When a foreclosure occurs on a home, the value drops. This in turn causes the entire neighborhood values to decrease. Simply put: foreclosures make a neighborhood look bad. When a home owner responsibly opts to short sale their property, this extends value to the entire local community.

For information on short selling in Carmichael specifically, please see my article in the Carmichael Patch.

- Original Youtube vid – Celebrating Short Sellers, 11/10/2011
- Home Sellers

The primary example of this is where the copper from city street light boxes are being targeted by thieves. KCRA recently reported that around 175 areas have been affected. The Sacramento Department of Transport estimates the theft has cost around $200,000, with a 3-6 month backlog in street light repairs. The Department is strongly urging the public to contact police if they notice anyone working on city lights in absence of a city/Dept vehicle.

Copper theft has also affected the real estate industry. I’ve had 3-4 houses either awaiting buyers to move in or awaiting escrow to close where the process had to be halted due to air conditioning units being stolen with the copper being sold at a recycling center.

Although crack down efforts are in place on the seven Sacramento copper recycling facilities (Sheriff Jones is actually putting a person or department together to target copper theft), as conscious community members in Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, and the greater surrounds, I encourage you to be observant of activity in your neighborhoods.

If you notice suspicious activity with the removal of air conditioning units, make the call to authorities.

- Original Youtube vid – Copper Crooks, 11/15/2011
- Home Sellers

The Maidu Indians, only a 150 years ago, once inhabited the rolling, Oak Tree covered hills of what is now Orangevale.

Having lived there as a very small child, I have fond memories of the long graveled, dirt driveway that winded up from Walnut Avenue to our old white, clapboard house. The tiny house sat on a few acres and even though my parents were only renting it, I had a backyard that was often filled with cattle and horses.

While Orangevale is all grown up now, it remains the one area in these neck of the woods that is still “country.” New homes and modern shopping prevail, this is true, but along Main Street some reminders of a time gone by can still be found. Additionally, many of the older homes still are “ranch ready” or might even be ranches. So yes, most parts of Orangevale are zoned for horses. The old feedstore is still standing and my mom tells me that she and her dad used to go there and get hay for their horses (my grandparents lived in Orangevale way back when).

The Orangevale Chamber of Commerce has a lot of information on this strongly-rooted country community.

Here’s a little piece of history, as provided from the Orangevale Chamber Commerce:

Orangevale Pow Wow Days celebration started out in 1963 as “Chuck Wagon Days”. In 1964 the name was changed to “Fiesta Days” and again in 1965 to its present title, “Pow Wow Days”. Beginning in 1963 as a “neighborhood” parade the route was originally on Central Avenue, ending at the Orangevale Youth Center on Hazel Ave. A small carnival, and sometimes a Bar-B-Que dinner filled the one day celebration with fun for all. As the community grew, the parade was moved to Greenback Lane, and the festivities expanded to fill four days and nights.

And while there are plenty of ranches, horses and community events that center around the cowboy flair, there are ample numbers of businesses in place to support the community. In fact, real estate at this time is a pretty darn good investment in Orangevale, and it happens to be a community that holds its value, so even more reason to consider packing your possie up, hitting the dusty trail and purchasing a lovely peice of land in Orangevale.

One of the areas I love most in Sacramento County is Fair Oaks, California.

Old Town Fair Oaks is kind of like stepping back in time to another era when people who worked at Hardware stores always knew your name.

While the town of Fair Oaks is terrific, and the homes in Fair Oaks hold their value really well, most everyone who lives in Fair Oaks takes tons of pride in Old Town.

For one thing, there are chickens. Yes, chickens. Not sure where they came from, but since I was very young, Old Town Fair Oaks has always had chickens roaming around. In fact, if you park your car, you might need to make sure they get out of your way first! They seem to travel in a pack, so you never know which part of Old Town they’ll be roaming around in, but trust, me if you go to Old Town Fair Oaks, you’re gonna see of hear them.

So what do I do in Old Town Fair Oaks? Well, for starters, my good friend, Dr. Dennis Crawford has his Natural Health Center there, kind of across the street from the park that marks the center of Old Town Fair Oaks. In fact, Dr. Crawford is a frequent guest on my radio show, “Sacramento Smiles,” that discusses real estate and inspiration for our community at large.

Next, one of the yoga studios I frequent most, Hot Yoga and Sunrise, is just down the street from Old Town, on the way to the bridge. Sometimes I get to a yoga class early and walk down to the bridge, just admiring the beautiful view.

Many moons ago, my own mother (a Realtor too), was the President of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and she too fell in love with the charm of Old Town Fair Oaks. Another very cool things about the park. There’s an outdoor stage that features concerts and plays and all sorts of activates. In fact, one year I participated in “Art in the Park,” where I had a booth and could display and sell my hobby paintings. Let’s just say, for the record, that I’m much better at real estate than I am painting!

So whether you want to visit Dr. Crawford for some amazing healing, take a hot yoga class, shop at the many unique and wonderful establishments, or catch an outdoor version of Hamlet in the shade, don’t be a stranger to Old Town Fair Oaks….it’s a charming part of our community.

And, if you think you’d like to become a resident of the Fair Oaks Community, there are so many great homes available at rock bottom prices. Just give me a call and we’ll see what’s out there.

Ta Ta for Now,
Tamara

916.482.5834

Of course, I am a little bit partial since I have lived here for so many years! Some of the great features about Carmichael include our wonderful brand new Library, Ancil Hoffman Park with its 85-acres of nature study and horseback riding trails (bike trails to!), and the Effi Yeaw Nature Center. The Ancil Hoffman Golf Course is glorious, as are the Jenson Botanical Gardens. Besides the great river access, we have excellent shopping, dining, California Family Health and Fitness, and Carmichael is home to the San Juan School District, ranked as one of the top districts in the country! Here is a selection of Carmichael links I have put together for you to learn more about what a wonderful community we have.

Carmichael New Library!
Carmichael Library Hours & Location

Carmichael’s Famous River & Park
American River Parkway, Our Parks, Regional Parks, Recreation and …

Carmichael Golfing
Ancil Hoffman Golf Club – Carmichael, California

American River Wildlife
American River Wildlife – Ancil Hoffman Park

Carmichael Botanical Gardens
Jensen Botanical Gardens The Charles C. Jensen Botanical Gardens are botanical gardens located at 8520 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael, California. They are open during the daylight

Carmichael Health Clubs
http://www.californiafamilyfitness.com/ (there are actually TWO Carmichael locations for Cal Fit)

Carmichael Dining
Carmichael Restaurants – Chowbaby.com

DMV–we have a local DMV located at North and Walnut
DMV- Carmichael Office

For more information on Carmichael demographics, see my Community Info Link.

Community Involvement

I am a proud and active member of the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, I am
committed to our wonderful community and in helping you buy or sell your Carmichael home. In case you didn’t know it, the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce spends a great deal of time insuring that our community stays productive, prosperous, and supportive of its residents.

Read the Carmichael Newsletter Online Also, don’t miss our annual Fourth of July Carmichael Parade. We close off Fair Oaks Blvd. and the parade is a fantastic exhibit of our unique, wonder Carmichael history, businesses, residents, and contributions.