Roseville Califonia Realtor's Blog

Roseville Realtor Can help in Foreclosure Avoidance

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:41:21 -0500

DATE: June 20, 2009

Kathy Dyer EARNS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION

TO HELP HOMEOWNERS IN DANGER OF FORECLOSURE Kathy Dyer of Keller Williams Realty Roseville, has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.

This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process. Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy.

More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In Roseville Ca area, more than 1,611 homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Dyer. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.” Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Kathy with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online. The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales. “Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible,” Charfen said.

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Distressed Property Expert, Short Sales, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls

Winter Holiday Activities in Sacramento Ca Area

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:03:51 -0600

Tree Lighting - Roseville's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on Friday, December 5 from 5-8pm outside of the Civic Center (311 Vernon Street). Visit Santa and watch the dazzling display as the Mayor flips the switch to light the City's official Christmas tree.

Santa Around the Neighborhood - Santa Roseville's Neighborhood Santa will ride through our streets atop a sleigh while being escorted by police cars and fire engines during the second and third weeks in December. To find out when Santa will be traveling through your area, check out www.roseville.ca.us/santa or call Santa's hotline at 916.746.1388.

SNO-PARKS - The California Department of Parks and Recreation operates 21 sites that provide snow-cleared parking lots with sanitation facilities and access to snow play areas, cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Visit www.ohv.parks.ca.gov and click on "SNO-PARKS" on the left side.

Downtown Plaza Ice Rink - This is the Sacramento area's only outdoor ice rink, located in the heart of downtown Sacramento at 7^th and K Streets. Open through January 19th. Please call 916.442.8575 for information and hours.

Victorian Christmas in Nevada City - Nevada City's historic district reminds visitors of another time and place with Victorian singers, bagpipers, a live nativity scene, walking Christmas tree and visits with Santa Claus. Wednesdays: December 3, 10, & 17 from 6-9pm and Sundays, December 14 & 21 from 1:30-6pm. Call 800.655.NJOY for information.

Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley - Mill and Main Streets fill with old-fashioned Christmas carolers, carriage rides, bell ringers, musicians, and Santa Claus. Fridays: November 28, December 5, 12, & 19 from 6-9pm. Call 530.272.8315 for information. in person at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street, Sacramento.

Sacramento Ballet's "The Nutcracker" - Shows from December 6th to December 24th. Tickets available by calling 916.264.5181 or in person at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street, Sacramento.

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Homes For Sale, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer's Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

Morgage Update Nov. 6 2008 - Hope For Home Owners

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:22:47 -0600

This issue Nov 6th 2008 of the Mortgage Update, It contains news and updates on the "Hope for Homeowners" program, and foreclosure assistance programs for borrowers with mortgages issued through IndyMac , JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Countrywide.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· Early projections indicate that only 20,000 troubled homeowners will apply for the "Hope for Homeowners" program, a considerable reduction from the previously estimated 400,000 homeowners who were expected to apply. The $300 billion program was launched Oct. 1 and is designed to help troubled homeowners rewrite a "risky" mortgage loan into a 30-year, fixed-rate loan with a lower interest rate. During the first two weeks of the program, the Federal Housing Administration, which oversees Hope for Homeowners, reported receiving only 42 applications. Some housing experts believe the low application rate is due to the program being voluntary for lenders and provisions requiring homeowners to agree to an equity share with the government.

To read the full story, please click here:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hope4-2008nov04,0,5527840.story

Want a fast sale, thinking about doing some DIY fixes on your Sacramento area house? Or are you a new home owner to the Sacramento area, if so we can give you a 10% off coupon from Lowe's that is good for any one purchase up to a maximum of $5,000! That means if you spend $5,000 at Lowe's you get $500 off, $1,000, you get $100 off. No cost and or obligation email or call us at 916.759.2147 for the free Lowe's coupon.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Morgage Interest Rates Continue Historic Lows

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:09:46 -0600

MORTGAGE RATES

· Interest rates continue to remain near their historic lows. Thirty-year, fixed-mortgage interest rates averaged 6.04 percent during September 2008, compared with 6.38 percent in September 2007, according to Freddie Mac.

· Adjustable-mortgage interest rates averaged 5.14 percent in September 2008, compared with 5.66 percent in September 2007.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Real Estate - September 2008 Ca Sales Activity Report

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:58:25 -0600

· Real Estate Home Sales continue to rise year-over-year, with sales in September 2008 increasing 96.7 percent in California, compared with the same period a year ago. Sales soared above the 500,000 unit threshold for the first time in more than two years.

· Month-to-month sales also continue to increase. Home Sales in September 2008 increased 2.3 percent compared with the previous month.

