Love comes at a price. How well I know. This October, I will host my third wedding in eight years. Not all mine, thank goodness. The rst was mine, a lovely, curated a air for 50 guests. Two years ago, my older daughter got married in Jackson Hole, Wyo., at the groom’s parents’ home. Coordinating a Wyoming wedding from Florida while the pandemic loomed required faith and fortitude. Now, my younger daughter is getting married closer to my home. Though we’ve been lucky in love, my girls and I, it’s been an expensive decade. Granted, a wedding is probably the biggest party you, and certainly I, will ever throw, and while talking about the associated
When love is in the air, so is money
costs is probably poor etiquette, we’re family here. So, for those of you hosting a milestone celebration in the future, nuptial or otherwise, I am passing along lessons I have stumbled into — some I even used, some I wish I had — that may save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars, while still letting you create a magical memory.
Of course, no one wants to begrudge a bride of all the trappings that will create a gorgeous, meaningful wedding day. However, like so many special occasions, commercial interests o en swoop in and take advantage of the vulnerable and sentimental. (Don’t get me started on co n shopping.) It’s the American way.
Wedding ring ka-ching —
The average engagement ring today costs $4,025, according to the 2023 Wedding Report, and that is just the topper on the cake of the total wedding tab. However, careful planners can save.
Marni Jameson At Home
Photo courtesy of Danielle Taufer
California Association of Realtors News release
Fueled by the lowest interest rates since spring, California home sales rebounded in July to reach a ve-month high, the California Association of Realtors recently reported.
Closed escrow sales of existing, singlefamily detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 279,810 in July, according to information collected by CAR from more than 90 local Realtor associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales gure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2024 if sales maintained the July pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically in uence home sales. July’s sales pace rose 3.6% from the revised 270,200 homes sold in June and were up 4.1% from a year ago, when a revised 268,840 homes were sold on an annualized basis. The sales pace has remained below the 300,000-threshold for 22 consecutive months, and year-to-date home sales edged up 0.2% from the rst seven months of 2023.
“California’s housing market kicked o the second half of the year with a moderate
increase in home sales in July as interest rates continued their downward trend,” said CAR President Melanie Barker, a Yosemite Realtor. “Despite transitioning into the oseason, the market should remain vibrant in the coming months if the availability of homes for sale continues to improve, and mortgage rates moderate further in the third and fourth quarters.”
The statewide median price slipped in July for the second month in a row, a er setting a record high in May. July’s median price dipped 1.6% from $900,720 in June to $886,560 in July. California’s median home price was 6.5% higher than the $832,530 recorded in July 2023. The year-over-year gain was the 13th straight month of annual price increases, albeit the smallest since January. Home prices could so en further in coming months but should continue to register moderate year-over-year growth for the rest of the year.
Stronger sales momentum in the higherpriced market segment continued to contribute to median price growth. The $1 million-and-higher segment rose yearover-year in July by 24.5%, while sales in the sub-$500,000 segment dropped 1.6%. While sales of homes priced above $1 million were down for the second straight month, they made up 35.4% of all sales in
California home sales reach five-month high as mortgage rates hit lows
July, near the recent high recorded in May 2024.
“As the economy showed more signs of cooling in the past couple of months, mortgage rates continued to come down, reaching the lowest level in 15 months,” said CAR Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “This improvement in lower borrowing costs could motivate homebuyers on the sideline to reenter the market, especially since home prices began to so en at the tail end of the homebuying season.”
Other key points from CAR’s July 2024 resale housing report include:
• At the regional level, home sales in all major regions, except for one, bounced back and rose higher than year-ago levels in July. Four out of the ve regions in the state registered increases from the same month of last year, with the San Francisco Bay Area (19.2%) increasing the most. That was followed by Southern California (11.4%) and the Central Valley (10.3%) regions, which also grew by double-digits year-overyear. Sales in the Central Coast (5.8%) also grew from last year but at a more modest level. The Far North (-0.5%) was the only region that recorded sales lower than a year ago, due at least partly to the Park Fire that began in late July.
