News from your local Vallejo Realtor Tim Garton. A reminder to all ferry riders that WETA will be conducting a Public Meeting on Thursday, May 29th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Vallejo City Hall - Council Chambers, 555 Santa Clara Street. San Francisco Bay Ferry is hosting a series of 4 public meeting to discuss a proposed Fare Program that would establish consistent fare categories and streamline the types of tickets available to customers. In addition, the Fare Program would introduce annual fare increases designed to offset anticipated operating cost increases. Clipper Card implementation will also be discussed. The first 2 public meeting will be held this week in Oakland and Vallejo, May 28 and 29. For further information on meeting locations and times, and on the proposed Fare Program ... 05/28/2014

Hello There, The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance program is managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which is a department of the federal government. FHA loans are available to all types of borrowers, not just first-time buyers. The government insures the lender against losses that might result from borrower default. Advantage: This program allows you to make a down payment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price. Disadvantage: You'll have to pay for mortgage insurance, which will increase the size of your monthly payments. If you've had a bankruptcy filing or a home foreclosure in the past, you may find it easier to qualify for an FHA loan. Most conventional mortgage loans end up being purchased by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. These or... 05/26/2014

  Hello Everyone, Owning a home is still many people’s idea of the American dream. Historic-low mortgage rates over the past several years have helped more consumers realize this dream. Yet purchasing a home still requires a major financial investment and a long-term commitment, and great realtor help! 1. You are budget-savvy. Your monthly finances -- how much money is coming in and how much is going out -- are key to figuring what you can afford to spend on a new home. 2. You have saved for a down payment. Lenders may expect you to have a down payment worth at least 20 percent of the home’s cost. That means you would need a $30,000 down payment to buy a home priced at $150,000. Some first-time homebuyers qualify for government-backed loans that require a lower down payment.3. Your debt... 05/26/2014

Beginning Sunday, June 1st all guests using the Vallejo Station Parking Garage and the adjacent surface lots will not be able to put their receipt on the dashboard as proof of payment.   When paid parking was implemented last year, guests without a license plate were told to put their receipt on the dashboard of their car as proof of purchase. The parking system has now been updated so that residents without a license plate can input the last 7-digits of their vehicle's VIN number; making the permit system completely paperless. View the attached flyer.    Thinking of buying or selling a Vallejo Ca home? Call 707-315-5555. 05/21/2014

Hello Everyone,  The Vallejo Police Department Citizen’s Academy provides community members with an inside look at the Vallejo Police Department. One three hour session is held once a week for ten to twelve weeks. There is normally one full session on a Saturday. The program is designed to give citizens an overview of the Police Department functions, methods and procedures. Instruction is not designed to train participants as police officers but rather provide students with a broad but general knowledge of law enforcement. Police officers and staff will give a series of presentations that provide information on the many aspects of policing including, DUI & Intoxicated subjects, Criminal Law, Special Operations & Crime Suppression, Internal Affairs, Police Use of Force & Patrol Operation... 05/20/2014

Hello Everyone news from your Vallejo Realtor Tim Garton  707-315-5555, The Community Services Section had a few residents within the Mini Drive neighborhood reach out to them for assistance with reducing crime in their neighborhood. CSS used Widenmann Elementary School on two occasions and held two town hall meetings to inform neighbors of how to organize their watch groups to fight crime. This was followed up with a block party on Princeton Avenue. The block was closed down from Falcon to Purdue and attended by VPD and VFD. Approximately 100 residences from the surrounding blocks attended the block party. CSS will continue to work throughout the Mini Drive neighborhood to establish block watches. When thinking of selling or buying in the Vallejo Ca area think of me.   WWW.PROPERTYINVA... 05/19/2014

Hello Everyone,   There is a volunteer workday with Building Together Partners Recology Vallejo, Home Depot Vallejo,  and City of Vallejo Participating Budgeting Program to build a outdoor gardening area at the Vallejo Girls and Boys Club on saturday May 17. The location is Vallejo Girls and Boy Club at 1 positive Pl. Vallejo Ca   See Flyer attached  www.rebuildingtogethersolanocounty.org 05/14/2014

