I always strongly recommend my agents create a niche.  Know everything that you can about a specific neighborhood--the stores, schools (careful), commute times, pricing, parks, etc.  Preferable they will be selling in their own "back yard".  One should know more about the neighborhood than the mail carrier.  The mail carrier can probably surmise what political party you are affiliated with, where your relatives live, what branch of the service your kid is in, where you get your gas, etc. One should also know more about market stats than the mail carrier, however, regarding what has sold, FSBOs, who else is working YOUR farm, and what will be available soon, whether it be foreclosure or a regular sale.Pick a niche, and stick with it.  Become the area expert.  Focus.  Too many agents are ... 10/21/2009

Signature Homes & Estate, and its siter company Eagle Ridge Realty allow you to search for homes in Gilroy and Morgan Hill: SIGNATURE HOMES AND ESTATES (408) 846-8284 09/13/2009

We get a lot of calls from people moving into the Eagle Ridge Golf Community wondering what utility companies are used.  I don't understand why they don't just ask their real estate agent, but oh well...We always provide our clients with that information, and consider it to be part of our services.  You have a choice--You can use us, or wish you had...Following is the information for the Utility Comapnies that service the Eagle Ridge Golf Community in Gilroy, CA.:                                                    Our Performance Will Move You!" ®    UTILITY COMPANIES FOR EAGLE RIDGE HOMEOWNERS:    Gas and Electric (Pacific Gas and Electric):   www.pge.com    Customer Service 1-800-743-5000   Telephone:  www.Verizon.com     Water:  The Finance Department in City Hall can assist you with... 09/13/2009

We seem to get a lion's share of phone calls from people who are moving into Eagle Ridge and wondering what the utility companies are.  I don't know why they don't just ask their real estate agent, or why their real estate agent has not provided this to them, and we don't mind sharing, although quite frankly, not providing this falls way below the level of service that we provide...  Anyway, here is the Utility Company information for Eagle Ridge in Gilroy, CA.:                                   UTILITY COMPANIES FOR EAGLE RIDGE HOMEOWNERS:  Gas and Electric (Pacific Gas and Electric):   www.pge.com    Customer Service 1-800-743-5000 Telephone:  www.Verizon.com   Water:  The Finance Department in City Hall can assist you with starting water service. A written signature is required to st... 09/13/2009

09/06/2009

Housing Crisis Investigation - And YOU thought you had problems in the current real estate market - guess again! Just about everyone has been affected by the sluggish economy and the problems in the real estate market.   Take for instance this very well-known person, as a matter of fact he is considered the spill of the economic recovery or chaos depending on how you look at it, who is also a victim of the economic and housing mess we find ourselves in. I just saw a funny video clip on the Agent Inner Circle on the problems of the housing market which I wanted to share with you if you hadn't seen it already. It is a clip from The Daily Show       Anja Kerstens Eagle Ridge Realty     08/28/2009

TEE TIME RESERVATIONS FOR EAGLE RIDGE IN GILROY, CAEAGLE RIDGE GOLF COURSE IS A GREAT PLACE TO PLAY! If you need to get a tee time reservation at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Gilroy, CAyou can do so by calling the following phone number(s):(408) 846-4531 or 877-81EAGLE For a discount on green fees at Eagle Ridge Golf Course, click here:  EAGLE RIDGE GOLF COURSE  Here are some pictures of Eagle Ridge Golf course, which is a beautiful place to play! If you are looking to buy a home in the Eagle Ridge Golf Community, use a brokerage that specializes in homes for sale in the Eagle Ridge Golf Community!  All of our agents live in this wonderful community and really know the area.  Visit us on the web: EAGLE RIDGE REALTY  EAGLE RIDGE REALTY "Our Performance Will Move You!"Nancy and Gary Frimann... 08/28/2009

