Family fun at the 2017 SF Giants Home Opener...

Gotta love my annual family tradition -- I have attended 18 of the last 19 Giants home season openers in San Francisco. So much fun...and the Giants won this year, which was a bonus considering they have been beaten up a little bit to start the season. For me, this is the most wonderful time of the year!

18 out of 19 years...My brother Matt and I started our little tradition by going to opening day in 1999, which was the last season the Giants played at Candlestick Park. He has not missed one since, and sadly I could not go in 2010 because I was being installed as the Treasurer of the Masters Club and could not miss the installation event. My parents (who are divorced btw) joined us in 2000, and for the last several years one or both of them joins us, and of course my husband Greg, and Matt's girlfriend Vanessa have been coming with us for several years too. Love my family, and love my Giants. <3 p="">

Featured in Comstock's Magazine Online Edition today...

I was featured in Comstock's Magazine's online edition today...this is a teaser for a couple of articles my buyer clients and I are quoted in that will run later this month. I was asked these two questions -- (1) What is the biggest change in your industry in the past year?, and (2) What do you see as the biggest change on the horizon in the year to come?

No, I didn't say anything snarky about the Cubs 2016 World Series victory and how the Giants pitching acquisitions will help them in 2017. To read the piece, click here.

Back to reality, but spring training in AZ sure was fun!

If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram you may already know that this week my family and I went to Arizona for Spring Training! My mom, my brother's girlfriend and I are quite the "Gamer Babes." So much fun, and what is even more exciting is that this year the Sacramento Rivercats will be the AAA SF Giants affiliate right here in town!

Sacramento Holiday Gift Giving Guide -- celebrate and support some amazing local businesses...

For the last few years in December, I have written blog posts about gift ideas from local Sacramento businesses to give to your favorite resident for Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzaa, or whichever holiday you celebrate. If your holiday festivities involve gift giving, there are many local Sacramento gifts you can give! Here are my top 12 gifts that will make any Sacramentan's holiday, at any age or budget:

• A membership to with the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, aka SABA; another gift that keeps on giving! SABA advocates for making Sacramento a more bike-friendly place. Noticed more bike parking around town? Ever taken advantage of their free "bike valet" at a neighborhood event? It's a great organization! Estimated cost: $30/Individual annual membership.
• A ring or a necklace from compliment.; they have something for everyone, from the most girliest girl, to the "gamer babe" sports fan (my favorite, I'm not gonna lie)! Best of all, everything you purchase from compliment. comes with a "compliment" to let your someone special know just how special he/she is. AND a percentage of all sales goes to their scholarship program.
• A subscription to Comstock's Magazine; it's the only monthly Sacramento business magazine! It's always a great read and generally very insightful regarding local commerce, businesses both small and large, and the state of local cities, counties, and otherwise. Estimated cost: $20/year.
• Yummy cookies or chocolate from About a Bite Bakery; by far my favorite local small batch baker. They have provided many thank you gifts for my clients and have some amazing holiday offerings too. They even deliver! Estimated cost for a box of the best "bites" you will ever taste: $18.
• A new or used camera from Action Camera; This boutique camera store offers everything from new and refurbished camera, lenses, and more! They also do cool swap-meets for folks to sell their gear, photo contests, and "meet-up" events for photographers to take photos of neat stuff! Estimated cost: varies.
• A Run Training Program at Fleet Feet; the gift of fitness is a gift that keeps on giving! This super cool running store has a few locations in the Sacramento area (Downtown, Fair Oaks, Roseville, Davis) and offers several training programs for different levels (5k, half marathon, marathon, triathlon, etc). Their store locations offer a huge variety of fitness apparel too like shoes, synthetic socks, nutrition, etc. Estimated cost: $59+
• Dinner at Mulvaney's; one of my favorite Midtown Sacramento restaurants! Neat setting, great ambiance, and amazing food. The menu is constantly evolving, so call ahead or check their website. Estimated cost per person: $50.
• A Growler of beer from Bike Dog Brewing Company;  If you like craft brewed beer, and haven't discovered this place -- you need to go. Tucked away in a warehouse space near the Port in West Sacramento, they brew their beer in small batches on-site...and have a dog and kid-friendly tap room open to the public. They don't serve food, but there is almost always a mobile food truck in the parking lot. My personal favorite is their "Double IPA." Estimated cost per pint: $6.
• Massage from Elite Massage Therapy; Katie at Elite Massage Therapy in East Sacramento whips me back into shape after a long run, and she gives one heck of a theraputic massage too. Estimated cost/treatment: $80/ one hour.
• Some soap from Sudz by Studz;  they make everything from bars of soap, to lotion soap, to lip balm and more. All of their products are hand made from local Sacramento ingredients and cruelty-free. Estimated cost: $10/bar.
• Tickets to a Sacramento Rivercats game; See the San Francisco Giants' affiliate play at Raley Field. I'm a HUGE SF Giants fan, and many of these players are a phone call away from the major leagues! Estimated cost/ticket: $6-30.
• A new home; Sure, I saved the best for last. Nothing says happy holidays like closing escrow on a Sacramento home...sorry if that was a little cheesy! Estimated cost: Priceless. =)

