Is Summer Really Almost Over?

I'll bet you've been wondering where I went - havent you? I have been working my bumm off! So, you know when you go on vacation and everything piles up while your gone and then you come back all nice and refreshed and ready to go - sometimes the universe is with you on this. The Universe has definitely been on my side keeping me busy - but not only that, a ton of really fun things are going on in my life right now.  Some are Real Estate related and some are personal.

I AM A GRANDMA! 

Yup, Baby Girl made me a Grandma.  Of course, I have the most beautiful 3 week old Grandson on the planet - How could he be anything but beautiful?

His Momma is Gorgeous!

Yup. It's absolutely the coolest thing to ever happen to me. If or when your a grandparent - you'll get it.

You could say, I've been a little pre-occupied.

Add to that, I have a new computer. It's a Mac. I've been getting used to the new keyboard. It really is hard to get used to a different feeling. Also, I'm having some issues uploading Pics and Videos of listings onto the blog here. Sorry. I'll get it worked out but not in time for this post.

Real Estate is Hopping! - Inventory levels are up but we are still a little short. Shasta County MLS has been averaging around 200 sales per month. We currently have 844 Active listings in Shasta County. That's up considerably from the last blog post but at our average rate - its only around a 4 month supply and an average healthy market has a six-month supply.  The real interesting thing is that in Redding we have 316 Active listings, only 12 are priced under 100K. - 29 are between 100-150K and 78 are from 150-200K. Prices are going up - a lot. Some sellers, as usual, are pricing their properties a little on the optimistic side I think, but homes priced right, SELL.

Well, I'm going to figure out what's wrong with my uploads and get back to you later. Have a fantastic day!

Call me  or email me for more information about the Redding Real Estate Market or for a Personal Real Estate Consultation.

Getting Back To Work!

Awesome Featured Listing Today!







This is a beautiful home set in the hills of Ranchland Acres. Breathtaking views from every room.....Lassen during the day & city lights at night. This house is set up for the whole family to enjoy downstairs or upstairs in the bonus room on game night. Entertainers dream kitchen w/granite countertops, custom cabinetry, open floor plan to family room & outdoor patio/pool area. Gated entry for privacy, 4386 Square Feet with 4 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms.

Okay, so I toured this house the other day and I can tell you this house is Gorgeous! The views really are incredible and the pictures cant begin to accurately portray them! The smell of the Jasmine when you get out of the car and walk to the front door is intoxicating. I loved it!. The kitchen is a gourmet cooks delight, storage everywhere! - I wanted to start cooking and note - and I hate to cook.

Well, Real Estate in Redding has truly picked up a full head of steam. It's crazy busy out there as you may have guessed. Several flattering pieces have appeared on the Redding.com site about Real Estate and it turns out that Redding, CA has one the the largest shares of new home housing starts in the state! 

Also, in the news lately was that Real Estate Agents have one of the most satisfying jobs and are happier than other professions! I like that - I think its true.. I am very happy.

604 Active Single Family homes today on Shasta MLS and 240 of them in Redding.

Here's a cute little house I listed - got it into contract in 4 days! Didn't even have time to blog about it! Sorry!


                                              

Well alrighty, Have a great day!  In case your wondering... Rome pages coming soon. (still under construction)

Back to Real Life

Evidently, while I was on vacation - all the houses sold. Yup, it's true. No more homes. I guess I should just go back. Seriously though, there are only 558 active listings today on Shasta MLS. WTF??? stands for What The Fudgesicle?

I have a new listing coming soon, it's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in Shasta Forest Village in Shingletown. Cute as a button - I'll be getting pics and details to ya on Friday, this week.

So, a few of the things that I have noticed since I've been back: 1) Jet-lag is a very real phenomena. Man - that is NOT fun at all. 2) Americans (me) eat way too much processed and junk foods. 3) We all (me again) really need to stop rushing around! The day is so much more enjoyable when you actually notice it! and 4) I'm really happy to be home in Redding. Not that I can compare it at all with Rome - Rome is a huge city, full of History and people and art and churches. Redding is quiet and peaceful you can hear the sounds of the river and of the wind, the views of the snow capped mountains.  Nature shows off here. I love my home here. I missed my other kids. I know after 17 days, they REALLY missed me!

