Our winter has turned into Spring, sunny, warm, and the most wonderful fragrance in the air. Orange blossoms! In nearly every neighborhood there are citrus trees and they are now bursting with tiny white and yellow blossoms sending sweet fragrances. Some people begin sneezing now. One of my newly arrived friends said to me..."I don't know what's going on, I'm reacting to something". Orange blossoms. At Versailles, small boxed orange trees were treasured features of the magnificent gardens. They were displayed on the huge terraces and carefully tended. A rarity and a miracle from far off places. Here we see them everywhere. Have you ever plucked a ripe orange from a glossy green leafed tree and eaten it out of your hand? I have had winter visitors knock on my front door asking if they "could please take just one fruit?" Of course, and here's a paper sack to fill up with more than one. I used to be a beekeeper. I found a swarm of bees and captured it in a box. We purchased a proper hive/box and transferred the hundreds of suspicious bees into it, hoping the Queen was still there somewhere in the middle. (Don't try this, very risky) The bees maintained a flight path exiting their front door flying south every day to collect food for the colony. Of course, they visited my citrus trees daily. We always had an overflow crop of fruit thanks to these tireless fliers.

The real estate market has experienced a recent shift. Due to enticing loan terms, many renting families are turning into buyers with the result that affordable houses are on the market only a few days in many cases. They are "flying off the availability lists". Sometimes 3 or 4 buyers lining up at one time. The large luxury homes, are also selling, but we currently have a huge supply of inventory. Therefore buyers for these houses are in a choice position, many selections available and sellers ready to move on to new places. We are seeing some older homes in prime neighborhoods coming slowly into the market, a few at a time, and being snapped up by custom builders ready to renovate or simply taken down with a new house rising in its place. These homes are being offered for sale in the 1.2 million to 3.5 million dollar price range, and higher in some cases. You would be amazed at the large, luxurious homes to be found, usually 4500 square feet and larger, often on a one acre plus lot with gourmet style kitchens, 4-6 bedrooms with baths, sometimes with a guest house. Our values are hard to match anywhere in the west. They are extraordinary.

Call me and I will send you examples of property here. It's easy and quick to reply by email. I can also forward by regular land mail a wonderful book with area information for you to enjoy. My gift to you. Enjoy your Spring, wherever you are.

Best regards, 

Helen