Do you need to book a tee time at Eagle Ridge in Gilroy, CA?  Here are thephone numbers: (408) 846-4531  or 877-81EAGLE  Eagle Ridge is a wonderful golf course located in Gilroy, CA.  It is a Johnny Miller designed 18 hole course that is both challenging and fun to play. Here's a little tip:  If you want to get a discount on Green Fees click here. We are Eagle Ridge Realty, a real estate brokerage specializing in Homes for Sale in Eagle Ridge (CA DRE #01309169).  Call us if you want to by a house at Eagle Ridge!  (408) 846-8284.  Or, make sure to visit us on the web: EAGLE RIDGE REALTY.  The Eagle Ridge Golf Community is truly a great place to live and play. Here is the Eagle Ridge Golfers Lounge Enjoy your next round of golf.  Hit 'em straight.Thinking of buying a home in the Eagle Rid... 08/28/2009

Oktoberfest at Eagle Ridge Golf Course Community   A few dedicated Eagle Ridge women are organizing the second Oktoberfest at Eagle Ridge which is sponsored by the Eagle Ridge Home Owners Association. This evening of fun and fine food will take place on September 4, 2009 at the Eagle Ridge Golf Clubhouse on Club Drive.  There will be a "No Host" bar, German food, German beer and dancing with The Internationals.  The cost is $55 per person but Eagle Ridge residents will get a $10 discount since the Home Owners Association is sponsoring the evening.  You can make arrangements by contacting the Home Owners Association of Eagle Ridge at 408-846-9735. The Eagle Ridge Home Owners Association sponsors several events a year.  The Social Committee also organizes the annual New Year's Eve Party, ... 08/20/2009

Eagle Ridge Market Update     Eagle Ridge Golf Course Community in Gilroy is definitely a very desirable place to live.  The proof is there: homes listed for sale in Eagle Ridge are selling quickly.  In the last 6 days 4 homes went under contract ranging in price  from $605,900 to $834,900 (another Eagle Ridge Realty listing) and ranging in size from 2808 to 4095 square feet. Currently there are 18 homes under contract and 13 active listings ranging from $525,000 to $1,099,000. If you would like to live in this very desirable community contact us for a showing or free Market Analysis of your current home.     08/20/2009

First Time Home Buyers Beware - You are running out of time.   Prices are down, sales are up and many first time home buyers are back and ready to purchase their first home.  If you are a first time home buyer you don't want to wait too much longer because the deadline for the $8,000 first time home buyers tax credit is approaching soon.  This tax incentive is expiring on November 30th at 12 midnight.  First time home buyers will have to complete the purchase of the property under contract before this deadline. That means that first time home buyers will have to find a property AND be under contract before the end of September 2009.  It takes 2 months on average to close a sale; mortgage approvals take longer, appraisals are also delayed under the new HVCC regulations that took affect o... 08/18/2009

Eagle Ridge Market Update - Eagle Ridge homes for sale.   The inventory is similar to last month here in Eagle Ridge.  Buyers are out and we have more visitors to our open house showings.  In addition we are seeing multiple offers on listed properties.  Our most recent closing last month received one of the highest sale price of any resale home here in Eagle Ridge in the last year. We were able to negotiate top dollar for your seller.   Currently there are 16 active listings in inventory ranging in price and size from $525,000 (4 bedroom/3 1/2 bath - 2,222 square feet) to $1,099,000 (5 bedroom/3 1/2 bath - 4,729 square feet).  If I compare this to last month I conclude that the listing price on the low end of the market has dropped slightly and it increased from $924,000 to $1,099,000) ... 08/13/2009

Eagle Ridge Homeowners Association - is hosting the Eagle Ridge E-Waste Day   The Eagle Ridge Homeowners Association is hosting their first Eagle Ridge E-Waste Day for the homeowners of Eagle Ridge on September 19, 2009, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. I encourage all homeowners to save the day and to take advantage of this program.   Future events are based on the success of this (hopefully) first E-Waste event. Hi-Tec Recycling located in Richmond, will accept all electronics free of charge in the parking lot of the Eagle Ridge Homeowners Association (ERHOA) clubhouse at 2840 Caledonia Way.   You can bring all recyclable electronics such as:   televisions remotes computers printers cell phones monitors satellite dishes radios, etc. They will not except: light bulbs mercury switches large kit... 07/24/2009

