Okay, okay, I know, here we go again.  Baaa Humbug!    Go ScroogeYourself today and send this out to friends and family this Christmas Season.  Some of you have ElfYourself, so this is very similar.  I could not believe it myself, now we have gone too far, laugh out loud!  Give it a try and post your links here and I will put it on this blog for all of us to see who is the biggest scrooge! http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1296436650Scrooge Ernie CabreraScrooge Brad Anderson Go see another link for Christmas Greetings!Hey You - Go Elf Yourself - Yes You!  If you have any good jokes, post it at this link:YOU GOTTA LAUGH 12/12/2007

WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE? We currently are in a Buyer's Market and you as a buyer have more choices.  The interest rates are low, there is a large inventory to choose from, and the sellers are willing to negotiate almost anything.  What home will you purchase, NEW or a RESALE?  The dazzle of the new, or comfort and value of the old?RESALE HOME:A resale home can be better than gold, if it better fits your family needs and you get it for a great better price.  The reputation of the community is known and can be predictable.In some cases Existing Homes typically have more upgrades, landscaped yards, and you usually get more for your money.  They are often located in established neighborhoods and have mature trees in addition to what they call, "Character".NEW HOME:New homes can be built with y... 12/01/2007

Have you been wondering, when are we going to hit the bottom of this real estate cycle?I know I have been.  Although I do not believe in fortune telling, I wish there was a crystal ball to tell us when things will change.  I have always been told that you can not tell the future of the real estate market.  However, we do know that a full real estate cycle is usually around 6-7 year.  It is like a roller-coaster ride, it has it's ups and downs.  Most of us are on the way down, but are we at the bottom, yet?Each community is different and it has it's own local real estate market.  One statement about the real estate market in general will not fit all markets.  In fact what we hear about the National Real Estate Marketdoes not necessarily reflect our local market.  "One size does not fit a... 11/28/2007

The Elk Grove Historical Society is putting on its annual "Old-Fashioned Christmas" at the Elk Grove Hotel and Stage Stop. Decorators have been working since October on the transformation of the hotel, courthouse and grounds. Each room of the hotel has a different Christmas-related theme of Christmas past. Visit from November 24 - December 23.  Kids can have their photos taken with Santa Claus 5pm to 8pm November 30 and from 1pm to 5pm December 1. It is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays and 1pm to 5pm;  Sundays, 12pm to 4pm. Jan. 5. Located at 8701 Park Way, off East Stockton Boulevard, at the northwest edge of Elk Grove Regional Park in Elk Grove. Admission is $5; children 12 and younger will be admitted for free when accompanied by an adult. 11/24/2007

I thought I would put together a blog that gave a video introduction to REAL ESTATE AMERICA. Take a look at REAL ESTATE AMERICA's TV Advertisement.Just click on the link provided:   This is the video that highlights the REA and it is a 30 second spot.  This is a shorter video, a 15 second spot that offers the opportunity to join REA. This is a very short tag that last 5 seconds and basicly gives the company name and our phone number.  Ernie Cabrera, CEOREAL ESTATE AMERICA WWW.REAREALTORS.COM (916) 439-4663 ernie@rearealtors.com 11/22/2007

Don't miss out on some of these fun events in the Elk Grove area over the holidays...Start With........                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            20th Annual Old Town                                                                                                                  Dickens Faire                                                                                                  Saturday, November 24, 2007                                                                                                  In Historic Old Town,  Elk Grove        ... 11/22/2007

I was just passing a bank recently when I saw on the window an advertisement which said, "DECLINED - Do you need a second chance?"  Wow, I thought to myself, that is good.  I sat there in traffic for a couple of minutes waiting for the light to change to green.  I sat there thinking, everyone needs a second chance.  I know I always do.  I know my clients who have been coming to me lately about their real estate problems with foreclosures, shot sales, not being able to refinance or sell, they need a second chance.  I just meet with a young man who had been in trouble most of his youth and is now trying to get his life together, he needs a second chance. If you are reading this online right now, you live in a world that is moving so quickly with information flying all over the world in mi... 11/10/2007

