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2 Friday, September 11, 2026 — McNAUGHTON MEDIA
ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE
ASK ANGI
What to do before remodeling your kitchen Going to loan broker F or bank Q: Can you kindly, and urgently, advise me regarding what the difference is between choosing a mortgage loan broker and going directly to the bank for a mortgage? How much should a fair broker charge for his services? A: Your Tim Jones last sentence sounds like you’re in the real estate industry and teeing up the ball for any number of loan broker jokes. But I’ll spare us all and move on to your question. In short; the business model for the two are different, but the result for the customer is largely the same. The banks utilize loan officers who are generally paid a small salary with the bulk of their money coming from commissions. Mortgage brokers are typically independent contractors. That is, they essentially run their own business, just like a Realtor does. They are paid strictly on commission. And just like a Realtor, this is true even when the loan officer appears to work for a brokerage company. An “in house” bank loan officer has the possible advantage of having a very close relationship with the innerworkings of the bank. He or she may have private numbers and emails that can occasionally help get logs unjammed. On the other hand, See Jones, Page 4
or many homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the home, making it one of the most rewarding rooms to renovate. That sentiment is reflected in Angi’s International Homeowners Study, where homeowners across every country surveyed ranked the kitchen as the second most important room in the home. But because kitchen remodels involve everything from cabinetry and appliances to plumbing and electrical work, they’re also one of the most complex home improvement projects. Taking time to plan before construction begins can help homeowners avoid costly surprises and keep the project running smoothly. Start by defining your goals and setting a realistic budget. Before selecting finishes or appliances, think about how you use your kitchen every day. Do you need more storage? Better lighting? Additional prep space? Prioritizing the improvements that will have the biggest impact on your daily routine helps ensure your budget is spent where it matters most. It’s also smart to reserve an additional 10% to 20% of your budget for unexpected expenses, especially if you live in an older home where hidden plumbing, electrical or structural issues may be uncovered during demolition. Next, decide whether your current layout is working for you. While moving a sink, stove or refrigerator can completely transform a kitchen, relocating plumbing, gas or electrical lines can significantly increase both the cost and timeline of a remodel. If your existing layout functions well, updating cabinets, countertops, flooring and lighting can often deliver a dramatic transformation without the added expense of relocating major systems.
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Thoughtful planning before a kitchen remodel can help homeowners avoid delays, stay on budget and create a space that’s both beautiful and functional. Homeowners should also make product selections early. Cabinets, countertops and appliances often have longer lead times than expected, and waiting until construction begins to order materials can delay the entire project. Finalizing these decisions before demolition helps contractors stay on schedule and reduces the likelihood of costly interruptions. When designing your new kitchen, remember that functionality should be just as important as style. Features like deep drawers, ample countertop space, layered lighting and durable, easy-to-maintain materials can make the kitchen more enjoyable to use every day while standing up to years of wear and tear. A well-designed kitchen should work for your lifestyle first and trends second. If you’re hiring a contractor, get multiple estimates, verify licensing and insurance, and ask for references from recent kitchen remodeling projects. A detailed written contract should clearly outline the project scope, payment schedule, estimated timeline and how changes will be handled if unexpected issues arise. Taking these steps upfront helps protect both your investment and your peace of mind.
Finally, prepare for life during construction. Most kitchen remodels take several weeks, and homeowners may
be without a fully functioning kitchen for much of that time. Setting up a temporary kitchen with essentials like a microwave, coffee maker and small refrigerator can make the renovation far less disruptive while your new space comes together. A kitchen remodel is one of the best investments homeowners can make, both for everyday living and long-term home value. With careful planning, thoughtful design decisions and the right professionals, homeowners can create a kitchen that serves their family well for years to come. Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.
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McNAUGHTON MEDIA — Friday, September 11, 2026 3
Is this the worst time to buy a house in California? WHY TIMING REALLY IS EVERYTHING
TERRY CASTLEMAN
H
LOS ANGELES TIMES
ome seekers around Southern California were feeling profound sticker shock. Median prices had hit records never seen before. First-time buyers were desperately slapping down-payments on modest ranch homes in far-flung desert communities, enduring long commutes just to escape the rental market. “We were lucky,” said one new homeowner who bought a place in Tehachapi, 100 miles from her workplace in Chatsworth. “I don’t know if we’d still be able to afford it.” Welcome to the crazy housing market of 2026? No, try 2005. It’s easy to look at today’s steep median home prices – $885,000 in L.A. County and $1.19 million in Orange County, per Zillow – and say it’s never been worse. But California has long dealt with cycles of soaring prices that lock out people with modest incomes. The last supercharged market in the early 2000s was fueled in part by ultra-liberal mortgages and lending that eventually sparked the global housing crisis and recession, including waves of home foreclosures. Reforms have made lending more stringent. That, along with rising prices, have altered the demographic of the California homebuyer over two decades.
