Home Seller: July 31, 2026

Questions about buying directly from a seller

Q: A number of months ago, I stopped by an open house in Fairfield. I spoke to the Realtor about the prop erty because my wife and I have been consid ering making a move since it’s obvious rates aren’t going down anytime soon. I put my name and phone number in her guest book and she contacted us a couple of times until we told her we were no longer inter ested. Last week, a guy called me and said he was the owner of the house. He explained that the Realtor’s listing had expired. He told me he could now reduce the price about $15,000 since he was no longer going to be paying a Realtor. He wanted to know if my wife and I would be interested at the new, lower price. He gave me a week to get back to him.

Tim Jones

My concern is that it just doesn’t “feel” right that the agent gets screwed out of her commission even though she’s the one we spoke with. Frankly, I’m also a little miffed that this

guy I don’t even know now has my cellphone number and address. Are there any repercussions for us if we choose to buy the house directly from the seller? And was there anything wrong with the Realtor giving our contact information to the guy in the first place?

A: First of all, if the price is really that good for you, I’d jump on the offer. Legally, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, the seller may be in

When you sell your home through a broker, the law requires that you and the broker enter into a written contract, called a listing agreement, before the broker can

There are two standard residential listing agreement forms used by Realtors. They’re provided by different companies, but are essentially the same. These standard listing agreements include a clause which your seller clearly hasn’t read. It makes the guy liable for the full

commission if he sells the home to someone who the Realtor initially introduced to the property. That liability period varies but often lasts for 120 days following the termination of the listing agreement.

In other words, even when the listing has expired the Realtor winds up getting paid if she was the initial reason the buyer, you, inquired about the property in the first place.

The purpose behind the clause is to prevent exactly this from happening.

A seller hires a Realtor who uses her time and money to market the property while, all along, the seller intended to sell the property to one of the prospective buyers and cut the Realtor out.

The reason the seller had your name was because the Realtor gave the seller the name of every person she had shown the home to. She did this specifically so she could collect her commission if the seller sold the property to one of these people.

Besides, as the seller’s agent, the Realtor has to provide

Forget Halloween: Giant skeletons staying up year-round across LA

TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY

The undead are invading L.A.

They wear Santa hats and sunglasses, American flags and pool floaties. Some stand erect, towering over houses and neighborhoods. Others rot in the California sun, disintegrating into bony fragments. A pelvis atop two legs in a driveway. A skull peering over a rooftop. They are, of course, giant 12-foot skeletons. And if they’re

not in your neighborhood already, they probably will be soon.

Released by Home Depot in 2020, the Halloween prop known as “Skelly” has transmogrified from a meme into a movement. At first mostly limited to the month of October and maybe a week or two in November, many skeletons now stay up year-round as their proud owners deck them out with whatever theme fits the latest holiday: Christmas, Easter,

the Fourth of July, etc.

Some are political: a Putin skeleton puppeteering an undead Trump, or a skeleton with a sign that says “Not vaccinated, see you soon idiots!” Others are the subject of fights with cities and homeowners associations. In L.A., they’re everywhere: Highland Park, Venice, Culver City, Westchester, Burbank, Pasadena, Los Feliz, Hollywood and beyond.

See Skeletons, Page 14

the buyer with any information she has that he wants. She works for him.

However, this certainly isn’t your problem.

When the Realtor learns the seller has sold the property to you she will bring a lawsuit against the seller for the 6% commission. But again, it’s not your problem.

Your problem is trying to conduct the sale without the assistance of a professional. What type of contract will you use? Will it cover the most common issues that develop during the escrow period? What disclosures will you require the seller to give? How will you avoid the multitude of last-min-

ute problems that always crop up? Remember, Realtors do this every day and are very good at anticipating and heading off, problems.

Keep in mind the list of things you don’t know about buying or selling a home goes on and on.

Still, if the seller’s greed provides a unique opportunity for you, you’ll want to give it some serious consideration.

Tim Jones, Esq., is a real estate attorney in Fairfield. If you have any real estate questions you would like to have answered in this column, you can send an email to AllThingsRealEstate@ TJones-Law.com.

SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE

Divorce and splitting up the home equity

Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Law Act of 1969, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 1970. This made California the first state to allow a divorce without needing to prove fault like cruelty or adultery.

One interesting fact, according to Google AI, first marriage divorce is down from 1976. However, in California, sadly, over 40% of all first marriages end in divorce.

I am so old that I remember when there were children involved, the divorce decree would call for the house to be sold after the youngest child turned 18. Over the past 40 years, I have been involved in an estimated 1,500 divorce cases and have actually helped couples and lawyers on at least 500 marital settlement agreements.

