Listed yesterday, on the market today.  They called me to list their home and had read and learned about staging through their home search.  Perhaps looking at my newsletters and listed properties helped too...I'd like to think so.  SO, this is literally the FIRST and probably ONLY home I've ever listed that I didn't have to rearrange something, stage in some fashion.  It's just about perfect. Martinez Bungalow (California)- double sized lot included for $299,999!!!  Great Price, Great Property. This charming home is a 2 bedroom that has been updated to the maximum.  It boasts stainless steel appliances in the new kitchen.  Updated flooring, new windows, forced air heat, new plumbing and electrical, detached garage, inside laundry room and so much more.  This property is a true value wi... 04/02/2009

The February 2009 median home price in Martinez CA was $376,950 for single family detached homes*. There were 17 home sales of single family detached homes in Martinez CA, the highest priced home sold for $1,000,000 the lowest price home sold for $191,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for February 2009 in Martinez California was $384,164. Your Martinez California real estate market update was written March 9th, 2008. These homes were on the market an average of 47 days. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end:     Home sales activity is UP in Martinez CA. There are currently 60 single family detached homes pending sale in Martinez CA (or under contingency contract). The list price of these homes ranges from $130,000 to $... 03/10/2009

The January 2009 median home price in Martinez CA was $376,950 for single family detached homes*. There were 28 home sales of single family detached homes in Martinez CA, the highest priced home sold for $837,500 the lowest price home sold for $108,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for January 2009 in Martinez California was $377,800. Your Martinez California real estate market update was written February 10th, 2008. These homes were on the market an average of 45 days. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end:     Home sales activity is UP in Martinez CA. There are currently 61 single family detached homes pending sale in Martinez CA (or under contingency contract). The list price of these homes ranges from $130,000 to $... 02/10/2009

YouTube has been a constant source of entertainment for me. So why haven't I tapped this resource before to promote my listings? Easy. I'm chicken! I am so intimidated by the professional quality videos I've seen. And just can't imagine how I can possibly rate a glimpse if I posted a poorly created video that is a lot like shake, rattle and roll. Then bingo! I found out that I can create a video using the same still pictures I took when I created by Visual Tour. http://www.VisualTour.com So I tried it. Although not perfect, here's my first YouTube listing post. Thanks for the Visual Tour folks who told me how to do it. With the introduction of VisualTour Studio 6, they enabled the ability to upload a VisualTour to an existing account on YouTube, and ZIPVO. Once the VisualTour is created... 01/24/2009

This is unreal. At a time when most agents are hungry for clients, buyers, especially, this huffy buyer's agent won't bother with a listing if the buyer's agency commission is "only" 2%? "I DON'T DO 2%" HERE'S THE PROPERTY   For a visual tour, click here   This agent calls about my newest listing and asks: "Is this right? You're offering ONLY 2% commission to the buyer's agent?" I responded that we cut the price drastically to attract the biggest pool of buyers, and to make it more affordable than where it was originally priced. Yes, the commission is also 2%. The seller is passing the savings to the buyer. She sniffs --- and I can see her, with her nose in the air ---"Well...it may work for my buyer, but it won't work for me. I don't show any property if the commission is less than 2.... 01/12/2009

The December 2008 median home price in Martinez CA was $374,450 for single family detached homes*. There were 22 home sales of single family detached homes in Martinez CA, the highest priced home sold for $602,500 the lowest price home sold for $111,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for December 2008 in Martinez California was $338,525. Your Martinez California real estate market update was written January 5th, 2008. These homes were on the market an average of 42 days. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end:     Home sales activity is UP in Martinez CA. There are currently 55 single family detached homes pending sale in Martinez CA (or under contingency contract). The list price of these homes ranges from $106,900 to $... 01/05/2009

