REAL ESTATE NEWS
10 Investigative Questions to Ask a Home Seller
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Questions to ask a home seller include: Why are they selling? And how long has the home been on the market?
- What did they pay for the home? And what’s included in the sale?
- Any nuisances or hazards (traffic congestion, noise, crime, or problem neighbors, natural hazards, or lead-based paint)?
- What’s the age and condition of parts of the house (i.e., roof)? And any major repairs or renovations and if so, when and by who?
- What did they love about the home, neighborhood, and community?
10 Expenses of Home Ownership You Need to Know
Are you thinking about taking the plunge into homeownership for the first time? Becoming a homeowner can be an excellent decision for many Americans. Not only does owning a home have several advantages over renting, but it can also be a great way to build wealth over time.
In many housing markets around the U.S., real estate agents tell prospective buyers that owning a home is cheaper than renting a comparable property. And, that’s often true, in terms of your mortgage payment versus the amount you would otherwise pay for rent. However, the mortgage payment is just one of expense that you need to know about, and there can be other hidden costs. With that in mind, here are 10 potential one-time and ongoing costs of owning a home that you need to be prepared for before you start shopping.
More Than a Mortgage: The Cost of Owning a Home
Your mortgage payment is only one portion of the overall cost of owning a home. Beyond that large expense, there are still many additional ones you’ll need to budget for, if you’re planning to buy a house.
Want to make sure you’re financially prepared to be a homeowner? Here are the costs you’ll need to know about.
Key Takeaways
- When you buy a home, you should expect to pay certain costs upfront, including fees, your taxes, and your down payment.
- Once you’ve closed on the house, you may be required to pay insurance, taxes, private mortgage insurance, or homeowner’s association fees in addition to your monthly mortgage payments.
- You should also be prepared to pay for utilities, home maintenance, and unexpected repairs.
Ralene Nelson, REALTOR®
JUST LISTED – 731 Turnberry Ter Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1410 sq ft

$439,900 – NO BONDS-Spinnaker model with private backyard. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home feels like a very relaxing cottage for a retirement home. The patio provides a quiet place for morning coffee & afternoon beverage. Den has built-in book/curio shelves & bay window. The Master bedroom has a bay window, which creates room for a sitting area. New hot water heater. Enjoy amenities such as golf, tennis, bocce, pools/spas & a new gym, and more. READ MORE
OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 1:30 – 3:30pm
FOR SALE – 404 Riverwood Ln. Rio Vista, 2bd/2bth/1391sf

$455,000 – Big Sur model & no rear neighbors!! Located in the Active Adult Community, Trilogy. Relax in this lovely backyard & watch the wild life. 2 bedrooms/2 full baths and den with double doors. Both master bedroom and den have bay windows that provides a more open feeling. Master bath has walk in shower & closet, double sinks, white tile counters, Dark kitchen cabinets, Corian counters w/tile backsplash, black appliances & tile floor. Stove is electric, however, is plumbed for natural gas. The dining area overlooks the backyard. Patio with all weather cover, great for BBQ in the rain. Garage has storage cabinets. Just bring your furniture and enjoy the activities, tennis, bocce, new gym, 2 pools & spas. READ MORE
OPEN HOUSE Saturday 12:00 – 3:00pm
FOR SALE – 718 Allender Wy. Rio Vista, 3 bd/2 bth/1346sf
OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 1:30 – 3:30pm
FOR SALE – 829 Waterwood Dr, Rio Vista, 2bds/3.5bths/2,486sf
READ MORE
FOR SALE – 147 Gardiner Way, Rio Vista
3bd/2bth/1531sf

$550,000 – Custom Craftsman Cottage, w/detached carport, 70 ft driveway, workshop & studio on a shy 1/4 acre lot. 3 bedroom, possibly 4, with 2 baths, painted in vibrant colors. Laminate floors & white blinds brings out the artsy homeowner. Kitchen has painted cabinets & bead board walls/backsplash, Corian counters with added cabinetry. Main bath has a stall tile shower & separate tub, quartz counters with white cabinets. 2 bedrooms have built-in cabinets & new laminate floors/fans. The family room can be the 4th bedroom/bath also has a tiled shower. FM also has a wood burning stove w/built-ins. Sunroom can be a great entertaining spot along with the large patio that has room for a built in kitchen/BBQ. The workshop has wall air conditioner, dark room with grey water sink. The She craft/studio room can be utilized for crafting or potting area. Homeowner has built numerous planter boxes for the gardener. YES, room for your RV/toys, carport with garage door. Don’t pass up this home!! READ MORE
FOR SALE – 125 Sequoia Ct. Rio Vista, 4 bds/2 bths/1,422sf

