Erin Attardi's Blog

This Saturday, December 1st from 9:30am - 2pm, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center will be holding its annual Holiday Shopping Event.  Check out original artwork from local Sacramento photographers, artists, and craftsman.  Part of the sale proceeds will be donated to the American River Natural History Association.  The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is located at Ancil Hoffman Park - 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael (off California Avenue).  The event is free, but parking at the park is $5.

 http://www.effieyeaw.org/

My husband and I have been members of the Sacramento Yacht Club since 2003, and I can tell you that one of my favorite club events is the Lighted Boat Parade.  This event is actually sponsored by the Capital City Yacht Club, and we are lucky enough to get to particpate...

The parade is on Saturday, December 1st and begins at 6pm at Miller Park, and will pass by Old Sacramento on the Sacramento River at approximately 6:30pm. The boats will be creatively decorated, and will leisurely troll between the Tower and I Street bridges.

The best viewing areas are onboard the Delta King or along the waterfront.  Judging takes place on board the Delta King...not sure if my husband and I will cruise our boat in the parade this year, but it is really cool to watch!

Whether you are planning to Celebrate Christmas, Channukah, or whatever else this holiday season, if your festivities involve gift giving, there are many Sacramento-themed gifts you can give!  Here are my top 12 gifts that will make any Sacramentan's holiday, at any age or budget:

-Day Trips from Sacramento, by Stephen Metzger; Great book you can find in the travel section of just about any local bookstore.  My husband bought this for me last year, and we have taken some relaxing day trips that were suggested.  One of my favorites was going to the Isleton Crawdad Festival... Estimated cost: $7.65. http://www.tower.com/details/details.cfm?wapi=100968606  

-A membership to the Sacramento County Historical Society; The mission of the Sacramento County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Sacramento County, and to promote public awareness of local history.  As a member, you will receive a monthly newsletter and be invited to monthly meetings.  Estimated cost: $35/individual membership. http://www.sachistoricalsociety.org/  

-A Sacramento Kings jersey; Sure, the Kings have not gotten off to a royally great start this year, but Arco Arena is home to some great players, like Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, or Ron Artest.  Estimated cost: $40 - $50.  http://store.nba.com/  

-A subscription to Sacramento Magazine; Read up on local goings on, hot spots, restaurant reviews, articles of local interest, and the Best of Sacramento (usually the October issue each year). Estimated cost for 12 issues: $12.  http://www.sacmag.com/  

-A California State University, Sacramento sweatshirt; My alma mater!  Stay warm this winter while supporting our local CSUS Hornets!  My CSUS sweatshirt was a Christmas gift from my mother during my freshman year...I still wear that thing even though it is totally worn out...Estimated cost: $28 - $50. http://www.bkstr.com/CategoryDisplay/10001-10003-13528-1?demoKey=d&top=Y  

-Auto Detailing at Pavilion Car Care; They will make your care shine and your carpets fresh!  Definitely the best car wash in Sacramento!  Estimated cost: $45 - $299.  http://profile.myspace.com/138528839  

-Tickets to go visit the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town; Heck if you are going to visit one, why not visit both!  Located at William Land Park, this is a great diversion for adults and children alike!  Estimated cost per person/ticket: $13.  http://www.saczoo.com/  

-Bottle of wine from Frasinetti Winery; Frasinetti Winery is the oldest family-owned winery in the Sacramento Valley.  Tucked away on the southern edge of Sacramento County, they make their wine and their facilities are host to many area weddings and receptions. Estimated cost per bottle: $8 - $35. http://www.frasinetti.com/  

-Massage from Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa; Arden Hills boasts not only a fitness/wellness center, but also an award-winning day spa.  Why stop with just a massage?  They offer more than 75 different treatments! Estimated cost/treatment: $40 - $440! http://www.ardenhills.net/  

-Dance lessons at The Sacramento Ballroom; Want to learn the Texas Two-Step, the Tango, or how to Swing Dance?  They have classes for both singles and couples, from beginning to advanced levels!  Estimated cost/lesson: $5 - $10. http://www.sacdance.com/  

-Tickets to a Sacramento Rivercats game; See the Oakland A's affiliate play at Raley Field.  This last season they were the Triple A & Pacific Coast League Champions...many of these players are a phone call away from the major leagues! Estimated cost/ticket: $6 - $25.  http://www.rivercats.com/  

-A new home; Sure, I saved the best for last.  Nothing says Merry Christmas like closing escrow on a home...sorry if that was a little cheesy!  Estimated cost: Priceless.  http://www.erinattardi.com/

Well if you do, you may be in luck!!  The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District is receiving sealed bids for Station 110 at 1616 Mission Avenue near Arden Way.  The station has been closed for about a year, and per local guidelines has to be offered to other state and local government entities first. If there are no bids, then the public can bid on it! 

