Real Estate Information

Below is a list of Wells Fargo bank owned homes that are going to be on the market in the near future for Tracy. Homes could be coming on the market 0-60 days from now.

These are homes in pre-marketing stage which means there is a lot of incomplete infomation such as price, size, or pictures. TBD means "to be determined". Below is the addresses and infomation. You can cross reference zillow.com to get any missing info such as bedrooms or bathroooms.


1476 MONTAUBAN COURT TRACY
TBD

2168 ASHLEY LANE TRACY
2350 sq.ft, no price

721 SAFFRON DRIVE TRACY
2564 sq.ft, no price

1565 GRACE COURT TRACY
2211 sq.ft, no price

2051 BRIDLE CREEK CIRCL TRACY
TBD

1301 DUNCAN DR TRACY 1210 sq.ft
Single Family TBD

4425 TROPAZ LN TRACY
TBD

All of these homes are going to require a Wells Fargo Pre-approval. If you are interested in one of these let us know and we will get you more info.

Lets help this sweet lady.  I bring my dogs there and can tell you they do a GREAT job. I cannot believe people would hold it against her for helping these poor pets who need to eat. What could be wrong with that?

A Tracy pet grooming shop is going through financial trouble, claiming that some customers want to distance themselves from its nonprofit organization that gives away pet food.

Decadent Pets, which runs the nonprofit Lucky Paws, might not be able to pay rent next month for the first time since it opened five years ago, said owner Jeannie Duckworth.  The shop is at 2302 East St.

In additon to giving pet food to animal owners who are unemployed or have falled on hard times, Duckworth also grooms pets at the Tracy Animal Shelter to make them more appealing to potential adopters.

"We want to make sure every pet can find a home," she said.  "two weeks ago, we found ourselves grooming more free animals than paying customers."

Duckworth said she has seen a drop in paid customers recently, some of whom she claimed don't want to be affiliated with some of the people who take part in Lucky Paws.  Those who have complained, she said, have turned their noses up at some of the people who ask for donations.

When times were good, Decadent Pets groomed 200 paid dogs a week.  Now, the numbers have fallen to the double digits.

"I can't say no to the pet," said Duckworth, who said she is a third-generation pet groomer.  "I can say no to the person, but when you look at the pet and they need help, you can't say no, ever."

Lucky Paws gained exposure in July, when the TV program "Good Day Sacramento" did a segment about the nonprofit.  Since then, Duckworth said, a few former clients have told her they won't return.  She also noticed negative reviews on Yelp.com and YP.com, whch have been deleted.

Jeannie's mother, Carol Bellicetti, who works at the shop, said that last year, in addition to her daughter, there were seven employees at Decadent Pets.  Now, the shop has just two.  She added that the decline in paying cusotmers isn't solely due to the association with giving away food.  Other people take their pets in less often because they can't afford frequent grooming, given the state of the economy. 

Usually, the shop, which operates Lucky Paws from 2 to 4 pm Saturdays, tries to give animal owners a month's worth of food, much of which has been donated by others in the community.  Bellicetti said that while some people head to the liquor store nearby after picking up their food, most are good people who have just recently lost their jobs and want to make sure their pets don't suffer as a result.

Those who stop by Decadent Pets for the food are grateful for the donations.

"It helps a lot," said Ralph Williamson, an unemployed Tracy resident with a cat and a dog.  "I don't want to see a dog suffer."

Lafferty, Justin. "Pet Groomer, charity face hard times." The Tracy Press 30 Sept. 2009, News sec. Tracypress.com. 30 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. <www.tracypress.com>.

It could be a good time to invest in real estate, given the abundance of foreclosures and other distressed properties with reduced prices.

It could also be a bad time to invest in real estate, if you don't know what you are doing.

There's the rub.

"It's a good time to invest, but it is difficult.  Now when you go out to invest you are competing with a dozen offers.  The investors are back," says Chuck Cryder, the broker for Century 21 A Property Shoppe in Salinas, CA.

Just like buying a home to live in, taking the real estate investment plunge requires taking stock of your financial goals, planning and lifestyle before taking the plunge.

Pretty much like buying any property.