When there is only one house involved in a divorce case, there are usually three options: 1. Sell the house and split the proceeds 50-50; 2. One party buys out the other; or 3. The couple keeps the house and becomes unmarried partners.

One interesting thing that has popped up lately is that most of the divorce cases we see involve a house that has a 2.75% mortgage rate from the refinance mania that took place during the pandemic. If the couple sells and they walk away from a 2.75% mortgage, they will both be looking at doubling or tripling their house payments. If one of the two can afford to buy out the other and a lawyer is involved, the departing spouse’s lawyer will always advise their client to force the 2.75% mortgage to be paid off because although there

is very little monetary risk, without a release of liability from the lender, the spouse that agrees to remain in the house and assume the responsibility of the mortgage can ruin the FICO score of the ex-spouse.

Once a person deeds the house over to the ex-spouse, they lose control of their credit rating. This is why I tell people to never cosign on a mortgage without being on title to the real estate.

Now, keep in mind, Fannie and Freddie will not count the monthly payment on the ex-spouse’s mortgage when qualifying to buy another house if the house is clearly awarded to the ex-spouse and the interspousal deed has been recorded. But if the mortgage becomes delinquent, FICO scores can drop from 800 to 600 in three months.

My mortgage and real estate advice to all couples is to stay together if at all possible because the grass is not always greener on the other side, especially if they have a 2.75% rate mortgage. If it’s over, my advice to people that have kids involved is to be as generous and amicable as humanly possible because fighting and spending $50,000 to $100,000 on lawyers usually hurts the kids.

If it is an amicable divorce, a lawyer may be able structure some type of written agreement allowing the spouse that is staying in the house to keep the 2.75% rate mortgage for five to 10 years or even longer. I have seen couples divorce and remain real estate partners until they die, and I have also seen couples

See Porter, Page 6

Solano real estate transactions

BENICIA

TOTAL SALES: 5

LOWEST AMOUNT: $618,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $840,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $710,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $729,400

263 Carlisle Way - $840,000

05-28-26 [4 Bdrms - 2192 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt]

164 Carlisle Way - $829,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 2236 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt]

219 West J Street - $650,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 2082 SqFt - 1961 YrBlt]

1586 London Circle - $618,000

05-28-26 [2 Bdrms - 1138 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-24-18, $450,000

2132 Via Media - $710,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 1336 SqFt - 1969 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-23-25, $491,000

DIXON

TOTAL SALES: 5

LOWEST AMOUNT: $420,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $780,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $635,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $620,000

1532 Base Court - $780,000

05-26-26 [5 Bdrms - 2024 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-20-24, $749,000

515 Birds Nest Court - $635,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 2024 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-14-24, $600,000

260 Heritage Lane - $420,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 1711 SqFt - 2015 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-19-26, $371,501

2100 Lark Way - $540,000

05-28-26 [2 Bdrms - 189 SqFt - 2023 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-29-24, $554,000

875 Sievers Way - $725,000

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 2299 SqFt - 1965 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-16-10, $310,000

FAIRFIELD

TOTAL SALES: 16

LOWEST AMOUNT: $292,0000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $2,550,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $640,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $794,969

4539 Avondale Circle - $730,000

05-27-26 [3 Bdrms - 2489 SqFt - 2000 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-13-00, $304,921

1913 Capitola Way - $576,000

05-26-26 [4 Bdrms - 1738 SqFt - 1979 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 00/1991, $180,000

509 Cavalier Court - $1,150,000

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 2206 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt]

5095 Constable Court - $660,000

05-27-26 [4 Bdrms - 1647 SqFt - 1999 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-04-17, $455,000

2326 Cunningham Drive - $630,000

05-28-26 [4 Bdrms - 1785 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-05-16, $423,500

2517 Cyan Drive - $695,000

05-26-26 - 272 SqFt - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-25-24, $707,000

5161 Freitas Way - $620,000

05-27-26 [3 Bdrms - 1815 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-30-18, $491,000

2076 Harte Court - $292,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1204 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-21-26, $285,000

1102 Hickory Avenue - $700,000

05-28-26 [4 Bdrms - 2569 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-27-11, $279,000

2142 Kingfisher Way - $530,000

05-26-26 [4 Bdrms - 1608 SqFt - 1971 YrBlt]

2869 Marigold Drive - $525,000

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 1440 SqFt - 1973 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-13-11, $135,000 3291 Prescott Way - $650,000

05-27-26 [4 Bdrms - 2095 SqFt - 1981 YrBlt] 1659 Rockville Road - $1,480,000

05-29-26 [5 Bdrms - 3112 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-05-23, $1,400,000

709 Saddle Ridge Way - $2,550,000

05-26-26 [5 Bdrms - 4961 SqFt - 2011 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-26-24, $2,450,000

