Elizabeth Weintraub • Sacramento Short Sale Agent • Land Park

If I had an extra spare million bucks lying around, let me tell you, I would not spend it on a McLaren F1 supercar. I would not buy a LearJet either -- if a million bucks would even buy a LearJet these days, and I'm betting it would not. I do find it fascinating what people spend money on and how much they spend when money is no object.

Sometimes, it's like they have no brains. As though they don't deserve to be endowed with such huge sums of money because they can't spend it sensibly. A sense of social responsibility should probably accompany extreme wealth but it doesn't. Some of these people are like one never-ending reality TV show.

A guy I know who was the lead singer for the Castaways -- remember that 1960's song, Liar, Liar Your Pants Are on Fire? -- stands out in my mind. This guy used to say that if he had an extra $100,000, he would use it to sculpt his body. Breast reduction, face lift, liposuction. He described in detail how he would transform his appearance. He obviously gave this plan a lot of thought. This only problem with this idea is he wouldn't be Dick Roby anymore. But knowing him, maybe that's the idea.

If you have extra cash and are searching for a good investment, here's an excellent property to buy in the Sacramento neighborhood of the Pocket. It needs a little bit of work. It could use new carpeting, maybe a sub-floor (if damaged), paint, and updating in the baths and kitchen. It seems to be in pretty good shape but it lacks obvious TLC.

It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The entry is open, there is a knee wall between the entry and the living room. Curved windows in the living room. Dining is located between the living room and the kitchen, with laminate flooring.

The kitchen counters are laminate, and the refrigerator, which is somewhat newer, stays with the home. There is also a built-in dishwasher, free-standing stove and built-in microwave.

The home was built in 1985. There is a family room with a brick fireplace located on the other side of the galley kitchen, giving the entertainment area a circular floor plan. If you have cats, they could chase each other around and around.

Down the hall are 3 bedrooms, a guest bath, and a master suite bath with a shower. The separate laundry room with cabinets and hookups leads to the attached 2-car garage. In the back yard, is a covered patio and a good-sized lawn.

745 Cecilyn Way, Sacramento, CA 95831, is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $175,000. For more information, call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759. For a private showing, call Linda Swanson, at 916 607 0111.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

When you're lost in the rain in Juarez, and it's Easter-time, too. And your gravity fails and negativity don't pull you through. That's the opening to a song on Highway 61 Revisited, next to Blonde on Blonde, my second favorite Dylan album. He was so cute back then! Up on housing project hill, it's either fortune or fame. You must pick one or the other, though neither of them are to be what they claim.

This song, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, is going through my head this morning as I reflect on yesterday's insane activities. Usually Thursdays are a bit slower because they are the unofficial Sacramento short sale agent day off. But there was nothing day-offish about yesterday.

A couple of agents tried to renegotiate the terms of a short sale. One of them said she "didn't feel comfortable" following the terms of the contract, which her buyer had signed. I'm very sorry she is uncomfortable, but that's too bad. If she plans to let her buyer breach the contract, we'll put the home back on the market as an active short sale pending rescission. It's not that I'm uncaring but, hey, my seller's needs come first.

The ink wasn't even dry on the contract when another agent called to ask if she could lower the amount of her buyer's earnest money deposit. She said a lower amount would make him happier. It's not my fault she did not explain that all earnest money deposits are released to escrow. Because we expect buyers to act like a buyer.  Crap or get off the pot, why doncha? This is standard procedure.

There is nothing standard procedurish about this new short sale listing in the Pocket. It's a beautiful remodeled townhome in a remarkable complex. You'd be lucky to live here. You'd be lucky to own this as an investor. It's so clean you could eat off the kitchen floor, although I don't know why you'd want to when the dining area is a perfectly acceptable place to have dinner.

The dining area features sliding doors to a balcony. Just beyond the balcony, across the street, is the pool and spa. It was the middle of the afternoon and 80 degrees when I was there, and the pool area was completely empty. It's very pretty scenery. At the other end of the dining area is the living room, with a fireplace, a granite surround, and sliding doors to yet another balcony. This balcony faces the front and has enough room for a large grill, table and chairs.

The first floor has a large laundry room with plenty of space for workout equipment, plus the washer and dryer stay. Off the laundry is an attached 2-car garage. The second floor features your entertainment area, with a living / dining combo, a remodeled half bath, and a gorgeous kitchen. Actually, the sellers of this home read my blog a few years back about my Land Park kitchen remodel and intalled the same marble backsplash, but these counters are granite. Mine are quartz.

Upstairs, you'll find 3 bedrooms, one of which is a master suite. The master bath has a separate tub and a walk-in shower. Ceramic floors in all the baths with granite vanity tops.

This complex is called Park River Oak Estates, and it's a gated community. There is a clubhouse with gym and spa, plus an entertainment area, located across the street. The HOA dues are $250 a month.

7756 Park River Oak Circle, Sacramento, CA 95831, is exclusively offered by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $149,000. For more information, call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759. For a private showing, call Linda Swanson, at 916 607 0111.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

I always ask my first-time home buyers if they would consider buying a halfplex, townhome or condo. Many buyers prefer single family homes, but sometimes a planned unit development can fit the bill and be less expensive to purchase. Especially if that halfplex, townhome or condo comes with a yard.

Much depends on how the layout is set up. Generally, the units are attached by a common wall. If that wall is part of the garage, you may never hear or see your neighbors. Some attached housing complexes belong to a homeowner's association and some do not. For example, I have a listing at 420 8th Street in downtown Sacramento that is a halfplex, and there is no homeowner's association fee to pay. It's listed at $329,000. What can you buy in the downtown area of Sacramento for $329,000 that is a three-bedroom, two-bath home?

My new listing in the Pocket is a halfplex, and this home does belong to an HOA. However, it's affordably priced at $135,000 as a short sale. The homeowner's association fee is about $250 a month, but after the new road is paved, the buzz about the community is that fee may go down.

This is a three-bedroom, two-bath home tucked away on a cul-de-sac in the Sagewood subdivision. It has a concrete tile roof, built in 1985, a big front yard and a very pretty patio in back with 3 decks. It's just like living in a single-family home for half the price. The living room, kitchen and master suite feature soaring ceilings. There is a fireplace in the living room. An added benefit is the beautiful parquet wood and tile flooring throughout, which is great if you have pets.

The homeowner's association has a pool; it pays for roof and exterior maintenance, too. Come check it out. This will go into MLS today.

1048 Johnfer Way, Sacramento, CA 95831 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $135,000.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub