Not very surprised over the numbers on the Sacramento Housing Report for January, not even when I spotted the dip in our median home prices. The median price is the middle point between higher and lower numbers. It is indicative, in part, of the way we measure rising or falling markets.I have definitely felt the slowdown in my practice, rolling downhill from last spring.In the month of January in Sacramento, our inventory jumped by 25% over last year at this time. Also, sales fell 25%. Increasing inventory and falling sales results in lower median home prices. California usually leads the nation, and I expect we will see a trickle down wave across the country. You can read more and see all the graphs from Trendgraphix, exclusive to Lyon Real Estate, in my personal blog today at this lin... 02/10/2019

Do you think it is hard to find a Sacramento listing specialist? I didn't think so, as I know a few outside of my practice, but my clients tell me otherwise. Although, the way I look at it, how many listing specialists do they need anyway? When they connect with an experienced agent with integrity, they should hire that person.Because somebody, probably me, reiterated in article after article how important it is to interview agents before hiring . . . but I forgot to mention that doesn't apply to me. LOL. That exercise is to help them to weed out the average agents in order to find a superior agent. Which they don't have to do if they should be fortunate enough to have such a person standing in front of them. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Where Do You Find Li... 02/09/2019

Sometimes it is not price when a home has many showings yet no offers. Sometimes it is a unique home, meaning not odd but just different from all of the others. Especially if it has been designed for use by one particular type of person, say, maybe an artist. Or worse, a person who has too much money and little vision.Sacramento buyers prefer and appreciate conformity.I've heard sellers speak of reasons they purchased such homes and we can't duplicate that place in history. Sometimes we are searching for that needle-in-a-haystack buyer. Sometimes not. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Many Home Showings and No Offers, What is Wrong? 02/06/2019

When you start out looking for a home to buy, you might be focused on a wide price range instead of narrowing your selections, and that's perfectly OK. You might say you initially would like to buy a home under a million, but closer to half a million is preferable. Well, that's a HUGE price range (and variance in amenities), and you don't have time, I can assure you, to look at every home under a million in Sacramento. Which means you need to narrow your focus.Just this morning I talked with a buyer in Sacramento who wants to be near the airport, but he is focusing on Elk Grove, which is not near the airport. He also can't afford much over $350K, so that narrows his focus to an incredibly small number of homes.You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Are You a Buyer Who... 02/05/2019

OK, this is the only photograph of I have of Lyon Real Estate's Midtown Sacramento office, and no, I do not think that person is dead. It's just how Midtown is. But I started my blog by talking about what happened when I woke up in Hawaii yesterday, and to find a photo of Lyon Real Estate with somebody sleeping on the front sidewalk was just an added bonus.My sister was horrified but that's probably part of why she lives in Minnesota and I live in California and Hawaii. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Number One Agent at Lyon Real Estate. 02/02/2019

You know how it is, the client and family leaps out of your vehicle to see a home and dashes to the door. They are chatting among themselves, excited to view inside. You're probably fumbling in your bag or pocket for the device that will open the lockbox, which means as an agent, you might not be paying attention to the conversation. We are always so focused on the task at hand.Then, after the viewing, everybody returns to the front steps, and while the agent is locking the door and returning the key to the lockbox, the buyers are still chatting. Sharing their intimate thoughts about the home they just toured, maybe even talking about a price to offer. And all of this (motion and sound) is video-recorded for the seller's viewing pleasure later. You can read more in my personal blog toda... 02/01/2019

It is no secret that for the majority of real estate agents, real estate is a second or third career choice. Rarely what they start out to do. You don't really hear children proudly proclaiming they want to grow up to become a real estate agent. Well, unless they grow up in a family real estate business. But with the way family dynamics work, they may instead choose to get as far away from real estate as they can.So how do people come to the decision to be a real estate agent? What drives them to seek a career in the real estate industry? I have a few theories and ideas about that, of course. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Why Do People Go Into Real Estate? 01/29/2019

Myrl's Jeffcoat's blog about when she started in real estate triggered this particular memory for me. She started about the same time as me, although a different decade. I tiptoed into the business when I began working as a title searcher at First American Title in 1974. After a few years of standing in 6-inch heels at the Boulder County Courthouse, I moved to California and began my next career in escrow, eventually earning Certified Escrow Officer status.Then, in the late 1970s, all hell broke loose in the real estate industry. Interest rates jumped to the upper double digits. Buyers could no longer qualify to get a mortgage or did not want to obtain financing. Hence, creative financing popped up. I was at the forefront of that movement, naively believing we could do anything we could... 01/28/2019

If it's a Sunday in Sacramento and not a holiday, you can bet we are doing open houses -- this week in 95818. We are always hosting an open house pretty much. If a holiday interferes, sometimes a Saturday open house is substituted instead. But we give all of our listings maximum exposure. Which means any buyer who is looking for a home is likely to spot what we have for sale.Because you never know where your buyer may originate from. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Be Sure to Catch These Open Houses in 95818 Today. 01/27/2019

One of the ways I astound my Sacramento clients and provide superior service is to respond immediately to emails. That is easier to do when you receive emails in a more timely manner, too. Our phones have helped a lot with that. Especially when we're out in the field. However, try reading a long email on your phone; it is very difficult.Now, try to do it on an Apple Watch. Some emails won't even appear on an Apple Watch.  The other difficulty with reading email on your phone is sometimes you can miss the CC participants, so you might not respond to all. Although, the way around that is to simply always reply all.You can read more in my personal blog today about my extreme methods of dealing with email at this link: How Often Do You Check Your Email? 01/24/2019

