Most of us always think of the major home overhaul as "Spring Cleaning," and don't get me wrong, I'm a big spring cleaner. However, something over takes me this time of year and I've come to call it, "Fall Feng Shui," or simply put, the pre-holiday de-clutter ritual.

Whether or not you believe in Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement that our Asian friends have been applying for a couple thousand years, is not the point. In fact, you don't need to know a thing about Feng Shui in order to understand and recognize that the "feeling' of a place can affect your mood. When you walk into your living room, do you feel light and happy and energetic, or are you trying to make your way through the boxes and bunches of stuff that has been accumulating all summer?

This weekend, the pre-turkey day weekend, is the one I typically choose to perform my semi-annual cleaning and clearing ritual in order to prepare-pare for the holidays. It's so funny how we forget or overlook our own messes and clutter because we look at them each day. I just realized I still have my frog-feet for swimming sitting on top of the washer, and books from reading all summer on the patio, still outside...starting to get their covers curled.

So, below I've made a list of some of the things you can do to help prepare your home for the holidays, while creating a better space for you to live and work in:

1) Take an unbiased look at each room. Pretend you've never been in your house before...or else actually ask someone else to take a look...and make note of what things seem to be in the way. Are their boxes, piles of old magazines that you've saved but probably won't read again, broken items that you've meant to get fixed....since May? It's best to tackle one room at a time, as it might otherwise get overwhelming. Just collect all the "stuff" that seems to be out of place and in the way and find a new home for it. Feng Shui practice tells us that the pathways in and around our home should be clear and clutter-free and flowing.

2) Move stuff around. Even if you're only moving it around to clean underneath it. Seriously, the only time I move my couches and chairs to vacuum underneath them and inside the cushions is these few times per year. I like to make sure everything is spic and span before the tree goes up and my mother-in-law comes through with her white glove test. Seriously (my mother in law doesn't own white gloves), you might find lost items, loose change, and hair balls that you would die if a friend saw. Move it and clean it. Also, I often find that between de-cluttering and moving, I discover a new way I want to arrange things that I like better, giving a whole new look and feel to a room.

3) Open windows. Yes, I know, for some of us that can mean freezing air, however, one of the golden rules of Feng Shui tells us that fresh air is good energy. And let's face it, fresh air is good for us. In the fall and winter months, with colds and flus going around, doors and windows shut, wood buring stoves and heaters on, the air can get just plain stuffy. I'm not advocating you live in an ice box, but I am suggesting you pick the warmest time of the day and just open up a few windows or doors, even if just for a few minutes. Turn the heat off if you are concened about your bill, turn on a ceiling fan to circulate the air, and enjoy the freshness. You can find me with a sweatshirt, mittens and scarf as I prance around to stay warm, cleaning the house and letting all that fresh air come in and refresh my house.

4) Clean deep. Since this semi-annual cleaning thing only happens, well, semi-annually, this is no time to take short cuts. Trust me, I have more collectibles than anyone I know...lots and lots of knick knacks and shelves that are full of "stuff." I take everything off, down and out and clean it methodically. I get out the stepping stool and clean fans and ceilings and crevices that get overlooked during normal cleaning events. Pull out the wood oil and notice how new you can make that coffee table or bookshelf look. Steam clean the carpets, clean the inside and outside of all the windows. If you can, wash or dry clean window coverings, clean blinds, and vacuum couches and chairs. I actually hire someone to help me since this cleaning is an all-day event for at least two people. 

5) Seal the deal with a moment of appreciation. I find that finazling the ritual makes it all the more special. I light some candles, pour a glass of good red wine, and just sit to admire my work. I think about where I'll put the Christmas tree and decorations this year, what I'll serve for dinner and who I'll invite to parties. But more than anything, I remember what I am thankful for. It IS that time of the year after all. I let myself feel deep appreciation for the home I have to clean, the people who will be in it that I am honored to love and all the wonderful things I have in my life.

