Napa Valley has become one of the world’s most sought-after food and wine destinations. On the real estate front, we are seeing incredible values for those who have been considering making the move to the Wine Country. Also, for those looking for the perfect second or getaway property.

You don’t have to be a winemaker to have your very own vineyard or gentlemen’s vineyard. There are many organizations in the Wine Country that offer vineyard management services. What to do with your fruit? Some folks are weekend warriors who have fun creating their own boutique labels and make their very own. Others just sell the fruit under contract. I always found it easier to just sell the fruit and enjoy my beautiful setting. The earnings from my small one-acre property at least paid for management expenses and my property taxes.

If you want to see Napa or Sonoma from the perspective of a true Wine Country lover, just give me a call or email me. Cheers!

Let’s Make It Happen!

Jerry Pujals, Realtor
DRE # 01234625
707-249-0518
jerry@jpluxuryestates.com
www.jpluxuryestates.com

There’s an unusual turn on the market. On Fannie Mae Homepath (http://www.homepath.com )bank owned properties, the sellers reserve the right to sell the property to a non-investor. Meaning, they will shy away from the “all cash” offers for an extended period of time. This is very frustrating to the investor who is ready to pull the trigger, however, refreshing to the first time home buyer who has been getting obliterated by the proverbial “all cash” offer.

At least in Napa and Solano County, the lower price range ($150,000 - $400,000) has been selling very fast. I recently read that Solano county is one of the hottest real estate sales areas in the entire country. I can believe that! I have many first time home buyers and investors who are taking full advantage of this. Due to the demand and lack of supply Napa and Solano county have seen some appreciation in the past twelve months. And as you may have heard me say before, these low interest rates can’t last forever.

The extension of the $8,000 federal tax credit won’t hurt demand. I can’t imagine a better time to buy. We are seeing a perfect combination!

Please call or email me with any questions you may have about the benefits enclosed and for answers to your questions about real estate.

Sincerely,

Jerry Pujals

Realtor® DRE#01234625
(707) 259-5264
(707) 249-0518 cell  

The Tax Credit Extension has now become law as the president has signed the bill! Even better news is these provisions go into effect immediately (not December 1st as previously thought).

Tax Credit for 1^st time homebuyers has been extended through June 2010!! For the first time, the tax credit program would also enable many homeowners who buy a new primary residence to receive a $6,500 credit. Under the bill, first-time home buyers would receive the $8,000 tax credit if they sign a contract by April 30 and close on it by June 30. The plan would also make those who buy a new primary residence eligible for a $6,500 credit if they owned their current home for at least five consecutive years in the previous eight years. The measure limits the purchase price of the home to $800,000. It also imposes income caps so that people who make more than $125,000 annually and couples who make more than $225,000 would not be eligible for the program.

There's two significant types of buyers in Real Estate today.  The out of work Contractor and the defeated stock investor.

With the slowdown in construction, many Contractors are taking things into their own hands. They need to create their own JOB so they are getting creative.  They are buying "auction" properties to live sin that need fixing up.  Auction Properties don't have an inspection period, are as is and typically need lots of work.  Contractors are exchanging their labor for the value of their improvements in the house.  Contractors have an advantage over the typical investors who have to pay someone to fix up the unit.  The investor has to purchase the "fixer upper" and then pay someone to do the improvements.  In today's market this doesn’t work because of the risk of the unknown labor costs.  For the Contractor who can do their own work this works very well.  There's a client who works in San Francisco and lives in Napa on the weekends fixing up a home.  When it's completed he'll sell it and buy another one.  He created his own job and value since the market has slowed down.

For the Investor who can't do their own work Bank Owned properties works best.  Most investors are taking money out of their defeated stocks, buying long term investment for cash flow purposes on items like rental income.  Bank Owned Properties are great because investors typically can beat out competition because they can make the purchase quickly with less contingencies. 

There are opportunities in the market today for the Contractor and Investor in Auction and Bank Owned Properties.  The challenge in Auctions are "as is."  The challenge in Bank Owned Properties is timing.  How fast can you move? 