Hello Everyone, As you begin your home search, keep this checklist on you at all times. Experts in the industry and previous buyers have created a checklist that will guide you in the right direction and ensure that your purchase is successful. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), I’ll be with you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to ask me any questions. I look forward to working with you!  TIM GARTON VALLEO REMAX REALTOR 707-315-5555  "CALL ME"   05/12/2014

Hello Everyone, With the hiring of two key staff in the last month, the City of Vallejo is expanding its ability to plan for, attract, and approve new development. See the attached press release  for more information.  05-09-2014_-_Press_Release_-_New_Vallejo_Team_Advancing_Community_and_Economic_Development_Goals.pdf And remember when making your next home purchase or selling a home go with someone who knows Vallejo Real Estate. Tim Garton Vallejo Re/Max Realtor 707-315-5555 05/10/2014

  Hello Everyone, The owner of Affordable Lock and Key of California and an affiliate member of the Solano Association of Realtors is having a special disclount for those who need locks changed.  Maube you just bought a home so its a great time for that service or your a landlord in the process of changing occupants. I have used Herman often and his special rates are below, and remember when buying or selling  your next home in Vallejo or areas near Vallejo Ca there is 1 guy above the rest,  Tim Garton Vallejo Ca Remax Realtor Tim Garton 707-315-5555   WWW.PROPERTYINVALLEJO.COM   **Try my ReKey Special is just $89.99 for up to 6 key holes         and get 4-FREE Keys!             Call Now (707) 334-5631   Other locksmith services I provide include: •Lockout service (getting people back i... 05/09/2014

Hi Everyone, As the spring buying season heats up, now is the time to get ahead of the curve with fresh staging tips and updates for spring to draw in buyers. First off, spring staging steps must start with spring cleaning. A freshly organized, clean, dust-free, and de-cluttered home will be all the more appealing to potential buyers who are getting their first look at the property. Get to scrubbing before buyer-foot-traffic works its way through your home, as a clean home lays the groundwork for artful home staging.Yard Control Your front yard is the first thing any buyer will see, so if it’s not in good shape after the winter, then a key spring staging tip is to improve your yard’s condition by clearing any debris, trimming hedges, and ensuring vegetation looks healthy and cared for. ... 05/07/2014

The Vallejo April 2014 home sales report reflects a steady southern Solano County real estate market, where prices are generally flat and homes are taking two to three months on average to sell.  Seven short sales and nine foreclosures sold in April.  Sixteen of the 102 homes that closed escrow in April sold in less than a week, 52 sold in less than 30 days. Vallejo is the largest housing market in southern Solano County, with 145 homes currently for sale, including 48 that came on the market just in the past week.  Of those new listings, nine are back on the market after falling out of escrow from previous sales.  Home prices in the area are stable to weak, with five homes reducing their asking price recently and 26 distressed properties currently for sale. May 1st Vallejo Real Estate ... 05/05/2014

Hello Everyone, This chart that proves that RE/MAX Agents sell the most homes, supported by a brand that more buyers and sellers think of than any other in real estate!  Contact me for more details when wanting to purchase or sell your next home in Vallejo Ca. Tim Garton 707-315-5555 Vallejo Ca Re/Max Realtor   Chart 04/27/2014

Hello Everyone, your Vallejo Ca Re/Max Realtor Tim Garton has Vallejo news, Host: NextDoor City Wide Potluck Time: Thursday, May 01, 2014 06:00PMLocation: Dance UnlimitedAddress: 510 Georgia St, Vallejo Vallejo Heritage Team and Nextdoor City Wide Leads Cordially invite you to a City Wide Member's and Potential New Member’s Potluck with invited Guests on May 1, 2014 at Dance Unlimited 6-8:30 pm.The overall Goal is to continue to promote Safety, Prosperity, and Unity for All of OUR Members and City through NextDoor’s Platform while having an enjoyable evening. We will have great food, success stories, guest and plans for the future to share for this first time event. We focus on neighborhood issues in a noncontroversial manner promoting members participation and gaining inter-connectivit... 04/23/2014