If a person has never experienced good customer service, how would that individual recognize it? So much interaction today between consumer and vendor is impersonal. We scream into our phones "representative," when dealing with automated systems (or maybe that's just me) and that digital voice cannot understand our words. Which results in frustration.Most personal interaction has been eliminated, and if it is not eliminated completely yet, you can trust they are working on it. We can fly to a different city, check into a hotel and order room service all without talking to a live person at all. Millennials want to know, can you buy or sell a house that way? Should you? You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Why Customer Service is an Oxymoron.  01/23/2019

Natomas Crossing, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Natomas Crossing, SacramentoNatomas Crossing is a premier residential development in North Sacramento, California. The masterfully-designed community highlights the conveniences of luxury living at its finest. Real Estate in Natomas Crossing is primarily single-family homes in private suburban communities. The residential developments in the area provide various home models that are similar in design to other residences in the subdivision with the aim to improve the overall aesthetic value of the community. These homes feature multiple bedrooms and baths, spacious home lots, large backyards, well-landscaped front yards, comfortable living areas, and modern kitchens.  Check out our original nei... 01/22/2019

Land Park, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Land Park, SacramentoLand Park is a lovely residential neighborhood situated south of Downtown Sacramento, California. The district is a good mix of residential, recreational, and commercial areas. Located north of the community are several department stores, restaurants, shops, and other businesses along Lincoln Highway. In the middle are mostly suburban communities with two schools mixed in among the suburban homes. Real Estate in Land Park is a combination of single-family homes, suburban townhouses, and luxury properties. These residences typically come in custom-built designs and layouts giving homes in the community each with a distinctive look, different from the neighbors. Family homes in Lan... 01/22/2019

Pocket-Greenhaven, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Pocket-Greenhaven, SacramentoReal Estate development in Pocket-Greenhaven started in the early 1960's when neighborhoods were built in the area featuring lovely single-family homes - some of them are still standing today. Throughout the years more and more gated communities and custom-built residential developments were built in Pocket-Greenhaven until it has filled up the entire land area along Sacramento River. These homes today are fantastic luxury residential properties in private subdivisions. Residents have easy access to the many schools, churches, shopping centers, restaurants, and other businesses within the neighborhood. Downtown Sacramento is a relatively short drive to the north o... 01/22/2019

Little Pocket, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Little Pocket, SacramentoLittle Pocket is a luxury residential community between the Sacramento River and the South Land Park neighborhood in the southern part of Sacramento, California. The community features beautiful custom-built residences that have large home lots and beautiful designs. Large property areas provide these homes with spacious backyards that give excellent spaces as playground for families with little children, or a great outdoor space to host a barbeque party. Some of the properties in the community also have private pools in their yard which they can use especially during hot summer days. Families looking for a new home will find amazing properties for sale in the Little Pock... 01/22/2019

River Park, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in River Park, SacramentoRiver Park is a beautiful suburban neighborhood near the downtown area of Sacramento, California. The district is located northeast of the East Sacramento neighborhood and north of the Southern California State University - Sacramento Campus. The community is in a lovely location next to the American River where you can visit Paradise Beach. Real Estate in River Park is a combination of classic two and three-bedroom brick single-family homes built during the 1950's and newly developed lowrise apartment buildings. These homes provide family-friendly living spaces for homebuyers looking for a new place to stay in the city. The location of River Park also provides the added benefi... 01/22/2019

Oak Park, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Oak Park, SacramentoOak Park is a large neighborhood located south of Downtown Sacramento, California. The district is divided into three areas namely North Oak Park, Central Oak Park, and South Oak Park. The northern part of the community is a mix of residential and commercial areas while the southern part is mostly suburban communities. Real Estate in Oak Park is primarily single-family homes with varying custom-built designs. These residences are unique from one another and they give homebuyers with various options to consider when buying a property. Homes in the region are much more affordable compared to properties in northern Sacramento, and are perfect for families looking to buy their first ho... 01/22/2019

Midtown, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Midtown, SacramentoMidtown is a well-developed cultural hub and booming commercial center in Downtown Sacramento, California. The neighborhood has excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and bars where people throughout the city frequently visit. There are several retail establishments and shopping centers within and around the community. Midtown is the perfect home for busy professionals working in the area who would like to avoid the hassle of a long daily commute. The neighborhood has several real estate options for buyers looking to move into the city. Homes in Midtown include single-family houses, townhomes, apartments, and condominiums that are all ideal for your family or as rental properties for i... 01/22/2019

East Sacramento, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in East Sacramento, SacramentoEast Sacramento is a well-developed neighborhood in the downtown area of Sacramento, California. The district is located between the State University of California - Sacramento Campus and the Midtown neighborhood. The Elvas Freeway, Elvas Avenue, and Lincoln Highway bound the neighborhood borders. Located conveniently close to major business districts, residents living in East Sacramento have easy access to most parts of the city. The neighborhood is composed primarily of suburban communities in the center and commercial developments along the major highways. Properties in the community are a combination of single-family homes and luxury homes. Residences in the area ... 01/22/2019

Sundance Lake, Sacramento, California Community Information and Market ReportReal Estate in Sundance Lake, SacramentoSundance Lake is a beautiful residential development with various single-family homes in suburban communities. Located in the southwestern area of North Sacramento, there are plenty of subdivisions and residential neighborhoods in this community. Sundance Lake features two lovely man-made lakes paired with beautiful views plus a refreshing breeze, both attributes are especially great for lakeside properties. Houses in the area are mostly single-family homes that come in a variety of models. These houses typically have multiple bedrooms and baths, a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances, spacious living area, garage parking, and private backyards. Check out our orig... 01/22/2019