Moving from one house to another is always a challenge, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare.  Here are some simple tips on how to get it done with minimal stress and strain. •·        Look at all the alternatives: hiring a moving company, for example, versus renting a truck and doing it yourself.  Whichever alternative makes most sense for you, get bids from more than one vendor. •·        A few days before the moving company is scheduled to arrive or you're supposed to pick up your rental truck, call to confirm that everything is on track to happen when it's supposed to . •·        Prepare your change of address cards in advance and send them out as soon as it's appropriate to do so.  The post office, utilities, companies and people you do business with, city hall, friends, relatives... 08/06/2008

  What home improvements really pay off when the time comes to sell your house?That's an important question for any homeowner contemplating moving or remodeling.   And the only possible answer is a somewhat complicated one.           That answer starts with the fact that really major improvements - room additions, total replacements of kitchens and baths, etc., -- rarely pay off fully in the near term.  It ends with the fact that small and relatively inexpensive changes can pay off in a big way in making your home attractive to buyers if your decision is to move now. It's a simple fact, consistently confirmed across America over a very long period of time, that even the most appropriate major improvements are unlikely to return their full cost if a house is sold within two or three year... 08/06/2008

Are you ready when wildfires strikes.  You too can make a difference for your family, home and community.  Attend a meeting to learn how to be ready.  During the seminar a photo presentation and video will be presented.  Hosted by the Paradise and Butte County Fire Safe Council and the Town and Paradise.Come learn the recipe for successfully living with wildfires from the local experts in this community wide event to be held August 7th from 6:30- 9:00 PM.  Location:    CMA Church, 6491 Clark Road, ParadiseGet information about: *Family and personal preparedness tips*Animal wildfire preparedness*Ordering reflective address signs*Find out how to keep brush from growing back*Community wildfire safety projects*Removal of invasive Scotch Broom and*Forest Stewardship                        08/05/2008

Turn that dated home for sale into the object of their desire. Sellers of less-desirable homes need to go the extra mile to update the property and highlight its best features.  In fact, you'll probably need to do more updating to those homes than a fixer-upper. The desirability factor goes up if you update the homes with features like granite or tiled countertops, hardwood floors and new carpeting.   A listing with hot amenities like all-new appliances will still draw buyers in.  Square footage also works in the split-entry home's favor. Most split-entry, split-foyer and split-level homes are relatively large.  The various types of less desirable houses aren't the only type of home that can be considered challenging to sell in today's market. Homes on busy streets can be a challenge to... 08/01/2008

The homebuying process can seem complicated, but if you take things step-by-step, you will soon be holding the keys to your own home!  Nine steps to buying a home   1.  Figure out how much you can afford   2.  Know your rights   3.  Shop for a loan   4.  Learn about homebuying programs   5.  Shop for a home   6.  Make an offer   7.  Get a home inspection   8.  Shop for homeowners insurance   9.  You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read everything before you sign!  Now if these nine steps seem overwhelming, Call a professional Paradise Realtor, Suzi Enders to assist you when your ready to start your Paradise home buying search.  Reach me at 530-873-6146 or 530-228-1688. P. S.  You can sign up to receive a list of foreclosures in our area at:Paradise Califo... 08/01/2008

It's the season for wildland fires.  We, residents in Butte county, Paradise especially know all too well that fireland season is well underway, there are important steps we can take to protect our homes from the tragedies which occured with the humbolt and butte county complex fires.   My genie in the bottle is busy today and can't predict when fires will occur, however, with a little planning and some precautionary measures, we can perhaps limit the impact of a wildland fire in our own backyard.  Since we live with many forces that contribute to the existance of fires, like high temperatures, warm winds, steep hillsides, overgrown vegetation and dry grass.  Now anyone who lives in Butte county knows we have each of these conditions in which we can not control.  What we can do is: a.  ... 07/30/2008

As we all struggle with the clean up from the Paradise wildfires and work to putting our homes back together, one of the most important things we have to remember is that the ash leftover from the fires can be extremely dangerous. Though the ash from the fires is relatively nontoxic and similar to the ash you can find in your fireplace, any ash will contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals. Fire ash can also be extremely irritating to sensitive skin, noses, and throats. So I wanted to send a few tips over that may help get your Paradise home back in order, but PLEASE BE CAREFUL.  Here is a list of recommendations that we should all follow to ensure that the ash is cleaned up and disposed of safely & efficiently: 1) DO NOT use leaf blowers to blow the ash out. 2) DO NOT hose the... 07/29/2008

