Day 11 - Kitchen Remodel: Hardware & Range Hood - 07/31/08 10:16 PM
The hardware installers showed up on time this morning. The guy who does it is also the demo guy. I wasn't sure I wanted a demo guy drilling delicate holes and trying to make my door pulls plumb and spaced correctly. To me, it seemed like that sort of … (20 comments)
|
Financial Title Closed up Shop - 07/30/08 09:57 PM
Financial Title closed its doors this morning in California, Arizona and Texas. When I arrived at the office, news was already buzzing. Rumor has it that Financial Title notified its employees last night at midnight that the company would cease operations today at noon, and nobody had a job there anymore.
… (6 comments)
|
Day 10 Kitchen Remodel - Painting is Finished - Sink Cabinet Cut - 07/30/08 09:06 PM
I called in a favor from my favorite painting company last night, and the owner sent over two painters this morning at the crisp hour of 7:45 AM. In fact, I was just out of the shower when he called my cell, wanting to know why I didn't answer … (9 comments)
|
How Do Cats Survive a Remodel? Take a Look at Pia! - 07/30/08 09:02 AM
I have 3 cats. Or rather, 3 cats own me. One has kidney disease, and he just turned 17. He's a grumpy old cat, but I love him to pieces. He was flown to Sacramento from Minneapolis, and he almost missed the flight because ground temperatures can't exceed maximums on … (11 comments)
|
Day 9 of Kitchen Remodel - No Painter, No Surprise - 07/29/08 09:50 PM
The countertop guy came back today to measure again because he was wrong yesterday. When I examined the spots he marked for me to cut on the front of the cabinet, I realized his math was off. So, I made him come back out. Turns out I was right. Which … (19 comments)
|
Kitchen Sink Dilemma - Day 8 of Kitchen Remodel - 07/29/08 12:33 PM
The countertop dude came yesterday to measure for the installation of the Quartz Cambria counters. I had considered granite, but it's so trendy and doesn't appear to be as strong as the quartz. First thing the guy said was "Whoa, your base cabinet is 32 inches and your sink is … (11 comments)
|
Day 7: More Cabinets = Less Storage Space - 07/28/08 11:39 PM
I spent most of Sunday putting away dishes and pans -- and god knows what we have collected over the years -- into some sort of semblance in our new cabinets. We have more cabinets than we've had before, but less space. Know why? Because the old cabinets were like big … (11 comments)
|
Get a Sewer Inspection When Buying in Land Park - 07/28/08 08:57 PM
Oh, my goodness. I'm batting 100% on sewer inspections lately. This is the third sewer inspection in Land Park over the past 30 days that has called for a new sewer line. The last two Land Park homes my buyers inspected turned up problems, but that was expected, primarily for the … (15 comments)
|
A Quality Paint Job is in the Eye of the Beholder - 07/27/08 09:40 AM
One of the reasons to hire professional painters is because they are supposed do a better job than you would, right? Because if I wanted a lousy job, why, I'd do it myself. Except that I am a fairly good painter. I carefully tape off the walls . . . roll … (21 comments)
|
The Only Thing Better Than Installing Cabinets is When Countertops Arrive - 07/26/08 10:58 AM
Of course, I have a week to wait for that. The countertops won't be installed until August 4. But the cabinets are in. Whew. It was no easy job.First, the diagram given to the cabinet installers differed than the diagram I agreed upon in one small but important way. The … (14 comments)
|
Home Inspections -- Where Do You Draw the Line on Repair Requests? - 07/25/08 06:47 PM
Much of what I advise home buyers depends on the price and terms under which they purchased a home. Not every aspect of real estate has a cookie-cutter answer. If you're buying an REO, for example, only an extreme health and safety code violation will generally persuade a lender to agree … (15 comments)
|
Come to the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park for an Ice Cream Safari on Saturday - 07/25/08 11:03 AM
The Sacramento Zoo will officially close at 1:30 on Saturday, July 26, to get ready for the Ice Cream Safari, which will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Enjoy live music and entertainment, plus stuff for the kids, too. A raffle will be held, known as the GiRaffle, plus face … (3 comments)
|
Down to the Wire: Cabinets Arrive Tomorrow - 07/24/08 07:55 PM
It's been an exciting day. First, I threw on my sweaty old cut-offs and t-shirt from yesterday, pulled my hair back in a tangled mess and dashed out the door at 6:25 AM. I had to meet a home inspector at 6:30 and let him in to inspect a home in … (19 comments)
|
Today I Love My Contractors to Itsy Bitsy Pieces - 07/24/08 01:51 PM
Day 2 -- Electricians, Plumbers and FramersPut a power tool in a framer's hand and wield that power tool with authority, and I swoon. There is something remarkably appealing about a young man clasping a reciprocating saw tightly in his left hand with his right forefinger firmly depressing the power button … (5 comments)
