Home Seller: February 20, 2026 by mcnaughtonmedia

ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE

When a Realtor does not meet expectations

Q: I’m in the process of selling my house. This was our first house, so we don’t have any experience in selling houses. When we decided to sell, I called a Realtor I saw in an ad in the paper. She came out, told us how much our house was worth and we listed with her. We signed a one-year listing agreement.

We have accepted two pur chase offers that ultimately fell through and now we’re working on our third. We have another house we’re trying to buy and every time a con tract falls through we have to go and beg the sellers of our new home to stay with us a little bit longer. The bottom line is that our Realtor isn’t doing a thing to help us. We can’t call her because the reception ist just says she isn’t here and they’ll give her a message. We didn’t even find out our second purchase contract had fallen through until almost a week later.

My question is: If we do close escrow on the third contract, do we still have to pay the commission? It seems to me that if we are having to do our agent’s job, then we should get to keep the money.

A: There’s no easy answer to your question.

In a perfect world, you would, of course, be correct. But in a perfect world the 49ers would go on to win the Super Bowl every year, but that’s not happened either.

You entered into a contract in which you agreed to pay your Realtor’s company a certain amount of money. They in turn agreed to provide certain services. If they didn’t provide the services they agreed to provide, then we call it a breach of contract.

From a practical perspective though, you really want to think

If you refuse to pay the com-

mission and attorney fees. You will have to defend the suit by claiming it was the Realtor who

ment after you’ve successfully

tract you signed probably called for the commission to be split between two different real estate companies. You wouldn’t have any reason not to pay the buyer’s company.

If you have been unhappy with your agent’s performance, you should call the company’s broker and demand that another agent be assigned to complete the transaction. The listing agreement you signed was not with the individual agent but with the company.

If, in the end, you decide to withhold the commission to your company, be prepared to defend a lawsuit. And you can take my word for this, even if you’re in the right, being embroiled in litigation simply is no fun.

Q: My wife inherited a 5-acre parcel near Pleasants Valley Road outside of Vacaville. My son says we should subdivide the property and sell off 1 acre

See Jones, Page 8

3 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,690 Square Feet

Spectacular 23-acre estate in coveted Green Valley offering unparalleled privacy without isolation. This 3-bedroom, 3-bath, 3,690 sq ft residence showcases breathtaking panoramic views of Green Valley Country Club golf course, Mt. Diablo, vineyards, Suisun Bay, and surrounding hills from every window. Enter through a private gated entrance and dramatic tree-lined driveway flanked by majestic ancient oak trees. The home’s elevated position captures stunning vistas from the expansive patio—perfect for entertaining while enjoying those mesmerizing views. Inside, discover a well-appointed home ready for your personal touches, featuring stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, custom cabinetr y, classic tile accents, and beautiful plantation shutters throughout that enhance the warmth and character. Sustainable luxury includes owned solar panels with two Tesla Powerwall backup batteries ensuring energy independence, plus a private well with reverse osmosis filtration. The sparkling pool with waterfall feature offers refreshing respite against the stunning backdrop. The detached 8-car drive-through garage includes electricity and water—ideal as a workshop or RV parking. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the on-site practice area and close proximity to Green Valley Country Club. This rare offering combines country serenity with convenient country club access—an exceptional opportunity to add your vision to a property with unmatched land and views.

O ered at $2,150,000

Bonnie Falk DRE #00858829

707.321.6916

bonnie1falk@gmail.com solanohomemarket.com

Bobbie Schultze DRE #02059665

707.389.9331

bobby.schultze@kappelgateway.com bobbyschultze.com

Tim Jones

SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE

Real estate and artificial intelligence

Over the past few weeks, software companies have been losing market cap with stock prices falling because of the fear that AI will replace the need for these subscription-based SAS companies.

Year-to-date 2026: Intapp Inc. is down 49%, Unity Software 45%, Applovin Corp 42% and Atlassian 35%. Even the large cap players like ServiceNow is down 28%, Salesforce 27%, Microsoft 15%. Oracle is down 10%, but is now trading at $157 per share after it was over $300 just six months ago.

Many cybersecurity stocks are down year-todate too, which makes no sense because with this mega increase in compute power, you would think cyber security will be needed more than ever once the 1 million acres of new AI plants are built around the country.

AI is great news for Realtors and bad news for today’s average mortgage broker. There is no way robots will be able to meet buyers and sellers and walk through and inspect homes in the next 15 years, and there is no way a robot will be able to negotiate a purchase and listing agreement.

There will always be a need for mortgages because in real estate the money is either there or it ain’t, and 75% of all home purchases require a home loan. If a buyer is purchasing a $1 million home today and this person has a 20% to 50% down payment, a million dollars in their IRA, has a 740 FICO score, plenty

of provable income, has a personal financial adviser managing their IRA or a CPA that does their taxes, they do not need an “average mortgage broker.”

