Paula Swayne's Blog

TENT CONSPIRACY

2011-11-22T19:38:00.001-08:00

Okay...the world is entirely too serious right now. So, to lighten things up a bit, I want to propose a conspiracy. I believe that the manufacturers of tents are the instigators of all that is crazy with the world. You laugh, but think about it!
Occupy Wall Street, aka Occupy Oakland, aka Occupy Whatever....they are making statements by pitching their tents for a long-term stay. As quickly as they pitch them, the police come along and tear them down. So, to ensure that the protesters are making their point, they go out, buy more tents and pitch them again...and on it goes.
Now, we have a new group of tent pitchers...the Black Friday (misnomer since they are pitching now) enthusiasts are pitching their tents outside their favorite store so they can trample each other come midnight Thursday.
I would hazard a guess that there may be a shortage of tents. As a result, and true to our supply and demand capitalism, the prices will go up. Now the tent manufacturers will make masses of money. The Occupy people will probably protest them for being too rich...
and on it goes. I'm just sayin'....

GREAT NEWS...MY CLIENTS DON'T NEED ME RIGHT NOW!

2011-11-11T20:56:00.000-08:00

These times can test ones priorities. Are we here for our clients or for ourselves?
I don't think, in the 16 years I have been a Realtor, I have ever had such an on again-off again year. I would feel really awful if it was due to some action I took, but it wasn't. It was because my clients had good news that prevented them from completing their real estate transaction.
They were remodeling the home of their dreams. It was going to be their last house...their retirement home. It had acreage to grow grapes. It had space to continue their daycare business. And then, health issues arose and the dream became a logistical nightmare. It was time to fish or cut bait, and they decided the best move was to cut bait. We put the property on the market and had lots of interest, but no offers. A month goes by and the health issues start to be resolved. There is light at the end of the tunnel. They don't want to sell their dream anymore and feel terrible about pulling it off the market. I am thrilled for them...they get to keep their dream! Great news!
She is about to have a baby and wants to purchase a home before the blessed event. She also wants to be a nurse and has had an application in to a highly thought of program for a long time. We found their perfect property and were in contract. We had completed the home inspection and resolved most of the issues. Then, she gets a letter....she has been accepted into the nursing program. However, she can't work, have a newborn and go to nursing school. She has to quit work and can no longer qualify for the loan. The good news is that she has been given the opportunity to follow her dream. The bad news is that we have to cancel the escrow. I am thrilled for her being able to follow her dream (and she had her baby on 11/11/11)!
Her father passed away and left a very nice duplex in a high-end neighborhood in Sacramento. They really don't want to be property managers and so we put the property on the market. It is truly an owner-occupied type of duplex so there is a limited number of buyers. After several months, they get the chance to have both sides rented, but the new tenants don't want to move in with the chance that they will be evicted soon after. I agree that their best option is to take it off the market until next year, so it is withdrawn. They own it outright, so it is great that they will be able to have an additional income.
She turned the single family home that I had sold her into a legal duplex, and did it well. Now she wants to get out from under a student loan and selling the home would make a good dent in her debt. I list the property and get ready to put it on the market. However, there is a chance that one of the tenants might want to purchase it and she discovers work that the property needs before selling it. We decide that now is not the time and to revisit selling it in the spring. She is happy to have the reprieve until she has more time to deal with it.
Often, our own interests come into conflict with what is best for our clients. We need to know that what is most important is what is right for the people we represent. Their lives are changed by events like what I have described. We just get a little less income. Priorities are pretty easy to assign when looking at it from the perspective of our clients. I am thrilled that, ultimately, it was better for my clients to not need me right now.

DESTINATION: SACRAMENTO

2011-11-05T20:21:00.001-07:00

Saying "Sacramento is a destination" may not be what travelers may have heard. What is more commonly heard is "Sacramento is a great place to start from". Even native Sacramentans may have come to believe this...we hear it quite often.
I beg to differ. I defy anyone to identify a city that has more to offer than Sacramento.

We are at the convergence of 2 beautiful rivers: the Sacramento River and the American River. Some may dispute the Sacramento River as being beautiful since it contains a heavy dose of run-off from farmlands north of it. However, navigating the Sacramento Delta will prove its scenic qualities. The American River is popular for rafting and fishing.
Sacramento is the City of Trees, boasting more trees per capita than any other city in the world.
Sacramento is enjoying a growing industry...the wine industry. Just across the Sacramento River is a multitude of wonderful, award winning wineries. Travel into the foothills to enjoy wonderful family-owned wineries galore.
Besides the obvious offering of professional sports like the Sacramento Kings and the minor league RiverCats, Sacramento offers a plethora of recreational sports such as softball, baseball, soccer, swimming, basketball and more.
Sacramento is just a little over an hour from the world-renowned city of San Francisco for those who wish to visit or shop.
For the skiing enthusiasts, travel up Highway 50 or Interstate 80 for an hour and a half to have world-class slopes of Heavenly Valley, Squaw, Boreal, Sugarbowl, Kirkwood, North Star and more to enjoy.
Ocean lovers can bask in the sun after traveling just an hour from Sacramento.
Jazz enthusiasts from all over the world converge on Sacramento in May for the Sacramento Jazz Festival.
Boating enthusiasts can travel 45 minutes to Folsom Lake, just a few minutes to the Sacramento River or American River or, if they like a chill in the water, to Lake Tahoe.
World-class restaurants have sprouted up in the past few years to offer those who enjoy a comfortable evening out an memorable experience.
Sacramento has a strong artistic flair. The Crocker Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the West and just finished a beautiful, state of the art addition. Every new construction is required to contain funding for art within its venue. There are several offerings for the performing arts, many of them offered throught the California Community Theater.

I could go on forever, but it would become overwhelming for the reader to take it all in. Come visit us!

A GOOD IDEA TO ELIMINATE FICO SCORES!

2011-10-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

As strange as this sounds, it has been suggested at several meetings of late. Just imagine qualifying someone who, other than a short sale or foreclosure, has perfect credit. They pay their bills on time....some even doing so until they are told that they have to have a late or non-existent payment in order to qualify for short sales. They are stable other than this one issue...the short sale or foreclosure. Can you imagine the number of qualified buyers we would have out there and how quickly the housing industry would recover if these people could purchase sooner than 2-7 years?Now, it would not be perfect. I think anyone who did a strategic foreclosure or short sale should not be able to qualify. I am speaking of people who, for one reason or another, simply were forced to move. These would include people with health issues, job transfers, or who were forced to take less to keep their jobs. These are the people who are responsible, who deserved a break...and I think we should give it to them.
It's an interesting thought, isn't it?

THIS IS NOT PERSONAL...JUST GOOD BUSINESS!

2011-10-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

As we all acknowledge, emotions run high during the search for a home, the negotiations that must take place and the hurdles we must jump. As a result, many times the events that take place are very personal. Sometimes we need to be reminded that, while the relationships are personal, the decisions are not.
This post was inspired by an escrow my client is in. The property is a 5 unit income property. The owner is a Realtor, but has a fellow Realtor listing the property. For all intents and purposes, the owner is the listing agent since I have only spoken to the listing agent twice.
The structure is sound, but there is quite a bit of deferred maintenance. Leaking faucets, furnaces unable to be lit, so testing not possible, window latches broken, air conditioning units not functioning are just a few of the major issues. My buyer and I wrote a Request for Repairs, only asking for the property to be in functioning order...no cosmetics. Only an hour after sending the request, I received an angry call from the owner. "I am very upset. In fact, I need to call you back after I get over my upsetness" (yes..he did say "upsetness". That was 2 days ago and I haven't heard back. I am meeting him this morning to get inspections on the plumbing, heaters and windows. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to it.
This was not an "as is" sale. Asking for an income property to be in working order is not a personal affront. In Sacramento, we have city inspections of rental properties. I just had one completed at a duplex I had listed while it was in escrow. The seller had to do the required city repairs. There is no reason my client should assume the repairs that the present owner did not address.
He is angry, because he took our request personally. It is not personal. It is simply good business.

PLEASE....BOTHER ME!

2011-10-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

I have some very nice clients...in fact, they are so nice that they are apologizing for making me work. They feel bad when they "bother me" to show houses. They feel bad when I offer to give them comps for the house they want to make an offer on. I have explained that this is my job; this is what I get paid for. So, to be very clear, here are the things I expect to do for my buyer clients:

Give referrals for lenders, inspectors, insurance companies, escrow and title companies, etc.
Provide a list of homes that fit your wish list.
Show you as many homes as it takes to find the perfect property.
Advise you as to the pros and cons of each home.
Write a strong offer that will compete with any other offer to get you the home.
Negotiate the contract with the other party.
Make appointments and meet any and all inspectors necessary.
Negotiate any repairs necessary.
Oversee escrow and title to ensure proper charges and documentation
Work with you lender to be sure contract dates are adhered to.
Be with you during signing in case any questions arise.
Do a final walk through to be certain the house is in the same condition or repairs have been made prior to close.
Provide you keys to the property once it records.
Be available for any future issues that might arise after recording.

Now, please, use me!

RED FLAGS GALORE...AND NO ONE NOTICED.

2011-08-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

•the electrical cable was supported from a shed to the house by a tree...doesn't seem quite right
•the buyer purchased her next door neighbors house directly...and thought she was getting a deal
•the buyer was an insurance agent and held her real estate license...a presumption of knowledge
•the purchased home was built without any permits whatsoever...like zero, nil, zip
•the normal sales process typically includes a home inspection and extensive disclosures...this one couldn't have
•the seller was a real estate agent... which was not disclosed
•it was evident that there were 2 large air ducts resting on a metal roof to a backyard walkway, exposed...hmmmm
•rather than the required 1500 gallon septic tank, this house has a 500 gallon septic tank...an inspection would have revealed this
•there is no electrical meter....really...no one noticed?

This is an actual situation making the news in Placer County, California. The buyer of this house is suing the seller because it is quite possibly a tear-down. But, I just have to ask, which red flag did you not see???? My word, there were real estate agents on both ends and the buyer was an insurance salesperson. There are no excuses...they both should have known better.

When a professional Realtor is hired, they have knowledge and experience. It is automatic...hire a professional home inspector and thorough complete and review disclosures. I have to believe that neither one of these things were done. I have no empathy for the buyer. She cut corners and is now paying the price. The courts are probably going to say the same thing...she should have known better.

The only good news coming out of this is that I now have another story to tell the public as to why it is so important to hire a Realtor and to check their references. If this licensee had done this, she wouldn't be in this situation now. She would have backed out of the deal and saved herself a lot of grief...not to mention the $295,000 she paid for the house!

IT'S OKAY TO WRITE AN OFFER...REALLY!

2011-08-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

This will be brief, but worth sharing.

Tuesday night I met with some first time home buyers to chat about their dreams, their plans and the home buying process. I let them in on a few expectations without overwhelming them. They are excited and eager to start the process. One thing I always share with first time home buyers is this:

"You are going to have friends and family tell you not to buy the first house you see. Their intentions are good. However, I am going to show you the best houses out there on our first trip. You will be seeing the cream of the crop on your first outing. So, don't be surprised if you fall in love with one of the first houses you see. If you do, it is okay to write an offer."

Tonight, I brought them out for their first outing. Guess what? The third house was a winner. What was the first question they asked me? "Should we look at more houses since this is the first outing?"

It was so easy to remind them of our earlier conversation. If I had done it after they had seen it, they would have thought either I was eager for a commission or was pressuring them to buy quickly. As it stood, it was just a reminder of a previous conversation.

It's all about preparation and letting them know it is okay to do what THEY want.

COMMITMENT IS VITAL TO THE PROCESS

2011-07-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

How many times have the words "It's a great time to buy" been said? More than any of us can fathom. Is it true? For those who are considering purchasing, the answer is a resounding "YES".

Having said this, if the decision is to purchase, then commit to it. Put your heart and soul into it

Prequalify with a reputable lender first. If you don't do this first, you are not committed because you have no idea what price range you are in...and don't trust on-line qualifying programs.

Next, interview and retain a Realtor to represent you. If you don't do this, then you are not committed. Realtors are your best advocate and know the ins and outs of a very volatile market.

After you have retained your Realtor, ask them to set up a tour for you of available homes in your price range. If your agent doesn't do this then your agent is not committed. Get another Realtor who will. Don't go out on your own to do all of your searches and then contact a Realtor to write up an offer...you may have missed many of the possibilities out there.

Once you find the house of your dreams, listen to your Realtor and their suggestions as to how the contract should be written. They know what needs to be done to get you that house. Commit to that house and don't "test" the sellers to see what you can get away with.

Once you are in escrow, commit to the purchase. Be realistic in your repair negotiations. Your Realtor will know what is reasonable and what isn't. Listen to them.

Commit to time lines. When asked for something from your lender, get it to them as soon as possible. When asked for signatures, get them to the other party as quickly as possible.

Finally, be sure you are committed to the process. Nothing will discourage your Realtor quicker than to discover that you are still in the "considering" stage. Your Realtor will prioritize their clients and if they get a sense you are not serious, you will be lowered on their list. Good luck and good house-hunting!

I MISS WARM AND FUZZY!

2011-07-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

I was struck by an article I just read in Inman News. It was speaking of the need to adapt to new technology. One agent said that they were sold on electronic signatures because their client didn't want the agent to come to their house. This speaks volumes about the changes in our industry.

We can actually complete an entire escrow without a face-to-face with any of the principals or agents. Predominantly, it is the listing and selling agent who never meet. Certainly, there are benefits. Clients and/or agents can go out of town and contracts can still be signed. Lists of prospective houses can be sent to buyers without the selling agent lifting a finger after the initial search set up in the Internet.

However, I miss the warm and fuzzy. I miss putting a face to the person I am e-mailing or texting. I love explaining the contract to my buyers and sellers as they sit with me at a conference table. I want to be able to recognize the other agent when we meet at an event.

E-mails and texts carry with them the very strong possibility of misunderstanding the intent. There is no voice inflection...no sympathetic tones, no laughter. It is easy to misinterpret what was meant when you can't read a persons face.

I am the first to enjoy the perks of the technology age...I just want a little touchy feely along with it!

EXCITING NEWS FOR LAND PARK AND SOUTHSIDE PARK!

2011-07-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

For a change, the Sacramento City Council finally got it right! After heavy lobbying by the Land Park Community Association, the Broadway Partnership, the Land Park Volunteer Corp and both Land Park and Southside neighborhoods, the city council made a major step towards a Sacramento River crossing!

