So maybe publicity works!  A fire-safe holiday in Lodi Ca During the weeks running up to the holiday season, the Lodi fire department travelled over the lanes, courts, avenues and streets of the town … with lights and bells and sirens!  Running up and down on the sidewalks were little “elves” sharing holiday wishes and reminders about fire safety during the holiday season! The hard-to-see character on the serious end of the ladder was that Kris Kringle guy who “ho, ho, ho’s” throughout each evening’s ride.  From his vantage point and with a microphone system he sent messages of good cheer out to each address along the way.  The staff and I were on the porch and paid no attention to him as he called “Hi you folks at 427!”  Finally one of us “got it” and we waved back … to which he ann... 01/02/2011

The Legacy Estatessubdivision is located on the Southern edge of the grape growing and wine producing community of Lodi, California.  Legacy Estates in Lodi, California is made up of 217 units built between 2005 and 2007. Located approximately four miles North of Legacy Estates in downtown Lodi, California is the World of Wonders Museum at 2 North Sacramento Street.  This museum is a family oriented hands on museum dedicated to making science fun and stimulating to all ages.  They do this by providing hands on experiments and exhibits to allow people to actually witness science in action.  The museum is staffed by a dedicated group of people made up of a small staff and many volunteers from the community.  To quote them, "Join us at the World of Wonders Science Museum, there scientific... 01/02/2011

The Legacy Estates subdivision is located on the Southern edge of the grape growing and wine producing community of Lodi, California.  Legacy Estates in Lodi, California is made up of 217 units built between 2005 and 2007. In the year of 2010 the following market activity took place in Legacy Estates: * •·         Homes Sold in 2010            18 Properties •·         Average Days on Market      91 Days •·         Average Listing Price           $315,644 •·         Average Sales Price            $305,583 *per MetroList MLS Prospector   Currently there is the following activity in Legacy Estates: * •·         Active Properties For Sale       4 •·         Active Short Sale Properties    4 •·         Average Days on Market        91 Days •·         Average Listing Price             $320,6... 01/01/2011

  Looking a little backward and then looking more forward is one of my favorite New Year activities.  It helps me to put a context of the past into the adventure of the future.  I’d like to share a little about one of my “discoveries” of 2010 and one of my losses for 2011.   Revolucion 1910 is a wonderful “Mexican” restaurant in Lodi, California that finds its menu origins in the more European-style of the Spanish Empire of centuries ago.  From the “beans of the day” to the mild cilantro seeped rice the food at Revolucion 1910 is an evolving treat.  The crisp and light “chips” are paired with pureed salsa – based on the chili and the whim of the kitchen.  The flavor changes with each visit … and never disappoints.   The art and the environment keep pace with the “refined” feeling of th... 01/01/2011

What a way to start off the new year!  In 2009 I had two separate signings and closes of escrow on Dec. 31st.  Awesome!  Yesterday, Dec. 31st, I got word that two of my clients' offers were accepted.  Way cool! Today I am officially starting my new contract with a new broker.  I have been in the same office, with the same broker since I got my license six years ago.  I am a creature of comfort by nature, but I was very fortunate to have found the broker I did, Steve Davis, because he helped to mold me into the agent that I am today.  I am and will be forever grateful to Steve and his wife, Carol.  They were amazing to work for, and will always be  incredible friends.  That's priceless to me. Because Steve's daughter, Erica Davis, became paralyzed from a rare spinal cord injury, he had t... 01/01/2011

New Homes are still selling in Lodi or San Joaquin County, California: 11/28/10   New homes sales in both Stockton and Manteca lead the pack this week; Stockton also performed strong as the result of new product releases.  Caution and an optimistic look forward at the whole market highlight this week’s economic review..  The numbers are still showing some minor strength across the board.   The following information has been extracted from New Homes Sales and Marketing reporting companies and on-site visits for the week ending 11/28/10: Focus on Stockton: Total Projects Reporting: 4: Traffic: 24; Sales: 4: Cancellations: 0; Net Sales: 4; YTD Sales: 91 San Joaquin County:               Total Projects Reporting:  26; Traffic: 233; Sales: 11; Cancellations: 1; Net Sales: 10; YTD Sales: 571... 12/20/2010

