6900 sf Custom Home in Catta Verdera-now only $1,132,900

Well, let me preface this by saying what I say right now might not apply 10 days or 10 minutes from now. The real estate market is ever changing. There are numerous variables that will cause price shifts, movement in supply and demand and the overall “mood” of the market. Some of these variables can affect the market nationwide (interest rates, govt. stimulus etc.) and others affect Lincoln or even just parts of the city.

This being said, here is my simple take on the market today:

1) rates are extremely low and many buyers that have been looking for a while are realizing their “buying power” has increased. They qualify for a higher loan amount. Even with the lower rates we haven’t seen the price increases that usually go hand in hand. Buyer power has truly increased.

2) the low rates haven’t stimulated the housing market overall like the government hoped. However, in Lincoln, we still have a shortage of properties that can be closed in 30 or so days (non shortsale). Most buyers want to close quickly and a lot of the regular or bank-owned properties sell fast. I did see a bit of a lag in the market the last couple weeks but things are picking up again. I attribute the slow down to ”back to school”.

3)prices in Lincoln Crossing and West Lincoln seem to be falling. The smaller homes between 180K and 215K seem to be staying steady, but the larger 2800 sf+ homes are dropping. Prices in 12 Bridges (with the exception of the custom homes in Verdera) are generally stable. The custom homes in Catta Verdera will see a PLUNGE in the next few months. Sun City Lincoln is a little harder to figure out. In general the prices have dropped, but the buyers in that market will buy regardless, if it is what they want.

Overall, the properties are moving and the banks are starting to get better at processing their short sales. This is just a snapshot of my feelings as to what is going on. If you have specific questions, let me know!

Sorry if I come off harsh, it might just be a bit of an attitude after talking to some banks on short sales, but I’m also counting my blessings and trying to reflect on how lucky we are to live in this country. I’m going to try to have a more positive outlook and encourage others to do the same!

On the real estate front, rates are still extremely low and if you have good credit and a little money, it’s a great time to buy. Some of the bank-owned and traditional sales are starting to sit on the market a little longer and I feel that prices in the larger homes are starting to drop again slightly (they did go up in Placer County for a few months).  Congratulations on closing to my two clients moving out of the area.

1756 sf, 3bed/2bath sold for $233,000

2498 sf 4bed/2.5bath sold for $235,000

 Call me if you have any questions about buying or selling or the market in general.

SHARK ATTACK-Summer Fun in Lincoln, CA

Can you remember your summers as a kid? I always think back about he hype and parties leading up to the end of school and then the joy of being free for a couple months. It seems to me that things have changed and there are way more parties and end of school productions that there use to be. There was great joy in being done with the everyday grind,  but also sadness in knowing that there were some friends that you wouldn’t see until you were sitting in your desk with your “school clothes” in a few months. Anyway, kids seem to have an adjustment period where they go from being super busy to feeling like they have nothing to do. Have you heard the phrase “I’m bored!” yet this summer? I am sure my wife hears it a lot more that I do, but I have had some calls from home during the day with the complaint of not having anything to do. My answer is always work! Mow the lawn, wash the car, water the plants, clean the floor, wash the windows…I could go on and on. Anyway, summer is supposed to be fun for the kids, and for those Moms, Dads, Grandmas or Grandpas out there that need some ideas to keep the kids busy, I am going to post some great ideas of things to do over the summer. I can’t take credit for the list,  this has been compiled by others for all of us to use.

The first list is of FREE activities and ideas:

Summer Fun 2010

Print out a calendar for the whole summer at:  http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2010/05/summer-calendar.html and fill in what is already known and pick theme days, this could include a library day, a craft day, a food/cooking day, and outing day, movie day, friends over day, and a water day or whatever works for you.

Let children choose a theme for each week nd focus activities around that theme.

Establish a point system for things such as reading or outdoor play and use those points to earn media time or special outings.

If you choose a certain day for outings, keep it a surprise but let the children know it is almost always that day of the week to look forward to, for example “Wacky Wednesday” or “Surprise Friday”.

Grab those local parents’ magazines in the front of the grocery store.  Even if you don’t have young kids, the calendar in the back can be very useful.

Sign up for the City of Lincoln eBulletin, you get an email every couple of days with the activities, events and meetings around Lincoln:  http://www.ci.lincoln.ca.us/ConstantContact.cfm -These bulletins don’t always have fun activities for the kids but will give you a good idea of what is going on in the City.

