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.

2002 Rickenbacker Lane

2002 Rickenbacker Lane, Lincoln, CA 95648-Well designed floor plan at Lakeside in Lincoln. You’ll love the open feel of the kitchen and family room areas. Warm, neutral paint colors, tile counter with extended backsplash, built-in microwave, alarm system and much more! Full back yard landscaping with stamped concrete patio, mow curb and auto sprinklers. Located in a nice new, friendly neighborhood and just down the street from a park. Close to schools and community sports fields. Listed at $179,999, all offers will be considered.

222 D Street

222 D Street, Lincoln, CA 95648-A recent remodel on this cute bungalow in downtown Lincoln makes it move-in ready! Hardwood flooring, carpet, custom paint, central heat and air, crown molding, wainscoting, and more. You’ll love the bright and spacious kitchen with oak cabinets, white appliances, tile flooring, gas cooktop and decorative tile countertops. Great location close to McBean Park. This home also has a detached garage with alley access and an inviting front porch. Great price and perfect for the first-time homebuyer. Listed at only $109,999.

1300 Hudson Circle

1300 Hudson Circle, Lincoln, CA 95648-Move in ready! This richly appointed home is located close to schools and parks and has all the right upgrades. Granite counter tops, stainless appliances, gorgeous cherry wood cabinets and so much more. You’ll love the spacious master and functional floorplan. Other features include upstairs laundry and finished garage with epoxy floors. Don’t delay, own a home with a lower monthly payment than rent! Listed at only $149,999

Call or email today if you have any questions about any of these homes. 916 408-2222.

I’ve said it before, Lincoln, CA is a great place to live!. We are located close to pretty much everything. Day trips to the resorts up I-80 and towards San Francisco are an easy possibility. This time of year we love to take some trips to the snow. The kids enjoy sledding, building snow caves and snowmen, and drinking hot chocolate. One of the places we like is about an hour up I-80 at Cisco Grove. There is a snow park there, but we prefer to hike up behind the park and blaze our own trails. My wife and I take the camp chairs and set up at the bottom of the hill while the kids wear themselves out. The good thing about being only an hour away is that you can look at the weather and jump in the car without having to plan too much or take a full day to get somewhere if the weather is going to be terrible. As the kids start to get cold and wet, I fire up a couple Jetboil backpacking stoves (well used on all our Scout camps) and get the water ready for hot chocolate. Some hot chocolate and then a few more runs and we can stop at In and Out in Auburn for dinner and be home before dark. Cost is minimal. $10 for parking, 1/4 tank of gas, some packets of chocolate that were in the camping box anyway, and less than $30 at In and Out. As long as there aren’t any co-pays at the emergency room, we have a great day with the family for under $75. Right now sleds are on sale and most of the sporting goods stores. We really enjoy doing day trips. I am the kind of person that would rather get out and do something than sit in front of a movie screen (ok on rainy days) or waste a day doing nothing… Let me know if anyone has any good ideas for day trips, we are always looking for new adventures!

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.