Mohawk Valley Associates-Real Estate-Graeagle-Blairsden, CA
 

Buyer's Resources - Table of Contents...


Overview of the Buying & Selling Process

The Buyer...
1. Considers the purchase of a home.
2. Selects a real estate agent.
3. Determines needs and wants.
4. Discusses financial issues.
5. Views & researches target homes.
6. Makes an offer to buy.
The Seller...
1. Decides to sell property.
2. Selects a real estate agent.
3. Determines needs.
4. Prepares home for marketing.
5. Agent markets the home.
6. Accepts, rejects or counters offer.

7. Offer Accepted

8. Loan Application
9. Inspections
10. Title Search
11. Appraisal
12. Loan Approval

13. Closing Papers Signed
14. Documents Recorded
15. Funds Available To Seller

17. Buyer Moves In
16. Seller Moves Out

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Benefits of Home Ownership

Credit:

Owning a home helps you establish financial credibility.

Independence:

Owning your own home provides you with independence and more privacy than renting. You are free to paint walls, plant flowers, keep pets and anything else within legal bounds.

Investment:

As you make more payments and own more of your home, you add to its investment value. Most improvements you make will also add to its value.

Pride:

A home reflects its owner's values and lifestyle. Owning a home can provide you with a source of pride, enjoyment and satisfaction.

Security:

A home can provide security against inflation because the value of your home increases as prices go up.

Stability:

Being established in a community provides a sense of belonging, stability and security.

Tax Advantages:

Interest on your mortgage loan is deductible on your yearly personal income tax return. Many of the closing costs associated with purchasing your home are deductible, as are your property taxes.

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Finding the Right Home...

Real Estate Agents

You can sit down with a real estate agent and discuss your needs, type of area, style of home, amenities and everything you really want in your next home. Real estate agents can help you by accessing a Listing Service which covers all properties listed for sale within a specific area. Together, you can select the homes you would like to see, set appointments and preview homes in a short period of time. An agent can guide you through the entire process.

Newspaper Ads/Internet

Many people go through the real estate classified section or browse the Internet to find a home that appeals to them. However, your real estate agent will have many listings available that may not appear in the newspaper or Internet on a continuous basis. New listings come on the market daily.

Multiple Listing Service

Your real estate agent should have access to the multiple listing service if it is available in your area. It usually includes the following details about homes and properties for sale:

  • Location
  • Price
  • Photograph
  • Utilities
  • Amenities
  • Annual property tax
  • Current financing (when assumable)
  • Listing company

When Previewing A Home...

  • Write notes when previewing a home so you will be able to discuss the details later with your real estate agent.
  • Ask questions about the home and discuss any objections or concerns you may have.
  • Ask about the community - schools, shopping and transportation.
  • Ask specific questions about the construction of the home; electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling systems, etc.

Have Fun

Relax. Finding your new home can be a rewarding experience. Have a good time and enjoy the process.

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Home Shopping Tips...

Check For Properly Working Appliances/Fixtures:

Bathroom
  • Sinks
  • Showers/tubs
  • Toilets
  • Vent fan
  • Heating fan

Appliances

  • Dishwasher
  • Stove
  • Oven
  • Ice maker
  • Garbage disposal
  • Range hood
  • Refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Microwave
  • Trash compactor
Kitchen
  • Kitchen cabinet doors
  • Drawers
  • Sinks

General

  • Lights (interior & exterior)
  • Windows
  • Heating system
  • Ceiling fans
  • Hot water system
  • Air conditioning system
  • Electrical outlets
  • Door bells
  • Doors
  • Water purifier
  • Fireplace damper
  • Garage door


Ensure House Is Well-Built & Systems Are In Working Condition:

Exterior
  • Brick bulging or cracking
  • Shingles missing or broken
  • Siding rotted or missing
  • Gutters damaged or need to be cleaned
  • Concrete cracked in sidewalks/driveway

Basement

  • Water seepage in basement
  • Cracks in foundation
  • Poor ventilation
Interior
  • Sub-flooring damaged or loose
  • Cracked walls or ceiling
  • Cracked tiles
  • Loose plaster
  • Flooring damaged
  • Soft, springy floors
  • Water stains near windows
  • Water stains on ceiling below bathroom
  • Water stains in attic
  • Pipe insulation missing

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Home Inspections...

What is an inspection?

There are numerous types of inspections. An inspection is meant to evaluate, at minimum, the structural and mechanical condition of a property. It is not the same as an appraisal which evaluates the market value of a property. Persons involved in real estate transactions need unbiased information about the physical condition of property they plan to buy or sell and your contract should include a contingency that you obtain a satisfactory inspection report. Talk with your agent about the types of inspections available.

Home Inspectors vs. Engineers

Home Inspector: A person who examines any component of a building, through visual means and through normal user controls, without the use of mathematical sciences.

