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Caledonia Spring Faire Sunday in Sausalito

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

The Caledonia Street Spring Faire takes place this Sunday in downtown Sausalito, bringing in over 100 fine arts and crafts vendors, food and entertainment for a celebration of spring and community.

For the first time, the Sausalito Nursery School and the City of Sausalito are partnering together to combine the Spring Faire and the are the Caledonia Street Fair.

There will be three stages of live entertainment with a focus on music and dance performances with international flair.

Festival organizers say, “This will be a historic event in our picturesque seaside town. This enchanting festival will bring together all the bay area communities celebrating spring, our children, our families, our neighbors and the renewal of our earth through Art, Music, Dance, Delectable Fare, and a Fun & Festive children’s Area.”

  • When: Saturday, May 30, 2010, 11:00 am -6:00 pm (rain or shine)
  • Where: 420 Litho (Caledonia Steet/City Hall)
  • Benefits: Sausalito Nursery School
  • More Information

Entertainment

MAIN STAGE

  • Whiskey Pills 11:15am- 12:45pm
  • Belly Dance 1pm- 1:45pm
  • Hands on Fire 2pm- 2:30pm
  • Eugene Huggins 4pm- 5:30pm

CHILDREN’S STAGE

  • House of Samba Kids Concert 11am- 12:15pm
  • Little Gym Demo 12:30pm- 1pm
  • Tim Cain 1pm- 1:45pm
  • Terry/ Ballet 2pm- 2:45pm
  • Crunchy Frog 3:15pm- 4:45pm

Looks like a great lineup of events and gorgeous weather predicted for the weekend!

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

Posted on by Ginger Wilcox



Because of strife in Greece, Spain and North Korea, conforming mortgage rates are back to all-time lows. They’re at levels not seen in 50 years.  For homeowners that missed the Refi Boom of November 2009, it’s a second chance.

In this well-presented, 3-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show, you’ll get tips getting low rates and choosing the best time to lock in.

Some of the topics covered include:

  • Why were the experts wrong about rates moving higher this summer?
  • How much money can you save with a 1 point drop in your interest rate?
  • Should you buy a bigger home now that rates have fallen?

The advice in the piece is matter-of-fact and centered.  There is no cheerleading and the message is honest. Mortgage rates are low and they likely won’t stay that way.  If you’ve been thinking about a refinance, talk to your loan officer as soon as possible.

If you are unable to see the refinance video in your browser, please click here.

San Rafael School District Adds New Elementary

Posted on May 25, 2010 by George Crowe

An increase in the number of five and six-year-olds entering Marin public schools is forcing some Marin districts to get creative. According to the San Rafael City Schools enrollment office, some 390 fifth graders will be graduating this Spring but there will be 560 kindergartners entering district schools this Fall.  For the 2010-2011 school year Sun Valley, Coleman, and Bahia Vista elementary schools would have more kids than class space.

To meet the increased demand the district is in the process of adding three kindergarten classes for the coming school year at Short Elementary, the formerly decommissioned school at Marin and Bayview in Gerstle Park. People in the enrollment office said they’ll also have a preschool for special needs kids at the site. They said to keep an eye on the district website for updates.

The Ross Valley School District is also working on options to handle increased enrollment in Fairfax and San Anselmo.  There’s been a lot of talk about reopening the Deer Park School as a K-5, but according to the website they’ll be deciding on a course of action by June.

52nd Annual Pixie Park Spring Fair in Ross

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

The Pixie Park Spring Fair takes place in Ross today. This is the 52nd annual occurrence of this popular  event features music, food, games & rides for children up to age six. Admission is free. Games, rides, and food do require purchased tickets.  Get there early, it looks like possible afternoon rain.

The event features children’s pony rides, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, bathtub races, a vintage train and more. Tim Cain, The Bubble Lady, The Lizard Lady and and Budderball the Clown will provide entertainment for the kids and the Wronglers will provide more adult music.

  • What: 52nd Annual Pixie Park Spring Fair
  • When: Today! Saturday, May 22, 9am-3pm
  • Where: Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross (map)
  • Parking: Parking available at College of Marin (free shuttle), Ross Common, $10 parking at the Marin Art & Garden Center
  • Admission: Free admission, Games & Rides require paid tickets
  • More info: Pixie Park website

Have a great weekend!

