Real Estate Blog

March home sales climb dramatically in Sacramento Region

2010-04-17T15:55:00.000-07:00

By Sacramento Bee

March saw a spring burst in Sacramento-area home sales, as 3,431 new and existing houses closed escrow, researcher MDA DataQuick reported Thursday.

Here are the numbers in eight area counties.

Sales climbed dramatically from February's 2,464 count, and outpaced the same time last year in Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties. It was the region's first year-over-year sales gain in eight months.
Median sales prices also continued to steady for existing homes. Three area counties - Placer, Sacramento and Yolo - showed higher prices than March 2009.

Sacramento County's $175,000 median was 9.4 percent higher than the same time last year. Yolo County's $240,000 median was 9.1 percent higher than March 2009.

Placer County's $287,000 median price was up 1.4 percent from the same time last year. Median is that point where half of homes cost more and half cost less.

Analysts suggested the gains will continue into April. Michael Lyon, head of Sacramento-based Lyon Real Estate, credited a rush to claim a soon-expiring $8,000 federal tax credit, largely flat prices and still-low interest rates. Rates averaged 5.07 this week nationally before points for 30-year fixed mortgages, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. That was down from 5.21 percent last week.

DataQuick said Thursday that new homes represented 7.7 percent of March escrow closings across the region.

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CA Dept of Verterans Affairs

2010-02-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

Obtaining a copy of your Release from Active Duty (DD214) is easier than ever. Once you have searched your personal records and determined that you no longer have a copy there are several things you can do. In the past veterans were advised to have their DD214 recorded in the county they went home to after their release.

If you did that, contact the county recorder and you should be able to get a copy there. If you used a DD214 to apply for other benefits, such as educational or medical benefits, the agency you applied to may be able to give you a copy.

If neither of these ideas work the fastest way to obtain a copy is through the National Archives on their website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html. They are the records custodian for most discharged and retired members of all branches of service. Expect a two to three week wait to receive your record, but ordering online may speed up the process.

CalVet can begin processing your loan without the DD214, and we may be able to confirm your dates of service directly through USDVA. Contact one of our offices if you need assistance.

Direct Link CA Dept of Veterans Affairs Click Here

CalVet Home Loan| CA Dept of Veterans Affairs

2010-02-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

The simple answer is that if you received a discharge classified as Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions, and you served a minimum of 90 days active duty (not including active duty for training purposes only), you are eligible for a CalVet Home Loan. Recent changes in the Military & Veterans Code and CalVet Home Loan funding policies have made most veterans eligible under state law, including those whose entire active service was during peacetime.

There are exceptions to the 90 days service requirement for veterans who were discharged sooner due to a service-connected disability, or are eligible to receive a U.S. campaign or expeditionary medal, or were called to active duty from the Reserves or National Guard due to a Presidential Executive Order.

Current members of the California National Guard or the US Military Reserves who have served a minimum of one year of a six year obligation are also eligible provided they qualify as first time home buyers or purchase properties located in certain Targeted Areas.

Direct Link to CalVet Loans Click Here