Retired, Who Me??

Yes, I am retired from real estate sales, but I am busier than ever!  Who knew “retirement” could be this much fun?

Since moving to Tulsa in August, 2014, I have become a Gillie volunteer at the famous Gilcrease Museum. I am playing bridge at every opportunity offered!  I meet monthly with a genealogy group, learning more about my ancestors.  My husband and I are in a group playing Mexican Train once a month, and I play “Hand & Foot” (a canasta off-shoot) and Bunco once a month.  I can go to movies whenever I want to, and the same with going to the library, reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, attending lectures, etc.  Did I mention I love cards and games?? 🙂

This month, my husband and I traveled to New York City for my youngest son’s wedding! We were there 6  days, and enjoyed lots of activities, including the beautiful wedding itself — and now we have a beautiful new daughter-in-law!  My sister came home with us and spent 10 days!  I no longer need to balance my busy real estate career with having company — how sweet is that!

Over the past year and a half, I have continued to help past clients and friends in the Santa Maria Valley with their real estate needs, by connecting them to good local agents!  I would be happy to help anyone with real estate questions, so don’t hesitate to ask!

My email address is still DAnn@DAnnBartley.com, or you can reach me by phone or text at: (805)934-3370.

Whether retired or still working, make the most of each day, and keep smiling!!!

California Real Estate, Reported from Oklahoma!

Can’t tell you a thing about Tulsa, OK real estate activity, but I can still report on California’s market! Here is a graphic depicting the average sales price across 3 regions of the state, from November 2014 – January 2015. My former market area of the Central Coast is not reflected here, but is closer to the Southern California figures than the Central Valley.  So, folks, I may be retired, but my interest in real estate will never end, and if the libraries in Tulsa ever close, I may have to get in line for a real estate license….:-)

A Note from Retirement!

You may have reached this blog by mistake, but if by chance you came intentionally, please bear in mind that all statistical information regarding the real estate market in Santa Maria, CA is dated and currently inaccurate, as it was written prior to my departure in July, 2014. Also, I can no longer be reached at (805)937-5777, my former business number that is often shown within the posts. That number does not belong to me now.

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and am enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle, although I certainly find myself missing the challenges of the real estate world! I am in close contact with colleagues in Santa Maria, so if you need the services of a good real estate professional, please let me know via email (DAnn@DAnnBartley.com) and I will get you to the right person! In fact, not just in Santa Maria or on the Central Coast, but anywhere in the United States! I have always enjoyed a large network of Realtors across the country, and am happy to help you find the perfect fit, no matter your destination.

Halloween is Coming Soon!

Here’s a warning for you! 🙂

Just Can’t Help Myself

Once an agent, always an agent; it is just in my blood!  I can’t resist checking out the stats for the Santa Maria Valley one more time,  even though I am now in Oklahoma!  I have been wondering how the first six months of 2014 played out vs. the same time period in 2013, so here is a handy chart showing some neat data!

 

 

 

The following chart shows the same information: for sale, sold and pending sales, but for a larger time frame: from January 2013 through July 2014, so you can see the bigger picture.  Inventory literally doubled over the past year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pending sales are up, and those sales should be closing in August and September, considering most escrows close in 45-60 days.  It does seem as though the Santa Maria market has stabilized, with buyers finally having choices again, and sellers being able to move on.  The Tulsa market is quite different, at least from this newcomer’s viewpoint, and folks do not see huge gains in appreciation the way Californians so often do.  In fact, it seems to me like 5% is a lot.  So those of you on the beautiful Central Coast — appreciate what you have, or if a buyer, appreciate what you can have and don’t stress so much over a little up and down movement in the market — it will all even out eventually!

It’s True!

For over 28 years I dedicated myself to helping people buy and sell homes, and could never have asked for a more enjoyable and rewarding career!  Now I am on an exciting new path, heading into the great unknown with a sense of adventure and joy!  My husband and I have relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the heart of the Midwest and just south of my home state of Kansas.  I feel right at home here, and once we settle in and have our new house just the way we want it — we will have plenty of time to explore the beautiful country surrounding us.  You see, we have retired!!

I hope to finally have time to do some things I’m passionate about, and one of those things would be volunteer work with animals.  I’d also like to take up bridge again, and my husband and I will enjoy fishing in the many lakes around Tulsa!

Some traveling too, as there are lots of friends to visit in Topeka, where I grew up and graduated from high school, and plenty of cousins in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois too!

And don’t worry, all of my Cali friends who know how devoted I am to the Lakers — as soon as I know the schedule, I’ll buy my tickets to the Thunder-Lakers game when they play in Oklahoma City!!!

So I will no longer be practicing real estate in the beautiful Santa Maria Valley, but I will be happy to refer you to a good agent who is, or if you need a lender or if you want to know who cleans windows or carpets, or does good tile work or roofing — whatever you need, please feel free to call or email.  My email address will remain the same: DAnn@DAnnBartley.com.  My phone: 805-260-5228.

Stay in touch!  Meet you on Facebook!  Check back here too, I may keep posting just for fun!!!

Happy Birthday America!

Have a wonderful 4th of July holiday, drive safely, have fun, drink responsibly if at all, and remember to take good care of your furry family members today — they don’t appreciate fireworks like humans do!

And if you see a veteran, please thank him or her for serving our beautiful country!

Preparing for the 4th of July!

One of the most exciting and festive American holidays is coming up this week, and I happened across this scrumptious looking dessert that even looks healthy! Easy to fix and carry, it should be a big hit with my family while watching the fireworks at the Santa Ynez Mission!  No recipe required — my kind of “cooking”!!

Please remember that our pets can suffer terribly from the many fireworks displays, legal and non-legal — many neighborhoods have private, small events that can frighten pets just as much as the huge elaborate displays.  Please be a responsible pet-parent!

What Do Buyers Want?

Here is a visual from the California Association of REALTORS® and sellers should be aware!

Santa Maria – Orcutt Monday Market Update

Sales activity was up last week, and at the mid-June point, it would be wonderful of this trend continued into July.  July is usually a busy month, with buyers hoping to get settled into a new home before the school year starts, assuming they have children…  In any case, the local market continues to recover at a solid pace, with no radical changes to upset the cart either way.  Prices are steadily rising, however cautiously, so if you are on the fence you may want to check in with your lender, get an update on your ability to buy, and go forward to a purchase.  Sooner or later, if you don’t act, you will regret it — you may be priced out of the market altogether.

2014

 

 

 

2013

 

 

Compared to last year’s activity in June, prices are higher now, but sales are down from 33 going into escrow to 20 this year.

Don’t be left behind!  Whether buying or selling, give me a call and let’s plan for your success!  (805)937-5777 or complete the Contact form below.