About Madera County, CA

Congratulations to John Bortz, YGAOR's Realtor of the Year for 2008. John is a tireless member of the association always providing education and support to members. He has served many roles as an officer and committee chairperson for the local board.

John was joined in business this year by his wife Cathy and they both are with Century 21, Ditton Real Estate in Oakhurst California.

I am particularly grateful to John and Cathy for the support of my Home Staging Business, Dream Interior Redesign and Staging here in the Oakhurst and Mariposa Mountain Area. John understands the value of proper preparation when marketing a house FOR SALE. Thank you, JOHN and CATHY.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home you can't go wrong with John Bortz. Give him a call today at 559-676-3913

Many of you have experienced and lived with these lighting fixtures.

For some reason contractors in our area still think that these albatross fixtures are still ok in kitchens and baths. I know of three spec. builders that persist in putting these into their new builds and that is just crazy in today's lighting market. In the shop or garage, OK but in the house, PLEASE they need to be updated.

Recently Dream Interior Redesign and Home Staging was asked to advise on a home staging and also on separate kitchen redesign. Here are some products that can help homeowners be energy efficient BUT with more style.

Whether in Chrome or Bronze what a big improvement and at a great price compared with some retail lighting specialty stores. I found these at Home Depot.

When preparing a house for the resale, or new sale market, updating the lighting fixtures will impress the potential buyers and help make the sale.

If you need advise on how to properly prepared a house For Sale, call Ginger Foust at Dream Interior Redesign and Staging. Serving the mountain communities surrounding Oakhurst and Mariposa, California, 559-877-2442.

My home is not worth what it used to be, and my interest rate is supposed to go up soon. The media is saying that nobody can get any financing. My neighbor lost their home, are we in jeopardy of losing our home?

This question sure comes up a lot recently, with all of the foreclosures dominating the news, media and our home towns. So what are you to do? The first thing you should do is find out what your home is actually worth. Contact a local realtor to help you. If you are "upside down", then you need to call your current lender and try to negotiate a lower interest rate, or longer term.

I already called my lender and they told me I need to be behind in payments before they do anything. What do I do?

IF YOU CALL YOUR LENDER, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THEY WILL TELL YOU THEY CAN NOT HELP. I think this is the first reaction that homeowners are getting. But the truth is that a lot of the lenders are willing to work with you, IF you talk to the right person, someone who has the authority to make that decision.

One of our clients had to call five times before they actually got in touch with someone who knew what they were talking about. Our client finally contacted the current lender and asked for a MODIFICATION OF their MORTGAGE. Some lenders will call it a Fresh Start program. Or perhaps the lender will convert the loan from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate mortgage. Even if you are behind on your mortgage or in foreclosure, some lenders will put the amount that your behind in payments on the back end of the loan.

With news in recent days, mortgage companies are beginning to reduce the principal balance of the mortgages. You may need to be persistent or explain the hardship of paying your mortgage payments before the lender will actually lower the payments. In some cases, we have already seen the lender reduce the principal balance to what the home is currently worth. This could be a huge savings to the homeowner, and may prevent a foreclosure altogether.

Not my lender they would rather take my home and foreclose?

Do not give up. Most mortgage companies do not want your home, they would prefer to work something out with you so they do not have to deal with a foreclosure. Bottom line - if you do not ask you do not get. Keep asking. Do not give up.

Ken Yoder - Branch Manager Guild Mortgage - Oakhurst

559 642-4200

This year Dream Interior Redesign and Staging will be submitting two items for the ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE AUCTION and Holiday Event on December 7th, Saturday at 3 p.m. This event is benefit local charities with a focus on the Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst. Celebrate the Holidays with a live auction of beautifully decorated full sized trees, table top trees, and wreaths. Also enjoy champagne, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, a raffle and door prizes.

Many other items will be auctioned online at www.SupportBGClub.cMarket.com

Join us at the Pines Resort on Bass Lake. Admission is $25. Call Rima Runtzel at 642-0313 or visit the event website for tickets.

The gift box topiary will be up for purchase at the auction but that is not the tree that I'm entering. You have to attend the event to see my "Winter Wonderland" tabletop tree.

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Dream Interior Redesign & Staging by Ginger Foust is a full service professional home staging and interior redesign company serving the California foothill and mountain communities of Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Wawona and Mariposa. Visit our website at www.DreamRedesigns.com or www.OakhurstStaging.com for more information and photos of our work.

Every fall in the month of October our Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Wine and Chocolate Festival in the community park.

Experience the cool morning temperatures of Oakhurst in the fall and the beautiful colors in the surrounding mountains.

Many vendors representing local and regional specialities have booths and you can sample wine, chocolate and tasty foods. This is designed as a family event.

Come to our mountain community, just 40 minutes north of Fresno and 20 minutes from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Contact the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce for more information. 559-683-7766

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Dream Interior Redesign & Staging by Ginger Foust is a full service professional staging and redesign company serving the foothill and mountain communities of Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Wawona and Mariposa. Visit our website at www.dreamredesigns.com or www.oakhurststaging.com for more information and photos of our work.