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Elizabeth Weintraub
New Listing: Updated Pool Home in Elk Grove Features Modern Design
Need space and require an updated pool home in Elk Grove? Look no further. South of Laguna and east of Franklin sits a perfectly lovely home that is clean and ready to move into. All the work has been done for you. If you love engineered wood flooring throughout the main level, this is your home. Originally built by Presley Homes in 1996, this 2,880 square foot home, as reflected at the Sacramento County Assessor’s office, could pass for a newer home built today.
Our particular model was designed to be a 5-bedroom home with a first-floor bedroom. There is a full bath on the first floor. However, the owners did not enclose the space and instead incorporated the extra square footage into the family room, which is now enormous. It would be fairly simple to put up a wall and make that space into a full-size bedroom or office.
The entry offers clerestory windows and a soaring formal entrance, featuring a formal living room. Step up to the formal dining room. Depending on how you arrange your dining room table, it could be possible to accommodate a dozen or more guests for a dinner party. Or, if you want to blow off using a dining room, hey, how about a piano? Guests can always dine in the gorgeous back yard near the pool.
Check out the kitchen. Beautiful granite, rich cabinets, stainless appliances, and a full pantry. Wood trimmed recessed ceiling and oversized ceramic on the diagonal lend extra appeal and style. There is a breakfast nook between the kitchen and family room as well. Nice view, too, of the pool from the kitchen, so you can keep an eye on the kids.
All of the four bedrooms are located on the second floor. This photo is the master bedroom bath, and the master bedroom is simply enormous. Some people really crave a large master. I know I do. Could not sleep in a house if my bedroom was small. Probably stems from the days when I owned a home that was so small my bed fit wall-to-wall. Now, in my older years, I desire a lot of space, but in particular, in the master. The large soaking tub reminds me of a boat ready to drift off to sea, which is probably how relaxed it will make you. Love the dual sinks and flooring, too.
Besides the “Gone with the Wind” grand staircase, the whole house fan, and the large spacious rooms, the main feature that many buyers crave is a pool. This updated pool home in Elk Grove has that going on in spades. There is also a spa. Lush green lawn. Plenty of space for dogs and children to play.
Why not come to our open house on Sunday and check out this updated pool home in Elk Grove yourself? Open from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, April 15th, and hosted by the invincible Josh Amolsch from the Elizabeth Weintraub Team.
4909 Laguna Woods Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95758 is offered exclusively by Elizabeth Weintraub and Lyon Real Estate at $595,000. If you can’t wait, why not view the virtual tour. Then call Elizabeth at 916.233.6759 to schedule a private showing.
An Absolutely Stunning Remodel in South Natomas for Sale
Some homes, like this gorgeous remodel in south Natomas for sale, simply blow you away. One look is all it will probably take for a buyer to fall in love. The seller has impeccable taste and she personally selected the improvements. Sleek, clean lines. Modern and contemporary. Very European, as well. Not a part of the place was overlooked. Not a door knob, not a faucet, nor a light fixture, it all blends and works seamlessly together. You certainly cannot tell this home was built in 1979.
You know how you see some remodels, and the sellers cut corners or remodeled everything except, say, the master bath. When they do remodels like that, it seems like they don’t care. The sellers rationalize it to themselves and say it gives the buyer the opportunity to finish the project, but buyers do not want to finish projects. Buyers want the work already done for them. It looks like they gave up when they don’t finish.
When part of the home is finished and part of it is left untouched, stuff can stick out like a sore thumb. I looked at photos of another new listing, somebody else’s of course, and at the top of the stairs sat an older built-in oak cabinet. The whole bottom floor featured rich chocolate cabinets, new hardware, and then there’s this ugly thing sitting on the stair landing.
But not this stunning remodel in south Natomas. No sirree. This home is immaculate. You will undoubtedly appreciate the extensive use of soft neutral colors and the very HOT color this season of gray tones. It features 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, and is over 2,000 square feet. Buyers will swoon over this kitchen with its Jenn-Air appliances, Kraus double sink with pre-rinse faucet, quartz counters and gorgeous newer cabinets. Its planked flooring on the main level mixes with Travertine in the step-down family room featuring chilled wine storage and a fireplace.
Now, before you ask, yes, there is a bedroom on the first floor plus a full bath. That is a huge selling point these days, especially among buyers who have elderly family members living with them. All of the bedroom upstairs are remodeled with ceiling fans, and the 5th bedroom features a large trex balcony. Custom blinds open from the top or bottom.
The baths are sparkling, of course. Extensive use of glass. Subway tile. Porcelain or Travertine floors. Newer fixtures. In the master bath, you’ll find quartz counters, dual sinks, a custom sink vanity and an enormous walk-in shower.
The pièce de résistance is the beautiful yard and the living space extension beyond the fence. This might sound confusing, but most of the property owners along this greenbelt area have claimed an extension of space beyond their lot and care for it. The city has not objected for the past 25 years, according to the sellers. They built a basketball court, a covered picnic area, complete with a slab, picnic benches, picnic table and an overhang. Including raised garden beds. I have not verified this information and buyers will need to do their due diligence.
