one Hire a real estate agent

It may be tempting to list your home on your own to avoid paying a sales commission, but selling your own home is a full-time job itself.

A real estate professional represents the best opportunity to earn the maximum amount from your home’s sale. An agent will recommend the best listing price, market your home effectively and show your home to buyers. An agent also recognizes what buyers are looking for in a new home.

two Get your home inspected

You are required to disclose any problems with your property to prospective buyers. Failure to do so will lead to further complications, even if you weren’t aware of the flaws ahead of time. Hire a professional inspector to identify and document any problems with your property. Also, make sure your home has a clean bill of health from termites.

three Make repairs ahead of time

A long list of necessary repairs is a major put-off for most buyers, who may decide to move on rather than deal with the headache of fixing up the home. Do as many repairs yourself as possible, then hire a contractor to complete the rest. If you decide not to make major repairs beforehand, hire a reputable professional to provide cost estimates that you can show to any interested buyers to put their minds at ease.

four Showcase your home

Curb appeal and first impressions are valuable assets when selling your home. Clear unnecessary items from your yard and maintain the landscape to welcome visitors. Keep the interior of your home clutter-free to maximize your home’s livable space. Staging your home is a great option to really make your house stand out in the crowd.

five Price it right

The original asking price of your home has a huge impact on the ultimate sales price. If you price it too high, buyers will look for better values and your home will remain on the market longer. The longer your home is on the market, the less desirable it becomes to buyers—even if you eventually lower your asking price— because most buyers will avoid a home that others are avoiding. Conversely, pricing your home too low may result in a quicker transaction but will yield you less money in the end.

Not sure how to do these things? Ask your realtor to help! Remember I’m an expert and can help you to sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.

Until August 1, the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento is transformed with canival rides, exhibits, entertainment, food and more. With a huge variety of activites, you’re sure to find something for you.

Live musical performances from Martina McBride, The Village People, “Weird Al” Yankovic and everyone in between. See Howie Mandel’s comedy show, get hypnotised in front of the audience or claim your 15 seconds of fame in the Karoake contest.

There will also be many demonstrations, livestock shows and exhibits (my personal favorite is the Fur and Feathers Exhibit where you can see see chicks hatching from eggs right before your eyes).  Days of Dinosaurs, a new exhibit this year, features more than a dozen life-sized dinosaur robots, skeleton replicas and interactive areas. Check out all you can do at the fair at www.bigfun.org.

Tickets are $12 general/$8 kids 5-12. Don’t forget parking at $10 a car. But if you buy your tickets online by Friday, you can save some serious money.

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.

The following are brief summaries of the programs CalHFA will implement under the Keep Your Home Program:

Unemployment Mortgage Assistance (UMA) – Intended to assist homeowners who have experienced involuntary job loss. CalHFA will provide temporary financial assistance in the form of a mortgage payment subsidy of varying size and term to unemployed homeowners who wish to remain in their homes but are in imminent danger of foreclosure due to short-term financial problems. These funds could provide up to six months of benefits with a monthly benefit of up to $1,500 or 50% of the existing total monthly mortgage, whichever is less.

Mortgage Reinstatement Assistance Program (MRAP) – Intended to assist homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments. CalHFA will provide limited financial assistance in the form of funds to reinstate mortgage loans that are in arrears in order to prevent potential foreclosures. These funds will provide benefits of up to $15,000 per household or 50% of the past due amount, whichever is less, with a required dollar-for-dollar contribution match from the lender, servicer, insurer and/or borrower.

Principal Reduction Program (PRP) – Intended to assist homeowners who have severe negative equity. CalHFA will provide capital on a matching basis with participating financial institutions to reduce outstanding principal balances of qualifying borrowers with negative equity. Principal balances will be reduced to market levels needed to prevent avoidable foreclosures and promote sustainable homeownership. The principal reduction program should most likely be a prelude to loan modification.

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – Intended to assist homeowners with relocation assistance when it is determined that they can no longer afford their home. CalHFA’s transition assistance will be used in conjunction with servicer/investor short sale and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure programs in order to help borrowers transition into stable and affordable housing. Borrowers will be responsible to occupy and maintain the property until the home is sold or returned to the lender as negotiated. Funds will be available on a one-time only basis.

Think you may be eligible? Check out the eligibility requirements to learn more.

If a short sale is a better option for you, remember I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert as well as a Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource. I have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate through your options. Give me a call today if you’d like to discuss whether or not you may qualify for a short sale.

Fabulous single-story home, lovingly maintained by original owners. Open & spacious great room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen with breakfast bar, & plenty of storage…this 1565 square foot home has it all. Three bedrooms and two baths: spacious  master with vaulted ceiling and two additional bedrooms. The yard is Sunset Magazine material! A definite must see! Large private yards, gorgeous flowers, established fruit trees (sweetest myer lemons you’ve ever tasted!), serene koi pond & waterfall, covered & uncovered patios…spectacular! NEWER A/C, tile roof, appliances. Recently painted interior/exterior.

More pictures below -

This also means the first-time California buyer state tax credit is quickly running out. Over 15,000 buyers have applied for the state tax credit, which is now 80 percent claimed. If you’re thinking of buying a home, be sure to act quickly enough to take advantage of this great tax credit worth up to $10,000. Interest rates have also remained below 5 percent for the past six weeks, making it a great market for both buyers and sellers. It’s a great time for real estate in Sacramento!

Galleries typically hold openings between 6-10pm. Especially if you are driving, arrive early, park, and get on foot as soon as possible. Or better yet, take lightrail. Midtown is usually un-drivable by 7pm.

Folsom has caught on to Second Saturday fun and hosts its own Art Walk the second Saturday of each month. Stroll Historic Sutter Street and enjoy art, live entertainment, wine tasting and more from 4-9pm.

Busy this Saturday? Roseville has their Saturday Art Walk on the Third Saturday just for you!

LIGHT, BRIGHT, OPEN…SPECTACULAR! 2 master bedroom suites plus one additional bedroom and guest bath. Kitchen has an abundance of cabinet space, upgraded corian countertops and breakfast nook. Family room, dining room, laundry room, 2-car garage…all tucked away in a private cul-de-sac location. Patio & yard are large enough to entertain, but small enough to maintain…just enough gardening to satisfy your green thumb. HOA maintains front yard in this gated senior community.