Percentage of sold inventory, being short sale homes went up in October. We have experienced always a continuous level of success with short sales (thanks to the fabulous Jennifer Klein), and in the month of October and November we saw a ton of approvals and closes for our sellers.

Another question we are asked at this time of year, "Is it a good time to list right before and during the holidays?" Me (Heather): I say "YES! Do it." Some may not think it's a good time to list at the holidays - why we think it might be - inventory options are low in many brackets, many homes are experiencing multiple offers due to this fact ... we have buyers that are in a frenzy and are dying to find that perfect home. There ARE buyers waiting in apartments waiting for "THE HOME" to show up.

Here's why sometimes it's hard for some to list at the Holidays - it's hard to have people coming into your house during the holidays. It's *NEVER* easy having your home on the market PERIOD. But if you are mentally prepared, have your home accessible, and have your patience engaged, you can experience success during the winter months for a home sale or at least get into escrow, during the Holidays. Things I do suggest: don't over decorate, keep it tasteful and though scents are a good thing, don't over do it. Basically assume the role of moderation. If you are cogniscent that you are an "overdecorator" - enlist help of a friend or a professional stager. 

Thanks for checking for our monthly real estate market stats for Roseville and Rocklin (sorry we were a bit late - we have been lucky to be the busiest we have ever been).

A special thanks to my husband Steve Ostrom, Jennifer Klein and Nichole Moody. Not only are the all fun to work with ... they are spectacular individuals and I love them all.  

Happy Thanksgiving from Steve and Heather Ostrom, and Jennifer Klein. We are grateful for healthy family, friends and folks we have worked with this year ... please keep those that need our positive energy, whether to health, loss of home or struggling with whatever items are occuring in their lives - remember this when we come close to losing our patience and temper. Anything we can do to make this world a better place, if even just with our attitudes - do it.

I do want to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to have met Jennifer Klein, our short sale amazo-agent and Nichole Moody, our transaction coordinator.

I am also grateful for my family's health and I do have a special prayer for a young man of one of our buyers and they are also our friends. They need all of our love and good thoughts.

Finally, thank you to all that trusted us with our real estate services to help them with the purchase or sale of their home. Thank you for supporting us and keeping us so busy. We are grateful. Life is good.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. (psst, sorry for the long intro - it sounded funny in my head and I'm not THAT much of a STAR Wars nerd - though I'm sure after this it will fall on deaf ears - HA)

REALTOR (r) Jennifer Klein and Zack Finley of North American Home Services discuss with us the importance of getting inspections conducted ... they do help protect you and they explain to you the different variables that you may or may not have considered - it's not just the cosmetics of the home, it's trying to the best of our abilities trying to see the obvious and not as obvious issues that might be issue with the home.

Also if there are issues with the property, hopefully the inspector can help put severe or minor issues in perspective and give you the information you need and get your questions answered. We always encourage you to do your own research to find your own inspectors, but we do have a list of people we feel confident and comfortable with - that we have worked with over the years.

A home inspection can last 2.5 to 5 hours (depending on the size of the home). We  encourage your presence for review at the end of the inspection, so the inspector can go over with you directly all items they observed, issues of concern and what items you need to be aware of, big and small ... that way you are there to ask all of your questions direct to the inspector and nothing is lost in translation.

Inspector Zack Finley can be found at North American Home Services
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nahsinspections
website: www.NATpc.com • 916.481.0268

REALTOR Jennifer Klein - Roseville and Rocklin Short Sales
Coldwell Banker - 916-230-3880 • RosevilleAndRocklin.com
DRE #01860942

A great video by Jennifer Klein and this is a repost from Jen's Blog at - JenKlein.com

Please ALWAYS keep great notes on all your phone calls, times, who you spoke to, extensions. Remember email is not always a sure thing and you need to follow up and you need to call the bank. It is imperative to address these items quickly regardless. Follow through and follow up and don't assume the obvious and get items, promises and modifications IN WRITING. Be kind, but be firm and thorough.

Let us know how we can help you in your journey and improved quality of life with regards to your home and real estate investments.

--------------------

Disclosure:

This video is current to circumstances in October 2011. Items may evolve with time, so please check in with us and your trusted tax attorney and/or financial advisor.

Please note rules and regulation are different with each state. We are in California with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Roseville. We recommend with every important financial decision, that you discuss ALL items and variables of your situation and finances, with your financial planner, tax person and/or attorney to make sure your decision with anything related to real estate, is the best decision for your unique situation. These items stated here are based on our experiences and observations, your situation may be unique, but we hope this gives you some good food for thought on what's occurring in the real estate world.

