Where to begin...... Real Estate has been in my family for over 50 years. My grandfather bought/sold/transacted real estate in and around Sacramento for years, and my mother Patti Martinez has been a consistent Top Producer in Sacramento for 30+ years. I decided to get into the industry a little over 6 years ago. I was no longer interested in the typical 8-5 desk job. I got into the industry at a prime time, December 2002. Shortly after entering the industry, the market exploded! Unfortunately for me, at that time, I was still very green and it still took me a year or two to find my niche and feel competent. Having lived in Sacramento my entire life, more specifically in the Land Park area, I know a lot of people in this town. I have surpassed my 6th year in the business, and LOVE what ... 10/18/2007

Unemployment claims are on the rise.  The week of Oct 18, 2007 showed a significant trend in rising applications filed to recieved unemployment benefits.  Due to the housing market crisis, buisness owners are more reluctant to hire and people are finding themselves displaced from their jobs.  Jobless claims rose to 28,000 in Febuary and now has spiked to 337,000 in the week that ended Oct 13. This will definetely affect the U.s. economy and GDP,(Bloomberg, 2007).  10/18/2007

Economist view the housing  crisis of 2007 as a repeat of the past.  There are many great deals now on the market.  We as an economy must slowly go through the housing crisis with knowledge not fear.  We must remain productive! "Thinking Possibilities!!!!"Realtor/Loan Officer, Joy Pleasant, www.joypleasant.com, ajoy2bpleasant@yahoo.com916-470-2684cell 10/16/2007

A couple months back I posted a link to the Sacramento County Sheriff's crime mapping tool website... here is another tool courtesy of KCRA Channel 3.  This offers a neighborhood search, an interesting address search, and appears to be mainly for the City of Sacramento jurisdiction, rather than just the county as the other link was.  Enjoy! Link:http://www.kcra.com/crimetracker/index.html 10/14/2007

I am new to this Blog thing so bare with me. Home inspections are a very important part of buying or selling a home. I have never heard of such a service for the cost. Can you put a cost on your famalies health, security & well being for the next 25 years? All homes need to be inspected before the deal is finalized. A few lines to think about... A house can be perfectly compliant with code, but be perfectly unsafe. Codes are a minimum standard of required work. Being in accord with local building codes is not the same as being safe.     How is business for all of you in the sacramento area? it has been very slow for me.   Increasing Home Energy Efficiency     Energy-efficient homes require less energy to perform household functions as homes that are less energy-efficient. There are many... 10/11/2007

This screencast shows how you can get up to twenty times more online buyers viewing your home when listing it with Elite Properties as you would with other Sacramento area companies. Find out what the benefits and drawbacks are to the MLS, Realtor.com, Craigslist, and other marketing venues, and see how our unique blend of Search Engine Optimization plus multiple photos and video can help you get your home sold. 10/09/2007

A Midtown Downtown Home Buyer who recently bought his house is the focus on todays Sacramento REAL Estate article. Let's call the new First Time Home Owner, Joe. I dropped by to see how Joe was getting along in his new house in Midtown last week and I think he is very glad I did.Joe suggested that we have dinner at Waterboy at 2000 Capitol Ave which was positively delicious. Waterboy changes their menu each month and uses fresh local produce during the meal preparation...yum and it's good for you, too!During dinner Joe told me that he had received his tax bill that need to be paid by October 10th. As a new First Time Homeowner, I was surprised that he would receive his Supplemental tax bill that soon and thought it quite unusual. So, I pressed the conversation, more.Joe repeatedly told ... 10/08/2007

