Despite national news stories about a surge in foreclosures of wineries and vineyards, Napa wine leaders think it doesn’t give the true picture.

 Bloomberg News reported that there will be as many as 10 wineries and vineyards in the Napa that will be sold because of foreclosure or distressed sales in 2010 and possibly next year.

 According to a recent article in the Napa Valley Register local leaders say that loans are still being made, the industry is on the upturn and there are many good indicators such as stable grape prices. They also say that considering there are more than 500 wineries and 1,000 vineyard properties the number in distress is a quite small.

Earlier this year The Napa Register held an economic summit. Although there were some positive signs, most agreed that overall conditions were worse since the previous one summit held approx 6 months earlier. Attendees included local business people, real estate agents, lenders and others in the wine industry.

In summary the wine industry ended 2009 on a positive note. However other news was not as positive. The number of Napa Homes for Sale show the Napa Real Estate market is still soft. Foreclosures and falling home prices have spread through middle class neighborhoods. New home construction is at a stand still.  Since lenders are still reluctant to lend, there most likely will not be a significant improvement this year.  

Although most attending agree that the worst is probably behind, no one looks for a quick recovery.

You can read more about the Napa Economic Summit.

If you are looking for a Napa Home for Sale, contact one of the local Napa Real Estate Experts who help sponsor this website.

When looking for homes for sale in Napa, it’s important to due your due diligence.  The condition of the home is one of the most factors in your decision. Purchasing a home with hidden problems can quickly turn your dream into a nightmare. Although getting a professional inspection is a must before you buy your home, there are still a number of things you can look at yourself even if you just know some basics.  

However there are still a number of places inside the home that you should check yourself before hiring an inspector. This will help you eliminate homes with obvious problems so you can save the official inspection for the best properties. 

Here are a few things to look for.

What is the overall condition of the interior? Does it seem to be well kept and clean? If not, this could mean there are many problems that are hidden that could cause you problems later.   

What is the overall condition of the paint? Is it peeling or cracked, are there any signs of bubbling, or signs of mildew or mold. Most peeling or cracking can be fixed with a coat of paint, but mildew or mold can be assigned a bigger problems.

Examine ceilings and walls for sagging, bulges, or stains. Excessive mildew can be a sign of a leak or poor ventilation. Look at the floor. Is the carpet in good shape? Does it look like it needs to be cleaned? Are there areas that have been patched? If the home has hardwood floors, check for scratches and grooves in the wood. Are there squeaks or sagging when you walk on it?

Test the light switches and power outlets. Check to make sure they all work and that none of the switches or outlets are loose. Although these are easy to replace, any problems could indicate problems with the wiring which can be very costly.

Inspect the plumbing by turning on all faucets to test the pressure and hot water. Flush toilets and make sure they are flushing properly.  Look under sinks and around faucets and bathtubs for any signs of leaks or water damage. Examine the base of faucets, bathtubs and under sinks for signs of water damage.

There are a great number of homes for sale in Napa. Although this quick inspection isn’t meant to replace an official inspection, it can save you money by helping you find obvious problems which will give you a much better idea of the condition of any home you are looking at before you call in the experts.

When looking for homes for sale In Napa, one of the most important things you should consider is the condition of the home. If you know what to look for you will avoid the temptation of falling in love with a home without taking into consideration the home’s condition. You’ll find homes on the market in every condition, from bargain properties that need extensive work to homes that have been remodeled by others. However no matter what condition you think the home is in you should always have the inspected by a qualified professional.

Before you call in the inspector, there are number of things on the outside of the home that you can check yourself. This will save you time and money in the long run because you will be able to exclude homes that don’t meet your minimum qualifications and save the best ones for more thorough inspections.

Here are some things to keep in mind when making your own inspection.

What is the overall condition as you first walk around the home? Does it show pride of ownership? Is it clean and doe it appear to be in good condition. Is the yard in good condition? If you start noticing problems right away that is often an indication that there are many more problems you’ll discover when you make a more thorough inspection.

Let’s start with the condition of the structure itself. Are there any signs of small animals or insects getting into the house? Check the vents and around the foundation and under the eves for areas where they could enter. Keep a sharp eye out for indicators such as nests, animal droppings, or areas where animals have been chewing. Are there any low lying areas that could cause standing water? This is especially important if these areas are along the foundation of the house.

Look at areas around the windows and doors. Check the condition of the weather stripping, molding and caulking. If you notice any of these are in bad condition moisture could be getting into the home which should cause expensive repairs.

What is the condition of the paint? Are there any areas that are cracking or bubbling under the surface? If there is siding is it in good condition or are there areas where it’s warped or buckled? If it’s brick, are the bricks in good condition or are they chipped, loose or areas where the mortar is deteriorating. If there is a deck, check the conditions of the boards and look for any areas that are sagging.

Finally look at the condition of the driveway. If it’s paved, are there cracks, pitting or other indications that there could be a problem. Any signs of surface problems could mean an expensive repair.

Be sure to let your real estate professional know whether you are looking for a fixer-upper or a home in move-in condition so they can show you homes that meet your criteria. Of course no matter how much you trust your agent; you should always have a professional home inspector do a thorough inspection to avoid any hidden surprises.

Before you start looking for Napa Homes for Sale,  it’s important to understand the climate to increase the chances that you’ll be happy living in the Napa Valley.

Napa is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. The mild climate is perfect for growing world-class grapes and makes a very pleasant place to live. The Napa Valley is far enough inland to escape most of the fog that lingers along the California coast during summer. Yet, unlike California’s Central Valley, it’s close enough to the ocean to take advantage of the cooling effect of that fog.

It can get hot in the summer, but fortunately the hottest temperatures only last a few days at a time before the cooling fog returns. A normal summer will have 5-10 days when the temperatures are around 100° F. Usually this happens in the hottest months, July and August. The southern end of the valley, where the city of Napa is located, is cooler than the upper Valley.

Winter brings rain. The county’s average annual rainfall is around 24 inches. Most of the rain comes between December and February. Napa gets little or more often almost no rain between the middle of May and October. You can expect a few cold mornings with frost on the ground, but even during the winter most low temperatures still range in the 40s and 50s with the highs in the 60s and 70s.

The fall and spring seasons are almost ideal, with moderate low and high temperatures.

 Napa Micro Climates

 If you like hot weather, you would probably enjoy living in one of the northern areas of the valley, such as St. Helena or Calistoga. These areas have higher temperatures than the city of Napa, and the areas south of the city. If you enjoy rain, consider living in the west part of the Napa Valley near the Mayacamas. These mountains get more rainfall than the valley and are filled with forest, streams, and waterfalls. If you like less rainfall, consider the east side of the Valley near the Vacas Mountains. This area gets much less rainfall and is almost desert like in comparison.

Finding Napa Homes for Sale

When looking for real estate in Napa, your best bet is to use a good real estate agent. A local agent will know the climate and will be able to provide you with the best advice in deciding where in the valley you would be happiest.