I’m pretty excited about our overall Sacramento Housing Stats for November! Regardless of what the media reports, this information came fresh off of MLS this morning.

Here’s where we are with single-family homes the Greater Sacramento Region for November. This includes Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties, so we are covering a very wide-range.
The median-priced home is currently $244,000, but keep in mind, sales of houses under a $100,000 are happening daily, and there are, of course, homes for sale in the Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer areas that exceed one million dollars, too.

We currently have 3,575 traditional and REO active listings and 1,769 short sales, for a total active inventory of 5,344 Sacramento Region homes on the market.

There are 3,073 Sacramento Region short sale contingents. Remember, a “contingent” short sale means that the homeowners have accepted an offer and are now waiting for the bank to approve it, so it’s not really sold yet, but it’s no longer active…kind of like in limbo. (note: over 3,000 people are waiting to get their new home!).

There’s also 3,115 Sacramento Region Homes pending sales, so that means there are currently 6,188 Sacramento Region homes waiting to go to the new homeowners. Note that this greatly exceeds our current inventory!!

For the month of November, there were 1,951 Sacramento Region homes sold.

My commentary:

On one hand, we could look at the stats for the Sacramento Region homes and think, “Wow, only 1,951 sold and 5,334 Sacramento Region homes still on the market, that’s terrible!” However, we can’t be sure how many of those contingencies took place in November, AND, we have to assume the pending sales will close, thus, that could bring our total use per month up a whopping 8,139 Sacramento Region homes sold (or possibly will sell) this past month, making the current inventory of 5,344 seem less daunting. This is actually good news as it indicates the market is picking up in activity.

Nevertheless, we are entering the holiday season, and although I am still listing homes from Newcastle to El Dorado Hills and back over to my own neighborhood of Carmichael, as well as helping folks buy from Natomas to Orangevale, this will typically be a slower time for sales. That said, and with the prediction for foreclosures still uncomfortably high, we may find ourselves having a slow start to 2012. I will keep you updated with the Greater Sacramento Region Home Sales for the year next month.

Happy Holidays!

This past Friday night, my good friend and local candidate for Assembly, Matt Gray, did something very heroic.

Matt was near his Arden Park home when he saw a house on fire, with no emergency services having arrived yet, and he attempted to save the person trapped inside.  You can read the story here.

Unfortunately, Matt, who had barged into a burning house with a garden hose in one hand, was unable to save the Sacramento resident. Matt did, however, manage to drag the unconscious man out with his other free hand, spraying the hose as he made his way back to safety. Will Matt did suffer some miner smoke damage and exhaustion, I have no doubt he would do it all over again.

As an active fellow-member of Successful Thinkers in Sacramento, I am very aware of how powerful our intentions to help others can be. One of Successful Thinkers philosophies is to always play it forward. I personally cannot think of a more stunning example of of paying it forward then to risk your own life to save that of a stranger’s.

In case you didn’t know, Matt Gray is running for State Assembly in Sacramento, District Five. As it turns out, he was already scheduled to be on my radio show this coming Wednesday, so perhaps he might be willing to share a bit more about this incident. Further, as resident of Arden Park, and a long-time Sacramento resident, Matt is concerned about small businesses and our overall State Economy.

I invite you to tune in this Wednesday and hear what Matt Gray has to say about where he stands on issues that will make a monumental difference for Sacramento residents and business owners.

04/14/10  10 AM PST, www.inLoveWithSacto.com

Ta ta for now,
Tamara Dorris

Your Sacramento Real Estate Professional, Short Sale Specialist

Orangevale is lovely, and quite a hodge-podge when it comes to housing. And I do mean that in a good way. If you want some acreage for your chickens and horses and heck, even your cows, then you might just find just the lot you’re looking for here. Or, if you’re into a higher-priced custom home, Orangevale may be just the ticket. Of course, there are also nice, middle-priced homes and tract housing too.

Orangevale has the convenience of city living, with the charm of country life.

For clarity, if you head down Sunrise, past the Mall, past Mount Vernon Cemetery, you’ll be on Main Street in Orangevale before you know it.

Here’s what’s happening in Orangevale Housing:

Current Active Orangevale Listings: 143

of those 81…a bit more than half, appear to be distressed….meaning REO or more likely, short sale.

March Sales: 87, however, only 22 them have closed, meaning the others are pending.…could be short sales, again.

Year to date the Orangevale zip code (which is 95660) has sold a mere 144 homes. It’s a small but desirable area. Prices are ranging right now from in the mid-200′s to the mid-400′s. Of course, there are much more higher priced homes, they just aren’t on the market right now.

If you’re looking for a home to buy in the Orangevale Area, please visit my interactive website and see what’s available:

http://www.findcarmichaelhomes.com/

If you have a home you’d like to sell in the OrangevaleArea, please visit my other site and request a free CMA….I can give you a good price-range for your home’s current value:

http://www.findcarmichaelhomes.com/

If you’re considering a loan modification or a short sale, please contact me directly at 916.482.5834. I would be happy to confidentially discuss your options.

Ta ta for now,

Tamara

Pow Wow Days

Contact: Lisa Montes
Honorary Mayor of Orangevale
Pow Wow Days Chairperson
916-989-3667
Lisa4ovmayor@abcglobal.net

Orangevale, California, May 13 – 16th, 2010 – The Orangevale Chamber of Commerce and the Orangevale Recreation and Park District are excited to host the 47th Annual Pow Wow Days celebration. Themed “Lil Bit Country, Lil Bit of Rock n Roll!”, it’s a great experience for the whole family.

Held this year from Thursday, May 13th, through Sunday, May 16th, Pow Wow Days is a historic, calendar-packed event complete with a parade down Greenback Lane, a special “Kids Korner” day with fun-filled activities, and a carnival full of rides.

This year’s line-up of entertainment is truly exciting. Thursday, May 13th is officially “Opening Night’, and will kick off the four day celebration with “Blues and Jazz Night”, featuring headliner is Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers. Friday the 14th is “Youth Night” featuring local area youth bands, including Poisend, and Aurora, who just signed their first label. Saturday the 15th is “Lil’ Bit Country and Lil Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll, featuring the River City Boogie Band and famous headliner Dave Russell Band. You won’t want to miss the free line dancing lessons! Sunday is “Orangevale Talent Day”, featuring Orangevale’s most talented kids. Come on down!
The Pow Wow Days activities are held locally at The Orangevale Community Park, 7145 Filbert Avenue just south of Oak Avenue behind Green Oaks Elementary School and entrance to the event is FREE.
The parade will be on Saturday, May 15th, starting at 10:00 am. and starts in the Big Lots Parking lot at Madison and Greenback.
For more information go online http://www.orangevalepowwowdays.com, call the Chamber office at 916-988-0175

In this market, it’s important in making sure you have your team to help you buy your first house in Sacramento. Your team is your Realtor and your lender. They are both key to the success of the purchase of your first (or any) home. If you pick a good agent, she’ll be able to refer you to a lender who can get the job done. It’s important that you do business with folks who have “evidence” of being successful.

For example, these photos are “evidence” that my buyer and his mother (who referred me to him) is thrilled with his new home in Sacramento. Forgive my garb, but I was on my way to Pollock Pines for a little rest and relaxation. Selling houses in Sacramento is my favorite form of livihood to be sure, but I do like to do some camping as often as I can to enjoy nature and re-energize. Hey, selling houses in Sacto takes a lot of energy!