All posts by jd

Real estate broker, civil engineer and general contractor.

Nevada County Fairground Hosting Costume Parade

October 21, 2013 jd

CONTESTS, COSTUMES, AND A CUPCAKE WALK

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is hosting a costume parade at its Halloween event this Saturday, October 26, from 2 – 5 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The costume parade – a fun way to show off those cute costumes – will take place at 3 pm at the Main Exhibit Building.

There will also be games and treats for kids, a story book club, and even a cupcake walk! Hot dogs and all the fixins’ will be served by Bill’s Chuckwagon, and Bobby ‘G’ will provide family-friendly music for all to enjoy. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Model Railroad will be open for tours, and, weather permitting, Empire Carriage Company will provide carriage rides around the Fairgrounds. Nevada County Story Club will have a booth set up, and will be reading Halloween stories to children.

Nevada Union FFA will have farm animals outside of the event for viewing, and they will also host the Pumpkin Chuckin’ event, where the students catapult pumpkins across the Fairgrounds grass area.

It’s all happening, rain or shine, on Saturday, October 26 from 2 – 5 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The cost is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games and entertainment! Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at the Fairgrounds. Parking is free for this event.

The Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds event is hosted by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, and sponsored by Cirino’s at Main Street. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for information or call (530) 273-6217.

Halloween Fun at the Nevada County Fair Grounds

Please help to keep this blog going
Let us Sell or help you buy your new home or land

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John

BRE#00669941

Bits & Pieces

You Think We Have Traffic Jams in Nevada County?

October 16, 2013 jd

httpv://youtu.be/ySSrG7HgvIQ

Thousands of Bangladeshis crammed ferries and trains, leaving Dhaka on Thursday to return to their home villages and celebrate Eid al-fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Don’t show this video clip to the airlines, they may get some new ideas on seating. I also wonder if they have enough life preservers for all those people on the ferries?

Real Estate

How the Shutdown is Affecting Real Estate

October 15, 2013 jd

The government shutdown is starting to cripple the real estate business just as it was starting a comeback. You might ask how this is happening, well, here are just some of the reasons.

FHA and VA loans are being delayed because of lack of staff
USDA loans which are for low income borrowers, have ground to a complete halt.
IRS is down, so FHA and conventional loans cannot verify tax documents, delaying or killing loans.

All this means that real estate deals are being put on hold, or in some cases, just falling apart. There is a real good chance if this idiotic shutdown continues that interest rates will climb. A one percent increase in the interest rate and shutdown could mean a decline in 450,000 home sales. Welcome to another depression, thanks some die hard conservatives.

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
Civil Engineer
General Contractor

Community Events, Education, Nevada County Information

Fire Safe Council Offers 2014 Firewise Calendar

October 12, 2013 jd

The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County in cooperation with the Allstate Foundation, County of Nevada and the National Firewise Communities Association are offering residents in Nevada County free defensible space advisory visits to educate citizens about Defensible Space. Complete your visit in October or November and get a 2014 Firewise Calendar.

California Public Resources Code 4291 requires every landowner to “maintain around and adjacent to the building or structure a firebreak made by removing and clearing away, for a distance of not less than 100’ on each side of the building or structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth”.

In addition, this code allows insurance companies to require

landowners to maintain their vegetation.

We live in a wildland urban interface area which has the potential for catastrophic wildfire.

Receive custom advice about:

Building materials
Fire facts
How to manage the vegetation on your property
Plant species considered “high fire risk”
Proper clearance from structures
Proper signage for your property
Answers to any questions you might have about the defensible space around your structures
And a variety of other helpful information

In addition, you will be provided with referrals for contractors and other resources that could help you achieve your fuel objectives.

Advisors will inform residents about:

The burn permit process
The California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP)
The FSCNC Chipping Program
The FSCNC Special Needs Assistance Program

Sign up online at www.areyoufiresafe.com,

email info@areyoufiresafe

or Call 530-272-1122

For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

BRE#00669941

nevada county fair

Halloween Fun at the Nevada County Fair Grounds

October 11, 2013 jd

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 FROM 2 – 5 PM

Join in the fall festivities and Halloween fun at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 26. Rain or shine, in costume or in street clothes, don’t miss out on the fun!

Bring your family and friends for some Halloween fun from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, October 26. Hot dogs will be served by Bill’s Chuckwagon, and there will be treats for the kids, a cupcake walk, and lots of games. Plus, you don’t want to miss the costume contests and a chance to win some great prizes!

The cost for the Halloween event at the Fairgrounds is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games, and entertainment! Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. This family-friendly Halloween event is hosted by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, and sponsored by Cirino’s at Main Street.

For additional information, call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217 or visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com

Nevada County Fairgrounds Change for 2014 Draft Horse Classic

nevada county fair

Nevada County Fairgrounds Change for 2014 Draft Horse Classic

October 9, 2013 jd

New Dates: September 18 – 21, 2014

The dates for the 2014 Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valley have been changed to September 18 – 21, 2014. All ticket sale orders will begin May 1, 2014. At that time, you’ll be able to order your tickets by FAX, mail, phone, or walk-in. On-line ticket sales will begin June 2. To get the best seats, place your ticket order early!

Mark your calendar and save the date for the 2014 Draft Horse Classic, which takes place September 18 – 21 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. For additional information, visit the Fairgrounds website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217.

nevada county fair

Nevada County Fairgrounds Begins Search for 2014 Fair Theme

October 3, 2013 jd

Submit the winning theme and win a prize package to the 2014 Nevada County Fair

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is hosting a contest to find the winning theme for the 2014 Fair. Do you have a catchy or fun theme that you think would be perfect for the 2014 Nevada County Fair?