  Outfitted with their brown digging shirts and Savannah hats, many mini-paleontologists trooped from the “classroom” to the “dig-site” at WOW (World of Wonders Science Museum) in Lodi.  These little “people who look for and study fossils” had just finished their kid-sized lecture and were ready to get into the dirt! The adventures opens with the WOW staff adding the physical meaning of “fossil” – “paleontologist”  - and “excavate” to their working vocabularies.  After learning the meaning of the words, the class ranging in age from 6 to 9, were off to put into practice what the classroom had taught them.  In the building adjacent to WOW, the staff had prepped the digging field.  WOW held the “Digology” event the weekend of December 11 and 12.  Hour-long classes started on Saturday and ... 12/18/2010

Local Lodi High School PR teachers running around in the neighborhood.  "Singing" holiday songs ... jogging and passing out candy canes ... what's not to love about Lodi, California?  (The one in the middle ... his name's Rudolf!)  There really isn't a way to sing holiday songs "off key" ... but these folks are definitely not the Glee Club faculty advisors.  They do, however model not only the Spirit of the season - but the Spirit of the School as well .... 12/15/2010

I live in Lodi, CA in the heart of the Central Valley where home sales consist of mostly foreclosures and short sales, and we really don't get "snow" around my neighborhood.  But sometimes it gets so cold and because of either a light rain or mist and the dew on the grass, etc, it actually does look a little like a winter wonderland. Here is a little of what Frosty left behind the other morning... No, this isn't exactly Minnesota or Fargo, ND, but when I walk out and see a leaf frozen to the top of my car...I'm thinking it's still a little too cold for me to be outside.  :-) Stay warm everyone no matter where you are! Randy 12/01/2010

Reading about it …. Or a hands-on experience …. Which is your preferred learning method?  Helping folks to buy or sell real estate in Lodi, California has some side benefits that agents in larger metropolitan areas may not have the opportunity to experience.  One of those benefits is becoming aware, first hand, how the community you serve is inter-connected.  Talking with a prospective Lodi home buyer, gave me an opportunity to do a little research on educational options in Lodi, California. It was during that research that I discovered “WOW” – World of Wonders, a science museum.  Located just east of downtown Lodi, California, WOW offers a “hands-on” science experience.  A member of the Association of Science Technology Centers, WOW is currently partnering with the Exploratorium in Sa... 11/26/2010

  New Homes are still selling in Lodi or San Joaquin County, California: 11/21/10 New homes sales jumping in a “percentage” may just be a false look at the whole market.  As numbers are reaching record all-time lows a “10 percent increase” does not necessarily reflect a big surge in the sales figures.  Nation-wide standing inventory would suggest that new homes on hand may exceed 10 months of demand. Funds to close may also be an issue into 2011.  While consumer payrolls, according to Wells Fargo Bank Weekly Economic and Financial Commentary may expect to see some growth in the upcoming quarter, consumers still need to prop up their personal balance sheets damaged in the recession. The following information has been extracted from New Homes Sales and Marketing reporting companies and o... 11/26/2010

  If I saved $220 this year I would make a contribution to the new effort to develop a “Japantown” historical district in Lodi, California.  Much of Lodi has seen tremendous property and value benefits as the result of renovation projects.  This area on the east side of the railroad tracks has long been a part of the “rail history” of Lodi, California but has usually carried a “wrong side of the tracks” reputation. Historical and cultural centers will be developed and the surrounding neighborhoods will be revitalized.  As part of the continuing dedication of the community to its history and its cultural diversity another area in our real estate market re-emerges as a commercial, residential and historical center.   This post is for the ActiveRain 'I could save $220 with Kodak' contest. ... 11/23/2010

  While few economic reports were published this week, the overall atmosphere indicated a more optimistic economic picture for 2011.  The primary issues seem focused on the trade balance and unemployment claims.  Current reports however, indicate a slipping in new homes starts across the country. The Wells Fargo Weekly Economic and Financial Indicator suggests that “if we continue to see improvement in retail sales numbers, it may signal stronger contributions to fourth quarter GDP growth from personal consumption expenditures.” The following information has been extracted from New Homes Sales and Marketing reporting companies and on-site visits for the week ending 11/14/10: Focus on Stockton: Total Projects Reporting: 4: Traffic: 42; Sales: 1: Cancellations: 0; Net Sales: 1; YTD Sales... 11/18/2010