They could use a “way above average mortgage broker,” which could save them a few bucks and get the loan funded in 21 or less days, but this type of buyer does not need a ton of mortgage advice.

If this person knew that a traditional 30-year Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac fixed rate loan was the loan they wanted and their financial adviser gave them the green light on the down payment amount, they could obtain a mortgage through a computer and never talk to the licensed NMLS loan officer by phone or in person.

Luckily for the top producing loan officers that do 80% of the loan business, only 20% of the borrowers are as strong as the scenario above, leaving 80% of the buyers in need of a way above average loan officer, so the mortgage pros are OK for now, but in 15 years look out because robots are not getting dumber.

Jim Porter, NMLS No. 276412, is the branch manager and senior loan adviser of Solano Mortgage, NMLS No. 1515497, a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, NMLS No. 1850, licensed in California by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the CRMLA / Equal Housing Opportunity. Jim can be reached at 707-449-4777.

When should I plan for summer projects?

The unrelenting cold weather may have you dreaming about the longer, warmer days of summer. However, if you want to get the most out of your home this summer, it might be a good idea to start planning your big summer projects now.

Pool, deck, patio and outdoor kitchen installations are all popular summer projects – but how long do they take? Many homeowners are surprised to learn that these projects can take over three months to complete, and planning ahead is the best way to ensure they get done in time for summer.

Not all summer projects are created equally. Pools tend to take the longest to install, with the average in-ground pool installation taking about three months from start to finish. However, if you want additional features like a hot tub or waterfall, the installation process can take even longer. Deck and patio installations can take anywhere from a few days

to several weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Outdoor kitchens are another popular summer project. Depending on the type of outdoor kitchen you want, installation could take weeks or months. Another consideration is whether you need a permit and/ or approval from your homeowner’s association. Depending on your location, permits and HOA approval can take several weeks. Your contractor can help walk you through which approvals are necessary in your area, so consider booking a contractor sooner rather than later.

Once your summer projects are complete, you’ll also need time to decorate and get the area ready for people to use it. If

you’re planning on entertaining, try to complete any large projects a month before the event. This will give you plenty of time to prepare the space and will prevent any stress.

Planning ahead also has other benefits. You might be surprised by how much can be done in the spring, so you can get your projects done early and avoid the summer rush. By starting early, you also might be able to take advantage of better pricing.

Even if you don’t want to start your project until early summer, many contractors, especially those who work in popular summer trades, like pool installation and landscaping, get booked up months in advance, so now is the time to call. Starting your summer projects now will result in faster project times and maybe even lower overall costs.

Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.

Angie Hicks

Jim Porter

Solano real estate transactions

BENICIA

TOTAL SALES: 1

LOWEST AMOUNT: $889,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $889,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $889,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $889,000

867 Channing Circle - $889,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2866 SqFt - 1984 YrBlt]

DIXON

TOTAL SALES: 2

LOWEST AMOUNT: $537,500

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $630,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $583,750

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $583,750

621 West D Street - $537,500

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1910 SqFt - 1956 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-06-06, $508,000 1100 Davidson Court - $630,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 2366 SqFt - 2020 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-01-20, $502,500

FAIRFIELD

TOTAL SALES: 20

LOWEST AMOUNT: $455,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,125,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $552,500

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $640,175

1737 Alford Drive - $505,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 2068 SqFt - 1966 YrBlt]

1331 Canterbury Drive - $540,000

12-18-25 [4 Bdrms - 1780 SqFt - 1961 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-04-23, $460,000

1395 Couples Circle - $710,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 2328 SqFt - 2012 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-10-12, $417,500 249 Dahlia Street - $525,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 1403 SqFt - 1964 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-19-22, $510,000 5299 Elmquest Court - $622,500

12-16-25 [5 Bdrms - 2138 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-05-16, $445,000

2347 Fairview Place - $830,000

12-15-25 [5 Bdrms - 3365 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-09-03, $496,918

3262 Inwood Place - $515,000

12-18-25 [2 Bdrms - 1409 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-05-05, $487,500

2796 Mankas Boulevard - $555,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 1520 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-15-09, $206,000

1661 Minnesota Street - $475,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 1285 SqFt - 1955 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-19-17, $340,000

1904 Moosup Court - $1,080,000

12-19-25 [5 Bdrms - 3498 SqFt - 2010 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-03-11, $488,500

3001 Ponderosa Court - $635,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 1877 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt]

2437 Sanders Lane - $820,000

12-15-25 [5 Bdrms - 3835 SqFt - 2014 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-07-14, $562,500

1249 Shoreline Circle - $630,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2466 SqFt - 2002 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-17-02, $311,990

