September 8, 2023

Today’s Forecast

52º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 5:01 p.m.

Living in the cul-de-SAC

Buying a home in Sacramento can be a little less stressful thanks to CalHFA. | Photo via Vrbo

Just the idea of looking to buy a home can seem like an overwhelming + daunting task sometimes, especially with Sacramento having one of the nation’s most competitive housing markets.

We wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the programs available through the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) that can help ease that burden, especially for first-time homebuyers. Remember — CalHFA programs have income eligibility requirements, with interested borrowers in Sacramento County needing to make no more than $225,000 annually.

🏡 Down payments

Coming up with the cash to put a down payment on your home can be one of the biggest obstacles to overcome for first-time buyers. Thankfully, the state has the MyHome Assistance Program, which offers a deferred-payment loan of up to 3.5% of the home’s purchase price or appraisal value (whichever is less) to help first-time buyers with down payments and closing costs.

🏡 Mortgages

At the time of writing, average mortgage rates in Sacramento are 7.475% APR for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The state offers four main types of mortgage loans for first-time buyers, with the standard being the CalHFA FHA Loan Program, a 30-year, fixed-interest loan. The CalPLUS FHA Loan Program has a slightly higher interest rate, and is combined with the Zero Interest Program that helps with closing costs.

There are specialized loans as well, such as the CalHFA VA Loan Program for military members and the CalHFA USDA Program for those looking to purchase homes in more rural areas.

🏡 Not just first-time buyers

If you or a loved one already owns a home + are looking to make space for more family members, the state will reimburse you up to $40,000 for creating a secondary unit — like a backyard cottage — on your property through the Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program.

Asked

Are you looking to buy a home in Sac?

A. Yes
B. No
C. No, but I’m refinancing
D. No, but I’m building an ADU

Let us know

Events

Friday, Sept. 8

Murder Mystery Dinner: Now You See It | Friday, Sept. 8 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Hard Rock Live, 3317 Forty Mile Rd., Wheatland | $60 | Break out your best detective outfit, complete with an oversized magnifying glass, at this food-filled whodunnit.
“Matilda” the Musical JR. | Friday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 10 | Times vary | Woodland Opera House, 340 Second St., Woodland | $8-$16 | Check out this stage adaptation of the beloved children’s story — performed entirely by kids.
Queermedians | Friday, Sept. 8 | 9-10:30 p.m. | Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1050 20th St., Ste. 130, Sacramento | $15 | Laugh along at this LGBTQ stand-up show featuring Sac and Bay Area comics.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Broadway International Festival and Block Party | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Broadway between 16th + 18th streets, Sacramento | $0-$300 | Join in this celebration of the diverse international cultures that make Sacramento great.
Holo Holo Music Festival | Saturday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 10 | 2 p.m. | Toyota Amphitheatre, 2677 Forty Mile Rd., Wheatland | $53-$195 | More than a dozen artists take the stage for this music and art festival that emphasizes mindfulness and sustainability.

Events calendar here

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Talk

🤝 Culinary art meets visual art at Crocker Art Museum’s upcoming event

There’s an event at Crocker Art Museum for everyone. | Photo by Crocker Art Museum

Calling all Sacramento foodies and writers — you won’t want to miss this one.

Join local restaurateur Clay Nutting (from Canon and Franquette) and Bill Stotler (creator of the Articulator, a Sacramento arts documentation project) for “A Critic and A Chef,” a delectable look at our local food and arts culture on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 6-8 p.m.

The duo will discuss overlaps between the culinary arts, journalism, and the visual arts as part of Sacramento’s creative and cultural placemaking. Tickets are $15 (members get in free).

Details this way

News Notes

State

State officials voted this week to make August Transgender History Month. San Francisco became the first city to make the declaration in 2021, with Santa Clara County following shortly behind. (FOX40)

Kids

El Dorado Hills’ Jackson Elementary School recently unveiled one of the area’s first all-abilities playgrounds. The playground uses foam instead of bark, and includes tandem swings with safety harnesses, along with a zip line. (KCRA 3)

Edu

Comsumnes River College and Sacramento’s Office of Cannabis Management have teamed up to create a 16-week course aimed at helping entrepreneurs gain new business skills and learn more about the cannabis industry. Classes are free to members of the city’s Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity program. (Sacramento City Express)

Concert

Pop punk superstars Fall Out Boy are coming to Golden 1 Center on Sunday, March 3. Elder emos (like us) can snag tickets beginning Friday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. — just remember to say “Thnks fr th Mmrs.” (ABC 10)

Coming Soon

Sana’a Cafe has signed paperwork to take over the former home of Estelle’s Patisserie at 901 K St. The cafe specializes in traditional Yemeni coffee and tea, along with pastries such as baklava. The restaurant hopes to open in early 2024. (Sac Biz Journal)

Finance

This leading credit card touts 0% intro APR on balance transfers for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: The 0% intro APR period lasts until 2025.) Details revealed here.*

Community

Paint the town — or at least part of it

The mural is part of a beautification project stretching from Tamoshanter Way to Franklin Boulevard. | Photo via City of Sacramento

Sacramento’s Office of Arts and Culture is inviting you — yes, YOU — to help paint a mural on Florin Road.

Thanks to a $1.2 million grant from CalTrans, community members can attend a free block party on Saturday, Sept. 16, 12-5 p.m., at 3680 Florin Rd. for live music, food, games, and art. The first 400 attendees will receive free hot dogs and chips (we’re already sold), and the first 100 will get a free cup of shaved ice.

Worried you aren’t artistically-inclined enough to contribute? Don’t stress — the mural is a paint-by-the-number design, making it accessible to all community members, regardless of skill level.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jordan

From the editor

You already know my inner emo kid is screaming over the news that Fall Out Boy coming to town — I hope to see some of y’all there!

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