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The Sacramento Beepublished an article September 26, 2011 with the following statistics compiled by RealtyTrac and Foreclosure-Response.org.  They placed our region’s shadow inventory at 53,256 homes in the four surrounding areas of Sacramento, Yolo, Placerand El Dorado counties.

They included in this number three categories of distressed properties:

• 12,285 houses already owned by banks but not sold
• 19,367 units whose owners have received an initial foreclosure notice, or notice of default, but have not been foreclosed on
• 21,604 homeowners who are 90 days or more delinquent on their payments but have not received a notice of default

Lenderare starting to pick up the pace on repossessions once again.  The figures provided by RealtyTrac show foreclosures in the area soared 76% from July to August, the highest number in 11 months.

Based on this “shadow inventory” it would take a year and a half to sell these distressed homes.

To read the complete article by Rick Daysog of the Sacramento Bee click here

ASSESS
Inspect your lawn, trees and shrubs.  Identify problem areas in need of pruning, replacement or treatment.  Note area where grass has thinned out or is in need of nutrients which appears as light green.  Also look for pest and weed infestation and overgrown shrubs and trees

 AERATE & PRUNE
Help your lawn breathe through fall core aeration to strengthen roots and prepare for spring.  Conduct corrective pruning of trees and shrubs to enhance plant appearance and thin rather than top-shear overgrown shrubs and flowering trees to preserve their shape.

REPLACE
Fall is the ideal time for successful seeding of bare lawn areas and over seeding of healthy grass to improve lawn thickness and density.  Replace dead or floundering plants in fall for a healthier landscape and improved curb appeal in spring. 

MOW & MULCH
Mow your lawn into the fall and avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf blades with each cut.  Return grass clippings and back to the sol for added lawn nutrients and use tree leaf compost to nourish plants. 

FEED
Feeding your lawn gives grass roots, trees and shrubs the energy needed to prepare for a healthy spring revival.  Keep fertilizer on target to prevent run-off and seep fertilizer granules that may reach pavement back onto your lawn.

After doing a little research, we have located short cuts to assist you in obtaining your Solar Energy & Energy Efficiency Rebates for the Greater Sacramento Area:

PG&E Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Utility Rebate Program – Expires 12/31/2012 (www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/

Rebate Finder:  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator

Rebates for Qualifying Products:

Clothes Washer – $50.00

Dishwasher $50.00

Room Air conditioner $50

Variable Speed Motor Air handler System $50.00

Whole House Fan $100

Pool Pump Replacement $100

Refrigerator, Freezer & Room AC Recycling $25-$35

Natural Gas Furnace $300

Duct Sealing $200

 Roseville Electric – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Utility Rebate Program – Expires 12/31/10 or until funds depleted

For qualifying appliances, visit www.roseville.ca.us/electric/home/rebates/default.asp

 Clothes Washers – up to $75

Refrigerators – up to $100

Heat Pumps – $200/unit

Central Air Conditioners – $550 to $750/unit

Pool Pumps – $400

Solar – $2.00 per AC watt up to $6500   http://www.roseville.ca.us/electric/home/rebates/solar.asp

 SMUD Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Utility Rebate Program – Expires 12/31/10

For qualifying appliances, visit www.smud.org/en/rebates/pages/index.aspx

Appliances must be ENERGY STAR rated

 Duct Sealing $300

Central Air Conditioners $400, $500, $650 or $1,100 depending on efficiency

Clothes Washer – $35, $75 or $125 depending on efficiency

Cool Roof $0.10 – $0.20 per square foot

Dishwasher $30 or $50 depending on efficiency

Heat Pump $400 or $500 depending on efficiency

Refrigerator Recycling $35

Room Air Conditioner $50

Whole House Fan $100

CFL Light:  reduced prices at retailers

 California – Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program *

Utility Rebate Program – Expires when funds are exhausted

http://www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/Rebate-Form.pdf

 Refrigerators $200

Clothes Washers $100

Room Air Conditioners – up to $50

Dishwashers $100

Freezers $50

Water Heaters $300-$750

HVAC $500-$1000

• Equipment must be replacing older, less efficient equipment.  The appliance that is being replaced must be recycled, and the program participant must provide evidence that the old appliance was recycled.

 Solar Incentives

Federal Incentives – Tax Credit 30% of

State Incentives – Property Tax Exemption

Local Incentives – Rebate from local utility company (see your local utility provider)

SMUD – Solar Rebate Program

Photovoltaic –  $1.90 per AC watt  

http://www.smud.org/en/community-environment/solar/Pages/index.as

www.smud.org/rebates/

Solar Water Heat $1,500 – per system

 Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency

 www.energystar.gov/taxcredits

 30% of cost up to $1,500 – Expires 12/31/10

Must be an EXISTING HOME & YOUR PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.  New construction and rentals do not qualify.

Biomass Stove

Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Insulation

Roofs (Metal & Asphalt)

Water Heaters (non-solar)

Windows & Doors

 30% of cost with no upper limit – Expires 12/31/16

Existing homes & new construction qualify.  BOTH PRINCIPAL RESIDENCES and SECOND HOMES QUALIFY.  Rentals do not qualify.

 Geothermal Heat Pumps

Small Wind Turbines (Residential)

Solar Energy Systems

 30% of cost up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity – Expires 12/31/16

 Fuel Cells (Residential Fuel Cell and Micro turbine System)

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In the past 32 years working in the real estate industry, I have not experienced a 4-1/2 % interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate loan.   It is time to give a lot of thought to purchasing a  home in this market. 

Are you concerned that  home values may decline?   

Sure, it is possible but will you ever see 4-1/2% again?   That equates to $450 for every $100,000 in the purchase price of your home.  Can you rent for that monthly payment?  I doubt it.  Lets also not forget the tax benefits of owning your own home and the freedom of making your house a home for you and family.

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• Advantages to Buying a House with your Hard-Earned Money (homeloans.org)