So as the holidays approach, consider a de-cluttering of your own home. Make a pile of all that stuff and give it to someone less fortunate than you who will appreciate it so much.

When our environments are clean and clear, os are our hearts and minds.

Thanks for reading,

Tamara

Now that I’m back from my fun in the sun (not really, it was actually cloudy and I was inside anyway!) in San Diego, I’ve had a chance to absorb all the great things I learn.

Contrary to how fun it may seem to zip off to the sea shore, I really am a homebody. I love my little Carmichael community, my business community, my friends and family. I also don’t like to leave my four, yes four, cats, two dogs, four kids, lots of fish, and one husband for any length of time.  And, as I’ve said a hundred times, Sacramento is home, and there’s no place like home.  

However, a couple of times a year I find that taking a trip for a worthwhile real estate learning opportunity makes me a better agent. What is a better agent? An agent who can provide her clients with greater service, for one thing. And, for another thing, anything I can learn, or tools I can discover that help streamline my business are going to still serve to make me a better agent, right? If I can find a tool that cuts down my record keeping time, that gives me more time to serve my clients. If I can find a tool that prepares better CMA’s, my clients again benefit.

One thing I am super excited about is becoming a designated “Green” Realtor. That means, once I finish the course, I will be able to better assist buyers and sellers in operating a more sustainable lifestyle and home selling/purchasing presence. This is good stuff which I will be writing a lot more about for Sacramento residents who are concerned with the carbon footprint they might be leaving for their children.

Right now, I am simply trying to absorb all this information, find my new buyers a great deal, help my community in whatever way I can, and plan for a rockin radio show tomorrow with Ed “The Money Man” Wacaster.

Ta ta for now Sacramento!

Listen live to real estate radio for Sacramento residents at www.InLoveWithSacto.com at 10 AM every Wednesday

Tamara

There is no doubt I learned a lot the past five days. I took a trip down to beautiful San Diego to learn more about how I can help my clients in Sacramento. This real estate convention, hosted by the National Association of Realtors, pulled in about 6,000 Realtors, if you can imagine that. Wow! It was great to see so many pals, both old and new, both those I have known through traditional means and those I have only “met’ via social media outlets.

The classes and the panels were great. I’ve signed up for a “Green” designation so that I can better understand how to help Sacramento residents buy and sell and live in accordance to sustainable practices. I do see this as being a critical component of our future, so we may as well start now. Recycle, save energy, buy used when you can and pay attention to ingredients and material used. All this stuff counts, trust me!

Besides enjoying the beach in San Diego, the dining was awesome. I swear there must be a thousand places to eat in the Gas Lamp District. Oh, and the shopping? Well, let’s just say I spent my allowance for the next six months!

I also learned more about foreclosures, short sales and the upcoming economic conditions. It’s very exciting for me to learn more about these important topics so I can share them with my clients and with my radio show listeners (you ARE one of my radio show listeners, right?). All in all, the trip was well worth the time, money, energy and effort that was required, but I gotta tell ya, when it comes down to it, there is no place like home!

On the flight home, we noticed a whole lot of really tall, handsome young men, who turned out to be the San Diego State Basketball Team. The college team was here to play Pacific U, and we wished them loads of luck. One of the players asked me where we like to have fun in Sacramento.

I could only smile, since we all know that there are a TON of places in Sacramento to have fun in. Whether you like art, dancing, theater, romance, nature, the movies, church, bingo, name it and we got it. And that’s what I told him. “Sacramento has everything!” I also mentioned he ought to take a stop by Arco Arena and see how our guys play ball.

It was a good trip, but I’m glad to be back in Sac!

Tune  in to the radio show this week where you can hear all the latest and greatest about what’s going on in the Sacramento Real Estate Scene, with special guest, Ed “The Money Man” Wacaster.