HOME PRICES:

· The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California was $316,480, a 40.9 percent decline from the revised $535,760 median for September 2007.

· The September 2008 median price fell 9.6 percent compared with August's revised $350,140 median price.

· One reason for the large year-to-year declines in the median price is the dramatic change in the mix of sales since the onset of the credit/liquidity crunch. A year ago, the under $500,000 price range accounted for 46 percent of sales, the middle segment ($500,000 to $1 million) made up 40 percent, and the greater than $1 million segment captured 14 percent of the market. As of September 2008, the mix had shifted to 76 percent, 18 percent, and 6 percent, respectively.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Stimulus package to help buyers get loans

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:40:35 -0600

Some Relief Ahead

· The main constraint on market activity at this time is the lack of funds available for loans because of the credit crunch, which has been compounded by tighter underwriting standards.

· Historically, mortgage rates on jumbo loans are 0.2 percent to 0.4 percent higher than those on conforming loans, but the spreads since the onset of the credit crunch have been double or even triple that.

· The lack of available funds for loans, even for qualified buyers, has resulted in a dearth of buyers who can close on a home purchase.

· The time a home remained on the market prior to selling improved to 46.1 days in September 2008, compared with 56.7 days (revised) for the same period a year ago.

· In September 2008, it would have taken 6.5 months to sell all the homes on the market at the current sales rate, an improvement compared to a year ago, when it would have taken 16 months (revised).

· Although the Federal Reserve Bank's action to reduce the federal funds rate to 3 percent will have little near-term direct effect on the housing market, the rate cuts should result in more favorable real estate finance rates as we move through the year.

·The Successful passage of the economic stimulus package should positively impact the market as buyers who previously would have to take out a jumbo loan will qualify for more affordable conforming loans, thanks to the plan to increase the conforming loan limit from $417,000 to as much as $729,750.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Sacramento Area Real Estate Market Shows Signs of Improving

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:44:33 -0500

Sacramento Area Median Home Prices Contines to Lower

Looks like the market is continuing to correct more. Because of the unfortunate distressed sales in our region- it is causing the home market pricing to bottom out. Foreclosures have been the main reason why our area has been hit so hard. As soon as the REO Foreclosures dry up, we will start to see the market stabilize.

I have included some graphs what show our Market Shows Signs of Recovering. You can see a sharp decline in meian pricing and now we are leveling out which is a good sign. The Median price is coming down into a realistic price for new home buyers trying to make it back into the market.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Homes For Sale, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer's Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short SaleSpecialist. We use the service of a certified Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

September 2008 California Market Snap Shot

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:04:37 -0500

This September's Market Snapshot features:
· California's housing market compared with the national market: Sales of existing single-family homes in California increased 57 percent year-over-year in August 2008, compared with an 11 percent decline nationwide.

· Differences in local housing markets: In some markets Median home prices may have decreased at a rapid pace, while other areas may have registered slight increases in recent months, demonstrating that housing markets are local and can vary greatly from one area to the next. The First Time Home Owner affordability has improved 24% from a year ago. This market report states that unsold inventory is down a bit since last month but a decrease of 59.4% since last year.

Check out our Real Estate Blog for more up to date satistics on the Northern California Placer County and Sacramento County areas.

Want a fast sale, thinking about doing some DIY fixes on your Sacramento area house? Or are you a new home owner to the Sacramento area, if so we can give you a 10% off coupon from Lowe's that is good for any one purchase up to a maximum of $5,000! That means if you spend $5,000 dollars at Lowe's you get $500 off, $1,000, you get $100 off. No cost and or obligation email or call us at 916.759.2147 for the free Lowe's coupon.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Real Estate Home Seller strategies - Seller Financing

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:06:34 -0500

I thought this article was worth sending out. We are finding that the affordability factor is improving for new home buyers. With most of the 100% financing programs now extinct-it will take new homeowners more money to get into a loan. Read the article below.

Seller Financing
Due to stricter loan underwriting standards and increased difficulty for some borrowers to qualify for a loan, even for those who are well-qualified, more sellers are offering financing to potential home buyers, which some believe can be mutually beneficial to both buyers and sellers, and can give sellers a competitive edge.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· In addition to sellers receiving a steady flow of income by providing financing to home buyers, sellers also can profit from the interest payments. Sellers also may be able to sell the mortgage on the secondary market, thus reducing their risk. However, seller-financing is not always the best option. Sellers who need the equity from their current home to purchase their next one are advised to not offer seller financing.

· Buyers, especially those who are self employed, work on commission or have lower credit scores, but can explain the circumstances that led to it, also may benefit from seller financing. Often times, these buyers do not qualify for traditional, conforming loans, reducing their ability to become homeowners.

