Fair Oaks, CA

For the past 60 years, Fair Oaks California has been putting on this great celebration the first weekend in May. It was previously known as Fiesta Days, but only the name has changed. All the fun, games, great food, and one of Northern California's best car shows are still favorites that attract fans from all over.

The fun will include entertainment for the whole family, and the event includes a parade, toilet bowl races, frog jump, children's games, food and craft vendors and much, much more, including some great raffle prizes.

All of this takes place in Fair Oaks Village, at adjoining Plaza and Village Parks, and the theme this year is "Pirates of the American River." Come and join the fun from 10 am - 4 pm each day.

The parade starts off the festivities on Saturday morning, with Miss Fair Oaks presiding.

Last year the car show had more than 200 entries, and if you enjoy classic cars and gorgeous and unusual vehicles, you should be sure to be there on Sunday.

The schedule is set forth below, and for full enjoyment, you may want to come both days. While the village proper will be closed to traffic, there is some parking on surrounding streets, but the best plan is to park across Sunrise Blvd in the parking lot of Scandinavian Designs furniture store (Sunrise Blvd and Winding Way), and a shuttle will pick you up and bring you to the festival.

I'll see you there!

Schedule for Saturday, May 2:

8:00am - 4:00pm Shuttle Service
10:00am - Parade
10:00am - 4:00pm Food / Craft / Information Booths
11:00am - 4:00pm Children's Games / Carnival
11:00am - 4:00pm Fair Oaks Historical Society Display
12:00pm - 4:00pm Frog Jump Competition
12:00pm Children's Play
1:30 - Toilet Bowl Race
2:30 - Martial Arts Demo
3:00 - Raffle Drawing

Schedule for May 3:

8:00am - 2:00pm Shuttle Service
7:00am - 11:00am Pancake Breakfast
8:10am Kid's Fun Run
8:30am 5 Mile Sun Run / 2.3 Mile Sun Walk
9:00am - 3:00pm Car Show
10:00am - 4:00pm Food / Craft / Information Booths
10:00am - 3:00pm Children's Games / Carnival
11:00am - 4:00pm Fair Oaks Historical Society Display
12:00pm - 4:00pm Frog Jump Competition
2:00pm Car Show Awards
3:00pm Raffle Drawing

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Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy."

For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.

Buyers are panicking at the moment. They are running out of homes to buy!

In Sacramento there is only 2.3 months of inventory under $300K (if buyers maintain their present rate of snapping up homes, we'll run out in 2.3 months).

In Fair Oaks it's not much better... 2.4 months to sell 'em all out.

That means if no new homes come on the market, we'll be out of homes by summer. Basically economics says when supply goes down prices go up.... like skyrocket up, in this case. EEKKKK!

HOWEVER... don't look now, but there is a wall of new inventory charging from behind. Maybe an avalanche of homes. You see, California has had a moratorium on foreclosures since December of '08, which means very few new bank foreclosures (REOs) have come for sale. And the moratorium keeps being extended.

In the mean time, many owners are getting further behind on their payments. What seemed like a good idea to give the poor homeowners a break, allow banks time to adjust to the new regulations, and to encourage loan modifications, has also let the steam build up. Foreclosures are backing up, and when they blow, it could be big.

There are currently 7,648 homes scheduled for foreclosure in Sacramento County, according to Foreclosureradar.com. There are another 3877 in default. Currently only 1139 REO's are listed for sale. You do the math!

What effect will this rush of REO inventory have on our market? Well, professor.... I think when supply goes up, prices go down, right? Very good... You get an A.

So where does that leave a buyer today? Do you buy, or wait?

The answer revolves around interest rates. Right now, they are UNBELIEVABLE. Like 5% and below. A 1% increase (to 6%) would result in the same payment as a 10% drop in home prices. Shocking isn't it? So you get a loan today for $200K, you'll pay $1074 per month principle and interest (approx). Prices drop 10% and interest goes to 6%, you'll pay $1079 per month for your $180K loan! The same, only different.... no, the same. (OK, I'll throw in the extra 5 bucks).

So my answer is Yes... go ahead and buy now. IF you can get one! Interest rates are a huge component of the mix and can't be ignored. And even if the onslaught of REOs bring prices down more, you will most likely be ahead in the payment game, since you got such a good loan.

Flickr photos by Krassy Can do It. (Can do what? Buy a house?... Call me, Krassy!)

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Check out my other posts that might be of interest.....

HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS..........Buying a Home, Selling a Home, Loans, What Happens if....

LOCAL INFO................................. Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Sacramento, Folsom, Citrus Heights

ABOUT SALLY DUNBAR.................. How I learned to...., Personal stuff, My Wordless Photos

OTHER STUFF............................... Inspiration, Attitude, Humorous Stuff, Charity, the Economy

TECHNOLOGY, BLOGGING ............. Active Rain, Technology

This year's Mother-Son Dance will have a western hoedown theme, and should be a great time! Sons can take their moms to a party as a nice Mothers' Day celebration. Usually we hear about father-daughter dances, and Fair Oaks has those too, but this is a special mom-son date.

There will be refreshments, great music, and lots of fun. Pictures will be taken to remember the evening. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. It is organized and conducted by the Fair Oaks Youth Advisory Board, and if you want to order tickets ahead of time, you can get them at the Fair Oaks Recreation and Parks District Office. Hope you will be able to join the fun! Dads - tell your sons about this special way to honor Mom.

The party will be on Friday, May 8, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse at 7997 California Avenue. For more information, you can call (916) 966-1036 or email kalbers@fairoakspark.org.

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Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy."

For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.

For a great outing, in Spring or any time of the year, come visit the
Raphael Garden in Fair Oaks. Conveniently located on Fair Oaks Blvd between
San Juan and Sunrise, a short walk from the Rudolf Steiner College parking
lot takes you into a wonderful world that seems surprisingly far away from
the whizzing cars and bustle you just left behind. Six young lambs enjoy
the lush grass with their mothers, a friendly white horse loves the handfuls
of grass or rose hips you offer, and Mona the calf loves to rub her head
(and horns, parental discretion advised) on your leg. Mona's mother Bella
usually just likes to be petted. Chickens, bees, ducks and the incredible
garden all await you. Come by any Thursday around lunch time and you'll
probably see me and my granddaughter Maya - she'll be eager to welcome you
too!

http://steinercollege.yellowpipe.com/?q=node/162

One of my favorite places to visit when I have extra minutes is quaint Old Fair Oaks Village not far from my home. The Village is the unique older historic section of the greater Fair Oaks community, located on the bluffs along the beautiful American River.

In the relaxed and casual environment of The Village there is a considerable population of Chickens, which rule the roost, and nearly outnumber the human residents.

On Saturday I arrived to have breakfast at The Village Bistro. I parked my car, at the little park across the road, and immediately, a "herd" of the feathered citizens came running up to me. They are very much into having food gifts to enhance their day. I felt guilty arriving empty handed.

The Old Fair Oaks Bridge near the Village center has been closed to automobile traffic for generations; but restored for the use of bikes and foot travel. From the bridge, the views of the American River are stunning as light transitions with the day traveling across the water.

The history of Fair Oaks began with a Spanish Land Grant in the mid 1800s. The Village Park hosts a variety of events during the year, including The Annual Chicken Festival, and Theatre Festival at the Amphitheater.

Do you want to get away from it all without leaving the city? Then linger awhile in Fair Oaks Village. It promises to delight!