‼️ It's August and things are heating up ‼️

As I am writing this, I am knocking on wood because I CANNOT believe the weather we have had thus far this summer!! It has been AMAZING!! ☀️ I am hoping it continues. Summer is coming to a sad ending as we approach Labor Day. Boo hoo! 😢 I personally love summer.

I had this whole newsletter written, and then I got ANOTHER phone call from clients who have recently lost their homeowner's insurance. The company wouldn't renew them. Ugh. Their home is less than five years old! In talking with a couple of insurance brokers recently, the word on the street is that hopefully homeowner's insurance issues will — I guess the word I’d use is — stabilize in the next five years. So take some deep breaths if you are worried about being dropped. Hang in there, and reach out to me if it happens to you. I will send you a list of the fabulous insurance brokers I work with who are trying to help Californians stay covered. 🏡

Now onto your homeowner To-Do List for late summer:

✅ Check Your Cooling System & Insulate for Efficiency

With another summer wave here, it’s a good time for an HVAC tune-up—clean or replace filters, check ductwork, and insulate attic doors to cut down on energy waste as cooler seasons approach. ❄️

✅ Prep for Seasonal Weather

Prepare for fall storms by clearing gutters, trimming overhanging branches, and inspecting your roof for loose or damaged shingles. This helps avoid costly water damage when the rains return. 🌧️

✅ Upgrade Your Outdoor Oasis

Install dimmer, warm outdoor lighting for those later evenings. Add drought-friendly potted plants or refresh mulch—your space will look great into autumn with minimal upkeep. 🌿✨

✅ Plan Fall Projects & Maintenance

Draft a to-do list for fall: think window sealing, irrigation shutdowns, and maybe giving your fireplace or wood stove a safety check—planning now means smoother renovations later. 🛠️🔥

🏚️ REAL ESTATE NEWS 🏘️

Real Estate Market Highlights for Solano County (Late Summer 2025)


  • Inventory Trends: Listings are lingering longer—average days on market increased to ~45 days—giving buyers more breathing room; sellers need precise pricing.
  • County Affordability: Solano County remains a standout among Bay Area counties for affordability, even with low-income thresholds rising.
  • Buyers can now leverage the slower market timelines and ask for credit or repairs and compare their options carefully.


🚨 LOCAL HAPPENINGS 🚨

 

SUNDAY SUPPER at SENTIVO WINERY 🍷



✨ Buy your tickets now for Solano Land Trust's Annual Sunday Supper, which will be held on Sunday, October 5th, 2025. This years, "An Evening Under the Stars", a farm-to-table dinner that celebrates community, local flavors, and the beautiful lands of Solano County. Guests will enjoy locally sourced dishes, regional wines, and the simple joy of gathering together under the open sky. Every ticket supports the Solano Land Trust’s mission to connect people with the land, making this event both a memorable experience and a meaningful way to give back.

🏃🏽‍♂️‍➡️ DAVIS LABOR DAY RUN 🏃‍♀️

Want to get your body moving? Head over to Davis for the 26th Annual Labor Day Run on Monday, September 1. Choose from a 5K, 10K, One-Mile walk/run, or Kids’ Fun Run. Each registrant gets a medal, t-shirt, and post-race pancakes—perfect for active families and spirited competitors alike.

🌮 FIRST THURSDAYS IN NAPA 🍔

Have you heard about the new community event happening in Napa? If you remember the good ole days of the Chefs Market, you’ll love this! It brings back all the favorites—live music, food trucks, local farmers, specialty food vendors, non-profits, kid’s activities, and even lawn games for the whole family to enjoy. Designed as a family-friendly, locals-focused gathering, this monthly event will take place from 5:00–9:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month, May through October 2025, at Oxbow Commons—giving everyone plenty of space to spread out, connect, and have fun together.