As both listing agents and buyers' agents ... we are often doing the dance and trying our best to explain to buyers' what "short sale contingent" means and why is it still on searches for post search engines by default? Just remember, not all "contingent" statuses are made equal. 

Short sale contingent often confuses buyers - EVEN when explained in detail, AND in writing ... many buyers still get caught off guard to find out, the home is not truly available and/or there are different circumstances and layers of availability.

All we can say is that don't make a blanket thought about what any short sale is, because they are all snowflakes and full of unique variables. Whether it means what bank(s) are involved, how many loans are involved and/or where they are in the short sale process and often the experience of the negotiator staying on top of their files. 

If there's something about process you feel we need to review further, let us know and we will help you fill in the blanks of education and process :-)

Bottom line: we must remember when we can't get into a house ... there might be a disgruntled tenant or a hurt seller from financial or personal issues. Sometimes in the process we can easily go into business mode and lose our humanity. I often hear: "well that's silly, why won't the tenant let us in" ... "and/or why won't the seller let us show the house?" Sometimes the seller has received a ton of offers and is emotionally done with having their home toured. It's not easy having your home on the market. It's their right and though it sometimes it's an inconvenience, but we are human and it's their right. 

RosevilleAndRocklin.com: Real Estate in the Roseville and Rocklin Area

Coldwell Banker REALTOR Steve Ostrom (Primary Emphasis: Move-up Buyers, Golf Communities, Listings) DRE# 01344154

Coldwell Banker REALTOR Heather Ostrom (Primary Emphasis: Listings, Marketing, Social Media and Photography)  DRE# 01899313 

Coldwell Banker REALTOR Jennifer Klein (Primary Emphasis: Short Sales)  DRE# 01860942

2270 Douglas Blvd #120, Roseville CA 95661

Contact information: 916-308-2446

RosevilleAndRocklin@gmail.com

Are you looking to keep a pulse on real estate inventory in the Roseville and Rocklin area? Check out our fun video below.

We decided to change it up a bit this week and do this update with my wife Heather and also discuss observations with marketing curves on our websites and hits.
Which we may do on occasion to keep items fresh and a bit different.

If you have any question based on the numbers you have here, please give us a call, shoot us a text or send us an email. We always do what we can to help answer your question or find the answers to ...

*Video Data is based on a per month basis, (so this month is based on average data of July 1st through July 31st)*

Placer County, California - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Roseville and Rocklin Steve Ostrom REALTOR

RosevilleAndRocklin.com: Real Estate in the Roseville and Rocklin Area

Coldwell Banker REALTOR Steve Ostrom (Primary Emphasis: Move-up Buyers, Golf Communities, Listings) DRE# 01344154

Coldwell Banker REALTOR Heather Ostrom (Primary Emphasis: Listings, Marketing, Social Media and Photography)  DRE# 01899313 

Coldwell Banker REALTOR Jennifer Klein (Primary Emphasis: Short Sales)  DRE# 01860942

2270 Douglas Blvd #120, Roseville CA 95661

Contact information: 916-308-2446

RosevilleAndRocklin@gmail.com

Steve has closed quite a few first-time home buyers, that their mortgage payment, with taxes and insurance ... was less than their rent. We still believe in home ownership, and with interest rates so low ... now might be the right time to jump into your next home (did you catch that, I'm incorporating our logo expression in my post, some say genius). 

So start building your own wealth and investment, instead of your landlords.

We chose to speak with Ryan Nordby because he is so good with numbers and not one to "make things" work, he wants them to make sense for you. We both embody "clients for life" and want you to come back to us. 

Here's our website rental calculator for you to use as reference  (please consult a loan person for a more accurate depiction).

Now with that being said, we do realize some people ... renting is a relief and some of us are on the path of financial healing, and that's awesome. Crunch your numbers with a "TRUSTED" or referred loan officer or financial planner and see if home ownership is a solid decision for you, OR what's does it take to get back on the path to owning again. Discover with your loan officer, what the appropriate measures might be to get back in the ownership saddle again. Remember, if something doesn't sound right, follow your instinct and double-check with a 2nd party. Be pro-active and take charge! 

