Obama salutes veterans this Memorial Day weekend  - AP - May 23, 2009 President Barack Obama saluted veterans and urged his countrymen to do the same this Memorial Day weekend, saying the nation has not always paid them proper respect. In his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday, Obama said people can honor veterans by sending a letter or care package to troops overseas, volunteering at health clinics or taking supplies to a homeless veterans center. He said it could also mean something as simple as saying "thank you" to a veteran walking by on the street. "We have a responsibility to serve all of them as well as they serve all of us," Obama said. "And yet, all too often in recent years and decades, we, as a nation, have failed to live up to that responsibility. We have failed... 05/23/2009

   Unique Opportunity! Grow Your IRA with Real Estate  -     Regain Momentum in Your Retirement Funds   Educational Forum:    How to Use Your IRA to Purchase Real Estate  and almost any other asset or                                           Business, even alpacas!   Land Banking: For Retirement Planning Wealth                                          Building & Legacy Making.   Where:     Sun City, Orchard Creek Lodge   (free),  965 Orchard Creek Lane, Lincoln, CA  95648   When:      Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm                       Presented by: McCoy R.E. & Property Management, Lincoln          www.mccoyreo.com Pensco Trust, San Francisco                                      www.penscotrust.com Rich Settle, Rocklin                                                     ww... 05/18/2009

    Local demand in Placer County and Sacramento County is picking up. This indicates that some will mis the Gold Lined Bottom (measured by a combination of willing sellers, lower prices and lowest interest rates) if they don't start the process NOW. Let us help them to understand this and act before the shoulda-coulda-woulda factor makes them have regrets. There are exciting opportunities in housing and a bright future; the economy is at a favorable turning point, the stock market is poised for an upturn after a brief settling, and interest rates continue to enjoy the benefits of Fed purchases that are intended to continue on into the Fall. Let us help our friends, family and clients take advantage of this market! Make it a great week! 05/18/2009

House-Price Drops Leave More Underwater by Ruth Simon and James R. HagertyMonday, May 18, 2009   provided by Wall Street Journal The downturn in home prices has left about 20% of U.S. homeowners owing more on a mortgage than their homes are worth, according to one new study, signaling additional challenges to the Obama administration's efforts to stabilize the housing market. The increase in the number of such "underwater" borrowers comes amid signs that falling prices are making homes more affordable for first-time buyers and others who have been shut out of the housing market. But falling prices also make it more difficult for homeowners who get into financial trouble to refinance or sell their homes, and for others to take advantage of lower interest rates. Real-estate Web site Zillo... 05/18/2009

We here in the City of Lincoln we have a very unique feature to our topography, clay. Yes, I said clay, Lincoln is know for it's large deposit of some the finest clay soil to be found anywhere. Here in Lincoln we have the historic Gladding McBean terra cotta factory, where they mostly make large sewer pipes but also are known for their world renowned terra cotta architectural pieces. This month the factory is host to one of the most unique events in Placer County the "Feats of Clay" a contemporary ceramic art competitions. I would highly recommend a taking the tour of the historic factory while viewing the art pieces on display in one of the old beehive kilns, it really is great stuff. The event runs until the end of May so don't miss out.   by Jill Nelson Your home stager for the Sacra... 05/16/2009

05/04/2009

Public Relations is an ongoing task of any professional.  You can be your own PR manager.  And the price is right!   One of the easiest ways to get publicity is to send a press release to your local newspaper.  If you're in a small to medium size town, the newspaper is read by many residents.  Here's the one we just published.  The associations you belong to sometimes even have "canned" formats for you to cut/paste/edit.  Another way is to call the newspaper and ask to be interviewed on a real estate topic. The interview can be done on the phone, and you can email photos, if appropriate.  Local property managers attend Association State Conference By ShoniJones  Lincoln News Messenger Elaine Giamona and Alysia Giffin Elaine Giamona and Alysia Giffin, owners of McCoy Real Estate and Prop... 05/04/2009

I would like to welcome Realtor Kaci Cook to Active Rain and wish her the best with Keller Williams, Roseville. Kaci has over 25 years experience in the real estate industry, her beginnings are in the loan and mortgage industry so she is well versed in that area and has been a licensed Realtor for 10 years. If you are looking for a well rounded agent offering knowledgeable, personal assistance in buying or selling a home in the south Placer area, Kaci's your gal.   04/21/2009

Join your fellow Americans who are concerned about the uncontrolled government spending right here in Lincoln. The move started about 2 months ago when many of us starting feeling the pinch of the bad economy. Most of us were reaching a boiling point and were frustrated with a government that appears to be out of control. Millions of Americans wanted a way to expression their frustrations via a rally, that's when the Nation Wide Tea Party came in to being. This is a historic day with over 800 cities participating.  Many of these protests will see thousands of Americans pour into the streets, some will even see tens of thousands. Tomorrow, April 16th, will represent a new day for the freedom movement. New leaders, coalitions and tax groups will be formed energizing America. All of this i... 04/15/2009

  My husband and myself would be considered real estate junkies, we love to keep tabs on our local market in the Sacramento area. We would regularly go on Sunday drives through our local foothill area, tour open houses and speculated on any given parcel with a for sale sign out front. On one of these outings we saw a property that peaked our interest and called the agent on the sign out in front. The next day that agent, John Du Priest, met us at the property for a tour. As it ended up the house wasn’t something that would suit us but we liked John, he came across as straight forward, very knowledgeable about county property and the area, he had also been a Realtor for over 30 years. He was an older gentleman, retired Air Force, we were current Air Force, and he had the most charming Te... 03/25/2009

03/25/2009

Well, yes, why wouldn't I be? I was asked this question the other day by a Realtor who is on my contact list. Yes, staging in the Sacramento area has been hit hard being one the worst housing markets in the nation, but that doesn't mean I've quit the business. A lot of people associated with real estate in our area are hurting or have had to move on to other forms employment. I will have to say my staging business is very slow, but I'm still here ready to work on a moments notice. My goal is to keep my face out there so when things do pick up again I will be one of the first ones they call. I go to marketing meetings, the City of Lincoln Chamber meetings, Realtor tours etc. So ever the optimists, things will improve and I will be soon again doing what I love to do, stage homes for the r... 03/22/2009

Spring is almost here in the Sacramento area and it’s time to put your house on the market. Most real estate agents will say that buyer activity picks up this time of year. Is your home or listing ready to be marketed? Just listing a home may not be enough to attract an offer, the home has to have appeal, which is where home staging comes in. Home staging is the process in which a house is re-organized and prepared to be put on the market.  Home Staging follows specific rules of what works to create buyer interest, it involves a lot of creativity and is also part psychology, it creates appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Home buyers can judge a home in the first few seconds of seeing it, making a quality impression is a must, staging can be the difference between getting an... 02/22/2009

  The expansion that Lincoln's Thunder Valley Casino had planned will be scaled back.  Casino spokesman Doug Elmets said, "It's important given the uncertanty about future market demands to look at the situation and reassess the project."  Now, the hotel will have 15 floors, instead of 23, and the performing arts center will be smaller than originally planned.  Construction is set to resume in April and is said to be completed by 2010. 02/19/2009

We all have it, we all do it, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. Clutter, and the amount of it, affects everything we do in our day-to-day lives. Even though the stuff is just sitting there it still has energy that is pulling at your subconscious. Also, too much clutter can have a very negative effect on a buyer’s psychology and can actually affect the value of a home. When we live in our homes we accumulate stuff, some of us more than others. These stuff ads up over time, usually the longer you live in a home the more stuff you have, me being married to a military man meant we moved every 3-4 years, which forces one to purge regularly, so I keep my stuff down to a minimum.   But most people don’t move that frequently and their clutter can really add up, when you live in a home a... 01/20/2009

sclincolnhillshomes (1 Association)     Sharon Brevik   Coldwell Banker Sun Ridge Real Estate   Contact Sharon Brevik   http://CBsunridge.com   (916) 543-5222   (916) 580-7140   (916) 408-5699   Sharon is an award winning agent for Coldwell Banker. She specializes in Sun City Lincoln Hills. Her goal is to make buying or selling a home as stress free as possible by going above & beyond for all her clients. She is smart, fun, loving and Sharon has moved 22 times so she is an expert at finding homes!!   YaYa!!  Cathy Lee Looking forward to your post!!!   595 Points   11/11/2008

With the holidays almost here don't stress it when it comes to entertaining. Let Lincoln's own stager decorate for you for the holidays. I'm proud to live and work in Lincoln, as I was featured in the local newspaper last summer,  "The Lincoln News Messenger", I am your neighbor and local decorating professional. Don't have time to set up your own decorations? Give me a call and I will do it for you. Are you having a special holiday party and want your home to look extra special, I can spend a couple of hours transforming your home creating a wonderful holiday atmosphere, those extra special design touches can really impress your guests. I have affordable hourly rates, call me today to decorate your home for the holidays!                                             11/11/2008

Did you know rural Lincoln has some great old cemeteries! Well they do and what a great week to pick up the kids after school and go for a short drive east of town to check out some local "attractions". It's a great opportunity to learn some history about our area, see who the founders were, you will likely recognize some of the names.    Happy Halloween!   Manzanita Cemetery-Go northeast out of town on Gladding until you see Manzanita Rd. go right.      Gold Hill Cemetery-Go east on HWY 193 to Gold Hill Rd, turn left, cemetery on right about a mile.   10/20/2008

Don't you just love this time of year? The weather is perfect, days are warm and nights are cool. My favorite part is the changing Fall colors. We are fortunate enough to live just east of town out in the country where the pastoral scenes this time of year are spectacular! Lincoln is a beautiful place, if you live in town take a drive east towards the foothills and you'll be delighted at all of the wonderful and varied countryside. Pastoral farms, fields of grazing cattle, fabulous homes and beautiful countyside with meandering streams. Enjoy Lincoln! Our pond 10/16/2008

Exciting News! Home Staging and my business were featured in the last edition of our local newspaper The Lincoln News Messenger. It all came about because I am a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. We've all heard how important it is to be connected with our community, to get yourself "out there" to network and be visible. Well, I am proof to let you know it IS beneficial to be active and "out there". This summer The Lincoln News Messenger is doing feature story's on topics relating to home and garden. This months topic was home staging and the editor found me through the chamber roster. It was a great article on Home Staging, what it is and how it can help sell a house in addition to my services and starting price ranges. What a great way to get free advertising. I occasionally ... 08/11/2008