A changing homebuyer A new analysis from The Times shows that the median
JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES/TNS FILE (2018)
A sign is posted in front of a foreclosed home for sale June 13, 2008, in Richmond. homebuyer in the region has changed since 2005. Among the findings: • Homebuyers today can afford more, but they are older and wealthier than they were in 2005. Meanwhile, housing is even more out of reach for those in lower-income brackets. • The average size of homes being purchased in 2026 is slightly larger when compared with 2005. • Homebuyers tend to put more money down than in the Wild West mortgage market of the early 2000s, possibly reducing risk of foreclosure.
“The average California home buyer today looks very different than a generation ago,” California Assn. of Realtors President Tamara Suminski told The Times in a written response to questions. “Buyers are entering the market later, saving longer, and facing higher barriers to home ownership as home prices, mortgage rates, living costs, and years of limited housing supply continue to strain affordability,” she wrote.
Richer, older buyers It’s far from surprising that
the demographics around buying a home have changed in 21 years. In 2005, the median Southern California buyer was 40 years old and brought in an annual household income of $92,500, according to data provided by the California Assn. of Realtors. In 2025 dollars, that was over $150,000. The average home purchased was 1,600 square feet and cost $525,000. Adjusted for inflation, that would be nearly $900,000 in today’s dollars. By 2025, the median buyer had aged and seen an upward shift in income.
The 2025 average buyer was fully five years older – 45, compared with California’s median age of 38. The buyer took home $160,000 in annual household income. And the home they purchased cost $820,000 on average, less than the inflation-adjusted 2005 figure. The home was 1,700 square feet, just slightly bigger than the median home 20 years prior. Over time, home costs have risen more than earnings, said Michael Lens, a professor of urban planning and public policy at UCLA. However, the “mid to late bubble” atmosphere of 2005 saw comparably high costs. “Part of [what happened in] 2005 was financial instruments fueling a building frenzy in places that didn’t have as much demand,” he said. As for high costs in 2025? “Since it definitely has something to do with scarcity, that means it’s more sustainable in good ways and bad than in 2005,” Lens said. “That’s how that looks like a bubble and this looks like something else.”
More disciplined, bigger down payments So what has changed? The income level of the average buyer has barely increased relative to inflation. The average buyer has gotten significantly older. The affordability issue stems more from the fact that wages have not kept pace with cost of living increases over See Timing, Page 10
4 Friday, September 11, 2026 — McNAUGHTON MEDIA
Solano real estate transactions BENICIA
TOTAL SALES: 5 LOWEST AMOUNT: $337,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,264,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $750,000 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $736,900
936 East 3rd Street - $750,000
07-07-26 [2 Bdrms - 1844 SqFt - 1950 YrBlt]
902 Bolton Circle - $833,500
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 2039 SqFt - 1982 YrBlt]
900 Cambridge Drive #182 - $337,000
07-09-26 [2 Bdrms - 1087 SqFt - 1984 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-10-07, $253,000
800 Military East Street - $500,000
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 1464 SqFt - 1981 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-10-19, $435,000
378 Piercy Drive - $1,264,000
07-08-26 [5 Bdrms - 3280 SqFt - 2022 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-11-21, $1,105,000
DIXON TOTAL SALES: 2 LOWEST AMOUNT: $691,500 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $800,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $745,750 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $745,750
1650 Fulmor Drive - $691,500
07-07-26 [4 Bdrms - 1967 SqFt - 1998 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-03-18, $520,000
1545 Patton Court - $800,000
07-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-07-23, $742,000
FAIRFIELD TOTAL SALES: 11 LOWEST AMOUNT: $470,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $770,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $605,000 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $593,273
Jones From Page 2 a bank’s loan officer is usually pretty limited in the number of programs they can put their customer into. While I’ve known of banks that allow their loan officers to broker loans for other companies if they are unable to use a bank program, I think this is rare. Generally, if you go to a bank to get a loan, you’re going to get a loan from that bank. A mortgage broker can have a relationship with any number
1131 1st Street - $470,000
07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1288 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-11-10, $83,000
3044 Balance Circle - $605,000
07-07-26 [3 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-23-23, $600,000
2459 Chuck Hammond Drive - $645,000
07-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1952 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-11-23, $630,000
3871 Danbury Way - $770,000
07-08-26 [4 Bdrms - 2866 SqFt - 2014 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-25-15, $505,000
1133 Ironwood Circle - $630,000
07-10-26 [2 Bdrms - 2021 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-27-22, $504,000
