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Monterey, CA Real Estate News

By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The Obama legislation just announced that they will be extending the home buyers tax relief credit until June, 2010.  The buyer must be under contract by April 1st and close by June 1, 2010!  This program is also allowing Investment properties and Non-First Time homeowners.  The initial plan only allowed First Time Homeowners purchasing their own primary residence.   As people were rushing to purchase homes at these amazing interest rates in the 4's they were being forced to race the clock to achieve the tax credit which was to expire December, 2009.    Since last year the percentage of houses on the market fell by approximately 50%.  Which shows the plan that has been called T.A.R.P initiated to get people to buy homes is working.  Of course the interest rates being in the 4% range is...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
If your out on the road and see a big Redbox out in front of your local 7-Eleven or Safeway grocery store then be sure to stop and check out the new way to rent DVDS. It's a self-renting video store, which allows you to receive DVD's after choosing through a vast selection of new and older titles via touch screen. It's very easy to use for all ages but a credit card or debit card is the only way for payment. Various titles, all for $1.00 you can either reserve online or pick up in person. You're also able to view what DVD's are available at other locations online by choosing a Redbox near your location. With Redbox being ranked as the fifth largest DVD rental company by revenue in the United States in April 2007 by the Entertainment Merchants Association it will surely turn up some dram...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
      It's that time of the year again to start preventing the flu season from effecting your family and friends. Monterey County will be lucky enough to offer the H1N1 Flu Shots soon at multiple clinics within the next few weekends to individuals wanting to prevent the risk of the virus. The Department of Health and the Visiting Nurses Association will be working together vaccinating individuals upon arrival to the locations available.       Currently this Saturday, December 5th Hartnell College Center at 411 Central Ave. in Salinas will have medical personnel and volunteer staff offering the flu shot between 10:00am-1:00pm. King City High School located at 720 Broadway in King City with also offer this service between 3:00-6:00pm.       For those who could not make the first weekend o...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Next Monday, Nov 30, 2009, we will not be having our regular team meeting.  Instead I hope to meet many of you at 11:00am to work on decorating our office for the holidays.  This will be coordinated with setting up tables in the office hallway to collect toys and clothing for distribution to families in need. This will be the 5th year in a row that Keller Williams Carmel has worked with the Salvation Army Holiday Toy Drive.  They will deliver barrels, and we will set up an area where all our donations can be gathered.  Please watch for sales and great buys at the local stores.  All donations must be new items.  Please do not wrap them since it is easier to know who to give the gift to, if it can be seen.  Toys, books and art supplies for any age are welcome.  Also shoes and clothing in...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Once Upon a Party  Sunday, November 22nd 5:30-7:30pm The party planning company Once Upon a Party is turning ONE and will be celebrating their party at MY Museum!  Join them for cake, raffles and giveaways! Make sure you dress your little ones up in a costume. Hope to see you there! It's Free, but reservations are required! Please call 831.883.8591 
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Thanksgiving Day November 26 the Salinas Rural Fire Department will hold a "turkey trot" toy drive from 7-10am at the Creekside Terrace parking area of the Fort Ord Public Lands. Please come by and bring a toy. It is a great cause and makes so many so happy.  All toys benefit the Kinship Center adoption programs.  There couldn't a better way to start your holiday then to make a child happy. You can also take a pre-feast hike, bike or trail ride and burn off some extra calories!