The station is approximately a 19,800-square-foot building on a 39,009-square-foot property.

The Elk Grove Historical Society is putting on its annual "Old-Fashioned Christmas" at the Elk Grove Hotel and Stage Stop. Decorators have been working since October on the transformation of the hotel, courthouse and grounds. Each room of the hotel has a different Christmas-related theme of Christmas past.

Visit from November 24 - December 23.  Kids can have their photos taken with Santa Claus 5pm to 8pm November 30 and from 1pm to 5pm December 1. It is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays and 1pm to 5pm;  Sundays, 12pm to 4pm. Jan. 5. Located at 8701 Park Way, off East Stockton Boulevard, at the northwest edge of Elk Grove Regional Park in Elk Grove. Admission is $5; children 12 and younger will be admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and the State of California made a deal with Countrywide, GMAC, Litton Loan Servicing, and HomeEq to freeze interest rates for homeowners meeting certain criteria...the owner must occupy the property as his/her primary residence, must be current on their mortgage payments, and must be able to prove that they can not afford the scheduled payment increase...unfortunately this is too late for many, but will definitely be great help for lots of others. 

I will be curious to learn in the coming months how successful this loan modification program is, and how easily distressed homeowners can qualify for it...I am hoping this does not invite people trying to cheat the system!  That could ruin this program for those who really need it.

Link:
http://www.sacbee.com/142/story/507793.html

I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and hopefully you readers do to...no political messages intended here, but if you would like to express any gratitude to our armed forces serving overseas, a client turned me on to a website where you can search bios of soldiers (or in some cases, even entire batallions) and mail goods directly to troops overseas. Some of the stories are really interesting to read. Most of them express needs for simple things most of us take for granted like deodorant, undershirts, socks, magazines, etc.

Happy Thanksgiving...eat lots of turkey tomorrow!

Link:
http://www.anysoldier.com/

I guess I am confused as to what the exact allure of retaining the services of an agent, where their primary "value add" is that they give you money back at the close of escrow?  

As the purchaser of property, wouldn't it be more valuable to work with an agent who was a fabulous negotiator, and obtained a better purchase price, more favorable terms, repairs, etc?  

Discount brokers are people too and have overhead and their own personal expenses.  My impression is that they must work on a quantity basis, rather than a quality basis, to make ends meet.  Personally, I would not want my representation to be based on working with someone whose sole interest was to make sure the transaction closed no matter what, so they could collect their discounted paycheck and move on to the next churn and burn deal.  Would you want an agent that opts to take the path of least resistance, and not ask for items that may cause upset in the transaction?  

I know, I know...ya'll think Realtors have easy jobs and we aren't worth our commissions.  Trust me, if our jobs were that easy, everyone would have a real estate license.  Before I was an agent, I was an information hound, and poured through any real estate-related information I could find to satiate my interests.  Once I actually obtained my license and went out into the trenches, I discovered this being a Realtor was much more than simply surfing the web and finding property.  Almost anyone can dig through listings these days.  There are so many nuances to real estate transactions that I could go on forever.  No two transactions are alike.   

Sure, in any industry there are great and not-so-good practicioners.  Interview agents, get referrals from your family and friends, and pick a good one.  Who knows, you may find a discount broker who is pretty good...but please don't make your primary selection criteria based on how big of a rebate an agent will give you.  That rebate could cost you. ;-)

I met with a prospective seller over the weekend who must sell...and he asked me if now was really that great of a time to be listing property.  Luckily it seems that inventory is decreasing slightly, and sellers who are simply testing the waters are letting their listings expire and not re-listing them right now.  However, contrary to popular belief, the holiday season is not a bad time to list your home.  