SUISUN CITY TOTAL SALES: 5 LOWEST AMOUNT: $410,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $565,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $540,000 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $515,700
1500 Bella Vista Drive - $523,500
07-06-26 [3 Bdrms - 1264 SqFt - 1995 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-22-18, $408,000
07-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 1638 SqFt - 1995 YrBlt]
2506 Ramsay Way - $585,000
07-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 1661 SqFt - 1968 YrBlt]
686 Vintage Court - $545,000
07-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1140 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-22-10, $175,000
218 East Wyoming Street - $476,000
07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1060 SqFt - 1956 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-24-22, $510,000
RIO VISTA TOTAL SALES: 2 LOWEST AMOUNT: $325,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $510,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $417,500 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $417,500
160 Oakridge Way - $510,000
07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 2302 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt]
2079 Revival Lane - $325,000
of banks. That can afford the broker the ability to be more flexible. If you don’t qualify for a loan from Bank A, perhaps the broker can redirect your application to Bank B. However, for this service, the loans can be a little more expensive, or at least appear so. Loan brokers typically get paid through fees generated in the transaction. Loan origination fees are an example. Those fees may not be as high if you walk into a bank. However, remember that both types of loan officers make a commission. The money for that commission has to come from somewhere, i.e. you. But at
07-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 1871 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 11-20-13, $255,000
868 Ashwood Avenue - $550,000
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 1328 SqFt - 1961 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-10-12, $177,000
206 Cardinal Lane - $565,000
07-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 1956 SqFt - 1987 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-21-21, $649,000
116 Cynthia Avenue - $460,000
143 Fallen Leaf Drive - $679,000 149 Lomita Avenue - $510,000 212 Marin Court - $700,000
07-09-26 [2 Bdrms - 930 SqFt - 1942 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-07-02, $211,000 07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 1550 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-13-04, $399,000 07-07-26 [4 Bdrms - 1260 SqFt - 1961 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-30-18, $300,000 07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1080 SqFt - 1960 YrBlt]
315 Regency Circle - $553,000
955 Griffin Drive - $590,000
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 1138 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-04-26, $375,000
101 Scarlet Street - $840,000
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 1156 SqFt - 1945 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-17-26, $410,000
661 Shaul Circle - $795,000
1109 Pheasant Drive - $540,000
1550 Northwood Drive - $635,000
519 Annette Avenue - $400,000
07-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 1678 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-28-17, $345,500
07-06-26 [3 Bdrms - 1567 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-26-14, $305,000 07-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 2012 SqFt - 2002 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-09-19, $472,500
Previous Sale: 11-17-17, $349,000
07-10-26 [2 Bdrms - 1014 SqFt - 1956 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-05-08, $265,000
115 Danrose Drive - $435,000
514 Blue Wing Drive - $540,000
738 Marsh Place - $615,000
449 Cottonwood Street - $515,000
70 Novato Drive - $540,000
07-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 2569 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-06-18, $500,000
2310 Josiah Wing Drive - $550,000
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.
912 School Street - $410,000
825 Spoonbill Lane - $565,000
07-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 1304 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-12-26, $350,000
VACAVILLE TOTAL SALES: 14 LOWEST AMOUNT: $488,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $840,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $610,750 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $623,821
373 Anchorage Drive - $618,000
07-06-26 [3 Bdrms - 1612 SqFt - 2015 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-07-23, $620,000
131 Cambridge Drive - $488,000
07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1794 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 02-11-19, $381,000
400 Corte Cadiz - $603,500
07-06-26 [3 Bdrms - 1340 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-13-20, $500,000
the bank they can be absorbed through prepaid interest points or interest in general. By the way; you’ll note that the whole “in-house verses broker” analysis is exactly the same as what we’re used to in the insurance world. I’ve had mortgages and insurance through both types. I can’t tell you that I have a preference for one type of loan officer over another, any more than I do with insurance. I think it’s far more important to be dealing with a loan officer who is knowledgeable and with whom you have a sense of trust. The corporate name on top of the business card is very secondary.
