Springing forward...

I have some wonderful spring household tips to share, but first I have some very honorable mentions.
They come in the way of local businesses, I have had the opportunity to meet and do business with in the last couple of weeks.
1. Family Taekwondo Plus. Located at Sunrise/Antelope and can be found online at www.famtkdplus.com   They offer martial arts classes for Kids, Adults, Families, and a special KinderKicks program for ages 3-5. This is a program I highly recommend, and when you get the chance to meet the Awesome owners...you will see why.
Thank you Dominic for your time and energy...your contribution to our growing community is more valuable than ever !!

2. S&S Tires on Auburn Blvd... Thank you Moe for my new wheels and your great service !


Spring has sprung and it’s time for a little good old fashioned spring cleaning. So grab those dusters, plug-in those vacuums and put on those gloves—it’s time to get squeaky clean with this spring cleaning checklist!
Kitchen

Vacuum refrigerator grill and coil

Wipe down the inside of the refrigerator and freezer sections thoroughly

Living Room

Rotate heavy winter curtains, rugs and throws for lightweight ones

Wax wood furniture

Steam-clean upholstery

Bedrooms

Replace cold weather bedding with warm, lightweight weather bedding

Launder or dry-clean blankets

Closets

Reorganize closets and give away unwanted items

Replace cold weather clothing with warm weather clothing

Utility Spaces

Carefully remove lint from the hose attached to the back of the clothes dryer

Clean the attic and basement and give away or discard unwanted items

Outdoor Spaces

Scrub porch ceiling and walls

Scrub porch floors, decks, patios, the driveway and walkways

Scrub outdoor furniture, umbrellas and awnings

Wash light fixture covers

Clean guttersThroughout the House

Vacuum and wipe walls and ceilings

Shampoo wall-to-wall carpets and area rugs with backings

Send area rugs without backings out for professional cleaning

Dust radiators

Oil window and door hinges

Wash windows and window screens

Happy Cleaning !!

Top 10 Remodeling Projects w/ the biggest return...

I came across this blog in the National Assoc. of Realtors - Realtor Mag, and found the information to be rather useful, especially for those considering any sort of remodel. http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2013/02/18/top-10-remodeling-projects-that-offer-the-biggest-returns/?om_rid=AACfzx&om_mid=_BRI-zrB8w3kutg&om_ntype=BTNMonthly
Additionally included is the 2013 Cost vs. Value report.

Market Snapshot for February:

42 - Active Listings (Traiditional equity sales, and bank owned properties)
4   - Active "Short Sales"
92 - Pending sales
38 - Sold since the beginning of the month

I see a huge spike in Traditional sellers, taking this opportunity to sell their homes with equity and moving up. If you are in a position, and wish to sell your home - now is an excellent time, as there are so many buyers and so few homes to sell them.
Please call me, lets discuss the opportunities...

A sign housing recovery might stick...

Mortgage applications were higher again in January. If individual buyers dominate home sales as opposed to investors, we might see a more sustainable housing recovery.

FORTUNE -- Investors armed with cash have largely driven the recovery of the U.S. housing market to date, but a few signs suggest that trend may be easing up. For the past five months, applications for new mortgages have risen, suggesting that regular buyers may be starting to play a bigger role in the housing recovery.
A shift would be significant. The worry has been that once home prices rise to a point where it's not as worthwhile for investors to buy, prices could eventually drop off. But if individual buyers dominate home sales, we might see a more sustainable recovery under way.
In January, mortgage applications rose by 1.8% from the previous month – the highest level in 18 months. And during the last week of January, applications rose to the highest level since mid-2010.
To be sure, cash sales by investors haven't let up. Colony Capital, Blackstone (BX), Waypoint Real Estate Group LLC and other firms have scoured the country from Phoenix to Atlanta for bargains. They've snapped up homes on the cheap, with plans to rent them out and eventually flip them for a profit when the market is right.
MORE: Bank deposits soared in fourth quarter
Roughly 20% of all existing homes are sold with cash, says Stephen Melman with the National Association of Homebuilders. That share has stayed steady for the past year. For there to be a shift in the market where individual buyers drive the recovery, cash transactions would likely have to drop to 10%.
As interest rates stay ultra low, there have been many more borrowers refinancing their homes rather than taking out new mortgages. In 2012, it's estimated that refinances made up 71% of all mortgage originations.
However, experts expect home loans to rise as refinances decline: New mortgages are expected to increase from an estimated $503 billion in 2012 to $592 billion in 2013 and $703 billion in 2014, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Individual buyers will likely play a bigger role in the housing recovery, but the pace may feel like it's happening in slow motion. At least it's happening.

per CNN Money and Fortune Magazine

The American Dream...