Let's face it; serious buyers are in the market during the holidays.  I can not even tell you how many ready, willing, and able buyers I have had pre-qualify in the last 3 weeks.  While I think the media has done Sacramento (and many other areas) a total injustice by blowing certain market conditions out of proportion, buyers are now realizing that now is the time to jump into the market.  Buyers do not buy based solely on financial motivations - people get divorced, have babies, get married, and relocate every month during the year. Each of these big events could trigger a change in home ownership.  Also, many buyers who are thinking about buying in the spring start their search now, and will buy if they find the right property.  Interest rates are still low! Yes certain loan programs have disappeared, but there are still many programs out there for all types of able buyers.  

On the other side of the coin, with listings expiring and not re-listing this time of year, there is less competition.  Most un-motivated sellers will not want the trouble of showings during the holidays, potentially interrupting family gatherings, having to put away holiday items, etc.  With all the bank-owned inventory, you will be able to showcase your "home" - not just another house on the market.  Bank-owned homes often do not have operating or connected utilities, and will feel all the more cold and dark. If you wait until January to list, there will a LOT more inventory.

For those of you who have not heard of or actually attended a "Second Saturday" in Sacramento, ya'll are missing out on a great time!  On the second Saturday of each month, galleries in Sacramento stay open late into the evening for a Sacramento Art Walk, allowing people to walk from gallery to gallery, viewing, experiencing and discovering local art galleries and meeting artists.  Not only are the galleries open late, but many local businesses who generally close early are also open...there are bands playing live music, great places to eat, hundreds of people lining the streets. People usually start around 18th & L in midtown...There are  roughly 20 galleries & venues plus dozens of restaurants within easy walking distance there...

To learn more, visit:

http://www.sacramento-second-saturday.org

I have been asked a lot lately by my seller clients - how will you target specific market segments when you market my property?  Like - I think my property would be great for a family...Or this would be great for a single person...Or this would be great for a member of the church down the street...etc. How will you market my property to {fill in the blank}? 

The answer is - very carefully!  Questions like this set off alarm bells for me when I hear them. Certainly I can market listings in ways that will reach different audiences, but using direct marketing language where these "groups" are concerned is a big no-no!  Directing advertising toward a specific group in theory automatically excludes other groups, and therein lies the violation of fair housing laws.  It surprises me how often I see direct marketing language used by other agents, or folks trying to FSBO.

Here are a few links of possible interest:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities/sect804achtenberg.pdf
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/title8.htm

Refer to Sec. 804. [42 U.S.C. 3604] "As made applicable by section 803 of this title and except as exempted by sections 803(b) and 807 of this title, it shall be unlawful--

(c) To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination."

My marketing reaches a large audience...if you are thinking about listing your property for sale, I'd be happy to share my marketing plan with you...Cheers!

There are some lane and street changes coming soon to a downtown area near you! Here are some upcoming changes:

From 3 lanes to 2 lanes:
-19th, H Street to Broadway
-21st Street, I to W Streets

From 1-way to 2-way:
-Freeport Blvd from Broadway to Vallejo Way
-21st, W Street to 4th Avenue (with bike lanes added)
-J, 30th Street to Alhambra
-N, 21st to 28th Streets
-3rd, I to J Streets
-9th and 10th, E to I Streets

Second Phase, from 1-way to 2-way:
-L Street, 16th to 29th Streets
-P Street, 21st Street to Alhambra
-Q Street, 21st to 29th Streets

Third Phase, from 1-way to 2-way:
-L, N, P, Q, 16th to 21st Streets

Located just blocks south of Sacramento City College near William Land Park, is a neighborhood called Hollywood Park. Sacramento Magazine named Hollywood Park one of the top ten "Best Kept Secret" neighborhoods.  Hollywood Park is bordered by Sutterville Road to the north, Fruitridge Road to the south, 24th Street to the east, and Freeport Blvd to the west.   

While there is no official "park" in this neighborhood as its name would suggest, there are three schools with playgrounds / yards that all form a large parklike centerpiece of the neighborhood.  The area has a classic neighborhood feel with tree lined streets, and is close in proximity to local shopping centers, and Hollywood Hardware!    

Homes were generally built in the 1940's and 1950's, and are 2 and 3 bedroom ranch homes.  Hollywood park is a short walk to William Land Park and is a more affordable alternative to nearby Land Park. Many homes still have their classic, original charm - featuring distinctive built-ins, hardwood flooring, original cabinetry and tile, wood-burning fireplaces, decorative mantels, and detached garages. They generally have good-sized backyards...some with swimming pools. Homes in this area are generally selling in the range of $200,000 - $325,000, based on a wide variety of property condition and square footage.  

