THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #7 State Of The Market

STATE OF THE MARKET: Inventory of existing homes for sale in Lodi is hovering in the high 300’s. As I write this column Monday morning, Lodi has 366 active home listings and 33 condo listings for a total of 399.

This compares to total-inventory levels of around 85 homes and condos for sale through the early 2000’s and up to mid-2005 when the real estate market topped out. Today’s inventory is over three times that of the frantic Seller’s Market years.

Home values have slid (not a free-fall by any means, but a slow gradual slide) in the greater Lodi area from the summer of 2005 to the present. Interest rates for home mortgages have remained very attractive. This combination of soft home prices and competitive interest rates has created a wonderful opportunity for Buyers!

There’s an old saying in the real estate business: “Most Buyers don’t buy in a Buyer’s Market.” By definition, a Buyer’s Market is one in which Buyers are scarce and inventory is large. When supply outstrips demand, Sellers must adjust their prices downward to if they want get their homes SOLD. That’s the current climate for the Lodi-area home market. Knowledgeable Buyers recognize this unique and fleeting opportunity. Most potential Buyers, however, will wait until the real estate market bottoms out and prices begin to rise again. THEN they’ll re-enter the marketplace.

New-home builders are currently offering many incentives to Buyers along with reduced prices, especially on standing inventory. Most developers are actively courting Realtors and (once again) offering commissions to Realtors who bring their Buyers to their subdivisions. (One consumer tip: BRING YOUR REALTOR with you the very first time you visit a subdivision. If the developer knows you’re actively searching the entire real estate market…not just new homes… with a real estate professional, you’re likely to “get more respect” than if you’re perceived a an innocent who has no representation and little savvy. Your Realtor can help you get a better deal, just by showing up and being present as you shop!).

HAS THE MARKET “STABILIZED”? I’ve heard this question often. My opinion is that Buyer activity is increasing as more people recognize the current opportunities. However, prices are still soft. Wise Sellers are still vigilant about adjusting their prices downward when their homes don’t sell at a particular price. Buyers are more wary and cautious than they’ve been in years, and for good reason. This morning I spoke to the Realtor who represents the Buyer on one of my escrows (I represent the Seller). This Buyer’s agent says she showed her client TWENTY-FOUR HOMES before they chose my listing. Three years ago, this same Buyer may have had three or four homes total to choose from!

The bottom line: Prices have NOT “stabilized”, but the general mood in the market is more optimistic. 2007 promises to be a healthier year for Buyers and Sellers. The market has returned to a more “normal” state, with plenty of inventory, attentive Sellers, and Buyers who have the luxury of being able to shop and compare without being forced to make a knee-jerk decision due to scant inventory. It’s all good!

February 24th, 2007 Winifred Jane Wieland column

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

SHE BATTED HER LONG DARK LASHES and I was smitten. It was love at first sight. I met her shortly after she arrived in town Monday morning. One look into her deep blue eyes and I was a goner.

We hit it off immediately. I like the way she seems to hang on my every word. She’s very attentive and a good conversationalist (she lets me do all the talking). We spent most of Monday together, getting to know each other. This little lady warmed right up to me! After knowing her only an hour, I was changing her diaper.

You guessed it. I’m a new Grandpa. My very first grandchild is Winifred Jane Wieland. We’re not sure if she’ll end up a Winnie or a Freddie. All I know is that all the rapturous talk I’ve endured from Grandmas and Grandpas over the years is TRUE! I’m loving this.

The little family is safe at home as of Tuesday. (I can’t believe I’m urging pictures of my grandchild on you nice people. Never thought I’d do such a thing! Grandparenthood makes you act in strange ways.).

CONGRATULATIONS to Gary and Jeanne McGee on the successful SALE of their Lodi home AND on the successful PURCHASE of their (nearly-) new Lodi home about a half mile away! The McGees could be poster kids for this current soft real estate market. I listed their home almost exactly TEN MONTHS AGO. The McGees have worked closely with me as we responded to the sliding real estate market with several price reductions. The GOOD news for Gary and Jeanne was that as their list price went down, they watched the list prices on their potential replacement homes drop. All the boats float on the same tide.

This past week, all of our efforts came to fruition. With the help of my strong right-hand Broker Greg Adams, we structured an arrangement that allows the McGees to stay in their original home until their planned upgrades to the new home are complete. As a local builder recently told me, “In this tough real estate market, I need a real pro if I expect to get the job done.” We “got it done” once again. Thanks also to Realtors Jerry Mason (he brought the Buyers) and Sandy Vargem (she represented the Seller on the McGees’ new place). Good job all around!

MY LISTINGS KEEP SELLING! What a happy problem. I have room for more right-priced listings if you know of anyone who really wants to get their home SOLD (not just listed). If you know anyone who needs my help, either Sellers or Buyers, please call me with their name and number! I promise to serve them well. Thanks in advance.

MORE GREAT LISTINGS ON THE WAY! Watch this space for details on a couple of beauties coming soon. Have a great week! See you next Sat.

Introducing Winifred Jane Wieland, World's Cutest Granddaughter!

The photos were taken when Winnie was about five hours old. Ain't she sweet? She's very alert. She's awake a lot of the time, taking in the sights and sounds and smells around her. She's also a mellow kid, very serene. She doesn't cry much, and when she does, it's not for long. In short, my conclusion is that this baby is the sweetest, most intelligent child the world has ever known.

I may be slightly biased. Winnie is my very first grandchild.

Pictorial Evidence Of Grandfatherhood.

February 17, 2007 Pokey T. Dog and Other Adventures

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

The Further Adventures of Pokey T. Dog: As you may recall, Pokey is a Rat Terrier. As you may already know, terriers tend to be a bit tightly wound. High-strung. Wired. Pokey fits that description.

If you were to ask him, and if he could talk, Pokey would tell you that HE is the owner of our home. He would probably speak warmly about Julie (she’s much better-trained than her husband), and he’d probably have a deprecating remark or two to say about me. After all, I have the audacity to require him to GET OFF OF THE BED when I want to be in it myself. This causes Pokey to growl menacingly. From his perspective, he owns it ALL, bed included, and any infringement upon his territory is fightin’ words.

If he wasn’t such a fun little guy most of the time, his cranky side would have worn thin by now.

BACK TO REAL ESTATE: What a market! My year is off to a flying start, thanks to several of YOU (Thank you!). My little band of Realtors is also beginning well. Busy hands are happy hands! These guys are BUSY! Happy, too.

STATESMAN REALTY’S Mark Edwards chalks up another happy ending/beginning: This past week he helped his clients Mike and Kristi Fluetsch, Lodi real estate attorneys, close escrow on another acquisition! Congratulations to the Fluetsch’s AND to Mark.

