Jason Elrod - Broker & Real Estate Consultant - Granite Bay, Roseville and Surrounding Region
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So what is a ?short sale??
- The Seller can be freed from the burden of a mortgage debt and home they can no longer afford.
- The Lender can avoid the cost and time associated with a foreclosure (and often further depreciation of an asset).
- The Buyer can get a great home at a great price.
- Rinse & Re-stain the patio deck (and all that furniture that has been sitting out all Winter)
- Take out the cobwebs from doors and outdoor light fixtures (clean the fixtures out)
- Pull those weeds! Get the weeds out and let the plants bloom. New bark or topsoil helps as well.
- Pressure wash the driveway and house (borrow or rent one if you don't have one).
- Get out the paint buckets and spruce up the outside.
- De-leaf and de-clutter the yards from all the dead foliage. Cut away all the dead stuff.
- Check for any weak spots in fences, decks and railings and replace as needed.
- Garage Sale! Need I say more? (BTW May 8th is the Treelake Village Community Garage Sale)
- Clean the gutters!
- Who can forget your favorite chore...Clean the windows! Clean windows let the sun shine on in.
- Football
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Baseball
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Water Polo
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Tennis
- Lacrosse
- Softball
- Cheerleading
- Drill Team
- Track and Field
I get this question a lot and wanted to touch bases on it again to help out. Important information to know as bank owned and short sale transactions now account for over 70% of all homes currently on the market in our region. A short sale is when the homeowner owes more on the property than it is worth in the current market and is looking to sell it ’short’ of what is owed on it. A lender would accept such an arrangement in order to avoid the cost and time associated with the foreclosure process. Thus making it a ’short sale’. A point to remember is that a lender does not have to accept a short payoff request. If the lender can reasonably expect to get more of a return from foreclosing and re-marketing the property than they would in a proposed short sale, then they will foreclose. The short sale process involves the cooperation of the Homeowner, the Lender, the Realtor/Agent and the Buyer. It can be a lengthly process often taken several months. That being said it can also be one of the best transactions an upside down Seller and Buyer can make in a distressed market. Consider the following: The key to making short sales work is to approach it as a team and to work with professionals that know the process and have the systems in place to see it from beginning to close. I hope that helps and have a great one! -Jason
What is Granite Bay, CA?
The community of Granite Bay is one of the Sacramento region?s most unique locations. Home to some of the most spectacular estates found in California, Granite Bay also offers homes that are surprisingly affordable. Whether it?s a patio home with low maintenance grounds or distinctive and one-of-a-kind properties with grounds reminiscent of centuries-old Tuscan estates and their manicured Mediterranean gardens, Granite Bay has just the right home for you.
Home to one of California's highest rated school systems, the Eureka School district offers educational opportunities that are unparalleled and with the recent addition of the International Baccalaureate program at Granite Bay High School, children are provided with the opportunity to achieve even the greatest dreams and aspirations that are realized in Americas most prestigious universities. A strong PTA and non-profit foundation add to the overall community of education and support for children.
In addition to superb homes and top-rated schools, Granite Bay is home to miles of trails,bike paths, equestrian paths and is adjacent to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area which provides endless recreational choices. Boating, hiking, running, fishing, even camping by a snow-fed lake are found within walking distance of your doorstep.
Come visit Granite Bay and see for yourself why it is considered the premier community to live at in the Sacramento region.
Top 10 Spring Cleaning Tasks
The weather is getting warmer here in Granite Bay and the days are getting longer and before you know it, Memorial Day Weekend will be upon us. It is the time for Spring and what better time than that to get some outdoor cleaning done!
Here is a list of the top 10 outdoor spots to hit in order to get a jump on the season:
Short Sales and Social Security / SSI Benefits
Short sales are a HUGE part of our current real estate market and there are a lot of issues that people are having to deal with that they never thought they would have to consider. Each and every day and with each and every transaction I know that I am personally learning new information and details so I thought I would share this little tidbit.
The question posed to me was 'Will a short sale affect my social security benefits?'
I got the answer only after being on hold with the Department of Social Security Administration for 30 minutes.
You may be surprised by the answer I got.
Check out the answer out over at my short sale resource site Home and Property Solutions.
-Jason
Eureka Schools Foundation - Fund Run 2010
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the annual Fund Run for Eureka Schools Foundation is coming up Sunday, May 23rd here in Granite Bay. This is the second annual 'running' of the 5 k race and it promises to be another great time and certainly serves a great cause.
