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Benicia was named in honor of the wife of General Mariano Vallejo, Francisca Maria Felipa Benicia Carillo de Vallejo. General Vallejo was Mexico's last Comandante General of the Free State of Alta California. He had intended that the city is named "Francisca," but this name was dropped when the former city of "Yerba Buena" changed its name to "San Francisco."

A Town that Can't Keep a Secret

In 1848, Charles Bennett, a carpenter who worked at Sutter's Mill, and a companion, stopped at a hotel on their way to Monterey. They entered the store in the midst of a discussion about how lucky the man who discovered coal in California would be. Bennett boasted: "Coal! I've got something here that will beat coal and make this the greatest country in the world!" He then spilled out on the counter approximately four ounces of gold nuggets. With the secret out, Benicia quickly emptied of all able-bodied men.

"One of California's "Wandering Capitals"

Benicia served as the state capital for nearly 13 months from 1853 to 1854 (Monterey, San Jose and Vallejo also took turns until the seat of California government finally settled in Sacramento). Benicia's beautiful waterfront creates an air of mystery and romance as you walk along the First Street Promenade and imagine a time when robust maritime commerce filled the shoreline with bustling activity and a bit of intrigue.

As the former site of shipyards, tanneries, canneries and a ferry terminal, Benicia has seen its share of salty, nautical characters living and working along its waterfront. Jack London, who once fished the Strait near Benicia, used some of the lore surrounding the waterfront in Benicia as literary fodder. A marker at the foot of First Street recognizes Jack London as "The author who immortalized this locality in John Barleycorn and Tales of the Fish Patrol."

Today, Benicia's waterfront location remains one of the city's greatest attractions. The shoreline of the Carquinez Strait is the exclamation point to the beautiful, quaint downtown. Stroll the Promenade to the pier for bridge to bridge views and see fishermen, watercraft from sailboats to large ships, kite surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers, outriggers, and abundant wildlife. There's even a dog-friendly beach! And their human friends can get their feet wet, too! Aside from its spectacular vistas, the waterfront area is full of fun things to do, from the Benicia State Recreation Area to the Benicia Marina. Of Benicia's more than 20 parks, three are along the waterfront so you can enjoy picnicking and fishing. The Alvarez West Ninth Street Park (at West K Street) is a favorite for families and boaters. The park includes a public boat launch, playground, small beach and three kayak/canoe put-ins. The area is also part of the San Francisco Bay Trail System and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail.

I see home as more than a house, so I approach real estate as more than a transaction. It's how I build relationships - by making people feel happy and confident about the biggest investment of their lives. This is more than our profession; it's my passion because my family never forgets how much home truly means to you and your family. So when you're ready for your next moment or your next adventure, call me, I'll help you get there.

OUR BUYING PROCESS

✓ DECIDING TO BUY

Purchasing a property is most likely the biggest financial decision you will ever make. Whether this is your first purchase or you are an experienced buyer, this decision must be made carefully.

Why Do You Want To Buy?

Are you tired of paying rent? Have you decided to pay your own mortgage and not your landlord's? Have you outgrown your current home? Are you looking for an investment portfolio? Are you looking for a rental property? Would you like a larger yard? Would you rather live in a different area? Do you want to shorten your commute? Having a clear sense of your reasons for buying will help you choose the right property.

Has Your Income Grown?

Property ownership is an excellent investment; whether you are looking for your dream home, a rental property, or to expand your investment portfolio. Owning real estate is one of the least risky ways to build equity or to obtain a greater return on your initial investment.

✓ PREPARING TO BUY

Before you start shopping for your property, it is a good idea to make some preparations.

Build Your Green File

A green file contains all your important financial documents. You will need it to secure financing for your property. The typical green file should contain:

✓ Financial statements

✓ Bank accounts

✓ Investments

✓ Credit cards

✓ Auto loans

✓ Recent pay stubs

✓ Tax returns for two years

✓ Copies of leases for investment properties

✓ 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information.

Check Your Credit Rating

Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy, and at what price. It is recommended to first check your credit rating with an experienced lending institution so that we can determine what you can afford. The lender will research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. We will be happy to recommend experienced, knowledgeable lenders in the residential, construction, commercial and investment real estate fields.

Be Careful With Your Finances

Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.

