Some strategies to sell your Sacramento home during the Autumn season...

Autumn in Sacramento brings a unique charm with its more crisp, temperate weather and red and golden-hued leaves (the leaves in the City of Trees can be off the hook!) -- and it offers an excellent backdrop for selling your home. Additionally, there tend to be fewer homes on the market in the fall, which can create an opportune time for sellers to sell with less competition from other homes. However, preparing your property for sale during this season requires a slightly different approach to highlight its best features and appeal to potential buyers. Here are a few ideas to optimize your home for a sale during the fall season.

1. Embrace the Season with Curb Appeal. Autumn in Sacramento can be stunning, with the changing foliage creating a lovely picturesque setting. Enhance your home’s curb appeal by keeping your yard clean and manicured. Power wash the exterior of your home and walkways for a crisp appearance. Clear your roof and gutters of debris, and consider trimming trees or other foliage that may be in contact with your home. Rake leaves regularly to avoid the appearance of clutter, and consider planting seasonal flowers or adding potted mums to brighten up the entrance. A welcoming front porch with cozy fall decor like pumpkins or a tasteful wreath can make a strong first impression. 
2. Optimize Indoor Comfort. As temperatures start to drop from our crazy hot summer days, ensuring your home feels inviting inside is crucial. Make sure your heating system is in good working order and consider scheduling a HVAC maintenance tune-up (and keep the documentation for disclosure!). Adding plush throw blankets and pillows can create a cozy atmosphere that buyers will find appealing. Clean or replace air filters to ensure good air quality and a comfortable indoor climate. 
3. Highlight Energy Efficiency. Autumn is a great time to showcase your home’s energy efficiency. Highlight features like double-pane windows, modern or extra insulation, or a programmable thermostat. Additionally, many homebuyers these days are often impressed by things like heat-pump HVAC systems that run on electricity instead of natural gas. If your home is exceptionally energy efficient, you might also considering gathering a year of utility bills to disclose to your buyer as well to highlight your low SMUD or PG&E expenses. These upgrades can attract buyers looking to reduce energy costs, especially as colder weather approaches. 
4. Focus on Natural Light. Sacramento’s autumn days are shorter, so it’s essential to maximize natural light indoors. Clean your windows to let in as much sunlight as possible and consider using light-colored, sheer window treatments to brighten up rooms instead of heavy curtains. Consider repainting dark walls and ceilings in light colors, such as whites or creams to help reflect natural light and make rooms feel brighter and more spacious. Choose decor items that reflect light, such as mirrors, metallic finishes, or glass vases. These can help bounce natural light around the room and enhance the overall brightness. Proper lighting can make spaces appear larger and more inviting. 
5. Address Seasonal Maintenance. Autumn is the perfect time to tackle seasonal maintenance tasks that might catch a buyer’s eye. Clean gutters to prevent potential water damage, check the roof for missing shingles, and ensure that exterior drains are clear. Addressing these issues proactively can prevent last-minute repairs and boost buyer confidence. And again, keep any documentation from maintenance to disclose to your next buyer.

By focusing on these autumn-specific strategies, you can make your Sacramento home stand out in the market. Embrace the season’s charm to create a welcoming environment that potential home buyers will be eager to call home.

New Listing - 6041 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95822

Loved by one family for many decades, this 3 bedroom 3 bathroom South Land Park Hills home is ready for a new owner. This is the perfect blank canvas for your personal touches. You will love the spacious, light and bright layout with a freshly painted interior and refinished wood floors. Enter into the foyer. A formal living room overlooks the backyard. Spacious kitchen opens to the family room and has a large breakfast counter. The family room features a cozy fireplace and built-in shelving. Enviable inside laundry/utility room features extra storage and an adjacent full bathroom! The primary suite has abundant light, dual closets, and an ensuite bathroom and a stall shower. Down the hallway two more bedrooms. Hallway bathroom has a tub/shower. Large covered patio space is the perfect place to enjoy coffee and conversation, or for al fresco dining while entertaining guests on a crisp evening. Big backyard with lots of sunny space to garden or play. Attached 2-car garage. Central heat & air. All this is located in close proximity to award-winning k-12 schools, public transit, parks, the Del Rio Trail, shopping, restaurants, freeway access, and more! The possibilities are endless! Don't wait! Offered at $575,000. For more photos and a 3D virtual tour, please visit 6041 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95822.

