The Real Folsom Blog

The Best Thing About The Day After Thanksgiving

Guest blogger, Barbara Van Duyn, a certified mortgage planner with First Priority Financial, keeps us posted on the ever-changing mortgage market and some good news on interest rates for mortgages. If you have any mortgage questions, you can reach Barbara through her Web site, www.BarbaraVanDuyn.com.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with people you care about. I’m blessed to be part of a great family and we love these opportunities to be together. For many, the day after Thanksgiving is all about the football games. For some it’s getting out the door bright and early in search of the best shopping deal. And for other like me, it’s all about that TURKEY sandwich … YUM! Speaking of shopping, mortgage interest rates dropped a full percentage point to 5.375 during the day on Tuesday. This was on the heels of the government announcing its latest mortgage “bail out” program. It was the largest 1 day drop of interest rates in the past seven years.  Although we gave back some of the improvement on Wednesday, 30-year fixed rates are below 6.00 percent for well qualified buyers… at least for now!

Until the next time, take care.  Barbara

As We Count Our Blessings, Think of Others

  The rain has started falling but it doesn't dampen my spirits as I consider what I have to be thankful for this year as the holiday season kicks off. And close behind in my thoughts are all those less fortunate this year. Maybe they have lost a job, a loved one, or even their home. As every year, the City of Folsom Police Department is collecting for their Christmas Basket program. They are accepting donations of nonperishable food and new, unwrapped toys for the annual Christmas Basket program through Dec. 19. What could be easier? Even easier: make a monetary donation by sending your check to: Christmas Basket c/o Folsom Police Department, 46 Natoma St., Folsom, CA  95630. And, if you would like to adopt a local family in need, you can contact the Twin Lakes Food Bank at 985-6232.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent Folsom Home Sales Nov 15-21 '08

Here are the Folsom home sales recorded by MetroList, our local multiple listing service, between Nov. 15 and Nov. 21. The properties were listed and sold by various multiple listing service brokers. If you'd like to know about a recent sale in your neighborhood, just drop me a line at annerhea@kw.com and I'll look it up for you.
* 308 Caples Drive, 2 bed/2 bath, 1012 sq ft, sold 11/19/08 for $265,000 (98.18 percent of list price) after 42 CDOM for $261.86 per sq ft.
* 2247 Samwell Court, 3 bed/2 bath, 1212 sq ft, sold 11/20/08 for $295,000 (101.81 percent of list) after 10 CDOM for $224.68 per sq ft.
* 144 Pioneer Drive, 3 bed/2 bath, 1371 sq ft, sold 11/21/08 for $299,000 (100 percent of list) after 164 CDOM for $218.09 per sq ft.
* 112 Mesquite Court, 3 bed/2 bath, 1592 sq ft, sold 11/17/08 for $357,400 (96.86 percent of list) after 33 CDOM for $224.50 per sq ft.
* 130 Arbuckle Avenue, 4 bed/2 bath, 1767 sq ft., sold for 11/20/08 for $363,000 (95.53 percent of list) after 37 CDOM for $205.43 per sq ft.
* 128 Elkins Circle, 3-4 bed/3 bath, 2214 sq ft., sold 11/17/08 for $379,500 (97.43 percent of list) after 139 CDOM for $171.41 per sq ft.
* 520 Wenham Way, 4 bed/3 bath, 1987 sq ft., sold 11/17/08 for $440,000 (96.70 percent of list) after 91 CDOM for $221.44 per sq ft.
* 188 Orange Blossom Circle, 4 bed/3 bath, 2223 sq ft., sold 11/19/08 for $460,000 (96.84 percent of list) after 79 CDOM for $206.93 per sq ft.
* 1436 Haddington Drive, 4 bed/3 bath, 2588 sq ft., sold 11/20/08 for $475,000 (95 percent of list) after 14 CDOM for $183.54 per sq ft.
* 211 American River Canyon Drive, #C, 4 bed/3.5 bath, 3600 sq ft., sold 11/21/08  for $690,000 (100.15 percent of list) after 108 CDOM for $191.67 per sq ft.
* 165 Cascade Falls Drive, 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 3521 sq. ft., sold 11/17/08 for $771,000 (90.81 percent of list) after 107 CDOM for $218.97 per sq ft.
 