OPEN AGAIN TODAY: 640 Eureka Avenue! We’re negotiating with a Buyer as I write this piece, but as of this moment (Tuesday night) it’s very much for sale! All this could change by Saturday when you read this. Put it this way: Unless you hear different, Statesman’s own Richard Mahoney will be holding court at 640 Eureka today from 12 noon to 2 p.m. This is a great starter home. Almost 1200 square feet of charm with two bedrooms, one bath, attached one-car garage, central heat and air. Sun Room! Close to schools, park and shopping and PRICED RIGHT at $289,950!

STATESMAN’S Don Brandt, Broker Associate with more years in real estate than me, closed another transaction last week. Celebration all around! Don’s year is off to a great start.

Don was Prez of the Lodi Association of Realtors way back when it was the Lodi BOARD (Bored?) of Realtors! That was twenty years or so back in time. Don’s the most tech-savvy, computer-literate, wired (not “wired” like Pokey, but technologically informed) of our little group.

I GUESS Pokey’s on my mind because once I finish this column, I’ll walk him around our neighborhood for a couple of miles. Tucker the little dude out so he won’t terrorize (or terrier-ize) us tonight when we’re trying to sleep! Gotta go. Have a happy week! See you next Sat.

February 10, 2007 Kameron Keefer Benefit

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

LODI REALTOR Sara Lee Okazaki and her friends know how to throw a party! Last Saturday’s benefit for Tokay High student Kameron Keefer was a huge success. The Grape Festival grounds’ Chardonnay Hall was packed with hundreds of attendees. Dozens of friends of the Keefer family came together to support the effort in one way or another. It was gratifying to be served a hearty plate of Mexican food by a high school student in a “Kare For Kam” T-shirt! Good food, great music, and a worthy cause. What’s not to like?

YOU CAN READ the Kam Keefer story online at KameronKeefer.com. Now a sixteen-year-old, Kam’s been battling cancer since early last year. He has been through several rounds of chemo. The good news is that he’s on the mend after a valiant battle. The rest of the story is that the medical bills are huge. If you need a strong dose of inspiration, check out Kam’s website! You’ll be glad you did.

PRICE REDUCED TWENTY THOUSAND BUCKS! 1800 Orchis Court is 2134 square feet of single-story semi-custom home on a Westside Lodi cul-de-sac. At the newly-reduced price of $479,000, it’s one of Lodi’s best values. Check out the oversized bedrooms and vaulted ceilings! Great back yard with recently-installed decorative block perimeter wall! These Sellers have asked me to tell you that they’re motivated to sell and ready to DEAL on this fine home. Call me for details (or ask your Realtor to call me).

OPEN TODAY and hosted by Statesman’s Richard Mahoney from 12:00 to 2:00: 640 Eureka Avenue! Almost 1200 square feet of Northside charm. Two bedrooms, one bath, attached one-car garage, central heat and air. Check out the Sun Room! Close to schools, park and shopping and PRICED RIGHT at $289,950! (NOTE: As I sat down to write this, a local Realtor called to say there’s an offer on the way on this home! Experience tells me that an offer does NOT necessarily equal a sale, but I thought I’d let you know that it MIGHT be in escrow by the time this paper hits your flower bed. Same thing happened on another listing of mine a short time back. Somebody should tell these Buyers that the market’s BAD so they’d quit buying all these homes! It’s gonna give the press a bad name.).

SPEAKING OF SALES, congratulations are in order for Richard Birk on the successful sale of his Lodi property! Richard was referred to me five or six years ago by friends and serial clients Brad and Julie Kluza. I’ve kept in touch with Rich over the years, and now at long last I get to celebrate our success with him. THANK YOU, Brad and Julie! (And thanks to Realtor Suzie Hohsfield, who represented the Buyer).

I CAN’T THINK of the Kluzas without remembering their daughter Ashley. Today, Ashley’s a young lady and an accomplished horsewoman, but when she was seven or eight and tagging along with Mom as we looked at homes, Ashley was a kick! “Larry! There’s a park! Can we stop and swing?” I was all for it, but Mom prevailed and we pressed on in our home search.

MORE GREAT LISTINGS on the way! Watch this space for details. And if you run across a friend or family member who needs a hardworkin’ Realtor, please call me with their name and number! I promise to give them the same high level of service that I’d give you. Thanx in advance! See you next Sat.

February 2, 2007 World Of Wonders Science Museum

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

WOW! That’s what I said when I received a call from Dr. Kathy Beckman, co-organizer of last week’s World Of Wonders fundraising event. If you’re not familiar with the World Of Wonders project, go to WOWScienceMuseum.org and check it out!

Dr. Beckman was calling to congratulate me. I was the high bidder on a 15-foot kayak in their silent auction. My wife Julie will be so pleased. The kayak can sit beside the canoe in our side yard. It’s bright yellow, so it’ll blend nicely with the forest green canoe. As I write this, Julie hasn’t yet heard the news. Would you like to break it to her for me?

The World Of Wonders Science Museum is a vision that’s catching fire! Thanks to the contributions and in-kind donations of many Lodi-area businesses and individuals, the Museum is on track to open its doors in the spring of 2008. Think of San Francisco’s Exploratorium in our own back yard!

LAST WEEK’S fundraiser put the Museum over the top of the initial goal: $165,000 cash in hand. Now the construction can begin. The organizers of the fundraiser, Dr. Beckman and Sally Snyde, put on a fine fandango! Next up: the Business Network International Charity Golf Tournament on April 21! A few years back, I started Lodi’s first chapter of BNI (Business Network International). Now Lodi has FOUR chapters and a fifth on the way. My Lodi Founders’ Chapter of BNI puts on this annual tournament. This year, the proceeds go to WOW, Lodi’s Pregnancy Resource Center, and the Pregnancy Help Center of Stockton. Want to play or help sponsor the event? Call Debbie Ruiz at 810-0071 or Mike Roush at 334-1029. Not a great golfer? You’ll fit right in. Remember: They let ME play!

SOLD! Congratulations to Jeff Johnson on the successful purchase of a great Old Lodi fixer. Jeff’s a carpenter. By the time he’s finished with this landmark property, it’s be another Old Lodi jewel! Jeff was referred to me by Amanda Glissman of Capitol Mortgage, who delivered Jeff a great loan in record time. Thanx, Amanda!

CONGRATS, CONT’D…I’ve enjoyed working with Jack and Tina Leach a couple of times over the years. When Jack referred his sister Kristine to me, it was the greatest compliment a Realtor can receive! I listed Kristine’s Stockton home for sale, and it just closed escrow. Since I negotiated a Seller rent-back, she can rest easy until it’s time to close on the Lodi home she’s buying! It’s been a fun ride. I told Jack, “I’ll take FIFTEEN MORE Kristines if you have ‘em!”

LOTSA COLOR PICTURES and information on our many listings is available at StatesmanRealty.com. Come on over! Hope to see you there. And a last word on the World Of Wonders Science Museum: There are still many ways to help support the project! Ten years from now, it’ll be satisfying to look back and know that YOU had a part in bringing this Lodi landmark to life. See you next Sat! Have a happy week.

