Corinne's Blog

The Nehemiah program in full swing!!

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:51:30 -0500

What's the Nehemiah program, you might ask?

The Nehemiah program is the nation's largest privately funded down-payment assistance program, helping thousands of people achieve their dream of home ownership. The Nehemiah program offers gift funds to any qualified home buyer, not just first time home buyers. This program provides gift funds to qualified home buyers who purchase participating homes using an eligible loan program, such as a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan. This is a great opportunity for both home buyers and sellers.

The link below will provide you with more information about this program, as well as other home purchasing information.

For more information about the Nehemiah Program: WWW.GETDOWNPAYMENT.COM

If your considering purchasing a home or selling a home, this program will be a benefit to you.

As always, please feel free to contact me for all your Real Estate needs.

Buyers be nice!

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:01:06 -0600

I recently had a situation where I had shown a buyer an REO (bank repo) home that I have a listing on. Needless to say this buyer was down right rude.

I had received a call from a perspective buyer who was interested in an REO listing I had. I spoke to him on the phone about his interest in this home. He wanted to know about this listing and questioned me about the taxes as well. Our conversation went on, we set an appointment for him to view this home. The time came for me to show him the house, I was there waiting for him at the property. I received a phone call from this person telling me he was going to be 15 minutes late. Again a second phone call telling me it was taking longer than he thought and to hang around the property until he showed up. After an hour he finally arrived. Introducing himself and his three friends we finally walked into the front door. I followed him in prepared to answer any questions he may have. I had pulled a plot map, tax information and some other things about this property for him, printed it out and had it ready for him to go over.

He pushed passed me with his friends in tow into the kitchen stopping long enough to make a few comments about what he was viewing. He then went upstairs mumbling something as I waited in the kitchen area. I could hear comments coming from him and his friends from upstairs. He promptly came back down stairs and hurriedly walked passed me again as he headed for the front door. As he reached the door he said it was to high priced. I stated that the price was good compared to other homes in the neighborhood. We have two on the same road both smaller and priced much higher. He then turned to me and rudely said "prices, smises who the hell cares". "Next year this house will be on the market for $$$$", and walked out the door. In seconds he was in his car and down the road. I stood there with my file in my hand shocked at how rude this person was.

I'm sure I'm not the only Realtor who had dealt with such a person. As a Realtor our time is precious, we put our pants on one leg at a time as well. Please treat us with as much respect as you would a friend. Thank you.

REO listing

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:11:59 -0500

I'm just writing a quick note to announce my REO listing. Its a nice home on one acre of land. Over 2700 sq feet of home. 4 bedroom, 3 bath, decks and pool. Private balcony off master bedroom, master bedroom is the whole second floor. Lots of storage, great neighborhood. Large rooms, open kitchen. Fireplace and a wood-stove. High ceilings, wood floors. Because this is a bank owned home it does need some TLC. Listed at $535,000. Awesome price for a home like this. Located in Christian Valley (Auburn, Ca). MLS # 70098393

http://listings.realbird.com/widgets/FeaturedListingsMap.aspx?id=C3D6D8F3

It's in the news....

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Thu, 31 May 2007 01:19:46 -0500

It's in the news.....

I've heard so much on the news and the news paper about the speculations of the Real Estate Market. I personally believe that the news being broadcast on t.v., in the paper, radio, etc. is what is driving the Real Estate market today. As were told and reminded daily how terrible the Real Estate Market is . Home prices are falling, the market is falling apart. Interest rates are rising, falling, foreclosure's are hitting record levels...Sound familiar? Its actually pounded in our heads, drilled into our ears, and shoved in front of our faces daily. The Real Estate Market rises and falls just like the waves of the ocean. Just not as frequent. After we had a few great years of a hot market, at which time homes were listed and sold before the ink had time to dry on the contract. Realtors were pouring out of the woodwork like ants feeding on sugar. Ethics were going out of the window, and investors were flocking in to make a killing flipping houses. The market was in overdrive and then, like a bad dream the wave rolled in and the market fell. Housing prices fell, the market shifted. Prices kept falling, homes sat on the market for longer and longer periods of time. No one is buying homes, hardly anyone wants to list because the market is slow. Sellers are afraid that they won't get value out of their home in this market. Buyers don't want to make an offer because they are waiting for the market to change and home prices to drop some more. Sellers don't want to list because the prices are to low and they want to wait until home prices go back up. Something has to change.

Just as the market fell and is in the process of re-stabilizing I personally don't think it could go any lower. So what happens next? It goes back up after the market has been at a hush for such a long time. It always has and always will, in my opinion. Remember in the 1980's when the interest rates were as high as 20% or more? Those interest rates were terrible weren't they? Compare that to now.

