Spare the Air!!

Make a difference in your home-To keep te air quality as healthy as possible, please consider implementing some of these simple tips around your house to help reduce air pollution. It will help the environment and your over all health.

-Use water-based paints, coatings and adhesives instead of oil-based formulas
-Switch from gas-powered yard tools o electric powered tools
-Use Propane gas BBQ's instead of a chracoal grill
-Avoid using pesticides or use organic ones
-avoid consumer spray products when possible (inc. hairspray, furniture polish, cooking sprays, bathroom cleaners, air freshners, deodorants, insecticides, and hobby craft sprays).

When the air quality is bad, even healthy people ca have respiratory irritation or difficulties breathing while outdoors. High air pollution levels can have short term and long term effects...

visit: http://www.sparetheair.com

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker
Connect Realty
Toll Free 866-333-6333
wendimae@wendimae.com
http://www.wendimae.com

Protect your Children!

As our Air Quality worsens, it is crucial to check on the daily reports provided to you by and through http://www.sparetheair.com/ There is all sorts of information on this site-most importantly, informing the public when one should avoid going out doors if you are in considered being in ond of the sensitive groups.
Should you need assistance regarding Real Estate-Please contact me today, I look forward to speaking with you!

Respectfully-
Wendi-Mae Davis
Connect Realty
Broker Associate
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Toll Free 866-333-6333
http://www.wendimae.com

How to buy a "Green" home

So...you have decided to join the fast-growing trend of eco-friendly living and want to purchase a green home. As with so many "Green" products currently available, from organic milk to hybrid cars, it's tough to know if the house you'dl ike to buy is good for the environment. So how do you determine what makes a house green? Going Green-Where to start: The first step is ensuring that the house is built to standard. Find out if the builder is a member of his or her local home-building association's green building program.

A good resource for this information is the National Association of Home Builders website http://www.nahb.org the site also features an outline of new home building green standards, which include: energy, water, and resource efficiency; lot and site developement; indoor air quality; global impact; and homeowner education.

Another source of good information is Home Depot's eco-friendly product guide http://www.homedepot.com/ecooptions Buying eco-friendly products is a growing trend with no end in site.

For more information on this, and any other Home buying or selling topic, contact:
Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Connect Realty
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Toll Free 866-333-6333
wendmae@wendimae.com
http://www.wendimae.com

Energy Efficiency-Learn to be GREEN!

It is easier than you think to be Green...Home improvements don’t have to be epic to relieve utility costs. Here are ideas to start you off-thinking GREEN!

Some things you can do, that cost little to no money-AND over time, will actually save you lots of cash:

-If you have a home office-buy an “All-in-one” FAX, Scanner, and Copier...saves A LOT of energy, and costs you less to operate.
-When you go to bed at night, or out of town-or even during the day when not using your TV or VCR-turn off the power strip...keep in mind, when your appliances are off, but still plugged in-they pull and use power. This will save you anywhere from $60.-$100. a year on your Electric bill.
-Recycling, in general, is huge. It is so much better to buy a re-usable beverage bottle-than to buy bottled water...just think of how much you will save-using filtered water, over buying bottled water.
-Turn up the air conditioner thermostat.
-Change filters often.
-Plant trees on the South and West sides of the home to provide shade and reduce interior temperatures.
-Landscape with drought-resistant or indigenous plants, which retain more water.
-Add motion sensor lights, to save electricity.
-Install a gas fireplace in an addition, such as a den or sunroom, which will extend heat to that room.
-Replace appliances with Energy Star-rated versions. They exceed Government energy-efficiency standards by 10-25%.
-Invest in new, more energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
-Paint your home’s exterior a light color-as darker colors retain more heat.
-Plug up air leaks, which are equivalent of leaving a window open all year.
This can save up to 10% of your energy bill.
-Install double-glazed windows with low-emisson glass, which allow maximum light while keeping out heat and cold.
-When replacing roofing, install light-colored shingles made of material or tile to reflect heat.
-Add insulation in walls.

