Tag Archives: California

Pending Home Sales in California Gained in February

April 12, 2012 jd

Pending home sales in California gained ground for the second consecutive month in February, while the share of equity sales posted higher after two months of decline, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today.

Pending home sales:

C.A.R.’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* rose from a revised 102.3 in January to 127.8 in February, based on signed contracts. The index also was up from the 111.8 index recorded in February 2011, marking the tenth consecutive month that pending sales were higher than the previous year. Pending home sales are forward-looking indicators of future home sales activity, providing information on the future direction of the market.

Distressed housing market data:

“A lack of inventory in the bank-owned (REO) and short sale market was a contributing factor to the decline in share of distressed sales in February,” said C.A.R. President LeFrancis Arnold. “In fact, REO inventory declined 24 percent in February from the previous year, while short sale inventory dropped 17 percent during the same period.”

• After declining for two straight months, equity sales increased in February, making up 51.1 percent of home sales in February. Equity sales made up 49.9 and 44.8 percent of all sales in January 2012 and February 2011, respectively.
• Meanwhile, the total share of all distressed property types sold statewide decreased in February to 48.9 percent, down from January’s 50.1 percent and from 55.2 percent in February 2011.
• The share of short sales dipped slightly in February. Of the distressed properties sold statewide in January, 23 percent were short sales, down from the previous month’s share of 23.8 percent but up from last February’s share of 22.9 percent.
• The share of REO sales also edged down in February to 25.2 percent, down from January’s 25.9 percent and down from the 31.9 percent recorded in February 2011.
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California Pending Home Sales Climb from Previous Month and Year (johnodellrealty.com)
Shadow Inventory Distressed Properties Falls 10%, Threat Remains (johnodellrealty.com)
CoreLogic February Home Price Index Reports Month-Over-Month Increase, When Excluding Distressed Sales (finehomesdigest.wordpress.com)

Environment

Consider Wildlife When Creating A Firewise Landscape

April 11, 2012 jd

By Ed Pandofino

Living in fire-prone landscapes in California requires some modification of the areas around your home to protect it from fire. While there is no doubt that these modifications alter habitats used by wildlife, you can minimize the negative impacts on birds by paying attention to the timing of your activities.

In our area birds begin nesting in March and many still have dependent young as late as August. Since destruction of active bird nests is both against the law (Migratory Bird Treaty Act) and avoidable, the simplest approach is to conduct all clearing activities outside this period. This means doing the work in the cooler months, which is also easier on those doing this difficult work. Keep in mind that birds do NOT just nest in trees. Many birds nest on or near the ground in brushy areas (e.g., California Quail, Bewick’s Wren, California Towhees, etc.). Just because you are NOT removing trees doesn’t mean you are not disturbing nests. Also, keep in mind that disturbance is most damaging early in the season when birds are on eggs or have young still in the nest. In general, the most sensitive period is likely to be mid-March through July. It is best to avoid all disturbance during this period.

Ed Pandolfino
Sierra Foothills Audubon Society

For more information visit:

The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s Firewise Landscaping webpage
Wildlife and firewise landscaping – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – This brochure outlines some simple steps to protect your home from wildfire while considering wildlife needs.

Bald eagles discovered nesting in Baton Rouge park (mysanantonio.com)
How to help birds during the nesting season if you have a dog. (howtospyonbirds.wordpress.com)
Gentle Removal of an Unhatched Egg. (woolwinehousebluebirdtrail.com)

For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
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nevada county fair

Nevada County Fairgrounds Seeking Nominations for Fair Family Of The Year

March 21, 2012 jd 1 Comment

The Granholm Family – (from left to right) Kaycee, Danny, Katie and Ben – recognized at the Nevada County Fair as the Family of the Year, 2011. Credit: Photo provided by Shaffers Originals

Community Encouraged to Nominate Nevada County Families

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is seeking nominations for the 2012 Fair Family of the Year. Each year a family is recognized at the Nevada County Fair, and this year the Fairgrounds is asking the community for its help in nominating a family for this special award.

To be considered, the Fair team is looking for a family who is very involved with the Fair, either through exhibiting or volunteering, and passionate about the Fair. Families chosen in previous years were recognized for their commitment to, and involvement with, the Nevada County Fair and the community.

If you’d like to nominate a family, please submit a one page summary of why you think the family of your choice deserves recognition as the 2012 Fair Family of the Year. The family chosen will be honored at opening ceremonies of the Nevada County Fair, and will also receive daily admission to the Fair, a season parking pass, ride coupons, and a family portrait from Schaffers Originals of Grass Valley.

Submit your nomination no later than April 16, 2012 to reply@NevadaCountyFair.com or mail it to the Nevada County Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945.

This year’s Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12, and the theme is “Barnyard Safari!” Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for information or call (530) 273-6217.

Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com

Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Nevada County Fair August 8 – 12, 2012

Draft Horse Classic September 20 – 23, 2012

Halloween at the Fairgrounds October 27, 2012

Country Christmas Faire November 23 – 25, 2012

Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation To Host Crab Cioppino Feed (nevadacounty.com)
Nevada County Artwork Design Contest 2012 (nevadacounty.com)
Nevada County Fairground’s CEO To Serve As President Of Western Fairs Association’s Board Of Directors (nevadacounty.com)
Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation to Host Crab Cioppino Feed March 31 (yubanet.com)
Volunteer To Remove Scotch Broom In March 2012 (nevadacounty.com)

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History

Nevada County History, California

March 8, 2012 jd

The earliest settlement in Nevada County was made in the summer of 1848 at a place called Rose’s Corral which was located between the Anthony House and Bridgeport. Early in the spring of 1849 a group of mountaineers from Oregon known as the Greenwood Company mined for gold at Illinois Bar on the South Yuba River. They were followed by emigrants from Indiana. In the fall of 1849, the Greenwood Company made winter camp at Jefferson, and the Indiana group moved further upstream to Washington. It was that same autumn that Captain John Pennington’s party struck rich diggings on Deer Creek and built the first cabin on Gold Run, the site that was to become Nevada City. (Source Ed Tyson)

Originally a mining camp founded along Deer Creek in 1849, Nevada City rapidly became the largest and wealthiest mining town in California. At one point, Nevada City was the third largest city in California with a population of 10,000. Nevada City’s good fortune allowed miners and settlers to enjoy plush gambling establishments, hotels, saloons, and stores. However, like many big cities that sprang up quickly during the rush for instant wealth, early Nevada City shared a darker side of claim jumping, murder, brothels and opium dens.

Continue reading Nevada County History, California →

Entertainment

Local Nevada City Song Artist Makes Internet History With 365 Songs In 365 Days

February 18, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/jawOarugkgI

Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written throughout his life. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett Family Kentucky Mountaineers, musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by Del-Fi/Donna Records , the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a lifetime member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS), the organization that votes for the Grammys, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan, Donnie Brooks, Susie Allenson and several others.

In 2001, Chris made internet history with his “365 songs in 365 days” project, in which he uploaded a new song he had written every day from January 1 through December 31, 2001, completing a total of 365 original compositions and releasing 26 CDs each with 14 original songs. The 365/365 CDs are out of print, but you can download Chris’ newest album “Stranger In This Land” from ITunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, CDBaby as well as most other music sites.

The first single from the album is “Land Of Nod”, and can be viewed on the following link: Nevadacounty.com

Also, Chris’ comedy motorcycle song “You’re the One Who Made Me Sell My Bike” has been in the top 3 of YouTube’s top 10 Motorcycle Songs for 6 months, and can be seen at this link: Nevadacounty.com

Since 1979, Chris has been performing in Nevada City and Grass Valley at venues including The National Hotel (7 years), Main Street Bar and Grill, Holbrooke Hotel, Friar Tucks, The Owl Tavern, and venues from the past such as The Coach House (with “Rock of Ages”), Jolly Roger Lanes (“The Dead Cowboys”). He is a railroad minstrel on “The Snow Train” which travels from Emeryville to Reno during January, February and March. Chris also warms up the crowd every Friday and Saturday night before the plays at Off Broad Street Theater in Nevada City, and performs in several musical comedy plays every year at that theater.

You can reach Chris: chris@chriscrockett.com

You’re The One Who Made Me Sell My Bike – A Motorcycle Song by Chris Crockett (nevadacounty.com)
Land Of Nod – Chris Crockett (with Connie Crockett) (nevadacounty.com)
Home Sales Nevada County February 17, 2012 (johnodellrealty.com)

For all your real estate needs:
Call or email
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Real Estate Broker
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
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Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE #00669941

Real Estate

Distressed Properties Drive Home Prices Down In California

February 17, 2012 jd

California home sales declined from both the prior month and year in January, according to data from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.). The median price also was lower, primarily due to a sales increase in the distressed market.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 517,740 in January, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide.
January’s sales were down 0.6 percent from December’s 520,940 pace and down 5.7 percent from the revised 548,760 sales pace recorded in January 2011. The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2012 if sales maintained the January pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.
The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home fell to $268,280 in January, down 6.7 percent from $285,920 in December. The median price also dropped 3.9 percent from the revised $279,220 median price recorded in January 2011.
“The decline in the January median home is largely a reflection of an increase in the share of distressed home sales,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “Seasonal factors in the non-distressed market also played a role in the softening of the median home price, as prices typically decline in the non-peak home buying season.”
California’s housing inventory rose in January, with the Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes increasing to 5.5 months in January, up from 4.1 months in December but down from the 6.8-month supply in January 2011. The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.

