Real Estate Market Update for Laguna West, Lakeside and StonelakeLaguna West, Lakeside and Stonelake are each distinct neighborhoods in Elk Grove.  They are each similar enough that my clients view them as interchangeable so I like to look at the three areas combined.  Year over year growth was very good, but the market is showing signs of leveling off (discussed in my Elk Grove monthly update).  The last five months pricing has been very stable in the Elk Grove Area.I have lived in the Laguna West and Lakeside areas since 2000.  I know the area well.  If you are exploring the area, I would be happy to share my local knowledge with you.  If you are looking to sell your home, I would be happy to send you recent sales data  for your neighborhood and help you get your house ready for the m... 10/09/2021

Elk Grove Real Estate Market UpdateSeptember prices are up over 20% year over year, but a steady new trend has emerged over the last five months.  The median price has not changed much at all. May        $600,000 June       $600,000 July         $605,000 Aug.        $598,000 Sept.       $605,000 Home prices have stayed in a tight 1% range.  It really does look like the real estate market has leveled off for the time being.  It will be interesting to see how the rest of the year unfolds.It should be much easier for buyers and sellers to decide appropriate pricing.  At the beginning of the year, prices were going up so fast, it was difficult to know where a house should be priced. A home sold on Laguna Lake this month for $1,000,000.  In my old neighborhood in Lakeside, a home sold for $1... 10/08/2021

     A few weeks ago, I visited Dallas for the Build Conference.  It was put on not by eXp Realty, but by Brent Gove, which I find pretty remarkable.  He invited many of our top agents to speak and it was capped off by Tony Robbins first live appearance since Covid hit.  It was an inspirational conference.  Each of the participants had interesting stories to share, but like most conferences I attend, I kind of forgot how great some of the stories were.  Brent Grove has posted videos of each of the speakers, including this one featuring my favorite speaker of the event, Krista Mashore.     Krista tells the fascinating story of her childhood up to her successful career today.  Real estate can really turn people's lives around.  Krista is a real example of that.  She is an inspiration and ... 09/17/2021

Elk Grove Market Update, August 2021-Seasonal Slowing?     Elk Grove is showing strong price growth year over year, but look at the median price over the last few months; April     $557,000 May      $600,000 June     $600,000 July       $605,000 Aug.      $598,000       The month over month median price growth has leveled off the last few months.  Also, the continuous days on market has gone form 11 days in August to 23 days on our current homes on the market for sale.  It sure looks like we are having a more normal last half of the year exhibiting some seasonal slowing.     If you are a home buyer that has been frustrated with the very heated market in the first half of the year, this could be a good time to re-engage in your home search.  The market is not slow, but there definitely i... 09/09/2021

     There has been a lot of discussion over the last month about the real estate market starting to slow down a bit.  It reminds me of a white water trip that we took a few years ago.  The last two rapids we encountered were Last Chance and Freight Train. Last Chance was named as it was because it was the last chance to get out of the river before you encountered the huge, very fast moving water of the Freight Train Rapids.  Now, just because Freight Train was such a fast stretch of water did not mean Last Chance was a piece of cake.  In fact, we all were knocked out of the boat at Last Chance and many of us had to reach for the lifeline that the guides threw us from the river bank.  The water was still fast, just not as fast as Freight Train.  Elk Grove Statistics for Julydata per Sac... 08/13/2021

I am lucky and blessed to have such wonderful clients. Two of these three recent clients are repeat customers.  I consider all three friends now.  It is sad that two have moved out of our area.  It is rewarding to know that they both are where they want to be.  Dreams do come true! Thomas and Keiko Takeuchi"We have used Ray twice during the last few years.  First to sell my mother's home and her belongings.  Ray and his wife were very helpful and truthful about what would and would not sell.  They were very organized so we used Ray to sell our home during the COVID pandemic.  It was a hectic time, plus we had to follow COVID Guidelines.  We got a lot done in a short time.  Without Ray's help, we would still be trying to sell our house and not be in Southern California near out daughter.... 07/30/2021

       The median sales price for single family homes in Elk Grove is up 30% from June 1, 2020-June 30, 2021.  Remarkable!  Yes, homeowners are still happy and it is still difficult for home buyers.  On average, buyers are paying 7.6% above list price.  Month over month, the median price and average prices are essentially the same (see May Report).  One month does not make a trend, but maybe our market is leveling off a bit.  It will be interesting to see how prices move over the second half of the year.  View Homes in Elk Grove      This month I thought it would be interesting to see how the pricing is for Elk Grove's three main zip codes versus all of Elk Grove.   95758 has the highest price per square foot, but the houses sold are smaller than the other two zip codes, on average.  Co... 07/10/2021

