People often wonder if it is really necessary to hire a real estate agent in this day and age.  With the endless amount of information available on the internet, it may seem like selling your home will be an easy task.  In today’s nationwide soft market, selling your home may be more difficult than you imagine.  This is a time when picking a good real estate agent to represent you should be top priority.  Some people do okay selling on their own, but more times than not, a licensed real estate agent is the way to go.

Real estate agents offer both education and experience when they represent you.  Agents know the in’s and out’s of the market, so you don’t have to.  For the most part, they cost about the same, so the important thing to do is interview agents and pick the one that best represents your views and needs.

Agents are well versed on the industry buzz about your neighborhood.  They are able to find comparable sales, which is important information for you to have.  They will know how long other homes have been on the market and what upgrades those home have that would be comparable to your own home.  This will help with finding a good selling price for your home.

Please check back on Friday for Part 2 of this post.

Have you been at home tapping your toes to the radio or looking wistfully at some of those reality shows that feature dance competitions? Why are you sitting at home? Our area is serving up plenty of opportunities to get out and show off your dance moves.

The Bootjack Stoppers Hall will have a ballroom dance on the third Saturday of each month. You pay just $5 for dancing instruction and $5 for the dance itself. Call Nancy (209-966-5552) or John/Trisha (559-685-3412) to get more details about the dances or to learn how you can join the Big Band Dance Club and save on admission.

There will be a ballroom dance party every fourth Sunday at the Oakhurst Community Center from 2-5 pm. These events are sponsored by Ed Bailey and the Vision Academy of the Arts. A half an hour of dance instruction is included with the $10 admission. The Oakhurst Community Center is located in Oakhurst on Road 425B. Call Lori (559-658-8541) or send an e-mail to Ed Bailey (edbailey@sti.net) and they’ll be happy to give you more information.

Did you know that today is a special day?  Do you know what we should all be celebrating?  I grew up knowing about Christmas, New Years, Yom Kippur, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, all of the Presidents birthday’s, Martin Luther King Day, Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day….to name just a few.  When in the world did we start celebrating national food days?  I feel like I have just woke up from a weird dream!

Well today is a super spectacular day.  By golly, June 2nd is National Rocky Road Day!  Who had to work today?  Did I miss the call for a day off?  Where is my special Hallmark card?

Apparently in 1929, after the crash of the stock market, the founder of Dryers Ice Cream calmed his “Black Thursday” jitters by creating The Original Rocky Road ice cream.  Delicious milk chocolate ice cream was forever joined with mini marshmallows and almonds to create the now favorite that warrants this fine national holiday.

If you missed the Rocky Road holiday boat, no need to fret.  June 3rd is National Egg Day and on June 4th you can celebrate three holiday’s….National Cheese Day, National Cognac Day and National Frozen Yogurt Day!  Now that sounds like an interesting meal to be had!

In continuation to the post on Wednesday.

Looking for a high priced home?  Now might be a good time to pick one up.  The limit for buying by federally sponsored mortgage agencies is $417,000.  Many investors are staying away from these jumbo mortgages in today’s economy.  A new law allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy loans as large as $729, 750 in certain high priced areas in the country.  This opportunity may end by the end of 2008 unless Congress acts.  Now would be a good time to invest in your dream house while the rates are still decent.

Even though it may seem like a good idea to buy a foreclosed property, it is important to do your homework before making the purchase.  Foreclosures tend to be bunched in areas where residents took out mortgages that they simply could not afford.  Remember, you are not only buying a house, you are buying a neighborhood.  Check to see how many foreclosures are in the area.  Too many foreclosures can equal a very unstable neighborhood that will likely go downhill fast.  Buyers should also be careful of newer neighborhoods where owners could have taken out risky loans.   These newer developments are at risk more than better established neighborhoods.  Buyers should look first in areas that have highly rated schools.  They tend to hold tough during economic downturns.

The most important thing that a buyer should look for is an agent that they can trust and one who has their best interest at heart.

Jazz on the Lake at The Pines Resort is back this summer and it is better than ever. No, this is not a one-time event; rather it is many nights of great music and fun spread out over the entire summer. On Friday nights from May 23-August 29, you can relax with delicious food and delightful music.

The exciting news is that this year they have added lawn seats that will be available at a lower cost and the menu has been expanded and improved. The menu will change each week. Here is a sample of some of the dishes: fajitas, barbecue chicken, tri-tip sandwiches and meatballs, corn on the cob, salads, fresh fruit and desserts.

The gates will open at 6 pm on most nights. You can choose package options will prepared food or buy concert-only tickets. You must call head if you want to have dinner prepared. Call the concert hotline at 559-692-8857.

Some of the groups in this year’s lineup include: ‘Nuff Said, Time Slip, Sunset Steel Drum Band, Nite Flite, Time Slip, Horizon and Arrival.

Click here to visit the Bass Lake website and get more details.

