You do. Development might be a dirty word, but it’s what pays for society. In a way, we’re all developers, anyone who improves property. Property tax is based on value property owners create. Municipalities hit developers, whether individuals or corporations, with fees and mitigation requirements, and the cost of those are passed directly to the buyer, not only in the sale price, but also over and over in annual property taxes. It’s redistribution of wealth, in another disguise. Property owners and property developers pay for the local amenities all of us use: roads, schools and colleges, hospitals, emergency services, telecom,
Read More

People buy houses while laughing, talking, listening to music, cruising in their car, on the treadmill, watching movies in bed, waiting for their Starbucks. They shop before they engage a real estate agent, to learn about the market, prices, and availability. They check Open Houses, then zero in on what they want and can afford. You knew that. But did you know where they go to do it, what website? Of course, you knew Zillow and Trulia. But did you know, more people look to Coldwell Banker? It is the leading real estate website. 43 million sets of eyes in
Read More

As residential Realtors, we trade in The New Black, The Modern Farmhouse, Contemporary Craftsman, Minimal, Agrarian, Barn Redux, and other marketing tags. I understand the need to describe and distinguish. But I genuinely appreciate this example in which residential and commercial architecture blur in the Napa Valley. These rural ag silhouettes don’t need labels . . . this place making, pedestrian friendly project in Yountville speaks for itself. The newly approved Washington Street design for Handwritten Wines creates public space and commercial retail, office, and apartment spaces in buildings that connect to and are informed by their surroundings. It invites
Read More

As residential Realtors, we trade in The New Black, The Modern Farmhouse, Contemporary Craftsman, Minimal, Agrarian, Barn Redux, and other marketing tags. I understand the need to describe and distinguish. But I genuinely appreciate this example in which residential and commercial architecture blur in the Napa Valley. These rural ag silhouettes don’t need labels . . . this place making, pedestrian friendly project in Yountville speaks for itself. The newly approved Washington Street design for Handwritten Wines creates public space and commercial retail, office, and apartment spaces in buildings that connect to and are informed by their surroundings. It invites
Read More