LOCAL GOVERNMENT Category
Do You Know Your Redding Home’s Walkability Score?
INDUSTRY NEWS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY, TIPS FOR BUYERS
Location, location, location is taking on a new meaning in the 21st century as home buyers switch from focusing on schools and neighborhoods to proximity to stores and public transportation. Urban planners cite concerns over future oil prices as the main reason for the shift. They say baby boomers with empty nests and their children buying their first home both are shying away from large lots in remote areas prefering neighborhoods near big box stores, public transportation and entertainment venues.
According to an article published recently in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL,many websites have sprung up to assist home buyers rate a property’s walkability. One such site, www.WalkScore.com allows users to enter a property address and receive a score from 0-100 pegging the walkability of the neighborhood. The scale goes from “car dependant” to “walkers paradise”.
Redding is slowly catching up to this trend with recent zoning changes that allow mixed uses for downtown area parcels. The new Kobe’s Steakhouse location is one example of allowing restaurant,offices and residential units under one roof. Unfortunately, Redding planners for decades preferred island subdivisions away from retail and commercial areas. Most Redding residents must hop in their car to go grocery shopping, take in a movie or eat out. Urban sprawl has been the norm as Redding sought to expand the city limits to gain additional land for development. In recent times, our city officials have experienced the financial pain of extending utilities, maintaining streets and providing police and fire protection to those furthest from the city’s core.
There is mounting evidence that housing prices are higher for properties within walking distance of amenities.One such study was published by the non-profit group CEOs for Cities. For each one point increase in a Walk Score values increased by as much as $3,000!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE SALES EXPERIENCE
Majority Of Californians Willing To Pay More Taxes?
INDUSTRY NEWS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Apparently so according to the California Taxpayers Association(Cal Tax) reporting on recent election victories for bonds, hotel, parcel, sales and utility taxes. 44 of 64 local tax measures passed on the June 8 ballot with three more remaining too close to call. Based on these results, expect more cities up and down the state to place tax initiatives on the November ballot.
Cal Tax cited the following new tax proposals as proof local officials are cooking up new revenue schemes:
- San Fransisco Supervisors are considering a tax on commercial rents, a parking tax and an increase in the property transfer tax
- Santa Rosa is pondering an extension of the utility user’s tax to cell phones and asking area hoteliers to add 3% to the bed tax
- Los Angeles is considering a parcel tax to help fund the libraries, despite the failure just days ago of a tax measure to help schools
Redding has kicked around the idea of placing a sales tax hike on the ballot in recent times. I suspect Northstate residents would vote down any new tax regardless of the intended usage of those revenues.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE SALES EXPERIENCE
City of Redding:Know Your Hispanic Gangs?
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY
Top City of Redding officials want city employees to be on the lookout for signs of gang activity following several recent highly publicized gang incidents in the Redding area. An internal communication memo sent out last week asks city employees to keep their eyes open for gang-related activity since many employees are out and about the Redding area performing their work duties.
Anyone observing gang activity is asked to contact Sergeant Bruce Bonner at 225-4294 or Sergeant Jeff Wallace at 225-4297. I believe the citizens can aid the city by reporting suspected gang activity. Here are some facts about the gangs in question:
Nortenos
- use the number 14 for the 14th letter of the alphabet “N” for north
- controlled by the Nuestra Family prison gang
- gang attire includes red shirts, pants, boxers ,shoes, shoelaces, bandanas, hats, etc.
- call rival Surenos gang members “Scrap”
Surenos
- use the number 13 for the 13th letter “M” which stands for Mexican Mafia
- The Mexican Mafia is the prison gang that controls all Sureno street gangs
- gang attire includes blue shirts, pants, boxers, shoes, shoelaces, bandanas, hats, etc.
- call rival Nortenos gang members “Buster”
More resources have been assigned to this problem according to City Manager Kurt Starman and Police Chief Peter Hansen. They hope to squelch these gangs quickly before they get a foothold in the Redding area. Let’s all help the city in their efforts to stamp out these gangsters!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE SALES EXPERIENCE
Mosquitoes Bugging You?
