Back from Extended Vacation

Okay, so I'm back. And just so you know, I wasn't on vacation. I've only moved homes and with my fourth move in just six years, I must say I have developed a new respect for all my buyers and sellers. I'm finally in my dream home!
There seems to be a lot of talk about buyer's remorse lately. I can't say that I didn't have trouble adjusting to just the fact that a lot of things just were not familiar around me, but the bargain at which I got the home sure helped. As it should to all you buyers in Sacramento lately! Here in my neighborhood in Pollock Pines, there are houses for the picking.
Anyone want to be my neighbor?
And no, I didn't scare them all away!

Will you be a Millionaire?

I have an assignment for you. With all the talk about how much real estate appreciates (or does not appreciate) over time all over the United States, it is becoming more important that we know how much it appreciates in our own neighborhood. So here's your job, homeowners: FIND OUT THE AVERAGE APPRECIATION OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS IN SACRAMENTO.

Answers next week! They might just surprise you... and help you make retirement plans.

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??!?”

How to Find your Dream Home

This is it, friends! The market is finally here! Time to go looking for your dream home. But wait! If you're married or have a significant other in your life, or children, or - as is very common today - aging parents whom you are caring for, the decision to move gets complicated. Believe me, I've been there. In that case, on a quiet day, here are three most important questions to consider:

1. How long is your commute? This is the most important thing to consider, or at least one of the most important things. When people from the Bay Area moved to Sacramento during the great real estate rush a few years ago, not too many stopped to think about how far they would have to commute. Sure, on a Tuesday afternoon, it's great to travel to Sacramento but you must consider if and when you can work out of your home office, when you will be traveling and whether it is feasible, day in and day out, if your work would demand it. Remember that you will need your job to pay your mortgage!

2. How friendly is the area to the children / parents in your home? If there are children, you might want to search out the best schools and neighbors with children. If there are older people, you might want to consider disability features and so on. Also, most realtors sell to the women of the home and we all know that. But women, please do keep in mind the husband's perspective too. After all, in a partnership, all partners have to be in agreement or the partnership falls apart and everything that is built on it does as well.

3. Do you like your neighbors? Does the general culture of the area agree with yours? Please be aware, I don't mean this literally. I don't mean that you should restrict yourself to a certain race or nationality. I mean, are the neighbors laid-back or fast paced? Is the area sleepy or noisy? How are the homes kept? Is there an understanding that honking is okay or not? Does the home have an HOA? Well, you get the idea. The best way to find this out is to just knock on the neighbors' doors and talk to them. Ask them about the area. And if you don't like the people you talk to with regularity, no matter how nice the home is, get the hell out! On the other hand, you might find a bargain in a neighborhood with a fixer if the neighbors maintain their homes!

Now get out and buy, buy, buy! Have fun!