Elizabeth Weintraub • Sacramento Short Sale Agent • Land Park

I just listed another short sale home, this time in Carmichael, and even managed to stop off for a manicure. With my days, it's hard to squeeze in time to get my nails done. Jeopardy was on the TV at the nail salon. I'm always astonished when I know the questions on Jeopardy, especially when the contestants don't. For example, I knew that a cat who drapes in your arms is a ragdoll. I also knew the airport in Seoul is Incheon. But that's because I've been to South Korea and I love cats. Not because I store a vast amount of trivial information in my brain.

I wasn't watching the categories, but that's the secret to Jeopardy. I was trying not to smush my wet nails into the fan. I also wasn't paying attention to the final category; however, I did hear the final answer. It was: "She was born in 10,000 BC on February 22 at 6 pounds, 12 ounces." I knew the question. Instinctively. It made me all excited. The question was: "Who is Pebbles Flintstone?"

You know, there aren't very many game shows on TV anymore. Maybe they're all on the game show channel. When I was a kid and stayed home sick from school -- OK, maybe I played hooky a lot -- I watched game shows all the time. I loved Truth or Consequences, Queen for a Day, Let's Make a Deal and Concentration. There is a correlation between some short sales and Let's Make a Deal.

For example, when I pulled up to the townhome complex in Carmichael, many of the doors looked identical to each other. It made me wonder what one would find behind door number 1, door number 2 or door number 3. I often laughed when door number 3 revealed a goat. When listing a Sacramento short sale, I rarely know in advance what I will find. Will the listing be a turn-key home, a home in need of repairs or a home where a rat wouldn't live alone?

Turns out my new short sale listing is a beautiful townhome, ready to move into. It's located in the Casistas Manzanita complex, which has 3 pools and tennis courts in its homeowner's association. The dues are reasonable as well: $173 a month.

It features 3 bedrooms on the second floor, a guest bath on the first floor and 2 full baths upstairs. The floor plan is open, bright and cheery. Built in 1971, this townhome has been updated a bit with a few newer light fixtures, ceiling fans and Berber carpeting. The sellers moved the washer and dryer out of the kitchen and gave those appliances their own room. In the space vacated by the washer and dryer, the sellers installed another base and wall cabinet with a built-in microwave.

The home has almost 1,400 square feet and boasts a covered patio plus 2 parking spaces, one of which is covered. It's close to parks, shopping and a medical center, just north of Madison.

This townhome is perfect for a first-time home buyer or investor who doesn't want to pour a lot of money into updates or make repairs. It's a great space for roommates to share as well.

6104 Via Casitas, Carmichael, CA 95608 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $117,000. For more information, call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

It just doesn't get any better. This is a graceful and stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bath, pool home with a sweeping back-yard view of Del Campo Park in Carmichael. It's like living on your own private mini-estate, surrounded by natural beauty. The lot size is .40 acres, and this 2-story boasts 2,732 sq. ft., according to the Sacramento County Assessor's office.

The wide entry features hardwood parquet floors, open to both the formal living room and formal dining room. You'll find a chandelier in the dining room, plenty of space for a large table and an expansive view through the wood and glass doors of the spectacular back yard.

It offers a perfect layout for entertaining, with an open floor plan that lets guests gather and mingle from the kitchen to the family room to the living room. The floors in the spacious kitchen are manufactured wood laminate but look like real wood. You'll find original custom cabinetry (they don't make them like this anymore), double ovens and a gas range, plus another fabulous view of the magnificent yard, a Dutch door to the side yard, an island and a breakfast area.

The living room has soaring wood vaults, skylights, a wood-burning fireplace, wood windows and is big enough to hold a piano. In fact, there is a piano. This room gives you a feeling of elegance yet all the warmth of a personal space.

Some of the bedrooms and baths have been updated. The master suite on the main floor, has wainscoting, a huge walk-in closet and overlooks the back yard. At the front of the home, you'll find a large second bedroom with laminate flooring, a ceiling fan and access to the guest bath.

The remaining 3 bedrooms are upstairs, along with the third bath, which features a skylight. The back bedroom is almost the size of two bedrooms. It has 6 windows on three sides, a ceiling fan and a built-in under window bench on the west side, all of which offers spectacular treetop views of the grounds and the secluded back-side of Del Campo Park.

By far, the crowning glory is the professionally landscaped back yard. It has mature trees, a water feature, lovingly tended-to flower gardens, a covered patio, an uncovered patio, gas plumbing for a BBQ and newer gunite construction, built-in solar-heated pool. It's a paradise -- perfect for gardening, pool parties and outdoor picnics.

An added bonus is the roomy 2 1/2 car garage and possible RV access.

You'll love the price, too. This home is offered at $399,000. It's not a short sale nor an REO; it's just priced like one! If you're looking to capture the first-time home buyer tax credit, you could easily make an offer this first weekend of spring and be living in your dream home by April 30th. Ah, spring in Sacramento. Isn't this your favorite time of year?

This home will be held open on Sunday, March 21, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

6316 Hillrise Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate at $399,000. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916 233 6759 for a private showing.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

View the virtual tour

I know some of you may find this difficult to believe -- especially in a market dominated by short sales and foreclosures in Sacramento -- but this gorgeous Carmichael pool home is for sale by a traditional seller. You know, the type of seller who would like to sell at a fair price and is not upside down. This means that some lucky buyer can actually write an offer, get it accepted and close escrow in 30 days without complications.

If you're hoping to buy a home tucked away near the end of a culdesac with a big lot and lots of upgrades, come by the open house on Sunday, August 9th, from 2 to 4 PM. You can also call me or your real estate agent for a private showing before then.

I am confident that once you step foot into this updated home, you will be amazed. Your jaw will drop. Upon entering the home, you are greeted with soaring ceilings and an open floor plan.

Apart from finding two fireplaces, one in the formal living room and another in the family room, the step-up dining room and kitchen feature 18-inch ceramic flooring with designer light fixtures and pendants. Multiple ceiling fans help to distribute those cool Delta breezes flowing in from the west in the evenings throughout the home.

The master suite is enormous, with a balcony that overlooks the beautifully landscaped front yard and tree tops (see photo below). Its bath has a jetted tub. A third bedroom is open to the family room below but can be closed off by securing the shutters. It is presently being used as an office.

Laundry is located on the first floor in the extra large half bath. There is even a 3-car garage with abundant storage. In fact, there is extra storage almost everywhere in this spacious 2,021-square-foot home.

The 27,000-gallon pool has been resurfaced; the solar panel tubes have been replaced along with state-of-art integrated controls and a newer pool sweep. It has a covered patio, and even more garden space behind the trees in the back with two covered sheds.

By the time you reach the back yard, I can practically guarantee that you will be asking "where do I sign?" I've seen no lovelier home in Carmichael, cross my heart.

3145 Petty Lane, Carmichael, California, offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate at $399,900.

Elizabeth Weintraub, 916.233.6759 cell.

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