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Glitches
2008-06-02 19:16:00 Just a quick word to let you know that our ADSL (and phone!) line is down and I’m unable to blog right now. Hopefully it will get fixed before we leave for the States on Saturday! Otherwise I’ll see if I can get to an internet cafe… My week looks as if it’s going to ...
By: fertilehealthy
Sacramento Ranked 12th in Clean Air
2008-06-01 14:40:00 Sacramento might not be the best place for allergies, but a recent press release by Sacramento county claims that Sacramento ranks 12th for the least amount of carbon emissions per person nationwide!Read the press release here.
Sacramento's I-5 Project Begins Tonight
2008-05-31 04:17:00 If you travel to downtown Sacramento or will be using I-5 on a regular basis, go here for details on the repairs and to plan your commute.
Just a few things?
2008-05-30 13:50:00 I saw this video a couple of months ago and have been looking for it ever since. This is important information! A while ago I showed you the trailer for the movie “Food Matters”. The full 80 minute movie has now been released on DVD for $29.95 and can also be viewed online for $4.95. I ...
By: fertilehealthy
Sacramento Real Estate Gal Shakeup and the Truth about Cats and Dogs
2008-05-29 17:17:00 In spite of the fact that we're having a baby, my husband and I decided to get another cat. Actually, I decided it - he just thought it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Since moving from Sacramento to Pollock Pines, the number of cats we have has gone down from three to one. So, we get Fuggles. We also have a dog. But besides the fact that they are cat and dog, there is one major difference between these two and that is this: for entertainment, Fuggles will irritate and aggravate things, people and animals around her. The carpet, the dog, the other cat, even us. The dog will just look morose and hope to be noticed. But where am I going with this? Don't worry - I haven't finally just lost it.I'm finally beginning to understand the beauty of Fuggles' world. When you feel like you're stuck in a rut, you just have to shake things up - even if it means aggravating everyone around you. Thankfully, the changes coming to Sacramento Real Estate Gal shouldn't be too aggravating - but I am...
Memorial Day Video
2008-05-26 15:39:00 Please take a minute or two today to think about and thank the real heroes.
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 from Iowa
2008-05-23 16:15:00 I got another postcard from Erin! Looks like a beautiful city! Thanks Erin!
By: fertilehealthy
It?s not pretty!
2008-05-16 11:35:00 This is the painting that has recently fetched the highest price for any painting by a living painter. Benefits Supervisor Sleeping by Lucien Freud sold for $33.6 million at Christie’s in New York. Now, I don’t know much about art and I don’t have that kind of money, but I would NEVER pay money for ...
By: fertilehealthy
You asked? (Part 5)
2008-05-15 16:15:00 Today I’m answering Emil’s question. What is my favorite book of all time? Sounds reasonably simple. My favorite book is XYZ. The End. But of course I’m going to make it more complicated and share a few of my favorite books and authors. Books have always been a big part of my life. Both ...
By: fertilehealthy
Another postcard
2008-05-13 14:49:00 DaDivaStreet’s fifth and final postcard arrived in my mailbox today. Why it didn’t arrive with the other four, we’ll never know*. She’s done a great job of “selling” New York City to me! The message reads: The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success. Thanks DaDiva! I hope you’ll ...
By: fertilehealthy
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...
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...
You asked? (Part 3)
2008-05-12 16:09:00 Nicole wanted to know more about South Africa. This is such a broad subject and since I have written about the negatives, such as crime, corruption and bad government, here and here before, I’m going to try and keep this positive and informative. South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa. At 471 000 ...
By: fertilehealthy
You asked? (Part 2)
2008-05-11 13:43:00 The Nanny Diaries I was once a nanny. Although, since this crime against humanity took place in France, we’ll use the term au pair. But let me assure you that wiping up vomit is the same in any language. At the tender age of 20, having just come out of my first “grown-up” relationship with ...
By: fertilehealthy
Sacramento #42 for Allergies
2008-05-10 15:19:00 If you think you're imagining it, you're not. Sacramento was recently ranked at Forbes.com as the #42 worst city for allergies. And if you're new to this city and thinking, I don't know what the fuss is about, wait a year or three. It will get to you! I thought everyone around me was insane too when I moved to Sacramento from Bombay almost eight years ago. Now I know better.