FREE ACTIVITIES

Regal Family Movies – Olympus Pointe 12 – Tues., Wed., Thurs. @ 10:00 AM

520 N. Sunrise Ave., Roseville, CA  95661, 916-772-1245

June 22, 23, 24                     Doogal (G)

                                                Monsters vs. Aliens (PG)

June 29, 30 & July 1           Tale of Despereaux (G)

                                                Planet 51 (PG)

July 6, 7, 8                             Wallace & Gromit (G)

                                                Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

July 13, 14, 15                      Kit Kittredge:  American Girl (G)

                                                Aliens In The Attice (PG)

July 20, 21, 22                      March Of The Penguins (G)

                                                Where The Wild Things Are (PG)

July 27, 28, 29                      Arctic Tale (G)

                                                Kung Fu Panda (PG)

August 3, 4, 5                       Clifford’s Big Movie (G)

                                                The Spy Next Door (PG)

Water Parks-were not talking about the big slide parks like “Sunsplash”

                Lincoln – Foskett Ranch

                Rocklin – Lone Tree, Camp Whitney, Memorial Park

                Roseville – Leonard Duke Davis Park, Mark White Park, R.F. Nelson Park, and others in greater Sac.

Frisbee Golf – Johnson Springview Park in Rocklin, Oak Park in Carmichael

Flashlight Tag – Fun to play at night at McBean Park

Tennis – Court at LHS usually open starting at 8 am

Free Books at Carnegie Library – Fridays 8:00 am – 12 Noon beginning June 11^th

Hidden Falls Regional Park (between Lincoln & Auburn) – Beautiful hiking.  Bring a lunch and make it a day.  Check website for directions and map:  www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/Facility/Parks/hiddenfalls.aspx

Rocklin’s 2010 Evening-In-The-Park free concerts held at Johnson-Springview Park, 5480 Fifth Street at the Community Stage.  Performances held on Friday nights from 7 pm – 9 pm. 

                June 11 – Dad’s Night with “Square1”

                July 9 – Kids’ Night with “Essex”

                July 23 – Health & Safety Night with “Eclipse”

                August 6 – Teachers’ Appreciation Night with “Departure”  www.rocklin.ca.gov/government/service_n_facility/special_events_theatre_n_arts/special_events/evening_in_the_park_concert_series.asp

Rocklin’s Shakespeare Company presents Dream On: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Johnson-Springview Park Community Stage.  Free performances start at 8 pm.  Dates: July 29, 30 and August 1, 13, 14, 15

www.rocklin.ca.gov/government/service_n_facility/special_events_theatre_n_arts/theatre/shakespeare_in_the_park.asp

Fun cement slide – Lincoln Estates Park, 331 James Drive in Roseville. Bring a rolls of wax paper for easy sliding.  There are picnic areas and regular play structures at the park, but NO bathrooms.

Art Walk – 3^rd Saturday of every month.  Downtown Roseville galleries, and retail & civic venues keep their doors open for visitors to enjoy an evening of fine art, music and refreshment.  Roseville Arts Blue Line Gallery participates in this community event by offering regular 3^rd Saturday afternoon hands-on activities for children (1-4pm) and evening receptions (6:30-9pm).  http://www.rosevillearts.org/tours.html#3rdsat

Friday night movie at the Twelve Bridges Library – July 2^nd at 6:00 pm – Percy Jackson; the Lightening Thief

Check website for August movie:  www.libraryatlincoln.org

Lincoln  Library Summer Reading Program – June 1^st thru July 5^th.  www.libraryatlincoln.org

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program – Read 8 books and get a free book off their list.  Sign-up forms in the store.  1256 Galleria Blvd., Roseville

Concerts at The Fountains in Roseville – Sat. July 3^rd, 8 – 10 pm

Lincoln Farmer’s Market – Thursday Nights in downtown Lincoln

Martha Riley Library – new library in Roseville that has an upstairs room where kids can play games.  Also houses the Utility Exploration Center.

Downtown Roseville Tuesday Night – 5 – 9 pm on Vernon Street, May through July

http://www.roseville.ca.us/calendars/city_calendar.asp?ViewBy=7&CalDate=6/15/2010&EventDateID=16785

Lowe’s free Build & Grow Clinics – kids build projects at 10 am on some Saturdays https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

Home Depot free kid’s workshops – first Saturday of each month from 9am – 12 Noon

Michael’s – variety of craft classes  http://www.michaels.com/art/online/events?storeid=1680

Chuck E. Cheese – use coupons from the newspaper for free and cheap tokens-I’m not a huge fan of this one, something about furry animals being around pizza…but the kids like it!

Play areas in the mall

Geocaching – high tech treasure hunting  http://www.geocaching.com/ This is pretty cool for older kids. REI has GPS units you can rent. Sometimes the treasures they find are fun. Make sure that you give them some things to leave for the next people at the geocache-the treasures don’t have to be expensive. I have seen fast food toys and dollar store items in the cache. You could probably find some things around the house that would be great geocache treasures.