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY
The wave of foreclosures in Shasta County has had a stinging side effect-abandoned pools and ponds have become mosquito breeding havens! If you know of a neglected water feature in your neighborhood, the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District would like to hear from you.
Every property owner in Shasta County pays for mosquito control through an assessment on their property tax bill. The district needs your help identifying problem pools and ponds that become production grounds this time of year for mosquitoes. These insects can potentially spread viruses including West Nile Virus.
Contact the district at 530-365-3768 and provide them the address of a property you are aware of which has an abandoned pool or water feature. They will investigate and attempt to contact the owner or bank to gain permission to evaluate the situation. If necessary, the district will treat the problem using guppy-like fish that eat mosquitoes or possibly a chemical larvicide will be applied. There is no charge for the service.
Besides inspecting and treating pools, the district also surveils disease by taking blood samples from chickens and sick or dead crows, magpies and jays which are first indicators that West Nile Virus is in the area. Other targets include ticks which can spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.
The district needs your help because warmer weather perfect for breeding millions of mosquitoes is just around the corner. You can help make your outdoor leisure activities safer and more enjoyable by reporting neglected or abandoned pools where you live.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVIN REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL SALES EXPERIENCE
County Candidates Face Off Before Realtors
All but one of the candidates running for Shasta County office attended a debate sponsored by the Shasta Association of Realtors. The only candidate not in attendance was Russell Hunt. Sheriff Tom Bosenko attended and addressed the group briefly, in light of running unopposed in the upcoming June election.
The debate lasted just over an hour. Candidates running in a contested race were asked 3 questions. First, they were given an opportunity to briefly review their qualifications for the office they seek to be elected or re-elected. Then they were asked to state their single most important goalif elected or re-elected. Finally, one office-specific question was asked of each participant. Only two minutes were allowed for participants to respond to each of the three questions. Marie Whitacre, Government Affairs Director for the Shasta Association of Realtors, served as timekeeper.
Several candidates spoke passionately about their reasons for wanting to unseat the incumbent. This was particularly true of the Assessor-Recorder, DA and Auditor candidates. Even while being verbally attacked by their opponents, all candidates responded with civility. Some rebutted statements made by opponents while others focused on what they would do differently if elected or re-elected.
The budget crisisfacing Shasta County was cited by the supervisor and DA candidates as being the largest challenge
for their departments. Les Baugh pointed to recent union concessions regarding retirement benefits as one step toward reducing future budgetary obligations to taxpayers. Jerry Benito’s office has coped with the closure of one floor of the jail with programs to monitor those released using funds paid for by offenders. Leslie Morgan indicated Prop. 8 property reassessments are well ahead of Butte County,which shares similar type and number of properties on their tax role.
Randal Faulkner harped on several negative Grand Juryreport findings regarding the Auditors office which cited low morale and high employee turnover. Connie Regnell fired back that those reports were done before she officially took the reins of office in 2007. Randal would implement more audits if elected. Connie claims recent upgrades to computer software programs have increased efficiency and automation of vendor payments.
Supervisor candidate Les Baugh said his focus will be keeping Shasta County’s budget in the black.Chris Young believes job creation should be Shasta County’s top priority. Corkey Harmon stated the county must do a better job eliminating departmental red tape that slows development and the jobs they create. He cited personal experiences as a local businessman jumping through all the permit process hoops to get a local project approved.
I believe those in attendance, myself included, have a much better understanding of candidate’s positions and public demeanor upon conclusion of the debate. I hope they found the forum useful, though all probably wished for more time to detail their platform. This format forced the candidates to stay on topic and be as clear and concise as possible, a rarity in the political arena.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
AG Publishes Names Of Fraudulent Loan Mod Companies
HOME LOANS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, TIPS FOR SENIORS
State Attorney General Jerry Brown has published the names of individuals and companies that have been sued by the AG for alledgedly running loan modification scams. Some of these companies have pocketed as much as $3,500 per victim promising loan modification services, but done nothing. Those duped in the schemes can apply for restitution through the Ag’s website. Assets have been frozen and property belonging to some of these scammers has been seized in an effort to recover some of the funds for victims.
