Why we require Renters Insurance in our Benicia and Vallejo rental homes Yes, we do require all renters to obtain renters insurance as a lease requirement and as a pre-condition to getting keys to the rental home.  We do this for all of our Benicia and Vallejo rental homes. We sometimes get asked "why" so I will briefly answer this by explaning some of the things that renters insurance typically covers.  Basically speaking, renters insurance covers two categories- contents and liability. Coverage for contents means insurance for your own belongings.  This applies in case of theft, or in the event of mini-disaster like backing up a running toilet or leave a sink or bath running and water damage occurs.  Your own personnal belongs from books to furniture to that new flat screen TV would b... 09/06/2011

I was browsing through Zillow questions recently and I found a question from a home owner as to where they can get lease forms to rent out their home. A prior response to the question said that they could buy forms at a local office supply Store!  NOOOOOOOOO!!!! PLEASE, for your own sake, do NOT use lease forms purchased at an office supply store as the basis for your contract between you and the resident that will be living in your rental home. Think of the lease agreement as a contract that is a document to protect your legal rights as well as your property.  Remember, "we're all friends until something goes wrong."  That lease document is your first stop in determing "who is responsible for what" and then enforcing your rights. Consider- *Tenant laws change frequently *Laws vary from... 08/22/2011

I've found that prorated rental caclulations can confuse many otherwise very intelligent people. Confusion is never a good thing, so follow the easy step by step instructions below and you will be on your way to confidence.  1.  Always figure on a 30 day month. In California, it is standard to calculate prorates based on a 30 day month.  So, even if it's February with only 28 days or its August with 31 days, we will use 30 days as the basis for the prorate calculation. 2.  Divide your montly rent by 30.  If your monthly rent is $1,500 then dividing $1,500 by 30 works out to a daily rate of $50. 3.  Figure out how many days in the partial month you will be living in the home.  Say you are moving in on the 15th of June.  You will have the home for 16 days that month. (30 - 14).  Remember ... 08/20/2011

Vallejo Farmers' Market is held every Saturday, rain or shine.  This is not a seasonal market but open all year around.  This is where you can get your weekly stock up of fresh vegetables and fruits.  Vallejo Farmers' Market is located at the Georgia and Main Street and open from 9AM-1PM.  There are different events held during the market.  This Saturday May 21st is Health Day.  Come and enter to win a free bag of produce. Next Saturday May 28th is "Cookin' the Market" with cooking demonstrations and free tastings.  Ummmm good free tastings is the best part. There are many Farmer's Markets to choose from, but very few that are open year round. Plan on a visit to the Vallejo Farmers' Market this Saturday. 05/20/2011

Vallejo Garden Tour is taking place on Sunday May 15th.  This year's theme is "A Community of Gardens".  This is the 8th annual Vallejo Garden Tour and sponsored by the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.  The tour is from 10am to 3pm. There will be gardens to please most anybody's style! Some will feature home grown fuits and vegetables, vintage home gardens with shady nooks, waterfalls and creeks, plus the Vallejo Community Garden on Mare Island and the Loma Vista Farm will be featured on the tour.  Colors and fragrance will greet you as you meander the gardens. Advance tickets are $30 for the general public and $25 for Museum members.  This includes a buffet luncheon served from noon to 3PM in the Hall of History at the Museum. Ticket price is $35 on the day of the tour.  You can bu... 05/14/2011

Mother's Day Cream Tea is scheduled for Sunday May 8th at the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve.  This is the second year and is now an annual event to look forward. Best of all it is free!  What a way to treat your mom to an outdoor tea with scones in a beautiful surrounding on historic Mare Island in Vallejo, CA.  The tea will be served in the Rowser Garden which is a  15 minute walk from the Preserve Visitors Center entrance at 3PM.  The entrance is located at the southern end of Mare Island. Please make time for the Mother's Day Cream Tea. No reservation is required.  Please call 707-249-9633 for more information or visit their website www.mareislandpreserve.org.   05/07/2011

Vallejo Water-Wise Landscaping Workshop Series is set to start in May.  There will be three sessions with Wednesday May 2 being the first date. All workshops will be held at JFK Library 505 Santa Clara St Vallejo and they are FREE.  The same workshops will also be held in Benicia for three Mondays in May. May 2th - 6PM-8PM  This will cover water wise basics.  Learn the basic principals of water-wise gardening.  There will be hands-on demonstrations and displays to help you see the importance of soil type, amendments, mulching and basic design elements.  May 9th - 6PM-8PM  Irrigation Design will be the feature for this workshop.  Discover strategies for how to use water wisely, solve the mystery of type of irrigation and see the latest components and gadgets.  Question will be answered b... 04/20/2011

