What are my Favorite Wineries in Napa Valley?
Napa Valley is synonymous with world-class wines and picturesque landscapes, making it a dream destination for wine enthusiasts and lifestyle connoisseurs alike. As someone who appreciates both the art of winemaking and the passion of our local family vintners, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting numerous wineries in this iconic region. Here are some of my favorites that offer not just exceptional wines, but also unforgettable experiences. Black Cat Vineyard is a hidden gem that offers an intimate and personalized tasting experience. Sitting beneath the oak tress with Samantha, sharing stories of past and present is priceless and what makes this small family owned winery in Coombsville so special. The small-batch wines here are crafted with meticulous care, making each bottle a unique treasure. I love the Zinfandel and Syrah, but of course the Cabernat Sauvignon is the standout! ~~ photo credit: https://napavalleylife.com/black-cat-vineyard/ Hunter Glenn Estate is another standout, known for its rich agricultural history and family-run dedication with brother sister duo Jeffrey and Caroline Shifflett.Their Chardonnay is truly one of my favorites in Napa Valley (although currently sold out) the tasting notes hit it spot on "citrus blossom, white peach and a waft of croissant get your mouth watering." Perfect acidity and balance make this Chardonnay delicious! Hunter Glenn offers a fabulous Merlot and a truly stellar Syrah, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, The experience is rustic and authentic and a must visit! Azur. Azur. Azur. What can I say about Elan? "Quality through Intention" is the hallmark of everything Azur does. Get whisked away on a sensory experience. Take in the views, take a deep breath and savor every sip of her elegantly crafted wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and a true provencale California Rose'. Magnifique! Schramsberg/Davies Vineyards specializes in sparkling wines that rival the best Champagnes from France. The historic estate offers guided tours through its impressive caves, where you can learn about the traditional méthode champenoise used to create their exquisite bubbly. Davies is located in downtown St Helena and showcases not only the Schramsberg portfolio of sparkling wine, but also their amazing Pinot Noirs (SIngle Vineyard and Appelation) The Vineyardist is perfect for those seeking exclusivity. This intimate experience is by appointment-only. The Vineyardist produces limited quantities of outstanding high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Head to the top in the ATV vehicle to an overlook and enjoy a sip of wine and learn about Vineyardist before settling in to your private tasting room to embark on your Cabernet journey. Marita's Vineyard has my heart. From the beginning, a famlly steeped in history from dirt to glass. The dream of a father and two sons to own a vineyard of their own, and now we are blessed to enjoy these extraordinary Cabernet's. Each visit is a celebration with family...a feeling of home. Each of these wineries offers something special, whether it's artisanal craftsmanship, historical significance, or cutting-edge innovation. A visit to any one of them promises not just exceptional wines but also enriching lifestyle experiences that celebrate the best of our small family producers and the passion of wine making here Napa Valley.
111 Ways a REALTOR is WORTH their COMPENSATION!
You're buying a home. This should be one of the most exciting and stress free experiences in your life. Here are 111 things you should do before and during the home buying process: OR JUST HIRE A TRUSTED REALTOR! Get Informed - Do Your Research 1. Research the real estate industry and legal services tounderstand what’s available to you, including the entireprocess and necessity for legal representation.2. Achieve proficiency in federal and state fair housinglaws that protect your rights. You want to be sure thatyou’re not being denied the opportunity to make anoffer on a home or secure financing based on your race,religion, national origin, sex, disability, and/or familystatus.3. Research local and national down payment assistanceresources. These programs can help make your homepurchase more affordable.4. Check your eligibility for down payment assistanceprograms.5. If you’re a Veteran, research home services and loanprograms available to you.6. If you’re a Veteran, determine whether you qualify fora zero-down VA home loan. Making a down payment is asignificant hurdle for many home buyers. Programs likethese can open the door to homeownership, for those whoknow about them and qualify.7. Learn about local home prices, inventory levels, andmarket demand in your desired area. If you are in a hottermarket, high demand for homes may affect your buyingprocess and offer strategy.8. Ensure that all personal and financial informationremains confidential to mitigate risk of identity theft.Research the steps that you can take to protect youridentity when buying a home.9. Throughout the process, know the risks of postinghome search details on social media to avoid beingtargeted for fraud.10. Do some research on what home