A total of 38,291 new and resale houses and condos were sold during the month of June (statewide). That's up 3.6 percent from 36,975 for May, and down 32.8 percent from 56,989 for June 2006.  June sales from 1988 to 2007 range from 35,437 in 1993 to 76,669 in 2004. The average is 51,799. The median price (statewide) paid for a home last month was $479,000, down 1.0 percent from the record high of $484,000 for March, April and May. That was down 0.2 percent from $480,000 for June a year ago. The year-over-year decline in median was the first since January 1996 when the then-median of $146,000 was down 2.0 percent from $149,000 a year earlier. The typical mortgage payment that home buyers committed themselves to paying last month was $2,319. That was up from $2,266 in May, and down from $... 07/26/2007

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future, or know someone who is, please go to http://www.officialsonomacountyhomes.com/ for a personal interview and property assessment with no obligation. MARKET WATCHJune 2007--Sonoma County Homes StatisticsAll HomesNo SoldJun-06No SoldJun-07Pct.ChgMedianJun-06MedianJun-07Pct.ChgAlameda2,1981,536-30.1%$600,000$605,0000.8%Contra Costa2,1021,413-32.8%$599,000$597,000-0.3%Marin453350-22.7%$830,000$961,25015.8%Napa195128-34.4%$680,500$577,000-15.2%Santa Clara2,7632,163-21.7%$681,000$699,0002.6%San Francisco705633-10.2%$790,000$825,0004.4%San Mateo906755-16.7%$770,000$795,0003.2%Solano773453-41.4%$475,000$419,500-11.7%Sonoma735533-27.5%$580,000$532,500-8.2%Bay Area10,8307,964-26.5%$648,000$665,0002.6%Sonoma County428$532,500$575,0... 07/26/2007

Ready or not summer has arrived and has brought along with it higher energy pricesand homeowners scrambling to find inexpensive ways to keep their homes cool.* Maximize Your Air Conditioning:Open windows and use a portable fan instead of running the A/C. Use a fan alongwith your window air conditioner to spread the cool air though out the house. Don'tput lamps or televisions near your A/C thermostat; the heat from these devices cancause the air conditioner to run longer. Consider installing a whole house fan thatpulls air through open windows and exhausts it through the roof, which can cool thehome quickly and reducing energy up to a third in comparison to an air conditioner.*Little Things Add Up:Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents, they produce the same amount oflight but use... 07/26/2007

Special Offers and Rebates from ENERGY STAR Partners Check This OutMany local utilities provide financial incentives for purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights. To find out if rebates or other incentives are available in your area, visit the Energy Star Rebate Finder. Go to:http://www.energystar.govAnd click on "Rebate Finder" under the PRODUCTS tab. 07/20/2007

 Rohnert Park Real Estate Home Shopping OnlineLooking for a new home? Looking to upgrade your home? Shopping for a better loan?If you are like the the majority of home buyers, chances are you've already discovered the benefits of shopping for your new home online.The web is a great place to begin your home search.Thats why we create a website the will allow you to shop for your next home from the comfort of your own home.www.OfficialSonomaCountyHomes.comThe website  is going to made shopping for your next home easier than ever.Stop looking around, not knowing where to start.  07/17/2007

With the increasing awareness of the dangers of global warming and the recent Academy Award given to Al Gore for his film "An Inconvenient Truth", we are seeing more and more information regarding Green, Sustainable, Eco-Friendly, or Earth Friendly living. This new trend is proving to be another means that homeowners can take advantage of to not only benefit the environment and their own quality of living, but to increase the value and sales appeal of their home.A recent study of U.S. homebuilders by Green Builder Media/IMRE Communications indicates that, nationwide, over 80% of potential home buyers prefer to buy homes that incorporate sustainable or energy efficient features. Of those buyers, half are willing to pay 11-25% more for environmentally friendly homes.Many buyers are specif... 07/17/2007

Are we pushing it? No more excuses that you were in the woods and you could not send that E-mailNumerous RV Parks and Campgrounds are adding free Wi-Fi high speed Internet access as a courtesy for visitors. Some offer access in the clubhouse or similar areas, while others use antennas to transmit the signal to extensive areas of the Park and Campgrounds.This supposed to be free time with the family, away from work, and annoying friends, to be in touch with nature. Are we  going to be forced to keep WORKING and BLOGING in our relaxing time? Even if it's just your own laptop. 07/15/2007

 Rohnert Park Real Estate It's a Great Time to Buy HomesLow rates and extraordinary Inventory have created perfect conditions for home buyers. Take a moment to consider these facts:You've never had more homes to choose from...· There are currently 3.75 million homes for sale. Inventories in recent months have been at record     levels,offering consumers the greatest choice in decades.· However, inventory levels are falling, and the selection of homes will become limited once again.· Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan recently said that housing prospects are looking up. "Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us. The fourth quarter should be reasonably good, certainly better than the third quarter." According to industry estimates, 2006 will be the third-best year ... 07/13/2007

