Erin Attardi's Blog

Sacramento County
Saturdays
8 a.m.-noon year-round; Robertson Community Center, 3525 Norwood Ave.
8 a.m.-noon year-round; Citrus Heights, Sunrise Mall behind Sears, 6041 Sunrise Blvd.
8 a.m.-noon year-round; Country Club Plaza, Watt and El Camino avenues

Sundays
8 a.m.-noon year-round; Eighth and W streets, under the freeway
8 a.m.-noon May through October; Cosumnes River College parking lot D

Tuesdays
10 a.m.-2 p.m. May through October; Fremont Park, 16th and P streets
10 a.m.-2 p.m. May through October; Roosevelt Park, Ninth and P streets

Wednesdays
10 a.m.-2 p.m. May through October; Cesar Chavez Plaza, 10th and J streets
4-8 p.m. June through August; Elk Grove Regional Park on Elk Grove-Florin Road

Thursdays
10 a.m.-2 p.m. May through October; Downtown Plaza, Fourth and K streets
8 a.m.-noon year-round; Florin Sears, 65th Street and Florin Road

I guess folks do not like to shop for fresh veggies on Fridays?

Links:
http://www.marketlocations.com/
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/
http://www.california-grown.com/

An interesting concept...hopefully people who use this are just trying to boost their frequent flyer miles... American Express is now going to allow its customers (who must pay a one-time fee of $395) use their credit cards to make their monthly mortgage payments automatically, and earn points that can be redeemed for services or cash. The program applies only to "participating" prime loans, both purchase and refinance, and cardholders must be pre-authorized by the lender to make monthly payments using their American Express card.

Link:
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070523005203&newsLang=en

One thing that most buyers do not know is that if you choose to purchase a brand new home, you may still use the services of a real estate professional to represent your interests in the purchase transaction. In fact, whether you utilize my services or the services of another agent, it is in your best interest to have someone other than the builders' representative advocating your interests, facilitating negotiations, coordinating inspections, etc. Have you ever heard horror stories from someone you know who purchased a new home? No one interpreted the purchase agreement for them, they were not informed of certain upgrades available to them, no one was their advocate with regard to making repairs before and after the sale...the list goes on. If you decide to purchase a new home - don't let this happen to you!

In order to have an agent represent you in the purchase of a new home, make sure you and your agent are present the first time you visit that particular community or builder.

Should you purchase a new home, or a resale home? Here are some pro's of each choice:

New home:
-Modern floor plans that could include an open floor plan, a "great room," more closet space, more bedrooms and bathrooms, large garage, etc.
-The opportunity to select you desired lot within the community based on location within the neighborhood, shape, size, view, etc.
-The opportunity to choose upgrades, such as paint selection, customize floor coverings, cabinetry, colors, and more
-More energy-efficient insulation, dual pane windows, solar power, and heating/cooling systems
-Builder incentives, such as assistance with closing costs for using a preferred lender, credits for upgrades, etc.
-The added protection of a warranty from the home builder for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural defects

Resale home:
-Existing features, including window treatments and mature landscaping, swimming pools, etc.
-Location -- existing homes are often closer to metropolitan areas and have larger lots
-Established neighborhoods that provide a sense of community
-The opportunity to use an existing home as a base to remodel and create a unique property
-The ability to purchase a home protection plan

If you would like additional information, please call or email me. I would be happy to help you!

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=359117

Sierra Oaks is a small pocket of homes bordered by Fair Oaks Boulevard to the North, American River Drive to the South, Watt Avenue to the East, and Howe Avenue to the West. Within these boundaries lies some of the most expensive and highly desired real estate in Sacramento county. The close proximity of the American River provides biking, walking, picnicking and fishing possibilities along the American River Parkway, a unique resource in the Sacramento area. Sierra Oaks is dotted with many neighborhood parks including Oak Meadow Park.

