First time home buyer?  Don't make a lot of money?  Want to live in the Bow Tie Downtown area of Tracy?  Want $75,000 from the City of Tracy, deferred for 30 years or until you refinance.Believe it or not the City of Tracy does have a program for you.  This program is easy to use, if you know about it and now you do!Call today, I'll be happy to tell you not only what homes are for sale in Tracy, but what homes qualify for this deferred loan and downtown assistance program.  10/04/2007

Wow, Fall has arrived.   Besides kids in costume, pumpkins, football, leaves turning colors, and temperatures dropping.  What else has dropped, Tracy home prices.  The National Association says this has been the worst year on record for home sale prices.  So is that bad news?  It depends.  Are you looking to purchase a homein Tracy?  Great news.  Are you looking to buy an investment property and start building wealth?  Great news.  Are you a move up buyer who'd like a bigger house?  You're going so sell for less than you did a year ago, but you are going to be able to buy for less, your property taxes will be less, so it's GREAT NEWS!What about those of you who bought a home in Tracy or Mountain House, CA with in the last 24 - 36 months?  You bought your home hoping home prices would co... 09/30/2007

The following information is from the local MLS database, as of September 27th 2007(data from September 1st, 2007):Total # of Residential properties for sale in the city of Tracy: 966 (906) Average # of days on market: 78 (74)Average price of all Homes for sale in Tracy: 487,734 ($500,130) Median price of all Homes for sale in Tracy: 459,900 (469,999)(PENDING), Number of properties currently under agreement: 58 (52) (SOLD), Residential property over previous 30 days: 26 homes or $10,908,570 (58) Highest sale price was 597K for a 5/4bd 3000 sq.ft home. Lowest was a 3bd/1ba 936 sq.ft home for 271K.Avr. pending home is 4bd, 2.5ba, 2003 sq.ft at a price of $423,042 and 63 days on the market Lots of more infomation, READ ON........................... Brian Barringer    09/27/2007

Did you know that there are huge, enormous deals available in Tracy right now.  I was out previewing homes today and there was a home in an area on $550,000 - $600,000  homes this home was priced at $399,000.  I had to go in, it was vacant.  Imagine my surprise when I found granite counters, new carpet, live grass...so this isn't a foreclosure?  No Short Sale?  WOW what is the matter with this property? Ok, the back yard is a bit small, but the home sits on a corner.  The floor plan is a bit odd for my tastes but I can see how it would be great for some people.There is home that has 3509 square feet, has a pool and a sun room - it is priced at $500,000!  This is great bargain. The largest bedrooms I have seen since I moved to California 30+ years ago.  Tracy home buyers - what are you w... 09/25/2007

Well to put it simply its a willing buyer getting together with a willing seller at an agreed price. There are 51 homes currently pending in the city of Tracy. What made these homes go pending? Each of these homes has at least attract a buyer who is interested in purchasing the home. Is there anything these sellers have in common? When reviewing the homes, overall they are all in above average condition and below average price.Some homes have great comments in the marketing section which help the home stand out...........Read on.............   Brian Barringerbrian@tracyhomes.com 09/25/2007

OPEN HOUSE 11-3 next Saterday and Sunday  Price: $405,900ADDRESS: 558 Burlington St. Tracy, Ca(off south central)Family home with 4 bedrooms!Features include:  4 bedrooms2.5 Bathrooms2,135 square feet of living space on a 3,484 square foot lotBuilt in 2000 More Photos Formal living and dining room with high vaulted ceiling Tile Floor through out first floor Large kitchen with tile counters and oak cabinets Dining nook in kitchen Family room with gas fireplace and media niche Gas range and oven, built in microwave, dishwasher Backyard has a patio and no rear neighbors Inside Laundry with cabinets and half bath on main floor 2 car garage Four bedrooms upstairs Master features double doors Master bath has separate shower and soaking tub Large walk in closet in master Three other bedrooms a... 09/24/2007