4828 Silver Lake Court - $475,000

12-17-25 [2 Bdrms - 1141 SqFt - 1982 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-05-12, $131,000

3337 Spyglass Court - $1,125,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2816 SqFt - 2002 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-21-03, $636,334

2564 Sunrise Drive - $526,000

12-16-25 [4 Bdrms - 1549 SqFt - 1972 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-14-99, $145,000

1200 Truman Street - $455,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 1221 SqFt - 1955 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-19-16, $277,000

841 Walden Court - $695,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2087 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-23-09, $297,000

907 Walden Court - $550,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1494 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-15-05, $428,559

1031 Warren Street - $535,000

12-17-25 [3 Bdrms - 1468 SqFt - 1959 YrBlt]

RIO VISTA

TOTAL SALES: 6

LOWEST AMOUNT: $340,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $620,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $469,250

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $471,500

417 Anglebrook - $410,500

12-19-25 [2 Bdrms - 1439 SqFt - 2009 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-07-09, $225,000

835 Elm Way - $448,500

12-17-25 [3 Bdrms - 1632 SqFt - 1959 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-12-22, $498,000

344 Forest Highland Drive - $490,000

12-15-25 [2 Bdrms - 2302 SqFt - 2002 YrBlt]

263 Harvest Hills Lane - $620,000

12-17-25 [2 Bdrms - 2419 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-13-18, $555,000

4656 Mccormack Road - $520,000

12-18-25 [3 Bdrms - 1508 SqFt - 2018 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-27-18, $361,000

618 Virginia Drive - $340,000

12-16-25 [3 Bdrms - 1609 SqFt - 1953 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-13-16, $150,000

SUISUN CITY

TOTAL SALES: 4

LOWEST AMOUNT: $350,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $565,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $510,000.

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $483,750

97 Buena Vista Avenue - $475,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 1384 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt]

412 Craven Drive - $565,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 1759 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-11-18, $428,000

1201 Deanza Court - $545,000

12-17-25 [3 Bdrms - 1466 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-02-18, $425,000

1113 Kellogg Street - $350,000

12-17-25 [4 Bdrms - 1280 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-22-98, $90,000

VACAVILLE

TOTAL SALES: 24

LOWEST AMOUNT: $315,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $875,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $550,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $572,271

319 Acorn Court - $405,000

12-18-25 [2 Bdrms - 1163 SqFt - 1979 YrBlt]

599 Albacete Drive - $440,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1052 SqFt - 1953 YrBlt]

259 Bowline Drive - $550,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 1402 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-09-17, $360,000

364 Brown Street - $465,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 970 SqFt - 1956 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-14-10, $125,000

773 Christine Drive - $635,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1804 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-14-15, $350,000

128 Clark Way - $550,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 1430 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-28-16, $325,000

236 Cogburn Way - $620,000

12-19-25 [5 Bdrms - 2159 SqFt - 2010 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-23-16, $449,000

224 Coronado Court - $535,000

12-16-25 [3 Bdrms - 1965 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-19-16, $307,000

1199 Creekside Drive - $525,000

12-18-25 [4 Bdrms - 1347 SqFt - 1972 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-14-01, $212,000

771 Del Mar Circle - $535,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2409 SqFt - 2014 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-12-15, $436,500

692 Duncan Drive - $430,500

12-18-25 [3 Bdrms - 1626 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 00/1991, $167,500

1025 Fallen Leaf Place - $875,000

12-15-25 [5 Bdrms - 2868 SqFt - 1991 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-31-23, $875,000

370 Killingsworth Circle - $570,000

12-16-25 [4 Bdrms - 1860 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-04-11, $211,000

424 Mandarin Circle - $475,000

12-15-25 [2 Bdrms - 1323 SqFt - 1999 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-16-14, $335,000

1437 Marshall Road - $515,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 1012 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-23-25, $355,500

130 Monte Verde Drive - $869,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2064 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-19-14, $500,000

450 Nut Tree Road - $315,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 1818 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-09-02, $235,000

854 Owl Circle - $720,000

12-15-25 [4 Bdrms - 2050 SqFt - 1993 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-10-03, $385,000

1085 Plumas Court - $590,000

12-19-25 [2 Bdrms - 1621 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-13-03, $367,957

904 Sage Drive - $460,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1249 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-03-15, $259,000

660 Sparrowhawk Drive - $845,000

12-16-25 [4 Bdrms - 2975 SqFt - 2004 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-13-08, $440,000

420 Temple Drive - $570,000

12-17-25 [3 Bdrms - 1533 SqFt - 1985 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-30-12, $226,000 1084 Woodridge Drive - $550,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1318 SqFt - 1983 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-08-24, $562,000