Since January 2007, reports have emerged across the country about a dangerous new trend: candy-flavored meth. According to law enforcement officers and drug treatment officials, methamphetamine and other illegal drugs are being colored, packaged and flavored in ways designed to attract children and minors. Candy-flavored meth - with child-friendly names like Strawberry Quick - is designed to get youngsters to try it a few times. It's all about hooking young people early, and we have to stop this illicit practice in its tracks before it grows any further. That's why I introduced legislation in April to increase the federal criminal penalties for drug dealers who entice children with candy-flavored methamphetamine and other flavored drugs. This legislation will increase the criminal penal... 07/12/2007

I''m currently taking a personal finance class and have been learning about different retirement plans. I currently have a Roth IRA and just learned today that once you make more than 150K (or around there) you are no longer allowed to contribute to traditional IRAs. I did some research and found that there are other types of IRAs such as the SEP IRA and a Simple IRA. It sounds like these would be some good instruments for a small business owner to use. My question is what do you agents use for your retirement accounts? Do you use the SEP or the Simple? Or maybe there are some better tax deferred options out there. Thanks 07/12/2007

 Rohnert Park Mortgage Identity Fraud Prevention TipsThis was a good questionAre there any tips you can offer that would help protect us from fraudulent use of our credit (such as identity fraud, etc.?Yes. Here are some excellent tips. 1. The next time you order checks, have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks. 2. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address, if you do not have a PO Box use your work address. 3. Never have your SS# printed on your checks -- you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it p... 07/12/2007

Any other Agents wine lovers out there?? What wines are you drinking, collecting, looking for? Personally I like shiraz and zinfandels the best and only drink whites if there is nothing else left.  Wine comes in at the mouthAnd love comes in at the eye;That's all we shall know for truthBefore we grow old and die.I lift the glass to my mouth,I look at, and I sigh.William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) 07/12/2007

Your Ideal Self and LifeBy: Brian TracyYour self-concept is made up of three parts, each of which affects each of the others. Understanding these three parts enables you to put your hands on the keyboard of your own mental computer. When you learn to take charge of the development of a new and positive self-concept of selling, you can then control your sales destiny for the rest of your career. Determine Your DirectionThe first part of the self-concept is the "self-ideal." Your self-ideal largely determines the direction in which you are going with your life. It guides the growth and evolution of your character and personality. Your self-ideal is a combination of all of the qualities and attributes of other people that you most admire. Your self-ideal is a description of the person you ... 07/11/2007

Rohnert Park Real Estate Renting vs. OwningOwning a home is the American Dream, but renters are often apprehensive about taking on the financial responsibility of home ownership. Along with the pride, security and sense of community that comes from owning a home, real estate professionals remind taxpayers that owning a home rather than renting also offers financial benefits. ► Deductible Property Taxes and Interest: Most homeowners can deduct property taxes and interest paid on their mortgage every year of ownership. In fact, the tax code allows homeowners to write off interest on first and second mortgages -- including equity lines and loans -- up to $1.1 million worth of the overall mortgage debt. That is expected to amount to $72.6 billion in tax deductions this year alone. ► Borrowi... 07/06/2007

   More things to think about it.              Why is lemonade made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?                  Why is the third hand on a watch called a second hand?                  Why is what doctors do called "practice"?                 Why is it necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?                 Why is a boxing ring square?                 Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?                 Why is "abbreviated" such long word? 06/25/2007

Located in Sonoma County's southerncentral plain with 42,550 residents, Rohnert Park is the county's third largest city.The land that is now Rohnert Park once belonged to the nation of the coastal Miwok Indians. They belonged to the larger nation of Miwoks who inhabited central California and the mid-Sierras as far southeast as the Yosemite Valley. The nearest village to what would eventually become Rohnert Park was Kota'ti, also the name of their chief.Rohnert Park is a sports and recreation destination in Sonoma County's Wine Country. 06/19/2007

We here at the Real Estate Help Team continuously monitor local real estate staistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of real estate trends.  If you would like a free list of homes for sale in the M Section of Rohnert Park, we would be happy to provide it for you.  The M Section is located in the southeast corner of Rohnert Park.   Schools:      Elementary: Monte Vista;  Middle School:  Mountain Shadows;  High School:  Rancho CotateApril Housing Statistics for Rohnert Park/Cotati      Median Sales Price:         April 2007 - $509,900,  April 2006 - $599,000, April 2005 - $554,500      Number of Listings Sold:  April 2007 - 16,   April 2006  - 33,  April 2005 - 46      Days on Market:             April 2007 - 93,   April 2006  -  64,  April 2005  -  152007 Year To Date Housing Sta... 04/24/2007