Sacramento’s 4^th Annual Wine & Dine Week is in full swing! This week only, restaurants in Sacramento, Davis, El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Granite Bay, Plymouth, Rancho Cordova, Roseville and Woodland offer a three to four course meal at a fraction of the regular price. Even better, each meal is paired with different local wines. View the menus online and be sure to make a reservation, this is a popular event!

So go ahead and treat yourself…affordably. With almost 40 restaurants participating, there is something for everyone. But hurry, Wine & Dine Sacramento ends this Sunday, July 11^th.

Not only can you borrow books (for FREE!) but you can borrow movies, television shows, even music. The online reserve system allows access to numerous library collections and, with it, almost everything is an option if you’re willing to be a little patient.

I recently placed myself on the reserve list for the HBO series Rome. Once my turn comes and it’s transferred to the library of my choice for pick up, I will get the acclaimed series for three full weeks without having to pay a penny.

In addition to rentals, the library is expanding its services to reach out to the community. They offer many different programs (almost all at no cost), including:

• Job Development Classes (the next is Sat, June 12, Small Business Quickbooks Training @ The Folsom library)
• Family Activities (The next is Sat, June 5, Pirate Day @ The Folsom library)
• Summer Reading Programs to keep your kids’ minds active over the summer break
• Story Times for kids of all ages throughout the week
• Teen and Adult Book Clubs
• A wide range of Cultural Events (The next is Jun 12, African dance and drum demonstration @ The Rocklin Library)

Want to find out more? Check out your local library or visit their site online:

• El Dorado Hills Library on the corner of Silva Valley and Serrano Parkway
• Folsom Library at two locations: Georgia Murray Building (Stafford and Natoma Streets) and Norman R. Siefkin (Vista del Lago High School campus, on Broadstone Parkway)
• Granite Bay Library at 6475 Douglas Blvd, near Barton Rd

May is National Bike Month

Work in Sacramento? Swing by the Capitol Bike Fest on the West steps of the State Capitol between 11am and 1pm for dozens of booths with everything you’d like to know about bicycling, staffed by cycling organizations and bike shops. You can enjoy music, ice cream and free bike safety checks on your lunch break. There will even be bike valet parking!

Live further from a bike trail? You and your family can still participate. From 6 to 10am, Sacramento County Regional Parks is hosting a Park ‘N’ Ride. They will waive parking fees at four American River Parkway locations to encourage people to try parking and riding along the beautiful American River Parkway. There will also be energizer stations at some locations with free coffee, bagels and juice and a chance for riders to purchase an annual pass to parks and be entered in a raffle to win a custom-fitted bike! Check out the online flyer for all the details.

Want to see how it’s done? Check out the Tour of California before it ends on May 23rd. The race was here earlier this week, but is moving down south. As my husband is an avid cyclist, he was there to catch all the action and took this video of the peleton riding through El Dorado Hills.

I was fortunate enough to see part of the race up close and personal. As I was sitting on the patio at Starbucks in Sacramento writing an offer for a client,  the cyclists rode right past us.  It was very exciting! Even if you missed it in person you can still watch, their website is impressive and allows you to watch the race live. 

We are lucky to have so many beautiful trails; take advantage of them this month!

This graph shows homes for sale, sold and pending in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado Counties from October 2009 to March 2010. It tells us a few things:

-Winter was slow! Home sales in January and February were down.

-Inventory is up! This is great for buyers who can take advantage of the large inventory.

-The Spring is here! Pending home sales are way up (yes, homes are selling!) as are sold homes.

All signs are pointing to an ending of the cold real estate winter. Bring on the Spring!

The graph to the right shows the average price at which homes were listed and the price at which they actually sold. Again, it is a combined average for Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado Counties.

While the listing price for homes is decreasing, the average price at which they are being sold is staying stable. It seems people are starting to realize pricing your home to sell reduces the time it sits on the market. Even as the inventory is increasing, prices are staying stable. This is a good sign for sellers!