· To reduce the risk of possible loan default, most real estate professionals recommend that sellers request a down payment of at least 10 percent, especially if the buyer does not have an ideal credit score. Buyers who do not have a large financial stake in the home may be more likely to default than those with a more substantial down payment. It also is recommended that sellers work with a real estate attorney to draft a contract that includes possible implications if the buyer issues a late payment, defaults on the loan or neglects to adequately insure the property. Sellers also should work with an experienced loan servicer who can collect payments and keep records.

To read the full story, please click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122376508247826199.html

Want a fast sale, thinking about doing some DIY fixes on your Sacramento area house? Or are you a new home owner to the Sacramento area, if so we can give you a 10% off coupon from Lowe's that is good for any one purchase up to a maximum of $5,000! That means if you spend $5000 at Lowe's you get $500 off, $1,000, you get $100 off. No cost and or obligation email or call us at 916.759.2147 for the free Lowe's coupon.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Seller Strategies- What... my home was entered into a Beauty Contest?

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:45:49 -0500

Just listed your home..... Guess what, your home just entered a BEAUTY CONTEST!

Why not get crowned a beauty and get your home sold!

Why do some sell and others not? Let's assume your home is priced right, your Realtor did a CMA- Comparison Market Analysis, and your home is priced within the right range. Now what?

Enter the Beauty Pageant....

Once you list your home for sale- it is listed in a Beauty contest by default. Your home is competing with all the other homes that are priced similar to yours.

The Beauty School Drop Outs- Vacant homes

These potential beauties are bare-lifeless and cold feeling. If you are selling your home vacant, you are cutting out potential buyers that would have fallen in love with your home. Because furnishings and décor bring warmth and appeal to a home, that is why new home builders home pay big bucks for staging- because it works.

Look at it this way- over 80% of the buyers can't imagine their furniture in your home. If we have only 20 buyers out there in your price range- 80% will be cut out of the buyer pool. You have limited the buyers who will want to buy your home.

Check out the before and after pictures- which one would you crown the winner? Staging will make the difference and get your home into the finals.

A couple of tips:

When staging a room- stage to the focal point of the room. Ask yourself- what is the feature we want to accentuate? Stage that area. Most of the time the focal point in the family room is the fire place. Dress it up and make that area feel cozy. Remember- would you feel comfortable sitting in this room.
Don't always sit furniture on the edge of walls. It is sometimes better to float the sofa and love seat on an angle than to hug the wall. Experiment with what you have and move your furniture around to get the feel of the room
Lastly- look at the room with new eyes- what do you see when you look at the room- does the furniture block the flow of traffic- block a view? Don't let your staging detract from a view- or an architechtual feature.

Evening Gown Competition:

What your home wears will count when it comes down to the judging. Is your home wearing excessive clutter or is it over decorated?

Clutter eats equity-buyers can't see through all the stuff. It's like wearing too much makeup in a cover up. Buyers want to see the features of your home not your collections, endless pictures on the wall and all those electrical cords behind your computer hutch.

Décor can either attract or distract. Have a stager evaluate your home to make the needed improvements

without eliminating any potential buyers from your home. Here are some tips on de-cluttering

Staging can make a difference as being crowned the winner and sold!

Make sure staging is a part of your selling strategy.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Adjustable and Arm rates getting some relief!

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:03:20 -0500

Some goods again for mortgage holder of Arms and Adjustable rates. Read below for some facts. For more info go to our Home Team Girls blog

Central Banks Coordinate Global Cut in Interest Rates
Hoping to thaw the current credit freeze, the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the central banks of Canada and Sweden reduced their primary lending rates by a half percentage point Wednesday. The Chinese central bank also reduced its key interest rate and lowered bank reserve requirements, while the Bank of Japan's rates remained unchanged.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· The purpose of the rate cut is to increase consumer confidence, which in turn should help stimulate the economy. When consumers and businesses have more confidence in the economy, they usually spend more money, which bolsters the economy by enabling retailers to increase sales and prevent future layoffs.

· The Federal Reserve controls the interest rate that banks charge each other for short-term loans. Usually this leads to banks lowering the rates they charge consumers and businesses. The short-term loan-rate reduction, from 2 percent to 1.5 percent, should have an almost immediate effect on credit-card rates, according to financial analysts. Interest rates on automobile and business loans also should decline. Generally, the short-term loan-rate reduction also leads to a reduction in mortgage rates; however, it is too soon to predict if that will happen in this case given the way the market has reacted to recent economic news.

· Some credit card companies already have reduced their credit card rates. Although there may be room for further reductions for some consumers, many experts believe that only consumers with the best credit scores and payment history will benefit from the rate reduction. Most credit card companies deem consumers with high credit scores as providing the least amount of risk.