Mare Island Shoreline Preserve will be hosting several Earth Day Festivities on Saturday April 23, 2011.  There will be an Easter golf ball hunt and Egg Exchange, a Planet Work Party and a new program being launched named Family Nature Club Outing for families. Starting at 9am to 1pm the public is invited to help rid areas of invasive plants. Bring your gloves and tools.  Prepare for some exercise! A new program will begin at 10am to noon and will show interested participants who want to get out into nature but are unsure how. At 2pm the annual Easter Golf Ball Hunt and Egg Exchange will take place at the center.  It is free and open to all ages.  You will hunt for golf balls on the grass in front of the building and then exchange for bags of goodies. The location is 1595 Railroad Ave, ... 04/20/2011

365 THINGS TO DO IN NAPA AND SOLANO COUNTIES-FRISBEE GOLF-- Hiddenbrooke REAL ESTATE Benicia Parks and Recreation has approved a nine-hole disc golf course in the open space between Lake Herman and Community Park. The proposal was made by the Benicia Disc Golf Club, which guaranteed funding for all equipment and provide the manpower to build and install tee boxes and the elevated baskets that are the equivalent of the holes on a regular golf course. Disc golf, also known as Frisbee golf, resembles its older and more well-known cousin in a couple of ways. First, players start each hole at a tee box and try to get their disc, often called a Frisbee, into a hole, in this case a basket about 4 and a half feet off the ground, with the fewest tosses. Those looking for a manicured lawn reminis... 04/15/2011

DOG LOVERS UNITE AND GET READY TO TAKE AN "ARMORED FLIGHT"-JOIN US FOR THE VEGETABLE PATCH SPRING FLING FAIRE--HIDDENBROOKE REAL ESTATE Are you a dog lover?  Did you ever stop to think that K-9 dogs are at risk of getting injured in the line of duty?  Honestly, the thought never occurred to me.  The Solano County Sherriff's Department K-9 unit is asking for your help in raising funds to armor their dogs with vests and prevent man's best friend from getting hurt while they provide an invaluable public service.  A bullet proof vest for man's best friend costs around $1600.  Who better to help "armor" our canine friends, but Armored Flight?  If you have never had the pleasure of meeting any of the members of this band or hearing them play, then get ready to be impressed.  These are some of... 04/14/2011

HIDDENBROOKE REAL ESTATE-MARCH 2011 SALES There were 5 sales in Hiddenbrooke real estate for March 2011.  The average sales price was $ 285,000, while the average list price was $ 287,760.  The average days on the market were 53.  The average sales price was $126 per square foot.  Here is a list of the homes that sold in Hiddenbrooke real estate last month. Most of these are the smaller homes that are clustered in fours.  Landmark was the only home that was not part of a foursome. Street Full Address Listing Price Selling Price 6215 Newhaven Ln 279,900 250,000 6056 Ashwell Way 255,000 240,000 6259 Newhaven Ln 238,999 235,000 6076 Ashwell Ave 254,900 300,000 1791 Landmark Dr 410,000 400,000 For more information on HIDDENBROOKE CA homes for sale, please contact via phone, email or text.  ... 04/05/2011

Hiddenbrooke Short Sale Truths prove that short sales are here to stay and homes worth less than what is owed are being sold.  Every where you go...stand in line at the grocery store, eat at a restaurant, meet at Starbucks, Hiddenbrooke Short Sales is a hot topic.  People are comparing notes, myths and truths.  The truth is most people, and that includes Realtors, do not know the difference between the myths or the truths.  It all becomes true because that is what they heard.....in line at the grocery store, in a restaurant.  They hear Short Sales are not approved.  They hear "don"t do a short sale." They hear "let the bank take it." The truth is since January 1, 2011, 20 homes have sold in Hiddenbrooke (per BARIES MLS dated 3-25-2011).  7 of them were short sales.  10 were REOS/Bank Ow... 03/25/2011

 Glen Cove Short Sale Truths prove that short sales are here to stay and homes worth less than what is owed are being sold.  Every where you go...stand in line at the grocery store, eat at a restaurant, meet at Starbucks, Glen Cove Short Sales is a hot topic.  People are comparing notes, myths and truths.  The truth is most people, and that includes Realtors, do not know the difference between the myths or the truths.  It all becomes true because that is what they heard.....in line at the grocery store, in a restaurant.  They hear Short Sales are not approved.  They hear "don"t do a short sale." They hear "let the bank take it." The truth is since January 1, 2011, 37 homes have sold in the Glen Cove Neighborhood (per BARIES MLS dated 3-25-2011).  12 of them were short sales.  19 were RE... 03/25/2011

