A favorite spot in the Sacramento area is Fair Oaks Village located in the town of Fair Oaks.  The chickens actually run wild.  Shop keepers buy food and feed them as well as visitors who feed them pieces of bread.  The deli even has day old bread that you can buy for a quarter.  There's a park across the street from the shops where you can sit and relax. 

You'll always be surrounded by a group of chickens.  Traffic even watches out for them and you'll see someone slow down or stop while they wait for a chicken to cross the road. Chickens are part of the scenery and charm of Old Fair Oaks. 

While sitting in the deli enjoying a "chicken sandwich."  This little one was standing outside the door looking in.  I guess they know they'll get some scrap bread. 

I felt a little guilty. 

Just a little.

Hey.  I eat meat. 

I did buy them some bread though. 

It was a great day hanging out by my lonesome.  There weren't as many people there that Sunday.  It was quiet and I enjoyed taking these photos.

So if you're looking for something to do on a Sunday, spur of the moment and you want to get up and go.  Try Old Town Fair Oaks

There are also upcoming events happening such as the Chicken Festival.  Mumbo Gumbo will be playing and it is expected to have as many as 15,000 people attending.

Just look at those clouds.  Gorgeous colors.  Photo taken by Andrionni Ribo, a local Sacramento Photographer. I met Andy through Facebook and flickr back when just a few folks were using it.  I think he was one of my first fb friends.  We talked about photography. We joined a photography group in Sacramento. Andy kept it up. 

As Autumn is approaching Apple Hill is ALWAYS a part of Autumn in the Sacramento area.  If you live here, it's a staple.  So, I'm going through the online brochures planning what I want to do. 

Did you know that you can go wine tasting year round at Apple Hill?  There are several family run vineyards where you can spend the day.

• Lava Cap Winery
  
• Madrona Vineyards
  
• Wofford Acres Vineyards
  
• Boeger Winery
  
• Fenton Herriot Vineyards
  
• Para Vi Vineyards

Has anyone seen the movie, Bottle Shock? 

The story of the early days of California wine making featuring the now infamous, blind Paris wine tasting of 1976 that has come to be known as "Judgment of Paris".

Oops, this was supposed to be "wordless."  I feel like I'm having one of those moments from the movie, "Up."  Squirrel! 

Have a great Wednesday folks.

How do you decide if you want to buy or rent? 

When you rent you can move around easily.  There are no taxes or insurance costs or maintenace that go along with keeping a roof over your head.  If you live in an area that is more expensive you may be able to afford to rent rather than purchase. It is also a great way to get a feel for the area.  The greater Sacramento area is wide spread with many distinctive neighborhoods for a variety of tastes. 

You might want to try out some of the surrounding towns like Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, Orangevale or Antelope.  You may want to live in the heart of downtown Sacramento or try out the south area or head out to Roseville or Rocklin.  There are many many choices.

Are you ready to settle down and buy your first home in Sacramento?

If you're planning to stay put for a few years or have already spent several years in one place.  Buying a home may be a better plan than renting.  If you have the funds to cover a down payment and closing costs, and plan to be in one place for awhile, then buying may be a better option. 

Owning your home gives you freedom to do almost anything you want within reason and when it comes time to sell after living in it for a few years you have the opportunity to make a small profit. 

How do you get there from here?

One way to ease the transtion from renter to home owner and also save for your down payment is to figure out what amount of home loan you will be getting in the future and what your monthly payment, including taxes and insurance you will be paying when you buy your home.  Say for example you are currently paying $850 for rent on your apartment and you've figured that when you buy your first home the PITI (Principle, Interest, Tax, Insurance) payment will be $1300.  Every month pay $850 for rent and put the remaining $450 into a savings account.  This will get you used to making that mortgage payment and when the time comes to buy, it won't be a shock to your bank account.  Plus the lender will see that you are able to make that payment.

Lenders generally like to see 20% down payment but there are loan programs that allow you to get a loan with as little as 3% down.  If you are a Veteran, you can get a VA home loan with no down payment and the seller can pay some or all of the closing costs. 

Loan programs vary based on how much you have for a down payment and cash reserves, your income and debt ratios and your fico scores.  This will affect what interest rate the lender is willing to loan money at as well.

A general rule of thumb is the purchase price should not exceed two and a half times your annually income. 

Renting a home or buying a home in Sacramento is a personal choice.  Both come with advantages and disadvantages.  You have to decide which is right for you and your lifestyle.

Well it's that time of year again for A Taste Of Sacramento.

This event began back in 1985 the same year I began working in the mortgage industry.  Although I was working in San Francisco back then.  I thought of Sacramento as less sophisticated.  On the contrary.  Sacramento has culture and great food.  Here is how you can get a taste of Sacramento for yourself and benefit those with disabilities.

A Taste of Sacramento brings together around 70-80 vendors from various restaurants, wineries and breweries around the greater Sacramento area. 

Your ticket buys you unlimited samplings. 

There is also a silent auction and the money raised from the event benefits the Northern California Easter Seals. 

A Taste of Sacramento is held at the Sacramento Convention Center on September 24th.  It starts at 5:30PM and goes until 9:00PM.  Tickets are sold in advance for $35 and at the door for $50. 

