HomeSeller: Friday, December 16, 2022

ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE

Landlord could be sued if police given access to tenant’s unit without a search warrant

Q: I own a duplex here in Solano County. I live in one of the units and I rent the other one out. Two police officers came to my door and told me the guy I’m renting to is on parole. Apparently he wasn’t home, because I think he was at work, and the police wanted to search his unit. They asked me to give them a key to the place. I asked them if they had a search warrant, but they said they didn’t need one because allowing the police to search at any time was a condition of his parole. I didn’t know what else to do, so I gave them the key. After they opened the door, one of the officers returned the key to me. Was that the right thing to do? I need to know because I suspect this won’t be the last time the police will be asking. Thanks.

A: Any time law enforcement wants to enter someone’s place of residence without a proper search warrant it requires some in-depth analysis of the law and the obligations of the parties involved. One of the biggest concerns the Founding Fathers had was that government would usurp its authority by forcing its way into private property. That’s why specific constitutional protections, such as the Fourth Amendment, have been in both our federal and state constitutions from their inceptions.

This is a very interesting question, and one that requires we look at things from your legal perspective. I took the time to research both the law and appellate court cases on the matter.

I found nothing that specifically addresses a landlord’s obligations to the police and the tenant under this circumstance. So, we’re forced to look at more general principles of the law.

Let me jump up and say I don’t practice criminal law, but I have no reason to believe the police officers were not correct in explaining they had a right to search without a warrant. But whether they did or did not is a matter between them, your tenant and possibly the courts.

However, you, as the landlord, don’t have a right to search, or even unlock the door for someone, without giving the tenant reasonable notice of your intent to do so. Whatever rights the police have doesn’t change that fact. And besides, you, the landlord, don’t actually know if the guy is really a parolee and what the conditions of his parole are.

While there are many times you must follow the directions of the police, the law never requires you to accept as true a statement of fact or law from a police officer. In fact, the police are specifically allowed to deliberately misstate both when conducting an investigation, and often do.

The danger you face by letting the police in, even if they instructed you to do so, is finding yourself in a lawsuit with your tenant. Doing something illegal, even under the direction of a police officer, will be no defense in court.

If the police had a right to search, then they’re off the hook. But if you illegally gave them the key, you’re still subject to being sued by the tenant.

The ultimate issue of whether they can use what they found in court, given that you had no right to let them in, is a different issue. But by giving the police the key, you, in effect, may be deemed to have illegally entered the unit. If the tenant claims something was broken or stolen, you could be liable.

The reaction of many readers will undoubtedly be, “that’s not fair if the police told me to do it.” Many have been taught that part of being a good citizen is to cooperate fully with the police. You trust that if you follow the direction of the police, you are doing the right thing.

Frankly, that belief is just what the framers of the Constitution were afraid of.

But, to be fair to the police officers, they may well have felt they were just

Tim Jones

Pantone 2023 Color of the Year is bold, very ’90s

THE WASHINGTON POST

The world’s color authority has spoken, and this year, the smoke that wafted up from the Pantone conclave was tinged a deep, pinkish red: All hail Viva Magenta, Pantone’s 2023 color of the year.

PANTONE/THE WASHINGTON POST

The carmine tone “merges the warmth of the natural world with the endless, rich possibilities of the digital space,” said Elley Cheng, Pantone’s vice president and general manager, during the announcement on Thursday. (Which, sadly, did not actually involve any Vatican-esque smoke. It was more like a TED Talk or an Apple product reveal.)

said, involved an experimental merging of human trend experts and artificial intelligence. After the humans at Pantone determined that Viva Magenta would be their pick, folks at the design firm Huge entered text descriptors of the hue into the AI art generator Midjourney to come up with the images that Pantone is using to express the shade. Attendees at Art Basel Miami will be able to “Enter the Magentaverse” and immerse themselves in the color.

Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, connected Viva Magenta to the way our lives have changed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pantone’s Color of The Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, is “rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength,” according to the company. See Pantone, Page 6

This year’s decision, Pantone

Solano real estate transactions

These are the local homes sold recently, provided by California Resource of Lodi. The company can be reached at 209.365.6663 or CalResource@aol.com.

