Back on the Real Estate Roller Coaster Again! Wheeeeeee

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Teri Andrews-Murch

I love a roller coaster ride (my favorite- The Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz) the anticipation of waiting in line, the slow clack, clack up to the top and then the adrenaline rush of that first drop and knowing that it is going to happen again and again for the next few minutes.

In my little part of the real estate world, we started to anticipate in August 2012, September brought the slow jerky ascent and by December we were flying again, no brake for holidays this year. January clicked up again – my best month in 7 years – and February brought more phone calls, more interest. Prices are on the rise, multiple offers are the rule rather than the exception, and many homes go into contract in just a few days.

I am seeing less short sales ( a lot less ) , but still a fair number of lender owned homes coming on the market, balanced out by some good old fashioned regular sellers. Now that is something to smile about! Real sellers that you can talk to, that know about the property, it is wonderful. Hopefully we will soon settle in to a long smooth ride and stable inventory and prices.

Have Fun!

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Upcoming Colfax Events Fall 2012

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

: Meet In The Middle 2012

: Colfax Railroad Days Outdoor Quilt Show

: Colfax Railroad Days Outdoor Quilt Show Info

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

Early Summer Photos Sierra Foothills

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

One of the best parts of my job as a Realtor is all the great nature I get to see while out looking at property.

Have Fun!

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Empty Nester?

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

Vacant homes are for the birds!

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

Hot Market in Placer & Nevada County? June 2012

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

This past month I have seen our local market moving quickly. Buyers are snapping up properties within just a few days of the home coming on market. Condition from ” I would be afraid to walk in that house without a haz mat suit on” to beautiful well kept homes ready to move right in, are selling within days of coming on the market across all price points.

Buyers more than ever you need to be ready with your loan pre-approvals and proof of funds. Sellers if you want to or have to move now may be the right time again, (unless you are still dreaming of 2005 prices, then you should stay put for another 15 or 20 years)

Here is the latest market data ending in May for Placer County Single Family Homes under 400,000.

Now Nevada County is not quite as Hot as Placer, but some areas and price points (under $250,000) are moving quickly too. What I see is that Nevada County Sellers have been slower to adjust to the new market reality or are willing to wait it out for their price. Here is the market data for Nevada County

Want more data or a different area? I will be happy to set you up on Trendsend, just let me know via email what area and price points.

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

Hwy 40 Hot Rod Show Colfax, Ca

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

: Downtown Colfax, Ca Hwy 40 Spring Hot Rod Show

A nice pleasant day for the Hwy 40 Spring Hot Rod show in downtown Colfax. Our 6th show. The Kiwanis served a yummy breakfast and lunch, hot off the grill.

About 60 cars were in attendance and a couple of hundred visitors. One of my favorite cars is the maroon Town & Country Station wagon, so classic. I hung out in front of the Whistle Stop Quilt shop with my sewing machine and got a few projects completed, bought a new purse at the Bear River Trading Company, had lunch at Cafe Luna, wonderful fresh made tacos carnitas. A great day in Colfax supporting small business and having fun. Next community event July 3, 2012 summer purse

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

Seniors & Youngsters Together

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

Spending time with Grandma

As a child I spent a lot of time with my Grandparents. One Grandma was widowed in the early 60′s, she was the creative Grandma and I loved to spend time with her in the garden and sewing room. She had this closet full of fabric to choose from filled with endless possibilities. Her garden was a delight of flowers and fruit trees and in the evenings her hands were always busy making something while watching Spanish soap operas.

My other Grandma pictured above always liked to travel, Every Sunday would be an excuse for a drive and picnic by the side of the road. My Grandfather loved to tinker and build things in the garage, it is from him that I learned about tools and most importantly about the golden rule, treating others as I want to be treated, sharing what I have and living within my means. The things they taught me stay with me still.

This month in the AARP Bulletin (May 2012) there was a short article about a nursing home in Oklahoma (my Grandfather’s home state) where they have incorporated pre-school and kindergarten classes into the facility. What a great idea! I will never forget the time I spent with my Grandparents and I think it is wonderful that this facility gives the children and seniors an opportunity to share joy and wisdom. I hope this becomes the next “big thing” in elder care.

