8th Annual Crab Feed

This coming Saturday, February 1, the East Sacramento-Midtown Kiwanis Club will hold its 8th annual crab feed at All Hallows Hall (5605 14th Ave.). In addition to all-you-can-eat crab, there will be tri-tip, pasta, bread and salad. Dinner will be accompanied by a dessert auction, silent auction and drawing. Finally, to work off a bit of all the great food you've just eaten, there will also be dancing.

The event goes from 5pm to 10pm. Tickets are $45 general admission, $340 for a table of 8 and $20 for children 10 and under. Proceeds will help to fund the various programs and projects that the Kiwanis Club performs throughout the year for children in East Sac, Midtown and surrounding areas. For more information, call (916) 837-0162.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

4441 I Street in East Sac Has Just Sold!

This was a very smooth transaction on a wonderful listing!

4441 I Street is a property that my investor client bought a year ago and transformed it into an amazing two story home. It fits in so well with the neighboring houses and has so much charm. We came on the market on Thursday December 19th, had an offer on the 24th (Christmas Eve!) and negotiated the acceptance of the offer on Saturday the 29th! Just 9 days on market over the Christmas week.

It just goes to show that any time of the year can be a good time to list your house. As always, having it priced right for the condition and location is critical to getting a good offer in a short period of time.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

Pops in the Park 2014!

OK, this is a little early to announce it, but it is one of my favorite events of the year…

The 2014 Pops in the Park schedule and line up has been announced! This is one of the many benefits of being in the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, getting news before they make it into a nice, colorful poster.

The current plan (subject to change of course) is as follows:

Saturday June 7th starting at 6:00 pm will be Chris Gardner Band playing in East Portal Park
Saturday June 14th starting at 6:00 pm will be The Count at Glenn Hall Park
Saturday June 21st starting at 6:00 pm will be John Skinner Band at Bertha Henschel Park
Saturday June 28th starting at 6:00 pm will be Garatt Wilkin and the Parrot Heads at McKinley Park

I'm excited to load up the bikes and make a day of it for each of these!

John Marshall

If your resolution this year is to learn new things, come by the Shepard Garden and Arts Center this Tuesday, January 28 through Sunday February 2nd and find out about the intriguing and extensive art and history of dying textiles, and perhaps even get inspired to try your own hand at this ancient, beautiful craft.

Acclaimed fiber artist John Marshall, who specializes in the traditional Japanese techniques of katazome (stencil drawing) and tsutsugaki (cone drawing), will be presenting "Pigments Throughout the Ages", "Down and Dirty, Working with Natural Dye" and "Clothing Design Workshop". Each presentation goes from 10am to noon or 10am to 4:00 depending on the presentation. After the Pigments presentation from noon till 4pm, you can buy silk yarns or finished wraps at a trunk show and talk with Marshall directly to get any of your questions answered.

This special event is being organized by the Sacramento Weavers' and Spinners' Guild. Admission to the presentation varies. For more information, go to www.sacweavespin.org.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

Animals in the Library

On Saturday, January 25, animals are taking over the McKinley Library. Well, not really, but starting at 2:30pm, there will plenty of live animals on hand, with all classes represented--invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. The purpose of the program is to teach children about these animals and their contributions to the world.

The event is free, and all school-age children are encouraged to attend. After all, this is a great opportunity for them to see animals from all over the world in person instead of just online or on TV. For more information, call (916) 264-2920 or go to saclibrary.org.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

40th Annual Pig Bowl

Since 1974, Sacramento area law enforcement and firefighters have fought for ultimate gridiron supremacy. This Saturday, January 25, the rivalry continues at the 40th Annual Guns & Hoses Pig Bowl at the Sac State football stadium (6000 J Street). Gates open at 11am, with a pre-game show starting at noon and kickoff at 1pm.

The real winners of this exciting game are the many area schools and charities that receive all of the proceeds. Past recipients include the Mustard Seed School, Firefighters Burn Institute and Families in Early Autism Treatment (FEAT), and countless others over the event's lengthy history.