Mare Island Real Estate--Eight Eco-Friendly Home Tips Make Going Green Easy Incorporating eco-friendly measures in homes has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents - going green is giving home sellers a competitive advantage. With home builders incorporating energy saving features into new homes, it's no wonder real estate professionals say more and more home buyers are asking about "green homes." In the end, small changes to a home can help the environment and help a property stand out among the competition.  "It makes sense on a number of levels to incorporate green principles into a home and many consumers are surprised at just how easy it is to do so," said Nicole Monary, REALTOR® for Coldwell Banker Sol... 03/23/2011

HIDDENBROOKE REAL ESTATE-HOMES FOR SALE--SIX INEXPENSIVE RENOVATIONS THAT CAN INCREASE A HOME'S VALUE AND APPEAL TO BUYERS Home value is top of mind for many homeowners.  Renovations and remodeling can play a critical role in both increasing the value of a home and ensuring that it stands out to potential buyers.  At a time when most consumers are looking to do more with less, few homeowners may be ready to commit the thousands of dollars it can take to fully redo even a single room.  I suggest the following six affordable home improvements for potentially increasing the overall value of a home: Reface Kitchen Cabinets. Kitchen updates are among the smartest remodeling projects when it comes to "upping" the resale value of a home. But homeowners do not need to spring for an entire new c... 03/19/2011

Glen Cove Short Sales do happen and if you are underwater and need advice, please be sure and ask about the HAFA program (Homes Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives).  Last week I attended a conference where Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo presented information about short sales and REOS (foreclosed homes).  The banks and the companies that service your loans are gearing up for more short sales.  IF they said it once, they said it twice, they would rather do a short sale than foreclose. There are so many distressed homeowners who just give up and do not ask for help or options. Please do not be like that!  Glen Cove Short Realtors can help you.   Many Real Estate Agents shy away from helping their client when it comes to buying or selling a home for less that what may be owed on ... 03/14/2011

HIDDENBROOKE Real Estate-Homes For Sale--Determine how much you can afford This is an important first step on your road to home ownership. Three key costs to consider are: •·         Down payment - The part of the property purchase price paid in cash and not financed with a mortgage. One thing to consider is that the larger your down payment, the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be. •·         Closing costs - Cash due at closing for expenses you and the seller pay to complete the transfer of ownership. Closing costs are typically based on the home price and vary according to location. They might include an origination fee, attorney's fee, initial escrow payments, and charges for obtaining title insurance and a survey. •·         Monthly payments - When you are approved for a mo... 03/09/2011

HAFA Short Sale on Mare Island means 1/2 of what?!?  It is so easy to throw out these acronyms when talking about short sales.  However the bottom line is what does it mean to a distressed homeowner with a mortgage they cannot pay for and the value of their home has dropped below what they can sell it for? HAFA is Homes Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives, a government program that lenders opted into as of April of 2010.  And bear in mind, if your loan is a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, they have their own short sale HAFA guidelines as of August of 2010. These are programs designed to assist distressed homeowners with homes upside down.  There are several types of HAFA Short Sales. A homeowner can request approval prior to putting the home up for sale, when the home is listed but has no of... 03/03/2011

HAFA Short Sales in Hiddenbrooke means 1/2 of what?!?  It is so easy to throw out these acronyms when talking about short sales.  However the bottom line is what does it mean to a distressed homeowner with a mortgage they cannot pay for and the value of their home has dropped below what they can sell it for? HAFA is Homes Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives, a government program that lenders opted into as of April of 2010.  And bear in mind, if your loan is a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, they have their own short sale HAFA guidelines as of August of 2010. These are programs designed to assist distressed homeowners with homes upside down.  There are several types of HAFA Short Sales. A homeowner can request approval prior to putting the home up for sale, when the home is listed but has no ... 03/03/2011

Hiddenbrooke Real Estate--The Value of a Pre-Approval If you're thinking about buying a home, a pre-approval is a fast and simple way to make your home buying experience easier from start to finish. Pre-approval means you get an approval for a mortgage loan before you make an offer on a home or even find a home you want. (This is in contrast to pre-qualification - a preliminary evaluation of your financial status that does not include a commitment to giving you a loan.) We even put our commitment to the loan in writing, in a pre-approval letter. That means you'll have the benefit of knowing how much home you can afford. In fact, many real estate agents will ask you to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting so they can show you homes that suit your budget. Get an edge over other... 02/28/2011