE drop in inventory.  As I have written previously this is now a seller's market with multiple offers on homes time and time again-as soon as they hit the market. As of 4/19/09 per the Bay Area Real Estate Information (MLS), Benicia has 106 homes for sale (single family and condos).  We had almost twice as many last year. 19 of these listed homes for sale are foreclosures and the new news from several months ago is the number of short sales has gone up.  There are 36 short sales listed.  And short sales are going through.  I recommend to my buyers that if a short sale home for sale appeals to them, go for it.  It will be a long bumpy road, however, could be worth the wait.  Every month we as... 04/19/2009

Earth Day April 22,2009 will be celebrated in Benicia with venues that will provide tools to residents and homeowners who want to learn about being energy and water efficient. This is a wonderful opportunity to take the family to learn what each one of us can do to live in our environment and save it for future generations.  And of course in today's economy, finding how to lower your PGE and water bills would be worth the drive or walk to this event. The location will be at the Veteran's Memorial Hall 1150 First Street Benicia.  The event is from 5:00-8:00 PM. Mark your calendars today!! Event Participants will include: Allied Waster- Recycling Techniques, PGE-Climate Smart Program, Master Gardeners-Household composting, Pedrotti ACE Hardware-Green Product Line, Farm Fresh to You-Locall... 04/19/2009

For anyone who’s ever eaten at The Shoreline Restaurant, Mike and Gayle’s Burgers-By-The-Bay or  the erstwhile Washington House, today marks the end of an era. That’s because when The Shoreline and Mike & Gayle’s close up later today, they’ll lock their doors for the last time in downtown Benicia, ending a 30-year legacy for the long-time Benicia restauranteurs. Though, before you get too melancholy, city councilman Mike Ioakimedes and his wife Gayle aren’t leaving Benicia nor the restaurant business at all. They’re closing their doors on First Street, yes, but plan to open a new restaurant in the Southampton Shopping Center several months from now, at the site of the former Country Waffles, near the entrance to the shopping center. The new venture will be called Mike & Gayles Hometown ... 02/15/2009

A Great Way To Sample Benicia’s Many Flavors Who says you never get a second chance? If you missed A Taste Of First last fall, you’re in luck, because the popular culinary event is back for a third time later this month — Feb. 26th to be exact. For $35, you get a plate, a glass of wine and the opportunity to stroll up and down First Street, where the various participating restaurants will each fill your plate with an assortment of culinary delights. Participating restaurants in February’s Taste of First will include: Aroma Camellia Tea Room Captain Blyther’s Double Rainbow First Street Cafe Java Point Pacifica Pizza Randy's Mexican Grill Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine Union Hotel Restaurant Venticello’s Additionally, 18 other non-restaurant First Street merchants will also be participatin... 02/09/2009

I Just finished a report that shows every Benicia home that closed escrow in January.  Click on the graphic to download the report, which includes address, bedrooms, baths, square footage, sales price, and even the net change from the original list price to the eventual selling price. There were 13 home sales in Benicia last month — the lowest $114,900 and the highest $675,000. Next month’s report will be posted in early March. To see Vallejo’s January home sales report, click here. Remember, too, that I’m always happy to provide more custom and/or more detailed analyses of our market for clients and prospective clients. Just send me an email or give me a call and I’ll get to work! Related Articles: Solano County January Home Sales Vallejo January Home Sales Solano Weekly Housing Activi... 02/05/2009

The Benicia Finance Director and City Manager have informed us that all is well after considering a $490,000 cut, no more cuts are planned.  The city does have plans in place if such cuts are necessary but overall things look good.  One reason that Benicia does fairly well is that the city does not reply on big shopping mails for its revenue.  Benicia has 2 shopping centers.  Downtown shopping, the key tenant is Safeway with 2 banks, West America and Bank of America and a Chevrom gas station.  the second shopping area has key tenants of Raleys, Burger King and Pedrotti ACE Hardware.  The area has Wells Fargo, located in Raleys, US Bank and WaMu.  It also contains several restaurants.  Just enough for a small community.  One of Benicia revenue sources is also Benicia Industrial Park, loc... 01/29/2009

