Ed Bailey GRI, Broker Associate, Instructor

by Beverly Scott,

President YOSEMITE GATEWAY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

I attended the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) business meeting this past week in San Jose. Prior to the business meeting, C.A.R. held a conference and expo where they released the housing market forecast for 2010. “California’s housing market continued its strong sales rebound this year, resulting from the continued pace of distressed properties coming to market,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak. “This follows two years of double-digit sales declines in 2006 and 2007. Looking ahead, we expect sales to moderate to a more sustainable pace.” Liptak added that after experiencing its sharpest decline in history, C.A.R. expects the median price to rise modestly next year with 2010 marking the beginning of the ‘new normal’ for California’s housing market. This ‘new normal’ likely will feature a steady stream of sales driven by distressed properties in the low end of the market, coupled with moderate home-price appreciation. The median home price in California will rise 3.3 percent to $280,000 in 2010 compared with a projected median of $271,000 this year, according to the forecast. Sales for 2010 are projected to decrease 2.3 percent to 527,500 units, compared with 540,000 units (projected) in 2009. “Housing in California has become a tale of two markets,” Liptak said. “The low end continues to attract first-time buyers and investors, with a resulting shortage in the number of homes for sale. Sellers at the high end, however, continue to be challenged by the ability of home buyers to secure financing as well as their concerns about where prices are headed. While demand from first-time buyers for low-end properties will continue throughout next year, sales could be impacted if discretionary sellers do not return to the market by the second half of 2010.” This year marked a unique opportunity for first-time home buyers. Liptak said homes were more affordable than they have been in years, interest rates hovered near historic lows, and the federal tax credit helped more than 1 million people become homeowners nationwide. He added, “Now is the time for Congress to extend the federal tax credit and to expand it to all buyers, not just first-timers.” “With distressed properties accounting for nearly one-third of the sales in 2010, inventory will be relatively lean, under 6 months during the off-season months, and a roughly 4-month supply during the peak season,” said C.A.R. Vice President Leslie Appleton-Young. “We expect the median price to decrease slightly through the remainder of 2009 and into next year, then rise before leveling off next summer. For the year as a whole, home prices are forecast to reach $280,000.” “Although it appears at this time that lenders are closely monitoring the flow of distressed properties onto the market, there could be an exertion of downward pressure on home prices should a heavier than expected wave of foreclosures come to market next year,” she said.

Four Bedrooms, two full baths and two half baths, 2650 sq. ft. Home at 57233 Thunder Way (off rd. 274), North Fork, Saturday, May 2, from 11 until 2. EdBaileyRealtor.com 559-676-2424

Sierra Art Trails is almost upon us! The planning committee has held their final meeting before the show, and everything looks very good.

Here is some info that should be of interest. Please take the time to look this over. There is some great stuff here!

PRESS COVERAGE

Press coverage has been excellent, with articles in the Madera Tribune, Mariposa Gazette, Sierra Star, Merced Sun Star, and an excellent feature in this Sunday's Fresno Bee which is already drawing visitors to the Preview Exhibit. You can see much of the press on the WEB by searching "Sierra Art Trails" in quotes using GOOGLE or your favorite search engine to get a feeling for our impact on the world around us.

CATALOG CORRECTIONS

I have attached the addendum for the catalog to this email. It is a one sheet document that includes corrections and changes to the catalog information. Please print a few and have them available at your site for visitors. We are distributing the information with every catalog we sell at Williams and Stellar Galleries, and have posted it on the web site. http://www.sierraarttrails.org/catalog_corrections.htm

EVENT SIGNAGE

Wayne Boring is doing an EXCELLENT job of updating the large signs we place at important intersections is Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Mariposa, North Fork, and YLP. Wayne is taking precious time away from preparation of his own site to insure the signage is correct. Give him a resounding HOORAH! when you get the chance. Please make your own site signs as Bold and Informative as possible to draw in visitors. Signage guidelines are also posted on the web site if you want to review the them.

http://www.sierraarttrails.org/signage_guidelines.htm

SIERRA ART TRAILS PRODUCTS Now Available!