✓ CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Buying a property requires many important financial decisions, understanding complex issues and completing a lot of paperwork. It helps to have an expert in your corner when undertaking such a large purchase. We can guide you through this process, and also provide you with access to property listings before they hit the general market.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing your real estate professional:

- Look for a full-time agent - one who has experience completing transactions similar to yours.

- Interview a few agents: Are they familiar with the area in which you are interested?

- Ask how much time the agent will have for you, and if they are available at night and on weekends.

- Ask about their credentials and education: A good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends and hold the highest designations in their respective fields of expertise.

- Does the agent return your calls promptly? Time is money when attempting to buy a property.

- Ask for a list of properties they have sold or a list of references.

- Choose an agent who listens attentively to your needs and concerns. Pick an agent, with whom you feel comfortable.

✓ TIME TO GO SHOPPING

Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the right property for you.

Take a Drive

Get to know the neighborhoods, complexes, or subdivisions that interest you. Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in the area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas.

Narrow Your Search

Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long term resale value of the properties you are considering.

Time to Buy

Once you have picked out the property you want to purchase, your real estate agent can help you make an offer that the seller will accept. A good agent will investigate the potential costs and expenses associated with the new property. An agent can also help you draft your offer in a way that gives you the advantage over another offer.

✓ ESCROW INSPECTIONS & APPRAISALS

The Process, Step-by-Step

The Initial Agreement and Deposit

An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property's seller.

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process:

- Keep written records of everything. For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums and to convert them into written agreements to be signed by both parties. We will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your purchase and make sure that you have copies of everything.

- Stick to the schedule. Now that you have chosen your offer, you and the seller will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations so that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated, so you will always be prepared for the next step.

The Closing Agent

Either a title company or an attorney will be selected as a closing agent. The closing agent will hold the deposit in escrow and will research the complete recorded history of the property to ensure that the title is free and clear of encumbrances by the date of closing and that all new encumbrances are properly added to the title. Some properties are subject to restrictions which limit various activities such as building or parking restrictions. There may be recorded easements and encroachments, which limit the rights to use your property.

How to Hold Title

You may wish to consult an attorney or tax advisor on the best way to hold title. Different methods of holding title have different legal, estate and tax implications, especially when selling or upon death of the title holder.

Inspections

Once your offer is accepted by the seller, you will need to have a licensed property inspector inspect the property within the time frame that was agreed upon in the effective contract to purchase. You may elect to have different inspectors inspect the property, if you wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area (eg. roof, HVAC, structure). If you are purchasing a commercial property, then you will need to have an environmental audit done on the site for the lending institution. We can recommend several different inspectors.

Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:

1. Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the close, or

2. The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price).

Appraisal and Lending

It is imperative that you keep in close communication with your lender, who will let you know when additional documents are needed to approve your loan application and fund your loan. If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution, via a third party. This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate. Appraisers are specialists in determining the value of properties, based on a combination of square footage measurements, building costs, recent sales of comparable properties, operating income, etc. When you are within two weeks of closing, double check with your lender to be sure the loan will go through smoothly and on time.

Association Approval

If the property that you are purchasing is conditional upon an association approval, request the rules, regulations, and other important documents from the seller as soon as you have an effective agreement to purchase. Make sure that the application documents and processing fees are submitted to the appropriate person at the association by the required time. Fill out all of the information completely and legibly so there is no delay in processing the application. If you are required to meet with the association for your approval, make an appointment as soon as possible for the interview. Most associations require a certificate of approval before move-in. Your closing agent will request that the original copy of this approval letter be brought to the closing, so that it can be recorded with the deed in the county public records.

Property Insurance

If you are obtaining a loan, you will be required by your lender to purchase a certain amount of insurance on the property. The value will depend on the lending institution and the purchase price of the property. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year on homeowners insurance by shopping around for insurance. You can also save money with these tips.

- Consider a higher deductible. Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your premium.

- Ask your insurance agent about discounts. You may be able get a lower premium if your home has safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, an alarm system, storm shutters or fire-retardant roofing materials. Persons over 55 years of age or long-term customers may also be offered discounts.

- Insure your house NOT the land under it. After a disaster, the land is still there. If you do not subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner's insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.

We will be happy to recommend experienced knowledgeable insurance agents for every property type.