07-07-26 [4 Bdrms - 1312 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt] 07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1313 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 00/1992, $164,500 07-06-26 [5 Bdrms - 3121 SqFt - 2015 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-13-15, $560,500 07-06-26 [4 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-12-23, $833,000
273 Solano Lane - $535,000
07-06-26 [3 Bdrms - 1372 SqFt - 1958 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-17-02, $225,000
3042 Vasquez Court - $707,000
07-07-26 [3 Bdrms - 1328 SqFt - 1955 YrBlt] 07-07-26 [4 Bdrms - 1859 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-14-24, $585,000
456 La Jolla Street - $312,000
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 966 SqFt - 1953 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-08-26, $227,000
108 Lakewood Avenue - $485,000
07-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1100 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt]
644 Porter Street - $412,000
07-09-26 [2 Bdrms - 755 SqFt - 1910 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-27-26, $270,000
108 San Gorgonio Avenue - $445,000
07-07-26 [3 Bdrms - 1108 SqFt - 1954 YrBlt]
07-06-26 [4 Bdrms - 82 SqFt - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-28-23, $696,500
6638 Solitude Court - $652,000
07-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 1827 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-19-25, $420,000
6 Spruce Street - $428,000
140 Wayne Court - $650,000
VALLEJO TOTAL SALES: 16 LOWEST AMOUNT: $312,000 HIGHEST AMOUNT: $770,000 MEDIAN AMOUNT: $452,500 AVERAGE AMOUNT: $490,125
209 Alhambra Avenue - $434,000
07-06-26 [5 Bdrms - 875 SqFt - 1944 YrBlt],
Regarding fees, I don’t know if there is a rule of thumb. However, the law requires all prospective borrowers to get a document that provides a good faith estimate of the annual percentage rate, or APR. This calculation takes into account loan fees with the goal of showing the borrower how much, after the smoke clears, the borrower is really paying for the loan. An APR statement can’t show you which loan is better for you. That’s far too personal and complicated, which is why you have to have some trust in your loan officer. But it does allow you to compare costs. That’s why I’d
07-06-26 [3 Bdrms - 2205 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 11-22-19, $625,000 07-08-26 [2 Bdrms - 840 SqFt - 1941 YrBlt]
311 Stinson Street #5 - $529,000
07-08-26 [3 Bdrms - 1438 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-16-98, $170,000
7111 Stonebrooke Drive - $770,000
07-08-26 [5 Bdrms - 2749 SqFt - 2008 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-04-11, $363,000
155 White Pine Drive - $375,000
07-09-26 [2 Bdrms - 1178 SqFt - 1984 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 00/1989, $1,350,000
suggest to you and anyone else that you talk to two or three loan officers to see what they have to offer you, including what it will cost. 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.
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McNAUGHTON MEDIA — Friday, September 11, 2026 5
ON GARDENING
Emerald Isle a new drama queen for the garden
I
n landscape design, elephant ears are often described as having coarse texture, or if they’re lucky, bold texture. To me, they are the “Drama Queens of the Garden.” You may know Proven Winners for their Supertunia Bubblegum petunias or their Limelight hydrangeas, but they have already shown Norman they can sweep Winter a boat load of awards with fancy foliage. Their Island Giants series of Colocasia elephant ears like Coffee Cups and Heart of the Jungle selections have won 60 awards. Now make room for Emerald Isle. Emerald Isle is an Alocasia, sometimes referred to by gardeners as an “upright” elephant ear. Emerald Isle is touted as an annual, but indeed it will be a perennial in zones 7b and warmer. It will form a clump, reaching 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide of glorious tropical texture. I live and garden in zone 8b west Georgia, and I can tell you they will quickly challenge those tag suggestions. They are tolerant of both shade and sun. In our neighborhood, where we have high filtered light from tall tree canopies and yet moments of searing sun, Emerald Isle elephant ear flourishes. Neighbors Dave and Cynthia have positioned several in a long bed at the front of their home. Before planting, they amended the soil with organic matter that has yielded a magical performance. The huge glossy leaves
Don’t be surprised if nature comes to visit your Emerald Isle elephant ears, like this elegant-looking luna moth. stand regal over the companion plants below. The partners chosen here are Heart to Heart caladium varieties Dawn to Dusk and White Star, Golden Delicious pineapple sage, Soprano impatiens, and Pyromania Backdraft kniphofia. Son James showed the incredible possibilities of Alocasia in a container. He used a large horse trough and planted partners that were shrubs, perennials and annuals. The shrub companion was Hydrangea paniculata Little Quickfire. In our zone 8b area, we use Luscious lantanas as colorful perennials. In the horse trough, James chose Luscious Royale Cosmo lantana, which was perfect with Supertunia Lovie Dovie & Vista Fuchsia petunias. Truffula Pink gomphrena was also selected for its color, height and to bring in pollinators. While the Emerald Isle elephant gives the appearance of being happy in Tarzan’s jungle, it has been exciting to see
nature using the large leaves. A Luna moth is always a thrill to find, but it is extra special to find one with its wings spread lying on a leaf. Then the Green Anole lizard skillfully perches in matching green camouflage while on the hunt. Though the Emerald Isle can survive outdoors in 7b and warmer, they are easy to dig up and overwinter if you live in a colder area or perhaps anticipate one of those 50-year freezes in the forecast. Simply lift the bulbs or corms from the soil prior to freezing temperatures arrive. Clean the bulbs of remaining soil using a brush or even washing, making sure not to cause damage. Let them dry in a warm, well-ventilated room for around 2 weeks or until the outer skin is completely dry. They can then be placed in a cardboard box, paper bag or even a trash bag. Keep them in a cool, dry place where temperatures stay 50 to 60 degrees. Check on them during the winter to make sure there is no rotting. Emerald Isle is a real treasure; it will give you the look and feel of the islands. Though I did not mention it, consider also growing them with your favorite Summerific Hardy Hibiscus or the showy tropical Hollywood Hibiscus series. Norman Winter is a horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @ NormanWinterTheGardenGuy. He receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.