Thanks to "Outside the Box" brainstorming by artist Charlotte Hoffman, Art Trails is now offering Art Trails items for sale on-line through http://www.zazzle.com/sierraart On Zazzle, you can purchase t-shirts, coffee mugs, magnets, and MORE! ( I bought a coffee cup ). There is also a T-Shirt available with this year's catalog cover art. ( I'm buying one of those too! ) Royalties on sales benefit Sierra Art Trails. Please help us to keep Art Trails going by passing on this link to others! If you refer others through the ZAZZLE web site, discounts are offered to you and your contacts. Please pass it along!

CATALOG SALES

If you have catalogs at your site, please do your best to sell them during the event weekend. We would love to sell out like we did in 2004! If you feel you need to reduce the price. We would prefer to receive 18.00 per catalog, but it is OK to offer visitors 15.00 on Saturday, or 10.00 on Sunday. Remaining catalogs will be sold at Stellar Gallery for 5.00 after the event. Previous years' catalogs ( except 2004...cover by Penny Otwell...which is rare and sold out ) are also available at Stellar Gallery. We will collect funds and remaining catalogs after the show, they can also be dropped off at Stellar Gallery.

ART TRAILS AWARDS

Art Trails presented three awards at the Preview Exhibit Reception. The 2008 "Keeper of the Flame" Award for Excellence in Supporting the Arts was presented to Yosemite Western Artists, and was received by YWA President De Sheldon and her husband Daru. A cash award d for 500.00 was presented to the Mariposa High School Art Department, and a Public Art Fund was established with a 500.00 initial deposit establishing the fund. YOUR participation in Sierra Art Trails makes all this possible! Thank you!

GINNY BURDICK JOINS ART TRAILS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ginny Burdick has supported Sierra Art Trails since the moment the idea for the show was born in 2003. She is an accomplished watercolorist and pastel artist, and an outstanding citizen working as an executive for the Fresno hospital system. We are proud to have her as the newest member of our Board of Directors.

Read more at www.OakhurstRealEstate.info.news.html

Ten Top Reasons Why Ed Bailey Should be your Mountain Area Real Estate Agent

• Area Resident Since 1972 - extensive knowledge of the mountain area.
• More than a quarter century Real Estate experience, including more than 20 years as a Real Property Right-of-Way Agent with Sierra Telephone.
• Real Estate Broker's License - Experience and education well beyond requirements for the Salesperson license.
• Real Estate Instructor at State Center Community College.
• Graduate University Degree (Master of Science).
• Graduate REALTORS® Institute (GRI) Professional Designation.
• Recipient of the "Angels Amongst Us" award for more. than 30 years service to the community.
• Editor of the local monthly NEWSLETTER, "Yosemite. Gateway Properties and Lifestyles," published at www.EdBaileyRealtor.com/news.html.
• Editor of Oakhurst Homeowner's Guide, published at: www.realtydirect.net/news/?PUB=13067.
• Well known and respected throughout mountain area.

***Knowledge and Experience Make the Difference***

Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors®
Giving Back to Our Communities

• Map to Sale
• YGAOR
• Volunteers
• Applicants

Saturday, September 27, 8-5
Sunday, September 28, 8-3
40080 Hwy 49 Oakhurst

Since 2001 Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors® has held an annual Monster Rummage Sale to benefit local charities.

This is a huge "Monster" event and whatever you may be looking for might be located in our huge 11,000+ sq. ft. sale area. This year we will be in the "Old True Value" building for your shopping comfort. We will also be offering food, beverages, and a place to sit down to enjoy musical entertainment, so make a day of it!

Departments include; Housewares, Collectibles, Boutique, Clothing, Toys, Books, Art, Computers, Sporting Goods, Outdoor Items, Appliances, Linens, Furniture, Crafts and Holiday Items. Something for everyone!

Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors is pleased to announce that the 2008 charity recipient is:

Manna House

The Manna House was established more than 20 years ago to supplement other emergency assistance programs to the needy in the mountain area. They supply needs as the funds are available with the major focus being distribution of food and clothing. They currently operate out of their facilities at 50407 Hangtree Lane in Oakhurst between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Their telephone number is (559) 683-6262 and they have call forwarding for emergency needs after hours. The Manna House staff is composed of about 30 volunteers, many of whom have volunteered for many years. As their work has become known throughout the community more business people and individuals have joined in supporting these efforts through donations of money, food, clothing or discounts for which they are most grateful. Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors® is proud to help support Manna House as our charity recipient this year.

Read "Yosemite Gateway Properties and Lifestyles" Newsletter at www.OakhurstRealEstate.org/news.html