Sheetrock cracks in new homes can mean bigger things
Q: Last year I purchased a brand new home in a new subdi vision in Fairfield. Shortly after I moved in, I began to notice cracks appearing in the inte rior walls. I called the builder who sent repairmen out. They re-taped and patched the cracks and touched up the paint. However, six months later, the same cracks reappeared. Again the builder sent people to make repairs. Now it’s happening again. This shouldn’t be hap pening in an almost brand new home. I’m concerned something is wrong with the house and/or the builder just isn’t very good and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m afraid that if I just keep getting the cracks patched over and over again that someday I’ll call and the builder will just tell me the warranty has expired. What should I do?
A: First of all, you’re right. While cracks in the sheetrock are normal to a certain extent, cracks that appear in new construction often signal structural problems.
In fact, cracks in the sheetrock can be so significant that Realtors are required by law to inspect the home and flag any cracks, particularly around doorways and windows.
Before a home can be built the builder must prepare the building pad, which is really just a nice name for the dirt. There’s an entire science behind evaluating the type of dirt, whether or not there are contaminants such as organic material, how naturally compacted it is, and many other things.
Once the analysis is made by an engineer, a plan is put into
place to manipulate the soil so it provides a firm and long term
home. Additionally, the analysisdation should be built under the
ment which, as you can imagine, just like anything else, can have normal settling and will soon stop. Or they could also be a precursor to major problems such as a damaged foundation or moving dirt.
Frankly, I’m impressed that the builder moved quickly to repair the defects each time you reported them. Hopefully, this is a sign that you purchased from a builder who takes pride in his work and in the satisfaction of his customers.
If the foundation is indeed shifting, it is a serious, i.e. expensive, problem. You need to begin forcing the issue. Make a demand, in writing, to the builder that he hire an independent engineer to make an inspection of your home and render a report. The builder
Jones, Page 6
Tim Jones
SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE
21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passes
Sens. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, co-authored this bill that was overwhelmingly passed with 92% of the House and 95% of the Senate voting yes in support of the first housing legislation since the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.
Jim Porter
The two main highlights of the new bill stop large corporate landlords that already own more than 350 homes from buying up more houses to rent.
But what looks like the biggest part of this housing bill are the incentives created to lower building costs for more homes to be built. The country needs to build four million to five million homes to meet demand. This affordable housing inventory shortage is especially visible here in Northern California.
This act cuts red tape by relaxing strict environmental review processes (like National Environmental Policy Act) for housing projects built on preexisting infill lots and rewards towns for building more housing. This new act also reduces red tape for ADUs and manufactured housing.
This is a step in the right direction for California because we face one of the biggest housing affordability crises in
See Porter, Page 11
Three families gave up 3% mortgage rates
HERE’S WHAT THEY GOT IN RETURN
KATIE KELTON, CCC BANKRATE.COM
Your mortgage interest rate has a big impact on what you actually pay each month, so it’s an important number.
But there’s also real life to think about. Is the house big enough? Is it in the right location? Will that quirky bedroom layout or wood wall paneling drive you crazy? Do you have enough room for the kids or in-laws who might join the flock someday?
Mortgage rates have been stuck above 6% for almost four years, which complicates the math for homebuyers looking to make moves in this market.
After all, new jobs, new babies and school decisions don’t wait for mortgage rates to drop or the housing market to get easier. Over the last year, these three families left behind mortgage rates around 3% to buy new homes with mortgage rates above 6%.
For them, the higher interest rates were a small price to pay for the better lives their new homes unlocked.
Buying a house for the commute
Rayne and Bob DeVivo decided they were spending too much time on the road.
They lived in the same fourbedroom rural Illinois house they bought more than two decades ago. After refinancing their mortgage twice, they had a 2.88% interest rate and $1,200 monthly payment.
But in March 2025, Rayne
Leaving behind a lower-interest mortgage in order to buy a new home can make sense when you take lifestyle and life-stage factors into consideration.
saw a Facebook post from a local family looking to buy. She jumped at the chance to sell. Their sons’ high school in Bloomington was 25 miles away, and early morning classes and afterschool extracurriculars had left Rayne and Bob in an endless commute of drop-offs, pick-ups and getting to their own jobs.
“Seven days a week, we’re driving to town for school,” Rayne says. “I was filling my minivan tank, at the worst, three times a week.”
The DeVivos decided to sell, and their Bloomington house search was on.
