Scribbles Daily's Blog

Sold In Just One Day - When the Price is Right

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:14:28 -0700

Decorator's dream, spacious, immaculate and with the perfect layout for family life, Timo's latest listing received multiple full-price offers before the broker's open.

218 Simon Drive, Petaluma, in the popular West Side, Westridge Knolls subdivision was priced for an educated, ideally poised customer to pounce.

"When all of the stars are in alignment, as in location, condition, curb appeal and price, it is extremely encouraging to have the market respond with such a positive, speed-of-light reaction," says Timo. "No amount of marketing, staging or unusual sales tactics can match an optimally priced property in the current economic climate. There are plenty of qualified buyers out there waiting for the right home at the right cost."

Designed to Impress! A Must See for this Totally Customized Home 5 Bed 3 Ba 2.737 Sq Ft on 16,596 Private Back Yard. Designer Remodel Comprises; Professional Kitchen, Granite Slab Island, Stainless Steel Appliances, Huge Pantry, Custom Cabinets, Contemporary Light Fixtures, Crown Molding, 27 Brand New Windows, Trex Deck w/Hot Tub, Japanese Soaking Tub, Radiant Heated Floors, Red Oak Hardwood Floors, Anderson Doors, A/C & Lots More to List.

Priced at $799,000, this is what promoted the new owners of 218 Simon Drive to make their move the same day the property hit the market: Designed to Impress! A Must See for this Totally Customized Home 5 Bed 3 Ba 2.737 Sq Ft on 16,596 Private Back Yard. Designer Remodel Comprises; Professional Kitchen, Granite Slab Island, Stainless Steel Appliances, Huge Pantry, Custom Cabinets, Contemporary Light Fixtures, Crown Molding, 27 Brand New Windows, Trex Deck w/Hot Tub, Japanese Soaking Tub, Radiant Heated Floors, Red Oak Hardwood Floors, Anderson Doors, A/C & Lots More to List.

Take a virtual tour to see what sort of deal YOU could be poised to scoop here in Petaluma. Call Timo for more property listings: 707 769 4272

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Timo at 2009 People's Choice Awards for Best of Petaluma

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:48:52 -0700

Last night's P360 2009 Reader's Poll Best of Petaluma Award Gala was an upbeat, positive, friendly affair, and coupled with the necessary business-paced beat of the occasion, a refreshing change of pace for a wonderful weeknight event!

Many of our city by the rivers top chefs were gathered in one room at the same time - quite a sight to behold on a balmy, Indian Summer Wednesday evening. Some wearing their chefs coats for a quick salute to the voters and a dash back to the kitchen, award in arm!

For all of the winners it was a honor to stand up and be recognized amongst their peers in the various business/entertainment/cultural/health care and education communities. "I'm absolutely delighted with my award," says a beaming Timo pictured above with Petaluma Council Member Mike Harris and 'Best House Painter, Joe Schuster with his wife Anastasia and at right, with wife and blog instigator, Frances. "Having navigated my many clients through such a challenging time in the real estate sector, I am all the more inspired to preserve our neighborhood values and at the same time, secure some of the best deals available for individuals and families who have made Petaluma their home."

Congrats to all of this year's many winners, including several of our own top picks around town: Cucina Paradiso for 'Best Italian Food', Della Fattoria for 'Best Bakery', Green String Farm 'Local Food Producer', Heebe Jeebe 'Novelty Gift Store', Kastania Vineyards 'Locally Produced Red Wine', La Dolce Vita 'Wine Bar', Out West Garage 'Auto Repair Shop', Petaluma High School 'Best Public School', Tony Najiola of Central Market "Best Chef and Best Seafood at a local Restaurant', Trader Joes 'Best Place to Buy Flowers' and Petaluma Market 'Best Grocery Store'.

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Petaluma Chapter of Realtors Giving Back to the Community

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:20:35 -0700

Petaluma Chapter of Realtors has stepped up to the plate this week with a $5,000 check to provide partial funding of the continuation of Petaluma Educational Foundation’s first Major Impact Grant Program: The Petaluma Wetlands Association Third Grade Science Program.

“We are so grateful that the real estate community in Petaluma has chosen to support our program in the schools,” says Coordinator of the PWA 3rd Grade Science Program in the Schools, Helen Heal. “Our school program helps all third graders in Petaluma and in the Petaluma River watershed learn of the importance and wonder of local wetlands. Every year our volunteer docents bring almost 1,000 children and hundreds of parents and teachers into the wetlands for science education, and it is wonderful to have such community support to do this.”