  New Homes are still selling in Lodi or San Joaquin County - weekending 11/07/10 While Manteca continues to top the list and has opened two more projects this week bringing the total number of projects to 14 and available inventory to 86. Sales on the other-hand seem to be led again this week by Mountain House with over 50% of the total net sales.  The Census unemployment impact seems to no longer be adding to job losses and private sector employers appear to be adding jobs.  Other indications of a leveling of the economic slide in the manufacturing sector are an improved non-manufacturing job index and an increase in orders in the service sector.  The Wells Fargo Weekly Economic and Financial Indicator suggests that the data continues to suggest a slow economic growth and limiting fa... 11/12/2010

  New Homes are still selling in Lodi or San Joaquin County - weekending 10/31/10 Census unemployment and state and municipal job losses continue to downward pressure on the employment picture.  However home sales tipped upward for both resale and new construction for the week.  The Wells Fargo Weekly Economic and Financial Indicator suggests that the usual seasonal adjustment may have minimal impact this year reflecting the poor sales figures year to date. While Manteca continues to top the list in number of projects (12) available inventory (77) and sales (15) - Mountain House added 10 new releases to inventory and 9 sales to the production totals.  The following information has been extracted from New Homes Sales and Marketing reporting companies and on-site visits for the week endi... 11/05/2010

  New Homes are still selling in Lodi or San Joaquin County - weekending 10/24/10 Tight credit, employment pressures and underwater homeowners continue to put downward pressure on the economy according to the Wells Fargo Weekly Economic and Financial Commentary. While Manteca continues to top the list in number of projects (12) and available inventory (92), DelWebb/Pulte’s project “Woodbridge” rang traffic bells last week.   Overall experts are predicting “an improvement in housing over the next 12 months, but at a pace that suggests no rapid boom.”  The following information has been extracted from New Homes Sales and Marketing reporting companies and on-site visits for the week ending 10/24/10: Focus on Stockton: Total Projects Reporting: 4: Traffic: 33; Sales: 3: Cancellations: 1; N... 11/04/2010

  The Central Valley of California is a winter wonderland to the thousands of Sandhill Cranes that make their winter homes in the grasslands and marshes of the area.  Lodi, Ca celebrates the arrival of these winter residents with the Sandhill Crane Festival, held this year November 5 – 7 at Hutchins Street Square.  Information about the venue may be found here. The festival will include wildlife tours, workshops and presentations, art shows, live animal displays, family activities, children’s events and the exhibit hall with vendors and displays.  Admission is free and more information may be found here. The "southward" migration is taking place now.  Practice and patience will help in being able to separate the “lesser” and “greater” varieties of the Sandhill Crane.  The “lesser” grow ... 11/02/2010

What’s in a sign ….. they may tell us more about our city than we think! One of the interesting things to do when driving around town is to read the signs that “decorate” the road and pedestrian pathways of our hometowns.  Sometimes they are safety and lawful advisement and at other times they take on almost the aura of urban (or suburban) art. Here’s one of the signs I noticed on the sidewalk of one of our principle streets.   When I saw it, I remembered hearing a passionate plea years past about making recreational activities “unlawful.”  I think however, that Lodi California reached a compromise.                    On the city sidewalks, malls and other areas where pedestrians could be harmed by an accidentally out-of-control sidewalk surfer - prohibition seems appropriate. The City ... 11/01/2010

  World Class Wine – World Class Fun – World Class:  “Michael David Winery” Fall begins the seasons of fun and that is the theme you encounter from the first moment of your visit to Michael David Winery’s “backyard.”  Small animal petting zoo, classes on agriculture, ecology awareness and the connection of humankind to the land … all wrapped in a garden setting. Under the sweeping branches of an ancient willow tree, the rough lumber counter bears the pumpkins and gourdes displaying the welcoming message to the "backyard!" Just past the welcoming willow, the vistors gets to make a choice:  right to the garden or left to the corn maze and animal petting area. Passing through the garden moving toward the maze, visitors may pick their own flower arrangements  .. see the cashier before wand... 10/31/2010

Soggy Spooks … Soaring Spirits … Trick or Treat – Downtown Lodi, Ca The annual “Downtown Trick or Treat” festival was a little damp … weather-wise … but not for the hardy participants!  The event which closes School Street in mid-downtown from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM was plagued with a series of intermittent showers.  Some of the street vendors and lots of the costumes chose to be fair-weather players.  But for those who made it there … the fun knew no dampness! School Street and Oak Street - here's the "00" blocks in all directions - the heart of Downtown; this is a scene of vendors settling up for  Trick or Treat in Downtown! After showers and drizzle ... these folks take the high road as the wind and chill pick up. Street vendors, promotional companies and the "tenant merchants" all wel... 10/30/2010