There is no question, we have been through quite a rough patch here in Paradise.  If you were fortunate enough to stay in your home, it is unlikley that your piece of real estate in Paradise was  left unaffected by the fires.  Therefore, over the next few weeks, I am going to dedicate my blog to sharing what I believe may be some helpful hints that you can use as idea generators or resources as you attempt to bring a little life back into your property.  I can't offer any quick fixes, but a few decorating tips, gardening tips and home improvement ideas may be just the inspiration we all need!  Lord knows I have my moments where I could use some! So for my first tip...use some bamboo.  In my opinion bamboo has this wonderful way of making people feel like I they are on vacation, it has a... 07/27/2008

We'll, by now, if you live anywhere in the North Valley or foothill region and if you are at all like me, you are probably pretty tired of the relentless smoke that seems to stubbornly hang in the air. Although, that inconvenience pales in comparison to the difficulties faced by the dozens of fire victims who lost their homes to the recent fires. It is certainly a tough time for many people in our area. The good news, however, is that the smoke seems to be lifting with most of the evacuation orders in the fire affected areas of places like Paradise and Concow. Let's hope that the worst is behind us.   One home that was spared from the fire, was the spec house we had in escrow located just below Paradise on Tuscan Dr. The day after my first fire blog post of June 11th, I found a window o... 07/15/2008

Thank firefighters for 'doing their job' One of the most stressful fires in our region in recent memory is fast becoming a part of history. Fortunately we did not lose a large number of homes, but a lot of them were in peril. Were it not for modern fire fighting equipment and a lot of well-trained fire personnel that manned the front lines, it would have been a lot worse. The signs in our town praising the fire fighters were numerous, and I suspect represented the praise and thoughts of all of us. Firemen, as a group, are seen as the pinnacle of public service by a large majority of the population, even ahead of police officers, according to national polls. Their actions in Paradise and its environs showed us why they are number one. Trucks from just about every part of this state were ... 07/12/2008

ABOUT THE TOWN OF PARADISE The Town of Paradise, incorporated in 1979, is a beautiful community with a population of nearly 27,000 and another 20,000 people living in the adjacent unincorporated area of Magalia.  It is located 97 miles North of Sacramento and 12 miles Northeast of Chico and situated in the Western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The community forms a sanctuary for wild game since there is no hunting allowed within the perimeter. Paradise offers its residents a rare combination of advantages.  With its great natural beauty and charm, it offers excellent home sites, a wide choice of recreational pursuits, cultural activities and facilities for shopping and personal services. Recreational pursuits are plentiful as this beautiful countryside offers activities for... 07/12/2008

The Town of Paradise provides a deferred loan to eligible first-time home buyers. The loan provides a bridge between what borrowers can afford on their own and the amount needed to purchase a home. The loan is secured by a note and a deed of trust on the home. It does not require monthly payments. Repayment of the loan is required when the home is sold; the family stops using it as their principal residence; or title is transferred out of the names of the original borrowers. At the time the loan is repaid, the Agency collects its original loan amount, plus interest or a share of the homeowner's equity. Contact me for Loan Procedure Instructions for Homebuyers     I am a Certified Realtor with the Town of Paradise program Contact me for the Program Guidelines TO BE ELIGIBLE, THE APPLICAN... 07/12/2008

Evacuations downgraded, 55 percent containment Firefighters make progress on the Camp Fire bringing containment up to 55 percent while downgrading Ridge evacuations. The strong high pressure that has been occurring over the past several days is expected to gradually weaken, bringing good humidity recovery during the night, a CAL FIRE press release stated. Weather conditions are still challenging during the day with minimum relative humidity ranging between 15 to the low 20's and temperatures in the low 100's, the release stated. High priority continues to be holding the line along Highway 70 and focusing on an area known as the West Branch, according to the release. Evacuations were downgraded from "immediate" to "precautionary" Friday night in parts of the Town of Paradise, Old Magalia... 07/12/2008