A month later, they made a $300,000 offer on a 1970s home in the city with a smaller yard but similar square footage. And they traded their coveted low rate for a 6.12% rate on a 15-year mortgage with the same credit union as before. Their salaries –hers as a county prosecutor and Bob’s as an insurance data professional – help them afford the new mortgage.
“The new payment is double what we paid for the other house,” Rayne admits.
But the high school is 12 minutes away. Friends’ houses, part-time jobs and the
YMCA are within walking distance. And they only fill up the gas tank every three weeks. “The quality of life is so much better,” Rayne says. “For (my sons’) mental health and ours, moving into town was a huge bonus.”
Buying a house to put down roots
Aarani and Edmund Montanari had a New England move on their minds. Edmund had been working East Coast hours remotely on the West Coast
MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES/DREAMSTIME/TNS
Solano real estate transactions
BENICIA
TOTAL SALES: 4
LOWEST AMOUNT: $810,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,250,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $1,087,500
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $1,058,750
477 Arguello Drive - $1,250,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 3508 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-03-15, $777,000
635 Daffodil Drive - $935,000
04-21-26 [4 Bdrms - 1964 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-12-23, $935,000 1491 Karen Drive - $1,240,000
04-24-26 [5 Bdrms - 3443 SqFt - 1979 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-11-15, $775,000 659 Rose Drive - $810,000
04-22-26 [3 Bdrms - 1534 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt]
DIXON
TOTAL SALES: 7
LOWEST AMOUNT: $555,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $870,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $700,000
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $691,429
1320 Angela Court - $585,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1770 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-14-22, $561,000 1135 Dawson Drive - $555,000
04-24-26 [3 Bdrms - 1467 SqFt - 1985 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 00/1990, $163,000 1500 Goldfield Court - $720,000
04-20-26 [3 Bdrms - 1769 SqFt - 2022 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-21-22, $640,500 1005 Mayfair Drive - $700,000
04-24-26 [3 Bdrms - 2234 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt] 1245 Pacific Place - $870,000
04-20-26 [5 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-19-24, $811,000 625 Peony Court - $700,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-26-23, $606,000 590 Wildflower Lane - $710,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-03-23, $648,500
FAIRFIELD
TOTAL SALES: 12
LOWEST AMOUNT: $262,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,290,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $604,500
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $628,417
715 Antiquity Drive - $815,000
04-21-26 [5 Bdrms - 2592 SqFt - 2000
YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-09-00, $424,190 3259 Congressional Circle - $1,290,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 3893 SqFt - 2001 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-13-21, $1,100,000
50 El Basset Court - $262,000
04-21-26 [2 Bdrms - 870 SqFt - 1971 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-26-22, $252,500
5089 Falls Court - $760,000
04-23-26 [4 Bdrms - 2818 SqFt - 2001 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-27-21, $360,000
Previous Sale: 08-17-00, $259,950
3005 Marigold Drive - $525,000
04-22-26 [5 Bdrms - 1926 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 10-05-04, $379,000
793 Marigold Drive - $575,000
04-23-26 [4 Bdrms - 1556 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 01-20-26, $420,000
2363 Oceanic Court - $510,000
04-24-26 [3 Bdrms - 1253 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 10-02-19, $396,000
2761 Orchid Street - $370,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 1426 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt]
4124 Singletree Way - $634,000
04-20-26 [5 Bdrms - 2647 SqFt - 1999 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 04-12-99, $263,883
3471 Springfield Drive - $665,000
04-24-26 [4 Bdrms - 1926 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt]
1745 Utah Street - $470,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1233 SqFt - 1955 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 12-17-25, $350,000
RIO VISTA
TOTAL SALES: 9
LOWEST AMOUNT: $350,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $650,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $435,000
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $454,889
410 Atlantic Drive - $435,000
04-21-26 [2 Bdrms - 1767 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt]
305 Birch Ridge Drive - $380,000
04-23-26 [2 Bdrms - 1597 SqFt - 2014 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 03-13-15, $277,000
316 Birch Ridge Drive - $515,000
04-24-26 [2 Bdrms - 2126 SqFt - 2014 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 09-22-15, $387,000
314 Crystal Downs Drive - $650,000
04-24-26 [2 Bdrms - 2567 SqFt - 2004 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-24-04, $458,500
