Sunday Stats

On this wonderfully lovely Sunday afternoon how about some Stats!

Residential Listings - 899
Residential Pending -84

Lot and Land Listings - 651
Lot and Land Pending - 11

This is as of 3pm October 26th and only includes properties in our Multiple Listing Service in Calaveras County.

Fall in .....

I yanked this Fall Meme from Mimi - it seems appropriate as I am trying to fall in to the groove of updating my blog.
When does fall begin for you? A subtel change in the air - a smell one day when you wake up and you know that fall is here.
What is your favorite aspect of fall? The sunsets – golden and pink
What is your favorite fall memory? The smells of hay, pumpkin patches, cozy blankets.
What do you like to drink in the fall? Apple cider with cinnamon sticks
What’s your favorite fall food? Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin spice latte
What is fall weather like where you live? It starts to get crisp in the morning and evening. During the day the weather stays in the 60’s. Not bad at all!
What color is fall? Orange, and Yellow
What does fall smell like? Wet earth
Holiday shopping in fall: yes or no? When something catches my eye, I try to be good and shop for gifts all year long.
If you could go anywhere in the fall, where would you go? It is a cliche, but I’d love to see a New England Autumn.
What is your favorite fall sport? Soccer
Do you have a favorite fall chore? Switching out the clothes
What is your least favorite thing about fall? Losing the sunlight!
What is your favorite fall holiday? Halloween
What’s your favorite kind of pie?. Pumpkin
Which do you prefer, the Farm or the Fair? The farm due to the fact that our fair is in May. We do have a wonderful Farm in Lodi which is a favorite to visit to get the most interesting pumpkins and squash.
Do you have a favorite fall book? Charlotte’s Webb. The life and days on the farm, the snow and the fair. It takes me to that place which is fall.
How about a favorite fall poem or quote? "There is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky, Which through the summer is not heard or seen, As if it could not be, as if it had not been!" - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Revisiting ....

Have you ever wondered if today you could afford a home? The answer is yes! If you can afford rent then it is very possible you can afford your own home! If you have a decent credit rating and some money for a down payment then what are you waiting for?

In honor of the first time home buyer I have dedicate this page to some super deals in the Calveras County area.




(MLS # 082187 courtesy of CB MO Lode)

This 3 bedroom 2 bath home is located in the town of Mountain Ranch. 1456 square feet of living space on .45 of an acre! Priced at an amazing $122,900!

Do you know that if you are able to obtain a loan that with a mere 3% down your payments could be as low as $776.81 a month???

(Make sure to speak with your lender to find out what program is right for you. This scenario is based on $122900 with a interest rate of 6.5% over 30 years. Don't have a lender? Ask!)






(MLS#082096 courtsey of C21 Tri-Dam)

How about this getaway cabin? Located in Murphys this 1 bedroom 1 bath home would make a great weekend getaway or a great home for someone who wants to enjoy the simple things in life. Priced at $139,900


(MLS # 081656 courtsey of RW Murphys Realty)

Got a large family? Or need some room to spead out? Check out this 3 bedroom 3 bath home located across from the hospital in San Andreas. Hardwood floors for charm, .32 of an acres to stretch those legs and a pool for your handy man to work on! Priced at $147,000

There are over 30 active listing in the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) under $150,000! Don't delay, find your home today!

What I can do for you!

My mother sent me a link from another well written blog after interviewing several Realtors.I decided to take his questions with what I would say if I was being interviewed by this man.

Q: How are you going to advertise my home?Century 21 Tri-Dam has many advertising outlets.
In addition to my personal website, we have three local office websites - www.century21tri-dam.com, www.angelscamprealestate.com, and www.century21amador.com as well as being on the Franchise website of www.century21.com. These websites feed our listings on to www.trulia.com, www.frontdoor.com, and several other national sites. We also advertise in print and online on www.todaysrealestatemagazine.com, and www.homes.com. In print only for the Homes and Real Estate Magazine and the Buy N Sell press. Our office policy is that every agent will have at least one ad in each advertising. In addition to that, your home will be on www.mymotherlode.com, www.thepinetree.net, and www.cragislist.com.

