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Blog Details for "Sacramento Real Estate Gal"
Sacramento Real Estate GalSacramento Real Estate GalA blog about Sacramento Real Estate, Market Updates, Investment Advice and Real Estate Trivia. Articles
Memorial Day Video
2008-05-26 15:39:00 Please take a minute or two today to think about and thank the real heroes. More About: Video , By the Way , Memorial Day , Memorial
Memorial Day Video
2008-05-26 15:39:00 Please take a minute or two today to think about and thank the real heroes. More About: Video , By the Way , Memorial Day , Memorial
House for Rent!!!
2008-05-26 02:04:00 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath home available in two weeks. This is my personal property. Rent is $1000 per month with $1200 deposit. Section 8 okay! To see the address and other details, please go here or call me at 916-712-4255. More About: House , For Rent , Rentals
House for Rent!!!
2008-05-26 02:04:00 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath home available in two weeks. This is my personal property. Rent is $1000 per month with $1200 deposit. Section 8 okay! To see the address and other details, please go here or call me at 916-712-4255. More About: House , For Rent , Rentals
Will HUD Please Make up its Mind?
2008-05-26 01:00:00 As part of my recent attempt to get over my fear of learning new things and trying to rent one of my rentals as a section 8 rental, I have been on the phone with HUD and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency about three times now. Here's the interesting thing: every time I have heard a different story. The first time, I was told I had to do nothing. Just register your rental and wait for an SHRA agent to call you for a "briefing." Second time, no agent was to call me, but I would receive a "briefing packet in the mail." Today, when I called (the last time so far) I was told there was no briefing packet... "and why would an agent call you?" Instead I have to attend a Landlord Orientation. Everyone I had asked about renting out my house as a Section 8 rental had said, there's nothing to it! I'm not giving up yet. Maybe there's more work on the front end and lesser later. At least, I hope so. More About: Make Up , Mind , Rentals , Make , Make-up
Will HUD Please Make up its Mind?
2008-05-26 01:00:00 As part of my recent attempt to get over my fear of learning new things and trying to rent one of my rentals as a section 8 rental, I have been on the phone with HUD and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency about three times now. Here's the interesting thing: every time I have heard a different story. The first time, I was told I had to do nothing. Just register your rental and wait for an SHRA agent to call you for a "briefing." Second time, no agent was to call me, but I would receive a "briefing packet in the mail." Today, when I called (the last time so far) I was told there was no briefing packet... "and why would an agent call you?" Instead I have to attend a Landlord Orientation. Everyone I had asked about renting out my house as a Section 8 rental had said, there's nothing to it! I'm not giving up yet. Maybe there's more work on the front end and lesser later. At least, I hope so. More About: Make Up , Mind , Rentals , Make , Make-up
Another Reason to Buy Real Estate in Sacramento
2008-05-24 15:04:00 Just the other day, I spoke to a client who is getting married this weekend and will be buying a home to start their lives together in our very own Sacramento. If you're raising a family here in Sacramento, you're in good company. Best Life editors just ranked Sacramento the 29th best city to raise a child.Read all about it here. The results were based on the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Education Statistics, FBI, American Association of Museums, National Center for Health Statistics, and the American Bar Association. More About: Estate , Real Estate , Neighborhoods , Reason , Real
Another Reason to Buy Real Estate in Sacramento
2008-05-24 15:04:00 Just the other day, I spoke to a client who is getting married this weekend and will be buying a home to start their lives together in our very own Sacramento. If you're raising a family here in Sacramento, you're in good company. Best Life editors just ranked Sacramento the 29th best city to raise a child.Read all about it here. The results were based on the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Education Statistics, FBI, American Association of Museums, National Center for Health Statistics, and the American Bar Association. More About: Estate , Real Estate , Neighborhoods , Reason , Real
Another Great Short Sale Article
2008-05-23 16:47:00 Maybe the reality of short sales - neither short nor sales - John's by now famous quote is finally beginning to sink in. Most traffic to this blog comes from Google search and here are some of the search terms people are using: "Buyer's rights short sales;" "Short Sale Addendum;" "Short Sale Buyers" and so on. I think this points to a definite uncertainty in the market relating to short sales. Buyers don't know what to do or expect when faced with a short sale. Sure, the price seems interesting in the beginning, even enticing. And they think they have the patience to wait it out.Here's another excellent article which points out why they are better off staying away. More About: Article , Great
