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New Open House Website for Lake County

May 17, 2017 by Rick White

Lake County has an OPEN HOUSE website. The Lake County Association of Realtors® (LCAOR) has produced a one stop shop for scheduled Open Houses throughout the county. This is a great tool if your planning to make a trip here and want to get a list of places to see. In addition LCAOR is doing a coordinated Open House Weekend called Lake County Open House Extravaganza. Here are the scheduled dates June 10th, July 8th, August 12th.
Just go to the following URL to see which houses are available to see at dates and times. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp…

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, California, Clear Lake, Home, Lake County, LCAOR, Northern California, Open House, Residential, Rick White

New Eating Places in Clearlake Oaks.

April 14, 2017 by Rick White

In my travels around the lake today I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of good places in Clearlake Oaks where you can stop by and have something to eat. In Clearlake Oaks you will find Mexican Food, Burger Joints, Pizza, Chinese & Thai Food a nice Coffee Shop and a French Bakery. Yes things are shaping up for Clearlake Oaks and it’s good to see.

The first stop I made was to the HDL FARM Gourmet Food Co. & French Bakery at 13300 East Hwy 20 Suit D.

HDL FARM GOURMET FOOD CO. & FRENCH BAKERY

I met with the owners Pascal & Roger which were a nice father and son team. They have a lot of great looking french breads, pastries, desserts, salads, sandwiches, espresso drinks and an incredible selection of condiments, balsamic vinegars and much more. I went away with several breads and an apricot balsamic vinegar. This is an impressive place to visit. Here is a link to their website www.hdlfarm.com

Roger & Pascal

A few stores down from HDL Farm Food Co is the Country Kitchen Restaurant which is now serving Mexican Food from 7pm to 9pm. You can still get the standard American Breakfast and lunch fare there. This is a very clean restaurant and they serve you with a smile there. I’ll have to come by some evening and try the mexican food.

Across the Highway is a nice Burger place called Rudy’s. This is a nice place with indoor dining as well as a nice covered patio area. The decor brings back memories of the 50s and 60s with the 57 Chevy Crusing out of the front wall from California Route 66. I had a milkshake there and they do it the right way with real hand packed ice cream. Looks like they have a nice selection of burgers, dogs, fish & chips and more.

Making a Shake at Rudy’s in Clearlake Oaks

Rudy’s in Clearlake Oaks

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Down the road is a Pizza Parlor called the Firehouse and to the south of Rudy’s is The Happy Garden which serves both Chinese and Thai Food and is very good also has a full bar.

Happy Garden

Firehouse Pizza

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, California, Clearlake Oaks, Eating, Lake County, Northern California, places to eat., Rick White

Lake County Beer, Wine and Swine Baconfest is coming to Kelseyville on Fathers Day!

March 7, 2017 by Rick White

The Kelseyville Business Association will present the inaugural Lake County Beer, Wine and Swine Baconfest on main street in Kelseyville on Fathers Day June 18th between 12 PM and 5 PM. If you’re a bacon lover this should be a lot of fun. Music performed by the Hip Replacements. We have celebrity chefs from around the county that will be cooking up various bacon dishes and treats. Ticket will be available online and at various locations. more information available at the baconfest website.

Lake County Beer, Wine & Swine Baconfest

Get tickets by clicking on the baconfest image.

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, California, Clear Lake, Festival, Kelseyville, Lake County, Northern California

Nice 3 Bed, 2 Bath Ranch Home on 1 acre in Kelseyville

February 8, 2017 by Rick White

Great Ranch Home on a beautiful landscaped level acre in Kelseyville! This is an above average sized house in a great neighborhood that is not too far from downtown Kelseyville and is in an easy commute location. There is lots of space inside and out with a large family room, living room and dining room. The kitchen is all electric with pavers tile floors, refrigerator, microwave and beautiful granite counters. Includes a large breakfast counter which connects kitchen to a nice sized dining room. There is a large deck in back that connect to the living-room and then opens up to the massive backyard which provides you with endless possibilities on how to further develop. Spa in back is included. Plastic Shed in back not included. This property includes two assessor parcel numbers: 017-011-04 and 017-011-05. Price Reduced to $349,000 MLS# LC16757893 Call Rick White, 707-536-7858

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: 3 bedroom, Buying, CA, California, For Sale, Home, Kelseyville, Konocti Realty, Lake County, Northern California, Real Estate, Residential, Rick White, View

Small Vineyard with Savignon Blanc Grapes in the Big Valley AVA

February 8, 2017 by Rick White

Here is a nice manageable vineyard located in the Big Valley AVA. This property includes 9 acres of Sauvignon Blanc wine grapes a large 22′ x 53′ shop. Has two well including an Ag well and a domestic well. There is a house pad where a mobile home once stood complete with electrical and water hookups and septic tank. Vineyard established in 1995. Some production reports available. This property is located at the corner of Bell Hill Rd and Hummel Lane. Seller financing may be available. No well, Soils or water reports available. Price: $353,310 MLS# LC 17023656 Call Rick White, 707-536-7858