Proceeds benefit the Eureka Schools Foundation and is a great way to keep healthy and support local schools at the same time. Check out their website over at http://www.eurekaschoolsfoundation.org/5k-fund-run to find out more information and to sign-up.
I am going to be there this year with my VFF shoes (sort of a foot glove) so make sure and look for the guy with the funny shoes when you are there!
-Jason
The Real Estate Nomad 'Running' the Neighborhood :)
March 2010 - Thoughts for the day.
March, 2010
Hello March!
I don't know about you but February went by WAY too quick for my liking. Last thing I remember was wondering if there were going to be 28 o 29 days in that month and the next thing I know I am busy writing the newsletter for March.
Maybe it's because I am getting older or maybe it is because I am getting busier, but time just seems to fly by at an amazing rate these days. Blink your eyes and you will miss it. So on that note, I wanted to take a moment and make this the month of stopping and smelling the roses.
It is all too easy to get caught up with the day to day flurry of activity moving from one task to the next and never noticing the magic of the world around us. Too much time spent on the 'doing' of life and precious little spent on the living of it.
So take a moment and look around every now and then this month. See what was already there and waiting for you to notice. It won't take long and I guarantee, the more you do it, the more your life will slow down and be filled with little moments to remember.
:)
Jason Elrod
'The Real Estate Nomad Running Your Neighborhood
www.GoGraniteBay.com
Trail Running in Granite Bay
Yesterday I had a great time running Granite Bay trails out and around Folsom Lake. I went along with my wife and a friend and I have to say it was a bit more of a workout than initially anticipated, but well worth it.
Below are a couple of pictures from the run that were taken while out on the 8 mile trek. You just don't get to see this sort of scenery when running on a treadmill in a gym somewhere.
This photo was taken from the trail looking out over Folsom Lake. A bit low don't you think? :) It is actually a great chance to run on the lake bed if you are so inclined. It makes the map on Google earth seem a bit odd once you upload the track from your GPS. Shows you as having run across water...
Get out there and enjoy it as it is one of those great resources available right here in the community. Best of all it is free and can be as casual or challenging as you like to make it.
Have a great day!
-Jason Elrod
'The Real Estate Nomad Running Your Neighborhood'
So what is it like to make $250k one year and $25k the next?
A shock that is for sure. Many people in the real estate industry have gone through such a transition over the last couple of years and it is not an uncommon situation right now. I personally know many people who are in that very scenario.
Maybe it has to do with timing and maybe it has to do with training and maybe it has nothing to do at all with any of that. Talk of 'bubbles' and 'waves' literally makes it seem like just another day at the beach. But I find some of the worst sun burns I have every had were at the beach. Times are tough all around and I think that no matter what metaphor you choose, it comes down to the passion for what you do. You lack passion and you will lack results.
So how can you feel passionate about making 1/10th of what you did a year before? Take a good hard look at whether or not what you are doing is truly a passion for you. Anyone can 'get lucky' and make a few bucks every now and then. But it is those individuals who dig in and continue to strive towards their goals through tough times that make it consistently. Experience has shown me that it it the passion one has for a task that fuels the momentum.
When times are the toughest, we are given a unique opportunity. We are given the chance to reset and start over. We get to take inventory of our lives and see what is truly working or not in our world. I like to think about the old saying 'If I only knew then what I know now.' Go ahead and think about it for a few seconds. If you could go back to the start knowing all that you do, would you make the same choices again? Would you be in the same career? Would you have the same goals?
Well guess what? You know everything you know now that you didn't know then and all you have to do is take today as a reset to a new start. Only this time you get to start out with all the knowledge and wisdom (gained mostly through failures by the way) of your many years. Today is the start of the rest of your life. Day zero. It matters not where you are but where you plan to go from here.
I am personally not in the place I thought I would be 20 years ago. But for once, I actually think I know were I will be 20 years from now. Not because I am the next Nostradamus, but because I get to go for my goals with a head start of information and buckets of wisdom to help guide me on a daily basis. Don't beat yourself up any more. Claim your own 'do over' and find the work in your passion. I think it won't be long before you are answering a different question. One more along the lines of 'What is it like to make $25k one year and $250k the next?'
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Jason Elrod
The Real Estate Nomad
Never enough time in a day? Time to ignore some stuff and be more productive.
One of the most often heard complaints is that 'I never seem to have enough time to get everything done.'. Well guess what? After 40 years or so on this planet I have come to realize that you will NEVER have enough time to get everything done that you want to get done. So if you are going to stress or worry about it, then you are in for a world of hurt.
