Some good news for the Sacramento real estate market! Part Three.

Sales in 2009 ended up looking much like those in 2008.  While the number of sales was up over 25% at the middle of the year, we finished 2009 up only 1.6% in number of sales across the county (and the city of West Sacramento), from 20,587 sales in 2008 to 20,910 sales in 2009.  Still…sales were up just a tick.  A sign of changing times??? I sure hope so.

Median price remained down overall for 2009 as compared to 2008.  However, at my half yearly statistics report, median price was down nearly 28% as compared to the first half of 2008.  Median sales price saw a slight recovery over the last half of the year, finishing at 16.3% under the median overall sales price in 2008.  Overall, median price in Sacramento County and the City of West Sacramento for the year 2009 is recorded as $180,000.  Here’s to an even better 2010!

Holiday Traditions

I’m one of those lucky people that have been blessed with an amazing family that I love to hang out with.  The holidays are an especially busy time for everyone.  But, my family has a few fun traditions that I look forward to every year.

Every year, a couple of weeks before Christmas, my grandmother’s church hosts an evening service full of beautiful music – the choir sings, the children sing, they play instruments, and they even have a group who plays the bells (my personal favorite)!  After the service, we go back to her house near the American River and settle around the fire to enjoy Persimmon Pudding.  I know it doesn’t sound good – but believe me, it is a holiday delight that I eagerly anticipate every single year.

More recently, my family has started the tradition of a holiday progressive dinner.  Mostly, we just use this as an excuse to show off our holiday decorations.  But, it is a fun evening, travelling between each other’s homes (all within about five miles of each other, mind you), enjoying holiday hors d’oeuvres and sharing old family stories.

Then comes Christmas.  We spend Christmas Eve with one side of my family and Christmas Day with the other.  But, my favorite part comes first thing Christmas morning.  My immediate family gathers at my parents’ house to exchange our gifts to each other, open stockings, and be thankful for each other.  Almost without fail, I will laugh so hard that I cry and cry tears of love and appreciation all in the same morning.  How very blessed we are.

I can’t exactly admit that I saved the best for last. But, I can say that this is the newest of my holiday traditions.  For the last two years, as a part of the holidays, my favorite (and only, by the way) brother and I have enjoyed a post-Christmas 49ers football game.  We have been 49ers fans all our lives, but didn’t make the time for a real, live game until just a couple of years ago.  Now…a new tradition has been born. Early to rise, early to dress in red, white and gold, and early to arrive in the (ex-Candlestick) parking lot to root for our favorite NFL team.  It is the new tradition I will treasure forever.

What is your holiday tradition?

Who you gonna call?

City of Sacramento’s 3-1-1 “help” line connects City residents with local government agencies.  Who are you supposed to call when your garbage doesn’t get picked up?  Who are you supposed to call when you see a stray animal running through William Land Park?  Who are you supposed to call when you have a question about a building permit for your East Sacramento home? 

The answer?  Call 3-1-1 from anywhere within the city limits to be connected to this service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The operator on the other end of the line will connect you to the correct government agency to get your problem solved!

I found 311 particularly helpful when a stray duck flew into my backyard last year.  Keep in mind, I am a dog owner.  So, I had to struggle to pull my dogs into the house while trying to get in touch with animal services.  Rather than having to turn on my computer to search for the correct phone number or dusting off my phone book – all I had to do was to dial 3-1-1 and I was immediately connected to animal services. Whew! Disaster averted!

If you happen to be travelling outside of the City limits, you can receive the same service by calling 916.264.5011.  Please remember that this number is not intended for use during an emergency!

For more information, please visit: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/generalservices/311/

The Farmer’s Market – A complete experience!

Bright and early are two of my least favorite words on a Sunday morning. But, when it comes to the Sunday morning Sacramento Farmer’s Market, I concede.  Who knew you could have so much fun hanging out under a busy freeway at 8am? 

First, the astounding variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats and other farm products never cease to amaze me. What a colorful, flavorful, scent-filled extravaganza!  You never know what fruit or veggie that you’ve never heard of is right around the corner.  And, the food is locally grown, fairly priced and often, organic.  What a bargain!

