Redding, California Real Estate Blog - The Cronic Group

The RECYCLE challenge..Jump on the bandwagon!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:59:02 -0500

So yesterday we got up and went to the Redding Farmer's Market at City Hall. It was a great morning...all the fruit and vegetables you could imagine in one location, waiting for you to bring them home to eat! So we walked around, selecting our produce like we were professional buyers for a posh restaurant when it hit me that we really DO have a choice as to the legacy we leave our kids. It must have hit Clint as well because as we left (with my fresh lemongrass in hand...what do you use it for anyway????) he informed me that we were going to really start recycling. He and Austin went to go get a 2nd garbage can and we began!

Well here it is 24 hours later and what is in the cans? A full recycle bin (needs to be emptied) and a garbage can the same size that is only 1/4 full! WOW...I am totally amazed. The items that are in the garbage can are mostly food scraps which makes me wonder...should we try worm casting or a compost pile? Maybe that is going too far but it is amazing how BIG our footprint is on the earth and how easy it is to shrink it with just being aware!

I challenge all of you to try this...set up a can for recycling inside the home and see which fills first! I bet if you are avidly recycling you will see just how much we do waste on containers, storage and packaging that will be pulled out of our landfills if we just watch!

Let me know how it goes!

Helping Buyers Understand Home Inspections

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:54:55 -0500

One major area we focus on when representing buyers is the home inspection. If you are thinking of buying a home you should be familiar with what a home inspector is and why you would hire one. First, a home inspector does just that-inspects the home. Generally a licensed home inspector will help you to determine the major problem areas (if any) and help guide you to get further inspections if necessary. In our area home inspections generally cost under $350 and provide a level of comfort to the buyer (who generally pays for the inspection if they so desire).

The five areas that you want to ensure your home inspector inspects are: roof, electrical, foundation, plumbing and inspect the attic. The inspector will review the electrical panel and outlets to ensure they are grounded, crawl under home if possible to check foundation, run dishwasher, sinks and toilets for leaks, look in the attic for insulation and/or pests. Not all home inspectors are created equal so ensure you are hiring a reputable inspector and that they are licensed! Also, a good home inspector will refer you to other inspectors (ie a roof inspector) as needed.

This is a small price for some great peace of mind for one of the largest investments you'll ever make!

Fed Takes Over Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:38:36 -0500

On Sunday, Federal officials unveiled the elaborate plans to takeover Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two giants in mortgage lending backers in the United States. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac currently back over $5 trillion in home loans, not directly lending the money but backing the money that is lent by mortgage lenders.

Click Here to read the entire post

Redding Real Estate Market Statistics 9/3/08

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:24:31 -0500

Well this week has been the rush to get all of our buyers that have been working under the Nehemiah program (a grant program given by sellers to buyers of FHA loan homes) into escrow before the program goes away permanently. I think we were successful and learned a lot along the way. Although we were skeptical about how it worked (seller made a grant to the Nehemiah foundation who in turn granted the money to buyers) it did help a lot of first-time buyers who otherwise wouldn't have been able to gather a down payment. Okay..here's today's real estate market update:

Residential Listings: There are currently 1877 active listings and another 368 listings that are pending (in escrow). Last week there were 1893 active listings with another 376 in escrow which was up from 1,702 active listings 3 months ago!

To read the entire post about the local Redding Real Estate Market click here

Redding Real Estate Market Statistics 8/28/08

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:09:58 -0500

The Redding, California real estate market has seemed to pick up over the last 3 weeks. After viewing a home 2 times for one client the day we went back for the 3rd visit the home went into escrow after being on the market only a month. Another client has seen a couple of homes recently go into escrow that they were considering which is a sign that buyers are trying to actually get into a home before interest rates rise due to uncertain economy.

Residential Listings: There are currently 1893 active listings and another 376 listings that are pending (in escrow). Last week there were 1886 active listings with another 393 in escrow which was up from 1,702 active listings 3 months ago!

