Redding Real Estate

CAR REPORTS DECEMBER SALES UP 84.9% AND PRICES DOWN 41.5%

January 31st, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

The California Association of Realtors (CAR) reported a strong increase in the number of homes sold year-to-year for December 2008. Reasons cited for the dramatic increase were higher loan limits for high-cost areas, lower prices and lower interest rates. More than 544,000 homes closed escrow in December alone.
The median price statewide has dropped to $281,100 [...]

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DON’T DELAY THE DIGITAL AGE

January 30th, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

There’s talk of delaying the analog to digital TV signal conversion date from mid-February to June. Don’t do it! I’m sick and tired of the rolling banners on my TV screen, non-stop commercials, the nightly news stories, etc that have been blasting over the airwaves for what seems like years now alerting the public to [...]

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CALIFORNIA’S WATER WOES SELF-INFLICTED

January 26th, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

A year ago, I attended a business conference at a new Palm Desert golf resort near Palm Springs. We were offered a new Villa in a just opened section of the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort and Spa.  When I hopped in the shower, I couldn’t believe the flood of water from the shower heads. I [...]

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REAL ESTATE COMMISSIONER WARNS OF “OPPORTUNISTIC PREDATORS”

January 24th, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

Jeff Davi, California’s Department of Real Estate (DRE) Commissioner wants homeowners experiencing tough financial times to not “jump at the first opportunity for a financial remedy” out of desperation. He cautions that there are many predators who “are looking to take advantage” of homeowners that have suffered a job loss or other personal circumstances that [...]

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WATER WELLS SHOULD BE TESTED FREQUENTLY

January 22nd, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

Representatives from Basic Laboratory in Redding addressed Realtors regarding their water testing services. Real estate agents are concerned new statewide septic regulations that require private well owners test their wells regularly will create added expense and disclosure issues for sellers.
Basic Lab has several types of tests packaged for saving their customers money. They include:

Total coliform [...]

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OBAMA BUMP WRONG WAY

January 21st, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

Interest rates spiked upward slightly on Inauguration Day as President Obama took the oath of office. Many of my clients had hoped the changing of the guard would push mortgage interest rates lower.  Rates were hovering at or below 5% for a 30-year fixed rate loan. Today, the best rate was 5% and went on [...]

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SHASTA HISTORIC PARK RENOVATIONS NEARING COMPLETION

January 19th, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

The recent winter dry spell, including balmy mid-January temperatures, provides a great opportunity to take advantage of local outdoor attractions.  The ruins at Shasta State Historic Park have been closed to park visitors for several months for renovations until just recently. The temporary construction fences are gone, new elevated walkways constructed, iron shutters freshly painted [...]

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REDDING HOME PRICES HITTING BOTTOM?

January 16th, 2009

By Brad Garbutt

The bad news first: a review of Redding sales activity for the past 6 quarters shows a steady decline in average sales price and average cost per square foot. The good news is the rate of decline has slowed considerably from the 3rd quarter to the 4th quarter of 2008, according to a local appraisers [...]

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