TIME TO VISIT APPLE HILL IN CAMINO!

Apple Hill is a group of orchards scattered along the foothills in a community called Camino in Placerville, CA and are full of every kind of apple you would ever want or need.  Each orchard has a number designation.  Here are a few links you can use to help you navigate your way around Apple Hill:  http://www.applehill.com/ and for maps:  www.applehill.com/Map08.West.pdf or www.applehill.com/Map08.East pdf.  Have fun and don't forget your umbrella, our weather is changeable.  When you are in your planning stage, give me a call so I can send you an email on short cuts, scenic routes and things to see:  Kandee Acuna, Centeruy 21--530-919-5102.  But above all, HAVE FUN!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SHORT CUTS-HOW TO AVOID LINES

I am a shopaholic, really!  I'll shop for anything.  I really like shopping for homes but my next favorite shopping experience is the Mall--any mall will do.  As many readers on this blog may know, the Galleria Shopping Center in Roseville suffered a devastating fire last week.  It is not now known when the lesser damaged areas will be opened.  The Galleria is a regional mall and many stores such as Louis Vitton do not exist in Northern California except for the San Francisco area.  I've thought pretty hard about my holiday shopping and I've got a game plan for not having the Galleria and avoiding lines.  I'm shopping online and I'm doing it right now.  Many stores have sales, promotions and free shipping right now and my size will be available and I'll get the purchase without delay without the crush of the traditional volume of holiday shopping which takes place around Thanksgiving.  Just a thought.

ARE FORECLOSURES SLOWING DOWN?

It depends on who you ask.  It looks like there is a smattering of both foreclosures, REO's (Real Estate Owned) and short sales.  But I like traditional sellers who love their home which reflects their attention to its ongoing maintenance.  There are no surprises such as mold at the end of escrow and no unreasonable delays in closing escrow.  Of course, it is the responsibility of the buyer to do their inspections but the result is limited to what the home inspector can detect without dismanteling the structure.  What do you think is an REO worth the gamble?