Well with Spring here in full bloom the real estate market seems to be picking up here in the Vallejo/Benicia area in terms of buyer and seller activity.  There have been numerous reports of agents receiving multiple offers on properties that are listed in a range that makes sense for the current market conditions.  The thing for buyers to keep in mind is that this is a great market to start looking in.  And especially for investors there is lots of great homes available under $200,000 here.  Interest rates on 30 year fixed rate loans are in the neighborhood of 5.75%.  So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and start looking today! 03/22/2008

VALLEJO, CA - MARE ISLAND TOASTMASTERS®                                                             Toastmasters Meet AtSereno Village Apartments' Community Center 750 Sereno Avenue - Vallejo, CA 94589                                           THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EMERGE YOURSELF INTO A GROUP THAT IS ALL ABOUT YOU BEING ALL YOU CAN BE!           Meetings Are Held  Thursdays  AtP.M.For Further Information Contact the VIP of Membership at (707) 553-7933 © 1998-2007 Toastmasters International 01/25/2008

Foreclosuresare a hot topic.  Solano County certainly has its share of foreclosures.  When misfortune happens and people lose their homes for what ever reason, something has to happen to the homes.  The banks are not in the rental business nor want to own homes.  They are in the business of lending.  This is an update to a previous blog last year as to the state of foreclosures.So how many foreclosures are there in Vallejo?  Our local multiple listing service as of 1/12/2008 indicated there are 358 single family homes or condos that are now owned by the bank and listed with a Realtor to sell in Vallejo out of a total of 1070 homes on the market. Their price range is from a low of $113,900 to a high of $869,900.  The median price is $299,700 for a foreclosure.  That compares to a home no... 01/12/2008

    Growing up in Vallejo, CA has a lot of fond memories for me.  One of them being Saturday matinees at "The Crest", now known as the original and once again,  Empress Theatre.  Located in the historic downtown area of Vallejo it has a very colorful history, and is being brought back to life with the help of our local community.  I remember many Saturday afternoons spent venturing downtown with my friends to hangout and enjoy each others company and take in a movie, ooh and a cigarette!  Wow!   Those were the days of innocence.       I want to invite you to enjoy a New Years Gala Celebration at the historic Empress Theatre in Vallejo, California.  The theatre was originally built in 1911 and has undergone many changes throughout the years.  Recently it was damaged in 1989 due to the Lo... 12/28/2007

My daughters are past that giggly girly phase where they wanted to visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom all the time.  We live close enough to get season tickets.  It was wonderful to go for a few hours and know we did not have to fight traffic or a long drive home from Vallejo.That was when the park was known as Marine World.  Marine World had moved from Redwood City, CA eons ago.  At least it seem that way. It has since changed names and gone through reconstruction with new rides and events, ever evolving to provide a worthwhile destination point for people of all ages.The most memorable event was Caroling with the Animals during a December Holiday time period (about 1995 or so).  They only did it a few times.  Season pass holders were the invitees.  We walked in a huge group from site t... 12/14/2007

Right in Vallejo's back yard there are three post-secondary schools to choose from.  Each one different and special in its own right.  This is an incredible opportunity for local citizens to take advantage of increasing their employability skills without a commute.First school to be highlighted is California Maritime Academy (also known as Cal Maritime) California State University's smallest campus but huge on educational offerings.  Located on a bluff with the best views in town, this college is on a growth spurt. Over the course of the next few years a new Residence Hall, Physical Educations Building, and state of the art Simulation Center will be built.  Recently complete buildings include the Technology Center and Engineering Lab.This school offers bachelor's degrees in business adm... 12/10/2007

  VALLEJO IN  POSITIVE SPOTLIGHTS! I am not typically politically vocal. Without a second thought I am making an exception.                   I will tell you why. Throughout the campaigning, the debate forums and finally the tallying of votes, we have all seen the good, the bad and the ugly. God don't like ugly and I don't either! Vallejo has been on an election campaign roller coaster for months. The media and the surrounding communities have observed us from afar. Many people have scratched their heads and wondered what are we made of. I too have been confused and concerned. Let it be known that the roller coaster ride has come to a sudden and crashing end. The climax has been molded into a historical event for our city. The recent Mayor’s election process was a tough and hard fought ... 12/09/2007