Filed Under: Rick's Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: Big Valley AVA, CA, Cab Franc, Cabernet Savignon, California, Chardonnay, Kelseyville, Lake County, Merlot, Northern California, Real Estate, Rick White, Savignon Blanc, Tempernio, vineyard, Vineyards, Wine

Finding Great Coffee in Lake County, California

May 20, 2016 by Rick White

Where do you go for a good cup of Joe in Lake County you ask? Well ask a coffee addict. I have been a coffee addict since the late 70s when I joined the Navy. Back then there were none of the fun posh coffee shops offering coffee drinks like latte’s, espressos and other exotic blends. I had to drink Navy coffee which tasted like it was filtered through someone’s dirty sock but I managed to develop a taste for it and I needed the caffeine to stay awake and be alert during long patrols at sea. Thankfully times have changed and now you can find fun coffee shops all over the country.

Studebakers in Kelseyville

Itzia Rico and Alejandra at Studebakers. Several movies were filmed in this coffee shop including Sherman’s Way and Twixt.

When I lived in the Bay Area I was a Peets Coffee regular but now that I live in Lake County I’m proud to say that you can find an incredibly good cup of Joe in almost every community in the county.

Riviera Common Grounds, Indoors or Outdoors always a relaxing place to go.

Riviera Common Grounds – Andrea Williams

The thing I like most about our small privately owned coffee shops are the friendly and cheerful coffee baristas that greet you every morning. We have all types of coffee houses offering a wide variety of coffee drinks and social atmospheres.

It’s not so much the place as it is the people. Michelle always has a smile and something very pleasant to say. Great place to stop for a cheerful cup of Joe at Konocti Coffee Shop in Soda Bay.

Konocti Coffee in Soda Bay

Many have areas where you can sit indoors or outdoors and many have internet access via wifi so you can relax for a while and catch up on emails or surf the net or put all the silly technology down and simply enjoy the social atmosphere.

If you’re in a hurry no worries, we have a few nice drive-through coffee stops that can take care of that caffeine fit. Try Jitter Bean in Lakeport.

Jitter Bean Girls

Jitter Bean Coffee Co. Drive through Coffee

Mountain High Coffee in Cobb is in the Meadows Springs Shopping Center is a relaxing place to visit with a great reading area inside and places to sit outside. Next door to Hardesters Market.

Mountain High Coffee in Cobb!

Mountain High is always a friendly place to visit.

Inside Mountain High Coffee shop.

If you’re heading along Hwy 20 you can stop at the Catfish Coffee House in Clearlake Oaks. They offer great coffee and plenty of taste pastries and sandwiches.

Catfish Coffee House in Clearlake Oaks

I still have more to come with this blog because there are still more great places to have a cup of coffee in Clearlake, Middletown, Lower Lake and Hidden Valley Lake. Check back for more.

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, Coffee, Lake County

Lake County CTA – Certified Tourism Ambassador

February 22, 2016 by Rick White

I became a Lake County Certified Tourism Ambassador last Thursday, February 18th 2016. It’s a great program and for the first 200 non-government participants the cost is free. The program will help you become knowledgeable about points of interest in Lake County which can help you promote the county in a positive way to visitors. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is in frequent contact with visitors to our great area.

http://lakecounty.com/…/lake-county-launches-certified-tou…/

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, California, Clear Lake, CTA, Kelseyville, Konocti Realty, Lake County, Northern California, Rick White, Tourisim

Lake County Market Status for January 2016

February 22, 2016 by Rick White

January Median Sales Price Rises as Number of Sales Slows

LAKEPORT (Feb 18) – The Lake County Association of Realtors® (LCAOR) reported that the January median sales price of single family residences in Lake County rose 7.6% over like sales in December 2015. The January median sales price was $232,500 compared to $216,000 in December. The number of sales in January was 50 which was a 46.2% decrease from the 93 sales in December.

“It is not uncommon to see the number of sales dip in January,” commented Erin Woodward, 2016 LCAOR President. “People tend to be preoccupied with other matters in December and that is reflected in the January numbers. The fact that the median price increased over December’s has also been a pattern we have seen over the last few years.”

On a year over year basis, the number of sales increased 11% going from 45 in January 2015 to the 50 sales in January 2016. The January 2016 median price of $232,500 increased 46% over the January 2015 median sales price of $159,000.

Sales financed by cash accounted for 32% of the transactions which was up from 25.58% of the sales in December and virtually the same when compared to January 2015 sales. Conventional loans made up 36% of the sales, down from 53.5% of the sales in December 2015. However, FHA financed sales rose to 18% of the sales after financing 10.5% of the December sales.

