There is no doubt that opportunities for home buyers are more abundant than they have been in decades, particularly in urban markets where real estate prices soared to record heights. Suddenly, the idea of home ownership is not longer unrealistic for average income families.

The New Market
It is a regrettable fact that many homes now available at affordable prices land on the market because of foreclosures.

You're a new home buyer. You recognize there is an opportunity to purchase a home that was once out of reach for you and your family and you're scouting the raft of foreclosures in your price range.

It's exciting to contemplate finding an affordable home - perhaps one that needs a little TLC - and enjoying the many benefits of home ownership.

"A little love nest beside a stream, where red,
Red roses grow, our bungalow of dreams.
Far from the city somehow it seems,
We're sitting pretty in our bungalow of dreams."

Thus went the chorus of "Our Bungalow of Dreams," a song written in 1927 that reflects widespread affection for a building style that swept across America as the 20th century was born.

Among the pioneers and luminaries named to the California Hall of Fame in 2008 is a woman whose vision and skill make her a giant of architectural genius, though she stood but five feet tall. Julia Morgan's work adorns California from the Bay area and far beyond, crowned by her most famous work, the design and construction of Hearst Castle that hovers over San Simeon Bay.

You've decided to sell your home. In the current real estate market where there is a veritable glut of listings in many regions of the country, there are some simple things that you, as a seller, can do to enhance the chances your home will sell within a reasonable period of time.

The all important first step is to choose your realtor. The relationship you have with your real estate agent is extremely important since selling a home is often stressful.

"After some consideration, I think I'll choose the Modern Home No. 146. The Saratoga has a lovely wide front porch and the redwood siding should endure for many decades."

This was, perhaps, the thinking of thousands of families who bought their homes from the Sears Roebuck Houses by Mail Catalog - a phenomenon of the early 20th century that delivered kit homes stacked onto rail cars to families across America.

Your house is so beautiful. You've painted and decorated and created exactly the space you envisioned, filled with decor that delights your senses. The art work and memorabilia on your tables and shelves awakens memories and makes you feel, well, at home.

But, you're planning to sell your home you'll be well advised to take a look at the lovely environment you've created with a different set of eyes - that of a buyer.

For some home owners, the downturn in the real estate market presents an opportunity they may not have enjoyed during the boom time. Home owners with some equity in their homes and adequate income may want to invest in a rental home. With so many foreclosures on the market this may be an open window for future returns from real estate investment. But, like most windows, this one too will close.

Part of living in Northern California means actively preserving the natural beauty of the land, and Napa County is no exception. Teaming with robust agricultural and viticultural lands, home to many endangered species, and full of natural wonders, the terrain of Napa County is both diverse and functional. Like most of Northern California, the climate is also temperate, which makes the area in and around Napa County an enjoyable place to explore throughout the year.

It's no wonder that Napa County has some of the most sought after real estate in the country. Not only is this region of the United States staggeringly beautiful and incredibly temperate, it is also well-protected. This is because Napa County residents and landowners in this region remain overwhelmingly committed to the natural preservation and management of the land entrusted to them.

Healthy and vibrant economy goes hand in hand with a solid real estate market and Sonoma County is a good example of such an economic phenomenon as it offers a variety of industries and proudly sustains a low unemployment rate. In fact, Sonoma County has consistently had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire State of California and its housing market has always been counted among the most stable.