To read the entire post about the local Redding Real Estate Market click here

The Art of Email Marketing

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:47:14 -0500

So...how many people out there actively market their listings via email? Up until about 6 months ago we didn't spend much time actually sending "emails" out to market our listings, knowing that we had basically plastered them all over the web with the usual places (Trulia, Yahoo, Google, Craigslist, etc.).

One day I decided to locate the list of email addresses for agents in our board of Realtors so that I could directly mail them outside of the MLS system to get our properties "noticed". I utilized a program which allowed me to send hundreds of emails at once (sending that many from your normal account would get it marked as "spam" and your account temporarily blocked).

What I realized was that there are SO MANY more agents that will read an email like this over the traditional email through the MLS system as they are inundated with those all day long. I sent one out a bit ago and already got 5 responses from it...that is about a 400% increase from my normal MLS emails!

I also turn around and send the same email to a database of website visitors (yes, they can ALL opt out at any time) and we always get responses from those. Just be sure to include links to your website, blog, listings and whatever else you want to get out there...someone will follow the links straight to you!

My job as of late...to stay up late!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:10:49 -0500

Well for many of us up here in Northern California this is a joyous weekend. For us in particular, trying to juggle kids that are out of school for the summer, keeping them from getting bored but also trying to ensure that we still focus on work...is a never-ending battle. School shopping is done, last years clothes have been pulled from the closet and we are ready to go! Yippee!

I have talked with so many agents that do the same thing we do during the summer. Since Clint and I are both in the business it makes it doubly hard for us to try to get work accomplished with kids underfoot. This being said, my job as of late has been to stay up late to get MY work accomplished so that I could still focus on the kids and not my computer all day. This has been a good compromise but I will be very happy to get back to bedtime before 1am. I am definately not a late night person and one can only watch so many movies while working on the computer to keep them awake and sane. I do give kudos to Blockbuster though...we did previously subscribe to Netflix but changed over to Blockbuster so we can exchange watched movies in the store and always have something new to watch.

We'd love to hear your "summer" stories!

10 Tips for Curb Appeal

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:39:49 -0500

These are some great curb appeal tips that sellers can use before getting their home listed...remember, first impressions DO count!

Via Susan Deering:

When selling your home, remember that the outside is the first thing that the potential buyers sees first. It has to look as good as the inside does.

Simple upgrades can be:

Stain or paint the front steps/deck, repair any broken steps or railings

Paint the front door (a complementary color to the siding/stucco)

Weed the flowerbeds

Mow the grass/shovel the snow

Remove all the garbage and clutter

Move any vechicles from the driveway, especially if it is a car that doesn't run or an RV

Wash windows

Ensure that the front door opens easily, change locks if necessary (if the realtor struggles to get inside, it's not a good sign)!

Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street

Add potted flowers or flowering shrubs to front steps/beds

Stand across the street and view your home. Make sure it looks clean and maintained. If it doesn't, potential buyers probably won't want to stop by. Remember, how it looks from the outside reflects how it has been cared for on the inside.

The Benefits of Staging A Home

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:37:03 -0500

Via Michelle Minch Home Staging Pasadena & Los Angeles, CA:

The benefit that home staging offers is all over the news, internet and television. Savvy real estate agents are enlisting home stagers in the sale of their listings and home sellers are seeking out home stager to get their home into tip top shape before even calling a listing agent.

A common misconception is that staging is expensive - that it costs too much - without taking the very real benefits into account. A home staged by a Professional Home Stager has distinct advantages from both the homeowner's and the Listing Agent's point of view. For the homeowner, staging can result in a faster sale, thereby saving them money on the carrying costs (mortgage, maintentance, insurance, etc.) and allowing them to move on to their next home that much sooner. Staging can help generate a higher sales price, by allowing buyers to see the home's potential instead of seeing it only as someone else's home. Also, the longer a home sits on the market, the more likely a price reduction will be necessary in order to get the home sold.

To read about how staging can result in a faster sale, click here

For an example of how staging helped generate a higher sale price, click here.

For the listing agent, that faster sale translates into less money outlay for marketing, hosting open houses, etc., and less time spent showing the house. A staged home shows better on the MLS and in collateral marketing materials and gives prospective buyers a sense that the home is move in ready. Buyer's agents are more likely to show a properly prepared home beacuse they know it is more likely to be attractive to their clients.

