4441 I Street Just Listed For Sale In East Sac!

My newest listing of 4441 I Street just went on the market!

This is an amazing four bedroom, four and a half bathroom home. It was completely rebuilt and the paint should be dry today.

You can see the full listing by going to my real estate site or by clicking on the  East Sacramento Homes for Sale tab at the top of this page.

Christmas Around Sacramento, part 2

Holiday fun continues to abound this coming weekend for children and adults alike:

Dec. 19-22: Winter Wonderland

Fairytale Town, 1-7pm all days; www.fairytaletown.org, (916) 808-5233

Dec. 20-23: The Nutcracker

The classic ballet, performed at the Community Center Theater; sacballet.org, (916) 808-5181

Dec. 21: Jingle Ball

Concert at Memorial Auditorium, 6pm; kdnd.radiotown.com/JingleBall2013, (916) 334-7777

Dec. 21: Pancake Breakfast with Santa

Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, 8-9:45am; www.thediscovery.org, (916) 808-3942

Dec. 21: Sacramento Santa Run

Sacramento Downtown Plaza, 9am; sacramentosantarun.com

Dec. 24: Pajama Party Christmas Eve

Sacramento Zoo, 10am-1:30pm; www.saczoo.org, (916) 808-5888

2nd Annual Holiday Happy Hour

On Thursday, December 19, East Sac Mercantile will hold its 2nd Annual Holiday Happy Hour. From 4-7pm, attendees will enjoy wine and appetizers as they browse all the goodies for sale. On-site gift wrap and personal shopping assistance will be available. There will also be a drawing for a Limo Light Tour, in which you and seven friends would get a 2-hour limo tour of the decorated homes of East Sac (scheduled for December 22 at 6pm).

For more information, go to eastsacmercantile.com.

1073 57th Street in East Sac Just Sold

I liked this property form the first time I saw it on the company tour. With plenty of room, a great kitchen and a huge back yard, I knew that it would make some family very happy.

Fortunately, I had clients that were looking for a property just like this! I love it when I can find the right buyer for a property that I like. 

We just closed on this sale and I got to hand the keys off to a wonderful family. 

You can see all the details of this property on my real estate site.

FlapJack 5K and Short Stack Kids' Run

One of the more delicious marathons out there. This coming Saturday, December 14, is the 6th annual Caleb Greenwood School FlapJack 5K and Short Stack Kids' Run. Starting and ending at the school, the course winds through the lovely tree-lined streets of River Park. In addition to the full 5K run, there will also be a quarter mile and half mile run for children.

And in case you think the name of the run is just a tease, you can, in fact, also purchase a pancake breakfast with all the fixins'. Pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, juice and coffee will be served in the Caleb Greenwood cafeteria from 8-11am.

Proceeds from this event will go to support Girls on the Run of Greater Sacramento, a program created to help girls feel confident, happy and healthy through running. Visit flapjack5k.com for more information and to register for the run.

Christmas Around Sacramento, part 1

What's the best way to feel the holiday spirit? For me, nothing beats grabbing a warm drink and touring all the dazzling lights throughout the Fab 40's:

But if you're looking for other Christmas-y things to do this weekend, there are plenty to choose from all around Sacramento. Here are a few of the highlights:

Dec. 12-15: Winter Wonderland

Fairytale Town, 1-7pm all days; www.fairytaletown.org, (916) 808-5233

Dec. 13-15: The Nutcracker

The classic ballet, performed at the Community Center Theater; sacballet.org, (916) 808-5181

Dec. 14: Snow Much Fun

Coloma Community Center (4623 T St.), 3-7pm; (916) 808-5641

Dec. 14: A Simple Emigrant Christmas and Candlelight Tours

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park; www.suttersfort.org, (916) 445-4422

Dec. 14: Christmas Memories

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, 10am-5pm; www.parks.ca.gov, (916) 323-3047

Dec. 14: Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk

Crocker Park (211 O Street), 7:30am registration; 2013Jingle Bell Run/Walk, (916) 368-5599

Dec. 14: Wells Fargo Home for the Holidays

Concert at Memorial Auditorium, 8pm; www.sacramentochoral.com, (916) 808-5181

Dec. 14: Santa Parade

California State Capitol Park, 10am-12pm; www.sacholidays.com, (916) 451-620

Dec. 15: YMCA Holiday Art, Craft and Gift Festival

Sacramento Area YMCA (2021 W Street), 12-7pm; (916) 452-9622

584 34th Street Just Sold

To continue with catching up with my Just Sold posts, my amazing listing at 584 34th Street sold last month!

This is an impressive 4-5 bedrooms, 4 and a half bathrooms and completely rebuilt. It is just around the corner from McKinley Park on one of my favorite blocks in all of East Sac!

You can see all the other pictures and details of this listing on my real estate site. 

722 46th in East Sac Street Just Sold

Apparently I'm behind on my Just Sold posts…

My wonderful listing at 722 46th Street sold almost a month ago!

This is a wonderful 2 bedroom home with 2 full bathrooms on a large lot.

You can see all the details and pictures of this property on my real estate site.

How is the Market Doing?