Over 15 testimonies were made by these groups and others last Tuesday night. With the exception of one neighbor who saw no problem with a W/X bridge, all were in agreement. Here are the highlights of the decision made:

A crossing at Sutterville Road is simply a bad idea...traffic similar to in front of Arden Fair using Land Park as a short cut to downtown, the disaster it would be for William Land Park, and the number of homes that would have to be eliminated to allow for the base. Sutterville Road was taken off of the list of potential river crossings.
A crossing at Broadway, as originally planned (a 4 lane commuter bridge) is a bad idea...the same said traffic cutting through Southside Park as a short cut to downtown, businesses being disrupted due to the amount of traffice, the elimination of the pedestrian feel of Broadway. It was decided that a smaller, neighborhood friendly bridge just might work.
A definition of what a "neighborhood friendly" bridge will be supplied by the city staff within 3 weeks to ensure the understanding of the scale that is being discussed.
The primary site that should be researched is a northern bridge at the Railyards. Councilwoman Ashby, in whose area this would land, is enthusiastic about this priority. All who spoke agreed that the first bridge developed should be a northern site.
This is truly exciting news. While the funding is still not there, it is important to have a future plan that will benefit both Sacramento and West Sacramento. The head of SACOG insinuated that if we direct them to place a priority at the northern end of the river, they cannot guarantee funding. Councilman Fong said it best...."I am okay with not getting funding for something we don't want", meaning a 4 lane commuter bridge at Broadway should also be off the table.

Sacramento took a big, and positive step Tuesday, by putting the interests of their constituents first...what a novel concept!

A HEADS-UP...ANGIE'S LIST = YELLOW PAGES

2011-07-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard about Angie's List, it was from a client. Interestingly, he was telling me that he no longer is going to subscribe to Angie's List....he is just going to go on my website. Don't worry...this is not about my website. What it is about is Angie's List.

I am now seeing national advertising for this on-line reference to find service people. In fact, somehow, I got on their internet list. After receiving many offers to be on Angie's List, I decided it was worth looking into. Here is what I discovered...

ANGIE'S LIST IS EXPENSIVE...I mean really expensive...like hundreds of dollars a month! And no...you cannot be included unless you pay. Interestingly, it appears that the more you pay, the higher up on her list you are. Now knowing this, I have to wonder...what is the difference between the yellow pages (either on-line or the actual book) and Angie's List?

The conclusion that I came to was that you have to subscribe to Angie's List to even use it. The internet and the book...well they are free.

So...next time you need a referral, what are you going to do? You might as well go to the yellow pages and pick the contractor with the biggest ad!

THE SUCKER PATROL

2011-07-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

In a time when jobs are an envied commodity, when "upside down" has taken on a scary and all new meaning, when retirement has adopted a new horizon and a college education carries with it no guarantees, there is a silver lining.

These economic times have forced, at the very least, a review of how things were done in the past as opposed to how they need to be done in the future. People have drawn together and, rather than have some lose their job, have taken an across the board pay cut. Some, who lost their jobs, found their passion and have found a new and joyful way to support themselves and their families. Owners of businesses have taken no salary to ensure the health of their businesses and the continued employment of their workers. We have learned how to get by with less.

Now, you may be wondering how this applies to the sucker patrol. William Land Park, a beautiful, 144acre park in the heart of Sacramento has had their maintenance workers dwindle from 50+ to 6. You can imagine that this gem of Sacramento simply cannot be maintained with such a drastic cut in care. Well, a man with some foresight saw a solution in creating the Land Park Volunteer Corp. He called upon the adjoining Land Park residents to step up...and we have...typically 60 strong, the first Saturday of every month.

Today, we trimmed ivy off of the Funderland wall. We maintained 4 flower beds that we re-created when they were let go. We weeded, we raked and we trimmed. Me? Well, I got to help one of the 2 "Sucker Patrol" teams. The trees were doing their very best to create little trees and new branches all around their base and trunk. We got to attack those volunteer "suckers" with a vengeance. Now, with the 2 and 1/2 hours that we were allowed, we only got to about a third of the trees that needed trimming, so I think we will be attacking again in August.

The best part is that this program has been such a success, that other neighborhoods that adjoin city parks are adopting the program as well. So, just when you think that good can't possibly come out of these difficult times, think again. The silver lining? People are working together to save what is really important in our lives. There is a new clarity...and isn't it wonderful?

A MUDDY MESS...IN LAND PARK!

2011-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Yup...that's what I was...a muddy mess! However, I sure had fun gettin there!

Yesterday was the annual Doggy Dash - a fundraiser for the local SPCA. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a sunny, beautiful June day. Unfortunately, our weather has been anything but normal, so despite the prayers of everyone involved, it rained...just as it has been doing all spring.

Just as evidence of Sacramento's dedication to it's pets, the turnout was still impressive! Thousands of people and dogs sloshed through William Land Park's normally hardy grass, now a mushy, muddy quagmire. Vendors pressed themselves to the middle of their canopies, hoping to keep their wares just a little dry.

The dogs? Well the water-loving dogs not only enjoyed the rain, but relished in traipsing through the water filled gutters. The less enthusiastic dogs had owners who knew them well and covered them with rain coats or warm vests. The older ones were toted in flower-decorated wagons towed by loving owners. They all barked a little, whined a little, sniffed a lot and wagged tails.

Me? Well, my dog has a tendency to pounce on me with her two front paws...a lot. She particularly enjoyed the water and the mud. So, as high as she could reach, I was muddy....and wet. Can you think of a better way of getting there? (oh...there will be a real photo as soon as my daughter can send it to me!)

All in all, a great morning!

AT LAST...A NEW MARKET IN LAND PARK!

2011-06-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

The rumors have been running rampant for years. Trader Joes was it's favorite topic, but there were others.

The eyesore of Land Park and South Land Park sat on the corner of Sutterville Road and Land Park Drive. LaBou and Parkside Pharmacy did their best to improve it's patronage and appearance, but they could only do so much. This strip shopping center needed not only tenants and a new facade, but the internal workings included leaking roofs and outmoded electrical systems. Something had to be done.

It was announced yesterday that Sunflower Market signed a 30 year lease! At last an opportunity to offer a new market to the neighborhood, but to improve the street scape as well! It can be assumed that the neighbors will be elated to have a close, well stocked market just around the corner. It also offers a nice mid-sized market to compliment the plethora of offerings of Raley's and the specialized, gourmet offerings of Taylors Market.

Welcome Sunflower Market

I AM NOT STUBBORN!

2011-04-11T16:28:00.001-07:00

I just read an article in Realtor Magazine that made me feel so validated. Let me first say, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am a native Sacramentan and proud of it! I don't mind the labels of Cowtown, Sacratomato or any of the other "hick town" labels that have been attached to my hometown. In fact, they are endearing. Now Sacramento has been recognized in a national magazine...not as the 5th most miserable city in the nation...but as the city in which sellers understand the need to price homes correctly and to adjust, if necessary, just as quickly! Where do you find the most stubborn sellers who wait 80 days before slashing their price? According to Trulia they are: New York City El Paso, Texas Charlotte, North Carolina Cleveland, Ohio Raleigh, North Carolina Louisville, Kentucky Kansas City, Missouri Memphis, Tennessee There are other cities that will slash, but not enough the first time around. These cities are: Phoenix, Arizona Mesa, Arizona Jacksonville, Florida Baltimore, Maryland Chicago, Illinois Finally, the cities that "get it" and are ready to cut prices on an average of 45 days to 53 days are: Minneapolis, Minnesota (number 1) Oakland, California Sacramento, California Personally, I think this really reflects the level of experience the cities have had with the market. I think most will agree that California had the pin that burst the bubble. I don't know what to say about Minneapolis..I am sure there is a great explanation!

I AM A REALTORS WORST NIGHTMARE!

2011-04-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

I was standing in my closet deciding what shoes to wear. That's how this post began. We had remodeled our master suite several years ago and in the process gained a walk-in closet. I was marveling at how much I still enjoyed that privilege. From there the thought process went to how silly it is that my husband and I don't downsize. We raised 3 children in our home. It started at 1800 square feet when we were married and by the time we became empty-nesters 30 years later, our home had grown to over 3000 square feet...a pretty silly size for just 2 people. For more reasons that I can count, we should downsize. The upstairs is only used because the laundry room and the cockatiel are up there. The living room has gone the way of all living rooms...a place that stays remarkably clean do to lack of use. We really only use 4 rooms...the kitchen, family room, bedroom and bathroom. So, why in the world, with all of the homes I see on a daily basis, do we stay? We stay because it is home. It is where we grew together and our children grew up. My dad built the cover for our patio. I made the stained glass window in the bathroom. My husband and I built the shutters on the outside of our home. We have had the same neighbors for over 20 years. We started out being the youngest people on our block to being the oldest people on our block! It is home. I had a client call me the other day. Her home isn't worth what they paid for it. She was wondering if she should do a short sale. It wasn't that they couldn't afford the payments. They just thought maybe they were putting good money after bad. What should they do? I asked one simple question, "Are you considering selling because you can't afford it?" She said no, but why should she continue to make payments on a house that has not held its value? I had a very simple answer. "Because it is your home."

WHAT HAPPENED TO SHOE POLISH?

2011-03-03T21:47:00.000-08:00

Nope...not kidding!

In a world that accepts tossing all things no longer needed as long as it is recycled, what happened to shoe polish?

I know... a strange affiliation, so let me explain.

My experience in 6th grade was dominated by the fact that I had to wear oxford shoes. You know...the ones that were white with black leather across the lace area. Wow...they were ugly! But, because they were predominantly white, shoe polish was an absolute necessity.

Skip 40 plus years. Now, when our shoes begin to show wear and tear, how many of us toss them? I have 2 such pairs of shoes. Other than the scuffs on the toes and heels, they are still perfectly good. However, I was accepting the fact that I was going to have to replace them soon.

Then...I watched my husband get out a shoe shine kit straight from his fathers era. He smoothed on the polish and buffed them to a beautiful shine in a matter of minutes. Sadly, it had never occurred to me that I could polish my shoes back to their original look.

Tonight, I asked my husband if I could use his shoe polishing kit. I rubbed on the polish and then buffed away. Voila! I had shoes that were wonderfully comfortable and looked like new!

So, my question stands and cries out for expansion. What else do we assume has lost its life when all we really have to do is buff it a little?

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

2011-03-03T11:46:00.001-08:00

Be sure to put March 16th, 2011 on your calendar! Land Park Community Associationwill be hosting its annual membership meeting on that night at Eskaton Monroe Lodge at 3225 Freeport Blvd. Starting at 6:30, the members will be updated on current issues facing our neighborhood and get an opportunity to share with the board their concerns.

The featured guest speaker will be Councilman Rob Fong who will share with us his view of current issues facing the city and the Land Park neighborhood. We will be voting in the new Land Park Community Association board as well...so we will need your vote!

Other items on the agenda are an update on the Sacramento River Crossings study and the associations role in that study, an update on the upcoming April 16th Egg Hunt and Taste of Land Park and developments regarding the Sacramento Zoo and the possibility of a steam train extension.

These are all important events and we encourage you to come and participate!

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

2011-03-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

SACRAMENTO RIVER CROSSING

2011-03-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

The Sacramento River Stakeholder Advisory Group, in which I participated as the Land Park Community Association representative, concluded its eight-month long series of meetings in December with a recommendation that not one, but two new bridges are needed in Sacramento.

Working with consultants under the guidance of the transportation departments of both West Sacramento and Sacramento, the stakeholder group had been tasked to help develop a recommendation regarding the placement of the next bridge over the Sacramento River. The final report (available on the "crossings" page at landpark.org) ultimately recommended bridges north and south of the Pioneer Bridge (Interstate 80) and further study of each area.

Based on discussions at Land Park Community Association meetings, a survey, comments submitted personally and electroncially, many Land Park residents support a neighborhood friendly, well designed connection with pedestrian and bicycle capacity. Support for a bridge quickly disintegrates, however, when the purpose of the first bridge-which, according to City of Sacramento staff, is to relieve commuter congestion on busy freeways-is understood.

After soliciting neighborhood input, the LPCA board voted to support additional Sacramento River crossings in principal "as a catalyst for connecting communities and elevating regional livability". The LPCA further concluded that the initial bridge (the utilitarian, commuter-style bridge) be placed near the railyards development and closer to the planned multi-modal transportation hub - a conclusion clearly supported by the study data.

My thanks to Mark Abrahams for his permission to share his article.

SACRAMENTO ZOO...A LAND PARK GEM!

2011-03-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

Maagizo is a magazine published by the Sacramento Zoo each quarter. It is worthy of the time it takes to read all of the great information shared in this publication.

The Sacramento Zoo is a small regional zoo that is housed in about 14 acres and is over 80 years old. Now, you might think that this translates to a neighborhood zoo. Not so! Here is just a little bit of the information gleaned from Maagizo:

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums helps sponsor a program referred to as the Species Survival Plan. It works to ensure the long term survival of species that might otherwise be endangered. Here are a few of the creatures our Sacramento Zoo is helping:

a newborn Sumatran Tiger
Red River Hog piglets
White-faced Whistling ducklings
5 Fulvous ducklings
7 Burrowing owlets

The Sacramento Zoo also supports global conservations efforts in conjunction with other organizations. One of the main efforts by the Zoo is protecting Grevy's zebras in Kenya through holistic management of community rangeland. Other efforts are the International Snow Leopard Trust and the Hornbill nest boxes for the Thailand Hornbill Project. Locally, they support the International Bird Rescue and Research Center in Cordelia, California.

There is so much more including partnerships with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Seafood Watch Program and the Giant Garter Snake Recovery Program.

This is a vital part of not only the Land Park community, but the region as a whole. It deserves our support...or at least a visit or two!

GREAT LIVING IN SACRAMENTO

2011-02-10T15:05:00.001-08:00

I am writing this post in response to a Forbes article about the most miserable cities in the nation...and Sacramento was on their list.

Sacramento has several aliases - some fun, some accurate. We are:

The River City
Camellia City
Cowtown
Sacratomato
City of Trees
We are the "River City" because we are nestled at the fork of the Sacramento and American rivers. The Delta breezes cool our city each evening. We celebrate the rivers great boating weekends, the Jazz Festival in Old Sacramento which rests at the edge of the Sacramento River. In the hot summer days, we coast in rubber rafts and inner tubes down the American river. Many of our local wineries have situated themselves on land adjacent to the rivers.

Camellias and azaleas love Sacramento. Camellias start their show in early spring, pink and white blooms exploding in yards and parks all over Sacramento. There is a beautiful Camellia grove planted in Capitol Park that is almost a century old. When Camellias have had their say, azaleas take over and show off through the summer.

Many refer to Sacramento as the Cowtown. It is hard to tell where this really came from, but it is fun. It shows our humorous side. Many think of Sacramento as a small town and in many ways it still is. We treasure our small town status.

Sacratomato is probably a reference to the tomatoes that can be found during tomato season along the roads. After all, Campbell Soup is in south Sacramento and the tomato trucks aren't careful about a few tomatos choosing not to stay with the truck during those turns!

We are proud that we have more trees per capita than any other city in the world, Paris being a close second. (Some will say Paris is first...I prefer to believe those who claim it is Sacramento.) When traveling through the city, tree tops are the predominant view.