To read about how home staging benefits real estate agents, click here

At the very least, before you put your home on the market, start with a Comprehensive Home Staging Consultation. For less than $500, depending upon where you live, a professional home stager will do a thorough assessment of your home making note of any items that need to be repaired or cleaned, gauging the level of clutter and making recommendations regarding furniture placement. They will also discuss paint colors that can give new life to a room and make your home warm and inviting. An experienced home stager will have a rolodex full of handymen/women, painters, landscapers, cleaning services, moving and storage companies, etc. to help in preparing your home for sale, if you need them. You will then be presented with a written report of the consultation which you can use as a road map to do the work yourself, hire subcontractors to do some of the work, or hire the home stager to complete you project and make your home picture perfect.

For an example of how a Comprehensive home staging consultation can save you money, click here

If your home will be occupied during the time it is on the market, a home stager can help you arrange your existing furniture and accessories so that the architectural highlights of your home are featured. They will also arrange your furniture to make the rooms feel larger and give improperly furnished rooms purpose. Many home stagers have an inventory of accessories they can stage in your home to further enhance your home's appearance.

Before and after photos of an occupied home staging in Arcadia, CA.

If your home will be vacant, a home stager can bring in rental furniture from their own inventory or from a furniture rental company. They will over see proper placement of the furniture along with accessories and artwork. The finished product will look like a model home,charming and full of suggestions about what life could be like if they lived there.

Before and after photos of a vacant home staging in San Marino, CA

As a value added bonus, many home stagers will also provide the listing agent with professional quality photos of the home after staging for use on the MLS and in other marketing materials. Posting photos of your home after staging is one sure way to get more potential buyers through the front door. Photos of staged homes look move in ready and more appealing than other homes on the MLS that have not been staged.

Yes, home staging costs money. All valuable services do. But if a home seller or listing agent wants the best possible outcome, they should consider the cost of home staging as an investment in a faster sale and a better price.

Moving Mountains Design Home Staging is a full service home staging company serving Los Angeles, Pasadena, Arcadia, San Marino, South Pasadena, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz and Silverlake. We were recently featured in the Sunday Los Angeles Times Real Estate section in an article about the benefits of staging a home. Call the Los Angeles home staging company with the experience and track record to get your home sold faster and for the best price. Call us at (626)441-8975 or visit our Los Angeles home staging web site.

Copyright 2008 Moving Mountains Design Home Staging and Michelle Minch. All rights reserved.

Redding Real Estate Market Update 8/12/2008

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:20:10 -0500

Residential Listings: There are currently 1886 active listings and another 393 listings that are pending (in escrow). Last week there were 1915 active listings with another 402 in escrow which was up from 1,702 active listings 2.5 months ago!

Historical Data for Closed (Sold) MLS Listings in Shasta County

163 closed escrows in April 2008
182 closed escrows in May 2008
151 closed escrows in June 2008
169 closed escrows in July 2008
So far in August 2008 there have been 47 closed escrows.

Overall statistic for the year 2007: there were 2,140 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS database.

So far in 2008 we have had 1108 listings that have closed escrow.

Click Here to search the entire Shasta MLS!

Welcome to the neighborhood "Block Party"

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:33:35 -0500

For the clients that we represent who are purchasing a home we ask them if they would like us to throw them a Welcome to the Neighborhood "Block Party" as their closing gift. We send invites out to all of their neighbors announcing that our clients would love to meet their new neighbors, as well as sending invites to our client's guest list for their close friends/family. It doesn't take place of their housewarming but instead shows all of their friends and family where the home is and we get to meet all of them as well as any neighbors that show up. We then create some gift baskets (could get them donated from other sources) and have everyone sign a guest book (to be left for the buyers with their neighbors contact info on it) and do a raffle for the first RSVP, first person to the party, etc.

