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Fair Oaks, CA Real Estate News

By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
It's been a wild ride for homes sales in Fair Oaks, California, but for 2 months in a row we have had huge increases in the number of sales.  Sales doubled in March over the preceeding month, from 18 to 38, then increased another 10% in April, to 41. And all the while inventory has been dropping to it's lowest numbers in over a year.  With 42 pending sales out of the 132 homes on the market in Fair Oaks, that's roughly 1/3 of the homes selling in one month. Compare that to one year ago, when only 1/5th of the homes sold.     But what effect have the increased sales had on the prices, you ask?  April saw an overall increase in the average price per square foot from $143 to $149. That's down from a high of $194 last April. Remember, this is for all price ranges.  In general, the lower pri...
Comments 4
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
As if getting to be your own landlord isn't enough, now Uncle Sam wants to give you $8K for buying a home.  Unbelievable? Yes. True, also YES.  But there are ALWAYS catches, right?  Yes, but not many. Mainly that you gotta be a first time home buyer.  So, principle residence only, and you can't have owned a home in the past 3 years.  Good on that one?... then read on. You must close escrow on your home by November 30th, 2009, and is retroactive to January 1, 2009. It has income limits, and starts to phase out at $75K income for singles, and $150K for couples filing jointly. Can you get it now?  Absolutely.  You can file an amended return for 2008. Then start spending, baby. How much?  The credit is 10% of your home's purchase price, or $8,000, whichever is less. There is no repayment, u...
Comments 11
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
  ************ Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy." For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.
Comments 2
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
Next week I have been invited to speak to the Sacramento Board of Supervisors about the impact of our area parks on home values.  As I am preparing my comments, I am wondering what you would tell your Supes.  What advise do you have for me? It seems to me most of our finest neighborhoods are near our parks.  We have William Land Park, McKinley Park, Curtis Park, Ancil Hoffman Park, Goethe Park, just to name a few.  We have the Effie Yeaw Nature Center where our area school children learn.  But best of all, Sacramento Area is blessed with the American River, with its miles of protected parkway. With walking trails, horse trails and miles and miles of paved bike trails, the parkway defines what I love about our area. But the impact on home values..... Hmmm.  I've got some interesting idea...
Comments 6
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
I've been living in and loving Fair Oaks since 1979, and I can't think of a place I would rather live or raise my kids in. Join me on a brief tour of my Fair Oaks, the way I love it. For more information on Fair Oaks Homes for sale, give me a call, or search the entire MLS at www.SallyDunbar.com  
Comments 24
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
OOOH.. Tough break. No one's happy when an escrow falls apart. But whether the seller gets to keep the buyer's deposit comes down to two words.It Depends!Let's say the buyer has already removed all their contingencies in writing. Now they lose their job, or they find another house they like better, or they decide they can't stand each other, after all. They want out. In most cases, the seller would have a right to keep the deposit. After all the buyer backed out, AFTER removing their contingencies.But HAVING A RIGHT TO THE DEPOSIT, AND ACTUALLY GETTING IT ARE TWO DIFFERENT STORIES.In Fair Oaks and the Sacramento area, the buyer's deposit is typically held in escrow. Escrow is a neutral third party. Escrow needs both the buyer's and the seller's approval (signature) to do anything. And t...
Comments 24
By Peter Parker, Your Friendly Neighborhood Realtor
(Keller Williams Realty)
If we want to live in a happy, healthy society and world, then our children must have a happy and healthy start to their lives.  All parents and educators want to do the best they can for the children they care for, yet there so much information available today that too many adults end up confused and frustrated, longing for sound, clear advice. Over the past four decades Joseph Chilton Pearce has been studying and synthesizing the latest research in education, psychology and neurophysiology, sharing his insights and discoveries in a series of best selling books and in lectures around the world.  If your are interested in human potential, intelligence, and the protection of childhood you will want to hear him in person in Fair Oaks at Rudolf Steiner College, 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd, on May ...
