Sacramento Appraisal Blog

Market trends and real estate appraisals for divorce, estate settlement, loans, property tax appeal, pre-listing and more. We cover Sacramento, Placer and Yolo County. We're professional, courteous and timely.

Photos from the Field

Why was this bathroom tub cut down?

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One of the things I love about real estate is how there is always something new to see, and usually a story behind what is seen. Pictures like this make me smile for two reasons: 1) The owner found a cost-effective way to help older knees take a shower; and 2) Points for creativity. Of course when it comes to resale value, I’m not sure buyers would prefer tubs like this throughout a home, so I’d suggest maybe only doing it to one bathroom.

Win a $5 Starbucks Card: Come up with a clever alternate reason why this tub was cut down, and I’ll email a $5 Starbucks card to my favorite comment below.

"custom" tub photo - Sacramento Appraisal Blog - photo by Anne Graviet

Photo credit: Realtor Anne Graviet (thanks Anne for letting me use this image)

If you have any questions or Sacramento home appraisal or property tax appeal needs, let’s connect by phone 916-595-3735, email, Twitter, subscribe to posts by email (or RSS) or “like” my page on Facebook

One more month to appeal your property taxes in Sacramento County

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Image purchased by Sacramento Appraisal Blog and used with permission - Image credit www.123rf.comphoto_10939567_businessman-taking-a-hit-by-the-taxe-s-hand.html'luislouro - 250 pixI wanted to remind everyone that you have one more month to appeal your 2012 property taxes in Sacramento County. The deadline to dispute your assessed value is November 30, 2012. This deadline is for typical “decline in value” situations where the market has decreased in value, but the assessed value is out of sync with reality. Keep in mind the assessed value is supposed to be based on January 1, 2012 – NOT today. If you have questions about how the process works, you can scan through over 60 property tax articles I’ve written or feel free to email or call. However, read here about some of the nuts and bolts of property taxes to help you get started. Being that it’s down to the last month, I highly recommend owners to fill out the Application for Changed Assessment (a formal appeal) instead of the Prop 8 Form (a free form that carries zero weight after November 30). Like I tell everyone, it’s great if you can do your own research in the appeals process, but if you need help, let’s connect.

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10 signs your pool is too big for the neighborhood

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This is what I’d call a super-sized pool. This house was purchased by Folsom Asset Management as one of their flip projects. For some perspective on the enormity of this swimming hole, look at my Realtor friend Whitney Johnson in the top image. Also, compare the 4400 sq ft house (single story with a 700 sq ft garage) with the pool. Have you ever seen a residential pool this big? What would you do with it if you were going to flip this house?

Overbuilt Pool. Photos by Folsom Asset Management & Compilation by Sacramento Appraisal Blog

Even if the pool was finished, it would very likely be a market liability since most buyers are not looking for a pool this big. On top of that, imagine the cost to heat the pool. It’s no wonder the investment company filled it in before selling the house.

Top-10-Image-purchased-by-Sacramento-Appraisal-Blog-from-www.123rf.comphoto_9840969_golden-top-ten-in-rank-list-trophy-isolated-on-white-background.htmlsgame-123RF-St-sm10 signs your pool is too big for the neighborhood

  1. If your backyard is a potential site for the next Olympics.
  2. If Google Maps mistakes your pool as a lake.
  3. If your pool looks like it should be at a resort.
  4. If prospective buyers think “Yikes, what were they thinking?”
  5. If aerial fire fighters use your pool to scoop up water.
  6. If the Coast Guard uses your pool for rescue training.
  7. If your pool yields little value in the resale market.
  8. If “block party” means the entire neighborhood can literally go swimming.
  9. If your buddies constantly ask you to use their jet skis in your pool.
  10. If buyers don’t have the expectation for such a large pool in the neighborhood.

Questions: What do you think of this pool? What is the 11th sign a pool is too big? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

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Before & After (and after one more time)

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Part of me has always wondered what homes end up looking like after they’re remodeled on the TV show “Extreme Makeover”. Have you had the same thought? Do owners actually take care of the property? Or does it end up reverting back to what it used to look like?

There are so many investors gobbling up the lower-income market right now in Sacramento, so I figured the image below would be timely and relevant for discussion. The “before & after” product is striking, yet here we see an “after the after” photo that wouldn’t make the highlight reel.

This house was originally bank-owned before being purchased by an investment company (not Extreme Makeover) who did a fantastic job on the remodel. The difference is stunning and a real win for the neighborhood. Unfortunately the hedge fund investor who purchased this home has let it sit vacant for over six weeks and has yet to mow the lawn either. This particular investment fund is purchasing properties all over Sacramento, so the question becomes, what does the rest of their portfolio look like? Moreover, do hedge funds have the infrastructure to be effective mega-landlords? With 40% of the market under $200,000 in Sacramento being all cash purchases, these are timely questions.

What do you think?

Sacramento Appraisal Blog

If you have any questions or Sacramento home appraisal or property tax appeal needs, let’s connect by phone 916-595-3735, email, Twitter, subscribe to posts by email (or RSS) or “like” my page on Facebook

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