On Monday I wrote about my property tax refund of $398.96 from Sacramento County, and I ended up making a complimentary video. I am now using Sony Vegas HD Studio 10 and my friend Jenny is letting me take her green screen for a test drive before I purchase one myself. This was my first stab. There are some things I would do differently, but over the next few months I’ll be cranking out some more videos and honing my skills. Honestly, I REALLY enjoy making videos and it’ll be something you see more of from me.

What do you think?

Here’s some shop talk for my fellow appraisers for some upcoming changes to appraisal standards for Fannie Mae. This is good stuff to keep in mind (even for others in the real estate industry). I’m grateful for appraisers like Bill & Tinna from REAA who are making videos like this every week. You can see their videos directly here or YouTube. You may notice a similarity to the TBWS videos too because the TBWS guys have been very generous and supportive to provide web space and video capabilities for Bill & Tinna.

What do you get when a builder runs out of money in the current economy, but is only half-way finished with a house? Answer: Probably a foreclosure. This was certainly the case with three 2,222 square foot 4/2.5 properties on the corner of 37th Street and 12th Avenue in the Oak Park Area of Sacramento. 

I am very pleased to see these foreclosures were purchased earlier this year in a bundle deal by the same buyer for $35,000 each, and they are currently being rehabbed. When I think of an area improving, this appears to be a win because improvement happens one house at a time, doesn’t it?

Is this still considered a built-in microwave? It’s a marketing feature too, right? Just be careful when taking out your Lean Cuisine or Hot Pockets because they might slide out to splatter you.

There is often a stigma for properties that are listed as “foreclosures”, so it’s no wonder that bank-owned homes tend to sell for less than regular non-distressed transactions. However, consider too that many times REO properties need things like interior paint, carpet, and even new microwaves (and kitchen repairs) like this Sacramento area house. So foreclosures will sell for less than typical arms-length transactions in many cases, but not just because of the REO stigma, but due to obvious condition issues.  

I had to run an errand in between typing reports today and I came across this gem near Bradshaw Road and Highway 50 in Sacramento. I took a double take and this definitely gave me a chuckle. What do you see when you first glance at the website? Do you think it might have been an advantage to have the “d” and “e” capitalized.

What marketing lessons can we learn here?

I recently inspected a bank-owned huge fixer of a house in the Oak Park area of Sacramento, and I put together a one-minute video below (or HERE) for you to experience a bit of what I saw. This house sold for less than $20,000.

By the way, I do have the full blessing of my client to use images of this house they purchased. I would never violate my client’s confidentiality by posting pictures or sharing information like this without the absolute blessing of a client. Thank you also to Bill Cobb for the music. Let me know what you think.

I saw this not too long ago and it’s definitely interesting. Before stepping on the lawn I actually made sure I was not going to sink. Maybe this could provide for some very creative landscaping opportunities.

Everyone has a story, and so does every house. I inspected a Sacramento area property recently that was utterly filthy. In fact, Code Enforcement had to grant me access because it had been boarded up as a “dangerous property” because of its condition and history involving illegal drugs, squatters, prostitution, and many calls to the police from neighbors.  This property was dirty to the core, and as you can see below, I had to be careful where I stepped.

While inspecting this house and seeing the remnants of an existance of desperation and addiction, I couldn’t help but think of the vile things that went on inside and how none of the partakers in drugs and prostitution would have ever imagined they’d end up in this filthy little hole doing what they were doing. I was reminded of a “say no to drugs” commercial campaign from the 80s with the punchline “nobody says they’ll grow up to be a junkie”.

This house will thankfully soon be rehabbed, but I wonder if the former occupants will ever find the help and hope they need.

I posted a video two weeks ago to give everyone a tour of a SMUD energy efficient house in Sacramento. I ended up cutting the video down from 8 minutes to about 2.5 minutes (8 was a bit long). The new video tells the story a bit better, though the full version gives a more detailed tour. What do you think?

This project at 3893 32nd Avenue in Sacramento really shines. It was rehabbed by Housing Group Fund (in partnership with SMUD) into a pristine and very energy-efficient home. It’s amazing to think this house has the potential to save 60% on its utility bills. What do you think? Have you ever heard of Quad-Lock before?

The question “How is the real estate market doing?” usually deserves more time than just 30 seconds. There’s definitely background research, information, and experience needed to answer this question properly. 

I wanted to take you through (in part) how I get this answer as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser in the Sacramento area. In the video below (or HERE) I analyze a portion of the Lincoln Crossing community in Lincoln, CA, and I’ll show you what goes on in my mind as I crunch numbers and explore the local market. I hope this video is helpful.

I had the pleasure this morning of touring a SMUD Energy Efficient Remodel Demonstration Project at 3893 32nd Avenue in Sacramento. This house was purchased as a bank-owned heavy fixer and then rehabbed by Housing Group Fund into a pristine and very energy-efficient home.

I made a video to give you a sense of what I saw. See below or HERE. What do you think? Have you ever heard of Quad-Lock before?