While out on Broker Tour this week, I came across some new construction that I thought was a great deal! The following video is a short preview.  There are 5 homes left in this development and priced around the $178 to $196 per square foot!  The homes have many wonderful features...gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, butler's pantry, walk-in closets and professionally designed, resource efficient front yards with auto sprinkler system with irrigation controllers.  The listing Brokers also have a great buyer program for those who qualify!  To learn more, give me a call.   12/17/2008

The November 2008 median home price in Martinez CA was $440,000 for single family detached homes*. There were 17 home sales of single family detached homes in Martinez CA, the highest priced home sold for $739,700 the lowest price home sold for $130,000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for November 2008 in Martinez California was $412,431. Your Martinez California real estate market update wasvwritten December 13, 2008. These homes were on the market an average of 59 days. See below for information on single family homes sold on the low and high end:     Home sales activity is UP in Martinez CA. There are currently 51 single family detached homes pending sale in Martinez CA (or under contingency contract). The listing prices of these homes ranges from $59,900 [... 12/14/2008

As someone that does a lot of reviews, I see some interesting appraisals come across my desk. Some give me pause to wonder. And some just give me pause. One issue that has come up more and more of late, is appraisers not being licensed to appraise the property in question. Specifically, I'm speaking to the license limitations of a "Licensed" or "Residential" appraiser. Here in California, we have 4 licensing levels. Other states have similar licensing, however, the designations may differ. · AT-Trainee Appraiser-Can appraise any property the supervising appraiser is licensed to appraise. · AL-Residential Appraiser-Can appraise any "NON-COMPLEX" 1-4 family property with a transaction value up to $1,000,000 · AR-Certified Residential-Can appraise any 1-4 family property without regard to ... 07/08/2008

The Torrey Team, Pete and Zack Torrey, have been selling homes in the area of Hidden Lakes in Martinez to satisfied customers since the 1970s. We believe Hidden Lakes is arguably the best "bang for buck" in the East Bay.  The Hidden Lakes Community is bordered by the 62 acre Hidden Valley Park offering hiking, biking, fishing  and numerous outdoor activities, because of the mild climate.  It is located in Martinez on the Pleasant Hill border.  Security Owners Corporation headed up by James Busby built Hidden Lakes in the 1970s and 1980s as part of a 1500 home master planned community in what was then called "Muir Country."  Homeowners love the wonderful family atmosphere and the excellent schools nearby including Hidden Valley Elementary School, Valley View Middle and College Park High ... 02/25/2008

If your interested in free Contra Costa County MLS information please visit my website at http://www.mattirvin.com/Martinez is the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,866 at the 2000 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings. Martinez is located on the south side of the Carquinez Strait in the San Francisco Bay Area, directly facing the city of Benicia.Neighborhoods:Version 1.2, November 2002 Copyright (C) 2000,2001,2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc. 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.  Copyright (c) Matt Irvin. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modi... 12/31/2007

So you are looking to buy a new home in Martinez and are wondering what Down Payment Assistance is available.  The City of Martinez does not offer any assistance directly.  But there may be assistance available from the County and State of California.Contra Costa County offers the American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) to assist eligible buyers with up to 6% in down payment assistance.The State of California offers up to an additional 6% in assistance through several programs designed to help First Time Home Buyers, plus a bonus of $7,500 because Martinez is a high cost area.Special financing may also be available, including additional Down Payment Assistance and Below Market Interest Rates.  Restrictions Apply.To see if you are eligible for assistance contact Nate Ellis.Or Call ... 12/28/2007

I have posted the monthly MLS Statistics for Martinez, California real estate (detached properties). Click on the following link to view the Statistical Report from the Contra Costa Association of Realtors.Easy to read charts and graphs to provide you with accurate up-to-the-minute information for the local Contra Costa County real estate market. 10/04/2007

I have posted the monthly MLS Statistics for Martinez, California real estate (attached properties). Click on the following link to view the Statistical Report from the Contra Costa Association of Realtors.Easy to read charts and graphs to provide you with accurate up-to-the-minute information for the local Contra Costa County real estate market. 10/03/2007