Austin has fun watching the horses parade around the grounds at the beginning of the Redding Rodeo on Family Night.

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

Overall statistic for the year 2007: there were 2,140 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS database.

Overall statistic for the year 2008: there were 1,942 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS database.

Visit http://www.sellingredding.com/idx.htm to search the entire Shasta MLS Database

Contact Clint and Mindy Cronic at Real Estate Professionals, GMAC today at 530.227.0345 for more information on how our aggressive marketing strategy can SELL your home or visit our website, www.sellingredding.com to search the entire MLS database for your next new home!

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!

A “short sale” is when someone who owns a home (financed by a bank) is allowed to sell the home for less than the current amount owed on the property.  The bank needs to approve the amount of payoff that is “short” of the amount that is owed to them and this is where the name “short sale” comes from. 

The misconception is that ANYONE can do a short sale just because the home is worth less than they paid for it.  This is very untrue and Realtors should be discussing this with potential homeowners looking to do a short sale on their home.  Banks now are reviewing possible short sale homes to determine if the seller actually qualifies to sell the home short. 

So how can a home and the seller “qualify” for a short sale?  Each bank varies.  This being said, the general rule is that the seller needs to show a “hardship” through a letter in which they disclose their situation that has led them to HAVE to sell the home now instead of waiting out the market.  Some hardships include loss of job or medical problems and the seller should present actual proof of the hardship with the Short Sale package.   In addition to a hardship, some banks are reviewing the original loan package from when the buyer purchased the home to ensure they didn’t exaggerate their income/decrease expenses when they originally purchased (which is actually lender fraud and some areas considered “grand theft”).  You should also be prepared to provide past tax documents and statements of current income/expenses to support your need to sell now. 

For more information on Short Sales contact Clint & Mindy Cronic, The Cronic Group of Real Estate Professionals GMAC at 530.227.0345 or via email at contactus@sellingredding.com.

My son and I stopped by the downtown Redding Library to drop off and check out some new books…little did we know it was “Healthy Shasta” day there!  They had great events like “Twister” (above) and healthy food tasting booths for kids and adults alike to partake in.  We even got to create a “bean seed” glove which is hanging in our kitchen window and is now sprouting…!  Healthy Shasta gave us great free healthy cooking cookbooks as well as a lot of information on little ways to ensure the kids are getting enough calcium, fruits and vegetables.  For more information on Healthy Shasta, visit their website at www.healthyshasta.org

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As the nation undergoes dramatic financial changes California has introduced a new tax incentive to try to increase home sales and help stimulate the state’s economy. This hefty $10,000 tax credit has been designed to help get many of the empty new construction homes off the market and get more money circulating through the state in a short period of time.

This credit, coupled with the historically low interest rates and the high numbers of new construction homes on the market makes the dream of home ownership a reality for those that have yet to purchase their dream home.

At first glance this $10,000 tax credit appears to be very straight-forward but a further look at the Franchise Tax Board website details out the program and is a MUST READ before actually expecting to receive this tax credit.

First, did you know that the government has allotted $100,000,000 for this program BUT it is offered on a “first come, first served” basis? That’s right, this credit is not a sure thing! You first need to actually CLOSE an escrow and then you have only ONE WEEK in which to file your paperwork in accordance with the rules on the FTB website to qualify. The actual amount of your credit is, as stated “a total tax credit amount equal to either five percent of the purchase price or $10,000, whichever is less”…and taxpayers must apply the total tax credit in equal amounts over three successive taxable years (maximum of $3,333 per year) beginning with the taxable year (2009 or 2010) in which the new home is purchased so it is not a $10,000 credit for one year’s taxes.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a great offer…where else can you get FREE money for buying a home? What I do recommend is that you consult with a licensed Realtor to assist you with your entire home purchase experience to ensure you have done everything correctly to receive your tax credits.

Visit the Franchise Tax Board Tax Credit webpage for actual details and application information to make sure you will qualify before counting on this great credit!

Here is the current state of the tax credit allocation since implementation:

Applications for New Home Credit received, but not yet processed as of 3/4/09
Number of applications received : 173
Credit claimed on applications: $1,715,826

Written by Clint and Mindy Cronic at Real Estate Professionals GMAC in Redding (530) 227-0345, www.sellingredding.com or www.reddingblogs.com/reddingrealestate

We’d love to use our expertise to assist you with your real estate needs!

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Residential Listings: There are currently 1543 active listings (up from 1525 1 month ago and 1538 earlier this week) and another 303 listings that are pending escrow (exactly the same as 1 month ago and down from 318 earlier this week). So far this year there have been 229 sold listings in the MLS database.

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

Overall statistic for the year 2007: there were 2,140 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS database.

Overall statistic for the year 2008: there were 1,942 listings that sold (closed escrow) and were recorded in the MLS datbase.

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 or visit our website, www.sellingredding.com to search the entire MLS database for your next new home!

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Driving by the Cypress Bridge in Redding today I was happy to see that traffic was flowing rather nicely over the bridge…the construction has been well worth the wait.  The big question that seems to be lurking in everyone’s minds is why, oh why, did they decide to do construction on both the Cypress bridge and the Park Marina bridge at the same time?  Was it to use the budgetary funds before they ran out at the end of the year?  Or some other reason?  I’d love to know if you know or can speculate why!
Cypress bridge

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

Mobile

Book: Thanksgiving Is…

Author: Gail Gibbons

Time: 11:30 am-12:30am

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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