Asking $485,000. Are you looking to move to a little country town? Well look no further, Rio Vista, located on the Sacramento River, offers the old fashion town with parades and is even known for the Bass Derby. This 4 bedroom & 2 bath home located in a cul-de-sac provides that country feel. This home was renovated in 2019 with cabinetry, granite counters, laminate floors, and HVAC. Bring your water toys!! READ MORE
FOR SALE – 30 S 2nd St. Rio Vista
Residence and Commercial Building
Price Change $655,000 – Are you looking for a home and in need of a business space? Or perhaps a home with a possibility of in-law quarters? This home might meet those requirements. Victorian style home with partial wrap-around porch provides a cozy place for morning coffee or afternoon beverage. 2 bedrooms up with 1.5 baths on the main floor. The possible room upstairs to add at a minimum 1/2 bath. Laminate flooring on the main floor with carpeted stairway & in bedrooms. HVAC & tankless water heater with inside laundry. 2nd building has been used as a commercial, however, could be added onto & remodeled to be ADU/2nd unit. READ MORE
Events in Northern California this Week-End
Taste of the Delta
August 6 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
-
Village West Marina, 6649 Embarcadero Dr, Stockton
Taste of the Delta is back! This is the premier wine and food tasting event in the Delta region. With artisan goods, fine wines, restaurants and other vendors, your tastes are sure to be delighted.
If you want to participate as a winery, brewery, restaurant, or vendor please send an email to info@californiadelta.org.
$45 in advance/$50 at the door! Ticket includes Souvenir Glass. MORE INFO
Backstreet Boys Sacramento
Sat, Aug 6, 7 PM – Mon, Aug 8, 10 PM

Backstreet Boys Live in Sacramento, California! Backstreet Boys are back for The DNA World Tour in 2022! Find tickets today! #BackstreetBoys. MORE INFO
Gem Faire, Sacramento
Fri, Aug 5, 12 PM – Sun, Aug 7, 5 PM
Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H St, Sacramento
“The Gems & Jewellery Industry Trade Show”
The Gem Faire – Sacramento is one of the most comprehensive jewels and gem shows in the world. The event features a variety of gems, beads, and jewels from all across the globe based on the latest trends and innovative ideas, and technologies. The vendors and exhibitors offer quality merchandise at an economic price rate. The exhibitors can make use of their advantages like lower-priced booths, free booths set up on a professional platform, and earn high-profit rates. The visitors can attend various competitions and shows that feature gems and beads based on current trends from different parts of the world. MORE INFO
2022 Concord Jazz Festival: Jazz In The Park
Sat, Aug 6, 1 – 4 PM
Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Rd, Concord
Celebrate Concord’s 50+ year jazz legacy with Take 5 – five days of special jazz performances and events at different locations around town.
Jazz in the Park on Saturday, August 6th, 12:00-4:00 pm Todos Santos Plaza will feature Bay Area jazz artists, Howard Wiley, Chaz Gunter & Brian Ho Trio.
Enjoy an array of delicious food trucks and 25+ retail vendors brought to you by Wiggins Events.
The marketplace and food trucks open at 12 pm, and music starts at 1 pm.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL AGES WELCOME. MORE INFO
12th Annual Modstock Music Festival
Sun, Aug 7, 10 AM – 8 PM
Graceada Park – 401 Needham St, Modesto
The 12th annual Modstock Music Festival sponsored by Robert‘s auto sales and presented by the Valley Music Institute. Three stages and over 75 bands. 50+ VMI student bands at the Mancini bowl, a dozen of the area’s very best and most popular probands on the proband stage, and another dozen pro and up-and-coming bands on the gazebo stage. The whole day ends with Journey Revisited at the bowl at 7:15 PM. Tons of vendors, all types, tons of food, and an earth day meets rock ‘n’ roll carnival atmosphere for the whole family. Totally free, the award-winning Modstock music festival has become a Modesto tradition for end-of-summer fun! MORE INFO