WILLIAM LAND PARK & SUMMER...IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER!

William Land Park

1702 Sutterville Road

Sacramento CA 95822

916 277-6060

With over 166 acres, this park is the gem of Sacramento. Listen to the lions roar and monkeys whoop in one of the states best small regional zoos. Giggles and belly laughs are evidence of the joy children find in Fairytale Town and Funderland. Young cowboys and cowgirls get their first chance to ride a pony. Spring brings burgeoning baseball players to one of 5 baseball fields. In the fall, sit on the sidelines to watch soccer players from 4-19 year old compete. Enjoy fishing? One of the three ponds are stocked constantly. The constantly played 9 hole golf course welcomes golfers year round. Many weekends will bring jog-a-thons, bike races and fundraisers of every kind. Come enjoy a relaxing and fun weekend at one the city's most beautiful shaded and wonderful parks!

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OUR FUTURE IS IN SOLID HANDS!

I just attended a gathering of a group of professionals that I couldn't have been more impressed by. They are the best of the best. They pay attention to the newest legalities of our industry. They conduct themselves with the utmost respect and competence. They are technology savvy. They promote relationships within the real estate industry and the public. They sponsor events financially and physically to give to those less fortunate than themselves. Even though they are from different brokerages, different careers within the industry, there is no shortage of support and encouragement for each other. Who are these wonderful people?
They are the Sacramento Association of Realtors Young Professional Council. They are setting the bar high for us and those who aspire to be a professional in the real estate industry. The future of real estate in Sacramento is assured to be bright in their hands.
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CONTINGENT OFFERS ARE BACK!

I know...you are thinking all offers have always had contingencies. However, I am speaking of offers contingent on another property selling. It is interesting to participate in the evolution of climbing out of the real estate hole we have been in.
First, anything with four walls would sell, and over asking price....the insane days. Buyers were given loans that were fine...as long as they could refinance in 2 years.
However, it was realized that it was impossible to sustain the kind of increases in values that had happened over recent years. The real estate market essentially came to a halt. Prices dropped faster than a racehorse at the derby...and inventory went up just as fast.
The refinancing into a conventional loan could not happen due to the inability of the properties to appraise even close to the paid price 2 years ago. We were then treated to the joys of foreclosures and short sales. The good news was that first time home buyers now had a great opportunity to purchase a home with a conventional rate and at a very good price.
Instead of homeowners moving up to bigger or better homes, the banks are now the sellers. The move up neighborhoods are stagnant with middle and upper end properties which first time home buyers cannot qualify for. These properties that are being sold by homeowners in hopes of moving to a larger home or better location are not selling.
The sellers have many choices for their next home, but very few buyers for their present home.The result is the "Contingent Offer"...and we are starting to see them in increasing numbers.
Isn't this an interesting time we live in? At one time we would scoff at a contingent offer. After all, what seller in their right mind would accept a contingent offer and essentially take their home off of the market? Now, we will accept a contingent offer without blatting an eye...after all a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush! Ah yes...we live in interesting times!
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LAND PARK AND ALL SACRAMENTO CITY PARKS IN JEOPARDY

I attended the city council meeting tonight. I was there not only as a Land Park resident but a new member of the Land Park Community Association. There is concern regarding the portion of the new city budget to be passed in June that deals with the Department of Parks and Recreation. The city staff is recommending a 43% cut to the Parks and Recreation budget. This translates into 145 maintenance workers losing their job. It means that the bathrooms would have be closed permanently (or until better times). Lawns would be mowed every 3 weeks. Garbage would be left for too long (garbage cans are overflowing every summer weekend).
A committee was formed by Land Park Community Association that supports all of our parks. "Rescue Sacramento Parks" was forms as a result of a "summit" of those who were concerned about the fate of our parks in these fiscally challenging times. This committee, under the leadership of Craig Powell created suggested alterations in the proposed budget. It kept the same allotted budget, but rearranged it to make the most out of a difficult situation. The council complimented the group on proposing a solution rather than just complaining about the proposal. The council has asked the city staff to review the proposed alterations and to come back with a reasonable response. Let's keep our fingers crossed that reason, rather than politics rules the day.
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OH BOY! LAND PARK GETS A BIG SPOON!

This may not be big news for the vast majority of my fellow Rainers...but here in Land Park, it is just too cool! In the same shopping center as Kinkos and Pet Extreme, we are getting our very own Big Spoon!
For those of you who have been so deprived that you have not had the experience, let me fill you in!
Imagine going into an ice cream shop (in this case frozen yogurt), choosing your size bowl, filling it with as much frozen yogurt as you want, in the flavor you want. Next, choose from a bazillion toppings...anywhere from Reeses Pieces to nuts, from chocolate sauce to marshmallow sauce...and everything in between.
Guess how you pay!...by the pound! Yep...they weigh it at the end and you pay accordingly! Now, how much fun is that? Betcha want one in your neck of the woods! Now, we just have to wait for it to open!
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When you list a home that is involved in an estate (probate or trust), do you give your sellers the very best advice? What I am referring to here is an estate sale to sell the personal items left in the home.
It seems that lately I have listed several homes that were inherited by relatives. For them, it is such a difficult time. They are grieving the loss of a loved one and at the same time dealing with not only the property, but what to do with all of the personal items left in the house. We can make a difference for them.
Find a qualified estate liquidator. Suggest to them that after they distribute the items the family wants, leave EVERYTHING in the house for a liquidator to deal with. Liquidators want the small, insignificant stuff every bit as much as the collectibles and furniture. The small items are a draw for the public and the collectibles to the collectors. This way, the sellers don't have to deal with hauling, packing, cleaning, etc.
The liquidator I recommend sorts, prices and sells everything. What doesn't sell, she donates to the appropriate charities. She has the house cleaned when she is done. If I am doing some updating to the house, she will sell light fixtures, carpet and window treatments. This service is not necessarily cheap...she collects a fair percentage for her trouble...but when the gross is $20,000 (as it was in my last one), the seller is thrilled!
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LAND PARK GOES TO THE DOGS!