Another Great Short Sale Article
2008-05-23 16:47:00 Maybe the reality of short sales - neither short nor sales - John's by now famous quote is finally beginning to sink in. Most traffic to this blog comes from Google search and here are some of the search terms people are using: "Buyer's rights short sales;" "Short Sale Addendum;" "Short Sale Buyers" and so on. I think this points to a definite uncertainty in the market relating to short sales. Buyers don't know what to do or expect when faced with a short sale. Sure, the price seems interesting in the beginning, even enticing. And they think they have the patience to wait it out.Here's another excellent article which points out why they are better off staying away. More About: Article , Great
Foreclosure Filings Up... and Why this Might be a Good Thing
2008-05-22 14:42:00 Yahoo recently reported that foreclosure filings are up 65% from last year's numbers in April nationwide. The last time we had such record numbers of foreclosures was in August 2007. While I am not thrilled about the individual effect this has on the families involved, I am glad that this is happening on an overall market scale and especially for Sacramento.Really, you say. But aren't foreclosures bad for prices? Yes. And yes. But foreclosures are bad for prices in the short term. Foreclosure s however are not bad for sales. The real problem in the Sacramento market as I see it? Short sales. Not convinced? Okay, onto the reading material!Here's an excellent article on Sacramento-home by John Lockwood that talks about how short sales are neither short nor sales. Elsewhere, he mentions that any given time 5% of all short sales on the market actually close escrow. I have also written before about how life would be a lot easier if banks just foreclosed on these defaulted properties. I... More About: Good , Thing
Foreclosure Filings Up... and Why this Might be a Good Thing
2008-05-22 14:42:00 Yahoo recently reported that foreclosure filings are up 65% from last year's numbers in April nationwide. The last time we had such record numbers of foreclosures was in August 2007. While I am not thrilled about the individual effect this has on the families involved, I am glad that this is happening on an overall market scale and especially for Sacramento.Really, you say. But aren't foreclosures bad for prices? Yes. And yes. But foreclosures are bad for prices in the short term. Foreclosure s however are not bad for sales. The real problem in the Sacramento market as I see it? Short sales. Not convinced? Okay, onto the reading material!Here's an excellent article on Sacramento-home by John Lockwood that talks about how short sales are neither short nor sales. Elsewhere, he mentions that any given time 5% of all short sales on the market actually close escrow. I have also written before about how life would be a lot easier if banks just foreclosed on these defaulted properties. I... More About: Good , Thing
Learning about Section 8
2008-05-21 15:34:00 Now that my rental house is available again, I've decided to put my fear of learning something new aside and try to put a Section 8 tenant in it. Apparently, Section 8 is the old term - the program is now called Housing Choice Vouncher Program. With this program, from what I've heard so far, you register at Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency as a landlord with an available residence for rent to a tenant on public assistance. Then the agency calls you a few weeks later for a briefing and you're free to take on a Section 8 tenant who brings you a voucher. From then on, HUD pays you the rent, the tenant pays the deposit. You are still however responsible for screening the tenants and it is a good idea to do so especially because they will be in possession of your house. I hear there is a minimum lease requirement of one year, but I guess I'll find out all the details at the briefing. If you are a landlord of a house in a low income neighborhood, this might be the way to g... More About: Learning
Learning about Section 8
2008-05-21 15:34:00 Now that my rental house is available again, I've decided to put my fear of learning something new aside and try to put a Section 8 tenant in it. Apparently, Section 8 is the old term - the program is now called Housing Choice Vouncher Program. With this program, from what I've heard so far, you register at Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency as a landlord with an available residence for rent to a tenant on public assistance. Then the agency calls you a few weeks later for a briefing and you're free to take on a Section 8 tenant who brings you a voucher. From then on, HUD pays you the rent, the tenant pays the deposit. You are still however responsible for screening the tenants and it is a good idea to do so especially because they will be in possession of your house. I hear there is a minimum lease requirement of one year, but I guess I'll find out all the details at the briefing. If you are a landlord of a house in a low income neighborhood, this might be the way to g... More About: Learning
Inspiration for Real Estate Investors