More posts by Ryan on mortgage rates visit here at:
www.RyanNordby.com: Loan Consultant with Princeton Capital
(Folsom, Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Sacramento, Fair Oaks)

Read up more on Real Estate, Hot Issues and Changes in Roseville and Rocklin with Steve Ostrom at http://www.RosevilleAndRocklin.com and his fantastic REALTOR side-kicks: wife Heather Ostrom and awesome Jennifer Klein

916-308-2446 - Steve Ostrom Coldwell Banker
2270 Douglas Blvd Suite 120, Roseville CA 95661 

 Those considering short sales, we know you want to know items as they change and want to make an educated decision, if you are a good candidate for a short sale, we will always do our best to keep you informed on changes in our real estate environment. One of the more important and more recent, "short sale related news," on July 15th, 2011 - California, Governor Jerry Brown, signed the Senate Bill 458 Extending Deficiency Language to the Second Mortgage.

Party Real Estate Market Update time - bust out your orange caps and noise makers. Let us guide you to know what to be excited about in our local real estate economy and inventory sales and their make-up (break down).

So here we go again for our monthly update with Steve Ostrom and Jennifer Klein. Yes, we do need the noise makers and orange hats ... doesn't everyone? We like putting a positive spin on our area market updates for Roseville and Rocklin, California.

I love the still shot on this video - good times! Don't be fooled, they are excited.

Below is Jim Gillespie's video which Steve lightly references in his video (referring to the CNBC rep in the video). We can't verify how they came up with their numbers, but we know in other situations, there is a chance of folks double-counting inventory (current listed homes that in distress and homes that are deemed shadow inventory). Each area market is different so there's no blanket comment to the real estate market. 

Speaking for our numbers, which are a drop in the pan granted, but we are doing a fairly high production, many of our buyers are first time home buyers.

"House Near the Bottom" - video of courtesy of CNBC - Jim Gillespie is the CEO of Coldwell Banker LLC

Please give us a call or email us to ask us what is "shadow inventory" and what's going on with the foreclosure market (many banks aren't releasing homes). Contact us: Roseville and Rocklin Real Estate Website. Contact us for a tailored comment and answer to your questions about the area of Roseville and Rocklin, California.

Thanks for watching. Work and laugh hard ... always our team spirit. Make educated decisions with a smile. :-) 

Steve Ostrom and Jennifer Kleins's comments and opinions are solely theirs and do not necessarily reflect the comments and opinions of their company. Any legal or tax advice should be sought from a legal advisor in their respective field.

{EAV_BLOG_VER:6fff4b1387692656}

On Monday, Steve and I attended a fantastic and intimate real estate tech conference called REBarCamp Sacramento, hosted at "L Wine Lounge" in Sacramento. 

We not only met amazing people, and picked up a dozen plus new online techniques, we saw many of our good local real estate friends ... one of them being Ryan Lundquist, Sacramento real estate appraiser.

So in between classes, Steve O wanted to take the opportunity to ask one of our favorite real estate appraisers, Ryan Lundquist a few questions we often get asked by our sellers. Whether it's the first, second or third time for the seller ... it never hurts to get a refresher on how the processes of real estate go and evolve :-)

Questions asked: is the appraisal transferrable to a loan, how do we arrive at an appraisal amount and finally questions about unique properties ... 

Check out the interview below between REALTOR® Steve Ostrom and Appraiser Ryan Lundquist. Can't see the video, click here. 

Thank you Ryan! BTW, if you like staying hip on appraisal views and area trivia, you must check out Ryan's blog - he's a real estate appraiser out of the Sacramento area.

You can also find Ryan online on Twitter at: @SacAppraiser

================

Want to know more about REBarCamp Sacramento agents, lenders, appraisers and inspectors? Read up below.

• Website for REBarCamp Sacramento
• See many of the great pictures from the event (Mike Mueller's photos - thanks Mike for all of the great info). 
• On Twitter you can search for this event by this hashtag - #REBCSACTO (Tamara Dorris' fabulous event). 
• Thank you Tamara and everyone else who helped put this event together, taught classes and shared their real estate nuggets o' wisdom. :-) You rock.