"I Have a Dream" is the most famous quote by the late, great Martin Luther King, Jr.

Buying a home is famous for being "The American Dream". On this day, the forward thinking of this man brought these dreams together:

"I have a dream.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream."

Looking to achieve the American Dream of Home Ownership? I am here for you and all of your Real Estate needs. I work hard, with integrity, and will go above and beyond to provide a smooth transaction to the best of my abilities and make your dreams come true.

Have a Happy & Safe Holiday.

 

CITRUS HEIGHTS MARKET UPDATE:

• There are currently 20 homes available, either "active" or "active short sale" (ask me, I will be happy to tell you the difference), on the market.
• 37 homes are pending and waiting to close escrow.
• 35 homes have sold since this same time last month.

The market is moving fast. With the little amount of homes on the market, it seems to be a race for all the buyers trying to purchase. In that sense - it is a very frustrating time for buyers and exciting time for sellers.

For further explanation, please feel free to call, and let me know how i can help.

 

 

 

 

 

Healthy end to 2012....

All is well in the world when you survive Christmas.
With the hustle and bustle of community service, decorating, hanging indoor/outdoor lights, cooking, shopping, wrapping, and keep everyone happy doing it can get to be quite stressful. It came upon us awfully fast this year, and like a whirlwind was gone as quick as it came.
No different than any other year, so much time spent organizing bell ringers for Salvation Army, picking up and delivering red kettles. So many folks excited to have the opportunity to get involved and do their part to serve the community. Every year there seems to be more and more people interested in participating.
Citrus Heights is such a wonderful place to be during Christmastime. When you drive around town through the holidays, you will see the spirit of the season everywhere. I love it here !

There always seems to be a bit of a lull between Christmas and New Years, which seems to be the perfect time to create or review your "Life Plan". This year I went on line and found what appears to be a suitable  and effective workbook for life planning. You should be able to access the workbook with this link  http://www.achieve-goal-setting-success.com/life-planning-program.html . I am halfway through now and still diligently working away at it.

My biggest business goal for 2013 will be to support as many Citrus Heights buyers and sellers as possible with our. Help as many folks as I can to realize the value of these low low interest rates and looming equity in a new purchase, and get as many sellers to realize selling their home now, if they have been thinking about it, could be the best decision they will make all year.

Personally, will always be to continue my strong journey with God.

Now my question for you is: what are YOUR 2 main goals as we move into the new year???

Lets strive for the Healthiest most Prosperous 2013 !!
Happy New Year!

Opportunities to Serve God this Season...

SEASONS GREETINGS !!
Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with all the love and laughter you could handle. It is now the time of year to be thankful for our family, friends and focus on all of the things we DO have.

As we all know, finances are very tight for many, and very null for many more. I am especially proud to be in a position to extend the opportunity to everyone I know - the opportunity to serve God through the holiday season. If you, or anyone you know, are interested, or have children and would be interested to get involved...opportunities with our local Salvation Army are plentiful. From packing food boxes, to driving bell ringers to their locations, or making a 2 hour commitmant to stand in front of a grocery store and ring the bell - the opportunities are here and we would love for you to get you involved. Please contact Debbie Newton (916) 208-2577,  I will put you in touch with the lieutenant, together we can get you plugged in.

 

Citrus Heights has a new service available called City Ride.

City Ride can connect passengers to all destinations throughout the City of Citrus Heights including shopping centers, restaurants, movie theaters, community centers, parks, schools and medical facilities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The service is open to the general public, and regular RT Basic and Discount fares apply. Reservations are required by calling (916) 556-0258.

Hurricane Disaster Relief, November 2012

I am proud to report The California Association of Realtors has donated $100,000 to disaster relief of Hurricane Sandy. This contribution will be distributed through the National Association of Realtors - Realtor Relief Fund. 
In addition and effective immediately, Coldwell Banker's parent company NRT is launching an NRT fundraising effort for a special, targeted “Qualified Disaster Relief Fund” in which 100% of the funds raised will go directly to help fellow NRT employees and agents in their time of need following this disastrous storm. Qualified disaster relief funds will be granted based on individual need as determined by a committee appointed by the Foundation. 

To make your tax-deductible donation to specifically help NRT colleagues affected by the disaster, go to http://www.events.org/nrtrelief. The deadline for donations to and applications for the NRT Qualified Disaster Relief Fund is Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. 

We are pleased to be able to enable you the opportunity to provide relief funds directly for the benefit of our fellow members of the NRT family whose lives have been significantly impacted by this disaster. Thank you in advance for your support.

This goes without saying but our prayers are with the families that are the victims of this great storm and especially our condolences to the families that have lost loved ones