My husband asked me if I saw the sign. I hadn't. Now it doesn't surprise me that houses go into foreclosure...I have shown five dozen of them in Carmichael over the past several months, but it did surprise me when the only one on my street just posted a sign today announcing a public auction. Really? I guess my surprise is mostly because in this little, warm Carmichael community, all the houses are owner-occupied and some of the folks on my street have been here many years. Scratch that. ALL of the folks on my street, with rare exception, have been here many years. I've only owned this house 15 years, but most everyone else, double that. Wow. Anyway, it was a big deal that we had a foreclosure. And, I even have shown it twice to people who found it on a website (a bank owned sign never ... 01/08/2009

With the New Year upon us I notice lots of people eager for a fresh start. Organized offices, new attitudes, a brand new beginning to counter that not-so-great year many of us experienced. If that's you, or even if it's not, here's the most powerful secret I can share with anyone--- in other words, it's universally true and oh so important to achieving any goals you might hold in your heart for the New Year. But first, a bit of background. In my 20 years of training in therapy and success coaching and my 20 years in real estate (and no, that doesn't equal 40 years; I pursued both at the same time), I think I've finally figured out what holds most people back. It's the I'll-be-happy-when syndrome. I'll be happy when I have more money, when I have more clients, when the kids behave, when ... 01/05/2009

Having sold plenty of Carmichael and surrounding area foreclosures over recent months, I'm seeing some interesting progressions.First of all, the banks seem to be getting a little bit easier to work with. Let's face it, banks don't want to be in the property management business. The longer they have to hold on to a property, the more money they lose. So this aspect is getting better. What's sill a bit on the bad side is that some banks (many) are not in California. I just closed a deal with a bank in Texas and another one in Arizona. Remote signings and different paperwork can make this time-consuming and frustrating at best. This is why it's so important you work with an agent who understands the details and knows how to get things done! What I'm noticing this week is that virtually al... 12/16/2008

   For my Carmichael friends, here are events worth noting for this week. UPDATE: December 11th, 2008 - The Holiday House needs your help! We are looking for a new location and sponsors to bring the house back to our community. The Holiday House not only brought joy to many, but it also collected more than 7000 canned goods for food for families. With your help we can bring it back! Please contact us if you are interested in helping us give back to the community. Click Here to contact us.   Here's a great site for checking out lights in the Carmichael area: http://www.tackylighttour.com/lights/The_Holiday_House_100K_Lights_timed_to_music   And here's a site to see lights while listening to music! http://www.beachcalifornia.com/holiday-house-sacramento.html   Personal insight: I will con... 12/15/2008

Often as Realtors, we summarize the Real Estate statistics each month but very seldom show each month in one area for the reader to compare.  This will hopefully be of interest for those who are interested in how the numbers have played out during 2008. Have you wondered how Real Estate has effected Carmichael, CA this year?  Here is a list of single family residences that sold each month since January 1, 2008 through August 31, 2008 along with the Average sold price for each month. For a more detailed view of the area, it is important to take a look at the actual neighborhood within a one mile radius of your home but this will give you an idea of how Carmichael, CA has withstood the current Real Estate market. A Comparative Analysis of your home is done individually. Square footage and... 08/31/2008

Most people do their part to keep their house, and all their appliances, in working order. Most people schedule a regular professional furnace cleaning, but few think to do so for their clothes dryer.   Generally, when it comes to keeping a dryer clean, most people think the extent of the job relates to removing lint from the lint trap and possibly, once in a while, vacuum out the chute that holds the lint trap. But there is much more to do than that. That lint trap, while doing its job, can't do it all. Some lint is going to get past it and into other areas of your clothes dryer that you may not be able to clean on your own.   This is the time to call in a professional.  The work it takes to disassemble these parts of your dryer is difficult, and doing it incorrectly could cause more d... 08/28/2008