20th Annual Old Town Dickens FaireSaturday, November 24, 2007In Historic Old Town, Elk Grove9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.The Old Town Dickens Faire is the traditional start of the Elk Grove Yuletide Season with entertainers and merchants appearing in mid-19th century costumes. Stroll through Old Town and explore local shops, craft and vendor booths, dine alfresco and mingle with friends and neighbors.http://www.oldtownelkgrove.org/ 11/04/2007

I have lived in the Camden area fin Elk Grove, CA for almost 18 years now and have enjoyed the colors of the fall leaves every year...I hope you enjoy our Virtual Tour of the area....   The Camden neighborhoods consist of Camden Passage, Camden Park, Camden Point and Camden Estates.  These subvisions are located between Bond Road and Sheldon Roads on the north and south and Highway 99 and Elk Grove Florin on the east and west.  The subdivisions consist of custom, semi custom and production     homes built starting in the early 1990's until present.  The Camden neighborhoods have miles of walking/running/biking trails along a seasonal creek, through greenbelts and neighborhood parks  and to Camden Lake. Here is a video of our Camden neighborhoods dressed up for Halloween.....   For more ... 10/29/2007

It's hard to believe...there are homes again in Elk Grove, California, priced under $300,000!  I don't think we ever thought we would see so many of them!  The amount of these starter homes for buyers to choose from is amazing!  There currently are: 92 active homes for sale in the 95624 zip code area under $300,000 - these start at $195,000! 139 active homes for sale in the 95758 zip code area under $300,000 - these start at $204,000! 22 active homes for sale in the 95757 zip code area under $300,000 - these start at $259,500! Now is a great time to buy a home in Elk Grove!  Buyers have so many to choose from and interest rates are great!  The total payment on a starter home in Elk Grove with a 30 year fixed rate loan could be as low as $1350! This may be lower than a lot of first time ... 10/22/2007

REAL ESTATE INVESTING Part #1  Real Estate Investing takes real taught and you need to ask the question about money.  By Ernie Cabrera from REAL ESTATE AMERICAWhat do you believe about money?Maybe you have never even thought about that question, but it is an imperative to know about yourself and your attitude towards money.  You can fool yourself and say I will invest in real estate but then hold back when you should move forward because your belief system goes contrary to your actions.  This is just one of the first things to ponder before you start investing, that is why I pose this question first in a series of articles about real estate investing.Here are some points that you need to think about: •      Family members may have different values and attitudes about money. •      Is mo... 10/20/2007

The annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin & Harvest Festival was held last weekend, October 6th and 7th and drew thousands of people to take part in Elk Grove's largest family event of 2007.  The festival is hosted by the Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) and held at Elk Grove Regional Park.  It includes a Giant Pumpkin Contest, a Scarecrow Contest, a Pumpkin Recipe Contest, a Classic Car Show and for the first time this year a "Pumpkin Regatta".     This years Pumpkin Weighoff set a California State Record and was won by Napa grower, Pete Glacier.  Weighing in at 1,535.5 lbs. his pumpkin, "Rocksanne" was a pale monster and almost set the world record.       Debuting this year, the Pumkin Regatta was started as an experiment.  Five people took 500 to 800 lb. pumpkins and carved out a... 10/13/2007

Please help me welcome Ronanld Harris to Active Rain.  I had invited him to join and he is new to all of this, so please give him a warm welcome.  Ron is one of our associates in the REAL ESTATE AMERICA - REA Legacy Office in Elk Grove, California.Let's give him a BIG AR WELCOME!   Username:ronaharris1 (1 Association)Name:Ronald HarrisCompany:Real Estate AmericaEmail:Contact Ronald Harris Office Phone:(916) 753-1200Cell Phone:(916) 832-2531Alt. Phone:(916) 525-1300Fax Number:(916) 753-1258Address:9381 East Stockton Blvd. Ste 112, Elk Grove, CA, 95624Description:In today's competitive real estate market, timing is everything. I am a REALTOR who is ready, willing, & able to get it done! We at REAL ESTATE AMERICA are here to "Fulfill The American Dream"! 10/08/2007