It’s been several years since Benicia Unified School District closed Mills Elementary, the oldest of its five elementary schools and the only one located downtown. Back then, it seemed like the sensible thing to do. The population base was maturing and as a by-product of that, school enrollment, particularly at the elementary school level was declining. The district couldn’t justify keeping five schools open when four offered plenty of capacity for Benicia’s youth population. But now that property values have declined — back to about 2002 or 2003’s levels here in Benicia, we’re again seeing more and more first-time and young-family home buyers. That’s a stark contrast to what occurred during the earlier part of this decade, when rapidly rising home prices essentially slammed the door sh... 01/26/2009

What a year in Benicia, Ca real estate!!  No community is immune to foreclosures. This past year there were 238 residential(single family and condos) sold in Benicia.  76 of them were foreclosures. (source:Bay Area Real Estate Information 1/4/09)  While the first of 2008 saw us having few foreclosures to sell, as the year progressed, that inventory increased. We currently have 108 homes for sale and 29 of them are foreclosures. Make 2009 the year you invest or maybe move into a new home!!  We have some great values from older homes to newer ones in the coveted Waters End neighborhood. For a free list of homes for sale, foreclosed or not! call Melanie Ross @ 707-319-2828 or just email her- Melanie.Ross@solanopacific.com. 01/04/2009

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific at 900 First St, Benicia has two huge barrels looking for a can a week from YOU! Last year we filled barrels with food for the Solano County Food Bank.  This year, even more so, than last year there is need for food to fill the stomachs of children and adults who may not have the ability to pay for food.  People are losing jobs, losing homes, Please help us keep everybody fed!! Just a can a week.  We are open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5:30PM. Stop by and drop off some food!!  We sincerely appreciate your help! 11/16/2008

Benica Main Street is continually coming up with new ideas to promote our lovely city of Benicia.  The newest tradition will start this coming Saturday November 22. EARLIER THAN THE BIRD is what they are promoting!! Jump out of bed, stay in your pajamas, grab your family, neighbors, and friends-Head to downtown Bencia for a head start on your Holiday shopping. Time: 7AM-10AM for the best deals. You can not beat being comfy to shop til you drop.  and you even have time to go back home to get a nap! For more info call Benicia Main Street @707-745-9791 11/16/2008

Start your own holiday tradition in downtown Benicia at the Camellia Tea Room.  Every year for at least 10 years that I know of, the local hot spot for tea and lunch takes reservations for two sittings.  One is Sunday 11/10 and the other is Sunday 12/7. I can remember a cold, rainy morning in 1998 waiting in line before the shop opened to secure coveted tickets to the tea.  My twin daughters and I would make a big production of what to wear.  All of us eagerly waited for THE DAY.  Dressed in our finery we made our way downtown.  Children are encouraged to bring their teddy bears along with them! What a warm cozy tea room, festive with Christmas trees, and decorations everywhere.  The aroma of freshly baked goods, tea brewing, soft music, and the voices of excited children are wonderful ... 11/16/2008

This last week of October don't miss out on the First Street Scarecrows! Stroll the sidewalks on First street and pick your favorite scarecrow.  Local businesses have dressed a scarecrow.  Some are truly scary and others are fun.  You might recognize some of the "crows".  Edward Scissor Hands is one of my favorites.  Of course my very favorite is in front of Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific!  You can pick your favorite scarecrow for the contest sponsored by the Benicia Main Street Program.  Stop by any business for a ballot. The fall season is one of my favorites as Downtown Benicia is forever having events and activities to satisfy any picky person or family!  Drop by the Benica Main Street Depot at the end of First Street for first hand information. Or visit: www.beniciamainstreet.org 10/26/2008