I’m often asked how the market is doing. While each neighborhood has its own microeconomics that affects it, these are the numbers for the greater Sacramento area and it should give you a good idea of where the market is.

Back in August of 2005 the Median Selling price was way up at $392,750 and then it went all the way back down to $160,000 by January 2012.

(Click on the Chart to Enlarge It)

During the height of the market we saw 2,325 escrows close in the month of June 2004 and at the slowest point we only had 707 close during September 2007. Now we are back to a much more reasonable level of transactions per month.

(Click on the Chart to Enlarge It)

2002 and 2003 inventory was low and the prices increased greatly. In 2006 prices started falling and inventory rose to record levels in 2007. By the end of 2011 inventory has dropped to a very low level and by 2013 to historically low levels. This combined with relatively low prices and very low interest rates has made it a competitive market…

(Click on the Chart to Enlarge It)

(August 2007 and again in January 2010 SAR adjusted to better reflect short sales and bank owned properties on the market).

The Months of Inventory is a reflection of how many houses are for sale and how many are being purchased each month and how long would it take for them all to sell at the current rate. Not surprisingly, the lowest Month of Inventory had been April 2003 and the highest was September 2007. 4 months of inventory is a balanced level with numbers lower than that being considered a sellers market and anything above that being a buyers market. We have been in a new historical low since early 2012!

(Click on the Chart to Enlarge It)

 So what does all of this mean? It means that the market was at a crazy low inventory for over a year, interest rates were at a historical low level and demand finally came back when everyone realized that the bottom of the market had passed. Prices have come up off the bottom, the frenzy has calmed and the years of pent up demand is somewhat satisfied. Sellers can't assume a quick sale and a higher price than their neighbor just got. Buyers aren't going up agains multiple offers on every property and agents are able to breath a little easier as we return to a more "normal" supply and demand.

The market has changed, again. Who knows what winter and spring will bring, but I can tell you I'm happy that I don't have to give my buyers the "multiple offer competition is the norm" prep talk at the start of a search. Now I have to give my sellers the "don't expect your home to sell in two weeks" prep talk instead…

At least it is never a dull job!

Christkindlmarkt

This Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, the Sacramento Turn Verein will host its annual Christkindlmarkt. This take on the traditional German Christmas Market will feature live Christmas music, a Nurnberg sausage dinner and gluhwein (hot spiced wine). The market area itself will include a wide range of arts, crafts and baked goods for sale.

Admission for adults is $3, with children under 12 free. (Adult admission will also be free with the donation of a child's coat in good condition.) For more information, call (916) 442-7360.    

Santa's East Sac Adventure

This Saturday, December 7, Santa is stopping by to spread a little more holiday spirit in East Sac. From 10am-2pm at Theodore Judah Elementary, Santa will be on hand for wish-telling and picture-taking. There will also be performances by Velocity Dance Company, face-painting, a gingerbread house workshop, yummy goodies and even a petting zoo.

While the kids are enjoying all this fun, the Holiday Boutique--featuring local businesses--will also be set up for parents to do a little Christmas shopping. General admission is free, with separate tickets for the petting zoo ($3), gingerbread workshop ($15) and photos with Santa ($7). Tickets are available in advance or the day of the event. For more information, go to Santa's East Sac Adventure, or email Paigetjpta@gmail.com.

McKinley Library Holiday Party

The Friends of McKinley Library will be holding its annual holiday party this coming Saturday, December 7, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. A holiday performance of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" by the Puppet Art Theater Company will be followed by cocoa, cookies and an appearance by Santa himself.

All are welcome to this free event. For more information, call (916) 264-2770.

40th Annual Holiday Home Tour

Over the course of 40 years, the Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour has become a favorite Christmastime event, pairing the gorgeous architecture of historical homes in the Fab 40's with equally beautiful decorations installed by local designers. This year's featured homes include a stately Tudor, a remodeled plantation-style home and more.

This coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday (December 6-8), attendees will get to tour homes starting from 38th Street (between M Street and Stockton Blvd.) and winding through East Sac to 47th Street. Starting from either direction, self-guided walking tours take approximately two hours. The price of a ticket ($25 in advance, $30 on the day of the event) includes one-time admission inside each of the five homes on the tour. Given the weather reports, make sure that you dress warm, especially if you plan on walking this one!

After the tour, the Holiday Cafe and Gift Shop will be set up in case you're in need of warm, delicious treats or hand-crafted gifts. For more information, go to sacredhearthometour.com or call (916) 556-5050.

Christmas with a Cause

On Friday evening, December 6, more than a dozen local musicians--including Autumn Sky, Atlas and Arrows, Hans Eberbach, Ricky Berger and Justin Farren--will be in the Grand Hall of the Clunie Community Center to perform a mix of original songs and Christmas favorites.

This holiday music show is planned to run from 7-10pm and is open to all ages, with a suggested donation of $10 per person. All proceeds raised by the concert will benefit the Mustard Seed School, run by Loaves & Fishes. This event is sponsored by Sanctuary Covenant Church in partnership with Friends of East Sacramento. For more information about attending or volunteering at the event, go to sanctuary-church.org or call (916) 548-8791.