Carolyn Gjerde-Tu's Blog

Sacramento Techology Expo Sept 5th, 2008

2008-09-04T18:14:56Z

Friday is the Sacramento Association of REALTOR's annual Business and Technology Expo. Held this year at the Double Tree hotel, they are expecting nearly 800 agents to attend. There will be several breakout sessions including the latest information from Metrolist, several sessions on how to best utilize a smart phone into your real estate practice and "Avoiding Techological Roadkill". I attended the expo last year and thought it was well worth the time. In addition to the breakout sessions, there will also be close to 45 booths for techology oriented exhibitors. The cost is a measly $25 dollars for association members and includes a boxed lunch. I walked away with a lot of good ideas and information last year.

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu, specializing in Davis Real Estate

Thinking about becoming a real estate agent in Davis?

2008-07-10T11:37:32Z

Thursday, July 17th, at 7:00 pm the Lyon Real Estate office in Davis is holding an informational seminar on becoming a real estate agent. While total sales are down specifically in Davis, region wide the number of homes sold has increased from last year. While jumping into a comissioned based sales career may seem daunting in the current market, some say that agents who start their career when the market is tougher tend to have more dicipline because to succeed they have to have a clear plan.

Herb Cross, the manager of the Lyon Office in Davis since 1989 will be hosting the session and will talk about careers in real estate in general and how Lyon Real Estate's focus on training, technology and relationship building are keys for success in this market. Come and learn about the power of Lyon5 and see if joining Lyon Real Estate is the right move for you. Contact me for more information about this event.

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu, Lyon Real Estate Agent in Davis

Tax Consequences of a short sale or Foreclosure

2008-06-30T20:42:32Z

First, let me state that I am a licensed Real Estate Broker and not a tax accountant or attorney and I am not qualified to give legal or tax advice. However, as an agent dealing with Woodland and Sacramento property values that are much lower than what is currently owed on a property, I am often asked about the tax consequences of both foreclosures and short sales. The IRS has given some guidance on the tax implications of a foreclosure or short sale and Congress passed the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007.

I recommend anyone contemplating a short sale or forced with going through a foreclosure to consult a tax accountant to understand what the possible tax implications may be. The IRS treats short sales and foreclosures the same for tax purposes. Each person's circumstances are unique and it is critical to get good advice before proceeding with either a short sale or prior to the completion of the foreclosure.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu specializes in Woodland CA real estate as well as Sacramento homes for sale.

Davis real estate market update

2008-06-26T01:11:28Z

Davis, university town with limited growth and very little new construction has not escaped the downturn in the housing market, however prices are holding up much better here than in other parts of the greater Sacramento housing market.

There are currently 128 single family homes for sale within Davis, 60 pending sales and 47 closed sales so far for the month of June. Months of inventory which had been running close to a year last winter is down to about two based on pending sales or closer to three months based on closed sales. Regionally inventory is lower than last year, Davis has a similar number of homes for sale from last year, but I am sensing that buyers are hesitating less when thinking about buying. There is also a sense that mortgage rates may continue to increase so it may be less expensive to get financing in place now vs. waiting to see if home prices dip a little further.

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu, specializing in Davis CA real estate

West Sacramento Market Update

2008-06-18T08:58:14Z

News of foreclosed homes and sellers in financial trouble continue to dominate the media, but look at this chart, provided by Trendgraphix, for the southern portion of West Sacramento.

The dramatic reduction in months of inventory is being seen in many different parts of the Sacramento region. Last year only select areas like parts of East Sacramento, Land Park and Davis had this low level of inventory.

The reduction in inventory corresponds to dramatic price decreases in bank owned homes. New homes that have entered the market since this time have been priced competitively and have sold quickly. Time will tell if prices continue to fall, however for the most part at least at the lower end of the price spectrum for this neighborhood prices have been relatively stable for the calendar year. There have been enough buyers to absorb the homes quickly so further reductions have not been necessary. Many homes in this area of West Sacramento have been built in the past ten years and some are in good condition.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu specializes in the sale of West Sacramento Homes and Real Estate in Davis

Google Street Views available for the Sacramento region

2008-06-13T00:24:18Z

Google just launched street views for the greater Sacramento area. If you haven't seen Street Views, it basically allows someone to view the area like one would in their car. Most of the San Francisco Bay Area has been available for some time but it is brand new to this area.

What this means to home buyers is they can "drive" around neighborhoods on their computers before going to see them physically. I think this will be especially useful when someone is relocating to the area and they are trying to get a sense of different neighborhoods.

Visit: http://maps.google.com and click on street view to get started. Click anywhere there is a blue line to get a 360 view from the street.