To top it all off, I can’t think of a better time or place to people watch or run into old friends.  The Farmer’s Market attracts people from every neighborhood and every walk of life.  It is a melting pot of Sacramento’s diverse population.   I also challenge you to spend just twenty minutes at the Farmer’s Market without seeing someone you know.  It is nearly a guarantee that you’ll pass an old friend or colleague in the crowded aisles between the fresh baked bread and the sweet corn.  So, the next Sunday morning that you’re thinking about sleeping in a little – think again.  Get up a little early, bundle up, hop on your bike and head down to the parking lot between W and X at 8^th Street.  You won’t be disappointed.

New Listing! 1085 San Mateo Way

 

This home has it all! Just one block to William Land Park and down the street from Crocker/Riverside Elementary! Featuring over 2000 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 and 1/2 bathrooms, and a large .21 acre corner lot with beautiful Oak trees! You’ll love the upstairs Master Suite with walk-in closet, dual shower heads and access to the backyard balcony. Other features include an oversized living room with fireplace, formal dining room, large 2 car attached garage, and dual pane windows. Welcome home!

DART – Sacramento’s Drowning Accident Rescue Team

Sacramento’s DART team is a squad of local heroes.  Never heard of them?  Until recently, neither had I.  Sacramento’s Drowning Accident Rescue Team (also known as DART) is a group of courageous men and women who volunteer to help in times of trouble in our Sacramento waterways.  On hot summer days, when we hear of river-goers getting swept away by the swift currents, it is the volunteers of DART who put their lives on the line to help in the rescue the lost swimmers.  They take time away from their jobs and families to wade into the cold, murky waters of the Sacramento or American rivers in hopes of saving a life.  During busy summer months, their volunteer work can amount to a nearly full time job – sometimes spending hours in the water, unable to see even a foot in front of their own face.  And…yes there is more…this amazing organization has no funding.  DART runs completely from the donations, grants and fundraising events that they organize.  So, the next time you hear of a person saved from our treacherous river currents, remember to thank your local DART volunteers.

Some good news for the Sacramento real estate market! Part Two.

Sales are up!  Yes, that’s right.  According to the latest statistics from our local Metrolist MLS, sales in the first half of 2009 are up 27.6% over the first half of 2008.  Sales in the Sacramento region from January 1, 2008-June 30, 2008 totaled 8,167. However, the same time period this year resulted in 10,421 sales.  Great news! 

While the number of sales across the county has increased, the median sales price is still decreasing. Statistics show that the median sales price in the first half of 2009 is $173,000, down 27.9% from the median of $240,000 in the first half of 2008.  Not the best news for our sellers out there, but fantastic news for those thinking of purchasing a home in 2009.

New listing! 2208 Murieta Way

A wonderful opportunity! Move right in to this Hollywood Park gem. Classic features include hardwood floors, a formal dining room and a living room fireplace. Modern conveniences include an updated kitchen, remodeled bathroom and dual pane windows. Also a gardener’s delight, this home boasts numerous fruit trees and raised beds for home grown vegetables. The large corner lot includes a gate for boat or RV parking, a large two car garage and a covered patio for evenings outside. Enjoy!

New listing! 7566 Whitmore Street

What a deal!  This home is move-in ready and features a large upstairs master suite with a walk in closet, an open kitchen with lots of counter space and a dining bar, a relaxing backyard with a patio cover, a built-in desk/office space downstairs and plenty of storage. Offering three bedrooms and an optional fourth bedroom, two full bathrooms and one half bathroom and nearly 1600 square feet – this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.  Sale is subject to short sale approval.

New listing! 8012 Arroyo Vista Drive

This home has been wonderfully updated! Offering 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with over 1300 square feet. You’ll love the updated kitchen with granite counters, new cabinets and stainless appliances! This home also boasts a wonderful floorplan with a formal living room with a fireplace, a large kitchen with an eating area, a cozy family room and a master suite! The large lot awaits your imagination. Come take a look!  Sale is subject to short sale approval.