tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:10:12 +0000http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/noreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)Blogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-7659856701149546168Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:04:00 +00002008-07-27T11:10:12.502-07:00I am so excited about my new 3D Gallery of Homes that I just couldn’t wait till the entire MLS was made available. For those who are looking for a property in the Pebble Beach area, you now have a new tool at your disposal, which allows you to explore the MLS by looking at the actual picture of the home. Her is how it works. Just move your cursor on the wall of homes and click. Moving your http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/07/3d-gallery-of-homes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-6491780897487767820Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:23:00 +00002008-07-23T20:30:14.843-07:00Just in case you haven’t noticed, “Street View” is now available on my website. This is a great tool, which allows one to view real estate without using gas. You are able to view panoramic photos of the home you are interested in and travel up and down the street. Without people thinking you are crazy, you can literally stop in the middle of the road and look around. Since Real Estate is all http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/07/street-views.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-8006435860298451820Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:53:00 +00002008-07-18T16:56:43.803-07:00As new homes keep getting bigger, one has to ask, is bigger really better? For many who own that really big home, they are finding there are only a few rooms or spaces they use. And, their very large dream home has just turned into a place to store stuff. For those of us who don’t have that really big space, what can be done to make the small space look or feel bigger? Architect, Tina Govan, http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/07/how-to-make-most-of-small-space.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-5971838281359223941Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:57:00 +00002008-06-09T14:59:44.939-07:00I recently learned about a great new website called Walk Score. Using Google maps, business listings, schools, parks, etc., Walk Score determines the ease of accessibility of ones neighborhood. Walk Score is proving to be a valuable tool for both the home Seller and Buyer. For the Seller it isn’t just about location and curb appeal, and for the Buyer that is looking to purchase in a “walkability”http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/06/my-walk-score-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-6161928764962737475Tue, 27 May 2008 22:30:00 +00002008-05-27T15:34:05.223-07:00Sellers, nationwide are challenged by today’s current market. However, this isn’t true for those selling luxury homes. The Trophy homes are performing very well. Be sure to read Matt Woolsey's article about America’s most expensive homes.http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/05/americas-most-expensive-homes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-8645198375547346703Wed, 21 May 2008 16:45:00 +00002008-05-21T09:51:26.593-07:00Our home is a huge investment. Below is some good information to keep that investment looking good. Outside the House - Up High · Inspect the roof for damaged, loose or blistered shingles. Have damaged shingles replaced if they're on less than 20% of the roof. Reroof if damaged shingles cover more than 20% of the roof. · Examine flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges. · Remove http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/05/spring-maintenance-tips.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-5322169924797845523Mon, 05 May 2008 20:54:00 +00002008-05-05T14:26:14.135-07:00American’s are in debt. For those in debt, it is time to take personal responsibility for ones personal debt. Do not allow yourself to depend on the government to take care of your credit card and mortgage debt. Our economy is where it is today because Americans, as a whole, have allowed themselves to spend what they don’t have. If you don’t realize how bad our debt in this country is just http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/05/personal-expense-management-free.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-4875340685622387740Fri, 02 May 2008 19:19:00 +00002008-05-02T12:34:21.060-07:00You won't be disappointed in taking the time to read Matt Woolsey’s article about the world’s first billion-dollar home. Be sure to view the pictures as well. Hmmm, home is questionable. I am speechless. It is simply incredible what man can do when money is no option.http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/05/first-billion-dollar-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-9120056348896705856Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:47:00 +00002008-01-27T09:48:59.295-08:00As part of the federal economic stimulus package, lawmakers agreed to boost Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's conforming loan limit to $729,750 from $417,000 in such high-cost housing markets as New York City, New England and Florida until the end of the year. The bill imposed the same limit on a permanent basis for the Federal Housing Administration mortgage program, a rise from $367,000. It will http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/01/loan-industry-snapshot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-8328562980452711109Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:02:00 +00002008-01-17T13:03:36.936-08:00With 30-year mortgage rates falling under 6 percent for the first time in about three years, homeowners are seeking to refinance in droves. There are reports that refinancing at the current rate would offer savings to 37 percent of homeowners, and the percentage likely will rise if the weakening economy drives down mortgage rates even further in the coming weeks. Mortgage demand hit a four-yearhttp://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/01/new-boom-in-refinancing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-1291645056574173957Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:01:00 +00002008-01-08T14:08:27.972-08:00What does one do to upgrade his/her brick fireplace? Recently, my husband and I decided we have looked at our brick fireplace long enough. When we pondered this fireplace remodel our thoughts went from going green and save the brick to yuck who wants a painted fireplace? Please do not get me wrong, being sensitive to the environment and “going green” is a good idea. If we saved the brick, all http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/01/changing-brick-fireplace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-913136045151572691Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:26:00 +00002008-01-02T17:27:49.747-08:00We’ve all heard the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Well, this does not always hold true in home buying, where many buyers purchase a house based on its curb appeal. If you were thinking about upgrading the exterior of your home, you would do well to focus on exterior remodels according to the 2007 Cost vs Value Report. This report comes from Realtors who provide their insight into http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2008/01/putting-your-best-faade-forward.