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The unexpected often appears as Angelica Blatt gazes out her window. That's why Blatt positions her Nikon within easy reach. She can grab her camera, focus in and, with a snap, capture the moment in all its digital glory. Blatt lives in a gated community off River Road. From her house, she sees the winter moon rising and the valley floor silvery in the morning mist. She also sees the silent migration of foxes, coyotes, deer and other natives as they crisscross the land. In bitter cold, in hail and rain, the animals roam, seeking enough food and water to get them through the day and night. Much of the wildlife drifts in from nearby Toro Regional Park. No fence separates those untamed lands from Blatt's property, and the animals move at will. "Like this big bobcat," Blatt said. "It walked...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Come to Las Palmas Ranch to live.  You will be surrounded by lots of natural beauty and lots of open space.   Currently there are 6 homes available for sale ranging in price from $290k to $909k of which 4 of those homes of short-sales..the market seems to have picked up.  Earlier this year we had nearly 40 homes for sale. I think buyers have realized there are good buys out here and it is a great place to live! I have lived at Las Palmas for over 10 years and in four sections of Las Palmas.  We currently live in Prominence which has a total of 40 homes each one situated on 1 to 2 acre lots and is a gated section with  magnificent views of the Salinas Valley and beyond!   We often use the swimming pool to take the kids for a swim, get some exercise in the lap pool or just relax in the h...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
HOLIDAY HOME-SELLING IDEAS! So you have decided to sell your home during the holidays!  Welcome to the most magnificent (and stressful) time of the year--especially if you are trying to sell your house. What are your options to help make your sale quicker? You always have options and there are many which can help you sell your home faster. If it is vacant, this will be a little more difficult, but necessary to be sure.1) Keep the holiday decorations to a minimum. If you love holiday decorations, try to pack most of them away to enjoy next year at your new home. Buyers don't need to be distracted in your house and some may be offended if they have different religious beliefs. 2) Keep a colorful doormat outside and inside the house to add color and reduce dirt tracked through your house. ...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
My Museum in Monterey is a wonderful place for kids to discover and learn! I love it and so do my 3 year old twins. We go every chance we get. This year the girls had their 3rd birthday party. The party room was perfect and the kids had so much fun they hardly could stop for cake and ice cream! Home School Class Thursday, November 19 9:30-10:15amWe have a great hands-on class planned for you this week, we'll be learning about light refraction with a camera obscura (otherwise known as a pinhole camera)!  This ancient camera has been around since the time of Aristotle and is easy to make and fun to enjoy for our age group of 4 to 8 year olds! Space is limited so please call and reserve your space today! 831.649.6444 Once Upon a Party Sunday, November 22nd 5:30-7:30pm The party planning c...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
FOLLOW-UP TO THE FOUR-BERRY PIE RECEIPE!!! Last night I prepared the infamous four-berry! My family could hardly wait the 35 minutes for it to bake. Once it came out of the oven...someone started eating it even before it cooled and burned their tongue..so becareful. Berries really hold the heat. It is best served cooled with fresh whipped cream and perhaps a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Try it! Here is the before photo. In my earlier post, I only had the after photo. Send me your comments on the pie and photos please!  
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
This looks so good and is in the oven now.....I will keep you posted.. Via Anne Rains -Bethlehem Georgia Real Estate Agent (Real Estate Agent for Keller Williams, Atlanta Partners): I love trying out new recipes and luckily last night I had the opportunity to as it was my night to bring snacks to my Small Group Bible Study. One of the recipes I attempted was this Mixed-Berry Crumble Tart and afterwards everyone said it was a keeper...so I thought maybe you would like to try this one out too! Now, I forgot to take a before picture...but here's an after picture...it's nearly gone, so that's got to tell you that it's delicious. It's made from a mixture of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries which I thought was perfect for the summer time. And berries are really good for your body too...
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By Blatt + Cutino, Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
I am having trouble posting to Localism so I am trying from a different location to see if it my by my main computer.
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By Gene Riemenschneider, Turning Houses into Homes
(Home Point Real Estate)
Monterey Bay Aquarium Three of my boys are home schooled and Monterey Bay had the Home School Day on Monday November 2.  So we packed up four of the boys (the other is in Public School) and headed down Sunday afternoon for a fun night at the Hotel first. Public School day is FREE which put this right in out price range.  The kids loved it especially the sea otters.  The big hype is on the Sea Horse exhibit which I felt was so so.  There is a large tank with sharks, big tunas, barracudas and a number of other fish. Most of the fish are salt water, but they did have some nice looking trout; wish I had my rod and a fry pan; but they probably would have tossed me out. What I did not know is there is a huge underwater canyon that goes 2 miles down right off the Monterey coast.  The average d...