Now, there are other wonderful things about Sacramento. It has developed a fantastic night life with midtown hopping most nights. We are becoming a draw for "green" companies. We are one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Our weather is perfect...we have four seasons, all of them mild. Our springs are beautiful with temperatures in the 60's and 70's. Our summers are a dry heat and average in the 90's. Our falls last all the way through October with wonderful temperatures in the 70's and 80's. Our winters are mild, with lows in the 30's and highs in the 50's.

Finally, and what many like about Sacramento is our proximity to other entertainment venues. We are 2 hours from Lake Tahoe and some of the best skiing in the country. We are 2 hours from San Francisco, a city that speaks for itself. Enjoy well known wineries in the Napa and foothill regions - less than an hour from Sacramento. Enjoy the California coast, again only hours from Sacramento.

Come visit our beautiful city and find out just how wrong Forbes was!

"WHERE TO RIDE" ... A LITTLE LAND PARK HISTORY

2011-02-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

Before there was Raleys...before there was Target...before there were homes galore...

there was....

Horseback riding in Land Park and on Del Paso Boulevard. This is evidenced by an old copy of "Hoofbeats", an equestrian periodical published in 1942. Here is an excerpt of a column titled "Where to Ride".

COLLEGE RIDING STABLES
Clos in. Ride in beautiful Land Park. GREGORY FREES, Prop. 4411 Freeport Boulevard. Dial 5-9784

SACRAMENTO RIDING CLUB
Fifteen horses for rent for riding on Del Paso Park's equestrian trails. Supervised riding for children. Close fraternity amoung our riders. 3101 Del Paso Boulevard. Dial 9-2447

COWBOY'S RENDEZVOUS
Stables. Horses for rent. Moonoight rides. East of the Zoo in William Land Park. Katherine Fontana

SOUTH SIDE RIDING CLUB
Ride in beautiful Land Park. Safe, well-trained horses. Also expert instructor. George Reno, Proprietor. 2643 Riverside Boulevard. Phone 3-5503

LAZY J
416 Del Paso Boulevard. Ride in the American River area. Now under new management of Henry Copeland. Dial 9-1163

Now, how much fun is this little piece of history?

THE QUESTION SELLERS FORGET TO ASK...

2011-01-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

Sellers are very savvy these days. They understand the essential process of interviewing Realtors and getting referrals from friends and family. Sellers are getting better about understanding the critical decision to work with an Realtor who works and understands their neighborhood. The message of working with a Realtor as opposed to an agent is also starting to be part of the decision making process (Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard). They ask such questions as:

How long have you been selling real estate?
How many homes have you sold in the last year?
How are you going to market my home?
What do you believe is a fair market value of my home?
Do you do open houses?
Do you work in this neighborhood?
What is your commission?
Where do you advertise?

Here is the question that sellers forget to ask their Realtor:

How many of the homes you listed in the past year sold?

The reason I point this out is that this should also be a critical part of the decision making process. Let me explain. There is an agent that dominates a neighborhood. This is evidenced by the number of signs erected in the area with her name on them. You would think that this translates into sales. However, when researching the actual production of this agent, it is discovered that of the 30 homes she had listed, 14 were either withdrawn or expired, with only one of those 14 coming back on the market and eventually selling. This tells a story. This Realtor either overprices the homes she lists or has unsatisfied clients in the end. Either way, is this an agent a seller really wants to have representing them? If the seller had not asked this question, they would have thought that she only listed and sold 17 properties.

So, next time a seller interviews a Realtor to list their home, ask for all of the information needed to make an intelligent choice...including the ratio of listed to sold homes.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR REALTOR

2011-01-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

We are here to be used and taken advantage of...the moment you decide that you want us to represent you.

There is an assumption among Realtors that if you have decided to have representation...and even better yet, have us represent you, then you felt that you did not have the expertise to accomplish the task at hand on your own. This being the case, the next step would be to trust that with our fiduciary responsibility to you, we are giving you the very best advice for your situation.

For example, if you tell your Realtor that you want to low ball every offer you decide to write (and I promise, with this approach, you will write a lot of offers), listen to what your Realtor has to say. In some cases, a low ball offer is just fine. However, writing a low ball offer in the first week a property is on the market is not one of those times.

If your Realtor tells you that to maximize the net to you as a seller you should spruce up your home with a few upgrades, don't wait until it has been on the market a month to decide now is the time to take your Realtors advice. It will be too late.

If your Realtor tells you that the house you have fallen in love with will not last, trust your Realtor. Odds are there are others that feel the same way. Write an offer immediately. If you don't, then don't be angry with your Realtor or the listing agent if it sells before you get off the fence.

When you are discussing the listing price for your home, trust that your Realtor knows the market and the correct price. Padding for negotiation simply doesn't work in this market. You can't negotiate an offer you don't get because you have overpriced your home.

These are just a few instances of the reasons you need to take advantage of your Realtor. You will find a much better real estate experience if you use the expertise and knowledge offered to you!

HOME BUYERS...MAKE YOUR BEST DEAL!

2011-01-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

The Los Angeles Times just published some valuable information for prospective home buyers. The tips are worth adopting in the search for that dream home.

Once a buyer has made the decision to initiate the search for their perfect home, consider it a priority and a commitment. A quick way to ensure less than stellar service from your agent is to make comments such as "If you ever see a house that has....", "I am in no rush..." or "I don't know where I want to live, but here is a 10 mile radius to search...", to a Realtor, translates to "I am not really ready to buy." An enthusiastic buyer with specific time frames and needs will bring out the best in their Realtor.

In a market with extensive inventory, a buyer can be easily overwhelmed with the number of potential homes to view. A list of "musts" and "wants" will go a long way to provide your Realtor with information that will narrow down the showings to homes that will really fit the buyers needs.

In a market where a foreclosure rate of 3% leads to a 7% increase in crime, knowing the neighborhoods and the niches within the neighborhoods becomes critical. Work with a Realtor who specializes in the area in which the buyers want to live. As is always the case, real estate is a very local business. Knowing the nuances of that neighborhood is good information to have.

It is a repetitive quote, but it particularly true right now. There is a widespread thought that interest rates have hit their all time low and are already starting to climb. Inventory is great, with lots of selection. Now is a great time to buy...and commit to that purchase!

SHOULD I TRY TO HOLD UP THE SKY OR ENJOY THE SUNSHINE?

2010-11-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

When reading all of the opinions expressed about our economy, the purported challenges are formidable...if not down right depressing. This morning alone I have read such phrases as "most of us are worse off than three years ago"," ...we are in for another year of tough times" and "the Great Depression is still coming home to roost...". Sure, there are rays of hope, but they are few and far between.

The question that immediately comes to mind is "What can I do about it?" Certainly my vote counted forsomething this year. After all, wasn't there a great upset? I wish I had great faith that our government "gets it", but I am not optimistic. History has proved otherwise. I can certainly donate my time and what little bit of money I can spare (which isn't much, unfortunately). What else?

I have often wondered what would happen if our economy completely failed. We are still here. Our families are still here. Buildings and land is still here. Are we going to struggle? Absolutely. Is it going to get more depressing? No doubt. Are we going to die? I doubt it.

So, what do we do about this economy? I, for one, am just going to keep on keeping on. I can't hold up the sky. It is just too far away and intangible. What I can do is enjoy my day-to-day life. I will hug my grandchildren and shock my husband by cooking dinner more often. I will give my dogs their daily quota of "cookies" and enjoy their adoration. I will work all I can to support my family. I will sculpt, walk, play sudoku and chat with my neighbors. I will just keep living...the alternative isn't an option.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS STATS ARE OUT!

2010-11-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I love charts, graphs and statistics. It is an easy way to get an overall view of what is happening in the real estate industry. The new National Association of REALTORS just came out, so I thought I would share a few of the more interesting stats.

10 Years - the median number of years first-time homebuyers stay in their home,

152% - the percentage of increase in value for those homeownes who stay in their home 21 years or more

89% - the percentage of buyers who searched for a home online

48% - the percentage of buyers who found their agent through a friend, relative or neighbor...the next highest percentage were those who found their agent through a website - 10%

59% - the percentage of buyers who used the internet to search for properties, using an MLS site

2% - the percentage of buyers who used a social networking site for their real estate needs

85% - the percentage of buyers who found photos "very useful"

43% - the percentage of loans that were FHA financed...and the predominant type of loan

The real estate industry has experienced some interesting, frustrating and extreme ups and downs in the past few years. I think these stats are reflective of those changes. FHA was almost non-existent just a short 5 years ago...now it is the predominant type of loan. The percentage of buyers searching for their home online continues to increase. Despite the common thought, social networking rarely comes into play when buyers are searching for their home or agent.

The new report is 63 pages long, so these are just a few highlights. I will continue to write a few more posts

I FEEL LIKE AN EGG

2010-10-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

I'm a little cracked; there are a few chips. I've been knocked around quite a bit of late. However, I am whole on the inside. I am still growing and doing what I need to do to become what I was meant to be.

My country is in the same state of affairs. The government is cracked and almost broken. It is being knocked around a lot. The external message is exhausting. There are as many theories regarding how to fix us as there are candidates who have a solution. The media is quick to find fault and place blame as are those in office.

However, the American people are still doing what they need to do to survive and be the very best they can be despite the circumstances. It isn't easy. We are making sacrifices. We are changing the way we live. We are scaling down. We are learning new careers. We are working longer hours and retirement is being put on hold. Best of all, we are still giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. We are giving our time, our money and our energy to the increasing number of people who are less fortunate than ourselves.

I am so proud to be an American.

HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES ARE NOT AN EXCUSE

2010-09-12T19:14:00.001-07:00

There are essentially 2 different kinds of negotiations that take place during an escrow. The first is the negotiation of the contract itself...price, terms, etc. The second is the negotiation of repairs.

A diligent Realtor will strongly encourage a home inspection. The inspector should be knowledgeable of construction, electrical, plumbing, heat and air, roof, etc. When he or she has completed their inspection, they will deliver to the Realtor and the buyer a written report of their findings. Some summarize their findings at the beginning of the report, the details and photos following. The terminology that the inspector uses can quite often determine how the buyer and agent reacts. The terminology I would like to discuss here is "health and safety issues".

There may be findings that reflect issues with possible asbestos issues, knob and tube wiring, fire doors from the garage to the interior of the house, GFI's in the kitchen and baths, unlined fireplaces. Sometimes the inspector refers to these items as "health and safety issues"...and they may be. However, asking for these items to be repairs because of this label is another story.

There is no place in the California Residential Purchase Agreement that says a seller must repair health and safety issues. In fact, the contract states that the buyers are purchasing the home in its present condition. Requesting repairs by justifying them as "health and safety issues" simply doesn't apply and should not be used as an excuse.

Sellers should be informed that, even though the contract says that the buyers are purchasing the home as it sits, that they will probably receive a request for repairs. Buyers should be informed that even though the sellers are not obligated to do repairs as part of the contract, most sellers will agree to reasonable requests. That request just shouldn't be in the guise of "health and safety issues". This terminology doesn't make it any more legitimate and Realtors should be knowledgeable enough to not need this terminology to ask for reasonable repairs.

LAND PARK OPPORTUNITY!

2010-08-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

You know that it is a unique property when the first thing that people incredulously say when they come in the door is "Is this a duplex? I couldn't tell!"

This home is in College Tract...one of the most desirable areas within Land Park. It offers options galore for the buyer. It is an ideal set up for a family that needs that extra space for in-laws, but still want privacy. The larger side is almost 2400 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. The smaller side is 1297 square feet and is a 2 bedroom one bath.

However, if a family is looking for a single family home with lots of space, this home can easily be converted to a 6 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home with over 3600 square feet!

The larger size features a spacious kitchen with new granite countertops and Jenn Aire gas range, all fresh interior paint and light fixtures. Hardwood floors shine throughout both sides. It also boasts a 2 car garage, some dual pane windows, and a basement that would make a great wine cellar!

Don't miss this great opportunity to purchase a prime Land Park home for $669,000!

REALTORS WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOUR HOME

2010-08-20T23:04:00.000-07:00

If you had a horrible headache, would you go to your doctor and say "Just look at my head and tell me what's wrong."? If your car wouldn't start, would you tell your mechanic to just look at the hood and tell you why it won't start?

As strange as these questions might sound, there is a common misconception that REALTORS can tell a homeowner the value of their home by just looking at the outside. There is so much more that needs to be known about a property before an accurate assessment can be made on a property.

Just as a doctor needs to take x-rays, blood samples and other tests to determine the cause of your headache; just as your mechanic must see your engine, listen to it and inspect parts to determine why it won't start, REALTORS must see the interior of your home to know its true value.

Homes have personalities. Their floor plans vary from the shy many-walled home to the outgoing "great room" floor plan. Conditions vary from the old-timer that is cantakerous to the newbie that hasn't had a chance to show off its true character. There are homes that are suave and savvy and others that are simply fun-loving.

As REALTORS, it would be irresponsible to tell a homeowner the value of their home without getting to know their home, inside and out. Anything less would do no justice to the home or its owner.

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION...GREAT MEETING COMING UP!

2010-08-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are following the big controversy about the "River Crossing", this Wednesday would be a great day to attend the monthly meeting of the Land Park Community Association. You will have the opportunity to listen to some of the proposed solutions to the need of West Sacramento to have better access to Sacramento as well as to ask questions.

Also, we will have the opportunity to learn more about theSetzer property and its proposed development. This should be of particular interest to residents west of Riverside Blvd as well as Realtors specializing in the area.

Also, we will be voting in 3 new board members to fill in vacated positions...so if you are a member, this is your chance to have a representative that reflects your viewpoint.

If you would like to attend, the meeting will be at Eskaton on Freeport Blvd at 6:30PM this Wednesday, August 18th. We would love to see you there!

WE REALLY DO TRY NOT TO GIGGLE!

2010-08-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

We are suppose to be professionals, but there are times when the general public really makes it difficult - the ending result being our human side coming out in unrestrained laughter. This generally happens when we are touring homes. I don't know if the agent didn't know how to approach their sellers or simply chose not to. Anyway, here are a few items that will give us agents some hilarity or just a plain ewww:

Please don't leave the whips and chains hanging on the back of the bedroom door!

While hanging a sexy-posed photograph of yourself over the bed may have initiated a new enthusiasm for your relationship, it is just a little too much information for visitors!

Square dancing may be a great way to exercise and a wonderful hobby, but filling an entire bedroom with your netting skirts makes it just a little difficult to actually see the room!

You may want to remodel enough so the toilet isn't still situated in the middle of the house, to be viewed by all!

Please, oh please, if you are not going to flush the toilet, at least put the lid down!

I know that California is very near legalizing pot, but it probably isn't a good idea to leave your bong out...some of us actually know what it is!

Just for clarity, these events are true..they have not been altered to protect the innocent! Anyone is welcome to share their own "I can't believe it" moments! I am sure you can top these!