DIXON

TOTAL SALES: 3

LOWEST AMOUNT: $475,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $785,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $650,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $636,667

1435 Blossom Way - $785,000

11-10-22, Previous Sale: 02-09-21, $4,572,000

615 Brians Way - $650,000

11-10-22 [4 Bdrms - 2531 SqFt - 2000 YrBlt]

1019 Parkgreen Drive - $475,000

11-10-22 [2 Bdrms - 1257 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-07-18, $352,000

FAIRFIELD

TOTAL SALES: 6

LOWEST AMOUNT: $426,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $684,500

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $525,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $547,083

1118 2nd Street - $472,000

11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1000 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-19-21, $365,000

2769 Ambrosia Way - $684,500

11-10-22 [4 Bdrms - 2385 SqFt - 2021 YrBlt]

2901 Gulf Drive - $535,000

11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1799 SqFt - 1982 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-03-98, $139,000

2841 Marigold Drive - $515,000

11-10-22 [5 Bdrms - 1992 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt]

5220 Mayrene Bates Lane - $650,000

11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1946 SqFt - 2012 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-07-12, $361,500

1301 Woolner Avenue - $426,000

11-07-22 [3 Bdrms - 1446 SqFt - 1929 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-18-16, $294,500

RIO VISTA

TOTAL SALES: 2

LOWEST AMOUNT: $485,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $510,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $497,500

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $497,500

147 Gardiner Way - $485,000

11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1531 SqFt - 1952 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-31-17, $310,000

1026 Linda Vista Way - $510,000

11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1542 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-19-19, $350,000

SUISUN CITY

TOTAL SALES: 1

LOWEST AMOUNT: $510,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $510,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $510,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $510,000

802 Greenhead Way - $510,000

11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1320 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-02-20, $410,000

VACAVILLE

TOTAL SALES: 9

LOWEST AMOUNT: $357,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,650,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $550,000 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $723,556

321 Anders Court - $525,000 11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1853 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt] 2025 Atherton Court - $920,000 11-08-22 [4 Bdrms - 3492 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-09-12, $380,000 518 Davis Street - $400,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1580 SqFt - 1910 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-09-22, $300,000 555 Galway Court - $550,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1268 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-31-17, $388,000 785 Hydrangea Drive - $765,000 11-10-22 [4 Bdrms - 2970 SqFt - 2021 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-01-21, $722,500 169 Lassen Circle - $357,000 11-08-22 [2 Bdrms - 1152 SqFt - 1964 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 00/1992, $122,500 112 Manzanita Drive - $455,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1472 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 11-13-08, $153,000 359 Sage Sparrow Circle - $890,000 11-10-22 [5 Bdrms - 3584 SqFt - 2004 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-25-08, $420,000 3945 Solar Hills Drive - $1,650,000 11-09-22 [5 Bdrms - 4318 SqFt - 1998 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 00/1992, $190,000

VALLEJO

TOTAL SALES: 12

LOWEST AMOUNT: $284,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $750,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $552,500

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $539,292 180 Adele Drive - $618,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1614 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt] 184 Amherst Avenue - $535,000 11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1478 SqFt - 1966 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-15-16, $225,000 8720 Aquamarine Drive - $750,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 2050 SqFt - 2019 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-05-19, $630,500 168 Bidwell Way - $525,000 11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1102 SqFt - 1955 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-25-18, $360,000 4421 Celeste Court - $628,000 11-07-22 [3 Bdrms - 1742 SqFt - 2001 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-04-12, $330,000 1428 Hale Street - $645,000 11-08-22 [3 Bdrms - 1941 SqFt - 1985 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-23-17, $467,500

1945 Indiana Street - $535,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1366 SqFt - 1939 YrBlt]

355 Parkview Terrace #F3 - $292,000 11-10-22 [2 Bdrms - 918 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-22-10, $45,000

1712 Sacramento Street - $570,000 11-08-22 [1 Bdrms - 744 SqFt - 1919 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-24-10, $35,000

125 Skyway Drive - $610,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 1536 SqFt - 1970 YrBlt]

69 Werden Street - $284,000 11-10-22 [3 Bdrms - 988 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-15-00, $111,000

18 Winslow Avenue - $479,500 11-08-22 [2 Bdrms - 1158 SqFt - 1942 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-16-14, $230,000

From Page 3

trying to do their jobs and had no reason to know about the legal problems they are creating for you.

What if the police did have a search warrant?