Visit the Fair’s website at NevadaCountyFair.com and submit a theme idea that you think would be perfect for the Fair. If the theme you submit is selected, you win. The winner will receive a 2014 Nevada County Fair package that includes two free admission tickets for each day of the Fair, a 5-day parking pass for the Fair, and ride coupons.

The contest is open to Nevada County residents only. Submissions must be five words or less and no trade-marked themes will be considered. The contest runs now through November 8, 2013. For those without access to the Internet, entry forms are available at the Nevada County Fairgrounds office, or information can be mailed to the Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945. No phone entries will be accepted.

Once the winning theme is selected, there will be a contest to design artwork to illustrate the theme. Each year, the theme and artwork appear on advertisements, t-shirts, buttons, posters, banners and the Fair’s website to promote the Fair.

The 2014 Nevada County Fair is scheduled for August 6 – 10. For a complete list of contest rules or information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

Please help to keep this blog going
Let us Sell or help you buy your new home or land

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John

DRE#00669941

nevada county fair

Nevada County Fair 27th Annual Draft Horse Classic Awards

September 27, 2013 jd

“Winner of the Ultimate Hitch Competition – Freeman Yoder of Young Living Percherons, based out of Mona, Utah – performs at the 2013 Draft Horse Classic.” Photo credit: ProSportsPix.com — “Winner of the Ultimate Hitch Competition – Freeman Yoder of Young Living Percherons, based out of Mona, Utah – performs at the 2013 Draft Horse Classic.”
Photo credit: ProSportsPix.com

Awards for the 27th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 19 – 22 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Gord Ruzicka of Viking, Alberta, Canada, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Don Davis from Redding was the horseshoe competition judge.

More than 50 Draft Horse exhibitors – traveling from California, British Columbia, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming – competed for approximately $40,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during five performances over the four-day event.

The winner of the Ultimate Hitch competition was Freeman Yoder of Young Living Percherons, from Mona, Utah.

Dakota Messenger of Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, from Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Katie Cook of Young Living Percherons, were recognized as the outstanding lady drivers, both accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to David and Patsy Cunningham, an honor bestowed upon them by the voting of their fellow teamsters. The Cunninghams are from Meadowlake Belgians in Carlton, Oregon. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Rick Newborn of Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, California; and Cadee Miller of Young Living Percherons, won the Youth of the Show award.

The Overall Supreme Champion horse, Hugh; and the Grand Champion Stallion, Ogdensburg HC Variety, are owned by Castagnasso Clydesdales and shown by Tony Knecht of Sonoma, California.

The Grand Champion Mare, Jansens Farms Kayla, is owned by Young Living Percherons, and shown by Freeman Yoder.

The winner in the 2013 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Robbie Mederos.

At the third annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off, the Grand Champion was Jeff Lenke, cooking for Ash Kickin’ Smokers of Lincoln; and the Reserve Grand Champion prize went to Brian Choate, cooking for Smokin’ The Bandit BBQ of Plumas Lake. The People’s Choice Champion was Jack Simmons of Big Shot BBQ of Discovery Bay.

At the Harvest Fair, the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows, as well as the Best of Division in the Scarecrows, went to Nancy Brown of Grass Valley.

A complete list of 2013 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, the Horse Shoeing Contest winners, and a complete list of Barbecue Cook-Off results, is on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

The 2014 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 25 – 28. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2014. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.

Real Estate

Higher Prices for Newly Constructed Homes

September 25, 2013 jd

Many of the nation’s largest builders are raising their prices, even as existing-home prices are beginning to moderate.

For example, homebuilder KB Home has had average prices for its new homes soar 23 percent annually. Lennar has raised the average price on its new homes by 16 percent annually in the third quarter, now averaging $291,000. The average price of all existing homes was $258,000, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

“The big picture is that new-build house prices fell less than existing house prices during the crash and have risen more during the recovery,” says Paul Diggle at Capital Economics.

While prices are up for new homes, both Lennar and KB Home announced this week a weaker pace for new orders. Lennar officials blamed the slowdown on rising mortgage rates and the double-digit percentage increases in home prices this year.

“We see strong, viable, fundamental demand out there, but it has cooled a little bit,” Rick Beckwitt, Lennar’s president, said during a recent earnings call. “As a result, from a pricing standpoint, we have selected some of our inventory and increased incentives associated with that inventory.”

Analyst Ivy Zelman doesn’t believe new home prices are inflated or priced at an abnormal premium over existing homes.

“In Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada, we conclude that prices are still 15 percent lower than the 2006 peak, which excludes an adjustment for an increasing size of new homes and would be further compounded by seven years of inflation,” Zelman says.

Source: “Forget easing prices, new homes are up, up, up,” CNBC (Sept. 24, 2013) and “New-Home Orders Slower for Lennar, KB Home,” The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 24, 2013): DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS

Real Estate

Nevada County Real Estate Trends

September 19, 2013 jd

Nevada County Stats : Reprinted with permission from Trendgraphix Inc.

September 19, 2013

Viewing the chart above, you can see that sales of homes from June 2012 to the end of August 2013 have increased. Inventory, however, has dropped from 626 homes to 495 homes

Without making your eyes bleary, here are the stats. For sale in the months of August 2013 495 homes, August 2012, 587 homes a decrease of -15.7% down. Homes sold in the month of August 2013, 124, in the month of August 2013, 107 for in increase in sales of 15.9%.

The median price in June 2012 was $260,000. In August the median price raised to $305,000 a significant increase percentage wise of 17.3%

Judging from the chart above, February was the lowest inventory with 305 and we seem to be steadily increasing our inventory This may be due to more home owners realizing that they may be above water with their mortgages and the market has come back for selling their homes.

Sales of Existing Homes at Six-Year High

Please help to keep this blog going
Let us Sell or help you buy your new home or land

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John

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