Chris and Maria Jeantet

WHAT: Shasta Cascade Logging Conference's 60th Forest Products & Equipment Exposition

WHEN: February 12th - 14th, 2009

WHERE: Anderson, CA - Fairgrounds

TIME: 9am - 5pm

Cost: FREE

If you build it, if you dig it, if you harvest it, you won't want to miss this year's Expo!

Sponsored by the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, the 60th Annual Forest Products and Equipment Exposition promises to be a huge exposition designed to showcase the latest and greatest in technology as it relates to forestry products and equipment. The goal is to help those that work in the building, construction and forestry industries to maintain their competitive edge!

Last year over 10,000 people attended one of the largest displays of equipment on the West Coast. Vendors and exhibitors from the region and nation-wide, displayed a wide array of equipment for both construction and forestry. This year's conference will be no exception. With over 100 indoor and 100 outdoor exhibit spaces available, you can still fill out your registration if you want to exhibit. Download the event schedule for more details.

Backhoe, Trucking and Logging Competitions bring a wide variety of customers to the EXPO. This year a special "History" program is planned so it's your chance to meet new customers or spend some quality time with like minded friends. There is no charge at the gate or to attend workshops at the conference, but without the support of members the Equipment Exposition would not be possible.

The board of directors of the Sierra-cascade Logging Conference encourages you to join as a member to support the conference. For questions on outside space contact Frank Muse at 530-246-8573 and for inside space call Tom King at 530-222-1212. For general information call 530-365-1173 or for more information on the program and agenda of social events, go to the Sierra Cascade's Expo Website.

The Sierra Cascade Logging Conference would also like to thank the following SPONSORS in making this even possible:

• Gold - Beaty (W.M.) & Associates, Inc.
• Gold - California Forestry Association
• Silver - Fruit Growers Supply Company
• Gold - Hat Creek Construction, Inc.
• Gold - Les Schwab Tire Centers
• Silver - Northern Lights Energy, Inc.
• Silver - Plumas Bank
• Gold - PremierWest Bank
• Gold - Redding Bank of Commerce
• Gold - Roseburg Resources Company
• Gold - Sierra Pacific Industries
• Silver - Timber Products Company
• Silver - Pat Cramer Insurance

Shasta County Residential Sales

Housing Market Update

 Updated January 24, 2009

· Sales activity is down this month: 95 single family homes sold in the last thirty days compared to 144 the previous month. However, we are experiening an increase in activity ith approximately 289 single family homes currently in contract (pending).

· Our inventory levels is decreasing for Single Family homes in Shasta County, there is approximately 1,500 homes for sale compared to 1,650 homes in December.

· Home prices continue to decline offering great deals to first time home buyers and those looking for investment properties. This explains the increase in sales for homes priced beteen $150,000 and $200,000 in the last three months. 70% of the homes currently in contract are priced under $265,000.

OTHER STATISTICS - 1/24/08

· Median Price: $190

· Average SOLD price: $223,000

· Average Listing Price of UN-SOLD homes: $370,000

• Average DOM (Days on Market): 140

Don't forget about tonight's "Dinner & a Movie" at the beautiful Cascade Theater. Remember this fun idea is still in a "trial" period so the more people that show up the better. Depending on the response, this event could continue into future months. If you love chocolate, you'll love tonight's show

Wednesday, January 21 - "Babette's Feast", 1987. Set in 19th century Denmark, this is the story of a father and his to daughters who take Babette - a French refugee - in as their maid. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of their father's birth, Babette takes the challenge of preparing the dinner of her lifetime. Dinner Theme: Chocolate theme.

Cost is $10 per person...and the movie begins at 6:30PM followed by the cooking demonstration and samplings.

Cascade Theater box office or call (530) 243-8877.

NEXT WEEK:

Wednesday, January 28 - "Waitress", 2007. This is the story of an unhappy woman; known for her phenomenal pies, who works at a diner...can you smell the pies? You know the theme...pies and more pies!

Call me old-school but I still think it's essential to preview our inventory. I've been told that my time could be put to better use but I have a thing about "seeing" the inventory personally. I mean, virtual tours have certainly made things convenient and totally useful but they can't tell me everything I need to know.

For instance, many agents (in efforts to highlight certain features of a home) include such things like "RV parking" but often times I get out to preview a listing only to find that you can barely fit a boat, let alone an RV! Another reason I still preview our local inventory is so that I'm ready to go hen I get that million dollar call! I'm serious.

I'm sure you preview homes that you plan on showing, but do you preview your local inventory and if so, why do you do it?

Misconceptions On Buying Versus Renting

While there are a number of misconceptions surrounding whether it is best to rent or buy, one of the biggest may be the notion that renting is simpler.

