Our cover story looks back on the 100 years of Chico’s iconic Square Deal Mattress Factory and celebrates this milestone

industry. Richards says, “It’s little components like this that major manufacturers wouldn’t take the time to put into their beds because it’s too labor intensive to install when making 4,000 mattresses a day. Whereas, when you’re making less than 25 beds a day, you can take the time to make them special.” This focus on quality doesn’t end at the door. Jamie talks about their Lifetime Comfort Guarantee. She says, “I think it sets us apart from any other mattress retailer in town. Since we are a factory, we can adjust the comfort of the mattress. If you get it home after a while and see that it's too firm or too soft, you can bring it in and we can do that for you.”

A mind-boggling variety of mattresses are available to the consumer as the industry continues to change and evolve. “Smart foams, memory foams; the possibilities are endless but we are finding that people are trying to go back to the basics, back to that natural mattress, almost back to the all horsehair-like feel,” explains Jessica. Some aspects of the mattress industry are coming full circle. Unlike in the 1920’s however, a mattress like that today is a true luxury item. Already a common practice in Europe, Square Deal Mattress factory is working on offering a hybrid mattress with a lot of these natural fibers inside. Using loose natural fibers in a mattress requires a lot of skill and many hours of labor, over 600, in building a bed. Richard says it’s “similar to the way my grandfather worked when he first started the company. A lot of the beds he made utilized a lot of the same techniques used in these types of beds today, 100-year-old techniques using hair and wool and cashmere and flax. Recently we’ve purchased a piece of machinery out of England to bring back, and be able to do, some of the inner tufting on some of these beds.” The ability to offer this choice separates them from the masses. It ties back to the family’s upholstery background and restoration of antique furniture. They still have the ability and the skills to reproduce that kind of work, which is something that is hard to find in today’s automated mattress manufacturing world.

The upholstery trade skills, the dedication to quality, and the pride in community is their motto and mainstay. The entire package has been passed from generation to generation at Square Deal Mattress Factory. “We are building each mattress for a customer and that customer is our neighbor. We are going to want them to be satisfied. The quality of what we build and the service and the belief in our product sets our mattresses way ahead of a lot of the major brands.” Richard, Jamie, and Jessica have mattresses in stock at their factory warehouse. You can have them custom build a mattress specifically for you and have it delivered in less than a week. You can even see your mattress being built!

Square Deal Mattress Factory is happy to offer tours providing a firsthand peek into their family’s historic mattress story. You can call them at 530.342.2510, visit their website at squaredealmattress.com, or stop in and see them at 1354 Humboldt Avenue. We celebrate this remarkable local business. 1920 to 2020, Happy 100 th birthday Square Deal!

Next Realtor MEET YOUR

Summer is the season for putting down roots and the perfect time to buy and sell homes here in Northern California. The rush of the holiday season is over, the winter rains have abated, and everything is fresh and new. As you begin a new chapter in life, the thought of buying or selling a home can be very exciting; it can also be daunting and, at times, overwhelming. Choosing the right realtor with the right tools will enable you to successfully navigate the housing market.

That’s where NextHome North Valley Realty comes in. They are a true amalgamation of business, family, and friends. If you’ve seen any “For Sale” signs around the North State accompanied by a bright orange French bulldog, you can probably already tell that there’s something different about this company and the yard sign is merely the beginning.

Owners Jacob Darr, Kelli Smyth, and Casey Smyth opened the franchise here in Chico in the spring of 2018. They began their collaboration almost ten years ago, but not as business associates, back then they were all students working together in a study group. Fast forward to 2017; all were working at various real estate offices in Chico: Jacob as a successful single agent and Kelli and Casey working as The Smyth Home Selling Team when they discovered they had similar visions of their future. Casey says, “We wanted to reinvest in our own resources rather than waiting for our companies to incorporate the technology and services we needed to grow.” NextHome seemed like the perfect fit for the new team. The franchise boasts consumer focused technology and marketing along with the authenticity of skilled personable agents. Jacob emphasizes that their branch is, “a relationship based company that utilizes today’s technology to maximize their client relationship and marketing abilities.” Kelli points out that it’s this focus on the personal connection that creates a successful partnership between realtor and client. She says their commitment to personally take their clients through the entire process of buying or selling is crucial in ensuring a good experience. “We hold your hand from start to finish”; from prequalifying for loans, to having carpets cleaned, items painted, and stagers brought in. They organize and handle everything. “We understand that

moving is stressful enough so we do our best to alleviate that stress, so you know you’re in good hands for the sale of your home.”

