September 24th

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill
Broker/Owner

THE QUESTION IS, Are home prices sliding, or are Sellers with optimistically-priced (read overpriced) homes just bringing their prices into line with the flattening market? I think it’s the latter. There’s still a LOT of demand out there, but inventory is growing. Two weeks ago I reported Lodi’s number of actively-listed homes and condos at over 190 for the first time this century. As of this writing, the number is up to 211.

WHICH MEANS…? Which means we’re probably entering a period of something closer to a "normal" real estate market free of rampant speculation and greater-fool "flipping". Both of these were signs that the end of the crazy market was near. Personally, I think it’s a good thing for everybody!

JUST LISTED! Where can you find 1874 square feet of charmingly upgraded home for $439,950? Answer: At 951 Shadow Creek Drive in North Stockton’s Bear Creek subdivision, that’s where! This landmark home is located on a landscaped corner with cul-de-sacs flanking it on both sides. No through streets means the only folks likely to drive by are those who live there! Less traffic, quieter neighborhood. UPGRADES! Remodeled Master Suite with custom built-in Entertainment Center, special electric fireplace/heater (with its own remote!), built-in window seats, and tasteful designer window coverings! The remodeled Master Bath has tile-lined shower over a JACUZZI tub! Bonus Room/den could be fourth bedroom! Slider from oversized second bedroom to one of the TWO covered patios! I could wax eloquent about this fine home, but I’ll let you see for yourself. Call for a private showing!

YOUTH PASTOR Kevin Brown told an I-promise-it’s-true little kid story Sunday that I think is worth passing on to you. You decide: A Dad was reading the Bible story of Lot to his four-year-old son. He read about how God instructed Lot to "take his wife and flee, and leave the city without looking back." As you may recall, the Bible relates that Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. The little guy looked very thoughtful as he listened to his Dad. The boy’s father sensed that this was about to become one of those priceless Teaching Moments. Then the little feller came up with a question I can easily imagine coming from any of my kids at age four: "What happened to the flea?"

COMING SOON to a neighborhood near you: FOUR bedrooms, two and a half baths, two stories, in-ground POOL, and a neat two-story PLAY HOUSE (Could be a guest residence, if you didn’t want your guests to stay long)! Separate Living Room and Family Room! Laundry Room with extra cabinets! Wet Bar! More! Price? To be announced, but it’ll be competitive. Watch this space for details!

THAT DUPLEX at 424 Eureka is a value at $389,950! Great neighborhood, two-car garage, good income! Call for details and/or a private showing.
THAT GRANDMA’S HOUSE at 723 East Century Place is officially on the market! It’s in the Multiple Listing System and generating interest. Nice neighborhood, over 1250 square feet, three bedrooms, two baths, two-car garage, and more! $349,950.

ANOTHER Cute Kid Story from Kevin: A little girl asked, "How old are you, Grandma?" The grandmother answered, "I’m soooo old that I forget!" The little girl was ready with a solution. "Just look on the back of your panties, Grandma! Mine say ‘5 to 6’!"

On that happy note, I’m outa here. Have a great week! See you next Sat.

Statesman Realty
(209) 333 23801-800-407-SOLD (7653)
Website: www.larrysellslodi.com

Website: http://www.larryunderhill.com/
Email: Larry@LarryUnderhill.com

September 17

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill
Broker/Owner

CONGRATULATIONS to Bill and Teresa Costanza on the successful SALE of their Woodbridge home! Happy endings and beginnings all around. I want to thank Lodi Realtor Michelle Mazzero-Mayo for her excellent job as Buyers’ representative on this transaction. Thanks, Michelle!

The Costanzas were referred to me by longtime clients and friends Mike and Debra Haas. They live around the corner from Bill and Teresa Thanks SO much for your trust, folks! It does my heart good.

Footnote: Mike and Debra are both in the nursing field. Mike can tell stories of his ER experiences, digging bullets out of gang-bangers and sewing people together. I was amused when, during our last transaction years ago, Mike said, "I don’t know how you handle all the stress of your job, Larry!" Stress? My job doesn’t involve blood or body parts! THAT’S stress!

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS (for me) of last week’s Mastermind Summit in San Diego was hearing Lou Tice, author of the book Smart Talk and founder of the Pacific Institute. Notable quote from Lou Tice: "All meaningful and lasting change starts on the inside and works its way to the outside." We all have "limiting thinking" that holds us back from growth. Tice had some great things to say! I recommend his book. (It’s been around a long time, but the truths are timeless).