This Beautiful single story home has 2540 square feet includig a guest suite/2nd Master bedroom, and a bonus room. The private courtyard entry hosts a fireplace, and is a great place to entertain guests. The backyard has a solar heated pool to enjoy on those hot summer days. Located close to schools This home is being offered at $309,000. 09/25/2007

Fantastic former model home in the Lakeside Community. The home features formal living/dining room, circular staircase, separate family room, large kitchen with granite island, 3 fireplaces, bonus room, 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 3 car garage and all on a large landscaped corner lot. There is 3344 squarefeet of living space and the home has just been reduced! to $550,000. 09/25/2007

This is a National Lenders Division servicing the local Sacramento County area & 49 US states.  If you have clients all over the United States, we are a perfect match for you!  We Service all CA counties!Some of our clients choose to use us for all their Attorney State deals; states that their other sources can not service.  We can help you & be an extension of your service to your clients in those States too!Just simply e-mail me your order sheet (or I can provide you with one), and I'll respond with our order number verifying your transaction has been opened.  Fee quotes will be sent to you as quickly as possible for each transaction. We offer on-line ordering if you are interested in that service.  It generally only takes a couple of minutes and you automatically receive an open orde... 09/25/2007

I am looking for feed back from Elk Grove residents on their thoughts on the Real Estate Market in Elk Grove. If you have an opinion on the city, media, or any other thing that might affect the marketability of your home i think we should here it . I do pride myself of being a part our community, and look forward to all of the opinions of our community. 09/23/2007

What is happening to our neighborhoods? With foreclosures and short sales on the rise in the Elk Grove area, more and more homes are sitting vacant and neglected.  Realty Trac is currently reporting the following statistics for the Elk Grove area on its website: Zip Code - 95624 - 707 Pre-Foreclosure Homes and 448 Bank Owned Homes Zip Code - 95758 - 1075 Pre-Foreclosure Homes and 640 Bank Owned Homes Zip Code - 95757 - 452 Pre-Foreclosure Homes and 269 Bank Owned Homes Driving around these neighborhoods, you will find dead lawns, front and back lawns tall with weeds, garbage cans out, fences broken, newspapers piled up, trash left on driveways, green pools.  Several of these neighborhoods are new - built in the past few years - and the homeowners were very excited when they moved into t... 09/23/2007

David,Let me start off by congratulating you on your honorable discharge.  As a Marine, I know how you feel about getting out and looking for your first home outside of military housing.  It can be intimidating.  Believe me, I felt the same way when my wife and I bought our first home.  But what I found was due to the current market, you are in a much better position to utilize your VA benefits than I was.  When we purchased our home, we had a difficult time finding a seller to cooperate with the VA terms so we ended up with a conventional loan.  Nowadays, there are many motivated sellers that may be willing to accept such terms.  Before I go too much into that, let me explain why Elk Grove, CA would be a great fit for you. Basically, you have a lot of homes to choose from!  Elk Grove C... 09/21/2007

According to the State of California's 2006-2007 Academic Performance Index (API) growth report that was released on August 31st, the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) is still making progress academically.  The district's performance grew eight points since the spring, beating the statewide average of California's students by 37 points.  Socioeconomically disadvantaged students, ESL (English as a Second Language) and disabled students in the Elk Grove school district, moved closer to the state's target API of 800.  The annual performance index, is the way to hold the schools accountable for their academic performance.44 of the district's elementary, middle and high schools, have scored as well or better than the state's average API of 727, while 27 schools have passed the 800 m... 09/14/2007