Sacramento Real Estate Voice received an email question from a prospective home buyer and Gena has a tip for new home buyers and homeowners, below. Home Buyer Asks Realtor: Dear Gena, I am a new home buyer in Sacramento and I have a question. What is the difference between going to the bank and going to a mortgage broker for a loan? Does it cost me more money? Which one is best? Who pays for the appraisal? Do I really need an appraisal?  Thank you. First Time home buyer Dear Future Home Buyer... Read Full Story

Want to know where you can get the BEST bakery items in Land Park and Curtis Park? I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Marlene Goetzeler owner of Freeport Bakery just this past week after showing homes in Land Park and Curtis Park. Marlene shared the story of how Freeport Bakery got its start, which I will share a bit later on. Freeport Bakery was selected recently to make a birthday cake for CA Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger which I’m told resembled a cigar box. Members of the... Read Full Story

Neighbors in Elk Grove CA will be celebrating the GRAND Opening of the fruit of their labor, Morse Community Park on August 16, 2008 Even though this area has been hit hard with real estate foreclosures and short sales, along with declining revenue to build parks in these new neighborhoods, Morse Community Park is a true testament of neighbors who care. These homeowners got together, got the community to help by donating money,time and labor along with CSD to build what is a first in Elk... Read Full Story

Get Ready, Get Set, Have fun at The California State Fair starting on August 15th until September 1, 2008 at Cal Expo. We could all use a little fun and get away from the economy, gas prices, real estate foreclosures and homes for sale as short sale. Apparently, opening day on Friday is New10 FREE Friday. The 1st 500 people get in FREE. It’s time to put away the negativity and remember how it felt to be a kid and enjoy yourself. The California State Fair only comes once a year so make a day... Read Full Story

If you haven’t heard, Midtown Sacramento celebrates Art and Music the Second Saturday of every month. From T Street to I Street and from 10th Street to 22nd Street it’s hard to miss with all the variety of music being played on the streets. Check out the Midtown Grid as well as the free shuttle available from Gallery to Gallery as well as 2nd Saturday and keep up-to date each month with the latest happenings. Music and Art in Midtown Sac on the 2nd Saturday of each month has grown leaps and... Read Full Story

Sacramento Real Estate Voice received a question that many home sellers ask. Today, we will spend the time to address this question for everyone that is or will sell their house and clear the air.   Whether selling your house in the Sacramento area or across the nation, there are simple rules to follow and common courtesy that should come in to play. Let’s take a look at this Home Seller question: HOME SELLER: We have had our house on the market for about 2 weeks and have been very lucky as... Read Full Story

After showing homes for sale to home buyers this week in the Curtis Park area, eating at Crepeville  and writing an offer it was time to get “real” in real estate and talk to people who live, work, eat and enjoy the Curtis Park, Land Park and Midtown neighborhoods. After buying a house in Curtis Park or buying a house in Land Park or real estate in Midtown it’s always nice to know where some of the “best” places to go are around town. And yes, Real Estate is selling. For those thinking of... Read Full Story

As always, you are invited to ask whatever Real Estate related question you may have. All answers will be based on California Real Estate and  anonymity is always enforced. One of today’s Real Estate Question is about Foreclosures in California. What is the time line for a Foreclosure? When a homeowner is late on paying their house payment this is the typical scenario of events. After 60 days of none payment the mortgage lender or service provider attempts to contact the homeowner to find... Read Full Story

Bank owned, foreclosure, short sale. These are words that run down the streets of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Natomas, Folsom, Roseville, Granite Bay and more cities. We may not like to admit it but there are more bank owned homes on the real estate market than you can imagine throughout the U.S. After returning home from a Real Estate conference, several of the offers my home buyers had made were accepted by the bank which means we begin our discovery period or disclosure period. Yes, short sales... Read Full Story

Sacramento has been enduring the re-make of Interstate 5 which is widely traveled whether going to the Airport, Downtown or several neighboring communities and cities. Here is your official T-shirt Sacramentans since you survived I-5.  July 28th is the final target date for completion. No more signs saying south bound or north bound Interstate 5 is closed. What a nightmare this has been. I know I tried avoiding I-5 and only used it when I had no alternative. Apparently, there were a lot of... Read Full Story