NORMAN WINTER/TNS PHOTOS
The Garden Guy’s neighbors Dave and Cynthia have shown that Emerald Isle elephant ears give a regal, tropical look to the landscape, holding their leaves upright as if to say, “Look at me.”
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McNAUGHTON MEDIA — Friday, September 11, 2026 7
REAL ESTATE
*DOOHU\
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I live and work in Solano County REALTOR® for over 20 years Top Producer Smart Home Specialist Executive Council of REALTORS® #1 Company in the Nation 6 Offices for your convenience
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5071 Business Center Drive Fairfield, CA 94534
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8 Friday, September 11, 2026 — McNAUGHTON MEDIA
SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE
What is a bridge loan? Three cases to explain how they work
A
professional analyze bridge loan is a your personal finanshort-term, temcial situation. porary loan that There are many provides immediways to buy before ate cash to buy a new you sell based on your home before you income, FICO score sell your old one. The pros are pretty Jim Porter and net worth. Here are three actual cases obvious, folks use a from this year: bridge loan for numer• Case No. 1: Our buyers ous reasons: • They find the perfect house, bought their new $700,000 onestory house with 10% down and and the seller will not give them obtained a 30-year fixed rate the time required to sell their loan with no prepayment penalty departing residence. and zero points, and two months • They want to move into later listed their $800,000 free the perfect house and not put their departing residence on the and clear two-story house for sale. If they had done a tradimarket until after they move out because they do not want a bunch of people snooping around their closets and underwear drawers. • They want to move into the perfect house before they sell because the departing residence needs repairs and cosmetic improvements along with some staging to maximize the sales price. • They need to move into the perfect house before they sell because the departing residence has 40 to 50 years of stuff packed into the house, and it would be almost impossible for a potential buyer to walk through the home during an open house. The cons are pretty obvious too: • Borrowing the money that you will be receiving from the sale of your house in two to six months is not free. A bridge loan will not have a prepayment penalty, but because the lender knows that they will only be collecting interest for a short period of time, they charge upfront fees to make the loan profitable. There are some large institutional lenders and many local private money lenders that sell short-term bridge loans. Every case is different, so it is absolutely critical to have an experienced mortgage
tional bridge loan, they would have paid at least $15,000 in fees for the $630,000 they needed to close escrow. This only works for folks that can qualify for the $630,000 mortgage, and keep in mind the borrower is not obligated to disclose that they plan to pay off the mortgage in a few months. • Case No. 2: Two seniors on limited income bought a $600,000 home in Sacramento in an over-55 active senior living community before they sold their $800,000 home in See Porter, Page 10
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10 Friday, September 11, 2026 — McNAUGHTON MEDIA
DESIGN RECIPES
Make a statement with black-and-white art CATHY HOBBS
W
TRIBUNE NE WS SERVICE
hen it comes to artwork, few choices can feel as timeless as black and white. Whether it is a dramatic photograph, an abstract canvas or a simple line drawing, black-and-white art can help create a strong focal point while working beautifully with nearly any color palette. If you are looking to make a design statement in your own home, here are some top tips.
Go big An oversized piece of black-and-white art can instantly anchor a room and give it a gallery-like feel. Larger works tend to read as intentional and confident, so do not be afraid to size up.
Black-and-white photography Black-and-white photography, especially with an unexpected subject, can add personality and a touch of edge. A single dramatic image can help to set the tone for an entire space.
Pairs Hanging two coordinating canvases side by side can create the impact of a mural while remaining easy to install. Pairs can also help to visually widen a wall behind a sofa or console.
Porter From Page 8 Rancho Solano. We lent them $625,000 secured against the two homes so they could move in without one dollar out of their IRA or their small savings account at a 9.95% rate with $14,000 in total loan fees and no required monthly payments for 11 months. The house sold and the loan was paid in full 75 days
ADOBE STOCK
Black-and-white photography can add personality and a touch of edge.
Embrace abstracts
graphic moment is all that is needed.