January 26, 2007 Samba Da' in Monterey (Sly McFly's)

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

Statesman’s Greg Adams took great care of my clients during my quick trip to Monterey last week for California Association of Realtors Directors’meetings. He’s nursing a handful of escrows for me plus his own load AND assisting me with the marketing of my listing portfolio. The guy’s GOOD! I’m always just a call away when I’m out of town, but it’s good to know Greg’s on the job and on call whenever I venture out of Lodi. While I was away, Greg closed one of his escrows and moved mine further along the track toward happy endings.

THE MEETINGS were informative and productive, as always, although sitting in conference rooms with the blue Pacific just outside the door is HARD! If it was a classroom, I would have been sent to the principal for daydreaming. Sitting for (literally) ten to twelve hours a day is hard on your bones!

I BALANCED the drudgery with some fine Monterey meals with friends and fellow Directors from Lodi, some great walks along Monterey Bay…and Friday night, some great music at Sly McFly’s in Cannery Row. Most of the crowd was half my age, but music’s the universal language! Geezers were welcome. The band was SambaDa’, an Afro-Brazilian-Samba-Reggae-Funk sound augmented by SEVEN strong players! The dance floor was jammed (I was adjacent to the dance floor, not on it!) and the mood was festive. The music blasted all thoughts of MLS Wars and other real estate issues from my mind. Check out SambaDa’ at SambaDa.com.

COME BY AND SAY HELLO! Today from 12 to 2, I’ll be hosting 202 North Crescent Avenue! I have no illusions about Open Houses. I know I’ll meet the neighbors, folks who will say, “I always wanted to see the inside of this home!” and friends who drop in to say Hi. That’s okay! I consider it a fringe benefit to getting my client’s home SOLD! And this one may BE sold by the time you read these words. Lots of interest. Located at Crescent and Locust and built in 1947, this home has been lovingly upgraded, leaving the original character intact. Come and see the gourmet kitchen with pullout drawerss in most cabinets (even in the island)! Lush landscaping front and back, new fencing, and recent paint! Two bedrooms with a roomy LOFT that could become a third bedroom or study. Extra-wide staircase to the loft. $475,000..Hope to see you there!

DON’T OVERLOOK 1317 Candlewood Way in North Stockton. I’ve been talking with Lodi Realtors who have discovered this value. They’re bringing their Buyers! You can’t find a 1380-square-foot home THIS nice in Lodi for $319,950. Three bedrooms, two baths, COMMUNITY POOL! Garage is currently set up (including central heat and air) for a preschool. It can easily be converted back to a garage, or use the extra square footage for a play room!

OPEN TODAY and hosted by Statesman’s Richard Mahoney from 12:00 to 2:00: 640 Eureka Avenue! Richard met some nice people at last week’s Open House, some of whom are very interested in this home! Almost 1200 square feet with two bedrooms, one bath, attached one-car garage, central heat and air. Sun Room! Close to schools, park and shopping and PRICED TO SELL at $289,950! Come see for yourself.

FACTOID: During a tasty dinner in the Captains’ Room at Monterey’s Sardine Factory, I ran across a yellowed photograph from a hundred years ago. Back then, Pacific Grove’s Lovers’ Point was known as “Jesus Lovers’ Point”. How ‘bout dat? Have a great week! See you next Sat.

January 19, 2007 Pregnancy Resource Center update

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

WHAT DO Angelia, Juan, Drake, Kalian, Victor, Ethan, Manuel and Estevan all have in common? They’re all enjoying their first year of life, thanks to Moms who chose to allow them to live. Pregnancy Resource Center of Lodi was there for these young mothers at their point of decision. PRC offers unconditional love, counseling, and tangible help in the form of baby items and new-parent training (for Moms AND Dads). The Center also offers post-abortion counseling for women who have gone through that trauma, sometimes distant decades ago. It’s truly “a place of trust in a time of need”.

RECENTLY, $25,000 in annual support to PRC was lost when a large corporate donor cut their funding. Seems that the employee’s union disapproved of supporting an organization that isn’t pro-choice. How about you? If you’re interested in the difference PRC is making in Lodi, one life at a time, maybe you’d like to help close that $25K gap. Most of the workers at the Center are volunteers, and those who are paid staff happily work far beyond their job descriptions. This is one organization I can support without reservation.

OPEN TODAY from noon to 2:00 p.m.: 1800 Orchis Court is 2134 square feet of single-story semi-custom home on a Westside Lodi cul-de-sac. At the newly-reduced price of $499,950, it’s a real opportunity for the right Buyer! Oversized bedrooms! Vaulted ceilings! Statesman Realty’s Mark Edwards will hold this home open today. Come by and say Hello!

HARDWORKIN’ GUY: For his second act, Mark will host 202 North Crescent Avenue today from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Located at Crescent and Locust, a very desirable Lodi address, this one’s a charmer! Built in 1947, this home has been lovingly upgraded, leaving the original character intact. Gourmet kitchen with pullouts galore, even in the island! Lush landscaping front and back. Two bedrooms with a roomy LOFT that could become a third bedroom or study. I especially like the extra-wide staircase to the loft. Drop by today and check it out! $475,000.

OPEN TOMORROW and hosted by Statesman’s Richard Mahoney from 12:00 to 2:00: 640 Eureka Avenue! Almost 1200 square feet of Northside charm. Two bedrooms, one bath, attached one-car garage, central heat and air. Check out the Sun Room! Close to schools, park and shopping and PRICED RIGHT at $289,950! Drop in on Richard and see for yourself.

SLEEPER: 19328 Page Court is nestled in a cozy cul-de-sac, away from the bustle of life. The view from the street belies its size (over 2400 square feet of customized home). It’s easy to recognize the over $200,000 in upgrades and remodeling these Sellers have given this fine home in the five years they’ve lived here. Inground pool and spa with near-new Pebble Tec surfacing (about $10K worth!). Three bedrooms (possible fourth). Two well-appointed baths, one with a special walk-in tiled shower! Attached 3-plus-car garage! Great landscaping front and back. There’s more! Call me for a private showing. $725,000.

TWO QUOTES that are worth remembering: “Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat.” That was Harry Emerson Fosdick. And that quote reminds me of another (anonymous): “Holding on to bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Good stuff, huh? Count on me for a cheery thought for your Saturday morning. See you next Sat!

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #6 Live Like A Sprinter

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill

LIVE LIKE A SPRINTER. This concept was brand-new to me when I first heard author Tony Schwartz speak. Schwartz and co-author Jim Loehr wrote “The Power Of Full Engagement”, a book about maximizing performance and a whole lot more.

