ingridowen.com's Weblog http://ingridowen.com

Ingrid Owen's Weblog. 

 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:12:04 -0700 en-us Increased Home Sales & Volume - 2010 vs. 2009 YTD - Napa County http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=14 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=14 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:41:00 -0700 Some good news with home sales for the 1st half of 2010. There is a 13% increase in number of sales and 11% increase in dollar volume compared to 1st half of 2009. Last year, in comparing 2009 to 2008, we saw a 38% increase in the number of sales, however only a 1% increase in dollar volume-mainly due to the big drop in prices & increased activity in the lower end market. An 11% ... Napa - A Top Destination City For Retirement http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=13 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=13 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:35:00 -0700 Some great press, lately, regarding Napa as a top choice retirement city. Napa has always been a "destination place", however, with adjusted home values in the last couple of years it is considered even more desirable. Condos are available as low as $130,000 and some great homes in good neighborhoods starting in the $300's. I think all the growth in downtown Napa with new restaurants, hotels and town improvements with the Napa flood project are ... Federal Tax Credits Expiring on 4/30 - Pending Home Sales Up http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=11 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=11 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:26:00 -0700 Three weeks remain to get in contract on a home by 4/30(must close by 6/30) and take advantage of the federal tax credits - $8,000 1st time homebuyer tax credit and the $6,500 repeat/move up tax credit. In addition, California state government is offering a tax credit for new home purchase and 1st time homebuyer - 5% of the purchase price with a maximum of $10,000 credit. These will take effect 5/1. Low home prices, ... Attention Investors - 90 day FHA flip rule - Waived http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=10 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=10 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:46:00 -0700 Acquire, rehab a house and list for sale with a bigger pool of buyers & quicker return, now that the 90 day FHA rule as been suspended for at least this year.  With the 1st time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit deadline of 4/30/10, I anticipate there will be a high demand of buyers out there in the next few months.  Some great opportunity for investors, now!  See Washinton Post article:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/28/AR2010012804704.html?wprss=rss_business    All Time Low Interest Rates http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=9 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=9 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:51:00 -0700 It's unbelievable how low interest rates are right now. 30 year fixed loan is at 4.5%, as of today! Now is the time to get a great bargain on a home at an extremely low interest rate. This equates to low monthly mortgage payments! The rates will not stay this way for long. It is predicted that in 3 to 4 months they will be climbing back up. It's pretty exciting for anyone out there ... Napa Valley Hiking http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=8 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=8 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:54:00 -0700 Yesterday's hike at Skyline Park was just beautiful! We couldn't have had nicer weather and such a fun group of people. We had 2 visitors from North Carolina join us. I happened to run into them walking my dog, Lucy, Friday evening. Lucy and I were walking behind them & Lucy was pulling on her leash, wanting to get up to them to say hello. She just loves everyone. So we got up to them, ... Predictions for 2009 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=7 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=7 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:37:15 -0700 I'm definitely no fortune teller, however, it is fun to predict what might happen in the year 2009. There will definitely be more foreclosures coming on the market. I believe there will be an increase in home sales, however, the increase will be more in the lower end - $500K and under. I think we are in the bottom of the real estate slump and with the downward movement in interest rates, people are going ... Optimism for America http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=6 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=6 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:17:12 -0700 Just heard the news of Obama winning President. I am very excited and optimistic that positive and exciting changes are in store for America.  It may take some time, however, I feel the election of Obama is going to instill hope in Americans and we are so in need of a new direction.  God bless America!  Hiking the Napa Valley http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=5 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=5 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:38:01 -0700 I am getting ready to send out my email blast to my hiking group regarding the upcoming hike on Saturday, July 19, at Lake Hennessey. It has really been fun to pull together this group! It is growing and evolving and I have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful new people, who also enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the beauty of where we live. I encourage and welcome anyone who has been on a past hike, ... Grateful For Our Freedom http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=4 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=4 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:16:11 -0700 Having just celebrated the 4th of July, I feel so fortunate and grateful to be living in America. Everyday I read something about the war in Iraq and I am reminded about how much freedom we have, here, to express ourselves and feel safe in doing so. It is so easy to take for granted. It breaks my heart to think of our young soldiers fighting in Iraq and risking & losing their lives. I ... Napa Lifestyle http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=3 http://www.ingridowen.com/blog.html?ID=3 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:30:00 -0700 I just finished having dinner with friends at Angele. Having recently moved to downtown Napa, I love it! I am living the "Napa Lifestyle" that many of my clients seek and have created for themselves, too. I am 2 blocks away from town. I can meet friends for dinner and wine and feel safe that I can leisurely walk home. I admire the character and diversity of the homes in Old Town Napa. I ...