features arecurrently popular to help identify your preferencesand how this may affect the value of the home.Set HomeownershipGoals andBudget11. Obtain a copy of your credit report, including yourcredit score, to assess where you stand, and ensure youhave time to dispute errors and improve your score.The better your credit score, the more likely you are to beapproved for a mortgage and receive a better rate.12. Consider all your homeownership wants and nonnegotiable needs. You may need a certain number ofbedrooms based on the size of your family, or a first-floorbedroom and bathroom if you plan to age in place.13. Set your budget and be mindful of the complete cost ofhomeownership. Consider the purchase cost of the homeand any ongoing living and maintenance expenses. Thoseongoing expenses may include but are not limited toreal estate taxes, heating, AC, water, yard and appliancemaintenance, repairs, homeowners association fees, andcommuting costs.14. Assess your financial ability to purchase a home.The typical rule of thumb is that your total monthlyhousing payment (mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc.)shouldn’t be more than 30% of your gross monthlyhousehold income, but individual situations may vary.15. Assess your desired market’s compatibility withyour budget based on current income and otherconsiderations.16. Professionally advocate for yourself throughout theentire process. To do that, you should promote and defendyour interests while keeping emotions in check to ensureyou get your desired outcome. Start Your Home Search 17. Establish and adhere to a schedule for house hunting,mortgage approval, and closing to meet your desiredtimeline. If you miss any milestone deadlines, you could beat risk of losing your down payment or losing the home forpurchase.18. Learn how local markets could affect your buying andowning process. Fewer homes for sale, future developmentplans, school ratings, access to transportation, andcommunity amenities are all elements that may affectdemand in a given market.19. Scout listings and online marketplaces for suitableproperties.20. Set up real-time alerts on home search marketplacesto get notifications when matching homes hit the market,and for open houses and price reductions.21. Compare properties to your wants and needs list toensure they align with what you’re looking for.22. Tap your personal network to uncover additionalproperties of interest that are not yet publicly listed andmay become available for sale soon.23. Contact homeowners in desired areas to see if theyare considering selling.24. Gather information about any homes that might befor sale but are not actively being marketed.25. Virtually preview properties that you’re interested in.26. Select homes for viewing that align with your specificneeds.27. Schedule multiple in-person home viewings bycontacting each home’s listing agent. Schedule separateappointments at times that suit the listing agent but maynot always suit you.28. Periodically reevaluate your needs and refocus yourproperty search, as necessary.29. Explore all available resources to learn more aboutprospective neighborhoods. Be sure to speak to localexperts who understand the neighborhood and will giveyou honest feedback.30. Tour the amenities, schools, and points of interest, andtest commute times in your chosen search area.31. Cross-reference local crime registries for theneighborhoods you are searching.32. Educate yourself on what to look for in propertydisclosures of home listings while you search to makeinformed decisions. Required property disclosures varyby state and may include, but are not limited to rights ofway, upcoming special assessments, whether the home isin a flood zone, past termite damage, and the presence oflead paint.33. Stay current with the listing months of marketinventory. As with days on the market, this indicates howcompetitive a given market is and should inform youroffer.34. Consider measures of home value beyond priceper square foot. These include neighborhood, proximityto work and community amenities, and communitydevelopment plans. Be sure to consult with a local expertto get the most comprehensive information.35. Research municipal services and other relevantneighborhood information.36. Be informed about potential neighborhood negativessuch as noise levels, venues, or operations that couldimpact your property value.37. Check applicable zoning and building restrictions ifyou plan to rent out your home or add a unit to generateshort-term or monthly rental income.38. Understand public property and tax information forpotential homes. It’s important to be informed aboutthe possibility of future tax increases and propertyassessments, which will affect the property taxes you owefrom year to year.39. Gather and consider important data on utilityavailability and costs. For example, you’ll want to confirmif the home has good high-speed internet access.40. Research any environmental factors and risks thatcould affect your home, such as flooding, wildfire, heat,air quality, and noise. Some of these factors will affect thecost of ownership. For example, if the home you purchaseis in a flood zone, you will need to obtain flood insurance.41. Narrow down your top