Read the full story
For all your real estate needs:
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California House Sales Up, Prices Down (nevadacounty.com)

Bits & Pieces, Entertainment

You’re The One Who Made Me Sell My Bike – A Motorcycle Song by Chris Crockett

February 13, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/jt-DXiZHQqM

Chris’ comedy motorcycle song “You’re the One Who Made Me Sell My Bike” has been in the top 3 of YouTube’s top 10 Motorcycle Songs for 6 months.

Of course, you have to listen to the song to find out why he had to sell his bike. A short bio furnished to me by Chris:

“Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written over the past 44 years. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett Family Kentucky Mountaineers, musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

By Permission of Chris Crockett

Land Of Nod – Chris Crockett (with Connie Crockett) (nevadacounty.com)

Thinking of buying or selling?
For all your real estate needs
Email or call:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

Real Estate

New Mortgage Deal Could Bring Billions In Relief

February 10, 2012 jd

On Thursday, federal and state officials announced a $26 billion foreclosure settlement with five of the largest home lenders. California is expected to receive approximately $12 billion in principal write-downs, including through short sales, over the next three years, according to the state attorney general‘s office.

The deal settles potential state charges about allegations of improper foreclosures based on robo-signing, seizures made without proper paperwork.
The settlement sets up a federal monitor to oversee the process and try to prevent the challenges that tripped up many homeowners seeking help in earlier programs designed to address the housing crisis.
Most of the relief will go to those who are underwater on their homes. That relief will come over the course of the next three years, with banks having incentives to provide most of the relief in the next 12 months.
At least $17 billion will go to reducing the principal owed by homeowners who are underwater and behind on their mortgages.
Up to 750,000 other underwater homeowners who are current on their mortgages will be able to refinance their current loans at lower rates. They will not receive a reduction in principal, but with mortgage rates near record lows, they could receive substantial savings on their monthly payments.
Approximately $1.5 billion will go to homeowners who had their homes foreclosed upon between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011, and who meet other criteria. They will receive up to $2,000 each.
The five mortgage servicers that are parties to the settlement include Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Ally Financial (formerly GMAC).

Read the full story

Mortgage deal: What the critics say – CNN (money.cnn.com)
Stalled $26 billion civil mortgage settlement now finalized (agbeat.com)
Mortgage pact to yield billions for California (sfgate.com)
Deal to aid 1 million homeowners; won’t solve housing market’s ills (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

For all your real estate needs:
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Real Estate Broker
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Entertainment, Grass Valley

Land Of Nod – Chris Crockett (with Connie Crockett)

February 6, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/-_JTE_u3BSA

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Chris wherever and when ever I get a chance to hear him play in Grass Valley or Nevada City. He has a great voice and this is one of his latest videos he posted on Facebook. Here’s what he has to say about himself on his website:

Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written over the past 44 years. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett family of musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California in 1943. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by
Del-Fi/Donna Records, the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a 30 year member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS) and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan and several others.

Since 1979, Chris has been performing in Northern California’s Gold Country, primarily in Nevada City and Grass Valley. He is a traveling minstrel on “The Fun Train” which travels from San Francisco to Reno almost every weekend in January, February and March. Chris also warms up the crowd every Friday and Saturday night at a Nevada County Theater, “Off Broad Street”, where he also performs in several musical comedies written and produced by owners John Driscoll and Jan Kopp.

Source: By permission of Chris Crockett

Announcing The Fall Colors of Nevada City and Grass Valley, California: Guide to Spectacular Displays as Peak Fall Foliage Approaches (prweb.com)
“The Christmas Card” in Nevada City (prweb.com)
Nevada County Artwork Design Contest 2012 (nevadacounty.com)

Real Estate

Real Estate Investor Busted – Sacramento, California

January 31, 2012 jd

SACRAMENTO, CA—A real estate investor pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Sacramento to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions held in San Joaquin County, Calif ., Sharis A Pozen, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, and Benjamin B Wagner, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California, announced.

Kenneth A Swanger pleaded guilty to conspiring with a group of real estate speculators who agreed not to bid against each other at certain public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County. The primary purpose of the conspiracy was to suppress and restrain competition and to obtain selected real estate offered at San Joaquin County public foreclosure auctions at noncompetitive prices, the department said in court papers.

According to the court documents, after the conspirators’ designated bidder bought a property at a public auction, they would hold a second, private auction, at which each participating conspirator would bid the amount above the public auction price he or she was willing to pay. The conspirator who bid the highest amount at the end of the private auction won the property. The difference between the price at the public auction and that at the second auction was the group’s illicit profit.
Continue reading Real Estate Investor Busted – Sacramento, California →

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