301 Fairbanks Drive - $485,000
04-23-26 [2 Bdrms - 1767 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-24-08, $361,000
321 Kestrel Way - $399,000
04-24-26 [2 Bdrms - 1579 SqFt - 2018 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 10-23-18, $360,000
541 Redmont - $410,000
04-24-26 [2 Bdrms - 1767 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 12-07-07, $330,000
373 Shadow Creek Drive - $350,000
04-23-26 [2 Bdrms - 1359 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-10-22, $439,000
309 Southern Hills Drive - $470,000
04-24-26 [2 Bdrms - 1689 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-03-13, $270,000
SUISUN CITY
TOTAL SALES: 5
LOWEST AMOUNT: $435,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $650,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $577,500
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $549,500
1721 Beale Circle - $577,500
04-20-26 [3 Bdrms - 1580 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-15-17, $410,000
1045 Camellia Lane - $435,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1334 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 03-13-23, $460,000
338 Ridgecrest Circle - $610,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1427 SqFt - 1991 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 07-17-25, $415,000
1617 Tucson Circle - $650,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 2117 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 12-02-05, $573,000
VACAVILLE
TOTAL SALES: 21
LOWEST AMOUNT: $245,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $770,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $615,000
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $575,119
1265 Alderwood Way - $556,000
04-21-26 [4 Bdrms - 1655 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 06-25-25, $327,000
690 Arcadia Drive - $245,000
04-20-26 [2 Bdrms - 998 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 09-02-21, $322,500
1131 Bedford Way - $550,000
04-22-26 [4 Bdrms - 1257 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 07-15-16, $325,000
729 Brookside Drive - $630,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1739 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt]
1018 Carlisle Court - $640,000
04-21-26 [4 Bdrms - 2417 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 01-31-17, $449,500
113 Christine Drive - $525,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1324 SqFt - 1984 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 11-02-04, $370,000
125 Deerglen Circle - $770,000
04-24-26 [4 Bdrms - 2381 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-30-14, $550,000 153 Fairoaks Drive - $460,000
04-20-26 [2 Bdrms - 1163 SqFt - 1979 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-01-21, $385,000
182 Fairview Drive - $518,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 1318 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 06-27-19, $395,000
454 Harvest Circle - $650,000
04-24-26 [5 Bdrms - 2286 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-27-21, $695,000 107 Inyo Court - $520,000
04-20-26 [2 Bdrms - 1633 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-25-09, $299,000 112 Melrose Court - $655,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 1895 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 09-26-19, $468,000
119 Mesa Court - $619,000
04-23-26 [4 Bdrms - 1633 SqFt - 1978
YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-26-21, $585,000
778 Oak Brook Drive - $730,000
04-21-26 [4 Bdrms - 1860 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 05-10-05, $441,300
696 Poppy Circle - $615,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 1701 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 06-11-01, $265,000
226 Richard Place - $555,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1513 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt]
202 Songbird Court - $620,000
04-23-26 [4 Bdrms - 1943 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt],
YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-29-08, $357,500
348 Vine Street - $590,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 1073 SqFt - 1958 YrBlt]
324 Woodside Circle - $630,000
04-20-26 [3 Bdrms - 1550 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt]
618 Yellowstone Drive - $349,500
04-22-26 [2 Bdrms - 1008 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 06-01-04, $225,000
VALLEJO
TOTAL SALES: 24
LOWEST AMOUNT: $240,000
HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,725,000
MEDIAN AMOUNT: $507,500
AVERAGE AMOUNT: $546,021
333 14th Street - $515,000
04-22-26 [1 Bdrms - 1262 SqFt - 1925 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 09-15-25, $264,000
748 Beechwood Avenue - $510,000
04-20-26 [3 Bdrms - 1250 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 01-07-26, $375,000
30 Benson Avenue - $499,000
04-20-26 [2 Bdrms - 1396 SqFt - 1939 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 09-11-18, $400,000
333 Bergwall Way - $520,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 1747 SqFt - 1955 YrBlt]
401 Birkdale Drive - $515,000
04-24-26 [3 Bdrms - 1469 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt]
307 Brunswick Drive - $675,000
04-24-26 [3 Bdrms - 2094 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 03-24-21, $466,500
