When our kids were growing up, they never wanted to leave town for the 4th of July. It wasn't because they were homebodies or didn't like to have fun.
Rather it was because nobody does the 4th like Benicia. Just ask anyone who's visited Benicia over the 4th of July. And actually, when I say the 4th of July, I REALLY mean the 3rd and 4th -- for Benicia's Independence Day activities begin on the 3rd and run straight through fireworks on the 4th.
MORE THAN JUST ONE DAY OF FUN
The party actually begins early on the 3rd, when the townspeople start lining First Street with lawn chairs and placing their blankets out on the lawn on at the City Park in anticipation of the annual Torchlight Parade.
This year's parade begins at 6:30 pm on the Third of July. It's a bit hokey, a bit folksy, and every bit Benicia. And something that most Benicians wouldn't miss. The entire town shows up -- food and drink in hand to celebrate a kickoff to our country's birthday.
The parade always has a little something for everyone. Horses, dogs and a spitting camel. Firetrucks, policecars and perhaps even a cement mixer or shiny new garbage truck. Marching bands, dancing school children, clowns, belly-dancers, even a gorilla on a bicycle.
JUST THE APPETIZER...
But that's just the appetizer, for the real fun takes place the following day -- on the 4th of July.
It all starts with the Picnic in The Park -- which runs from 12 noon to 7 pm at, you guessed it, City Park. The locals show up to eat, drink and enjoy a variety of local entertainment, which takes place in front of Benicia's hometown gazebo. There are food and beverage booths, things to do for the kids, even an arts and crafts fair. Many Benicians show up early and spend the entire afternoon at the park.
FIREWORKS OVER THE WATER
But the highlight of the day -- and the part that no 4th of July celebration can be without -- takes place at dusk. Of course, I'm talking about Benicia's always spectacular fireworks display. This year's show begins right after dusk.
The Benicia Main Street Program, which puts on the 3rd & 4th of July festivities, says the pyrotechnic display is scheduled to begin around 9 pm. But the entire town migrates down to the waterfront several hours before that. Most people set up camp either at the Marina or the First Street Green in preparation for the colorful fireworks show, which takes place over the water.
Some people prefer to watch the display from a favorite spot on one of the hills in Southampton that looks out towards the water. From some of these hillside vista points, you can see not only Benicia's fireworks show, but also those from several Contra Costa cities.
Anyone who visits Benicia over the Independence Day festivities really gets to see Benicia at its best. Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, the Disney Channel filmed our 3rd of July Torchlight Parade as part of a network promo showing that Small Town America was alive and well.
If you long for a traditional 4th in a setting that feels like you just stepped into a Norman Rockwell portrait, don't miss this year's Independence Day festivities in Benicia. It's a slice of Americana that always keeps the townsfolk from leaving town.
For more information, contact Benicia's Main Street Program at 707-745-9791.
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Coldwell Banker Kazoo Band Again Ready For This Year's Torchlight Parade
The last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific railroad was welcomed by several hundred history buffs, train buffs and curious Benicians as it rolled through Benicia earlier today as part of a 32-day tour celebrating the 140th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike.
Benicia planning commissioner Rick Ernst organized the event and said he didn’t expect more than 50 people to attend. To his surprise, four or five times that number showed up, including Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Vice-Mayor Tom Campbell and Councilmen Alan Schwartzman and Mike Ioakimedes.
Ernst set up an impromptu Benicia train station (a tent) in hopes that the train would make a temporary stop along its way from Roseville to Oakland — the Western-most destination on its 32-day round-trip journey from Cheyenne, WY.
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Search The MLS — Click Here to search the MLS for either Solano or Contra Costa Counties.
Sales figures in Solano County were either way up or way down, in the first quarter of 2009, depending on whether you’re looking at the number of sales or sales prices.
Sales were up 261% county-wide compared to the first quarter of 2008. Vallejo led the way, with almost four times as many sales this year as a year ago, followed by Suisun City (up 311%), Fairfield-Green Valley (+245%), Vacaville (+190%) and Benicia (+126%).
From January through March, Vallejo had 606 closed sales. A year ago, there were 161 over that same period. Put another way, Vallejo had almost as many sales in the first quarter of this year as occurred throughout the entire county (619) during the first quarter of ‘08.
While sales activity was up dramatically over a year ago, prices were another story. The median sales price county-wide plummeted 43% from a year earlier, dropping from $328,400 in Q1 of 2008 to $185,703 in 2009.
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It’s been a few months since President Obama announced his Making Home Affordable housing plan. Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, including right here in Benicia, Vallejo and much of the rest of the Golden State, the plan likely won’t have much of an impact.