This is just a start! Feel free to email me-should you like more information or links to helpful energy saving “GREEN” websites!

check it out! http://www.epa.org

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate
Connect Realty
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Toll free 866-333-6333
http://www.wendimae.com

County Assessor Re-assessing Values of 12,000 homes

Property owner information: www.parcelquest.com
El Dorado County Records: www.governmentregistry.org
Public Records: www.govtregistry.com

Call or Email your Assessor at: 530-621-5719 or jwinners@co.el-dorado.ca.us

PRESS RELEASE FOR EL DORADO COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS FROM ASSESSOR TIM HOLCOMB

El Dorado County Assessor Tim Holcomb announces 12,000 properties to be reviewed for lowered assessments Placerville, March 28, 2008: Tim Holcomb, El Dorado County Assessor, today announced that more than 12,000 properties are under review and considered for lower property tax assessments. Generally, the reviewed properties are those with assessments resulting from changes in ownership or new construction that occurred during the peak of the real estate market. Holcomb explained the process involves three steps. "First, we have already selected all properties which sold or had some reassessment activity between June 2004 and December 2007. Now, we are currently processing sales and new construction values through the end on March 2008, in order to get an accurate picture of the market in January. Finally we will evaluate the decline in the market and decrease assessments accordingly." The reduced assessed values will be reflected in the tax bill for the 2008/2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1st, 2008.
Holcomb says that, depending on what other charges are on the property tax bill, property owners could see a reduction of up to twenty percent in the tax bills mailed out this coming fall.
The Assessor went on to clarify that a 1978 constitutional amendment (Proposition 8), requires the Assessor to recognize a temporary loss in value. Each year, the Assessor is to enroll the lower of the factored base year value or current market value as of the lien date, January 1st. Normally, the factored value assessed under Prop13 is lower than market, but in a down market, the reverse can occur, and when it does, the Assessor temporarily lowers the assessed value.
"The property is assessed at whichever is lower, the factored base year value or the market value" Holcomb explained "As we understand the current market, if the property was purchased before somewhere around the middle of 2004, before the market really took off, the trended base year value is still lower than the market value.
The most likely
candidates for a reduction are those who purchased or built a home sometime after the middle of 2004."
Property owners whose values have been reduced will receive a notice from the Assessor showing the new assessed value. The Assessor's Office will also review property at the request of the owner. The Assessor reviewed and lowered several hundred properties retroactively for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Under current law, the Assessor has until July 1st of 2008 to recognize declines in value as of January 1st, 2007.
Once a reduced assessment is in place, California law requires the Assessor to track real estate market trends and reappraise the properties to current market value as of January 1st annually, until the market value exceeds its factored base year value. At that time, the trended or factored base year value is re-enrolled, regardless of how high the market value climbs.
Proposition 13, passed in 1978, requires a reappraisal to current market value, on a change in ownership or completion of new construction. This value, the base year value, increases annually by a maximum of 2%. Annual ad valorum property taxes are charged at 1% of the trended base year value. If a subsequent change in ownership occurs, a new base year value is established. New construction is appraised at fair market value and added to the existing trended base year value.
The Proposition 8 reductions reflect a widespread decline in real estate prices in El Dorado County since early 2007.
Property owners who have questions or who wish to request a review of their assessed values can call the Assessor's Office. The main office is located at 360 Fair Lane in Placerville, CA. Office hours are 8-5 and the main phone number is 530.621.5719. The South Lake Tahoe Office is located at 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Suite 103, SLT CA 96150.

Office Hours are also 8-5 and the phone number is 530.573.3422.
The Assessor's web site, www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/assessor has both information on a variety of property tax issues as well as an on line application for Prop 8 review.

Contact - Tim Holcomb, Assessor, 530-621-5719.
tholcomb@co.el-dorado.ca.us

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Vice Chair Land Use/Environmental Committee
www.wendimae.com Toll Free 866-333-6333

County Assessor adjusts value of 12000 homes

For additional information on the current value of your home-Contact me today, I can link you to the County website...or provide you with even more in-depth information on the subject.