home choices for a closer lookbefore considering making any offer. Prepare Financing 42. Analyze your finances to determine the total downpayment and closing costs you can afford.43. Gather and assess quality lender resources.Ask friends and family for recommendations.44. Consider at least three mortgage lenders duringthe pre-approval process. Mortgage rates, terms, andeligibility may vary from lender to lender.45. Familiarize yourself with the mortgage pre-approvalprocess. Pre-approval means that a lender has verifiedyour income, credit background, and other factors andhas provided a conditional commitment for an approvedmortgage amount. With pre-approval, your offer will beconsidered far more seriously.46. Prepare and collect personal financial informationlike pay stubs, credit card statements, and other existingloans/debt, and share that information with the lendersyou’re considering.47. Collect and compare multiple financing options.Beyond traditional mortgages, look into lesser-knownalternative options like seller financing or rent-to-ownprograms.48. Explore various financing options to find the best fitfor your needs. Many people use a conventional, fixed-rate30-year mortgage, but mortgages with other terms (e.g.,15- and 10-year fixed rate, adjustable rate, and assumable)might also be options.49. Coordinate with your lender to discuss discountpoints, which you can pay to lower the interest rate onyour loan.50. Analyze loan estimates. Loan duration, size of yourdown payment, fees, and other loan terms can affect youroverall mortgage costs.51. Obtain a pre-approval letter from your lender, which ismore comprehensive than pre-qualification. Pre-approvalis a written commitment from a lender that stipulates theamount they will lend you for a home purchase.52. Carefully review the pre-approval letter from yourlender to understand its contents and ask necessaryquestions. MakingYour Offer 53. Review statistics to see what percentage of the listprice sellers in your area are currently receiving. This willhelp you decide whether to offer the asking price, or adjustyour offer below or above the asking price, to make yourbid more competitive.54. Consider the current, local average days onthe market to gauge property pricing and marketcompetitiveness. Fewer days on market indicates greaterdemand, which means you may need to raise your offeror offer additional incentives to make your offer morecompetitive.55. Pay for a professional comparative market analysis(CMA) before making an offer to ensure it’s competitive.A CMA is a report that details recent home sales, localmarket activity, and sales prices to help you craft asuccessful offer.56. Research independent home valuation informationfrom online resources like Realtor.com to assess an offerprice that considers the sale of similar homes in the area.It’s important to make an offer that’s in line with localmarket conditions. You don’t want to overpay for a home,or make an offer that’s so low it won’t even be considered,so it’s good to talk to an independent adviser who haslocal market knowledge.57. Consider hiring a real estate lawyer for legalrepresentation as you build your offer and for legal duediligence as you review contractual documentation.58. Review a sample sales contract to prepare to makean offer. This document outlines every facet of thetransaction, but it may not include everything you wantin the transaction or from the seller, so don’t assumeeverything is there.59. Understand common contract contingencies and theimportance of including protective clauses in your offer.These may include but are not limited to your ability tosecure financing that covers the appraised home value,inspections (home, radon, lead, etc.), closing date, date ofpossession, and owner lease-back terms.60. Learn about any purchasing incentives that you mightbe eligible for. Home sellers may offer concessions like apre-paid homeowner warranty, closing costs, or allowancefor home improvements/repairs as indicated by a homeinspection. You will need to negotiate these as your ownrepresentative.61. Ensure your offer will stand out as the most attractivein the current market. Be ready to compete—many homestoday are receiving multiple offers and bidding wars arecommon.62. Craft an offer that is well positioned to be accepted,and submit it to the seller’s agent. An offer typicallyincludes how much you are willing to pay for the home,how much earnest money you can provide, when you wantto close on the home, and the deadline for the seller torespond. Negotiations and Offer Acceptance 63. Identify and prioritize your main goals for contractnegotiations.64. Familiarize yourself with negotiation best practices.Be mindful of how your body language and facialexpressions can influence a successful negotiation.65. Develop a negotiating strategy to secure the bestterms. In addition to price, consider terms such as repairs,closing costs, or the timeline for closing.66. Negotiate the best price with the seller’s agent.The seller’s agent will be negotiating on the homeowner’sbehalf. You will be negotiating with a professional wholikely has extensive experience in this area, and you maybe at a disadvantage.67. Be prepared for multiple-offer situations. Don’t