Do refinance appraisals reflect the true market value of a home? Not necessarily. - 04/28/11 05:02 PM
I sold a Carmichael home for around $1M last year. Last week, my seller got a $665K appraisal for his refinance. Ouch! Did his home really drop that much in value?
No. No. No. In fact, homes over $700K in Carmichael have retained their value over the past two years. (look at the chart below) So what went wrong?
Appraisers have different goals with their appraisals. On a refi, they are trying to confirm to the bank that the loan is a good one.  They know what value they are trying to confirm. In this case, they only needed $665K of … (2 comments)

I LOVE living with an elephant! - 04/28/11 01:16 PM
Last year our new Fair Oaks neighbor moved an elephant into his front yard. I almost crashed the first time I saw it.
WWHHUUUTTTTT! Who IS this BOZO? I snarkily commented.
Where's his pink flamingo? Heh, heh, heh.
This guys dudn't have enough to do, quite obviously!
Fourth of July he had a little flag.
Then Christmas came, with his monstro-sized Santa Hat. I started to like him.
Then Valentine's Day with his hearts. Awww....
Easter brought him a colorful basket, full of plastic eggs and a bouquet of flowers.  This guys too cute...
Then one day, my husband said "I … (12 comments)

Fair Oaks Vernal Pools at Phoenix Park - Getting ready to burst into bloom! - 04/28/11 12:45 PM
The Vernal Pools at Phoenix Field in Fair Oaks are starting to come alive.  Not quite in their full glory, they are getting there. Here they are in April 2011.  You can still see the pooled water which is the key to the amazing proliferation of wildflowers to come as the water evaporates. Then scan down to see the pic I took in the same spot May last year.

Vernal pools are a vanishing rarity. They are little pockets of temporary wetlands created by rainwater trapped on the surface by hardpan which prevents percolation.  So the rainwater sits until it … (3 comments)

Want to buy a Fair Oaks home? What should your Realtor do for you? Here's what I do. - 04/26/11 08:02 PM

Want to buy a Fair Oaks home?  What should your Realtor do for you? After 30 years of working on it, here's the best of what I do for you.
First of all, I don't freak out.  I just work on solving problems. Well, most of the time anyway.  Occasionally I blow a fuse, but I work hard to keep your home buying process under control.
You see, the one guarantee in buying a home, is we WILL run into problems.
You can't afford the home you love. 4 other paople love the same home, and have made competing offers. … (2 comments)

Crosswoods, Citrus Heights - General information about Citrus Heights Best Planned Community - 04/24/11 10:45 AM
Crosswoods is Citrus Heights best planned development.  Technically a PUD, it's generally referred to as a condo association.  Whatever you call it,  what you have a a delightful community of condo-like homes in a wooded wonderland.
Most people who currently live in Crosswoods, discovered it by visiting a friend.  Driving around Crosswoods Circle you can't help but oooohh and awwww at the towering oaks, lush greenery, walking paths, flowers, and active walkers out for a stroll. Side streets meander through the woods, with cottage-like homes set on greenbelts.  With a number of retirees living there, you'll find many eyes to watch … (5 comments)

What is the difference between a Condo, a PUD, and a Townhome? - 04/23/11 06:06 PM
What is the difference between a condo, a PUD, and a townhome? Good question.  But, first, what the heck is a PUD?
A PUD, is a “Planned Unit Development”. Which is a fancy schmantzy term for a neighborhood with a master plan. The homes may be attached (which we think of as condos), or detached homes. There will be a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) charging monthly dues, whose duties will vary.  Some may maintain the homes, or the landscaping.  Some may only be responsible for the common area landscaping.  Or maybe maintaining a front gate, or private roads. This varies widely, as … (3 comments)

How to Have a Smooth Escrow and Avoid Problems - 04/23/11 06:05 PM
I've been selling homes since the dawn of time - or at least it feels like it. And like death and taxes, I have found there is one guarantee in selling or buying a home.  PROBLEMS.  You will always have problems.
The escrow process has it's own set of problems, and your life will be a lot easier if you avoid them early on. So here are a few of  my favorite tips to assure a smooth escrow.
1. Choose your escrow offiicer carefully.  Go with experience.  When you have problems, a good escrow officer makes the difference between a closed … (3 comments)

Why I blog... It Reminds Me of Who I Am. - 04/23/11 01:15 PM
I have a tough time sticking to anything. Blogging, and why I do it, is no exception. I began to get business.  But I have continued for a myriad of reasons. Some completely unexpected.
At times, I blog for SEO.  I'm learning from Katerina Gasset... analyze your keywords, include keywords in your title, repeat them in the first line (already blew that one), anchor at the bottom. I do that, but these posts bore me. There's no soul there. I swear I'll do it right, but the devil in me rebels.
Then sometimes I blog for a contest. I made my … (2 comments)