YOUR HOME IS NO LONGER YOUR RETIREMENT

2010-08-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

This economy affects us all in one way or another. Jobs are lost, salaries are cut, home values go down and uncertainty reigns.

In planning for our eventual retirement, many of us included our homes in that equation. At some point in time, we would become empty nesters, no longer requiring the bedrooms and bathrooms that a family with at-home children demanded. We would move on, selling our larger living space for a more modest home. We would pay cash for our cozy space and use the balance of our equity as part of our retirement fund. At one time, it was a solid, responsible plan.

However, as with all things of this age, our plans must change. We can no longer rely on our homes to fund our retirement in full. We must make adjustments. Maybe we will still have to take out a small loan on the smaller abode. Maybe we will have to work a little longer to add to our retirement fund. Whatever that adjustment is, it will have to happen.

If your plan to retire starts now, do not think that your house is going to be the same contributor towards retiring that it once was. Listen to your REALTOR when they give you the value of your home. Your REALTOR doesn't know about your retirement plans. The value of your home is not directly related to those plans and a buyer is not going to generously finance more than the value of your home so they can fund your retirement plans.

You do have choices. You can wait several years to see if your equity builds back up to the number you are looking for. The vast majority of pundits are predicting 3-5 years before we even begin to see an uptick in values, so plan on being patient. You can live a little more frugally than you had originally planned. What you will probably not be able to do is keep your original retirement plan of 5 years ago.

IT IS ABOUT THE REALTOR MORE THAN THE COMPANY!

2010-08-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

You have decided that it is the right time to put your home on the market...there has been a job change, there is a new little one joining the family, the kids have left the nest, etc. By far and away, no doubt about it, the most important first step is bringing the right Realtor into the fray.

First, and most importantly, notice I said "Realtor". The term means that the agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors, a member of the state association and the local association of Realtors. They are held to a higher standard of care than a licensee. You have the power to bring them before the Professional Standards Panel if they do not adhere to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics, with some serious repercussions if there is a violation.

Now, you may think that the next step would be hiring the right company. Remember, Realtors are, for the most part, independent contractors. This means that, while the company may have certain expectations of the Realtors, they cannot demand specific actions. Now, certainly, the company may let the Realtor go if they do not follow their guidelines but most will not. Why would they let a Realtor go that was making them a profit?

Your Realtor should be hired by you because they reflect the desires and the ethics that you demand from your representative. You should feel a trust between you and your Realtor that brings a sense of calm to your selling experience. The last reason to hire a Realtor is because they are telling you the price you want to hear. Hire your Realtor because they have thoroughly explained the process. Hire your Realtor because they have helped you understand what you need to do to maximize your net proceeds from the sale. Hire your Realtor because they have shown you through referrals their ability to negotiate and represent your interests throughout the escrow. Hire your Realtor because they specialize in your neighborhood and understand its idiosyncrasies.

Now, there will certainly be companies that specialize in your neighborhood, and you should most assuredly go to that company, but look deeply into the Realtors that work there and find one that you truly feel you can trust.

IT....IS....A....SCAM!!!!!

2010-08-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

For the last time...it is NOT for rent! Don't send your checks to Africa! My seller is not temporarily living in Africa. Even though the e-mail address is his name and his name is at the bottom of the letter, he did not write it! Yes, the rental amount quoted is a steal...and the person collecting it is a thief!

I know it appears to be too inconsequential of a crime for the overworked police to deal with it. Craigs List has become the latest venue for thieves to steal from unsuspecting renters. They pay for a domain name that appears legitimate (usually the sellers name or the address of the property). Then they take out a free ad in Craigs List a
dvertising the property that is listed for sale, listing it as a rental. The first communication sent out after interest is expressed is very gentle (although a bit illiterate). If the renter pursues it a little further, the letters get a little more forceful.
So, I am going to give rentesr searching on Craigs List some advice. If they can't meet you at the property with a key, it is probably a scam. If they ask you to send money before you have a key, it is a scam. If they live in Africa, IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A SCAM. If the rental price seems too good to be true, it is a scam. If you still don't believe it, go to the property, get the contact number for the listing agent and call them. Ask them if it is for rent....and they will tell you IT IS A SCAM!

I CAME HOME TODAY!

2010-07-31T18:18:00.000-07:00

Since 1968, we have been a family run business known as Dunnigan, Realtors. We are truly a family, placing more emphasis on new agents fitting in than increasing the bottom line. The owners don't have their own offices...their desks are right among the desks of the Realtors. Uniquely, we completely trust each other...contracts can be left on desks with no concerns about another agent taking advantage of the exposure.

Then, 3 years ago, we realized that we weren't keeping up with technology, and thus not providing the level of professionalism that we wanted to give our agents and clients. We turned to Windermere Real Estate, another quality family run real estate firm out of Seattle with a great reputation and cutting edge technology. It was a good match at the time and we do not regret the move. However, over the past 3 years, more and more of the technology we required was being offered locally. Then Windermere sent down a mandate to all of their franchisees to eliminate their local name.

Dunnigan, Realtors is well known in the neighborhoods they work. We do not try to be all things to all people and feel strongly about our agents specializing in their selected neighborhoods. Giving up our name would be tantamount to starting over, as other than us, Windermere Real Estate does not have a strong branding in Sacramento.

So, this week we returned to our roots...and are thrilled to be back! Today our old signs came down and our new signs went up. We gathered at our house to exchange over 250 open house signs for new Dunnigan, Realtors signs. The blue is gone and our cranberry color is back! We are soooo exicted!

CURIOSITY VERSES NEED TO KNOW...A FINE LINE

2010-06-15T11:52:00.001-07:00

The real estate industry really is a unique animal. In what other industry is it considered perfectly acceptable to ask a complete stranger "How much do you owe on your home?" or "How much can you afford to spend on your home?"? It is usually asked with a little more tact, but the inquiry is still the same.

So, the question must be asked....how much do we have a right to know? Should lenders have a right to information that the Realtor may not have a right to know? If a purchaser has supplied their Realtor with a loan approval from a reputable lender, does the Realtor have a right to know the details of that loan?

As an example, a selling agent presents an offer and a loan approval letter to a listing agent. Negotiations take place and the offer is accepted. A week prior to close, it is discovered that one of the conditions of the loan is the buyer starting their job. Three days later, it is discovered that the buyer must also present a pay stub. Did the listing agent have a right to know that the entire loan was predicated on a job that the buyer had yet to start?

Some may respond that the details of the loan it is none of the listing agents business. Others may feel that a loan being contingent on starting a job is equivalent to the contingency of a buyers house selling. If neither one takes place, the loan falls apart. How much should have been shared between all parties?

This is a day and age of transparency. However, in serving the public, how much information is too much information? How far should personal information travel? The message is certainly contradictory. Lenders need extreme amounts of personal information...Realtors need the results of that information...but should all parties have access to all of the information? It's a fine line that is walked...and one that all parties should be mindful of.

SIMPLY ASTOUNDING...AND SO SIMPLE!

2010-06-12T11:30:00.001-07:00

I was raised in a sport-centered family. Football, baseball and basketball dominated the television. If my family wasn't watching it, my brother was playing it. When he got too old, his sons took over the spotlight and so the torch was passed.

By sheer chance, my children were introduced to soccer when my nephews began to play and there wasroom on the Under-6 teams. I started coaching the following year and didn't stop for 19 years. While I was never a player, I loved interacting with the players.

Ours was a humble beginning. We only played recreational soccer and stressed fun more than winning (even though we were always competitive and did our fair share of winning). I never considered the implications and the potential of our weekend games.

Maybe we never considered it more than a fun weekend, Nelson Mandela did. Can you imagine an international hero such as Nelson Mandela believing that bringing World Cup to Africa would heal wounds centuries old? He saw the potential that soccer could bring to the international community. Cultures worldwide play soccer. It isn't the property of a specific nation...it is loved by people worldwide. The only color that matters is the color of your socks, so the referees can tell who controls the ball. What an amazing, yet simple message this wonderful sport brings.

So, you may not be a soccer fan, or even a sports fan. You can however, enjoy the joy this competition brings to us all. Oh, and go USA!

PLEASE, OH PLEASE...WEAR A LIFE JACKET!

2010-06-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend is going to be beautiful! After an eternity of cooler weather and rain, Sacramento is overdue for some warmer weather and this weekend promises to be it!

Along with the warm weather comes the beach lovers. Sacramento has no shortage of beaches. We are a river city with the American River meeting the Sacramento River right in the middle of downtown. People swarm to these beaches to enjoy the sun, the water and family.

And, every single year, despite continued warnings from a multitude of organizations to wear your life jacket, people drown. There are even "loaner" life jackets that people can borrow, so there is no expense involved...and they still drown. As much as I would like to believe that we will get through this coming weekend with everyone having a great time and doing so safely, history has not proven this to be the case.

We have an agent in our office who heads up a non-profit group called D.A.R.T. (Diving and Rescue Team). By the time they get called, there usually is a missing body. He tells stories of while they are looking for a missing kid who used a rope swing to drop into the middle of the river, there are other kids still using the rope swing with no life jacket. One family overloaded their fishing boat and to be sure that the baby wouldn't go overboard, tied it's life jacket to the boat. So, when the boat tipped over, the baby was stuck under it and couldn't float to the surface.

So, please people, wear a life jacket. Being alive is way cooler than being dead.

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION...ANOTHER CRAZY ELECTION

2010-05-31T13:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-21T23:05:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-05-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

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!

OKAY, SOMETIMES CALIFORNIA REALLY IS STRANGE!

2010-04-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

Being a native, third generation Californian, I am usually a staunch defender of my homeland. There are great things about California...weather, beaches, snow, desert, smoke-free cities and much more. However, in the interest of fair play, we do have our quirks. Just to start out the weekend on a giggle, here are a few:

Carmel sounds like a fun place for a family to visit. Ice cream may not be eaten while standing on the sidewalk in Carmel and it is against the law for women to wear high heel shoes. It's also unlawful for a lady to take a bath in a business office (in case you ever have the urge).

A Los Angeles law forbids you from licking a toad. We can only assume that there must have been a rash of public toad licking going on at some time in the past.

It is against the law to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool in Baldwin Park, unless you're in some kind of unusual triathlon. In Walnut, California, if you fly a kite more than 10 feet above the ground you are in violation of the law. So, what's the point? At least Charlie Brown is in no danger.

A Belvedere City Council order reads: "No dog shall be in a public place without its master on a leash." Well at least they got the pecking order right. And San Francisco prohibits elephants from strolling down Market Street unless they are on a leash. In Palm Springs it's illegal to walk a camel down Palm Canyon Drive between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. So, if you need to walk your camel, do it early in the day.
Now, I am sure you have your own, and I am giving a one-time license to go for it!

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

2010-04-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

I had written a post letting the Land Park neighborhood know of last night's Land Park Community Associations annual membership meeting. This is a follow up to that post.

After reporting of events of the past year, we had a very informational presentation from 4 principals of our local schools (Sutterville Elementary, Crocker/Riverside Elementary, California Middle School and C.K. McClatchy High School). The economy has hit our local public schools in a big way. As one principal put it, "Our budget last year was $57,000. Our budget for the upcoming year is $23,000. This means we do not have enough money for basic school supplies such as paper." They are relying heavily on donations and fundraisers. It is their hope that the community will support their fundraisers and possibly donate some time in the classroom.

Councilman Rob Fong gave a presentation regarding the state of the district. Most of the news was not new...the bridge from West Sacramento to Sacramento at Broadway, the Sacramento Zoo expansion, improvement of the Freeport corridor and the new curbside green waste cans.

Lastly, we had a presentation of the candidates running for the board, myself included. We have a wonderful slate of candidates representing a wide range of ages, residency in Land Park, careers and interests. I hope to have the opportunity to get to know these new board members and continue to help on the board!

DYI IS NOT FOR REAL ESTATE!

2010-04-01T15:50:00.001-07:00

The conversation started something like this:"Hi! I met you at an event last year. I had been considering buying investment property and decided that I could save money by getting my real estate license. I just received my license from the Department of Real Estate and wondered what do I need to do now? I know that I have to pay $245 to the Department of Real Estate, but I wondered if there is a way to not have to to that."

It was such an overwelming, under-informed question that I didn't know where to start."If you have not hung it with a broker, you need to do that. You can't sell or purchase real estate as an agent expecting to receive a commission unless you are a broker or have your license hung with a broker. And no, you can't get out of paying the Department of Real Estate licensing fees."

His response was, "But if I hang my license with a broker, won't I have to give him a percentage of my commission? Is there a way that I can do this without having to give up commission?"
"Yes, you will have to give up a portion of your commission and no, every brokerage will get their pound of flesh, one way or another." (I didn't quite say it that crudely, but there it is.) "Not only will you have to pay DRE fees and give up some of your commission, but most brokerages are members of the Sacramento Association of Realtors, whose fees include belonging to the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtor. If your brokerage belongs, you are required to belong as well. The fees, depending on the time of year, will be several hundred dollars. Also, your brokerage will want you to pay for Errors and Omissions Insurance, which is several hundred dollars as well."

He then asked "How hard is it going to be for me to learn what I need to know to represent myself?"
"Let's see...after 15 years, I am still learning how to best represent my clients. I would never recommend that you try this on your own without lots of training...there is simply too many liability issues. What I suggest is, since the buyer does not pay the commission, and most agents are not going to discount their commission for a buyer, why don't you find an agent that works the area you want to purchase in, let them represent you, and forget that you got your license?"

"Yea...maybe that is a good idea."

This conversation lasted for 20 minutes, and went into many more things, but you get the gist!

WHY IN THE WORLD ARE YOU NOT BUYING A HOME NOW????

2010-03-31T20:26:00.001-07:00

If there was ever a real estate's perfect storm in California, this is it! Here is the simple "down and dirty":
Be in contract by April 30th, 2010
Close escrow between May 1st and June 30th, 2010
You can get overlapping checks from the Federal government and from the State of California

What do you get?
Up to $6500 from our Federal government for existing home owner...a check...that's it.
Up to $8000 from our Federal government for new home buyer...a check...that's it.
Up to $10,000 from the State of California over 3 years...a credit towards your taxes...that's it.

The caveat?
For the $8,000 Federal check, you must be a first time home buyer
For the $6500 Federal check, you can be an existing home buyer
For the $10,000, you must have lived in your present home 5 out of the last 8 years.

Now, as with all good things, don't take this on face value...check with your CPA to be certain that you qualify before you commit.

So, as I said, why in the world are you not buying a home NOW?????

LAND PARK'S EASTER EGG HUNT..A GREAT SUCCESS!