2008-05-19 10:32:00 I came across this wonderful article while reading MSN Money. It's definitely worth a read for those of us who are invested in the market and wondering when it's going to turn around.Although it relates to stocks, I think it is still an inspiring and uplifting read. Remember: have a plan and follow it doggedly. More About: Estate , Real Estate , Inspiration , Real , Investors
Inspiration for Real Estate Investors
2008-05-19 10:32:00 I came across this wonderful article while reading MSN Money. It's definitely worth a read for those of us who are invested in the market and wondering when it's going to turn around.Although it relates to stocks, I think it is still an inspiring and uplifting read. Remember: have a plan and follow it doggedly. More About: Estate , Real Estate , Inspiration , Real , Investors
Sacramento County Condo Update
2008-05-17 16:05:00 Sacramento condos for now anyway seem to be stabilizing in terms of price. For the last update, we had settled at a median selling price of $138,500. In April, the median price fell another 2.5% to reach $135,000. 100 condos sold in the month of April, an improvement over the 90 that sold in March. Pending sales are at 121 for the month of April.There are a total of 640 condos for sale in Sacramento county, including 151 new listings which came on the market in April. This brings Sacramento county's condo inventory to 6.4 months. More About: Condo , Update , Sacramento , County , Sacramento County
Sacramento County Condo Update
2008-05-17 16:05:00 Sacramento condos for now anyway seem to be stabilizing in terms of price. For the last update, we had settled at a median selling price of $138,500. In April, the median price fell another 2.5% to reach $135,000. 100 condos sold in the month of April, an improvement over the 90 that sold in March. Pending sales are at 121 for the month of April.There are a total of 640 condos for sale in Sacramento county, including 151 new listings which came on the market in April. This brings Sacramento county's condo inventory to 6.4 months. More About: Condo , Update , Sacramento , County , Sacramento County
Market Statistics for Single Family Residences - April
2008-05-16 15:04:00 Wow... time really got away from me, didn't it? I completely forgot about the beginning of the month statistics for April . Well, better late than never. Here they are!Median price has fallen again over last month to $235,000 from $254,000 - a drop of 7.48% However, sales increased by 42.64% over last month. 1429 homes closed sales in April as compared to 1006 in March of this year.That brings inventory down even further to 5.8 months from March's 8.5 months.1882 homes went into escrow in April. Follow the market: March's numbers; February's numbers; January's numbers. More About: Family , Market , Statistics , Single
Market Statistics for Single Family Residences - April
2008-05-16 15:04:00 Wow... time really got away from me, didn't it? I completely forgot about the beginning of the month statistics for April . Well, better late than never. Here they are!Median price has fallen again over last month to $235,000 from $254,000 - a drop of 7.48% However, sales increased by 42.64% over last month. 1429 homes closed sales in April as compared to 1006 in March of this year.That brings inventory down even further to 5.8 months from March's 8.5 months.1882 homes went into escrow in April. Follow the market: March's numbers; February's numbers; January's numbers. More About: Family , Market , Statistics , Single
Changes to Comments
2008-05-15 14:54:00 Some changes are occurring at Sacramento Real Estate Gal! If you've noticed I am no longer allowing anonymous comments to this blog. I have also added a security feature which requires you to copy a word to be able to post a comment - this is all in an attempt to step up security on this blog and my professionalism in general.Enjoy! More About: Blogging , Comments
Changes to Comments
2008-05-15 14:54:00 Some changes are occurring at Sacramento Real Estate Gal! If you've noticed I am no longer allowing anonymous comments to this blog. I have also added a security feature which requires you to copy a word to be able to post a comment - this is all in an attempt to step up security on this blog and my professionalism in general.Enjoy! More About: Blogging , Comments
Greenspan Calls Housing Bottom
2008-05-14 21:52:00 Alan Greenspan , former head of the Federal Reserve, has predicted that housing will hit bottom at the beginning of 2009 when the market absorbs the excess inventory. He is, of course, talking about housing prices nationally.Sacramento might already have hit bottom. Anecdotally, I see a lot of pent up buyer demand for bank-owned homes. Once the excess inventory gets bought up, watch the prices rise! More About: Breaking News , Calls , Housing , Bottom
Greenspan Calls Housing Bottom
2008-05-14 21:52:00 Alan Greenspan , former head of the Federal Reserve, has predicted that housing will hit bottom at the beginning of 2009 when the market absorbs the excess inventory. He is, of course, talking about housing prices nationally.Sacramento might already have hit bottom. Anecdotally, I see a lot of pent up buyer demand for bank-owned homes. Once the excess inventory gets bought up, watch the prices rise! More About: Breaking News , Calls , Housing , Bottom
"So, what's going on with the real estate market?"
