Watch the video above!

Situated high on the ridge in the prestigious gated golf course community of Catta Verdera, this sensationally designed custom estate captures spectacular valley and city light views. At almost 5700 sf, this home has 5 bedrooms and 5 full baths and includes separate formal rooms, spacious guest suite, bonus room and custom wine cellar. You’ll enjoy resort style living and entertaining on the exclusive Gyori constructed grounds. Relax in the spa or take a dip in the infinity edge pool. Evenings can be spent in the loggia which has the finest amenities including full kitchen, flat screen TV, fireplace and surround sound. Other impressive features include zinfandel vineyard, citrus trees and beautiful heritage oaks.
Inside, the gourmet kitchen is sure to impress. Expansive granite slab island, Thermador appliances (including built-in fridge), travertine flooring, intricate cherry wood cabinetry and exceptional lighting.
Quality craftsmanship and cutting edge technology is evident throughout. Roof mounted solar panels, HoodBranco installed Control 4 home automation system and custom paint by Romanian painter Ciprian Pacurar are just a few fine examples. Everything is done to a higher standard. The oversized master has a 2-sided fireplace, coffered celing with back-lit crown molding and plush premium carpet.
Throughout the home you will see imperfect smooth hand troweled walls, custom paint, vaulted ceilings and 7 ¼ inch baseboard. Other features include central vacuum, cased windows, cast stone fireplaces, security system, fire suppression system and upgraded HVAC with multiple zones.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind estate.
Call today for a private showing.
916 408-2222

Garth Evans, Broker/Owner Realty World Lincoln, CA

How many years in business?
Real Estate in Lincoln for 10 years

Why did you become a Realtor?
I have always been interested in owning my own business. After Graduate school, I worked for a large fortune 500 company. I learned some valuable lessons during that time but was always thinking of what kind of business I wanted to own. Eventually I made the jump to real estate and I’ve never looked back. Owning my own business and working as a Broker has proven to be incredibly challenging yet gratifying. It has given me the chance to put all of my education and previous experience to the test.

What are your favorite parts of the job?
In my business things get personal. Buying or selling a home is a big event in people’s lives. I spend a lot of time negotiating for my clients and helping them get what they want. It feels good when the deal is done and everyone is happy. Times are tough and people are in some stressful situations. I feel privileged that my clients trust me with their personal situations. It feels good when I can do a service for them and help make positive changes in their lives.

What are the most challenging parts of the job?
In this market, no deal is easy. I take each transaction on as a challenge whether it is negotiating a purchase for a buyer or dealing with the banks on a short sale. It is satisfying to know that I made a deal work that may have seemed impossible at the beginning and completing a job that many may have given up on. I gladly take on these challenges and work hard to get what my client wants.

What do you think of the market right now?It is challenging but exciting. Anytime you have a market like this, there are new opportunities for refining your business or learning new parts of the business. I have had the chance to become very good at short sales and working with banks. It is a lot of fun working with first time home buyers that thought they would never be able to afford a home.

How are you involved in the community?Right now I am a ScoutMaster for Troop 745 in Lincoln. I love the outdoors! We have so many beautiful places around here for backpacking and camping. I really enjoy working with the Scouts and helping them learn not only great outdoor skills but life lessons as well. It is incredibly satisfying to see the boys work hard and earn their awards. I also help coach the roller hockey team at 12 Bridges Middle School.

What are your hobbies/interests?
I am originally from Edmonton, Canada so I grew up playing ice hockey. My wife grew up in Lincoln, so when we decided to move our family here I was happy to find that there are a couple of ice rinks close by. I enjoy trail running and anything to do with the outdoors. My son and I are working on a Land Cruiser and we like to get out and drive back to some remote areas to hike and fish. California has so many beautiful areas, my family and I love to hike and explore new places.

Here is your chance to own a beautiful “move-in ready” home in the highly desirable, gated community of Verdera. Loaded with tons of custom features and upgrades, this home will impress the most discriminating buyer. From the curb appeal of the stylish rock fascia to the spacious yard, there are so many things to like about this home. As you enter, you will see the quality of the upgrades. Plush, premium carpet, tile with inlaid medallion mosaic, elegant fixtures and so much more. The bright kitchen is richly appointed with top of the line GE stainless appliances including a double oven with convection, gas cook-top and over-sized hood. It also has granite countertops, decorative backsplash and tile floors. The home is great for entertaining and includes a large dining room with french doors out to the side courtyard. The extensive yard is fully landscaped with an eye-catching rock retaining wall spanning the back of the yard and it is a yard you can enjoy. Those with a “green thumb” can tend to the various fruit trees or putter in the raised grow boxes of the garden area. Inside, the master bedroom is generously sized and the master bath includes a jetted tub, split vanities, shower with rain head, body jets and a huge walk-in closet. This home has larger bedrooms, an upstairs laundry and a space for a reading nook. The split 3 car garages are fully finished with florescent lighting, epoxy floors and quiet I-Drive automatic door opener. You’ll love the gated neighborhood with 24 hour security patrol, front yard lawn maintenance and paved walking trails.

