Convenience Big Store: Sacramento realtors explain the craziness behind the market

Third Sacramento realtors say the market is kind of crazy right now for homebuyers – Two Sacramento realtors say the typically slow winter season was unusually busy with an influx of homebuyers searching within a rather low supply of homes. Now, with the spring season approaching, Sacramento Association of Realtors [SAR] President Kellie Swayne said they are anticipating some similar activity. "I think we will continue to be busy, busy, busy," Swayne said. "There are no indications yet of a major shift in our housing market that we've seen." The pandemic launched some interesting trends in the home buying market. The shift for millions to a work-from-home model has meant more long-time renters are hoping to find more private space in a home. According to SAR President-elect Erin Stumpf, people who already owned homes were also finding inadequacies in their spaces, from wanting bigger backyards with a pool to wanting a room for a home office. She says she has heard clients wonder aloud which room in the new house will be their "Zoom room." All this means the demand for homes is up, while the supply is down. (Samantha Solomon, ABC10)

California's only riverboat mail carrier is retiring following 15 years of service – California only has one riverboat mail carrier. And for the past 15 years, he delivered letters and packages to people all over the Stockton via the San Joaquin River Delta. And last week was his last week. For six days a week, Rick Stelzriede would load up his mail boat and motor through 57 miles of water along the San Joaquin River Delta. "My contract is up and its been taken over by somebody else and I’m going to do some traveling I hope," Stelzriede said about his retirement. Stelzriede plans to trade his mailboat in for an RV, but before he did that, he said goodbye to a number of people on his route, like Bill Conner, a 90-year-old man who’s been living on a half sunken barge with no electricity or water since 1980. (John Bartell, ABC10)

US hits new vaccination record as COVID cases, hospitalizations rise – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Saturday that more than 4 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine were administered in the previous 24 hours, setting a new record. White House COVID-19 Data Director Cyrus Shahpar tweeted it was the first day with more than 4 million doses administered in the U.S. and first time averaging more than 3 million per day over a week. As U.S. health leaders stress not to become lax on virus spread mitigation measures like wearing a mask or socially distancing, vaccination rates are still at a level that many would like to see improve. White House senior advisor for COVID-19 response Andy Slavitt noted the 25 mass vaccination sites already in place around the country have the ability to administer 95,000 shots per day combined. As of Sunday, CDC data showed around 18.5% of Americans have been fully vaccinated so far. (Douglas Jones, Andrew Weil, Tegna)

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TIP OF THE DAY

Ways to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month Even though NAAHM is not observed on the federal level, some states and cities still recognize the celebratory month with official proclamations and resolutions. Click HERE for some local suggestions. (Kandace Redd, ABC10)

SMILE

The return of comedy The Comedy Spot in Midtown Sacramento is reopening with outdoor shows where headphones will be provided for everyone in the audience as the shows take place outside. (ABC10)