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Connect Realty
Director of the California Association of Realtors
wendimae@wendimae.com
http://www.wendimae.com
Toll Free 866-333-6333

Property Values Re-Assessed

Property owner information: http://www.blogger.com/www.parcelquest.com El Dorado County Records: http://www.blogger.com/www.governmentregistry.org Public Records: http://www.blogger.com/www.govtregistry.com
Call or Email your Assessor at: 530-621-5719 or jwinners@co.el-dorado.ca.us
PRESS RELEASE FOR EL DORADO COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS FROM ASSESSOR TIM HOLCOMB

El Dorado County Assessor Tim Holcomb announces 12,000 properties to be reviewed for lowered assessments Placerville, March 28, 2008: Tim Holcomb, El Dorado County Assessor, today announced that more than 12,000 properties are under review and considered for lower property tax assessments. Generally, the reviewed properties are those with assessments resulting from changes in ownership or new construction that occurred during the peak of the real estate market. Holcomb explained the process involves three steps. "First, we have already selected all properties which sold or had some reassessment activity between June 2004 and December 2007. Now, we are currently processing sales and new construction values through the end on March 2008, in order to get an accurate picture of the market in January. Finally we will evaluate the decline in the market and decrease assessments accordingly." The reduced assessed values will be reflected in the tax bill for the 2008/2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1st, 2008.
Holcomb says that, depending on what other charges are on the property tax bill, property owners could see a reduction of up to twenty percent in the tax bills mailed out this coming fall.
The Assessor went on to clarify that a 1978 constitutional amendment (Proposition 8), requires the Assessor to recognize a temporary loss in value. Each year, the Assessor is to enroll the lower of the factored base year value or current market value as of the lien date, January 1st. Normally, the factored value assessed under Prop13 is lower than market, but in a down market, the reverse can occur, and when it does, the Assessor temporarily lowers the assessed value.
"The property is assessed at whichever is lower, the factored base year value or the market value" Holcomb explained "As we understand the current market, if the property was purchased before somewhere around the middle of 2004, before the market really took off, the trended base year value is still lower than the market value.
The most likely
candidates for a reduction are those who purchased or built a home sometime after the middle of 2004."
Property owners whose values have been reduced will receive a notice from the Assessor showing the new assessed value. The Assessor's Office will also review property at the request of the owner. The Assessor reviewed and lowered several hundred properties retroactively for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Under current law, the Assessor has until July 1st of 2008 to recognize declines in value as of January 1st, 2007.
Once a reduced assessment is in place, California law requires the Assessor to track real estate market trends and reappraise the properties to current market value as of January 1st annually, until the market value exceeds its factored base year value. At that time, the trended or factored base year value is re-enrolled, regardless of how high the market value climbs.
Proposition 13, passed in 1978, requires a reappraisal to current market value, on a change in ownership or completion of new construction. This value, the base year value, increases annually by a maximum of 2%. Annual ad valorum property taxes are charged at 1% of the trended base year value. If a subsequent change in ownership occurs, a new base year value is established. New construction is appraised at fair market value and added to the existing trended base year value.
The Proposition 8 reductions reflect a widespread decline in real estate prices in El Dorado County since early 2007.
Property owners who have questions or who wish to request a review of their assessed values can call the Assessor's Office. The main office is located at 360 Fair Lane in Placerville, CA. Office hours are 8-5 and the main phone number is 530.621.5719. The South Lake Tahoe Office is located at 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Suite 103, SLT CA 96150.
Office Hours are also 8-5 and the phone number is 530.573.3422. The Assessor's web site, http://www.blogger.com/www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/assessor has both information on a variety of property tax issues as well as an on line application for Prop 8 review.
Contact - Tim Holcomb, Assessor, 530-621-5719. tholcomb@co.el-dorado.ca.us

Vista Homes-Custom Builder in El Dorado Hills

I just visited an Open House hosted by Bennett McCullouchVista Home Builders-
Talk about CLASS!!

http://www.vistahomebuilders.com/

They have many Prestigious Communities throughout Northern California. My favorite is right here in El Dorado Hills. Located in the The Promontory. "Your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle and personal successes. And at Vista Homes, we also understand that you are a Conoisseur off all the finer things in life, and that you demand nothing less than the best. So do we. That is why we have chosen to build homes for a selective and distinct clientelle who appreciate the fine craftsmanship of a custom residence. We invite you to experience Vista Homes."
Bennett McCullough

For Specific information on any home in El Dorado Hills, Phone:
Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor
Director of the california Association of Realtors
http://www.wendimae.com/ Toll Free 866-333-6333

Your "Chalet" amongst the trees...

