Lori Prizmich

I've been following the number of bank owned properties in the Southport area of West Sacramento (95691) very closely to see what is happening in the market. The Southport area is a nice (smaller) alternative to Natomas and a newer alternative to Woodland.

The buyer activity has been incredible lately (it was actually strong throughout 2007). In looking at bank owned homes built since 2000 priced at entry level (ie $350k under), there are 16 active, 23 pending (in escrow) and amazingly...72 have sold since January 1, 2008. The banks have been pricing these homes aggressively.

Many of the homes are in the Bridgeway Lakes area of Southport; that is primarily due to the fact that the majority of building (and selling) occurred in 2005 - - the height of the market. The best values seem to be the bank owned homes in both Bridgeway Lakes and Linden East.

If you are interested in Southport for a primary residence or even an investment property, feel free to contact me at lori.prizmich@pcgagents.com or visit my website at www.loriprizmich.yourkwagent.com.

I don't mean hot like Gwen Stephani, I mean on the ball, awesome, outstanding at what he or she does.

Because the buyer's market is so hot, buyers are spending more time looking at more homes (more often than not, on the internet). Thus, getting help from a realtor that you connect with via the internet is common.

Agency relationship is important. Whether buyer or seller, you should have your own agent. If a realtor is doing work for you then he/she "understands" that you are a client. This is the agent you should direct all inquiries to. This is the agent you should ask to show you any and all homes you may be interested in (including new construction). If you are dissatisfied with that agent then terminate the agreement (whether written, verbal or just understood). Feel free to ask for qualifications, references, etc.

Realtors are paid strictly on commission. There is no hourly rate and they pay all their own expenses. So, if you plan to use a relative, friend, discounter as your realtor...have them do the work (in other words, don't call another realtor). If that person is too busy, doesn't work in the area, doesn't return calls...whatever...fire them. But, whatever you do...don't have an unsuspecting realtor working for you and then let them know after the fact that they have been doing volunteer work. Honesty and clear communication is an absolute must in any real estate relationship/transaction.

I'd like to know what buyers out there have to say?

Lori Prizmich, Realtor

Keller Williams, SacramentoAgents

PS If you are looking on different real estate web sites and an agent contacts you, let them know whether or not you have an agent.

Davis, California (reportedly the second most educated city in America) is all about the schools. I have buyers contact me continuously and I ask, "why Davis?" To me the reasons are obvious, after all I live in Davis and am in the position of being familiar with every nook and cranny of the entire valley (and foothills). The reason I ask is to get a feel for what the clients are looking for.

There are other areas that have outstanding schools as well (El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Pocket, East Sac, etc) but Davis is the only area that actually has a "center" to it. You can walk around and shop the boutiques, book stores, coffee shops, jewelry stores, toys, bikes, flowers...all without trekking across a big box parking lot! There is a farmer's market, the Mondavi Center, lots of art galleries, and lots of things for kids (DISC, Explorit, Dimonds Gymnastics, numerous community pools, Davis Art Center...).

I confess, the chair of my thesis committee was a UC Davis professor (even though my MA was from CSUS), so I regularly drove from Sacramento to Davis to meet with her. This little town stuck in my head. Having grown up in a town with no stop lights (yes such towns exist in California!), this province intrigued me. After having our first child, I was convinced he should grow up in a town where people actually know each other.

Well, we considered all of the areas with outstanding schools. What we found was we had to make a choice between our dream house and our dream community. Davis has almost no interesting topography or architecture. But, when you go to the grocery store you'll see someone you know. When you take the kids to school, other parents wave to you. It's not for everybody...but it is for me.

I recognize it isn't the most affordable area, and some folks want an area with topography, a newer home, or even a home of architectural interest. So, if you are confused about whether Davis is for you, i'll be happy to discuss it since i've been in that boat and it isn't for everyone. Luckily, I know the other great areas in the valley/foothills as well. Watch for an upcoming blog on alternatives to Davis. Lori :o)