• Forty of the 53 counties tracked by CAR recorded sales increases from a year ago, with sales in 25 of them jumping more than 10% year-over-year. Trinity (100%) posted the largest yearly sales gain, followed by San Benito (37%), and San Francisco (34.8%). Eleven counties registered sales decreases from last year, with sales in six of them falling more than 10 % year-overyear and sales in two counties dropping more than 20%. Imperial (-29.5%) had the biggest annual sales decline in July, followed by Tuolumne (-24.4%) and Butte (-19.1%).
• At the regional level, all major regions experienced an increase in their median price from a year ago in July. The Central Coast posted the biggest price jump on a year-over-year basis, increasing 8% from a year ago. Southern California (6.1%) was a close second and together, they were the only two regions to record an annual price gain of more than 5%. The San Francisco Bay Area (3.6%) came in third, with the Far North (3.1%) and the Central Valley (2.2%) trailing behind.
• Home prices continued to grow on a year-over-year basis throughout the state, with median sales prices in 35 counties rising from a year ago in July. Plumas
To get some perspective, I looked up current wedding statistics. These numbers helped me feel if not better, at least less alone:
According to The Wedding Report, the price tab for the average U.S. wedding last year was $30,119, including costs for the venue, caterer, photographer, orist, attire, entertainment, cake, rings, wedding planner and invitations.
The price range is great. The most a ordable U.S. wedding destination is Kansas City, Mo., with a total average cost of $16,204, says a study by JJ’s House, which specializes in wedding attire. Globally, Switzerland tops the list of countries that spend the most on weddings at an average cost of $44,050.
The average cost per wedding guest in the United States is (cough) $300, according to The Knot Worldwide 2024 Global Wedding Report, which surveyed 25,000 newlyweds. The average guest list is 115.
Now I’m not suggesting you have your daughter’s wedding at a public park and serve rigatoni and jug wine on plastic tablecloths. But before you say “elope,” consider the following 12 ways I have found you can host a beautiful celebration and cut costs in ways no one will notice:
1. Trim the guest list. The No. 1 way party planners recommend for cutting costs is to limit your guest count. I would rather have an elegant event for fewer guests, than a subpar a air for a horde.
2. Have the ceremony and reception in the same place. This way vendors who need to be at both won’t charge for travel or transition time. One location also saves on transportation costs and inconvenience for your guests.
3. Look for resale or sample dresses. Many wedding dresses found online or at trunk shows, or that are display samples have never been worn. Buying one can save you thousands. Look for veils on Etsy or make your own. Avoid bridal shops when looking for a mother-of-the-bride dress, unless you want to overpay to look like a vertical sofa.
4. Skip the envelope liner and novel sizes. When ordering invitations, choose a standard 5 x 7 size. Larger or unusual shapes will cost more to mail. Adding envelope liners, while pretty, will make invitations more expensive and add weight, thus postage.
5. Pass on the champagne toast. Have guests toast the newlyweds with the drink they have in hand. They can get a glass of bubbles at the bar. For our event, the price for the caterer to distribute glasses of champagne, was $5 per guest, or $500, on top of the cost for a tended bar.
6. Repurpose owers. Flowers can make the day, but they add up. Choose bigger blooms that are in season. Keep bouquets simple and re-use large ower arrangements from the ceremony at the reception.
7. Say no to favors. No one needs more stu . We had gold imprinted stemless wine glasses made as favors for my older daughter’s wedding. We put the box under a table intending to hand the glasses out as guests le . Only we forgot. They ended up in the recycle bin.
8. End the paper trail. Printed materials, such as engagement announcements, save-the-date cards and wedding programs, which ultimately litter the venue, are trending down, according to the latest Wedding Report. Couples want less paper waste. Many send savethe-dates electronically.
9. Cut the cake costs. Much ado is made about the cake and guests love the cake-cutting tradition. But you don’t need to order your cake from a premium bakery. Many local grocery store bakeries can make lovely, tiered cakes for a lot less.
10. Keep the bridal party small. Though this may not always be possible, you will save on bouquets, boutonnieres and attendant gi s. Our upcoming wedding will have one bridesmaid and one groomsman, the sister and brother of the bride and groom.