Engineering: Analysis or design work requiring extensive preparation and experience in the use of mathematics, physics, chemistry and the engineering sciences.

Finding a qualified Inspector

  • Referrals from satisfied customers
  • Referral from a local real estate agent or mortgage company
  • Local consumer affairs office
  • Yellow Pages under "Building Inspection Services"

Ask if she/he is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). The ASHI has established standards of practice which include the specific services, limitations and exclusions that can be expected from private home inspectors.

What the inspection, at minimum, includes

Every inspection should include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of at least the following:

  • Foundations
  • Plumbing and electrical systems
  • Doors
  • Ceiling, walls and floors
  • Roof
  • Hazardous materials concerns
  • Heating and air conditioning systems
  • Common areas (in condominiums)
  • Insulation
  • Ventilation

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Evaluating Properties...

Property Evaluation Form - Print this form and use it to rate different features of each property you view.

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Answers to frequently asked questions...

What is the difference between "pre-qualified" and "pre-approved"?

If you are "pre-qualified" you have determined, with a loan officer, what price you can afford based on the down payment, your debts and the amount the mortgage company will approve for your mortgage. Being "pre-qualified" is only a determination of your probable credit. If you are "pre-approved", your credit, employment and funds have been approved by the lender.

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are an accumulation of charges paid to different entities associated with the buying and selling of real estate. For buyers, they are usually about 4-6% of the total sales price of a property. Some of the closing costs you might encounter are: application fees, appraisal fee, county taxes, credit report, discount points, documentation fee, escrow fees, homeowners' association fees, loan fees, mortgage insurance, origination fees, tax registration and title insurance premium.

What is a point?

One point is equal to 1% of the new loan amount. Whenever government regulation, state usury laws and/or competitive practices prohibit the lender from charging a rate of interest that would make the real estate loan competitive with other fields of investments, the lender must seek some method of increasing the yield for the investors. By charging "points", the lender can bring the real estate loan up to those other investments.

What is earnest money?

When you make an offer, you will need to put up an earnest money deposit as a sign of good faith that you are seriously interested in buying a home. That deposit becomes a part of the purchase price and is held in a trust account until there is full acceptance of the offer. Typically, an earnest money is 3-5% of the offer amount.

What is title insurance?

Title insurance protects the named insured against loss because of defects, liens, encumbrances, adverse claims or other matters not shown or disclosed to the new owner that attach before date of policy.

Is VA or FHA financing unfair to sellers?

FHA and VA loans provide purchasers the opportunity to buy homes with minimal cash investment and at lower interest rates. The result is a larger market for sellers, who also benefit by receiving all cash for their equity.

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Mohawk Valley Associates
Blairsden Office: 330 Bonta St., Suite 1, Blairsden, CA 96103 ph. 530-836-2020 fx. 530-836-2023
Portola Office: 24 W. Sierra, Portola, CA 96122 ph. 530-832-1919 fx. 530-832-1313
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2020, Graeagle, CA 96103 Eml: sold@mohawkvalleyassociates.com

PORTOLA,BECKWOURTH, VINTON
Tin Roof 190 Bonta St, Blairsden
836-1497

Soups, sandwiches & salads. Lunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beer & wine. Closed Mon.
Waystation Hwy 70, Cromberg
836-2426

Seasonal.
Beckwith Tavern Hwy. 70, Beckwourth
832-5084

Closed Mon-Tues.
Casa Carmelita 165 E Sierra Ave, Portola
832-5360


Chilcoot Frosty 94177 Hwy 70, Chilcoot 993-4287

Closed Nov-March.
Coffee Tree Express 220 E Sierra Ave, Portola
832-4563

Specialty coffees, coffee beans, pastries and cookies. 6 a.m. (7 a.m. Sat) to 4 p.m. Closed Sun
Hong Kong Restaurant 117 W Sierra Ave, Portola
832-1458

Closed Mon.
Kehoe Pharmacy Fountain 157 Commercial St, Portola
832-4218

Old-fashioned soda fountain. Sandwiches, shakes. Lunch 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until 1 p.m. Sat.) Closed Sun.
The Log Cabin 64 E Sierra Ave, Portola
832-5243

Closed Tues.
The Potter's House 239 Commercial St, Portola
832-5659

Open daily 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Pizza Factory 197 Commercial St, Portola
832-0430

Pizza, calzones, pasta, sandwiches, salad bar. Lunch & dinner daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beer & wine. Delivery - Portola area.
Portola Frosty 281 W Sierra Ave, Portola
832-5345

Fast food, ice cream. Lunch & dinner 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Closed Nov-March.
Station Cafe 165 Pacific St, Portola
832-0720


Wood ‘N’ Rose Hwy 70, Chilcoot
993-1738

Closed Wed.