Now when you are exploring Davis CA Real Estate or Homes in Sacramento you have even more data available to jump start your home search.

Cute, updated condo

2008-05-24T11:43:55Z

Here's your chance to own in Davis

Location: Davis, CA

Recently updated upstairs unit all on one level. Newer kitchen cabinets and appliances. Great location near bus lines & shopping. Close to park. One-car garage space and common laundry area. Call to see this today.

Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

Year Built: 1972

Subdivision: La Buena Vida

Located on Floor #: 2

Floors in Bldg: 2

School District: Davis Joint Unified

Square Footage: 819

Agent Name: Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Broker: Lyon Real Estate

MLS #: 80042046

Photo Gallery

Information

Contact Information

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

530-297-2260

Pricing

Asking Price: $216,500.00

Homeowner Dues: 210

Property Location

2861 Bidwell St #4
Davis, CA 95616

Links

Davis CA Home Search

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Building Amenities

Patio

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1683001

Easy open house search

2008-05-21T18:51:56Z

Quickly look for open houses in Woodland and Davis or anywhere in the greater Sacramento Region. This Davis Area Open House Guide lists all the brokers open homes, not just one office. Visiting open houses can be a good way to get neighborhood information in the early stages of buying a home. However open homes only represent a portion of what is currently for sale in any one area. Visit my website to search all Davis homes for sale.

Six easy ways to boost your website traffic

2008-05-21T16:01:09Z

I gave a short talk today at the Davis Progressive Business Exchange, a group I am a member of and went over some basic ways to boost traffic to your website. Some are obvious to people already blogging on active rain. The talk was not specific to real estate and for people involved in real estate, it is probably better to start blogging on activerain or realestatewebmasters.

Here is the quick list.

1. Have a website that can be edited and updated easily. Keep the content current.

2. Consider writing a blog and comment on other blogs. Most dynamic blogging system currently is www.wordpress.com

3. Get involved in social networking online, i.e. www.facebook.com, www.myspace.com message boards related to your industry or area.

4. Sending group emails to your contacts giving them a reason to visit your website.

5. Put your web address on all forms of advertising, print, stationary, emails, and business cards.

6. Work on building "natural" links to your website. (Probiz directory is a good one way link). Comments on webforums if they allow links are also good. Google looks for "authority sites" to determine how to rank sites, links are seen as one way to determine authority.

Celebrate Davis

2008-05-15T15:51:52Z

Today, May 15th is the 4th Annual Celebrate Davis festival at Central Park. Celebrate Davis is a chance to get to know the businesses in Davis. There will individual booths where information, prizes, giveaways to fit a number of different needs. I'll be at the Progressive Business Exchange's booth for a while this afternoon. Don't miss the fireworks that will start at dusk (probably about 9:15 to 9:30). In addition to local business booths, there will be live music, many different food booths and did I mention the giveaways, raffles and prizes. Celebrate Davis is sponsored by the Davis Chamber of Commerce and is a nicely run event. It is another way that helps keep Davis a close knit community.

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu who specializes in Davis CA Real Estate

Davis Schools Foundation

2008-04-24T14:50:21Z

A lot of school districts in California are hurting with proposed state budget cuts. Davis has one of the highest regarded public schools in this part of California and consistently has high test scores. One of the unique features has been the focus on small neighborhood schools where children can either walk or ride their bikes to school. There is not a city wide school bus system. The number of students per classroom has also consistently been smaller than state averages. There is a potential $4,000,000 dollar shortfall for funds for the next school year. Many Davis teachers have been given notice that they may not have a job next year. The community of Davis has rallied around this issue and in about a months time the Davis Schools Foundation has raised over $700,000 dollars toward this shortfall. All monies raised will directly go to buying back teachers that may otherwise be laid off.

I believe the community and the Davis Schools Foundation will be able to bring back a good number of teachers and programs that are currently in jeopardy, there are ways almost every day to contribute to this cause. Budget decisions for the next school year are going to be made in the next few weeks so it is critical that funds be raised quickly.

Many young families move specifically to Davis because of the schools and they are an important component to this community. Visit www.davischoolsfoundation.org to learn more about this and find out how to donate to this important cause.

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu, specializing in Davis Ca Real Estate

Davis Schools Fundraiser

2008-04-21T18:56:54Z

A week from Wednesday on the 30th of April the Davis Fighters Local 3494 and the Davis Oddfellows are hosting a Tri-tip And Chicken BBQ

Every dollar raised will go to the Davis School Foundation to help make up for the budget cuts to our schools.