1636 Sandalwood Court - $621,500

05-28-26 [4 Bdrms - 1686 SqFt - 1995 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-09-15, $399,000

2059 Tilden Court - $310,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1438 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-21-26, $235,000

RIO VISTA

TOTAL SALES: 6

LOWEST AMOUNT: $390,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $626,000

Yolo real estate transactions

DAVIS

270 Grand Ave, $353,919

07-13-26, (2 bdrm - 973 sqft - 2018 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

1661 Spring St., $605,000

07-13-26, (2 bdrm - 1431 sqft - 2021 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $640,000 6-14-21

2031 Catalina Dr, $738,500

07-17-26, (2-3 bdrm - 1935 sqft - 2003 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $450,000 8-1-11

2248 Cannery Loop, $850,000

07-13-26, (3-4 bdrm - 1978 sqft - 2016 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $1,000,000 1-31-22

39604 Primrose Pl, $1,250,000

07-13-26, (5 bdrm - 3246 sqft - 1991 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

2204 Fortuna Ct, $1,410,000

07-14-26, (d bdrm - 2340 sqft - 1973 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $749,000 7-7-06

3039 Audubon Cir, $1,549,000

07-21-26, (4-5 bdrm - 3700 sqft - 1999 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $1,020,000 11-14-16

1421 Vigo Ct, $560,000

07-16-26, (2 bdrm - 953 sqft - 1995 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $319,000 3-13-13

233 Chico Pl, $775,000

07-22-26, (3 bdrm - 1760 sqft - 2026 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

3062 Woods Cir, $465,000

07-15-26, (1 bdrm - 712 sqft - 1985 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $415,000 4-25-22

2705 Brandywine, $522,000

07-17-26, (2 bdrm - 928 sqft - 1977 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $475,000 8-19-19

1131 Halifax Ave, $588,000

07-14-26, (2 bdrm - 1084 sqft - 1975 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $475,000 8-2-18

1544 Pinnacles St, $1,108,000

07-17-26, (5 bdrm - 2398 sqft - 1997 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $1,095,000 5-20-25

5537 Marden St, $565,000

07-16-26, (2 bdrm - 894 sqft - 2002 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $375,000 4-21-15

1162 Drummond Ave, $625,000

07-17-26, (3 bdrm - 1540 sqft - 1989 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $521,500 6-30-17

2230 Halsey Cir, $644,050

07-15-26, (3 bdrm - 1425 sqft - 1996 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $367,500 8-29-11

3948 Cowell Blvd, $820,000

07-14-26, (4 bdrm - 1944 sqft - 1973 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $595,000 2-9-16

3718 Maidu Place, $999,000

These are the local homes sold recently, provided by California Resource of Lodi. The company can be reached at 209.365.6663 or CalResource@aol.com.

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $470,000 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $490,500

4398 Artisan Pathx - $626,000

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 2149 SqFt - 2019 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-01-24, $292,500

349 Canyon Springs Drive - $490,000

05-28-26 [2 Bdrms - 1880 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-05-03, $305,000 2211 Lavender Place - $390,000

05-29-26 [2 Bdrms - 1686 SqFt - 2021 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-12-21, $429,000

104 Riviera Drive - $575,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 2367 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-15-23, $610,000 991 Rolling Green Drive - $450,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 1374 SqFt - 1960 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-13-11, $149,500

673 Rubier Way - $412,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1346 SqFt - 1997 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-15-12, $150,000

SUISUN CITY

TOTAL SALES: 5

LOWEST AMOUNT: $435,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $565,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $525,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $513,400

919 Javan Way - $435,000

05-26-26 [3 Bdrms - 1090 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt]

1013 Main Street - $482,000

05-26-26 [3 Bdrms - 1244 SqFt - 1953 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-06-17, $312,000

1007 Mayfield Way - $565,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 1564 SqFt - 1997 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-10-23, $510,000

503 Paula Drive - $560,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1707 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-14-10, $200,000

46 Tea Rose Court - $525,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1358 SqFt - 1999 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-20-10, $165,000

VACAVILLE

TOTAL SALES: 16

LOWEST AMOUNT: $233,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,665,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $630,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $685,281

844 Arabian Circle - $730,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 2066 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-19-23, $680,000

643 Beelard Drive - $340,000

05-26-26 [2 Bdrms - 1044 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-05-12, $77,000

1607 California Drive - $480,000

05-27-26 [3 Bdrms - 1212 SqFt - 1971 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-04-21, $480,000

449 Cordoba Lane - $625,000

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 1851 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-25-25, $373,000 612 Cougar Court - $785,000

05-28-26 [4 Bdrms - 2140 SqFt - 1991 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-03-22, $775,000

See Solano, Page 6

These are the local homes sold recently, provided by Yolo County Association of Realtors. They can be reached at 530.666.4253 or www.yolorealtors.com.

