What a Buyer Wants

 What are today's home buyers looking for? According to a survey* of  22,000 recent home buyers, they plan to be “more practical” in their next purchase, focusing on livable space rather than "unnecessary upgrades."  Extras such as pools, media rooms and even dining rooms are considered unnecessary luxuries, with the focus being more on such things as:

• Efficient use of space (e.g. cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling)
• More workable kitchens (islands are still quite popular)
• "Greener" features (insulation, high-efficiency appliances)
• Nearby walking paths and playgrounds

In the master bath, whirlpool tubs are giving way to soaker tubs. But both are secondary to oversized showers.

Some features that are still important to buyers, however, include a home office, minimum two-car garage, and master suite on the ground floor (if it's a two-story home).

Of course, I think most buyers these days (40% of whom are first-timers) are also looking for a good deal.  With interest rates and prices at historic lows, and with a small window of opportunity to cash in on the tax credits now available, what better time to be a buyer?  Feel free to browse current Chico properties for sale at my web site:  www.ChicoLaura.com

 * As cited in the L.A. Times.  To read the whole article, click here.

Chico in Top 10 Again!

Once again, our little town of Chico is in a nationwide "Top 10" list of best places to live!  This time it's the April 2010 issue of Men's Journal.  I haven't seen the actual magazine yet (hopefully it's not sold out here in Chico), but I did catch the local Chico E-R newspaper article.  According to staff writer Laura Urseny, "How the university provides a plus to the community was mentioned, as well as the cultural and arts amenities that Chico provides."

 Chico's legacy of "Best Of" ratings includes: 

• "Best Place to Retire" (2008 U.S. News & World Report, 2005 and 2006 CNN Money.com and 1998 Kiplinger's Personal Finance)
• "Best Green Places to Live" (2007 U.S. News Report)
• "Best Mid-Size Downtowns" (2007 California Planning & Development Report)
• "Fastest Commute Time" (2006 Money Magazine)
• "Best Small Art Town in America" (2003, Author John Villani)
• "Best Places in America" (2000 Forbes Magazine)
• "Best Bike Town in America" (1997 Bicycling Magazine--it rated Chico #1!)
• "10 Greenest Colleges in America" (2008 The Daily Green)

 Go Chico!

Sierra Nevada Brewery Shines!

Browsing through the March issue of Vegetarian Times, I was pleased to see a "carrot" (kudos) given to our local Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for being a leader in "green" industry. The brewery recently added solar panels to existing fuel cells that will provide about 75% of its power. Sierra Nevada is also a model of sustainability with its innovative programs in recycling and carbon dioxide recovery. Not only is founder/owner Ken Grossman dedicated to operating the award-winning brewery in as ecologically clean and efficient a manner as possible, he consistently supports our community in everything from small fundraisers for education to our local NPR radio station. And added bonus is the lovely outdoor patio dining and the gorgeous "Big Room," offering fabulous live music from such world-renowned performers as Elvin Bishop, Dave Brubeck and the Brubeck Brothers, and Tommy Emmanuel, to name just a few. Thanks for all you do and for helping put Chico on the map, Ken! (Check out the ChicoLaura web site: www.ChicoLaura.com )

Home, Garden & Antique Show!

Don't miss the 22nd Annual Home, Garden & Antique Show
March 15 & 16, 2008, 10am–5pm
Silver Dollar Fair Grounds in Chico!

Produced each year by Soroptimist International of Chico, this fundraiser allows the club to continue providing community service in many areas. (Please check out the SI Chico website for more information about this great show and the services provided by this wonderful organization.) This year's show is "going GREEN" and will be better than ever, featuring food demonstrations (with delectable samples!) by some of Chico's best eateries, creative ideas for landscaping, outdoor living, home improvement, decor, a fun "Kidz Corner," antiques, and a fabulous art and wine tasting area. All this AND a classic car and hot rod expo! See you there!

ChicoBag

What's strong enough to hold 20 pounds, small enough to fit in your purse (or on your belt) and can help save the planet? It's the affordable, handy, chic ChicoBag!

I keep a ChicoBag in my purse and another one in my car for those quick stops at the grocery store.

Developed by one of our own local Chico citizens Andy Keller, ChicoBag has been featured in Real Simple, Entrepreneur, PARADE, Natural Health, Money, and Vision magazines.

Talk about "green"--ChicoBag even has a recycling program for expired ChicoBags! Expired ChicoBags are "repurposed" into door mats, dog beds and prayer flags. (And no, I don't own stock in the ChicoBag--I'm just a fan!)

Don't let Plastic Bag Monster get you!

Mosaic Tile Birdbath

How about THIS for recycling? A birdbath I purchased several years ago was becoming corroded and unsightly. Rather than "toss" it, I decided to give it a new life. Using cracked & broken dishes, shards of a broken car mirror, glue and grout, the rusty old eyesore was transformed into garden art! Since then, friends and family members have learned never to trash their cracked or broken dishes. ; )

It's Good to be GREEN!

A recent issue of Country Home Magazine listed our little town of Chico in the top 20 "Greenest" cities in the U.S. Way to go, Chico!!!