2010-03-27T21:33:00.001-07:00

What a great morning! Little ones started arriving at around 9AM this morning to participate in the Great Easter Egg Hunt. There was so much to do, the "hunt" couldn't start until 10AM! There was a constant line for face painting, stars seeming to be the popular choice. Cute little bunnies made their appearance in the form of balloons animals. Carnival games kept children of all ages busy. Mr. Cooper contributed to the atmosphere with his guitar and more innovative children's songs than can be imagined. And, finally, what Easter Egg Hunt would be complete without the Easter Bonnet contest? There were Freeport Bakery cookie platters for the prettiest, most colorful, funniest and most creative hats. Even the Easter Bunny made an early appearance!
Huge kudos should be given to Boy Scout Troop 136, Den 9 for assembling and stuffing 9,000 eggs...yes, nine thousand eggs! Children separated themselves into 3 different hunting areas...0-3 years, 4-9 years and 10 years and older. At 10AM (or a little after, since the event coordinators watch chose to stop at 9:40), the mayhem began and within 5 minutes, 9,000 eggs had found a home!
Thanks should be expressed to the City of Sacramento and Land Park Community Association for sponsoring this event. Other sponsors were McDonalds (who supplied coffee and orange juice), Freeport Bakery, Kellie and Paula Swayne with Windermere Dunnigan Realtors, Crocker Electric, the Sacramento Zoo, Mister Cooper Music and Boy Scout Troop 136, Den 9.

OUT OF TOWN CLIENTS...A SPECIAL CHALLENGE

2010-03-26T20:14:00.001-07:00

It is not unusual for me to be helping clients that live out of town. Specializing in older neighborhoods does that. Original or long-time home owners move on to bigger and better things. The family needs the help and expertise of a local Realtor, since they can't be there. So, as I said, I quite often help out of town clients. However, I seem to have an unusually large number of this type of client right now.
For example, right now I am in escrow with a cute little house in Elmhurst near the University of California at Davis Med Center. The young couple that are purchasing it are moving from New York to be residents at the Med Center. The wife's parents who are from Hillsborough (about 2 hours away) are the "scouts" for the buyers. So, I am constantly sending documents and videos to New York and Hillsborough and meeting the parents at the house on their way to Tahoe.
Another listing's owner lives in Martinez, but travels constantly. I am always playing "Where's Waldo" with her.
I am also in escrow with another couple who do live here, but had to travel to Palm Desert for family reasons. Wouldn't you know...their loan documents came in 2 hours after they left, so we are getting an accomodation signing in Palm Desert and recording here.
Another listing is vacant, the owners already having moved to Davis (about 20 minutes away). It is still on the market, so no logistics to deal with yet...but I know it is coming!
Don't misunderstand...I actually like these kinds of challenges. I enjoy the ability to offer to take the load off of their shoulders and be their advocate here in Sacramento. I can almost see the weight lift off of their shoulders when I tell them I can take care of cleaning, a little updating, meeting the needed professionals, etc. I just have never had every single client be long-distance before!

JOIN US AT LAND PARK'S GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT!

2010-03-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be strolling through William Land Park tomorrow morning, you might discover hoards of children participating in the Great Easter Egg Hunt , sponsored by the Land Park Community Association and the City of Sacramento.
Their faces will be painted, their heads adorned with all manner of Easter bonnets and they will be searching for thousands of eggs! There will be wonderful music, games and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny!
Here's the best part...YOU CAN JOIN US for this FREE EVENT! It starts at 10AM SHARP (the eggs are found quickly, so don't be late) between 12th and 13th Avenue near Riverside Boulevard. See you there!

THE END OF THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD...

2010-03-08T19:19:00.001-08:00

Last year I wrote a post about theYellow Brick Road at Fairytale Town in Land Park. The road greeted visitors in a joyful celebration of the community.
It is being "paved" in 3 stages, the final deadline for participants approaching. I was fortunate to be a part of the second phase. I chose to let the world know how much my granddaughters, Cailyn and Bailey mean to me!
The number of names I recognize on other bricks is remarkable - truly a neighborhood project!
So, if you have someone you would like to celebrate, it isn't too late...act quickly! Here is the link to Fairytale Town's Yellow Brick Road.

I KNOW THE BANKS CALL THE SHOTS BUT...

2010-02-26T23:25:00.000-08:00

I will be the first to admit that I don't do a lot of foreclosures...in fact, I am in the middle of my first one. No, I am NOT going to answer any questions on how in the world I have accomplished this remarkable feat! Being a rookie at this, but not uninformed, there have been few surprises. The bank shortened up the removal of all contingencies to 10 days (and we all know how well the banks do at moving things along in a timely manner). We had to promise that there would be world peace...okay, maybe not, but it felt like it!

Anyway, we have been hustling to get everything done in the 10 days we were allotted. My clients signed the final counter from the bank on the 19th, so we have until Monday to remove our contingencies....you would think! I received a call from the listing agents assistant explaining the error in my math. You see, the BANK signed the counter offer THEY wrote on the 16th, so add 10 days...and yep...the contingencies were suppose to be removed today. Now, some sane person may ask if we were in contract on the 16th and the reasonable answer would be no, since my clients hadn't agreed to their counter yet. The assistant kindly explained to me that the date that my clients agreed to and signed the counter really didn't matter. Hmmm....

This being the case, the next time I receive an offer on a property I have listed, I am just going to assume that the buyers have agreed to it and go forth and prosper!

THE LISTING DREAM TEAM

2010-02-21T21:39:00.000-08:00

You have decided to sell your home and are looking for that perfect Realtor that will create the perfect storm of a high price, a quick sale and a smooth escrow. Many agents will tout their ability to do exactly this combination.

However, the perfect listing Realtor does not act alone. A truly successful sales experience is a team...the combination of the efforts of the Realtor AND the homeowner. A united effort goes a long way to have a mutually positive experience.

The smart seller should select their Realtor with one main thought in mind...do you trust your Realtor? If you do, then this means you have done your homework, understand the qualifications of your Realtor and are convinced that this is the Realtor for you. Once this task has been accomplished, the rest is a breeze. You, as the seller, will TRUST that the Realtor is telling you what you need to do to your property to receive the best price. You will TRUST your Realtor that you are being told the right price for your home and you will TRUST your Realtor when you are advised regarding the offer and negotiations necessary for a successful sale.

Mutually, the Realtor needs to trust the seller. The Realtor must TRUST that the seller has made all necessary disclosures. The Realtor must TRUST that the seller will work in a timely manner to accomplish the needed tasks.
So, when you are searching for that perfect Realtor, make sure it is someone you TRUST and someone you can work with. After that, it really can be a positive experience.

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - LOTS HAPPENING!

2010-02-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

It is becoming very apparent why every Sacramento neighborhood needs advocates to maintain and improve their community in a thoughtful and intelligent way. Tonight the Land Park Community Association heldtheir February public meeting. Several upcoming challenges to the neighborhood were brought to the attention of the LPCA board and attending neighbors. Here is a highlight of just a few of the concerns expressed:

An organization entitled "SAFE" is advocating changes to be made to Freeport Boulevard to improve thesafety of bicyclists and pedestrians. They have asked that LPCA take a position in support of their cause. LPCA is working with them to address their concerns.

The Business Journal published that the Tower Theaterbuilding is now for sale. LPCA will be monitoring the progress of the sale and the buyers intended use for this historical landmark.
It appears that the city has funded the repair of the remaining lamp posts on Land Park Drive, which are in dire need of repair. This should be completed by the end of the year.

There is some question as to who has proposed expansion of the Sacramento Zoo. It appears to be either the City of Sacramento or the Zoological Society. In any case, the expansion is the old Zoo 2002 Plan reincarnated. This would expand the zoo to the land that presently houses the pony rides, the gardens and Funderland. It would also expand the golf course parking to a multi-level parking lot. There is more, and it would be premature to list the exact proposal. Let it be said that the reason that this organization was originally created was to fight this expansion (then known as the Association to Preserve Land Park) and we just might have to take up the wishes of the neighborhood again. Stay posted.

LPCA would love to have you be a part of the association! Please get on our website and join!

2010-02-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

We in Land Park are very fortunate to have the Regional Zoo right here in our neighborhood. They are wonderful neighbors and a real asset to our community. They are constantly offering events to promote the zoo, so I thought I would give you an update on the upcoming events you might want to take advantage of.

FEBRUARY
Regular hours begin, now open from 9AM to 4PM.
February 13th - Wildlife Stage Show - 11AM

MARCH
March 6th - Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fest from 9AM - 4PM
March 24th - Summer Camp (Members Only) Registration
March 29th through April 11th (daily) - Zoo P.I.'s Critter Caper - 11AM, Wildlife Stage Show 1:30PM April 13th through September 6th - Wildlife Stage Show Tuesday through Sunday 1:30PM

APRIL
April 3rd - Recycle Rummage Sale 9AM - 4PM
April 3rd - Earth Fest - Party for the Planet 9AM - 4PM
April 30th - ZooZoom 30th Annual Run/Walk 7AM-Noon

MAY
May 1st - California Celebration Multicultural Day and Wildlife Diversity 9AM-4PM
May 3, 10, 17th - Senior Tea and Tours 9:30AM -Noon
May 20th - Swingin' Safari Golf Tournament

JUNE
June 12th and 18th - Family Overnights
June 17th and 24th - Twilight Thursdays Open late until 8PM
June 26th - King of Feasts Food and Wine Fundraiser 5:30PM - 8:30PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

JULY
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29th - Twilight Thursdays Open late until 8PM
July 2, 10, 16, 31 - Family OvernightsJuly 24th - Ice Cram Safari All you can eat ice cream 4PM - 8PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

AUGUST
August 7th and 13th - Family OvernightsAugust 12th - Member Evening 5:30 - 8:30

SEPTEMBER
September 10th through October 31st - Wildlife Stage Show 11AM
September 13th and 20th - Senior Tea and Tours -9:30AM - Noon

OCTOBER
October 2nd - Wild Affair Gala, Dinner and Auction 5PM - 10PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)October 18th - Senior Tea and Tours 9:30AM - Noon
October 30th and 31st - Boo at the Zoo 4:30 - 8PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

NOVEMBER
November 1st - Winter Zoo hours begin 10AM - 4PM
November 6th through February 2011 - Animal Encounters 11AM
November 11th - Veteran's Family Day 50% discount admission with a valid military ID 10AM - 4PM
November TBA - Recycle Rummage Sale 10AM - 4PM
November 25th - Zoo closed - Happy Thanksgiving!

DECEMBER
December - Toys for Tots Bring one unwrapped new toy and receive a free child's admission
December 11th - Holiday Magic - Animal Enrichments 10AM - 4PM
December 24th - Pajama Party at the Zoo Free Day 10AM - 1:30PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)December 25th - Zoo closed - Merry Christmas!

RECOVERY IS A MISNOMER

2010-01-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

We are hearing the whispers "The housing market is recovering"! In our area, we believe this to be particularly true. Sacramento was one of the first to feel the meltdown, so naturally, we would be one of the first to see some hope of recovery.

Now the question becomes, what, exactly, does the word "recovery" mean? Evidently, the answer to this depends on your perspective and the amount of optimism you choose to insert into the equation.

Buyers see this as a possible loss of power. As the housing market grows in strength, it may be assumed that buyers will see a loss in their ability to negotiate a "deal". Many first time home buyers feel they have hit the mother lode with a combination of foreclosures and short sales, low interest rates and the federal tax credit. As the housing market begins to return to normalcy, the government will no longer see the need to stimulate the market or continue lower interest rates. There is a growing belief that the market has the ability to absorb the remaining foreclosures without the once-touted "wave". If ever there was a time to get off of the fence to take advantage of a great market, this is certainly it!

Sellers hear "recovery" and instantly assume this translates into their equity growing once again. While we certainly see an inventory that would appear to give sellers a stronger negotiating ability, this is not translating into an increase in equity. The "recovery" that is being bantered about is really more of the beginning of a stable market. Homes that are believed to be the "best house at the best price" are selling fairly quickly and at close to the asking price. Note, however, the words "best price". Sellers must be competitive in their pricing to appeal to the "deal" buyers are looking for. The result is equity being put into a holding pattern for the foreseeable future. While sellers can be relieved that they are no longer seeing their equity decrease, they should not look to the near future for equity gains.

Recently in discussing the possibility of putting their home on the market, the seller asked, "What if I wait a year...can I expect to get $100,000 more?" This question was raised on a $300,000 home. Simply put, it will many years before this home can see that kind of gain. The suggestion was to either sell now or rent the home for 5 years and then review the market value of the home.

When discussing "recovery" be certain that it is very clear what that word means. We got to this place in the housing market through years of "if you fog a mirror, we will give you money" loans. It will take us years to return to a normal market. The word "recovery" just may be a term that would better be replaced with "we are at the intersection and are starting the journey towards normalcy".

A FEW LESSONS FROM MY DOG...

2010-01-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

I heard this on Face the Nation. Bob Schieffer said he didn't know where it came from to give credit. Any way you look at it though, it is so worth remembering!

If dogs could give us a few life lessons, here is what some of them would be:

Always run to greet loved ones when they come home.

Never pass the opportunity to go for a joy ride.

Recognize the ecstasy of fresh air and wind in your face.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, lie on your back in the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and find the shade.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Enjoy long walks.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want is buried, dig deep until you find it.

And, when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Now, make your week a great one...it's the only second week of January 2010 that you will ever have!

EXCITING HAPPENINGS AT LAND PARK'S SACRAMENTO ZOO!

2010-01-08T18:33:00.001-08:00

Amber is pregnant! Now, you might wonder who Amber is and why this is such a monumental occasion. Amber is a Giant Anteater and her little bundle of joy will be the first anteater to be born at the Sacramento Zoo. Look for the birth announcement coming in early April. If you want to learn more about Amber and her little one, click on Sacramento Zoo's Amber.

The giraffe's at the Sacramento Zoo have always had a barn of sorts and enough land to wander, but it was nothing special. Well, all that has changed with the opening of the Tall Wonders Giraffe exhibit. Not only do the giraffes have a cutting edge new home, but now visitors can view them at eye level with the addition of a viewing deck. The giraffes are already enjoying their new home, but the grand opening won't be until February 12th. Now, it just doesn't get any cooler than that!

If you have enjoyed our little Sacramento Zoo enclave, you have missed one of the very special experiences of the region. Take a weekend day and meander the regions of the world in an hour or two!

2010-01-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

Land Park is nestled just south of downtown Sacramento. It boasts a very active neighborhood association -Land Park Community Association - that has gone through some significant changes, including a board of 15, of which only 3 were returnees. It was a sign of the hope the neighborhood had to be better represented. I am very proud to list the successes we had in 2009.

The most significant change was a board that worked together. While we had differing opinions, we were willing to discuss, compromise and come to a mutual understanding. We showed respect for each other and have been very deliberate in our representation of the community.

Our ongoing events resulted in great attendance, even though both the Taste of Land Park and the Picnic in the Park as held in sweltering heat.

