Pat Quan guest commentary: Folsom's got game – all over town

It's the new year! While I don't have any new year resolutions, my goal is to continue to expand and participate in my outdoor activities. I love Folsom because it enables so many of these activities. Studies show there are so many benefits to outdoor activities. For me, it increases my overall physical and mental health. I get more social interaction. It increases my energy so I feel more alert and can think more clearly. I'm probably in a better mood while increasing strength and lowering risk of disease. And most of all, I have fun and feel like I have more balance in my life. OK, if I have one new year resolution, it's to balance work, play and family life. But that's my new year resolution all the time, all year long. Welcome to the club. It seems to be a common goal among my peers. When I think of Folsom, first and foremost, I just think it's a great place to live. There is so much more than great neighborhoods, wonderful restaurants and a wide variety of shopping and services. Folsom has lots and lots of recreation opportunities. There are so many things to do. Me personally, I like games. I love playing golf. Empire Ranch is a fun golf course. Friendly people and a challenging layout. Empire Ranch has a thriving golf club that is overflowing with members. Nothing's perfect. In the case of Empire Ranch, they get too much business. Sometimes, rounds take too long to play. They're a victim of their own success. I've discovered the joy of pickleball. Lembi Park has lots of pickleball courts for all skill levels. Have you ever gone there to play pickleball? It seems like there are always crowds there. From very cold mornings to hot evenings, you can bet there's a game to join. The culture there is so inviting. I think the culture of pickleball is so supportive and welcoming, a lot like the culture of skateboarding. Disc Golf is at BT Collins Park. I loved playing Frisbee when I was younger and this activity is ideal, as I can squeeze in a quick round and get on with my day (remember, I'm trying to find that balance). There are hard "holes" and easier "holes," and it's easy to meet people while playing. Bocce Ball can be played at Econome Park. Bocce is a terrific sport because just about anyone can participate. You just need to be able to roll a ball. And it's a very social game. It can be competitive and like any other sport, it takes practice to become an excellent player. But overall, it's a fun way to get outside and be with others. Wow, all that to do and I didn't even mention that Folsom parks offer an aquatic center, lighted baseball fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, skateboarding and of course, walking trails and bike paths. Maybe the most well-known is the Johnny Cash Trail, highlighted by two bridges and future artwork. But as you wander through Folsom, it's impossible to not be around some sort of path, walking or bike. Trails run through neighborhoods, through green space and more. It's also impossible to note all the different activities Folsom has to offer. There are opportunities for every age and activity level. I just noted some of the ones I like to do and how it makes me feel about Folsom. Feel free to send feedback. What do you like to do? What would like to try or start to do? As always, I recap local real estate activity for Folsom and El Dorado Hills (EDH), comparing current time frame (2024) to previous year (2023). Frequently, in my column, Folsom and EDH are fairly similar in their trends. While both regions experienced more than 20-percent increase in the number of properties for sale, there are distinct differences. Average price of a home sold in EDH increased around 1 percent to more than $1,087,000 while the average sold price in Folsom was up close to 7 percent to $820,000. In EDH, 570 homes sold in 2024, just under 2 percent growth. But in Folsom, almost 750 homes sold in 2024, representing 10-percent growth. The price of a sold home in EDH was around 99 percent of list price while Folsom came in at a hair under 100 percent of list price. As 2025 kicks off, the number of homes for sale in both regions are relatively similar to the last three Januarys. But a glaring difference is that while EDH has 109 homes on the market at the time of this writing, only 39 homes are currently pending (buyer and seller are in contract). But in Folsom, with only 63 homes on the market, there are 63 homes pending. While the numbers have some variance due to the remaining time in January, the ratio of homes active to pending are unmistakable. I love where I live. I'm excited to continue to help more families in 2025 with their real estate needs. With proper planning and a good Realtor (Luckily, I know a really good one …), you can smoothly get to your next stage in life. For more tips on how to successfully navigate the real estate purchase or sale, or suggestions on Folsom topics, please contact me at Coldwell Banker Realty, 916-812-4341, pquan@cbnorcal.com, www.PatQuan.com. CA DRE #01918240