Tamara Dorris

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

If you want to know more about living in Citrus Heights, read on.

As most Sacramento folks know, Citrus Heights is its own official city and celebrated it's 10 year city-anniversary in 2007.

According to the City of Citrus Heights website, here's a little history:

"Adolph Van Maren, successor to his father Peter Van Maren, played a leading role in community development for many years. He served on the San Juan School Board, and contributed to the development of the San Juan High School in 1915. The present site of the Citrus Heights Community Club House on Sylvan Road is on land donated by Van Maren, while the actual building is the old Sylvan School House moved after a new school facility was built in 1927. The increase in both resident population and visitors traveling on the new state highway led to increased business opportunities. William Cobb established a store and service station opposite the school, and Mr. Alexandra established the Cripple Creek Service Station and Auto Camp further up on Auburn Boulevard . A volunteer fire-fighting group was organized in 1934, and later in 1935 the Citrus Heights Fire District, Inc. was born. One of the most fondly remembered community activities was the annual Road Days, sponsored by the Community Club. Began in 1924, almost all of the townships 200 families came out to help patch holes in country roads, clean drainage ditches, plant trees on school grounds, and lay sidewalks. Although the first small library facility in Citrus Heights was run out of a private home with an inventory of 50 books in 1908, the community built a new library building at the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Sylvan Road in 1930. The year 1932, during the Great Depression, saw the end of the Citrus Heights attempts at fruit farming, as a winter freeze destroyed most of the working orchards"

With City is so built up now, you would never think of it being remote and rural like its sister communities, Fair Oaks and Orangevale-- at least that's my opinion.

Of the greatest things about Citrus Heights is the shopping! My goodness! If you don't find what you need at Sunrise Mall, just go across the street in nearly any direction and you'll find a vast array of ways to spend your money! I happen to love the Bird Cage Walk, directly across the Mall and happened to have had my first summer vacation job there at a little bath shop called, "Flush 'n Stuff" (cute, eh?). There's also a Jamba Juice, Starbuck's, and Target Great Land. Seriously, you could put a big dent in your wallet if you wanted to!

Dining in another great aspect to Citrus Heights. One of our favorites is Logan's Roadhouse. Logan's has peanut shells on the floor (yes, one of those places!) and they serve an amazing drink in an old mason jar (but only have one, trust me!). Logan's is my fave too, because they feature some killer cuts of meat, and well, I am kind of a carnivore. Of course there is another fave of mine, Fuddruckers, for amazing burgers and great home-made shakes. Oh, and I love the Olive Garden and Marie Calendar's. So pretty much, you could spend an entire month on Sunrise and shop and eat somewhere different every day! (sounds fun, who's game?).

And finally, let's talk real estate. Citrus Heights, being its own city and all, has its own police department, great schools and parks and recreation, and is affordable. I like Citrus Heights for first time buyers as the home prices tend to be a bit lower than the surrounding Fair Oaks, Orangevale and Carmichael. However, don't let that fool you into thinking Citrus Heights is not a growing, appreciating place to live and invest in. The city is very community oriented, the lots are generally large, and houses will increase in value, just as in any other location.

Ta ta for now,

Tamara

Living in Carmichael, California offers residents a wide variety of things to see and do, as I’ve mentioned in other posts. I’ve talked about the awesome golfing (Ancil Hoffman) and the great parks (Ancil Hoffman and Carmichael Park are but the two biggest), and the terrific bike trail that I love so much. However, Carmichael also has a cool history worth noting.

According to the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce:

“Lots for Sale in Carmichael, California - 10 acre tracts for $1,500 with 10 percent down on terms of $10 a month at 6 percent interest.”

Can you imagine?

A guy by the name of Dan Carmichael founded the town. Carmichael was a big developer and probably ran the ad seen above. According to the Folsom-Telegraph Newspaper, Carmichael purchased 2,000 acres of rolling hills. The Chamber notes that it’s believed he paid about $150-200,000 for the land.

Can you imagine?

Here’s another interesting fact that I bet you didn’t know: Kentucky Derby winner Salvatore, lived on a farm located where Del Dayo Estates now stands.

But what if we went back even further?

According to the folks at the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, the first settlers of our fair town of Carmichael were the Maidu Indians, that might have arrived as far back as 1,000 B.C. and didn’t leave until the 1800’s, when white settlers came to town.

One thing about Carmichael, and the surrounding areas, is that we have some enormous Oak Trees. I often look at them and wonder if perhaps a young Maidu Indian might have been looking at the same tree, or a couple from 100 years ago sat underneath it and had a picnic.