🍇 FEATURED LOCAL BUSINESS 🍇

🥂 SENTIVO TASTING ROOM OPENING AUGUST 28TH 🍷

🎉🍷 From my own yard, I can see the excitement unfolding — Sentivo Vineyards is opening their brand-new tasting room right here in the Suisun Valley! They’ll officially open the doors on Thursday, August 28th from 11 AM to 5 PM, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s wonderful to have another special place close by where we can enjoy great wine, relax, and meet with friends. The team has poured so much heart and effort into this project, and it’s inspiring to see Suisun Valley continue to grow into a vibrant destination for wine lovers. Be sure to book a tasting and check out their new space at SentivoVineyards.com. 🌿🥂


⚡️ ON THE MARKET ⚡️

313 TOYON LANE, VACAVILLE 95687

With a price improvement, this fabulous home is perfect for a first-time homebuyer, a growing family, or an investor! This turn-key, 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath end-unit offers comfort, privacy, and energy efficiency with owned solar panels. Features include a cozy fireplace, upgraded flooring, spacious loft with built-in desk, private backyard with no rear neighbors, and a light-filled primary suite. Close to Hawkins Park, shopping, dining, and hospitals.


Click below for details ⬇️

🔥 PENDING & RECENT CLOSINGS🔥

PENDING

1678 Southridge Drive

Petaluma

401 35th Street, Sacramento, Ca

560 Fountain Way, Dixon, Ca

2741 Seminole Drive, Fairfield, Ca


BUYER NEEDS:



And I have current buyers searching for:



Single-story home in Rancho Solano (preferably golf course views)

Small home in Napa (2 bed, 1–2 bath, small yard)

Large home in Rancho Solano (also golf course views)

Investor purchases in Solano, Napa, and Yolo Counties (quick close possible)

Home or condo in Vacaville, Fairfield, Dixon, or Woodland that qualifies for VA financing


So if you know of anything, or you are ready to sell, I'm here.

🫶 SUMMER RECIPES 🇺🇸

🍅 FRESH TOMATO & ZUCCHINI GALETTE 🍅


Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet store-bought or homemade pie dough
  • 2–3 medium heirloom tomatoes, sliced
  • 1–2 small zucchini, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup shredded Gruyère or mozzarella
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil + extra for brushing
  • ½ tsp dried thyme (or fresh, chopped)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 °F. On a parchment-lined sheet, roll out the dough into a roughly 12-inch circle.
  2. Brush dough edge with olive oil. Layer onion slices, cheese, then arrange tomato and zucchini in a rustic, overlapping pattern.
  3. Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper. Fold edges of dough inward over filling.
  4. (Optional) Brush crust with beaten egg for shine.
  5. Bake 25–30 minutes, until crust is golden and vegetables tender. Let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temp.


🍋 LABOR DAY BERRY TRIFLE WITH LEMON CREAM 🫐🍓

Ingredients

  • 1 store-bought pound cake (or angel food cake), cubed
  • 2 cups strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla.
  2. Whip heavy cream separately until soft peaks form, then fold into the cream cheese mixture—creating a light lemon-flavored cream.
  3. In a trifle bowl or individual cups, layer cake cubes, mixed berries, and lemon cream. Repeat until full.
  4. Top with extra berries for that festive red, white, and blue finish.
  5. Chill for at least an hour before serving—perfect for a refreshing end to your holiday BBQ or gathering.


📈 INTEREST RATES 💰

FHA & VA loans are quoted low 6%, and conventional mid-6’s. I’ll take that! 🤞👊!!

Summer is coming to an end... Labor Day is soon upon us. Kids are back in school, vacations are winding down, and supposedly you aren’t supposed to wear white after Labor Day! I’ll point out—in about four months it will be Christmas. And Starbucks rolls out their Pumpkin Spice Latte Tuesday, August 26th 😱!

But remember—we live in Northern California. Our summer isn’t over yet. Go ahead and put some of your summer clothes away, but I guarantee you’ll be pulling them back out until the end of October! 😂

Enjoy the long days, the BBQs, and your time with the ones you love. You know where to reach me if you have any needs or wants!


Fondly,


Kim


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