Hiking in Marin from Baltimore Canyon

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

One of the reasons I love living in Marin County is the access to “the great outdoors”. I love being able to experience all that the city has to offer, yet escape to what I consider true beauty and serentity almost in my backyard. This morning I hiked one of my favorite Marin County hikes. We departed off Crown road and headed into Baltimore Canyon along the fire road and on up (and up!). Here are a few pictures and a map from my hike.  They are a little fuzzy as I only had my iphone, but still well worth a look!

Mount Tamalpais

Mount Tamalpais

San Francisco Bay between King Mountain & Christmas Tree Hill

View Map

Economic Issues & Residential Real Estate Business Trends Forum

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

I am in Washington D.C. this week for the National Association of REALTORS® Mid-Year Conference. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to speak at the Economic Issues & Residential Real Estate Business Trends Forum with NAR Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun and Mark Zandi, Chief Economist and co-founder of Moody’s Economy.com. At the forum, Yun and Zandi will be discussing the U.S. housing marketing recovering, the current state of the mortgage system and the role of the federal government in mortgage finance. Below are Yun’s slides from the event.

Market Outlook with Lawrence Yun

Slides provided by the National Association of REALTORS®.
If you are unable to see the embedded slideshow, please click here.

Pending Home Sales on an Upswing- NAR March Home Sales Numbers

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

The National Association of Realtors® released March home sales figures last week. Pending sales are up 21% nationwide. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says, “Nearly every market is seeing year over year gains. The only place that has seen declines are markets with a robust year last year.” Yun predicts the housing market will decline in July and August but says price stabilization has removed the consumer fear factor in the market and may help fall and winter sales. Listen to the full interview with Yun below.

If you are unable to see the video, click here.

Video courtesy of The National Association of Realtors®

Markets Ignore April Jobs Report- Good News For Mortgage Rates

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

Unemployment Rate 2007-2010On the first Friday of every month, the U.S. government releases its Non-Farm Payrolls report.

More commonly called “the jobs report”, Non-Farm Payrolls is a major market mover. The number of working Americans is directly tied to the health of the economy which, in turn, drives the stock and bond markets.

In general, when jobs numbers improve, it’s good for stocks and bad for mortgage bonds. It follows, therefore, that conforming mortgage rates in California rise because rates always move opposite of mortgage bond prices.

Conversely, when jobs numbers worsen, it tends to be bad for stocks and good for mortgage bonds.  Mortgage rates fall.

Today, markets are behaving a bit differently.

Despite 290,000 jobs created in April 2010 — nearly twice the expected amount — and a 40 percent upward revision of March’s numbers, mortgage rates are essentially unchanged.

In a normal environment, rates would be higher.  Today is not normal.

Today is a departure because, for all of the jobs report’s import to Wall Street, it’s less important to markets than what’s happening in Greece right now.

Greece is struggling to meet its debt obligations and its citizens are rioting.

Until a debt solution for Greece is made that sticks, unrest in the region will drive safe haven buying both domestically and abroad. U.S. mortgage bonds will gain on that movement because mortgage bonds are “safe”, and mortgage rates will fall.

Indeed, this is exactly what’s been happening since the start of April. Mortgage markets have been rallying for 5 weeks.

So, today’s jobs news is terrific for the economy and mortgage rates should be rising because of it.  But, they’re not. Consider taking advantage — lock in a rate.

Novato Farmer’s Market Opens Today

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

After last week’s rain, it finally feels like summertime with warm weather and the return of sunshine.   One of my favorite parts of summer is fresh produce and of course, the community atmosphere of farmers’ markets.

The Novato Farmer’s Market kicks off this Tuesday.  The downtown farmer’s market will be open on Tuesday evenings  from 4 to 8 pm.  The market runs from May through September in historic downtown Novato on Grant Avenue between Machin and Reichert.

The Novato’s farmer’s market is a true community market with local Novato merchants like Flourchylde Bakery, Mediterranean Delight, J & T Jams, Kettle Thai, and the Ultimate Souvlaki.

Local residents come out to enjoy great fresh produce, dinner from downtown merchants and live local music.  It is a great weekly event for adults and children.