Comments 0
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
For the past 60 years, Fair Oaks California has been putting on this great celebration the first weekend in May.  It was previously known as Fiesta Days, but only the name has changed.  All the fun, games, great food, and one of Northern California's best car shows are still favorites that attract fans from all over. The fun will include entertainment for the whole family, and the event includes a parade, toilet bowl races, frog jump, children's games, food and craft vendors and much, much more, including some great raffle prizes.  All of this takes place in Fair Oaks Village, at adjoining Plaza and Village Parks, and the theme this year is "Pirates of the American River."   Come and join the fun from 10 am - 4 pm each day. The parade starts off the festivities on Saturday morning, wit...
Comments 3
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
Buyers are panicking at the moment.  They are running out of homes to buy! In Sacramento there is only 2.3 months of inventory under $300K (if buyers maintain their present rate of snapping up homes, we'll run out in 2.3 months). In Fair Oaks it's not much better... 2.4 months to sell 'em all out. That means if no new homes come on the market, we'll be out of homes by summer. Basically economics says when supply goes down prices go up.... like skyrocket up, in this case.  EEKKKK! HOWEVER... don't look now, but there is a wall of new inventory charging from behind.  Maybe an avalanche of homes.  You see, California has had a moratorium on foreclosures since December of '08, which  means very few new bank foreclosures (REOs) have come for sale.  And the moratorium keeps being extended. In...
Comments 13
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
This year's Mother-Son Dance will have a western hoedown theme, and should be a great time!  Sons can take their moms to a party as a nice Mothers' Day celebration.  Usually we hear about father-daughter dances, and Fair Oaks has those too, but this is a special mom-son date. There will be refreshments, great music, and lots of fun.  Pictures will be taken to remember the evening.  Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.  It is organized and conducted by the Fair Oaks Youth Advisory Board, and if you want to order tickets ahead of time, you can get them at the Fair Oaks Recreation and Parks District Office.  Hope you will be able to join the fun!  Dads - tell your sons about this special way to honor Mom. The party will be on Friday, May 8, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Fair...
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By Peter Parker, Your Friendly Neighborhood Realtor
(Keller Williams Realty)
For a great outing, in Spring or any time of the year, come visit theRaphael Garden in Fair Oaks.  Conveniently located on Fair Oaks Blvd betweenSan Juan and Sunrise, a short walk from the Rudolf Steiner College parkinglot takes you into a wonderful world that seems surprisingly far away fromthe whizzing cars and bustle you just left behind.  Six young lambs enjoythe lush grass with their mothers, a friendly white horse loves the handfulsof grass or rose hips you offer, and Mona the calf loves to rub her head(and horns, parental discretion advised) on your leg. Mona's mother Bellausually just likes to be petted. Chickens, bees, ducks and the incrediblegarden all await you.  Come by any Thursday around lunch time and you'llprobably see me and my granddaughter Maya - she'll be eager to we...
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By Myrl Jeffcoat, Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired
One of my favorite places to visit when I have extra minutes is quaint Old Fair Oaks Village not far from my home.  The Village is the unique older historic section of the greater Fair Oaks community, located on the bluffs along the beautiful American River.In the relaxed and casual environment of The Village there is a considerable population of Chickens, which rule the roost, and nearly outnumber the human residents.  On Saturday I arrived to have breakfast at The Village Bistro.  I parked my car, at the little park across the road, and immediately, a "herd" of the feathered citizens came running up to me.  They are very much into having food gifts to enhance their day.  I felt guilty arriving empty handed.The Old Fair Oaks Bridge near the Village center has been closed to automobile...
Comments 15
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
For me, one of the harbingers of spring is the return of the bumblebee overhead as I am planting and working in my spring garden.  Yesterday and today, as I was potting some geraniums, I was watched by a big roly-poly black bumblebee.  I took a couple of quick photos this morning of one who was supervising my work. I guess they can sting, but I have never feared them and think they are like tiny buzzy stuffed animals.  The ones I always see are all black, round, and fuzzy, and not at all aggressive.  Some have said those are carpenter bees because they are all black, but carpenter bees have a longer body and are shiny.  These are round and fuzzy, and they are 1/2 inch or more in diameter.  Both bumblebees and carpenter bees are great pollinators, so they should be welcomed to your garde...