Check out my posts from previous years too -- there some great ideas there as well!
Post from 2013: Sacramento Holiday Gift Ideas

Post from 2012: Sacramento Holiday Gift Giving Guide -- are you giving back to your local economy and small businesses?
Post from 2011; Holiday Gift Ideas -- for your most beloved Sacramento Resident...
Post from 2010; Holiday Gift Ideas for your Favorite Sacramento Resident...
Post from 2009; Sacramento Holiday Gift Idea Guide
Post from 2008; Best Sacramento Christmas Gifts

Opening Day in San Francisco! Thus begining my favorite season...

I have only missed ONE San Francisco Giants home opening game in about the last 15 years (and that was because I had to attend the installation for the Sacramento Association of Realtors "Masters Club" where I was being installed as its Treasurer a few years ago)...this year I was fortunate enough to go again! I got to see a great ceremony introducing the team and to raise the World Series Pennant! Here's to a great 2013 season and (hopefully) yet another World Series victory!!

Somebody pinch me - I got to go to Game 1 of the World Series!!

OMG...somebody pinch me! Three of my best friends and I went to game 1 of the 2012 World Series! We sat in the Right Field Arcade and we got to see an amazing game! Pablo Sandoval hit THREE home runs in the opening game victory! GO GIANTS!

Another half marathon in the books...and are the Giants heading to the post season!?

No, not yet another example of Erin in the Media! Not sure which I am more excited about...the fact that the professional race photographer actually caught a pic of me smiling, or at the San Francisco Giants chances of some 2012 post-season magic!? This last Sunday some friends and I did the Giants Race in SF...I completed the half marathon (13.1 miles). Did I mention that hills in San Francisco are difficult to run up (and down)? This was a nice out-of-town diversion, considering how hard I have been working lately with my Sacramento home buyers and sellers! It was also a nice kick-off to my running season this fall and winter...I will be doing the Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon in late October, the Clarksburg Country 20 Mile Run in November, and the California International Marathon in December!

It's nice to be appreciated by my clients!

I was able to give a happy buyer their house keys earlier this week to their new house in Elk Grove...and after the couple months we spent together looking at houses around Sacramento, they know me too well! They gave me this San Francisco Giants "Garden Gnome" as a thank you gift! It's nice to be appreciated. I am excited to put this in my garden at home...perhaps it will help me keep my plants alive!? Haha...

Wow -- I am the 2012 President of the Sacramento Association of Realtors Masters Club!

Well today was a fun day.

I woke up early, got to the office early, worked on some short sale transactions and tied up some other loose ends, and then I headed downtown to the Sheraton Grand Hotel for the Sacramento Association of Realtors Masters Club Installation and Awards Luncheon. If you are not familiar with the Masters Club, it is a club for the top producing Realtors in the Sacramento region. I can't even begin to describe what a great event it was. And I'm not just saying that because I was being installed as 2012 President of the Masters Club.

The subcommittee that orchestrated this event evidently knows me pretty well, because the theme they dreamed up this year could not have been neater! It was a baseball-themed event! If you have been reading my blog for a while, or if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will know that I am a HUGE San Francisco Giants fan, and have played ball since I was 8 years old.

The luncheon started off with the singing of the national anthem, followed by some great food, a couple of speeches, installation of the officers and steering committee, and recognition of the Realtors who achieved Masters Club status. Not only was I installed as President, but I also achieved status as a "Life Member" of the Masters Club.

My parents and younger brother attended, which was great. My sweet significant other attended, which was also great. And of course there were several other Realtors from my company Dunnigan Realtors in attendance, which was also great. It was a super fun amazing day!