If you've got the time, the money and the lifestyle that lends itself to managing a real estate investment, you are just about half way there.

However, both halves are pretty big halves.

The National Real Estate Investors Association says you've still got a lot of work to do.

Here's how much.

- Buy your own home first.  The general rule of thumb is that buying your own home will not only put a roof over your head, but also background you in the full experience of buying and owning property- financials, market conditions, maintenance and real estate professionals you'll need along the way.

What's more, your first home could later become your first investment property, a property in a market with which you are familiar.

"You could maintain your current residence as a rental and move up into a larger home or better location yourself.  This keeps the basis on your original property intact, but gives you an oppurtunity to move should your life dictate," says Kim DiBenedetto, president of the Monterey County Association of Realtors in Monterey, Ca.

There is one exception to the buy-your-own-home-first rule says Cryder.

"If you live with Mom or the cost of your rental housing is low, stay there and purchase investment properties first.  If you can rent way below market value, I wouldn't disturb that," said Cryder, who has been an investor since 1968, when he purchased his first property.

However, in today's market, an existing stake in a home can have a down side.

"You will be required to put more money down, most likely a minimum of 25 percent and also have several months in reserves.  If you are upgrading from your current residence, your lender will require a minimum of 20 percent equity in your current residence before they will loan to you for another property," said DiBenedetto, also an agent with Coldwell Banker Del Monte Realty in Carmel.

- Go back to school.  Turn to the Internet, reputable books, successful investment groups, college and university level courses, even your state's real estate license program.  You don't have to actually get a license, but you can become just as educated as a licensed agent.  Individual real estate investors, salespeople and others who you've met on the way to investing are also valuable educational resources.

- Get professional help.  The same way you find any competent, trustworthy and honest professional is the same way to look for a mentor, investment partner with prior knowledge or investment group.  Seek referrals from friends, family, professionals with whom you already conduct business, co-workers and others you trust who've had a satisfacotry, successful real estate investing experience.

"Now, more than ever, you need the experience of a competent realtor and lender to guide you through the process," says DiBenedetto.

- Learn your investment market.  One market's bubble could be one investor's boom and another investor's bust.  A home in one market could give you vacation rental income in a half year sufficient to cover the cost of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, home owner association dues, upkeep and other costs, but still not appreciate.  Another home in another market may not bring you sufficient rent in a year's time to cover the cost of owning the property, but might appreciate more than enough to make up for your carrying costs over the long term.

The variables are endless and you'll need to measure your capacity for risk market conditions.

- Finally, while some experts say you'll also need to develop an exit strategy in terms of uploading properties when they are no longer viable investments, Cryder says if you buy right and stick it out over the long haul you won't need an exit strategy.

"When you've got the goose that lays the golden egg, be satisfied with the golden egg," he says.

Perkins, Broderick. "Real Estate Investment 1001." Realty Times (2009): 1-2. Realty Times. 24 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 09. <http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090924_invest.htm>.

One Last Chance before this hits the open Market. Located in the Weston Ranch area about 15 min from Tracy. This home is in perfect condition and will be put on the mls by end of business today at which time it will most likely get multiple offers. It is a Short Sale and would be a great home for a 1st time buyer or investor. Click on link below to see this beautiful home.

http://tracyhomes.com/ourlistings/301/listing.html

Would you like to live in the Country? Well this is your chance of a life time to live in a rural setting in the Tracy Area. About 10 Minutes from town. Click on link below to see this wonderful home.

http://www.tracyrealestateexpert.com/property/31315-S-Bird-Rd-Tracy-California

As of September 12th, rates are still hovering in the high 4% to mid 5% range for a 30 year fixed rate loan; 15 year fixed rate loans are still under 5%.  Fantastic rates, but will they stay low?  That is the million dollar question.

The reason mortgage rates have stayed in check is because the Federal Reserve has been able to purchase mortgage securities when they saw yields (rates) creepin gup.  Basically, they have been paying to keep the rates low.  This is the same idea as the "cash for clunkers" program.  It was announced last week that they are running out of funds for this project.  By October they will slowly start pulling out of the market.  What does this mean for rates?  No one really knows.  These are unprecedented times and there are so many factors it is hard to tell.