PRICE REDUCED! My listing at 2177 Eaton Drive has been reduced another $20,000 to $549,950! 3000 square feet of nicely-appointed home with FIVE bedrooms, THREE full baths, and THREE-car garage! My Sellers decided to make their home the absolute best value around in this price range. Going, going…

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHTof my San Diego trip was a day spent with my soon-to-be-wed daughter Angie. Throughout their childhoods, I enjoyed monthly "Father-Daughter" and Father-Son" days with each of my three chilluns. We’d get away to the mountains or the beach or the City and just hang out. Memory-making days, spitting off of the Golden Gate Bridge, walking along the cliffs near Point Reyes, or hiking around a mountain lake. Now that the kids are grown, the opportunities for such days are rare. That’s why this day with Angie was extra-special.

Angie and I covered a lot of territory in a short time. I recommend the 30-plus-mile red trolley tour of San Diego and Coronado Island! Be a tourist! The trolley stops at the good spots, and you can get off and on all day, spending as much time as you like at every stop.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: One place that’s NOT on the trolley tour is Ocean Beach. I always like to stroll to the North end of the beach, where you’ll see more dogs with silly grins than you’ve ever seen in your life. All breeds and sizes, they’re chasing balls and Frisbees into the surf, dancing with glee in circles around their owners, and generally in a state of "dog heaven". Dog Beach is just a happy place! (Note: Angie observed that every owner seemed to be carrying a plastic bag full of sandy dog pucky. An occupational hazard that comes with doggies. Not my favorite thing to carry around on the beach, but the dogs’ evident joy more than compensates for that minor distraction).

OPEN TODAY from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: 5201 East Woodbridge Road! Statesman’s own John Manguso will be hosting this fine home. Look for his ad in today’s tab.

LISTING APPOINTMENT! Time to go. Have a great week! See you next Sat.

Statesman Realty

(209) 333 23801-800-407-SOLD (7653)

Website: www.larrysellslodi.com
Website: www.larryunderhill.com

Email: Larry@LarryUnderhill.com

September 3rd

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill
Broker/Owner

TOMORROW AFTERNOON. 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. FREE! I’m describing this year’s Family Faith Festival! Hutchins Street Square will be transformed into an open-air concert hall with lawn seating for all! Booths will line the perimeter of the grassy area. Statesman Realty will be there handing out 1200 free bottles of water! Look for Sherry Dickhoff, John Manguso, and Pat Piccardo…not to mention the occasional appearance of Don Brandt, Greg Adams, and Vi Eckroth (My Director of First Impressions)! I’ll be floating around too. Hope to see you there!

THE EVENT will feature nearly nonstop music all day, culminating in the appearance of the mega-popular musical group Avalon, fresh from their performance at Arco Arena. My niece Suzanne Endermann and her band, MercyFlood, are in town from San Diego to play the Festival (They go on at 3:45). They’ll also play all three morning services at Horizon Church in Galt, so they’ll have a full day! They’re young and strong. They plan to have a great time. Julie and I will bunk ‘em and keep them well-fed.

CONGRATULATIONS to Patrick and Cherie Archibeque on the successful purchase of their Lodi home! The Archibeques moved here from Woodland. Make them welcome in Lovable Lodi!

THANK YOU to Stockton Realtor Jeanne McGurk who represented the Sellers in this transaction. This was one of our more exciting escrows (The lender disappeared for three weeks as we approached the closing date), so Jeanne and her assistant Sharon Byers and my right-hand lieutenant Greg Adams and I were all very pleased when we put this deal to bed. This business is great: You can have a full aerobic workout without leaving your desk. Our pulses are all back to normal now.

STUFF HAPPENS. My job is to guide my clients through the "white water" of their real estate transaction. It’s a great feeling to make it through the rough waters without crashing on the rocks! Buying and selling real estate is NOT a do-it-yourself project.

THANK YOU also to my longtime friend Helen Laam! She’s the one who sent Patrick and Cherie my way. Thanks for your trust, Helen!