Who is buying and selling homes these days? - 04/23/11 11:28 AM
Every week, at least once, I’ll get a long face from someone asking me if I’m OK. After all, I'm a realtor, and must be depressed about this market. Right? WRONG. Sellers may be depressed, but for every sad seller, there is an ecstatic buyer. And many of the buyers are buying foreclosures - and who cares if those bank/sellers are sad!
So here’s a look at the homes I sold in 2010, to give you an idea of who sells or buys Fair Oaks and Carmichael homes in this market. Some will surprise you.
*Mark and Debbie almost got me … (7 comments)

Safety Tip for Sellers. Avoid a Lawsuit by Checking the Eveness of Your Stairs - 04/23/11 10:24 AM
I sold a home to a safety engineer once.  He amazed me with his comments about safety violations in the Fair Oaks homes we viewed.  Most were things I had thought of. 
 Hand rails?? Check.  Uncovered electrical sockets? Got it. Uneven walkways? Know about that one.  Yeah, baby... I got it.
 But the surprise to me was his focus on stairs with an uneven rise… where some steps are shorter or taller than the others. Never gave it a thought.
 He explained that our brains adjust to the first step, then expect the rest to be the same. So imagine … (3 comments)

Beware of Google Maps mixing up your info with other people! Criminy..... - 04/21/11 12:14 PM
Crap! I've turned into a Frankenstein or sorts, with body parts from hither and yon.  MY website ... Linda's face ... Shale's email address, and I don't know who's phone number. I'm a mess... at least according to Google. You better check yourself!
If you google "Sally Dunbar Realtor" or "Fair Oaks Realtor", you see my name with the little teardrop bubble.  Good so far.  But click on it, and you get the patchwork realtor.  I asked Shale to try to fix it, so he removed his photo, only to have Linda's appear. Now at least I look female, but that … (9 comments)

Fair Oaks Homes for Sale - A Historical Victorian Gem on 6 Acres - 04/20/11 10:06 AM
It's rare that you find a Fair Oaks home for sale with a history like this one. Located on 6 riverfront acres, overlooking the American River, this stately Victorian has quietly stood sentinel over Fair Oaks as it has grown from a sleepy turn of the century citrus community to ... well, we're still a sleepy town on the banks of the American River.

3920 Edgevale Court was built at the turn of the century - the LAST century, that is - and is in amazing shape. The copper roof protected the home from one hundred years of Fair Oaks … (10 comments)

Fair Oaks Homes For Sale, April, 2011 - What's happening with Fair Oaks homes prices? - 04/19/11 07:36 PM
When searching for Fair Oaks homes for sale, your choices are increasing!  We currently have 172 Fair Oaks homes on the market, down from a high of 212 last September. But 172 is an increase over the past 3 months.
Traditionally, the number of homes on the market decreases every winter.  Sellers give up, or grow tired of mud-footed buyers tramping across their pristine carpet, only to say the have just started looking.  Then, come spring time, sellers once again start listing their homes for sale, in time for their glorious gardens to reach their peak.
In past years, the bank … (1 comments)

Things to do in Fair Oaks... Walk the American River Bike Trail Year Round - 04/17/11 09:11 PM
When it comes to things to do in Fair Oaks, I hate to be ninner-nannery about where I live, but you gotta admit, being able to take a river walk like this in April is pretty stupendous. In Fair Oaks, CA, you can do it!  In fact, the river is a great hike year round.

While much of the country is freezing now, Fair Oaks is basking in the warmth of a Spring sun.  Walkers and joggers are out in full force enjoying our glorious American River Bike Trail, which meanders along the American River from Folsom to downtown Sacramento … (8 comments)

Spring has Sprung in Fair Oaks - 04/17/11 08:16 PM
Every spring our front yard leaves me breathless.  Azaleas burst into full bloom, under a canopy of twisted ancient olive trees.  Butterflys, squirrels and wild turkey meander throughout our yard, laying claim to the wonderland of floral bouquets. 
I talk to my brother, in the Seattle area, and hear of the drizzle and cold weather, gloating that I get to live in this wonderland.
Mmmmm.... I'm content.
 

… (2 comments)

Hilarious Spin Off of the Village People's WMCA - It's the "Vintage People" with "AARP" - 04/13/11 06:37 PM
My good and brilliant friend, Realtor Patti Nelson, wrote this hilarious (and ribald) spinoff of the Village People's YMCA, with the "Vintage People" singing "AARP".  This was performed by the Nelson Brothers at our talent show as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. It had the joint rockin, rollin, and howlin with laughter.
 
