LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION...ANOTHER CRAZY ELECTION

May marked the one year anniverary since there was a major upheaval of the Land Park Community Association board of directors and a larger and almost all new board. Much has been tackled in the past year to mend fences and create a renewed faith in the direction the board was taking. It has been an exciting time with positive results. We went from approximately 150 members to a sustained 450 members. We have included a business membership and have had wonderful support from our local businesses.

Other items we have accomplished are such things as a successful "Taste of Land Park" (wine tasting, restaurant sampling and car show) that netted over $8,000. For the first time, we thanked our neighbors for their support by holding a free Family Picnic Day with games. Despite soaring heat, it was attended by approximately 100 neighbors. We initiated the Volunteer Corp to compensate for the disastrous cut in park maintenance personnel...now we go out and prune, plant and and clean up. We lent our support to our Curtis Park neighbors by endorsing the Curtis Park Village developement. We encouraged and discouraged cell towers, depending on viability of the locations and appearance. We co-hosted, along with the City, the annual Easter Egg Hunt which was attended by hundreds of children who picked up thousands of plastic eggs stuffed by the local boy scout troop. We are developing a better relationship with our councilman with monthly meetings. We are watching closely a move to expand the Sacramento Zoo...a great idea in theory, but a disaster for the existing park's use.

The election that just took place was suppose to be a simple one. There were a couple of contested positions, but no animosity was forseen. In fact, we still have 3 open seats we are hoping to fill in the coming months. The unexpected antagonism occured when one of the board members from the previous regime did not win as president. It was unfortunate and the resulting diatribes were sad. Since that election, the losing board member has resigned all positions he held within the board as did one of the other old regime board members.

We are now busy filling very large shoes of the two who resigned. We are fortunate to have a very capable member step up to one of the positions. It is believed that one of the other positions will be filled at the next board meeting. There are other committees that will need attention and with the talent we have within our membership, it is certain we will find other talent out there.

So, as has been the history of this board, there is never a dull moment. However, we look forward to a positive coming year with many challenges and hopefully, many great outcomes.

OUT OF AREA AGENTS...OUT OF TOUCH WITH SERVICE TO CLIENTS

It can happen many ways...an old friend asks for help with selling their house, even though they know the agent doesn't normally work that area; the agent receives a referral call from another agent for an area the agent isnt't familiar with- the potential agent hasn't had an escrow close in months and is hungry; the agent has listed their clients home and the sellers are willing to have the same agent represent them, even though they know that agent doesn't normally sell where they are buying.

Do you see a pattern developing? It is so easy to fall into the trap of trying to be all things to all people, especially when escrows are fewer and the agent needs to pay the mortgage. This is not an easy time in real estate. The adage of "Agents are working 3 times as hard at twice the cost for 1/2 of the income" is not really a joking matter...it is true.

However, need is not an excuse to ignore the primary duty to the clients. The fiduciary responsibility to the client is to advise them as to what is best for the client. Working in an area that the agent knows little, if anything about, is not in the best interest of the client.

Every neighborhood has nuances that an agent must know in order to properly understand market value. The same house could have two distinctly different values and only be blocks apart and only an expert in the neighborhood will know where that line is drawn. There may be a history in the neighborhood that could affect value such as an old creek bed that affects the foundation of homes built on it. Some streets may appear to be benevolent and yet has a resident that has made national news for his stand on recent issues and has tourists that want to visit. Maybe there is a taxi service being run out of a house that isn't apparent on the days the buyers are looking. An out of area agent is not going to be knowledgeable about these issues.

When writing an offer, each town and county has traditional costs that are recognized by local experts. The costs to a buyer or seller can vary widely. In one county, a buyer could traditionally pay most non-recurring closing costs. In another, the same costs could traditionally be born by the seller. An agent familiar with the area will know the proper costs to be paid by their client. If the contract is completed in error, it could cost the client thousands of dollars that they otherwise would not have had to pay.

Finally, a local expert has worked with or know many of the other agents working the same area. They will be able to facilitate a smoother escrow with fewer surprises. In a multiple offer situatiion, an agent who has an out of area phone number is going to be recognized as a potential for a less than smooth escrow due to lack of knowledge of the area and access to the property.

So, when considering helping an out of area buyer or seller, think twice. What is in the best interest of the client? Maybe a referral would better serve the client.

MY NICHE FOUND ME!

I went into the real estate business specializing in residential sales in the Land Park, East Sacramento and Curtis Park neighborhoods. These are the neighborhoods I love and I have lived in Land Park for over 30 years. Little did I dream that I would develop a niche to my specialty.

I wish I could say it was a well planned business plan. It wasn't. It started with a property that I was asked to list about 2 years ago. It was dated, but otherwise a truly charming home. I knew that it would net the sellers much more money if they would be willing to put a little money into it. I had just started using a new stager and asked for her input as to colors. I found a wonderful contractor who could paint, take care of any electrical needs as well as do pest work. Other specialists who could work on hardwood floors, plumbing and cleaning also come into play and are an important part of the process.

First, we needed to determine what needs doing as opposed to completing an all out remodel. Much of the time I need to be respectful of what the owner has loved about their home and assure them that we will keep that "aura". I have now learned the key elements that should almost always be done in this situation. Fresh interior paint is almost always a given. Dated homes are most quickly identified by the choice in paint colors. The second might be surprising...new light fixtures. Large hardware stores have a great selection without paying a premium price. Floors always have to be considered. This is where it can get expensive, so it is critical to balance the need for new flooring with the cost. Almost without exception, we remove all window treatments unless they are quality shutters. Finally, the house should be thoroughly cleaned and staged well.

This house turned out beautifully. We didn't remodel a dated kitchen, but the tile was an acceptable color and in good condition. We replaced the range since it was old and well used. We also replaced all of the faucets in the house as well as the light fixtures and cabinet knobs. We pulled up carpeting, exposed the hardwood floors and had them buffed. We painted the entire interior of the home. I planted flowers in the front and back yards. Details do count, so a mirror was replaced in the bathroom and an interior planter had its fake flowers replaced with quality artificial ivy. All in all, we spent about $8000 and in return, sold it for about $20,000 more than we would have if we had done nothing.

A neighbor 2 doors down came to the first open house to see the end product. As it happens, they were about to go through the same process and wanted to see what they needed to do. They were from out of town and it was going to be a logistical nightmare. When I told them I could do it for them and that it was part of the service I offer when I list a property, they were thrilled. I could almost see the relief in their eyes and posture. We went through the same process with the same results.

I am now establishing a reputation that I can help in these types of situations. More often than not, the home is a family home in which the parents have passed away and the children are trying to determine what to do. At one of my open houses, 2 sisters came by. They had heard about what I do and wanted to see the finished results. They told me that they will be putting their parents home on the market fairly soon and had heard about my services. They also wanted to see the end results. I was so pleased when they told me that when the time comes, they will be contacting me to help them.

I have had the good fortune to have prepared and sold 2 more homes in the same way. I am presently working on 2 more. One Land Park home that is in its finishing stages will go on the market in about a week. The other is just being started and will probably take about 3 weeks to complete.

This is such a win-win for me. Many times the seller is a child of the owner and lives out of town. The logistics of preparing to put a home on the market is formidable. I get the opportunity to take that burden from a seller, make the home shine and help the seller maximize their net from the sale of the home. I love the niche that has found me!

THE JOY OF MY BIKE

I know that there are a lot of people who get their exercise walking and jogging. I hear that you can hit a transition point and after that, it gets easier. Some tell me that they feel exhilarated after their outing.

For me, I get bored being a pedestrian. Simply put, it's just too slow. I'm a tourist when it comes to my outings. I want to see what people are doing. I want to appreciate a unique home. I always try to route my outings through William Land Park. However, I don't want to take a lot of time between scenes. My preference is my trusty bike. I can enjoy a little breeze, no matter what the weather. I can speed by the less interesting scenes and stop at the really cool stuff. I can stop and talk to people...no muscles will cramp up. My feet aren't exactly user friendly and biking doesn't make them hurt.

Now granted, I don't really bike just for exercise. I always need a destination. With saddlebags on my bike, I can run errands galore. I can buy a week's worth of dinners and load it up in my bike. I can buy paint for my house, flowers for my garden or office supplies...and bring them home on my bike. The exercise is really a nice side benefit. Of course, there is always the benefit of saving money on gas, but really, I have to admit...it's the last reason I ride my bike.

I write this in the hope that more people will pause, just for a second, when they are heading out the door. Could they ride their bike to wherever they are going? Have you ever thought about how many times your quick errand could be accomplished on a bike? Come on...join me! You might actually enjoy it!