Surprisingly, unless you are named in the warrant, I could find nothing that authorizes you to give them the key to your tenant’s unit.

If you had legal possession of the unit, you are required to allow the search. But as long as your tenant resides there, you don’t have possession and therefore, at least in theory, are legally incapable of giving access.

It’s amazing to me that a landlord’s rights and responsibilities are so muddled in this regard. When the police show up on your doorstep and demand entrance it really puts you, the landlord, between the proverbial rock and hard place. If you turn over the keys, you may get sued. If you don’t, the police may kick in the door at your expense, or even arrest you for obstruction of justice.

Since the law isn’t clear, here’s the best advice I can give.

See if your tenant will sign a release that specifically gives you permission to give the key to the police any time they request it.

Otherwise, if I were you, I would not provide a key to the police unless they have a search warrant. If they have one, and only after you’ve read it, I would cooperate because I believe it’s the most legally defensible action to take.

Tim Jones 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.

SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE

Prioritize your wants, needs as a homebuyer in today’s market

There’s no denying mortgage rates are higher now than they were last year. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, this may be top of mind for you. That’s because those higher rates affect how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. As you set out to make a purchase this winter, you’ll need to be strategic so you can find a home that meets your needs and budget.

Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com, explains: “The key to making a good decision in this challenging housing market is to be laser focused on what you need now and in the years ahead . . . . Another key point is to avoid stretching your budget, as tempting as it may

be given the diminished pur-

In other words, it’s important to be mindful of what’s a necessity and what’s a nice-to-have when searching for a home. And the best way to understand this is to put together a list of desired features for your home search.

The first step?

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval helps you better understand what you can borrow for your home loan, and

that plays an important role in how you’ll craft your list. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a home that’s out of reach. Once you have a good grasp of your budget, you can begin to list (and prioritize) all the features of a home you would like.

Here’s a great way to think about them before you begin:

n Must-Haves: If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle. Some examples include distance from work or loved ones, the number of bedrooms/ bathrooms, etc.

n Nice-To-Haves: These are features that you’d love to have but can live without. Nice-ToHaves aren’t dealbreakers, but if you find a home that hits all the

Keep poinsettias healthy through holidays, beyond

THE WASHINGTON POST

Forget Christmas trees and mistletoe. There’s one plant that rules the holiday season above all others: the Santa-red poinsettia. Before going further, though, let’s clear up the widespread misconception that its brightly colored points are flowers. Nope, they’re bracts (leaves). However, if you look closely, there are tiny, petal-less yellow flowers known as cyathia hiding among the attention-grabbing foliage.

must-haves and some of the these, it’s a contender. Examples may include a second home office, a garage, etc.

n Dream State: This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the musthaves, most of the nice-to-haves and any of these, it’s a clear winner. Examples include such things as a farmhouse sink, multiple walk-in closets, etc.

Finally, once you’ve created your list and categorized it in a way that works for you, discuss it with your real estate adviser. They’ll be able to help you refine the list further, coach you through the best way to stick to it and find a home in your area that

meets your needs.

Bottom Line

Putting together your list of necessary features for your next home might seem like a small task, but it’s a crucial first step on your homebuying journey today. If you’re ready to find a home that fits your needs, let’s connect.

Don McDonald (DRE License No. 01436448) is a founding partner of Re/Max Elite Partners (License No. 01215931) in Fairfield. Reach him at 707-4950774, don@remaxelitepartners. com or www.remaxelitepartners. com. Locally Focused-Globally Connected.

The

The festively hued plants were introduced to the United States from Mexico in the early 19th century by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first ambassador to Mexico and a passionate amateur botanist, who brought home several samples of what is known south of the border as flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower). They became known as poinsettias in the United States in honor of their importer. Initially, the plants weren’t very hardy

Don McDonald

FRAN/PEXELS

poinsettia is the No. 1-selling potted plant in the United States, with roughly 35 million sold every year, according to the National FFA Organization.

SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE

Mortgage rates start to come down

The FED raised the overnight lending rate by 50 basis points Wednesday and the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond is now 3.50%, which is down from 4.25% in October. The yield curve remains inverted

the two-year Treasury at 4.24%. Mortgage rates have dropped by more than 1% over the past month. CNBC and Bloomberg are stating a national average for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage today is down to 6.3% from 7.3% but for 700-plus FICO score buyers. Local lenders are quoting rates today with a 5 handle.