Great location-view lot. Off the beaten path yet just 7 minutes to Jenkinson Lake and 4 miles from the Holiday Market. Did I say View?? WOW, Madrone's abound. Like a sactuary. Quaint, "Chalet" style home-loft area design.

Surrounded by redwood decking-View from Living, Dining and Deck areas. Close to town, and not long to Tahoe! 2.95 Acres. Location! Location! Location! http://www.wendimae.com

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI

Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor

Connect Realty

Toll Free: 866-333-6333

The Foreclosure "Crisis" is Overblown

"Sure there are pockets of pain-but it isn't as if most American's are losing their homes." More than 99% of homes are not in Foreclosure."

A recent list of year-end mortgage foreclosure rates in 100 top metropolitan areas drew a lot of attention. Released by RealtyTrac, a company that compiles data on home foreclosures, the list showed the number of foreclosure filings in each metro area, the percentage of homes being foreclosed and the percentage change from the previous year. Though the report had some dismal news -- such as the nearly 4.9% foreclosure rate in the Stockton, Calif., area -- a close look at the data also provides some reassuring information. It tells me, for instance, that the foreclosure crisis is a regional problem, not a systemic one. It could become a systemic problem, of course, but we're a long way from that now. This news will disappoint the gloom-and-doom crew and all those seeking the excitement of financial upheaval. But it may be time to temper our worry and take a closer look at some of the year-over-year foreclosure statistics: Though the national rate of foreclosure increased by a whopping 79% between December 2006 and December 2007, the rate was still only 1.033%. Because about 30% of all homes are owned mortgage-free, this means that for all the noise about a crisis, only seven-tenths of 1% of all homes were in foreclosure. In the top 100 housing markets, the average foreclosure rate was somewhat higher -- 1.38% -- and it was up 78% over the previous year. But if you rank-ordered the list of the top 100 areas, only 34 had foreclosure rates above the group average. Fifty-one areas had rates of 1% or less. Foreclosure rates actually fell in 14 of the 100 areas. More important, many of the areas with the highest increases in foreclosure rates were rising off rates that were tiny. The Bethesda, Md., area, to offer the most extreme case, saw foreclosures rise 1,288% -- to a rate of 0.682%. In other words, foreclosures there were virtually nonexistent the year before. Today they are still well below the national average. The same can be said for the Albany, N.Y., area (up 638% to 0.25%), the Baltimore area (up 544% to 0.73%) and the Providence, R.I., area (up 354% to 0.41%).

For More information, or for a Housing Counselor:
Contact Wendi-Mae Davis,CRS, GRI
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Broker Associate, Counselor
20 Years of Service
Connect Realty
http://www.wendimae.com
Toll Free 866-333-6333

Short Sales-interesting facts for El Dorado County

Last 30 days in El Dorado County:

1371 active listings, 78 short sales currently listed,
1737 closed escrows, 26 were short sales.

El Dorado Average: 5.6% of all residential listings are short sales; 1.4% of short sales close escrow.

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Vice Chair Land Use & Environmental
www.wendimae.com
wendimae@wendimae.com
Toll Free 866-333-6333

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

Buying a home in El Dorado County

Hello there,

I am a Realtor, Broker and Real Estate Counselor-selling homes in El Dorado County. If you are thinking about selling a home, or buying one...allow me to put my 20+ years experience to work for you. I have helped more than a thousand satisfied clients over the years. Experience counts. Your successful move is what matters.

Feel free to contact me:

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI

Director of the California Association of Realtors

Toll Free 866-333-6333

Visit me on the web:

Homes for Sale in El Dorado County