Paying special attention to detail, DVW inspects dryer vents for fire hazards and makes necessary corrections while educating the customer                                                        Carmichael, CA -- Gina M. Fazil, Former Convenient Store Owner, traded her business for a logo-gina uniform to own and operate a Dryer Vent Wizard, Safe Homes, Dry Clothes (DVW), franchise in Sacramento, CA and surrounding areas.  DVW services prevent dryer fires, keep dryers functioning properly and provide energy savings through dryer and dryer vent maintenance, cleaning, repair, replacement and alterations.  When Fazil decided she didn't want to go back into the retail business, she looked into franchising.  Having been in customer service most of her career gave her a wealth of experience on ... 08/23/2008

As of July 1, 2008 a part of the old Foothill Farms bordered by Winding Way, backing to American River Junior College and Garfield otherwises known as Cameron Ranch is now no longer known as Sacramento 95841, but now is Carmichael 95608.  This voted changed from the homeowners in the area has helped lower their insurance rates and increase property values.  Welcome to the newest members of Carmichael.   Make sure you update your address books. 07/22/2008

42nd Annual North Highlands/Antelope Memorial Day Parade Monday, 26 May 2008 VFW Post 4647 will present the 42nd Annual Memorial Day Parade honoring all those who gave their lives in defense of our great country. Applications are now being accepted for parade participants.  Trophies will be awarded in each category.  A participation ribbon will be given to each individual participating in the parade. All parade entries will be considered and must be approved by the Parade Committee.   To download and print a copy of the entry form along with the parade route map, visit:  http://vfwpost4647.org/ or Click on the photo to go directly to the Parade sign up information. For entrants and viewers there will be hot dogs, sodas, and beer (plus a no-host bar, of course) available at VFW Post 4647... 03/25/2008

As a child, one of the most exciting things I remember about Easter was going to the store and seeing bins filled with colorful baby chicks.  On my grampa's farm I would chase the little chickies all over the place trying to catch one.  They were too swift for me darting under the fence or into an opening in the barn.  Finally the mama hen would get fed up and jump all over me.  Scared me from chasing her babies.  That's for sure.    Children love little baby bunnies, ducklings and chicks.  They are cute a cuddly.  Fun to play with for about a day or so.  But what happens after the novelty wears off?  Rabbits and birds need special care.  While they may make excellent pets for some people, they are not toys.  Please resist the urge to buy them for your children unless you are willing a... 03/12/2008

 Home Ownership; Grab a Piece of Your Country            As generation after generation that came before them, people continue to pour into the country, looking for the opportunity to make a better life.  Some of them come for the chance to live in a democracy, the right to choose leaders and participate in politics. But a far more motivating force driving most of the newcomers is their economic interests, the freedom to start their own businesses, to own their own home, and to do better for their children.              I believe that immigrants serve as a constant reminder to the American born that we are surrounded by opportunity. There are risks worth taking, businesses to start, college degrees to be had, and investments to be made. The future is bright for those with the strength ... 11/29/2007

http://www.National-Open-House.comI can't believe November is upon us! Well...a couple months ago I posted about the upcoming National Open House. It is this weekend...I will be holding open my listing at 5902 Casa Alegre in Carmichael from 11am - 2pm. It is a great dual master suite 2 bedroom / 2.5 bathroom condo in a great community in Carmichael. You can view more details at http://www.5902casaalegre.com/. Hope to see you there! 10/31/2007

Hello all and welcome to my blog.  You may be here because I invited you personally or because you picked me up online or from some of my other marketing. I encourage you to engage me with any question regarding real estate, but just at important please use this as a forum to talk about our community and of course our favorite subjects of food and entertainment.  For starters I am going to just attach my favorite current listing in Carmichael and some content from my Shameless Newsletter.   Movie Reviews From October Shameless Newsletter To receive Shameless Newsletter in its entirety by snail mail, shoot me an email at mmiller@golyon.com The KingdomThis is an action movie about fighting terrorists in Saudi Arabia directed by Peter Berg and starring academy award winners Jamie Foxx and ... 10/31/2007