To see a list of individuals and companies involved, click here:http://ag.ca.gov/loanmod/
If you or someone you know was duped by one of the listed firms, make sure they contact the Ag’s office for information regarding potential compensation from those being sued. It’s likely to be only pennies on the dollar but that’s better than nothing!
Jerry also lists tips to avoid becoming a victim of these schemes.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN A QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Confusion Surrounds Curbside Recycling Program
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY, TIPS FOR SENIORS
Since 2001, Redding residents have been provided blue carts to replace the bins previously used to separate glass, paper and plastic. The “single stream” method allows residents to throw everything in one bin for sorting at the city’s transfer station. However, despite the many years this program has been in place, between a third and one half of items tossed in the recycling cart are non-recyclable.
This week I was headed home from work and noticed all the blue bins left curbside for pickup were empty except one. My neighbor had a large plastic trash bag on top of their full bin preventing the lid from closing. I suspect the driver spotted this non-recyclable item and decided it was filled with items deemed contaminants. The bin was not emptied and likely a form letter was left explaining which items were inappropriately placed in the bin.
This is a common problem, even in our home. My wife and I debate what items should and should not be placed in the cart. I find myself regularly removing items tossed in the blue bin knowing it is not on the list of items that should be placed in the cart. The sticker on the lid detailing what should and should not be recycled peeled away years ago.
The City of Redding’s website has a complete list and explanations of items accepted and common items that should not be placed in the bin. The following link will take you to that page:
Here are some items on the no-no list: http://www.ci.redding.ca.us/solwaste/recyclingrules.htm
- Plastic bags-including trash bags, shopping bags and the blue bag the newspaper comes in
- Styrofoam-including cups,egg containers and packaging materials
- Waxed cardboard-including milk and juice cartons
- Aerosol cans
- Shredded paper-it clogs the sorting machine
- Wire, rope and chain
- Wrapping paper and cards if they contain metallic printing or lining
Most plastics with numbers 1 & 2 are accepted as long as the mouth is narrower than the base. Other items accepted include:
- Glass bottles and jars, aluminum and tin cans
- Newspaper and paper egg cartons
- Junk mail and catalogs
- Cardboard and pasteboard boxes-broken down and plastic liners removed
The drivers also request the various collection carts be positioned at least three feet apart to allow the automated trucks to empty the cans.
The city has tried to make recycling as easy as possible so let’s all help make their jobs easier by educating ourselves regarding what should and shouldn’t be placed in the blue bin.
530-941-7492 or 530-224-6767
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL SALES EXPERIENCE
Why Is SoCal Wasting Our Water?
According to a recent AP article, the City of Orange in Southern California is pursuing legal action against a city resident for replacing his lawn with drought-tolerant plants. City code requires 40% of the yard be covered with live plants.
Quan Ha replaced his grass with wood chips in 2008. He and his wife contend they are saving hundreds of thousands of gallons of water by replacing their lawn. They also point out other city residents are being fined for over-watering their lawns. The Has have pleaded not guilty.
This should be a very interesting court case. Many Redding subdivisions have similar requirements but the city does not impose or enforce these rules. Developers, intent on controlling the curb appeal of their developments, place landscaping requirements in the C,C&R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions).
The West Redding sudivision where I live specifies every front yard must have a minimum of 1000 square feet of grass. Many of my neighbors have removed their lawns in favor of bark, shrubs and/or rocks. My home has never had a blade of grass planted since it was built 24 years ago. Imagine all the water, fertilizer, weed killer and air pollution from mowers and edgers not wasted maintaining a patch of green. Thankfully, nobody has forced the issue for my neighbors or myself to comply with the C,C&R’s.
California should consider sweeping legislation banning any mandates for lawn or plant cover installation for any homes. Replace these laws with requirements for drought tolerant xeric plants adapted to the local climate. This would go a long way toward reaching our goals of water conservation, reducing air and water pollution and freeing up finite water supplies to irrigate farmland in the Central Valley where half of this nation’s produce is grown.