Sacramento #42 for Allergies
2008-05-10 15:19:00 If you think you're imagining it, you're not. Sacramento was recently ranked at Forbes.com as the #42 worst city for allergies. And if you're new to this city and thinking, I don't know what the fuss is about, wait a year or three. It will get to you! I thought everyone around me was insane too when I moved to Sacramento from Bombay almost eight years ago. Now I know better.
Where is Sacramento Real Estate Gal?
2008-05-09 18:23:00 If you've been wondering at the lack of posts lately, both here and at Sacramento-home, it's because I've been on a week-long vacation. The real estate business always promises to pick up around Memorial Day, so I thought now was just the perfect time to take a break. Yes, I'm still on vacation (technically) but still writing. How's that for dedication? So what am I doing? I went to Fresno for about three days to see some friends of mine that I will probably not see for a while, what with baby coming and all. And tomorrow, we're having a baby party. For someone so tiny (she's apparently 2 pounds by now) she sure is commanding a lot of attention, stuff... and real estate in the house!
Where is Sacramento Real Estate Gal?
2008-05-09 18:23:00 If you've been wondering at the lack of posts lately, both here and at Sacramento-home, it's because I've been on a week-long vacation. The real estate business always promises to pick up around Memorial Day, so I thought now was just the perfect time to take a break. Yes, I'm still on vacation (technically) but still writing. How's that for dedication? So what am I doing? I went to Fresno for about three days to see some friends of mine that I will probably not see for a while, what with baby coming and all. And tomorrow, we're having a baby party. For someone so tiny (she's apparently 2 pounds by now) she sure is commanding a lot of attention, stuff... and real estate in the house!
How Hard is it to Sell... Really?
2008-05-02 02:18:00 I've always maintained with my real estate clients that they should be more interested in buying a property than me in selling it to them. If at any moment I notice that I am doing anything more than facilitating a transaction, I wonder about their motivation, and eventually, their passion for actually getting the home they claim to want.Why the question? Because I went to get my snow tires replaced with regular summer tires today and I got a lesson in sales. Amazing the places you learn things!So here's what happened - I went over to Walmart Tire Service thinking I'd get it done cheaper than Big O. After waiting for about ten minutes while the staff bickered amongst themselves (well, you get what you pay for, so I thought, oh well...) a lady comes out from behind the counter to ask how she can help. "I'd like to get my snow tires replaced with my summer tires." After that, she proceeds to take down my phone number and name and then says, "I need to see what tires you have."When...
How Hard is it to Sell... Really?
2008-05-02 02:18:00 I've always maintained with my real estate clients that they should be more interested in buying a property than me in selling it to them. If at any moment I notice that I am doing anything more than facilitating a transaction, I wonder about their motivation, and eventually, their passion for actually getting the home they claim to want.Why the question? Because I went to get my snow tires replaced with regular summer tires today and I got a lesson in sales. Amazing the places you learn things!So here's what happened - I went over to Walmart Tire Service thinking I'd get it done cheaper than Big O. After waiting for about ten minutes while the staff bickered amongst themselves (well, you get what you pay for, so I thought, oh well...) a lady comes out from behind the counter to ask how she can help. "I'd like to get my snow tires replaced with my summer tires." After that, she proceeds to take down my phone number and name and then says, "I need to see what tires you have."When...
How Optimistic am I about Real Estate?
2008-04-05 19:04:00 As optimistic as ever. And perhaps will be more so when this market recovers, because then I will have been there, done it (or seen it).I was talking to a potential real estate investor yesterday. One thing that always strikes me about people that have been investing in real estate for a while (a while = more than a decade) is that they seem very calm about what's going on in the market. They see prices falling and REOs and they realize it is only part of a cycle. What's more, they all insist it has been much, much worse.I yearn to have that knowledge first-hand. I am as invested in this market as ever. True, when we bought our rentals, we probably did not time the purchase perfectly. But we haven't panicked and sold them either. There is a method to this madness and it is this: TIME. What is debt today is equity tomorrow. And the houses are rented, so why sell anyway? What difference does short term fluctuation make except to my net worth and that too for a short while?Real esta...
A Sick Realtor is Better than None?
