Brendan Coen's Real Estate Blog

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noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:27:00 +0000

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New Listing: Custom Cottage Along Hulbert Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:20:00 +0000

New listing!This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home offers a natural setting along Hulbert Creek. Home has recently had bamboo floors installed both upstairs and down. Comfortable eat-in kitchen. Nice landscaping, sun, and off-street parking. A sun room and additional family room downstairs are some of the custom touches the contractor/owner has made to his long time home.

Sonoma County Happiest Place in California

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:21:00 +0000

A massive study released Monday determined that people in Sonoma County are happier and healthier than anywhere else in California -- and ranked fifth overall in the nation.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, based on interviews with more than 353,000 Americans during 2009, asked people to assess their jobs, finances, health habits, mental attitudes and communities.

People in Sonoma County assessed themselves as having especially healthy behavior: meaning they ate healthy, consumed fruits and vegetables every week, exercised weekly and didn't smoke.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meetings will be live on Internet

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:28:00 +0000

On Tuesday, for the first time, Sonoma County residents will be ableto use the Internet to watch live meetings of the Board of Supervisorsfrom their home or office.

“This will enhance the public's access to their county government,”said board chairwoman Valerie Brown. “This is a smart use of technologythat moves the county closer to being paperless and also complementsour sustainability efforts.”

Anyone with Internet access can visit the website http://supervisors.sonoma-county.org/meetings/ and view the proceedings as well as call up relevant staff reports and board resolutions.

Lake Sonoma drinking water supply hits 100 percent full

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Lake Sonoma has recovered from three years of below averagerainfall, filling up its water supply pool and hitting the flood stageTuesday for the first time in five years.

The lake hit 245,000 acre-feet at about 4 a.m. Abovethat level, the water is into the flood pool and can be releasedthrough Warm Springs Dam into Dry Creek and the Russian River.

State proposes new limits on vineyards using Russian River water

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000

“This would have a verysignificant impact if something like this were to be approved,”Mendocino County Farm Bureau Executive Director Devon Jones said of theproposal, which was drafted by state Water Resources Control Boardstaffers.

Anenvironmental leader, meanwhile, called the proposal “a mixed bag” interms of its protection for endangered salmon and steelhead.

See the full story here.

New foreclosure alternatives program

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:09:00 +0000

The U.S. Dept. of the Treasury recently announced the Home AffordableForeclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), which provides instructions forlenders and servicers participating in the Making Home Affordable Program andHome Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The purpose of HAFA is to createan alternative to foreclosures for homeowners unable to successfully modifytheir troubled mortgage under HAMP.

The HAFA program simplifies and encourages short sales and deeds in lieu offoreclosure by:
. Allowing pre-approved short sale terms before a property is listed;
. Preventing servicers from attempting to reduce real estate commissionsestablished in the listing
agreement as a condition for short sale approval;
. Releasing borrowers from future liability for the debt; and
. Providing financial incentives to borrowers, servicers, andinvestors.

Borrowers not eligible for HAMP must be considered for HAFA within 30 calendardays of the date the borrower does not qualify for a HAMP Trial Period Plan;does not successfully complete a HAMP Trial Period Plan; is delinquent on aHAMP modification by missing at least two consecutive payments; or requests ashort sale or DIL.

HAFA begins April 5, 2010, though servicers may choose to implement it earlier.The Directive from the Treasury only is for non-Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac ownedloans up to $729,750.

More info: http://www.car.org/governmentalaffairs/federal/ustreasuryfap/

Jenner Headlands deal completed

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:07:00 +0000

A consortium of public agencies and private land conservation groupshas completed a $36 million purchase of the Jenner Headlands, asprawling 5,630-acre ranch at the mouth of the Russian River.

Escrow on the complex transaction closed Thursday.

Full story

Same Old Story With Short Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Forrest and Samantha Thomas have been waiting since May to learnwhether their family can move into a four-bedroom home in southwestSanta Rosa.

His parents want to buy the home for the couple, offering $315,000 — adeal the current owner wants to accept, even though it is far less thanthe $550,000 she paid for the two-story house on Langeburg Street offSebastopol Road.

(full story at the Press Democrat in the title link)

Amber Twitchell For RRROC!

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:47:00 +0000

I'm supporting Amber for the Russian River Redevelopment Oversight Committee election on 12/18. I have served with her on the board of directors for River to Coast Children's Services and she is an extremely talented board member who would be an invaluable addition to RRROC. Her leadership and understanding of board operations, funding, and oversight are phenomenal. If you live within the Russian River Redevelopment District, please join me in supporting Amber for the RRROC! Amber's candidate statement follows:

I moved to Guerneville because I believe in the importance of community and I appreciate the diversity the area offers. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to become involved in many local groups, including serving on the Board of Directors for River To Coast Children’s Services and serving on the Board of Directors for Community Housing Opportunities West.
I currently function as The Economic Recovery Director at California Human Development, a nonprofit organization in Santa Rosa that focuses on providing workforce development activities to vulnerable populations. I am certified in collaborative policy making which has taught me to effectively facilitate partnerships and to create sustainable projects.
I believe that we all share the responsibility of mobilizing the community and addressing the needs that exist. I also believe that serving on the RRROC is part of this responsibility.
I appreciate your support.

Congress Passes Approval of Homebuyer Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:17:00 +0000

The bill also extends an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home-buyers until April 30 and expands it to cover more affluent buyers. It also creates a new $6,500 credit for repeat buyers who have been in their current home for at least five years.(Full story from Reuters in the headline)

5 Bedroom, 3 bath home on 1.67 acres in Occidental

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:50:00 +0000

New Listing: Riverfront Pyramid House in Vila Grande

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Despite deficit, Guerneville won't slash fire staffing

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Russian River fire district board members have rescinded last month’s decision to cut staffing this fall.