GRAEAGLE, BLAIRSDEN, CROMBERG, LAKES BASIN, CALPINE
Cafe Mohawk 1228 Johnsville Rd, Blairsden
836-0901

American, gourmet breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, salads. Breakfast & lunch 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Winter hours vary. Outside catering available. Closed Tues. Beer & wine.
Clio Deli 276 Lower Main St, Clio
836-4433

Deli sandwiches, take and bake pizza, salads, espresso, baked goods. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Beer & wine. Closed Nov-March.
Coyote Bar & Grill Hwy 89, Blairsden
836-2002

Southwestern cuisine, steaks, seafood, chicken, salads. Dinner 5-9 p.m. Full bar opens at 3 p.m. Closed Mon. Dining room closed Jan-Feb.
Feather River Inn 65899 Hwy 70, Blairsden
836-2623

American all-you-can-eat buffet specials. Dinner, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wed-Fri & occasional Sun. brunch. Beer & wine. Banquet capacity: 250. Closed mid-Nov. to Mar. 1.
Gold Lake Lodge Off Gold Lake Rd, 7 miles from Graeagle
836-2350
 
American grill, salads, & Mexican. Breakfast & lunch 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Closed mid-Nov to mid-April. Full bar. Banquet capacity: 80.
Graeagle Millworks 115 Hwy 89, Graeagle
836-2828
 
Espresso, pastries, soups, sandwiches, desserts. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed in March.
Graeagle Restaurant Hwy 89, Graeagle
836-2393

American, homemade pies, specials. Breakfast, lunch & dinner 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (closes at 3 p.m. Wed). Closed Dec-March. Beer & wine.
Gray Eagle Lodge (Firewoods) Gold Lake Rd, 5 miles south of Graeagle
836-2511
 
California mountain cuisine. Dinner 5:30-8:15 p.m. daily. Closed mid-Oct-mid-May. Full bar.
Grizzly Grill 250 Bonta St, Blairsden
836-1300
 
Contemporary American cuisine, salads, meats, poultry, seafood and pasta. Dinner 5:30-9 p.m. daily (Wed-Sun in winter.) Early bird specials. Cocktail lounge, extensive wine list. Banquet capacity: 100.
Gumba’s Pizzeria & Grill 350 Bonta St, Blairsden
836-1212

Pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings and pastas. Lunch & dinner 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Beer & wine.
Iron Door Hwy A-14 in Johnsville, 10 minutes from Graeagle
836-2376
 
Continental, steaks, seafood, pastas, German specialties. Dinner 5 p.m. to closing. Closed Tues. Closed mid-Nov to April. Full bar. Banquet capacity: 90.
Longboards Bar and Grill 402 Poplar Valley Road, Blairsden
836-1111
 
Italian, steaks, seafood and pasta. Lunch and dinner 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. brunch. Seasonal. Full bar. Occasional entertainment. Banquet capacity 228.
Mt. Tomba Hwy 70, Cromberg
836-2359

Closed Mon. Winter hours vary.
Nakoma Resort and Spa - The Loggia Room 349 Bear Run, Clio CA Located in Nakoma Clubhouse at Gold Mountain
832-6304
 
Pan Pacific cuisine. Dinner Thurs. only 6:00 to 10 p.m. Banquet capacity 60. As of Nov 18, 19 the Nakoma Resort and Spa will be closed both Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter season
Nakoma Resort and Spa - The Wigwam Room 349 Bear Run, Clio, CA Located in Nakoma Clubhouse at Gold Mountain
832-6304
 
Casual gourmet dining. Open daily year-round 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Banquet capacity 150. As of Nov 18, 19 the Nakoma Resort and Spa will be closed both Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter season
Olsen’s Cabin Johnsville Rd, Graeagle
836-2801

Closed Sun & Mon. (Fri-Sat only in winter)
Sardine Lake Resort Off Gold Lake Rd, 15 miles south of Graeagle
862-1196
 
American with daily specials including prime rib, lamb, chicken, seafood. Dinner (6 and 8 p.m. seatings) Reservations required. Closed Thurs., closed mid-Oct to mid-May. Full bar & gazebo.
Sierra Valley Lodge 12 miles south of Graeagle, Calpine
994-3367
 
American, steaks, prime rib, prawns. Dinner, 5-9 p.m. Thurs-Sun. (Fri-Sun only in winter.) Cocktail lounge. Banquet capacity: 150.
The Lodge at Whitehawk Ranch 985 Whitehawk Drive at Whitehawk Ranch, Clio
836-4985

Closed Tuesdays. Seasonal.