· Consumers with fixed-rate mortgages will not benefit from the rate cut; however, those with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) may. When banks receive an interest rate cut, they may pass along the savings to consumers. Homeowners with ARMs could receive a payment reduction.

To read the full story, please click here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/business/09fed.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Selling Your Home? Facts for a Fast Sale

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:49:03 -0500

This can be great time to sell if you are moving and buying again. Interest rates are down. When you sell low you can buy low to offset your loses. The good news is, your new property taxes will be lower!

Sell your home fast in any market
Due to the large number of available homes on the market, and the fact that the traditional home-buying season is coming to a close, sellers need to be aware of key factors that can determine whether their home sells quickly or lingers on the market.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· Accurately pricing a home continues to be the number one factor to conclude a successful sale. Most REALTORS® guide sellers in determining an accurate listing price for their home by tracking comparable properties in their neighborhood that have sold within the previous three to four months. Since the market can greatly fluctuate from one neighborhood to another, some REALTORS® believe that setting a price based on comps older than three to four months will not accurately reflect the current market and could result in pricing a home at odds with current market conditions.

· Even in today's market, sellers do have some control over many contingencies. Some buyers may request that their contracts include contingencies based on their ability to obtain financing. To avoid risks associated with this contingency, some REALTORS® advise their clients to request buyers to provide a pre-approval letter from a well-established lender; a financial information sheet outlining the buyer's employment history, income, assets and liabilities; and a recent bank statement showing that the buyer has enough funding reserves for the required down payment. This ensures that the buyer is likely to be approved for a mortgage loan, and reduces the risk to the seller.

· Some buyers may use a home's inspection report as a bargaining chip to negotiate a lower price. When this occurs, some sellers offer buyers a lump sum of money so the buyer can make the repairs, rather than the seller repairing each item listed on the report. Sellers may be able to avoid paying a lump sum to the buyer by having the home pre-inspected prior to listing. This enables the seller to obtain accurate estimates for the cost of repairs ahead of time and provides the seller with the option of making the repairs before listing the home.

To read the full story, please click here;
http://realestate.msn.com/Selling/Article_kip.aspx?cp-documentid=10888459&gt1=35000

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Roseville Home for Sale- 100K in Upgrades

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:16:10 -0500

The Home Team Girls did it again. A new listing in Roseville Ca. See this beauiful show room ready house for sale. Over 100K in upgrades.

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Homes For Sale, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer's Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified home stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

Want a fast sale, thinking about doing some DIY fixes on your Sacramento area house? Or are you a new home owner to the Sacramento area, if so we can give you a 10% off coupon from Lowe's that is good for any one purchase up to a maximum of $5,000! That means if you spend 5,000 dollars at Lowe's you get $500 off, $1,000, you get $100 off. No cost and or obligation email or call us at 916.759.2147 for the free Lowe's coupon.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me Up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Homes For Sale, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer's Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short SaleSpecialist. We use the service of a certified Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

Buyer's Market Solution for a Home Seller-Staging

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:25:11 -0500

The Home Team Girls recommend that staging is incorporated in all listings to maximize the homes appeal to buyers. Here is an example of the type of staging in an occupied home using the client's own accent pieces and furniture. If you own real estate and want the maximize your equity, consider using a home stager to improve your home's marketability.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Home Team Girls Realtors- Home For Sale in Granite Bay

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:07:55 -0500

Granite Bay Home for Sale

Grantie Bay Home With Pool Near Folsom Lake

8897 Bronson Drive, Granite Bay, CA 95746 View Map

Charming home near Folsom Lake- Large lot .4 acres with secluded back yard with lots of space. Beautiful and tranquil back yard with pool, patios and shade. Eureka School District. 4 Bedrooms and 3 full baths. Granite Kitchen counters, island, formal dining room,living, family room great room concept with sky light! Because of the unique layout of the backyard, you have the best of both worlds- a tranquil natural setting and yet a manicured backyard for that getaway oasis you have dreamt of.

Details

Asking Price:

699,900

MLS:

80037193

Sq. Feet:

2768

Lot Size:

.43

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

# of Floors:

Year Built:

1988

Contact Info

Kathy Dyer

Dir 916.759.2147
Email | Website

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Staging helps Sell this Granite Bay Property

Wed, 14 May 2008 23:54:04 -0500

This amazing property was sold near listing price. The Home Team Girls use professional home stagingwith all their listings. The Home Team Girls believe that is why this property sold at the price it did. They use virtual Tour technology to grab buyer interest on the MLS. It has been proven that homes that have virtual tours get more views on the MLS.
Notice that the outside of this home was meticulously staged as the inside.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

•· Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

•· Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

•· Home maintenance tips

Green Awareness Tip of the Month: Electricity Savings-Electrical Vampires Beware!