In stark contrast to the City of Orange, Roseville started a cash for grass program a couple years back that paid homeowners $1 for every square foot of lawn replaced with drought tolerant plants. This is the direction the entire state should go unless those opposed to dam building or fish preservation want to abandon their agendas so Californians can continue to water their thirsty lawns.
Is it asking too much of our neighbors to the south to use water imported from the Northstate prudently? Does it make sense to deny farmers water so the LA basin can look green? I think not!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Housing Affordability Remains High For First-Time Buyers
INDUSTRY NEWS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY, TIPS FOR BUYERS
Lower home prices combined with low interest rates bumped up the First-Time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI) for California to 64%. During the bubble, this index bottomed out just over 20%. This number reflects the number of households that can afford an entry-level home assuming a 10% down payment and an adjustable interest rate of 4.5%.
I would prefer this index be calculated using a stable 30-year fixed rate loan. The high usage of adjustable rate loans caused many of the problems we are dealing with today. The California Association of Realtors (CAR) also tracks affordability for certain counties and regions within the state. The most affordable region is the High Desert at 84%. The area of San Luis Obispo won the least affordable honor at 48%.
Here’s how other regions ranked:
- United States-77%
- Northern California-65%
- Northern Wine Country-58%
- Southern California-63%
- San Diego-57%
By county:
- Sacramento County-79%
- Merced-84%
- Riverside-78%
- Marin County-40%
- San Fransisco-35%
The Redding area is lumped in with Northern California. Sacramento has higher affordability due to higher incomes. The index compares median incomes to median home prices to determine affordability. Despite a lower median price in Shasta County, lower incomes prevent our area from ranking higher by this index. Statewide the median price for the 4th quarter 2009 was $257,940. The minimum household income needed to purchase the median priced home is $44,100.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL SALES EXPERIENCE
Is Your Taxable Property Value Too High?
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY, SHORT SALES, TIPS FOR SELLERS
Proposition 8 requires county assessors review property values used to calculate property tax bills when the current value drops below the base year valuation. Some California assessors have waited for property owners to request a new appraisal while others, including our elected assessor Leslie Morgan, have taken the initiative to examine thousands of properties purchased after 2002. Leslie Morgan and members of her staff updated Realtors on actions taken by their department to bring area property values in line with the current market at our weekly MLS meeting.
More than 32,000 of Shasta County’s 95,000 properties were reviewed and approximately 16,400 saw a drop in their taxable value. In fact, Shasta County property owners collectively paid $12.5 million less in property taxes as a result of Leslie’s actions. This translates to billions of dollars of lost property values across the county. Sacramento feels the hurt because they keep the lion’s share of property tax dollars that are collected by the county and forwarded to the state’s general fund. Only 13 cents of each tax dollar is returned to the county.
The challenge for county appraisers is selecting from two distinct pools of sales data-arms length transactions involving owner occupied, well-maintained properties or distress sales which include neglected bank-owned properties and short sales. Referred to as two-tiered market comparables, the appraisers must decide which pool to draw sales data from when conducting a reappraisal.
The county also received more than 500 appeals from property owners contesting the value of their property as reflected on the tax roll. This usually happens when the tax bills are mailed out each fall. Less than half of these properties were adjusted downward according to Leslie. Appeals are accepted after the tax year begins July 1 but the appraisal must reflect the value as of January 1 of the current year.
Another challenge is the lack of closed sales to choose from. The slow real estate market means there are fewer properties in a given location to use for an appraisal. This is an even greater challenge in rural areas of Shasta County. In some cases, the appraisers are so buried with a backlog of properties to evaluate they encourage property owners to file a formal appeal to protect their rights to have their property reassessed. This way they can have the value adjusted at a later date and receive a refund if there was an overpayment of property taxes.
One positive note is the inflation rate was negative for 2009 so the county will not be adjusting property tax bills upward this tax year. Prop 13 allows up to 2%/year increase if the CPI has increased by at least that amount.
Legislators are discussing possible revisions to Prop 13 in light of the spending problem in Sacramento. There is a push to split the tax roll-assessing commercial properties differently than residential properties. If this happens, it would be one more reason for businesses to move out of California.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS REAL LIVING
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN A QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL SALES EXPERIENCE
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