How many homes did you view before you bought?

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY: Come see this spacious Visalia home

940  W Paradise Ave,  Visalia, listed at $199,500.

Bring the whole family to see this wonderful and spacious Visalia home Sunday, Aug. 26 from noon to 3 p.m.

This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home has 2,859 square feet of living space in an established neighborhood.  The spacious home offers a variety of uses.

The entire upstairs has been remodeled with Knotty Alderwood trim, doors and designer fixtures in the bathrooms.

The family room doors are also replaced downstairs. You will find dual pane, Low E windows throughout.

The family room is separated from bonus room with exterior insulated french doors-15 X 20'

A bonus room can be day care, private office, play room, etc.

Off the owner's suite is another 12 X 18.5' room for crafts, exercise equipment, office where the laundry equipment has been moved and it opens to 22' Deck with stairs to back yard.

The owner's suite has claw-foot tub, huge shower, and dual sinks, plus large walk-in closet.

The Interior/Ext was repainted 2010/11. Double ovens, gas cooktop in kitchen.

Enjoy a low maintenance back yard. Close to shopping and schools! PLUMBED FOR SOLAR!!!!

Call Darlene for an appointment today! (559) 625-9364.

Stress-free closing in 7 steps

By: G. M. Filisko - By doing homework in advance, you'll understand what you're asked to sign when you close the sale of your home.

You've already cleared several hurdles by finding the right home, negotiating the best price, and securing favorable financing. The last obstacle on your home buying track is the closing, which can be both tedious and tense.

By knowing what to expect and doing some legwork, you can put your closing behind you. These seven steps will guide you through a smooth closing.

1. Set a closing date
Your real estate agent will work with the seller's agent and title company to schedule your closing date. Be sure it meshes with the end of your lease or the sale of your existing home and a time when you'll able to play hooky from work. If you're tight on cash, schedule your closing for the end of the month because that's when you'll have to pay the least amount of interest at the closing table.

Escape to country living

37385  Millwood Dr,  Woodlake, listed at $390,000.

Take a look at this custom, open floor-plan home built by RUPP with views of the valley and the Sierras in the distance. 

Sitting on 2.44 acres, this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home features Hardi Plank siding, solar panels (PGE aver. $100 mo), a generator for emergencies, a whole-house fan, Solar Tube, tile floors throughout most of the home (carpet in bedrooms) and an over sized garage. 

The home is 1,898 square feet. The kitchen has granite counter tops, Jenn-Aire Appliances, an island/vegetable sink, roll-out shelving in raised panel Alderwood cabinets and a corner window to catch views of Sierras. 

The interior features vaulted ceilings and plenty of windows to the patio and fenced yard for pets. There is a corner floor-to-ceiling Heatolator fireplace. 

The formal dining room has buffet and bay window facing the west hills. The spacious laundry room has cabinets, including a washer/dryer. 

The insulated, over sized garage has more cabinets and a pull-down ladder to overhead storage. 

The air conditioning was replaced 2011! 

The owner's suite has a walk in closet, French doors to patio, bay window sitting area and walk in shower. 

The circular drive invites your guests to meander up stepping stones to cozy front porch.

Call Darlene for an appointment today! (559) 625-9364. 

Time to sell your home in Visalia and Tulare County is now

Visalia home buyers bid against each other for homes

 Now is the best time in more than a year to sell your home.

The number of homes flooding the market in recent years - both traditional sale and distressed mortgages - have declined significantly over the past 14 months. Multiple Listing Service statistics show that the number of homes for sale have dropped in Tulare County by nearly 25%.

With fewer homes to choose from sellers recently have been known to bid against each other for the best homes.

MLS data show decline in number of homes on the market in Tulare County

Call Darlene Loose in Visalia if you are ready to sell your home in this competitive market. (559) 625-9364