What happens when the prices go back up? When the market goes up, home prices rise and interest rates also rise. So listen to the news make your decision. Are you going to wait until the market goes up before you buy? Do you think its a good time to buy? Let the news help you make your decision, or decide for yourself. Just remember, there is someone out there that has to change jobs, relocate, illness, divorce or other matters force them to sell. Is there any quarantee that you will get the price you want for you home if you wait to sell at a later time?

Just my rants, raves and own personal opinion.

Gone in a flash!!

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Fri, 11 May 2007 00:21:16 -0500

Just recently I listed a home for my client, and to my surprise it went into pending after being on the market for less than a week. Gone in a flash. In this tough market today, as others call it the house went into pending status no sooner than it had been listed. I was planning my marketing strategy, open house tours, etc when I received a call from another Realtor telling me that an offer was being prepared. I met with my clients, and the Realtor presenting the offer. After reviewing the paperwork, the offer was accepted at full price and the escrow process was started that afternoon. I have to admit that I was not prepared for the house to move so fast. Like I said before, I was making plans for the open house. The home was listed at a fair price and the condition of it was good. I had walked my clients through the process of making the necessary improvements that needed to be made before the home was to be put on the market. Like any other client before listing their home I try to educate them on the improvements that should be made. I don't believe any home seller should spend a lot of money preparing their home for sale, unless its falling apart. A few minor upgrades and some paint make a big difference in how the home will show. Arranging the furniture (staging) and packing things away will make your home show better. I can't say that every house I put on the market will sell that fast, but perhaps the clients willingness to allow me to educate them in preparing their home and acting upon it helped the home sell much faster. I have to say that my clients are happy, I'm happy with the results as well. I do enjoy my work and the wonderful people that I meet on a daily basis.

So I'm a little bias!

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:15:22 -0500

I've lived in Auburn California almost all my life. At least for the biggest part of it. I have to say that I love it here, I have watched the town grow and evolve into what it is now. I feel I have the best of both worlds with Sacramento only 30 minutes drive from my home town, Reno Nevada an hour. The American River is only minutes away. With white water rafting, kayaking, fishing and swimming. Trail to hike and horseback trail to ride. Who could ask for more? A beautiful town with lots of history, beautiful views, plenty of hospitality. Lots of outdoor activities.

A wonderful town filled with diversity.

Neighborhoods range from a small lots with large homes, to ranch and cattle properties. Close neighborhoods and wide open spaces. The beauty is all around. Take a drive down Hwy 49, from one end of Auburn there is lots of neighborhoods to the further out of town ranches. Still only minutes away from the local store and shopping. There is quite the diversity of living. Old town Auburn is still full of history as you walk along the sidewalks. The antique stores mixed among clothing stores and specialty stores. The history pictured on the walls of the restaurants.

Always abundant views of the pines, to the sierra mountains white capped with snow. When the snow melts the view is still beautiful with the range of pines trees filling the rolling hills.

Auburn, my kind of town.

Staging your home to sell

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:08:51 -0600

De-clutter. Get rid of the clutter you have around the house. Look around your home. See things like nick knacks, piles of news papers, to many things stacked in one place. Pack up everything you don't need and store it in boxes. Take it out and put it into storage or a store it at a friends garage. Clutter makes your home look messy and turns buyEr's off. The more you de-clutter the bigger and more spacious your home will look. Don't store it in your garage if your showing your home.
Organize your closets - Remember you have closets and they need to be clean and organized. Color coordinate your clothes. Blue pants with blue pants, black with black, ect. Hang all your shirts that are like color together, the same with your other clothes hanging in the closet. Set your shoes up in pairs in nice neat lines or in a shoe holder. It will make your closet look much neater and larger. It's also a great opportunity to go through those old unworn clothes\shoes and give them to charity. This will even free up more room in your closets, and you won't be packing more than you need to when you move out of your home.
Make your home shine. Clean it up. Touch up pain or fresh paint on the walls where you need it to look fresh. Take down those pictures of family and friends. It's to personal for home buyers, they would like to imagine what the house would look like with their own personal belongings in it. Remove everything that you don't use. Your going to have to pack it up anyway. Clean your kitchen and drawers, remember potential home buyers are going to open drawers and cabinets. Take the appliances and clutter off your counters, your kitchen will look larger when they are removed.
Remove pets and cat boxes. There is nothing worse than a prospective buyer tripping over your ankle biter or smelling your cat box. It doesn't make for a pretty picture if you leave the cat box sitting out for someone to see.
Deodorize your home if you smoke or have pets. Eliminate all oders, the home will show better and buyer's won't wrinkle up their nose.
Remove all expensive personal items, like jewelry. Realtors cannot keep an eye on their clients every moment. Put it in a safe or remove it from home entirely.

Honesty, Integrity.....