07-17-26, (4 bdrm - 2280 sqft - 1992 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

1708 El Pescador Ct, $1,314,900

07-14-26, (4 bdrm - 2496 sqft - 1997 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

4237 Dogwood Pl, $1,349,900

07-20-26, (4 bdrm - 2369 sqft - 1998 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

WOODLAND

240 Williams St, $360,000

07-17-269, (3-4 bdrm - 1424 sqft - 1961 yrblt), Previous Sale: $200,000 5-9-08

342 Bright Day, $445,000

07-20-26, (4 bdrm - 1231 sqft - 1972 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

140 Lassen Pl, $450,000

07-13-26, (3 bdrm - 1000 sqft - 1962 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $408,000 6-30-21

100 Inyo Pl, $555,000

07-24-26, (4 bdrm - 1556 sqft - 1968 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $360,000 2-6-26

167 Cleveland St, $440,000

07-13-26, (2 bdrm - 855 sqft - 1953 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $245,000 6-30-16

1 Locust St, $489,000

07-16-26, (4 bdrm - 1866 sqft - 1955 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $378,000 12-3-04

135 4th St, $540,000

07-15-26, (6 bdrm - 2100 sqft - 1950 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

1033 Sycamore Ln, $560,000

07-24-26, (3 bdrm - 1544 sqft - 1967 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

10 Pendegast St, $442,500

07-17-26, (2 bdrm - 897 sqft - 1951 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $450,000 7-1-22

229 Cross St, $613,000

07-13-26, (3 bdrm - 1717 sqft - 1924 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $640,000 4-22-22

1813 Elston Cir, $587,000

07-15-26, (3 bdrm - 1542 sqft - 2003 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $540,000 6-25-21

2 Epperson Ct, $600,000

07-17-26, (3-4 bdrm - 1858 sqft - 1998 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $435,000 12-5-19

780 Elston Cir, $650,000

07-23-26, (4 bdrm - 2293 sqft - 2004 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $335,000 9-7-10

1601 Grenoble Dr, $715,000

07-24-26, (4 bdrm - 2327 sqft - 1977 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $650,000 6-29-21

2032 Davis St, $615,000

07-20-26, (4 bdrm - 2161 sqft - 2016 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

1944 Henry Ct, $790,000

07-20-26, (4 bdrm - 2560 sqft - 2016 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $557,500 5-18-20

ESPARTO

16733 Freeman St, $515,000

07-21-26, (3 bdrm - 1631 sqft - 2002 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $260,000 11-13-15

26536 Capay St, $600,000

07-23-26, (3 bdrm - 1232 sqft - 1932 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $140,000 2-14-02

WINTERS

1108 Washington Ave, $350,000

07-22-26, (4 bdrm - 1192 sqft - 1971 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

301 Rosa Ave, $530,000

07-14-26, (3 bdrm - 1234 sqft - 1964 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

1039 Roosevelt Ave, $539,000

07-14-26, (3 bdrm - 1244 sqft - 1987 yrblt),

Previous Sale: $245,000 9-5-14

504 Dorset Ct, $715,000

07-14-26, (3 bdrm - 1430 sqft - 1989 yrblt),

Previous Sale: N/A

What is the 28/36 rule for home affordability?

ANDREW DEHAN BANKRATE.COM

‘How much house can I afford?” That’s the first question prospective homebuyers should ask themselves.

While you may have an idea of how much of a monthly mortgage payment is, mortgage lenders have a formula they use: the 28/36 rule.

Let’s get into what this rule is and what it means for you.

What is the 28/36 rule?

This rule of thumb dictates that you spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing costs, and no more than 36% on all of your debt combined, including those housing costs. Housing costs encompass what you may hear called by the acronym PITI: principal, interest, taxes and insurance. These are the main components of a homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment.

The 28/36 rule reflects what’s known as the front-end and backend ratios on a mortgage:

•Front-end ratio (28%): The maximum percentage of gross monthly income you should spend on housing.

•Back-end ratio (36%): The maximum percentage of gross monthly income you should spend on all of your debt, including housing. This is also known as your DTI, or debt-to-income ratio.

While it’s commonly called a “rule,” 28/36 is not a law, just a guideline. Mortgage lenders use it to determine how much house you can afford if you were to take out a conventional conforming loan, the most common type of mortgage. Lenders are required by law to evaluate a borrower’s “ability to repay,” and the 28/36 rule helps them assure you’re not over-extending yourself. That said, many lenders will

allow a DTI of up to 45% on conventional loans, and there may be wiggle room in the ratios for FHA, VA and USDA loans as well.