Learn more about the PWA 3rd Grade Science Program by viewing the following video clip shot at Shollenberger Park this Spring:

Over $53,000 will have been donated to a variety of community programs and causes by the Petaluma Chapter of Realtors this year alone. Monies are raised at an annual golf tournament and seasonal fundraisers and weekly brokers' tours in which agents from brokerages throughout the city actively participate.

Additional recipients include: Boys and Girls Club, Building Homes, Building Hope, Carousel Fund
HCSQ-Challenge Day, Mentor Me, Human Race, City of Petaluma, Newspapers in Education,Petaluma Ecumenical Properties,Petaluma Health Center, Petaluma Hospice, Petaluma Kitchen, Petaluma People Services, Project Graduation, Rebuilding Together,Petaluma Rotary-Holiday Party for Children, Scholarships for five Petaluma Graduating Seniors, PEF Invest in Education Grants, Week of the young child.

Petaluma Chapter Members pictured here with Janet Ramatici, Executive Director of Petaluma Educational Foundation and Helen Heal of Petaluma Wetlands Alliance

Petaluma Chapter Funding Science

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Rare Opportunity in Brown Court

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:48:37 -0700

Architectural elegance abounds throughout this 1924 American beauty, with classic Dutch Colonial vintage features, exquisitely preserved within a genteel, park-like setting.

Entertaining family and friends and even a few out-of-town guests is simply not a problem in this picture-perfect, quintessential dream home.

Redolent of another age – this richly restored 3,387 square foot home is nestled at the end of Petaluma’s most exclusive, West-Side vintage court. Tree-lined Brown Court is quietly tucked away off prestigious D Street, home to man of the riverfront city of historic Petaluma's most spectacular Victorian homes.

Yet 30 Brown Court has it all. The cache and class of the city's premier residential neighborhood, completely shielded from foot and vehicular traffic. A short, level walk to downtown's charming shops, cafes, theater and restaurants, the kids can ride their bikes to your selection of great neighborhood pre-schools, elementary schools, junior high and high schools.

Exceptional, spacious formal foyer leads to a traditional dining area and professional kitchen overlooking the children's play area and English garden. A paneled living room with grand fireplace opens to a light-filled library, sweeping staircase to four bedrooms, master sitting room and three bathrooms upstairs in main house plus separate, detached studio carriage house.

Gracious outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining and a spacious, wooded and fully contained pool area complete with modern pool cabana, games room and secluded, additional guest suite are located just a stone's throw over a private bridge over seasonal creek.

This property represents Petaluma heritage at its very best. To add your family story to the history of Petaluma's most discerning neighborhood,take the virtual tour then call Timo to make this your reality today.

Dutch Colonial Dream Home

Take a virtual Tour of 30 Brown Court

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Lullaby on Lavender Terrace

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:51:05 -0700

Lavender's Blue, Dilly Dilly
Lavender's Green,
When I am King, Dilly Dilly,
You will be Queen!

2 Lavender Terrace

Make this move your crowning moment. Lullaby at 2 Lavender Terrace for under $800,000. Astonishing value reflects current market. Priced to go. For virtual tour click here

This elegant & refined custom home in an exclusive Cul-De-Sac on 1/4 Acre Lot. 4 Bed 3 Bath, 2,611 Sq Foot Sunny & Bright Home Built in 2002. Open State of Art Kitchen w/ Breakfast Area, Stainless Steel Appliances, Walnut Hardwood Floors, Contemporary Design Details throughout; Vaulted Ceilings, 2 Fireplaces, Elegant Foyer, Formal Dining Area, Private, Newly Landscaped Back yard & Vegetable Garden with Expansive IPE Deck. A must see....

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Exploring Classic English Homes on Holiday in UK

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:29:00 -0700

Preserved for Posterity

This summer's visit to see friends and family in the UK was no exception to the rule of compulsive window shopping for the quintessential English home and garden.

Gorgeous properties, carefully preserved for posterity abound with carefully maintained gardens and often all the mod cons alongside classic fixtures.

Price-wise, Petaluma homes remain an absolute bargain compared with many comparable regions of the United Kingdom with properties and and around London retaining high value despite a similarly stressed economy.

