My Hometown

Before I came out to California in 2001 I lived in Hamilton, New York. It's primarily known for being the home of mini-Ivy League school Colgate University... if you're wondering it's no where near New York City. One of my favorite places in town, the Colgate Inn, has been newly redone and the architecture is gorgeous.

I thought that I'd ask for your opinion today: tell me...

Which one of these houses is your favorite? 

As noted by the watermark all of the photos were taken by Jen Migonis of Migonis Home blog.

Weren't they great houses? Some are significantly different from what you'd find in California!

Five Great House-Warming Gifts

You know I love getting people into homes they love and after the closing I like to make sure my clients have a special memento to remember the day they purchased their home. Here are five great house-warming gifts that will be sure to be a hit:

This Pottery Barn personalized door mat would be a fantastic house-warming gift, lower priced options can be found at a number of stores as well:

Birch Lane has gorgeous house-warming gifts ranging in price from this $45 wine caddy to some more inexpensive tokens that are equally charming:

...and while we are on the subject of wine... so let's talk about this fantastic stopper from Mariposa that highlights man's best friend (and does anything say "happy lived in house" more than a lovable dog?).

I know it doesn't get bitterly cold here in California but Restoration Hardware has nailed the throw for chilly nights. Their luxury plush throw wears beautifully... it is a gift people will fight over.

Lastly, and most importantly, the gift I give all the time...
Mark, my fiance, company's products are incredible... their olive oil and flavored balsamic vinegar are to die for! You must check out Wine Country Kitchens.

What are your go to house-warming gifts?

Mortgages Rates at their Lowest Levels

Mortgage rates hovered at their lowest levels of the year for the third straight week this week, according to a survey published by Freddie Mac. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 4.1 percent for the week according to Freddie’s survey.

One of the bigger surprises of 2014 may be that mortgage rates might end the year lower than they began, at around 4.5 percent, even as the Federal Reserve has gradually pared back its purchases of mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage refinancing has largely subsided because even though mortgage rates are at their lowest levels of the year, they’re still higher than they were for all of 2012 and the first half of 2013, when the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to as low as 3.3 percent.