Timing is everything!  If it's time for you, a loved one or someone you know to look into Auction and Bank Owned Properties please call me and I'll "make it happen!"

Jerry Pujals 

People are always asking me "Jerry, there has to be tools out there to help me find that PERFECT Wine Country Property.  What can you help me with?"

This week I thought I'd share some tools that  are helpful for you finding the perfect Wine Country Property.

1.      Using a Real Estate Agent that lives and works in the Wine Country is your most valuable resource.  Why?  Two main reasons.  The first is often I know about properties that are going on the market before they are available to the open market.  The second main reason is the relationships I have with other successful agents that leads to pairing of buying and selling relationships.

2.      http://www.realtor.com is a great resource for finding homes all across the country.  It also provides great resource like "How much are homes worth now" and other interesting data.  It's a great resource to help your  education while you're working with your Agent.

3.      http://isellnapavalley.com/ is another great resource.  By clicking on the "Go" button it will take you to a special page that will list homes for the first time home buyer and the realtor investor.  You can use the site to research other properties but this default page will

put you on the starting line.  We've already done the research for you.

4.      http://www.jpluxuryestates.com/ is a great resource for Luxury Estates.  This site is designed to provide immediately available luxury estate properties.  It will help you gather data on available properties to help you decide the age old question:  do I buy?  or do I build?

All of these resources have one thing in common:  the perspective buyer in mind.  Pairing the right Agent with the right buyer is critical.  When experience AND information is needed most, I hope you find these resources and reasoning valuable for you.

Jerry Pujals

Make It Happen

The topic of real estate is important for the wealthy and for the  first time home buyers.  The home and investment market is impacted by the Feds.  Supply and demand will drive the price and the stakeholders in real estate.  We're all still uncertain if the Tax Credit is going to get extended for the first time home buyers.  This credit sunsets November 30th unless the Feds extend the date.  Right now all we've heard is the Feds are going to extend the deadline for Veterans.  The extent of the extension is still unknown.  Either way, the Wealthy and the First Time Home Buyer markets will be directly impacted.

Another potential damaging blow to the entry level market is the raising of the down payment from 3.5% to 5%.  The Feds are impacting credits and down payments.  All increasing the cost and upfront monies for home buying.

The FHA loan amounts are also at risk of being lowered.  The limits is currently $729,000.  Mid range homes ($500K - $729K) are really going to suffer since the FHA financing will be reduced for this mid-range market.

So for those of you in the market to buy or sell a home in the low to mid ranges let's talk and evaluate your needs.  We can see if acting on the current market conditions or proposed market changes will be in your best interest.  As always this is a free service to you.

So together, let's make it happen.

Jerry Pujals 

Finally! A book that says the truth about short sales. I have released my new book “Should I Short Sale My Home?” In this book I talk about facts and myths surrounding the sale of homes, during these economic hard times. If you know of anyone who could benefit from this information I am providing a free copy for you. Just go to my website to download your complimentary copy.  Click here for the link, click on the book icon to get the book.

Napa Valley Luxury Homes:

The Napa Valley luxury home market is on the rise. Inventory is plentiful and properties are selling. Lenders are finally providing loans for the high end market and the interest rates are low. Land suited for building and planting grapes is also available. 
 

There is a push from the federal government to extend the $8,000 tax credit beyond November 30, 2009. This is vital to our economy. The impact slower home sales may have on the economy can be devastating. And the positive impact the first time home buyer credit has had is substantial. Remember, homes sales mean J O B ‘s! For more information go to www.housingwire.com

I would have never believed that I was going to become a short sale specialist. I was under the impression that short sales were a waste of time for the home owners. I also felt that a short sale and a foreclosure were just about the same thing. Well… I could not have been more wrong.

What does a short sale do? A “Short Sale” helps the home owner preserve as much of their credit as possible. It also allows the home owner the possibility to get the debt forgiven. This is a BIG DEAL! There are several other advantages to doing a short sale rather than allowing a home to go back to the back in a foreclosure. It is important to always seek the help of a trusted CPA (Certified Public Accountant) when considering a short sale.