278 Cadloni Lane - $540,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 1474 SqFt - 1985 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 02-22-01, $275,000 1333 North Camino Alto #133$435,000
04-23-26 - 441 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-31-19, $127,000 624 Daniels Avenue - $260,000
04-20-26 [2 Bdrms - 784 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-07-23, $90,000
638 Fleming Avenue - $540,000
04-21-26 [3 Bdrms - 1653 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt]
225 Gary Circle - $490,000
04-23-26 [2 Bdrms - 1140 SqFt - 1942 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 12-24-25, $317,000 1201 Glen Cove Parkway #1505$370,000
04-21-26 [2 Bdrms - 1014 SqFt - 1992 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 01-10-17, $277,500 519 Holly Street - $550,000
04-22-26 [3 Bdrms - 1126 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 01-04-26, $300,000
1839 Illinois Street - $459,000
04-20-26 [3 Bdrms - 1318 SqFt - 1940 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 05-06-16, $320,000
157 James River Road - $1,725,000
04-23-26 [4 Bdrms - 1615 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-20-02, $325,000
451 Lighthouse Drive - $240,000
04-24-26 [3 Bdrms - 1058 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-12-10, $84,000 1577 Magazine Street - $410,000
04-23-26 [3 Bdrms - 966 SqFt - 1953 YrBlt],
Previous Sale: 07-13-10, $78,000
417 Moorland Street - $505,000
04-21-26 [2 Bdrms - 820 SqFt - 1941 YrBlt]
104 Nantucket Lane - $247,500
04-21-26 [1 Bdrms - 1062 SqFt - 1984 YrBlt]
148 Obrien Circle - $390,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 1391 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt]
136 Renida Street - $620,000
04-24-26 [4 Bdrms - 1455 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-12-22, $475,000
237 Starboard Drive - $460,000
04-22-26 [2 Bdrms - 820 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-10-24, $445,000
2722 Washburn Court - $910,000
04-24-26 [4 Bdrms - 2830 SqFt - 2001 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-21-20, $750,000
7280 Willow Creek Circle - $719,000 04-21-26 [4 Bdrms - 2747 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-25-13, $335,000
1175 Hickory Avenue - $665,000
04-20-26 [4 Bdrms - 2261 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],
523 Blue Wing Drive - $475,000
04-20-26 [3 Bdrms - 1192 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-13-09, $115,000
Previous Sale: 05-26-04, $420,000
649 Spillman Circle - $650,000
04-21-26 [4 Bdrms - 2388 SqFt - 2008
the banister
Norman Winter chose a chocolate brown container and designed it with Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunias, Superbena Whiteout and Stormburst verbenas, with the Superbells Blackcurrant Punch calibrachoas.
ON GARDENING
There
upertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunia is having its debut year – or, thanks to Susan Mid dleton Turner in south Georgia’s zone 9 Miller County, its breakout year. Susan’s house looks like a movie set, and you would have to think that Supertunia Mini Vista petunias play a starring role.
Last year it was the awardwinning Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo that dazzled with incredible color. The petu nias were planted in banister baskets across the front of the house. I featured her photos in an article I wrote about Mini Vista petunias.
Later, after I had spread the word that Mini Vista Pink Cloud was coming this year, she messaged me. She told me she would line up the banister with Mini Vista Pink Cloud in 2026. I started to sweat a little because her Mini Vista Indigo petunias in 2025 could be described as “picturesque perfection.”
She sent me a couple of progression photos three weeks apart of the new banister basket plantings with the Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunias. I’m not sure what I said but it was something like “Holy wow!” This certainly shows the ability of the Mini Vista series to dazzle. But it also shows the gardening ability of Susan Middleton Turner.
Above the Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunia banister baskets, she had hanging baskets planted with ColorBlaze Mini Me Chartreuse coleus. The chartreuse, or lime green if you will, was the perfect contrast with the pink blooms below.
Now back to The Garden Guy and neighbors Dave and Cynthia. Dave and Cynthia helped me out by trying Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud in mixed containers. On one they chose a white ceramic container and combined the Mini Vista Pink Cloud with Mini Vista Yellow and a red celosia that will give additional height through the summer. It seems the Mini Vista Pink Cloud makes a perfect partner no matter the color chosen, so don’t over-think the combination.
The Garden Guy selected a chocolate brown container and planted the Mini Vista Pink Cloud with Superbema Whiteout and Superbena Stormburst verbenas. These are two of the all-time great verbenas. I also added a Superbells Blackcurrant Punch calibrachoa to play off the pink petunia. The combination really is a pleasing palette of colors.
The Garden Guy’s neighbors Dave and Cynthia designed a mixed container featuring Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud and Mini Vista Yellow petunias with a red celosia that will be giving added height as the season progresses.