|
Don't Write an Offer Without Checking Whether the Seller Can Afford to Sell - 07/23/08 12:30 PM
Because the number of short sale homes are rising, and so many sellers are upside down, it's always a good idea to figure out the seller's net proceeds before writing an offer. For example, there are two homes for sale down the street from me in Land Park that are both … (13 comments)
|
Don't Assume That Professionals Know What They Are Doing - 07/22/08 09:19 AM
The cats are very upset. Everything is not where it's supposed to be. Not to mention, two of them were locked in the bedroom all day yesterday. The other cat spends most of his time in a 4 x 4 pen because he has kidney disease, plus a touch of … (12 comments)
|
Being Prepared Means More Than Showing Up on Time - 07/21/08 11:24 AM
I would not walk into a listing presentation without a properly prepared CMA, which includes not only the active listings that will compete with this home, but data on the pending sales (even though they have not yet sold, I can generally weasel the price out of the listing agents) … (11 comments)
|
Land Park Home to be Featured on H&G TV's HOUSE HUNTERS - 07/20/08 12:47 PM
I know I said in the past that I would never go on the cable TV show House Hunters, but a few weeks ago I found myself eating those words. Hey, sometimes it happens that we change our minds -- it's a woman's prerogative. After all, I reasoned, I've done a … (23 comments)
|
Land Park Homes - Photos, Descriptions and Recent Market Values - 07/20/08 08:59 AM
The tree-lined streets of Land Park today rose from their dusty Gold Rush days, founded by names easily recognized in Land Park such as Swanston, Marshall, Cavanaugh, Caruthers, Wright and Kimbrough. Land south of the Zoo was first developed by John Sutter and known as Sutterville. Many landmarks such as … (2 comments)
|
A Cactus Flower Blooms for Only One Day - 07/19/08 09:00 PM
If you miss a cactus flower bloom on the day it bursts into splendor, you have missed it forever. There is no turning back the clock. You've got to catch the moment when it arrives or it's gone.
It's very similar to a new listing that pops on the market. The … (7 comments)
|
Recycling and Gifting is Better than Sending Stuff to the Landfill - 07/19/08 12:12 PM
My husband is aghast that I am giving away our refrigerator. He says I should sell it on Craigslist and pocket the $300 or so we could probably get for it. He wasn't in favor of buying a new refrigerator anyway. Our Kenmore has been chugging along for almost six years … (10 comments)
|
Lease 2 Own Homes Ordered to Reimburse California Tenants in Rip-Off Scheme - 07/18/08 08:10 PM
It looks like the lease2ownhomes web site is for sale now. My guess would be the company is trying to raise money to pay back those unfortunate victims of their rental scam, but I don't know this as a fact. As a side note, the company claims it is going into … (3 comments)
|
Are You as Green as You Can Be? Preserving the Earth Isn't Easy - 07/18/08 08:21 AM
It used to be it was only hippies and left-wing fanatics who cared about the Earth. But now it's becoming profitable for everybody else to jump on board. As usual, California is leading the way. On Thursday, California adopted the nation's first "green" building regulations. The California Building Standards Commission adopted … (15 comments)
|
Are You Monitoring Your Web Site for Statistics? - 07/17/08 09:32 AM
I don't care what business you are in -- if you're not online, you're missing the boat. If you're not monitoring your web site, you're also missing the boat.
You can sign up for very inexpensive services that will return statistics to you. For example, the service I subscribe to will … (29 comments)
|
Vote for Barbara Harsch: Your Next President of the Sacramento Association of REALTORS - 07/16/08 08:58 AM
I'd like to pass along a message from Barbara Harsch. She is running for president of the Saramento Association of REALTORS® and, as my friend and colleague, has my endorsement. She is dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable and one of the most ethical REALTORS® I know. Please vote for Barbara Harsch on July … (2 comments)
|
Gov. Schwarzenneger Puts Bill on Fall Ballot to Help Vets Buy Homes With Cal Vet Loans - 07/15/08 02:35 PM
Governor Schwarzenneger has signed today Senate Bill 1572, which will put the Veterans Bond Act of 2008 on the ballot this November. If approved by voters, it is expected to provide $900 million in Veterans General Obligation Bonds, which will allow the state of California to fund about 1,300 Cal Vet … (4 comments)
|
Matt Harding and Amazing Videos - 07/14/08 10:33 AM
Today I want to share with you an awe-inspiring video from Matt Harding. I picked this up from my fellow associates at About.com. When asked what the video was, one About.com writer said, "I dunno, some guy dancing in the sand." But another responded, "Hope."
Just one one word.
Hope.