"It is great for perspective to visit different parts of the world and take a good, close look at the cost of living comparisons and property values," says Timo. "High end, heritage homes here in Petaluma are currently well below the average price range for similar properties in desirable parts of Britain and other leading European cities, not to mention our neighboring Marin County, closer to home and several other counties within the Bay Area."

Look for additional blogs next week with Timo's upcoming, lovely new listings in historic West Petaluma.

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Petaluma People's Award Winning Realtor for 2009

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:01:13 -0700

Petaluma People's Award Realtor

Timo Rivetti is Petaluma 360's annual People's Award winning Realtor for 2009. "I was pleasantly shocked when I heard about winning this wonderful award, today," says Timo, who had no idea that he'd been in the running on the people's voting stakes.

"I'd like to thank my clients for taking the time to cast a vote in my name in this extremely competitive category and congratulations to all of my fellow winning business men and women here in town."

"As 2009 President of the Petaluma Chapter of Realtors, I'm proud to work with such an extraordinary group of outstanding colleagues," says Timo.

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Home Sweet Home - Tucked Away at 18 Hinman Street

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:41:27 -0700

Petaluma Living - Porches Rule!

Lovely, Newer Victorian Home with Separate Studio/Office on a Tree Lined Private Drive. This 1,728 Sq Foot, 3 Bed 3 Bath home, 7,672 Sq Ft Flag Lot was Built in 2000. Bright & Sunny home comprises: Open Kitchen & Breakfast Nook, Tile Counter, Hardwood Floors, Vintage Details & High Ceilings. Electric Front Gate, Private Yard, Formal Dining Area, Hardwood Floors, Front Covered Porch & Separate Detached 2 Car Garage. Walk to Downtown & Theater District.

All the conveniences of life in the West side of Petaluma within walking distance to pre-schools/elementary/junior high and high schools.

Long, gated driveway is ideal for tricycle toting tots to ball playing teens or empty nesting individuals seeking privacy in a pleasant Petaluma neighborhood.

Porching is all the rage again these days as we take time to savor our surrounds, kick back with a book and a glass of wine, host the neighbors without having to open up the house or hang out with the kids on a summer's evening. Come on in and take a tour!

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Keep Your Home, Know Your Loan Campaign

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:30:17 -0700

"Keep Your Home, Know Your Loan" is the catchy name of a great new campaign launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The department is launching the campaign to be of help to customers who are in the preliminary stages of financial crisis and to combat the unprecedented volume of "pay to play" loan modification scams emerging in this current credit crunch.

Concerned loan consumers should call HUD's toll-free counseling hot line right away at 877-HUD-1515 to arrange a free, face-to-face meeting with a counselor nearby.

Keep Your Home Know Your Loan

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Mortgage Workout Options for Distressed Homeowners

nobody@vox.com(Team Rivetti) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:04:44 -0700

Options to Avoid Foreclosure

Tired of leaving unanswered messages with your mortgage lender? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has set up a free hotline (877 HUD 1515) staffed by HUD approved counselors to help struggling homeowners who are looking at a reset situation on an existing mortgage, are three to six months from defaulting or are in the midst of health and employment issues.

Despite the establishment of last September's California State Law SB 1137, in which lenders have been blocked from starting foreclosure proceedings until 30 days after contacting or reasonably attempting to contact the borrower, thousands and thousands of people are still trying to figure out how to obtain the financial relief they need to keep hold of their homes.

"Although not every lender is willing to negotiate a recasting deal, many are prepared to make mortgage modifications as the existing lender for reduced payments recalculated on the original interest rate with a new maturity date," says Timo. To find out more about these tax obligations see www.irs.gov.

"Otherwise, homeowners who are struggling may be looking at a short sale, or a payoff coming in at a lower amount than what was originally negotiated on the loan. This option avoids foreclosure, but here in California, it most likely will trigger off additional tax obligations on debt forgiveness, which is seen as a taxable income."

The final option for distressed homeowners is Foreclosure, the ultimate loss of homeowner rights so that the bank may sell the property to cover the debt. This can also lead to tax obligations, is detrimental to credit rating and can impact your ability to rent or purchase another property.

"Anyone considering foreclosure should take the time to consult with an experienced accountant and/or tax attorney," says Timo. "To avoid finding yourself in this position, start the ball rolling by calling the HUD hotline at the first sign of financial distress."

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