“Yosemite Gateway Properties and Lifestyles”

May 2008

NEWSLETTER

See also: http://www.realtydirect.net/news/?PUB=13067

Oakhurst Weather

http://www.city-data.com/forecast/w-Oakhurst-California.html

Oakhurst Area Real Estate 

A Locally Focused Newsletter for Property Owners, Residents, Visitors, Home Buyers, Home Sellers, REALTORS®, Owners with Oakhurst Area Real Estate, Homes or Land, for Sale, and Others, Interested in Mountain Homes and Lifestyles in the Southern Yosemite Communities of Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Ahwahnee, Coarsegold, Mariposa, Midpines, Bootjack, North Fork, Spring Valley, Raymond, Yosemite Lakes Park, and Sierra Mountain and Lakes area living

Call 559-760-4077, or:

 Ed Note

Like most active Real Estate Agents I look at the expired listings every day in the MLS.  Some of them have been on the market more than a year and some even two years, and longer.  The reason most of them are not selling is obvious - price.  There is a price at which every home on the market will sell.  That is defined as current market value.  Buyers, with the help of their agents, shop for value.  Experienced agents know value, and are reluctant to even show overpriced houses.  Why should we?

If you are a seller, and are willing to sell only if you can get an inflated price, otherwise you will keep the property, then over pricing may be o. k.  You can always find an agent that will list it for you, hoping you will reconsider, and adjust the price to market value.  If you seriously want to sell your home, price it to sell.

If you have an experienced agent, or preferably a broker associate, he or she will know how to price your home to sell.  Ask for a Comparative Market Analysis, and price accordingly.  Pricing it higher to leave some “wiggle room” is not a good idea in a buyers' market.  It jjust might cause potential buyers to not even look at the property.

                                                           ****************************************************************                                                                    

If you are going to trust someone with a real estate transaction involving hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars, you may want to check out that person's license record with the California Department of Real Estate.

To look up license information on any agent, broker, or real estate company in California, go to http://www2.dre.ca.gov/PublicASP/pplinfo.asp and fill in the information.  Then click on the license number and scroll down to comments.  It’s easy.

What’s Happening

The eight piece “Yosemite Dixieland Jazz Band” is playing every Thursday night from 6:30 until 8:30 at the Pizza Factory, on Highway 41 ( McDonalds Shopping Center) in Oakhurst.

=========================================

Shall we Dance?

Join us for

Monthly Ballroom Dances on the Fourth Sunday of Each Month 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM

At Oakhurst Community Center

Sponsored by Vision Academy of the Arts Scholarship Fund

Live Music

Formal Dance Instruction in a variety of American and Latin Dance for the first 30 minutes of each session

Then dancing and fun for the whole family

Admission $10.00 per person

Information: (559)676-2424

=============================

Gove Scrivenor to Perform at Coolwater Ranch on Saturday, May 24th at 8:00pm

Saturday May 24th at 8:00pm, the irascible and ever entertaining Gove Scrivenor will be back at Coolwater. Gove's contagious energy, unbelievable deep and beautiful voice has made him one of the most popular artists I've ever invited to Coolwater. He excels as a singer, performer and consummate musician.

Gove has recorded with and performed with the best in the business. His friends have lined up to have the opportunity to appear on Gove's recordings, and his work includes backup by Emmy Lou Harris, Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Doc Watson and Marty Stuart.

Gove's work with the autoharp is extraordinary, and sought after by other recording artists that want his unique talents to stamp their efforts. He has worked with Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Burl Ives, Kris Kristofferson, John Hartford, Dan Seals, Hank Williams Jr., Iris Dement, and Glen Campbell just to name a few.

If you've been to a Gove show, you understand why he is so popular...if you haven't been to a Gove show...please don't miss this opportunity! His ability to belt out the blues and sing tender ballads, as well as rip through phenomenal instrumentals is an enormous treat.

This will be the last Coolwater event until this fall. I hope to see you all here and ready for another GREAT evening of music and laughter.

For more information on Gove, please go to www.myspace.com/govescrivenor

==========================

 Read the Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events at:

http://www.oakhurstchamber.com/index.php?src=events&srctype=calendar&m=11&y=2007  

Mountain Area MARKETWATCH Report

Courtesy Oakhurst Real Estate

       Mountain Area Single Family Home Sales for

        Six Month and Two Month Periods Ending April 30, 2008

       with Month-to-Month and  Year-to-Year Comparisons

   Compiled from MLS Records

Courtesy Ed Bailey, Broker Associate, Oakhurst Real Estate, (559)676-2424 – (888)683-5193

www.EdBaileyRealtor.com         Ed@EdBaileyRealtor.com

Home sales for the 6 month period ending April 30, 2008 were down by 43 percent. The median purchase price was down 8.12 percent from $345,000 to $317,800 compared to previous year.  Average Days on Market was 181 compared to 150 last year.