You must be 21 or over to attend the event.  You can get more information and purchase tickets from the website at MyEasterSeals.org.

Summer is coming to a close.  Before we know it, we'll be out shopping for Halloween costumes. 

The season is shifting.  We still have some hot days ahead but I can already smell autumn in the air.

I'm looking forward to wrapping up in my cozy throw and sipping hot chocolate in the evenings.  My favorite is hot cocoa with no sugar and foamy melted marshmallows stirred in.  Without the sugar I can really taste the chocolate and the marshmallows give it just the right blend of sweetness. 

As the days get shorter and darkness comes before 6 PM, there is a sense of home and hearth; wanting to nest.  Listen to the crackle of the fireplace.  Scent my home with cinnamon, vanilla and spice.  Bake bread.

There are places to go that I love to visit in the fall.  Apple Hill, and the Chicken Festival in Old Fair Oaks.  

Summer concerts in the park are finished until next year.  Arden Park even had movie nights in the park.  Lots of things to do that are fun for the family.  Goodbye August.

Sunday is the last outdoor concert for this year at Carmichael park.  It's Capitol Pops Concert Band (a 50 piece band.)  It starts at 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM

This week in Carmichael has been hot but finally the delta breezes are blowing and it's cool enough to take a stroll in the neighborhood.  What I really want to do is go for a bike ride along the American river.  Ancil Hoffman park is just up the street from me. 

What is it that makes me procrastinate?  Just do it! Right?

We took this photo just minutes after the firetrucks arrived at the Twin Oaks Apartments fire in Carmichael on Wednesday.  We were sitting in our living room about half a mile away and heard a loud explosion and felt it too.

The full story is on the KCRA Channel 3 As Seen On TV blog.   The fire did some major damage and there are more photos on the news page, however, the reason I am writing about this is that there is one spectacular photo that was taken at the scene.  I wish I could post it on here but it doesn't belong to me.  So all I can do is point you to the website where it is.  It's number 13 in the slides and was highligted on the news. 

This prompted me to go to the site because if you look at my photo above, it's all smokey and grey.  Of course I wanted to know who could take an atmosphere such as this and turn it into a gorgeous photograph.  An artist of course!  The photo was taken by a local wedding photographer.  His name is Michael and his website is www.PicBug.net. 

Sure ways to ruin any real estate transaction. 

According to Frank and Brian, of Think Big Work Small, if the government pays out millions for the tax credit, and VA Loans offer 100% financing, as does USDA Rural and HUD offers homes for $100 down; then why not bring back options to help FHA buyers get down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance programs used to make it easier for first time home buyers to get into a home with an FHA purchase. My opinion is that it was not these programs that broke our system. I think it was the 80/20 stated income programs that got people in trouble. Even when it was happening, I thought it was crazy.

I think it makes sense to bring back FHA buyer down payment assistance programs.

Down payment assistance programs were all the rage, once upon a time—until President George Bush sighed H.R. 3221, The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Part of the act banned seller-funded down payment assistance programs such as AmeriDream, the Nehemiah program and others.

H.R. 600 is a bill that was introduced to congress in January of 2009, would bring back down payment assistance programs for FHA loans. You can follow the progress by visiting Govtrack.us. It's only in the first steps of the legislative process but is supported by such groups as Nehemiah Corp and AmeriDream Inc.

H.R. 600 is waiting - and today he is still, just a bill.

Sacramento area homeowners can take advantage of the lowest interest rates if they act quickly.  I say act quickly, because the market is unpredictable.  According to the Associated Press, interest rates have not been this low since the 1950's.  Apply Now!

We can lock in interest rates for a period of time, after we have reviewed your loan application and pre-qualified you for a loan specific loan program.

Not sure if refinancing, or purchasing a home is right for you?  Would you really like to know in detail, the advantages of refinancing or buying a home?  What are the benefits and comparisons between several loan scenarios?  Ask for a borrow smart analysis.

Memorial Day Parade in the greater Sacramento area sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4647 in Antelope, CA. 

The 44th Annual North Highlands/Antelope
Memorial Day Parade
May 31st, 2010

Parade begins at 10:00 AM on Watt Ave and I Street.

Parade Map

I'm grateful for the men and women who devote themselves and put their lives in harm's way so that the rest of us can enjoy liberty and freedom.  Yes, we may have different political view points and our society is far from perfect, but we live in a country that is full of opportunity that is often taken for granted. 

Freedom is our "right."  Freedom is something we demand.  Try to take it away and there is going to be a fight.  Freedom comes at a price and it isn't fair.  Some give a little and some give all. 

Memorial Day is a day to honor the memory of those who gave all.

Our right to live as we choose came at a price.  Not only for the men and women who put their lives on the line or have died protecting us, but also the families left behind.  Mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and so on. 

To lose a loved one or to have a loved one in service on the battlefields overseas is a tremendous sacrifice. 

Enjoy the holiday, be safe.  Have fun with those around you.  Barbeque, have a great time, laugh, love and be joyous for the people you love.  Celebrate the lives of men and women who made it possible.  Those who didn't make it home.