Q. Why are you saying my home is worth $400K when I think its worth $325K?

In today's highly competitive Buyers' market I would never recommend overlisting a home. With the large amount of bank foreclosures in most areas you have to be competitively priced from the gate. NAR statistics show that overpricing a home in the beginning will cause your home to sell for less. Constant price dropping scares most Buyers and Realtors away. Comparable listings, solds and pendings are always supplied to show you a range of what homes have sold for in your area in the last 6 months. Sold homes are the best comparable. Listed homes mean nothing since how long they sit on the market will change their value.

Q. Is your realty company placing pictures on your website and other listing services?

Our corporate office of Century 21 does not allow any less than 6 pictures per listing. We have the ability to put up to 21 listings on the corporate websites as well as our personal websites. Virtual Tours are also a great way to get your home noticed, by highlighting the features of your home that will attract the most Buyers. None of these sites makes a potential Buyer register before viewing photos of your home.

Q. Will you be at the closing or will you send a lackey?

That is the personal choice of each of my clients. I would be more than happy to accompany my clients to the title office for closing. Some people find this too personal if that is your opinion then I will honor it.

Q: Show me your municipal reporting on the area?

Angels Camp is part of the Bret Harte Unified School District as well as the Calaveras County Unified School District. There is an elementary school and a high school in Angels Camp. There are also several preschool options including Little Angels, St. Patricks, Head Start and at home day care providers. Calaveras County offices are located in San Andreas as well as our county hospital. Angels Camp has a wonderful park with playground equipment. During the summer months a farmers market is held in the park every Friday evening.

Q: What are your stats?

I have worked for Century 21 Tri-Dam since July of 2003. Being a escrow coordinator I have been an essential part of over 300 closed transactions. Although I am new to selling (obtained my license in January of 2008) I have an extensive back ground in contracts and customer service.

Q: How accessible are you?

I am in the office Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. I am available in the evenings, weekends and holidays by appointment. I have a cell phone that is always on and I take calls up to 9pm at night. You may always email me and I will get back to you in less that 12 hours.

Q: What is your commission?

Standard Commission in our area is 6% for homes and 10% for land. Any reduction is handled on a case by case basis.

Q: How can I prepare to show my home?

Please make sure your home is easy to show as sometimes notice can be at a minimum. For open houses or the agent tour or any appointment made in advance make sure to leave lights on, play soft music and have a nice smelling candle burning. Keep clutter to a minimum and remove most of your knickknacks and personal photos. Paint all areas of the home to a neutral pallet to appeal to the widest audience possible. Remember it is important for prospective buyers to be able to imagine their possessions in the house, so the less distractions the better.

The deals they are a hoppin’

With our local frog jump just around the corner I could not resist the frog reference! Fair time is a amazing time around our local community. Spring's time is coming to the end, it is our first real sign that summer is just around the corner. Our whole being for this week becomes immersed in FROGS! And food, and rides, and livestock and family. Amazing that something so small can bring so much community to our entire area.

In honor of Frog Jump we are going to talk real estate in Angles Camp. There are several properties to choose from, 63 to be exact. Prices range from $159,900 for fixer near downtown Angels Camp to $1,997,000 for a beautiful home in the Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort.

I have chosen a few homes to showcase to show the diversity of the area.

1050 Bret Harte - $159,900
CHARMING VICTORIAN STYLE HOME. LOCATION IS WALKING DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN AND LOCAL PARK.MANY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA. Fixer with potential. #080981 (Courtesy of CB Mod Lode)

984 Baker Street - $319,900
Charming very well maintained and upgraded home in Angels Camp! Please Detached two car garage with large shop/home office area. Plus separate storage shed. From the moment you walk in the door of this house you will fall in love with inviting colors... upgraded kitchen with view of your own private garden... Large family room too! Close to all downtown amenities... Tons of parking, RV/boat? #080863 (Courtesy of C21 Tri-Dam)

718 Madison Ct - $349,000
Charming Cottage at Greenhorn Creek in unit 1 - custom built with quality. Single level, fully furnished, corner location, great landscaping, open floor plan with large great room, and vaulted ceilings. Each bedroom has it's own entrance from outside and from the great room as well as own bath. Custom cabinetry, Berber carpet, wood laminate flooring in kitchen. Covered patio and porch. Walking distance to club house and pool. Priced right to sell fast! #080604 (Courtesy of Prudential)