I look forward to this event every year...after all, where else can you see (and hear) every breed of dog known to mankind (and some confusing breeds)?
On Saturday, May 30th, William Land Park will be the venue for the 16th Annual Doggy Dash and Bark at the Park Festival. The Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hosts this event each year to raise funds for animals sheltered at the Sacramento SPCA. People will start arriving bright and early at 7:30AM. At 9AM those who choose to walk the 2K or fun the 5K kick off the event. At the same time, those of us who wait until 9:20 for our 5K walk are entertained by the Dogs Agility Group Demonstrations...which is way fun! There are "pup" contests for the best wagger, smile, best tricks, kisser and finally the most magnificent pup. You can be in awe of the Champion Disc Dog Demonstration. Of course, the K-9 Unit of the Sacramento Police Department is there and whatever you do, don't miss the pug races!
It is a great morning and well worth getting up early for...so join us in Land Park for some great company and entertainment!

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEW DAY!

I was fortunate enough to be voted in as a Land Park Community Association board member. Today I attended my "orientation" meeting with about 12 other board members...all but 3 are brand new. The best news is that all of the people I met seem like genuinely nice people with no ego involved! We all agreed that the next several months will be critical in setting the tone of this new board.
There are some really exciting events being planned! On June 27th, we are going to host a picnic for our membership in the park as a thank you for being a part of the association. This is brand new and is a nice way to let our 550 members know we appreciate them. There are at least three more events we are hoping to bring to our community this year. Of course, the "Taste of Land Park" will be the September event.
Also, we are trying to increase the participation of our membership. We are hoping to offer incentives to become a member such as discounts at local businesses. We are inviting any member to attend any meeting that they are interested in and we hope that they will participate with their own ideas.
We do have some immediate concerns...mainly the 35-60% cuts in the Parks and Rec Department. The meeting to decide what will be done is this month, so we are working fast to address this issue.
Well, those are just a few of the concerns we have...I will keep you posted on our progress!
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A GREAT EVENT...A GREAT NIGHT!

I didn't write this last night...I was exhausted! But I had to share what turned out to be a wonderful night with clients, agents, coworkers and friends!

We host a semi annual art show. In May we have it at our Land Park office and in September we have it at our Sierra Oaks office. We invite our clients, friends, relatives. We invite local artists to share their wonderful inspirations with the neighborhood and give them the opportunity to sell their artwork. From 5 until 8, we offer wine, beer and sodas along with some wonderful hors de vours...and some fabulous art! It is typically attended by around 300 people...and we have a wonderful time catching up with friends and clients we may not have seen for awhile. Here is some of the artwork that was shown.

This is created by Katherine Lemke-Waste...a wonderfully talented artist who turns everyday items into centerpieces.

You know when I am enthusiastically telling you about Land Park? Well, this is a view of the park created by Miles Herman...we have had him back year after year.

This is painted on a cigar box. It is an impression of the Tower Theater...you may have heard of Tower Records...well, this is the original store and was painted by Anthony Montanino.

This is a wonderful photograph by Don Satterlee of a bridge in downtown Sacramento...I love the way he depicted the shadowy impression the Sacramento fog presents as opposed to showing every rivett on the bridge!

This is a pin created by a truly talented young new artist...and for the life of me, I don't know her name (even though I commissioned some earrings from her..shame on me!) Don't you love the craziness of this?

This is by Sheila Van Noy...a talented photographer in her own right, and a fellow Realtor as well! She said she was told that this is a Grateful Dead reference.

Okay.. a little self-promotion...this is my own sculpture..such as it is!

Thanks for letting me indulge myself in sharing something with you that our office looks forward to every year!
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SOMETIMES YA JUST GOTTA HAVE FUN!!!

Have you gotten down on your hands and knees and pounced at your dog? The confused and pleased look on her face will be priceless!
Try dancing to a particularly inspiring television commercial!

Sing at the top of your lungs...not when you are alone and it is safe, but when everyone is around! No need for you to be embarrassed...they will be embarrassed for you!

Even at 57 years old, food fights can still be hysterical...forget the mess!

The sidewalk chalk? Make yourself a hopscotch and go at it! It was fun at 7 and is still fun!

Kids have it happening...water wars at any age is just plain fun! Hoses, buckets, squirt guns...it doesn't matter!

Did you know that rubber bands do more than hold things together? They are great to wake someone up when they are just plain too comfortable! (Be sure you have another one when they return the favor!)

Socks are not just for warmth...when is the last time you slid across a nice smooth floor?

Have you ridden your bicycle lately...it is particularly fun when the street is empty..you can do some really daring turns and swerves!

Really...how good are you at making paper airplanes? Betcha mine can go further!

All I am saying is, fun isn't costly. Fun can be just a split second. Fun isn't complicated. The best fun is an impulse. And Fun?...it will make you live longer and happier. So, it's the weekend! HAVE FUN!
www.PaulaSwayne.com