Of course, we provide simple food/drinks and have a couple of boxes we just keep in storage with our "party supplies" in them. We have a couple of carnival games for the kids, tablecloths, containers for food, etc. so it is very easy to coordinate. We also put flyers on the community mailboxes for added advertising and never let anyone inside the home (except the garage if it is inclement weather).

What it gives us is a list of contacts, interaction with people who know someone who is happy with our services, introduction to their possible referrals and a few photos of our clients in front of their new home. There is nobody in our area that does this and we have done a few and got good response, especially those that have kids that they wanted to meet the other kids in the area quickly.

REO and Short Sale Must-Knows

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:10:27 -0500

Up until the last year REO's were not the average listing in our Northern California market. Of course, there were the occasional listing but nothing like it is today. With the number 1 REO market being less than 5 hours south of us, Redding has been hit hard with bank-owned properties and short sales alike.

After representing numerous buyers through the process, we have learned much that has become invaluable to us for future transactions that I'd like to share:

First, ensure that before you go out with your clients looking at properties that you explain the difference between REO's, short sales and traditional listings. We have a hand out that we like to share because many clients still don't understand and they think a short sale is an REO and that all of them are foreclosures owned by bank with quick response times...NOT TRUE!
Second, if writing on a short sale provide the listing agent an estimated settlement sheet for them to give the bank showing their proceeds based on your sales price. This can speed up the response time since the listing agent would have to wait to be asked by the bank to pull one. Also, ask the listing agent if they have done a short sale before and if they already have the short sale package from the bank. This is huge as the seller needs to complete the package and submit it (and all paperwork) with the offer so you want them to have it ready to go upon your offer being presented to seller.
Third, if working on an REO, ensure you have your clients sign their loan documents 3 days before date that escrow is supposed to close as most REO title companies have to send the deed around after documents are signed, usually delaying escrow by a couple of days if you haven't accounted for this ahead of time.
Fourth, be patient and inform your clients that time frames are upwards of 3 months on some short sales and that not all banks are willing to take a super lowball offer but it may be worth a chance. It seems as if banks are more willing to negotiate around the 30th day of the listing (before reductions) and not so much upon a new listing being put into the MLS.

Hopefully this helps if you are new to the business or not familiar with these types of transactions! If you are new to them don't be afraid to ask someone in your office that knows them well...it will definitely save you hassles in the long run!

2000sqft Short Sale on 10 acres in Cottonwood, CA - Bring Offer! $289,000

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:30:45 -0500

This is a great short sale located in Cottonwood, California (less than 2 hours north of Sacramento). Since this is a short sale the sellers are willing to submit all offers to the bank so that they can get it sold before losing it to foreclosure. There is already a notice of default filed so the sellers are READY to submit any offer to bank!

Clint & Mindy Cronic - The Cronic Group | Real Estate Professionals GMAC | (530) 227-0345

16745 Big Pines, Redding, CA

Short Sale! Won't Last

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $289,000

Year Built	1999
Sq Footage	2,051
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	10 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Views, privacy, 10+ acres, newer custom home, what more could you want? This open 2000sqft + floorplan features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths plus separate living and family rooms. Large patio across rear of home highlights sweeping mountain views and front entry features covered porch & fish pond w/ waterfall. Upgrades include built-in cabinetry, recessed lighting, wood flooring and much more!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Family room	Living room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Custom 2000sqft home

Situated on 10 acres

Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths

Separate living and family rooms

Large patio across rear of home

Mountain views from almost all directions

Decorative koi pond at entry

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Clint & Mindy Cronic - The Cronic Group

Real Estate Professionals GMAC

(530) 227-0345

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 10, 2008, 10:26am PDT

Shasta County Real Estate Statistics

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:12:22 -0500

Today's Real Estate Update for Redding, CA and Shasta County:

There are currently 1882 (down from 1921 last week) active listings
400 pending listings (up from 399) that are currently in escrow
One month ago there were 1889 active listings with another 391 in escrow which was up from 1,702 active listings 4 months ago!
During April 2008 we had 163 escrows closed, in May we had 182 closed escrows, in June we had 151 closed escrows, July had 167 closed escrows.
Overall statistic for the year 2007: there were 2,140 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS database while so far in 2008 we have had 1,057 listings that have closed escrow.