New Listing - 3131 Wake Island Court, West Sacramento, CA 95691

Loved by the original owner, this 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1501sf Bridgeway Island home is ready for a new beginning. This is the perfect blank canvas for your personal touches and with a little TLC it will shine. You will love the spacious, light and bright open layout. Enter to find a spacious front den room overlooking the front yard. Spacious kitchen opens to the family room and has a large breakfast counter. Large hallway bedrooms and hall bathroom with tub/shower. Lots of storage. Primary bedroom has a large closet, and an ensuite bathroom with double sinks soaking tub/shower. The covered patio off of the kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy coffee and conversation, or for al fresco dining on a crisp evening. Sizeable backyard with lots of sunny space to garden or play and some newer fencing. Attached 2-car attached garage. HVAC replaced in 2016, water heater replaced in 2021. All this is located in close proximity, award-winning k-12 schools, parks, open space, & more. Don't wait! Offered at $499,900. For more photos and information, please visit 3131 Wake Island Court, West Sacramento, CA 95691.

New listing - 3246 Cayman Island Street, West Sacramento, CA 95691

Welcome home to Bridgeway Island! You will love this 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2,042sf West Sacramento home. Enter to find a formal entryway. To the right, find a large bedroom/den, featuring built-in shelving that's perfect for a home office or library. To the left, find a full bathroom, and two more large bedrooms, and a hallway cabinet for additional storage. Formal dining room overlooks an alcove with a pantry and dry bar, seamlessly connecting to the kitchen. Enviable kitchen features white cabinets, and has a long breakfast counter. The kitchen opens into an expansive great room with a cozy fireplace and a nook area. The kitchen and great room open to the backyard, creating the ideal environment for entertaining! The large primary bedroom is a true retreat, with an ensuite bathroom offering dual sinks, a separate tub and shower, and a generous walk-in closet. Newer carpet and laminate flooring throughout. Step outside to a beautifully landscaped backyard with a built-in pool and manicured planters, perfect for cooling off on a warm afternoon. This home also includes a 2-car garage and more covered parking space. Tile roof with certification. Located across the street from Sunset Vista Park, which provides more space to play! Also located in close proximity to schools, and just a stone's throw from shopping and outdoor recreation. Don't wait! Offered at $649,900. For more photos and a 3D virtual tour please visit 3246 Cayman Island Street, West Sacramento, CA 95691.

2024 Independence Day fireworks celebrations in the Sacramento region...

Carmichael - Red, White & Blue Celebration 

• Location: La Sierra Community Center, 5325 Engle Rd. Carmichael, CA 95608
• Cost: FREE
• Time: June 29th, 6-9pm, fireworks at 9:30pm

Citrus Heights - Stars & Stripes Celebration

• Location: Van Maren Park, 6601 Thalia Way, Citrus Heights, CA 95621
• Cost: Free
• Time: July 4th, event starts at 6pm, fireworks at 9:45pm

Elk Grove - Salute To The Red, White And Blue 

• Location: Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624 
• Cost: Free Admission – Parking $10 - Free Shuttle Service beginning at 4:30pm from SacRT No in/out parking privileges after 3 p.m. 
• Time: July 4th, 5pm-10pm, fireworks at 9:40pm

West Sacramento - 11th Annual Fourth on the Field 

• Location: Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Drive, West Sacramento, CA 95691 
• Cost: Advance tickets are $15 and increase to $18.50 on the day of the event. Family four-pack tickets are available for $12.50 per day ticket ($16 day of). Club level for 21-and-over attendees are available for $25 ($30 day of) 
• Time: July 4th, Gates open at 6pm. Fireworks show begins at 9:30pm 

Rancho Cordova - 4th of July Celebration

• Location: Hagan Community Park; 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 
• Cost: $5 online ($10 the day of). Parking is $10 (cash only) 
• Time: July 3rd, gates open at 4pm, fireworks at 9:45pm; July 4th, gates open at 10am, fireworks at 9:45pm 

Folsom - Folsom Pro Rodeo

• Location: 200 Wool Street, Folsom, CA 95630
• Cost: $30 general admission, $45 reserved seating, $75 corral club, $110 family pack. 
• Time: July 3rd & 4th, gates open at 5:30pm, rodeo begins at 7:30pm, fireworks at 9pm.