Call today for a full list of upgrades and to request a private showing.

Gold Country Media asks me to write articles for the Inside Lincoln Magazine and for the News Messenger every now and again. Here is one I wrote that gives an outline of a real estate transaction. I think it is important for buyers and sellers to have an  understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. There are a lot of phone calls, emails, coordination and time spent by good agents. It is more than just putting a sign out or writing an offer. This is still oversimplified but gives an idea of what happens:

Road Map to a Real Estate Transaction

Some buyers and sellers really aren’t interested in the details of what goes on during a real estate transaction. Others want to be very involved and want to know all the inner workings of a deal. There are some real estate agents that would rather keep their clients in the dark, but it is important for both buyers and sellers to be educated regarding the process. This article will give you a quick outline of what you may expect during a real estate transaction.

1)      Listing agreement and preparation for market. Seller will meet with the agent they have chosen and sign a listing agreement that clearly shows the price the property will be listed at and the term of the agreement. The agent should make recommendations about how to make the property more marketable. Pictures will be taken and other marketing will be prepared. Video tours are becoming more popular for the higher price range.

2)      Showing the property. The listing agent and other buyer agents will show the property. It makes it much easier to show if the property has a lockbox and the owners aren’t present at the time of showing.

3)      The Contract. The buyer agent will meet with their buyer after showing the property. It is not uncommon for a potential buyer to look at the home more than once. The agent should give advice about actual value of the property. The list price may be higher or lower than the comparable sales and the agent should show the buyer some of the past sales in the neighborhood. The buyer must be preapproved and the agent should work with the buyer and their loan officer to formulate the offer. The listing agent will go over the offer with the seller and either accept, counter or reject the offer.

4)      Once an offer is accepted it becomes a contract. At this point, a lot of things happen simultaneously. Escrow is opened with a title company; the preliminary title report and a natural hazard disclosure are ordered. The buyer’s earnest money deposit is submitted to escrow and inspections are scheduled. The seller will fill out disclosures with their agent and the buyer will be able to review them. The inspections may include a pest inspection and a whole house inspection. Depending on the property you may want to do a well test, septic pumping, pool inspection, roof certification or other tests under the advice of the agent.  At the same time the loan officer will be asking the buyer for updated documentation, order an appraisal and be working to package the loan for underwriting.

5)      Contingency removal. This is an important step in the transaction. There is a set time for the buyers to do all their inspections, review the disclosures, get the appraisal and have the loan approved. In most transactions the period is 17 days, but lately some sellers require that the period is tightened up to 10 days or less. The buyer’s agent will have a form that will need to be filled out that indicates everything is in place and the buyer is ready to move forward to close the deal. In a regular transaction, there may be a request for repairs that should be worked out prior to contingency removal.

6)      Final walk-through and signing. The buyer will do a final walk-through within 5 days of the close of escrow to make sure the property is in the same physical condition as when they made the offer. They will check to see if all of the agreed upon repairs have been done. Both buyer and seller will have appointments set with the title company to sign all the final transfer documents. The buyer package will be larger as it will include their loan documents as well. Buyer will bring in their down payment money and after the documents are signed, the title company will request funds from the lender and then send the transfer deed to the county to record. Upon recording confirmation, the title company will notify the agents and the buyer will get the keys.

This is just a general outline and simplification of what should happen during your transaction. Every transaction is different and each has challenges that will need to be met and overcome. It is important that you have a good agent that is aware of the timelines and has good communication with the parties involved. As a buyer or seller you may not be aware of all the work that goes on behind the scenes. Contact a professional agent in your area to work for you in making your transactions seem easy.