     A California builder I know was negotiating with his painter when the painter said, "You need me more than I need you!"  This same builder sent me  an itemized list of over 22 items that they could not get at all, were difficult to get or were subject to hyperinflation.  I recently had to paint a rental and had to visit several Sherwin William's paint stores to get the paint I needed.  The sales clerk told me they did not expect to get back to full production until September AT THE EARLIEST.  In PebbleCreek, a 55+, resort style community, if you purchase a new home today, it will be delivered in 30 months.  It seems like the story is the same wherever you go.  There is not much supply and/or prices are rising.      What does it all mean for the housing market?  I am not much for pr... 06/16/2021

     April was much like March in the Elk Grove market so I am tempted to just say, "ditto," but I will do my best to add something new and intriguing.  Home prices are up 20% year over year.  Homes are going pending very quickly and there is not much supply.  The only difference from March is that prices are up in Elk Grove just over $10,000.  What does it take for buyers to get into contract?  Offers above listing price, cash or conventional loan offers, great terms and possibly a free month or two rent back period for the seller.      Is it possible to get an offer with an FHA or VA loan accepted?  It is a challenge, but my eXp Realty colleague, Marquita Ward-White, recently had two offers with VA loans accepted.  Her secret, all of the items above and great communications with the l... 05/11/2021

Elk Grove is a wonderful community just South of Sacramento.  It is a diverse area with distinctive neighborhoods ranging from older neighborhoods to newer neighborhoods, including some new construction.  There are also plenty of parks and walking paths to enjoy.  Its proximity to two major highways makes it a desirable area for those who work in Sacramento or the surrounding areas.  We are close to the Wine Country, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, the Sierras, waterways and so much more.  We have enjoyed making Elk Grove our home since 1999.  More about Elk GroveOur market is still characterized by a lack of inventory and rising prices.  There are 57 homes available to purchase and 159 home currently pending.  Home buyers are having a tough time getting their offers accepted and, those that... 04/11/2021

     Elk Grove is a wonderful community just South of Sacramento.  It is a diverse area with distinctive neighborhoods ranging from older neighborhoods to newer neighborhoods, including areas with new construction.  There are also plenty of parks and walking paths to enjoy.  Its proximity to two major highways makes it a desirable area for those who want to visit the Wine Country, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, lakes, rivers and so much more.We have enjoyed making Elk Grove our home since 1999.   View Homes in Elk GroveView Homes in 55+ Communities in Elk Grove (when available) Elk Grove     It has been a very good year for Elk Grove homeowners with prices rising about 17%.  There has been a scarcity of homes available in our area and with low interest rates, there have been plenty of deman... 03/09/2021

         How do I mark the start of spring?  Not with a cute little groundhog.  Spring starts when the daffodils are in bloom.  My preference is for King Alfred Daffodils with their bright yellow, happy faces, but daffodils start out beautiful  and just get better. I can't wait for our gladiolus to come up next!  You can see one holdover from last summer.  I wonder who the gardener is.  He seems a little lazy.A quick story about the concrete bench.  It used to sit in front of our favorite nursery, Capital Nursery.  It went out of business a number of years ago and we visited it near their last day of business.  As we walked out of the story, my wife looked at the bench and asked, "I wonder if it is for sale."  We turned around and asked.  A few minutes later, it was ours.  It has travel... 03/07/2021

Elk Grove, January 2021Buyers     The market in Elk Grove is very difficult for home buyers.  You get a hint of how hard it is when you look at the numbers.  Prices are way up year over year.  Few homes are on the market and, when the few houses available hit the market, they are in contract very quickly.  Here is what we are facing day to day.  A house comes on the market.  My very well qualified client puts an offer in way over the highest recent sales and offers to pay all costs in the contract (traditionally, the seller pays most of the fees with a split of escrow and title costs).  My client also offers to shorten every contingency period.  If the appraisal would have come in low, my client agrees, in writing, to pay a hefty amount over appraised value.  And yes, in writing, I agre... 02/15/2021

Laguna West, Lakeside and Stonelake, Dec. 2020 I include the neighborhoods of Laguna West, Lakeside and Stonelake together because they are very similar in style.  Pricing was very strong over the last year, while inventory was way down.  Currently, there are only 4 homes available with an average listing price of $586,947.  It is a very good market for homeowners that would like to sell, but a very difficult market for home buyers. Laguna West, Lakeside and Stonelake, 4th Quarter 2020I like to look at the last month versus the last quarter to see if the trends are similar in such a small area.  The December numbers do fall in line with 2020's last quarter.With interest rates remaining so low and a lack of inventory, I do not see anything changing very soon.  If vaccines are effective, ... 01/10/2021