The average days on the market for these homes was 75 days and the median price $379,500.

Recent Folsom Home Sales Nov 7-14 '08

Here are the Folsom home sales recorded by MetroList, our local multiple listing service, between Nov. 7 and Nov. 14. The properties were listed and sold by various multiple listing service brokers. If you'd like to know about a recent sale in your neighborhood, just drop me a line at annerhea@kw.comand I'll look it up for you.

* 240 Natoma Station Dr., #17, 1 bed/1 bath, 703 sq ft, sold 11/14/08 for $80,000 (73.73 percent of list price) after 86 cumulative days on the market (CDOM), for $113.80 per sq ft.
* 885 Halidon Way, #721, 2 bed/2 bath, 993 sq ft, sold 11/14/08 for $170,000 (94.97 percent of list price) after 43 CDOM for $171.20 per sq ft.
* 228 Buffet Court, 4 bed/3 bath, 1834 sq ft, sold 11/14/08 for $365,000 (93.83 percent of list price) after 340 CDOM for $199.02 per sq ft.
* 103 McHugh Court, 3 bed/2 bath, 1752 sq ft, sold 11/14/08 for $380,000 (100 percent list price) after 101 CDOM for $216.90 per sq ft.
* 2091 Stockman Circle, 3 bed/2 bath, 1687 sq ft, sold  11/13/08 for $405,000 (94.19 percent list price) after 32 CDOM for $240.07 per sq ft.
* 1701 Bowen Drive, 3 bed/2.5 bath, 2278 sq ft, sold 11/12/08 for $405,000 (100 percent list) after 155 CDOM for $177.79 per sq ft.
* 1045 Brock Circle, 4 bed/3 bath, 2350 sq ft, sold 11/13/08 for $439,000 (100 percent list) after 66 CDOM for $186.81 per sq ft.

Connectivity Lost

Now what? My little world came to a screeching halt this morning when, all primed for an early start on what promises to be full day, I failed to be able to connect to MetroList, our local multiple listing service provider. Despite repeated tries, it's a no go. So I pick up the phone to call them and, surprise, so many other agents are calling that I can't even get through. So now what? Oh sure, I can find some calls to make and do some filing, but it's amazing how most of my work comes to a halt--I can't do the market analysis I promised a prospective client, can't update one of my listing with the photos that I shot yesterday, can't check on clients' comments. I hope it's nothing too serious... Until I'm reconnected, I'll get to that filing. And will post market updates when MetroList comes back online.

New Green Home Web Site Has Lots To Offer

Days like this I'm proud to be a Realtor. I just received an e-mail from the California Association of Realtors announcing the launch of their new Green Web site, "At home with green." Here is some of what you will find:

• "Understanding Green" - an index of green resources, green terminology, and key green principles.

• "Homeowners/Buyers" - provides current homeowners and home buyers with information about buying a green home, finding a REALTOR® with green credentials, understanding the incentives for going green, and greening a home room by room.

• "Green for REALTORS®" - includes tips on selling green homes to eco-conscious consumers, steps to greening their offices, and a repository of green resources.

• "C.A.R. Goes Green" - details C.A.R.'s Green Initiative and provides a list of tactics C.A.R. has employed to "go green."

"At home with green™" can be accessed by visiting http://green.car.org/. Take a look and see what you can find to help you start greening your home!

Snapshot look at Folsom Home Sales Market Nov 14 '08

Here's what the Folsom housing market is looking like this morning. The information is gleaned from MetroList, our local multiple listing service, for our 95630 zip code. Any questions, please drop me a line.