Abstract black-and-white pieces can make a statement without competing with the rest of the room. Above a bed or a mantel, they can add movement and interest while keeping the mood serene.
Anchor with art
Keep it simple A black-and-white line drawing can serve as a quiet accent that still feels artful. These pieces can work especially well in neutral rooms where a subtle
after they moved into their new home, and they pocketed $140,000 to boost their savings account. • Case No. 3: This couple owed $450,000 on their $775,000 single-family home that was listed for sale, and they purchased their dream home for $900,000. This family could not qualify for both house payments, so they obtained a fancy type of loan from Knock Bridge loans, which competes with Homelight Real Estate in this arena.
In rooms layered with creams, grays and warm woods, black-and-white artwork can provide welcome contrast and definition. It can help to ground the space and pull the palette together. Cathy Hobbs is the owner of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, a home staging company based in New York City (www. cathyhobbs.com).
Knock loaned the buyers $80,000 for the down payment on the new house and wrote a non-contingent offer to buy their departing residence. This non-contingent purchase agreement allowed the lender to close escrow on the $900,000 house without having to count the mortgage payments of the departing residence as if it were already sold. This family ended up selling substantially above the Knock Bridge offer, but Knock didn’t care because
Knock doesn’t want the house; they just want the loan and purchase fee. 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.
Timing From Page 3 those 20 years. Home prices have also eased up slightly relative to inflation, despite a frenzy over the state’s affordability crisis. The median California household made around $100,000 in 2025, per census data. The average homebuyer earned about 60% above that figure. In 2005, the median household income was about $52,000 – meaning that the median buyer made 78% more than the median Californian 20 years ago. The gap between the average homebuyer and the average person has actually decreased since 2005. For those with lower incomes, home purchases in Los Angeles County were out of reach throughout the two decades, as those who made less than the state median saw their incomes grow significantly less than those of top earners, per data from the Public Policy Institute of California. Suminski described the 2025 buyers as resilient despite challenges: “They are more financially disciplined, building larger down payments, carefully managing their budgets, and entering homeownership on stronger financial footing than many first-time buyers of previous generations.”
Timing is everything The 2000s are considered a particularly crazy time for the California market. Housing prices boomed early in the decade, fueled by economic recovery and cheap loans that allowed people with shaky finances to purchase homes. “There are pretty well-documented ways in which it was too easy to buy a home, in part because of ballooning rates that snuck up on people,” Lens said. Today, “a homebuyer is gonna be different age-wise” and have higher earnings, he said. “They’re not super young but they’re also not super old.” “The rosy picture here is ... that the burden is not as high, so that’s good news,” Lens said. “But part of that is people waiting because the costs are high. Part of that is people waiting because people form households later in life than they used to.” “If the price of housing goes up, then you have to wait longer and earn more to buy it.”
McNAUGHTON MEDIA — Friday, September 11, 2026 11
Solano County Listings: Homes, land for sale PRICE
ADDRESS
CITY
BEDS
BA (F/H) SQ. FT.
LOT/AC MLS #
PRICE
ADDRESS
CITY
BEDS
BA (F/H) SQ. FT.
LOT/AC MLS #