For those wanting to know where the celebrations are this weekend for Oktoberfest, I wanted to get this out right away.  I will be adding to this article with other October Harvest Festivals and places to visit during the month. Check back for updates on where to go and what to do in and around the Sacramento area during October. Don't miss the Sacramento Celebration of Oktoberfest in Downtown Sacramento. It's not to be missed and you'll feel as though you are back in Germany when you attend this Downtown Sacramento Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest Celebrated in Downtown Sacramento3349 J Street, Sacramento, Sacramento Turn VereinOctober 5th @ 6:00 pm and October 6th, 2007 @5:00 pmGerman Music and dancing 7-11 pmFood, Dancing and Entertainment$10.00 Adults, Children 6-12 $5, and under 6 are FREE... 10/06/2007

The ProductOur Home Warranty Plan offers homeowners comprehensive protection against the high cost of repair or replacement of their home's major systems and appliances. Our Standard Plan offers coverage on plumbing, heating and electrical systems as well as appliances including oven/range, water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash compactor and specialty items such as built-in bathtub whirlpool, and central vacuum systems. Optional coverage also available, which varies by state. Please see your state specific Plan for details of coverage. The  ServiceAt Old Republic Home Protection, we don't want to be just a "one-year warranty company" to our clients - we want to be their warranty company for a lifetime. We know the only way to earn that type of loyalty is by providing great c... 10/03/2007

Sacramento saw spotlights beaming on the dilapidated Railyard off highway 5 last night near Downtown Sacramento. There is a reason for those bright lights…draw attention! Why is the developer, Thomas Enterprises drawing attention to this eye-sore? Have Sacramentans take notice of this Real Estate area and change it a vital community where 240 acres can be transformed into over 10,000 residences, entertainment and businesses… a village of sorts. Sacramento City Council will be voting whether this land will be developed so except the lights to continue illuminating through November 20th when the City Council will vote on this legacy project. There is no other area that Suheil Totah of Thomas Enterprises , the Developer can think of that has available prime land in its Downtown area, such ... 10/03/2007

 The Sacramento Real Estate Market is now ripe for investors.  There are homes like the one above that is listed under $195,000 and have 3 bedrooms with 2 baths.  This property is listed with REAL ESTATE AMERICA and is currently available.  We have not seen these kinds of deals in years.  If you can find deals that cash flow and if it has an upside in appreciation then it is a deal to jump on.  People have been waiting for the bottom but it is hard to predict the future.  No one really has a crystal ball to find out.The facts are that we have been in a down market now for about two years.  The prices have dropped tremendously and still dropping.  The inventory has continued to increase, but we are seeing signs that the sales are starting to increase.  If you can get a good price now it ... 10/01/2007

Well now...as an agent who is certified to assist buyers leverage a few different types of downpayment assistance programs, it is too bad to learn that U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has nixed these for now.One of the more prominent programs is Nehemiah, which is based in Sacramento. I received an email from the CEO of Nehemiah, Scott Syphax, explaining they intend to fight this ban. According to the Sacramento Business Journal, Nehemiah has already filed suit today.Write to your local elected officials to voice your concern about the elimination of downpayment assistance programs! Visit http://www.takeaction.ahaanow.org/ahaa/home.Interesting...I have assisted buyers to use these types of programs in the past, and all have come out as a win-win for both buyer and selle... 10/01/2007

In this 21st century city there was a day that Old Sacramento came back to life as the old west.  There are skyscrapers with a skyline that towers above Old Sacramento and it is almost a cereal thing to see that and the horse and carriages going down the street.  There were thousands who came by to see this event.  Sacramento has come to it's own with a firm footing as large modern metropolitan city and it's history in the Gold Rush.Sacramento is a great place to visit and even a better place to raise a family.  OLD SACRAMENTO - GOLD RUSH DAYS 2007 These are pictures from the Gold Rush days in Old Sacramento.  Thy put dirt on the paved streets in Old Sac to make it look like the old days.  They had the old coaches, buggies, and horses on the street parading around. People where all over... 09/30/2007

