When Phoenix Park was constantly characterized by names such as "Crime Ridden G Parkway" and "Troubled Franklin Villa", etc. the news labored our senses almost daily with stories of shootings, murder, break-ins, drugs and general crime statistics. At the time, the police department wrung its hands in dispair. It was helpless against the G Parkway crime wave. Now, since the City, through SHRA, has taken over nearly all this neighborhood, turning it into another '60s Low Income Housing Project, the city as well as the media is almost completely silent about unfortunate events in this area. No more crime? Hah! Just the other night a townhouse at 4219 Savannah Lane was shot up, leaving mult

In the aftermath of the fire that destroyed the former Paul Blanco aka Cal Worthington dealership at the corner of Franklin Blvd. and Florin Road, I read a lot of hilariously scary comments about the area in the Bee. Seems a number of individuals drive through the area with their doors locked and a firm grip on the wheel for fear that loiterers will assault them. Some claim even the police keep their doors and windows locked and look straight ahead as they cruise down Franklin and/or Florin. Boy, you'd think we're talking about driving through Homs in Syria or something. Just because some people are big and black doesn't mean they're bad guys out assaulting law-abiding citizens. I'

What an honor it was to be invited to participate in a Legislative Summit sponsored by the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. It’s 3rd annual event, held on June 20, 2012, was effectively a pro-business lobby day where five small groups, each with four business leaders, descended upon the offices of more than 50 California State Senators and members of the State Assembly. The purpose of these meetings was to offer support in terms of pro-business legislation that is currently being circulated in the State Capitol of Sacramento. As a Sacramento commercial real estate broker, one bill of particular interest to me was SB 1186, involvi

Q. I’m trying to make things as easy as possible after I’m gone. Someone told me I should add my kids to the title on my house to avoid probate. How can I do this? A. We get this question on a regular basis. This is one of those times when it’s hard to know exactly how to answer. The answer the patron wants is pretty straightforward. You can do it by signing a grant deed transferring ownership from you (as sole owner) to you and each of your children (as joint tenants with right of survivorship). The Nolo Press book “Deeds for California Real Estate” has samples and instructions, and it’s right behind the reference desk. The problem is, adding a child’s name to a deed can be a pretty bad

Q: I wanted to find out how close to our property line we can place a pool or spa. We live in East Sacramento, Sacramento County. I would appreciate any help you could give me. Thank you for your time, Noreen A: There are a number of state laws, regulations, and local ordinances affecting pools, but the ones regulating distance from property lines appear to be set by the local city or county. Since you are in the city of Sacramento, the City Code applies. This code provides that “no swimming pool or similar pool shall be located within a distance less than or equal to the depth of the deepest excavation for such pool from any property line, building or structure (one to one slope).” Sacr

Public Agency Lawsuit to Seize $21,000 Home from Rightful Purchaser near Sacramento, California... In the rustic, antique wood-built town of Locke, California, founded from 1912 to 1920s, the Locke Management Association (LMA), a thirteen (13) member board put in place in 2003 to maintain, preserve and manage the town is prioritizing its limited $60,000 operating budget to attempt to undo a recent property purchase that occurred. The buyer, Martha Esch, struck a deal to purchase one of the town’s dilapidated properties with seller, Dona LaBlanc for a $21,000 purchase price. The LMA claims both women circumvented the agency’s rules in order to complete the sale. The property was previously

The 30 percent increase in sewage rates that was approved last month will raise rents and make owning income properties more difficult, according to some in the industry. The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District approved the 30 percent increase over three years on June 23 in a 9-2 vote in response to a December decision by the state to set new guidelines for clean water in the Sacramento-San Juaquin Delta. The new guidelines require tightening controls on sewage discharge that will cause the local providers to overhaul their systems. To read more about the decision, click here. “It’s troubling in this very down economic climate to see any increases of that magnitude,” said Ji

I just received the following on my website. I'm not quite sure why because I normally write about fictitous crime and criminals. But I thought it interesting enough to pass on.  I know many Sacramento Press readers have no sympathy for landlords (You know who you are), but I thought I should pass this on anyway. «I need back-up on this!! Had my rental property inspected...by "Willie"...he listed items to be fixed and said to have my handyman call him when he was out to fix things and he'd go over it with him. He had him rig something under the sink in a way my guy thought was 'the dumbest thing he's ever done"; then he said "go ahead and do it like this" regarding a firewall around the w

Hello- Recently I was watching the movie Burlesque starring Christina Aguilera and Cher and a legal issue was raised that piqued my curiosity. In the movie (spoiler alert!) Cher and Xtina are able to save the burlesque club from foreclosure by selling a nearby developer the "air rights" over the club so that the view for the developer's skyscraper will remain unimpeded. Is there such a thing as "air rights" for the space above a building and can one purchase them, or is this just an example of "movie magic"? Thanks, Becky A: Believe it or not, “air rights” are for real, and the deal you describe is entirely plausible. The owner of land generally owns not just a particular bit of the sur