Patrick Hake - www.PlacerCountyHomesandLand.com

Even Howie Mandel would say “Deal!” to an undervalued home on the market in Rocklin, California. Considering the recent chaos in the housing market and the controversy of sub-prime loans and loan-shark lenders, even desirable cities like Rocklin have their share of foreclosures and short-sale properties. That’s the bad news.

Foreclosures and Short Sales
The good news is that buyers willing to take the added risk of dealing with foreclosures and short-sales can get their hands on some real estate treasures. Banks are looking to get as much of their investment back as possible but they also recognize the volume of homes on the market. The Rocklin real estate market is not glutted with homes as many areas are, but there are plenty of excellent properties going for much less than their assessed value.

Fixer-Uppers
The trend in housing in this area near Sacramento is pointing to an upturn. Rocklin homes are hot but it’s still a buyer’s market. Valuable treasures can be uncovered if buyers are willing to put in the work to upgrade older properties, fix and repair damages or even do a full remodel. Due to growth in Rocklin, California and the promising outlook for more demand of affordable housing, investing to upgrade the quality of a home now can bring big dividends later. A check on current listings shows properties like a 2 bedroom 1 bath cottage labeled “in need of repair” for $110,000. That price is so low a buyer might turn and walk away thinking the house might not be salvageable. Guess what? A closer look shows it needs plumbing repairs and cosmetic upgrades but the bones of the house are good. Even if it was a pile of wood waiting to be demolished it would be a money maker because it sits on a half acre in a prime location near a park in Rocklin! Look beyond the obvious. That’s why it’s called a hidden treasure.

For Sale by Owner
Some of the best bargains come from homes sold through owner sales. Owners know the bottom line between profit and loss on the sale. For whatever reason, they choose not to use a professional real estate agent. That shaves a few thousand dollars off the top of the sales price because there are no fees paid to agents. Some owners just want to get out from under a mortgage to downsize, move or even upgrade to another home without taking a loss. Take advantage of their eagerness but make sure you have proper legal advice and do some research. Whether it is Rocklin real estate or any place in the country, FSBO offers potential bargains.

Auctions and other Unconventional Means
Some consumers might be surprised to learn that venues like Craig’s List and eBay sell and trade homes. Auctions for properties on eBay and offers to swap homes on Craig’s List are not uncommon in today’s real estate scene. More and more shoppers take advantage of the convenience of the Internet. Shopping for big ticket items like luxury cars or single family homes is on the increase. It’s another opportunity to find a bargain. Buyers should take precautions to avoid scams but real deals are out there. Information found on line about the low crime rate and high quality of life in places like Rocklin, California help make real estate there even more popular.

Common Sense Tips
For consumers interested in finding the best possible deals available in the Rocklin, California real estate market, a small amount of research goes a long way in getting the right price. Owners with homes on the market longer than the average number of days it usually takes to sell a home in a particular city tend to be more anxious to sell. When owners begin to worry if a home will ever sell, it’s a prime time for a buyer to luck out with a low-ball offer. Houses that are on the market for a long time usually represent good deals for the buyer.

Perspective buyers can find good deals by networking with professional real estate agents and keeping an eye on listings. It’s a good idea to talk to a few recent buyers in Rocklin. Recent buyers often have good tips on prospects or solid advice about avoiding some bad deals.

Buyers in any area should take the time to investigate before signing on the dotted line. It is always a good idea to work with an agent but it doesn’t hurt to do your own research. An agent won’t know that a particular place reminds you of your grandma’s house or jolts some other memory of a pleasant or not-so-pleasant experience. Only buyers know if a home matches the description of a hidden treasure. After all, one family’s fixer-upper is another family’s treasure.

Festivals, Mandarin oranges and high school sports are among the fall season’s highlights in the Gold Rush town of Auburn, Calif.

Residents and visitors have great opportunities this fall to learn about Auburn history, view the work of local artists, sample wine from nearby wineries or eat oranges and other produce grown by area farmers.

