New Volunteer Orientation at DreamPower Horsemanship

The next New Volunteer Orientation will be next Sat., Sept. 20 from 3-4:30 pm at DreamPower Horsemanship (located at WoodMyst Farm, 7460 Crews Road, Gilroy, CA). All potential new volunteers or anyone interested in learning more about DreamPower Horsemanship or meeting the DreamPower horses are invited to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. You will get a tour of the ranch, meet the DreamPower horses and learn about current volunteer opportunities. The minimum age to volunteer at DreamPower is 14. All ages and anyone interested are welcome to attend the orientation. Please email dreampowerhorsemanship at Hotmail dot com and let us know that you plan to attend. Thank you and hope to see you there!

I am a volunteer and a supporter of this wonderful 100% non-profit organisation and can say from the bottom of my heart that no matter if it was Trigger's Tea Party, the 4th of July Parade, the Hoof and Woof Poker Run or simply watering the flowers at "the ranch", all these opportunities to help gave back to me a little bit peace and hope for a better world where people look out for each other.

This Month in Real Estate - September 2014 Gilroy Edition

The Six Most Significant Changes of the Residential Purchase Contract Starting November 2014

Just one month shy before its 60th birthday, the California Association of Realtors, C.A.R., will introduce a revised Residential Purchase Agreement, known as RPA, in November 2014.

I apologize should I raise the flags too early for some people who live and work in the present. November is only a few weeks away. Being a pro-active personality, I already started to educate myself of how these changes will look like. They will definitely affect all of us - agents, buyers, sellers, lenders, and escrow officers.

In my opinion,  providing answers to clients' questions regarding the changes is not just an option, it is a fiduciary duty to be able to interpret the new contract.

C.A.R offers RPA workshops in a traditional class setting as well as webinars online. "Forms Tutor" in  the Zip Form Plus advisory feature is a free benefit for real estate agents provided by C.A.R and will assist you while completing the contract.

Below are the six most significant changes:

1. The default method for the buyer's obligation to bring a deposit directly to escrow has been changed to an electronic deposit rather than a check.
2.  The time to remove a loan contingency has been extended from 17 to 21 calendar days. Coinciding with this change is the removal of an optional paragraph allowing the loan contingency to remain until the loan is funded.
3. The revised RPA will take a unified approach to inspections and repairs. Wood-destroying pests and organisms inspections, and all other inspections, are now treated equally.
4. A new paragraph addresses the issue of items included in the sale that may not be owned by the seller and may, by  virtue of their presence, cause a lien to be recorded against property. (Note to myself: ask if this is also concerning long-term solar panel contracts with power companies).
5. The paragraph concerning what is included in the sale now specifically mentions "home automation systems" which are devices that allows a homeowner to remotely control certain home functions such as turning the water, lights, or applications on and off; setting the alarm, and adjusting the thermostat. 
6. No longer will the removal of the loan contingency automatically be deemed a removal of the appraisal contingency. These two key terms are considered to be independent.  If the appraisal contingency is removed and the buyer's chosen lender refuses to loan because the appraisal is too low, the buyer cannot rely on the lender's appraisal as a reason to cancel the contract without penalty.

There are more revisions, so don't procrastinate to get yourself familiar with them. As a Keller Williams real estate agent, I take pride in being on top of things and so should you because we owe it to our clients.

11 Earthquake Preparedness Tips To Be Ready For The Next Big One

It takes a shake like the Napa quake to bring back to our attention the question, "Am I prepared for an earthquake?"

Gilroy could be the next epicenter and your family could be affected.



Here are the most important  tips of earthquake preparedness. Please share them with friends, family and neighbors.

1. Select an out -of-area phone contact for family members to call and coordinate messages.
2. Develop a family network plan, evacuation, and reunion strategy. 
3. Locate all utility shutoff valves and know how to shut them off. Tie a shut off wrench to the main gas line. 
4. Mitigate earthquake vulnerability: Double strap your water heater to wall studs (1/3 from the top and 1/3 from the bottom to prevent tipping), bolt bookcases and attach mirrors and pictures firmly to the wall, move heavy stuff from upper shelves to lower shelves.
5. Store heavy shoes and gloves (most injuries in the Napa quake were cuts from glass) under your bed. 
6. Prepare a 72-hour family emergency supply kit and store in plastic containers and tape shut with duct tape.
7. Take photos or a video of your home (interior and exterior) to document its condition and contents. Store in a bank safety deposit box or fire proof safe for future use.
8. Check with your insurance carrier to make sure you have appropriate earthquake coverage.
9. If you are indoors: a) stay clear of window and fireplaces, b) duck and drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy placed furniture piece, hold on to it and ride it out
10. If you are outdoors: a)Get into the open away from power lines, b) if you are driving, pull over and stop. Turn off your engine, and do not stop under heavy objects or power lines, c) if you are in a crowded public place, do not rush for exits. Try and stay calm, d) NEVER enter damaged buildings unless authorities tell you it is safe to do so.
11. Get trained in CPR and First Aid

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BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT YOU... 