So what is a person to do?
I am glad you asked. :)
Work on those things that actually make a difference. Do the 20% that will get you the 80% of the results you are looking for. Take on the big rocks first and ignore the rest until they are done.
That last sentence is really the key. so I am going to repeat it. "Take on the BIG ROCKS FIRST and IGNORE THE REST until they are done."
And when I say ignore the rest, that is actually what I mean. For example, my current task list has 15 things on it. It would not be on the list if it wasn't important so they all 'need' to get done. How do I get all that done in the 24 hours that we are all given each day? I don't. I accept the fact that it wont happen so I need to make sure and focus on the MOST important of those and get them done.
Looking at the list and thinking "I need to get all these done!" is a great way to feel overwhelmed. Go ahead and try it. Look at your own list and say that to yourself. How does that feel? Does it make you feel all warm and fuzzy about your prospects for the day or did your blood pressure just rise? A better way is to look at the list and ask the question "If I could only get one of these tasks done today and had to remove the rest, which would it be?" Then don't over-think the answer that just pops into your head. The first one that catches your eye as being the top contender is most likely it so just write it on the top of another blank page call 'High Priority'. Then cross it off the original list and repeat the process until you have 3 items on the high priority page. Then take the original list and put it in a sealed envelope marked "ignore".
Now get to work on the first high priority item until complete. Then work on the second item until complete. Then work on the third. Only then can you go and find the envelope you ignored and open it to see what's there.
Taking a few minutes each night to review the top tasks completed today and selecting your top tasks for the next day will help focus you and inspire you. Looking at those top tasks again in the morning will start you off on track and give you a final chance to adjust before heading out for the day. Being able to tackle the top 3 (or 2 or 1 for that matter) will make a bigger difference in the quality of your work and life than 99 small tasks ever would. I guarantee it.
That is it. No magic. We are all given the same 24 hours each day. Me, you, Bill Gates, Oprah, the President and anyone else you can think of.
24 hours.
What are you going to do with yours?
-Jason
Homes in Granite Bay, Ca - Treelake Village
Have you ever wanted to live in an area that had private lakes, walking paths, parks, great schools and excellent pride in ownership? Then the Treelake Village subdivision of homes in Granite Bay, Ca may be the place for you. Located at the core of the award winning Eureka School district, Treelake Village has a sense of casual enjoyment and great community involvement.
To check out more pictures of this great area, take a visit to the real estate resource for Granite Bay, Ca: www.GoGraniteBay.com
You only get to live once, so make sure and live in a place that supports and inspires you. Treelake Village in Granite Bay, Ca may be that very place.
Have a great one!
-Jason Elrod
Broker / Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
916-626-4266
A couple of new photos of Granite Bay, Ca
I go on a daily run though the neighborhoods of Granite Bay, Ca and often get a chance to take a few candid picktures with my iPhone. This week I ran by the park in Treelake Village and was able to grab a few shots of the playground and the sports fields. It is an awesome little park that plays host to familys and sporting event alike on the weekend. Just another great reason to purchase a home in Granite Bay!
Check out the shots:
Keeping up with Granite Bay High School athletics
Want to know the latest in Granite Bay High School athletics?
Need to feed your hunger for the most up to date scores and schedules?
Then look no further!
Below is a link to the Granite Bay High Schools athletics department where you can download the latest schedule and find out information about all of the great programs that are offered at one of the regions top high schools.
Did you know Granite Bay High School offered all of the following athletic opportunities:
Click on the link already and check it out for yourself!
http://gbhs.rjuhsd.us/athletics/
Jason Elrod
‘The Real Estate Insider “Running”Your Neighborhood’
Broker / Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
916-626-4266
Getting some perspective...
Today I went on a easy run around the neighborhood.
It didn't matter how fast I was running or how far I was going. All that mattered was that i was out and about. Moving through the streets and walkways of an area that is home to me and my family. I listened to the wind and animals. I listened to the cars and landscaping. I watched the other people as i passed them by and I noticed the birds in the sky. I have lots to do today. More than enough 'busy' to fill 30 hours a day. But on my run I just have the moment, the movement, the flow of life. I am not running after something or away from another. I am running with everything and for nothing. It gives me perspective on the moment and for the day.