Folks that are not looking at rates daily can look to some signs to get an indication of where rates are heading:

• If the stock market is really doing well then generally our rates will go up.  Stocks go up, rates go up.
• If the economy starts really improving our rates will go up.  The economy heats up, rates heat up.
• If inflation is going up, rates will go up.

For the most part the opposite is positive for rates.  So what is a prospective buyer to do?

I know is sounds cliche but don't miss the boat.  Remember rates had gotten as low as 4.5% on a 30 year fixed earlier this year.  The boat is shipping out.  Its a huge trillion dollar Titanic of a ship so I don't believe they will move quickly but just steady.  you just never know when we will run into a glacier!

Get out there, get pre approved and take advantage of this perfect storm.  There is extremely low rates and extremely low prices, don't miss out!  You will be happy you joined in with the rest of us.

Check out our new Podcast. It tells you about the current market here in the San Joaquin Valley. It is updated monthly so be sure to check it out every month it is a very informative tool that all buyers and sellers should take advantage of.

http://www.talkrealty.com/billbarringer/audio/player.aspx

When I started my real estate career in San Mateo in 1986 one of the first things we were taught was to pick a farm.  A farm is an area of homes you choose to send mailings to and to knock on doors to introduce yourself to the residents to talk about the real estate market, trying to get business.  Being on a limited budget to pay for postage, every weekend I would walk my farm, which was in the "Parkside area" of San Mateo.  I had about 1,000 homes in my area.  It turned out to be very successful!  I met a lot of very nice people and they enjoyed my monthly newsletter I handed out.  I even sponsored a neighborhood party, it was a blast!

My oldest son, Brian, came along with me; even though he was only 10 years old, he always seemed interested in real estate.  As you all know he now works with me and has been very successful at real estate.  We are very proud of how he took to the family business.  I think, by tagging along, I unconsciously taught him the essence of real estate and that is building relationships and having integrity. 

Well, one Saturday I awoke  and got dressed.  I put on my "gold jacket", white shirt, black tie and black pants, the Century 21 uniform back in the day.  As always, Brian came running in asking if he could tag along.  For some strange reason I said not today son, which later turned out to be a blessing.

That day started out like all the others.  I started my thing, knocking, talking and passing out my newsletters.  I walked up to this one house and rang the doorbell with no answer.

The homes in Parkside have garages that are on the side in the front of the house.  I then heard a side door from the garage open, I thought the owner must be in the garage, so I turned to greet the owner and to my surprise I was greeted by a 110 lb. dog in mid air going for my throat!  He never barked or gave any warning, he was just there.  My first reaction was to scream like a girl!

I was quick enough to knock the dog away and my newsletters flew up in the air and the fight was on.  The dog hit the side of the house hard from my blow, but all that did was make him even more mad.  Then he lunged again, this time about waist high.  I hit him again but this time he got a piece of my thigh!  I saw the garage door was open so I went in the garage and shut the door.  I was bleeding pretty good.  I figured I would open the big garage door and sneak out, but it was locked from the outside.  I was trapped!!  The dog was sitting by the door like he knew he had me.  As I was standing there I started pacing the garage thinking "how was I going to get out of this?" 

I saw a pipe lying on the floor.  I started getting psyched for the show down!  I grabbed the pipe, opened the door and it was on again.  Here he came, I swung and hit him, he let out a cry and hit the ground.  He jumped up and he was pissed!  I said to myself, "the garage does not look that bad after all", and I ran back in and shut the door.  I then went to the corner of the big garage door that the lock was not on and it lifted enough for me to break the door to crawl out.  

I looked like I had been through a war; my pants and jacket were ripped, I was bleeding from my leg and I was still freaking out.  I looked up and here is a neighbor from across the street who had seen the whole thing and was laughing!!  In years prior to that I would have walked over to this guy and "dropped him like a bad habit", but it took every bit of self control in my body to just get in my car.  I was shaking and was furious.  Then I thought of my son and how grateful I was that I did not bring him with me that day.  I thought "thank you god" you work in mysterious ways.

-Bill