Entry level-housing affordablity rises 18%
I just finished reading an interesting bulletin put out by the California Association of REALTORS. If you are interested follow the link to the full article.
Kelly…
Why Golf Tournaments are so very important
Where does one start when trying to expound on all the positive aspects of a well put together REALTOR sponsored Golf Tournament? Well let me start here….
Most REALTOR sponsored tournaments are a really fun way to raise funds for your community and in some places for REALTORS who have suffered misfortune in one way or another. A good tournament is usually an all day event with raffle prizes (no purchase necessary), putting contests, closest to the hole, longest drive, most accurate drive, worst t-shot, highest score, auctions both silent and noisy and of course lowest net score.
These tournaments are known to raise anywhere from $2000 to upwards of $100000 or more that go directly back into the community to help fund local food banks, housing shelters, womens shelters, childrens programs to name a few.
Now as you know golf is a game of honesty and integrity so hardly anyone ever writes down the incorrect number of strokes it takes for their foursome to complete the hole. Boy let me tell you I have personally met some of the best foursomes on the planet. I met this one foursome, they were incredible, they had a round of 36 and only two holes in one for the day. One on the front nine and one on the back, I tell you they were a real inspiration.
Oh, did I mention that at most tournaments there is a bit of drinking that goes on? What better way to network with your colleagues than to share time on a beautiful golf course over a few dozen beers? Let’s the guard down a bit and you can really get to know the real person behind the mortgage lenders badge or the REALTORS badge or escrow and title reps badge.
Now I am talking about good clean adult fun with an emphasis on responsibilty, even though one year we did have these two really fun ladies flip their golf cart racing down a slight embankment trying to bring refreshments to the quite parched golfers. Don’t worry no broken bones or abrasions just quite a bit of laughter once we knew everyone was safe at third.
Regardless of all the frivolity the most important part of these tournaments is two fold….Build camaraderie and raise funds for your community.
So, in this downturn of a market we seem to all be experiencing get together with your compatriates and put together a well thought out and fun Golf Tournament this year and remember why we are here in the first place. We are here to enjoy friends, family and the fruits of our labor and to go forth and multiply…. Did I just say that last part out loud?
Kelly…
Wine Styles – Meritage Wines
Meritage wines aren’t something you see too much these days; however, they do still exist and if you are lucky, you can find some really interesting ones at your local wine shop. Since Meritage wines aren’t commonly promoted on a large scale, the general wine consumer doesn’t know a lot about this wine style. I certainly didn’t until a couple weeks ago when some colleagues enlightened me with an educational Meritage wine tasting.
Meritage wines are American wines ‘blended in the traditional noble Bordeaux varietals.” These varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, and Carmenere for the reds and the white varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Vert.
According to The Meritage Association Web site (www.meritagewine.org), a group of American vintners formed the association to recognize handcrafted wines blended from the aforementioned Bordeaux varietals. The name “Meritage”, which rhymes with heritage, was chosen as it combines the words ‘merit’ and ‘heritage’ and the members felt this term accurately reflects what their wines stand for.
Red and white Meritage wines have to be made from a blend of at least two or more of the previously mentioned varietals and no single variety can make up more than 90 percent of the blend. If a producer wants to include the name ‘Meritage’ on his or her wine label, then he or she must follow the red or white varietal blending rules as well as become a member of The Meritage Association.
The following are some exceptional examples of American Meritage wines that are definitely reminiscent of the traditional Bordeaux style. As such, these wines taste great now but will benefit from a bit of aging as well.
2005 Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles, $62
Justin Isosceles doesn’t technically say ‘Meritage’ on the label, but the blend in this wine is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Merlot, a classic Meritage style wine. This wine has garnered so much attention among the top wine critics as it never disappoints, and the 2005 Justin Isosceles is no different with beautiful deep purple hues and intense aromas of rich fruit. This wine is bursting with red berries and dark cherry flavors with a hint of spice and vanilla. The Isosceles may have a touch of VA* (volatile acidity), which I believe adds to its overall complexity. This wine has incredible structure and a strong, persistent finish.