And … (14 comments)
|
Not Every Sacramento Movie Theater has 3D for Journey to the Center of the Earth - 07/13/08 06:30 PM
I had the pleasure of watching a personal interview between Rebecca Murray from About.com and Brendan Fraser. Rebecca writes the Movie site for About.com, and every woman I know has a crush on Brendan Fraser. Here is her video clip from the Los Angeles Film Festival in which Brendan says he … (3 comments)
|
Lunching with Active Rainers in Midtown Sacramento - 07/13/08 11:19 AM
You'll never guess who came to my office last week! OK, a couple photos here will give you a hint. None other than the wonderful and talented stager from Granite Bay, Lori Polk and that serial entrepreneur, multi-faceted real estate broker from Wisconsin, Tom Braatz. When they arrived, I had an … (9 comments)
|
New Restaurant in Land Park on Riverside: Masullo - 07/12/08 09:23 PM
Anybody who knows me realizes that I can't be bought, and I'm not the type to present a rosy picture that is all sunshine and lollipops to get anybody to like me. I try to present balanced opinions and will explain both the pros and cons to just about any situation … (8 comments)
|
Here is Ronald Reagan's Former Home in East Sacramento - 07/12/08 10:16 AM
Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday. But it happened in 1967. When the news reported that Nancy Reagan declared the Governor's Mansion a "fire trap" and that she refused to live there, tongues lashed out, calling her a snob. Why, the Governor's Mansion, built in 1877 and purchased by … (11 comments)
|
IndyMac Bank Shut Down Today by Regulators - 07/11/08 06:17 PM
My husband gave me some grief when I casually mentioned in a blog that since IndyMac was closing its new mortgage business doors, yet promising to honor loan locks already in progress, buyers might exercise caution and perhaps consider another alternative. He thought I might be reading too much into the … (17 comments)
|
Is Sacramento at the Bottom? Here are Market Stats for June 200 - 07/11/08 11:15 AM
As I was watering my garden early this morning, my cell rang. It was ABC News in New York, profusely apologizing for suddenly realizing that they had called a California number, and I was on PST. The reporter asked, among other questions, where I felt the market … (5 comments)
|
Land Park is One of the Most Desirable Neighborhoods in Sacramento - 07/10/08 03:16 PM
Wherever I travel, I take photographs of homes. My passion for photography sometimes thwarts vacations as I get sidetracked. Instead of shopping at cute boutiques or dining at out-of-the-way cafés, often I end up wandering the streets of a town to admire its picturesque homes, invariably with camera in tow.
Last … (6 comments)
|
Staying Cool in Sacramento - 07/10/08 11:01 AM
On Tuesday, I received a sign call on my Midtown listing. The home the buyer was calling about is a fixer Craftsman, and he wanted to know if I could show it to him at 2 PM on Wednesday. "But, it's going to be 108 on Wednesday," I pointed out. "Wouldn't … (10 comments)
|
Is Your Real Estate Agent a Liar? How to Avoid Working With Dishonest Agents - 07/09/08 09:01 AM
In the neighborhood where I primarily sell homes in Land Park, it's not uncommon to find agents putting up sign riders on their sign posts that announce to passersby that they are an area specialist. The problem is some of those agents have never before taken a listing in Land Park … (10 comments)
|
Governor of CA Signs New Foreclosure Mortgage Bill - 07/08/08 05:41 PM
Senate Bill 1137, the so-called foreclosure mortgage bill, sponsored by Senate president pro tem Don Perata, was signed into law today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Among some of its provisions, lenders can no longer automatically foreclose on sellers who fall behind on their payments. Under the new law, lenders are required … (8 comments)
|
IndyMac Stops Making Mortgage Loans - 07/07/08 04:55 PM
If you're a seller who is having problems negotiating a short sale or obtaining debt relief at IndyMac, consider the fact that IndyMac today says it is closing its mortgage business and laying off 3,800 employees, which is more than half of its workforce.
This means effective immediately it will make … (29 comments)
|
Weintraub's Foreclosure Video - 07/07/08 10:21 AM
Home buyers who want a good deal in real estate invariably think first about pursuing foreclosures. Probably because right now there are so many REOs on the market. Buyers have this picture in their mind of a cute little house, surrounded by a white picket fence that is owned by a … (11 comments)
|
Why Aren't Agents More Supportive of Each Other? - 07/05/08 01:01 PM
I'm constantly being told by my company's management team (and other agents in my office) how appreciative they are that I share real estate tips and my experiences with them. If I received these types of comments only once or twice, I'd think nothing more of it, but it's repetitive. This … (112 comments)
|
Tips for a Successful Open House -- Weintraub's 4th Video - 07/03/08 08:39 AM
I realize there are many agents who do not like to hold open houses. In some ways, I suspect it's because they might not be very good at them. Because to hold a good open house, you've got to interact with people, shake hands, talk with them, hand out information, answer … (9 comments)
|
To Know Where the Sacramento Market is Moving -- Look at Where the Market Has Been - 07/02/08 08:10 AM
Over the past 30 days, I've closed a bunch of transactions. Generally I wait until the end of the year to analyze the stats from those transactions, but with the craziness and wild swings of our Sacramento real estate market, I thought it would be a good idea to examine my … (9 comments)
|
Has Your BlackBerry Ever Quit on You? - 07/01/08 10:58 AM
Replacing tech devices seems to be the norm in my home -- nothing lasts more than a couple years these days, it seems. Over the last year, I have replaced my computer (7 years old), printer (2 years), FAX (2 years), headset (six months) and my camera (one year). Ordinarily, I … (15 comments)
|
Stumble It!
;)
Links;)
Archives
