October 29, 2005

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill
OWNER/BROKER

MY FRIEND Tobi Lytle sent me this excerpt from a recent Jay Leno monologue:
"Think on this a bit - With hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and severe storms tearing up the country from one end to another, with the big quake in Pakistan, and Hurricane Wilma (the record-breaking 12th hurricane in one season) bearing down on Florida, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
Like it or not (I don’t), the fact that removing "under God" from the Pledge is even under discussion is a sign of how far we’ve drifted as a nation. One thing I know for sure: God isn’t suffering a crisis of self-esteem over the frenzy to remove His Name from all things Guvmint-related. This is just another chapter in the story…His story (History). He may be getting quite a chuckle out of self-important folks’ efforts to protect the public from Him. I can imagine Him asking them the same question He asked Job: "Where were YOU when I formed the earth’s foundation?"
SPEAKING OF real estate…
THAT CLOSE-IN RANCHETTE at 5201 East Woodbridge Road continues to get a lot of interest! Charming single-story ranch-style home on raised foundation with spacious deck and tastefully landscaped grounds! Your own Micke Grove only five minutes from downtown Lodi for only $659,950! (Subsitute your own name: "_________ Grove"! Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?).
PRICE REDUCED! 1517 Camphor Way was a great value BEFORE the price change, but my Sellers want to move to Texas so they’ve made the price unbeatable! This is Whispering Oaks subdivision’s most popular plan: 2125 square feet with three good-sized bedrooms and two baths upstairs plus a convenient half-bath downstairs. The Laundry Room is conveniently located adjacent to the two-car garage. Master Suite with double sinks, separate tub and shower stall, walk-in closet, and vaulted ceilings! At the new price of $464,950, this is a must-see!
REMINDER: 700 McCoy Court, Number 18 is getting a load of attention since the price reduction to $189,950. Upstairs 2-bedroom unit with central heat and air, fireplace, upgraded kitchen including new double sink, new counters, new range/oven, and new dishwasher! One-car garage just a few steps from the front door! Don’t snooze on this one.
OPEN TODAY 12 TO 2 P.M.: 723 East Century Place (now $339,950) has a full-priced offer as of this writing, but it’s contingent on the sale of another home. This means it’s still very much for sale! Three bedrooms, two baths, two-car garage, central heat and air, and easy-care front and back yards. Come and see!
OPEN TODAY 2:30 TO 4:30 P.M.: 2100 Corbin Lane shows VERY well! This freshly-remodeled Westside home is loaded with classy upgrades, everything from new ceiling fans in all bedrooms to new wood-look blinds on the windows to new kitchen tile and appliances! Vinewood Schools, too! 374,950.
Both of the above homes will be hosted by Statesman’s own John Manguso. Drop by and say Hello! Little-known fact: John and his wife Melissa are the proud parents of Cinderella! (Actually, their oldest daughter played that part in a recent play). 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

October 15, 2005

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

Owner/Broker

MY DARLING DAUGHTER Angie will be wed in Sacramento this afternoon! By 4:10 p.m., she’ll be the Angie half of Angie and Guinness Wieland!
Don’t worry; my capable lieutenant, Greg Adams, has my business well in hand during my short absence. Call him at 479-1442 if you need to take a look at one of the fine listings I’ll mention below.
MANY FOLKS can remember my Angie as a dimpled three-year-old back in 1982 when we first arrived in Lodi. A friend reminded me of my habit of standing Angie on the back of the pew in front of me as we stood to sing at Bethel Open Bible Church. She was just the right height to stand with her Daddy and sing out loud. (Her sister Heather was a grown-up six-year-old in 1982. Son Tom was yet to appear on the scene).
SOMEBODY DEFINED PARENTHOOD this way: "It’s when you make the conscious decision to have your heart walk around outside of your body for the rest of your life." Too true.
IN OTHER NEWS, I have TWO NEW LISTINGS to tell you about! The first one, 1517 Camphor Way in Lodi, is located in desirable Whispering Oaks subdivision, just around the corner from Mimosa Drive. This well-kept Bennett Home is one of the subdivision’s most popular floorplans! 2125 square feet of charm, this home features three bedrooms, two and a half baths, cozy wet bar, fireplaces in BOTH Living Room and Family Room, and Formal Dining Room! Spacious Master Suite with walk-in closet, double sinks, tile counters, separate tub and shower! Laundry room with cabinets! Gazebo-style deck with a nice clean SPA! There’s more. At $474,950, this home is priced to SELL!
FALL AND WINTER are the seasons when Julie and I most enjoy our spa. It’s a great feeling to relax in luxurious warm water as the steam floats up into the crisp air. A good place to talk over the day and to plan for the days ahead. And just think: If you buy the spa at 1517 Camphor Way, you’ll get a beautiful home in the bargain!
THE OTHER NEW LISTING for this week is 2100 Corbin Lane. This great three-bedroom two-bath home is located on a well-established Westside street in the Vinewood school district! These Sellers have outdone themselves in remodeling this home (Just being completed as I write this!). New custom tile counters and new double sink in Kitchen! New dishwasher, disposal and oven! New wide blinds throughout the home! New ceiling fans in all three bedrooms! Recently-installed 30-year composition roof (looks sharp)! Mirrored closet doors! Tile bathroom floors! There’s more to see. Call for a private appointment! I’d recommend a quick call, however. This place is priced right at $374,950. Going, going…
OPEN TODAY from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: 5201 East Woodbridge Road! Just REDUCED in price to $659,950…which is a bit of a mystery to me. The nicely-treed, beautifully-landscaped one-acre LOT would sell for $350,000 all by itself! Cute three-bedroom two-bath ranch-style home with another half-bath off of the oversized garage! Huge DECK which, coupled with the spacious lawns and inviting home, make this property a great place to entertain! Drop by this afternoon for a look-see. Say Hi to host John Manguso!
ANOTHER PARENTING PROVERB: It may have been Dr. James Dobson of Focus On The Family who said, "Parenthood is a constant process of letting go." Do I sound a little reflective today? I’m entitled as Father of the Bride! 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