The Butte County Fire Safe Council has done some mailings with information on how to protect yourself in the event a wildfire passes by your home here in Paradise and Butte County.  In case you haven't received this information, I wanted to pass it along to everyone that may find it helpful here in Paradise. If you are unable to evacuate when a fire approaches your Paradise home: Stay inside your house, away from outside walls and away from the area of fire. Keep all doors closed, but leave them unlocked. Keep your entire family together and REMAIN CALM.  Remember, if it's hot in the house, it's four to five times hotter and more dangerous outside.  Exit after the wildfire passes. After the fire passes: Check the exterior and roof immediately; extinguish all sparks and embers. Check ins... 07/01/2008

As a Paradise homeowner and realtor I try to be as green for our community as I possibly can.  That is why I will be frequenting the Paradise Farmer's market that officially opens this upcoming Tuesday, June 3rd.  The Farmer's Market is on Clark Road next to the Paradise post office and open from June through October on Tuesday mornings.  The hours of operation are are 7:30 to Noon and open in both rain and shine.  A couple of great things about the Paradise Farmer's Market (other than how incredible the fruits and vegetables are!!) 1) No long distance shipping.  Save the gas and environment! 2) Support our local Paradise farmers.  Helping our local economy helps our Paradise community and our Paradise real estate market. 05/31/2008

Last week in the Paradise real estate market there were 9 properties that went under agreement. 5 listings that closed escrow, and another 25 new listings that hit the market.  Of the Paradise properties that that went under agreement and closed escrow, the majority were single family homes priced under $250,000 and manufactured homes.  Some great news for the market is the 30 year fixed mortgage rate that continues to remain at great lows, 6.05%.  This is especially ideal for all those buyers out there that want to take advantage of the 25 properties that experienced price reductions last week.  YES...that's right 25 price reductions.  The Paradise real estate sellers are ready to negotiate and make a deal! 05/15/2008

I am often asked about the Paradise real estate market conditions and whether I feel we are currently in a buyer's market.  I have to tell you, this is not an easy question to answer.  Reason being, you will find little consistency when asking real estate professionals and financial experts the true definition of a buyer's market. Some of the definitions out there,   1)      The average days on market in a typical market are 180 days for most real estate markets.  If the average days of available housing inventory falls above that then the market is in favor of the buyer.  If the average days fall below 180 days then the market is in favor of the seller.  The days on market is relative the amount of inventory that is available.  2)      If there is more real estate inventory available t... 05/12/2008

The Paradise real estate market has been picking up some speed.  Last week there were 13 listings that closed escrow and 12 listings that went under agreement.  The Paradise sellers though are letting all the prospective buyers out there know that they have more to offer.  We saw 26 price reductions last week, which represents more than 10% of the single family residential listings on the Paradise real estate market.  The sellers are ready to make a deal.  The low mortgage rates are another added bonus for all the prospective Paradise buyers.  A great time to buy, especially for the first time buyers with 30 year fixed rate mortgages at 6.06% 05/09/2008

Next time you make coffee at your Paradise home, don't throw out the coffee grounds! I have a couple of uses for those coffee grounds that are especially good after you've enjoyed your morning cup of coffee. 1) Take a spoonful of those warm grounds and mix them with your favorite hand soap.  As you scrub the two together in your hands it will act as an incredible exfoliant for your hands, and the soap will keep everything clean.  It will be like your very own spa treatment!2) Once you finish up exfoliating your hands, you can then put the rest of the grounds aside for later use on your Pardise landscape.  They make a great ferilizer for evergreen shrubs and trees!A couple of great benefits for you by keeping those grinds out of the trash!!Go Green! 05/08/2008

Last week in the blog we talked about getting your gardens and landscape in order at your Paradise home.  Especially if you have your home listed in the (busier!!! Yeah!!) Paradise real estate market, because curb appeal is VERY important.  So for my green tip this week I wanted to send you a few suggestions on keeping you landscape work green.  Currently it is estimated that 50% or more people use harmful pesticides and landscaping techniques.  By tring a few of these tips, you may be able to help reverse the trend. For pest control go with a homemade mixture or useful insect.  To get rid of those pesky bugs and weeds use hot peppers and water.  Visit the Green Guide Report or the Beneficial Insect Guide for ideas. Use Organic compost instead of fertilizer.  You can either make your ow... 04/28/2008