Agent Profile:

Personal Information:

Prior to Real Estate I owned and operated an accounting and income tax preparation business in the Bay Area. My clients included store owners, general contractors, salons, pool companies, and a variety of other small to mid-size operations.

In 1983 I left the Bay Area for the foothills, searching for the ideal place to raise my family, first living in Grass Valley where I worked for a public accounting firm. I settled in Auburn in 1984 and became a Realtor in 1989.

Real estate has been a good fit for me. I find the negotiating and marketing stimulating and each property offers new challenges. I especially enjoy unique properties and have successfully sold several of these such as The Hotel Marysville and the 96 Wheatland Meadows Duplexes, both sold in a state of total disrepair and condemnation.

I began with Realty World, then a blossoming Auburn company, which later merged with Coldwell Banker Bertrando & Associates. This franchise was later purchased by Coldwell Banker Residential, which I have found to be a very good high-quality company with fine standards and training. In 1995 I obtained a Real Estate Broker’s license in order to provide the best service and most knowledge possible to my clients.

I have been a consistent top producer in Real Estate, with the philosophy of always watching out for my clients’ best interests. This has gained me a business which is more than 70 percent referrals from prior customers, the BEST type of business to have and a wonderful compliment for my efforts.

I believe strongly in continuing education and am in the process of studying for the CCIM designation which is a very difficult and respected license for commercial sales.

My Real Estate Awards include: The Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle (top 12% of the 90,000 Coldwell Banker Sales Associates worldwide), The Diamond Society, and the Placer County Association of Realtors Masters Club Life Member (for consistent high production 5+ years in a row). I would be happy to provide client references upon request.

Selection of a Site for Building your Home

Do you want a rural, or urban setting? Urban lots usually have public utilities. Your realtor can help with the proper inspections. Your realtor should go with you to see new sub-divisions on your first visit.

Your realtor will get you disclosures about any CC&Rs on the use of the property, homeowner association fees, or architectural control requirements. Things to investigate on Rural lots: surveys, taxes, zoning, permits, grading, riparian and mineral rights, easements, setbacks, utility hook-ups, and more.

Buying Unimproved Land for Home Construction

You can pay cash for your lot, or get a home equity loan, a land loan, or a construction loan which can pay for the land and improvements. You should be pre-approved before making an offer on land. Your budget is important, you must have money to finish the project and get a final.

Raw land usually will not have utilities. You or the seller should have the soil tested for suitability of sewage disposal, and may need to have a well drilled, plus electric/gas/phone/cable/dsl brought onto the property to the building site. Your builder will advise about grading, trees, rocks, drainage, compaction, setbacks, scheduling, permits, weather impact.

Well Drilling

Try to choose a parcel with good probability of drilling a great producing well. Talk to local well drilling companies and the county environmental dept. about the area, and other wells that have been drilled nearby. Try to find out the depth and production rates of neighboring wells. Drillers have traditional methods of choosing good locations. Geologists might fly over and do a grid estimate of the best location, too.

What about House Plans?

You probably won't know your foundation type, until after you choose the land. In the foothills "flat" is not common. You can play with floor plans though. Find out what it costs to build your type of home, so you know what you can afford for land. Shop for prices on appliances, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, flooring, counters, cabinets, woodwork, ornamental features, roofing, siding, windows, doors,etc. Or call the Placer County Contractor Asso, in Auburn, for General Contractor references. Your choices greatly influence your "cost per square foot".

You need land big enough for the home, and improvements such as: pool, sports courts, shop, barn, gardens, livestock setup, vineyard, your drive, setbacks between the home, the well, septic systems and property lines. Your land will decide many things. Placement of home so your driveway isn't a big cost.. Orientation for a view or sunset.. Which side should pool/gardens be on? Which will carry through traffic? Are there rocks/trees to accentuate? Its all part of the fun!