El Dorado County Area & Real Estate
El Dorado County stretches from the east end of Sacramento County to the southern end of Lake Tahoe. El Dorado Hills lies on the western county, and as you drive east on Highway 50 you pass Cameron Park, Shingle Springs and Placerville. You rapidly gain altitude, passing Pollock Pines and Kyburz before you go over the pass and descend in to the Lake Tahoe Basin, finally arriving in South Lake Tahoe.
The county is one of the most beautiful in California, including Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe; the American River Valley, a whitewater rafter’s dream and the gently rolling hills in the southwestern corner.
The area is an outdoor sportsman’s paradise. Boating, rafting, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, camping, gold panning and hiking are just a few of the activities available to the visitor and resident alike. Ski slopes abound in the eastern end of the county before Highway 50 descends into the Lake Tahoe basin.
For those of us who enjoy less strenuous activities there are many possibilities. Visit the numerous excellent restaurants or spend a day wine tasting in any of the 50 wineries in the county, California’s eighth largest wine producing region. The Apple Hill area is a popular destination and in October the Apple Hill Festival brings visitors from all over the state.
The area is an excellent option for those who want to escape the urban sprawl, smog and noise common in other parts of the state. Yet Sacramento is only a short down-hill drive from the communities in the western end of the county.
Red Hawk Casino blends a full complement of gaming excitement with the natural beauty of Northern California. It features six restaurants and four bars mixed with the gaming excitement.
Numerous historical sites are located throughout the county. Sutter’s Mill, where gold was first discovered, starting the gold rush of 1849 is located in Coloma, a mere fifteen minute trip north of Highway 50 from Cameron Park. Placerville, a former stop on the stage route over the pass, was once known as “Hang Town,” where frontier justice was doled out when highway men were tried and sentenced to meet their maker.
In more refined modern times county residents pursue less colorful activities conducting business and raising their families. Housing is more affordable in the area than in many parts of California and buyers love the fact that they can buy a home on five or more acres with endless river or mountain views. Horse properties abound and livestock herds come into view as you drive along the local roads and highways.
The real estate market offers an abundant selection to meet any need. Buyers can choose properties that range from remote, rustic foothill locations with acres of privacy, lower cost neighborhoods to fit a frugal budget or the highly sophisticated gated communities filled with mansions. Just pick your ideal lifestyle and settle in to clean air and rushing rivers. Manufactured home parks, manufactured homes on acreage, modest developments, homes on private parcels or gated communities with all of the amenities; all are available in El Dorado County. As it was once know, it still is the Mother Lode! An ideal place to raise a family.
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BANK OWNED (REO) HOME SALES DATA FIR EL DORADO HILLS,CA–JULY 2010
El Dorado Hills, CA REO (BANK OWNED) SALES DATA FOR July 2010
This is a continuation of our three year monthly report on Bank Owned (REO) home sales data for El Dorado Hills, CA. This report covers Bank Owned homes sold in July 2010.
There were 12 Bank Owned homes sold in July, the same number that were sold the previous month. REO inventory in El Dorado Hills has actually increased over the past four months from a one month supply in April, a 1.5 month supply in May, a 1.7 month supply in June and a 2.5 month supply in July. The inventory of all homes available on the market also increased to a six month supply in July. Six months is considered a neutral market, so we are in a neutral market at this writing.
The average days-on-market increased from 51 to 55 days. Two of the REO homes that sold had been on the market over 100 days. Only 25% of the REO homes sold were on the market two weeks or less. This is a smaller percentage than usual.
The 12 REO homes that sold represent 23% of all homes sold in El Dorado Hills in July.
The cost per square foot of REO homes in July was $ 144, down one dollar from the previous month. The cost per square foot of all homes sold in July increased $5 to $ 167.
The difference between the cost per square foot of REO properties and the cost per square foot of all properties sold indicates that REO homes represented only a 3% savings for REO buyers in June, a much smaller difference than normal.
The overall sales price for REO homes was 99.9% of the final asking price, and 95.9% of the original asking price, and 34% of the buyers paid more than the asking price for REO homes in July. There is obviously not much room for negotiation in these transactions.
The actual, measurable savings is the difference in cost per square foot between REO homes sold and the cost per square foot of all home sold: in July, $ 13 per square foot. That is a $ 32,500 savings on a 2500 square foot home, not a small sum.
The data follows:
BANK OWNED (REO) HOME SALES DATA FOR EL DORADO HILLS, CA -JUNE 2010
El Dorado Hills, CA REO (BANK OWNED) SALES DATA FOR June 2010
This is a continuation of my three year monthly report on Bank Owned home sales data for El Dorado Hills, CA. This report covers Bank Owned homes sold in June 2010.
There were 12 Bank Owned homes sold in June, down 20% from May. This reflects a very low inventory of 1.7 months supply in June. Inventory was a one month supply in April and a 1.5 month supply in May. The inventory of all available homes in El Dorado Hills is presently only a 4.1 month supply. It had been 7.4 month supply in August of 2009. Six months is considered a neutral market, so we are still in a seller’s market irrespective of what the media reports..