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:32:34 -0600

How many times have you heard or read the statement from someone stating that their business is based on honesty and integrity? Probably almost every business ad you read. Whether personal or business you should be honest and have integrity anyway? Why do you have to spell it out to your readers? Do you think someone will choose to work with you based on those words? Why should I have to tell someone that I'm honest? Given the opportunity shouldn't they form that opinion for themselves? Don't you think if someone chose to work with me, I would work hard to make sure that I am doing all I can for them. To give them the best service I can offer. To make sure that they are happy with the results. Absolutely! I hope that I have earned my clients respect and business so they will come back to me again if they need such services that I offer. I would also want them to tell other people how happy they were with my services and in return they would refer others to me. After all word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertisement. How many times can you think of someone telling you how good a steak house was, or a how nice a certain person you met is? People talk about you, your business and what they like and dislike about it. Your reputation will precede you. With out having to tell them that I am honest or have integrity let them form that opinion for themselves. I'm sure if I do something that dissatisfies my clients that they are sure going to let me know. They can pull out of contract if they believe that I am doing them a disservice, of course why shouldn't they have that right? I deserve it if I let them down. On the other hand I'm going to do all I can to make sure my clients are happy and getting the service they should expect. Among all things I hope that I can build my business based on a great reputation. Great client satisfaction, is what I aim for, it will get the word out. Especially in a smaller town where word travels fast.

I'm so confused!!

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:21:22 -0600

I was sitting watching t.v. today and happened to notice all the commercials for Real Estate companies. I watched each one with interest, not that it was anything spectacular or out of the ordinary. Just curious as to what they had to say, myself being a Realtor belonging to a company that does not advertise. From one company telling the world all about their new system and how its going to show them homes in the neighborhood for sale from the Internet (no names mentioned) to another company talking about the jacket he wears and why. Each one of them claiming how they are keeping up with the new times. Hmmmmm, seems to me that jacket is old history. If I wore a certain type of jacket would that mean that you can trust me more or I'm more knowledgeable than the other agent of a different company? Now I'm not here to down any company or anyone working for them, after all I may be working with you someday. My point is that they all pretty much say the say thing. So how do you pick a company to fit your real estate needs? How would you go about picking out a real estate agent to help you sell your home or purchase a new home? Do you find the commercials differentiating themselves from one another, so much that you could pick a name off the top of your head and say " I want to use that one"! What about the real estate agent that works for that company? Do you look at a picture and say, "Hey they look like they know what their doing". Can you tell by a picture that that agent is going to do the best they can for you? I mean every agent is going to do the same thing for you. If your going to sell, they will list your home. If your going to buy, they will help you search for a home within your criteria (One would hope). Each agent has their own ideas on how to list or search for your home. How to get the word out. Not every one will do more than hang a sign in your front yard and hope the phone rings. Purchasing a home, how many really listen and show you what your really looking for? Now I'm really confused! Commercials, pictures, yellow pages, Internet, Wow! How do I choose an agent? Call a few, set up an appointment with them. Talk to them. Does your personality and theirs clash or fit? Do they talk, or do they listen? Do they ask the right questions about your wants and needs? Do they really hear you, or are they to busy trying to get your business? Are they familiar with the area your thinking of moving in to? Just to give you a general idea. How often do you need to communicate to feel your needs are being met?

Searching for the right Realtor can be confusing. Think of it this way your putting the most valuable asset in someone else's hands. Take your time and find the right person to work for you.

This is a reflection of my thoughts and my opinions not to be taken as legal advice in any way.

Auburn area Market information

Corinne Shepard (Keller Williams) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:51:32 -0600

Your Auburn area home market information for February 13, 2007.

Currently in our housing market there are 227 homes listed and 19 pending sale. This is strictly for the Auburn, North and South Auburn area. This does not cover all of Placer County, only Auburn. These homes range in price from $249,000 being the low (not including bank owned or foreclosures) to an upward of $2,250,000 being the high. On the low end were looking at a 1 bedroom, 1 bath home on a .190 acre lot. On the high end the price reflects a rather large 10 acre estate with 4 bedrooms, 2 story home with 5098 square feet of living space.

Average home prices. A 2 bedroom or less will run about $328,750. Median price for a 2 bedroom or less will be around $312,500.

Average price for a 3 bedroom $467,356 and the median price is $410,000.

Average price for a 4 bedroom or more is $746,980 and the median price is $418,000.

The average days on market are 91 with an average sold price of $502,510

Currently there are seven price reductions and one price increase on the market of listed homes today.

There are 26 Mobile home listings, ranging in price from $27,500 for a one bedroom single wide, to a price of $160,000 for a 2 bedroom double wide.

There are 87 Residential lots currently on the market, ranging in price from $149,000 through $125,502.01 depending on the location and subdivision.

Auburn carries a wide variety of homes that will fit into just about anyone's budget. There's housing to fit everyone's needs. From a small home and lot to a large home on horseproperty and in between. What ever fits your needs your sure to find here.

Feel free to contact me for any information you may need or want pertaining to buying or selling homes in the Auburn, as well as Placer County area.

The market prices and listings are subject to change daily. This information is from my own research and may not be 100% accurate. Market prices, listings and sales subject to change daily.