Davis - 2024 Fourth of July in Davis 

• Location: Community Park, 203 East 14th Street 
• Cost: Free admission 
• Time: July 4th, 4pm-10pm, fireworks at 9:35pm

Woodland - Fireworks Celebration

• Location: Woodland High School; 21 N West Street, Woodland, CA 95695 
• Cost: Free admission 
• Time: July 4th. Pre-fireworks festivities begin at 6pm, fireworks at 9:15pm

Galt - Fireworks Spectacular

• Location: Veterans Field: 900 Caroline Avenue Galt, CA 95632
• Cost: Free admission
• Time: events start at 7:30am, fireworks at 9:30pm

New Listing - 6754 Maywood Way, Sacramento, CA 95842

Opportunity awaits...this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,795sf home (per assessor) fixer is a blank canvas for your renovation. Enter to find a large living room. Open kitchen has a breakfast bar and dining area. Cute family room has a brick fireplace and overlooks a large enclosed patio. Large hallway bedrooms. Primary suite has ensuite bathroom. Enviable utility room and workshop area. Large backyard! The possibilities are endless. Close proximity to public transportation, Foothill Community Park, shopping, restaurants, schools, and more. Offered at $350,000. Sale is subject to court approval. For more photos and information, please visit 6754 Maywood Way, Sacramento, CA 95842.

New Listing - 6604 Willowleaf Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621

Enviable, remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approximately 1,273sf home with built-in swimming pool in Citrus Heights! Inviting front courtyard and charming curb appeal. You will love the light and bright open floorplan. Enter into the foyer. To your left find a spacious formal living room with vaulted ceilings and a lovely picture window overlooking the front yard. To the right of the foyer, find a cute dining area and the remodeled kitchen, offering white cabinets, quartz surfaces, tile backsplash, stainless appliances, and a large breakfast counter. The kitchen overlooks a family room with a cozy fireplace and sliding door to the backyard. Vinyl plank floors throughout the living spaces. Primary suite has a large remodeled ensuite bathroom with dual sinks, a closet, and stall shower. Remodeled hallway bathroom with a tub/shower combo, and two more bedrooms with ample closet space. The backyard is an outdoor oasis with a covered patio and built-in swimming pool with lots of sunny space to sunbathe, or to garden or play! Large side-yard and extra-wide driveway offers RV parking for your toys. Newer roof. Dual pane windows. 2-car attached garage. All this in close proximity to schools, parks, shopping, restaurants, and more. Don't wait! Offered at $509,000. Probate estate, and seller has full authority to sell. For more photos, a 3D virtual tour, and information, please visit 6604 Willowleaf Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621.

Homeowners could save on monthly utility bills by replacing old appliances...

When it comes to making your home more energy-efficient, the kitchen can be a great place to start. Older appliances, especially those that are 20-30 years old, can be significant energy hogs compared to modern models. Thanks to advancements in technology and stricter energy regulations, new kitchen appliances are far more efficient, offering substantial savings on your energy bills.

New kitchen appliances are designed to consume significantly less energy than their older counterparts. For instance, a refrigerator built 20 years ago can use around 1,000 kWh per year, while modern ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators use only about 400 kWh annually. This is a reduction of around 60%. Similarly, dishwashers from the early 2000s often used more than 10 gallons of water per cycle, whereas contemporary models use as little as 3-4 gallons. Ovens and cooktops have also seen improvements. Electric induction cooktops, for example, are about 5-10% more efficient than conventional electric smooth-top models and about three times as efficient as gas burners.

When shopping for new appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR® label, which indicates the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EnergyGuide label, typically found on appliances, provides valuable information on how much energy the appliance uses annually and compares it to similar models. This label can help you estimate the annual operating cost and understand potential savings. For instance, a modern, energy-efficient refrigerator may cost around $50 per year to operate, compared to $150 or more for an older model. Over the appliance's lifespan, these savings would potentially add up significantly.  While the initial investment might be higher, the long-term savings could make it worthwhile.

In California, in specifically in the Sacramento area, homeowners can take advantage of rebates and incentives offered by utility companies like Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to offset the cost of upgrading to energy-efficient appliances.

SMUD offers rebates for various appliances, including:

• Up to $750 for an electric induction cooktop
• Up to $50 for an ENERGY STAR® Refrigerator
• Up to $2,000 for replacing a gas water heater with an electric heat pump water heater (or up to $500 for replacing an electric water heater with an electric heat-pump water heater).

PG&E also provides rebates for switching from gas to electric appliances:

• Up to $900 for replacing a gas water heater with an electric heat pump water heater.

These rebates can make the switch to more efficient, eco-friendly appliances even more affordable.

You might also qualify for federal tax incentives -- there were several available thanks to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. You should check with your CPA to see if you qualify.  

Investing in energy-efficient kitchen appliances is a smart move for any homeowner. Not only do modern appliances save on energy costs, but they also contribute to a greener environment. By evaluating and comparing the energy usage of appliances and taking advantage of available rebates, you can significantly reduce your household’s energy consumption and save money in the long run.

Need help thinking weighing the pros and cons? Reach out to me...I have the NAR GREEN Designation and have helped my clients contemplate their options and connect them with tradespeople, and provide resources for rebates and incentives.