1003 Stelte Ct - $359,900
Quality new home under construction near Angels Creek. Oak cabinets, tile kitchen counters, ceiling fans and low maintenance stucco finishes. SELLER LOOKING FOR OFFERS! #071898 (Courtesy of Prudential Arnold)

364 Live Oak - $384,431
Location, comfort, convenience and affordability- all right here with views too! Spacious flowing floor plan, new granite counters, newer appliances, wood stove, Jacuzzi tub and walk-in closet in master bedroom, deck with views, wet bar, and more. This home is turn-key. Come take a look today. #080603 (Courtesy of C21 Sierra Properties)

292 Blair Mine - $789,000
Built as artistry, designed for living well. Distinctive spaces, incredible custom detail with no corners cut. corner lot- 3 bedroom w/office & artist studio w/loft. Wood ceilings ,Brazilian slate & wood floors, handcrafted cabinets & stairway w/inlaid wood, kitchen has marble counters, trough sink & great appliances, atrium off kitchen, built in cabinetry in bedrooms & living spaces, media room, 2 over sized 2 car garages, in-ground pool, custom creek water feature with bridge, at edge of the community. #080081 (Courtesy of Prudential)

It's the little things that make the diffrence

Several articles have appeared lately about how to do just that, make the little things count in real estate. Even last week HGTV ran a hour long show about the 25 biggest real estate mistakes that Buyers and Sellers make. The upswing in the media has been amazing! And from where I sit, people are listening. In the last two weeks the amount of interest in our local real estate market has tripled in our office alone. The phones have been ringing, showings have increased, escrows have been opened.

So what can you do as a Seller to try and hold your own against the amount of REO (or bank owned) properties in your area. Here are some ideas compiled from around the web:

1. Clean, Clean, Clean and then Clean some more!
People want to come into your home and imagine themselves living there. If they can't see past the mess then they can't see themselves living in your home.

2. Accentuate the positives, and camouflage the negatives.
If you have a great view, hang long simple curtains on the windows to draw the eye to that area. If you have great hardwood floors make sure that your floors are uncluttered and you may even want to remove a throw rug or two. On the flip side if you have small closets you may want to pack up your out of season clothes to make your closet look more spacious.

3. Appeal to the widest possible audience.
Take a look around your home, would it appeal to the average joe. Yes you may like that hot pink in your daughters room but will a Buyer with two boys feel the same way? Repainting to a neutral tan color and removing accent pieces that scream you, may help as well.

4. Create a welcoming environment.
Make your space feel warm, bright and fresh. Have the carpets cleaned, make sure to have working light bulbs in all fixtures. Burn light smelling candles when a showing is going to happen.

5. Develop a quick clean plan for last minute showings.
You never know when a Buyer will decide that they want to see your home. Sometimes you have a weeks notice and sometimes you have an hour. Have some nice looking storage baskets that you can quickly put toys, newspapers or shoes in at a moments notice.

Want to look around??

This weekend we will be hosting an open house event in conjunction with the Angels Camp sidewalk sale. Our office located at 80 South Main Street will be open handing out refreshments, maps and foreclosure lists. We will also be holding a raffle. You can sign up for the raffle at the office or anyone of our open houses.


April 19th 10:30am to 2pm


186 Rock Ridge in Angel Oaks subdivision - 4 bedroom 2 bath home with amazing views. Asking price of $434,900 #080966 - Hosted by Megan Mabanag

217 Mistletoe in Angel Oaks subdivision - 3 bedroom 2 bath home with master retreat. Asking price $449,900 #080407 - Hosted by Roberta Bennett


974 Mark Twain in Historic Angels Camp - 4bedroom 2 bath home with lovely garden and hardwood floors. Asking price $359,000 - Hosted by Stephanie Houston


682 Casey in Angels Camp - 3 bedroom 1 bath home within blocks of the high school. Great starter or investment property. Asking price $249,900 - Hosted by Heather Neimi

Now that is an excellent question!