11. Keep surrounding parties to a minimum. You are not responsible for pre and post wedding day entertainment.
12. Do not try this at home. If you think a home-based wedding will save money, think again. For an at-home wedding, you need to bring in everything from tents to tables to toilets, plates, glassware and linens. You will likely save money and de nitely stress if you book an all-inclusive venue.
Marni Jameson is the author of seven books, including “Rightsize Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow,” “What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want” and “Downsizing the Family Home.” You may reach her at marnijameson.com.
(45.0 %) experienced the biggest price increase last month, followed by San Luis Obispo (20.3 %) and Del Norte (14.6 %). Eighteen counties registered declines in their median prices from last year, with Tuolumne dropping the most at 16.9 %, followed by Santa Barbara (-16.8 %), and Mono (-13.4 %).
• The statewide unsold inventory index, which measures the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate was mixed. The index was 2.9 months in July, down from 3 months in June and up from 2.5 months in July 2023. Active listings at the state level rose 39% on a year-over year basis. It was the sixth straight month of annual gains in for-sale properties and the highest since January of last year. With mortgage rates likely to moderate in coming months, further improvement in the supply side could be observed in the market for the rest of
the year as the lock-in e ect continues to ease.
• At the county level, the availability of homes for sale increased from a year ago in all but three counties in July. Yuba (75%) had the biggest year-over-year jump, followed by Calaveras (74.1%) and Alameda (71.7%). The only counties with a dip in homes for sale from last year were San Francisco (-18%), Glenn (-17.1%) and Trinity (-7.6%).
• New active listings at the state level increased from a year ago for the seventh consecutive month. With mortgage rates moderating throughout the month, the pace of growth accelerated in July (19.5%) a er slowing to a single-digit growth rate in June. Forty-one of the 52 counties tracked by CAR recorded an increase in new active listings from a year ago. Napa recorded the largest increase on a year-over-year basis at 62.3%, followed by
Yuba (51.5%) and Solano (48.8%). Nine counties posted declines in new active listings from a year ago, with Trinity (-30.8%) dropping the sharpest, followed by Mariposa (-19.4 %) and Kings (-10.1%).
• The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 20 days in July and 16 days in July 2023.
• CAR’s statewide sales-price-to-list-price ratio* was 100% in July 2024 and 100% in July 2023.
• The statewide average price per square foot** for an existing single-family home was $437, up from $408 in July a year ago.
• The 30-year, xed-mortgage interest rate averaged 6.85% in July, up from 6.71% in July 2023, according to CAR’s calculations based on Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage survey data.
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
769 Oak Crest Circle, Placerville
CHARMING SINGLE STORY HOME
Beautiful 4 bedroom home in highly sought after Oak Knoll Estates. This spacious home lives so comfortably. Wide halls with plenty of storage lead to large, bright bedrooms. Enjoy your mornings from your private deck overlooking the lush yard. Access the back deck from the Primary bedroom for midnight star gazing. Charming conversation area in the backyard under the pergola.
Fresh paint, 75 year roof, hot water heater 2 years old, Air conditioner 3 years old. Don’t overlook the strawberry garden. Check out the virtual tour. Note this house is a spacious 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 car garage. You do not want to miss this opportunity!
