This was my real estate Career before Active Rain:

This is what happened After Active Rain:

Any Questions?


PS this post was written using Komposer because

Debe in Charolette taught me how. I learned to do the Pictures because of Craig Rutman .

Before Active rain I was an average mild mannered individual. Now I am part of a community and a certified

Cracktivarian.

Scramento County Pumpkin Patches

Halloween is just around the corner, so local pumpkin patches are in full gear. We have some great ones close to home so you have no excusse not to go have some serious old fashioned fun. Take someone you love, or borrow some kids, but what ever you do GO.

For an interactive map of ALL the patches in nearby counties check out:
Sacramento Bee Pumpkin Patches

The Real voyage of discovery

consists not in seeking new landscapes

but in having new eyes.

Marcel Proust.

Happy day of Independence.

FHA: it's a good thing

FHA loans are a majority of the loans in our area right now. After looking at about a gazillion properties I usually have a gut instinct about whether or not it can be FHA approved. FHA’s primary concern: Health, safety, security, structural integrity of the subject property. Although This can mean many things, I found a great list for you:

According to Colleen Tiner, Sacramento County Appraiser. Some of the most common FHA repair items:

1. Will the roof pass a 2yr roof certification?
2. Is there access for appraiser to do a head and shoulders inspection of attic and crawl space?
3. Are there any visible stains on the interior ceiling?
4. Is the water heater strapped?
5. Are there any holes in the firewall?
6. If built prior to 1978? Any chipping/peeling paint?
7. Is there 18” of crawl space under the home?
8.  Any visibly dry rot?
9. Is the swimming pool filled? If not, does it have a secure fence around it?
10. Is the fence down around the property? Is there a pool or dog on the other side?
11. Any sub floor exposed? Minimum FHA grade flooring must be installed.
12. Is hot water heater on and functioning properly?
13. All built-in appliances must be installed and working.
14. A freestanding stove is not required.
15. The well must be 10ft from the property line, 50ft from the septic tank & 100ft from septic field.
16. Any exposed wiring, plugs or switches without cover plates?
17. Any holes in siding or stucco?
18. Any exterior standing water or drainage issues?
19. Any decks without rails?
20. Does garage door opener have functioning auto reverse?
21. Security bars must be removed from 1st floor bedroom windows.
22. If a termite report is required all structures on the lot will be inspected.

Colleen Tiner, can be reached at Tiner Appraisals (916-967-0296) http://www.tinerappraisals.com/

Property appraisals benefit HUD and the lender who will fund the FHA transaction. The value from the appraisal establishes the basis by which the maximum FHA insurable loan can be calculated.

For every action there is an equal and opposite government program. BobWells

Keep Going.

I tell myself this, I tell my friends this, sometimes I forget this and I need them to tell me.

Yesterday was one of those days.

I love my garden. I need my garden. My garden is a huge part of who I am. It always amazes me that a tiny little seed can turn into a bushel of tomatoes. My garden reassures me that miracles happen everyday and all the time.

So when I got there after a long, (productive, but long) day I was devastated to find that the sheep had gotten in and helped themselves to my abundant patch of heaven.

When I say sheep, I don’t really mean “sheep” I mean Frieda. She is the trouble making queen of the pack. I’ve had her more than 10 years, she comes when I call, and she watches everyday for any tiny laps in my garden security. Yesterday she found it. I shut the gate, but I didn’t CHAIN the gate. She can open any thing not chained. So she had a party and invited her friends.


No tomato plants, tomato stubs. No melon patch, squash patch, bean patch or sunflowers. Just a bunch of happy sheep with vegetable breath.


So what did I do? Well first I called a friend, and properly grieved. Then I rolled up my sleeves and started to re-plant. Not all at once, just a little, tomorrow a little more. I think it is a good lesson about Real Estate, about life, about what is next for you.

Are you upside down on your mortgage? Have you been working on a contract that just disintegrated? Are you looking at a bunch of stubs where you use to have hope and take delight? OK grieve, but not too much grief or you will forget where you are going. Roll up your sleeves and go.

Regroup.

Plant the seeds of what you want your life to look like. This season is temporary.

They all are. Keep planting.

By perseverance, the snail reached the ark. Charles Spurgeon