Example: The 28/36 rule for a $500,000 home purchase

•Say you’re buying a home priced at $500,000 with a 20% down payment, and you’re getting a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at 6.5%. With those figures, your monthly principal and interest payments would come to $2,528, according to Bankrate’s mortgage calculator.

•Add another $400 or so to cover the cost of your property taxes and homeowners insurance premium, both of which will vary depending on where you live, and your housing costs for the month would total $2,928.

•To stay within the 28% threshold, you’d need to bring in at least $10,458 per month, or about $125,500 per year, to afford the $500,000 home. (Keep in mind that this does not include the upfront expenses of a down payment and closing costs.) To keep all of your debt to no more than 36%, you’d be limited to spending $3,765 in total per month.

Applying the 28/36 rule in today’s high-priced market

With the current market’s record-setting home prices and high mortgage rates, is it really realistic to limit your housing spend to just 28% of your income?

For example, the 28/36 rule doesn’t account for your credit score. If you have very good or excellent credit, a lender might give you more leeway even if you’re carrying more debt than what’s considered ideal. This is known as a “compensating factor” on your mortgage application, and it can help you get approved for a larger loan amount.

Another thing to consider is that the rule does not account for the recent inflation of costs for other goods and services. For example, say you have two children under the age of 4 that need full-time childcare. That cost alone could rival your mortgage payment. The 28/36 rule doesn’t account for this, so you’ll need to factor it in at least temporarily. Similarly, the rule doesn’t account for typical fluctuating expenses like groceries and transportation, which if you have a larger household, you’ll need to pay for.

Unfortunately, many home-

buyers today have no choice but to spend more than 28% of their gross monthly income on housing. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the gap between inflation and wages and skyrocketing insurance premiums in some popular locations, like Florida.

How to improve your DTI ratio

If your debt and income don’t

fit within the 28/36 rule, there are steps you can take to improve your ratios, though it might require some patience. Start by paying down debt. Not only will this help your DTI ratio, but it could boost your credit score, too. You can also take steps to grow your income over the next year or two. While that may not be what you want to hear if you want to buy a home now, it’s better than getting in over your head with a worse interest rate.

If time isn’t your friend, consider whether you could settle for a less expensive home or a more affordable location. Look into condos or townhouses in your desired area, which can make you a homeowner for considerably less than the price of a single-family home. Just keep in mind that these can come with large HOA fees, and may not appreciate as much as a single family home. A local real estate agent can help you find options that fit both your needs and your budget. And see if you are eligible for any local or state down payment assistance programs to help you pay more money upfront. A bigger down payment reduces the size

How can homeowners handle extreme summer heat?

Record-breaking tem peratures aren’t just hard on people – they can also put added stress on homes. Extended periods of extreme heat can affect everything from your roof and land scaping to windows, plumbing and outdoor living spaces. Fortunately, a little preparation can help homeowners protect their homes and avoid unnecessary headaches during the hottest weeks of summer. Start outside by taking a walk around your property. Heat can quickly dry out landscaping, causing plants, shrubs and even young trees to become stressed. Watering deeply in the early morning allows moisture to

Angie Hicks

soak into the soil before the day’s heat causes it to evaporate. Adding a fresh layer of mulch around plants can also help the ground retain moisture while protecting roots from extreme temperatures.

Outdoor living spaces deserve attention as well. Patio furniture, grills, umbrellas and cushions can deteriorate more quickly after days of intense sun exposure. If possible, move furniture into shaded areas when it’s not being used or invest in protective covers designed to withstand UV rays. Wooden decks may also benefit from a quick inspection,

See Angi, Page 7

Solano

From Page 4

361 Hilltop Court - $540,000

05-27-26 [3 Bdrms - 1120 SqFt - 1994 YrBlt]

136 Marco Lane - $635,000

05-27-26 [4 Bdrms - 2048 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt]

1801 Marshall Road #905 - $233,000

05-29-26 [1 Bdrms - 714 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-15-10, $75,000

113 Novato Drive - $526,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1376 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-29-17, $353,000

937 Pinehurst Court - $670,500

05-27-26 [4 Bdrms - 1782 SqFt - 2010 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-23-19, $530,000

148 Rolling Sage Circle - $1,665,000

05-28-26 [5 Bdrms - 3681 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-22-16, $792,500

2042 Rummel Court - $580,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1408 SqFt - 2001 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-18-03, $360,000

173 San Jose Court - $900,000

05-26-26 [4 Bdrms - 2460 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-06-19, $759,000

566 Santa Teresa Court - $1,050,000

05-26-26 [5 Bdrms - 3119 SqFt - 2004 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-23-04, $617,500

378 Tilden Circle - $660,000

05-28-26 [5 Bdrms - 2388 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-05-08, $659,500