MLS#224066892
Listed at $650,000
Valerie Turner (916) 698-8076
DRE# 01933328
Karen Dancer (916) 872-7397
DRE# 01869258
is remarkable property independent electrical meter, sweeping lush views, recessed with a wood stove, crown dining bar & countertops, gas suite bath featuring dual vanities, access to a private deck + personal 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, extra wide doorways. Outside pond! Whole house generator, main home + ADU and
OPEN HOUSE DIRECTORY
Saturday, August 31, 2024
11-2 2842 NORTHRIDGE DRIVE, PLACERVILLE
$529,000 Immaculate 3bd/2ba home sits on .36 of acre. Minutes from downtown Placerville. Gorgeous Hardwood Flooring, plantation shutters/dual panes, ceiling fans, central HVAC, whole house fan. The Kitchen has reverse osmosis ltration, granite counter tops, plenty of cabinets, pantry closet. The Living room has a replace w/newer insert. Dining room area has a woodstove. Large master suite w/walk-in closet, slider to balcony. 2 car garage. CENTURY 21 SELECT • VICKI EMERY (530) 409-3707
Sunday, September 1, 2024
11-2 4791 HEAVENS COURT, LOTUS
$579,900
This home offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, privacy, and functionality. Situated on 5 beautiful acres with views of the American River, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch-style home spans 1,520 sq ft, all on one level. The spacious living area is enhanced by large windows that ood the space with natural light and frame the stunning views. The openconcept kitchen is equipped with modern appliances, making it a dream for any home chef. Outside, you’ll nd a dedicated area perfect for gardens and an outdoor BBQ setup, ideal for enjoying the serene surroundings. The property also includes a 2-car attached garage, ensuring convenience and additional storage. This home offers a unique opportunity to experience nature at its best while enjoying the comfort and practicality of a well-designed living space. PATTI SMITH
•
(530) 368-0852
property boasts a single-story main residence, a charming 2 bd/2 bath guest house with an meter, and a 20’ workshop. Step into the stylish and functional main home and be greeted by recessed ceilings and abundant natural light. e living room serves as the heart of the home molding, and access to the expansive deck. e adjacent kitchen is equipped with a quartz gas cooktop, double ovens and oak cabinetry. e private primary suite is complete with envanities, a jetted tub, stall shower & walk-in closet. Enjoy a studio/ ex space o ering outdoor personal spa! ree additional bedrooms all with en-suites. e spacious second home o ers bathrooms, a cozy living room, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a convenient laundry area and features Outside enjoy an expansive composite wood wrap around deck, pool, under-home storage, generator, OWNED solar, pool solar, recessed lighting, whole house fan, James Hardie siding on and more! Private, serene oasis with short term rental potential & room for everyone!
This home offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, privacy, and functionality. Situated on 5 beautiful acres with views of the American River, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch-style home spans 1,520 sq ft, all on one level. The spacious living area is enhanced by large windows that flood the space with natural light and frame the stunning views. The open-concept kitchen is equipped with modern appliances, making it a dream for any home chef. Outside, you’ll find a dedicated area perfect for gardens and an outdoor BBQ setup, ideal for enjoying the serene surroundings. The property also includes a 2-car attached garage, ensuring convenience and additional storage. This home offers a unique opportunity to experience nature at its best while enjoying the comfort and practicality of a well-designed living space.
$1,899,000
$1,997,000
$2,269,900
$2,350,000
$2,495,000
6 (3 3) 5370 0.36 224088487
$2,599,000 5543 Sur Mer Dr 4 4 (3 1) 5374 0.51 224079819
$2,699,900 4950 Greyson Creek Dr 4 6 (5 1) 4163 0.48 224085185
by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Finance Lenders law - #6073455. CA Department of Business Oversight - 866-275-2677. California - Bureau of Real Estate Branch Of ce License Endorsement #00988341 1-2024
PLACERVILLE $829,900
Price Reduced, Seller wants it sold. View, View, View! Situated in the heart of the wine country and only 10 minutes to the American River, This Gorgeous 4 bedroom, 3 bath, home is located on 10 scenic acres in bountiful Gold hill. Light and airy is the best way to describe this well crafted home, with an indoor atrium, Vaulted Ceilings, Skylights and Walls of windows. Cool off in the warmer months in a secluded in-ground pool. There are 3 separate common areas, with a walk-in basement, that has a wet bar and a full bath. This area could easily be converted to in-law quarters. The seller’s have kept the home in incredible condition and it’s move in ready. The expansive master bedroom has a huge spa tub that has a 50 mile view, a fireplace, twin closets, a separate shower and a sitting room that would be perfect for a library or office. The on demand water heater and Whole home propane is is nearly new, and the roof was replaced in 2006. Cal.NET High speed internet is available and it has EID water, with an fire hydrant in the front yard. This property would be perfect for a vineyard or to have horses or livestock. Hurry, this home will not be around long.
$800,000 A River Runs Through It
POLLOCK PINES
First time on the market, t4 bedroom home with awesome views of the American River.
Magnificent Country Manor
POLLOCK PINES
Over 4200sf, 4 bd, 3 ba, soaring open beam ceiling and a wall of windows that let in the sunshine and expansive views.