4200 Monteverde Drive, Lincoln, CA 95648

Elegant and luxurious, this home is designed with entertaining in mind! Situated on a choice cul-de-sac lot in prestigious Catta Verdera, you’ll feel like you are at the resort. At over 5800 sf, this home includes 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, a home theater room, loft, separate formal rooms and finished garages. The gourmet kitchen features Viking appliances, granite slab countertops, top of the line cabinets & full butler’s pantry with prep sink and extra dishwasher. You’ll be impressed with the way the rest of the home wraps itself around the dramatic circular formal dining room. Just off the dining room, enjoy the open feel as the french doors lead to the expansive, exposed aggregate courtyard. Spend time cooking at the outdoor kitchen or unwinding with friends and family in the heated pool. Rinse off in the outdoor shower before you take a dip and take a nap afterward in the private pool house. Everything has been done to a higher standard! The Caribbean Blue Pebbletech bottom pool includes removable fencing, a built-in spa with spillway, rock waterfall and other water features. The manicured, private yard feels more like a park with flagstone walkways, stylish fountain, citrus orchard and a variety of trees and shrubs.  Every aspect of this home highlights the attention to detail. The custom accents of the inlaid medallion mosaic, the old-world stone style fireplace mantels and the unique lighting fixtures add interest in each room. Throughout the home there are numerous functional upgrades including surround sound, central vacuum, security system with camera capability, fire sprinklers and a tankless hotwater heater. This home is truly a masterpiece!

Watch the Video Tour on this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93VtbbehRMo&feature=related

Call for a complete list of upgrades and to schedule a private tour.

4141 Monteverde Drive, Lincoln, CA 95648

NOT A SHORT SALE OR BANK-OWNED! QUICK RESPONSE AND QUICK CLOSE!

This beautiful home in the gated Catta Verdera Community is located at the end of a cul-de-sac and has amazing 180 degree views overlooking the golf course! Appointed with the finest amenities and upgrades, you will be impressed with the interior every bit as much as the gorgeous views. The exquisite kitchen includes granite slab countertops, rich mahogany cabinets, professional grade stainless Thermador appliances and marble limestone flooring. Enjoy looking out to nature from the many panoramic arched windows of the bright kitchen nook.  This home has a wonderful floor plan with a ground level master, formal living and dining rooms, spacious guest room, tech/library area, bonus room and 4 additional bedrooms (3 with balcony access). The generous master opens to the back yard and includes an impressive master bath with a jetted tub, split vanity with overmount designer basin sinks and a large shower. Relax and enjoy sunsets and the soothing sound of the babbling brook from the full length balcony or extensive patio. The oversized 4 car garage is completely finished with double garage door opener and epoxy floors.  Other upgrades include surround sound, extended fireplace hearth and custom mantels, imperfect smooth walls with custom paint, premium carpet, inlaid stone medallion mosaic and detailed transitions, central vacuum and so much more. From the stunning views to the magnificent upgrades, this home is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

To see the Video Tour on YouTube, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTD5WC1ECtA

Call today for a full list of upgrades and to request a private showing.

2049 Glenveagh Lane, Lincoln, CA

Move-in ready! This quality-built Pulte home is located in a great 12 Bridges neighborhood close to schools, parks and walking trails. With a functional and spacious floor plan, this home has 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths, including a full bed and bath downstairs. This plan also includes a formal living and dining room, large loft, a den, and a huge great room. You’ll love the upgrades this home has to offer! The bright and open kitchen has granite countertops, top quality cabinets with roll-outs, upgraded appliances and a walk-in pantry. This home has warm, two-tone custom paint, tile flooring, premium carpet and more. The fully landscaped yard includes custom concrete, auto sprinkler and drip, landscape lighting, covered patio, mow curb and lots of room to play or relax. Other features include plantation shutters, built-in media niche, laundry sink, whole house fan, ceiling fans and a finished 3 car garage. From the excellent location to the size and functionality of the floor plan, this is a must see home!

Call me at 916 408-2222 if you have any questions or would like a private tour.

Galleria Fire from CBS News

No alien abductions, no terrorist attacks, only some crazy kid that played one too many video games and knew how to start a fire…Thank goodness that nobody was physically hurt! I am sure some mental anguish took place for some people not being able to get their Nordstrom fix.

So now that the dust has settled to some extent, everyone is asking “When will the Galleria Mall open?” To be honest with you, my concern is not about the lack of immediate shopping options, but for the people that are currently out of work due to the fire. My daughter, on the other hand, has been worried that she won’t be able to frequent her favorite stores. I hear a lot of the rumors going around about when the mall will reopen and there are mixed opinions. I think the most reliable sources are saying that portions of the mall may be open by the end of the week. The parts of the mall that have the most damage, JC Penney and Macy’s, will take much longer to open. I feel bad for the people who are out of work, but as with any catastrophe, new opportunities are created. I am sure that some of the people working to restore the mall could be amongst those who were praying for work. Hopefully things will work out well for those directly affected.