1154 Woodridge Drive - $545,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 1296 SqFt - 1983 YrBlt],

Recordbreaking temperatures aren’t just hard on people – they can also put added stress on homes. Extended periods of extreme heat can affect everything from your roof and landscaping to windows, plumbing, and outdoor living spaces. ADOBE STOCK

Previous Sale: 11-10-09, $233,000

VALLEJO

TOTAL SALES: 22

LOWEST AMOUNT: $232,500

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $810,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $510,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $527,409

220 13th Street - $365,000

05-28-26 [2 Bdrms - 774 SqFt - 1940 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-07-09, $79,000

918 Alameda Street - $369,000

05-27-26 [2 Bdrms - 912 SqFt - 1910 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-29-15, $180,000

691 Annette Avenue - $430,000

05-28-26 [2 Bdrms - 810 SqFt - 1943 YrBlt]

69 Baldwin Street - $280,000

05-29-26 [2 Bdrms - 884 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-03-26, $160,000

5862 Cabernet Drive - $740,000

05-27-26 [4 Bdrms - 2285 SqFt - 2000 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-26-00, $363,000

370 Carousel Drive - $620,000

05-26-26 [3 Bdrms - 1693 SqFt - 1995 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-06-22, $550,000

1330 Corcoran Avenue - $580,000

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 1531 SqFt - 1979 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-24-20, $483,000

6560 Deerfield Drive - $670,000

05-26-26 [3 Bdrms - 2205 SqFt - 2006 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-23-09, $360,000

6606 Deerfield Drive - $717,000

05-27-26 [4 Bdrms - 2725 SqFt - 2010 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-02-22, $815,000

122 Fleming Avenue - $525,000

05-26-26 [2 Bdrms - 1243 SqFt - 1939 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-01-18, $420,000

427 Grant Street - $232,500

05-29-26 [2 Bdrms - 720 SqFt - 1920 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-17-19, $292,000

108 Hermosa Avenue - $445,000

05-27-26 [2 Bdrms - 901 SqFt - 1943 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-06-17, $225,000 1335 Jack London Drive - $439,000

05-29-26 [2 Bdrms - 864 SqFt - 1971 YrBlt]

151 Kathy Ellen Court - $810,000

05-27-26 [5 Bdrms - 2976 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 07-23-25, $620,000

427 Ladera Drive - $495,000

05-26-26 [3 Bdrms - 1631 SqFt - 1958 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-17-25, $385,000

1821 Mini Drive - $396,000

05-29-26 [3 Bdrms - 1207 SqFt - 1970 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-18-21, $555,000

1815 Ohio Street - $349,000

05-27-26 [3 Bdrms - 953 SqFt - 1934 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-04-11, $37,500

701 Oscar Street - $738,000

05-27-26 [3 Bdrms - 2931 SqFt - 2007

YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-27-18, $625,000

1615 Sacramento Street - $600,000

05-28-26 [3 Bdrms - 1479 SqFt - 1949 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-31-16, $265,000

112 Sea Mist Drive - $640,000

05-28-26 [4 Bdrms - 1661 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-30-09, $245,000

116 Silverview Court - $717,500

05-29-26 [4 Bdrms - 2592 SqFt - 1971 YrBlt]

1148 Sonata Drive #96 - $445,000

05-26-26 [2 Bdrms - 1586 SqFt - 2007

YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-08-24, $495,000

Porter

From Page 3

live separately and remain married until they die, too, which sounds a little strange, but is more common than most people might realize.

One final thing about the buy-out that has always bugged me. The person that is being paid off usually gets more than they would if the house is sold because lawyers will often split the equity 50-50 and not deduct anything for the real estate commissions, closing costs or required home repairs. I have

never thought this was fair, but a lawyer once told me that the person that is staying saves money and stress because they do not have to move out and possibly in some cases move into a van down by the river.

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.

REAL ESTATE

Solano County Listings: Homes, land for sale

$2,895,000

$729,000 1763 E St Napa 2 1/0 957 0.18 325099689

$499,000 1110 Waxwing Dr Suisun City 4 2 /0 1,279 0.16 326058959

$595,000 1000 Worley Road Suisun City 4 2

LOTS & LAND

ON GARDENING

Hot pink fuchsia a gardener game changer

The Garden Guy is dedicating this column to a fuchsia; so many of you are thinking this is a sure sign of the apocalypse. Wait ... this new fuchsia is rocking with August at the door.

The fuchsia I am talking about is Sun Pendants Hot Pink and will make its debut in 2027. My first blooms showed in April and have steadily increased in size and number of blooms. The size has already passed tag projections. They are recommended to be cold hardy in zones 9a and warmer. I’ve got a lot of zone 9 plants that are perennial in my zone 8 landscape, so we will anxiously wait until next year to see what aspires.