My blog of the Rome trip is going to appear on a separate page available by a link on the top of this blog. There was just too much to say and too much to write about to split it into this little blog. So look for it coming soon and when you have nothing to do for a while you can read all about it.

Some Homeowner advice: Spring is almost here! If you were thinking about listing your home this year do it now! I would love to help you do it! One, two hour, open house this weekend yeilded 17 buyers and resulted in a sale!
Buyers advice: Don't give up! Your house is out there! - Call me and together we will find it.

This is just too good not to share:

The destination.

She has a driver named eddy. Eddy is an Armenian transplant, been in Rome for years. Really sweet guy who drives like a maniac! He has mastered the streets of Rome and can cut off a bus like a pro. I never felt in any danger because he was just so assured and confident. Talking and pointing out the sights while me and my daughter caught up a bit. He drives like a Dragon fly flies. Zip, zip zoom.

We drop off my daughter at her work, and Eddy gets me to her apartment, it's a nice building.
The elevator barely holds Eddy, Me and my luggage- Eddy says everything in Rome is little. Honestly, the showers in Rv's are bigger than that elevator! The lock is being difficult and after much struggling the doorman is summonsed to open it- takes him less than half a second. Eddy leaves after seeing my luggage and me safely in

I unpack a bit and wait for my daughter and The Italiano to get home. I'm so incredibly happy to be here. I have a smile on that just wont stop. Even here, in their little apartment I'm just so happy. Finally, actually not very long, The Italiano and my daughter get home. He starts cooking dinner- she can't really cook- life in Italy I find out revolves around food. Not food like we have in America where my idea of an appetizer is potato chips, real food- he slices bread- I ask for butter- Big mistake- he says no, and gives me instead some olive oil for dipping, cheese and a glass of wine- I can get used to this for real! Who needs butter? Not me!
Dinner is pasta with clams and a chili tomato sauce. Wow! Clams are one of my favorites. Then there is more pasta with pesto and clams. - for dessert there is a chocolate volcano that is delicious and gelato.

After 23 hours awake, all this food is really welcome. More wine, more wine, lots of laughter and I'm out!

I'm sleeping with my daughter- we fell asleep around 1am, remember- I'm in a different time zone and I've been up for 23 hours now. She wakes up at like 4am- I can hear her. I feign sleep but like the little girl she was on Christmas mornings, she knows I'm awake- "momma" she whispers, "I can't sleep, I'm too excited!"
"Me too" I say
"Let's go for a walk"
I'm thinking- this girl is crazy but okay, I'm here, I'm awake, why not?
I pull on my sweatshirt as she tells The Italiano we are going out- he says something- but I'm not sure what it was- he's sleeping on the couch (poor guy).
I put on my slippers because I think we are just going for a walk around the block. Wrong. It's now around 4:45am, maybe 5 latest- I'm not sure but it is dark. She heads across the street- there's a McDonald's there- nope, they don't open until 11am she says. We are standing on the sidewalk when a bus pulls up. She grabs me to get on the bus! Please note here, I have my pajama shirt and pants on under my sweatshirt, and my slippers!
" Hey", I say, "where are we going?"
"You'll see"
"I have my pjs on!"
"It's okay, no one will know"
Jeesh. Like a kid on Christmas really! We get off the bus after 10 stops or so and turn down this alley- it's dark and its early and there is no one in sight. I'm a little freaked out but she isn't. Who is this brave, or crazy, girl?
We turn another corner and see a sign that says "Bar". There are a few guys standing around outside of it. We go in. Alrighty, evidently bar in Italy is not bar in America, it's a coffee bar. I order a cappuccino, I get the smallest cup of cappuccino I have ever seen! It's so tiny, like my moms miniature tea set. Cute.

Rome in the early hours is so peaceful. We pass pilgrims, or homeless, sleeping in an alcove. Just walking around its so quiet, no cars, no scooters, no crowds. Just Rome, My daughter and me, what a fantastic way to greet the day.

Day One and Two- The Journey

I decided right away that I was not going to miss one moment looking towards the next one. The journey is just as exciting as the destination.