119 Woodstock Circle - $690,000

12-19-25 [4 Bdrms - 2596 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-09-25, $510,000

VALLEJO

TOTAL SALES: 22

LOWEST AMOUNT: $192,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,767,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $490,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $514,318

213 Alvarado Street - $518,000

12-15-25 [2 Bdrms - 1332 SqFt - 1942 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-02-25, $285,000 531 Branciforte Street - $207,000 12-18-25 [1 Bdrms - 840 SqFt - 1910 YrBlt]

600 Buss Avenue - $400,000

12-16-25 [2 Bdrms - 842 SqFt - 1942 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-20-17, $275,500 1457 North Camino Alto #214 - $192,000 12-16-25 [1 Bdrms - 706 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt]

803 Daniels Avenue - $365,000 12-16-25 [4 Bdrms - 1702 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-26-17, $245,000

200 Fieldstone Court - $515,000

12-17-25 [3 Bdrms - 1316 SqFt - 1983 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 00/1989, $132,000

602 Fleming Avenue - $600,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1803 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-13-25, $420,000

1201 Glen Cove Parkway #602$335,000

12-15-25 [2 Bdrms - 872 SqFt - 1992 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-05-19, $320,000 1201 Glen Cove Parkway #1609$365,000

12-16-25 [2 Bdrms - 1014 SqFt - 1992 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-04-22, $400,000

600 Inverness Drive - $515,000

12-16-25 [3 Bdrms - 1317 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-23-09, $193,000

215 Manhattan Drive - $475,000

12-17-25 [3 Bdrms - 1200 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-15-11, $135,500

260 Neptunes Court - $630,000

12-18-25 [4 Bdrms - 1594 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt]

135 Pecan Court - $1,767,000

12-18-25 [3 Bdrms - 1946 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt]

111 Phelan Avenue - $408,000

12-19-25 [2 Bdrms - 770 SqFt - 1941 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-20-24, $445,000

148 Princeton Avenue - $505,000

12-17-25 [4 Bdrms - 1285 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt]

783 Pueblo Way - $608,000

12-18-25 [5 Bdrms - 2090 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt]

161 Richardson Drive - $510,000

12-16-25 [3 Bdrms - 1520 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-27-04, $380,000

43 Rodgers Street - $250,000

12-15-25 [3 Bdrms - 988 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt]

1001 Songwood Road - $795,000

12-18-25 [4 Bdrms - 3612 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-28-21, $900,000

361 Steffan Street - $400,000

12-16-25 [2 Bdrms - 693 SqFt - 1941 YrBlt]

550 Steffan Street - $550,000

12-16-25 [3 Bdrms - 1965 SqFt - 1940 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-21-25, $392,500

1019 Thelma Avenue - $405,000

12-19-25 [3 Bdrms - 1000 SqFt - 1950 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-04-16, $322,500

ON GARDENING

Garden Guy goes crazy for

As we get deeper into 2026, it’s time to get serious with you perennial lovers and ask, “Have you gotten your Color Coded?” I’m not talking about a Pantone analysis of your home and landscape but a healthy supply of some of the finest coneflowers in the marketplace.

You see, while you’ve been spending years coming up with 357 ways to use Supertu nia Vista Bubblegum petunias, Proven Winners has quietly built a collection of dazzling echina cea coneflowers that will shock you. First, I know that there are two new selections this spring, Color Coded Knock ‘em Red and Double Coded Cranberry Coral. Knock ‘em Red brings the Color Coded series to seven and Cranberry Coral brings the double flowered Double Coded series to four. I started growing these coneflowers in 2019, which means my Color Coded Orange You Awesome clumps will be hitting year 7.

then consider that swallowtails, common buckeye, monarchs, and gray hairstreak butterflies

But it’s not just Orange You Awesome but also One in a Melon too. I love this one just as much, as it is a large, flowered selection. Even the way gold starts out gold colored and matures to pastel yellow is ever so striking. It too is always being visited by pollinators. The Color Coded Price is White is pristine and a large, flowered variety

in my garden.

The new Knock ‘em Red is crimson in color and is an upright grower reading about 24 inches in height with a 16- to 20-inch spread. Frankly Scarlet is about the same size but the flower is scarlet in color. Color Coded Yellow My Darling and The Fuchsia is Bright are the other two colors in this series.

The Double Coded series now has four selections thanks to the Cranberry Coral addition this spring. Everything about this group has been pure magic. First off is their beauty, which makes you think you could pick one and it would be a cupcake inside. The first two were Double Coded Butter Pecan and Raspberry

The Garden Guy is a lover of flaming oranges and for that reason Orange You Awesome is my favorite. I still look at it with a sense of awe that a coneflower could be so electrifyingly beautiful. If that wasn’t enough,