2008-05-14 15:22:00 "Dear Sacramento Estate Gal: What's going on with the real estate market? Thanks, Everyone You Know Who Isn't a Real tor."Well, you might as well ask. What's happening isn't great - if I have to liken it to having a baby - and I do liken everything to it lately - it's a little bit like the first trimester. It makes you feel nauseated and not quite all right, you have no sense of the baby moving at all, so you don't feel pregnant, but it's still fun to wait and watch. And then there's the worrisome AFP screening to get through, so you're praying everything will be all right in the end. But seriously, here's why a lot of business has dried up:- many buyers who want to buy can't - there are no zero down loans (for now)- many buyers who want to buy and can can't make up their minds about prices and how much to pay- too many buyers are interested in deep, deep discounts- move up buyers (those who want to sell and buy) are stuck competing with foreclosures- and lastly, those da... More About: Real Estate , Real Estate Market , Market
"So, what's going on with the real estate market?"
2008-05-14 15:22:00 "Dear Sacramento Estate Gal: What's going on with the real estate market? Thanks, Everyone You Know Who Isn't a Real tor."Well, you might as well ask. What's happening isn't great - if I have to liken it to having a baby - and I do liken everything to it lately - it's a little bit like the first trimester. It makes you feel nauseated and not quite all right, you have no sense of the baby moving at all, so you don't feel pregnant, but it's still fun to wait and watch. And then there's the worrisome AFP screening to get through, so you're praying everything will be all right in the end. But seriously, here's why a lot of business has dried up:- many buyers who want to buy can't - there are no zero down loans (for now)- many buyers who want to buy and can can't make up their minds about prices and how much to pay- too many buyers are interested in deep, deep discounts- move up buyers (those who want to sell and buy) are stuck competing with foreclosures- and lastly, those da... More About: Real Estate , Real Estate Market , Market
Upcoming Real Estate Book Reviews
2008-05-13 15:49:00 After reading and admiring much of "Retire Rich from Real Estate " and writing this review, I now have two other books I will be reviewing over the course of the next few weeks: "The House Flipping Answer Book " and "The Real Estate Investing Answer Book" both by Denise L. Evans.Feel free to browse through and read them before the reviews! More About: Reviews , Book Reviews
Upcoming Real Estate Book Reviews
2008-05-13 15:49:00 After reading and admiring much of "Retire Rich from Real Estate " and writing this review, I now have two other books I will be reviewing over the course of the next few weeks: "The House Flipping Answer Book " and "The Real Estate Investing Answer Book" both by Denise L. Evans.Feel free to browse through and read them before the reviews! More About: Reviews , Book Reviews
Real Estate Lessons from a Baby Shower
2008-05-12 19:57:00 Saturday was a whirlwind. And although I promised not to call it a baby shower (too many connotations) and wanted to go with the more non-traditional baby "party" it did turn out to be a wonderful and perfect day filled with some of my favorite people in the world. Sometimes you just have to sit back and count your blessings.But as a blogger, and as a real estate blogger nonetheless, you also have to see how you can draw inspiration and meaning from it for the investors and the home buyers. So here are three of my bigest real estate lessons from the baby party-shower-whatever-you-want-to-call-it :1. Invite people to share the joy, not to brag - I think too many people tend to gloat when they are successful. How many of us have heard about the investor who hit the good times with that one solid investment property and then bragged about it for the rest of his life? How different would it be if he just shared the joy of it with his closest friends and family? 2. You really can pick you... More About: Baby , Estate , Real Estate , By the Way , Real
Real Estate Lessons from a Baby Shower
More articles from this author:2008-05-12 19:57:00 Saturday was a whirlwind. And although I promised not to call it a baby shower (too many connotations) and wanted to go with the more non-traditional baby "party" it did turn out to be a wonderful and perfect day filled with some of my favorite people in the world. Sometimes you just have to sit back and count your blessings.But as a blogger, and as a real estate blogger nonetheless, you also have to see how you can draw inspiration and meaning from it for the investors and the home buyers. So here are three of my bigest real estate lessons from the baby party-shower-whatever-you-want-to-call-it :1. Invite people to share the joy, not to brag - I think too many people tend to gloat when they are successful. How many of us have heard about the investor who hit the good times with that one solid investment property and then bragged about it for the rest of his life? How different would it be if he just shared the joy of it with his closest friends and family? 2. You really can pick you... More About: Baby , Estate , Real Estate , By the Way , Real 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