Homes in this community were generally built in the late 1940's and 1950's. These older homes are typically ranch style between 2,000 - 3,000 square feet, and sit on parcels ranging from a quarter acre to an acre in size. Amongst these classic homes, of course, one will find new construction and remodeled homes up to 6,000 square feet.

Sierra Oaks Elementary School is right in the heart of Sierra Oaks. This K-8 school is located at 171 Mills Road, between Huntington and Latham. A dedicated staff of highly qualified teachers in partnership with an active parent community set the tone for this outstanding educational environment. Built in 1960, Sierra Oaks has had a long reputation of high academic achievement. It has earned the California Distinguished School recognition twice, first in 1987 and again in 1998.

Also nearby is Rio Americano High School - home of the Raiders! Located on American River Drive between Morris and Piccadilly, Rio's mission is to educate young people in a positive, safe environment, to encourage academic, social, and cultural growth and prepare the students to be responsible, confident, well-rounded citizens. Rio offers a diverse curriculum and employs teaching methods that will prepare students for college, career, and beyond.

Close by is California State University, Sacramento, with an excellent range of cultural activities, the Pavilions Shopping Center, with upscale eateries and shops, Loehmann's Plaza, where you can grab a bagel and cup of coffee before doing the weekly grocery shopping, and Lyon Plaza, home of the Sierra Oaks Lyon Real Estate office and more.

Sierra Oaks is conveniently located a stone's throw from downtown Sacramento via Fair Oaks Blvd/J Street, and is also a short drive from Hwy 50 at either Howe Avenue or Watt Avenue.

Feel free to contact me for more information on this fantastic community! I can be reached at erin@erinattardi.com or http://www.erinattardi.com/.

Useful links:
http://www.rioamericano.com/
http://www.sanjuan.edu/schools/sierraoaks/
http://www.sierraoaksneighbors.com/
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/sacramento/sierraoaks/
http://www.csus.edu/
http://www.ardenhomevalues.com/
http://www.erinattardi.com/neighborhood_details.php?nID=1
http://eattardi.golyon.com/

Land Park is lies just south of Downtown Sacramento - bordered by the I-5 Freeway to the west, Freeport Blvd to the east, William Land Park / Sutterville Road to the South, and Broadway to the North. This vintage neighborhood features homes built primarily from the 1920's to 1940's, and is well known for its serenity, tree-lined streets, unique architectural character, and close proximity to downtown Sacramento.

Land Park was named after former mayor and hotel owner William Land, who in upon his death in 1912, bequeathed $250,000 to Sacramento to develop an urban park where the general masses of the public could go. In 1918, after six years of debate, the city council voted 3-2 to purchase the 238 acres known as the Swanston-McKevitt tract on Riverside. in 1924, the tract was planted with 4,000 trees and 6,000 shrubs, and it became William Land Park. On May 25, 1924, William Land Golf Course opened for play. This was the first municipal course in Sacramento to have planted grass, yet it remained a 9 hole course.

There are many wonderful schools in and near Land Park, including Crocker/Riverside Elementary on Riverside between Robertson and Perkins, California Middle School on Vallejo and Land Park Drive, and CK McClatchy High School on Freeport between Bidwell and 7th.

Homes in Land Park oringially sold in the range of $3000 - $7500. Nowadays, you can purchase a home in Land Park for $300k - $400k on the less expensive end, and upwards of $1M on the high end.

Feel free to contact me for more information on this wonderful community! I can be reached at erin@erinattardi.com or http://www.erinattardi.com/.

Links:
http://www.sacramentohistory.org/
http://www.landparknewsweb.com/
http://momsclubsacramento.googlepages.com/
http://www.saczoo.com/
http://www.fairytaletown.org/
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=9898
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/parks/sites/land_map.htm
http://www.sachistoricalsociety.org/

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has some outstanding loan and down payment assistance programs available to those who may qualify. If you are planning to purchase a home in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, or Yolo County for $429,619 or under, or in Yuba County for $382,212 or under, this may be a great program to take advantage of.

