Stroll the streets of downtown Red Bluff to enjoy Tehama County Arts Council’s 6^th annual Art Walk.  Participating businesses and venues exhibit the creations of local artists and host receptions in their honor.  All ages are welcome, event takes place from 5pm – 9pm on November 7th and 8th.  For more information call 530.524.1327

Artist Troy Hawkins will lead children through fun, art-filled 4-week sessions. Each session will teach a different art medium and incorporate a children’s book. Students will explore and practice using the materials. In the last class, students will complete and present the final project. Please have you child wear play clothes. Ages 4 and 5.   Hawkman Studios Website

Location: Old City Hall, 1313 Market Street, Redding

Fee: $30 for 4 classes plus $12 supply fee paid to the instructor at first class

Fridays 9/5-9/26 – Monster Collage/Painting

Book: Go Away Big Green Monster

Author: Ed Emberley

Time: 9:30 am-10:30am

Fridays 9/5-9/26 – Crazy Self-Portrait

Book: A Bad Case of Stripes

Author: David Shannon

Time: 11:30 am-12:30pm

Fridays 10/10-10/31 – Wild Things Mask

Book: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Time: 9:30 am-10:30am

Fridays 10/10-10/31 – Charlie Brown Halloween Decoration

Book: It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Author: Charles Schultz

Time: 11:30 am-12:30am

Fridays 11/3-11/21 – Turkey-Collage/Painting

Book: Thanksgiving Day

Author: Anne F. Rockwell

Time: 9:30 am-10:30am

Fridays 11/3-11/21 - Tail Feather

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Book: Thanksgiving Is…

Author: Gail Gibbons

Time: 11:30 am-12:30am

After school events including stories, crafts and fun activities for school-aged children from 4 – 5pm.  This event is free!  Redding Library at 1100 Parkview Avenue.  For more information call 530.245.7253

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Compete in a fun atmosphere while testing your knowledge in a variety of subjects (science, math, geography, sports, arts, and more!).  Grades 4 – 8, all receive prizes.   The event is on Wednesday, November 5th and check-in at 5:30pm at Yaks Koffee Shop 3274 Bechelli Lane.  This event is free!  Call 530.241.5948 for more information.

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Nearly everyone these days has been watching the TV shows on HGTV…”Design on a Dime”, “Buy Me”, “Color Splash”…or even the latest “The Stagers”.  We’ve learned how to make our homes look like a million bucks for next to nothing for actually living in them but is this the best advice for a future home seller?

No.  Staging is not the same as creating a usable space that you will enjoy.  Instead, staging is the art of making your home appealing to the masses (or as many people as possible) instead of for you.  True home staging doesn’t address the issues of comfort and usability…instead, it address the best way to make the rooms look the largest by increasing the open floor space. 

Whether it is elimination of extra furniture (ie side tables, floor pillows, large bulky furniture and replacing them with smaller furniture and larger art work, mirrors (to enlarge rooms) and wall decor.  By picking items up off the floor and making the walls tell the story the rooms visually are larger and more open. 

Creating an atmosphere viod of overly-dramatic details (deep colored walls, etc.) can help more people imagine themselves living in the space and helps them to avoid the feeling that there is much work (painting, repairs) that would have to be done before they move in.  These changes equal $$$$ and that decreases potential offer prices should an offer be made.

Neutral color palattes are the rage for home sellers…browns, beiges, light colors that reflect light and enlarge spaces as well as spaced furniture that maximizes window views, fireplaces…any focal point.  So what should you do to start?  Focus on the overall look of your room.  Eliminate those “trinkets” with sentimental value (often they don’t add to the appeal but detract from it)…remove the items that are bulky and serve a specific purpose for you but aren’t needed in the room to show it (ie CD storage, small tables, computer desk, etc.  Paint the room a light and airy color and pull blinds up for showings to add light to the room. 

Remember, if all else fails, call a neutral third party to suggest changes that you wouldn’t have thought of yourself!  It is best to not be a friend/family member as they can foster feelings about certain objects. If you are in the Shasta/Tehama County areas, we’d be glad to help you!  Just call us at 530.227.0345! 

HAPPY STAGING!

Clint & Mindy Cronic are Realtors with Real Estate Professionals, GMAC in Redding, California.  If you are thinking of listing or buying a home contact us today for our aggressive marketing package or comprehensive buyer services VIP program!  530.227.0345 or contactus@sellingredding.com

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Looking for great nightlife fun in Redding?  Why not stop by Turtle Bay’s “Culture Shock” activities on the first Friday of each month.  This month (November 2008) features Cocktails with the Gecko’s (see below).  For more information visit the Culture Shock MySpace page

If you are an adventurer or a “relic-hunter” there is a great opportunity awaiting you at Shasta Lake!  With the lake levels historically low you can view history that won’t be available for viewing after winter hits and rains start to fill the lake back up.  Redding.com has a great article about what’s been “uncovered” from the historically low water levels we are currently experiencing…but why not take a family trip out there and see for yourself???

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Well most people reading the local newspaper, The Record Searchlight, couldn’t miss the front page article yesterday about the local housing market in contrast to the economy crisis nationwide. 

According to DataQuick Information Systems the median sales price in Shasta County was $212,750 for new and resale homes which is down from $225,000 in August and $253,000 in September 2007.  This data puts median home prices in Shasta County  29% below our highest peak in 2006 at $300,000.  The numbers that we are seeing now are more indicitive of 2004 sales prices (as the median sales price was $190,000 in April 2004).  Althouh meidan prices are down, DataQuick also reported that 168 homes were sold in Shasta County in September, a 7.7 percent increase from a year ago. For more information on our local real estate market visit our Real Estate Blog.

In comparision with state statistics,

Residential Listings:  There are currently 1738 active listings and another 374 listings that are pending (in escrow).  Three weeks ago there were 1877 active listings with another 368 in escrow which was up from 1,702 active listings 4 months ago! 

     Historical Data for Closed (Sold) MLS Listings in Shasta County

• 163 closed escrows in April 2008
• 182 closed escrows in May 2008
• 151 closed escrows in June 2008
• 169 closed escrows in July 2008
• 186 closed escrows in August 2008
• 177 closed escrows in September 2008
• So far there have been 80 closed escrows in October 2008 

Overall statistic for the year 2007: there were 2,140 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS database.  So far in 2008 we have had 1515 listings that have closed escrow. 

Click Here to search the entire Shasta MLS!

Are you thinking of selling your home?  Before selecting your agent make sure that they know where the market is going, where it has been and how they can help you to SELL your home, not just LIST it! 

If you are buying a home we’d love to help you find the home of your dreams.  Whether you are buying in 2 days or 2 years we can help you from relocation information, school data or neighborhood demographics to loan prequalification, previewing homes or sending virtual tours! 

Contact Clint and Mindy Cronic at Real Estate Professionals, GMAC today at 530.227.0345 for more information on how our agressive marketing strategy can SELL your home!