Thoughts Ideas and Giggles: February 2010

The government has drawn a line in the sand...banks must mitigate a certain percentage of their loans.  It seems logical on the face of it, since it should help desperate homeowners stay in their homes, lessen the number of short sales and foreclosures and all-in-all, be a good thing.

However, the devil is in the details.  Did the government say which loans had to be mitigated?  Did it say which kind of property owners should be offered this wonderful possibility?  When working in such a vacuum, the translations of this requirement can be quite varied.

That is why, in the absence of details, the banks have discovered a solution that is good for them...not so much for the upside-down homeowner.  Why not mitigate the loans that are the responsibility of the solid property owner (even investors) - one who has good credit, is making their payments on time, are not upside down and are not asking for a loan mitigation? This is the solution of at least one bank. Shameful, isnt' it?

I will be the first to admit that I don't do a lot of foreclosures...in fact, I am in the middle of my first one.  No, I am NOT going to answer any questions on how in the world I have accomplished this remarkable feat!  Being a rookie at foreclosures, but not uninformed, there have been few surprises. The bank shortened up the removal of all contingencies to 10 days (and we all know how well the banks do at moving things along in a timely manner).  We had to promise that there would be world peace...okay, maybe not, but it felt like it!

Anyway, we have been hustling to get everything done in the 10 days we were allotted.  My clients signed the final counter from the bank on the 19th, so we have until Monday to remove our contingencies....you would think!  I received a call from the listing agents assistant explaining the error in my math.  You see, the BANK  signed the counter offer THEY wrote on the 16th, so add 10 days...and yep...the contingencies were suppose to be removed today.  Now, some sane person may ask if we were in contract on the 16th and the reasonable answer would be no, since my clients hadn't agreed to their counter yet.  The assistant kindly explained to me that the date that my clients agreed to and signed the counter really didn't matter. Hmmm....

This being the case, the next time I receive an offer on a property I have listed, I am just going to assume that the buyers have agreed to it and go forth and prosper!

You have decided to sell your home and are looking for that perfect Realtor that will create the perfect storm of a high price, a quick sale and a smooth escrow.  Many agents will tout their ability to do exactly this combination.

However, the perfect listing Realtor does not act alone.  A truly successful sales experience is a team...the combination of the efforts of the Realtor AND the homeowner.  A united effort goes a long way to have a mutually positive experience.

The smart seller should select their Realtor with one main thought in mind...do you trust your Realtor?  If you do, then this means you have done your homework, understand the qualifications of your Realtor and are convinced that this is the Realtor for you.  Once this task has been accomplished, the rest is a breeze.  You, as the seller, will TRUST that the Realtor is telling you what you need to do to your property to receive the best price.  You will TRUST your Realtor that you are being told the right price for your home and you will TRUST your Realtor when you are advised regarding the offer and negotiations necessary for a successful sale.

Mutually, the Realtor needs to trust the seller.  The Realtor must TRUST that the seller has made all necessary disclosures.  The Realtor must TRUST that the seller will work in a timely manner to accomplish the needed tasks.

So, when you are searching for that perfect Realtor, make sure it is someone you TRUST and someone you can work with.  After that, it really can be a positive experience.

It is becoming very apparent why every Sacramento neighborhood needs advocates to maintain and improve their community in a thoughtful and intelligent way.  Tonight the Land Park Community Association heldtheir February public meeting.  Several upcoming challenges to the neighborhood were brought to the attention of the LPCA board and attending neighbors.  Here is a highlight of just a few of the concerns expressed:

An organization entitled "SAFE" is advocating changes to be made to Freeport Boulevard to improve thesafety of bicyclists and pedestrians.  They have asked that LPCA take a position in support of their cause.  LPCA is working with them to address their concerns.

The Business Journal published that the Tower Theaterbuilding is now for sale.  LPCA will be monitoring the progress of the sale and the buyers intended use for this historical landmark.

It appears that the city has funded the repair of the remaining lamp posts on Land Park Drive, which are in dire need of repair.  This should be completed by the end of the year.

