(watch here for updates on the state of the LOCAL Sonoma County Marketplace, thoughts trends.....)

I know it has been months not weeks since I last updated this column however NOTHING much had change including the dreary cold wet weather. But alas, the sun has returned, temperatures are climbing, everything is in bloom and its is gorgeous in the West Sonoma County. I finally feel safe crawling out from winter shelter to enjoy the wonderful California weather we are suppose to have ALL the time!

Enough of my belly aching about the weather- what about real estate! RATES are still low and with the FED now openly expressing concern about DEFLATION (not inflation), rates are likely to drift even lower over the summer- unbeleivable! Unfortunately, from my vantage point cost seem to be rising not deflating- average housing prices continue to climb, gas, utilities, California taxes......oh well. The entry and middle tier of the housing market in Sonoma County remains very strong and competitive however the top end is dead- only the sellers don't want to admit it. Prices are beginning to be reduced but Sellers always lag the market- but as homes priced over $1,000,000 sit on the market month after month- sellers are gradually waking up.

Low rates continue to fuel the movement of renters into housing which is why there is still such strength to the entry level market and why those prices continue to climb so don't delay because the entry sector is only going to get more expensive.