… (7 comments)

Shortest and Sweetest Testimonial (10 seconds) for Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - 04/13/11 10:43 AM
Thanks Joni and Gary - this testimonial is right to the point. You're going to LOVE your new Fair Oaks Craftsman home!
… (5 comments)

How to Choose a Realtor - Video Tutorial - 04/12/11 04:12 PM
When selecting a Realtor, it's not their commission, their experience or their great smile that you should base your choice on.  Really? Then how do you choose?  Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor, shares her opinion based on 30 years as a Broker.
 
… (4 comments)

Real Estate Commissions - Who Pays and Should You Negotiate - A Video Tutorial - 04/11/11 10:54 PM
Real Estate commissions are always negotiable.  But is it in your best interest to grind on your agent for the cheapest rate? And who pays, anyway - the buyer or the seller?
Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor, gives the answer in this Video Tutorial.
… (10 comments)

Things to do in Fair Oaks... Visit Jensen Botanical Garden - 04/10/11 11:03 PM
Along a busy stretch of Fair Oaks Blvd, a tranquil glorious garden lies in wait. Visitors stopping by for the first time will be shocked at the peaceful horticultural work of art they have driven by, never knowing what was there.  And it's all free to the public.
The magic only becomes apparent after you have navigated the odd-shaped parking lot dotted with dent traps.  But walk over the bridge, and a wonderland of greenery awaits you.
Charles Jensen moved his family to Carmichael in 1958, and began the transformation of his 3 1/2 acre piece of land.  Already graced with … (2 comments)

Sheep-Weeders at work at Sun City Lincoln Hills - 04/10/11 10:04 PM
Whoever thought of renting out their sheep for weed control is a genius. Sheep are known for wrecking pasture land because they eat the roots and all, which is bad for new growth.  But how perfect where you don't want new growth.
 
Sun City Lincoln Hills hires flocks of sheep for weed control for their greenbelt areas.  It is so cool to drive through the planned senior development and come across these wooly munchers doing their thing.  There is usually a gaggle of gooseneckers watching (myself included) whenever they are at work.  It's certainly not what you would expect to … (9 comments)

Guess who the storyteller is? - 04/08/11 10:33 AM

… (11 comments)

How to Choose a Realtor? Don't choose based on commission or price! - 04/07/11 10:40 PM
With the bazillion real estate agents in your community, how do you pick the right one? How do you know how to choose?
I've been selling homes forever, and I have developed a pretty strong opinion on this.  First I'll tell you what you do NOT base your choice on.
1. Price?  Don't get all gaga over the highest price.  That agent may be wrong, or trying to "buy" your listing. You want the RIGHT price, not just the highest.
2. Commission rate? The lowest commission is meaningless if your escrow doesn't close. Ask what you will get for the commission.  … (10 comments)

6324 Woodcreek Drive, Citrus Heights, CA. Home for Sale on Greenbelt - 6 Bedrooms, too! - 04/03/11 10:54 PM
Join me for a walking video tour of my new listing at 6324 Woodcreek Drive in Citrus Heights.  Priced at only $275,000, this 6 bedroom home has been lovingly renovated with dual pane windows, a cook's kitchen (with granite, cherrywood, Bosch appliances and laminate floors), remodeled baths with granite showers, and even has room for your RV.
 
Come take a look, then call me...
… (3 comments)

Buying a HUD Home? Brain Surgery is Easier! - 04/03/11 12:36 PM
Now that I'm done crying and threatening mayhem against a sanctimonious juvenile twit, ignoramous, snot nosed kid... uh... young receptionist telling me I should read the instructions, I'm prepared to pass on some sage advise if you are considering buying a HUD home with the "new friendlier process".
"Don't do it" seems too easy. And not really practical. Afterall, FHA may have foreclosed on your client's dream home, and you can't let a little bureaucracy stand in your way.  Right?
So agents - this is for you.  And if you are the buyer, do your agent a favor and give this to them. It's just … (5 comments)

 
Sally_dunbar_photo Rainmaker_large

Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

Fair Oaks, CA

More about me…

Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area)

Address: 8814 Madison Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA, 95628

Office Phone: (916) 535-0356

Cell Phone: (916) 524-1548

Email Me

Fair Oaks homes for sale by Realtor Sally Dunbar, who's been hoofin' it through the homes of Fair Oaks and the surrounding areas, matching up eager buyers with ready-to-move sellers, since 1979.

While I sell homes in Fair Oaks, I venture in Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Gold River, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin and Granite Bay...(and Chevron loves me!)

How have I survived for so long?... By always doing what's right for my people.... Always!

Now check out my video about why I love Fair Oaks...



Short Sale, REO, foresclosures??? ... find out the difference below...



How do you pick a listing price? See below...



What price should you offer when you've found the home of your dreams??? Find out below...



Prepping your home for sale??? Don't miss the video below...



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog