Three Thousand Children to be Served at 22 Additional After-school Sites by the Expansion of Sacramento STARTSacramento, California, January 16, 2007*All children deserve to have access to programs that impart the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed. Starting today, thousands of children in Sacramento will have access to such a program as Sacramento START expands to 22 new school sites, increasing the overall total to 64.  Sacramento START is a nationally recognized after-school program that combines homework and tutoring assistance, literacy, and enrichment/recreation. This combined approach increases student participation, fosters greater connectedness to the learning environment, and improves academic performance.  "The START program makes a difference in the lives of chil... 01/18/2007

With Amenities for Children, Youth, and Adults, California Lilac Park Opens for Public UseSacramento, California, January 17, 2007*California Lilac Park, North Natomas' newest neighborhood park, is open for public use.  Situated on 3.3 acres of land, the park adds to the many recreation options available to the North Natomas community.California Lilac Park's full basketball court, comfortable benches, native shrubs and landscaping, and large multipurpose field are sure to meet the needs of youth and adults.  The park also offers a one-of-a-kind amenity for children 2 to 5 years old*a dragon and castle themed play area with a surprise around every corner.  Before children can reach the castle-themed play structure, they must cross a large body of water that is inhabited by a dragon.  Aft... 01/18/2007

Remodeling for re-sale value is always good. Making sure that you use a licensed contractor for your remodel is key. Check out references and also check out the contractor's license. Recouping remodeling costs depends on:  the condition of the rest of the house the value of similar homes in the area the rate of the value of change in that area Also, the other factor that comes into play whether remodeling or not is what the new homes in the area are valued at...this has a huge impact on re-sale homes. For tons of tips, money ideas, graphs plus more...see Sacramento Real Estate Voice for futher reading and tips on Remodelling.  Bookmark this article: 01/16/2007

Okay, it doesn't quite look like a community garden--yet. But we're workin' on it!The latest photos of the Fremont Community Garden site:Anyone who'd like to come out and help us work on site preparation for the community garden--whether you have a garden plot or not--can email me for more information or to find out about getting on the waiting list. There's still a lot of work to be done on weekends between now and mid-February... ♦» You can visit the CADA Fremont Community Garden website here ››.» As always, you can email Rob here. 01/14/2007

Pedicabs--Coming to a Block Near You?by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®Sacramento CA Real EstateFrom Julie Sontag with the City of Sacramento (by way of Brooks Truitt):As promised, the pedicab ordinance will go before the City Council's Law and Legislation Committee on Tuesday, January 16. The Committee will review the ordinance and make a recommendation to the City Council. The meeting starts at 12:30 p.m. and takes place in the Council Chamber, located on the first floor of the new City Hall at 915 I Street.This meeting is open to the public. If you have comments, questions, praise, or concerns, you're welcome to attend and voice them. This item is number five on the agenda, but that could change, so I recommend that you arrive close to 12:30. You'll find the agenda at:http://sa... 01/14/2007

Here at Garrett Roofing, we get lots of calls for emergency roof repairs. Please make sure you use a licensed contractor and you get quotes from 3 roofing companies. It's imperative you hire a roofing company you can trust. I'm available 24/7 for all Sacramento Roof Repairs. As a Sacramento Roofing Contractor, I'm licensed and bonded. Most of my business is from referrals. I have a network of realtors that utilize my services year after year.http://www.garrettroofing.com/ 01/13/2007

Man, sometimes I feel seriously uncool.Like when I found out that Midtown has a semi-secret underground--literally, it's usually in a basement--independent movie theater that has been showing truly offbeat stuff for, like, almost four months now. Okay, so maybe "theater" isn't the right word. Maybe "basement" or "alley" would be more accurate.Fortunately my sadness (I've already missed "Orwell Rolls in His Grave" and "Cocaine Cowboys") is quickly replacing itself with excitement at the revelation that there's a groovy new Friday evening thing that's just two block from my office and, at five bucks a pop, is cheaper than happy hour.Be sure to check out Movies on a Big Screen ›› with Shiny Object ›› and Fools Foundation ››. Movies are Friday nights at 7pm in the basement or alley of the F... 01/13/2007

SOLD! Residential and multi-family real estate closings in Sacramento's Central City and surrounding neighborhoods for the week ending January 12, 2007:$127,902 - 3Br, 1Ba home on 36th St in Oak Park (95820) - not an error$127,902 - 3Br, 1Ba home on 17th Ave in Oak Park (95820) - not an error$239,000 - 2Br, 1Ba home on 73rd St in Colonial Acres (95820)$244,900 - 3Br, 1Ba home on Cabrillo Way in Tallac Village (95820)$245,000 - 2Br, 1Ba home on 52nd St in Elmhurst (95817)$260,000 - 3Br, 2Ba home on 20th Ave in Colonial Manor (95820)$267,800 - 3Br, 2Ba home on 4th Ave in Oak Park (95817)$270,000 - 3Br, 1Ba home on 58th St in Tallac Village (95820)$315,000 - 2Br, 1Ba home on 18th St in Midtown (95814)$340,000 - 2Br, 1Ba home on 48th St in East Sac (95819)$425,000 - 2-3Br, 2Ba home on 51st ... 01/13/2007

I just caught a teaser before the news this evening: a local highrise development has halted construction in the face of unpaid bills and liens. John Saca has stopped construction--and apparently paying bills--for work done on the Towers site at 3rd & Capitol Mall.Current news stories:"Towers project on hold" ›› - The Sacramento Bee ›› (1/12/07)"Towers Project Construction Stopped" ›› - News10.net ›› (1/11/07)I'll keep posting updates and articles as they become available. ♦» You can visit the Towers website here ››.» As always, you can email Rob here. 01/13/2007

"Yes, there will be a neon sign.."by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®Sacramento CA Real Estate"Yes, there will be a neon sign..." -Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo speaking at the 2007 State of Downtown, on the City Council's Tuesday vote to contribute property and as much as $6.75M for redevelopment of the long-vacant Woolworth building at 10th & K downtown.From the 2007 State of DowntownMichael Ault, Executive Director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, reviewed the City's recent purchase of the final piece of the 700 block of K Street and the City Council's financial support of the transformation of the 10th & K property to include a venue for the California Musical Theater and new dining from Randy Paragary.Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson looked to the future: a... 01/13/2007

Giannoni and Partners Purchase Crystal Cream & Butter Co. Siteby Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®Sacramento CA Real EstateA reliable source--Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo--announced this morning at the 2007 State of Downtown breakfast the purchase of the Crystal Cream & Butter Co. site at 10th & D near the railyards by Sacramento developer Anthony Giannoni and partners.Tony Giannoni is probably best known for several recent and current projects including Meridian Plaza at 14th & L, the Marriott and hotel condos nearing completion at 15th & L, and Meridian II to be built at 15th & K. He has been a vocal supporter of a downtown arena that would take up a portion of Downtown Plaza at 7th & K.No plans have been announced yet for the site at 10th & D.Update: Here is an aerial view of t... 01/13/2007

Released in September 2006, the City of Sacramento's Pedestrian Master Plan: Making Sacramento the Walking Capital was recently named the SACOG Salutes Project of the Year for 2006 by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) for outstanding and innovative efforts in the Sacramento region in the areas of transportation, smart growth planning and air quality.In it, the plan outlines ways in which pedestrian needs and walkability will be addressed at the planning stages for new projects and what can be done in existing neighborhoods to make these areas more pedestrian-friendly: wider sidewalks, better lighting, improved street-crossings.While this is a step in the right direction for the city, many neighborhoods were built out during the 1950s and '60s when the car was king. Litt... 01/10/2007

Have I mentioned how much I love Hands On Sacramento? The annual Martin Luther King Day of Service event is nearly upon us and volunteers are needed for 23 different project sites throughout the Sacramento area.What: Martin Luther King Day of Service 2007When: Monday, January 15, 2007 (MLK Holiday) 8/8:30am to noon with a celebration afterwardsWhere: Various LocationsThe organizations we'll be serving at this year's event include Habitat for Humanity, St. John's Shelter for Women & Children, the City of Sacramento, the Sacramento Area Community Garden Coalition, Sacramento Cottage Housing, Oak Park Preschool, and the Children's Receiving Home among many others. I'll be coordinating the Boys & Girls Club project downtown the morning of the event and hope to see you there.If you can't mak... 01/10/2007

Okay, so sometimes I feel like the last to know... Fortunately Luis in my office at McMartin Realty let me know about the Downtown Sacramento Partnership's Restaurant Week January 13th through the 19th!Some of downtown's finest restaurants are opening their doors next week to dinner-goers of all stripes looking for a chance to enjoy the works of Sacramento's finest chefs. Each restaurant has created a special three-course dinner menu--for just $30 per person. It's not often that we get to enjoy a full dinner at establishments like Esquire Grill, Restaurant 55º, Mason's, Spataro, Chops, or any of the other great restaurants on display for the week for less than the cost of drinks and appetizers.For more information about Dine Downtown or a chance to win a gift certificate to one of the r... 01/10/2007

This just in from Julie Sontag with the City of Sacramento:CITY OF SACRAMENTO PLANNING COMMISSION ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING FOR 500 CAPITOL MALL HIGH RISE PROJECTWho: The City of Sacramento announces a special public hearing for the proposed project at 500 Capitol Mall (APN: 006-0146-030).What: Angelo G. Tsakopoulos of Tsakopoulos Investments proposes to construct a 24-story, 396-foot tall high-rise building, consisting of 27,124 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 406,384 square feet of office, and a total of 794 parking spaces, for a total building area of 732,295 square feet in the Central Business District Special Planning District.Why: To provide the public an opportunity to present their comments to the PlanningCommission at a public hearing that will consider the proj... 01/10/2007

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced new loan limits for FHA-backed loans. Because of the high cost of home ownersihp in Sacramento relative to the rest of the country (but still lower than most other major metro areas in California), Sacramento has been designated a "high cost" area and therefore qualifies for even higher FHA-backed loan limits.While FHA loans fell out of favor during the frenzy of the rising market, as the local housing market has slowed these loans will probably become more common again. These loans require a prospective borrower to meet certain down-payment requirements, but are generally easier to get for those with credit issues. Even so, income requirements exist and not all borrowers will qualify for the new maximums which are:$... 01/10/2007

                                                                                                            INVESTOR PROGRAMSPike Development, a Pike Corporation, has incredible investment opportunity programs to offer to our clients seeking guidance in real estate investing. Whether you are new to real estate, are a  seasoned investor, or are an investment company looking to expand your portfolio, we have an investment opportunity for you. Projects for our investors range from single family residential homes to commercial properties and small residential subdivisions throughout the country. Currently we offer (2) different investment opportunities for our investors: Program I - (6-12 month)18% FLAT INTEREST RATEOur investors receive an 18% annual return on their investment. Our contrac... 01/04/2007

Just can’t wait till 2007! Happy New Year! It will be a great year and one I am looking forward to. Be sure to click on the photo for my little dance bringing in the New Year for each of you! Thanks to Maureen Francis for the inspiration. Real Estate promises to be a great one for both Buyers and Sellers with prices that are affordable and obtainable in Sacramento County, El Dorado County and Placer County. There are some great homes out there just waiting. Let’s get started finding just the right home for YOU in your price range, buyers! And sellers, make your appointment with me so I can help stage your home for a quick sale. I love my job, I love my buyers and I love my sellers! It’s time to get started for 2007!!! Do you have any Resolutions for the New Year?  • Is there anyone you ... 12/30/2006

Investing in Real Estate as an Investor – Great idea but never to be taken lightly. There are some important factors that you need to consider before ever jumping in to the Big Girl’s game of investing. If you don’t know what you are doing or wish to admit it, be sure to be represented by an experienced Realtor who can help direct you, correctly. In order to show you how to invest, it’s important to view how NOT to invest. Once you gain that knowledge it will be easy to make the right choices. In a previous blog entitled Fraud in Real Estate I mentioned a young man who lives in Sacramento, Serin who got caught up in purchasing Real Estate property in order to flip which became a flop. After attending get rich quick seminars (you know the ones I'm talking about)...there on TV, written bo... 12/12/2006

 Pending SaleBuyers, want a newer home, built in 2004?Need 3 Bedrooms?How about 2 Full Baths?Yes, a tile roof, a Laundry Room  Brand new neutral carpet is a plusYou say you like tile flooring? Not a problem. Entry, Kitchen, Breakfast area, and Laundry Room all have 12 inch tile flooring.  How does $280,000 sound? Such a deal on this one This home is a steal and if you would like to know anything further, don't hesitate to call me at 916.417.2699 or check out the additional information and photos on my website. If this one is the perfect fit for you, I can certainly help you find just what you are looking for.   12/01/2006