New Electronic Devise Warning for Drivers Jan. 1st 2017

Starting January 1st, it will be illegal to hold and operate electronic devices, including smart phones, while driving. Such devices can still be used by drivers, but there are new restrictions.

First, the device must be mounted on the dash, the center console or in one of the lower corners of the windshield. it cannot be placed anywhere that impairs a drivers view or blocks the possible deployment of airbags.

Second, drivers must use hands free technology, such as voice command or Bluetooth. If they have to touch a screen, the new law only allows for “the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.”

Only drivers 18 or older can use hands-free devices; drivers under 18 cannot. It’s also still illegal for drivers to send text messages.

Law enforcement can pull drivers over for violating any of these new rules. The base fine for a first violation is $20 and $50 for any subsequent violations.

When followed this can save a lot of lives.  Don't be the one who doesn't follow the new rules.

Sacramento’s housing market will be one of nation’s hottest in 2017

 It’s still more subdued than it was a decade ago during the housing bubble, but Sacramento’s housing market is about to become one of the hottest in the country, according to a prominent online real estate site.

Realtor.com predicted Wednesday that greater Sacramento will be the nation’s fourth-hottest housing market next year, as measured by price appreciation and growth in sales volume. Sacramento trailed only Phoenix, Los Angeles and Boston in Realtor.com’s rankings of the 100 largest metro areas.

Sacramento’s strengths are relative. Much of the country is expected to slow down somewhat in 2017 as mortgage rates increase and other factors kick in. That leaves Sacramento looking better than most, said Javier Vivas, an economist at Realtor.com.

“We’re not saying it’s going to be a booming market,” Vivas said. But he said the Sacramento area will enter the upper echelons thanks to solid job creation and “pure, sheer population growth.” Much of the population growth will be spillover from the Bay Area, he said.

Sacramento home prices will grow 7.2 percent in 2017, according to Realtor.com’s forecast. The volume of home sales in the four-country region is expected to increase a more modest 4.9 percent. Taken together, that puts Sacramento at No. 4 overall.

And what about the white-hot Bay Area, whose prices help fuel population growth and housing demand in Sacramento? Realtor.com said Bay Area housing prices are expected to continuing climbing sharply, by more than 8 percent. Yet growth in home sales volume will be minuscule, just above 1 percent, leaving the Bay Area barely in the top 40 in Realtor.com’s overall rankings of housing market activity for 2017.

Realtor.com’s Sacramento forecast represents something of a jolt for a community that has spent the past 10 years recovering from the bursting of the housing bubble.

“That’s encouraging; I like the sound of that,” said Kevin Carson of the New Home Co., a partner in the highly visible McKinley Village housing project near East Sacramento. “We’ve been on the sidelines for so long compared to other markets.”

Carson said he thinks the forecast is plausible, based on what he’s seeing on the ground. He was amazed that six homes sold last week at McKinley Village despite rainy weather and the Thanksgiving holiday lull.

“That normally doesn’t happen,” he said.

Andrew LePage of CoreLogic, the Irvine-based market researcher, said Sacramento appears to be “one of the hotter markets,” but it’s difficult to say exactly where it ranks.

Others were skeptical of Realtor.com’s rankings.

“God bless ’em, but I think that’s aggressive,” said Pat Shea, president of Lyon Real Estate, when told of the forecast. He said he thinks sales volume will be flat and prices will grow by something closer to 5 percent.

Shea said the Sacramento region still suffers from an inventory shortage and a relative scarcity of high-paying jobs of the type found in the Bay Area.

Ryan Lundquist, an independent real estate appraiser, said overall demand is strong in Sacramento but buyers remain price-sensitive and won’t overpay.

“Buyers are very picky about paying the right price,” he said. “If it’s not priced correctly, it’s going to sit instead of sell.” He said price appreciation has cooled off since 2012 and 2013, when the market stirred to life in the aftermath of the recession.

Clearly, Sacramento is still digging out of the enormous hole created when the housing market collapsed. While job growth has driven unemployment in the region to 5.2 percent, the housing market isn’t completely healed.

CoreLogic said Sacramento County’s median home price of $310,000 was still 17 percent below the pre-recession peak. Placer County’s median price of $429,000 was 15 percent below the peak. When price inflation is factored in, LePage said the disparity between current prices and the peak is even greater.

Prices are growing more slowly, too, compared with a decade ago. Realtor.com’s forecast of a price increase of 7.2 percent next year would be well short of the 20 percent annual gains recorded during the bubble era, when low interest rates and loose lending standards fed a surge in activity that proved unsustainable.

One of the big factors in Sacramento remains the strength of the Bay Area market. In a hot market, many buyers in Sacramento are Bay Area refugees seeking cheaper housing and a quieter lifestyle. Median prices in the Bay Area have jumped 6 percent since last year, to $675,000, according to CoreLogic.

