Turlock, CA

If you or someone you know is thinking about trying to get a mortgage modified be sure to read the linked article. If someone asks you for a big up front payment to help you modify run the other way. Seems like there is always someone ready to take advantage of people's troubles.

Read the Article here:

Just a short drive of around 2 hours, in the opposite direction of my last destination (Yosemite National Park) is another one of my favorite places, Monterey California.

This was the view from the window of the bed and breakfast I stayed in the last time I spent the weekend in Monterey.

It's always nice to get away for a day to the coast especially when it's 105° here and its a cool 70° in Monterey. Although I was there last January and it was in the 80's for several days in a row. That was a great change from the fog we were experiencing in the valley at the time.

Monterey also has the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, great restaurants, great golf, Fishermans Wharf, and an Awesome Farmers Market on Tuesdays.

The Awesome and world famous Seven Gables Inn Bed and Breakfast. Great views , great rooms, wonderfull breakfast. The afternoon wine reception is fantastic and the evening fresh baked cookies and milk should not be missed.

Monterey has some great beaches for strolling or sunning yourself. The water is a bit too cold for me to jump into though. I must be getting old.

Ive been asked the question before, "why would anyone want to live in Turlock?" While it's true it can get really foggy in the winter and we usually have several days of 100 degree plus heat in the summer I love living in Turlock.

Turlock has some great schools. If you want, your kids can start out here in Turlock in Kindgergarten and go all the way to Calfornia State University Stanislaus.

Turlock has some really great parks too. You can enjoy a picnic at the very shaded Crane Park or feed the ducks and geese at Donnelly Park.

When it comes to shopping, Turlock has just about everything you need. There's really not much reason to head out of town for much of anything, and who really wants to with gas climbing back up to $3 per gallon.

Turlock has a great modern movie theater and if live theater is more your style just a quick drive to the Gallo Center for the Arts is right up the road in Modesto.

Turlock is small enough that just about no matter where you are in town and where you need to go its a quick trip. You can drive from one side of town to the other in just a few minutes.

Another one of the great things about living here in the Central Valley of California is how close we are to a lot of great things. In two hours or less you can be in San Francisco, Monterey, Yosemite National Park, Half Moon Bay, Sacramento or many other places. All these places are easily accessible from Turlock and are close enough for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

If you would like more information about Turlock, Ca. please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to tell you about my town.

If you are thinking of buying a home, chances are you may be involved in a transaction where the home is owned by a lender, or is needing lender approval, as is the case for Short Sales.

Make your first offer, your best offer. When writing an offer for a property where a lender is involved, it is best to make it as simple as possible, and make it your best because in many cases the lenders do not counter offer. In some cases where multiple offers are submitted, they may ask all buyers to re-submit their highest and best before they decide.

Be prepared for lenders to ask you to sign their own purchase contract. These contracts should include just about everything that a normal contract has, but you need to read it very carefully, as with any contract, so that you know what the process will be and what needs to happen, and when.

Most lenders will not make repairs. If you find out the home needs repairs, you may ask for a credit and some lenders will issue credit, they most likely will not do repairs unless is a safety or health problem that needs to be address in to obtain financing, such as FHA.

Some lenders are requiring pre-approve buyers themselves before considering an offer. You will not be required to get the loan from them, and you can also insist on them accepting your current approval. Some lenders however, make no exceptions. Having too many credit checks may affect your score in a negative way, so be cautious when letting that take place. A plus on this is that you'll get to see what they can offer you.

Lenders are not required, or able, to disclose all the things a regular seller is. Because the lenders do not have a personal knowledge of the property, they are not able to disclose many things. However, they are not exempt from every thing. You agent will give a disclosure that states what the lenders are exempt from. So this being the case, you must be extra careful as to the inspection of the home.

CLOSE ON T IME. Many lenders have a per diem charge of about $100/per day is you do not close on time. So you must stay on top of the transaction to make sure there no delays cause by something on your side.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions on buying or selling your home.

Don't you just love a beautiful Porch?

As a real estate agent with a passion for improving the homes I sell, by Staging them, I often find myself looking for new ways to improve, and transform different areas and little corners of the home, into more enjoyable spaces.

As I walk my dog, Tommy, around my neighborhood I often get to see the creative and beautiful ways in which people lovingly dress their front porches. It just makes you want to stop and smell the roses and take in the beauty of the moment! No, don't I really sit at people's porches, but it sure is tempting! It makes me want to get to know who lives there and learn from their creativity!

A porch's look and feel gives us a glimpse of what awaits us inside the home. How your porch right now? Is it bright and welcoming, or sad and neglected? Are there flowers blooming or is everything dead? Is there a place that says come sit, relax and refresh your soul?

A porch is also a great place for us to change the mood, as the seasons change, or with each holiday, without having to take too much. With a few potted plants, colorful pillows, which are so readily available at great prices, a whimsical wreath, are easy ways to make wonderful changes and add instant cheer with little effort.

Some great things we can use are:

Potted plants - just leave the plant in the original container and put that in a nice decorative pot.

Pillows / Cushions - Stores like TJ Maxx and Ross have great choices at great prices. Try fun colors like these white and red from www.urbanlivingshop.com

Birdhouses - unique rustic birdhouses are just charming and the perfect addition to any garden spot

Benches - a simple bench or chair and a bright pillow will make an inviting space

Wreaths - either on the front door or on the wall behind a bench is simple to change for holidays & seasons

Statues - a charming statues is always such a cute way to add whimsy

Flags - my favorite is the American flag. Always keep it clean and looking fresh

Window Boxes - few things are more charming than a window box overflowing with blooming annuals & ivies

Hanging baskets - just be sure they look healthy at all times by keeping them watered

These are only some of the many things we can do without much effort. Next time I think I'll have fun writing about back patios!

Beautiful Homes Realty embodies the concept and idea of helping home buyers and sellers make the most of their Real Estate investments. Whether you're just starting the dream or selling and upgrading to a bigger home, our goal is to maximize your overall investment. Do let us know how we can be of assistance with any of your real estate needs. Coverage areas include: Turlock, Denair, Waterford, Hilmar, Delhi, Stevinson, Atwater, Keys, Ceres, Modesto, Ripon, Salida, Manteca, Tracy and Patterson areas. Visit us soon at: www.sellingbh.com