New today - there are 984 residential properties for sale in Calaveras County MLS. That's right 984! How do you find the one that is right for you? You could have your realtor drag you around to all 984 homes. You can spend countless hours searching the internet and websites waiting for the one that jumps off the page and screams pick me pick me! (Which by the way I have found never happens) Or you can use these tips to help narrow you searching and pin point the type of house that you want.

Size - It matters but don't limit yourself to a specific square footage. Layout can make a huge
difference in a 1000 square foot home or even a 2000 square foot home.

Life plan - Consider how long are you going to stay in this home? What is your five year plan? Are you planning on having kids in the near future? Or adding a dog? Are you planing to stay here for 15 years or just a few?

Bedrooms and baths - Can you really have four people living in a home and sharing one bath room? Sometimes even a half a bath can make a huge difference to a family or even roommates. Bedrooms can be also as important but don't think that just because the house is marketed as a two bedroom house with den that it limits you to two bedrooms. There are additional living spaces in some homes that can be converted to extra bedrooms (check with your local planning/building department if you plan to make these change permanent).

Yard vs View - Do you enjoy living in town? Do you want a low maintenance yard? Do you want lots of acres? Think about how much time you have to devote to a yard in addition to your job, family and house.

Improvements - Does it have the improvements that you want? Or with the purchase price do you have the money to make the improvements that you want? Do you want those improvements to be in the home now or do you have plans to put YOUR decorator stamp on it?

Maintenance - Every home will have on going maintenance even a new home. Consider how much time you have to devote to the maintenance of your home.

Neighborhood/Schools - If you have kids or are planning to have kids what are the local schools like? What extracurricular activities do the schools and local community offer?

These are just some of the questions that can help you determine what home can be right for you.

March Madness!!

No, this isn’t a lead in to a basket ball game; this is the game of Real Estate. The newest buzz word in real estate is “short sale”. I am sure most of you have seen this word on some type of ad, or commercial or even in a newspaper article. So what does it mean? A short sale is when a Seller owes more on their home than the current value of the home on the open market. In lieu of foreclosure they are seeking to get the bank to accept a reduced price to pay off their current loan and sell their home. Now what does this mean to you? Short sales can be an excellent way to get more house for your money. But it is also sort of a game. The game players are the bank, the listing agent and the Buyer. Lately I have noticed a trend of homes with huge price reductions, and then in small print stating that the price reduction is contingent upon approval from the bank for a short sale. What happens in a situation like this is that the price that the Listing Agent has priced the home for is not the amount of which the loan is for, or even an approved price from the bank. This is what the current market value is for the home or maybe even a little below the current value, in hopes of getting a bidding war to ensue. Now you the Buyer make an offer on the home based upon comparable (comps) properties that have sold in the area not based on the asking price. If you are lucky enough to be in the ballpark of what the bank has in mind you will get a counter offer. Now this counter offer could come in two days or two months. The banks process your offer soon after they receive it and send out another realtor to give a Broker’s Price Opinion (BPO) to try and figure the current market price for the home in question. If your offer and the banks bottom line match then, whoohoo, you have an escrow. Basially what it all means is that if you are a well qualified buyer or have cash and a great deal of patience you can get a good home for a great price.

Saturday + Sunshine = Look at houses

It was a beautiful Saturday yesterday, and to delight in the warmth I went home previewing in Valley Springs. We made three stops at houses that I would consider to be excellent first time home Buyer or investment properties. One house in particular stood out. 2168 Quail Court in La Contenta (subdivision in Valley Springs). Talk about potential! Large home with a court location. Nice flat back yard, great layout. Cosmetically it has some issues. But nothing that a weekend a a trip to Lowe's couldn't cure. Don't want to live in it but can see the light at the end of this "market crisis"? Remember rental prices have dropped, but La Conenta continues to have a decent rental market. Oh the possibilities


Spacious single story home on a cul de sac lot. Pond with waterfall in front yard. Low maintance landscaping. Large great room with fireplace, eat in kithen with tile, formal dining room or den with wet bar. Large back yard is fenced with partially covered patio great for entertaining or family BBQ's. (#073095 Curtosy of Century 21 Tr-Dam Valley Springs)


Remember I am available to answer any questions you may have about this home or any other. Have a great week!