Happy Mother’s Day

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

Yes Virginia Even You Need to Get Pre-Approved

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

Here in the Auburn area we are experiencing a little buyer frenzy, with some properties bringing multiple bids within hours of coming on market. I see on the various Q & A sites* I participate in many questions from buyers wondering why their offers were not accepted and how can they better their chances of getting an accepted bid.

The number one task you should have completed BEFORE you start your home search & writing offers is getting a pre-approval letter from the lender of your choice. I can hear you now “ahh Mom do I have to???” Yes you do! I know it is painful to gather up all your financials and lay them out before a perfect stranger, but if you are not paying cash or getting a loan from the Bank of Mom you have to do this. Gone are the days of stated income, now everything will be verified and re-verified by your lender (as it should be).

Your pre-approval & proof of closing funds will be submitted with your offer and without it many sellers, especially the foreclosure sellers, will deposit your offer directly into the trash no matter how good it is. .

Other considerations: Know the realistic pricing for the area you are looking in. Did the seller set a below market price hoping for a bidding war?

Be realistic with what you can afford for your budget. Have your agent run sold information for your budget, does the home you are dreaming about even exist in that price range? Where does that home exist? Maybe you need to change cities or features.

Start looking at homes that have been on the market longer than 30 days and may have been overlooked by other buyers, is there room for negotiation?

Keep it (your offer) simple!

*Links to Real Estate Q & A sites I participate in: Trulia and Ask A Realtor

Realtor.com Spotlight Interview

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

Reflections of Marriage & Home Ownership

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

Grandma Zs house

Last weekend some friends of ours celebrated their 20 year wedding anniversary with a renewing of vows. For me going to a wedding always brings some self reflection on the past and future. The reminder that we are in it for the good and bad. My mind wandered to and fro and of course landed in thoughts of real estate (I can’t help myself!) and how our relationship to our homes is somewhat like a marriage.

We fall head over heels in love and have fantastic storybook dreams of our future together. Then as we live in it for awhile we begin to notice the door that doesn’t quite shut or the color that doesn’t excite us any more. So we begin to change and improve, reshape and re-evaluate. Sometimes we decide to stay and sometimes we go. Time goes by and the annoyances either get fixed, fade into the background or become quirky unique features we couldn’t live without. If we are lucky enough to make it to our 30 year anniversary we are rewarded with a paid off house to enjoy the rest of our days in and a home full of memories and stories.

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your home and your spouse.

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!

What Can I Learn from a Turkey?

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Teri Andrews-Murch

wild turkey flock

Colfax is a rural area and I live on a couple of acres surrounded by pines and oaks. I have a steady stream of wildlife traffic going by my home office window. Every spring the turkeys come back from their winter hiding and provide me with my early morning and dusk entertainment.

There is a ritual every dawn that I have observed for several years, one lone turkey (a hen) comes down from her pine tree roost and paces about making little clucking noises, this goes on for about 20 minutes. After awhile she begins to also make a bit louder calls to her friends still up in the trees as if to say it is safe to come down. Eventually the other do come crashing down, loud flapping of their large wings and bouncy landings.

For a long time I have thought of the lone hen as the low one on the totem pole or the sacrificial hen sent down there to see if there were any coyotes lurking about. This year when the ritual started up again I began to see her as the risk taker, the leader if you will. Taking the first leap out of the safety of the pines and letting the others know it is ok, I am here to lead you on our adventure today, don’t be afraid, see I did it, you can too. I kind of like my new version of the turkey morning ritual and wish her well every morning as she is the first to greet the new day ripe with possibilities. So I am going to get out there and embrace the day no matter what my imagination thinks is waiting outside my “roost”, after all if a turkey can do it what am I waiting for?

I will save the dusk ritual for another day……………

Teri Andrews-Murch, Realtor, Ca DRE 01734030 ph 530-798-0215 Lyon Real Estate, Auburn, Ca. www.FoothillsHotProperties.com

Have Fun!