Two consecutive solid monthly gains for builder confidence, spurred in part by easing mortgage rates, signal that the housing market may be turning a corner even as builders continue to contend with high construction costs and building material supply chain logjams.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in February rose seven points to 42, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This is the strongest reading since September of last year.
With the largest monthly increase for builder sentiment s... Read more

The Yuba Sutter Area is perfect for a seasoned or first time investor. With many homes available, the variety is vast, from single family homes, to multi-family dwellings as duplexes and apartments, and investor has a large range to choose from. Close to major metropolitan areas as Sacramento, and Chico, and the "road less taken" up to the Sierras, residents enjoy a small town feel, with modern accomodations of larger chain stores.
How to get started:
1. Get educated in the area, the market, and availability
2. Understand terminology REO and Shortsale
3. Decide on your crite... Read more

Home to the world’s largest dried fruit processing plant and the Sunsweet Grower’s Inc, Yuba City is the county that was born during the days of the Great Californian Gold Rush. With several wineries, Yuba City is now home to 165,000 residents. The Yuba City homes for sale are not difficult to locate. With the current boom in the real estate market, there are plenty of homes for sale. The homes here are priced based on their size and location. There are homes with varied features that suit the needs and finances of every family planning to relocate and buy a property in Yuba City.

Wh... Read more

Just five minutes north from downtown Sacramento is the Natomas region, which is currently booming with real estate activity. This region is adorned by the Sacramento River on the west and the American River to the south. Previously this region was home to vast farmlands. Now the local government has planned a very reasonable and beautiful residential area by keeping in mind the preservation of nature. At present this region has 40,000 residents and the number of people moving into Natomas is on a steady increase. This area is a very good option for any investor.

The residents enjoy ... Read more

Construction: New land deals seen

By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com

http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/2080102.html?storylink=pd

The real estate market isn’t cured yet, but several indicators suggest that it is beginning that long, slow and greatly anticipated climb out of intensive care.

If so – and if the patterns continue – the market here could stabilize, finally reversing the decline that has marked the capital region as one of the worst-hit metro areas in the United States. Sacramento’s ill-fated housing boom peaked four years ... Read more

"We’re in a slow, but definite recovery mode"

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/real_estate/archives/2009/06/were-in-a-slow.html?mi_atom=Home%20Front


So says Alexis McGee, president of Fair Oaks-based Foreclosures.com, which tracks the nation’s foreclosure markets for real estate investors. Here’s McGee’s new national roundup:


SACRAMENTO, Calif. -While President Obama, Congress, and the American people debate financial regulatory reform, foreclosures continue to mount as embattled housing markets bump along the bottom. ... Read more

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.
Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.

Who Qualifies?
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her s... Read more

GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals continue to be cognizant of mistakes that first time buyers can make. If you are getting ready to purchase a home, here are some of those pitfalls you should avoid:

(1) They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal. It is vitally important to be actively working with a professional lender, who has well educated you about the mortgage programs available to you, so that you are ready to act, when a home to your liking is found.

(2) They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someo... Read more

Bold business owners get in position early for economic upswing

ShareThisBy Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com

Published: Sunday, Apr. 19, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 13A
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1791340.html

From retailing to real estate and beyond, some businesses are starting to gear up for the next economic growth cycle.

In the face of an epic slump in consumer spending, Dimple Records is nearly doubling the size of its flagship store in Sacramento. Auto dealer George Grinzewitsch Jr. just built a $22 million Mercedes-Benz dealership in Roc... Read more

February sales of new California homes weak
State tax credit for new homes in demand
By Inman News, Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

http://www.inman.com/news/2009/04/15/february-sales-new-california-homes-weak

Inman news

February sales of new homes in California were down 54 percent from a year ago, but showed modest improvement from January, the California Building Industry Association said.

Sales of single-family homes and townhomes were both down 55 percent from a year ago, while sales of condominiums were off 51 percent. That’s still an improve... Read more

Source: SacRealtor.org

Single family home and condo sales increase, median price inches downward
Following a record-breaking January,
February continued a trend of high
sales, reaching 1,575 closed escrows.
This data, compiled by the Sacramento
Association of REALTORS®, is collected
from the MetroList® multiple listing service
and covers Sacramento County and
the City of West Sacramento.
The 1,575 sales in February is a 2.1%
increase over the 1,542 sales in January.
Compared year-over-year, the current
data marks an 81% increase over the... Read more

Don’t believe me when I say now is a good time to be in the real estate business? Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal:

The Wall Street Journal, June Fletcher (03/27/2009)

The housing market is looking healthier. Here are six reasons why now is the time to jump into the market.

1. Uncle Sam is willing to help. First-time buyers (defined as anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years) are entitled to a maximum $8,000 tax credit; interest rates are at record lows; and the Federal Reserve is doing its best to make mortgage loans availab... Read more

Brought to you by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Dear C.A.R. Member:

Following several months of debate and delays, our state representatives in Sacramento delivered a 2009-2010 budget to Governor Schwarzenegger today. The governor is expected to sign the budget as presented. Although details are sketchy, the budget appears to raise existing sales tax levels by 1 percent, and places a 0.25-percent income tax increase across the board. Under provisions included in the new budget, the vehicle license fee will increase from 0.65 percent to 1.15 percent of a vehicle’s... Read more