Click Here to search the entire Shasta MLS!

Are you thinking of selling your home? Before selecting your agent make sure that they know where the market is going, where it has been and how they can help you to SELL your home, not just LIST it! Contact us today at 530.227.0345 for more information on how our agressive marketing strategy can SELL your home! Visit our blog for community information and real estate news!

Activerain...here we come!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:13:08 -0500

Well it has been a while since we have blogged on AR, but we are back to learn and share with others! I have been spending a lot of time working on our personal blog, www.bloggingredding.com which focuses on Northern California and the Redding area. I felt the need to have it hosted on our own website so that the ranking that we got from it would affect our personal website. While doing so I realized just how much the ActiveRain network can affect your daily business. Not as much in the form of referrals for us but the ideas shared and the support that is felt when you make a post. This is why I am going to be focused on AR and ensuring that we can help others and get help from others the way a "network" is supposed to work! So, see you soon!

Northern California (Redding) 11-home subdivision property!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:54:02 -0500

This property would be a great investment for a builder/group of builders looking to build in gorgeous Shasta County in Redding, CA. Only minutes from Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen! Sellers are reviewing all offers.

Redding Real Estate Stats 3/2/08

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:41:59 -0600

Shasta MLS Real Estate Activity for March 2, 2008:

Residential Listings: There are 1,654 active listings and another 332 listings (up 47 listings from 2 weeks ago) that are pending. There have been 209 listings that have sold (closed escrow) so far during 2008 and of those, 101 sold during February. There were 2,140 listings that sold (closed escrow) during 2007.

I've Seen Sun and I've Seen Rain...

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:34:35 -0600

Well there is a lot to be said for the real estate market when the sun is out! I don't know about those in other cities and counties, but we have had some interesting weather so far this year which has, to us, made our real estate market very bearable during this usually very slow season.

In January we had a great week of sun...one in which we opened 7 escrows in one week. This is unheard of for us at this time of year (actually....any time of year!). Although we do attribute that to the fact that we have done what most of you have...moved our business to the internet where most of the buyers are, we also know that the sun and interest rates had a lot to do with it.

Last weekend when the weather was nice we had scheduled about 8 showings on our listings for the weekend...this rainy weekend, as of yesterday, we only had 1 scheduled appointment for our listings. I chatted with an agent from another company that I am friends with last Monday who said she had great turnout on her open houses with the nice weather...this morning she had nobody through the same home in a great location. Makes me realize how much us as agents should be capitalizing on those nice sunny days and getting out there to hold those homes open (although most of us don't really love doing it) and make some sales!

For us, next week is supposed to produce 70 degree weather so we are hoping that the rise in temperature and interest rates will get folks out there looking to find the right home before the rates continue to jump up. As now is still a great time to get a great house for a low price and a still-low interest rate.

157 Closed Escrows During October!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:45:50 -0600

Redding, California

Real Estate

Market Statistics

Current As Of: 11/07/07

Now, when you see these stats you realize that the real estate market isn't "Dead", far from it actually! With the comparatively low interest rates that are still around and a great inventory of homes on the market, many buyers are taking this time to negotiate a great deal and get into a home before the holidays begin!

Active Residential Listings: 1,950 (down from 2,011 15 days ago)

Pending Residential Listings (in escrow): 257 (up from 250 15 days ago)

Closed Residential Listings Year To Date: 1,910 (up from 1,847 15 days ago and 1,858 10 days ago)

Closed Residential Listings Month To Date: 18 (for November 2007 only)

Closed Residential Listings Previous Month: 157 (October 2007)

This information has been provided courtesy of the local Shasta Multiple Listing Service, Flexmls, and all information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Click Here to View Redding Real Estate and the Shasta County Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Database

Click Here to learn more about Redding real estate and Shasta County!

