Spring is here!

Spring has come!
The hills and fields are beautiful and green with colors of white, violet, blue, yellow and orange mixed in the greens with the blooming of the wild flowers. Birds are soaring, the Finches are being playful, children are outside enjoying the warmer weather before it gets too hot, neighbors are trimming their lawns, cultivating their gardens, adding fertilizer to encourage growth.
I enjoy Spring most of all because it is the renewing of life. I enjoy it. The air is cleaner from the rains that we have had. Skies are clear blue. You can almost see the Sierra Nevada and their snow capped peaks.
I know that to some spring means allergies. For one that has been fortunate enough to not suffer from this affliction I say to you...I'm sorry and I hope you find relief.
Real Estate has been going slowly. I've lost three clients that had listed their homes or were going to list. One decided that they didn't need to move, another decided to help a friend and rent even though they are still moving and the other had sticker shock when they found out what they could list their house for in comparison with its neighbors.
When you get ready to list your home you should take a look at the market. Pick up fliers from the local agents, look in the Real Estate section of the local news papers, go on the Internet to one of the many sites that will help you see what is for sale in the local market.
You should also talk to your local Realtor.
Your Realtor is here to help you understand the trends and what your house can sell for. If you don't know a Realtor, invite several into your home to seek what they would list your home for. DO NOT go for the agent who says they will get you 10% more or higher than everyone else. Even though this may sound good for you, they will be advising you to drop your price within a few months. (Even though price reduction is a common practice, it should be because the market is reflecting a need to lower your asking price, not to just bring it down to where your competition to sell is already listing.)
Check with the local Real Estate Board, for the Coalinga area you would contact the Fresno Association of Realtors. They will provide you with a list of registered Realtors.
Take note I have said "Realtors" and not Real Estate Agents. A Realtor is a registered trademark that we in the Real Estate Business can only use if we have registered and promised to keep the by-laws and requirements of the National Association of Realtors.
So the term Realtor is now a registered trademark and cannot be used by Real Estate agents unless they register.
It is another way of assuring you, our clients, that we will be honest with you in either selling, listing our helping you buy your home.
Call me. I am a registered Realtor and so is everyone in my office. I hope you read this and my other postings and that I can help you sell your home or help you buy one.