“Living A Balanced Life”, the theme for my stint as this year’s president, is easier said than done. Realtors struggle even more than most folks to maintain a life apart from their chosen profession. This business can consume a person if they don’t set boundaries and intentionally carve out time for themselves! The concepts of the “Full Engagement” book are valuable whatever your profession may be.

Schwartz observes that most people live their lives like marathon runners. They conserve their energy and strength and never “go all out”. Instead, they work at less than optimum capacity for long periods with too little rest and play, which eventually leads to burnout…or worse. “To the degree that leaders and managers build cultures around continuous work—whether that means several-hour-long meetings, or long days, or the expectation that people will work in the evenings and on weekends—performance is necessarily compromised over time. Cultures that encourage people to seek intermittent renewal not only inspire greater commitment, but also more productivity.”

A sprinter can see the finish line before he/she leaves the starting blocks. A sprinter gives their all for the short burst. Then it’s time to rest and recover. Living life like a sprinter means going all out on a task and then resting. When you’ve taken the time to rest and to play, you perform at a higher level when you work!

THE PULSE OF LIFE: The authors observe, “Nature itself has a pulse, a rhythmic, wavelike movement between activity and rest. Think about the ebb and flow of the tides, the movement between seasons, and the daily rising and setting of the sun…Our breathing, brain waves, body temperature, heart rates, hormone levels and blood pressure all have healthy (and unhealthy) rhythmic patterns.”

Schwartz says that this culture too often encourages people to be “flat-liners”, to live in a linear way rather than engaging in healthy patterns of activity and rest. “We are oscillatory beings in an oscillatory universe,” he says! (And when you think of the implications of “flat-lining”, which is the opposite of the oscillation of a healthy EKG or EEG, you get a sense of just how serious all-work-and-no-play can be).

Anybody who encourages me to take more time to play gets my vote! I’ve recognized for years that I’m better at what I do when I’ve taken the time to enjoy life.

It’s Monday night, and I’ve had a productive day. Now it’s time to practice what I preach. I’m headed out to play a little blues with some musician friends. How about you? Smell those roses before you’re pushing them up! You’ll enjoy this life-trip more AND get more accomplished.

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #5 The View From Here

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill

THE VIEW FROM HERE: There are two fundamental ways to observe the real estate market. You can take the short view or the long view.

The long-term projections for Lodi-area real estate are just as rosy as ever! Demographers estimate that a full 25% of the state will live in the Central Valley by the year 2050. Over the long term, prudent investment in local real estate is as close to a no-brainer as an investor can come.

An elderly client of mine had purchased a handful of single-family homes and duplexes 25 years ago in a little town called Fremont. Needless to say, his modest investment made him a multi-millionaire…over the LONG term I met him when he decided to do a series of 1031 tax-deferred exchanges to move his real estate portfolio to the Lodi-Galt area. As he became familiar with our market, he exclaimed, “This is the next Fremont!” He recognized what many locals fail to see.

The long-term benefits of owning real estate are not limited to the Lodi area. In his bestselling book The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner, author David Bach says, “How can I be so confident about the real estate road to riches? Well, the fact is that U.S. real estate values have been going up steadily for more than four decades--an average of 6.3 percent a year since 1968, which is when the National Association of Realtors first started keeping track.” The long view, buying and holding real estate for many years, is beyond promising. It’s great!

THE SHORT VIEW: Homes are more affordable than they’ve been in years. Interest rates are hovering at record lows. Sellers have adjusted to the realities of the marketplace and are more flexible on price and terms than I’ve seen since the mid-‘90’s. Buyers are gaining confidence as they see that the sky isn’t falling and as they shift their thinking to the long view. In short (pun intended), it’s a great time to be a Buyer.

THE RULE OF 72: Take any interest rate and divide it into the number 72. The answer will give you the number of years it will take to double your investment. Based of the National Association of Realtors’ documented annual appreciation rate of 6.3%, this indicates that the home you own today should double in value in a little less than twelve years. With this in mind, just how important is the short-term real estate market?

If the last paragraph is true, wouldn’t it be good to own more than one property and reap the long-term benefits that come with it? Real estate investment is the best way I know for that average American to build long-term wealth with relatively low risk. For further information on this subject, read Bach’s book or call your favorite Realtor. Your Realtor can show you how to systematically build a real estate portfolio that can multiply your net worth many times…over the long term.

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #4 CAR Meetings in Monterey

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill

LAST WEEK’S California Association of Realtors’ Directors’ Meetings in Monterey were pivotal in one important way: The assembled representatives of almost 200,000 rank-and-file California Realtors voted to move forward with investigations into the feasibility of a statewide Multiple Listing System.

As the professional real estate landscape changes, the people who lead our state and national organizations have to be nimble to stay ahead of the curve! CAR’s stated concern is that California Realtors need to outmaneuver those who would try to do an end run on existing Multiple Listing systems. The Googles and Zillows of this world are well-monied and tech-savvy. They also have the advantage of being unfettered by the requisite politics and endless discussion that come with any large trade association. CAR leadership is promoting the idea of pre-emptively putting a statewide MLS system in place that would be superior to anything the outside-of-real-estate competitors could come up with.

California Association of Realtors’ MLS Task Force recommended that the Directors approve further research into the possibilities of some kind of statewide Multiple Listing system, with the understanding that existing MLS systems would be included in the discussions. The Metrolist MLS System has served our area (actually, from El Dorado Hills to Turlock to Tracy to Pleasanton) very well over the past few years. Metrolist has joined with several other MLS groups to offer Metrolist members extended coverage that will extend even into the Bay Area. Metrolist is led by visionary, entrepreneurial, market-driven people who know (and play) the MLS game well. I’m not convinced that our California Association of Realtors can do the job better, or even as well.

W.I.I.F.M.? What’s in it for you, the consumer? My concern, which is shared by many Realtors, is that a statewide MLS could diminish the level of excellence offered to Realtor members (and thus to their clients) rather than enhancing it. Presently, every Multiple Listing System knows that the only way to survive in the current competitive marketplace is to stay on the cutting edge of technology and to offer the very best service available. If there’s only “one game in town” (the statewide MLS system), where’s the incentive to maintain excellence?

These concerns were addressed in soothing tones by CAR leadership at the Monterey meetings. It’s common knowledge that the mega-Brokers (real estate companies with hundreds of agents) are driving the push for a statewide MLS because they don’t like having to belong to many smaller Multiple Listing systems. The balancing factor is that most of CAR’s membership is made up of smaller brokerages who don’t necessarily share the position of the big guys.
CHANGE. It’s the one thing you can count on. However, all change isn’t for the best. I’m confident that the people who are tasked with evaluating this upcoming possibility will do their best. I know our Lodi Directors will be faithful to speak their minds. Time will tell where this issue will go.

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #3 What's a Realtor?