Then of course once it was all over, I had to go back to my office, where I planned what properties to show tomorrow (Saturday), received confirmation that one of my buyer transactions had closed (yay!), and then attended a short sale seller escrow document signing at Placer Title down the street. So, back to work....

What is so great about the SAR Masters Club, you might wonder? I wish more of the general public were aware of this, but being in the Masters Club is more than just about being a top producer. We support the SAR Realtor membership with additional educational programs and services that enhance the competency, professionalism, and productivity of its members. I look forward to a great year as Masters Club President!

My softball socks...

I'd like to give credit where credit is due. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will already know that my softball team won the league championship game tonight, and I think my lucky softball socks had something to do with it.

Go Team OFFBASE!...now if only my team's luck could rub off on the San Francisco Giants! ARGH

Happy Holidays, love me!

OMG!! THE GIANTS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!

OMG! The torture this season was so worth it!!! I have no voice left whatsoever! Here I am with my brother, dad, and mom at MVP's downtown. We all went there to watch the Giants win...so fitting that we all watched the game together. Baseball is truly a family pastime...we all went to games from the time I was a little girl and still go together now. Ahhh! I am SO HAPPY!!!

OMG! The Giants may just do this!

Ok, ok...I know. I had the distinct privilege of going to last night's Giants playoff game at AT&T Park with my friend Katie (who by the way, is a fantastic CMT who works primarily on athletes). What an exciting game! I have no voice today...I think I screamed non-stop from the 6th inning on. I have been a HUGE Giants fan since I was a kid. I played little league baseball from the time I was 8 until I was 15 years old, and even played on my high school's boys baseball team my freshman year...after that I switched to varsity softball for the rest of high school. My family and I have been going to games for years, and OMG I don't even know what I will do with myself if the Giants get to the World Series (and maybe win???)!!!!!

Sacramento Association of Realtors Annual Masters Club Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Among other activities I participate in at the Sacramento Association of Realtors, I am the current elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Masters Club. Today we held our annual Golf Tournament fundraiser at Northridge Country Club in Fair Oaks to benefit three local charities - Wellspring Women's Center, the Sacramento Moral Values Program, and The Greenhouse. We had MANY sponsors and several golfers...I, being a softball player and not really much of a golfer, just helped with the behind-the-scenes of the event...however I did make a point to dress up in costume as a part of the Halloween theme. Any guesses as to who I am here? Does the phrase "Fear the Beard" ring a bell to anyone?

Sunday Fun Day at the San Francisco Giants Game!

So if you read my blog post from Friday, you will already know that I had to miss the home opening game of my beloved San Francisco Giants because I was being installed as the Secretary / Treasurer of the Sacramento Association of Realtors "Masters Club" at its annual awards luncheon.

Well, today my brother and I decided to go to the game...and it rained like crazy! We arrived at the stadium around noon for the 1:05pm start time, and waited through a 4 hour rain delay. It was a GREAT game, and the Giants won! Certainly it was not the same as opening day, but I was happy to be able to go and get my baseball fix for now...

Sacramento Association of Realtors Masters Club Luncheon...pretty much the only reason I would ever miss the SF Giants opening day!

If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you will already know that today I was installed as the Secretary / Treasurer of the Sacramento Association of Realtors "Masters Club" at the annual awards luncheon at the Hyatt. If you are not familiar with the Masters Club, it is a club for the top producing Realtors in the Sacramento region.

Coincidentally, today is also the home opening day game for the San Francisco Giants. I have not missed attending an opening day in 12 years, however this was an important event that I pretty much was not permitted to miss. Let's just say I have volunteered for next year's luncheon planning subcommittee so that I can ensure that this does not happen again! SO.....I am going to the game on Sunday. Fingers are crossed that it does not rain!

Where in the world is Erin Attardi?

Yes I am ok...I got a few emails from my regular blog readers asking if I was ok, and why I had not written anything new lately (including my 4th installment of Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment, which I will write a bit later this week). My answer? It's the end of the summer, and I have been playing! Even Realtors deserve a day or two off now and then, right?

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will already know I took two little excursions in the last week, and both coincidentally were to celebrate my parents' birthdays.

Before I left though on Friday the 11th, I helped throw a little fundraiser for the California Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Fund (CARHAF) with the Young Professionals Council's 2nd Annual "Bowling for the American Dream" fundraiser. What a blast! This year's event had a 1950's theme...the final total is not in yet, but we estimate that we raised about $3,000 for CARHAF!