In 1907 the Deterdings bought 425 acre site along the north bank of the American River. The Deterding Ranch is now Ancil Hoffman Park and there is still evidence of the Deterding family, some of which still work right here in Carmichael, not to mention the elementary school that was named after the family.

Way back when, Carmichael built up the town of Carmichael with his big dreams and land development skills. There were approximately 400 folks living here. Compare that to today’s Carmichael population of more than half a million and you can see as well as me the Dan Carmichael’s dream was even bigger than he could ever imagine it would be.

A special thank you to the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce. Visit their website to learn more!

Ta Ta for Now!

Tamara

One of the areas I love most in Sacramento County is Fair Oaks, California.

Old Town Fair Oaks is kind of like stepping back in time to another era when people who worked at Hardware stores always knew your name.

While the town of Fair Oaks is terrific, and the homes in Fair Oaks hold their value really well, most everyone who lives in Fair Oaks takes tons of pride in Old Town. For one thing, there are chickens. Yes, chickens. Not sure where they came from, but since I was very young, Old Town Fair Oaks has always had chickens roaming around. In fact, if you park your car, you might need to make sure they get out of your way first! They seem to travel in a pack, so you never know which part of Old Town they’ll be roaming around in, but trust, me if you go to Old Town Fair Oaks, you’re gonna see of hear them.

So what do I do in Old Town Fair Oaks? Well, for starters, my good friend, Dr. Dennis Crawford has his Natural Health Center there, kind of across the street from the park that marks the center of Old Town Fair Oaks. In fact, Dr. Crawford is a frequent guest on my radio show, “Sacramento Smiles,” that discusses real estate and inspiration for our community at large.

Next, one of the yoga studios I frequent most, Hot Yoga at Sunrise, is just down the street from Old Town, on the way to the bridge. Sometimes I get to a yoga class early and walk down to the bridge, just admiring the beautiful view.

Many moons ago, my own mother (a Realtor too), was the President of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and she too fell in love with the charm of Old Town Fair Oaks. Another very cool things about the park. There’s an outdoor stage that features concerts and plays and all sorts of activates. In fact, one year I participated in “Art in the Park,” where I had a booth and could display and sell my hobby paintings. Let’s just say, for the record, that I’m much better at real estate than I am painting!

So whether you want to visit Dr. Crawford for some amazing healing, take a hot yoga class, shop at the many unique and wonderful establishments, or catch an outdoor version of Hamlet in the shade, don’t be a stranger to Old Town Fair Oaks….it’s a charming part of our community.

And, if you think you’d like to become a resident of the Fair Oaks Community, there are so many great homes available at rock bottom prices. Just give me a call and we’ll see what’s out there.

Ta Ta for Now,

Tamara

916.482.5834

One of the nicest neighborhoods in my neck of the woods (aka Carmichael Area) is Arden Park. In fact, sometimes after I shop for fresh, organic produce at Whole Foods, I will take an extra 10-15 minutes to drive around the lovely, prestigious neighborhood (unless I have ice cream and it's 105 degrees out!).

The houses that reside in about two square miles off of Arden Way, are nothing short of magnificent. Now I'm not saying we don't have lots of lovely houses in other parts of Sacramento, but instead, that the Arden Park area is just unique in the homes and streets. Very posh.

I like to preview listings in Arden Park, as well as visit open houses. But even more, I LOVE to list and sell homes in the Arden Park Community as it's always an adventure in beautiful architecture and landscaping. As long as we're talking about the prestige of the Arden Park Area, let's talk about the Arden Hills Country Club.

Having attended weddings and events there, including my own college graduation ceremony, I appreciate the splendor and glamour of the Arden Hills Country Club. Carmichael and Arden Area residents can swim, take yoga, get massages, eat, drink and be merry all in one phenomenal location.

Watch the "Wellness" video from our local news station, Sacramento & Company, interviewing a health expert from the Arden Hills Country Club. In fact, the County Club is actually a "health resort" (what could sound more luxurious than that?!).

One of the greatest things about having this "Resort" so close to home and the area I like to sell and list real estate is that Arden Hills offers gift certificates. What a great option, for me, to offer my clients as a closing gift, a wonderful massage, spa treatment, dinner for two with great wine, tennis lessons, yoga classes, whatever they might like. And how do I know what they might like?

Because I am not only an expert in this neighborhood and the business of real estate in general, but I am and strive to be, a life-long Realtor for the families I work with. I don't just want to list your home or sell you a new one; I want to know you, discover your likes and dislikes, get you the best possible deal....in essence, become your friend and trusted resource. So, in light of that, it's pretty easy, especially after working closely for at least a month and often longer, for me to know whether you'd like a gift certificate for Ancil Hoffman Golf Club, Arden Hills Country Club, or maybe even The Home Depot. It's my job!