14.6% Alc, www.justinwine.com
2004 Franciscan Estates Magnificent, $50
One of the original Meritage wines from the late 80s, the Franciscan Magnificent is made up of 50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. This moderately intense wine with grippy tannic structure exhibits ripe plum, dark cherry, raspberry, and cocoa aromas and flavors. This wine has great balance and complexity. You may need to decant this wine for ten to fifteen minutes before serving.
14.5% Alc, www.franciscan.com
2004 Rodney Strong Symmetry, Alexander Valley Red Meritage, $55
The Symmetry has opulent aromas of red lollies, blackberries, spice, chocolate, black cherry, and vanilla with flavors of raspberries, strawberries, cola and sweet vanilla. This wine has pleasantly drying tannins with the balance and complexity that give way into a rich, full finish. The varietals in this blend are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc; however, exact percentages could not be found.
14.6% Alc, www.rodneystrong.com
2004 Opus One, $170
The 2004 Opus One consists of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. This luxurious wine has incredibly smooth, silky tannins with aromas and flavors of raspberry, red cherry, cassis, spice, and sweet vanilla. This full bodied, well-balanced and structured wine was made to age well, and at that price, you would definitely expect it to!
www.opusonewinery.com
As the above wines are a bit pricey, below are two more great examples of Meritage wines that have a much nicer price tag.
• 2004 Kendall-Jackson Meritage Red Wine, $30, www.kj.com
• 2005 Coppola American Meritage, $20
*All wine contains some VA or Volatile Acidity, which is formed by the oxidation of alcohol, mainly acetic acid and ethyl acetate. In small amounts, VA can be beneficial to a wine as it adds complexity, but in larger amounts, or when a vinegary aroma is detected, it is considered a wine fault.
Using your home as your personal ATM? Bad Bad Homeowner!
OK, maybe the time has passed for homeowners to mortgage their future, for now. And THAT’S a good thing. One segment of the population that is being foreclosed upon is the people who thought they could keep living off their future equity. I know equity has become one of those words that we long to hear, but it will come back. As will rising home prices. It may not feel like it right now, but it will.
So, a word to the wise… Don’t ever borrow money against your house unless you are making significant improvements that will at the same time increase the value of your home. A large percentage of the homeowners in trouble with their banks, are in trouble because they borrowed money to finance toys and trips. Everything from an SUV to a get-a-way to Europe. With a sense that their appreciation would never end, they ran to their ATM (home equity) with wild abandon.
Maybe I’m too conservative, but I have to tell you, my clients have all gotten the same advice from us. And I also must tell you, none of my clients have lost their homes through foreclosure, whether by buying too much home in the first place or by leveraging their future.
So if you’re thinking about refinancing for any reason, talk to your REALTOR or call us. We’ll help you think it through and make an informed decision.
Happy Home Ownership !!!!!!!!
Wallace…
Going Green
Golly gee Batman it is starting to heat up in the valley! I know Robin and we are going to have to ask every neighbor to be ever more vigilant in helping keep lawns greenish and the proper authorities aware of green swimming pools.
I can see the new Batman comic series this summer so clearly in my wacky mind what with the catastrophic foreclosure rate this summer. Last year was bad enough with all the mosquito infested swimming pools and dead lawns and this year I guess we can expect it to quadruple.
Which brings me back to you and me as neighbors. Why don’t we take a few extra minutes out of our day and throw some water on the lawn next door to your home? Yea the guy was a jackass when he lived there and he is gone now and we are here suffering the consequences. Why not take a minute to call the Abatement Department in your town and make them aware of the sesspool next door? Why not call the Police when the home next door is being broken into for the sixth time this month?
Come on people, step up, butch up, man up, cowboy up, whatever you want to call it and be an active member of your community and help out. It only helps us all.
Kelly…