getdiscouraged, and have your negotiation strategies ready.68. Consider using offer strategies like an escalationclause, which raises the price you’re offering by a certainamount over the price that another buyer is offering;offering flexibility on move-in/possession date; or waivingvarious contingencies.69. Explore optional contingencies, and understand theiradvantages and disadvantages. If you agree to waive theinspection contingency, for example, you are acceptingthe risk of purchasing a home that may have myriaddefects or require additional funds to repair or bring upto code.70. Be aware that all known material defects shouldalways be disclosed to you. Know what questions to ask,and ensure you receive and comprehend all requireddisclosure forms by state and federal laws. These formsvary by state.71. Agree to final terms with the seller, and sign thecontract. In some states an attorney may be required.72. Verify the final offer is signed by all parties.73. Prepare your lender for listing agent calls. The agentrepresenting the home seller will contact your lenderto confirm pre-approval and arrange other settlementdetails. These details will likely favor the home seller, sincethat agent is representing their interests, so you may wantto participate in those calls to negotiate on your behalf.Facilitate Closing74. Coordinate communications effectively among allparties, including your lender, the seller’s agent, theclosing attorney, and any additional third parties.75. Seek additional guidance for transactions involvingshort sales, foreclosures, or bank-owned properties. Thesetransactions often involve additional title, ownership, andfinancing considerations, and they may be as-is—meaning, the properties may be damaged or requirecosts for repairs that the buyer is accepting as a conditionof purchase.76. Estimate the gross out-of-pocket cost of completingthe transaction. This may include, but is not limited to,closing costs, a title search, financing points (to “paydown” the mortgage interest rate), and transfer taxes.77. Acquaint yourself with flood insurance. If the homeyou purchase is in a FEMA-identified flood zone, you mustobtain flood insurance as a condition of ownership. Youmay also consider adding flood insurance to your regularhome insurance policy, because most regular policies donot cover damage from flooding.78. Learn about title insurance, and consult a qualifiedinsurance broker. Title insurance covers any pre-existingtitle problems that you may discover after you’vepurchased the home (e.g., tax liens, unpaid/outstandingmortgages, previous ownership claims).79. Fully investigate your options for a home inspector,title company, appraiser, and other services. Forgoinga home inspection is not advised as these professionalinspectors will provide a comprehensive assessmentof a home’s current condition and risks.80. Create a list of required and optional homeinspections, including environmental, roofing, andmold. This will help you determine what inspectioncontingencies to include in your purchase offer.81. Ensure that necessary property surveys are ordered.A property survey will help you understand where yourproperty begins and ends, and determine any potentialissues—such as easements or encroachments—beforeyou take ownership of the property.82. Discuss any concerns arising from the homeinspection. Use any negative findings from your homeinspection report as leverage for repairs or credits.83. Track and meet all contract deadlines. Dependingon the terms of your offer, these may include deadlinesfor inspections, final financing/loan, down payment andearnest money deposits into escrow, title searches, andsettlement date.84. Order the appraisal. Confirm whether your lender willaccept an independent appraiser or require an appraisalmanagement company to conduct the appraisal.85. Question the appraisal report if it affects yourfinancing. Check for errors like square footage,inadequate home comparisons, or incorrect descriptionsof the home or neighborhood.86. Order the title search. A clean property title meansthe buyer and lender agree there are no claims on theproperty that could become an issue after ownershipis transferred.87. Regularly contact your lender to ensure the loanprocess is on track to meet the closing requirements.88. Ensure any necessary funds, like earnest money ordown payments, are received by the stated deadlinesto avoid any risk of the seller terminating your contract.89. Ensure all parties have all forms and informationneeded to close the sale. Missing or late paperwork cancause delays.90. Check addendums and alterations for agreed-uponterms.91. Take note of the location and details of your closingmeeting.92. Confirm and communicate the closing date and timeto the seller’s agent, noting any changes.93. Schedule and conduct a final property walk-through.Create a comprehensive checklist of your concernsregarding the home, and then confirm that any agreedupon repairs were addressed or fixed by the seller.94. Confirm the clear-to-close status, indicating alldocuments and conditions to approve your loan havebeen met, with your lender.95. Review your closing statement. It explains the termsof the mortgage, the projected monthly