We brought to the neighborhood a new event - the Picnic in the Park. It was free to the community as a thank you for all of the support they have given to LPCA.

We changed the bylaws, the most significant change being the inclusion of the local businesses in the membership. To this date, the local businesses were asked to donate to our events, but were not allowed to be members. It was an inexcusable stance which we were thrilled to eliminate. We hope to include our local businesses in many of our debates and decisions.

We are working hard to make up for a loss in maintenance in William Land Park. We are spending a significant amount of money to reinstate the Rock Garden to it's former glory. The bureaucracy is continuing to put up road blocks, so this is still a work in progress.

We have worked diligently to encourage the development of Curtis Park Village, while voicing our concerns regarding a few of the issues.

Probably one of most successful new programs is Listserv, which is real time reports from our neighbors regarding crime in the neighborhood. It has resulted in phenomenal and immediate communication resulting in arrests and preventative measures. It has been extremely popular with many neighbors joining LPCA just to be able to subscribe to this benefit.

The coming year promises to bring more changes and additions. We hope to continue to be of value to our neighborhood...stay posted!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REALTOR

2010-01-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

I always have to giggle just a little when people tell me that they are considering going into real estate because they "love looking at houses". If only that is all we do...or even a majority of what we do! So, to give some perspective, I thought I would share what a normal day for a Realtor can look like.

Hurry...get ready for work! I can't be late today because it is the office meeting and tour! Hurry..hurry!

Whew...got to the office just in time to check e-mails before the meeting starts! For 30 minutes or so, I learn about the latest law changes, educational opportunities offered by the office and the real estate association and the features of the new listings our office got this week...some really cool stuff!

Off we go...the whole office leaves, en mass, to tour our new office listings! We are very PC - carpooling to economize on gas! Between homes we evaluate the features of the home and how they relate to the value. And, of course, how our weekend was, what our families did and so on.

It is amazing how many messages a Realtor can get just in the hour or two we are gone touring homes! How do those callers know when we are gone? I also check e-mails.

An agent comes in and says "Check out this! Google Whitepages.com and put in your name. It tells people way more than you want out there!" I did and it does! I immediately select an option that eliminates me from their site. That was scary! They listed my home address, my age and my family's names and ages...really scary!

Lunch break...my very favorite time of day! I get to eat and socialize a bit!

I get a call while I am at lunch...a client spotted their perfect house and wants to go see it! I look up the property, call to arrange the showing, call the client back and off I go!

Well, it wasn't the perfect house after all. Oh well, we'll just keep looking! Maybe we need to consider another neighborhood.

I promised myself I would work on my farm today. I hand address 250 envelopes (I am a big believer in humanizing things). I want to be sure to give my farm something of value, and I think a graph showing how 2009 fared in our neighborhood would be interesting. I'll have to work on that tomorrow, since I have too many other things I want to get done today.

I am covering for another agent, so I have to go through her file to be certain all of the disclosures are signed...nope! I e-mail the sellers agent to let her know what is stilll needed in the file. I also call the title company in hopes that they might have some of the documents..yea! They do!

I have to call a buyer to be sure that they put the utilities in their name, since the property recorded today.

A client calls to ask for a list of the costs he incurred preparing the house for sale and doing the requested repairs. Here's a tough one...the actual seller isn't asking...her brother, who is inheriting some of the money, is. Hmm....talk about being in the middle of it! I hate it when this happens! I call the seller and ask her what she wants me to do and we work it out.

I arrange for locks to be changed and meet the locksmith at a property.

One of our agents has a lender who is requiring a second bid for a roof certification. She asks for some names. I recommend one that ends up being half the cost of the other! Yea! I love it when that happens!

I work on finding a cheaper "fax-to-e-mail" company...not too much luck.

I get a call from a family who is having some issues and needs to know what their home value is. They aren't going to sell it - they just need help. I arrange to see them on Saturday.

An old friend comes by with an idea for a new enterprise for Realtors and wants my opinion. It might be a good idea for some venues, but I can't see Realtors using it.

Now it is past 5, the secretary has left and I am still at the office. Time to go, pick up what-ever-in-the-heck I am going to fix for dinner and get home to feed the dogs.

Aahhh...a day in the life of a Realtor!

IS YOUR HOUSE ECRU?

2009-12-19T07:04:00.001-08:00

Don't get me wrong...it's a fine color. It's what I painted my first two houses I owned 30 years ago. You can put just about any other color with it and it goes with everything. It is a safe color that will not offend your visitors. Guests will not dislike your for your taste in decorating or see a side of you that they didn't know about.
Then one day it hit me...people didn't know me. My own house was not a reflection of me but a reflection of no one. After all, who was living in my house? Who spent most of their time in my house? Me! So why wasn't I decorating for me? So, what color is my house now? Flame yellow, mist green, doeskin brown, slate blue, red and periwinkle. It's me and if my guests don't like it, then they don't have to come to my house.

Do you approach your blogging posts the same way? Do you prefer to not write at all rather than let someone know what you are about? Do you write safe posts that don't risk an offense? Or do you take the bumpy road of letting people know where you stand? Do you comment when you don't agree with a post? Do you let people get to know you?
I say, take a risk! The rewards you receive are bountiful. You may not have as many followers, but the ones you have are people who enjoy you and look forward to your next "get together". Have fun! Post away!

LAND PARK PACIFIC LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION...IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

2009-12-12T07:50:00.001-08:00

Aahhh, baseball...the roar of the crowd, the anticipation of the first pitch and the thrill of the crack of thebat! All of this can be experienced in Sacramento's William Land Park and Dooley Field in the spring of 2010! From the excitement of the 5 year olds donning their first uniform to the budding athletic talent of a 14 year old, now is the time to register...it's not too late!

You can register your child on-line by clicking Land Park Pacific Little League . Register now and have a great baseball season!

WHEN IT COMES TO FRAUD, WHO ARE YOU PROTECTING?

2009-12-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

I was at a luncheon the other day when a Realtor shared her story of a short sale listing she has. It had received multiple offers and one of the buyers agents had offered to pay her seller $5000 if her seller would take their offer (of course, AFTER close of escrow). She had told the story because she was surprised that in this day of regulation upon regulation, someone would still think it was okay to offer this.

However, when we asked her what she did, her response surprised me. Now, I can think of a multitude of answers to this buyers agent (notice I did not use the term "Realtor").

1. Fine, as long as it is on the HUD statement and so, transparent. (We all know this wouldn't happen!)

2. While I am sure my seller could use the extra $5000, this is fraud and I will not recommend to my seller that they proceed with your offer.

3. I am not willing to risk my license in order to sell a house...and believe me, it can happen.

4. Speaking to the seller..."If you do this, and the lender finds out, you could be in serious financial jeopardy."

She told us that she was concerned that she primarily represent her seller's interest, which would be to take the $5000. However, understanding that this was fraud and her seller would be at risk, she would let her know about fraud and then let the seller decide. She said she didn't want to appear to be the expert in this situation.

I just couldn't restrain myself. I told her that she IS the expert in this situation. Her seller hired her for her expertise and was expecting her to guide her through the short sale process. Of course you tell her that this is fraud and that you will have nothing to do with it. Not only does it put the seller in jeopardy, but it puts the agents license in jeopardy as well.

I wouldn't hesitate to put my own livelihood before knowingly committing fraud. But then, that's just me!

2009-11-24T16:17:00.001-08:00

I am very excited that MetroList (our local MLS) now provides wonderful reports to help us better understand what is happening in our local market. Land Park and Curtis Park are two of the neighborhoods I specialize in so I thought I would share the information from MetroList for your perusal. Enjoy!

COME OUT, COME OUT, SHADOW INVENTORY!

2009-11-10T16:11:00.001-08:00

April 8th, 2009Carolyn Said, Chronicle Staff Writer"A vast "shadow inventory" of foreclosed homes that banks are holding off the market could wreak havoc with the already battered real estate sector, industry observers say.""We believe that there are in the neighborhood of 600,000 properties nationwidethat banks have repossessed but not put on the market, "said Rick Sharga, vice president of RealtyTrac."

May 19th, 2009Blog posted by Peter Coy"A new survey from Zillow.com confirms what I've been saying for months: There is a huge amount of "shadow inventory"in the housing market. Except the shadow is even bigger than I imagined." According to Zillow's VP for data and analytics, Stan Humphries, "Almost one-third of homeowners (31%) said they would be at least somewhat likely to put their homes on the market in the next 12 months if they saw signs of a recovering real estate market...We here at Zillow expect to see a long, drawn-out bottom, with any upward bumps in value tempered by new inventory coming into the market."

July 21st, 2009Real estate news and analysis from the Wall Street Journal"...there are some signs that banks may be delaying foreclosures, either because they're overwhelmed with a glut of delinquent loans or because they're strategically holding off on over saturating the market. That so-called "shadow inventory" could lead to an uptick in foreclosure listings later this year."

August 2nd, 2009by CalculatedRisk, lifted from the comments on Corus: "Too toxic to fail" by Rob Dawg"On shadow inventory from Reuters: "Shadow" inventory lurks over U.S. housing recovery[A] massive supply of unsold homesis waiting in the wings and could easily swamp the recovery before it can gather speed. The number of homes listed officially on the market, while still at historically high levels, might be only the tip of the iceberg: said Stan Humphries, chief economist at real estate website Zillow.com in Seattle, Washington."

September 30th, 2009Quoted from Henry Blodget, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Business Insider"Amherst Securities has produced a scary analysis of this "shadow inventory" overhang, which Amherst estimates is a shocking 7 million houses (The consensus is only 2-3 million). 7 million houses represents 1.4 times the number of houses currently sold in the country each year. So this represents a massive overhang. As these houses hit the market in future years, they will keep pressure on house prices. This will likely either lead to further declines in prices or delay the recovery."

October 13th, 2009from Homefront by Jim Wasserman and Dale Kasler"There is no massive shadow inventoryof bank-owned repos - and banks aren't intentionally holding them off the market. So says Foreclosure Radar's Sean O'toole."

October 15th, 2009Written by Eric Wolff"There is no shadow inventory; there is no bank conspiracy; there are not houses waiting like vine-ripened tomatoes for the moment to be plucked, says a recent report from ForeclosureRadar, a prominent data-tracking firm."

I offer these quotes from various sites to show the progression of the "shadow inventory" issue. What I found fascinating is the wide variance of opinion. Experts in the field can't agree, any more than the numbers that support their opinion. It seems to me, if they have been predicting this "glut" of homes to come on the market since (at the very least) the beginning of the year, and it hasn't happened, it might be time to question the reality of "shadow inventory". Interpret it as over-reaction, misinterpretation or simply wrong, the "shadow inventory" has yet to appear. Contrary to popular opinion and strange as it may be, we in Sacramento have more demand for foreclosures than we have foreclosures to sell. It is common to have many multiples of offers on each foreclosure. Foreclosure buyers have become accustom to the rejection of their offer - even when it offers over asking price. I, for one, do believe in fairy tales...and maybe this is one of them!

SOLD QUICKLY AT FULL PRICE...DARN IT!

2009-11-07T11:29:00.001-08:00

When setting a listing price for a home, accurate information and evaluation of that information is critical. The nuances of the neighborhood, knowledge of the comparable properties, current issues facing homeowners and buyers all come into play when setting a market value of a property. Realtors carry on a thorough discussion with their sellers, explaining all of the factors that affect their home's value. The discussion can take the tact of why the property is worth more than the sellers thought, but more often than not, the Realtor is explaining why it isn't valued at the same amount that the sellers thought. Of course, there is an emotional tie for the sellers...fond memories and endearing features of the property that add value for the present homeowners, but are simply a perk for a buyer. So, after long deliberation, the Realtor and property owners come to agreement on an acceptable listing price.

However, does the Realtor have the same discussion on the seller's expectations after the property goes on the market? For the Realtor, an ideal situation would be the property selling in a reasonable amount of time at very close to asking price. From a seller's perspective, receiving an offer too quickly and at asking price translates into not asking enough for the property. When the property is listed, it is critical to include this conversation. If we do our evaluation correctly, and market the home properly, the property should sell quickly and close to, if not at, asking price. The sellers should not be surprised by an early offer - rather they should congratulate themselves for hiring a Realtor that was professional, knowledgeable and thorough enough to do exactly what the sellers required of them.

SACTO-AN AMAZING SACRAMENTO ASSET!

2009-11-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

Even if you are local, you may have heard of SACTO, but not had a clue what they do. Today, the Sacramento Association of Realtors hosted our Finance Forum in which Barbara Hayes from SACTO spoke. She gave us a truly "meat and potatoes" picture of the purpose and success of this organization.

SACTO is an acronym for Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization. Their sole purpose is to bring jobs to the Sacramento area. They are non-profit, non-political in nature and were created out of the

Metro Chamber years ago. They work with the local 26 governments that make up the Sacramento area. How do they stay out of politics, but work with governments? They receive feedback from companies either in the area or contemplating coming to the area. They then provide this feedback to the appropriate governance's. Last year, they were responsible for bringing 1000 jobs to the area.

In a time when there is a definite shortage of jobs, SACTO is busier than they have been in the past 5 years. The "incubation" time from the beginning of talks to actual job realization is about 12 to 18 months, so we should be looking forward to some good times in the relatively near future.

It may be surprising to learn that about 50% of the potential jobs being considered in Sacramento are involved in "clean or green" technology. Nationally, California is viewed as the mecca of green technology and Sacramento, supplying access to policy makers, give Sacramento (both locally and statewide) a strong appeal. We are an appealing location due to several factors: Sacramento's climate is ideal (other states such as Arizona and Nevada are too hot) and our former military bases generate incentives to use their locations. The very thing that has stagnated our economy in this area is also a great asset...the potential work force. Our educational institutions also give us a benefit. University of California at Davis has a globally known expert in wind power. California State University in Sacramento is known for it's "smart" technology, developing smart grid technology opportunities with a 127M dollar grant (the second largest grant in this field). The Los Rios community colleges are committed to developing grad students into green force experts. Sacramento is winning more companies than anywhere else in California.

Our second largest job force is in consumer goods. There are several factors contributing to this fact. At one time, companies were relocating to states such as Arizona, Utah, etc. However, when oil prices went up, the cost of shipping exceeded the benefits of going to those states. Also, a state with 38M people is hard to overlook globally. Succinctly put, we are too large to fail. According to Time Magazine, California will chart the course for the future. According to the magazine, California is the center of innovation and talent.

Locally, Sacramento has a plethora of benefits to offer potential employers. The very fact that our property values have gone down has provided for affordable housing. The

Sacramento International Airport supplies an easy supply line. Our mild climate (a 75 degree average high and a 50 degree average low) reduces cost to companies concerned about high heating and air conditioning costs. Sacramento claims the highest number of intersecting major highways and freeways in the country (Interstates 5, 80 and Highways 50 and 99). This makes transporting of goods cost effective. Our health industry is thriving with UC Davis, the Sutter Health, Mercy and Kaiser. We offer recreation of every sort within 2 hours of Sacramento - skiing (water and snow) snorkeling, biking, running, baseball, soccer, boccie ball...just name it and it is here! One company that came to town discovered windsurfing..and that clinched the deal! We have the highest performing students statewide.