Call me at 408-706-0671 
if you would like a walk-through of your home and a  free written estimate what it is worth in  today's market together with a picture of your home to put in your earthquake deposit box.

Silvia Bichler
Your Real Estate Friend in the South County
CalBre # 01942849
Keller Williams San Jose - Silicon Valley

Successful Hoof And Woof Poker Run Today!

I checked in early at Stop 1 of today's Hoof and Woof Poker Run at Indian Motorcycle on San Felipe Road in Hollister. I wanted to make sure that my table was set up and gummy bears waiting for the bikers who would leave the registration table at the Morgan Hill Harley Davidson House of Thunder at around 10AM.

In fact, I was so early that I had time to pick the Indian Motorcycle I would love to take home....isn't that a purdy bike?

At around 11AM we could hear the roar of about 70 bikes riding towards my poker table. That was awsome and all bikers and their passengers wanted to pick the first lucky card for their poker hand at our table. I added Haribo Gummybears as special touch which was very appreciated.

 One of the first bikers who approached me told me that he was from Stuttgart ,Germany, a Swabian homie of mine. What a surprise!

 There are four more stops to go before the finish at Cycle Gear Gilroy where bbq, partay and the prizes will wait not only for the winners. A three night stay at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is one of the top prizes for the highest poker hand. The real winners though today are Operation Freedom Paws and Dream Power Horsemanship. Because 100% of the proceeds will go towards these wonderful programs who help veterans for free, our veterans will be the real winners. Thank you everyone for taking part and making this a fun day.

  I enjoyed voluteering at Indian Motorcycle in Hollister and get to know the friendly staff there and the beautiful bikes. I will wear the Indian Motorcycle pin every biker and volunteer got for free with pride. And now it's time to hit the BBQ at Cycle Gear in Gilroy and celebrate this opportunity to show our veterans our gratitude.

Purple Reign

 Riding instructor Garry Stauber was joking when he told my 7-year-old granddaughter Adriana that the song "Purple Rain" was written because of the purple reigns she got to use today. We all got a chuckle out of that.

  It is the truth though, that it takes two to tango horse Tango - Addy learned neck-reigning today which is the western-style one-hand control of the horse compared to the English-style two-hand reigning.

 Not all that easy even if you wear red cowgirl boots and dream of being a barrel racer at the California Rodeo Salinas .

Only horses and Garry Staubers stories about the time when he rode from Mexico to Oregon can drag Addy away from her computer Monkey quest games. I am glad she gets to interact with animals outdoors at the DreamPower Horsemanship ranch in Gilroy where taking care of your horse is part of the instruction You take care of your horse even if you are not tall enough yet, to wipe your horse's upper face. At least you have to try as hard as Addy did and then ask for help. DreamPower Horsemanship offers therapeutic riding lessons for at-risk youth, special needs kids, veterans with p.t.s.d. and everyone in between who has to overcome a traumatic experience in the past just like our Addy has. I am so very grateful for this 100% non-profit charity which does not only heal their patients but also is a save haven for rescue horses and a peaceful place for volunteers. 

This Month in Real Estate - August 2014 Gilroy Edition

The median home price in Gilroy remained equal compared to last month and although it is up compared to last year, it has reached a plateau.

The number of homes sold in August is up compared to the summer hole of last month when sales numbers in Gilroy were down.

MLS statistics show that in August, the number of available active listings was higher than the number of listings under contract which is an early indication that we experience a shift in the market. During the very strong seller's market in Spring 2014, we had reverse numbers and active inventory was extremely low.

With new developments being pushed onto the Gilroy market lately, we see more inventory and experience less multiple offers on listings. Current supply and demand reflects a transitional market with still strong home prices but also more opportunity for buyers who want to take advantage of the current low interest rates. A win win situation for both, seller and buyer.

Should you plan to list your home or buy a new one in Gilroy, do it now and call me! There will never be a better time for this exciting step in your life.