Ok so if you were not already convinced otherwise, this should confirm once and for all that I am a Tech Geek Realtor.

Yesterday I received confirmation that I was awarded the top honor in the National Association of Realtors / HP Real Estate Technology Contest. You can read the press release here.

I am absolutely honored to have received this recognition! I wear my geek badge with pride!!

Great Natomas Hampton Village 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home! Great open floorplan, nice kitchen with tile countertops, extra storage under the stairs. Large backyard. Don't miss this one! Subject to lender approval of short sale. For more photos and detail, please visit http://14heroncrestplace.com/.

For the last few years around this time, I have posted information regarding the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's designated "Spare the Air" days where you can not burn wood in your fireplace.

Their "No Burn" days are still in effect this year too from November 1 through February 28. wood burning will be restricted or prohibited in Sacramento County when fine particle pollution is elevated.

You can actually sign up for email alerts from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. If you do not want to sign up for their daily emails, you can Check Before You Burn each day to confirm if it is legal to burn in your indoor or outdoor fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, fire pit or chiminea by calling 1-877-NOBURN-5.

Check Before You Burn is in effect in Sacramento County and all its cities including Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento.

If you follow me on Twitter, you will already know that HR 3548 has been signed by President Obama...There was language added into this bill that extends and expands the home buyer tax credit! As part of its plan to further stimulate the U.S. housing market, this legislation:

• Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010 (with another 60-day extension for buyers who are in contract as of this date, and who close escrow on or before June 30, 2010). A "first-time home buyer" is a purchaser and spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
• Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to non-first time buyers purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

There are many nuances to this legislation, so please speak with your CPA regarding your qualifications for these tax credits and your eligibility. Here is a Q&A from the National Association of Realtors regarding how to obtain the tax credit.

It's that time of year again!! Don't miss your chance to attend one of my favorite annual holiday events, the 2008 Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour of the Fabulous 40's neighborhood in East Sacramento! There will be 5 homes on tour, each featuring unique architectural styles.

This year, the tour schedule is Friday, December 4th, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 5th 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 6th 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Time is running out to purchase your tickets in advance for only $20! You can order them online, or you can purchase them at the Sacred Heart School office, or several local retail locations (such as William Glen, Haus by David Randall, La Maison Marche, Collected Works, etc.). Tickets at the event will be $30. If you are interested in volunteering at the tour, click here.

This fundraiser benefits Sacred Heart Parish School, and is organized by the Parents of Sacred Heart School.

Adorable Arden 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,225sf cottage! You will love the gleaming wood floors, cozy fireplace, updated kitchen has double oven, dishwasher, and cooktop, spacious bedrooms, covered patio, attached 2-car garage, and large backyard! Don't miss this one! Offered at $165,000, subject to lender approval of short sale. For more photos and information, please visit http://www.3737WilliamWay.com!

Adorable and affordable Orangevale 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1,400sf home. You will love the separate living and family rooms, wood flooring, spacious kitchen, attached 2-car garage with LARGE lot! Great location near Casa Roble High School and Louis Pasteur Middle School. Offered at $189,000 subject to lender approval of short sale. For more detail and photos, please visit http://www.7008bobbystreet.com/.

Fabulous East Sac home just on the Fabulous 40's border! Beautiful brick 2 bedroom, 1 bath home on a wonderful tree-lined street. Large living room with fireplace, large formal dining room and separate nook off kitchen. Classic features like lead glass windows and built-ins throughout. Nice backyard setting with deck. Enjoy the newer roof, central heat & air and partial basement for extra storage. Detached 1-car garage. Offered at $349,000 subject to lender approval of short sale. For more photos and detail, visit http://www.1305-39thstreet.com/.

Lovingly maintained 4 bed, 2 bath, 1,766sf Sacramento home has something for everyone - separate living and family rooms, updated kitchen with newer appliances, vaulted ceilings, 2-car garage with lots of storage. Stunning backyard with new retaining wall, sod, irrigation, lighting and more! Composition roof, located close to large park! Must see-don't wait! Offered at $219,000 subject to lender approval of short sale. For more photos and detail, visit http://6712goldenwoodcircle.com/.

Welp, Sacramento County property tax bills were issued this week...the Sacramento County Assessor's Office put out a press release today stating that over 170,000 of the bills issued reflect reductions in the assessed value.

The Assessor's office is still entertaining applications to appeal the assessed value of your home until November 30th. Remember, the bills that just came out reflect an assessment based on the value of your home back in January 2009 (9 months ago!).

To read up on what is required to submit an appeal application, click here.