2008-04-01 18:58:00 No, it isn't a case of the market blues - I have really fallen ill this week. Woke up on Monday after a hectic weekend and a hectic last week of showing homes in Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova and I seem to have caught my husband's cold. It the kind that drains you of energy and won't let you stand upright for longer than ten minutes... you know the kind.So bear with me while I recover. And in the meanwhile, if you're searching for some great investments, you might want to search online for Elk Grove. I noticed some fantastic homes there - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths for right around $200,000 - some of them right in Laguna West!
Did you know?
2008-03-27 19:52:00 Did you know… Romania considers banning Genetically Modified corn.
Sacramento Real Estate Gal Is One Year Old!
2008-03-22 15:11:00 The blog not the person (of course!) Yay!
Change of Address
2008-03-09 22:31:00 This blog has packed its bags and moved to its own home! You can find me at www.fertilehealthy.com/blog. See you there! We’re having a housewarming and the juice is on me! Kindly change your feed information and your blogroll. And will the last person to leave please switch off the lights and leave the key under the mat! ...
By: fertilehealthy
Weekend Roundup
2008-03-08 12:39:00 What a week! I am happy to report that I’m finally over my flu! It was quite rough, and I’m glad that I took it easy and allowed my immune system to fight the good fight. I am incredibly busy at the moment, and haven’t managed to reduce the amount of posts in my Google Reader to under 30 in ...
By: fertilehealthy
Real Estate's Unexpected Fortunes: A Perspective
2008-02-26 20:59:00 It occurred to me this morning in the middle of a phone conversation that I may have changed. (Insert scary dramatic music here.) In a good way. I realized that selling real estate - and certainly buying it as well, may have contributed in a more positive way to my life than I ever thought possible. And before you write me off as another pollyanna, read for yourself and see if it isn't true for you as well, especially if you are a fellow Realtor or investor.Selling real estate forced me to become more social - earlier article about not doing well in an office not withstanding. I was one of those perpetual student types - you know the kinds that don't really ever quit school because they don't know what to do next. I had a long and happy road to a Masters Degree in Writing but wasn't really the best communicator outside of writing well and getting a few stories published in various magazines and anthologies. In my first few weeks of selling real estate though I was out around my ...
Weekend Roundup
2008-02-23 15:01:00 It’s once again time for me to answer all your questions, comment on your comments and share anything I forgot to mention during the week. So, grab a bottle of water (or a cup of coffee if you must!) and settle in, because this goes on and on and on and on! I am so blessed every ...
By: fertilehealthy
"Doesn't Play Well with Others"
2008-02-22 20:02:00 The other day I received a call from a tele-marketer hoping to sell me real estate advertising on Google. Well, nothing came of that, but our initial interaction was interesting. He asked me if I had made it into the office yet. And I said, of course - my office is at my home. So essentially I'm here all the time - unless I'm out showing houses to prospective buyers.Now I didn't always used to work from the house. Initially, when I worked at _______ (insert name of big brokerage) I used to go into the office every day at 9 a.m. and leave at 4 p.m. Interestingly enough, I sell more real estate when I work from home than when I go into the office. Now I understand everyone has different opinions about how they motivate themselves to work and for them it helps to have people around that, for the most part, look busy. What bothered me about an office environment - let me correct that - what bothers me to this day about every office environment I've ever been in, is that very little ...
Reads and Feeds
2008-02-22 00:09:00 A few great articles came up on my radar in the past few weeks, so of course I want to share them! Enjoy!This one has got to be my favorite by far. Someday, I will learn to great and brief and say so much by saying so little, just like Seth Godin.Bankrate.com came up with this one today - one of the more balanced articles I've seem about the truth of the real estate market and if you should worry.And finally, you may have more in common with Fred Flintstone than you think!
It's Tax Time!
2008-02-20 03:43:00 I actually like this time of year. We're one of those couples that get a refund (the rental homes and our own home help immensely!) every year - I know, I know, most financial advisors would say that is a way to give the IRS an interest-free loan for a whole year. But I feel like I'm more motivated around tax time if I have a refund coming... and no matter how crazy the year has been financially, we can look forward to a little relief at tax time.That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Does Median Income Have Anything to do with Median Home Values?