This is part of a new series of statistical reports I'm introducing. Every day I will be focusing on a specific area of Sacramento county. Consider it a broad perspective of the market. Today, the focus is on Carmichael - the zip code of 95608. With about 50,000 residents in the year of 2000, and an estimated median household income of $55,600, this city has grown in importance. Now one of the major hubs of Sacramento county, a median priced home sells for $381,000, down from $415,000 in 2006. Considering buying in Carmichael, CA? Be sure to check out www.SacramentoRealEstateGal.com first! 09/13/2007

Yes, the economic scene is not as strong as it was -and not that very long ago.  As soon as you have let that thought into your mind, you should follow it up with a question - and not just any question!  Ask yourself, "for whom?"  For whom are the economic forecasts threatening?If you are a sensible person who has carefully monitored their finances and paid your bills on time, this market is an opportunity.  If you have a stable job (not like us Realtor's) you have an income that will carry you through fluctuating markets;  then this is an opportunity market for you as well!My son has a friend who has graduated from a major American university with a degree in Engineering.  He has been working for a top bio-engineering company even before graduating from college.  He has been out for ov... 09/13/2007

The third annual Mustard Seed Spin will be held Sept. 2, at William Pond Park in Carmichael. The organized bike ride for children 8 and older will take place along the American River Parkway, with 13-mile and 20-mile routes.All proceeds are donated to the Mustard Seed School, which provides educational services for homeless children in Sacramento.Participants will receive a bike and helmet check, safe cycling instruction, T-shirt, rest stop, and prizes and treats at the end of the ride. Cost is $25 per child who registered in advance, and there is a discount for families.Check-in, helmet and bike checks begin at 11 a.m., and the ride starts at noon. For information and registration, visit http://www.mustardseedspin.org/ 08/27/2007

Monday, May 28 200711:00am   Memorial Day Ceremony Memorial Day Ceremony, Carmichael Elks Lodge, 5631 Cypress Ave. Monday, May 28, 2007 11:00 amGuest speaker CMS Geo. Moses (USAF Ret.). Open to the public. Lunch available following service. Information: 489-2103.   05/25/2007

    Now that home prices are stabilizing and interest rates are slightly higher tighter credit standards are increasingly becoming the norm.  The industry went wild over the last few years, but now is returning to the more traditional methods of underwriting mortgages.    Gone are the days of excessively taking risks on borrowers with poor credit.  Underwriting standards are becoming tighter on other non-traditional loan products such as Alt-A loans where less documentation is required to qualify than with a conforming loan, option ARMs, which give the borrowers the option to pay less than the monthly interest owed (resulting in negative amortization), no money down loans, and interest only loans.    Consumers who for whatever reason could not qualify for the stricter conforming loan pr... 05/23/2007

PREVENTION OF RECREATIONAL WATER ILLNESS (RWIs)    Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week May 21 - 27th, 2007 Why is this information Important RWI's are illnesses associated with swimming at water venues with the most common illness being diarrhea caused by germs in the water.  Below are some links that will provide you with information for your health and safety while you enjoy the swimming venues such as swimming pools, streams, rivers, lakes and oceans this summer.  Questions and Answers for Aquatic Facility Staff Information for Swimmers Recommendations for Operating and Using Public Swimming Pools Recommendations for Operating and Using Public Spas Strategies for Drowning Prevention Six PLEAs for Healthy Swimming Protect Yourself and Your Family at the Pool this Summer For mo... 05/19/2007

  My mom married an air force man when I was six and that ended any chance of me getting to grow up in one place.  We moved about every two years!  Just as soon as I started to feel settled and at home in our new environment, it would be time to pack up and move thousands of miles away in another unknown destination.    When I was grown, I moved to San Francisco to be near my father and work in his real estate business.  My father grew up in San Francisco so that was the closest thing I had to a hometown.  It was more like a home base because I didn't have any long term relationships there except for my family.    I never felt really grounded to any particular place until now.  I moved to Carmichael in March of 1990 just two months before my son was born.  He was born at Mercy San Juan ... 04/26/2007