Foreclosures are a hot topic in addition to the mortgage subject.  Solano County certainly has its share of foreclosures.  When misfortune happens and people lose their homes for what ever reason, something has to happen to the homes.  The banks are not in the rental business nor want to own homes.  They are in the business of lending.So how many foreclosures are there in Vallejo?  Our local multiple listing service as of 12/07 indicated there are 302 single family homes or condos that are now owned by the bank and listed with a Realtor to sell in Vallejo out of a total of 1112 homes on the market. Their price range is from a low of $105,000 to a high of $869,900.  The median price is $317,000 for a foreclosure.  That compares to a home not foreclosed on at $384,995 median price in Vall... 12/08/2007

  Vallejo, CA Mare Island - Toastmasters®Meetings Are Held   Thursdays 7:30 P.M.Sereno Village Apartments  Community Center - 750 Sereno Avenue - Vallejo,CA 94589   This is a great opportunity to emerge yourself into a group  that  all about you being all you can be.                                                   Join Us Today You will be Proud You Did!                                                 Find a Toastmaster Club Location Near You.                                             Take advantage of all of these FREE RESOURCES!                                         Click On Satellite Map For Location And Club Information.                                         If you need assistance with your Communication Skills or                                         If you need help poli... 12/07/2007

TOASTMASTERS®District  57Fall 2007 Conference"Lift Your Voice" COMES TO VALLEJO, CASaturday, November 17, 20078:00am - 5:00pmCAL MARITIME200 Maritime Academy DriveVallejo, CAOpen To The Public   Registration at Door: $80.00 (Lunch Included)Allen Klein, Mr. Jollytologist®, will be the featured Keynote Speaker. Allen has a Master's Degree, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association and is a 2007 Hunter College Hall of Fame honoree. He is also the recipient of the Toastmasters Communication and Leadership Award. As a nationally recognized humor expert, an award-winning speaker and best selling author, ALLEN demonstrates to his audiences that the utilization of humor can help them face the changes and challenges in their work and home life.   ... 11/02/2007

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Vallejo, California         It is now a done deal VALLEJO is a three-college town!  Solano Community College celebrated the grand opening celebration of the Vallejo College Campus on September 15, 2007. The new $22.3 million beautiful 40,000 sq. ft. facility Campus is located at 545 Columbus Parkway in Vallejo. In 2002 Vallejo voters passed Measure 'G' to partially fund the land, the campus and to allow for future development. The Governing Board named the administration building at the new Vallejo Center in  memory of Governing Board Trustee, Bill Thurston. No... 09/28/2007

  Announcing the Grand Opening of Solano Community College, ‘Vallejo Campus'. Solano Community College will be celebrating the grand opening celebration of the Vallejo College Campus on September 15, 2007. Open house is 10:00 AM to 1:00 P.M. The Ribbon Cutting and the Dedication of the Bill Thurston Building is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. This is a free event and the public is cordially invited to participate in the celebration.The  Campus is located at 545 Columbus Parkway in Vallejo. This $22.3 million beautiful 40,000 sq. ft. facility is a somewhat of a homecoming for Solano Community College.  It was in 1945 when the first campus opened in Vallejo. The new campus along with the California Maritime Academy and TOURO UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA  will proudly make us a three college town. 08/29/2007

This is a condominium development of 180 units in 22 buildings. Each unit is on one level of a two story building. Floorplans are 1 bedroom 1 bath; 2 bedroom 1 bath; 2 bedroom 2 bath; and 3 bedroom 2 bath. All have interior full size laundry hookups, a patio or balcony and their own water heater. Half of the units have a detached 1 car garage and all have a covered carport. Some units have panoramic views of the Napa River and points West including Mt. Tamalpais and Marin County. This is a gated community with an inground pool, small gym and a reception room with kitchen facilities for use by the residents. This is a great location if you plan to attend Touro University or work on Mare Island. The complex is on the corner of Hwy 37 and Wilson Ave. so you have an easy commute into Sonoma... 06/20/2007