Why don't first time buyers BUY?  FEAR!There are so many great programs right now for first time home buyers, especially in Tracy, CA.  Home prices are down and within conforming rates, the FED just dropped the interest rate, there are many down payment assistant programs, so why not buy a home? FEARCase #1 - first time buyer, afraid they won't qualify - so they don't even try.Case #2 - afraid something monumental will happen and they won't be able to afford thier home.Case #3 - they have no idea what the process is and they are afraid to ask.So how do we educate them?  We just start telling them the facts.1) You won't know if you don't try.  I have a buyer who makes less than $15.00 an hour, and guess what she is BUYING a home.2) Something monumental CAN happen whether you are buying o... 09/18/2007

If you are considering purchasing a home, now is the time.  The Federal Rsuerve cut its benchmark interest rate by .5%.  What that means - is the rate which was 5.25% since 2003! is not just 4.75%.  If you are a first time buyer, a conforming loan purchaser, this will definately help you!Why aren't you buying now?  Call me - let's talk.Susan 09/18/2007

Total # of Residentail properties listed in the city of Tracy: 951 Total # of SHORT SALES(pre-forclosure homes) on the market in Tracy: 177 (93 last month ) PENDING SHORT SALES: 5 or 2.8% SOLD SHORT SALES (in the past six months): 8 Total # of vacant homes for sale in Tracy is 389.. Total # of Residential REO's(bank owned) for sale in the city of Tracy: 183 (2x last month) # of REO's sold (closed) over past 6 months: 31 PENDING REO SALES: 18 Bank-owned(foreclosed homes on the MLS) have a 19% market share of available properties, 37% if you include short sales, not to mention that 40% of the homes for sale in Tracy are vacant. We have seen a huge increase in the amount of short sales(pre-foreclosures) on the market. Modified mortgages: Lenders talking, then balking Congress, banking reg... 09/14/2007

Did anyone watch this football game?  If you live in Tracy, you had to be rooting for Merrill West High School, Didn't you?  First, it was fun to see kids I know on TV.  Second, they got BLASTED by Monte Vista.  I will say that the announcers stated several times how Monte Vista played so poorly last week when they got "spanked" badly by James Logan High School.  I tie into James Logan High since that is where my husband teaches and coaches.  He's coaching Freshman football this year, so he was at the game. His comments were "WOW Monte Vista is rated top 10 in the state, and we beat them easy!"  Perhaps the announcers just weren't at the game last week?I think it's great that local stations are airing local sports.  Perhaps we have Little League World Series to thank for that?  09/13/2007

According to Dian Hymer of Inman News, "Listings are most salable when they're new on the market. To maximize your chances, your home not only needs to be priced right and properly prepared for sale, you also need a comprehensive marketing plan. You want to make sure that information about your listing reaches as many potential buyers as possible. So, pick your listing agent carefully. A prospective listing agent should provide you with a marketing plan. Ask to see samples of the marketing materials that will be used to promote your home. Make sure that your home will receive Internet exposure. Over 70 percent of today's home buyers start their home searches on the Internet." 09/12/2007

22 Questions You should ask a realtor before you list your house. 1) How many years have you been in the business? 2) Are you a full-time agent listing and/or selling real estate? 3) Do you have a marketing plan? How does it work? 4) What professional training – on the local, state, and national level – do you attend? 5) How many potential buyers do you work with? 6) How many homes have you marketed? This year? Last year? How many sold? This year? Last year? 7) How long dose a typical listing stay on the market with you? 8) Do you notify top selling agents about property before it appears in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? 9) What systems do you have in place that keep you in constant contact with clients during the listing /buying and transaction processes? 10) What type of guar... 09/12/2007

22 Questions You should ask a realtor before you list your house. 1) How many years have you been in the business? 2) Are you a full-time agent listing and/or selling real estate? 3) Do you have a marketing plan? How does it work? 4) What professional training – on the local, state, and national level – do you attend? 5) How many potential buyers do you work with? 6) How many homes have you marketed? This year? Last year? How many sold? This year? Last year? 7) How long dose a typical listing stay on the market with you? 8) Do you notify top selling agents about property before it appears in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? 9) What systems do you have in place that keep you in constant contact with clients during the listing /buying and transaction processes? 10) What type of guar... 09/12/2007