February opening thoughts....

"Owning a home is a keystone of wealth.. both financial affluence and emotional security." Suze Orman

I have felt this rumbling in the earth lately. This feeling like 2008 is going to be a pivotal year in my entire life. Many accomplishments and failures are going to happen, I am going to age as I always do. There are going to be ups and downs. Change is constant. But yet I look to this year as a challenge. I feel that there is a place for everyone, and I feel this drive to help people find their place. To have the emotional security of having your own home. To paint the living room wall red if the moods hits you. To add that shop you have always wanted. To have the land for the horses that you dream of.
In this year of media undermining, I feel that we have lost our sense of security. We keep waiting for the destruction and the chaos. We are waiting for the bad. Why? Why are we waiting? Are we stalling our lives to see if we end up any worse of than the person next to us or the pop star on TV? Why let the outside influences of the world, the media, the newspaper, the people by the water cooler crush our dreams. Why wait? Why waste time? Once all those people start telling us yes again we will have put ourselves in such a place of discouragement will we be able to move forward?
Don't let this happen to you. Listen to your intuition. It will tell you what to do with your future. Don't wait for the outside world to make the decision for you

Why buy??

My mother asked me this today. "Why buy a home in the middle of an area full of other empty homes?"
An excellent question. Why buy? Well if you already own a home that was purchased during the boom, you are possibly not position to buy another home now. The slide in the market left negative equity for many homeowners, myself included. But as a wise broker once told me, it all depends on how you look at it.
Three years ago the average person couldn’t afford to buy a home. Small homes in areas such as San Andreas, Angels Camp, Copperopolis and Valley Springs were in the low $300,000s, with bigger homes pushing closer to $500,000. Now we have 30 homes under the $200,000 mark (per the Calaveras MLS 1/29/2008). First time home buyers have a fighting chance to actually get that home that they have been wanting. Interest rates are still low. Payments rival rents. Things are returning to what normal should be. The American dream is achievable once more -- Affordable housing for the masses.
Then there are the investors. Maybe not seasoned investors, but those people who have always thought "what if" as the market was rising higher and higher. Most of these homes have cosmetic issues – they need paint, carpet etc. Most of these things a handy person could do over time. Let's say you could pick up a home with those cosmetic issues for $175,000. Over the next two years you watch sales at the major chain stores, fixing your property up slowly. Now you have two options – sell when the market has started to gain again or hold on to your investment that, now fixed up has many many more options including growth in your equity!!
Another view is if I wanted to buy a bigger home during the boom – but it was priced at $499,000. Now that house is worth around $349,000. That's a drop of $150,000 in price! The bigger, nicer homes are now more affordable to the people who would like to move up.
Now IS the time to Buy!! Take the opportunities that this market is handing you. Make plans for your future, for your retirement, or for yourself!
I am sure that several of you saw the 20/20 about the Stockton foreclosure market. One thing not noted there but in a recent article is the amount of abandoned animals in these foreclosure homes. Please make a point to help these victims in any way that you can.

"Buy land, their not making it anymore"

Our quote today is from Mark Twain (b1835-d1910). In honor of Mr. Twain and his travels to our lovely county I thought I would bring to you what you can get for under $100,000 in land!


328 Forest Meadows Drive Murphys
Asking Price is $67,500
Water and Sewer Connections have been paid. Lot is .20 and located in the Forest Meadows Subdivision. Close to Murphys shopping, dining, and entertainment.
(070449 is courtesy of Gold Country Real Estate)





Fairview Place, Angels Camp
Asking $87,900
One of three adjoining in town lots. Views of Angels Camp. All of city services water, sewer and power close by. Buy one or all three. Make a spec house with lots of open space around you or build a family compound. Cul de sac location.
(080053 is courtesy of C21 Tri-Dam Realty)


Hawver Road Mokelumne Hill/San Andreas
Asking Price is $89,000
5.96 acres of gentle land on Hawver Road. Build your dream home here or save for future retirement. Rural area for those of us who like open space. Owner may be willing to carry.
(073300 is courtesy of C21 Tri-Dam Realty)




White Rock Road Mountain Ranch
Asking price $97,000
5 acres located in gate community of M24. Private lake usage for swimming or boating (no power boats). Brush has been cleared off lot, and showcases the great mountain views.
(070002 is courtesy of C21 Tri-Dam Realty)

To date there are 142 active unimproved properties in the MLS under $100,000. Some are in town lots, some are rural acreage, some are subdivision cuties. There is honestly something for everyone in today's market. Are you ready to see if your future is out there waiting??