Steve and Heather Ostrom
Coldwell Banker

Heather is a licensed assistant, Steve is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Roseville, CA 

We are participating in the
REALTOR® Nationwide Open House Weekend: June 4-5th 
in Roseville and Rocklin California 

Below are links: to our listings we are hosting this weekend, a link to REALTOR.com and also a list to the Sacramento Association of REALTOR®s list of local open houses that are participating in this event. And of course a link to our intensely amazing website (duh). ;-)

=======================================================

REALTOR® Steve Ostrom 
916-308-2446
 

Open House - Sunday, June 5th 2-4pm

 3969 Rawhide Rd, Rocklin CA 95677 

GreatRocklinHome.com | $689,000 | MLS#11026912 • Normal Sale • Bring Your Offers
This turn-key, Clover Valley custom home features: a 3-car garage, upgraded kitchen w/granite counter tops, island stove & double-oven, coffered ceiling, spacious master, plus a mother-in-law unit/zone. Rooms that border the porch have access to the backyard. Lush lawn, mature trees and multiple granite rock outcroppings make for a serene backyard escape. Sellers are original owners and definitely have taken great pride in this house. Welcome to your new home.

=======================================================

REALTOR® Jennifer Klein
 916-230-3880

401 Tanner Ct, Roseville CA 95678

Open House - Saturday, June 4th 11am-1pm

=======================================================

2556 Summerland Way, Roseville CA 95747

#1 - Open House - Saturday, June 4th 2-4pm

#2 - Open House - Sunday, June 5th 2-4pm 

MLS# 11040871 - 3 Bd + 1 Office (possibly convert to a 4th);
Attractive, corner lot home in Roseville, CA • $319,000 
 Move-in ready, 3bdrm w/ office, single-story, corner lot home in attractive neighborhood. Solar-smart Lennar home w/tons of upgrades. Photovoltaic power has been stated to offset cost of electricity bills(nice). Granite cntrtps in kitchen and master bath, 18in tile flooring, 5-burner gas top stove, stainless steel appliances. Tandem garage with workshop zone. Fruit trees on side yard. Pre-wired for alarm system, fiber-optic wires throughout. Dbl-sided gas fireplace, open floor plan. FHA/VA welcome

=======================================================

Three more things - 1) search National Open houses 2) Sacramento local houses 3) Our search engine

#1 Search Open Houses on 

#2 Sacramento Association of REALTORs® also has a list of local participating homes (PDF)

or you can do #3 ... 

Please visit our incredibly tubular and majorly fantastic real estate and area website:
www.RosevilleAndRocklin.com - not to mention we have schnazzy personalities.

Watch our real estate educational videos

REALTOR Steve Ostrom  916-308-2446
RosevilleAndRocklin@gmail.com Coldwell Banker • DRE #01344154

REALTOR Jennifer A. Klein  916-230-3880 - JK@RosevilleAndRocklin.com
Coldwell Banker • DRE #01860942

2270 Douglas Blvd, #120, Roseville, CA 95661 

#Video: Real Estate Educational Series - "Where to find Mello-Roos fees in Placer County ..." with Jennifer Klein

In this video, we are addressing the common question ... "Are there Mello-Roos fees in association with this property? How can I find out if there are any Mello-Roos fees in association with this property?" Watch the video below to find out what items of information you need to have ready to find the Mello-Roos for your property of interest in Placer County and/or determine if that property has even a Mello-Roos at all.

We are making a commitment for providing a video educational series, whether it be short sales, normal buyer side questions and workings and also information for our sellers. The more information, the more comfortable and confident you are going to feel with this process of buying and selling.

Please let us know if you have additional questions about items mentioned within the videos or not ... and perhaps it might even be a topic in our next video. Thanks to anyone that provides suggestions for the next video! :-)

For more area related links and information or if you with to e-interview us on our practices, personality and knowledge, please visit our real estate website for Roseville and Rocklin, CA.

REALTORs® Steve Ostrom and Jennifer Klein - Contact us for any questions you might have ...

916-308-2446 (Steve O)
916-230-3880 (Jennifer) 

Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/RosevilleAndRocklin - Area, Home and Real Estate

Market Update - March 2011 - Real Estate Watch in Roseville and Rocklin, California

Enjoy the data of the monthly market trends with REALTORs® Steve Ostrom and Jennifer Klein (and apparently their orange hats and noise makers). I would say sorry for all the commotion we cause in the office, but I love working with these two and doesn't our world need a shot of positive energy? They are upbeat and happy to be working.

So check this video out about the evolving market and trends.

And as the 3 minute mark on the video has stated, no REALTOR®s were harmed in the cropping of this video.

http://www.RosevilleAndRocklin.com - Roseville and Rocklin Area and Real Estate Information

Steve Ostrom 916-308-2446 • RosevilleAndRocklin AT Gmail DOT com

Jennifer Klein 916-764-2710 • JK AT RosevilleAndRocklin DOT com

2270 Douglas Blvd Suite 120, Roseville CA 95661 - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Listed in no particular order ... please verify times with each group. I'm certain I missed a few great groups, but here's a starter group that I found ... I hear the Chik-Fil-A event is a HOOT and it is mind boggling the show they put on ... (I heard rumors of a ridiculous amount of eggs and they bring in grass just for the event, but if you don't see this, you didn't hear this from me). ;-) Chik-Fil-A is over by Sam's Club and Panera on Pleasant Grove. 

