California Horse 'n Home

2007 SALES STATISTICS

    I would imagine most agents are glad to see 2007 behind them, myself included. Without question, it was a difficult year for real estate – not just for agents but sellers and buyers as well. The market is still in “slow-motion”, but with the possible increase in FHA and Jumbo loan rates and the lowering of interest rates, everyone is looking for something better in 2008.
    The following statistics were gathered from the local multiple listing service and deemed to be reasonably reliable. The geographic area represented is comprised of the following Thomas Bros. Map Guide pages: 775 south of Cajalco Rd., all of 805 and properties west of Juniper Rd. on page 806 (Lake Mathews, Gavilan Hills and Gavilan Springs).

THE STATS

DESCRIPTION	2006	2007	CHANGE
CLOSED SALES	47	26	-45%
TOTAL SALES VOLUME	$35,540,350	$17,222,300	-49%
AVERAGE SALES PRICE	$756,177	$662,396	-12%
SALES OVER $1M	5	1	-80%

CURRENT ACTIVE LISTINGS (as of 01/31/08):
  64 - (5 @ $1M+)

    For January we've seen one (1) closed sale and that was an auction. The home was listed for $534,900 and sold for $452,500, a decrease of a little over 15% and was on the market for 143 days. In addition, there is one pending sale that had been on the market for 111 days (sales price not disclosed until close of escrow).

ON A LIGHTER NOTE

    Click on the following link for a cute horse story entitled: 
   If Horses Were Software - A letter to tech support 
         http://ultimatehorsesite.com/fun/joke_techsupport.html    

If you’re a coffee lover (aren’t we all?) here is a website called The Coffee Corral  that has some great, fresh-roasted to order coffee. It makes for terrific gifts because not only is it good coffee but the packaging is very personalized – and the price is right. I’ve been giving them as gifts to my clients when I do open houses and they love it.     They have coffee from Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Sumatra, Nicaragua and Guatemala - flavored coffees too. They even make deliveries to the local area on special request.   www.TheCoffeeCorral.com

   Until next time, thanks for visiting...

    Mary Jo Placka - Tarbell, Realtors
    951-707-7832

FOLLOWING THE SOUND OF THE BELL

  Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

  Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

  If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

  As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

  Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.  Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

  Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

  Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

Thank you for visiting... Until next time.

Mary Jo Placka - Tarbell, Realtors
951-780-0856 

                          I  REMEMBER

A couple years ago (October 21, 2005) we had to put down one of our long time favorite mares - Mese Nefertiti - "Lady Bug", as we called her. The wonderful lady that took such kind care of her remains sent us a card with the following poem. I though this might be a time to share it. 

I REMEMBER

I remember the cold morning air,
your breath making clouds
that filled the glistening air
as you ran to greet me.
Warm gentle breezes
whipping through your mane
as you carried us
across the meadows green.
I can see you still
standing so proud
against the evening sky.
Now my proud dear friend
your gait will pass this way no more.
But you will not be forgotten
because each time
I feel the sun on my face
and the wind in my hair
you will always, always
be there.

Until next time... Thanks for visiting

Mary Jo Placka - Tarbell, Realtors
951-780-0856