So my wish is that you go out there and have an 'easy run' of things if only for a moment. Maybe it is a deep breath and a gaze to the horizon. Perhaps noticing the warm touch of the sun on your face or the cool breeze that washes it away. Could even be a quiet cup of coffee in corner shop or taking a few moments to relfect on something that you love. Whatever it is, I say grasp it and let it clear you.
A fresh perspective can make even 30 hour days seem suddenly doable. :)
Enjoy!
--Jason Elrod
Granite Bay is the 18th-wealthiest community in the nation...
I was reading the news the other day and came across this little tid-bit. The report is about the top Wealth Centers in the United States and it polled information from the US Census Bureau to create a formula to analyze the relative affluence of over 2,000 cities, incorporated towns and unincorporated urban areas with populations of 15,000 or more.
Four communities in the tri-county area (Sacramento County, Placer County and El Dorado County) made the top 250 with Granite Bay, CA breaking in to the top 20 at number 18 on the list. The other cities were El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks and Folsom (at numbers 57, 240 and 247 respectively).
Factors such as median home price, income, education and vehicle ownership among other things were taken into account.
Check out the full article and more information at the Sacramento Biz Journal . It is an interesting read.
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Jason Elrod
The Real Estate Insider Running Your Neighborhood
Broker / Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
5k Fund Run through Granite Bay to benefit Eureka School Foundation
As I am the Real Estate Broker running Granite Bay, I thought it only appropriate to put a local run up for everyone to check out.
The Eureka Schools Foundation is putting on its first 5k race at the Country Faire on Sunday, May 31st.
The race starts at 8:00 a.m. at Granite Bay High School and ends back there after taking a nice loop in and around the surrounding neighborhood (Treelake Village). It is a great way to help out the local schools and stay fit. I am going to be sure and do it and would happy to meet up on race day to see who else is running Granite Bay. ;)
See ya race day!
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Jason Elrod
Broker / Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
916-626-4266
Jason@GoGraniteBay.com
http://www.GoGraniteBay.com
For more information visit http://www.eurekaschoolsfoundation.org/5k-fund-run
Go Granite Bay - A virtual tour of Granite Bay High School
One of the great things about Granite Bay is its access to award winning education opportunities. Granite Bay High School has one of the regions most sought after programs and consistently ranks among the top schools in the entire state. The video below is a quick virtual tour or the campus of just a few of the amenities that are available to students that attend this institution.
For more insider information about living well in Granite Bay, give me a call or email and I would be happy to share!
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Jason Elrod
Broker / Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
916-626-4266
Jason@ElrodRealEstate.com
It's a rainy day in Granite Bay.
Welcome to Monday in Granite Bay.
It is windy, rainy and not that warm.
It is a good day to go on a run.
On days like this the trails are empty except for what is already there. The birds still dart back and forth across the space looking for a place to land out of the weather. The trees and the wind complain to one another even louder than usual and the streams of water in the creeks and pools babble excitedly about the moment.
On days like this, the noise inside seems to lose its voice a little with each step along the path. And the presence of being present seems to be enough to satisfy the non-essential chatter of a usual day.
On days like this, the calls will be made and things will get done that are to be done. An those that don't, were meant to take a rain day anyways.
On days like this, I like to run. Not to go fast or slow. Not to go farther or longer. But just to run.
On days like this I really get to see and experience where I have the privilege to live. I really get to see Granite Bay as it is and not what I think it is or want it to be.
Like I said, it is a rainy day in Granite Bay and I wouldn't have it any other way.
-Jason Elrod
Broker / Realtor
916-626-4266
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Visit http://www.GoGraniteBay.com and join the forums, check out the pictures and be a part of the conversation.
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Behind the gates of Wexford.
Continuing along with my photo tours of Granite Bay, here are a few pictures of the upscale neighborhood of Wexford. This is a great location adjacent to Granite Bay Golf Club and features 24 /7 guarded front gate, private lake, clubhouse, tennis courts and more. Many homes in this particular area are well above the $1 million mark.
Gated entrance and guard house:
Wexford Clubhouse and Lake:
Wexford Tennis Courts:
To join in the discussions about the area and to find out more about living in Granite Bay make sure and visit http://www.GoGraniteBay.com
Jason Elrod
Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Just another day in Granite Bay...photos from my walk.
I was out on a run in my nieghborhood the other day and took along my camera. Here are a few shots from along the running path. There are many great recreation opportunites in the Granite Bay area and this is just one small example.
Take a look and enjoy!
Have a great one and take advantage of the weather and a little exercise whenever you get a chance!