But hey, no neighbors behind you. Just a beautiful green park. With your private amenities. In the yard, there is a covered spa for those much needed late-night soaks in bubbles, and a very pretty flower garden.
Let’s face it, you won’t find anything like this stunning remodel in south Natomas. Why not come to our open house on Sunday and see for yourself? April 15, 2018, hours are 2:00 to 4:00 PM, hosted by the incredible Barbara Dow from the Elizabeth Weintraub Team.
985 Regatta Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833, is offered exclusively by Elizabeth Weintraub and Lyon Real Estate at $395,000. See the virtual tour and prepare to fall in love!
The information in this advertisement, including, but not limited to, square footage and/or acreage, has been provided by various sources which may include the Seller, the Multiple Listing Service or other sources. Lyon Real Estate has not and will not investigate or verify the accuracy of this information. Prospective buyers are advised to conduct their own investigation of the Property and this advertised information utilizing appropriate professionals before purchasing this Property.
Overview and Photos of a Sacramento Realtor’s Last 3 Weeks in Hawaii
Thursday is my travel day to head back to Sacramento from my last 3 weeks in Hawaii. What a whirl-wind three weeks, and I am so fortunate to have spent those weeks on my Sacramento real estate business from our house in Kona. During that time I listed / re-listed 8 homes in the Sacramento area, put 3 homes into pending status and closed around a half dozen or so. I have 2 offers in hand. The Sacramento market is just beginning to pop. I can feel the excitement!
Everything has been fairly quiet at our house, although, I did receive a complaint from the HOA. Seems my neighbor who doesn’t like troublemakers has been filing a series of complaints, claiming my phone rings at 6 AM, which I answer outdoors. The HOA has noise restrictions before 8 AM. I really had no idea the HOA had rules about me talking on my cellphone before 8 AM. My grouchy neighbor is obviously the only person who can hear me, even though my work area is at the far end from his house.
He could have emailed or called to say, hey, would you please silence your phone until 8 AM? HOA rules. And that would have been fine. But that is what a normal person would do. My husband says I should toss any leftover fish on his roof before departing.
Look at that unusual sunset from my lanai. Who cannot help but love Hawaii? It is as though the clouds have broken out in song.
Here is my newest gecko. This is Mr. Personality Plus! So incredibly cute. He says: who the heck are YOU? Got snacks? Nope, the HOA rules say you cannot feed the wildlife nor even hang a bird feeder. My Christian missionary friends say I have come a long way from the days I screamed at the sight of geckos. They were also very impressed when I showed them my photos on my cell phone.
This guy is so cute I almost want to kiss him. Georgy. But not quite. No. Still. Maybe.
Every Wednesday, the Norwegian Cruise Lines Pride of America docks in Kailua-Kona. It sails 4 islands with two stops on Big Island from Honolulu. A 7-week cruise with an ocean view / balcony running about $2,000 to a suite at $3,000. Just in case you’re looking for an inexpensive way to tour the islands in Hawaii.
When I first started spending time in Hawaii, it used to bother me that the cruise ship showed up on Wednesdays right in front of our view of the ocean. I felt as though I owned all of the ocean. This was a personal affront, an intrusion. But now it is just part of the scenery. Wait until the drones start coming.
It will be good to be back home with my husband and cats. Did not want to miss my husband’s birthday this month. Plus, there is the signing of the federal and state taxes. Always a joyous occasion. A huge relief to get that out of the way.
I am so ready for the spring real estate market in Sacramento. Energized.
Don’t you love this kitten? That is Ziggy over my husband’s shoulder. To think he was receptive to adopting two of JaCi’s kittens. A guy who never had pets before in his life. Cats have a way of wiggling into your heart and securely attaching themselves to your life.
E Komo Mai.
DocuSign vs Digital Ink for Sacramento Real Estate Agents
For a lot of real estate agents, when it comes to DocuSign vs Digital Ink, most tend to choose whichever platform they are introduced to. I’m wondering if many ever compare systems. I’ve used both, and I’ll just lay it on the line upfront that when it comes to DocuSign vs Digital Ink, my vote enthusiastically goes to DocuSign.
Because I’ve been using computers since the 1980s, online since 1991, I generally do not struggle with technology issues. In fact, I often discover back doors to overcome obstacles when glitches set in. There is usually more than one way to access data. But when an agent sent a Digital Ink document a few days ago, it took me a long period of time to figure out how to access a document, much less sign it.
The buyer’s agent had forwarded a purchase contract to me via Digital Ink. He is a new agent, licensed last fall, and I don’t think he’s closed a transaction yet. There were no signatures in the Digital Ink file. They were not set up to sign. But just dicking around with the program was a bit irritating.
Finally, I said to the agent, you should just use DocuSign. For digital signatures, when comparing DocuSign with Digital Ink, DocuSign is so much easier and more user friendly. Even my 95-year-old clients can sign a document with DocuSign. The buyer’s agent agreed, said his Millennial clients could not figure out how to use Digital Ink, either, and that’s why they couldn’t sign the contract.