Let’s agree to leave the harsh winter in the past and embrace the warmth of the coming Spring. It still may be a good year for real estate after all :)

1. Plant a Garden

Early spring is the ideal time to start planting! Get the whole family involved and start a vegetable garden or beautify your yard.

Not sure where to start? Take a FREE class at Bushnell Gardens on Douglas in Granite Bay. Their classes change monthly, so call 916-791-0756 for a list of upcoming classes. 

2. Enjoy an Art Walk

Midtown’s Second Saturday Art Walk

On the 2nd Saturday of each month, art galleries in the Sacramento metro area stay open late for an evening of live music, and a variety of art and activities behind every door. Galleries typically hold openings between 6-10pm. Start early or take the light rail; Midtown is usually un-drivable by 7pm.

Folsom’s Second Saturday Art Walk

Every 2nd Saturday starting in April, stroll Historic Sutter Street and enjoy art, live entertainment, wine tasting and more from 4-9pm.

Roseville’s Third Saturday Art Walk

During the 3rd Saturday of each month, art venues in downtown Roseville keep their doors open from 6-9pm, for visitors to enjoy an evening of fine art, music and refreshments.

3. Get Outside

Take advantage of the beautiful weather and go outside! Grab your bike and explore the numerous trails around the lake. Take a book or a picnic and head to your nearest local park. Bring your family and make a day of it. Don’t forget to bring the sunscreen!

4. Explore a Farmer’s Market

…and try a new recipe with your local finds! There are several in the area. Here are a few great markets to start with:

Davis: Saturdays, 8am-1pm, at Central Park (4th and C Streets)

Folsom: Saturdays, June 14th to October 4th, 8am-noon on Sutter Street

Sunrise: Saturdays, 8am-noon at the Sunrise Light Rail Station (Folsom and Sunrise Blvd.)

Placerville: Wednesday, June 17th to October 7th, 5pm-dusk around the Bell Tower (385 Main Street)

5. Go a Little Bit Country

Attend the Folsom Rodeo Kick-Off Party to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Folsom Pro Rodeo. Enjoy BBQ Dinner, Dancing and Live Music featuring Whiskey Dawn on Thursday, April 29, 6-9pm at Powerhouse Pub. Tickets: $35 per person. The Rodeo will return July 2, 3, and 4.

FREE Line Dancing Lessons, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30pm at The Stoney Inn in Sacramento (1320 Del Paso Blvd).

Country Nights, Mondays, Fridays, & Saturdays at The Davis Graduate. FREE dance lessons offered most Mondays and Fridays.

6. Visit the Zoo

The Sacramento Zoo (Land Park Drive & 16th Ave) is now open 9am-4pm. Tickets are $11 adults/$7 children. For an extra treat, you and your family can participate in a Family Overnight Safari Camp-Out and sleep under the stars just yards away from slumbering lions and wake to the call of flamingos.

The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary (Folsom City Park at Natoma and Stafford Streets) is a steal at just $4 adults/$3 children. Make it a day with a picnic at Folsom City Lions Park and a visit to the Folsom Library, both just steps away from the zoo. The zoo is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm.

7. Listen to a Concert in the Park

Sacramento’s Friday Night Concerts

At Caesar Chavez Plaza (10th and J Streets) Fridays, May 7th through August 13th, 5-9pm. This series of outdoor concerts feature local artists representing a range of genres. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy live music, fresh air, good food, and the famous beer garden. Admission is FREE to this all ages show.

Davis’ Picnic in the Park

At Central Park (4th and C Streets) Wednesdays, March 17th through October 27th , 4:30-8:30pm. Bring the whole family, shop the Farmer’s Market, the International Food Faire and beer and  wine garden while enjoying live music from local bands. Kids activities include pony rides, bounce houses and a rock-climbing wall.