The average days-on-market jumped to 51 days, up from 33 days in May. Only two of the REO homes that sold had been on the market for over 100 days. Only 25% of the REO homes sold were on the market two weeks or less. The well priced homes are selling quickly as usual. Those that were not well priced took longer to sell—Real estate 101.
The 12 REO homes that sold represent only 18% of all homes sold in El Dorado Hills in June.
The cost per square foot of REO homes in June was $ 145, down from $ 150 in May. The cost per square foot of all homes sold in January increased $ 2 to $160.
The difference between the cost per square foot of REO properties and the cost per square foot of all properties sold indicates that REO homes represented a 10% savings for REO buyers in June.
The overall sales price for REO homes was 99.8% of the final asking price, and 93.6% of the original asking price, and 25% of the buyers paid more than the asking price for REO homes in June.
The actual, measurable savings is the difference in cost per square foot between REO homes sold and the cost per square foot of all home sold: in March, $ 10 per square foot. That is a $ 25,000 savings on a 2500 square foot home, not a small sum.
The data follows:
BANK OWNED (REO) HOME SALES INFO FOR EL DORADO HILLS, CA May 2010
El Dorado Hills, CA REO (BANK OWNED) SALES DATA FOR May 2010
This is a continuation of my three year monthly report on Bank Owned home sales data for El Dorado Hills, CA. This report covers Bank Owned homes sold in May 2010.
There were 15 Bank Owned homes sold in May, down 29% from April. This depleted the available inventory which presently stands at 1.35 months. The inventory of all available homes in El Dorado Hills is presently only 3.4 months. It had been 8.9 months in March of 2009. Six months is considered a neutral market, so we are still in a seller’s market irrespective of what the media reports..
The average days-on-market dropped to 33, down from 57 in April. None of the REO homes that sold had been on the market for over 100 days. A full 34% of the REO homes sold were on the market two weeks of less. The well priced homes are selling quickly as usual. Those that were not well priced took longer to sell—Real estate 101.
The 15 REO homes that sold represent 24% of all homes sold in El Dorado Hills in May.
The cost per square foot of REO homes in Mayl was $ 150, down $4 from April. The cost per square foot of all homes sold in January also decreased $ 7 from $167 in April.
The difference between the cost per square foot of REO properties and the cost per square foot of all properties sold indicates that REO homes represented a 6% savings for REO buyers.
The overall sales price for REO homes was 97.1% of the final asking price, and 96.2% of the original asking price, and 40% of the buyers paid more than the asking price for REO homes in April.
The actual, measurable savings is the difference in cost per square foot between REO homes sold and the cost per square foot of all home sold: in March, $ 10 per square foot. That is a $ 25,000 savings on a 2500 square foot home, not a small sum.
The data follows:
El DORADO HILLS TOWN & REAL ESTATE
El Dorado Hills Town & Real Estate
El Dorado Hills is located along the western border of El Dorado County from Folsom Lake to the north, and stretching south to Latrobe. It borders Cameron Park and Rescue to the east and Folsom on the west. Sacramento is just a short commute to the west and Lake Tahoe is only an hour to the east, with vineyards, rivers and ski slopes along the way.
A master planned community started in the early 1960s, the original developer planned a series of residential villages separated by open space to facilitate outdoor recreational activities with small commercial centers in each village and a larger, growing Town Center shopping center just south of Highway 50. The area between Folsom Lake and Highway 50 remains mostly residential. The area south of Highway 50 is a mixture of residential and commercial with a number of business parks.
In 1995 the Parker Development Company purchased 3500 acres and started developing Serrano El Dorado, one of 
the largest master planned communities in Northern California. It is known for its innovative use of recycled water for irrigation. Each home has a potable water system and a recycled water system for the landscape. The result is reduced costs for resident’s landscape irrigation.
The El Dorado Hills schools are excellent and there are many parks, hiking trails and, of course, Folsom Lake for your boating pleasure. The El Dorado Hills Community Service District is in the process of resurfacing the community pool with completion expected in time for this years swimming season. El Dorado Hills also contains the award winning Serrano Golf Course.
With a population reported to be in excess of 42,000, EL Dorado Hills is the most heavily populated community in El Dorado County. Since El Dorado Hills remains unincorporated exact numbers are difficult to obtain. El Dorado County and the CHP provide Police services. This avoids any city taxes and the issue of incorporation is a frequently disputed election issue.
El Dorado Hills offers a wide range of residential real estate options. There is a manufactured home park just south of Highway 50, several apartment complexes, condo complexes and two senior (age restricted) developments. However, most of the community is dedicated to single family homes that are available to all ages. Home sizes, age, styles and prices vary widely, and there are usually homes available to meet every taste and budget. Settings for your idea home can range from golf course lots, to those with lake and/or mountain views. Homes with mature landscaping, water front settings or gated access can all be purchased. Although modest homes are available, most exceed 2000 square feet with the largest at 10,500 square feet.
Many community activities are scheduled throughout the year. The community Easter Egg Hunt is held on the Village Green for the children, the annual Passport Weekend offers participants a sampling of hors d’oeuvres to complement the award-winning local wines, free concerts are held at the Serrano Visitor center along with outdoor movie showings.
El Dorado Hills provides an ideal setting for the lifestyle that you select and provides an excellent place to raise a family.
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