So come on out with your family to watch the game, grab a hotdog and cheer the fire service Dogs or law enforcement Hogs on to victory. Tickets are $10, with children 5 and under free. For ticket information, call (916) 715-3132, or go to www.pigbowl.com.

  

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

Northern California Home & Landscape Expo

Referred to affectionately as "The Big One," the Northern California Home and Landscape Expo marks the end of the holidays and the official beginning of homeowners' renewed focus on home improvement projects in the coming spring and summer. The home show runs this whole weekend, January 24-26 at Cal Expo.

This is the 20th year for the show, and it is promised to be bigger and better than ever. More than 1000 exhibitor booths will fill all of the buildings at Cal Expo. You will find general contractors, landscapers, roofers, painters, pool contractors, window and door installers and much, much more. There is also a comprehensive workshop series, with speakers covering a wide range of home improvement topics. And, of course, there will be plenty of concessions spread throughout to satisfy your sweet tooth or hot dog cravings.

Admission is $7 for adults, and free for children 12 and under. On Friday only, seniors 60 and over can get in for $2. Parking at Cal Expo is $10. (Or, if you don't mind walking a bit more, you can park on adjacent streets or empty parking lots at Ethan and Arden Way for free). For more information, call (916) 443-4961 or visit www.homeandlandscapeexpo.com.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

Hands on History: Traders, Trappers & Treaties

This coming Saturday, January 18, Sutter's Fort will conduct their latest "Hands on History" session, this time on the role of trappers in the Wild West. As stated on their website:

"Trappers were jacks of many trades. They explored new territory, negotiating and trading with local Native Americans. They guided wagon trains of emigrants across the vast West. Learn about how trappers lived and worked in the 1840s, paving the way for emigrants just a few years later. During this event, you’ll see examples of game traps and how they work, see and hear musket demonstrations and learn about some of the many facets of a trapper’s way of life from our docents. Visitors can examine fur pelts, create souvenir documents with a quill pen and oak gall ink, string trade beads to take home, or learn to make a fire using flint and steel."

There will also be cannon firing demonstrations at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Even if you don't make it to this event, it will be good to know what the cannon fire sounds are on this day!

The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 6-17, and free for children under 6. For more information, call (916) 445-4422 or visit www.suttersfort.org.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

271 39th Street in East Sac Just Sold

This one took much longer to close than expected, but I was able to hand off the keys to this amazing home last week.

This is a wonderful home that was completely rebuilt from the ground up. It is just a block away from me and the buyers are some of the nicest people that I have meet. I like getting to help great people move into my neighborhood and become my new neighbors!

You can see more of the details about this house on my real estate site.

40th Annual Crab & Shrimp Feed

On Saturday, January 11, give your crab crackers a workout at the 40th Annual Guns & Hoses Crab & Shrimp Feed, held at the Scottish Rite Center at 6151 H Street. This event begins the countdown to the Pig Bowl, which will be played at Sac State in two weeks.

A no-host bar starting at 5pm segues into dinner at 6pm, followed by a raffle and auction. From 8 to 11:30pm, shake your groove thing to the musical stylings of the Wonder Bread 5.

Tickets are $50 per person, and are only available prior to the event through the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff's Association or online. For information and to buy tickets, call (209) 217-4700, or go to www.pigbowl.com/events.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

Northern California Art by Fire Seconds Sale

Looking for a unique piece of local art to buy at a great price? Then come to the Shepard Garden and Arts Center this Saturday, January 11, to find many pieces of handmade and wheel-thrown pottery available for sale.

Held by Northern California Art by Fire (NOCA), the "Seconds Sale" has been a popular annual show ever since it began in 1987. The show helps NOCA members sell their beautiful, but perhaps less than perfect pieces at what they call "amazingly reduced prices." The show runs from 10am to 2pm, with free parking and admission for all. For more information, call (916) 264-800, or check out the NOCA website at www.artbyfire.org.

Click on the tab at the top of this blog to see all the East Sacramento Homes for Sale.

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!