Auburn’s locally grown Mandarin oranges take center stage Nov. 19-21 at the 2010 Mandarin Festival at the Gold County Fairgrounds, where fresh oranges will be sold by 20 local growers. With three stages of live entertainment, craft sales by 250 vendors, activities for children and a recipe contest, the event celebrates the local harvest of Owari Satsuma Mandain oranges.

Fall also is a great time for a historic guided walking tour of Old Town Auburn. Sponsored by the Placer County Museum Docent Guild, the one-hour tours begin at 10 a.m. every

Saturday at the Courthouse Museum. Restored shops and homes from the Gold Rush days of the mid-19th Century are still standing in Auburn and the community’s old post office and fire station also are from the same era. The Placer County Museum displays Chinese and Indian artifacts and huge sculptures by Auburn dentist Kenneth Fox also trace the area's history.

Football and races are part of fall excitement

Auburn’s world famous endurance sporting events take place in the spring, but fall is a great season to watch high school sports.

The Placer County High School Hillmen athletic teams have full fall schedules. Under the leadership of Coach Joey Montoya, the varsity football team plays its regular schedule on Friday nights through Nov. 5, wrapping up the season with two home games against rivals Center and Foothill high schools.

The girls’ volleyball team, coached by Jennifer Wright, plays weekdays through Nov. 1 while the girls’ golf team takes on its opponents at The Ridge Golf Course through Nov. 8. Cross country meets are held Wednesdays and Saturdays through Nov. 27 while the boys’ soccer team plays through Oct. 19.

High school football isn’t the only Friday night excitement in Auburn. Fast Fridays at the Gold County Fairgrounds features high-speed motorcycle racing beginning at 8 p.m. through Oct. 29.

Gold Country Gravity Cup mountain bike races were cancelled this fall, but the Knickerbocker 50-mile bike race will be held Oct. 16 on Olmstead Loop in Cool, about 10 miles from Auburn. Registration is at Auburn Bike Works and the race is limited to 200 riders.

Besides Mandarin oranges, other fall festivals also mark the season. The Auburn Wine and Food Festival on Oct. 9 held Downtown and in Old Town Auburn offers opportunities to sample wine from more than two dozen area wineries and food from many local restaurants.

Scarecrows and a giant pumpkin as well as costume and recipe contests will highlight the Community Festival on Oct. 16 at A.R.D. Recreation Park. The festival also features many activities for children as well as food and craft booths.

Native American music, dance and art will be featured at the third annual Auburn Big Time Pow Wow on Oct. 16 at the Gold County Fairgrounds.

Local artists offer their creations

Auburn’s thriving community of local artists also will have their works on display at several events this fall.

Old Town Auburn will host the fall Art Walk on the evening of Oct. 14. The walk is a free self-guided tour of dozens of shops that host local artists.

The PlacerArts Autumn Art Studios Preview Show features the work of participating artists Tuesdays through Saturdays from mid-October to mid-November at the Arts Building Gallery in Downtown Auburn. But the preview show is just a prelude to the 17th annual Autumn Art Studios Tour on Nov. 12 to Nov. 14, when 92 artists open their studios for sales and demonstrations.

Unique Christmas gifts can be found at the 24th annual Old Town Country Christmas, scheduled Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, where crafters and artists from throughout the area will have their creations on sale. Local shops will join in with holiday open houses.

More than 200 vendors selling jewelry, antiques, collectibles and many other items participate in the annual Auburn Old Town Street Fair on Oct. 17.

Fall would not be complete with the annual Auburn Gold Country Rotary Oktoberfest on the evening of Oct. 22 at the Gold County Fairgrounds with an authentic German dinner, beer and schnapps, music and dancers.

Visit the links below for more information on Auburn :

Free Resources for First Time Home Buying

How the Fair Market Value of a House is Determined

Why Rocklin CA real estate is some of the country’s most wanted

Tips on How to Sell Your Home in a Slow Market

Is it a Good time to Invest in Rocklin CA Property?