Things a Burglar Won't Tell You

Ever mentioned on Facebook that you are (or will be) out of town? Ever wonder whether burglars use Facebook?  Read these tips from actual burglars (from Reader'sDigest.com) to help protect your home and possessions, especially during the holiday season.  Many of us have used a timer to turn lights on automatically while we're gone, but here's a product that takes it a step further:  FakeTV.  Sells for $35 and, according to the company, uses 50 times less energy than a real TV.  Check out this YouTube video:

Virtual Staging

Maybe 15 years ago, I attended a workshop by "Staging Guru" Barb Swartz, who coined the term "staging" and has been teaching Realtors how to enhance their listings since 1972.  I wonder what Barb thinks about the new trend of "virtual staging"?  Literally "photoshopping" furnishings into a vacant room is certainly less costly than actually hiring a staging professional.  With more and more (estimated 85%) folks beginning their home search online, it is one option.

I wonder, however, how a buyer feels when walking into a vacant house after seeing those enticing "picture perfect" views online?  Even with full online disclosure ("This is how the home could look"), I can't help but feel it would be a bit of a letdown.  Many of my clients have had professional staging done over the years, and I feel the investment (usually less than $2,000 here in Chico) usually helps to sell (especially a vacant home) more quickly and at a higher price.

You can click here to read a Realtor Magazine article about Virtual Staging,  and click here to see some interesting "before and after" photos by a company called Virtual Staging Solutions.com.

What do you think about this new marketing technique?

Honey I Shrunk Our Property Tax Bill!

If you purchased your home within the past several years, it may behoove (don't you love that underused word?) you to check on your assessed value, as it's quite possible you are paying more in property taxes than you should, based on today's lower values.

I recently came across this well-written online article, "How to Get Your Property Taxes Reduced," and thought I'd share it with my dear blog readers.  It may take a little leg- and homework, but hey, if it saves you $$ in the long run, it may be time well spent.

As always, if we can be of any help, don't hesitate to contact us.  And if you have been through this "reduction" process (whether successfully or not) and would like to share your story, please do, and we'll include it (no actual names/addresses, of course) in a future blog posting.

Note:  While cruising sites such as Zillow is a fun activity, please understand such sites do NOT necessarily provide an accurate "market analysis" for your home.  The ChicoLaura Team is always happy to provide that service--no cost or obligation--if you are considering selling your home or need support documentation for your tax reduction effort.

A Beautiful Chico Charmer Just Hit the Market

Truly a Rare Find!

 5 beds, 2 baths in Main House

1 bed, 1 bath + Den in Guest Cottage!

Step into vintage charm & character on one of Chico's most charming tree-lined avenues! Cozy fireplace, cheery sunroom, separate living & family roms,wood floors, coved ceilings & lots of room & storage in main house. French doors galore look out to lovely patio. Roomy second dwelling has the sweetest kitchen & bonus room downstairs, separate bedroom, living room, bath upstairs. Centrally located near downtown Chico. A truly special "Chico Charmer"!

Click for photos, info & VIRTUAL TOUR!

Thrill the World - Chico

Can't believe I missed this Chico "Happening," (which was really a worldwide happening), but I was out of town that weekend.  Check out this link to "Thrill The World - Chico," which took place in our downtown plaza on 10/24/09.  Sponsored by Friends of the Arts, the event was part of a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Dance. Thousands of people in cities around the world performed the late, great Michael Jackson's "Thriller zombie" dance, ushering in the Halloween holiday (which has always been big in Chico).

According to ThrillTheWorld.com, 22,923 people danced in 32 countries, breaking the world record.  If you've always wanted to learn the "Thriller" dance, here's the tutorial.  For an insider's view on participating in the event, check out this article by Michael Rosen-Molina, which appeared in a recent issue of The Synthesis.  Click here for more photos of participants.  Now tell me, if ZOMBIES can reach out to each other across the globe in unity, why can't the rest of us get along?

Note:  Saw a few zombies and ghouls myself at the Chico News & Review's "Best Of" costume party, held at the Chico Women's Center 10/30/09.  Click here to see pics of the great costumes! 

Chico Gets in the Halloween Spirit!

Chico is ready for Halloween!  I have fond memories of strolling around downtown Chico with my boys, checking out all of the crazy costumes (and wearing a few ourselves!).  The CSUC students really went all out.  Then a few years ago it got a little TOO crazy.  These days the downtown stores welcome young "trick-or-treaters" during the afternoon, making it fun and safe.  And other folks around town are in the spirit too; check out the photos below!

Mosaic Tile Class - Cooie Grey-Lavin

What did you do last summer?  One of the more interesting things I did was take a mosaic tile class taught by the wonderful local mosaicist Cooie Grey-Lavin.  Six friends and I had practically unlimited access to her very cool studio (behind her home) during the several-week period to come in and work on our pieces.  I worked on the wooden plate pictured (that's son Kiel's photo, or pieces of a photo anyway, glued to the bottom of glass tiles) as well as stepping stones.  Others made mirror frames, plaques and even "memorial" stones for beloved pets.  Click here to see photos on Flickr of the various projects made in class as well as a few of the studio. (Click on "Slideshow" for closer view.)

Cooie will be holding another class in November.  Feel free to email me for the details.  It's an interesting and creative process that anyone can learn!  (Click here for a link to a series of Cooie's "how to" videos.)

(Click here to see my mosaic birdbath.) (Click to see a mosaic birdhouse I made for my friend Merryl's birthday.)

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Because I love my friend Jenny's butternut squash soup SO much (almost as much as I love Jenny!) and because she was nice enough to share it with our "BOB" book club), I thought I'd "pay it forward" and share it with y'all!  If you've never attempted squash soup from scratch, give it a try.  All types of squash are currently available at our Chico Farmer's Market, S&S Produce, Chico Natural Foods etc.  If you have a crockpot (aka "slow cooker"), you might try my trick of sticking the whole squash in it on "low" for 4 - 6 hours (depending on size of squash) with a tablespoon of water.  Much easier to scoop & peel! 

California Rocks the Harris Poll!

For the sixth year in a row, California tops the list of states that Americans would choose to live in if they did not live in the states where they currently reside, according to the 2009 Harris Poll.  Florida, which was the most popular state in 2001, retains second place on the list.  Following California and Florida are Hawaii (#3), Texas (#4), and Colorado (#5).  Three states tied for 6th place: Arizona, North Carolina and Washington state.

New York City tops the list of cities that people would most like to live in or near, followed by Denver and San Francisco. 

I guess I'm a little surprised by Denver placing second for most desirable city (even before S.F.).  I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has visited or lived there as to its attributes.  Feel free to comment below!

$8,000 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit

 Hurry, hurry, hurry!  The $8,000 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit is about to expire! (November 30, unless it is extended, which is currently being discussed in Congress.)  There hasn't been a better time in recent history to be a first-time home buyer.  Prices and interest rates are unbelievably low, and this tax credit is a rare and wonderful opportunity.

Please click here for more info on the Tax Credit and here for a handy FAQ to see whether you or someone you know qualifies.  (Or feel free to forward this blog.)  With a typical escrow taking 30 - 45 days (closer to the latter, with the challenges we've been experiencing with appraisals lately), there is no time to lose!

Feel free to email me at Laura@ChicoLaura.com with any questions.  We love working with first-time home buyers; their enthusiasm in always energizing!