October 1, 2005

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

FRIEND AND BROKER ASSOCIATE Don Brandt showed me the results of some online research he just completed. According to the records he reviewed, of all listed Lodi homes, a full 41 percent have adjusted their list price at least once. That compares with a 32 percent figure on September 19. It’s a sure bet those ‘adjustments" are overwhelmingly downward.
The times they are a-changin’! So what’s new? Change is the one thing you can count on in life. The good news is that interest rates remain low and Buyer demand remains strong, albeit cautious.
CONGRATULATIONS to Richard Pratt on the sale of his Lodi property! Statesman’s own John Manguso performed the lion’s share of the work in representing him on this transaction. Great job, John! Thanks also to Modesto Realtor Fred Rivers, who represented the Buyer in this deal.
LONG STORY DEPT. (Do I know any other kind?): Mr. Pratt was referred to me by his neighbor Mary Bartlett. (Thanks again, Mary!). Mary knew me because I’ve represented both of her daughters (Vickie Seefried and Terri Arbuckle) and their families in several real estate transactions each. Funny how one friendship leads to another! As I always say, the greatest compliment I can receive is your referral of friends and family. Your trust means a LOT! I take it very seriously.
CONGRATULATIONS, CONT’D: Repeat clients (Serial clients?) Larry and Tammy Jenks have a thriving painting business (Larry Jenks Painting) that has been bursting at the seams in their 2000-square-foot shop building! The happy news is that they’re now moving into a facility that’s more than TWICE that size. A Thank You to Lodi Realtor Pat Loehrer Jr. for his able representation of the Seller in this transaction. Great job, Pat! While I’m in congratulatory mode I’ll also thank my strong right-hand Realtor Greg Adams for carrying the ball through this commercial/industrial purchase.
SO ANYWAY, the longtime Jenks Painting location at 7 West Chestnut (in the alley behind Daniger Furniture) is for sale at $229,950! Large updated office area, large shop areas and a TON of storage. A lot of shop for the price!
JUST LISTED! 9827 Country Meadow Drive in Stockton’s desirable Stonewood subdivision offers a lot of bang for your buck at $389,950! 1760 square feet with separate Living Room and Family Room, large laundry Room, tile roof, covered patio, nice landscaping, and more! This Grandma’s House has been well-cared-for. No kids or pets living here! Ready for your enjoyment.
WHICH REMINDS ME of another North Stockton value: 951 Shadow Creek Drive in the Bear Creek subdivision! Here’s 1874 square feet of charmingly upgraded home for $439,950! Remodeled Master Suite with custom built-in Entertainment Center, 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! More upgrades than I can list here! You have to see this home to fully appreciate it. A great value. Call for a private showing!
MORE GREAT LISTINGS next week! Watch this space for details on well-priced homes. Have a fine 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 24, 2005

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

Owner/Broker

THIS AND THAT…Here’s a little real estate trivia for you. The floors of buildings are called stories because early European builders used to paint picture stories on the sides of their houses. Each floor had a different story.
Which reminds me of a joke I used in my very first column: "I bought a two-story house. I got one story from the Seller before I bought it, and another one…" My job is to protect my clients from this kind of real estate experience. It ain’t a joke if it really happens to you!
OPEN TODAY at the reduced price of $669,950! Statesman’s John Manguso will host an Open House from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at 5201 East Woodbridge Road! This one-acre ranchette is getting a lot of interest, but we’ve been saving it for you. Huge landscaped back yard with shade trees and spacious deck! Family orchard! Oversized garage with shop area and half bath! Peaceful country living just five minutes from Lodi. Come and see!
WHICH REMINDS ME of another real estate ad quip I ran across recently: "This home is only five minutes from shopping…if you have your own plane." Not the case with 5201 East Woodbridge Road. It’s genuinely close-in!
JUST LISTED and getting showings like crazy: 700 McCoy Court, Number 18! Kitchen has been nicely upgraded in the last two years with new double sink, new counters, new range/oven, and new dishwasher! This upstairs unit also boasts a one-car garage just a few steps from the front door! At $199,950, it’s a value!
PAINTING picture stories on the sides of houses (as mentioned back at the top of this ramble) is still going on today, of course. Most homeowners don’t appreciate the artistic value of graffiti, however.
MOTIVATED SELLERS desire quick sale! These folks want to complete their move, and have priced their home accordingly! 3000 square feet! Five bedrooms! Three full baths! Three-car garage! Clean and sharp! Custom tile flooring in the kitchen and dining area! 2177 Eaton Drive is a value at the recently-reduced price of $549,950. Don’t wait! There’s action on this home, but nothing in writing as of this moment…
BUBBLE BABBLE: "There IS a bubble!" So proclaimed a real estate economist at last week’s California Association of Realtors meetings in San Diego. "There’s a bubble in news articles concerning the mythical real estate bubble!" Well said.
THE LONG VIEW: Historically, residential real estate has appreciated at a long-term average of six percent a year. That takes into consideration the years of double-digit appreciation and the years when the market sags. The long term average gain for the stock market is about ten percent. The difference is that you don’t usually leverage your stock purchase with a small down payment. That six percent appreciation turns into a THIRTY percent return if you only put twenty percent down on your real estate purchase!
GOTTA GO! Listing appointment. 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