Nov. 26, 2007 - Best Feature Seen in A Home

Nov. 19, 2007 - Beautiful Gated Estate in Rescue*

Rescue, CA - Tour day was an especially busy day for me this week so when I decided on which houses to visit, this home wasn't on my list. Luckily for me a few other agents I saw on tour had been to see it and sparked my curiosity so much I rearranged my schedule to fit it in. This is an amazing house with a beautiful setting on a 5 acre (horse property) lot. Situated between El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park in Green Springs Estates, it truly looks like an estate. The development is gated as well as the property. As I entered the property gate at the top of the road, I gazed past an expansive, gently sloped lawn sprinkled with a few evergreens and mature native oaks to the house. Off to the right, I could see an unattached 3-car garage with a guest house (900 sq. feet) built on top and beyond that a tennis court. As I got to the bottom of the driveway, I could see that the house had another 3-car attached garaged. Around the back of the house, I found an incredible 1200 square foot, edgeless pool with a waterfall, a swim up bar, and a cave that you can swim into and once inside find benches to sit on. From the pool. as well as from the whole back of the house you have views to the east that include the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The grounds were mesmerizing, but I finally made my way around the front, up the steps, and into the entry of the house. It was built this year with just over 5000 square feet that includes 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, an office, and a solar system that generates most of the home's electricity. It has a craftsman feel with it's simple, clean lines in the cabinetry, built-ins, and wainscoting, and a warmth about it from the use of brick fireplaces (including one in the kitchen/nook) and the extensive use of wide plank, yellow pine flooring. The kitchen is quite spacious and gourmet, has granite slab counters with an eating bar, that fireplace I mentioned, and stainless steel appliances. All the baths have travertine showers and floors.

One more bonus for this horse property development is that it has no Mello Roos. This amazing home is offered at $1,495,000 $1,295,000 which in my mind is not only a best find but a great value for such an estate. If I didn't love my own view and know my current home is already too big for me I'd be tempted. As always, call or email me for more information on this home or if I can help you find more like it in our area. (This home sold 3-7-2008.)

Nov. 11, 2007 - Best New Homes - Folsom

Nov. 9, 2007 - Sprawling Single Story Custom in Milton Ranch Estates - Shingle Springs

Shingle Springs, CA - Located in prestigious Milton Ranch Estates, on 5 level acres, this sprawling single story custom home has it all. It was built in 2004 on Pyracantha Drive; and it just so happens as you drive south on South Shingle Springs Road beautiful Pyracantha bushes mark the road side boundary's for the development on both sides of the entry gate. This time of year they are in their splendor with bright red orange berries. The 3627 square foot, 4 bedroom home has many elegant touches throughout including the use of Italian travertine on the floors and floor to ceiling in all shower and tub areas, coffered ceilings, crown moldings, and a slate fireplace in the great room. The large gourmet kitchen features beautiful granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a commercial range, a butler's station, and a large pantry. Outside you'll find a covered patio and a wonderful pool with a rock waterfall. Milton Ranch Estates are horse properties as well and this home is already set up with a two stall barn, tack room, and a round pen; and is completely fenced. This is a great find and is offered for $1,199,999  $1,080,000. Please call or email me for more information.

Nov. 6, 2007 - Best Event -Bottle Your Own Wine

Fair Play, CA - Many years ago (at least 8 or 9 anyway), I stumbled across an ad in our local Village Life newspaper about a "Bottle Your Own Wine" event at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards over Veterans' Day weekend. It was a couple weeks off and sounded so fun. I suggested it to our neighbors and my husband and we all made the decision to go. When the agreed on day came, the excuses started to come up. I refused to let them renege on our commitment, however, and we had such a great time my husband and I have gone ever since. There are actually three of these events at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards every year -over Veterans' Day, Presidents' Weekend, and 4th of July. At each one you'll usually have a choice of a white and a red wine that you can bottle yourself for a very reasonable $6-7 per bottle. When you arrive you are given a tasting class (to keep) for $10 per person; or it is provided free for club members. Not only can you taste the wines available to bottle, but also "future" wines (fine wines that are still in drums waiting for their time to be bottled and released), and other wines they sell. There is always some kind of snack type food there as well. This weekend it happens to be soups and fresh breads. In the colder months there are patio heaters placed around to keep you cozy while you mingle and taste. Once you've done enough tasting and made your decisions, you can begin your bottling. You can bring your own clean, recycled wine bottles to fill, or buy them there for an additional 85¢ each. Now that you have your bottles, you proceed through stations to fill them, cork them, seal the tops with a capsule, and label them. Though we don't get to every one of the events, we go as often as possible, always dragging along whoever will go with us. And it's always a great time for everyone. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from El Dorado Hills, but the drive is beautiful and the experience is definitely worth the effort. It's a leisurely day thing so plan to be there 2-3 hours. If you make it there, let me know what you think. This Veterans' Day event runs November 9, 10, 11, & 12 and is open 10:30-5pm daily, The winery is located at 8221 Stoney Creek Road, Fair Play, 95684. For more information go to their website at www.charlesbmitchell.com or call 800-704-WINE.

Nov. 3, 2007 - Beautiful Santa Barbara Style Custom in Francisco Oaks *

Nov. 2, 2007 - Best Place to Proclaim Your Joys & Sorrows- The Rocks

Nov. 2, 2007 - My Best Real Estate Advice

I recently posted this to My Other Blog on Active Rain but since it includes that "best" word, I decided to post it here under my new category, Best Stuff as well. This advice comes not only from my time as a Realtor here in El Dorado Hills but from my many years as a homeowner. Many times people wait till they need to sell their homes to fix it up. I'm guilty myself. Three years ago when we were selling our home here in El Dorado Hills, we finally added some paint to our stark white walls and took down the fluorescent lighting so popular in the early 90's. We liked it so much it made us question, "Why didn't we do this before now?" So my best advice is not to update your home for the next buyer. Do it for yourself in stages and enjoy it till that time comes when you decide to sell. Start with your kitchen and master bedroom/bath. These rooms make the biggest impact and where better than the places you begin and end your day. Take down the wallpaper. Though you may hear it's coming back, they are not referring to the flowery styles we use to have. Talk to your painter about the new techniques they have for painting over it instead of trying to remove it. Replace your florescent lighting. With every project, use the best quality materials you can afford. It will pay off in the long run, and remember you're doing this for yourself. Do-it-yourself projects are ok as long as you're working within your capabilities. Larger, more complex projects should be done by professionals so that your investments add to your home's value. If you do hire a professional following these tips could save you a lot of problems. Get referrals from people you know and trust. Check contractor licenses through the Contractors License Board. See some of their work first hand. Keep a regular eye on all the detail or you risk not getting what you thought you were. (The earlier you identify and communicate a problem, the better for everyone involved.) Our homes are most often our biggest investment and where we spend most of our time. Updating it regularly not only increases its value, but allows us to love where we live.

Nov. 2, 2007 - Best Stuff

Nov. 2, 2007 - Best Places

Included here in the Best Places category will be such things as restaurants, attractions, etc. If you have a place that's best worthy, don't be shy in letting me know.