Gilroy Market Update for July 2009 The following market update is for single family homes. July continues to be a strong month for Real Estate sales here in Gilroy.  Again, more homes are under contract then there are in inventory.  Many of these properties are short sales or bank owned properties. As of today there are: 138 active listings ranging in price between $144,500 and $5,500,000 199 homes are under contract ranging in price between $111,000 and $1,075,000.  Note: many of these homes are short sales or bank owned properties and these sales generally take longer to complete. 38 homes closed escrow during the first 22 days of July.  The average days on market for these homes was 112 24 of these properties are bank owned 8 are short sales 6 do not disclose the type of sale or are ... 07/22/2009

Life in Eagle Ridge is great! We are enjoying life here in Eagle Ridge very much.       We are cruising on the "Eagle Ridge Cruise" as some of my neighbors are referring to the many summer month activities. There are many opportunities here for family activities.  Not only does Eagle Ridge offer golf, tennis courts, basketball courts, pool, walking and hiking trails, it is also close to beaches, wineries, and shopping. We planned to go to Malibu on our only family summer vacation this weekend. We were looking forward to this trip, all packed and on our way, however, our oldest who was scheduled to work July 4th was not able to find a sub for his shift. We canceled our trip and returned home unpacked the car and started our vacation in Eagle Ridge. We are only a short drive away from the... 07/04/2009

Creekside in Eagle Ridge is sold out.     All homes that have been in inventory for the last two years are now sold.  The California tax credit of $10,000 for new construction purchases may have helped moving these homes.   Shapell has started construction on four new homes which will be released in July of 2009.  Prices are not set yet but will range in the high $600,000s or low $700,000s. This is good news for those missed out on this great opportunity to own new construction in Eagle Ridge.   06/15/2009

Eagle Ridge Inventory is down again.         I can't believe that we are down to only 11 homes here in Eagle Ridge.  In the beginning of March the inventory was about 42 and now we are looking at only 11 properties.  The new listings are priced higher and that is a good sign for those looking to move out of Eagle Ridge.  In June two properties went to escrow and were sold over asking price.  There was one new listing and one property was reduced in price.  Four properties went to contract.  These numbers are very good. Conclusion:  The market is up, inventory is down and properties are moving.  Eagle Ridge is a community in demand. If you are looking for a property in Eagle Ridge give me a call or contact me per email.  I will be happy to show you what is available. 06/14/2009

Eagle Ridge Golf Community real estate update Last month Eagle Ridge Golf Community had 5 homes which closed escrow with prices ranging between $500,000 and $695,000.   Average sale price of these homes is $635,400. These homes were on the market for 98 days. This number is low because one of the properties sold in 2 days. Currently we have the following statistics: Current Inventory: 13  Homes under contract: 14 Home price range of current inventory: $559,950 - $995,000.   This is in line with the statistics for Gilroy  Four homes are listed as either short sale or bank owned.   06/09/2009

Market Update for Gilroy Real Estate of Single Family Residential Properties. Healthy conditions are returning to the Gilroy housing market.  Sales are up and inventory is down.   May continues to be a strong month for real estate sales.  There are currently 244 single family homes in inventory with 62 new listings and 58 sold properties.  In May of last year those numbers were significantly different as can be seen on this chart.   During that time Gilroy had 527 active listings with 33 properties sold and 112 new listings.  There was not a big difference in the number of days on market. This is the number of days it takes to sell a home from the time it is first listed to the day it closes escrow.   The statewide median home price for single family homes was $256,700 in April 2009 Whe... 06/08/2009

Gilroy is truly a special and wonderful place to call home. My daughter graduated from high school today and it was an emotional and moving event.  As I am reflecting back on the years since we moved to Gilroy from the East coast I realize what an amazing and small city Gilroy is. We enrolled our children at St. Mary, a great elementary school, and with it we gained a big family.  Everybody was nice and welcoming and we knew we had arrived "home". That feeling has continued through the years since we moved here. Gilroy rallies together when someone or a group is in need of support.  People reach out to those less fortunate to help them improve their lives.  Organization such as the Gilroy Foundation,  Community Solutions, and Hearts of Gilroy a non-profit organization started by a dear ... 05/30/2009