     We have some great new Pickleball courts here in Elk Grove at the new Oasis Park.  It is located at 8015 Poppy Ridge Rd., East of Bruceville road, just off Whitelock parkway.  There are six courts available and the courts do have lights.  We have played there several times.  The players are friendly, welcoming and competitive.            There are also two new, well lit tennis courts to enjoy as well ( Brian England, if you ever make it to Elk Grove ).  The dog park is also open, but the main park is still closed.  The rest of the park should open soon and it looks like it will be a great park for the whole family to enjoy.     Another fun park for daytime pickleball is Horseshoe Park.  There are two pickleball courts marked on one of the tennis courts.  You do need to bring your o... 01/06/2021

     We moved to South Sacramento in 1987 and soon found an awesome restaurant with an outstanding breakfast selection, the Stagecoach in Sacramento.  When we moved to Elk Gove ten years later, we were happy to discover that there was a Stagecoach in Elk Grove.  We love both locations, but we usually visit the Elk Grove location.      What is good?  Chicken Fried Steak is our family's favorite, but the large portions make it best for those special occasions when you are really hungry.  Today, we enjoyed Pigs in a blanket and Corned Beef hash and eggs.  The pancakes where light and airy with tasty syrup and plenty of butter.  The hash was very crispy and well seasoned.      One thing you cannot pass up are the large, pillow like biscuits!                                                Yo... 12/15/2020

      The Fabulous Forties neighborhood is one of Sacramento's most iconic neighborhoods.  It is a stately mix of Tudor, Colonial Revival, Arts and Crafts and California Bungalow style homes.  The homes have some of the largest lots in East Sacramento and many feature cedar trees that are over 100 years old.  The Fabulous Forties was home to California's most famous governor and his wife, Ronald and Nancy Reagan.         It is THE perfect neighborhood for the holiday season.         We voted these Candy Canes as the most creative decorations of the night.                                                  The homeowner wrapped corrugated irrigation pipe with red and green lights to create 10-foot-high candy canes.  It was both creative and very effective.  There is a solid chance candy ca... 12/13/2020

Get your pumpkins ready for our 2020 Elk Grove Pumpkin Carving Contest! 👻 It's that time of the year Elk Grove to bust out your tools and get to work on your pumpkin!We love love love pumpkins! So much so we wanted to hand out some prizes! Once your carved creation is ready take a picture with it and upload that bad boy 🎃 for a chance to win! 💰Enter to win --> www.ElkGrovePumpkinContest.comWe have FOUR Prizes to giveaway! We wil be awarding three other winners for the categories of MOST CREATIVE , MOST ARTISTIC 🖌, and FUNNIEST PUMPKIN 😂 ! You have a chance to WIN a $50 Visa Gift Card! Upload a photo of you and your cool carved pumpkin and be entered to win in our 2020 Elk Grove Pumpkin Carving Contest!There are some rules. You must:* Be in the picture with the pumpkin! * Live within 15... 10/26/2020

9449 Ivydale Circle, Elk Grove, CA 95758Fantastic opportunity in Laguna Creek! Come see this beautiful and charming 3 bed 2 bath home situated in the heart of Elk Grove. This amazing home features a great layout which includes a spacious living room, a formal dining area, a large kitchen with newer appliances and plenty of counter space, a dining bar, and a luxurious master suite complete with built-in vanity and storage space. You will also enjoy the vaulted ceilings in the main living area as well as the new laminate flooring throughout the house. This home also includes a low maintenance backyard complete with a brick courtyard and newer fencing. With easy access to the freeway as well as several shopping centers and restaurants, you are just minutes from Downtown Sacramento as well ... 10/13/2020

     I am always making lemonade.  Well, maybe not literally, but when things take an unexpected turn, I do look to change course and make the best of it.  You know that I like to cook so about three months ago I dedicated myself to cooking for the family more.  I cracked open a Middle Eastern Cookbook, Ottolenghi, by Yotan Ottolenghi and explored many new dishes.  My dad and I made homemade pasta for the first time.  To do it, we pulled out his circa 1999 pasta machine, STILL IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKING, and used it for the first time.  I also made my first grapefruit margaritas; a little tequila, a little Grand Marnier, fresh juice from grapefruits right off the tree, fresh lime juice, honey and cracked ice, all vigorously shaken.  Much better than lemonade!                               ... 06/22/2020