Which PAINT COLOR can LOWER your BLOOD PRESSURE?

Did you know, BLUE brings down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate. That’s why it’s considered calming, relaxing, and serene, and is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. Be careful, however: A pastel blue that looks pretty on the paint chip can come across as unpleasantly chilly when it’s on the walls and furnishings, especially in a room that receives little natural light. If you opt for a light blue as the primary color in a room, balance it with warm hues in the furnishings and fabrics.

Why YOU can’t afford NOT to have a CUSTOM COLOR CONSULTATON?

Most color consultations can be completed within an hour or two at the most. How much can just a gallon or two of the wrong custom color paint set you back, a couple days of a painting contractors’ time or how about if your coose a color that will make you relax when you’re suposed to be working out? Choosing the best colors for your home the first time around can literally save you hundreds of dollars in the long run and you can’t beat having a design professional who can walk you through the process of creating your unique vision for your home.

Whether you’re looking to  RE- paint one or all of the rooms in your home Jill at Changing Spaces will bring her YEARS of experience in RE-design and professional paint color expertise to help you pick the RIGHT PAINT COLORS for your home. Jill will come to your home with a professional paint kit and an expert eye. Together we will choose the best colors and finish for your home based on your lighting, furnishings, personal style and exercise needs.

Changing Spaces by Jill Denton ~ Interior RE-Design, Color Consultations and Staging.

925.998.7747

Please visit our website for more before and after photos and more information:www.jilldenton.com

Services offered: Full day Interior RE-Design, Half day Interior RE-Design, One Room Interior RE-Design, RE-Design consultations, Interior and Exterior Custom Paint Color Consultations, Staging Consultations and Home Staging.

New Law Requires Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Did you know, as of July 1, 2001 a New Law Requires Carbon Monoxide Detectors in all single-family homes with an attached garage in California.  Let me know if you’d like a copy of this information emailed to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jill Denton
Realtor, Lic#01804876
925.998.7747
www.jilldenton.com

Fast Facts

California highest median home price by C.A.R. region December 07: Santa Barbara So. Coast $925,000 (Source: C.A.R.)

California lowest median home price by C.A.R. region December 07: High Desert $244,330 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index – Third Quarter 07: 24 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates – week ending 01/24: 30-yr. fixed: 5.48%; Fees/points: 0.4% 15-yr. fixed: 4.95%; Fees/points: 0.4% 1-yr. adjustable: 4.99%; Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)

Bay Area Housing Stats, December 2007

Housing Statistics

December 2007
Complete Report – Alameda – Castro Valley – Dublin – Fremont – Hayward – Livermore – Newark – Pleasanton – San Leandro – San Lorenzo – Union City

Real Estate Terms of the Week

Amortization  
Gradual payment of a mortgage loan by installments over a period of time

Amortization schedule  
A timetable for payment of a mortgage loan. The amortization schedule shows the amount of each payment applied to interest and principal and shows the remaining balance after each payment is made.

Amortization term  
The amount of time required to amortize the mortgage loan. The amortization term is expressed as a number of months. For example, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the amortization term is 360 months.

Source: GMAC Real Estate

2007 Housing Market Review

Out with the old and in with the New!  This is a phrase that has been used time after time.  As we move out of 2007 and into 2008, we hope to see some calm in the storm. We have had a “wild” ride with the mortgage crisis, housing market decline and stock market decline, but interest rates still remain among the lowest in years past. 

Real Estate markets just like stock markets will have cyclical movements.  Factors that drive these changes are interest rates, supply and demand and our economy.  Inventories in some areas have dropped in the 3^rd quarter due to the Holidays.  These inventories will increase as we move into first quarter of 2008.

Most people will wait to list their home until March, but I have found that buyers start to come back out in January/Feb.  If you are thinking of making a move and selling, don’t wait for the supply of homes to increase, which will increase your competition.  Call me now to discuss a plan to help you achieve your goals for the up coming year.

On the upside, Interest Rates are projected to remain stable or possibly move slightly lower.  Lending underwriting standards have become more restrictive and a mortgage bail out bill offers homeowners tax breaks on forgiven debt on mortgage refinances or foreclosure work-out programs.   This will keep volume of sales and prices slightly down but it will be a good time to buy.  With the passage of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, eligible taxpayers do not have to pay federal income tax on debt forgiven for loans secured by a qualified principal residence and for some it will be a good time to sell.  If you know of someone who may need more information about this and how this may help them please give me a call.

 According to California Association of Realtors: 

Home sales decreased 36.2 percent in November in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home fell 11.9 percent, C.A.R. reported Dec. 21.“While it is normal for sales to decline at this time of year, regional sales fell more steeply than usual because of the ongoing liquidity crunch and tighter underwriting standards,” said C.A.R. President William E. Brown.
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 287,600 in November at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. Statewide home resale activity decreased 36.2 percent from the 450,930 sales pace recorded in November 2006.The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during November 2007 was $488,640, an 11.9 percent decrease from the revised $554,500 median for November 2006, C.A.R. reported. The November 2007 median price fell 1.7 percent compared with October’s $497,110 median price.In summary, 2008 may continue to be soft for sales and the Real Estate climate is not the best it has ever been but homeownership has always been a solid investment and it always will be.  I will be watching the market on a daily basis and will be available to you anytime you want to discuss your specific needs.  I am looking forward to 2008 and I look forward to working with you.

Oh by the way, Hometown GMAC Real Estate was voted “Best of Pleasanton”.

 CALIFORNIA HOME SALE PRICE MEDIANS BY COUNTY AND CITY

Reporting resale single family residences and condos as well as new homes

% Change is from the same month last year

 ALAMEDA COUNTY

City            #Sold      Nov 07          Nov 06       Change 06-07

Dublin             20      $ 557,750      $ 662,500     -15.81%

Livermore       48       $ 537,000     $ 589,500      – 8.91%

Pleasanton       39      $ 715,000      $ 700,000        2.14%

Danville          62      $1,021,000    $ 975,000        4.72%

San Ramon    105      $ 797,500      $ 800,000        -0.31%

Real Estate Stats: November 2007

Complete Report – Alameda – Castro Valley – Dublin – Fremont – Hayward – Livermore – Newark – Pleasanton – San Leandro – San Lorenzo – Union City

Alameda County Real Estate Stats – October 2007

Here are the stats for all cities in Alameda County as a whole and individually. 

Complete Report – Alameda – Castro Valley – Dublin – Fremont – Hayward – Livermore – Newark – Pleasanton – San Leandro – San Lorenzo – Union City

Source: Bay East