Best Stuff : Best of the El Dorado Hills

Best of the El Dorado Hills

Nov. 2, 2007 - Best Stuff

These are the miscellanceous bests and the things just too hard to categorize that I know about. Keep in mind, I don't know everything.

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Nov. 16, 2008 - Best Season in the Sierra Foothills

El Dorado Hills, CA - As this is a rather slow time of the year and new inventory on the market is low, I thought I would touch on some of the other "bests" for our Sierra Foothills area. I use to think of myself as a summer person because I love warm weather and clear sunny skies which is typical here in the foothills. I still love summer here, even though it can be too warm at times (106 on the hottest days) throughout the Sacramento Valley. I have, however, come to the conclusion that fall is "the best" season here. We still enjoy clear sunny skies and daytime temperatures in the 70's and low 80's, but there is a definite beauty in the hills this time of year. Our climate allows us trees that have amazing fall color, turning beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow that stand out against the golden color of the hills and the deep greens of the native oaks. With the hottest days of summer over, our landscape plants are rejuvenated and take on flush of growth that look beautiful as well. Here is a shot taken from the Highland View neighborhood overlooking parts of El Dorado Hills with Folsom Lake in the background. The lake is usually low this time of year but unusually so this year due to the construction of a new spillway near the dam. To see a webcam from this view visit www.backyardviews.com.

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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.

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Welcome to my Best of the El Dorado Hills weblog! The Hills I refer to here are the foothills east of the Sacramento Valley. My inspiration for this blog came as a result of my Real Estate profession where touring homes and knowing the inventory are some of the best parts of my job. Though my predominant intention here is to tell you about the homes for sale that have wow’d me, I also want to include what I consider to be among “other bests” of living in this wonderful area. You can search by categories, by clicking on the links below, or click on a tag word under one of my postings for more blogs about that subject. The prices shown on each blog is as of the date written. I'll try and update them when time allows. Please keep in mind that sometimes the pictures don't do a home justice, but they are what the listing agent has submitted to the MLS and what I have to work with. For more pictures or information on any of these postings or for help in locating similar homes available in our area, please contact me by clicking on the “Email Me” link below. Be sure and check out My Favorite Links for more helpful sites. Blog postings with * following the name indicate that the home has been sold and is no longer available.