Well, it seems the mainstream media just may be beginning to understand the purpose and power of blogs.  Today's Sacramento Bee Business Section carried an article entitled "Going to the Blogs" by Bee staff writer Mehul Srivastava.  While it doesn't say business is using the medium to its potential it does recognize the potential impact it will have on commerce in the future.

Once again, it appears REALTORS® are taking the lead in incorporating this new medium into their businesses.  The lead example in the article was about Jonathon Lockwood a real estate agent in the community of Cameron Park about 45 minutes east of downtown Sacramento.  Jonathon said he began blogging back in 2003 and has found the medium a great source of cultivating prospects and a productive source of leads. 

The Bee article stated that a survey done by the Pew Internet & American Life Project indicated only 5% of the 25-30 million blogs out there currently are used for business.  What the Bee article points out is that while many of the bloggers who are using the medium for personal communication will eventually be the prospects, buyers and clients of businesses as they mature.  Those who live for instant communication via instant messaging are more inclined to the blog form of information gathering.

For those who have been reading blogs from the sideline I would encourage you to jump and give it a try.  Blogging can be as simple or difficult as you like because it is what you make of it. The great folks at Internet Crusade have established a blogging program called RealTownBlogs that is a truly exceptional (and FREE!) resource for REALTORS® who want to try the new medium.  So, don't be bashful.  Jump right in and give a try.  You will be glad you did.

Betty Little, Sacramento's Best Local Attorney

Sometimes you just have to do a little bragging...and this is one of those times.  In the most recent edition of the Sacramento News & Review (Sacramento's alternative news weekly) my wife captured the readers choice for "Best Local Attorney".  Way to go BETTY!

Betty Little, my wife, is the managing partner in the Sacramento Tax Law firm of Mopsick & Little, LLP.   She focuses on issues of tax controversy.  It is a highly specialized law practice where she assists and advocates for her clients, individuals and businesses, with income tax, sales and use tax, employment tax and issues before federal and state taxing agencies (Internal Revenue Service,  California Franchise Tax Board, and California State Board of Equalization).

The fact that this recognition came about the week of our anniversary made it even more memorable.  Congratulations again to my lovely wife Betty, Sacramento's "Best Local Attorney!"

         Northern California Realtors® and real estate associations are once again leading the way with technology.  Back in January I wrote that several Bay Area real estate associations were in discussions to create a large multi-association multiple listing service.  While that effort is still on the table a significant development has occurred in the Northern California real estate industry. 

Three well-known multiple listing services (MLSs) have agreed to share real-time property listing information for the benefit of the more than 41,000 real estate professionals they serve.  The three MLSs are the MetroList Services, Inc. which serves the Northern California Central Valley (Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus & Merced counties) the San Francisco Association of Realtors, or SFAR, serving San Francisco and the northern peninsula and BAREIS (Bay Area Real Estate Information Services) which services the North Bay (Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solono and Mendocino counties).

Quattro is the name of the new service that links together the three major MLSs.  Quattro will merge listing information from the three MLSs into a common data set and enhance the ability of real estate brokerages to download listing information from the three MLSs into their proprietary software programs.  By agreement , agents will be allowed full, real-time reciprocal access to the three MLSs as well as access to Quattro, the merged data set, with only a single log-on required.

Quattro will provide real estate professionals with access to property listings in 14 California counties over an area of 18,000 square miles serving a population of 5.6 million people.   This will give Realtors® a capacity for both local and regional information adding more value to their clients in Northern California.

According to Rapattoni, the data service provider for all three MLSs, the new service will be available on-line to all BAREIS, MetroList and SFAR subscribers by early 2007. 

BUILDING PERMITS

  WHEN DO YOU NEED ONE?

 Wednesday, September 27th the Development Services Department of the City of Sacramento is offering another in its "Lunch & Learn" series.  The primary purpose for these monthly programs is to provide continuous education to the citizens regarding the development review process. The presenters are experts in the field of the topic being presented. 

September's program will be an evening event from 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Training Conference Room of the City's North Natomas Permit Center located at 2101 Arena Blvd.   The topic covered is entitled "Homeowner's Guide to Permits."  

Areas covered in the program will be:

• When you need a building permit
• Minor repairs
• Other improvements
• Tips

For anyone interested in doing work around their home beyond basic maintainence, particularly if you are a do-it-yourselfer this is an informative and valuable opportunity to learn about the permit process .  As a homeowner it is important to know these rules and guidelines because when you go to sell your home or rental property the buyers will get a home inspection and having work done with a permit will ensure it is done correctly and up to code which can save you time and money as well as help get your property to "closed"  quicker.

So, take an hour this Wednesday the 27th and learn when, or if, you will need to get a permit for your next project around the house.  You will be glad you did.  For more information or to attend please contact Gloria Bacani in the Development Services Office at 916-808-7467 or by email at gbacani@CityofSacrament.org.

The Capitol Mall in Sacramento is undergoing a striking facelift with two new high rise projects in the works.  The Towers on Capitol Mall project is already under construction with pilings being pounded into the ground at 4th Street.  The Aura project is preparing for groundbreaking at 6th Street.

The 4th Street Towers project has grabbed a lot of the headlines by virtue of it being the first 50+ story building in downtown Sacramento.  In addition, the building will house a hotel, retail and commercial space, and condos.  This high end mixed use will lead a move toward a more urban lifestyle in the downtown area along the likes of cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and New York who all have vibrant 24 hour communties in their city's core.

What makes the 6th Street project so unique is that it has been designed by the world reknowned architect Daniel Libeskind.   Libeskind has been involved in many notable projects around the world including . 

As you can see from the rendering, the building is not designed in a traditional office or residential high rise.  The style of the building is sleek and graceful and will not only add to the skyline but make a bold statement. The entire skin of the building will be covered in a blueish gray glass and every unit will have panoramic view of the city.  Like its counterpart down the street it will combine a hotel, office and residential condominiums.  The sophistication of the design and its uniqueness will truly make Aura a "signature" building, much like the TransAmerica Building in San Francisco, the Sear's Tower in Chicago, or New York's Chrysler Building.

As California's capital city continues to grow the Aura tower will draw people from throughout the United States and the world to the area.  The truly great part of Aura is with the condos individuals are capable of owning and living in this stunning structure.  The renderings are intriguing and the finished product will make an architectural statement all Sacramentans will be able to enjoy for years to come.