I am excited to release my third book titled “Should I Short Sale My Home?” It should be available on Amazon within the next 60 days. However, if you would like to receive a complimentary copy just go to my website at www.isellnapavalley.com  ..

On the posting I wrote on March 7, 2008 I stated that you may be eligible for an $8,000 first time home buyer credit, if you purchased a home between March 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010. I was confused by the California State credit of $10,000 for new homes.

The correct dates for the Federal credit of $8,000 for first time home buyers is, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Please let me know if you need links to more detailed information.

I know getting it just right could be nerve racking. And there are no guaranties that you are going to buy precisely at the right time. However, if you look at real estate investing like a smart investor, you invest for the long term.

There are homes that sold three years ago for $600,000 that are now selling for $250,000. That does not even count for the current low interest rates. You tell me... is it a good time to buy a home?

Wow! I have clients who will be receiving the $8,000 credit for buying a home between March 1, 2009 and march 1, 2010.

You may be entitled as well! Let me know if you would like more information. 

 I held an open house at my listing at 1052 Bella Dr. yesterday. And the time I spend there reminded me of why my wife and I choose to stay in the beautiful Napa Valley. That even though my entire family lives in the east coast, we rather get on a plane to visit them, rather than to consider the thought of relocating. Don't get me wrong, I love my family as much as most people love air. However, we just love the quality of life we get to enjoy in Napa Valley.

As I sat there in this awesome single level 3+ bed, 2 bath and 4+ car garage on a half acre lot. I was blown away by some of the best vineyard and hill views off of the back patio. The temperature was at around 80 degrees with a subtle breeze and the visibility seemed infinite.

I keep hearing how some people feel that Sonoma is the true wine country. What do you think? Which is the true wine country? Who has better wine? Better schools? Nicer people?

Give me your opinion!

Thanks! 

 Some economists believe that owning a house is a risky asset, but in reality, homeownership historically has provided homeowners with long-term value, and often can be a consumer’s best investment.  According to statistics gathered by C.A.R. over the last 40 years, homeowners who purchase a house and keep it for at least five years have an average annual rate of return of nearly 12 percent.

I'd love for you to post your opinion!

 Here it is!

Short, sweet and honest!

$200,000 - $450,000 Aggressive if a good value - Not selling fast if overpriced or short sale.

$450,000 - $550,000 In limbo at times.

$550,000 - $850,000 There are some great buys in this range. I am blown away at times. Your money seems to go such a long way in this price range.

$850,000 -   +    There are some great values in the high end markets. However, like in every price range there are sellers and agents who are still stuck on three year ago pricing.

This is a very general overview, if you need more specific data feel free to call me.

Please share your opinion. Thanks!

 On November 8th some financial advisor's friends of mine and I are getting together to discuss with a savvy group of investors where to invest in the current market. This will be a casual setting only for the serious investor. If you would like me to reserve you a spot please let me know right away. It will be only about 2.5 hours.

 Wow, some of the people that have added comments are at the top of the real estate business. Thanks for your input!!

What would you say to a buyer who feels like waiting for the market to change. What I have to say is probably over simplistic... but here goes!

We can all wait for the elections to pass, thanks giving to pass, Christmas to pass, new years to pass, easter to pass, spring break to pass, summer break to pass, next school year start to pass and so on and so on and so on...

All I see passing is... opportunity. How many of you have ever said... If I would have bought that piece of property back then, where would I be now. Well guess what... back then is right now! Real Estate has double in value every 10 years.

What a crazy real estate market. As I see people almost daily who for a wide variety of reasons are losing there homes. I also see others taking great advantage of the opportunity this market has to offer.

The market seems to have hit somewhere near bottom in the entry level price range in Napa. That is the low $200's to high $300's. Interest rates are LOW, LOW, LOW... it is the perfect storm! Take advantage!