At almost 4000 sf, you’ll love the space and amenities that this beautiful home has to offer! Quality built by Centex, this home has 4 full beds and baths as well as a spacious den (bedroom option with full bath), huge upstairs bonus room, separate formal living and dining areas and a downstairs master with full retreat. The master has an amazing walk-in closet with organizers, fully upgraded bath with jetted tub and more. This home has it all! Upgraded cherry wood cabinets, hardwood flooring, granite countertops, stainless appliances, premium carpet and many other rich appointments. You’ll love the professionally landscaped yard with the covered patio and additional patio off the master that is setup with wiring for a spa. Low maintenance yard with full auto sprinkler + drip and gas outlet for the BBQ. The 3 car handyman’s garage is fully finished with an auto door opener and epoxy flooring.

Enjoy Club Lincoln pools and workout facilities as well as internet to your home as part of the HOA. This big and beautiful home has all the right upgrades and is move-in ready!

Call today for a full list of upgrades and to request a private showing. To see more pictures go to the featured listings tab.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

So, my second son is a real Star Wars fan. He loves to watch the movies and has a lot of the action figures and spends hours playing with his Star Wars Lego. He just turned 6 yesterday and my wife came up with the idea that he would be excited to see a “real” Star Wars character. My daughter had remembered that one of her classmates at Lincoln High had dressed up as a Storm Trooper for Halloween and asked him if he would come and meet my son while they were eating frozen yogurt at BrainFreeze. My office is a short distance from the yogurt shop and he came over and changed here before walking over to BrainFreeze. My 6 year old was super excited but a little bit shy at first. He quickly warmed up and we took quite a few pictures. While putting him to bed last night I asked him if he had a good birthday and if he was excited to see a Storm Trooper. He said “I wish it had been a Clone Trooper.” I don’t really know the difference, but he gave me a lesson in Star Wars theory and did admit that it was pretty cool and that he had a good birthday.

Hidden Falls

I was just thinking about how lucky we are to live in this beatiful area. All of Placer County is really pretty great. The rain has been good, but I am ready for spring! If you like the outdoors, there is so much to do around here. Just recently, my Mom came down for a visit and we were able to take a couple day trips. We went down to San Francisco and went through the California Academy of Sciences. What an incredible place! The kids, especially my 5 year old, loved the sea life and everything else there was to see. We are located in a perfect spot between the culture of the city and the natural beauty of the Sierras. Where else can you travel for about an hour and either be out to the coast or skiing on world class resorts? We also had the chance to take my Mom on a hike through Hidden Falls Regional Park just here in Auburn. Just about 15 or 20 minutes from Lincoln and that place is pretty incredible too! I could go on and on about all the great places we have close by. Camp Far West Lake is just North of town and is pretty quiet compared to Folsom Lake and some of the other lakes around. Some of my favorite hikes that we do with the Boy Scouts are only an hour up I-80 – Loch Leven Lake, Warren Lake, Castle Peak and many others…I am always looking for new places too, let me know if anyone else has any favorites. We do live in a beautiful place!

Well, it’s old news now, but it was very exciting for the kids to wake up to snow the other day. Growing up in Canada, it was a regular occurence for me and it was always hard to get excited about having to shovel the walks, scrape the car windows, not being able to play hockey on the outdoor rinks (can’t see the puck or stickhandle)… but I did feel that twinge of excitement when my wife woke me up at about 4:30 telling me that it had snowed and asking if she should wake the kids up because she was afraid it would melt before they got up. I told her not too worry and to got back to sleep, but the kids were up before 6:00 building snowmen and sledding down the front yard. It was sort of neat to see. Anyway, for those of you looking to get away from the snow, it only happens here about once every 30 years, so I think you are okay! I have to admit, we did let the kids stay home and the boys played in the snow most of the day. They slept well Monday night. Lincoln is a great location, you can get up to the snow in about an hour and enjoy snowboarding, skiing or snowmobiling (ski-dooing for those Canadians out there) in the winter and the beauty of hiking in the Sierras in the summer (I take the Boy Scouts up there frequently). We are also a couple hours from the ocean and can get to a variety of beaches and do any of the Bay Area attractions in a day trip. We enjoyed trips to Tahoe and Santa Cruz this summer and the kids are looking forward to a snowtrip in the next couple weeks. I love Lincoln, it is a great place to live!

The National Listings Distribution Program is a new program from Realty World that gives our listings maximum exposure on the internet. Here’s how it works…within 72 hours after we enter the listing in our system, your home is displayed on 34 major national real estate portals, providing instant, maximum exposure and increased search results on the property. Also, we have a partnership with Trulia.com and they promote our listings to an additional 170 partner websites. The facts are that about 80% (I think it may be higher) of buyers are using the internet to search for a home.  Calls from buyers come in everyday saying that they saw my listing on the internet. I can’t even begin to explain how important this is. The truth is, selling your home is a numbers game. The more people that know about it, the more chance we will get people through the door and the more people that come, the better chance we have to sell and sell at a good price. This program works! No other real estate company is providing this type of exposure at this point.

Thank you to Jim, Neal and Rebekah for their time!