All listings

Number of homes for sale: 315

Price range: $119,500-$1,349,000

Median price: $410,000 (this number is down again this week)

Average cumulative days on the market: 105 (up about 20 from last week)

Bank-Owned Properties

Number of REOs for sale: 42 (this number continues to slowly move up)

Price range: $119,500-$564,900

Median price: $352,500

Average cumulative days on the market: 71

Short Sales

Number of Short Sales: 101 (holding steady)

Price range: $149,000-$919,000

Median price: $349,000

Average days on the market: 123

Recent Folsom Home Sales Nov 1-7 '08

Here are the Folsom home sales of the first week of November as recorded by MetroList, our local multiple listing service. The properties were listed and sold by various multiple listing service brokers. If you'd like to know about a recent sale in your neighborhood, just drop me a line and I'll look it up for you.

• 516 Vessona Circle, #516, 2 bed/2 bath, 1728 sq ft, sold 11/06/08 for $250,000 (100 percent of list price) after 188 days on the market (DOM), for $144.68 per sq ft.
• 105 Whiting Way, 3 bed/2 bath, 1258 sq ft, sold 11/06/08 for $333,850 (99.09 percent of list) after 10 DOM, for $265.38 per sq ft.
• 1862 Dysart Way, 3 bed/2 bath, 1423 sq ft, sold 11/05/08 for $345,000 (96.10 percent of list) after 7 DOM, for $242.45 per sq ft.
• 286 Hinds Way, 3 bed/2 bath, 1434 sq ft, sold 11/03/08 for $349,900 (100 percent of list) after 14 DOM, for $244 per sq ft.
• 555 Cage Court, 3 bed/2 bath, 1458 sq ft sold 11/06/08 for $350,000 (95.89 percent of list) after 160 DOM, for $240.05 per sq ft.
• 162 Arbuckle Avenue, 3-4 bed/2 bath, 1454 sq ft sold 11/03/08 for $352,000 (99.15 percent of list) after 34 DOM for $242.09 per sq ft.
• 167 Silberhorn Drive, 4 bed/2 bath, 1939 sq ft sold 11/03/08 for $358,000 (100.03 percent of list) after 175 DOM for $184.63 per sq ft.
• 109 Lost Lake Court, 3 bed/2.5 bath, 1867 sq ft sold 11/07/08 for $370,000 (103.06 percent of list) after 14 DOM for $198.18 per sq ft.
• 2159 Woodhead Street, 3 bed/2 bath, 1919 sq ft sold 11/04/08 for $395,000 (100 percent of list) after 5 DOM for $205.84 per sq ft.
• 2151 Woodhead Street, 3 bed/2 bath, 1919 sq ft sold 11/03/08 for $435,000 (100 percent of list) after 2 DOM for $226,68 per sq ft.
• 1357 Haddington Drive, 4 bed/3 bath, 2277 sq ft sold 11/05/08 for $465,000 (93.75 percent of list) after 16 DOM for $204.22 per sq ft.
• 112 Viento Court, 4-5 bed/3 bath, 2542 sq ft sold 11/04/08 for $540,000 (102.86 percent of list) after 46 DOM for $212.43 per sq ft.

 

Do You Know How To Do the Turkey Trot?

Find out this Thanksgiving morning when the 2nd annual Folsom Turkey Trot is scheduled. Last year, more than 1,900 participated in the 5K Run/Walk and the 10K Run and they raised more than $21,000 for the Twin Lakes Food Bank and the Never In Our Town Youth Scholarship. Start time for the Nov. 27 event is 9 a.m. (rain or shine!). Registration cost is $20 before Nov. 13 and $25 after Nov. 13. For info and online registration, check out the event web site at www.folsomturkeytrot.com.

Rebates Make Improving Your Home's Efficiency Just a Little Easier

Check out the City of Folsom's Web site if you're planning to make some changes in your Folsom home to improve its energy efficiency. The Utilities Department has a list of some current rebates that are available, along with a printable application form. The site shows rebates being offered for energy-efficient toilets, small landscape irrigation and clothes washers. It's worth a look!