An official recession looks inevitable, and most homebuyers remain on the sidelines, but I have a feeling the real estate market will be better in the first quarter than it was in this miserable fourth quarter. The word is getting out about this recession in comparison to the Great Recession in 2008.

Nationwide, there were 1.5 million foreclosures in 2008 and only 162,000 in 2022. The homeowners are healthy with low-rate first mortgages on their homes. Historically, home values remain steady during and after a recession. Since 1980, the Great Recession of 2008 was the only recession that resulted in home values crashing and that was because the whole thing was caused by absurd and fraudulent mortgage lending from

“Refusing to step back to the life we once considered normal, or the status quo, we are instead embracing the experience we’ve had . . . to look upon this as an opportunity to write a new narrative for ourselves and establish a new vision,” she said during the announcement. “We’ve opened this door to a whole new way of living.”

Still, for all the talk of a new moment, Viva Magenta undeniably harks to the return of a 1990s aesthetic – a natural follow-up to the resurgence of baggy jeans and Dr. Martens. For a certain subset of geriatric millennials,

after all, magenta will always be linked to Lisa Frank, scrunchies and hyper-color T-shirts. In fact, for the perfect distillation of what the ‘90s might look like in the “Magentaverse,” look no further than a pair of fuchsia Birkenstocks.

Aside from artificial intelligence and the pandemic, Pantone said, another major influence in its choice was the red hue of cochineal, a natural scarlet dye made by pulverizing certain scaled insects. The announcement emphasized Viva Magenta as a symbol of courage – which was a familiar spin. Last year, Pantone also said that its chosen hue inspired fearlessness, declaring that the 2022 pick, a periwinkle blue called Very Peri, had a “courageous pres-

ence” that “encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.”

But maybe they just spoke too soon in 2022. Because Viva Magenta makes Very Peri look almost mild. While Pantone describes it as “a balance between warm and cool,” Viva Magenta skews decidedly fiery. You can, of course, now find a suite of merchandise in the shade – from limited edition keychains to sneakers to a Motor-

ola cellphone.

Since 2000, Pantone has declared an annual color of the year (or, in some years, a duo of shades) each December. Vibrant pinks have already been enjoying a moment, as spotted in the Barbiecore home design trend and the myriad shades of magenta that have recently sashayed down runways. We can all look forward to even more of the happy hue in the new year.

Jim Porter

ON GARDENING

Cherry Cordials now and debuting in 2023

If you are like the Winter Family, Cherry Cordials are hanging around your house now and until New Year’s. There is just something about that bite that releases a sweet ecstasy of flavor. As you look at those Cherry Cordials, whether at home or on the store shelf, let it be a reminder to you that the hottest new begonia for 2023 is Surefire Cherry Cordial.

The name tells you everything: deep chocolate leaves and vivid red flowers. “Surefire” tells you all you need to know, as the Surefire Red has won over 26 awards across the country, with Surefire Rose packing a big trophy case as well. Both The Garden Guy and son James have been more than surprised at how carefree these are in the landscape. Surefire Begonias are the plants you aren’t watching for insects, diseases and –

most shocking to me – I don’t have to babysit for water. Lastly, mine have been returning in the spring in my zone 8a garden.

The Surefire series of begonias will now offer four colors with the addition of Cherry Cordial and White. In the South they are going to reach 2 feet tall and wide. In the North, probably slightly smaller. Whether you have sun, shade or filtered light, this is the begonia for you, boasting self-cleaning flowers and zero maintenance. The most enjoyable aspect will be thinking of all the plant combinations you can do. I’ll admit I have paled in comparison to the son.

My favorite combination planting ever was his partnership of Surefire Red, which has green leaves, with Heart to

NORMAN WINTER/TNS

Surefire Red with green leaves has won 26 awards and is known for blooming 200-plus days in the south. Here it is combined with Heart to Heart caladiums, Diamond Snow euphorbia, Color Guard yucca and Unplugged So Blue salvia.