That tag says 4 to 8 inches tall with an 8- to 12-inch spread. Mine are right at 12 inches tall and keep me mesmerized every

I chose a good potting mix that had slow-release fertilizer granules incorporated. I gave the planter probably too many plants since I expected the fuchsia to croak. My combination featured Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz petunia, Superbells Magic Pink Lemonade and of course, the star of the column, Sun Pendants Hot Pink fuchsia.

In another container I paired the Sun Pendants Hot Pink fuchsia with another plant making its debut in 2027: Luscious Vanilla Breeze lantana, which is white with yellow. It has already been a butterfly favorite. I added Lemon Coral sedum to this mix and love what I see. But can you even imagine partnering fuchsia and lantana?

Fuchsia is also gaining press at university trials. At the University of Georgia Trial Gardens Industry Open House in Athens, it was chosen as an Industry Choice Award Winner. Earlier I mentioned what might be in the pipeline. On their website Proven Winners says, “Fuchsia flowers are always beautiful, but may only bloom well during cool spring days and quit once the summer heat arrives. Sun Pendants fuchsia varieties are game changers –selected for greatly improved heat and sun tolerance so they can be enjoyed all season long.”

So, you see, Sun Pendant varieties can only mean more will be coming and the joy of gardening continues. I’ll have my camera in hand hoping to catch those little acrobatic hummingbirds feeding on fuchsias in my yard. I hope you will too!

the Pacific Coast or upper

Lastly, I did a combination with Sun Pendants Hot Pink fuchsia and Supertunia Mini Vista Yellow petunia. The color yellow, definitely dazzles with the hot pink. The Sun Pendants Hot Pink fuchsia will be one to attract hummingbirds and butterflies so consider that as you choose baskets, window boxes and mixed containers.

Sun Pendants Hot Pink

Norman Winter is a horticulturist, garden speaker and author. Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGarden Guy. He receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.

a nonbeliever in my small

Skeletons

From Page 2

They’re loved, they’re hated and they’re a natural byproduct of Los Angeles – a city filled with the creative and the bohemian, with people who want to make a splash, get a laugh or simply be noticed.

But there’s another uniquely L.A. reason why more and more skeletons are becoming permanent yard fixtures: they’re too big to put away.

As home prices skyrocket, storage space becomes a luxury. Backyards hold ADUs. Large closets become bedrooms. Giant skeletons stand for 365 days a year for the same reason that pianos, treadmills and couches are given away for free: they’re too big to do anything else with. Better up than in.

“Home Depot made a plastic storage bin specifically for the skeletons, but even the storage bins are huge,” said Tyler Bradberry, a South Los Angeles resident who has kept a giant skeleton in his yard since 2020. “Space is expensive. It’s L.A.”

For Bradberry, who works in visual arts, the skeleton is an extension of the inside of his home, where maximalism reigns with psychedelic art – Pushead, H.R. Giger, Neck Face etc. – and a life-size E.T. statue.

“Everything is so sterile now. Everyone wants their house to look like a square box,” he said. “It’s nice for things to stick out a bit. Weird stuff gives the neighbors something to talk about.”

At least one neighbor has had a bone to pick – an older man from Central America who told him he was “playing with death.”

For Christmas, Bradberry dressed the skeleton as Santa Claus, with a six-foot beard. For a haunted frat-themed birthday party, he gave it a toga.

In 2023, he went viral for digitally editing a pair of comically large Jnco jeans on the skeleton. Shortly after, with the help of two friends who work in

wardrobe design, he brought the meme to life, debuting a skeleton with billowing denim at the L.A. culture festival ComplexCon, where artists, designers and rappers converge.

“Chief Keef thought it was hilarious,” he said.

In Atwater Village, photographer Lexi Bonin has had hers up since 2020. What started as a 12-foot skeleton, beaten by years of wind and rain, has withered into a six-foot pelvis on two legs.

“I’m the house with the legs,” Bonin said.

She lives near the L.A. River Trail, so plenty of passersby take pictures. Bonin tried taking it down last year, but as soon as she did, a father and son drove by to see it and expressed their dismay that it was gone.

“People were upset, but when we brought it back for Halloween, everyone was stoked,” she said.

Businesses are joining the movement as well. Above VCA Burbank Animal Hospital, a skeleton named RIPley reminds incoming pet owners of their pets’ mortality. Manager Alana Jennings-Dunn said it went up last

October as a reward for 100% of employees completing a survey on workplace culture, but now it’s a neighborhood staple.

“It’s been a great way to connect with the community,” Jennings-Dunn said. “We’ve become known as the hospital with the skeleton.”