In order to qualify for a CalHFA loan, certain requirements must be met. They are:
-Be a first-time homebuyer. (CalHFA considers you a first-time homebuyer if you have not owned and occupied your own home during the last 3 years.). (This requirement is not necessary if the property is located in a Federally designated " Targeted Area *"
-Have an annual household/family income within CalHFA's income limits for the family size and county in which the home is located.
-Purchase a home that is within CalHFA's sales price limits for the family size and county in which the home is located.
-Live in the home you are purchasing for the entire term of the loan, or until the home is sold or refinanced.
-Meet credit, income and loan requirements of the CalHFA lender and the mortgage insurer.
Be a citizen or other national of the United States or a qualified alien.

CalHFA is not a direct lender, and of course you must use a CalHFA Approved Lending institution to take advantage of these programs. I highly recommend Marlena Olson of the Vitek Mortgage Group. She can be reached at 916-486-6900 or molson@teamvitek.com.

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has supported the needs of renters and first-time homebuyers by providing financing and programs that create safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for individuals within specified income ranges. Established in 1975, CalHFA was chartered as the State's affordable housing bank to make below market-rate loans through the sale of tax-exempt bonds. A completely self-supporting State agency, bonds are repaid by revenues generated through mortgage loans, not taxpayer dollars.

Links:
http://www.calhfa.ca.gov/
https://wp11.calhfa.ca.gov/EasySteps/Default.aspx
http://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homeownership/bulletins/2007/2007-12.pdf
http://www.erinattardi.com/financing.htm

there a better way to celebrate mother's day? Take mom to the East Sacramento Garden Tour and view the perfectly manicured gardens of some spectacular homes in the Fabulous 40's neighborhood of East Sacramento. Then stop for a buffet luncheon at the Sutter Lawn & Tennis Club. This benefits the David Lubin Elementary School...

Link:
http://www.davidlubingardentour.com/

This is a great house in the Sunriver Community in Rancho Cordova.  4 Bedrooms / 2.5 Bathrooms, built-in pool...

http://listings.golyon.com/content/PropertyBrochure.asp?listingNumber=70024527&agentNumber=SATTARDI

It is a nice 4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bathroom home in the Sunriver Community of Rancho Cordova. It has a built-in swimming pool, and is offered at $375k. Contact me for a private showing at erin@erinattardi.com.

Links:
http://www.sunriveronline.org/
http://www.erinattardi.com/neighborhood_details.php?nID=9
http://www.erinattardi.com/address.php?property_ID=20
http://www.crpd.com/
http://www.cityofranchocordova.org/
http://www.fcusd.k12.ca.us/

This may possibly be the most beautiful home in all of Land Park! This exquisitely renovated home was remodeled with permits by licensed contractors. It is the perfect combination of classic features mixed with new amenities - the best of both worlds! Classic features & new amenities include custom kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, crown moulding, hardwood floors, detailed doorways, recessed lights, clawfoot tub, coffered ceilings, gorgeous fireplace with custom mantel, dual pane windows, ceiling fans, granite/custom bathroom cabinets, lots of closet space, and much more.

It has 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms (rare for Land Park), is 1,909 square feet per the assessor, is on .15 acres, has central heat & air, has a 2-car garage with workshop / art studio (not included in the square footage), and is within walking distance from William Land Park, Fairytale Town, and the Sacramento Zoo. This home is offered at $799,000. I will be holding an open house both Saturday and Sunday (April 28th & 29th) from 12pm - 4pm.

For more information and photos, please visit: http://listings.golyon.com/content/PropertyBrochure.asp?listingNumber=70042922&agentNumber=SATTARDI

Also visit http://www.1430wellerway.com/ for photos and a link to the a virtual tour!

Looks like the Fed has decided not to raise interest rates [insert here a collective sigh of relief from Realtors, loan officers, buyers, and sellers everywhere].

For the seventh straight meeting, the nation's independent central bank on Wednesday decided to make no change in interest rates. It's been this way for almost 11 months...

Links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18576690/
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_5858598