Open House News in Healdsburg

 Every Thursday morning, most local Realtors attend the local breakfast meeting.

At that meeting, Realtors announce what they have new on the market or what they are bringing back to the market. We also get a report from about six lenders who are regulars at those meetings.

It is also the first place to learn about any open houses that will be held that upcoming weekend. Because of the Super Bowl this weekend, we are light on open houses. However, because of the recent increase in home sales, we are seeing quite a few homes re-enter the market. 

OPEN HOUSES 

---216 Lorraine Court, Healdsburg, Saturday 11am - 2pm.www.216lorrainecourt.com Ann Amtower of, Healdsburg

---106 Parkwoods Court, Healdsburg, Sunday 12pm -3pm Maria Melody of Healdsburg 

---1213 South Fitch Mtn. Rd., Healdsburg, Sunday 1pm -4pm Vicki Thiessen of Healdsburg 

---Thymes Square Town Homes, Cloverdale, Sat & Sunday 1pm-4pm Patty Van Deren of Thymes Square, Cloverdale www.Thymesqhomes.com 

There are a few dynamics to open house hunting that I have watched over the years that I think work against home buyers.

1. Not wanting to give contact information to the Realtor who is holding the open house. What do you have to lose--nothing. In fact, if you like the area but not the house, the odds are the Realtor holding the open house may have another home coming up in that area. Let them know that you want to be contacted if that should happen.
2. Not taking enough time at the home. To get a good feel of any home you really need to visit it at least three times. I know that the home I live in was not tops on my list but our Realtor knew it was a great home at a great price in a great neighborhood. She kept bringing us back and now, 15 years later, I am grateful that she did.
3. Take some pictures then review them the next few days. If you think that you have overlooked a good place, then call the agent and have them meet you there or ask them for the missing information. They are happy to come out on short notice usually.
4. If you have some bulky furniture, measure it before you go on the house hunt. King beds, armoires and entertainment centers take up a lot of space. Make sure that your stuff is going to fit in your new home.
5. Paint and carpet are an inexpensive fix in the big picture. If you like everything about the home except for a few cosmetic things, ask the Realtor for a paint and carpet credit. Build in enough time so you can do the work while the home is empty.  

LENDERS UPDATE

There was very little reported Thursday morning. That is great news. One lender, Steve Vail of Twin Capital Mortgage, was happy to report that there are a couple of new sources of funding with looser guidelines than Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. Arlene Kraushaar of Prospect Mortgage gave an update about the FHA house flipping rule being waived by some lenders. The other lenders gave positive news this morning indicating still another hint at stability in the housing market. 

There is a great directory of local real estate offices here at Patch.com. We will do our best to get open homes in this column every Friday. If you are a Realtor and we have missed something, please drop us a line at bob@healdsburgrealestate.com.