As I have said in the past, foreclosures cross all cities and neighborhoods.  In Benicia as of 7/21/08 Multiple Listing Service (Bay Area Real Estate Information Service), we have 150 homes listed for sale.  Of those homes, 26 are foreclosures also known as "bank owned". Prices range from a low of $149,900 to a high of $524,900.  We have seen some very high end homes come on the market that sold for close to $1,000,000 in 2005, become bank owned and resell for $600,000-$700,00.  All the upgrades that anyone would dream of having and close to award winning schools.  There is a style, location, and price for most everyone! Benicia is wonderful city situated on the Carquinez Straits.  You see water everywhere and can watch the ships go chugging by.  The sail boats scurry on windy days acro... 07/21/2008

     Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific has a team supporting The Cancer Relay For Life.  Our team is called the Cancer Buster Sole Patrol.  Round Table Pizza in Benicia, CA is allowing us to take over their restaurant for an evening to help support the Cancer Relay event.  20% of the proceeds will promptly be donated to the Relay For Life fundraiser.     On Tuesday, May 6th from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Southampton Shoping Center in Benicia, California we will be taking over.  Our team and supporting Realtors will be serving pizza, and clearing tables to do our part.  Round Table Pizza will do their part by baking up their delicious pizzas for us to enjoy, and donate 20% of all proceeds rceived within this four hour period.     Now my appeal to all of you in our area:  Please come support the ca... 05/01/2008

     Come experience 'A Tast Of First Street' in Benicia, CA on February 28th from 6 to 9 p.m.SAMPLE:  the Cuisine of many of First Street's fine reastaurantsParticipating Restaurants                                                                      Captain Blyther's Double RainbowFirst Street CafeJava PointMatsuri SushiNancy's Bake ShopPetalsRandy'sSaharaSala ThaiSandoval'sThe ShoreliineUnion Hotel RestaurantVenticello'sENTER:  a drawing to win a prize from your favorite merchant Participating MerchantsA Faery TaleArtcentricBe Chir BoutiqueBenicia Knitting CircleButtons & BowsChristina SCooper's DollhouseCourtyard CustomsDown Famiily LaneEarth Touch WellnessKinder'sKindred SpiritsLindsay Art StudioMy GirlOtis GalleryPioccoloPoshRomancing the HomeShiroco'sStudio 41Urban AlternativesW... 02/11/2008

When Green Valley Mortgage expanded into the whole top floor of 909 First St. the managers at the time rushed to move desks and copiers and put up bulletin boards. The building's character was of little concern; the high ceilings, crown moldings, the turn-of-the-century character was just lost. Also of little concern was the enclosed outdoor patio visible to the whole office and accessed through French doors.Despite my descriptive prose, this is not a fading monument to mortgage excesses but rather an office space that can put on more than one face. By relocating desks and better identifying task areas I was able to free up a fair amount of 'floor space' to install a rotating art gallery. (point of clarification, the art work rotates, the office doesn't, pardon my grammar)This is a not-... 01/26/2008

So you are looking to buy a home in Benicia.  In this eddition of Golden Nuggets we will take a look at Down Payment Assistance and First Time Home Buyer programs in the Solano County, CA City of Benicia.  There is $68,000 in Down Payment Assistance available for the purchase of your New Home.  The funds may be in the form of grants, gifts and silent seconds with affordable housing covenants and/or equity share restrictions.  Funds may come from the City, County, State, or other Agencies and Non-Profits.Summary: The City of Benicia does not currently have a Down Payment Assistance Program or First Time Home Buyer program available directly through them.  Assistance may be available from County, State and other resources.The State of California offers up to an additional 6% in assistance... 01/13/2008

Foreclosures are top of mind in today's news.  Neighbors, friends, relatives, clients, people in the grocery store, customers waiting in line at the bank, you name it if I wear my badge they will ask about the current market. This is an update to the foreclosure market as of January 12,2008.What is going on in Benicia?  We do not have the same degree of foreclosures/bank owned properties as some parts of the state and country. That is a fact. What is here must be sold. That is a fact.  Banks are not in the business to own homes. And that is a fact!As of 1/12/2008 the multiple listing service for Benicia listed 144 homes for sale.  These include condos and single family homes.  10 are foreclosures.  They range in price from $259,900 to a high of $859,900. The foreclosure median price of ... 01/12/2008