So anyway, last Monday, to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday, I got up really early and went fishing on SF Bay with my husband, dad, and brother. We caught 4 white sea bass (including a 51-incher by my brother), and 7 halibut. That was a great day! Our catch yielded over 100 pounds of meat! There was so much that although the guides cleaned our fish for us, we still ended up taking the fillets to a butcher for processing. Let's just say that if you have a good recipe for white fish, please email it to me!!

Then, first thing this last Saturday morning, my brother, mom and I flew to Los Angeles to see the San Francisco Giants play the Dodgers. Hmm...the Giants got absolutely slayed in both games we saw (Saturday and Sunday), but we still had a great time. Before we returned on Monday evening, we had lunch at this famous restaurant called The Ivy in Beverly Hills. Good times.

Back to work!!! (Un)fortunately, my summer travels are over...

My Beloved SF Giants Sweep the Colorado Rockies!!

Very infrequently do I take weekends off, but this weekend was one I had been waiting for with much anticipation for quite a while! If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will know I had an eventful weekend away...

We checked out bands like Pearl Jam, Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, and others at Outside Lands. It was a great, multi-stage concert in Golden Gate Park...if you had not had the chance to go, and like a huge variety of great music, I highly recommend checking it out next year. It is also a fabulous people-watching opportunity...I linked a photo on Twitter showing a crazy marching band of mimes...

Not only was this the weekend of the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, but the San Francisco Giants were playing a pivotal series against the Colorado Rockies!! We checked out the final game of the series yesterday, and the Giants won 9-5 in a come-from-behind victory! They are now tied in the NL Wild Card standings...nail biting for the rest of the season...Go Giants!!

Sacramento's First Time Buyers...and how did the Giants loose tonight?

In light of the fact I am completely annoyed that the Giants' bullpen somehow managed to blow their 3 run lead this evening, rather than watch the rest of the game, I have decided to write a blog instead. I had a really long day and was hoping to relax in front of the tube and watch the Giants win...but I find blogging very therapeutic, so here we are.

So lately, the vast majority of my buyer clients have been first time home buyers. This is truly an exciting time to be a first time buyer! Why?

In many cases, your monthly mortgage payment will be roughly the same as your monthly rent payment. The median home price in Sacramento County in April 2009 was $165,000. Using an FHA loan program, $165,000 with the required 3.5% downpayment ($5,775), the monthly payment comes out to approximately $1,132...that is the fully loaded monthly payment for a 30-year fixed loan at 5%, including your principle, interest, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and mortgage insurance.

There are some very advantageous tax credits available to first time buyers at both the state and federal level. The California state tax credit is up to $10,000 spread out over 3 years, applies only to new construction homes purchased until March of 2010. There is a cap on the total tax credit of $100M...so the money runs out, and all that make qualifying purchases may not be able to take advantage of the credit. The federal tax credit is up to $8,000 for any principle residence purchased before December 1, 2009. Please check with your CPA to see how you may qualify for these tax incentives.

There are several first time buyer grants and downpayment assistance programs available. Many are based on your profession, household income, number of people in your household, and the city or county where the home is. These programs change all the time, and availability of funds changes all the time too...be sure to work closely with your loan officer to see if you qualify.

All good stuff...the combination of these circumstances is just too much for most first time buyers to resist!

Anyway, in the time it took me to write this post, the Giants LOST to the Mets 8-6! What a joke...Starting pitcher Tim Lincecum got a no decision. GRRR.

Time off from short sales today...took a field trip to the SF Giants opening day!!

I took a little mid-week field trip today to attend the San Francisco Giants opening day with my brother...it is our yearly tradition. It poured rain up until about 30 minutes prior to the 1:05pm scheduled start time...then like magic, the rain ceased! The start was delayed until about 1:30pm because the field crew had to remove the massive tarp covering the infield. Then, former American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks, sang the national anthem, and the heroic US Airways pilot, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger threw out the first pitch.

We had awesome seats just a few rows back, basically between home plate and the Giants dugout. Behind us sat Willie Brown (most recently, the mayor of SF)! Believe it or not, he is a pretty well-informed baseball fan...

Anyway - my brother and I had a great time, and best of all the Giants won 10-6!! Anyway, back to work tomorrow. I have a long day of short sale negotiation ahead of me...