2008-02-16 00:54:00 Okay, I'm really sick and tired of this argument. You know how it goes: "Median income has not kept up with median home values in Sacramento, this home prices must fall until everyone in Sacramento can afford to pay a third of their monthly budget toward their mortgage." It's a seemingly innocent calculation and very easy to remember; so simple in fact that it gets quoted again and again and unfortunately believed.Here is a list of areas where median incomes do not - by a long shot - keep pace with median home values. Interesting, huh?Here are a few reasons that calculation, pat and easy as it is to parrot, does not work:1. Not everyone can afford a home. Some people rent. Sometimes all their lives.2. Some people buy more than one house and rent it to others. They are called real estate investors and landlords.On an individual level (and for budgeting and loan purposes) it helps to use the 30% rule. But as a large group and especially when relating to medians, that formula falls a...
Happy Valentine's Day!
2008-02-14 18:56:00 If you're wondering what I'm doing today it's getting a special dinner prepared for James. I'm going to be adventurous and try to make ravioli (his favorite) from scratch. In return, I've been promised red roses :) Unless the ravioli looks like a perfect disaster (or maybe if it does!) I'll have pictures later today!
Love is all around
2008-02-14 08:15:00 Valentine’s Day! Another sweet idea that’s been raped by commerce and now serves to rob you of your hard-earned cash and make your life love seem inadequate. Because let’s face it, real life romance is not like the movies! Our husbands and boyfriends are generally inarticulate and shy. They wouldn’t know Romance if it rose ...
By: fertilehealthy
Oh, the joys!
2008-02-12 12:37:00 We all know that, as fat people, we can sometimes find ourselves in rather embarrassing situations. Remember the couch episode at the hairdressers a few weeks ago? I had another ”situation”- today when I came out the gym, ironically feeling quite thin, if not exactly svelte. Then I got to my car and saw that some idiot had parked ...
By: fertilehealthy
Real Estate Customer Service Lessons - from a Propane Company
2008-02-09 21:10:00 After living in Pollock Pines for more than six months now and learning we really don't like cooking on an electric cook top, we made the momentous decision to switch to propane. So I called the closest propane company. Our conversation, after the initial phone call (which was all about how "free" their service and extras were) went something like this:"I called the other day and I was told that we would probably get a 250 gallon tank installed and that would last us probably 4 - 6 weeks for just a cook stove and maybe a water heater. Doesn't that seem like a lot?""Well, you said it was your only source of heat!""No, I said we were only going to use it for cooking."(With exasperation and tone) "Then it could last you two months - maybe four. Depends on how much you use it.""Okay, and you will get it installed?""YOU must talk to the county first.""The county said you would pull the permits.""No. We install it. We don't dig trenches for it. But it's free - with a two year service ...
Weekend Round-up
2008-02-02 15:10:00 Daniele said she liked the way I itemized things in my Juicy News post, which will of course be a daily feature. Immediately the accountant in me woke up with a resounding cheer and I did a spreadsheet decided that I would like to do a best-of/worst-of the week post every Saturday. This is also ...
By: fertilehealthy
Time for Plan B?
2008-01-31 14:29:00 For a lot of people on the Healthy You Challenge the cracks are starting to appear. They were so gung-ho in the beginning, they tried their best and despite a few cheats here and there, the scale appeared to be their best friend. Sure it was hard, but the rewards were visible on the graphs, ...
By: fertilehealthy
The truth revealed
2008-01-26 12:47:00 We have a winner! Lidian guessed correctly! I most certainly did not have a pet snake in high school. I have an extreme and irrational fear of snakes. In fact, if I turn a page and see a snake picture, I will hurl the book across the room and not touch it again. I always joke ...
By: fertilehealthy
Would I lie to you?
2008-01-25 14:17:00 Today I’m going to lie to you! And I want you to expose the lie! The lovely Dee at Life Should Be Stereo Each Day did this fun meme and being the copycat that I am, I just had to do it too! The rules are: - Link to the person who tagged you. Done. - Post the ...
By: fertilehealthy
Just rambling
2008-01-23 17:22:00 The first thing I saw when I opened my computer this morning was that Heath Ledger had died. Why, for heaven?s sake? I?m very sad. He had my hormones applauding in both A Knight?s Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You. The second thing I saw was a post by Jenny (101 Reasons I Hate ...
