28 December 2012

Cocktail Friday: The French 75

For those of you planning to ring in 2013 at home, we bring to you a fun and sparkly cocktail to add to your drink menu.  This bubbly cocktail is both delicious and really easy.  So here’s a joyful way to toast the New Year with champagne, just a little gussied up with the French 75...

Photo & recipe courtesy of Nole Garey

The French 75

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz St. Germain
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
Champagne or Sparkling Wine


Combine the Gin, St. Germain, lemon juice and syrup, shake with ice, and pour into a chilled cocktail glass or champagne coupe.  Top with the champagne – pour it slowly over the back of a spoon to get a great layered effect.

And with this, cheers to you and to the new year...here's hoping 2013 brings much love, health, and happiness to you all!

22 December 2012

Merry Christmas...from my family to yours.

Merry Christmas from my little family to yours.


Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year.

CHEERS!
Jillian, Rick, and Baby Graham

21 December 2012

Cocktail Friday: Blood Orange Brunch Cocktail

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that brunch is the greatest meal of all time. So how about a brunch cocktail? Not quite breakfast and not quite lunch but something sublimely in between, featuring a very easy and very tasty aperitif brunch cocktail.


Photo & Recipe courtesy of Nole Garey

St-Germain Blood Orange Brunch Cocktail

1 oz St. Germain
1oz Cocchi Americano
San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa Sparkling Juice

In a highball glass filled with ice, combine the St. Germain, Cocchi Americano, and San Pellegrino (we used the Aranciata Rossa or Blood Orange).

Give it a stir and enjoy.

Cheers...and Merry Christmas to all!

19 December 2012

Just SOLD!

This cozy jewel in Southeast Visalia has just sold!  Congratulations to the lovely Sellers I had the pleasure of working with...and a big thank you to some fabulous past clients for referring them to me.  Now, wishing for a Christmas miracle to get this family into their new home in time for Christmas!


18 December 2012

Downtown with JILLIAN BOS: A "Shop Local" Gift Guide


Still looking for that perfect last-minute gift? Join me for an exciting holiday round-up of the hottest Downtown Visalia shops and discover the gifts you never knew you just had to have.



Want more? Visit and connect with us at www.JILLIANBOS.com.

Merry Christmas to you!

14 December 2012

Cocktail Friday: The Poinsettia

Today's cocktail is a festive one... Presenting "The Poinsettia".



Like a mimosa, but with cranberry juice.

1 part champagne (or prosecco)
1 part cranberry juice

Serve in a champagne flute, and garnish with something fun: cranberries, a mint leaf, or a fun cocktail stirrer...and enjoy!

10 December 2012

Just Listed in Cobblestone

Spectacular, Mediterranean style home in gated Cobblestone Estates! This luxurious property in NW Visalia features designer-perfect house, and backyard complete with saltwater pool and spa. Chef's kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances. This custom built, Benart home features a fabulous, spacious floorplan. Master suite features large bedroom, atrium, and sitting area. Master bath boasts separate vanities, large shower, and jacuzzi tub. Wired for surround sound inside & out. Custom cabinetry, custom window frames, and 8 foot doors throughout. Laundry room has counter space, cabinets, utility sink & ironing board. Circular driveway with extra large 3 car garage with plenty of storage. This exquisite property is perfect for entertaining. Electrical designated specifically for Christmas lights, central vac, technologically advanced hot water circulation pumps, the list goes on and on...

4 bedrooms / 3.5 bathrooms / pool + spa / 3928 square feet

Listed for $875,000










Just Listed!

Magnificent, move-in ready home!  This fully loaded home has all the amenities. Chef's kitchen features large center island, and beautiful cabinetry. The open kitchen looks over the charming breakfast nook and opens up to a cozy family room with fireplace and French doors to patio area and sparkling pool. Formal living and dining rooms; formal living room also has a fireplace and lots of large windows. Jack 'n Jill bedrooms and an additional bedroom currently being used as a home office. Very special, luxurious carpet and custom closets throughout. Master suite features his and hers custom closets, a sitting area, lots of windows and a door to serene covered patio. Master bath features a jacuzzi tub, separate his and hers vanities, and expansive shower.  Surround sound inside and out, and crown moulding throughout. Sprawling backyard has large covered patio, perfect for entertaining.  Gorgeous heated pool with water features, and relaxing spa.