Where: Odd Fellows Hall 415 2nd St, Davis

When: Wednesday April 30, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cost: $25 per person/ kids under 10 are free

Tickets can be purchased at the door Live music by Hardwater

Custom Central Davis Home

2008-04-03T23:02:07Z

Custom home in Central Davis

Location: Central Davis

This has got to be one of the most beautiful and unique custom homes in Davis. Main home has 2bd/2ba, distressed Hickory floors, custom kitchen w/granite countertops & stainless steel appliances, a library w/fireplace, Maple cabinets throughout, boxed beam ceilings and much more. Guest house has 1bd/1ba, a full kitchen and a fireplace. Custom designed backyard has Redwood planters, Bamboo fencing, Flagstone paving & stamped concrete, built-in BBQ & grill, separate dog run and lots of privacy.

Photo Gallery

Information

Contact Information

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

530-297-2260

Pricing

Asking Price: $1,250,000

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

Central Davis
Davis, CA 95616

Links

Davis Ca Homes for Sale

Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Year Built: 2003

Lot Size: 11848

School District: Davis Joint Unified

Square Footage: 2854

Agent Name: Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Broker: Lyon Real Estate

MLS #: 80033719

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Kitchen Island

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Fenced Yard

Grass Lawn

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 1596904

Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour May 3rd

2008-04-02T17:13:46Z

The eighth annual Heart of Home Kitchen Tour for Yolo County will be held Saturday May 3rd, 2008. This year will feature homes in Winters, Woodland and Davis. Tickets are $25 per person and is the main fundraiser for the American Red Cross Yolo County Chapter. There is also still time to become a sponsor for the event.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.yc-arc.org/shopping and more information www.yc-arc.org

The local chapter of the American Red Cross is our areas link to emergency preparedness and local disaster response.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu specializes in Winters, Woodland and Davis CA Real Estate.

Costco is open in Woodland

2008-03-02T14:58:15Z

Costco officially opened its Woodland store last week. It is the first store completed in the new Gateway Shopping Center at the intersection of Interstate 5 and County Road 102. The store is the first one in Yolo County and is expected to draw customers from Davis, Woodland and up North along the I-5 corridor as the next nearest store is in Reading. It has all the usual things to expect in a wharehouse store, large quantities of food items, a food cafe, eye center, a good supply of electronics and a gas station. I do buy certain things at costco and I am glad I can now run up to Woodland vs. coordinating a stop either in Sacramento or Vacaville. Maybe I am just a sucker for $1.50 hot dog and a coke.

Sacramento "bubble" areas

2008-03-02T03:15:46Z

There have been many negative stories about the current real estate market. It is important to note that there have been areas holding steady and not seeing much of a decline in value. Davis is one of these places, but other areas close to downtown Sacramento are also holding there own including most of Land Park, parts of East Sacramento, McKinley Park and Curtis park. These neighborhoods are well-established and close to downtown. Recently KCRA TV did a newstory on the housing market in the bubble.

Land Park Real Estate Bubble

This story shows how "local" real estate really is and that not every area is dominated by short sales and foreclsoures.

Photo Credit

Search for East Sacramento Homes, Land Park Real Estate or Midtown Condos

Woodland Prarie Style Home

2008-03-02T00:38:46Z

This house is really the only example of Prairie Style architecture made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright in Woodland. Built in 1916 and designed by architect John Hudson Thomas this house was considered radical for the area when it was first built . The surrounding homes are mostly Victorian and this house stands out in the neighborhood. This home was one of the first constructed in Woodland with an attached garage.

Learn more about Woodland's historic homes or find Historic Woodland CA Real Estate at www.DiscoverDavisHomes.com

Woodland bank owned properties

2008-02-27T01:06:35Z

With the housing market dragged across the news these days, many people are interested in looking at bank-owned properties. Last month in the Sacramento market over half of all the closed sales were REO (Bank owned) homes.

I have created a direct link to Woodland REO Homes As of today, 2/26 there are 50 foreclosed homes on the market. This number is actually greater as not all agents are imputing bank owned listings the same way into the MLS. Woodland foreclosures range from newly built custom homes to small homes that may need a little (or a lot) of TLC.

Davis Green Home and Garden Show

2008-02-25T22:29:23Z

The Davis Green Home and Garden show will be at the ARC pavillion at UC Davis on March 15th and 16th. Being Davis, the home show will have a "green" compenet, ideas and companies to improve your home. The home show website is a bit sparce but if you are looking to make improvements to your house, these tend to be a good place to get ideas.

The Lyon Healthy Homes program will be there with Beutler and Allergen Safe homes. Come check out the booth and learn how to buy or sell an allergen-safe home through Lyon Real Estate.

To learn more about the home show visit www.davishomeshow.com.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu is a broker associate with Lyon Real Estate in Davis.