Home sales for the 2 months period ending April 30, 2008 were down by 63 percent with median purchase price up 1.52 percent.  Average Days on Market was187 compared to 153 last year.

Most of the homes on the market today are priced above what buyers are willing to pay for them – can we say overpriced? The median asking price of homes in our market, as of May 1, was $409,500, or 22 percent above the median purchase price of $335,000 over the past two months.  As of May 1, our inventory of single family homes on the market was 496, up 9 percent from April 1. The number in escrow was 36, down 10 percent from a month ago.  .

Disclaimer:  MLS records are presumed to be accurate, but not guaranteed

Featured Homes

Courtesy Oakhurst Real Estate

Fabulous Home and Ranch Near Bass Lake

"Friendship Ranch" is 478+/- acres between Oakhurst and Bass Lake. Absolutely lush, gorgeous property with large spring fed lake among the pines, cedars, oaks, meadows, woods and Nelder Creek runs through the property. Views of the High Sierra, overlooks Oakhurst towards the coastal range. The home is approx. 3000SF, 3BR, 2BA, living room and den each with fireplace and decks that overlook the year round lake. Elevations range from 3,000FT to approx. 3600SF. There are six wells on the property, 4 in operation, plus 2 developed springs and 350+ gal artesian which flows into the lake. There is a large barn, corrals and arenas. Two tax parcels, partial seller financing. This property has been in the family since 1955 and has it all.

 $4,500,000

Click Here to View Listings and additional pictures

ALSO

Great Horse Property near Raymond, California

$599,500

Click Here to View Listings

Beautiful log home atop a gentle knoll on 47 plus acres. Fenced and cross fenced A great horse property with barn, workshop, storage

Building, Country charm, and two wells.

EdBaileyRealtor.com

Search all MLS Listings (Without having to register), in southern Yosemite area at: 

http://www.idxlisting.net/ygaor/edbaileyrealtor/search.asp

ALSO

Large, Beautiful, Mountain Home in Fish Camp –  Two Miles From Yosemite National Park – 20 minutes from Bass Lake

Asking Price has been reduced by $100,000!!! to $659,000!!!

  Must see to appreciate.

Home has 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, decks on two levels, year around stream, and lot’s of great features

  Click here to see Visual Tour

ALSO

                           Great Horse Property on Grub Gulch Road 600 – Near Raymond

$599,500

This beautiful 1700+ square home of rich wood, wood, and more wood inside and out, is atop a gentle knoll with views, views, and more views.  It is on 47+ acres of great horse property with plenty of stalls and cross fencing, plus lots of storage, a large workshop and 2 wells. 

For information and/or an appointment to see this ranching area treasure, call Ed Bailey, Broker Associate, Oakhurst Real Estate. (559)676-2424 or send e-mail to    Ed@EdBaileyRealtor.com

ALSO

Charming Rustic Mountain Home in Historic Sugar Pine

Reduced to $215,000  

       Virtual Tour  http://www.tourfactory.com/s385335

Peaceful tri-level home in historic Sugar Pine. Originally built in 1920s, since then, many improvements have been made. Wonderful deck to enjoy the mountain air and scenery. Backyard has water feature and outdoor fireplace for roasting marshmallows, tri-tips, or for intimate social gatherings. Third bedroom/bath (studio apartment) addition not permitted but  built by local contractor. "Secret room" could be used as fourth bedroom perhaps or for storage or an office. (Both apartment and secret room not included in square footage.) Submit all offers.

                                                                                                  ALSO

Great Horse Property in North Fork

Reduced to $339,000 MLS#53417*

Virtual Tour http://www.tourfactory.com/s384811 *

*

This amazing horse property in North Fork has beautiful local and distant views. Property is fenced and cross fenced with barn and stalls.  Remodeled home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2-car garage. New laminate flooring with other upgrades. Home has air conditioning, double-pane windows, and ceiling fans.