 


Eastern Plumas Area LodgingLakes Basin Area Lodging
Cromberg Area CampgroundsBlairsden/Graeagle/Lakes Basin Area Campgrounds
Portola/Lake Davis Area Campgrounds
Sierra Valley/Frenchman Lake Area Campgrounds

-HELPFUL AREA LINKS- -AREA LODGING--AREA DINING- -RELOCATE-



 
AREA ACCOMODATIONS/LODGING:

EASTERN PLUMAS AREA
-Butte Resort/Buckhorn Lodge
-Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park
-Downieville River Inn
-Elwell Lakes Lodge (530) 836-2347
-Feather River Park Resort (530) 836-2328
-Feather River Inn, Hwy 70 ¾ mile W of Blairsden (530) 836-2623
-Graeagle Meadows Vacation Rentals, Hwy 89, Graeagle 800-800-6282
(530) 836-1100
-Graeagle Vacation Rentals, Graeagle 800-836-0269
-Herringtons Cabins & Motels w/ balconies and some w/ kitchens. 21 units.
Open April 1st - Nov. 30th. 1-800-682-9848
-High Country Inn B&B
-Lake Davis Resort, Lake Davis Road, Portola (530) 832-1060
-Layman Resort, Hwy 70 Blairsden (530) 836-2356
-Long Valley Resort, 59532 Hwy 70, Cromberg (530) 836-0754
-Molly's Bed and Breakfast, Clio (530) 836-4436
-Nakoma Resort and Spa Plumas Eureka Realty, 26 Poplar Valley Rd.,
Graeagle 800-836-0269
-Plumas Pines Realty, 307 Poplar Valley Rd., Blairsden 800-655-4440
-Pullman House Inn, 256 Commercial St., Portola 800-996-0107 (530) 832-0107
-River Pines Resort, Hwy 89, ¼ mi. N of Graeagle 800-696-2551 (530) 836-2552 -Sardine Lake Resort (530) 862-1196
-Sierra Valley Lodge, 14 miles S of Graeagle 800-858-0322 (530) 994-3367
-Sierra Motel, 380 E Sierra St., Portola (530) 832-4223
-Sierra Sky Lodge, Cromberg (530) 836-2344
-Sleepy Pines Motel, 74631 Hwy. 70, Portola (530) 832-4291
-20 Mile House, Old Cromberg Rd., Cromberg (530) 836-0375
-The Lodge at Whitehawk

LAKES BASIN AREA
-Elwell Lakes Lodge, Gold Lake Rd., (530) 836-2347
-Gold Lake Lodge, Gold Lk. Rd. Mod. American Plan (530) 836-2350
-Gray Eagle Lodge, Gold Lk. Rd., Mod. Am. Plan (530) 836-2511 800 635-8778
-High Country Inn, Hwy 49 & Gold Lake Rd. at Bassets, Sierra City 800-862-1532
 
LOCAL CAMPGROUNDS:

CROMBERG AREA
-Buzzards Glory, Cromberg (530) 836-0205

BLAIRSDEN/GRAEAGLE/LAKES BASIN AREA
-Clio's River Edge Trailer Resort, 3754 Hwy. 89, 3.5 mi. S. of Graeagle 530-836-2375 -Movin' West Trailer Park, 305 Johnsville Rd., Graeagle (530) 836-2614
-Sierra Springs Trailer Resort, 3.5 mi. E. of Blairsden on Hwy. 70 (530) 836-2747 -Plumas Eureka State Park, Johnsville, 5 mi. W of Graeagle on Road A-14
(530) 836-2380 (no reservations)
-Lakes Basin Near Gold Lake, 4 wheelchair accessible sites
-Lakes Basin Group Campground
-Gold Lake 4x4, Camp 10 mi. S. of Hwy. 49, off Gold Lake Rd 4 wheel drive required

PORTOLA/LAKE DAVIS AREA
-Feather River RV Park, & Campground 4 mi. W of Portola (530) 836-2183
-Trails West Trailer Park, 73561 Hwy. 70, Portola (530) 832-5074
-Grasshopper Flat, Lake Davis Grizzly, Lake Davis Lightning Tree, Lake Davis

SIERRA VALLEY/FRENCHMAN LAKE AREA
-Crocker, 8 mi. N of Beckwourth
-Big Cove, 11 handicap accessible sites, 1 trail to Frenchman Lake
-Chilcoot, 4 mi. N of Chilcoot, 1 tent & 1 wheelchair access.
-Cottonwood Springs, Frenchman Lake
-Cottonwood Springs (Group) 1 wheelchair access. Site
-Frenchman Lake JD Trailer Ranch (530) 993-4666
-Spring Creek, Frenchman Lake

Overview of the Buying & Selling Process
The Buyer...
1. Considers the purchase of a home.
2. Selects a real estate agent.
3. Determines needs and wants.
4. Discusses financial issues.
5. Views & researches target homes.
6. Makes an offer to buy.
The Seller...
1. Decides to sell property.
2. Selects a real estate agent.
3. Determines needs.
4. Prepares home for marketing.
5. Agent markets the home.
6. Accepts, rejects or counters offer.