And, judging by what many of my colleagues in other parts of the state or country are saying, the program may be one of those that sounds good but has little impact in some of those areas as well.
In case you missed it, the Making Home Affordable Plan is supposed to help up to 9 million U.S. homeowners refinance or modify their loans in an effort to prevent responsible owner-occupants from instead becoming foreclosure casualties.
The program targets two different types of borrowers:
1. Those who have been unable to refinance and take advantage of today’s low interest rates due to their home’s drop in value; and,
2. Those who are either behind on their payments or struggling to stay current.
Part I — Refinance Assistance
The first program allows those who owe up to 105% more than their home’s current market value the opportunity to refinance into a lower-cost loan. Unfortunately, here in Solano and Contra Costa Counties as well as pretty much the rest of the Bay Area, most of the homes that are under-water have lost so much equity that they’re worth far less the 105% maximum that the Making Home Affordable plan allows.
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Search The MLS — Click Here to search the MLS for either Solano or Contra Costa Counties.
3 Bedrooms,2½ Baths
Approx. 1,528 Sq. Ft.
Priced At $235,000
Talk about pride of ownership! This beautiful duet home is in move-in condition and features all sorts of upgrades and custom amenities, including a gourmet kitchen with tiled breakfast bar, self-cleaning gas oven & range, over-the-stove microwave, and stylish laminate flooring.
Along with three upstairs bedrooms, there’s a family room, living room, dining area off the kitchen, and interior laundry. There’s a tile-faced gas-and-ceramic-log fireplace in the living room. The master suite features plant shelves, two closets & double vanity sinks. And, there’s central air plus a covered patio in the backyard. This home is a Short Sale, with VERY motivated and cooperative Sellers!
If you’d like to know more about this home or to arrange to see it, please contact us at 707-747-6600 or via email at rjherman@HomeSection.com.
Integrity, honesty & professionalism are my hallmarks. I live by the Golden Rule -- treat each client as you'd want to be treated...a concept that unfortunately is far too rare in our profession.
Real estate is full of people who'll promise you the moon and then forget where they left their spaceship. 
With Rod & Jamie Herman, it's just the opposite. No empty promises. No mindless rhetoric. Just two honest hard-working real estate professionals who care about their clients and treat them like family.
If that sounds different than what you may be accustomed to, you're not alone. Our credo is simple: do business according to the Golden Rule and treat people the way we'd like to be treated with honesty, reliability, integrity, and professionalism.
From our Benicia office, we're strategically located to assist clients throughout Solano and Central Contra Costa Counties. That means we can help you from Vacaville to San Ramon and all points in-between. It also means we won't send you to somebody else to see homes ty five miles away just because it's across the bridge. We're members of two different MLS systems, so, unlike many local agents, we're here to assist you no matter what side of the Benicia Bridge you'd like to make your home.
As you browse our web site, you'll notice that we call ourselves The Hidden Advantage. Once you get to know us, you'll see that it's more than just a catchy slogan. It goes a long way towards describing who we are and why our clients receive a level of service, knowledge, and experience far greater than most Realtors are able to provide.
Whether you're thinking of buying, selling, or just keeping tabs on what homes in your neighborhood are worth, we're ready to help. We can be reached by Phone, Email or through the contact form on our web site.
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I've been part of the local housing industry since 1982, with experience as a marketing, advertising and public relations director for a major Bay Area homebuilder, branch manager for a local title and escrow company, and of course, as a successful real estate agent.
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Rod & Jamie did such an outstanding job selling my home that I just had to let you know. They handled every detail with such efficiency that it made the whole process stress-free. I've sold several properties and have always had difficulty with communications. Not so with Rod & Jamie. They always call back in a timely manner. I will recommend them to all my friends.
- Dona Rose (Seller)
Rod & Jamie were extremely helpful in helping us sell our home at a fair price in a difficult environment. Rod was totally on top of all the events that occurred as part of the process. This started with recommendations for improvements to increase market value and continuity through the funding at close of escrow. Jamie was very organized in making sure all the paperwork was properly filled out and was very helpful in suggestions for the home improvements. We look forward to using their services in the future.
- Rick and Sue Gordon (Sellers)
When we made the decision to put our home on the market, we knew we would come back to Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific. The hard part was choosing from our friends there that Roger had worked with. He knew that it takes focused attention and a strong sales organization that makes for a successful listing, sale and escrow. Rod and Jamie exceeded our expectations for professionalism. We were in frequent communication about the progress on the listing, sale and escrow of our home. After more than 30 years in Benicia, it was hard to leave, but we knew we would be well taken care of by Rod and Jamie when we chose to move out before the house had sold. Real estate is a difficult business to be successful in because of uncontrollable factors that can affect the market. Rod and Jamie were able to see when these might be happening and because of their counsel and advice, we were able to make sound decisions. We highly recommend Rod and Jamie Herman to anyone looking for a real estate team that always has a positive attitude, are true real estate professionals and who have excellent knowledge of how real estate transactions can and should take place. Coldwell Banker is lucky they haven't opened their own office.