Bruce Dow, who lives in the Central Valley city of Turlock, said people drive by his skeleton – named Mr. Bones – every single day.

“Out at lunch a few months ago, a stranger recognized me as the skeleton guy,” he said.

For Father’s Day, Dow’s skeleton grilled. Dow spray-painted an inflatable swimming pool black for a barbecue and asked his mom to sew a giant apron.

Dow is a member of the “12 Foot Skeleton Halloween Club,” a Facebook group with more than 64,000 members where people share their own designs and stories: a skeleton melting after a house fire, or a stolen skull tracked down by police.

A small industry has popped up around the skeletons, including 3D-printed masks and

dog every day.

“I like it, but my dog doesn’t,” she said. “He starts barking whenever we get too close.”

On the Los Angeles Reddit page, a user posted a picture of a home with a giant skeleton standing on the roof and a pair of skeleton dogs at its side, titled“Interesting house today (not Halloween) in West Adams.” Opinions varied.

“we live in Los Angeles not Halloween town,” one user wrote.

Others supported the bold choice, if for no other reason than it flipped the bird at convention.

“I wear pajamas when I work from home on behalf of those who can’t. This is the HOA version,” wrote another.

A Westside real estate agent, who asked to be quoted anonymously to not offend potential clients, said she handled the sale of a condo near a house with a giant skeleton out front last year. The listing went up around October, so she figured the skeleton was temporary.

custom repair parts. Dow paid $35 for two shoulder sockets and $40 for custom elbow joints after his broke. He also sprays the skeleton with a UV-protectant coating made for boats to keep the plastic from withering.

It’s a hit around his neighborhood, he says. Dow hasn’t had any pushback from neighbors, but says he’s seen it elsewhere.

“People say they’re making home values drop, or claim skeletons are part of the devil.

Crazy stuff like that,” he said.

“But there’s always gonna be those people.”

Around L.A., there are plenty.

Cody Bowers, who lives in Hollywood, said he can see a skeleton from his second-story window.

“At first it was funny, but the joke wears off quickly,” he said. “It’s a beautiful neighborhood. Palm trees, beautiful plants, the mountains in the background. And then this massive skeleton.”

He added that it feels like a trend that’s already tired, the modern version of lawn gnomes or flamingos.

Amy Chen walks by a skeleton in Highland Park with her

When she hosted open houses in November and December, the tower of plastic bones was still standing.

“When you’re selling a house, you don’t want anything that could deter a potential buyer,” she said, adding that it didn’t affect the final sale price, but it gave her a few headaches along the way.

They’re probably not going anywhere soon. If anything, they’ll only get bigger – and louder.

An arms race has already started for this upcoming Halloween, as Lowe’s recently unveiled a 15-foot skeleton that could give Skelly a Napoleon complex. It can talk, turn and be activated by sound, motion or footpad.

Fans now wait with bated breath to see Home Depot’s response. Nothing has been officially announced, but a sneak peek video suggests that the latest version of Skelly will come with an upgraded speaker and an app to program what it says.

Dow said his skeleton will stay up indefinitely.

“Everybody’s asking what I’m gonna do next,” he said. “I have an audience. I can’t let them down.”

Say

hello

DESIGN RECIPES

yellow TO

CATHY HOBBS TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

The color of the moment? Yellow. Every season seems to have a color that captures the mood, and this summer that color is yellow. From soft buttery hues to rich golden tones, yellow is appearing in everything from furniture and textiles to artwork and accessories.

Long associated with the sun, energy and warmth, yellow can instantly brighten a space when used purposefully.

Looking for ways to incorporate yellow into your home décor? Here are some top tips.

• Start with a “pop of color.” If you’re hesitant about using yellow, star small by beginning with accessories and accents such as toss pillows, vases or artwork.

• Choose muted shades as opposed to brighter tones. Soft buttery shades, ochre and even shades of gold tend to feel more sophisticated and timeless than bright, overly saturated yellows.

• Pair yellow with natural materials. Wood, stone, linen and woven textures help ground yellow and create a balanced, organic look.

• Use yellow to brighten neutral spaces. A room filled with whites, beiges and grays can benefit from touches of yellow that add warmth and energy.

• Consider yellow upholstery in moderation. An accent chair, ottoman or bench can provide a cheerful focal point without dominating the room.

• Balance yellow with black accents. The contrast between yellow and black feels modern, graphic and surprisingly sophisticated.

• Use yellow in rooms that benefit from warmth. Small spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens and even family rooms can be ideal spaces for incorporating this uplifting color. Avoid overdoing it. Yellow works best as an accent rather than the star of the show. A few thoughtfully placed elements will have greater impact than using yellow as an overall dominant color.

Cathy Hobbs is the owner of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, a home staging company based in New York City (www.cathyhobbs.com).