By now we are all familiar with the Sacramento region’s "challenging" Real Estate market.  However, even in these difficult times there are some shining examples that the best communities perform the best in Real Estate during both good times and bad.  Granite Bay is one of the best examples of this.

Overall, prices in the greater Sacramento region have declined approximately 20% during the 2005-2007 downturn. And "transactions" (the number of homes sold) are down even more - 30% to 40% on average.  But check out these numbers in Granite Bay (source: Metrolist MLS):

• 2006: Median Sale Price - $791,000; total homes sold - 270 (22.5 per month)
• 2007: Median Sale Price - $811,000; total homes sold - 244 as of 11/20/07 (22.9 per month)

The numbers don’t lie!  Granite Bay’s median sales price is UP in 2007 by 2.5%, and the number of homes sold per month is up slightly as well!  It just goes to show - the old Real Estate adage "location, location, location" still holds true, in good markets and in bad.

Let’s be clear - we’re not saying it would be easy to sell your home in Granite Bay today.  In fact, there is almost 9 months of inventory currently in Granite Bay (that’s the number of homes on the market vs the number of homes sold per month).  But what we are saying is that Granite Bay continues to be one of if not the best location to own a home in the Sacramento region, and if you do choose to sell you’ll need patience, but you can still expect to receive a solid return on your investment when it does sell.

Steve Dailey, Coldwell Banker
Email: steven.dailey@cbnorcal.com
mobile: 916.276.9244
www.teamstevehomes.com
Visit our Complimentary Sacramento Area MLS Search

One of the best kept secrets in the local Sacramento golf world is Sierra View Country Club.  Designed in 1953 by architect Jack Fleming, it can be found within minutes of downtown, historic Roseville on 180 acres of land rich with mature oak trees and gentle, rolling hills. Fleming, who was right-hand man to famed golf course architect Alister Mackenzie, designed 18 courses in Norther California in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Some of his work included Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, Golden Gate Park, Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club, as well as Almaden Golf and Country Club. 

Playing this well maintained 6,481 yard course with magnificent ancient oaks, well-bunkered greens, strategically placed water hazards and elevated tees make each round a new challenge. Sierra View’s membership is limited to 430 members which not only allows easy access to tee times, but also maintains the excellent quality of the golf course as well.

Sierra View CC is a non-profit corporation with private, proprietary golf memberships, as well as corporate golf, tennis and social memberships.   Facilities include the golf course and pro-shop, driving range, 6 well lighted tennis courts, swimming pool, dining room for members and guests, as well as a bar area to enjoy your favorite libation after a round of golf.  Sierra View’s mission is to provide individual and family recreational  and social activities to a diverse membership in a private, full service country club setting.  

The Country Club is located at 105 Alta Vista Avenue in Roseville.  Any questions about the club can be directed to their General Manager, Steve Reynolds at (916) 782-3741, extension 13.

Steve Siegel, Coldwell Banker
Email: steve.siegel@cbnorcal.com
mobile: 916.212.5066
www.teamstevehomes.com
Visit our Complimentary Sacramento Area MLS Search

Placer County was just named to the No. 43 ranking among the nation’s 100 wealthiest suburbs, according to a report released this week by Bizjournals, the sister company of the Sacramento Business Journal.  El Dorado County was No. 44.  Bizjournals created a nine part formula to determine the relative affluence of 291 suburban counties, seeking the places with the highest incomes, most expensive houses, lowest poverty levels, strongest educational backgrounds, and the most extensive ownership of stocks, rental properties and vehicles.  Placer County had per-capita income of $35,014 per year, while El Dorado County’s per capita income was $32,122. 

Placer and El Dorado counties are the wealthiest Sacramento area communities and in fact are the only ones that made the top 100.  There were four other Northern California counties in the top 30, all in the SF Bay Area.  The top 10 were led by New Jersey with three and Virginia and Maryland with two each.

Steve Siegel, Coldwell Banker
Email: steve.siegel@cbnorcal.com
mobile: 916.212.5066
www.teamstevehomes.com
Visit our Complimentary Sacramento Area MLS Search

We’ve all become accustomed to seeing what seems like almost daily real estate articles filled with news about declining housing values.  As 2007 comes to an end anyone who owns a home is longing for something better.  Although most local experts agree that it is too early to be talking about a recovery, there may be at least some hope for anxious homeowners.

For if history has anything to teach us, it’s that real estate recoveries usually come pretty fast once they start.  Consider 1997 across much of the Sacramento region.  After years of military base closings, a recession and loss of jobs, homeowners across the region started to see their home values start to climb again.   Even before the tremendous "boom" that occured from 2001-2005, prices steadily increased from 1997-2001 as well; 62% in Placer County, 53% in El Dorado County, and 51% in Sacramento County.

No one is predicting that we will ever see another boom in values like we did in 2001-2005.  But as the slump goes on, it helps the nerves to understand that the economy–and real estate–is a cycle of ups and downs.  There are many who say that the excess of rising prices and easy lending practices and standards make these unchartered waters.  But if history is a guide say the experts, this too will pass!  It isn’t easy, but homeowners should remind themselves that, fundamentally, Real Estate has always been a sound long-term investment and should continue to be so in the future.

Steve Siegel, Coldwell Banker
Email: steve.siegel@cbnorcal.com
mobile: 916.212.5066
www.teamstevehomes.com
Visit our Complimentary Sacramento Area MLS Search

Hello everyone!

We’re thrilled to introduce our weblog to the Greater Sacramento Area Real Estate Community!  We’ll be providing you with market information, insights into the latest in the mortgage/lending industry, with a special focus on South Placer County, including Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Loomis, and Lincoln, plus additional insights into the neighboring communities of Folsom and El Dorado Hills.  We’ll even keep you updated on current events in the greater Sacramento area.

We hope you enjoy, and invite you to comment on what you read - whether you agree or disagree!  If you’d like to get e-mails of new posts, subscribe to our blog using the simple form above.  Thanks for visiting!

Steve Dailey, Coldwell Banker
Email: steven.dailey@cbnorcal.com
mobile: 916.276.9244
www.teamstevehomes.com
Visit our Complimentary Sacramento Area MLS Search