Monthly Archives: November 2016

Running and real estate, Running and Spirituality, The joy of running

The Serendipity of Running – How to Live a More Creative, Productive, and Joyous Life!

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Running is serendipitous!

 

Ahh! You might exclaim! The author is trying to invoke serendipity to make us run more! Well, she will need to work hard to make this happen!

purpleserendipity_nob8

It might be just the opposite, I would add. One aspect of Walpole’s original definition of serendipity, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity often missed in modern discussions of the word, is the need for an individual to be “sagacious” enough to link together apparently innocuous facts in order to come to a valuable conclusion. How many times do you go on a run expecting a typical run, but then things turn out serendipitous? Are you able to detect these moments easily, or do you just run along and miss them?

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Serendipity at Ancil Hoffman Park

For instance, I had a really fun run and hiking coincidence one weekend when I was still pretty new to running.  Our kids wanted to relax and stay home with my husband, but I decided to go on a 2-mile run to Ancil Hoffman Park right after the cleansing rain. Once I got there, there was a group ready to go on a hike, part of the meet-up group Trail Mix. I asked them if I could join the hike. Our energetic and youthful guide, a man in his late 70s, who still does speed walking races and is super fit, said yes, so I  went on a 4.5 mile hike all around Ancil Hoffman Park (my total for the day: 2-mile running and 4.5 mile hiking, which was just great). The people I hiked with were delightful and quite cheerful. We all enjoyed seeing deer, a jack rabbit, turkeys, and relished the scenery.  I love exploring and experiencing new things, as well as being open to serendipity.

Deer grazing
Deer grazing

Another time, I woke up earlier than my normal time on a weekend, because I had a busy day, but I still wanted to get my 5-mile run in. I decided to run through my slice of Paradise, as I call Ancil Hoffman Park .http://www.regionalparks.saccounty.net/Parks/Pages/AncilHoffmanPark.aspx

As the sun gently pushed its way through the tree branches, the artist I listened to on my Ted Talk podcast said the following Egyptian proverb: “Anyone who wants to see the sunrise clearly needs to wipe his eyes well first.” At that moment, I stopped on the trails and took this gorgeous sunrise picture. I love the spiritual and meditative side of running.

As I ran down the trail, I turned around and saw this beautiful sunrise. I stopped and snapped a picture, smiling at the serendipitous moment.
As I ran down the trail, I turned around and saw this beautiful sunrise. I stopped and snapped a picture, smiling at the serendipitous moment.

 

Serendipity at Jensen Park

 

Another time, I went on a quick 4-mile run after finishing all the activities with the kids. I ran to my beautiful Jensen Botanical Garden. http://carmichaelpark.com/jensen-botanical-garden/

Once there, I noticed the colorful tulips surrounding the old oak tree in a circle of love. At that moment, I smiled sheepishly and came with my own diagnosis: ORD, obsessive running disorder- ha!ha!

The beautiful tulips surrounding the majestic and old tree in Jensen's botanical garden
The beautiful tulips surrounding the majestic and oak tree in Jensen’s botanical garden
Spring tulips

Symptoms: increased happiness and productivity at work and life, lots of joy and satisfaction with life, tremendous energy and endurance, laser beam focus, increased concentration and efficiency, exploration of life’s many trails, routes, vistas, etc.

Cure: More running and more meditation in motion.

Time frame for cure: When patient turns 100 years old- ha!ha!

Towards the end of my run, I stopped and talked to one of the gardeners. She immediately offered to give me a tour of the community garden. As I entered the garden, to my left, there was the Misca family garden, which is not our family (we do not have a green thumb – ha!ha! and our name is spelled with a c before before the s), but another wonderful Romanian family. Right away, I appreciated the serendipity that running brought along into my life, as well as the sounds, the smells, the thoughts, and the people I met along the way. Pure bliss.

I pray that God allows me to kick up my heels till I’m 100 to enjoy the serendipity of running and to spread the joy. I also pray that you do the same. Happy feet!

Please post your serendipitous running moments under the comments for our contest. The best one will win a $5 Starbucks gift card.

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!

Buying and selling a home, Real estate, Real estate market outlook, Sacramento buyers, Sacramento real estate, Sacramento sellers, Uncategorized

Sacramento Real Estate Market Outlook for 2017- Prices Going Up or Down?

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As the title of my blog is running for real estate, I am pleased to combine my passion for real estate with running. Moreover, rest assured that I will run and hustle to help you buy or sell a house the same way our bunny Peter runs up and down the stairs in this video! I believe in being quick and efficient in taking care of all your real estate needs, so never hesitate to call me with any questions. No strings attached!

 

 

As we approach the end of the year, almost everybody wants to know what to expect in the coming year, especially because of the elections and the rumors about interest rates going up, which are not just rumors. Interest rates will be going up a little bit in 2017, according to Oscar Wei, senior economist for California Association of Realtors.  During our monthly meeting at Sacramento Association of Realtors, Wei did a detailed presentation on our real estate market- see entire link and forecast below.

http://www.car.org/3550/pdf/econpdfs/09-29-2016_EXPO_Forecast_Final.pdf

10 Key Points to Remember as We are Heading Towards the End of 2016 and Ushering 2017:

 

  1. Real estate is still considered a very good long-term investment.
  2. Listings inventory is still low, making is more difficult for first-time buyers to afford to buy.
  3. Long-time homeowners are not moving that often and wait about 10 years to move, choosing instead to remodel their homes and stay.
  4. Boomers are not moving as often.
  5. Builders are still not building enough new homes, which contributes to a lower supply of homes.
  6. Interest rates are below 4% for now until the FED will decide what to do.
  7. Consumer confidence is 9-year high.
  8. Unemployment rates are 8-year low.
  9. Majority do not plan to sell their home when they retire.
  10. Most homeowners, as a matter of fact 92% of them, have equity in their homes, which is why we have seen a very low supply of short sales and foreclosure homes.

 

10 Key Points to Remember about 2017 Market Outlook:

 

  1. We will see a modest price increase in 2017 of about 3%.
  2. A 2% increase in sales.
  3. The American dream and homeownership is still very important for the Millennials.
  4. Investors buyers are dropping, but still active in the lower-priced market.
  5. Unemployment in California will be around 5.3%.
  6. Interest rate projected at 5% in five years.
  7. Home prices will grow steadily next year.
  8. Biggest challenge for buyers in 2017: lack of affordability.
  9. Buyers will need to educate themselves on our market, the various loan programs, and the down payment assistance.
  10. Pursue your dreams and find a way to build your own equity by stopping to rent and buying a home.

 

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!