Both Folsom’s (Folsom City Lions Park) and Roseville’s (Royer Park) Concerts in the Park resume in June

8. Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Fest at the Sacramento Zoo, April 3, 9-4pm

Learn how to protect and preserve the earth, enjoy the rummage sale, games, crafts and face painting as well as come face-to-face with the animals. Tickets: $7-11

Southside Park Earth Day Festival, 6th and U Streets, April 11, 12-5pm  

This FREE festival will be filled with great information as well as entertainment, fun activities and cuisine.

9. Go to the Theatre

There are always a variety of great shows throughout the area. Here are just a few:

Little House on the Prairie Presented by Broadway Sacramento

The Community Center Theater (1301 L St, Sacramento), April 14-25 Tickets: $18-$65

Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura for 10 years in the television series, continues her legacy by starring as Ma in this new musical adaptation.

The Philadelphia Story Presented by American River College Theatre

American River College Theatre(4700 College Oak Dr, Sacramento), April 23-May 2 Tickets: $12

CATS Presented by the El Dorado Musical Theatre, features performers ages 6-20

The Jill Solberg Performing Arts Theater (1655 Iron Point Rd, Folsom), April 9-25 Tickets: $16-20

10. Enjoy a Street Fair

Folsom’s Thursday Night Market, June 10 – July 29, 6-9pm

Sutter Street overflows with food, craft and exhibitor booths, kids areas, farmers market, and live entertainment.

Roseville’s Downtown Tuesday Nights, May 4 – July 27, 5-9pm

Vernon Street is filled with classic cars, food, a farmers market, vendors, entertainment, and a beer & wine garden.

Do you have another great idea of things to do in the area? Share them with us as a comment!

Real Estate Trends in El Dorado Hills – 11/08 to 11/09

History doesn’t lie and trends tell a story!

The story that this graph tells is that there were 32.4% fewer homes for sale  in El Dorado Hills this year than last AND 10.2% fewer homes have actually sold!! As a seller, this is encouraging news as there is less competition than there was a year ago, but you’ll need to be prepared to price your home competitively. As a buyer, this may also be encouraging news as homes are priced to sell, and may prove to be a good investment opportunity!

Take for example, some clients of mine who have made the decision to sell their home in Folsom so that they can be free to travel the country to visit their four children who are currently performing on Broadway, acting in New York City, studying fashion design, and pursuing a musical passion. Are you really going to tell me that you think homeownership is more important than the memories they will make with their family? I think not, but we seldom think in those terms. “We just want to own a home!”

Or, as another example, clients of mine who were recently relocated to Philadelphia but desperately hope to return to Granite Bay within the next few years. They’ve made the decision NOT to sell their Granite Bay home, but to rent it…and that decision is negatively affecting their pocketbooks every month. They’re also not in a position to purchase a home in Philadelphia unless they sell their home in Granite Bay…so they’re renting! Are you really going to tell me that you think homeownership in a city where you don’t want to raise your family is more important than making some sacrifices temporarily? Again, I think not, but “we just want to own a home!”

Or the family who is sinking further into debt every month that they continue to make the payments on their recently adjusted mortgage? They’ve made the decision to pull their children out of the private school in El Dorado Hills where they were attending and thriving, remove them from the Folsom sports teams they were enjoying, Mom has taken a job working nights and weekends to put food on the table, and Dad is being treated for anxiety…while they “wait out the storm.”  Are you really going to tell me that you think homeownership is worth some of those sacrifices? I think not, but “we just want to own a home!”

I agree that homeownership is a wonderful thing for some, but it is a privilege and not a right. It is a choice and not a given. Sometimes, it comes with a high cost…sometimes it’s worth the cost, and sometimes it is not. This market is providing some wonderful opportunities for first-time homebuyers as home prices are low, inventory is high and interest rates are historically low. The market is also providing unprecedented opportunities for move-up buyers and/or investors. BUT it is not the right choice for everyone. If you’re asking yourself whether this is the right time for you to buy (or sell), give me a call. Let’s talk about your options…there are so many!