Part of his problem, in all fairness for the DocuSign vs Digital Ink discussion, is he, like many others, want to synchronize MLS with their digital signing software. In my opinion, synching is a bad idea. The concept sounds like it’s easier and more stress free, but it is not. The reason is the data that is pulled into the documents such as a California Residential Purchase Agreement is pulled from an unreliable source such as Realist. Bad data in, bad data out.
I can’t even begin to take listing in Sacramento until I check Realist against Metroscan, to reconcile, and both pull data from the public records, which can also reflect wrong data. I have more issues with Realist than Metroscan. Names of owners are often reversed, especially Asian names. Or, not all of the owner’s names are disclosed. I always enter my information manually, so at least my documents are correct. Because I care more than the average bear about accuracy.
The other issue with synching with MLS data is it pulls every listing agent’s name into the contract, even if only one agent should be identified.
Later in the day, after I received the signed purchase agreement, the buyer’s agent sent me the contract in DocuSign. There were no signatures on the contract in DocuSign. I asked the agent why. Why did he send me the contract without signatures when I have the signatures? Answer: because I told him to sign up for DocuSign, LOL.
I feel bad for him now because he has two digital signature accounts. I prefer to pay for my own account so all of my data belongs to me. Having your own account also means when my brokerage’s account goes down for whatever odd reason, I can still access my own account.
DocuSign also has a mobile app and I don’t think Digital Ink does. It is very easy to access all of your settings in DocuSign and make the software perform exactly the way you want it to. My only beef, if that is a beef, is I can’t preset signatures to sign at a future date and future time. You know, drip the email to go out on a certain date. That would be helpful to me as a top listing agent because I could upload everything at one time and schedule the paperwork to go out on different days. Because I handle volume.
Or, a client is traveling and asks me to upload a contract on a certain day when I might be traveling. Sometimes I work from my house in Hawaii. I asked DocuSign if we could have this feature and their programmers shot me down flat. A girl can hope for someday. But for efficiency purposes, client happiness and simple peace of mind, you really can’t beat DocuSign.
Just ask Tom Gonser.
March 2018 Sacramento County Real Estate Market Update
If you don’t find our March 2018 Sacramento County real estate market update a bit disturbing, you might not be paying close enough attention to what’s going on. And really who does when we’re all busy? My closed sales for March finished out the month at #2 at Lyon Real Estate, unlike January when I placed #1. The difference for me is I closed 5 listings in January, 3 listings and 3 buyers in February, and 5 listings in March, plus 2 buyer sales. Those numbers are nothing, though. Our market is just starting to pick up steam. So I’ve been incredibly focused on Sacramento real estate.
Unlike an agent who shall remain anonymous and seemed agitated that we expected a response to an offer prior to expiration. When queried, he snorted: “You know some people have lives they live and don’t just sit around all day with nothing to do.” Meaning he has other things that are more important than real estate, I guess. I’ve noticed that the agents in this business who are successful top producers are committed and passionate about their jobs.
Most of the time, I can tell you what’s happening in real estate without looking at the March 2018 Sacramento County real estate market update stats. Buyers are active but they no longer seem frenzied. They are more particular about what they want to buy and if they can’t find it, they don’t want to accept less than their ideal choice. It’s not easy to find that perfect home, and it’s only becoming more difficult.
That’s not to say we don’t have a good selection of homes available but there are not a lot choices. It’s like shopping for shoes. I don’t care how cute that Nordstrom shoe looks, if it’s a size 5 and I wear a size 6, I’m not cramming my toes into a size 5. If I want red and the shoe is only available in orange, I’m not buying that either. Everybody’s tastes are unique, what one person loves another does not.
Inventory rose only 7.4% in March over February. We still don’t have enough listings. The solds jumped by 18.5% over that time period. But the real story in the March 2018 Sacramento County real estate market update is the pending sales. Homes under contract and not closed soared by 34.5%. Will they all close? Maybe not. Maybe we’ll see a big fall out rate. Buyers do not seem as committed.
It’s a sad tale for Sacramento, though, when homes are pending and closing escrow faster than we can list new homes for sale. Look at this chart above of our remaining inventory in Sacramento County. Inventory is down 17.7% over last month. If it continues to fall, we will experience a more difficult market. Will inventory level out and stay flat like last year? Perhaps not.
Most of my clients are not selling and buying a new home in Sacramento. They are selling and getting the hell outta Dodge. We need that healthy circle of sales, that cycle of life, and the momentum is not really there.
Having said all of that, sellers undoubtedly want to know is this a good time to sell? What do you think? I am a Sacramento Realtor whose business consists of taking listings, marketing the crap out of them, and closing sales. Of course it’s a good time to sell. Because next year, who knows where we’ll be, especially with interest rates on the rise.
My advice to home buyers, if you find a home you love, buy it. Right now. Today. Do not dillydally or somebody else will buy it and you might indeed find nothing to suit your tastes. Make no mistake, this is a seller’s market. If you wait for a buyer’s market, you might not be able to afford the prices by then.