Although sales activity in the Bay Area has tailed off somewhat, real estate executives such as Carson believe those residents are still looking to Sacramento as an alternative.

“They’re still creating jobs in the Bay,” Carson said. “I do think people are getting out.”

All told, Realtor.com said it expects the U.S. housing market to cool off slightly in 2017 compared with the past two years. Prices nationwide are expected to climb 3.9 percent, while sales volumes should grow 1.9 percent. The forecast said rising mortgage rates – about four-tenths of 1 percent since Election Day – are likely to dampen sales activity.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article117952053.html#storylink=cpy

DALE KASLER

dkasler@sacbee.com

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article117952053.html#storylink=cpy

7 Reasons You Should Buy Your Next Home Right Now

Get off the fence. This might be the best time to buy a home you're going to see for a while. Here's why.

Less competition for homes

Tired of having to duke it out for available homes and then losing out to higher offers? That's a reality in many of today's hot real estate markets, where bidding wars are the norm. In some micro-markets, all-cash offers are king. It's hard to compete in that kind of environment, which is what makes the holiday season attractive to home buyers. Less activity during this season diminishes the competition, and can also help you get a deal.

Read more:

http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/buyersadvice1/item/49112-20161208-7-reasons-you-should-buy-your-next-home-right-now

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS IN THE SACRAMENTO AREA

We can hardly believe that 2016 is almost over. There is no better way to celebrate the successes, memories and events of 2016 than with family and friends at a local event or special dinner in the city. And of course, this is also an opportunity to make a toast to 2017 and look forward to a fresh start at the beginning of another new year.

Celebrate all of the above at a special New Year’s Eve event or prix fixe dinner served at one of Sacramento’s best restaurants!

Noon Year’s Eve at the Crocker Art Museum has become a beloved Sacramento annual tradition as families gather to count down to the new year at noon. This free event features live music, dance performances, and festive art activities throughout the museum. You can even explore the museum after the party, as it will be open for free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve!

The Sky Spectacular in Old Sacramento is one of the region’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations, with two sky concerts, live entertainment, balloon artists, face painters, and lots of treats. This free, family-friendly event is something you don’t want to miss this year! Gather in Old Sacramento from 6–9 p.m. for a myriad of activities, then watch the incredible fireworks light up the sky with musical hits from 2016 at 9 p.m. and midnight.

Spend your New Year’s Eve at Topgolf in Roseville for a night of neon featuring live entertainment, a chef-inspired menu, and lots of music and dancing! Reserve a bay for up to six people — either the regular bay for $225, or the VIP bay for $450. Check the event page to see what each reservation entails!

Cruise into the new year on the Sacramento River as you enjoy the Sky Spectacular fireworks show onboard a one-hour river cruise! Watch the 9 p.m. or midnight fireworks show on the boat, complete with a complimentary champagne toast and access to their cash bar. Book your reservation for the 8:30 p.m. ride or the 11:30 p.m. ride!

THIS presents the Midtown Mountain Get Down, a party for all ages featuring live performances, a fashion show, a beer garden with cocktails, amazing food, and much more. Head to Low Brau Lodge and Block Butcher Bar for the party of a lifetime on New Year’s Eve!

Casinos sure know how to throw a party — especially on New Year’s Eve! Head to Thunder Valley to hear Kool & the Gang perform their legendary hits to kick off 2017. Tickets cost $94.75 and this event is only open to those 21 and over.

Get the last laugh of 2016 with friends and strangers alike at “2016’s Last Laughs” at the Punch Line Comedy Club. This hilarious night will feature a set of talented comedians performing at either 7:30 or 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Plus a lot of choices in restaurant's. To name a few;

Ella Dining Room and Bar
Esquire Grill
Hack Farm Craft and Provisions
The Kitchen
La Provence
Rio City Cafe
Skool Restaurant
Town House at Wine and Roses
Zinfandel Grill