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-9151369989113419210Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:56:00 +00002007-12-20T20:05:44.763-08:00Today President Bush signed into law a new measure giving a tax break to homeowners who have mortgage debt. With the passage of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, a taxpayer does not have to pay federal income tax on debt forgiven for a loan secured by a qualified principal residence. Prior to the passing of this law, when the lender forgave debt through a short sale or refinance, the http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/12/debt-relief-act-of-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-2638880438714981851Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:13:00 +00002007-10-15T17:18:53.316-07:00It may be surprising to some, but here in Monterey County one reoccurring question a Realtor will be asked by a buyer is, “Can I add a bathroom?” or “Can I add another sink in the bathroom?” Where does one find the answers to water issues for Monterey County? Go to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management Districts website. If you are looking for the answer about adding a second bathroom, see http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/10/water-issues-and-second-bathrooms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-7250743441705407993Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:13:00 +00002007-09-20T16:19:32.980-07:00According to Dan Kadlec from Time Magazine, “There are plenty of reasons to buy your retirement house now—even if you don’t plan to live in it for years." The National Association of Realtors reported that even as primary residences fell, vacation-home sales rose nearly 5%. The typical buyer was 44; third of those people said they plan to move to the home full time later on. In the September http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/09/reasons-to-buy-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-6821773774367924903Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:23:00 +00002007-09-14T17:25:13.591-07:00Currently there is a lot of talk about short sales, but what is a short sale? A short sale is the sale of real property where the fair market sale price is less than what is due on existing loan(s). Today, foreclosure on a property is not the automatic answer to the problem of salvaging a bad real estate loan. Foreclosure is expensive for the lender. The lender is without monthly payment on the http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/09/short-sale.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-6592142527962560317Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:00:00 +00002007-08-22T18:02:05.533-07:00Back in November of 2006, Danny Bakewell Jr. of KB Bakewell Seaside Venture signed an exclusive negotiating agreement with the city of Seaside. Yes, this is the same Bakewell that built the Seaside Highlands project. Tentatively, the plan is to build 61 town homes and approximately 3,500 square feet of retail space. The 5-acre building site is at Coe Avenue and Monterey Road in Seaside where a http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/08/town-homes-retail-space.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-6501171503197872065Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:36:00 +00002007-08-19T13:36:59.491-07:00Reggie Jackson made a $50,000 deposit for an exclusive negotiating agreement. This agreement allows Jackson’s development team “Amador Hotel 44” to begin plans for the 5.7 acres located at Del Rey and Del Monte boulevards. The deposit will cover legal and consulting costs, which are connected to finalizing the right to develop the property. The agreement allows for the development team to http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/08/exclusive-negotiating-agreement-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-8443763025480852794Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:44:00 +00002007-08-07T17:46:37.532-07:00Standard Pacific Homes is the developer for 73 homes being built on 16 acres west of the historic town--Spreckels. The project will include single and two-story homes ranging in size from 1,298 to 2,845 square feet. The expected costs for the homes will be $600,000 to $800,000. The houses will be constructed so as to keep with the town’s architectural style. Late in the game there seemed to be http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/08/sprekels-development.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-3436119727406042689Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:56:00 +00002007-08-07T17:02:11.063-07:00American Home Mortgage, once the nation’s 10th largest mortgage lender, filed Chapter 11 of U.S. bankruptcy law yesterday to protect themselves from creditors. While their actions will have an affect on those trying to obtain a loan, it won’t affect current mortgage loans. What caused American Home Mortgage to take such a drastic measure as filing for bankruptcy? While American Home Mortgage didhttp://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/08/mortgage-troubles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-8409441784984828267Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:03:00 +00002007-07-17T15:13:15.781-07:00The redevelopment projects for Fort Ord are quickly taking shape. The plans include a regional shopping center, golf course, time-shares, hotels, horse park and thousands of homes, just to name a few projects. Three projects given the go ahead for Marina are, · The Dunes on Monterey Bay, previously known as University Village. The shopping center at Highway 1 and Imgin Parkway will have stores http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/07/projects-on-fort-ord-begin-to-take.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-5494248926431463430Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:20:00 +00002007-06-22T14:21:33.814-07:00· The Transportation Agency Monterey County (TAMC) Board approved an action plan to increase public outreach over the next year and a half including mailing an Agency 2007 Annual Report to all households. Another outreach activity will be to guide the preparation of a new transportation expenditure plan for a proposed ½ cent sales tax to be placed on the November 2008 ballot. · According to thehttp://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/06/informative-tidbits.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-199249228392058808Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:10:00 +00002007-06-08T10:26:25.519-07:00In an effort to woo buyers to buy, homebuilders are pulling out all the stops. According to an article by the Washington Post, homebuilders are hiring interior designers to “create house lust.” In short, “house lust” is a quick way to try to entice buyers by making the most popular spaces, such as the dining room and family room seem more livable, the Post says. The theory behind the model home http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/06/wooing-buyer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-8745162139309396750Thu, 24 May 2007 20:35:00 +00002007-05-24T13:38:32.358-07:00Undoubtedly, Realtors will all tell prospective sellers that they have only one chance to make a first impression. With this said, Sellers still don’t seem to get it. I am to this day amazed at how many times I take a buyer to a home that the homeowner hasn’t taken the time to at least sweep the front porch. While on a recent listing presentation, I was surprised when my seasoned Seller thoughthttp://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/05/its-not-all-about-curb-appeal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949596976031989237.post-4365651879838294995Thu, 22 Mar 2007 01:03:00 +00002007-03-21T18:04:48.846-07:00In 1970 Apartments were developed along Del Monte Beach. In mid-1990 the apartments were converted to condominiums. Along the way, it was discovered that the waves were undermining the foundation of the complex. So, in 2002 the Homeowners Association tried to get approval and funding for a seawall to protect the complex. The Sierra Club and other environmental groups opposed the seawall plan http://www.npmhomes.com/blog/2007/03/seawall-at-last-approved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Noni McVey)