It is no secret that selling a house in today’s market is difficult.  One only has to drive around to see the amazing amount of “For Sale” signs most everywhere in this country.  Foreclosures are plentiful.   It is certainly a buyers market.  Rates are down and there are too many houses available.  Despite it all, the entire buying process can still be mind-boggling!

It is likely that the house you buy today will be worth less by this time next year.  Many people are finding houses they like, but waiting for the seller to reach rock bottom prices before making the leap into a bidding scuffle. 

Buyers should pace themselves.  They should find their perfect house and drive a hard bargain on their bid.  Many sellers are willing to go lower, so buyers should bid 10 percent lower than what the sellers are asking.  Buyers should also sell their current homes before trying to buy a new home, unless they are looking for investment property.

Mortgage rates should always be a concern for home buyers.  Now might be the better time to buy.  Even though the Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates, financing is likely to get more expensive as time goes on.  Many fixed mortgage rates rely on bond market expectations about inflation, which is certainly a concern.  Rates are expected to climb by December of 2009.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion to this post.

Yesterday was Memorial Day and hopefully you took a little (or a lot of) time to reflect on the purpose and the meaning of this day. Yes, for many of us it is the beginning of the summer season, but it is also a day or remembrance as well.

Did you know that it was not always called Memorial Day? At first it was known as “Decoration Day.” The graves of soldiers who had died were decorated on that day, hence the name. It was first celebrated in the late 1860s

The term “Memorial Day” did not come into use until 1882, but even then it was not used widely. The widespread use of the term “Memorial Day” did not come until after World War II. The Federal government did not make this the day’s official name until the 1960s. It was one of the holidays that was part of the 1968 Uniform Holidays Bill, a piece of legislation that moved three holidays to specified Mondays to allow for the three-day weekends surrounding Veterans Day, Columbus Day and Memorial Day to become a standard part of our calendar.

If you haven’t decided what to do for Memorial Day, come on down and visit the Coarsegold Historic Village.  They are celebrating Memorial Day by having a Peddlers Market and Antique Show.  There will be food and entertainment as well as antiques, collectibles and treasures to enjoy.

They also hold weekly Flea Markets on the weekends.  There is a leather shop, a blacksmith and a builder of primitive instruments to be seen. 

The festivities have been going on both Saturday and Sunday, but if you missed out, plan on visiting on Monday, May 26th as well.   Call (559) 683-3900 for more information.

And…..

The Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce would like you to also visit the Mountain Area Peddlers Home and Garden Show.  This event has also been going on all weekend, but fun can still be had at their Peddlers Fair on Memorial Day Monday. 

Activities can be found at Road 426 and Sierra Way in Oakhurst from 9 am until 2:00 p.m.   The admission is free to all.  There will be demonstrations and classes from True Value Hardware.  Air Time Inflatables will be available for the kids.  Come experience arts and crafts and learn about various upgrades that are available to your home.  Call (559) 683-7766 for more information.

On Saturday, May 24th, there will be a invitational golf tournament at the Sierra Meadows County Club in Ahwahnee to honor Dr. Gary Pence.  Tee off begins at 9:00 a.m.  The entry fee for golf will be $100 and will include a great day of fun.  All net proceeds from the Dr. Gary Pence Invitational will benefit the ALS Association.

Dr. Pence is a mountain resident and has ALS, which is otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  There is currently no known treatment for ALS and approximately 5,000 new people are diagnosed with the disease annually.  The ALS Association focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with ALS.  This golf tournament kicks off several activities that are planned to benefit the ALS Association.
 
There will also be a fundraising dinner and raffle on May 24th as well.  The cost of admission is only $12 per person.  The ALS Walk will be held on June 1st at the Grizzly Stadium in Fresno.  There is no admission fee and donations are not required to participate, but are greatly appreciated.  The walk beings at 11:00 AM.  All participants will receive free admission to the Grizzly game that begins at 2:05 PM.

If you would like more information about the upcoming tournament, call (559) 683-4494 or if you would like to make a donation, contact Mary Pence at (559) 683-4090.

If you weren’t able to support earlier “Mat for Mayor” fundraising efforts, such as this past Wednesday’s midnight viewing of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” you will still be able to lend Mat your support. Mat Sands is running a great campaign and you can be a part of it.

We hear about how politicians hold these fundraising dinners with the per plate cost being hundreds, thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is your chance to throw your money around and attend a “political” fundraising dinner. Come out on Sunday May 25, starting at 7pm, for “Spaghetti with Eddie”. When you attend this dinner, to be held at The Oak Room Bar in Oakhurst, you will be treated to homemade meatballs, garlic bread, Caesar salad, and of course spaghetti.

This charity dinner will benefit the “Mat for Mayor” campaign for the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls club. The cost-$7 per plate-is a bargain because you’ll get to eat well with your neighbors and help support a worthy cause.

Call 559-760-4077 to get more information.