✓ MOVING IN

Closing Day

If you have come this far, then this means that it is almost time for a congratulations, but not yet. Do not forget to tie up these loose ends:

Final Walk-Through Inspection

More of a formality than anything else, the final inspection takes place a day before, or the day of the closing. You will visit the property to verify that all is in working order, everything is the same as when you last viewed the property, that there are no extra items left behind, and that everything included in your purchase is still at the property.

Home Services and Utilities

We will provide a list of useful numbers for the activation of home services and utilities after the closing occurs.

Be Prepared

We are ready to assist you should an unforeseen glitch pop up, even at this last stage. Something at the property breaks down, or some other minor detail - no need to worry. We have encountered these problems before so we know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress-free manner.

Closing

The closing agent will furnish all parties involved with a settlement statement, which summarizes and details the financial transactions enacted in the process. You and the seller(s) will sign this statement, as well as the closing agent, certifying its accuracy. If you are obtaining financing, you will have to sign all pertinent documentation required by the lending institution. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing, arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and the notice that we receive. If you are bringing funds to the transaction, you can elect to either have the funds wired electronically into the closing agent's escrow account, or bring a certified bank check to the closing in the amount specified on the settlement statement. The seller should arrange to have all property keys and any other important information for you at the closing so that you may receive these items at this time.

I value 1:1 relationships and have the utmost respect for the work we do together. I love working collaboratively with you to achieve your goals. I am committed to transparency and integrity. Using my professional experience and motivated enthusiasm, I will work step-by-step with you to achieve the outcome you're seeking by developing a tailored marketing plan, briefly outlined below.

Every Home Has A Story...

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS

Wherever you're going... I'll get you there!

I see home as more than a house, so I approach real estate as more than a transaction. It’s how I build relationships – by making people feel happy and confident about the biggest investment of their lives. This is more than a profession; it’s my passion because my family never forgets how much home truly means to you and your family. So when you’re ready for your next moment or your next adventure, call me. I'll help you get there.

OUR

PHILOSOPHY

Better companies make better communities.

We believe our business has a responsibility to serve, connect, grow and protect the communities we operate in.

OUR VALUES

Independence is worth preserving. Our independence matters more than our size. It allows us to prioritize our community involvement and better serve our agents and clients.

Social impact at the center.
Everything we do has a cause and effect. We maintain a responsibility to contribute to every community in which we operate.

Communities over shareholders.
If our business has to grow at the expense of the communities around us, it isn't worth it. It is important to us to continually invest in building community.

Growth for the sake of bigger impact.
We grow our business to become a stronger, independent network of individuals who benefit as a result of more resources.

TESTIMONIALS

Raving Fans...

"Alison went above and beyond! This process can be exciting and stressful all in one. When something needed to be done, she was there to point us in the right direction or took the initiative and set things up herself with the contacts she had, taking the stress off of my husband & I. Her knowledge and expertise is apparent and much appreciated. Alison listens to what her clients needs and cares that those needs are met. If you are selling your home or looking to purchase, I recommend Alison 100%"
-zuser20140608172203930 - Seller

"Alison did an incredible job getting us into our home! We were anxious buyers and when we found a home we loved, she played a vital role in talking us through our options, drafting and explaining our offer and also being a guide every step of the way throughout the escrow process. She was extremely responsive, and any time we had a question or a concern, she was immediately in touch with us (I don't think it ever took longer than 10 minutes to get a response, weekday or weekend)! I cannot imagine going through this roller coaster process with any other realtor. She is passionate about her job, extremely trustworthy when it comes to pointing out the pros and cons of properties, and reliable in helping to close the deal. On top of that, she is a fun person with a great personality so if you're going to be spending lots of time checking out properties, why not work with someone you like to be around? She's a gem of a realtor and I can't recommend her enough!"
-katie Copeland - Buyer

"Alison is a dedicated realtor that has always been there for us and helped us through our buying and selling and has also helped my mom sell my parnets place during a very difficult time for our family. We have always felt we have been in the best hands we could be in for all of our real estate transactions. She is very honest about what does and don't you should do and very resortful on anything that needs looking into. She has never let us down, we have always felt we have been in the best hands with Alison."
-sweetydtweety, Bought and Sold a home

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