I'm on the plane that's taking me to LAX, I have the whole row to myself!
Airplanes always make that loud revving the engine sound before take off and it makes you think maybe that's they're way of testing the brakes- it gets my blood racing. They make me turn off my tablet. See you in LA!

I'm feeling absolutely so grateful for this trip- we are starting our decent now - I was going to say I can't wait to get there but getting there and being here now. That's awesome- just loving the moment, the anticipation and the thrill of it.
Amazing view out my window- good morning California.
Final approach now. Everything off :(



After 5 hours in LAX- something I do not recommend to anyone- they (Air France) made me leave one of my bags or wanted me to pay $100 to take it- no way am I wasting that much so they can bring an extra bag that weighs 10 lbs! Fortunately, my best friend who lives in LA, was planning on meeting me and I gave him the bag after transferring the 10 lbs to my carry-on. We have great lunch that he brought me and we catch up on old times. We have been best friends since high school and although we don't see each other often, he's like a brother to me. I give him the bag with pink flowers and green sea turtles and although we make a joke about how he's going to look on the train ride back to work in downtown LA, he takes the bag without a fuss at all.

I am finally boarding my Paris leg. This plane is huge!!!!! 516 passengers and everyone squished together on seats you can only find in the air.- I know the drill- gas is expensive- more people=same gas consumption blah blah blah. Ok that's absolutely all the complaining I will do.- there is this wired thingy on the seat back in front of me which looks like a phone but has no numbers- I'm hoping someone knows what it is.
I was thinking the problem with leaving the US, is how we expect everyone to speak English. My seat mate is Russian, she doesn't speak English or she doesn't know how, the guy on the end of our row is French(?). I met a very nice woman in the waiting area who spoke only Italian. We had a very nice conversation, I made it up in my head. I have no idea what she really said, but! Big But, she did come and find me to tell me that it was time to board. So gratzi to her!
I think it's kinda funny that right before I left his sight, my husband said- don't talk to strangers!
How can I do that? Me?

Ok Air France people think we all speak French first. Then English but it still kinda sounds French to me.

Oh- the thingy in front of me are speakers! To plug headphones in!
Guess nothing is on right now. Bummer. Later.

Oh yea- so ken says not to talk to strangers and I talked to a guy on the first leg from Sacramento who told me where the terminal was ( I didn't listen, still got lost) - then I talked to this very nice lady from Cameroon, then the Italian lady and finally a couple of people in the boarding line- oh yea and two really cute and friendly little girls heading to Dubai.
Ok- according to the captain we should be pushing off by now....or now.... We leave Paris an hour and a half later than we should have. (there's snow here)


The plane flew over the alps. Wow. I'm used to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The alps look completely different. The Sierra Nevada range is one long continuous range- the alps are all pushed together- looks like the are angry- sharp peaks. In a way it's like someone crunched a piece of paper into a ball and buried half, leaving the other half showing in a weird and amazing topography. I keep using amazing but it is. One thing I notice first in my first glimpse of Rome from up above is that the city looks so green! I was expecting something more urban. All I can see are green stretches and a buildings and more green. Why, did no one tell me it was green? It is beautiful, trees, parks, I thought I caught a glimpse of the colosseum and it was surrounded by green.
gorgeous city from the air.

I arrive in Rome finally, still not listening to Kens advice about talking, I had a vey nice conversation on the plane with a gentleman from Napoli. He has two teenage boys. Evidently there are daredevils in Napoli too. We call it Naples. Anyways, I get my bag and head out to leave the airport. I walked though those doors and literally into the arms of my daughter! She had told me she was sending a car but there she was. That was better than the Alps.
She is so happy, I am so happy. I admit, I cried a bit. Happy tears.

Rome is Calling

Today's Featured Listing



   

This home is a quality, custom, detailed Les Melberg designed traditional home on approx. 3.5 acres with Mt. Lassen views - within walking distance to Grant School. 4 bedrooms & office that could be a 5th bedroom. Main floor master with 2 walk in closets, spacious master bath. Upstairs bedrooms have jack-and-jill bath.(Don't you just love those?) Charming Kitchen w/granite. Beautiful manicured grounds, sparkling pool. - I just love how charming this house looks and feels. It feels like a "real" family home.