Norman Winter

Grand Opening - Open Hous e Event

Sunday, December 18th, 12-3PM 159 Farallon Drive, Vallejo

Incredible VIEWS! This newly remodeled single story is “move-in” ready just for you. This amazing home has so much to offer. 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, approx. 1514 square feet of living space with a 2 car garage on a large corner lot. Lot is almost a quarter of an acre. It’s located in the highly sought after Vistas community. Fully remodeled kitchen has beautiful solid surface countertops and newer appliances. Brand new energy efficient windows and sliders were all installed in 2021. Newer flooring was installed in 2020. The incredible garden area includes many varieties of fruit trees. This impressive home is a great location for commuters as it is minutes away from I-80, Hwy 37. Fruit tree varieties include: apple, peach, nectarine, plum, pear, lemon, orange, fig, pomegranate, grapefruit, pineapple guava, citrumelo, persimmon and avocado. Offered at $599,000

Fully hosted by “Loney & Worley Team”

www.loneyandworleyteam.com

Poinsettia

From Page 5

and displayed their trademark red for only a short while. “But in the 1960s, hybridizers managed to give it more strength and extended periods of coloration,” says Bobby Lewis, vice president of the Great Big Greenhouse & Meadows Farms Nurseries, headquartered in Chantilly, Va. “That’s when its popularity really took off.”

These days, there are more than 100 cultivars of poinsettias on the market – ranging from whites and yellows to purples and pinks – with colorful new offerings added every year. According to the National FFA Organization, it is the No. 1-selling potted plant in the United States, with roughly 35 million sold every year. And almost all are sold in roughly six weeks, between mid-November and Christmas.

Here are six points from a trio of poinsettia experts on how to keep them vibrant throughout the holiday season and beyond.

1. Protect the plant from the cold

Because poinsettias are from a hot environment, they don’t handle cold weather well. Unfortunately, most poinsettias aren’t usually bundled up in protective wrapping, so you can kill a plant before you even get a chance to enjoy it. “I’ve seen people just throw them into the car and then keep shopping even though it’s 25 degrees out,” says Jerry Goodspeed, director of the Utah State University Botanical Center, who advises wrapping the plant in newspaper and taking it home immediately, so it doesn’t have a chance to freeze.

2. Choose the right spot

Find a window that gets at least four to six hours of strong

sunlight a day, and place the plant about six feet away from it, says Lewis. In addition, keep it away from drafty spots, such as near the front door, by fireplaces or in hallways. It’s fine to park it near a radiator or heat vent, though; poinsettias love a warm climate.

3. Water wisely

To determine whether it’s time to water your poinsettia, stick a finger in the dirt, says Goodspeed. If you detect any moisture or coolness, leave it alone. You will know it’s time to water if the soil is completely dry or if the leaves are starting to wilt, yellow or fall off. Expect to hydrate your plant every seven to 10 days, but don’t simply pour on the water. Poinsettias are often sold in pots wrapped in metallic foil to up their festive vibes, but this extra layer traps water, which can lead to root rot and kill the plant. Goodspeed suggests removing the foil, setting the potted plant in a sink or tub, spraying it until water drips out the bottom, then letting it rest for half an hour or longer before putting the foil back on and returning the plant to its sunny spot. If you live in a drier, highheat home, consider misting the plant regularly as well.

4. Skip the fertilizer

If you plan on keeping your poinsettia only for the holiday season, don’t bother feeding it. “Normally, it will have been fertilized in the greenhouse where it was grown,” says Goodspeed. “That will be more than enough.”

5. Poinsettias can irritate skin – and stomachs

Poinsettias contain a sticky white sap that can cause skin irritation. Julie Weisenhorn, extension horticulture educator at the University of Minnesota, recommends always wearing gloves and cleaning your pruning

shears after you trim your plant. Don’t let your pets (or children, for that matter) nibble on the bracts, as it may cause mild gastrointestinal stress. There’s no need to rush to the emergency room, though, because poinsettias aren’t poisonous. (That’s just another popular misconception.)

6. How to make poinsettias last beyond the holidays

Most people toss out or compost their poinsettia after Christmas, but you can keep it around for holiday seasons to come – if you’re willing to put in a little work. Early in the new year, Weisenhorn suggests feeding it an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the strength recommended on the fertilizer’s container. Around Memorial Day, trim the plant, transplant it to a slightly larger container with good drainage and move it outdoors for the summer. About the time of the autumnal equinox, bring it inside to a space that receives no light, such as a closet or windowless basement room. You must keep it in the dark for 16 hours a day, then bring it into the light for the remaining eight hours, watering and fertilizing it regularly the entire time, until Thanksgiving, when the bracts will change colors again.

