Question and Answer
Q: I’m thinking of putting my home on the market and need to know its square footage. How do I calculate my home’s square footage?
A: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) offers these suggestions for measuring your home’s square footage:
- Always start by measuring the outside of the house. Begin measuring from any corner and work your way around the house. Move counter-clockwise so the numbers on your tape will be right-side-up.
- Measure from the exterior face of the walls. Include any features that are on the same level as the floor, such as chimneys and bay windows.
- If there are stairs, include them on every level they serve.
- When there are openings to the floor below, subtract the opening from that level.
- For split-level designs, measure each level. You can add multiple floor surfaces into one level if they are within two feet of each other.
- Exclude any areas, such as porches and converted garages, that are not finished or heated the same as the rest of the house.
However, most houses are not perfectly square, and because regulations may vary from one region to another, it’s best to consult a professional appraiser for a truly accurate measurement of your home.
If you are ready to buy or sell a home in the Lodi or Stockton, CA areas, I am here to help. Let me guide you through this complicated process. Call me today.
Could you just imagine being able to order food to be delivered to you just about anywhere? And could you imagine it was nice, hot, tacos? Yeah, I know… I can too! I mean who wouldn’t want delicious tacos anytime, anywhere? 
I bet I got you really excited and thinking, “how can I get ME some tacos delivered?” right?
As crazy as this all sounds it either may be something really happening, thanks to TacoCopter, but if the FAA has anything to do about it…uh, no way! Strict laws and guidelines would pretty much prevent anything like this ever coming into real existence, but getting your favorite foods delivered to you on the beach, while on a hike, or just dropping in on you in your own backyard would be wildly crazy and make you want to go on more hikes in the wilderness. Well, maybe not so much in the wilderness, but maybe more walks to the park to have a picnic meet you there. LOL
Here is some more info about this concept…CLICK HERE.
Tell me what you think about this idea. Would you ever use it if it was available? Do you think it has a chance to “get off the ground”? I’d love to read your opinions on this!
I hope your weather is as great as it is here where I am in the Lodi / Stockton area. It’s amazing outside right now and with home prices SO LOW and interests still at their lowest, it’s great weather to be out looking for that new address to put on your return mailing labels. ( That is if you even still use mailing labels.)
Have a wonderful day, and enjoy your tacos!
According to Lender Processing Services (LPS), there were 6,298,000 mortgages going unpaid 
in the United States as of the end of October.
Although that sounds like an incredibly HIGH number of delinquent mortgages, that total is actually less than the previous months.
At the beginning of this year, there were 6,870,000 delinquent mortgages. Compare that to the beginning of 2010 that showed 8,118,000 and you can clearly see how there’s been a major decline in the total numbers of past due mortgages.
CLICK HERE for more info on this story.
Does all this mean that we’re nearing the end of the housing problems? I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but I feel it’s definitely showing that we’re heading in the right direction. And although it may confirm that we’re heading the right direction, it’s kind of like we’re on a cross-country journey and we still have a long road ahead of us. Hopefully the trek will be less cluttered with road blocks the further we get.
Here’s an interesting story, and pretty much perfect timing, Halloween just around the corner.
A Swedish real estate company has listed a truly “unique property” for sale. The house has 5 bedrooms, a medieval tomb, and comes complete with a skeleton in the cellar. Is that better than having skeletons in the closet? :-)
The asking price, skeleton included, might surprise you. Do you think it’s a good deal?
You can take a look HERE.
BOO!
Despite home prices in major urban centers decreasing 31 percent between 2005 and 2009, property taxes across the U.S. increased by nearly 20 percent. There is good news, however; homeowners can fight back.
Making sense of the story
- Homeowners should keep in mind that property taxes do not always correspond with home values, because local governments typically don’t measure values every year and some have limits on annual property-tax increases.
- As a result, current property taxes might reflect the home’s value when the market was healthier. According to the Congressional Budget Office, property-tax adjustments lag behind changes in home prices by an average of three years.
- Although homeowners cannot change their property-tax rate, which is set by the local government, homeowners can get their assessment lowered if they appeal to their local assessor.
- One key to a successful appeal is fact checking the assessor’s work. About half of all successful appeals come from homeowners pointing out an error in the assessor’s description of the home, according to one property tax expert.
- During the appeal process, which is similar to a less-formal court hearing, homeowners may present their case to several local officials or representatives. The simplest way to convince officials that a property has been incorrectly valued is to provide evidence of the sales price of homes that are comparable to the property being discussed. This should include square footage, amenities, and neighborhood characteristics. Sale documents and photos of the property in question, as well as the comparable properties also should be brought in.