21 Listings Sold in 3 days! Now those are good stats!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:44:44 -0500

Redding Real Estate Market Statistics

Redding, California

Real Estate

Market Statistics

Current As Of: 10/30/07

Active Residential Listings: 1,979 (2,011 7 days ago, 1,995 3 days ago)

Pending Residential Listings (in escrow): 241 (250 7 days ago, 252 3 days ago)

Closed Residential Listings Year To Date: 1,879 (1,847 7 days ago, 1,858 3 days ago)

Closed Residential Listings Month To Date: 145 (113 7 days ago, 124 3 days ago)

This information has been provided courtesy of the local Shasta Multiple Listing Service, Flexmls, and all information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Click Here to View Redding Real Estate and the Shasta County Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Database

Click Here to learn more about Redding real estate and Shasta County!

Who Says The Market's down???

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:27:44 -0500

Redding Real Estate Market Statistics

Redding, California

Real Estate

Market Statistics

Current As Of: 10/26/07

Active Residential Listings: 1,995 (2,011 3 days ago)

Pending Residential Listings (in escrow): 252 (250 3 days ago)

Closed Residential Listings Year To Date: 1,858 (1,847 3 days ago)

Closed Residential Listings Month To Date: 124 (113 3 days ago)

This information has been provided courtesy of the local Shasta Multiple Listing Service, Flexmls, and all information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Prayer Blog for Southern California AR Members!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:13:40 -0500

Many of those AR members that we normally see at the top of the page when we login have one thing in common, they are in jeopardy of losing their homes in the Southern California fires. It wasn't until I started reading some of the blogs about the fires today that I noticed just how many actively blogging AR members could be affected and have already moved into temporary housing, and just how widespread their friend connection is across the US.

Being fairly new to AR and not an overly "religious" person, I don't know how "socially acceptable" it is, but I would like to start a "Prayer Chain Blog" for those members. If you would like to join in just post your name and city/state and we'll see how far we can take it...and all of the positive thoughts being put out there for our fellow AR members and everyone else affected can only help!

Past Buyer Contact: Tax relief (Cut their monthly payment)

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:01:06 -0500

Not sure if this is available in all areas... I recently discovered that in our area (California) we have Prop 8 which allows buyers to call their tax assessors office to have their tax base temporarily reset. The way I understand it to work in Shasta County is that the buyer can call the tax assessors office and request them to reassess their property if their current assessed value is more than what the property would appraise for as of January 1st of current year. The buyer's tax base will decrease if the assessors office appraises the home for less than the currently paid tax base. This will remain in effect until the value of the home returns to the original tax valuation.

This is a great opportunity to contact our past clients, providing added value and ask for those referrals. Not to mention you could save them money!

Not sure if its available in all areas, but worth looking into...

Redding Real Estate Market Statistics

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:03:47 -0500

Redding

Redding, California

Real Estate

Market Statistics

Current As Of: 10/23/07

Active Residential Listings: 2,011

Pending Residential Listings (in escrow): 250

Closed Residential Listings Year To Date: 1,847

Closed Residential Listings Month To Date: 113

This information has been provided courtesy of the local Shasta Multiple Listing Service, Flexmls, and all information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Area home sales drop to 13-year low!

Clint & Mindy Cronic (R.E. Professionals GMAC) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:17:46 -0500

So how do you combat a newspaper headline like that??? Our local newspaper consistently focuses on the negative aspects of the real estate market, no matter what the real current status. 2 years ago when the market was truly unbelievable they reported that agents were getting overpaid for quick services, now they are reporting about our area of Northern California being at a "13-year low" for home sales. Sharing that there are barely any homes moving in the market (with 250 pending!) What will be next?

Of course, we are very familiar with what is going on in the market nationwide...our neighbor 4 hours south, Stockton, is currently the number 1 city in the nation for home foreclosures with Modesto, another nearby city being a not-so-distant second.

But what do we tell our buyers??? We share with them the real statistics...those that show over 250 homes currently pending escrow, the historical trends of interest rates and how low they still are, the sheer number of homes available in our local market (over 2000) and the fact that many sellers are still in a position to negotiate. Additionally the REO homes that are available are sometimes able to be purchased at great prices as long as you are willing to spend time (upwards of a month) waiting for a response from the bank that owns the property.