$449,000 $484,000 $765,000 $539,000 $599,000 $599,000 $635,000 $755,000 $890,000 $449,900 $450,000 $475,000 $495,000 $510,000 $520,000 $529,000 $537,900 $545,000 $560,000 $580,000 $629,000 $645,000 $685,000 $690,000 $699,000 $699,950 $729,999 $734,000 $750,000 $790,000 $799,000 $799,000 $815,000 $840,000 $1,250,000 $1,857,000 $2,195,000 $849,000 $865,000 $1,490,000 $510,000 $665,000 $729,000 $498,000 $499,000 $535,000 $595,000 $1,000,000 $525,000 $589,000 $672,500 $229,000 $295,000 $470,000 $479,900 $515,000 $515,000 $525,000 $539,000 $540,000 $554,000 $559,000 $559,000 $569,900 $579,000
777 Military E 2139 Bella Casa St 1133 Decatur Ct 1610 W H Street 1355 Macdonald Ct 560 Evans Rd 1495 Madera Dr 2215 Folsom Fair Cir 1430 Roosevelt Street 1500 Harrison Street 1701 Utah St 1792 Enterprise Drive 362 Tulip St 806 Meadowlark Dr 2714 Tribeca Place 2402 Gulf Dr 713 Dogwood Cir 2980 Blackwell Ct 3278 Inwood Pl 1559 Tommy Ln 2405 Topgallant Ct 911 Walden Ct 1328 Horizon Cir 3045 Balance Cir 1720 Wayne Ct 3257 Mustang Circle 5850 Maroon Pl 5131 Duren Cir 2725 Ambrosia Way 844 Crescendo St 2440 Skyview Cir 3202 Del Monte Ct 556 Yarrow Ct 3225 Bear Creek Dr 3114 Lomita Ct 5304 Ravenridge Place 23 Country Club Drive 3581 Young Ave 2456 Claret Street 30 Oak Springs Dr 165 Country Club Ln 828 Laguna St 1763 E St 205 Solano St 233 Maple St 519 Crested Dr 1000 Worley Road 301 Morgan St 910 Javan Way 1416 Trainor Ct 305 Mayfield Cir 1801 Marshall Rd #506 630 Arcadia Dr 266 Fairview Drive 313 Trellis Ln 1913 Southwood Drive 832 Vassar Dr 275 Bowline Dr 1648 Alamo Dr 432 S Orchard Avenue 349 Royal Oaks Dr 387 Colonial Cir 848 Arbor Oaks Dr 137 Barbera Court 178 Arroyo Ct
Benicia Davis Davis Dixon Dixon Dixon Dixon Dixon Dixon Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Napa Napa Napa Napa Napa Napa Suisun City Suisun City Suisun City Suisun City Suisun City Suisun City Suisun City Suisun City Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville
3 2 5 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 3 3 2 4 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 1 2 3 2 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3
2/1 1/1 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/1 3/0 2/0 2/0 1/0 2/0 2/0 2/1 3/0 2/0 2/1 2/0 2/1 2/0 2/1 3/0 3/0 3/0 2/1 3/0 3/0 3/0 3/0 3/0 3/0 3/0 2/1 2/2 4/0 4/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 1/0 2/1 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 1/0 1/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/1 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/1 2/0
0.02 0.02 0.1607 7,135 0.2 0.12 0.16 0.19 8,568 5,663 0.13 6,098 0.14 0.13 1,638 0.13 0.13 0.14 0.06 0.08 0.13 0.12 0.0806 0.1043 0.23 10,023 0.09 0.15 0.07 0.07 0.17 0.19 0.1716 0.18 0.95 13,521 18,731 0.17 6,582 10 0.2336 0.14 0.1751 0.12 0.11 0.13 6,970 0.25 0.14 0.1244 0.1637 0.0161 0.02 5,663 0.1 5,663 0.07 0.14 0.14 6,098 0.13 0.13 0.16 3,022 0.14
$585,000 $599,900 $615,000 $619,000 $639,999 $649,000 $670,000 $674,000 $674,000 $675,000 $695,000 $695,000 $699,000 $699,900 $700,000 $714,900 $769,900 $849,000 $1,150,000 $1,599,000 $269,000 $529,900 $769,999 $389,000 $465,000 $590,000 $599,000 $625,000 $649,900 $525,000 $569,000 $899,000 $518,000 $714,000
701 Oak Brook Drive 214 Gentry Cir 393 Limerick Way 185 Midvale Dr 206 Millbrook Way 226 N Alamo Drive 451 Sandstone Dr 7018 Westminster Ct 773 Blue Ridge Ln 107 Bald Eagle Dr 707 Linwood St 745 Broadfork Circle 140 Alamo Dr 606 Sunnyvale Pl 419 Iverness Way 212 Wrentham Dr 413 Crownpointe Cir 885 Kells Circle 4049 N Kappel View Ln 3370 Cotting Ln 1949 Northtwood Dr 31 101 Barbera Ct 312 Hibiscus St 1112 Sonata Dr 168 Fairmont Avenue 279 Clearpointe Circle 1208 Amador St 873 Knights Circle 221 Parkview Ter 613 Manzanita Way 817 Jefferson 8412 Tubbs Rd 1165 Chapman St 1108 Hiramatsu Ln
Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vacaville Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Winters Winters Winters Winters Winters
3 5 4 4 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 4 3 4 2 3 4 2 2 4 2 3 4 3 4 3 4 4
