Maintain that value!

I’ve been spearheading a campaign lately to keep property values from falling in my neighborhood. In this market, it has become even more important that you protect not just your house and add value to it, but also that you preserve the price of your neighborhood. Since property values drop in first-time buyer neighborhoods faster than they do in move-up neighborhoods, it is even more important that you work harder at this if you live in an area with starter homes.

Ready? What follows is a list of who to call in Sacramento City. All numbers are Area Code (916)

Police Non-Emergency 264-5471 (for loud music, trash, and abandoned vehicles)

Fire Non-Emergency 808-1300

Animal Care Services 808-7387 (for loose animals)

Code Enforcement 808-5948 (illegally parked cars, barking dogs)

Mental Health 875-1000

Narcotics Tip Line 264-5796

Neighborhood Mediation 441-7979

Signals / Street Lights 808-6314

Tree Department 433-6345

Water/Sewer/Storm Drains 264-5371

If you live in the county of Sacramento:

Community Hazards & Nuisance Report Center 875-5656

At the risk of sounding a little preachy, I want to remind you not to underestimate the far-reaching effects of any nuisances. I have heard about clients from other Realtors that actually went and mowed their neighbor’s lawns when they wanted to sell their home so as to get a higher value. And this is not a market that is very forgiving of a neighborhood’s flaws.

So DO talk to your neighbors about their loud music, DO get involved in keeping a community clean and peaceful, DO report abandoned vehicles and rubbish so they get cleaned up. Remember, you’ll be preserving the value of your own home. And your guests won’t say, “Oh my God… you live there??!?”