Orangevale, CA

The Maidu Indians, only a 150 years ago, once inhabited the rolling, Oak Tree covered hills of what is now Orangevale.

Having lived there as a very small child, I have fond memories of the long graveled, dirt driveway that winded up from Walnut Avenue to our old white, clapboard house. The tiny house sat on a few acres and even though my parents were only renting it, I had a backyard that was often filled with cattle and horses.

While Orangevale is all grown up now, it remains the one area in these neck of the woods that is still "country." New homes and modern shopping prevail, this is true, but along Main Street some reminders of a time gone by can still be found. Additionally, many of the older homes still are "ranch ready" or might even be ranches. So yes, most parts of Orangevale are zoned for horses. The old feedstore is still standing and my mom tells me that she and her dad used to go there and get hay for their horses (my grandparents lived in Orangevale way back when).

The Orangevale Chamber of Commerce has a lot of information on this strongly-rooted country community.

Here's a little piece of history, as provided from the Orangevale Chamber Commerce:

Orangevale Pow Wow Days celebration started out in 1963 as "Chuck Wagon Days". In 1964 the name was changed to "Fiesta Days" and again in 1965 to its present title, "Pow Wow Days". Beginning in 1963 as a "neighborhood" parade the route was originally on Central Avenue, ending at the Orangevale Youth Center on Hazel Ave. A small carnival, and sometimes a Bar-B-Que dinner filled the one day celebration with fun for all. As the community grew, the parade was moved to Greenback Lane, and the festivities expanded to fill four days and nights.

And while there are plenty of ranches, horses and community events that center around the cowboy flair, there are ample numbers of businesses in place to support the community. In fact, real estate at this time is a pretty darn good investment in Orangevale, and it happens to be a community that holds its value, so even more reason to consider packing your possie up, hitting the dusty trail and purchasing a lovely peice of land in Orangevale.

Ta ta for Now!

Tamara

Sacramento County has so many diverse communities, which form the tapestry of its collective whole.

A short distance away from the city center, with it's capitol, arts, cafes, and theaters, you can find yourself relishing in a totally different experience.

Last week, I blogged a little about the community of Fair Oaks, with it's quaint village, and chicken population. But this morning, I found myself in another part of the northeast county - the more rural community of Orangevale.

My 8 year-old granddaughter, Macie, isn't unlike other girls her age. She has a love for horses that surpasses most everything else in her young life.

My daughter, Jill, has found a place in Orangevale, which takes in rescued horses. The lady that runs it, allows a few children to come there, help groom the horses, and clean up after them, in exchange for very inexpensive riding lessons.

This event is a special highlight for Macie each week.

For those interested in learning more about Orangevale and its history, you can visit the Orangevale Chamber of Commerce website

Hurry and get your tickets for the Big Bunny Hop-A-Long in Orangevale, CA on Saturday, April 4^th! This is fun for the entire family, with lots of great photo opportunities. The celebration will be from 9 am to 11 am and the kids who will enjoy this the most are those from ages 3 to 7, but Mom and Dad will have as much fun as the kids - especially if you bring your camera!

Big Bunny himself will be there and your kids can have their picture taken with him. For more "Eggcitement" children can make crafts, decorate eggs, play some special games and participate in the Orangevale Lawn Egg Roll. If all that isn't enough, refreshments will be served!

This will all take place at the Orangevale Community Center at 6826 Hazel Avenue (between Central and Elm) in Orangevale. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family, and they are already on sale. To purchase by phone at 916/988-6140, or on line at www.orangevalecommunitycenter.com. Use Program Code #2501.904 when ordering. This is a popular event, so get your tickets early. Space may be limited.

Hope to see you there!

When trying to sell a home, silence isn't always golden - especially when you're expecting your real estate agent to call. In fact, it's one of the leading complaints among sellers in the real estate market. Sometimes you will find an agent who is more than willing to take on your listing, but once the relationship is made, you should be getting a call at least once a week, and this might not happen.

A seller should establish with the agent up front the expectation that regular communication will occur. Even if it's just to check-in, the seller will be more satisfied being kept 'in the loop'. If the seller is not communicating regularly, a seller can begin to wonder if the agent is keeping him apprised of any and all offers, and on what marketing efforts are being taken on his behalf. Also, your agent should be able to provide valuable tips on why prospective buyers weren't interested in your property. For instance: 'this room's too dark' or 'the kitchen has a funny smell' or ‘that wallpaper reminds me of 1980.' This allows the agent to give the seller constructive feedback and offer important tips on how to make the home more attractive to future prospective buyers.

If you're a seller and are not hearing from your listing agent, be sure to keep calling them until they get the message that you expect a regular update. If the agent doesn't return your calls, leave a message for your agent's office manager. The manager will see to it that your agent becomes more attentive to your listing. When you agent does inform you of some negative comments or make suggestions on changes you should make to your home, please do not take them personally. It is not a reflection on you or on your taste, but is simply a tip on how to sell your home more quickly and at the best price. It is important to appeal to the widest audience possible, so that the odds of finding your buyer are in your favor.

Selling a home can be a lot of work and sometimes is quite stressful. It is incumbent upon an agent to satisfy the seller's expectations of routine updates. As a seller you must demand frequent and regular communication exchange between you and your agent. Sometimes your conflicting schedules will not permit frequent telephone conversations. If that is the case, you can instruct your agent to send you regular texts or emails. The important thing is that you be in communication. If both parties work in a cooperative effort, the selling experience will be more successful and enjoyable for both the agent and the seller involved. A good agent will often end up as a good friend of the seller for many years thereafter.

Here is a quick and easy way for you to obtain some information about useful businesses and recreational facilities in Orangevale, California. Simply click on any area of the chart for which you'd like more information, and the data will appear in a separate window.

I hope you will enjoy visiting Orangevale and will consider joining our fine community!