By: fertilehealthy
Friday Fun
2008-01-18 20:33:00 Three reasons for this post:1. I'm feeling completely uninspired,2. I have buyers coming in all weekend to look at houses from all over California,3. I've been reading a bunch of other blogs - which, of course, leaves me with no thoughts of my own.(4. Oh wait, I think that fourth one was supposed to be that I will be reading books to review today. Oh well.)Here are a few interesting things to brighten your weekend:Since taxes are on everyone's mind now, here's a good post about when not to fear the taxmanI doubt I'd ever spend money to buy any of these, except for maybe the cookie cup, but they are cute and remarkable in a purple cow sort of way. And lastly, the reason why I'm not never perfect.
Snippets
2008-01-17 10:04:00 Thank you to everyone who’s come to visit me in my new home. I love it here!Thanks Susie for the welcome mat! I am pleased to see so many new members of the Healthy You Challenge dropping by. The Challenge is really living up to expectations and I’m constantly inspired by the insights, experiences and many ...
By: fertilehealthy
Where is Casey Serin?
2008-01-17 03:09:00 So where is our very own Sacramento flipper Casey Serin lately? And why the interest in him anyway? I must admit, I must have commented on his blog a while ago and have been added to his list of contacts. So every time he does something - like get media attention - I get an email from him.He's on the Dr. Phil show tonight at 7:00p.m. about "get rich quick" schemes. I'll be watching!
Moving in!
2008-01-16 22:00:00 Welcome to my new home! I’m already settled in. The shelves are lined with clean paper and all the things I chose to bring with me are packed in their proper place. I only brought one post with me… The rest are still available for viewing at the old address (there’s a link in the sidebar too) ...
By: fertilehealthy
Sacramento Real Estate is Great...
2008-01-07 20:12:00 ... but living in Pollock Pines is something else. While most of the Sacramento region was getting flooded with rain, up here at 4000 feet and just about 45 minutes away, we got about 12 inches of snow. This is the half melted picture I took of our deck railing outside our front door:And if you've been wondering where I've disappeared, without sounding whiny, let me tell you that we had a power outage that began Friday morning and ended just last night. Thank God for generators and husbands that know how to wire them!!! Because icicles just can't write blogs. Or sell real estate for that matter!
Sacramento Real Estate Gal enters 21st Century!
2008-01-04 00:31:00 Okay, here's a little nerd talk. Probably will make John Lockwood very happy. (Or not, depending on whether he thinks I'm spending less time on Sacramento-Home by doing this!)I was one of the lucky few to be gifted an iPod this Christmas and besides the very addictive Vortex game, I think there are a few things the little silver metallic friend is going to do for me.Like help me learn more about investing in real estate.Learning never goes out of style. The best aspect of learning about real estate is that it's both fun and rewarding. But I digress. Has anyone noticed all the podcasts out there about not just real estate, but investing in general? You have? Smart! But if you haven't, a few minutes spent browsing iTunes and downloading a few podcasts can teach you quite a bit. Then, if you get addicted, download a few audio books! I think my iPod just paid for itself!
Happy New Year!
2008-01-02 20:25:00 If there's one thing everyone has been saying lately, it's how horrible 2007 was for a lot of people. I agree. Besides the real estate market being pretty crazy, I had a big personal loss which takes longer to get over. My mother passed away at age 65. However, it is losses that remind us of how good we really have it sometimes. So my resolution for 2008 includes being grateful and remembering to breathe! If your resolution includes buying a new home this year, I can't compliment you enough for choosing the right time. Be sure to call 916-712-4255 to get an informed idea of buying the right home.
What Realtors do in their Time Off...
2007-12-17 18:51:00 It isn't really time off, but today's been snowy so far and the holidays have forced me to slow down, mainly because no matter how fast my clients and I have been in getting paperwork to the mortgage company, they're taking their own sweet time sending docs out.So we have to wait. And be patient. I was never good at that.And this is what I'm doing in my free time:1. Still writing "Landlord Landmines" - an e-book on advice for landlords (not limited to Sacramento or California),2. Working off and on on the website for Landlord Landmines,3. Writing some 312 questions for Sacramento Home.4. Waiting, waiting, waiting..... still waiting for docs! |
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