Even though Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud is in its debut year it has already won several awards stretching from Canada
See Winter, Page 7
Norman Winter
NORMAN WINTER/TNS PHOTOS
Above
baskets are hanging baskets with ColorBlaze Mini Me Chartreuse coleus offering the perfct contrast in color.
How can homeowners make the most of their deck or porch?
In the summer, decks and porches quickly become some of the most-used spaces around the home. Whether it’s sipping coffee in the morning, hosting family cookouts or simply relax ing outdoors after a long day, these areas can feel like an extension of your living space during the summer months. But after enduring months of winter weather, rain, pollen and changing temperatures, they may need a little attention before they are ready to fully enjoy.
to think about protecting your investment. Depending on the material and condition of your deck, resealing or staining every few years can help preserve wood, protect against moisture and sun exposure, and extend the lifespan of the structure. Even composite decks benefit from seasonal cleaning and inspections to ensure railings, stairs and surfaces remain in good condition.
seating, outdoor storage for cushions and supplies, or desig nated grilling and dining areas can make gatherings easier and help maximize the space. For smaller porches or decks, even modest updates can make the area feel more intentional and usable.
One of the best places to start is with a seasonal inspection and deep clean. Dirt, leaves, mildew and pollen can build up over time, leaving surfaces looking worn and sometimes creating slippery conditions. Sweeping away debris, washing surfaces and checking for signs of damage can go a long way toward refreshing the space. Homeowners with wood decks may also want to inspect for loose boards, splinters or nails that have shifted over time, while porches should be checked for peeling paint, soft spots or signs of moisture damage.
Summer is also a great time
From Page 2
is under no legal obligation to provide such an inspection, but builders often like the idea of getting a neutral opinion. Not only does it get everybody on the “same page” in identifying the problems but, if the engineer says it isn’t a structural or foun-
Comfort can make a big difference in how often homeowners actually use their outdoor space. Small upgrades like outdoor rugs, weatherresistant cushions, string lights or planters can make decks and porches feel more inviting without requiring a major renovation. Shade is another worthwhile consideration during the hottest stretch of summer. Umbrellas, pergolas, awnings or even strategically placed outdoor curtains can help create a more comfortable environment during peak heat.
If entertaining is on the agenda, homeowners may want to think about functionality as well. Simple additions like extra
dational problem, the builder has a pretty credible defense should you later file a lawsuit. If the builder won’t conduct an independent inspection, you will be forced to hire your own engineer. In this case, you’ll want either a structural or geotechnical engineer to inspect the foundation and soil.
Once you’ve identified the problem, if the builder won’t step up to the plate and fix it, you’ll be forced to file a lawsuit
Safety should also remain top of mind, particularly for older decks. Wobbly railings, loose stairs, cracked boards or signs of wood rot should be addressed before heavy summer use. Outdoor lighting can also improve visibility and safety, especially for homeowners entertaining in the evening or navigating stairs after dark.
A deck or porch doesn’t have to be large or luxurious to become a favorite gathering spot. Often, it’s the small seasonal refreshes and proactive maintenance that make the biggest difference. With a little attention now, homeowners can create an outdoor space that feels comfortable, welcoming and ready to enjoy all summer long.
Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.
for defective construction.
But you’re a long way from that point. Start with making a demand for an independent inspection and see where that gets you.
Tim Jones, Esq., is a real estate attorney in Fairfield. If you have any real estate questions you would like to have answered in this column, you can send an email to AllThingsRealEstate@ TJones-Law.com.
A few simple updates and seasonal maintenance steps can help homeowners turn decks and porches into comfortable, functional outdoor spaces for summer.
Angie Hicks
REAL ESTATE
Solano County Listings: Homes, land for sale
$995,000
$1,029,000 3182 Olympic Rd. Fairfield 4 1/3 2,997 326012029
$1,250,000 3114 Lomita Ct Fairfield 4 2 /2 3,200 0.95 325051938
$1,349,000 204 Paseo Arboles Fairfield 4 3/0 2915 14,375
$1,395,000
$2,195,000
$2,895,000 1783 Green Acres Lane Fairfield 5 5/1 7065 94,961 326002065
$939,000 3581 Young Ave Napa 3 2 /0 1,688 0.17 326038367
$665,000 828 Laguna St
$425,000
LOST & LAND
Porter
From Page 3
the country. High demand, limited land and steep construction costs drive these trends.
The median home price in California today is $930,000. It was $503,000 in2016 and in 2020, it was only $646,000. Reminder-heads-up: The median is the exact middle point; half of the homes sold for more and half for less.