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill
Lodi Association of Realtors 2007 President

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. If you’re interested in the latest real estate news from around the state, let me suggest www.car.org, the website of the California Association of Realtors. You don’t have to be a Realtor to enjoy the news articles from all across California. Currently, you’ll find an article by the Lodi News Sentinel’s own Rebecca Adler on the importance of pricing your home to sell. You’ll read news from Northern California and Southern California, from beach communities and high desert areas, from urban and rural areas of the state. One thing you’ll discover quickly. The old chestnut is true: All real estate IS local. Different areas of the state are experiencing different market climates. They have different challenges. The one constant in all this diversity is Realtors. Before I became one, I had no idea of just how much good is accomplished by the members of this organization.

The California Association of Realtors does a lot more than represent its Realtor members. As one of California’s largest trade organizations, CAR lobbies with clout for private property rights in the legislative halls of Sacramento. In case you think that’s a small thing, consider the fact that every year, the California Association of Realtors has a hand in defeating bills that would add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of selling the average home! There’s an old saying that goes, “There are two things you never want to watch getting made: sausage and law!” Lawmakers do just as their name implies. They’re there in Sacramento to make laws, whether we need them or not! I’m happy to support my California Association of Realtors as we work to protect your rights as a homeowner.

While the number of licensees in the State of California now stands at over 500,000 souls (one in every 54 adult Californians), less than half of that number are members of the California Association of Realtors. You probably heard the story of the California Highway patrolman who pulled a motorist to the side of the road and asked, “May I see your real estate license, please?” The driver was surprised. “Don’t you mean my driver’s license?” The officer shook his head. “No, Ma’am. Not everyone in California HAS a driver’s license.” Having a real estate license and subscribing to CAR’s Realtor Code of Ethics are two different things. Licensees with the Realtor designation are held to a higher standard.

As you read this, I’m just wrapping up the January series of CAR meetings in Monterey. Along with the other members of our Lodi Association of Realtors leadership team, I’m voting on the issues at hand and looking forward to getting back to my own business this afternoon. Representatives from across the state are gathered for our thrice-yearly meetings.

In the early days of our Republic, there were no professional politicians. There were “citizen statesmen”, ordinary farmers and business owners who voluntarily took on the task of leading the country, often at great personal sacrifice, for a season. Then, when their terms ended, they’d go back to their farms and businesses and carry on. I’m pleased to be a part of a similar group of men and women who give their time and talent (and a fair amount of their treasure!) to support the California Association of Realtors.

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #2 History Repeats Itself

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill
Lodi Association of Realtors 2007 President

WHAT DO THE “EXPERTS” SAY about the ‘real estate bubble”…Did it burst or is real estate still a good investment?

1. “Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers.”
2. “The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more buyers.”
3. “If you are looking to buy, be careful. Rising home values are not a sure thing anymore.”
4. “Most economists agree…a home will become little more than a roof and a tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative tax investment it was…”
5. “Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment.”
6. “A home is where the bad investment is.”

These cheery pronouncements from “experts” were provided to me by local loan officer Cory Semer of Summit Funding. (Note: Cory is also a past President of the Lodi Association of Realtors, back when he was a successful local Realtor). Now for the rest of the story. Cory asks, “Do you think the real estate market has nowhere to go but down? You’re not the first one. History proves that even the ‘experts’ have had it wrong, time and time again. Consider the quotes noted above. Here’s the list of sources and publishing dates:

1. Science Digest 1948
2. Business Week 1969
3. Miami herald 1985
4. Money magazine 1986
5. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine 1993
6. San Francisco Examiner 1996

Cory’s point is well taken. The truth is that real estate IS cyclical in nature. The funny thing is that every time the market tops out, some folks talk as if it’s a new phenomenon. Toynbee said, “The majority is almost never right.” One thing IS for sure: When everyone is telling you you’re crazy to buy, you’re on the right track! Someday ten years from now (or sooner), people will bemoan the fact that they failed to buy real estate back in the “good old days when homes were affordable: 2007.

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #1 Deja Vu All Over Again...

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill
Lodi Association of Realtors 2007 President

DE JA VU all over again. The last time I served as President of the Lodi Association of Realtors was 1998. That year, the local real estate market bottomed out after an eight-year decline in home values. Quite a market correction! By the end of my 1998 term, home prices were on the rise; the start of the giddy ramp-up in home values didn’t top out until the summer of 2005. Will history repeat itself this time around? Not likely, but never say never.

THANK YOU to 2006 LAR President Paul Mertz for a job well done! His is a classy act to follow. Paul’s presidential theme was, “There’s No Place Like Home.” He incorporated Dorothy’s shiny red shoes from The Wizard of Oz into his theme. I’ll be hard-pressed to match his creativity! Tough shoes to fill…and red’s not my color!

MY THEME for 2007 is “Living a Balanced Life”. The real estate profession is not known for its balance. Without boundaries and guidelines, it’s easy for a dedicated Realtor to become consumed by this profession. I know. I spent the first years of my career as a “seven-day wonder”, working every day of the week. When you’re married to your work, your family suffers. Relationships become strained. The good news is that there’s a better way to do this business. I plan to shine the spotlight on Realtors who have been successful at managing their businesses, their finances and their lives. Real estate is a great profession…as long as it’s your profession and not your whole life.

THIS “PRESIDENT’S CORNER” is an opportunity for the current LAR president to inform the public about current market trends and conditions and happenings in the local real estate community. It’s also a place where the president can offer encouragement to fellow Realtors. As thousands of new licensees have recently discovered, this business is a lot like work! The Realtor who pours himself or herself into giving you excellent service literally takes your problems home at night. Your Realtor struggles daily to maintain a balance between serving her clients well and “having a life” apart from her chosen profession.

If you’re a non-Realtor reader of this President’s Corner, you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of real estate professionals as we tackle various subjects over the coming year. If you’re a Realtor reading this, I hope to inspire and encourage you! I’ll interview veteran Realtors and get their ideas on how to stay balanced in the midst of the demands of this business. I’ll share the thoughts of real estate trainers and famous speakers (and my personal mentor).

Whether you’re a Realtor-reader or not, I hope to share ideas that will inspire and encourage, as well as inform. I look forward to helping Realtors (and every reader) have their best year yet in 2007.

January 12, 2007 Realtors At Play

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

REALTORS AT PLAY…Last Wednesday’s Lodi Association of Realtors’ Installation Luncheon was a lot of fun! In Realtor jargon, location, location, location: The gig was held in Wine and Roses’ Garden Ballroom. Good food, a crowd of extremely fine folks, and a lot of joyful anticipation for the best year yet in 2007!

Roy Reimche received the prestigious Realtor of the Year Award. Roy’s an inspiration to us all. The Association has followed his successful battle with what he calls “The Big C” for several years now. He’s still in the saddle and on the job. Roy may know more vignettes and stories about Lodi than any other Realtor. He’s certainly been around longer than anyone else. I told Roy I want to be just like him when I’M 104 years old. Good thing he has a great sense of humor.