Welcome to Tracy and the Dry Bean Festival.  This is a fun event for the entire family.  The Dry Bean Fesitval is hosted downtown by the Chamber of Commerce.When I moved to Tracy 13 years ago I had no idea what beans were used for other than eating, or how many different varieties there were.  I grew up in the Midwest, we grew green beans in the garden.In Tracy, there are acres and acres, like over 60,000 acres of beans.  Black beans, lima beans even baby lima beans.  Beans are used for salads, but most if not all of the baby lima beans are shipped overseas to Japan to  make candy!The S&W can of beans from Beans Around The World usually makes a visit.If you have just moved to Tracy or been a long time resident, you need to visit the Dry Bean Festival at least once.  It's fun for everyone. 09/08/2007

Was the football game fun or what?  Congratulation to Tracy High on their Junior Varsity and Varsity Wins.  Congratulations to West High on the Frosh Win!I was at the game, the cheerleaders and dance teams from both schools were very entertaining.  The Tracy High marching band did a great job entertaining the crowd at half time.So were you there?  Did you enjoy the game?Pet Peeve - kids running amuck! and Language that I don't want to hear. But then it is a High School game, and I"m pretty sure when I went to football games I didn't watch the game, but went to socialize.I guess if I'm completely honest, I went to the game tonight to socialize, but I did "sorta" watch the game. 09/07/2007

Does this sound like you?  Do you feel like your swimming in a toilet bowl?  Are you quickly becoming depressed, scared, just don't know where to turn? Call me!I know what it's like to stop opening the mail, it's all past due bills anyway.  Or to not answer the phone until you've checked caller ID, it's always someone telling you your late paying your bills.  You already know all that.  What you don't know is how to fix it.If you own a home, you MAY have some options. Know that you are not alone, there are many homeowners in the Tracy, California area that are in the same position as you.First thing is communicate with your lender.  If you've encountered a hardship let the bank know NOW!  They may work with you, especially if you have a way to make it up to them.Selling your home may be... 09/06/2007

Do you need to sell in Redbridge?  Do you know what is going on around you? Do you know that I have homes for sale in Redbridge?  Call me today to see how I can help you.   Redbridge, Tracy, CA 08/31/2007

Are you looking to BUY a home in Tracy, California?  Are you a first time home buyer?  Do you have equity in your home?  Do you want to sell your home in Tracy, California?  Are you behind in your mortagage payment? Do you have a question about Tracy Little League, Tracy Soccer, Tracy Babe Ruth?  Do you have a question about anything in Tracy, California?I'm here to help you in whatever you need.  Call me.Susan 08/31/2007

I just wanted to share this. My daughter was asked to be her friends Maid of Honor about 1 year ago. Well, in the meantime my daughter (Krystal) got pregnant. She was very worried about being in the wedding because she said, "Mom, I'm going to be 8 months pregnant! I don't think I can be Melissa's Maid of Honor I'll be huge and fat". I told her she made a comittment and she has to be there for her friend. Was I wrong? I don't think so. In fact I think even pregnant she looked as good as the bride.  In the pictures below, she is the tall blonde on the right of the bride. Our granddaugther is a ham so she had to be in this picture with her Aunt Krystal at the reception.Yes if you laugh at this picture I'll know why. My daughter pointed it out right away. Oh well that's what the little ham... 08/29/2007

There are ONLY 910 homes on the MarketThere are 55 homes PENDING30 homes sold in the last 30 daysAverage sale price was $485,000  average asking price was $496,000  Average $/sqft was $229 and the average days on market was only 55 days.So what does this mean?  It means that there are lot of great opportunties for people to buy the home of the dream in Tracy, CA right now.  What are you waiting for.  There is a 30 month inventory.Susan GouldingKeller WilliamsLocal Realtor, Tracy & Mt. House CaliforniaLocal Specialist.      08/27/2007