Instead, the Guerneville-based district voted this week to keep three firefighters on each shift. As a result, the district could go broke in less than two years.

See full story at the Press Democrat linked in the title.

Sonoma County supervisors drop long-studied water plan

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Signaling an historic reversal of a two-decade water policy, Sonoma County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to withdraw an application to the state for more Russian River water, saying big pipelines no longer make sense because of changing economic and environmental conditions.

See full story at the Press Democrat linked in the title.

Cities Balk at Russian River Water Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Representatives form Sonoma County's major cities balked Monday at endorsing the Water Agency's plans to drop a $1 billion water supply project, but they stopped short of opposing the historic shift in water policy.

See the full article linked in the title.

Sonoma County could drop big water project

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:45:00 +0000

In a major reversal of government water policy that could potentially restrict future growth in Sonoma County, the county Water Agency is abandoning efforts to secure state approval for drawing more water out of the Russian River.

See the full story at pressdemocrat.com linked in the storyline.

Taking Back The Villa Grande Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Residents, Open Space District team up to buy riverfront parcel plagued by parties, transients

See Press Democrat article link in title. Sounds like a great idea. Hopefully the implementation will works as well as they plan.

4th of July Fireworks BBQ in Guerneville

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Join us for the Russian River Rotary Club's 4th of July BBQ. Tickets will be on sale at the gate from 1 pm to 7 pm on Saturday. We will be serving chicken and ribs, beer and wine. Live music. After dark you'll have a great view of the annual fireworks display put on by the Chamber of Commerce. We will be at the Oddfellows Hall on First Street in downtown Guerneville.

View larger map

Future of Russian River area redevelopment becomes clearer

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Pathways along the Russian River for pedestrians and cyclists. A bigger plaza in Guerneville. A theater. A community center. And a social services center. Reliable wireless service from Guerneville to Monte Rio. More plants and trees. Clean public restrooms. A drop-in center for the homeless. A teen center. And, of course a skateboard park.

The list of redevelopment projects that could revive Russian River communities with an infusion of about $8 million a year could go on and on. And it does, because the strategic plan approved by Sonoma County supervisors is 91 items long.

(read more at the Press Democrat article linked in the title)

Is Sonoma County's real estate market stabilizing?

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Home sales remained strong in May and supplies continued to shrink, signs that Sonoma County’s housing market could be starting to stabilize, according to a new report.

But a new wave of foreclosures is looming on the horizon and one analyst warned that prices are not expected to hit bottom until the end of the year, at the earliest.

The region’s 412 homes sold in May was the highest for the month in four years, according to The Press Democrat real estate report prepared by Rick Laws with Coldwell Banker in Santa Rosa.

(see the full story at the title link)

One fourth of sellers reduce asking price

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:17:00 +0000

From Inman.com:

Sellers dropped their asking price on nearly one in four homes listed for sale on Trulia.com during the last year by an average of 10.6 percent, the company said today in a report identifying the markets experiencing the most and biggest price reductions.

Although Trulia's analysis did not include foreclosure properties, it showed that asking prices are being slashed more severely in areas hardest hit by foreclosures.

Price reductions averaged 23 percent in Detroit, 16 percent in Las Vegas, 15 percent in Miami, and 13 percent in Phoenix and Mesa, Ariz., Trulia said.

But luxury markets like New York City also saw price reductions exceeding the national average. Homes with a selling price above $2 million were reduced by 14.3 percent on average, compared with 9.7 percent for homes under $2 million.

While 23.6 percent of homes listed for sale nationwide on Trulia between June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009, saw at least one price reduction, the percentage was considerably higher in some markets. Among the 50 largest U.S. cities by population, the 12 with the greatest percentage of listings with price reductions were scattered around the nation, Trulia said. They were:

* Jacksonville, Fla. – 36 percent
* Tucson, Ariz. – 32 percent
* Boston, Mass. – 32 percent
* Los Angeles, Calif. – 32 percent
* Columbus, Ohio – 31 percent
* Dallas, Texas – 31 percent
* Honolulu, Hawaii – 31 percent
* Minneapolis, Minn. – 31 percent
* Austin, Texas – 30 percent
* Washington, D.C. – 30 percent
* Baltimore, Md. – 30 percent
* Las Vegas, Nev. – 30 percent

New round of energy rebates offered

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:20:00 +0000

The Sonoma County Water Agency is offering rebates of up to $150 for homeowners in 6 county sanitation districts (including Russian River and Occidental) who purchase high efficiency clothes washers or toilets. The rebates are offered on a first come first serve basis until June 30, 2010.

See more information at the Sonoma County Water Agency Website.

River to Coast Children's Services Needs Your Support!

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Help support River to Coast Children's Services by donating to our fundraiser walk in the Human Race on May 9th. I'll be there walking with others from RCCS and would appreciate whatever level of sponsorship you can manage.

Help RCCS bring unique family programs to west Sonoma County: Kindergym, Family Counseling, Emergency Resources, Car Safety Seat, Parent Education, Provider Workshops and MORE...

To learn more about RCCS visit us at http://www.rccservices.org/

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support The Volunteer Center of Sonoma County.

Mortgage defaults rise but homeowners stay put - Los Angeles Times

noreply@blogger.com (Brendan Coen) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:38:00 +0000

Mortgage defaults rise but homeowners stay put - Los Angeles Times

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