Dean & Deluca ~ Fine Foods & Wines Dean & Deluca preparing fine foods.  Dean & Deluca has also developed a catering program that promotes the celebration of food!  Founded in 1977 by Joel Dean and Jack Ceglic with the opening of its flagship store in Soho, New York.  Dean & Deluca quickly grew into a multi-channel retailer of gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines and high-end Kitchenware with operations though out the United States and abroad. Dean & Deluca has five US locations and also has International locations. New York California/Napa Valley Kansas North Carolina Washington DC International         Their West Coast Store located at: 607 South St. Helena Hwy  St. Helena, CA 95474 707.967.9980 Store Hours: Sunday - Thursday ~ 7am - 7pm Friday & Saturday ~ 7am - 8pm Dean & Deluc... 07/16/2011

Cordelia Real Estate--Eight Eco-Friendly Home Tips Make Going Green Easy Incorporating eco-friendly measures in homes has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents - going green is giving home sellers a competitive advantage. With home builders incorporating energy saving features into new homes, it's no wonder real estate professionals say more and more home buyers are asking about "green homes." In the end, small changes to a home can help the environment and help a property stand out among the competition.  "It makes sense on a number of levels to incorporate green principles into a home and many consumers are surprised at just how easy it is to do so," said Nicole Monary, REALTOR® for Coldwell Banker Solano... 03/23/2011

Saint Helena Real Estate--Eight Eco-Friendly Home Tips Make Going Green Easy Incorporating eco-friendly measures in homes has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents - going green is giving home sellers a competitive advantage. With home builders incorporating energy saving features into new homes, it's no wonder real estate professionals say more and more home buyers are asking about "green homes." In the end, small changes to a home can help the environment and help a property stand out among the competition.  "It makes sense on a number of levels to incorporate green principles into a home and many consumers are surprised at just how easy it is to do so," said Nicole Monary, REALTOR® for Coldwell Banker So... 03/23/2011

SAINT HELENA Real Estate-Homes for Sale--Determine how much you can afford This is an important first step on your road to home ownership. Three key costs to consider are: •·         Down payment - The part of the property purchase price paid in cash and not financed with a mortgage. One thing to consider is that the larger your down payment, the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be. •·         Closing costs - Cash due at closing for expenses you and the seller pay to complete the transfer of ownership. Closing costs are typically based on the home price and vary according to location. They might include an origination fee, attorney's fee, initial escrow payments, and charges for obtaining title insurance and a survey. •·         Monthly payments - When you are approved for a mo... 03/13/2011

Saint Helena Real Estate--The Value of a Pre-Approval If you're thinking about buying a home, a pre-approval is a fast and simple way to make your home buying experience easier from start to finish. Pre-approval means you get an approval for a mortgage loan before you make an offer on a home or even find a home you want. (This is in contrast to pre-qualification - a preliminary evaluation of your financial status that does not include a commitment to giving you a loan.) We even put our commitment to the loan in writing, in a pre-approval letter. That means you'll have the benefit of knowing how much home you can afford. In fact, many real estate agents will ask you to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting so they can show you homes that suit your budget. Get an edge over other... 02/28/2011

SAINT HELENA REAL ESTATE-WHAT ARE CLOSING COSTS? Closing on the purchase of your new home, also known as "settlement," involves a good deal of coordination. Costs and fees are paid at closing to cover many of the elements that accompany the purchase. All closing costs are outlined in the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) you receive - a written list of the approximate closing costs associated with your transaction, including charges from us, the local closing agent and other third parties. Closing costs may be added to the amount of your mortgage loan, and a seller may sometimes cover closing costs you would usually pay. Ask us for details. All closing costs can be divided into two basic groups: •·         State and local government charges and fees - These include city, county and state transf... 02/22/2011

Saint Helena Homes for Sale--I want to move up to a better home. What can I afford? Each buyer is unique - and we'll help you find out just what you can afford. You already know that monthly income and financial obligations are most important in determining your price range. It's simple to make an estimate: just run the numbers for yourself using our Affordability Calculator. I'm buying a second home. Is it a different process? No. Whether you need to be near the water or in the mountains, a vacation home offers an opportunity for fun and relaxation - and we make it just as easy to obtain a mortgage. But keep in mind you'll need to identify sources for your down payment, since you're not selling your current house and using the proceeds, and you'll need to expect a larger monthly obliga... 02/16/2011

SAINT HELENA HOMES FOR SALE--DO I NEED MY OWN AGENT WHEN BUYING NEW CONSTRUCTION? A common misconception when purchasing new construction is that you don't need an agent. •·          That friendly and helpful salesperson works for and represents the builder's interest and the builder's interest only. Shouldn't you have independent representation?   •·          An agent can give you objective professional advice and insight during all phases of the process, such as contract, construction, walkthrough, and closing.   •·          An agent is your exclusive advocate and will help you understand your contract and obligations including when to schedule construction inspections.   •·          While the sale representative will always give the appearance that sales prices are non-negotiable, an... 02/13/2011

ST. HELENA HOMES FOR SALE -10 REASONS WHY NURSES MAKE GREAT REALTORS®? Nurses are pretty amazing. Great nurses aren't just compassionate and kind - they have all the medical smarts of a doctor too!   But why should you hire a nurse to be your Realtor®? 1.       We care about you.  Nursing is all about caring.  We want to make you comfortable, take away your  pain and make everything feel better.  Buying a home is a big deal.  It can be stressful.  Don't you want a Realtor® who is trained to make pain go away?  2.      We have great communication skills.  As nurses we have to deal with a lot of people and communicate a lot of critical information to ensure the best outcome for our patients.  A great nurse has excellent communication skills, especially when it comes to speaking and listen... 01/24/2011

The benefits of ordering an appraisal and an inspection when initially listing your home can make the entire marketing process move smoother and quicker. The 6 benefits are as follows: 1. Establishes Objective Value-The price is not merely set by the seller but placed on the home by a disinterested third party whose profession is to value property. 2. Validates List Price-If the appraisal and the list price are the same, there is less likelihood that the buyer will discount the "asking price." 3. Establishes Basis for Comparison-The appraisal and inspection can be used to compare with subsequent reports and can help to validate or challenge their findings. 4. Creates Awareness of Condition of Home-A third party inspection of the home by an inspector will identify areas that need attenti... 09/29/2008

If you have purchased an older home, or have been living in your current home for many years, you may appreciate the beauty and charm in comparison to today's more modern offerings. But there are also some things you need to be aware of that could be hazards in those older homes.   When your older home was built, and the appliances put in, there were likely very different standards in place than there are today. Back then plastic or foil covered vents were the way to go to vent a clothes dryer from the machine to the outside.  But, over the years, it has been realized that this type of vent is not always the best when it comes to safety. They can both be fire hazards since they are made of flammable materials.   While you may not want to think of your dryer as something that can cause a... 09/02/2008