There is some question as to who has proposed expansion of the Sacramento Zoo.  It appears to be either the City of Sacramento or the Zoological Society.  In any case, the expansion is the old Zoo 2002 Plan reincarnated. This would expand the zoo to the land that presently houses the pony rides, the gardens and Funderland.  It would also expand the golf course parking to a multi-level parking lot.  There is more, and it would be premature to list the exact proposal.  Let it be said that the reason that this organization was originally created was to fight this expansion (then known as the Association to Preserve Land Park) and we just might have to take up the wishes of the neighborhood again. Stay posted.

LPCA would love to have you be a part of the association!  Please get on our website and join!

California Middle School is in the heart of Land Park.  It is a microcosm of Sacramento which was deemed by Time Magazine the "Most Diverse City in America".  Almost 70% of its students receive some type of assistance in the form of free or reduced lunches.  It blends near equal parts of African American, Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian children from all socio-economic backgrounds into a cohesive, successful educational program...not an easy feat!

California Middle School relies on public support to fund such programs as sports, music, drama, Mathletes, Science Olympiad, debate, MESA, a Yosemite trip and travel to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.  These programs allow students to not only learn, but thrive in a positive environment.

In an effort to continue these programs in ever-decreasing funding, Cal Middle School will be hosting the Spring Thing on March 6th at 6:30PM featuring local restaurant sampling and wine tasting.  If you would like to support their cause, please contact the school at calptsa@yahoo.com.  They will be able to assist you in whatever level you would like to give, whether it be attending, donating or advertising!

We in Land Park are very fortunate to have the Regional Zoo right here in our neighborhood.  They are wonderful neighbors and a real asset to our community.  They are constantly offering events to promote the zoo, so I thought I would give you an update on the upcoming events you might want to take advantage of.

FEBRUARY
Regular hours begin, now open from 9AM to 4PM.
February 13th - Wildlife Stage Show - 11AM

MARCH
March 6th - Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fest from 9AM - 4PM
March 24th - Summer Camp (Members Only) Registration
March 29th through April 11th (daily) - Zoo P.I.'s Critter Caper - 11AM, Wildlife Stage Show 1:30PM
April 13th through September 6th - Wildlife Stage Show Tuesday through Sunday 1:30PM

APRIL
April 3rd - Recycle Rummage Sale 9AM - 4PM
April 3rd - Earth Fest - Party for the Planet 9AM - 4PM
April 30th - ZooZoom 30th Annual Run/Walk 7AM-Noon

MAY
May 1st - California Celebration Multicultural Day and Wildlife Diversity 9AM-4PM
May 3, 10, 17th - Senior Tea and Tours 9:30AM -Noon
May 20th - Swingin' Safari Golf Tournament

JUNE
June 12th and 18th - Family Overnights
June 17th and 24th - Twilight Thursdays Open late until 8PM
June 26th - King of Feasts Food and Wine Fundraiser 5:30PM - 8:30PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

JULY
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29th - Twilight Thursdays Open late until 8PM
July 2, 10, 16, 31 - Family Overnights
July 24th - Ice Cram Safari All you can eat ice cream 4PM - 8PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

AUGUST
August 7th and 13th - Family Overnights
August 12th - Member Evening 5:30 - 8:30

SEPTEMBER
September 10th through October 31st - Wildlife Stage Show 11AM
September 13th and 20th - Senior Tea and Tours -9:30AM - Noon

OCTOBER
October 2nd - Wild Affair Gala, Dinner and Auction 5PM - 10PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)
October 18th - Senior Tea and Tours 9:30AM - Noon
October 30th and 31st - Boo at the Zoo 4:30 - 8PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

NOVEMBER
November 1st - Winter Zoo hours begin 10AM - 4PM
November 6th through February 2011 - Animal Encounters 11AM
November 11th - Veteran's Family Day 50% discount admission with a valid military ID 10AM - 4PM
November TBA - Recycle Rummage Sale 10AM - 4PM
November 25th - Zoo closed - Happy Thanksgiving!

DECEMBER
December - Toys for Tots Bring one unwrapped new toy and receive a free child's admission
December 11th - Holiday Magic - Animal Enrichments 10AM - 4PM
December 24th - Pajama Party at the Zoo Free Day 10AM - 1:30PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)
December 25th - Zoo closed - Merry Christmas!