- Roger and Rosanne Heym (Sellers) -- Roger is a former Coldwell Banker agent
We were both quite impressed with the tenacity and stick-to-it-iv-ness you both displayed during the rather long and arduous process. May other Realtors would have lost interest in our project and put us on their back burners. It is not often that we have to deal with real estate matters, but it is really reassuring to know that when we do, you two are there to look out for our interests, explain all the details, and ensure we understand everything that is transpiring. Your personal service and attention to detail is very much appreciated. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
- Charlie & Gail Bouffard (Repeat Clients)
In a very stressful time for my husband and I (we got engaged, married, quit jobs, started new jobs, sold a home in Nevada, bought a home in California and moved...all in less than 2 months!), we counted on Rod and Jamie to not only handle the transaction, but also be efficient and look out for our best interests. They exceeded our expectations in every way. They are professional, courteous, detail-oriented, experienced and knowledgeable. We respect them greatly not only professionally, but personally, too! We hope to continue our friendship with Rod & Jamie and will recommend them every chance we get!
- Chris and Sharon Black (Buyers)
The Hermans are the most trusted, hard-working, thorough agents we have EVER dealt with. Attitude: Positive, Supportive, Superb. Professionalism: Of the highest standard. Knowledge of Real Estate: Superb.
- Ron and Sheri Russo (Sellers)
Rod & Jamie are the only two people we would do real estate business with!
- Don & Karen Richey, Sellers & Buyers (Repeat Clients)
Excellent, very nice, friendly and helpful. Remarkable knowledge of real estate. Rod had major information whenever I needed an answer. They also created an excellent web site for my home.
- Joan Beguelin (Seller)
Rod and Jamie were always upbeat and encouraging, yet realistic in regards to what Michael & I could afford and work with. Rod and Jamie were consummate professionals. They were always responsive...never failed to return phone calls, updated us on changes immediately. They were always "cool, calm, and collected" even with the extremely short timeline we had to find and offer on a home, since we were traveling from Massachusetts. Even with the wedding for their eldest daughter imminent, we never felt like we were "put on hold." We always felt that our needs were important to both Rod and Jamie.
- Michael & Monyee Kazek, Buyers & Sellers (Repeat Clients)
This is the third time we've asked Rod & Jamie to represent us in a real estate transaction. In our view they are the best at what they do.
- Tim & Vickie Ward (Buyers & Sellers (5-Time Repeat Clients)
We could not have been happier with our experience. As first time homebuyers, we were not fully aware of the details involved when buying our first home and nervous about making this purchase. Rod and Jamie addressed all of our concerns and questions with professionalism and courtesy. We felt comfortable with them and their knowledge of the market and confident that they had our best interest in mind when negotiating.
- Brian and Amy Pereira (Buyers)
We were so very pleased with the Hermans. We described what we could afford and what we hoped to find in our first home and they found it with extras! With real estate professionals like Rod & Jamie Herman, I can understand why Coldwell Banker is such a successful real estate company.
- Doc & Cathy Soto (Buyers)
We had the privilege to work with Rod & Jamie Herman before out latest purchase of our new home. They helped us purchase our very first home some 6 years ago. They took two very nervous first-time home buyers and made us feel like our interests truly came first and prepared us for all of the unforeseen things that go into such a thing. We of course, called them again to help us "move up in the world." Some things never change! Their professionalism has gotten even better if that is possible! Their knowledge of all of the pitfalls made us very comfortable and we put our full trust in them, which is rare these days! They did more than they needed to every step of the way. We will of course, if ever needed, use them again and continue to refer any and all who need "real" real estate professionals.
- Mark & Melinda Bilow (Buyers, Sellers, Repeat Clients)
I think the best tribute we can give to them is to share with you how they truly "work up" to the claim they make on their website: "Our credo is simple: do business according to the Golden Rule, treat people the way we'd like to be treated with honesty, integrity and professionalism." And how! With Rod & Jamie nothing was too much. They bent over backwards to accommodate us. Rod & Jamie were as honest as it gets - they candidly (but delicately!) helped us out when we were prepping the condo for the market by making suggestions that would approve its appeal when being shown. The most unbelievable thing is that they represented both the buyer and seller in both of our transactions and we felt that Rod and Jamie were on our side the whole time in both situations.
- Greg & Bridgette Kennedy (Buyers, Sellers)
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