-Jason
Buying bank owned properties.
With all the current foreclosures in our market, I though it would be a good time to talk about the buying process when it comes to REO (Real Estate Owned by a lender) properties.
Some REO properties can be purchased for 40%-50% of market value, but the majority will sell within 5% of true market value at this time. REO properties are usually sold ‘AS-IS’ so keep in mind that a bargain price may be run back up once you factor in any repairs or reconditioning that needs to be done. Also, like any real estate investment (either as a personal residence or straight investment), location is key.
REO properties can be found in all areas and all neighborhoods. This ranges from a $25,000 bungalow to a $2.5 million estate. It is best to define your needs and then focus on the exact area(s) that you are interested in and that will meet or exceed those needs. When the correct property makes itself available, then you will be able to pounce on it with your offer.
Speaking of that offer, it has to be solid. Down payment, loan pre-approval in hand and no ‘funny business’ in the contract. You will also be on your own for the cost of inspections and any home warranty. On the upside, you can expect the lender to cover the costs of any title and escrow fees as well as transfer taxes and government mandated safety issues or retrofits. If you need or want money back for closing costs then you better make a higher offer. It is a simple math problem with the highest net offer the lender receives getting preference. Keep it simple and keep it clean and you will have a much better chance of getting that property.
Finally, your best resource is to find an agent who is familiar with BOTH the area and dealing with bank owned property. There are a lot of area ‘specialists’ out there, so make sure yours not only knows the location you are interested in, but has experience with the REO business. It is a specialty all its own.
(These same rules also apply with dealing with short sales, but that is a different beast all together.)
I hope this helps and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me or my team and we would be happy to help out.
No obligation and all advise is ‘AS-IS’ with no warranty expressed or implied.
:)
Have a great one!
--
Jason Elrod
Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty
Jason@ElrodRealEstate.com
www.ElrodRealEstate.com
www.REOandRELO.com
office: 916-626-4266
On the go transcription and virtual secrectary? For Free? You gotta try it.
Hey there!
I just wanted to drop a quick post to give some kudos to one of my new favorite services. JOTT.COM.
Basically it is a Web 2.0 service that allows you to call a toll free number and speak the content of a 'note' and it will automatically transcribe it into text for you and add it to a to do list. Then you have the option of setting a reminder which will email / txt you at the appointed time. Brilliant I say! :)
The basic service is free but the entry level paid service is only $3.95 /mo and gets you a lot. You can 'JOTT' to your blog, JOTT to a friend (anyone in your contacts that you have uploaded), JOTT a to do list, JOTT an Email Draft and a whole lot more that I still haven't had a chance to try out.
Give it a whirl and let me know what you think. It has already helped save me time while out and about it's just like having my own personal secretary!
Enjoy and have a great one!
Jason Elrod
Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty
www.ElrodRealEstate.com
Bank Owned Victorian home in Historic Placerville
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Central A/C
Energy Efficient 'Green' Luxury Home in Exclusive Roseville Neighborhood
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Former model home with over $100k in upgrades!
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Luxury Homes in Granite Bay and surrounding areas
Granite Bay Luxury Homes
In the ever changing world of real estate it is interesting to me to think about the term 'Luxury Home'. When I mention those words together, everyone seems to have a different opinion and mental picture of what that actually means. Take a second and say it to yourself and think about the images that come up now and what they mean to you.
Was it a sprawling 50 acre estate with massive, manicured lawns and a manor house? Was it a mountain lodge adjacent to a lake with nothing but nature as a neighbor? Perhaps a penthouse suite looking out over the city lights as they danced in a visual chorus? Then again, it was probably none of those and more than likely it was a more personal vision of what your 'dream home' could be.
Luxury to one person is definitely not the same for another. It does not need to mean a 10,000 sq ft mansion with a helicopter pad. The luxury of a home is determined by the wants and needs of the buyer making the purchase. Take a look at a couple of the current luxury homes listed in Granite Bay and you will see that the difference in design, location and amenity can be quite large...
Click here to view Current Granite Bay Luxury Homes priced between $900,000 and $1.5 million
Click here to view Current Granite Bay Luxury Homes priced between $1.5 and $5 million
Click here to view Current Granite Bay Luxury Home priced over $5 million.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about any of these properties or the luxury home market in Placer County, then please give me a call at my office (916-626-4266) or drop me an email at Jason@ElrodRealEstate.com
Thanks a lot and have a great one!
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Jason Elrod
Broker / Realtor