PRICE REDUCED and getting many showings: 1317 Candlewood Way in North Stockton. Lodi Realtors have discovered this value and they’re bringing their Buyers! You can’t find a 1380-square-foot home THIS nice in Lodi for the newly-reduced price of $319,950. Three bedrooms, two baths, COMMUNITY POOL! Garage is currently set up (including central heat and air) for a preschool. It can easily be converted back to a garage, or use the extra square footage for a play room or whatever!

ALSO HONORED, in this case posthumously, at Wednesday’s event was Inez Huppert. Her daughter Ione was presented with the Realtor Hall of Fame Award in her mother’s honor. Inez was one of the first lady Realtors in Lodi, way back in 1960. She did NOT listen to the gloom and doomers. She just bought property. If Inez could counsel you today, I’m sure she would advise you to seize the opportunity and build your real estate portfolio!

WHAT SOFT MARKET? I put FIVE transactions into escrow between January 2 and January 8. The only homes that are selling are those that are priced right, but Buyers are out there and ready to BUY when the price is right. With interest rates hovering at historically low levels AND home prices down from the recent top of the market, now is the time! Most folks will miss it, though. They’ll wait until the media gives them permission to buy again (“Real Estate Market Improves!”), which will happen AFTER prices have headed back up. It has always worked this way.

QUESTION: If you’re selling your home and repurchasing another, what’s the difference WHERE the market is at any given time? If prices are down, you cry when you sell and laugh when you buy. If the market’s up, it’s just the opposite. Interest rates are the biggest determining factor in the whole equation…and right now, they’re great!

MY BANDMATES and I had a fine ol’ time at the Luncheon. We played a little Doobie Bros, a little Alan Jackson, one of Aaron Gaydon’s originals, and a couple of other tunes. A good time was had by all. Now TO WORK! Have a great week. See you next Sat!

January 5, 2007 Off to the races!

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

OFF TO THE RACES! I hit the ground running January 2 and the momentum continues to build! Buyers are buying. Sellers are selling (when they’re PRICED right). This is a great real estate market.

MOST PEOPLE have adjusted their thinking and adapted to the new realities of the real estate marketplace. That’s a good thing! It was TIME for the market to take a breather.

JUST LISTED: WINDWOOD BEAUTY! 19328 Page Court is nestled in a cozy cul-de-sac. From the street, it appears smaller than its 2400-plus square feet. My Sellers tell me they’ve made over $200,000 in upgrades and remodeling to this fine home in the five years they’ve lived here. I believe it. Call me for a list of special features! Here’s a snapshot: Inground pool and spa with near-new Pebble Tec surfacing (about $10K worth!). Three bedrooms (possible fourth). Two well-appointed baths, one with a walk-in tiled shower that I’d like to duplicate in MY home! Laundry Room! Attached 3-plus-car garage! Great landscaping front and back. There’s more! Call for a private showing. $725,000. I told my Sellers, “This is dangerous. I like this home too much myself!” It’s quite a place.

REDUCED! 9225 Little Creek Circle in Stockton was a good value BEFORE this $20,000 price reduction…but now, it’s unbeatable! We have one Buyer working on financing as I write this, but it’s very much for sale! Check this out: $389,950 for 2064 square feet of FOUR bedroom THREE full bath, THREE-car garage home with many tasteful upgrades.

JUST LISTED: LODI’S NICEST SIX-PLEX! 123 East Walnut Street is probably the cleanest apartment complex you’ll ever see. Near-new “low e” dual-pane windows throughout! Ceiling fans! Coin-op laundry room with newer machines! This place has a VERY low vacancy rate due to the location and condition. Six two-bedroom one-bath apartments with GREAT CASH FLOW! Call me for details or for a private showing. At $699,950, I expect this opportunity to be snapped up quickly.

JUST LISTED: BEST VALUE IN A LODI CONDO! 700 McCoy Court Number 18 features NEW carpet and NEW vinyl! Remodeled kitchen with recently-installed tile floor, tile counter top and range/oven! Detached one-car garage at the bottom of the stairs of this second-story unit. Motivated Sellers priced this one to SELL at $167,000. Call me for a private showing.

JUST LISTED: 640 Eureka Avenue is a well-located Northside charmer. At $289,950 for nearly 1200 square feet of home, I expect this home to sell quickly! Call me for a pricate showing.

CHECK OUT John Manguso’s Home Of The Week on the front page of this stellar publication. 90 River Meadows Drive in Woodbridge was JUST REDUCED by $25,000 to $799,950, this home is one of a kind.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish you the best. See you next Sat

December 29, 2006 New Years Rant.

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

HAPPY NEW YEAR (Monday)! Last column of the year. A great time to say Thank You to all who contributed to our success in 2006. THANK YOU!

ONCE AGAIN in 2006, over 90 percent of my business was either REPEAT business from folks who I have served in the past or REFERRAL business which came to me when YOU sent your friends and family my way. There’s no greater compliment that to be entrusted with your loved ones. I take your trust seriously!

KEEP ‘EM COMIN’! Someone recently told me, “It must feel great to be doing so well.” On the one hand, I’m humbled and blessed by the volume of business I’m doing (with the help of my Support Team). On the other hand, I’m never too busy for your referrals!

SUPPORT TEAM, CONT’D…I’m entering 2007 with a Team that’s geared up and ready for our best year ever! Let me introduce you: Greg Adams is a veteran Broker Associate with a practice of his own. He’s also my longtime Right-Hand Realtor, supporting me as I list and sell homes for my clients. Greg’s support frees me up to focus my energy on the crucial parts of every transaction (Negotiation. Contracts. Face time with my clients.). My daughter Angie Wieland serves the Team as Office Manager and support for Greg Adams. She takes the load off of Greg as much as possible. Angie’s backup person is my son Tom Underhill. He handles all things technological and offers general support to the whole operation. When Angie’s out on maternity leave early nest year, Tom will step up and fill a bigger role. I’m blessed! With all this help, 2007 promises to be a banner real estate year!

THE OTHER COMPONENT to Statesman Realty is the great bunch of Realtors that work here. Together we’ve created an office culture that’s positive, enthusiastic…and successful. This is a bunch of guys with BIG PLANS for 2007! They invest in training to “sharpen their tools” so they can serve their clients at a higher level. They’re looking forward to THEIR best year ever in 2007! Let me introduce them: Don Brandt is a Broker Associate who has been at this longer than I have (I’m in my entering my 23rd year as a licensee, and he’s over 30 years in the biz!). The aforementioned Greg Adams has some great goals for 2007. Statesman’s Pat Piccardo retired as a Battalion Chief for the Stockton Fire Department. He says, “I used to help people OUT of buildings, and now I help them INTO homes!” 2007 is Pat’s year to shine. John Manguso had a GREAT 2006. Early next year he’ll receive his Master’s Club award for outstanding 2006 sales production, and he plans to improve on 2006 in the year to come! Mark Edwards, former teacher and middle school principal, is “hitting the ground running” and off to a fine start, as is Lodi native Richard Mahoney, whose background in corporate sales comes in handy in his real estate practice. These Realtors are a pleasure to work with. Best of all, I watch these guys encourage each other and celebrate each others’ success. I’m blessed.

