"Where is Sacramento Real Estate Gal??!"

I've been receiving that question in my comments for a while and so as not to disappoint, I will tell you. Firstly, I've been getting ready for Christmas. My little one's first Christmas! We have traditions to create! Secondly, I've been studying for my broker's license. Between the two, this blog is getting ignored.

Head on over to the Elite Properties' company blog Sacramento-Home in the interim for the latest columns from me. There's a lot there to be read, including real estate local statistics and lots of home buyer and home seller tips, written by yours truly.

Just don't forget to bookmark this page as well and come back. When the Christmas lull is over, I'll be writing. And you don't want to miss out on all that real estate news, do you?

Sacramento Rental Inspections Update

I promised to do a follow up in the rental inspections underway at my rental within the Sacramento city limits. And I might have to eat my words. It seems like the city might just be getting a handle on things. The last time I called, I didn't have to leave a message. I spoke with a real person who said she would dig up the file and mail it to me. Later, she called me back to let me know she had found the file of code violations and mailed them. I was impressed.

The inspector did however arrive three hours before he was scheduled, but even the pickiest of picky guys found nothing to complain about. My rental passed.

But be forewarned. These home inspectors are not as lenient as the ones you get when you buy a home. For whatever reason the city has decided to be very, very strict. Now, I can only hope that all landlords - especially the ones everyone on the block knows to be bad managers - get their just deserts.

Real Estate Article Worth Reading

Yes, it's time to post real estate statistics. No, you didn't miss the post about them. I've been so busy trying to get back into the routine after the Thanksgiving holiday in which I discovered why California real estate is so expensive and studying to be a real estate broker instead of just a salesperson that I have had no time to think, much less pull statistics from the MLS.

They will be up soon, I promise, but for now, whet your appetite with this story about how the drop in pending home sales isn't as bad as expected.

Sacramento Real Estate Gal soon to be Broker!

If you've been wondering where I have been lately (definitely not on the blog as often as I would like!) it's that I've been studying for the real estate broker exam.

After having been in the real estate business for five years and selling homes in the Greater Sacramento area, I think getting a broker's license is a step in the right direction. It brings more value to what I do and write about.

So bear with me. Oh what am I thinking? Everyone's out holiday shopping anyway!

Real Estate Tips in 120 Seconds Flat!

I've always been a fan of brevity. (You there, stop falling off your chair laughing!) Okay, so I tend to ramble on when I'm with friends, but when it comes to a public broadcast - real estate or otherwise - I always marvel at people who can make their point clearly and in a concise manner and move on.

That's why I was so thrilled to be on an HD radio show (with a very limited audience for now) yesterday afternoon with my friend who invited me to talk about real estate. We dealt with just three questions, perhaps the most common questions anyone can think about:
1. What's the real estate market doing?
2. What are your tips for home buyers?
3. What are your tips for home sellers?

The entire conversation took about 2 minutes of airtime. She had told me that was all I had, so that was that! These were the answers, paraphrased:
1. The market is great for home buyers. So it really depends on which side of the real estate spectrum you are on.
2. Home buyers should know the area they are buying in and research the home, the market, the loan. Listen to your Realtor. Get a CMA.
3. Home sellers should price the home right the first time. Remember you are competing against REOs and short sales. Listen to your Realtor. Get a CMA. Right price is paramount.

I thought it went pretty well. Really, when it comes down to real estate sound bites, what else do you need to know?

Some (Real) Revelations

It's no secret now that I have been away for the last few days. I will continue the rest of this Thanksgiving "vacation" at home while I catch up on everything I missed while I was away, but I must say sometimes one needs to leave home to realize how much one takes it for granted.

On this last Thanksgiving family vacation, my husband and I drove to Washington to see my in-laws with the baby in the back of the car. The drive was beautiful. I-5 took us right through Oregon and then into Washington. 15 hours to get there and 12 hours to get back.

But I missed California almost immediately. It's almost like the clouds, gloom and fog hangs around at the border of Oregon. And almost immediately, we were enveloped by clouds and didn't see the sun for four days. Not until we crossed back into California anyway. And we felt like vampires then, cringing against the sunshine.

All in all, it was a good trip. The baby behaved, the family was thrilled, and I realized why California is among the most expensive real estate in the country. You can't beat sunshine. Or force it, apparently.