TWILIGHT OPEN HOUSE! If you drive out Woodbridge Road to this evenings’s bash at Mondavi Winery (the Primo Vino Heritage Festival), feel free to stop at 5201 East Woodbridge Road for a peek at this gorgeous ranchette! Statesman’s Sherry Dickhoff will host the Open House from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. tonight. Just look for the Open House sign (AND the tastefully-landscaped grounds!). A great value at the recently-adjusted price of $699,950! A close-in acre of contentment!

CORRECTION: Last week, I mentioned my pre-approved Buyers who are seeking a home (2 bedrooms or more, one story) in the Kristmont, Willow Glen or Lakewood areas with a price of up to $650,000. I forgot to mention that they’re also interested in the Old Lodi area (Roughly bounded by Locust, Ham, Lodi Avenue, and Pleasant). Know anyone who may be thinking of moving who lives in these areas?

MORE GREAT LISTINGS on my Active List, and still more soon to hit the market! Call me for details. Have a happy week, and come on out to the Festival tomorrow afternoon! I’ll be lookin’ for you.

Statesman Realty
(209) 333 23801-800-407-SOLD (7653)
Website: www.larrysellslodi.com

Website: www.larryunderhill.com
Email: Larry@LarryUnderhill.com

August 27th

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

WHEELER LAKE is on the other side of Wheeler Ridge, just east of Lake Alpine. Wheeler Ridge is just shy of 9,000 feet above sea level. I hiked the seven-mile round trip to Wheeler Lake last week with daughter Heather and son-in-law Joel Swenddal.

WHEW! The kids are both slim 29-year-olds. I’m none of that. The back side of Wheeler Ridge consists of close-to-vertical switchback trails suitable for goats and deer, but not for slightly lardy 56-year-old men. I love to hike the back country, but I’ll enjoy it more when I’m skinnier again! On the upward pull out of the valley, Heather and Joel put the Old Guy in front to set the pace. There’s an old Howlin’ Wolf blues tune called, "I’m Built For Comfort, I’m Not Built For Speed". The song comes to mind when I recall that hike. The view from the top of the ridge made it all worthwhile, however.

ANOTHER HAPPY BEGINNING: Congratulations to respected local builder Greg Jackson on his recently-completed property purchase. Congratulations also to my Mystery Sellers on this successful all-cash quick-escrow transaction. Since I represented both Buyers and Sellers, I guess I could call myself the Mystery Broker…but there’s no mystery about me. I’m not smart enough to be mysterious.

MY LISTING AT 2809 White Oak Way is on the Best Value list! At the new price of $539,950, this 2108-square-foot Entzei-built home is a great opportunity! Motivated Seller desires quick sale. Call me for a private showing!

THE VIEW, CONT’D…The top of Wheeler Ridge was a welcome relief after a long sweaty uphill trudge. Cool wind whipped across the rocky saddle separating the ridge from the famous natural formation known as Sleeping Indian (so named long ago, before the days of political correctness). From our vantage point, we looked down on Alpine Lake in the foreground. Utica and Union Reservoirs glinted deep blue in the distance. The massive Dardanelle Range filled the skyline to the east. If you can drink in a view like this and still say "There’s no God", you’ve been smokin’ your lunch.

HOME OF THE WEEK: Don’t miss the Open House today from 12 to 2 at 5201 East Woodbridge Road! This gorgeous one-acre ranchette is front-page news (Just fold your tabloid closed and look!). Statesman’s own Sherry Dickhoff will host this fine home today. Just reduced to $699,950!
PRE-APPROVED BUYERS! I’m working with a nice couple who are very specific in their search. Kristmont. Willow Glen. Lakewood. One story. Two or more bedrooms. Price to $650,000. Know anybody with a home like this? If you’re considering selling, this may be the time.

AT THE TOP of the ridge, we had to slip and slide our way across a wide snowbank to get to the other side. I watched with amusement as Heather slid down the snowy slope into Joel’s waiting arms. Those two are fun to watch!

SLEEPER: That’s the word for this 3000-square-foot FIVE bedroom THREE full bath THREE car garage home. $579,950 for all this? Only at 2177 Eaton Drive in Lodi. Another home blocks away with the identical floor plan just closed escrow at $605,000! Don’t snooze…..

AT NINE THOUSAND FEET, the temperature was easily 20 degrees cooler than Lodi. I recommend it! Have a great week. Stay cool!

Statesman Realty
(209) 333 - 23801-800-407-SOLD (7653)
Website: www.larrysellslodi.com

Website: http://www.larryunderhill.com/
Email: Larry@LarryUnderhill.com