Well, it's 3 days from now I will be leaving on my trip - this really is going to be "The trip of a lifetime" for me. I mean, I'm not one of those people who has never been outside my hometown or never been on a plane, or never visited a foreign country before. I have travelled quite a bit for someone my age I feel. But...This is different. See, I grew up Catholic and whatever I think or feel about religion now, the home of the Vatican and Catholicism is stirring up some very buried feelings. I'm also the daughter of a pretty famous artist and I grew up with very real art appreciation - especially renaissance art. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Bellini, Rafael, Botticelli - These guys are like The Avengers to me.  Totally cool superheros! To see their art in person - not out of a book- that's going to rank right up there with the time I saw Joe Montana at the Mall! 

On the Real Estate side of my life - everybody wants me NOW! Auughh! It's my fault - I put it out there. I said "Let's go shopping" and "Now is the time to buy" and all that. And there really is never a good time to go on vacation, but I know you guys - you love me. Right? You'll wait for me to come back, right??? Right?...No? Okay well then, I have a very trusted associate who is going to help my clients for me while I am gone then. Because, let's get real here - Real Estate waits for no one!

It's getting leaner out there - only 613 Active,Residential listings in Shasta MLS today. And it is January but Jeeze! Where did they all go????  248 of those are in Redding. I kinda really like the house featured today. Get it before it's gone.

Countdown Continues

Click to see Today's Featured Listing

    


Okay - I know I was going to feature only Italian inspired homes this week, but this one is so pretty! With Mt. Shasta and Lassen Views! 4,800 sqft, 5 Bed,5 Bath, 6 Car Attached Garages! Stunning, Quality Home on 5+ level, private, gated, fenced, acres! Granite counters w/backlit onyx trim, soaring ceilings, 4 Heat & A/C Units, Thermador stainless steel 6 burner stove, double ovens, great room, fireplace in master suite. Area for an elevator. Per PG&E 12 month avg. bill is $146 / month total gas and electric! - Just the Electric bill alone is reason enough to buy this home! Doesn't it kinda remind you of Tara? From Gone with the Wind? Classic American style, in my opinion.

It's 7 days till I am on my way to beautiful Rome, Italy. - It's going to take me 22 hours total travel time to get there but so worth it! Can you tell I'm a little bit excited? I took the kids to the Sundial Bridge here last night, the Sundial Bridge is 217 Ft high. My first planned stop in Rome is Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. The Dome at the Basilica is more than 450 Ft high. So, I was looking at the Sundial Bridge and just trying to imagine how high the ceiling is in St. Peters. I can't really grasp that so I just have to wait and see. I'll be sure to tell you all about it.

St. Peters

Sundial Bridge

Now, all of us here in Redding treat this Bridge with much respect and awe. We bring all our tourist friends here and show it off.  So, it's really not fair at all to compare it - I was just using the reference from the perspective view - in case anyone got snippy.

Alrighty, back to work - List your home for Sale NOW! - Call me! If your are looking to buy - DO IT NOW! - like that? 

Sellers! - We have a huge shortage of homes right now! If you want your home to get all the attention it deserves now is the time - you have no competition out there! 

Here are some stats that might sway you... Average sales price in Dec 2011 for Shasta MLS - $165,174 - Average sales price in Dec. 2012 - $189,693 - 14.8% increase. These are just averages but take it from the girl in the trenches - Things are looking real good for sellers right now.

Buyers! There are proposed changes rumored out there that will impact your ability to get financing! If you thought it was tough now, wait and see how tough they can make it. Rates are awesome right now but who knows how long that is going to last. If you were waiting for the bottom, you missed it. Get in now! - I'm not saying there will never be a downturn again, I'm not saying that the "shadow inventory" isn't lurking out there somewhere. But, if you find a home that you love and it works for you, don't think that there is something better out there. (It's like a Spouse - Once you find one - Stop thinking there's a better one.)

Only 624 Residential listings in Shasta MLS today.  246 of those in Redding. 12 New listings today and 13 new Pendings - they are selling faster than we can list them!

Have a Great Day!