Davis Souper Bowl, soup cookoff in Davis

2008-02-24T16:26:44Z

I just found out that the second annual Davis Souper Bowl is later this afternoon, Sunday February 24, 2008 at the Davis Senior Center. This is a chance for local restuarants to compete to see who makes the best bowl of soup in Davis.

The event is sponsored by the Davis Food Co-Op and the proceeds will benefit the elderly nutrition program.

Restaurants expected to compete include Sudwerk, Seasons, Osteria Fasulo, Mustard Seed, Monticello Bistro, Mermaid Sushi, Farmer's Kitchen, Dos Coyotes, Davis Food Co-op and Caffe Italia. The Davis Creamery will provide ice cream.

Tickets are $15 at the door, or $10 in advance (available at the Co-op). Kids 12 and under are free.

This sounds really inviting on this rainy afternoon.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu specializes in Davis CA Real Estate and is an SRES, Seniors Real Estate Specialist.

Randy Pausch six months after diagnosis

2008-02-23T16:40:14Z

I saw a couple of stories about Randy Pausch this afternoon here on the rain and I quickly googled to see if he was ok. Randy has a fatal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer but is making the most of the time he has left. For people following his story, it has been six months since he was told he likely had three to six months of good health left. Here is wishing many more months of good health to someone who knows the value of time.

Don't miss Randy's lecture on time management. This is a much watch for everyone.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu is a real estate agent in Davis and Woodland, CA who tries very hard to manage her time, not nearly as wisely as Randy Pausch, but she keeps trying.

Nightline report on Relisting Houses

2008-02-23T15:36:27Z

As it takes longer and longer for homes to sell the average number of days on market increases. In many areas at least in California, it had been common for properties to sell in less than 30 days. Four to six months is more typical in many areas in the current market and may be even longer if the property is competing with a lot of bank owned and short sale properties. Some agents in parts of the country are "refreshing" their listings by taking them off the market and entering them as new listings to make the days on market appear shorter. Nightline reported on this trend and argued that it is not in the buyer's interest to allow these listings to be refreshed as it doesn't tell the entire story. Anyone buying a home should research in depth the listing history as well as the property

Visit the original story here: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4321864&affil=kxtv

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu is a Davis CA Real Estate Agent

Tour of California bike race, February 19, 2008

2008-02-19T00:04:13Z

Tomorrow's stage of the Amgen Tour of California will pass through downtown Davis on its way to Sacramento. Downtown will have streets closed off temporarily to allow the riders a clear path through town. It is exciting to see a world-class bike race pass by your office. Tomorrow's race will start in Santa Rosa and the riders will race all the way to Downtown Sacramento, ending at the State Capitol.

Photo taken from outside the Davis office of Lyon Real Estate during the 2007 Tour of California.

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu, Davis CA Real Estate Agent

Sacramento Area Foreclosures

2008-02-04T17:04:22Z

Michael Lyon, CEO of Lyon Real Estate was interviewed by Sacramento's Fox 40 TV about the foreclosure market in Natomas and the greater Sacramento market. He is predicting based on economic data, a spike in foreclosed properties to enter the market this summer. Now is a good time to get educated about what is happening in the greater Sacramento Real Estate market and be ready to act when the time is right for you. Currently in the greater Sacramento region over 50% of the available homes for sale are either short sales or bank owned/foreclosed properties.

There currently are bank owned homes that are priced very attractively as the banks do not wish to hold onto properties.

1/31 - Natomas Housing Market Predictions

You'll need a version of Windows Media Player 7 or higher to view the video. If you need to download it, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/default.asptarget=_blank The video player is supported by Microsoft IE 5.0 and above.

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu is a Broker Associate with Lyon Real Estate in Davis.

Explorit Museum Day, Saturday Feb 2nd

2008-01-31T18:31:38Z

This Saturday, February 2 the Explorit Science Centerin Davis will be among 25 Sacramento area museums to be open free of charge. The Explorit Science Center at the main site, 2801 Second Street as well as the Mace Park Branch will be open. This is the 10th annual Museum day, there were 79,000 attendees to Sacramento area museums at last year's event.

Explorit features hands on science exhibits, a wet lab and an array of ever changing features.

There will be shuttle service between many of the participating Sacramento museums so whether you are interested in learning more about science here in Davis or maybe always wanted to visit the Discovery Museum's Gold Rush History Center, there should be something of interest to most anyone.

The majority of the museums are located in Sacramento but Heidrick Ag Center in Woodland will also be participating. A full list of participating museums can be found at http://www.sacmuseum.org/

Contributed by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu a Davis, CA real estate agent