Firstly, I want to wish all me readers a Happy New Year. 2008 has been the year from ____________. You can fill in almost any expletive or worse. Looking forward to 2009, I am going to change things and suggest we all try something new, especially those of us selling real estate or in related businesses. For those who haven’t already, let’s change our attitudes and approach this year with hope and only positive thoughts. It is a little bit of “Pay It Forward”. If each of us puts forth nothing but positive thoughts into our lives and begins to express this to everyone we are in contact with, I predict things will change and for the better. Granted this is very simple minded but I am tired of being bummed. I am going to do this and hope you do too.

I read the local newspaper this morning, the Napa Valley Register, and found four very interesting articles about real estate current events here. I feel anyone interested in buying property here, our anyone who has done so but does not get the Register, will find this info very useful. Unfortunately, two of the stories are a bit negative as to real estate values declining and the current economy performing poorly, but this is exactly why I am going to think positively and feel confident, this news will change soon.

Below are excerpts from the four articles. Click on the links to read the entire story.

Real declines in real Estate

The median price of a home in Napa County decreased to $406,600 in November, an annual decrease of 27.7 percent, according to the Associated Press. A recent study released by the National Association of Realtors showed that housing prices across the country last month fell in their sharpest decline in four decades.

Battle looms over eco-village

PUC originally unveiled plans for a 591-home eco-village, including a new park and stores. PUC leaders say the project — which would include homes with energy- and water-efficient features, and upgrades to the campus and Angwin’s small commercial zone — is needed to allow PUC to build up its endowment.

It’s the economy, stupid

Remake at the Lake

This is a weekly feature to keep you informed about the real estate happenings in Yountville. Besides just real estate info, I hope to give the readers of my blog some insight into the heart of Yountville using a variety of media including photos, tidbits, gossip and other fun things. If this is of interest to you, I would love hearing from you. If there are other cities here in the Napa Valley, such as St. Helena or Calistoga, you would like this feature expanded to, let me know. There was no update last week due to there were none.

STATS FOR LAST 7 DAYS

new listings 2, sale pendings 1, sold 0, expired 0, withdrawn 0

new listing              6 Jasmine Street, $675,000, 3 br 2 ba, 1,204 SF

                                    1 Forrester Lane, $899,000, 3 br 2 ba, 1,204 SF

new pending         1907 Vintner Court, $699,000, 3 br 2 ba, 1,384 SF

new sold

new expired                                                

withdrawn

AVERAGE PRICES, DAYS ON MARKET                  

current listings for sale    20   avg price $1,078,884 avg days on market 153

current sale pendings         2    avg price $1,997,000 avg days on market 116

sold in last 6 months           9    avg price $744,628 avg days on market 171

          Facts, numbers, SF from BAREIS and/or Napa County

                     tax records,  accuracy is not guaranteed

FACTS ETC

Bottega opened for lunches last Friday. If you want lunch there during the winter, it needs to be Thursday through Sunday. I haven’t had a chance to eat there yet, but I hear it is very good. As soon as I get a menu and imbibe, I will post it here and let you know how the food is.

This is a weekly feature to keep you informed about the real estate happenings in Yountville. Besides just real estate info, I hope to give the readers of my blog some insight into the heart of Yountville using a variety of media including photos, tidbits, gossip and other fun things. If this is of interest to you, I would love hearing from you. If there are other cities here in the Napa Valley, such as St. Helena or Calistoga, you would like this feature expanded to, let me know. 

STATS

last 7 days acivity     new listings  1    sale pending  0    sold  2    expired  0    withdrawn  0

new listing(s)          1510 Yountville Cross Road, $3,400,000, 4 br, 4 ba, 3,417 SF 1.35 acre

new sold(s)               35 Forrester Lane, $515,150, 2 br, 2 ba, 1,069 SF

                                5 Redwood Drive, $950,000, 4 br, 3 ba, 1,880 SF

          Facts, numbers, SF from BAREIS and/or Napa County tax records, not guaranteed

current active listings for sale    23      average price  $1,291,557   average days on market  108

current sale pendings                1       average price  $550,000   average days on market 340

sold in last 6 months                 12       average price  $644,179   average days on market 138

FACTS ETC

This week in FACTS ETS, I have decided to tell a bit of the history of Yountville: About the Town of Yountville from the Yountville Chamber of Commerce website:

In 1831, George Calvert Yount saw the Napa Valley and declared, “In such a place I should love to clear the land and make my home. In such a place I should love to live and die.”

As the first non-native settler in the Valley, Yount enlisted local Wappo Native Americans to help him build a Kentucky blockhouse and a mill. In 1855, he commissioned a surveyor to lay out the city. The new community was christened Sebastopol, even though there was a town with the same name in nearby Sonoma County. George Yount planted the first grape vine cutting into the fertile soil of the Valley. In 1867, two years after Yount’s death, the town was renamed Yountville in honor of its founder.

Gottleib Groezinger established a massive brick winery, wine cellar and distillery in 1870, and the community was soon planted with grapes. In 1884, the Grand Army of the Republic established the Veteran’s Home to honor and care for those injured in service to their country. The Home was given to the State of California in 1897. Gradually Yountville became a quiet residential town. In 1965, it was incorporated as an official California city, and shortly thereafter, the old Groezinger property was revitalized as Vintage 1870, a complex of shops, galleries and restaurants which turned Yountville into a charming visitor attraction.

Through the years until the present day, Yountville has retained its rural charm and residential character while encouraging the commercial centers to retain the charm and taste that has become synonymous with Yountville. Today’s visitor will find a variety of gourmet restaurants, charming lodgings, exquisite retail shops, antiques and art galleries, and world-class wine tasting opportunities. Sunrise hot air balloon rides, an afternoon of golf, a historical walking tour, a set of tennis or a bicycle ride down a quaint vineyard lane are just a sampling of what Yountville has to offer.

In Yountville, the seasons come to life with festivals, celebrations and events! In March Yountville celebrates the Napa Valley Mustard Festival with “A Taste of Yountville!” This all-Yountville showcase features traditional samplings of gourmet restaurant fare, olive oil, vinegar and mustard as well as fine wine and micro-brew tastings. A cornucopia of lifestyle demonstrations by retailers and innkeepers, including fashion shows, tours, furniture restoration demonstrations and celebrity chef mini-workshops awaits visitors.

Christmas past comes to sparkling life the day after Thanksgiving with the kick-off of Yountville’s “Festival of Lights,” heralding a joyous month-long celebration of holiday events and entertainment through New Year’s Eve. Strolling musicians, jugglers, face painters and artists join Yountville’s restaurants and wineries along Washington Street. Vendors offer sumptuous samplings, holiday treats and the wine that makes the Napa Valley famous. That evening join Santa as the entire town is set aglow with thousands of sparkling white lights.

A holiday in the Napa Valley isn’t complete without a stopover in Yountville, the unique wine country community with a heart.

For more information on Yountville or for events info, call 707.944.0904 or click here.