The technological side of NextHome coordinates well with the advances which our world has grown accustomed to. It begins with the availability of whole house walk throughs and professional photography, as opposed to just basic photos of the home. A virtual reality type of showing enables prospective buyers to truly see what it feels like to be in the home. They’ve also reimagined what a yard sign should look like. Each one has its own unique number that buyers can text for instant information and photos of the home while NextHome keeps track of website ‘clicks’ and texts, thereby tracking consumer interest. The signs feature helpful icons indicating what the house has to offer, like how many bedrooms and baths, right there in the yard as potential customers drive by. The power of technology without losing the personal touch.

While NextHome may be a newcomer to the real estate market franchise, it has already usurped awards from other older and wellestablished businesses. It is now ranked as the #1 real estate franchise in the U.S., no small feat for a company that’s only six years old. Interested in buying or selling a home? Stop by and see what all the talk is about and meet your next realtors as NextHome.

NEXTHOME NORTH VALLEY REALTY IS LOCATED AT 641 FLUME STREET IN DOWNTOWN CHICO. JUST LOOK FOR THE FRIENDLY ORANGE FRENCHIE’S IN THE WINDOW. YOU CAN ALSO REACH JACOB, KELLI, OR CASEY THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE NEXTHOMENVR.COM OR GIVE THEM A CALL AT 530.402.4411.

Untangling The Mortgage Loan Process

Buying a new home is an important and exciting decision. However, it can be challenging. Understanding how loans work definitely sets you up for success. The best preparation is being informed. We are hoping you find these steps useful.

Step #1: Application/Prequalification— This is where you get walked through the uniform standard application (1003) and your lender will obtain detailed personal information. Also, lenders obtain copies of: bank/asset statements, pay stubs, two years of W2, and tax returns for the self-employed. Once these steps are completed, you are considered pre-qualified. In today’s real estate market you will need a prequalification letter to start your house hunting journey.

Step #2: Initial Disclosures—Once a home is in contract or loan, lenders are required to issue loan disclosures within 72 hours.

Step #3: Loan Processing/Direct to Underwriting—Once a purchase contract is accepted, the file is deemed ready and packaged accordingly for submission to an underwriter.

Step #4: Underwriting—This stage is when all the loan guidelines are thoroughly reviewed and evaluated. This is the “catch net” of the entire process, confirming all the loan parameters are met. Step #5: Closing—After the Loan has been approved, you enter the final stretch and a closing disclosure (CD), which summarizes the final negotiated figures, will be issued. This triggers a three day review and cool off period before the next phase can ensue.

Step #6: Loan Docs/Signing—Once the CD has been acknowledged, and the three days elapse, you are able to sign the loan documents with an escrow officer or notary. This finishes the transaction and the signed package is delivered to the lender.

Step #7: Funding/Recording—If the signatures on the loan are sufficient and you have supplied the funds to close, your lender will wire for loan funds and disburse those funds to applicable parties in transaction and record the deed of trust in the applicable County.

Step #8: Loan Servicing—Once all the boxes are unpacked and it’s time to make your mortgage payments, you will receive monthly payment information. You will be advised when and where all payments are to be sent. They will also be information for any payoff or balance inquiries and requests for any updates in your home insurance, PMI, or property taxes.

Buying a new home is indeed an important decision. It comes with multiple challenges and myriad steps. Knowledge of the process helps to bring excitement to each and every decision.

Is it time to spruce up more than just your kitchen? We do it all!

New Again Kitchen Remodeling is here to help you bring your dream space to life. From ideation to creation we have everything you need. While many projects we display are of kitchen remodels we also remodel bathrooms, outdoor bbq's, and showers! We are open from Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 to discuss your project.