Show time: Wed. 10 AM PST at www.InLoveWithSacto.com

Ta ta for now,
Tamara

When I used to teach English to college kids, one of the things I did each course was show the movie, Rudy, the story of a kinda small kid who ate, lived and slept Notre Dame football. All he wanted, with all his heart and soul, was to play for the "Fighting Irish."

Unfortunately, Rudy was not big enough to play ball--especially on this revered team. Also, his grades were not good enough for him to come anywhere near admission into Notre Dame. If you happen to be one of those very rare folks who have never seen the flick, here's a video clip.

I am fortunate enough to get to interview the "real" Rudy on my show tomorrow. Yes, the guy that the true story was based on. Rudy walks the walk. Even though many years have passed since that noted 27 seconds on the football field, his life was, is and will always be an example of absolute faith and perseverance. Rudy did not give up when he was told that something was impossible. And really, if you saw the movie you know he was told "no way" a million times. Even his own family couldn't believe it was at all possible that Rudy could even be a bench warmer for their beloved state team, The fighting Irish.

Now let's compare and contrast that with your real estate business (there I go, sounding like an English professor again!).

Sure, the recession and the economy have got some of us down. In fact, Thanks to Active Rain and twitter, I have Realtor friends all across the country and more than a few of them have told me that they've had to pick up part time jobs.

So What?

Rudy had to sleep in the cleaning room and eat what he could find...but those things were SMALL in comparison to the ultimate realization of his dream. So you have to pick up a job at Starbucks a few hours a day. So what? As long as you have a place to sleep at night and enough food to survive, you CAN still sell houses or lend money. Sure, times are tough for some of us, but it's only those of us who take our eyes off the ultimate prize that tend to falter in our actions and effectiveness.

As long as you hold close that dream....selling so many houses you can't see straight, making the difference in so many lives of people you can help, taking good care of your family and making enough money to give to the charities and causes of your choice...as long as THAT is what you focus on, then you will ultimately succeed. And, the "stuff" you have to do in the meantime, whether it's taking on another "real" job, cutting out coupons, scaling back on Christmas or knocking on doors and doing a little cold calling...is all worth it.

In reality, if you post everyday, attend local social networking events and partake in the social media outlets that work for you, you probably won't have to cold call or get another job, but even if you do, so what. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."

Just think of Rudy.

"You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin', and you have nearly a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football team in the land for 2 years. And you're getting a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself." --Fortune (as played by Charles S. Dutton) in "Rudy."

Show time: Wednesday October 28th, 10 AM PST time (California) at www.InLoveWithSacto.com 
You can catch the podcast later if you miss the show.

Thanks!
Tamara

There’s a new kid in town and we better pay attention. The Sacramento Press is making headway in a big way and I’m completely sold on the concept. The Press is an all online newspaper that focuses on local news for those of us who reside in Sacramento and the surrounding counties  (Sacramento, Placer, Eldorado and Yolo Counties are covered).

I remember growing up, my mother had a subscription to the Sacramento Union. She said she preferred it to the Sacramento Bee because it was much more succinct and easier to read. Perhaps she liked the political slant, I really can’t say. What I can say, however, is that once The Sacramento Union went under, we were left with one resource for local and national news.

Now make no mistake, I am not bad-mouthing The Bee. Nevertheless, I have always been of the opinion that there should be more than one opinion in the way of reporting news. I stopped subscribing to the paper a few years ago. Too much to read, wanting to save trees and all that jazz. If I wanted to know what was going on, I would go to the online version of The Bee and see what was in the news.

Now I’m bookmarking www.SacramentoPress.com. For one thing, I appreciate that the publication reflects the local voice. One needn’t be a prized journalist to write an article. In fact, The Press is currently featuring a very cool contest where Sacramento folks can enter an article and win prizes (hurry, the deadline is Halloween night!).

Secondly, The Press covers local events that might not be “big enough” news for The Bee. I like the tone of the publication too…easy to read, covers not events, but politics and culture too. Most importantly, anyone can write anything, but let me clarify. First, you must register for the site. Second, you must adhere to The Press’ policy (which are ultra-agreeable). That’s about it. Oh yeah, no state or national news. This is Sacramento, Baby, and we only want stories in, about or that affect our own sweet town.