4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2756 square feet

Listed for $410,000

Call to arrange your private showing today!








09 December 2012

Luxury Market News

There is fabulous news for the luxury market...

This is long awaited news, incredible valuable for those who have been "waiting on the sidelines" for luxury homes sales to pick up again.  I'm happy to share that consistent with this infographic, luxury homes sales in our area have been and are on the rise.  I'm making it my mission to see that this trend continues!

04 December 2012

6 Reasons Why Real Estate is the Best Investment...Again


This is some seriously rich information....too serious to pass up...from my colleague Brian Icenhower of "The Real Word".  Read up...enjoy...and let's chat!

Real estate has always been an attractive investment since it appreciates in value over time with the added benefit of positive monthly cash flow. Investors can buy low and sell high while making profit along the way.  This has never been more true than now as the global financial crisis that briefly shook the nation's confidence in housing has since yielded one of the most lucrative real estate investment climates in history.  There are six major contributing factors that can help explain why:
 

1.  Home Prices are Rising


The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released its House Price Index which shows that year-over-year national home prices rose 4.7% from August 2011.  Home values have reached the same level as in June 2004 and are just 15.9% below the peak prices experienced in April 2007.


2.  Housing is More Affordable


Home ownership is becoming more affordable than renting at an increasing rate.  Historically low mortgage rates coupled with rising rents has now made it cheaper to own than rent in most markets.  Because the majority of home buyers make their buying decision based on the amount of the monthly mortgage payment, interest rates are an even larger factor than home prices.  
 
As an example, in 1992 a $1,500 mortgage payment would permit a buyer to purchase a $175,000 home. Yet at today's unprecedentedly low interest rates a $305,000 house would yield the same $1,500 monthly payment.  That's an astonishing 75% increase in buying power!
 
 
 


3.  Households are Growing

 
The formation of United States households is increasing home buyer demand at a rapid pace again. In the wake of the Great Recession from 2006 to 2011, a relatively low average of 570,000 households were added per year across the country.  But the year of 2012 is on pace to add over 1 million new households, which is more in line with the normal U.S. population growth rate of 1.2 million households per year.
 


4.  Less Distressed Sales

 
The inventory of foreclosures for sale in 2012 is down in most areas of the country.  As shown in the graphic below, RealtyTrac reports that forclosure starts are down 16% from the previous year and are are 55% lower than the peak levels reached in 2009.  Since foreclosed houses are typically sold below market value, foreclosure sales have kept comparable home prices artificially low in recent years.  Now most local markets have stabilized and have seen significant appreciation in values again.
 
 

5.  Rents are Rising

 
Purchasing a home is looking more affordable to owner-occupants and increasingly attractive to investors as rents continue to rise across the nation.  Rents rose 4.1% over the course of 2012 and will continue to rise at a rate of more than 4% per year through 2015 according to the National Association of Realtors and market researcherReis
 
According to Deutsche Bank housing analysts, the average cost to rent has traditionally been 10% lower than the cost of homeownership.  However, Deutsche Bank's research showed that by 2012 the national cost to rent was almost 15% higher than the cost of owning a home.
 

 


6.  Housing Inventory is Low

 
The amount of new homes for sale is at its lowest level in 50 years as home builders virtually halted construction over the past 3 years due to a poor economic climate.  Inventories of existing homes for sale are at a 10 year low, and are sharply down over the past year.  This scarcity of available homes has pushed buyer demand into competitive bidding situations and has significantly reduced foreclosure discounts.
 
 
History has seen very few years where housing demand has leaped so far ahead of supply like it has over the course of just one year.  Will we all refer to 2012 as the year we should've invested in real estate?  My opinion in one word..."Yes!"