Auto Insurance Lingo  What do we really meant by saying, "I only have liability insurance coverage on my auto". The word "liability" in the dictionary states "the quality or state of being liable". Being "liable" is another way of saying, you are being exposed or subject to some usually adverse contingency or action. We insure ourselves to protect us from liability exposures. Use your imagination and list down at least 10 possible ways of being sued because of failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances. We are exposed to liability, day-in, day-out. Liability coverage limits on autos (that is for the damage you do to others) are usually presented as a sequence of three two digit numbers separated by forward slashes. Pull out your au... 04/23/2007

  Plan Ahead. Your child's life depends on it. The m.i.l.k.® Digital ID stores vital photo and identification information of your children. Designed at the request of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) m.i.l.k.® provides law enforcement with the proper data to initiate an Amber Alert in the event of an emergency. The m.i.l.k.® Digital ID is a prime part of the "Home Organizer" software - a virtual filing cabinet that provides a simple method for organizing a home or home office.Home Organizer® helps you create a digital inventory of your household possessions and includes safety-related and educational information from many different organizations. It was developed to Protect, Educate and Organize.Home Organizer® sells for $39.95 at www.home-organizer.com. Bu... 04/23/2007

Earthquake Tips and Safety Preventive MeasuresAround 8:40 pm of March 1, a minor earthquake once again jolted the Bay Area. The magnitude came about to four-point-two temblor according to the source. The quake was centered near East Bay town of Lafayette. The residents from Sonoma to San Jose County reported feeling the quake. It was minor that it didn't cause any serious damage or injuries to anyone. There were some that reported a broken water pipe that caused flooding at an office in Pleasant Hill. Another woman in Lafayette told authorities that her water heater had detached itself from the wall and flooded her basement according to Contra Costa fire officials. Make sure that your water heater is strapped twice to the wall. Besides, it's a compliance safety issue (California code, H... 04/23/2007

5th Annual -Punjabi Heritage Festival -Invitation to a Cultural Educational Event with Entertainment & FoodDon't let this title mislead lead you this event is for all to attend and to learn about the Sikh Culture.  Enjoy the  entertainment and food. Click Here for detail of eventApril 28,2007 at 3pmVALLEJO FAIRGROUNDS,900 Fairgrounds Dr.Vallejo, CA 94589For Directions Call: (707) 551-2000 TICKETS:Presale - (at The Local Indian Grocery Stores)-$10,At door - $15 04/17/2007

One might ask why is Vallejo, California the place to be? How was this the chosen City to spotlight this month? It's simple, the City of Vallejo has it all! Our spotlight this month is all about Vallejo, California. A very pleasant place with lot's of affordable housing, fun and amusement, great food and shopping, and a history that dates back hundreds of years. I think you will find many parts of this Beautiful City to be very attractive. From the Mare Island Projects, to the Spectacular Golf Courses, there is something in Vallejo for everyone. I know you'll find this City to be one of sincere welcome, warmth, and great opportunity. We are proud of Vallejo, and hope you'll consider this City as one to visit or relocate! Vallejo exemplifies what community is all about! What's in Vallejo... 03/24/2007

Vallejo is situated at one of the loveliest places in inland California, where the Carquinez Strait and the Napa River meet San Pablo Bay. Some historians call this spot the "Inner Golden Gate." There are big plans for the water front in Vallejo and Mare Island is already under construction. Check out the new homes on Mare Island at www.DiscoverMareIsland.com There are beautiful model homes and model condos available to view. Mare Island has over  5,000 acres and in March 2002 a 650-acre parcel was transferred to Lennar Mare Island. The reuse plan for Mare Island includes a balance of housing, commercial, industrial, educational, recreational and historic use areas. Currently 70 businesses occupy approximately 3 million square feet and 1500 people currently work on Mare Island. To see h... 03/20/2007

This is going to be HUGE!!!!  You don't want to miss this event if you're a realtor, lender, title company, homeowner, investor, builder, developer, etc.  The list goes on and on.  I was asked to consider putting on the Bay Area Real Estate Tech Fair again this year, but in lieu of this coming event, our committee has decided to wait until next year to do it again. Look at the sponsors, pavillions, and the size of this event.  This will be just like the state fair.  The 3 day event is the first of it's kind ever at the Solano Fairgrounds.  See the info below and comment if you like. www.NorCalRealEstateExpo.com This promises to be an event that will go down in the history and record books!The Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, CA.  You might want to book your rooms now.  Let me know ... 02/26/2007