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:54:01 -0500

Green Awareness Tips can Save you Money and Help the Planet.

Electricity bills are on the rise, what can we do about it? Are you aware that you can find out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged on. While your plugs are plugged in- they can"suck" electricity or use electricity on a constant basis with no benefit to you at all. Phone chargers, Printers, VCR's, TV's, & Toasters can be the culprits. One way to identify these amperage-sucking "vampires" is to connect these devices to the Kill-a-Watt^TM Electricity Usage Monitor (retails for approximately $24).

The "Kill A Watt" large LCD screen will display your amp consumption. Your electrical expenses can be calculated by the day, week, month, or year. You'll be able to determine how cost effective your appliances are and when it's time in invest in that new air conditioners or refrigerator. Available from Amazon.com or other online vendors.

For more green tips- visit the C.A.R.'s "Green Tips" http://www.car.org/blogs/index.php

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Top 10 Travel Websites

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:46:01 -0500

Our newsletter is here is help inform you with articles that relate to you in a timely way. Feel free to contact us for any of your Real Estate Needs. The Home Team Girls can help buyers, investors, sellers in this tough Real Estate market. Visit us at our website at www.HomeTGeamGirls.com or 916-759-2147.

Home Sale Price Medians By City for March 2008

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:05:29 -0500

Home Sales in the Tri-County area serving Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado Hills latest Median Prices for March. Sales are going up for first time home buyers and investors. Lower pricing has opened up the market. We expect sales to decline as there are still many short sales and REO properties are on the rise. Look for less REO homes entering the market before a market correction starts up again.

Placer, Sacramento, El Dorado County Farmer's Market Schudule

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:46:38 -0500

Do you have memories of growing up and eating out of your home grown garden? I especially remember the smell of fresh grown tomatoes after picking them, sprinkling a little salt on them, and taking a big juicy bite! Now we can enjoy all the benefits of fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables without all the work. Support our local farmer's market and select your produce fresh off the vine. It's better for you and at great prices too! Placer County Market Info Sacramento Market Website

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

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Tips: How to Buy a Bank Owned REO Property

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:53:05 -0500

On weekends, I tend to hold open houses for REO properties, and I am surprised how many buyers are not working with an agent. They hope to find their home by searching through the newest REO open houses.

After they find the right house, then they choose their Realtor. This seems backward. That process may have worked before, but not now. These buyers are missing out on a lot of services that Realtors bring to the table.

In a way, dealing with REO properties is like being in a seller's market again. The good homes go fast, some times in 1 day, and most of the time with multiple offers. In this case the early bird gets the worm.

So how does a buyer better position themselves to buy an REO property and get their offer accepted by the bank.

1. WORK WITH A REALTOR- New properties first show up on the MLS usually at 4 AM each morning. Realtors are the first ones to see a new listing show up. Each Realtor has what we call "A" clients, that they work with and will call them 1st -as soon as good listing shows up. An "A" client is someone that is working exclusively with that Realtor. If you are an "A" client, you will get the call from that Realtor telling you about the great listing that just showed up.

Even better, a Realtor can put you on their MLS auto searches that get emailed to you every morning. If you look at those listings every day, you can stay on-top of the new listing market. If not, you can have your Realtor keep on the look out for you.

If you want a Realtor to work for you and alert you to new listings ask them for this kind of service. So clients who work with agents will be first ones to know about a new listing. So you can be the early bird!

On the other hand, buyers who do their shopping on the internet by themselves, will see a new MLS listing 24- 72 hours after it shows up on the private RealtorMLS sites. So buyers not working through an agent might see properties up to 3 days after those who choose to work with Realtors.

Finally, there are others who do their shopping in person, those who are professional open house lookers. These buyers are missing the boat. Not all new listings have open houses right away. By the time these buyers take action- these home may already have multiple offers on it.

2. GET PRE-APPROVED- Savvy buyers get pre-qualified if not pre-approved. If you are not pre-approved yet- make sure you do. If you do not know a good lender, ask your Realtor since they know who is good and will provide a smooth transaction. Most, if not all banks require a pre-qualification letter when you place an offer. Your offer will not be accepted or even considered without one. Most Realtors will not show you homes without a Pre-qualification letter.

3. GET EDUCATED- By working with a Realtor, they can educate you about the home buying process. Once you find the right home, you will have to act fast. Remember the early bird gets the worm. You will need to know what payment you feel comfortable with, what your closing costs will be, and are you willing to pay any HOA or Mello Ross? Only your lender and Realtor can help you with that.