Let’s celebrate something that both sides of the aisle agree on today. Let’s keep The American Dream alive and hopefully win the World Cup too.
Jim Porter, NMLS No. 276412, is the branch manager and senior loan adviser of Solano Mortgage, NMLS No. 1515497, a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, NMLS No. 1850, licensed in California by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the CRMLA / Equal Housing Opportunity. Jim can be reached at 707-449-4777.
From Page 3
and wanted a better schedule. Plus, they wanted to be closer to his parents.
And with their children’s elementary education about to start, it was “now or never because of the school districts,” Aarani explains.
They’re happy about the move they made, but it took a couple stepping stones and an interest rate jump to get there.
They sold their 3%-rate condominium in Tustin, California, in fall 2025, and set their sights on Arlington, Massachusetts, right before the school year began.
To buy time while house hunting, the family first moved into her parents’ home nearby in California, and then into his parents’ home in Massachusetts. But they soon decided to speed up the homebuying process, as living with extended family was disruptive to their kids’ routine. “We were really desperate to find our own space again,” Aarani says.
It wasn’t the best time to buy in the New England market. They considered renting temporarily, but there weren’t many options for three bedrooms and a dog. And
the math didn’t add up – they’d pay the same amount to rent as they would with a mortgage above 6%.
The couple began looking at homes priced $200,000 below their budget so they could outbid competitors. Aarani says that, rather than shopping for the lowest rate, the two used their real estate agent’s recommended lender. They put offers on several houses and appreciated the lender’s quick responses and preapprovals.
In November 2025, the Montanaris bought a house at a 5.88% rate. “It was so jarring for us to come here and see that the rates were 6%,” she says. “It’s still pretty expensive here.”
Still, Aarani sees the bright side to the unavoidable extra cost: this could be their family’s forever home. It’s in a good school district, right next to a park and big enough for their family to grow. “We do get a lot more bang for our buck in terms of price per square footage,” she adds.
Buying a house for the military
For families like Abby and Joe Groeschel, the housing market doesn’t dictate their timeline. The military and a permanent change of station (PCS) does.
The couple is about to buy
their third home in a decade, and they’re well aware of the pain that comes with swapping a rate near 3% for one over 6%.
They had to ditch the 3.13% rate they got in 2021 when they moved away from a 1,300-squarefoot home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in April 2023. Joe was reassigned to Phenix City, Alabama, where they bought a 1,600-square-foot home with a mortgage carrying a 6.3% rate.
In that case, a lower purchase price combined with a higher rate kept their mortgage payment about the same for both homes. The Groeschels shopped for lenders for their first home purchase. They’ve kept tabs on competitor rates since but have stayed loyal to the original lender, in part thanks to their punctual closings and nationwide certifications.
The family’s next stop will be in Kansas, where they’re aiming to close on a house next month with a 6.25% mortgage rate. Abby says the experience in a home goes beyond what you pay. “We are a military family, so we move where my husband is needed,” she explains. “This was my husband’s dream. … You just have to roll with it.” In the Colorado Springs house, they loved seeing Pikes Peak from their window.
In the Phenix City house, they brought their new baby home and said goodbye to two senior dogs.
“Moving into new places is exciting, to find new restaurants and find new places to go and explore,” Abby says. “You have to look at that part.”
What this means for you
If you’re ready to buy a house but feel like you’re in a standoff with the market, there might be a happy medium. Even in a pricier borrowing market, comparing lenders, improving your credit score and negotiating are effective ways to get a better mortgage rate. And a small rate difference goes a long way.
Here’s an example. The average American home loan origination is $373,000 repaid over a 30-year, fixed-rate term, according to mid-2025 U.S. Federal Housing data. The averate mortgage rate (as of June 9) was 6.55%. Bankrate’s top offer was 6.01%. Using Bankrate’s mortgage calculator shows landing that lower rate, compared to the national average, could save you more than $47,000 in total interest, or $131 a month.
And paying less for your home loan can help pave the way toward your next life milestone.
In a seller s market, any home ca n sell. But in a market li ke this, you need a realtor who understand s the nuances and knows how to adjust strategy.
Over the past six months, the Davis market has averaged 28 home sales each month. That means bu yers are still out there, but reaching them depends on strategic pricing, presentation, and positioning - from the start. If you re thinking about selling, we d love to sit down with you. Ask us about our strategy, and let s talk