Fire Safety

Residential fires take their toll every day, every year, in lost lives, injuries, and destroyed property. The fact is that many conditions that cause house fires can be avoided or prevented by homeowners. Taking the time for some simple precautions, preventive inspections, and concrete planning can help prevent fire in the home - and can save property and lives should disaster strike. Check holiday lights for fraying or broken wires and plugs. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines when joining multiple strands together, as a fire hazard could result from overload. Enjoy indoor holiday lighting only while someone is home, and turn them off before going to bed at night.   Candles add a welcome festive feeling, and should be placed in stable holders and located away from curtains, drafts, pets, and children. Never leave burning candles unattended, even for a short time.   Live Christmas trees should be kept in a water-filled stand and checked daily for dehydration. Needles should not easily break off a freshly-cut tree. Brown needles or lots of fallen needles indicate a dangerously dried-out tree which should be discarded immediately. Always use nonflammable decorations in the home, and never use lights on a dried-out tree.   All electrical devices including lamps, appliances, and electronics should be checked for frayed cords, loose or broken plugs, and exposed wiring. Never run electrical wires, including extension cords, under carpet or rugs as this creates a fire hazard.   Fireplaces should be checked by a professional chimney sweep each year and cleaned if necessary to prevent a dangerous buildup of creosote, which can cause a flash fire in the chimney. Cracks in masonry chimneys should be repaired, and spark arresters inspected to ensure they are in good condition and free of debris.   When using space heaters, keep them away from beds and bedding, curtains, papers - anything flammable. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. Space heaters should not be left unattended or where a child or pet could knock them over.   Use smoke detectors with fresh batteries unless they are hard-wired to your home's electrical system. Smoke detectors should be installed high on walls or on ceilings on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside every sleeping area. Statistics show that nearly 60% of home fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Most municipalities now require the use of working smoke detectors in both single and multi-family residences.   Children should not have access to or be allowed to play with matches, lighters, or candles. Flammable materials such as gasoline, kerosene, or propane should always be stored outside of and away from the house.   Kitchen fires know no season. According to the U.S. National Fire Protection Association, 46% of reported home fires in 2015 were caused by cooking. Grease spills, items left unattended on the stove or in the oven, and food left in toasters or toaster ovens can catch fire quickly. Don't wear loose fitting clothing, especially with long sleeves, around the stove. Handles of pots and pans should be turned away from the front of the stove to prevent accidental contact. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher within easy reach. Extinguishers specifically formulated for grease and cooking fuel fires are available and can supplement an all-purpose extinguisher.   Have an escape plan. This is one of the most important measures to prevent death in a fire. Visit ready.gov for detailed information on how to make a plan. Local fire departments can also provide recommendations on escape planning and preparedness. In addition, all family members should know how to dial 911 in case of a fire or other emergency. Pillars to Posts

Keep Your Sewers Clean

For all you Mommy's and Daddy's out there this is for you; Utility workers caution that ...Wipes in the pipes are clogging sewers
Sewers everywhere are stopped up and there is plenty of blame to go around from personal carelessness to faulty products.

For one thing, people think that any thin cleaning wipe or baby wipe can be flushed down the toilet. How wrong they are.

Non-flushable cleanup wipes, baby wipes, and sanitary products must not be flushed down the toilet.

The reason is simply that, unlike toilet paper, these other materials do not dissolve. Instead they clog up the sewers, damage equipment, and cost cities and taxpayers a lot of time and money.

In one city, they had to hire a contractor to vacuum out a lift station and remove a truckload of cloth material. It's happening all over the country.

The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry says researchers collected and analyzed materials from wastewater pumps and found that most items clogging equipment are not labeled flushable.

These items, experts suggest, should be more clearly labeled Do Not Flush.

Kimberly-Clark's flushable Cottonelle cloths undergo extensive testing to ensure they are compatible with home and city sewer systems. However, some flushables do not comply.

Some companies have heavily promoted bathroom wipes, while some cleaning product manufacturers have also advertised sponges they say can be disposed of in a toilet.

A Consumer Reports test showed that toilet paper disintegrated after about eight seconds, but some wipes still hadn't broken down after 30 minutes. They should never have been classified as flushable.

Realtor.com projects that Sacramento will be the fourth hottest residential real estate market in the country next year.

Javier Vivas, the site’s manager of economic research, said job growth and population growth are the primary factors for the region, where prices are expected to rise by an average of 7.2 percent.
In a familiar pattern, proximity to the expensive Bay Area is also a factor. Even with strong price appreciation in recent years, Sacramento area homes are still half as expensive as comparable homes in San Francisco and San Jose, Vivas said.

Realtor.com’s forecast for 2017 also saw the number of sales in Sacramento growing by 4.9 percent. Even so, Vivas said, a local and national trend of limited inventory is expected to continue.

“We’ve been waiting for supply to come in and quench thirsty buyers, but that’s not going away in 2017,” he said. “There will be plenty of competition and lots of eyes on listings.”

Vivas said Realtor.com is telling its members to keep an eye on interest rates, which are expected to rise, and how they affect buyers' ability to make offers. In Sacramento particularly, larger down payments than the national average are also a factor for Realtors.

“And also understand your local market,” he said. “For Sacramento, understand why they’re moving there.”

Sacramento also ranked fourth in Realtor.com’s 2016 projections for the hottest national markets. For 2017, Phoenix, Los Angeles/Orange County and Boston take the top three spots, followed by Sacramento and Southern California’s Inland Empire. Sacramento is the only metropolitan statistical area to rank in the top five both years, and with Boston the only to also rank in the top 10 both years.

Ben van der Meer covers real estate, development, construction, water issues and the business of sports