- Homeowners who have made improvements or substantial changes to the property should be cautious about appealing an assessment though, as it could have negative effects and actually increase the property’s value and, in turn, the property taxes.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Image via Wikipedia
Here’s an excerpt from one of the paragraphs about the history of what’s happened in the real estate market in Stockton, CA. Detailed information on home sales appreciation rates, etc. It’s an interesting chart of what’s happened year by year…
The highest annual home appreciation rate in the Stockton Real Estate Market was 32% in the twelve months ended with the 2nd Quarter of 2005. The worst annual home appreciation rate in the Stockton Market was -38% in the twelve months ended with the 3rd Quarter of 2008.
“The highest home appreciation in the Stockton Real Estate Market over a three
year period was 75% in the three years ended with the 4th Quarter of 2005.
The worst home appreciation over a three year period in the Stockton Market
was -54% in the three years ended with the 3rd Quarter of 2009.”
You can read the complete information HERE – Stockton Real Estate.
Here’s another link to an article about Why Real Estate Should Be In Your Portfolio.
Image via Wikipedia
Summer brings with it abundant sunshine, fresh foods and fun activities which is why the season inspires many people to be happy and healthy.
Chelsie Hightower, the Emmy-nominated professional dancer from the hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” has put together some healthy lifestyle tips:
1. Make healthy meal choices. “I personally love sushi. Fish and vegetables are essential for my weekly protein, and it’s even healthier with brown rice,” says Hightower.
2. Hop in a steam bath. After working out, steam helps relax sore muscles and boost your immune system.
3. Use summer as a reason to try new activities. Take hikes, go swimming, or learn yoga.
4. Keep a food journal. Once you see everything you eat written down in front of you, it’s easier to make more realistic goals and changes.
5. Dance to your own beat. Realize that no two body types are the same and what works on others won’t necessary work for you.
6. Make healthy food more interesting with unique and delicious recipes. ”I enjoy finding recipes online and then trying them at home. Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page,” Hightower says.
And while you’re out enjoying the nice weather, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Realty World Premier Associates if you’d like to do some summer-time home shopping as well. Many home prices in the Lodi, Stockton and surrounding Central Valley areas are making mortgage payments even lower than what you’re paying for rent right now.
It’s time for the 7th Annual ZinFest in Lodi, CA coming this May 13-15th. 
There will be tons of festivities, fun, wonderful food, and of course plenty of wines from many of the local vintners. This will surely be a festival that will provide the adults that are still young at heart with lots to do and enjoy.
This is Lodi’s premier wine tasting event and has grown in popularity over the last few years. It attracts wine enthusiasts and fun lovers from all around.
The festivities of Vintner’s Grille at the Lake will start at Lodi Lake on Friday the 13th, yes that’s right, I said Friday the 13th, from 6pm-9pm at the lovely Lodi Lake on Turner Rd. If anything, at least show up to see what happens at a small town lake on Friday the 13th just for fun. HA!
The fun continues as the actual Wine Festival on Saturday the 14th (not as scary sounding) from noon – 6pm, still at Lodi Lake. There will be 250 handcrafted wines from 50 local Lodi wineries.
Then on Sunday the 15th (not scary at all) ZinFest wraps up with self-guided tours and open houses of participating local wineries.
There are different ticket prices for the Friday and Saturday events, and Sunday is a no-charge day to tour the wineries.
Visit this ZINFEST website for all the details on tickets, locations, participating wineries, etc.
If you attend, BE SAFE and HAVE FUN! And while you’re in town and would like to view any homes for sale in Lodi area, I’d be delighted to assist. Perhaps we’ll even find you a property that has wine grapes growing on it and you can really be a part of the 8th Annual ZinFest next year. 
There are many ways of trying to get out of paying a debt. One of those debts is a home mortgage. Many people are struggling these days to pay their mortgage due to higher payment amounts due to rate increases, or loss of income, divorce, medical bills, etc.
But I came across one individual that thought she would just eat her house 
and then since there would no longer be a house, then of course there would be no longer a mortgage, right?
I’m thinking that it’s not that easy. Eating this gingerbread house might make Ciara’s imaginary debt go away, but once she’s done with it she’ll have the worst stomach ache EVER!
The situation that many people are in today with deciding whether to just walk away from their real mortgage and let the bank foreclose, or to perhaps talk to a Realtor like me and see if trying to do a Short Sale is enough to cause anyone to have a stomach ache as well.
I always recommend that everyone talk to a Certified Public Accountant (if you’re in the Stockton, CA area the best is Peter Holtz) or to a real estate attorney, or both.
As a real estate professional I do not give legal advice, nor do I sell home loans. I sell homes for sellers and find great deals for home buyers in the central valley of CA, mainly in the Lodi and Stockton areas.
Bottom line, as a homeowner you have options if you are upside down with your mortgage. Whatever you do, don’t resort to eating your house. Be sure and seek out the advice from the professionals and make sure that you open all mail pertaining to your home, and save everything that you get in one place for easy access.
I hope you all have a Happy Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Randy