4. PUT AS MUCH DOWN AS YOUR CAN- An offer with the highest price is not always the best offer. Banks these days are looking for a strong buyer that has no problem qualifying. A buyer that has a 100% loan is considered a weaker qualified buyer than a person who puts down let's say 20%. So if you are putting less down and want your offer to be taken seriously, what should you do? You need to up the ante if you can, offer more money for the home and maybe the bank will like your offer better.

5. SHOW VERIFICATION OF FUNDS. Make a copy of where your down payment is coming form, a bank statement, an investment, a 1031 exchange property. Black out any personal account info on it. You can also have your bank write up a letter for you as well.

6. MAKE YOUR OFFER A CLEAN ONE. Usually banks sell the property as is. Don't ask for repairs. It is always best to keep your contingencies as short as possible. If you do not need a loan contingency, don't use one. Ask your Realtor for advice on this one.

7. MAKE IT YOUR BEST OFFER UP FRONT. You will be in competition with other offers, so if it is a good home, it may be priced lower to encourage bidding wars. I called about a home the other day that had 23 offers on it.

8. MAKE YOUR OFFER ASAP. In some cases I see homes go pending the day the house comes on the market. How does that happen? Some investors actually buy homes sight unseen. They have their Realtors scout out the homes and then make multiple offers and see which ones stick and which ones don't. So if you are a first time home buyer, you are competing with those savvy investors that act fast. So take action. Know the market and what you want- check out the homes in the areas you want to live in. Once you know what you want, what you want to pay, what your closing costs will be, then you qualify to actually buy a home. Good Luck!

Want a fast sale, thinking about doing some DIY fixes on your Sacramento area house? Or are you a new home owner to the Sacramento area, if so we can give you a 10% off coupon from Lowe's that is good for any one purchase up to a maximum of $5,000! That means if you spend 5,000 bucks at Lowe's you get $500 off, $1,000, you get $100 off. No cost and or obligation email or call us at 916.759.2147 for the free Lowe's coupon.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

What is the difference between an REO Property and a Bank Foreclosure?

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:48:41 -0500

Q1. What is an REO?

A. An "REO" is an acronym for "real estate owned" by banks. A bank owns the property instead of individuals. Once a property is foreclosed upon, the bank typically acquires title to its REO properties.

Q 2. What is the difference between an REO sale and bank foreclosure sale?

A. Once a homeowner neglected to pay a mortgage loan, the bank sells that property at a foreclosure sale, usually at an auction. An REO sale, on the other hand, is the sale of property owned by a bank. An Example: Let's say, Suzie Homeowner has a mortgage loan secured by his home. If she defaults on her mortgage loan, the lender may initiate the foreclosure process and eventually acquire the property at a foreclosure sale. Upon the lender's acquisition, the property becomes part of the lender's REO portfolio. The subsequent sale of that lender-owned property is commonly called an REO sale. Lenders will hire Realtors to sell those properties and list them on the MLS.

Q 3. Why all the REO properties lately?

A. The recent high volume of foreclosure sales in recent years result in a high volume of REO sales.
A foreclosure in California, is usually handled through a trustee's sale. Those properties are sold to the highest bidder at auctions open to the public. At this trustee's sale, the foreclosing lender may make a credit bid in the amount of its unpaid debt plus foreclosure costs. The trustee on the other hand, typically requires cash or cash equivalent, on any other accepted bid. Because of having to pay cash, rarely does anyone outbid the foreclosing lender at the trustee's sale. This property becomes part of the lender's REO portfolio, once the foreclosing lender acquires title to the property by the trustee's deed.

Q 4. Why would someone wait to buy a property from an REO lender, rather than acquire it as the highest bidder at the trustee's sale?

A. There is less potential for one to acquire property as the highest bidder at a trustee's sale than the same property from the REO lender after foreclosure. In most cases, people are not able to pay all cash for real property as is often required for trustees' sales. That is not true for REO sales. Also REO properties are less risky, as compared to a foreclosure sale where these purchasers often have no opportunity to inspect the interior of the property before buying it, despite the possibility that the property may be distressed or occupied by tenants or previous owners. Acquiring title to an REO property may also be less risky because an REO lender is likely to take care of certain title issues, such as unpaid property taxes. Indeed, it can be very difficult for a buyer to obtain title insurance when acquiring property at a trustee's sale, but not an REO sale.