• Near the Scenic Town of North Fork, in the Central Sierra Foothills! 
• 5.66 usable Acres, A Good Well, and Close In.
• Ten minutes from Bass Lake
• 25 minutes from Yosemite National Park Gate
• 20 Minutes from Major Supermarkets and other Shopping in Oakhurst

• Privacy, Views, Fencing, Barn with 2 Stalls and a Hay/Tack Room

• Newly Remodeled and Upgraded Three Bedroom, Two Bath Single Level Home. 
• It’s Good Country Living and it is Family Ready, for just $369,000.

For More Information of for a Viewing Call Ed Bailey, Oakhurst Real Estate, at (559)676-2424, or Toll Free (888)683-5193

Note:  To search ALL active listings in Yosemite Gateway MLS, WITHOUT having to register, go to:   http://www.idxlisting.net/ygaor/edbaileyrealtor/search.asp

 tp://www.visionacademy.org/ http://www.visionacademy.org/ http://www.visionacademy.org/ http://www.visionacademy.org/ http://www.visionacademy.org/ http://www.visionacademy.org/of art in our Sierra Mountain community

 Did You Know?

You can read reviews of Mountain area restaurants, and even rate them yourself.  Just go to http://oakhurstrestaurants.com/     You can also click here to Download Mountain Menus!

You can get top quality Beginning Piano and/or Voice Lessons in Oakhurst.  UCLA educated teacher, 25 years experience, with great references.  Call Sheila at 642-4329

Just Listed - You can receive the last seven days home listings, whenever you wish, showing all homes that have been listed in Yosemite Gateway MLS in the last week, along with a link to pictures and detailed information about each of them.  Just send your e-mail address to EdBailey@sti.net or call me at (559)676-2424.  It’s FREE!

You can receive list of all homes sold through our local MLS during the previous calendar month showing addresses and purchase prices.  Just send me an e-mail address.  It’s FREE!

If a move is in your near future let me make it a little less stressful for you.  I will be happy to send you a free 39 item checklist of smart things to do; (1) before the move, (2) on moving day, and (3) after the move.  Just give me a telephone call at 559-313-1081 or send an e-mail request to: edb@EdBaileyRealtor.com.

You can find out how much your home is worth, for FREE (without giving your life story to an internet based “lead generator” company) Get a local Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) with no obligation or commitment on your part.  Find out what homes similar to yours have recently sold for, what sellers are asking for similar homes on the current market, and asking prices for listings that have expired without selling. Just go to:  http://www.edbaileyrealtor.com/sellers.html and fill in information.

Are you or Your Friends Looking for a “Home for Sale” in the Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Ahwahnee, Coarsegold, North Fork, Raymond, or Mariposa area?  Refer them to a listing of all real estate, land and homes for sale in our mountain area.  Just go to: http://www.edbaileyrealtor.com/search.asp

Share with Us

Do you have a question about our Oakhurst area?  Do you have a real estate question?

Do you have a suggestion for additional features in this newsletter?  Send me your thoughts and your ideas.

Also tell us, in 50 words or less, what you consider the most interesting of our Mountain Treasures, and why.  Examples of Mountain Treasures:  Timberline Gallery; Sierra Mono Museum; Mariposa County Courthouse; the Wild, Wonderful, King Museum (vintage clothing);  the Children's Museum of the Sierra; Fresno Flats Historical Park; the California State Mining and Minerals Museum in Mariposa; Sierra Scenic Bypass; the Little Church on the Hill; the Talking Bear; Sierra Art Trails; the Elegant Auction; Heritage Days; the Fall Arts and Music Festival; the Loggers Jamboree; the Coarsegold Rodeo; the Christmas Tree Auction; the Honorary Mayor Contest; the Wild, Wonderful Chocolate Festival; Jazz on the Lake; the Bass Lake Fishing Derby; the Mountain Bear "Angels Amongst Us" Annual Awards Dinner; The Wall of Heroes Annual Awards Dinner; or name your own Mountain Treasure.  E-mail it to: Ed@EdBaileyRealtor.comt. You may call us at 559-683-5193 or toll free at 888-683-5193.

Yosemite Gateway Links:

http://www.oakhurstchamber.com/

www.sierratel.com/timberline

http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/

http://www.oakhurstrealestate.net

http://www.oakhurstrealestate.us

http://www.oakhurstrealestate.org

http://www.oakhurstrealestate.info 

http://www.goldenchaintheatre.org

http://www.timberlinegallery.com

http://www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org

http://www.yosemitehs.com

http://www.ygaor.com

http://www.galwest.com

http://www.historichighway49.com

http://www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org/membership.html

Bass Lake Real Estate

Coarsegold Real Estate

Mariposa Real Estate

North Fork Real Estate

Oakhurst Real Estate