Nestle is presently committed to a 10M dollar investment in Sacramento. By the end of the year, they will have spent 3.5M of that commitment. 70% of the workforce are local contractors. A solar manufacturer from Asia (yet to be announced) will be investing initially in a 150,000 square foot building to be expanded to 300,000 square feet. They will employ 200 people. We are seeing increased interest in China due to their growing wealth.

We have a beautiful and vibrant city...and it is nice to know that others are realizing what

Sacramento has to offer!

BETTY WHITE, SACRAMENTO ZOO & LAND PARK...WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

2009-11-03T17:30:00.001-08:00

Many of us remember Betty White as the conniving Sue Ann Nivens in the Mary Tyler Moore Show or the ditzy Rose Nylund on the Golden Girls. However, in the world of philanthropy and worthwhile causes, she is a caring supporter of pets rights.
So, how excited do you think Sacramentans are that Betty White will be coming to the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park to do a presentation at the new "Tall Wonders Giraffe Exhibit Renovation and Expansion Project? Act quickly, because this Thursday, the 5th of November will be the day! Arrive at 4:30PM to enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and appreciate all that this regional zoo has to offer! To learn more about this event, call(916) 808-8376.

SACRAMENT'S CURTIS PARK VILLAGE...BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!

2009-10-27T21:29:00.001-07:00

As the time grows closer for a vote at the Sacramento City Council, there is an escalating fervor regardingthe Petrovich development known as Curtis Park Village. The chasm between the fans of this development and the critics is growing as well. Much of the chatter is really a result of misinformation (intentional or accidental is another topic).
Probably the biggest hotbed is the toxic issue within the site. When originally tested by the city, Petrovich was told that there was 80,000 cubic yards of toxic soil. After 2000 railroad cars were loaded up with said soil and sent to Utah, it was thought to be clean. However, upon subsequent testing, at total of 240,000 cubic yards was found...a substantial increase in costs, considering the expenditure so far just for clean up has already totaled 14M dollars! At this point, you would think that Petrovich would have thrown his hands up and abandoned the project. He didn't. He researched and found the accepted practice of digging a very deep hole (50'), lining it and filling it with the toxic soil. Finally, a toxic proof barrier is put over it, it is sealed and clean soil is put on top. This has been done over 200 times without a flaw. A park will be placed in this section of the development - all other residential areas will have clean dirt.
The other misconception is the amount of traffic this development will incur. The traffic study shows that with the exception of Sutterville Road, this plan will have zero impact or will improve the flow. Bus lines will be rerouted from 24th Street to the main thoroughfare (Curtis Park Village Drive) of the development. There will be ingress and egress at 5th Avenue, 10th Avenue and Donner Way. In a grading system of A to F, all inner street will have a grade of A and a couple of B's. Sutterville Road already has an F, so admittedly it will make a bad situation worse.
Another rumor being discussed is that "big box" stores will lease the space. Stores such as WalMart, Home Depot and Target require anywhere from 12 to 16 acres of space. With a total of 72 acres, much of it residential and the park, and the plan calling for smaller individual commercial and retail structures, the "big box" store simply does not have a place in this development.
The ultimate cost of this development will be 225M dollars. It will create 2000 temporary jobs and 550 permanent jobs. It will provide an already dramatically under serviced neighborhood with more retail and service options. It will provide for 7.2M dollars in annual tax revenue.
Curtis Park Village will encompass 72 acres of infill. It will have 184 single family homes, 248 multi family housing units, 89,000 square feet of restaurants and entertainment, 16,000 square feet of small commercial space, 90 affordable housing units and a 154,000 square feet of commercial space. 2400 trees will be planted and old growth oaks will be preserved. Residential lots will be from 100 to 160 feet deep and 50 to 60 feet wide.
Mr. Petrovich has participated in over 150 public forums for input and suggestions. He has made over 36 changes to the plan at the suggestion of the neighbors. In my humble opinion, this is an admirable plan that needs the support of this city and it's citizens. Build it, and they will come!

SACRAMENTO HALLOWEEN EVENTS!

2009-10-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

If you are ready for a little scare or a piercing scream, then here are some places to visit on Halloween:
West Sacramento:Visit IKEA from 5 to 7 to trick or treat at plenty of scary house venues!
Scandia Fun Center(5070 Hillsdale Lane):Enjoy the "Scream Extreme"! Tickets are $18 for a "Wicket" ticket and $14 for general admission. You can go as a group for $11 and children are $7.
Sacramento Zoo's Boo at the Zoo:Trick or treat at the zoo, enjoy crafts in front of the Reptile House, have animal encounters and have fun with a costume parade and entertainment! Tickets are $9 for children 3 and older and $5 for members 3 and older. Enjoy the festivities from 4:30 to 8PM!

ESCROW COMPANY LOSES CASHIERS CHECK

2009-10-23T21:58:00.001-07:00

Now, we have all heard some crazy stuff these days - one of the latest around here is the lender who required the borrower to place flood insurance on the property before funding, then decided to not proceed with the loan. The borrower's insurance won't cancel the policy, so now the borrower owns flood insurance on a house she doesn't own.
But...I have another that we can learn from. I walked into our office this morning to join in on a conversation between one of our agents, his buyer and or manager. There was a problem. The title company lost the $50,000 cashiers check. They had sent a courier to pick up the check and some documents from our office, which was done. The escrow officer sent an e-mail saying that she had received the buyers funds and they were set to record...which they did. THEN they discovered they were short $50,000. They claim they never got it - despite the e-mail which said they did. The bank who issued the cashiers check said they will not reissue it for 90 days. It appears, at the moment, the buyer is between a rock and a hard place. The lesson?....always deliver the check personally and get a receipt!

SACRAMENTO'S BIG BUILD

2009-10-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

Sacramento's skies have always been busy. In past years, air force bases ruled as well as the Executive Airport. While we no longer enjoy sonic booms and military jets screaming across the skies, we do lay claim to the Sacramento International Airport. As with all airports, they easily get outdated and Sacramento's airport is no exception. The most recent completed A Terminal is only 10 years old, and due to limited automobile traffic issues, is already outdated. Terminal B is no longer viable and for that reason, is being replaced.
The Big Build is truly something to boast about! This remarkable structure will replace a 216,000SF building with a 669,000SF structure. The architecture is reflective of Sacramento's famous canopy of trees. Interestingly, parts of the ceiling has been built from a recovered old bridge, consisting of 100,000 board feet of wood milled in 1817. In fact, the airport has a goal of attaining a LEED Silver and is within points of doing so. Eight million dollars have been set aside for art within the structure. Two million dollars of this allotment will be set aside, using the interest to maintain the art.
While this may seem to be an odd time for such impressive expenditure (the total cost is one billion dollars and is coming in at budget), this is paid for by revenue generated by the airport itself and by law, cannot be spent on other projects. There is much to admire about this project, so please click here to learn more! Don't ask about the red rabbit...so far no one I have chatted with get it!

SACRAMENTO'S NEWS10 COATS FOR KIDS COMING NOVEMBER 1ST!

2009-10-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sacramento businesses, schools, and other community entities collect coats then bring them to News10. The coats are cleaned due to the generosity of Swanson Cleaners. This is a wonderful program that brings the community together to provide coats, not only for kids, but for anyone who needs a new winter coat but has no resource to purchase one.
Last year, News10 successfully collected over 39,000 coats for those in need. After collecting, the coats are organized by size and type at Cal Expo. People are then invited to come pick out the coats needed at no charge.
I am proud to say that Windermere Dunnigan Realtors is one of the drop-off sites for coats. So, if you have coats you would like to donate, or would like to purchase coats to donate, we can make it very easy for you...just drop them off at either 2401 American River Drive or 4215 Freeport Boulevard after November 1st. We will bring them to News10 for you!

CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE FORECAST

2009-10-13T16:23:00.001-07:00

In a presentation at the California Realtor Expo 2009, consumers, Realtors and the real estate industry predicted what the real estate market is going to look like for the coming year.
The median home price is expected to rise to $280,000 compared to $271,000 this year - a 3.3% rise in value. At the same time, the actual number of homes selling in the coming year is expected to change from 540,000 in 2009 to 527,500 in 2010 - a 2.3% drop. While California Realtors will be selling fewer homes, the selling price of those homes will rise.
California is going to establish a "new normal", according to C.A.R President, James Liptak. This will likely translate to continuing sales of distressed low end properties and will include moderate home price appreciation.
California real estate is experiencing a dual market. With first-time buyer tax credits and programs as well as a plentiful supply of investors, there is actually a shortage of low-end properties. The reverse of this is true in the upper-end market where sellers are feeling the pinch of lenders anxiety regarding jumbo or non-conforming loans and buyers insecurity over the future value of these properties. There is concern that if discretionary buyers do not return to the market soon, it could affect the second half of 2010.
The "wild cards" regarding the 2010 market, according to C.A.R.'s Chief Economist, Leslie Appleton-Young are the release and number of foreclosures, loan resets, the job market and the California budget crisis...and the ongoing actions of the federal government.

YOUR T-SHIRT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU!

2009-10-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Have you really looked at the t-shirts you own? Have you thought about what they tell people about you? This occurred to me last night as I stood in my closet thinking I should really clean it out again. I have a lot of t-shirts I don't wear...
The truth of it is, I really treasure them, even though they are not exactly my style. I know this sounds a little contradictory until you understand where I got them.
Thousands of dogs surrounded me as my daughter, a friend and I participated in SPCA'S Doggy Dash. It was soooo much fun! How did the organizers know I had paid my way? My t-shirt! And just to make it even more fun, my dog had a matching t-shirt of her very own! We walked a 5K, marveled at the fact that there could be so many breeds of essentially the same critter and caught up with each other's latest news.
We arrived to a flurry of activity as the poor foreman tried to organize a crew of rookies. We were to renovate a house for Rebuilding Together. My daughter and I traditionally paint the ceilings and trim of the exterior of the houses. I am not sure if more paint lands on the house or the painters, but it is a great feeling at the end of the day to know that we have made one families life just a little nicer. My t-shirt never survives without the color of the house on it, but that makes it even better!
Finding our team was the big challenge when you consider that there were tens of thousands of people running or walking in support of the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure in one big parking lot. We finally found our team (a bunch of Realtors who were really noisy...but had on the same chartreuse colored t-shirt), took pictures galore and then did laps around Cal Expo's parking lot.
The t-shirts I wore for these events are a reminder of a great feeling of giving. I am not sure who got more out of it - myself or the beneficiaries, but I am pretty sure they were mutually great experiences. So, take a look in your closet...what does it tell people about you? And, if you happen to see someone wearing a benevolent t-shirt, why not thank them for giving so much of themselves?

FANNIE MAE GUIDELINES TIGHTEN

2009-10-05T14:43:00.001-07:00

As the real estate and related industries change with continuing legislation, we are continually experiencing a tightening up of the lending institutions. Fannie Mae has just issued their latest guidelines which will be implimented the week of December 12th.
A buyer will now be required to have a minimum of a 620 credit score, with few exceptions.
Relating to private mortgage insurance, homeowners whose LTV exceeds 80% of the value of their property will be asked to choose between a higher MIP premium month to month or pay a one time fee at the time of recording.
Ratios exceeding 45% will no longer be approved unless there is are very strong assets and credit shown by the borrower. In no circumstances can expense ratios exceed 50%.
In the final analysis, if a buyer or homeowner is considering a new mortgage, it would be to their advantage to consider executing their loan prior to these new guidelines.

DRE # 01188158http://www.paulaswayne.com/

FLOOD INSURANCE RATES TO GO UP!

2009-10-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

Starting this month, flood insurance rates are going to go up by 10% for new policies. If you have an existing policy, my understanding is that while it probably will not go up, the deductible will go up from $500 to $1000.
The average flood insurance policy is approximately $583. This does not include personal property but does cover the maximum $250,000 of real property value.
Remember...flood insurance policies are assumable. For those property owners who presently don't have flood insurance, but may be selling their house soon, they may want to purchase a policy to offer it to the prospective buyers for the lower rate.

NEW AC LAW AFFECTS SELLERS!

2009-09-30T22:02:00.001-07:00

A new energy efficient law goes into affect on January 1st of 2010. Air conditioning manufacturers will be required to produce only air conditioning units that use a new R-410A Freon. The existing R-22 Freon will be phased out and by 2020, will be discontinued completely.

Here is the hiccup...units using R-410A Freon will not be compatible with units presently using R-22 because R-410A requires wider piping. After 2020, anytime a unit needs new freon, if it is not compatible with the R-410A freon, it will have to be replaced, along with any lines in walls.

Starting next year, air conditioning repairs might start getting expensive...2020, it will be guaranteed.

SACRAMENTO'S "TASTE OF LAND PARK" COMING SOON!

2009-09-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Land Park Community Association is hosting the 9th Annual "Taste of Land Park" on September 27th from 4-7PM! Walk or ride your bike to 17th Street between 11th Avenue and 13th Avenue to enjoy a great evening!

The "Taste" will have approximately 25 excellent wineries and breweries with local establishments taking a starring role! Well known favorites from Clarksburg, Plymouth and surrounding foothill wineries as well as Napa will be pouring their favorite wines. There will also be local breweries sharing their favorites.

Along with the great beverages will be approximately 12 of our local restaurants. Here is an opportunity to taste the chef's favorites and savor their spectacular goodies!

Add to all of this the camaraderie of neighbors and friends chatting and laughing under the canopy of Land Park's beautiful trees and the Delta breezes and you just can't lose! For more information and to purchase tickets, just click here to learn more!

CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR IN SACRAMENTO...A WINNER!

2009-08-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

If you hadn't planned on going to the California State Fair in Sacramento...reconsider!

I went there today with my granddaughters and mother and had a great time! We pet llamas, wallabys (even the baby in the pouch), fawns, goats, pot bellied pigs, roosters, a donkey, and sheep. We looked at miniature horses and gihugic horses. We saw calves 1 day old and 10 piglets that put a whole new definiation to cute! We rode the ponies too!

But, that isn't what impressed me. Here's what impressed me:

A fair worker stopping to ask a motorist if she could help her (she was stopped in front of the gate).

A fair worker cleaning the outside of the garbage can to be sure it was clean.

Hand washing stations everywhere.

Drinking fountain stations everywhere.

Flowers..beautiful flowers and greenery in every corner.

The moved the little ones rides to the other side of the fair near the petting zoo, so the kiddies aren't forced to play with the big kids.

So, think again...this may be the best one yet!

HVCC 101

2009-08-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of confusion about HVCC and what it means to our industry. I would like to present a "basics" blog to explain the repercussions of these well intentioned guidelines.