For more info on this subject-go to: www.car.org

Want a fast sale, thinking about doing some DIY fixes on your Sacramento area house? Or are you a new home owner to the Sacramento area, if so we can give you a 10% off coupon from Lowe's that is good for any one purchase up to a maximum of $5,000! That means if you spend 5,000 dollars at Lowe's you get $500 off, $1,000, you get $100 off. No cost and or obligation email or call us at 916.759.2147 for the free Lowe's coupon.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Home Selling Tips

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:18:49 -0600

Home Stagings Tips

Getting your home ready to sell? This can be a huge job, but once you identify the areas of concern, this task can be manageable if done in small steps.

It has been announced by NAR that "property inventories are at an all time high". Gone are the days of multiple offers and putting up a sign and waiting for the market to catch up with your price ...now buyers have tons of choices and sellers are looking for only the most qualified agent to list their house.

Today, competition is fierce and sellers must be prepared to present their home in the best possible light.

Most successful real estate agents all agree that... Staged Homes Do Sell Faster!

Today's average sellers are not equipped to stage a home without professional assistance. Most homeowners personalize their homes to their tastes. Staging is depersonalization and marketing to the masses. Only a professional knows what appeals to the highest percentage of buyers.

Home Staging Is a Trend That Is Becoming A Real Estate Standard.

Every home needs some level of staging. Some of the best properties I have seen still need what I call, "tying a ribbon around the package." Staging the outside- to the inside is needed for homes to go from Blah hum drum to Oooh la la!

This is the first in a series of Home Selling Tips

Staging Part One

Staging starts with repairs and clean up. Here is a list of to do's that a home owner can do themselves before they even start to interview their agents.

Clean Carpets~ Most carpets need to be cleaned- Have them professionally cleaned before putting your home on the market.
- Unless a home is a fixer- dated carpeting and worn out carpet should be replaced. Giving a buyer a credit or a discount will only keep the house from selling faster. A worn out carpet will have them asking- what else is worn out too? A light colored short plush or Berber carpet with a good pad is the best. Ask your agent first before you invest any money into a carpet.
Check all lights- are they working properly- clean all bulbs and lights. Make them shine. Check for dark hallways- and increase wattage within allowances. Check to make sure all outlets work.
Repair cracks in all walls and ceilings
Look for cobwebs in ceilings and clean out.
Repair or replace old discolored grout. Bleaching white grout sometimes can do the trick, if not get a sharp tool and scrap out grout and add new white grout. Check bathroom sinks and around the tub and over the shower ledge. Of course if your grout is colored, you will not use bleach.
Repair or replace all broken light switches and plates. Clean them up.
Take a good look at house plants- In most cases they need to be pruned and or the number reduced to create more space. If they don't look healthy or are barely clinging to life, then give them away.
Fireplaces need to be cleaned out. Glass doors should be cleaned. Mantles and hearths need to you cleared off except a few items.
Be sensitive to odors, because buyers are. Excessive cooking or smoking odors, dog or cat odors, baby laundry and mildew will turn off buyers. If there is a challenge in your home, use room deodorants or disinfectants sprays and keep windows cracked open even in very hot or cold weather for ventilation. There are great products in pet stores for pet odors, and many professional carpet cleaners have special ozone machines that can really help with difficult odors)
Repair items that are broken. This will show that your home is well taken care of. In many cases the buyer will ask that you repair them anyway- and they will ask for a price reduction. Don't give them a reason.
- Look for cracks in tiles on counters and make repairs
- Look for leaky faucets and make repairs
- Broken seals in windows- replace
- Check window screens and make any repairs
- Make sure all door locks are in good working condition
- Replace all furnace filters
Touch Up Paint
- Base boards and trim touch ups
- Doors- Paint the front door - ask your Realtor for suggestions
- Repaint any rooms with personalized paint- a creamy color is best
- Remove wall paper or boarders- if you have extensive wall paper throughout the home- get professional advice on alternative remedies
Clean outdoors
- Remove leaves from gutters
- Hose off patios
- Re-bark all planter areas
- Plant colorful flowers in beds
- Arrange pots in bare areas
- Fertilize the grass
- Remove all trash and debris from yard
- Make sure pool is sparkling clean
- Make sure all sprinklers are in working order
- Prune any dead limbs from trees and bushes
- Edge the lawn areas
- Clean the concrete on driveways

Hire a professional stager to give you a detailed staging consultation that you can do your self. They will give you ideas on how to stage your outdoors to give you better curb appeal.

This free 10% off coupon is ONLY available from Realtors that are participating in Lowe's Realtor Benefits program.

Our Lowe's "Inside Out", free monthly e-newsletter is full of great advice too. No cost, no obligation, just send an email and say "Sign me up Home Team Girls."