Are you a real estate contrarian Investor?What is a CONTRARIAN? The definition of a Contrarian by:www.webster.comMain Entry: con·trar·i·an Pronunciation: k&n-'trer-E-&n, kän-Function: noun: a person who takes a contrary position or attitude; specifically : an investor who buys shares of stock when most others are selling and sells when others are buying - contrarian adjective - con·trar·i·an·ism  /-&-"niz-&m/ noun  I believe this concept is the same for real estate.When people are getting out, it is great to get in.Not just any property, but great property!Buy property that is under valued during this down turn in the real estate market.Property that cash flow or have great upside protential!I personally think it is a great time for investors to get into the real estate market and find ... 09/28/2007

For those that may think that homeowners got themselves into this mess and deserve to lose their homes...take a look at the comment that appeared today on my Sacramento Real Estate blog post that was written by a homeowner who is soon to be a renter...Thank you for writing that letter. My husband and I just lost our home that we owned 24 yrs. My children were raised there and the memories are all we have left. We will be moving out this weekend and I have shed many tears. This leaves us so very humble and now on to new territory for us.... renting. Not easy to rent with a foreclosure on your credit report. This affects everyone and is so extremeley painful and devastating. Luckily we have strong faith in God and feel blessed to have jobs and good health. Prayers for all who are affected... 09/25/2007

Staging is not one size fits all. I was hired by a Realtor to stage a vacant home in Lincoln Hills CA retirement community. We were competing with another fully staged home on the same block that happened to be the same model. What home would a buyer buy first?- What things should we consider when we prepare a property for sale? Consider your competition. Is your home priced within the sold range? Are the models similar? Are the conditions similar? How about the location. And lastly- is the competition staged? In my situation, both models were the same, one home was fully staged and the other was not- both homes were similar in condition and price.  If I were a buyer, I would choose the one that had more appeal and WOW factor.  Of course the staged one had more appeal.  The buyers were ... 09/24/2007

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! There will be GREAT Informational Handouts at this meeting!UPDATES:  There will also be a "Panel of Speakers" to include a Certified HUD Counselor and representatives from banking institutions as well as a testimonial from a current homeowner who has been able to successfully receive a modified loan to meet her current income on her adjustable mortgage loan - please come hear her story!  Be sure to SPREAD THE WORD!  Have your questions and issues ready!Letter from the Founder of Sacculturalhub.com September 9, 2007 Dear Close Friends, my Relatives, and my Staff,This is a SERIOUS LETTER of ACTION and notification of your attendance for the following:Emergency Town Hall Meeting: Operation Save Our Homes in the Greater Sacramento Valley RegionDate:  Tuesday, September ... 09/14/2007

Mark your calendars for the "Tru Grand Opening Spa party". Taking place on Sat-10/6 from 11 am to 7 pm. Located at 604 12th Street in Sacramento (at F Street). Get acquainted with Sacramento's distinctive, up and coming, multi-cultural, unisex salon and spa offering exceptional service in the areas of skin, hair, and body care in an urban chic environment. 09/14/2007

.07South Sacramento - September 13-15Don't miss these inspirational and first-time ever events at Destiny ChurchSEPTEMBER 13-14: "The Gathering of God's Women for the Latter Rain" taking place on Thurs-9/13 and Fri-9/14 at Destiny Church in South Sacramento. Admission is free but you must RSVP. Ladies, come experience a unique time of inspiration and impartation, as women from all denominations and backgrounds gather in Sacramento to!  Tickets are only $15 and are also going fast (limited seating).  Evening of Jazz will be held in the new facilities at the Destiny Art Pavilion (located next to Destiny Church)!  For more info call (916) 392-9692. 09/13/2007

Lately, we at Elite Properties have been receiving more calls on people looking for condos that single family residences. And why not? Prices for condos have fallen to levels that allow first-time buyers to actually be able to think about home ownership. However, even within this market, are there areas that hold their value better than others? I sure think so. I think Crosswoods is one such area worth looking into. It backs into a greenbelt and is a world in itself. And it's clearly holding its value compared to the overall Sacramento county condo market. 09/08/2007