First: a glossary of terms
HVCC - Housing Value Code of Conduct
AMC - Appraisal Management Company
Andrew Cuomo - New York Attorney General

Who:
In an attempt to ensure lenders could not put undue pressure on appraisers to value a home higher than appropriate, Andrew Cuomo took it upon himself to create a new set of guidelines referred to as HVCC. He also informed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that if they didn't adopt his new guidelines, he would sue them. They adopted HVCC.

What:
The HVCC demands that an AMC is created. The AMC would hire the appraisers necessary to perform appraisals as requested by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for all conventional loans.

Where:
These new guidelines are being implemented nationally.

How:
1. A buyer and seller negotiate what both feel to be a fair market value for the property.
2. The buyer's lender gets a copy of the fully executed contract.
3. The lender then contacts an AMC to have the property appraised.
4. The AMC then retains the services of the next appraiser on their list of appraisers for that area.
5. The appraiser then goes to the property to get the information necessary to do an accurate appraisal.
6. The lender then receives the appraisal from the AMC.

General Guidelines:
1. Realtors and lenders cannot have any direct contact with the appraiser unless contacted by the appraiser. Even then, they are not to have any conversation with the appraiser that might influence the final appraised value.

Exceptions:
FHA and cash buyers are exempt from using the new guidelines.

Loopholes:
1. Large direct lenders have set up their own AMC's and have hired only the appraisers that they feel they want in their pool of lenders.

Unintended Results:
1. Appraisers no longer have to prove their knowledge in order to be hired. They simply have to be hired by the larger AMC's and rotate to the top of the list. Since they are being paid approximately half of their normal fee, many of the better appraisers have chosen to not be put on the list and are appraising cash deals or other types of appraisals. That leaves the "list" sorely lacking. The appraisers could be from as far away as a hundred miles and not know the area at all.

2. Mortgage brokers do not have the luxury the banks have, and must deal with the less accurate AMC's set up by the government. As a result, Realtors are going directly to banks using their own AMC for their loans rather than the unpredictable appraisals that the mortgage brokers must deal with from the government AMC's.

3. Poorly performed appraisals are extremely difficult to get corrected since no communication is allowed.

4. Banks are reaping the benefits of the implementation of HVCC.

5. It is becoming increasingly difficult to see the market turn, since:
a. It is to the advantage of the lender to have the appraisal come in low, since their loan will have less risk.
b. It is to the advantage of the less than ethical appraiser to come in low, since the lenders will be more likely to keep him/her on the payroll. (I read of an appraiser who was removed from the list because he the value came in over the contract price twice.)

6. It is giving good appraisers a bad reputation.

Well, that's about it...HVCC 101. I know there are many out there with horror stories or opinions of their own, and I welcome the comments. My worry? We will lose our great appraisers and mortgage brokers to poorly enacted "guidelines", our buyers can't buy the homes of their choice because they are not appraising and sellers can't sell their homes for the same reason. I believe my facts are correct here, but if any of it is incorrect, I welcome the corrections as well.

www.PaulaSwayne.com
DRE#01188158

WHERE IS YOUR DINING ROOM TABLE?

2009-08-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

It sounds like a crazy title, but read on...

I grew up sitting at a table with my parents, brother and grandmother. We talked about our day, our thoughts, and laughed...a lot. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but we "got" each other as a result.

I wish I could have a "do over" and recreate that experience for my own children. We were always on the go. We sat down in the family room, the television blaring, and ate...oblivious to each other. Oh, how I wish I could change that. I do have a wonderful family, and we do "get" each other...but it could have been so much better.

So, here I am. I am hoping that if I can get just one person to change their routine...to actually have their family sit at a table and chat...this blog will have had more impact than any post I have ever done.

Change...the most difficult, yet rewarding thing we can do. That's it.

www.PaulaSwayne.com

SACRAMENTO'S FAIRYTALE TOWN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS!

2009-07-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

My memories of Fairytale Town? Let's see...loved the Crooked Mile, so wanted my birthday party at the Castle (not a great idea in January) and being chased by a goose that I am sure was 10 feet tall! Now I get to help create some memories for my granddaughters...how fun is that?

Fairytale Town was opened in 1959 and has been a Sacramento destination for children and adults alike since. You can even join their Twitter Group for updates on chick hatchings, set improvements and field trips.

There are some truly remarkable trivia about the wonderful playground for children. All of the sets at Fairytale Town were built by volunteer labor and donated goods. Presently, Fairytale Town is raising funds through their "

Yellow Brick Road" . The "Town" was selected as a filming location for the BBC (a documentary about twins) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association for film clips of children playing.

There are a multitude of coming events such as a 50's theme Crystal Rockin' Royal 50th Anniversary Bash on August 29th from 5-9, th eTwilight Concert Series on Wednesdays (July 22, August 5th and August 19th) at 6:00, Scholarshare Children's Book Festival on September 26th and 27th from 10AM to 4PM and so, so much more! To learn more about these and other events, go on line to

Fairytale Town.

See ya there!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

DRE#01188158

Sacramento's Land Park Community Association Membership Meeting

2009-07-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Sacramento's Land Park Community Association is hosting it's second quarterly membership meeting this Wednesday night at James Monroe Eskaton on Freeport Boulevard at 6:30.

LPCA had scheduled Kevin Johnson to be our speaker. Earlier this month we were told that he had a conflict in his schedule and would not be able to attend. However, as of this week, his staff was trying to work it out so he could attend.

Also, we will be covering topics such as the Curtis Park Village, the First Annual Picnic in the Park, the Taste of Land Park and discussion of a few bylaw changes.

It is our hope that many of our Land Park neighbors will join us and give us input. We look forward to seeing your Wednesday night!

www.PaulaSwayne.com
DRE#01188158

2009-07-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning a little earlier than usual. But then, the light was just starting to stream through the windows and the promise of accomplishing a few tasks kept me awake. Finally, I surrendered to the day and got up. I "putzed" (as my grandmother use to call it), filling the dogs cookie jar, enlarging my daily Sudoku so I could actually read it, tossing a few Coke cans left over from the night before.

Then I realized...I wasn't paying attention. For example, a few weeks ago I wondered what happened to the birds that use to warble their song each and every morning. Leaving the house the other day, I realized that it wasn't so much that the birds had quit singing...I had quit listening.

We long for the "good old days", yet did you patronize that lemonade stand that the children had so eagerly set up? Your quarter (or maybe a generous dollar or two), would have been such an exciting moment for those kids. Did you see them? Did you take the 30 seconds it would have taken to stop and congratulate them for their industriousness?

Did you notice that flower that made such an effort to peek out from a crack in the cement? Did you give an appreciative wave to the driver that let you merge into impossible traffic? Did you "adopt" the grocery cart that someone was going out of their way to put where it belonged...after all, you were heading into the store anyway. When you saw that stray dog, did you stop to, at the very least, bring it someplace where it wouldn't get itself or someone else hurt as it dodged traffic?

We can make each day truly rich in it's experiences. We just need to pay attention.

www.PaulaSwayne.com
Photos from Flickr by nagillum, Dan Hugo and Dan Phiffer

DAVIS RANCH...WORTH THE DRIVE FROM SACRAMENTO!

2009-07-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

While farmers markets are becoming more and more popular, some may wonder why they should drive all the way out to Sloughhouse to get their veggies and fruits. After all, don't all farmers market have pretty much the same things?

NOPE! Take the drive out to Davis Ranch

to find out the difference.

My most recent visit was on the 4th of July...and wouldn't you think that it would be a bit slow or that Davis Ranch would have shortened their hours in favor of the holiday? Not only were they open, they were swamped! We drove by the first time on our way to our own 4th of July celebration at about 9:30AM...and they were busy. We stopped by on our way home at about 2:30...and they were going crazy with business!

What makes this place so exceptional? Easy...the fresh produce. Many grocery stores get their produce from Davis Ranch (especially the corn). We get to cut out the middle man and buy it direct! Do they bring in some of the produce? I am pretty sure the answer is yes. It doesn't bother me because I know most of it is their own and you can't beat the price! (That's me at the counter paying for more vegetables than we can eat in a week...but they all looked so good!)

And now you can attend the Davis Ranch Corn Festival! It will be on July 18th and 19th from 9AM to 4PM. They will entertain with live music, arts and crafts, FFA demonstrations, and great food (which includes their famous Slouhhouse corn)!

If you are looking for a fun filled family outing, don't miss this celebration! Davis Ranch is located at 13211 Jackson Road...just look for the crowds! For more information, you can call 530 503-9292.

Have Fun!
www.PaulaSwayne.com

A DAY LATE AND $10,000 SHORT IN CALIFORNIA HOME PURCHASES

2009-07-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

California had a great program to promote new homes. First time home buyers could purchase a brand new home and receive a $10,000 credit from the state as an incentive to act now. It was a great opportunity to lower the overall cost of purchasing a home and gave a great reason to purchase now.

The opportunity disappeared as of midnight last night. Those who had hoped to take advantage of this offer will no longer have such a great credit.

That fence that so many buyers are sitting on is disintegrating fast. This credit is gone and as of December 1st, the $8,000 credit will be gone as well. In this economy, don't look for an extension of these credits. Most will agree that interest rates are not going to vastly improve. With December approaching quickly and an escrow lasting a minimum of 45 days (in a normal sale...several months for short sales), buyers should leap off of that proverbial fence and act now!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

1ST ANNUAL PICNIC IN LAND PARK...HOSTED BY LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

2009-07-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

On June 27th, the Land Park Community Association hosted the 1st Annual Picnic in Land Park! Thanking our neighbors for their ongoing efforts on behalf of the Land Park neighborhood was the inspiration for the event.
In keeping with the setting, the picnic was an old-fashioned, ice cream eating, apple pie contest, family oriented experience. Live guitar music supplied the background for fun, chatting and games. The children enjoyed face painting, Go Fish, sack races, croquet, golf and so much more! Adults had a few contests as well.

Over 100 families joined in the fun, even in over 100 degree heat! Vic's Ice Cream and chilled beverages helped cool everyone down. A great lunch of burgers and hot dogs was provided to all who joined in.

Thanks to Raleys for sponsoring the event! A great time had by all!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

THERE IS A RIGHT WAY TO SEARCH FOR YOUR PERFECT HOME!

2009-07-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

It is such an exciting time, when all of the saving and sacrificing finally pays off. The search for a home begins.

It is a fact that most homebuyers now search on the internet for their home before they ever contact a Realtor. Searching on the internet or going to open houses results in a more savvy and informed buyer and is a positive step in the home buying process.

However, there is an initial, more important step that should not be ignored. Talking with a lender is vital in an intelligent, directed search for a home. A buyer should know, from the outset, what loan amount they can qualify for. The quality of the lender is also a factor in having the home buying experience be a positive one. A reputable lender will not charge "garbage fees". An experienced lender will know the range of loans available and which loan will best fit the buyers needs. A good lender will keep in contact with the buyer on a continual basis. The Realtor can give great referrals if the buyer needs some recommendations.

Speaking of Realtors, don't take this selection lightly. To be redundant, be sure to work with a Realtor...they are held to a higher standard. A Realtor must work under a Code of Ethics (unlike an agent). Ask for referrals from friends, relatives or neighbors. Be certain to select a Realtor who is knowledgeable about the neighborhood in which the buyer wants to live.

Once the buyer has been pre-qualified or pre-approved, the home search begins! The process can be made much more efficient and enjoyable if the buyer knows how to approach the search. A "wish list" is a wonderful indication to the Realtor as to what the buyer would enjoy in their new home. However, it should be delineated into the "must haves" and the "would like to have". A "must have" list that is too specific or too exact may eliminate a home that otherwise would have been perfect. Buyers need to be somewhat flexible. Possibly the family room is so appealing that the "must have" office becomes secondary. The "must have" large yard might become secondary to the beautiful remodeled kitchen because the property is located near a lush park.

Finally, don't be shy about asking questions. The buyer should understand the process and have a Realtor that is more than happy to help in any way. The home buying experience can be fun and exciting if it is approached in the right way. Enjoy!

HOW ARE VALUES EVER GOING TO GO UP?

2009-06-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

We have a problem. We are creating the perfect storm.

As Erin Attardi's post

"Erin Attardi's Short Sale Experiment" reflects, there are areas where the majority of available properties are short sales (and I suspect a few foreclosures thrown in).

In the new HVCC regulations, appraisers cannot be in communication with Realtors, agents or lenders.

It is more important for comparables to be recent than accurate.

Allow me to elaborate. At one time, appraisers would take into account that a property was a foreclosure or short sale when they were doing their appraisal and adjust accordingly. If we, as Realtors, felt that inappropriate comparables were being used, we could discuss the issue with the appraiser. Appraisers, if they felt we had a valid point, could change their appraisal. Comparable properties could have closed within the last 6 months. If the market had changed, the appraiser would adjust accordingly.

Presently, appraisers are coming up with value by using the lowest common denominators...the short sales and foreclosures. No longer is there an adjustment for these types of sales. Due to HVCC, appraisers can come in and appraise in an area that they have no experience in...and we have no way to help them or provide information to encourage accuracy. With a shortage of comparable sales in now a demanded 3 month period, appraisers are being told to go outside the true area the home is in, thus throwing off the true value of the property.

So, if we are valuing our listings by the lowest common denominator, and there is no adjustment for the type of sale they are (generally seriously discounted), how are we ever going to see our equity start building again? The rules to "protect the consumer" is now the consumers worst enemy.

WWW.PaulaSwayne.com

RAIN OR SHINE, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL SUCCEEDS!

2009-06-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

Today, the Sacramento Association of Realtor's, Young Professionals Council sponsored the Second Annual Vendors Fair. More than 40 vendors, stagers to Tupperware, pest control companies to jewelry sales, insurance to cutlery, were there promoting their wares. Even in the rain, they persisted!
They offered a great barbecued lunch. Choices were wonderful...hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chips, macaroni and potato salads, and the ever popular chocolate frosted cupcakes!
There was a wide variety of raffled items to win...shuffles to car washes, wine baskets to decorated canvas bags...and the grand prize, a mini laptop with all of the bells and whistles.
At the very least, tapping your toes couldn't be resisted with the likes of Santana being played with gusto in the background.
Finally, the ultimate purpose of the event was celebrated. The Young Professionals Council raised over $4000 for the Scholarship Fund. With gifts such as these to the fund, the Scholarship Committee has raised enough money over the year to give out 39 scholarships totalling $44,000! All in all, a VERY GOOD DAY!
www.PaulaSwayne.com

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

2009-05-28T23:47:00.001-07:00

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!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

OUR FUTURE IS IN SOLID HANDS!

2009-05-28T21:25:00.001-07:00

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.
www .PaulaSwayne.com

CONTINGENT OFFERS ARE BACK!

2009-05-24T20:27:00.001-07:00

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!
www.PaulaSwayne.com