WILLIAM LAND PARK, THEN AND NOW

Camp Union soldiers marched where the Sacramento Zoo now sits and their parading grounds now enjoy 4 of the 5 baseball diamonds. A restroom was transformed into the present day Tiny Tots Preschool. Horses were rented from College Stables at the corner of Sutterville Road and Freeport Boulevard for Sacramentans to enjoy a day of riding. In 1953, the first Police Academy held its classes at William Land Park. Bartley Cavanaugh owned a ranch that featured his interests of race horses, hops kilns and barns that was situated near where the Sacramento Zoo now sits. Andrew Caruthers from Pennsylvania bought a 160 acre ranch in 1849 in the southeast corner of William Land Park.

To say that William Land Parks 160 acres enjoys a rich history is an understatement. John Sutter wanted to ensure a city that would be above a consistently challenging flood plain. He located Sutterville at the southwest corner of what is now known as William Land Park. Spreading out from this establishment of a ships carpenter, doctor, brewery owner and brick layer the citizens made their homes. Due to poorly managed finances, Sutterville gave way to nearby Sacramento in 1852, when the brewery was torn down.

William Land made his fortune primarily as a hotelier, establishing the Western Hotel on 2nd and K and then erecting the Land Hotel in downtown Sacramento. He died in 1911, leaving a legacy of $250,000 to "to purchase a public park within a suitable distance" of Sacramento to be used as a recreation spot for the children and a pleasure ground for the poor." William Land Park was established on its present site in the 1920's.

William Land was a gentleman ahead of his time and his legacy has become a rich environment for all to enjoy. The Land Park Golf Course, opening in 1924, was the first golf course in Sacramento. Pony rides have been enjoyed in William Land Park since the late 1930's or early 1940's. Funderland, a concession for children ages 2-12, was established in 1941. Fairytale Town has been entertaining toddlers and preschoolers since 1959. The William Land Park Amphitheatre has hosted concerts, plays and other productions since as early as 1963. The Village Green (appearing to most as a simple square slab of cement) has been a popular place for concerts in the 1970's and has been used more recently for practicing skating, playing bagpipes and the staging area for hundreds of charity events.

William Land Park celebrates its history with many memorials. William Land's own memorial sits in the park across from Sacramento City Junior College. It was designed by noted architect Leonard F. Starks in honor of William Land (1837-1911). The plaque contains a quote by Virgil: "The noblest motive is the public good." The World War 1 Memorial was erected in 1973 and honors the Sacramentans who gave their lives in the war. The statue of Charles Swanston was erected by his son George and included a dance pavilion (now a part of the Sacramento Zoo). There are many groves and gardens celebrating influential groups who helped make Sacramento what it is today. Currently William Land Park features multitudes of entertainment possibilities. It has 1 class 1 and 22 class 2 updated picnic areas with tables and barbecues for which some can be reserved for that family reunion or birthday party. The park has 3 ponds stocked with fish for those who enjoy the rod and reel...just be sure the geese and ducks don't beat you to it! For baseball lovers, it has 2 softball fields and 3 baseball fields, one of which is lit. Soccer lovers enjoy its 2 bantam and 1 full size soccer fields. Very close to Tiny Tots Preschool you can find basketball players challenging each other on the basketball court. . Joggers can get in their daily run on the 3.4 mile jogging course. To this day, the 9-hole Land Park Golf Course is constantly being enjoyed by local golfers. The accredited Sacramento Zoo was established in 1927 and features over 140 native, exotic and endangered species.

As you can see, William Land Park is a Sacramento treasure with a rich history. Come enjoy a summer day at this family oriented oasis full of wonderful experiences and potential memories!

INVESTORS...SELL NOW!!!

Contrary to the present approach of investors purchasing property at break-neck speed, now would be a great time to sell. It goes against everything that investors are doing right now (with the exception of "flippers").

If an investor has held a property for a time and has ever considered selling, now is a great time to do so. The reasons are many but the main one is being spurred by our government. Unless things change, starting next year the capital gains tax is going to increase substantially. The powers that be are looking for revenue and what better opportunity is there than the elimination of our present low capital gains tax?

Certainly, there are other reasons such as pent-up demand by buyers, still low interest rates and continued affordable prices. However, trumping them all is the present capital gains tax. So, investors...if you are considering selling, check with your CPA. Now might be a great time to take advantage of low capital gains taxes!

LAND PARK RESIDENTS...YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!

Many Land Park residents rely on the local Target store for their spring planting. The affordable prices and the selection of popular flowers seen in abundance in the Land Park neighborhood has made Target a favorite weekend stop.

I heard from a Target employee tonight that the Garden Center will be closing this October. It is the feeling of the company that they can better serve their clients by giving space for more food items, so the Garden Center must go. It is certainly a sign of the economy and necessities in favor of luxuries.

It will be a sad day when I can no longer stop at Target for a few flowers!