Oh what a sight....

Over the weekend while killing time and enjoying the local scenery, I stumbled upon something wonderful. A little house tucked into the side of a hill of ivy with a for sale sign in front of it. At that moment I could see my kids in the front yard, playing on the green grass and moss covered rocks. It was almost magical - amazing how in a moment you can feel a connection with a house. We toured the home and each room I could see images of a happiness.

And in that moment I remembered what it was like to be a home buyer. The rush of finding a house that made your heart sing! Finding a place were you can see your life unfolding. To find beauty on a little lot in Mokelumne Hill. Take a look at this beautiful property and hopefully soon someone will make it a loved home.

(this listing is courtesy of Vintage Realty MLS # 073285)

Another Bank-Owned Property! Make an offer! Very cute 2bedroom/2bathroom in the historic town of Mokelumne Hill. Recent remodel includes updated kitchen with slate floors, breakfast bar & eating area with sliding glass door to side yard; bright living room with gas stove; den/office area; master bedroom suite with three closets & updated bathroom with stall shower; second bathroom with tub & mud/laundry room. Front & side porches, detached carport & nice yard with some established landscaping. Asking price of $225,000

Ode to Buyers

Good Sunday Morning to everyone! As the new week begins to draw closer, I thought I would add some information to start your week off right.

Our newest rate sheet from one of our admired lenders brought hope to what the media has deemed a crisis situation. Current local rates are 5.375% with 1 point or 5.625% no points (of course that is based income verification and acceptance FICO). That would make a $235,000 home have a monthly payment of $1315.93 a month. Calaveras County has approximately 63 homes for sale under $235,000! My pick of the week is one of these affordable gems.

Meet 1050 Bret Harte in downtown Angels Camp. This charming turn of the century home has a Victorian feel. Home has had many up dates over the years and would love a few more. High ceilings, and 2 extra rooms downstairs, that would be great for older kids or a separate living area (one has been sound proofed for the music lover in your family. This gem could really shine with a little TLC! Avoidably priced at $178,000 perfect for a first time home buyer or an investor not want to miss out on great deals (all information take from the Calaveras MLS #072730 - The following information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither the MLS, nor the agent guarantee the accuracy of any of the information contained herein. Anyone using the information contained herein should verify the information independently.)

Have a wonderful day off to those of who have it have it off. Remember we all have a dream that could change someones life no matter how great or small.

New Additions

I have been working to update my blog. I have added my favorite links! Some helpful items I hope. The property search link will let you search from listings in Calaveras County. I will be adding my feature home of the week as a new items next week. Every week I will feature a listing from the MLS that I think is worth the mention. Have a great weekend!

Woohoo!!

It is official! I am an active member of the Calaveras Multiple Listing Service! This is truly a amazing moment for me. I know that several people (381 in Calaveas,per the CCAR office) have achieved this but for myself it is one to be celebrated.
So today I take a look at gratitude and quote Melody Beattie

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and
more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It
can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision
for tomorrow"

Of course in my current frame of mind the that this quote really sticks out to me. I feel full of life. Full of clarity and peace. I have achieved a goal!
Now on with my journey ....to help the people I have the honor of working with become full of life too. To make a house into a home. And to bring a strong vision for their tomorrow.

Hello world!

As my first post on my new blog I would like to welcome all who happen upon it. I have admired my sisters blog from afar for several years. After finding fun, useful and helpful information, I decided to start my own. As a the newest member of Century 21 Tri-Dam Realty's sales team, I thought it would be fun to keep a journal as I venture in to the big world (or small - as the county may be) of selling real estate. So far my toes still remain dry as far as finding my first clients.

This will begin my quest, for the perfect client, or at least a client. My website went up today - and it remains relatively basic. But many additions are to come!
I hope that you all enjoy my journey, and learn as much as I do.