Last month around this time I published inventory charts for Sacramento County. Good news: inventory went down last month. I can tell you from my own personal experience that at the same time listing inventory is decreasing, buyer interest has been increasing. In the last two weeks alone, I have had 4 buyers that I met in one way or another get pre-qualified for purchases. I found one of these buyers their dream home already at a great price and great terms, and they are set to close escrow next week! So - we went from having 15 months of inventory in September, to 13.4 months of inventory in October. Still definitely a buyers market, but nice to see a change for the better amongst all the mass media doom and gloom! Keep in mind as always, this is Sacramento County as a whole, and there are areas with much lower levels of inventory (like East Sac around 4.4 months), and areas with much higher inventory (like Meadowview with 23.7 months)...happy house hunting!

If you have never participated in the self-guided tour of 5 homes decorated for the holidays, in East Sacramento - wow are you missing out on something really cool.  I remember going with my parents as a kid, and the homes were truly spectacular.  The homes, generally in the Fabulous 40's area, have been decorated for the holidays by some of Sacramento's top interior designers and florists.

This tour has been going on each December for 34 years, and they expect roughly 7,000 people to attend this year!  The tour begins on 45th Street between H and J Streets and winds its way through East Sacramento ending on 39th Street between Folsom & P Streets.  Tickets are $20 online at http://www.holidayhometour.com/store until November 29th and $30 beginning November 30th. Children over the age of one must have a ticket.

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

For those of you who don't frequent the Town & Country Village (at Fulton & Marconi), there have been lots of cosmetic changes there lately.  The center has received a bit of a facelift - new exterior paint, new signage, several new stores, etc.  There is going to be a series of "Grand Opening" events coming up this week...I live really close to the Town & Country Village, and I have watched its transformation over the last 4 months or so.  It looks fantastic, and the new shops there really add to its charm.     

For a complete list of the events, visit:   http://www.shoptownandcountry.com/events/index.php  

Most notably, the celebration kicks off with a fundraising benefit for The Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento on Thursday, November 15th.  The actual grand opening takes place on Saturday and features events like the lighting of a 20-foot Christmas Tree, performances by the Sacramento Children's Chorus, Sacramento Choral Society, etc...and more!  Sounds pretty neat. 

The Theatre Department at Christian Brothers High School will present George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion."  The show will run from 8 p.m. Nov. 15-17 and 1 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 18.  Christian Brothers High School is located at 4315 Martin Luther King Blvd.  Admission is $8 for adults, or $4 for students and seniors, and can be purchased in advance or at the theatre main office. Contact telephone number is 916-733-3600.

Link:

http://www.cbhs-sacramento.org/home

Ok ok, Veteran's Day was officially yesterday and lots of us get today off - but do ya'll know the origin of Veteran's Day?

Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day.  It was originally set as an official United States holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918 at 11am (11/11 at 11am). November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'"

There's more...you can read up on it here:

http://www.military.com/veteransday/History.htm

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071031-6.html

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/010733.html

Hubert is my 4-year old Bloodhound, and quite possibly the most handsome, sweetest dog I have ever had. Hubert compensates for being so handsome by also being incredibly smelly...Nothing is more nauseating than pungent pet odor in homes...this is instant buyer repellent! If you are planning to list your home for sale, and you love your pet as much as I do - PLEASE take the time to de-odorize your house. Whether you are aware of it or not, you have become accustomed that doggy smell (or kitty, guinea pig, ferrett, etc.) in your home, and the odor does not bother you. I guarantee your guests smell this odor, and potential buyers of your home will smell this too. Not only could this issue lead to extra time on the market, but possibly a price reduction later. Why lower your price $10k when you can spend relatively little in most cases getting rid the the smell? Here are a few tips for replacing "That old, wet dog smell" with "That new house smell."

• Scoop the litter box...and take out the trash! This goes for the backyard too if you have dogs...scoop that poop!...or clean that cage!
• Use scented sprays - like Febreeze or Ozium...light scented candles.
• Use the plug-in oil burning thingy.
• Clean with disinfectants that use enzymes to "eat away" odors from hard surfaces like concrete floors and the insides of garbage containers.
• Sprinkle carpet freshener on your carpet to absorb odors and then vacuum.
• Bathe your pets. Duh!
• If the smell is just too strong, have carpets and/or upholstery professionally cleaned...or if your budget permits, replace your carpet and clear the furniture out of the house.