7. Poinsettia varieties worth considering

If you’re tired of the ubiquitous red poinsettias, there are plenty of other options worth considering. Here are a few options:

Ice Crystal – Lush pale pink with a whitish center.

Luv U Pink – Hot pink that really pops.

Plum Pudding – Rich purple recalling the stone fruit.

Mars White – Radiant pure white or creamy butter-toned.

Viking Cinnamon – Lemony yellow centers give way to rosy pink edges.

Autumn Leaves – A bouquet of peaches, pinks and yellows.

Top 10 real estate markets in US are all in the South

TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY

Real estate in Atlanta, Raleigh, North Carolina and Dallas-Fort Worth is expected to outperform most other metro areas in 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors.

In a report released Tuesday, the organization ranked the metro area in its top 10 real estate markets to watch next year, all of which were in the South.

These were the top 10 markets:

1. Atlanta 2. Raleigh, N.C. 3. Dallas-Fort Worth 4. Fayetteville, Ark. 5. Greenville, S.C. 6. Charleston, S.C. 7. Huntsville, Ala. 8. Jacksonville, Fla. 9. San Antonio 10. Knoxville, Tenn.

Atlanta ranked No. 1 and was the only market that met all factors that NAR looked for in its markets to watch next year, such as having homes that are affordable for more than 20% of renters to buy, major tech companies opening offices in the region and fast population growth.

The share of first-time home-

buyers in the U.S. is at an all-time low due to the higher interest rates and home prices.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist and senior vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors, forecasts that 4.78 million existing homes will sell in 2023, which would be a 6.8% decline from 5.13 million in 2022.

He expects home sales to decline 6.8% compared with 2022 and the median home price to reach $385,800, up just 0.3% from $384,500 in 2022.

“Half of the country may experience small price gains, while the other half may see slight price declines,” Yun said.

However, he expects some California markets to be an exception. He said San Francisco is likely to see home prices drop 10% to 15%.

Yun predicts foreclosure rates will remain at historically low levels in 2023, less than 1% of all mortgages.

He said the U.S. GDP will grow by 1.3%, half the typical historical pace of 2.5%, and that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will settle at 5.7% as the Fed slows the pace of inflation-related rate hikes.

Porterproval process.

From Page 6

2003 to 2007.

Now would be a good time for renters to get prequalified and look at what the numbers would be to purchase in Solano County. There is no cost to do this with most local lenders and believe me, us mortgage brokers and loan officers are not too busy. I don’t think it would be a terrible mistake to wait for three to six months to buy a house, but it is never too early to get the ball rolling on the free preap-

Fannie Mae is suggesting we will see rates below 5% in 2023 but gee whiz, I don’t think you or your adult kids should wait for the market to change to a seller’s market. Buy now and you won’t cry later.

Jim Porter, NMLS No. 276412, is the branch manager 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 10

Bottle Rocket and Snowdrift caladiums, Diamond Snow euphorbia, Color Guard Yucca and Unplugged So Blue salvia. It was like a “holy wow” feast for the eyes. There really is a magical affinity between Heart to Heart caladiums and Surefire Begonias. In Proven Winners’ online promotional information, they demonstrate the Surefire Cherry Cordial in a mixed container with the new Heart to Heart Scarlet

Flame caladium, also making its debut in 2023. Although simple in design, it will take your breath away. Son James used his opportunity with Surefire Cherry Cordial Begonia in a mixed container as the thriller with Superbells Grape Punch calibrachoas and Supertunia Mini Vista White petunias.

The one common thread in all our plantings is they were all planted in soil that drains really well. Some beds have had more organic matter than others, but the performance has been steady with all of them. The drainage has definitely been a factor in those

that we let return after winter. You will want to space your Surefire Begonias 12 to 18 inches apart. To reach their true potential, maintain consistent moisture and feeding throughout the long summer. Not too many plants bloom nonstop for over 200 days, which is a Surefire reason you need to incorporate them into your landscape planting in 2023.

Norman Winter is a horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.”

NORMAN WINTER/TNS

Surefire Cherry Cordial begonia, Superbells Grape Punch calibrachoa and Supertunia Mini Vista White sizzle in this mixed container.