I am sure there are more local churches that have Easter Egg hunts ranging from Saturday to Sunday that I have missed. Let me know and I can add them. :-)

To everyone ... I hope you have a wonderful Easter celebration in whatever way you celebrate the holiday / event. *hugs from the Ostroms*

 ==================

Saturday

• CIty of Roseville:  Woodcreek Golf Club is located at 5880 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd., Roseville 95747 
  • Join us on Sat., Apr 23
    Bunny breakfast buffet 9-11am
    $3.99 kids / $6.99 adults
  • Egg Hunt starts at 11:30am 
    Festival fun until 2pm
     

Chik-Fil-A - Easter Egg Hunt (info and comment below via RocklinToday.com)
 

Saturday, April 23 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Chick-fil-a Pleasant Grove
912 Pleasant Grove Blvd
Roseville, CA

Hunt Times:
9:00 AM - Ages 2 and Under
9:12 AM - Ages 3-4
9:24 AM - Ages 5-6
9:36 AM - Ages 7-8
9:48 AM - Ages 9-10
 
10:00 AM - Ages 2 and Under
10:12 AM - Ages 3-4
10:24 AM - Ages 5-6
10:36 AM - Ages 7-8
10:48 AM - Ages 9-10

 Sunday

• • Free Community Easter Egg Hunt - Sunday, Apr 24 9:00a at Wilson C. Riles Middle School, Roseville, CA
    Read more: http://events.sacbee.com/roseville-ca/events/show/179674965-free-community-easter-egg-hunt
     
  • Sierra View Golf Course Members: (private golf course) there is a great Easter Egg Hunt in Roseville at Sierra View CC on Sunday. They do put on a fantastic brunch before the festivities that I do recommend. Call to verify the schedule in advance of the weekend, before heading out there if there are reservation or membership requirements: (916) 783-4600  http://www.yelp.com/biz/sierra-view-country-club-roseville 

  • City of Rocklin: Rocklin Firefighters Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 24
    Per City of Rocklin: Sunday, April 24, 2011.  The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Johnson-Springview Park, 5480 Fifth St., Rocklin.

    This event happens on Easter Sunday of each year, in Johnson-Springview Park. This event is for children ages 10 and under.

     
    Questions? Contact Fire at 916.625.5300 to verify all items and visit this website: City of Rocklin Firefighters - Annual Easter Egg Hunt

http://www.RosevilleAndRocklin.com: Roseville And Rocklin Real Estate
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/RosevilleAndRocklin 

This is a fun post about questions we are asked often ... little random "factoids" about Mr. O. 

We take our job and you seriously ... and yes we have an orange addiction. :-) Oh and Steve loves golf ... and thinks he always makes a fantastic fourth in your foursome. 

Here are some funny pictures of our "Orange Ostrom O-ddiction"

(download)

Click here to download:

orange-suits-me-just-fine-a-fun-post-by-steve-ostrom-kfIlaAAGGCwFDaauIDrq.zip (4.31 MB)

What's Up with the Goldfish? The Goldfish Comes from Our Slogan / Motto ... 
 "Make the Jump With Us" - see below  :-) 

The Goldfish just cracked me up and just became a member of our marketing family early on ... I find cheesy photos and glamazon head shots are not our style, so we do like stand out and do things a bit different. It may not appeal to everyone, but we think it's worth the risk as we try to be as transparent about our personalities, style and approach. Orange reflects our bright and high-energy personalities.

We love life, family and working hard and try to do it all with a laugh and smile. We do have a raging orange addiction ... we even had orange in our wedding. 

So I'm sure that's way more than you ever wanted to know about us ...
but here we are and there's a bit of history of our marketing: Orange, Suits and a Goldfish ... 

Steve Ostrom, REALTOR(r) with Coldwell Banker in Roseville, CA
916-308-2446 - RosevilleAndRocklin (AT) GMail (Dot) Com
www.RosevilleAndRocklin.com - Roseville and Rocklin Real Estate

Heather Ostrom - Marketing Girl 

Jennifer Klein - Short Sales / Buyer's Agent

=============