On a statewide basis the California Association of Realtors (CAR) reported that existing, single family home sales totaled 383,670 in January, down 5.4% from December 2015 and up 8.8% from January 2015. The median sales price was $468,330 down 4.3% from December 2015 and up 9.2% from January 2015. CAR reported that the highest median price in the state was $1.17M in the City and County of San Francisco.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

Lake County – January 2016
* Median price: $232,500
* Median days to sell: 78
* Units Sold: 50

Lake County – December 2015
* Median price: $216,000
* Median days to sell: 92
* Units Sold: 93

Lake County – January 2015
* Median price: $159,000
* Median days to sell: 112
* Units Sold: 45

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, California, Clear Lake, Lake County, Market Statistics, Market Status, Northern California, Real Estate, Rick White

LAKE COUNTY 2015 REAL ESTATE MARKET year in review.

February 5, 2016 by Rick White

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Real estate sales in Lake County ended 2015 on an upswing, according to a report from the Lake County Association of Realtors.

LCAOR reported that the number of sales in December increased by 8 percent over November sales.

A total of 93 single family units sold in December compared to 86 in November. LCAOR said the 93 sales were the second-highest number in a month for 2015 with June topping the list at 109 sales.

The median sales price of $216,000 pulled back from the November median sales price of $252,250, which marked the high point for a monthly median price in 2015. The December median was the second-highest monthly sales price for 2015, according to LCAOR.

The 2015 December median sales price of $216,000 was 42-percent higher than the December 2014 median sales price of $152,000. In December of 2014 there were 53 sales making the 93 sales in December 2015 over 75-percent higher on a year-to-year basis, LCAOR reported.

“The last three months of 2015 ended strongly,” said 2016 LCAOR President Erin Woodward. “Both median sales prices and number of sales compared favorably to other months of the year. The real estate community did not know what to expect after the fires and many expected sales to slow, but that was not the case.”

Inventory levels in both November and December fell to four months. The report said a normal level of monthly inventory is considered to be six months.

In some years, LCAOR said the December inventories can be low as sellers wait to list their properties after the holidays. Continued low inventories can lead to a seller’s market.

Sales financed by cash fell to 25.6 percent of the transactions after they made up 47.7 percent of the deals in November. LCAOR said conventional loans accounted for 53.5 percent of the financing with another 10.5 percent of the transactions being financed through FHA loans.

Distressed sales increased to 17 percent of the sales after making up only 4.7 percent of the deals in November, according to the report.

On a statewide basis the California Association of Realtors reported that existing, single-family home sales totaled 405.530 in December, up 9.6 percent from November 2015 and up 10.7 percent from December 2014, LCAOR said.

LCAOR said the median sales price in California was $489,310 up 2.6 percent from November 2015 and up 8.0 percent from December 2014.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

Lake County – December 2015

Median price: $216,000

Median days to sell: 92

Units Sold: 93

Lake County – November 2015

Median price: $252,250

Median days to sell: 107

Units Sold: 86

Lake County – December 2014

Median price: $152,000

Median days to sell: 94

Units Sold: 53

Filed Under: Rick's Blog Tagged With: CA, California, Lake County, Market, Northern California, Real Estate, Stats

Homes take a 25% Jump in median price for Lake County for March 2015.

April 20, 2015 by Rick White

The Lake County Association of Realtors just posted the statistics for March 2015. Prices rose by 25%

Here is the report:

Home Sale Prices Increase by Twenty Five Percent

LAKEPORT (April 17) – The Lake County Association of Realtors® (LCAOR) reported that the median sales price of single family residences for Lake County rose from $180,000 in February 2015 to $224,000 in March, a 24.44% increase. Like sales in March 2014 had a median sales price of $155,000 showing a 44.5% increase when comparing year to year sales. Fluctuations in median pricing on a month to month basis can vary widely because of the limited number of sales however the trend has been on the upswing since December of 2014. The median sales price for all of 2014 was $169,000 compared to $175,000 for the first three months of 2015.

Fifty two (52) units sold in March compared to 43 in February for a 20.9% increase.

In March 2014 the number of units selling was 51. Inventory levels remained relatively the same at 7.1 months of inventory in March and 7.4 months of inventory in February. The months of inventory in March 2014 was 5.6 indicating that there are more homes available this year than last year.

“Realtors are reporting that the activity and interest in buying a home has picked up,” stated LCAOR President Yvette Sloan. “Interest rates are still attractive and the ability to get a loan has improved.”

Mortgage rates moved upward in March, with the 30-year, fixed mortgage interest rate averaging 3.77 percent, up from 3.71 percent in February but down from 4.34 percent in March 2014, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable-mortgage interest rates also rose in March, averaging 2.46 percent, up from 2.43 percent in February but down from 2.48 percent in March 2014.

Distressed sales, homes sold after foreclosure or for less than what was owed, continued to decline falling from 18.6% of the sales in February to 11.5% in March. The decline was more significant, 11.5% from 27.5%, when compared to March 2014.

Cash only purchases accounted for 25% of the sales with 42.3% of the sales being financed through conventional loans. These percentages are similar to both February 2015 and March 2014. The median days to sell a home was 116. For all of 2014 the median days to sell was 76. The median days to sell is the number of days from the time the property was listed until it went into escrow.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

Lake County – March 2015