Buying a new home is an exciting and sometimes demanding process. The heightened emotions and the high stakes make it extra important to find a home that fits your family financially and “feels right.” Knowing some of the most common mistakes home buyers make will put you in a better position to make the best choice. Here are some things to avoid.--Being too in love with a house. Yes, you should love a house, but stay realistic. Don't get so smitten that you ignore your budget and overbid or refuse to accept major defects or problems with a house.--Ignoring your instincts. If a house doesn't feel right, it probably never will. Instead of wasting time wavering over a not-quite-right house, just move on.--Failing to research beyond the house itself. Don't forget to research the neighborho... 04/07/2014

Hello Everyone its your Vallejo Ca Realtor checkin in,   Loma Vista Elementary is allowing the Vallejo Police Department Community Service Section to use the cafeteria for a Neighborhood Watch Training located at 146 Rainier Ave, Vallejo, CA 94589. The cafeteria is across the street from the main school. The CSS will be putting on a presentation on how to organize a Neighborhood Watch group and help reduce crime in your neighborhood. Please join us at 6:30 Monday April 14th for this presentation and bring a few neighbors.   Participating in this can you help you, your neighborhood and our community.  besides being a Vallejo Realtor I am also a Vallejo Resident.   Tim Garton Vallejo Re/Max  707-315-5555    www.propertyinvallejo.com      04/04/2014

Hello Everyone, Receive up to 3.5% closing cost assistance for owner-occupant buyers and public entities who request the incentive at their initial offer during the First Look™ period, purchase a HomePath property in select states on or before April 30 and close by June 30, 2014.  There is still some bank owned properties out there and the best part is you do not have to compete against investors. Vallejo Ca Real estate is still affordable and the interest to borrow money is around 4.4%.  Buy now because you may not be able to by later.   Tim Garton 707-315-5555 Vallejo Ca Re/Max Realtor 03/31/2014

  Hello FHA buyers, more loan information in a good way because First-time and low-income mortgage borrowers may have an easier time qualifying for a Federal Housing Administration loan. Ginnie Mae, a government agency that issues bonds backed by FHA loans, reports that the average credit score on FHA-backed loans fell to 680 in 2013, and the average debt-to-income ratio rose to 40.3 percent — both indicators that credit may be easing.   Since last month, Wells Fargo reportedly has been qualifying FHA borrowers with credit scores as low as 600, down from a previous threshold of 640. “The FHA theoretically allows credit scores as low as 580,” the L.A. Times reports. “But lenders, buffeted by defaulted loans and demands that they buy back troubled mortgages that they sold, generally have ... 03/16/2014

With spring buying season right around the corner, I want to make sure you are ready for the home search. Take a look at these spring buying tips and please let me know if you have any questions. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), I have a wealth of resources and professionals that can help at any point in the buying process. Please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you!  Tim Garton Vallejo ca Re/Max Gold 707-315-5555   1. Bidding Wars Last spring we saw an increase in multiple offers on the same home and we expect to see this happen again this spring. The reason for the same bidding wars as last year  is there are even about the same homes on the market this year than in 2013. With more buyers and fewer homes for sale there is increased c... 03/13/2014

  Hello Everyone,   As your Vallejo California local  Realtor Tim Garton  at Re/Max Gold Vallejo  I wanted to share some Vallejo Ca news you can use.  By the way, wondering what your homes new current value is, just ask, its FREE. 707-315-5555 Last week was the  kickoff workshop for the Vallejo Planning Initiatives Project at Glen Cove Elementary! For those of you who missed it, please go to  the next Guiding Principles workshop this Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge.  http://propelvallejo.com/overview/guiding-principles 03/11/2014