Comments 3
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
Here's the perfect partner to spring cleaning:  Fair Oaks is having its annual community Spring Garage Sale on Saturday, April 25th from 8:00 am to noon.   There are spaces for 57 booths at Fair Oaks Park, and this is a true garage sale, with sale items limited to the kinds of things you would sell at your own garage sale.  You can rent a booth (if there are any left) for $35.  The spaces are 15' x 14' (two parking spaces).  If you want to pick up a few bargains, admission is free, as is parking. Fair Oaks Park is at 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA  -  entrance just south of Madison Ave.  Come on out and see what treasures you can find! ************ Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or se...
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By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
  ************ Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy." For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.
Comments 8
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
                              See comment below for information about this great bridge ************ Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy." For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.
Comments 12
By Mike Young, FHA 203k Consultant 916-758-1809
(203kOnLine.com, covering the USA)
Two contractors on the same 203k project Recently had a call from a consultant regarding the following scenario... The borrower wanted to do self help and manage two contractors on the project. ON the surface it seemed doable. The the lender said "we don't do self help". How can we still get the 203 accomplished. Let's hear from you on this and then we'll tell you what was done. We have completed a few with multiple contractors on the same job and they were all nightmares. We don't recommend that you do this. The big thing is that no contractor wants to be on the job with another contractor due to the liability issue. What if Contrator A is insured and Contractor B isn't but has an accident on the job, it becomes unclear as to who is responsible and whose insurnace should cover the acci...
Comments 0
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
Sunday, March 22, 2009   If you missed buying a Fair Oaks home back in '02, those prices are back! After a high of $250/sf (per square foot) in August of '06, Fair Oaks prices have dropped approximately 38% to a stunning $155/sf. That is lower than the cost to build a home, yet it includes the land! We have not seen such a buying opportunity for a long time.How does that compare to the hit the entire county has taken? Has Fair Oaks done better or worse? Much better, thank you. During the same time period, Sacramento County price per foot dropped a whopping 54%! EEKKK! They went from a peak of $250/sf in August of '05 to the current level of $117/sf.But here's the best news for buyers. Interest rates make this the most amazing time we have ever had to buy. If you get a $200K loan today, ...
Comments 5
By Sally Dunbar, Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale
(Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area))
"What's this world coming to... kids today don't want to work, they want it handed to them." Every generation says that... clear back to Plato's time. I bet the cave man said it too, as his cave boy "texted" his pals with smoke signals. But the attitude is idiotic. And here's a case in point. Every year Fair Oaks has a number of community service events, like an Easter Egg Roll, a Christmas Party, Senior Luau, Mother/Son Dance, Father/Daughter Dance, the famous Chicken Festival and others. And who puts the shindigs on?... a group of 24 teens from Del Campo and Bella Vista High Schools, called the Fair Oaks Youth Advisory Board (FOYAB). They work all year, for no pay, to benefit our community. How cool is that... these kids are my heroes! Zoom back to '04/'05 when my daughter, Christy, w...
Comments 5
By Susan Neal, Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker
(RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks)
Come on down to Fair Oaks Park on Saturday, April 11 for the 26th annual Fair Oaks Community Easter Eggstravaganza & Pancake Breakfast!  Food and fun for the entire family.  Of course there will be a great Easter egg hunt, FREE for kids, but that's not all!                 Beginning at 8:00 there will be an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast hosted by the Fair Oaks Lions Clubs.  Adults $4.00, children $3.00.  But don't lost track of time, because the egg hunt starts at 10:00 sharp!                 There will be photos with Bunny ($3), choo choo rides ($3), carnival games ($.50 each), a jump house ($.50), and for the adults, a special egg hunt in which you can win dinners, gift cards and more!  This one costs $3.00 to enter, but all proceeds go to the Fair Oaks Youth Advisory Board, so ha...
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