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So I had to write a blog announcing Barry's seminar in my home town. We're sponsoring the event and we picked out the coolest spot, a hawaiian steakhouse restaurant!! This seminar isn't about appeasing upset loan officers with rounded edged it'll be ok speech. This seminar will teach loan officers to actually know what they are doing, know what they are talking about, and better evaluate where they think the market it headed in a short term and long term way. He'll also be touching on new regulations and changes in the mortgage industry, so many people have questions, and Barry will help shed some light! Are you in California? This seminar is worth coming to, and it's almost full. On top of Barry's invaluable info, enjoy a Hawaiian afternoon getaway with Hawaiian food drinks and atmosph...
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By Mark Bruno, Monterey Peninsula Home Team Leader
(Monterey Peninsula Home Team - Carmel, CA - Keller Williams Coastal Estates)
With the Holidays just behind us now, the numbers for Monterey, California are a bit on the sluggish side, which is to be expected.  The number of sales in January reflects just how little was going on here in Monterey in the month of December.  With jumbo loans still very difficult to get, and with the over abundance of lower priced investment opportunities in the surrounding areas, it is no surprise we only had 3 closed transactions for the month.  But as you can see, there were only 5 sales last year in 2008 for the month of January.  Historically the month of January is slow for Monterey and the rest of the Peninsula as tourism is slow, the weather is sometimes a challenge, and the locals are not making any significant moves over the holidays. The real difference can be seen in the...
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By Eileen Begley, Monterey Real Estate
(Coldwell Banker, DelMonte)
Need Help on Your Computer? The Monterey Bay Users Group for PC's is a non-profit group dedicated to helping other computer users. It is a nice friendly group. Anyone is welcome to attend any of the meetings. They have an "F1" group to answer questions and help with problems. There is one general meeting each month as well as other workshop meetings. Membership cost is only $25 for the year. You receive a monthly newsletter and a membership card which is good for a 20% discount at Borders on computer books. (I get my membership costs back fast with this one!) MBUG.org    
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By Eileen Begley, Monterey Real Estate
(Coldwell Banker, DelMonte)
Moving to Monterey? Need a Rental? Rental List is an online website specializing in rental homes, condo and apartments in Monterey County. Rentallist has been on the web for 10 yrs now. If you are looking for an apartment, start with the Apartment Community Guide.     Having trouble finding a rental that accepts a pet? Then check the pet friendly rental sections in both the community guidesection and the rental section.Landlords, trying to rent a house or apartement? Rental List offers free ads to both landlords and property managers. Call or email for your free login and password. You can easily add up to 10 photos. Disclosure: Rental List is owned by the blog writer, Eileen Begley
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By Eileen Begley, Monterey Real Estate
(Coldwell Banker, DelMonte)
Monterey's Cannery Row This is the waterfront area that was made famous by John Steinbeck. This is probably one of the more popular destinations for tourists. A visit to Monterey just would not be complete without a visit to Cannery Row. There were once a number of sardine canning factories located here. The best way to see this historic street is to walk. There are lots of great shops, hotels and restaurants here. Looking for a Monterey Home?copyright 2008 by Eileen Begley
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By Eileen Begley, Monterey Real Estate
(Coldwell Banker, DelMonte)
Weather Alert for Monterey Peninsula, Ca. - Snow Expected to Continue Thru Christmas...  The weather in Monterey, especially near the harbor area is unseasonably cold this year. A thin layer of snow has settled over the beach, rocks and roof tops of Fisherman's Wharf. It's rumored there is ice skating in the Custom House Plaza area. The ocean is very calm, with minimal waves due to the thin coating of ice over the water. But WARNING it is not (yet) thick enough for you to walk on water, much less ice skate on. Please dress warmly. Yes, I admit, I too own a copy of Photoshop. :) Copyright 2008 by Eileen Begley, all rights reserved
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