For example, when the refrigerator in a rental needs repair, the responsibility falls on the landlord. When new homeowners sign their name on the dotted line, responsibility is theirs. Yet stating that renting is the "simpler" choice takes a narrow view of the total set of questions and issues that go into the buy-versus-rent decision.

Here are a few of the misconceptions on the topic of buying versus renting:

Misconception No. 1

The tax benefits derived from purchasing a home takes forever to offset all the other costs involved.

The Reality

Most people know that tax write-offs of mortgage interest are among the biggest financial benefits of home ownership. But some people question whether this benefit is really great enough to offset the "big picture" cost of ownership - including the hefty down payment and closing costs needed to get a former renter across the threshold to homeownership. Homes typically appreciate in value over time - at the same time the homeowner builds his or her equity in the property through monthly mortgage payments. Though tax offsets begin right away (really starting to "pay off" in that first tax filing season after a home's purchase), the bigger picture benefits tend to come with time.

That's why potential homebuyers should carefully evaluate how long they expect to stay in the home that they are considering purchasing. If they anticipate staying in their first home only one to two years - especially in today's market - they're not as likely to get a good return on their initial investment. If, on the other hand, they are planning on staying several years in the same property, the scales of benefit start to shift - and the value of all that they gain financially from homeownership is likely to outweigh those initial costs to get in the door.

Misconception No. 2

Renting a a home isn't all that different from owning.

The Reality

More so than apartment dwellers, the lives of people who rent a house can often mirror those of actual owners. You'll see many home renters making routine repairs, gardening, shoveling the driveway when it snows or cleaning the gutters after the leaves fall. But there is one fundamental difference. Unlike equity built with each monthly mortgage payment, the rent that person is paying is producing zero future financial benefit. In fact, a renter essentially paid the landlord's mortgage and likely additional utility costs.

Since most homes increase in value over the long term, a home not only provides a place to live but will ultimately provide return on a consumer's original investment. Additionally, when it comes time to apply for other forms of credit, responsible homeowners are more desirable borrowers. Paying a mortgage on time each month shows lenders that a consumer is secure, stable and effectively manages finances. And those home renters who take it upon themselves to help make property updates and repairs? They're building equity - just not their own.

Misconception No. 3

It's better to rent and wait for the market to bottom out.

The Reality

Despite recent challenges in the U.S. housing market, a home remains a highly sound financial decision for those with documented income and a good credit history. Yet some buyers are still sitting on the sidelines trying to time the market bottom - which is always ill-advised. By the time most folks recognize the true bottom, prices are already on their way up. Buying a home should always be approached as a good long-term investment, providing equity accumulation, cost appreciation and tax benefits over time. Homeownership is a lifestyle decision, a highly personal decision. Yet today's current market, while different from market-to-market, is generally typified by falling or stable home prices, still-low interest rates, and a large number of homes on the market. Historically, low or falling interest rates allow more to enter homeownership which in turn helps trigger rising housing prices - resulting in the start of a "sellers market." As the number of consumers are "priced out", home inventory begins to increase and the cycle goes towards a balanced or even a "buyers" market. Prices will generally stabilize allowing economic conditions for those "priced out" to improve and the cycle begins again. The reason why many point out that now is a smart time to buy is because of the historically low interest rates we are seeing coupled with the buyer's market which exists in most communities. The most important thing to remember is that housing is not a quick-in, quick-out investment. When purchased with the longer term in mind, housing is one of the historically safest investments consumers can make.

Misconception No. 4

It's Cheaper to Rent

Reality: This may or may not be so. Because of the current state of the housing market here in Redding and across the nation, many are foregoing homeownership and turning to rentals. This influx of renters may be having an impact on the supply and demand of rentals and driving rents higher.

Misconception No. 5

By buying a home, I'll become a victim of the foreclosure mess (this is a common misconception these days and for good reason do to the soft economy).

The Reality

While foreclosures have presented very serious concerns for those people affected across the country, it's important to remember that they account for just a small percentage of all homes sold. In the midst of all the negative news headlines, it's easy to forget that mortgage money is still available for qualified borrowers. To help prevent foreclosures in the future, lenders have returned to upholding higher standards. These may require you to demonstrate strong basic borrowing "fundamentals" such as proof of income, solid credit, ability to make a down payment, etc.

Finally, as you begin your home search, it's critical to be well-educated in terms of the various mortgage options available. Be realistic about what you can afford, and remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Conservative planning for today (and tomorrow) is the first step toward securing a mortgage that best fits your budget.

Let us know how we can help. If you're ready to consider buying a home, talk to us and let's discuss your current circumstances - this may be the smartest time for you to buy!

Chris & Maria Jeantet, Representing First Time Home Buyers in Redding, CA and surrounding communities.

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