No go take a look at this new pub and tell me you don’t think it’s the neatest thing on the Net.

Ta ta for now,

Tamara

Catch my local radio show about self help and Sacramento...this week's guest is the "Real" Rudy from the famed movie by the same name. www.InLoveWithSacto.com

If I could count the number of times I heard a buyer say, "...and I don't mind a fixer," I would be a very wealthy woman. Truth is, most of us wouldn't mind a fixer of some kind. After all, it's an age-old real estate truth that the best buy is the worst house on the block. My first broker told me, get the dog of the street and you've got built-in equity.

Now while all this is true, in this market, I think some kind of clarification is due. Long gone are the days when you can buy a piece of land in Carmichael with a shaky shack atop it, with big plans to tear down and start over, all with the bank behind you.

Yep, the bank.

The first and worst problem with "fixers" today is that if you've got to get a loan to buy the house (and nearly everybody does) then you are limited into how much fixing can be overlooked. For instance, with FHA loans, the home needs to be habitable. That means, no broken windows, missing carpet, roofs in need of repair or broken heating and air. That sure doesn't leave much to the "fixer" concept, now does it? I guess some peeling paint might be okay, although if the home was built prior to 1978, you might have lead-based paint issues that FHA would pooh-pooh about.

Of course, there is an FHA 203 loan that is actually a loan for rehabbing a house, but we won't get into that here as it's really a whole other matter.

So take your conventional loan. And, take your fixer upper. Getting the house will depend upon a few things, but most of all, two things: Your loan qualifications and how much fixing needs to be done.

If you've got super shiny crazy-good credit and 20% to put down, well then, you have a good shot at a good loan with a low interest rate and a house that needs some moderate fixing. I will not qualify "moderate" as it can mean any number of things. However, let's just say that the house needs a bit more than repainted and floored.

If you're not in quite such a comfy position, consider houses that are cosmetic fixers. These houses can appear to be real dumps; pink walls, missing appliances, broken floor tiles, missing bedroom doors and strange symbols painted on the ceiling. (yes, I've seen it). In these cases, yards may be a force to be reckoned with and fences may be falling down (which is okay, because fencing doesn't come into the appraisal), and the houses can look really, really bad, but still, it's all only surface repair and update, hence the term "cosmetic fixer." In these cases, you're probably getting a good deal and you'll probably be okay with financing.

However, when the appraiser comes out, and he always will, then any major overhaul works, structural, roof featuring unplanned on sunroof (i.e. holes in ceiling!), you'd better be sure your ducks and financing are all in a row in order to find the funds to buy the house to do the fixing.

Hopefully this brief but well-meaning discussion got you thinking about what you really mean when you tell your agent you are looking for a "fixer-upper," because now you know, financing comes into play and helps you decide how much fixing you really can afford to buy.

The bottom line is this (and it's the bottom line I use so often, I should just make it my default footer): Find a real estate agent who knows what the heck is going on in the real estate market and a lender who knows what the heck is going on in financing. Your goal is to get the most (or perhaps in this case, the least) house for the money at the best rate and terms.

Good luck!
Tamara

PS

Catch my Sacramento Success Radio Show on each Wednesday at 10 AM at www.inLoveWithSacto.com. We chat a bit about real estate, self-help, health and local businesses.

Friends,

I recieved this email from Sergio Siderman, Esq, the president and CEO of NDA (National Disclosure Authority) and thought it was worth passing on. Please read the email below and make a donation if you can, or spread it even further by re-blogging it. You can read more on this page: http://www.ndareports.com. Thanks!

1.        Simply using NDA on your transactions makes a donation! So please, pass this message along to your fellow Realtors. 

2.        You can CLICK HERE to make a direct contribution to the Paul Ellis Family Relief Fund.