2/0 2/1 2/1 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/1 3/0 2/0 3/0 2/0 2/0 2/1 2/1 3/0 3/0 3/0 2/5 2/0 3/0 1/0 3/0 3/0 2/0 1/0 2/1 1/1 2/1 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 3/0
6,094 0.13 0.14 0.14 0.21 9,583 0.17 0.1104 0.2 0.14 0.19 7,540 0.37 0.15 0.1943 0.19 0.17 9,810 2.5 1.89 0.01 0.0827 0.0918 0.02 6,098 8,686 0.14 4,822 0.19 0.14 0.14 5 0.1180 0.1372
PRICE
ADDRESS
1,556 1,160 1,615 1328 1,618 1,368 1,808 3,013 3110 1425 1,117 1000 1,050 1,300 1890 1,900 1,661 1,894 1,409 1,854 1,541 2,087 2,578 2,065 1,926 2253 2,371 2,974 2,578 2,387 2,648 2,411 1,860 2,303 3,200 4972 3806 1,688 1447 1,872 900 1,374 957 2,925 1,176 1,308 1984 2,977 1,090 1,952 2,574 714 998 1318 1,222 1345 1,528 1,318 1,218 1329 1,274 1,257 1,426 1791 1,561
325081349 226082590 226085832 326070671 326056959 326066744 326065284 326070850 326038535 326013761 326065531 326-75054 326068408 326034479 326053371 326070293 326058163 326070005 326064423 326060957 326047879 326065616 326043108 325089067 326074869 326059972 326065594 326060488 326074160 326069790 326071187 326043426 326045422 326060270 325051938 326002990 326048204 326038367 326069007 326072388 326047836 325099692 325099689 326076638 326067347 326068494 326035461 326069457 326073970 326071761 326016867 326062143 326024039 326063807 326007338 326048902 326070134 326073480 326067348 326037241 326075036 326037138 326072254 326064042 326061999
1478 2,043 2,060 1,635 1,851 1795 1,961 1,809 1,851 2,247 1,899 1779 2,818 2,320 1,993 2,102 2,452 2951 1,976 2,703 780 1,631 2,501 1,167 647 2761 1,275 1236 2,100 1,135 1,167 1,152 1,438 2,320
326012658 326055505 326066088 326061430 326060086 326066543 326057439 326064226 326045341 326062710 326074548 326012658 326053643 326076403 326068076 326057233 326048797 326072816 326049110 326052360 326070323 326069806 326062165 326054606 326066821 326047099 326021075 326028528 325097957 226097756 226106929 326062798 226093084 226071646
LOTS & LAND
$15,000,000 mankas $185,000 6674 State Highway 128 $80,000 224 Jasmine Ct $185,000 517 Suisun St $519,000 4117 Caligiuri Canyon Rd $450,000 7668 English Hills Rd $200,000 Meadowbrook Ln $100,000 Blue Ridge Rd $975,000 58 Cernon St $550,000 Liberty Ln $299,000 2030 Pinecrest Court $400,000 8 Missouri St
CITY
MOBILE / FLOATING
PRICE
ADDRESS
$139,000 $167,232 $230,000 $119,999 $135,000 $350,000 $219,000
157 zafra Dr 45 Goya Dr 30 Goya Dr 6004 Monticello Rd #10 6004 Monticello Rd #7 37 Falcob Crest Cir 2 Del Loma #2 Ct
PRICE
ADDRESS
COMMERCIAL
$295,000 424 Davis St $1,500,000 34 Califonria Street
LOT/AC
SUB TYPE SQ. FT.
Fairfield 0 Napa 20.04 AG/RES 872,942 Napa 12066 Res 12,064 Suisun City 0.1500 Res 6,534 Vacaville 2.5 108,900 Vacaville 4.78 208,217 Vacaville 6.08 264,845 Vacaville 20 871,200 Vacaville 1.01 Comm 43,996 Vacaville 25.44 Res 1,108,166 Vacaville 0.55 RESL Vallejo 1 43,708 CITY
UNITS/BEDS
SQ. FT.
Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Napa Napa Napa Vacaville
1 2 3 2 3 2/2 3
800 1,248 1,500 1,344 1,260 1440 1,222
CITY
TYPE
Vacaville MIXU Vallejo
MLS#
21825708 326039942 326011416 326069920 326038248 326007327 324078460 326029433 32603359 326049023 326019347 325103374 MLS #
326059911 326023801 326073394 326008213 326008207 326073301 326052804 MLS #
326071020 326053189
Sa pe tu n H rd o ay us 1- e 3
12 Friday, September 11, 2026 — McNAUGHTON MEDIA
O
LPA SALES YTD
2609 Pepperdine 5 bedrooms I 3 bathrooms I 2,305 sqft Join our newsletter for a chance to win tickets to the Woodland Opera House’s production of Rock of Ages!
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26960 E El Macero 2514 Regatta Ct 3309 La Playa Dr 3708 Los Cerros Pl 35700 Lasiandra Ln 1123 Villaverde Ln 1037 Forbes Ln 1327 Torrey St 1912 Alpine Pl 3718 Maidu Pl 3413 Oyster Bay Ave 919 San Tomas St 2248 Canery Loop 754 Hawthorn Ln 3326 Via Verde Ter 1559 Hutchison Valley 1406 Duke Dr 1084 Cherry Punch Ter 5525 Marden St 909 Alvarado Ave #28 44368 S El Macero