payments, andhow much your fees and closing costs will be.96. Double-check all taxes, dues, and prorations relatedto your purchase.97. Request the final closing figures from the closingagent. This is the total amount of money that you will haveto bring to the closing table.98. Review your title insurance commitment carefullyto ensure all information is accurate.99. Be aware of wire fraud risks, and verbally verifyall wiring instructions with the seller’s agent beforetransferring funds. Get the detailed instructions fromyour closing company, and be leery of any messages youreceive that request changes to the original instructions.100. Provide receipt of escrow deposit to the seller’sagent/broker to verify this financial step has beencompleted.101. Gather all required forms and documents for closing.Typically, you’ll need a photo ID and a cashier’s or certifiedcheck (or receipt of a wire transfer).102. Perform any remaining closing activities to completethe transaction.103. Review all closing documents with the closing agentor attorney. Be prepared to sign a ton of paperwork.104. Distribute final documents to all involved parties fortheir records. You’ll want to keep this important paperworksafe.105. Verify receipt of all keys, access codes, garage dooropeners, and manuals for all equipment and appliances. Post-Closing Activities 106. Prior to moving, consider rekeying your locks andchanging access codes as an extra precaution tosafeguard your home from anyone who may have hadaccess prior to your ownership.107. Remember to transfer all utilities and services to yournew residence so you do not incur costs on your formerresidence. This ensures everything is up and running inpreparation for your move-in date.108. Turn your home inspection report into a maintenanceto-do list.109. File claims with your homeowner’s warranty companyas needed. A home warranty is a policy that covers thecost of major repairs or appliances.110. Stay engaged and proactively follow up on anypending items or concerns post-closing. Keep a runningchecklist handy to ensure you stay on top of any potentialwarranties, including their expiration dates.111. Arrange for the move-in day in your new home bycontacting movers. Buy yourself a bottle of champagne.Congratulations, you’re a new homeowner now. Or, do 1 thing.Find a buyer’sagent.No one is better qualifiedto represent your interestswhen buying a home than aprofessional buyer’s agent.Because we work for YOU. If you are considering beginning your home buyer journey, I would love to schedule a consultation with you to discuss your options and explain the new businesses practices implemented in the state of California. Melyna Huff Your Northern California Real Estate Advisor melyna.huff@evrealestate.com Source: https://www.realtor.com/marketing/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Realtor.com-Buyer-Agent-to-dos.pdf
Why Buyers should have a Real Estate Agent
Navigating the real estate market can be a complex and overwhelming experience, especially in a competitive state like California. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, having a real estate agent represent you in the purchase of property is not just beneficial—it's essential. One of the primary reasons buyers should have a real estate agent is their extensive knowledge of the market. Real estate agents have access to comprehensive databases and are up-to-date with the latest real estate news, trends, and pricing strategies. This allows them to guide buyers toward making informed decisions, ensuring they get the best value for their investment. Real estate transactions involve intricate paperwork and legalities that can be daunting for buyers to handle on their own. An experienced agent can manage these complexities with ease, ensuring that all contracts, disclosures and required documents are completed accurately and on time. This reduces the risk of costly errors and delays that could jeopardize the purchase. In California's competitive market, properties often receive multiple offers within days of listing. A skilled real estate agent can provide strategic advice on how to craft a compelling offer that stands out to sellers. They also have strong negotiation skills, which are crucial in securing favorable terms and conditions for buyers. More importantly, real estate agents have an extensive network of professionals they can recommend—from mortgage brokers to home inspectors—making the entire buying process smoother and more efficient. This network can be invaluable when it comes to addressing any issues that may arise during the transaction. Having a dedicated advocate who prioritizes your best interests provides peace of mind. Buyers can trust that their agent is working tirelessly to find the perfect property while navigating potential pitfalls along the way. Here at Engel Voelkers we pride ourselves on keeping in line with all new, policies and regulations ensuring transparency and integrity. If you are in the market to sell your home, purchase a new home or 1030 exchange- I would love to have you come in to my napa shop to have a conversation. Schedule your visit today. 707.353.6060 Melyna Huff DRE: 02153690
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