IT’S GREAT to love to come to work in the morning. When you enjoy what you do, it’s not work! Let’s talk again next year. How about Saturday? Happy New Year!

December 23, 2006 Christmas Eve-eve: San Quentin Story

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

SAN QUENTIN PRISON. Sometime in the late seventies. As I walked into the visitor’s area for the compulsory (and exceedingly thorough) search, I could feel the deep chill of the concrete walls. The further I walked into the prison, the more the walls closed in on me.

We were escorted through several sets of clanging iron gates. It was Sunday, and my little group was on its way to the prison chapel to meet the “inside” members of a group called Free Con In Christ. We were with the “outside” members.

Before and after the church service, we had a chance to talk with the other attendees (the ones who would not be going to the parking lot at the end of the meeting). I remember vividly my conversation with one big guy, a newcomer to the chapel service. He expressed concern about whether God could forgive him after the things he had done in his life. Now, I’ve talked with a lot of men over the years who have a kind of macho “I’m so bad God can’t forgive me” attitude. My standard reply is, “You haven’t killed anybody, have you? Jesus can forgive that, so he can surely forgive you.”

That’s usually a good answer. It’s usually enough to help somebody grasp the depth of God’s love. In this conversation, however, it brought a response that was a surprise to me. The man looked thoughtful for a moment and answered, “Well, yes. My wife and my father-in-law.”

After a long pause and a deep breath, I said, “Well, Jesus can forgive that!” I introduced him to another double murderer who had a leading part in the church service. Who better to tell the guy about God’s forgiveness than another con with personal experience?

I have a friend who grew up in San Francisco, a child of the sixties and early seventies who, like me, came to know Jesus Christ after riding the whirlwind of the age. We both look back and remember people who didn’t make it to their twenty-fifth birthday, and we both know it could have been us if it weren’t for God’s amazing, unexplainable grace. We’ve observed that we’re much blessed because we don’t have any illusions about our “goodness”. I look back on some of the craziness of those early years and say, “My best thinking got me there!” I know that any “good” people see in me is courtesy of my Senior Partner.

Grace: “Undeserved favor”. Grace is when you get from God what you don’t deserve (like forgiveness, unconditional love).

Mercy: Mercy is when you DON’T get what you DO deserve from God. The Christians I met in San Quentin, like my friend and I, were very much aware that they owed every breath to the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

How about you? As Christmas Day approaches and the baby-in-the-manger story is on peoples’ minds once again, are you curious about who this Jesus really is? Tomorrow’s a good day to check out a Christmas-eve church service and hear why they call the Christmas message “The Good News”. Merry Christmas.

December 8, 2006 A Christmas present for Jesus?

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

WHAT WOULD JESUS like for a Christmas present? My pastor, Tim Stevenson, asked that provocative question last Sunday morning. When you look at what Christmas has become in our culture, it’s an interesting idea. Some clues from the Maker’s Manual for the Human Race:

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (First Peter 5:7).

What does He want? All of our “stuff”. The “Reason for the Season” wants our TROUBLES! As author Max Lucado sez, “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it!” A Holiday (Holy Day) thought.

“NOTHING SELLS BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND NEW YEARS.” That’s right. Have another piece of pie and relax. Every year, a large chunk of the Realtor population buys into the above fable, and the rest of us just keep on working. This week: THREE into escrow! Buyers are buying! Homes are selling (when they’re priced right)! Need a hardworking Broker? I’m on the job and ready to go to work for you.

THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR PRICE REDUCTION! You might say these folks are serious about selling their home. They’re in escrow on their next home, contingent upon the sale of this one. 1818 Mimosa Drive is 1799 square feet of Bennett-built charm. Three upstairs bedrooms. Two upstairs baths (and one downstairs half-bath). Near-new 50-year composition roof with extra insulation! Clean interior with recently-painted walls! Custom shutters! Alarm system! All this and more in Lodi’s desirable Whispering Oaks neighborhood. At $369,950, this one won’t last long on the market…

CONGRATULATIONS to Statesman Realty’s John Manguso. John represented both Buyers and Sellers on a transaction that closed this past week. Happy endings/beginnings all around! But wait…there’s more to the story. This closed transaction puts John over the $5 million mark for closed transactions in calendar year 2006, which means he qualifies for the much-respected Master’s Club designation! Way to go, John! (When you see him, give him a high five).

MORE GREAT LISTINGS on the way! Watch this space for details.

BUYERS AND SELLERS (and Realtors) are adjusting to the realities of this new market climate. When you read the Chicken Little headlines about how much the real estate market has fallen off, bear in mind that 2006 was one of the strongest years in the recorded history of real estate. Happy talk like that doesn’t sell newspapers (Media motto: “If it bleeds, it leads”), but it does put things in proper perspective.

Have a great week! See you next Sat.

December 1, 2006 Congrats to the Webers!

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

CONGRATULATIONS to Steve and Lori Weber (and their charming daughters) on the successful SALE of their Lodi home! I’ve been working with Steve and Lodi for ten-plus years. In addition to helping them with their own purchases and sales, I’ve enjoyed serving the folks they’ve sent me. The Webers have referred me friends and family, who in turn have become my valued friends and clients . My kind of people! If I compiled a list of Most Fun Folks To Work With, the Webers would be near the top of the list!

THANK YOU to Realtors Maria de la Cruz and William Cooper, who represented the Buyers in this adventure.

A FORTY-FOOT CHIP SHOT into the hole for a birdie is an event for any golfer, but when you consider my Daddy’s age (80), it’s even more special. He birdied two holes out of 18 this past week. Tiger Woods would be proud of some of his shots (and Tiger would cringe at a few others, but we don’t remember those as vividly).

OPEN TODAY AND TOMORROW! This is a home you may want to visit even if you’re not in the market, just because it’s such a charmer. 202 North Crescent Avenue is located at Crescent and Locust, a very desirable Lodi address. Built in 1947, this home has been lovingly upgraded, leaving the original charm intact. Gourmet kitchen with pullouts galore, even in the island! Lush landscaping front and back. Two bedrooms with a roomy LOFT that could become a third bedroom or study. I especially like the extra-wide staircase to the loft. Drop by today or tomorrow between 11 a.m and 1 p.m. and say hello to Statesman Realty’s John Manguso! This home is a great value; you couldn’t replace it with these amenities and special features for anywhere near this price! $475,000.