Monthly tips on moving, buying and selling available

Education about innovative products and projects around the home that yield the highest return

Home maintenance tips

Therapeutic Horsemanship Program Helped my Special Need's Son

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:50:38 -0600

Being a Real Estate agent has been a blessing to me as I had flexible hours to care for a special needs son whom I have raised as a single mother. One of the blessing we had in our journey together was an organization called "Saddle Pals". Being an avid horse person, this was a great option for me to bond with my son andto do something Iloved to do. Little did I know what the rewards would be! Accordding to Saddle Pals website:

Saddle Pals in Grass Valley Ca, is a therapeutic horsemanship program that provides services to individuals with physical or developmental disabilities. The program began in 1993 and is accredited through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). NARHA has certified that Saddle Pals meets established safety, quality, and administrative guidelines.

Background: When my son was a baby, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. He was missing all of the usual milestones in development. I took him to Shriners in San Francisco and they determined that he had CP along with other challenges. I had a horse ranch at the time and was a counselor as well. I quit my "day job" as a counselor and enrolled my son in an infant stimulation program. In order to make ends meet, I took on some horses to train. I took him to the stables with me each day. After working the horses I had to cool them down. That's when I would take my baby son up on the horse with me. He would sit in front of the saddle on the horses withers and we would cool the horses down. I did not know how powerful this was! The synergistic effect of the hot lathered horse and my son's legs were amazing! He could sit on a horse bareback unassisted before he could sit on his own. His little legs were curled up and atrophied, but he looked like a giant on the horses.

He also Rode my Dutch Mare in a horse show in Santa Cruz and got a 1st place ribbon.

He went from the show ring to his wheel chair. This is the same mare who was as high as a kite but treated him like a china cup. She also took great care of me after my accident- read my BLOG on Horse-Rescue.

Many years later we moved to the Sacramento area. That's where we found Saddle Pals and enrolled my son. Saddle Pals is a non profit therapeutic riding program for disabled folks. All of there horses are put through a rigorous training and temperament program before they are enrolled in the program. I've seen a child arrive at Saddle Pals in a van equipped for handicapped purposes. She was taken out of the van in a wheel chair and the next time I saw her she was sitting tall on a horse, completely unassisted! Horses are unbelievably therapeutic. Theodore Roosevelt stated " I only hope that when I arrive in heaven that there will be horses". My family has been blessed with the power of horses. My oldest son, Jason, spent many hours riding with me. We had some of our best talks on horseback and I cherish each ride with him. Horses continue to be a source of inspiration and strength for me. I feel so blessed to have this passion and I hope that I can help distressed horses as much as they have helped me and my family!

Check out Therapeutic Horsemanship for any of your solutions for a special needs child or adult.

If you and your pet are looking for a home in the Sacramento Ca Metro area, Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Auburn, Lincoln, my team and I would love to help you find or sell your home. Check us out at www.HomeTeamGirls.com

Horse Rescue, Passion to make a difference

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:16:37 -0600

My Passion for Horse Rescue

I was in a terrible accident and sustained serious injuries. I had 7 operations and was on crutches for over two years. I had one very special friend during that time, a Dutch Warm blooded mare. She was well over 17 hands tall and full of energy and ability. She was also complicated, moody and naughty. I was never bored and usually frustrated with her behavior. She was also the best jumper I ever had and would either win a class or get excused from the arena for being a brat! During this time I took the left stirrup off my saddle and just rode in the hills with my cast. My complicated, moody, naughty horse turned into an angel and treated me like a china cup! She understood that I was injured and just took care of me. This literally saved my life and sanity. I rode through the hills and across the river in Carmel Valley which restored my spirit. I know that the kinship with this particular horse that saved my life. After my final surgery I put the stirrup back on and my mare went back to her old behaviors. We went on to show, play, and swim in the rivers and ocean until her death 2 years ago at the age of 20. I feel that we are sent 'angels' in our lives and she was truly mine.

Since then I rescued a 'pmu' colt and taken on some other needy horse projects. The PMU colt was rescued from a ranch in N Dakota. He was on his way to slaughter in Canada. PMU is and acronym for premerian production. The premeran that Drs. prescribe is made from pregnant mares urine. When the FDA put a halt on premerin production thousands of horses were sent to slaughter. See article about the FDA ruling. Rescue organizations sprang up all over the country to save these horses. I got my colt from Lazy Horse Ranch. They operate on a shoestring budget and need all of help they can get.

I got Simon, my colt, as a yearling and he's now almost 3 years old. He's the sweetest guy and is HUGE! He's half shire and has one blue eye. He was terrified and wild when I got him and now he's a big sweet puppy.

If anyone has a passion for horse rescue, check out the organizations in your area.

Christine Sturgis is a Real Estate Agent for Keller Williams Realty and serves the Roseville, Loomis, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Auburn, Lincoln and Placer County and Sacramento County areas.