JAMBALAYA. Crawfish etouffee. Sweet potato pie. Alligator sausage. Oyster loaf. Aunt Sally’s pralines. Andouille sausage with red beans and rice. Can you tell I’m missing that good Louisiana food? Of course, I gained a few pounds just spending a week there. (Son Tom porked out as much as I did, and LOST five pounds. Go figger. It’s that higher metabolism of youth, I guess).

ALSO OPEN TODAY: 908 Downing Drive, located in one of Lodi’s nicest Westside neighborhoods! At the newly-reduced price of $309,950, I don’t expect this home to remain unsold for long. Three bedrooms, two baths, nice floorplan, great location. What’s not to like at this price? Drop by today between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and say hello to Stateman’s Mark Edwards.

NEW PRICE! 1317 Candlewood Drive in North Stockton has been reduced to$329,950! This well-located North Stockton home features tile floors, a well-landscaped back yard, three bedrooms, two baths, and a semi-finished garage (most recently used as a day-care classroom). The Seller will turn the garage back into a garage (easily done), or leave it as it is if the Buyer prefers. At this new price, this home is a bargain!

MORE GREAT LISTINGS ON THE WAY! Watch this space or check StatesmanRealty.com. Have a happy week! See you next Sat.

November 24, 2006 ALLIGATOR WRESTLING in a Louisiana Swamp (for reals!)

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

THE ALLIGATOR TAIL (Whoops! I mean TALE) I promised last week is further down the page, but first:

THANKSGIVING. In this jolly season, having heard of folks thanking each other, thanking their lucky stars, or just “being thankful” to no one in particular, I’d like to go on record as thanking the One Who rescued me from myself 35 years ago: Jesus Christ. Every breath I take is a gift from Him.

NEW PRICE! 9225 Little Creek Circle in North Stockton was good value before, but NOW: $409,950 for 2064 square feet of two-story charm on a secluded circle! Such a deal. Don’t wait on this one…

NEW LISTING! 1800 Orchis Court is 2134 square feet of single-story semi-custom home on a Westside Lodi cul-de-sac. At $528,950, it’s a real opportunity for the right Buyer! Oversized bedrooms! Vaulted ceilings! $2500 credit so you can choose your own new kitchen floor covering, dishwasher, and microwave! Large corner lot. Come and see!

JUST LISTED in much-loved “Old Lodi” area! 202 North Crescent (corner of Crescent and Locust) is a unique combination of circa-1947 charm and gorgeous modern upgrades. Gourmet kitchen with abundance of pullouts (even in the island!). Kitchen appliances have matching brushed-metal look throughout, including the refrigerator! LOFT! Cozy back yard with courtyard! Dual-pane vinyl-clad windows! Hardwood flooring! The list goes on and on. Call me for a private showing! $475,000.

LET ME TELL YOU about 1706 South Church Street. Newer Central Heat and Air! Near-new dual-pane white vinyl-clad windows! Large fenced back yard! Approx. four-year-old composition roof! New price: $280,000. Don’t snooze…

1818 Mimosa Drive, at $399,950 for almost 1800 square feet of two-story charm, is one of Lodi’s best values. Near-new 50-year composition ROOF! Upgraded window treatments! More! Nothing left to do here. This is a clean, sharp home. These folks want to MOVE! Call me for a private showing.

SPEAKING OF MOTIVATED SELLERS, the Sellers at 515 Sandpiper Circle want to get this 1412-square-foot single-story home SOLD. Recently reduced to $339,950,, this home has much to offer. These Sellers will consider offers!

THE ALLIGATOR’S ARMOR was rough to the touch as I struggled to avoid his long bony snout. He was one strong brute! I wrestled to keep him under control. I knew that he wanted to force me into the murky waters of the Louisiana bayou where he’d commence his death roll. Soon I’d be just another news item: “California Realtor Killed By Alligator In Southern Louisiana Swamp”. If he’d been any bigger than 16 inches long, I would have been a goner. Now YOU tell one!

Have a great week! See you next Sat.

November 17, 2006 New Orleans Still Needs Our Help.

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

THE SOUTH still needs our help and our prayers. My son Tom and I just returned from the National Association of Realtors annual convention in New Orleans. We saw Katrina’s devastation firsthand: Chest-high waterlines on home after home in low-lying residential areas. Spray-painted markings on each house showing the date a rescue search was conducted, the identity of the rescue party (National Guard, Marines, etc.)…and the number of dead found in that home. Sobering.

THE POPULATION of New Orleans stands at about half what it was the day Katrina struck. We heard “storm stories” that would leave you speechless. The good news: There’s a can-do spirit, an optimism, that’s contagious. People aren’t waiting for the government to help them. They’re just getting the job done! FEMA jokes abound. Humor is a valuable commodity in the face of this kind of devastation.

I was pleased when NAR made the decision to keep the convention in the Big Easy after Katrina. New Orleanians were happy to welcome over four thousand Realtors and their friends and family to town. Ours was the biggest convention to visit the city since Katrina hit. Want to aid in the rebuilding effort? One (fun) way is to COME TO NEW ORLEANS and spend some money! Eighty percent of the hotel rooms are open again. The FOOD is as fine and as fattening as ever. The French Quarter (Built hundreds of years ago on the highest ground around…them Frenchies were no fools!) is intact and open for business. The Garden District with its beautiful mansions is lovely to behold. The muddy Mississippi is bustling (fourth largest port in the WORLD)…take the steamboat Natchez and see the sights! The beat goes on at places like Snug Harbor on Frenchmen’s Street, where Tom and I heard Charmaine Neville and her very hot band (their last stop before Spain, the next gig on their upcoming European tour)..

Many other smaller groups (Microsoft, for example) changed their convention venues after Katrina, fearful that the city wouldn’t be able to accommodate them. NAR saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate support. Hundreds of Realtors worked with local groups on Convention Week on various rebuilding projects. Realtors have contributed over $40 million to Katrina-relief projects since the disaster

CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs. Irene Schnabel on the successful SALE of her Westside Lodi home. Greg Adams and I worked closely with her sons on this sale. They reminisced about their Wonder Years growing up on this quiet residential street, walking to school back when Lodi’s population was a mere fraction of what it is today.

Lodi Realtor Chris Phelps (with help from her Broker, Margo Cook) did a great job of representing the young couple who bought the Schnabel place as their very first home. As I always say, it’s a joy when you have reasonable people (Realtors and principals) on both sides of the transaction. Thanx, ladies!

AS OF THIS WRITING, we’re still in offer/counter offer stage with a possible Buyer for my listing at 908 Downing, and experience tells me that offers do NOT always turn into transactions…so let me remind you about this great value! Three bedrooms, two baths, two-car garage with NEW DOOR, central heat and air, NEW CARPET, and a great Westside location! At $319,950, what’s not to like?

NEXT WEEK: I WRESTLE AN ALLIGATOR in the swamps of Louisiana! Have a great week. See y’all next Sat.