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Sneak peek at this 2-3 bedroom Curtis Park classic
Friday, March 26, 2010
Labels: Curtis Park, Davis, East Sac, Land Park, Sacramento
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 4:17 PM,
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Forbes: Sacramento's one of the least toxic cities in the US
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Listed: Sacramento ranked 2nd least toxic city of 40 major metros
Forbes magazine recently reviewed the nation's 40 largest metro areas and ranked Sacramento the 2nd least toxic city (behind Las Vegas, NV) based upon information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency including Superfund sites, facilities producing toxic chemicals, the total pounds of certain toxic chemicals released, and air quality readings. Selected rankings are shown below, you can view the full chart here).
Ranked
Selected cities ranked from least toxic to most toxic (as reported by Forbes magazine, November 2009):
- Las Vegas - Paradise, NV Metro Area
- Sacramento - Arden-Arcade - Roseville, CA Metro Area
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metro Area
- Austin - Round Rock, TX Metro Area
- Seattle - Tacoma - Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- San Diego - Carlsbad - San Marcos, CA Metro Area
- Virginia Beach - Norfolk - Newport News, VA-NC Metro Area
- San Jose - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara, CA Metro Area
- New York - Northern New Jersey - Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area
- Phoenix - Mesa - Scottsdale, AZ Metro Area
Labels: Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Downtown, East Sac, Elk Grove, Laguna, Land Park, lists, Midtown, Oak Park, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:34 AM,
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Rob's on Facebook and Twitter!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
I don't blog as often as I'd like, but you can follow me on Twitter for more frequent updates and add me on Facebook if you'd like to find out what's going on regularly in the local real estate world. Have questions? You can always email me or you can send me a message via Facebook or Twitter.
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Labels: Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Elk Grove, Land Park, Midtown, North Natomas, Oak Park, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:33 PM,
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1231 48th St - New Luxury in established East Sac
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
This naturally beautiful East Sac Mediterranean built in 2006 boasts show stopping custom low-maintenance landscape featured in Sacramento Magazine February 2008. Front and rear courtyards invite you in to enjoy gorgeous walnut hardwoods, exquisite cabinetry and crown moldings, wonderful floor plan, and amazing attention to detail throughout. Old world style and luxurious modern amenities combined with excellent location on the edge of the Fab 40's make this beautiful home effortlessly livable.View 1231 48th St, Sacramento, CA
View the Virtual Tour
View more Homes for sale in East Sacramento
Labels: Arden, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Land Park, Midtown, River Park, Sacramento, Woodlake
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 5:14 PM,
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FAQs: What is the California foreclosure timeline or process?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Q: What is the timeline for the foreclosure process in California? When does the process start and end?
Asked by an anonymous web visitor in East Sacramento
A: This is a question I get asked a lot by both people who are experiencing a financial hardship as well as those interested in investing in preforeclosures and who want to know what the foreclosure process looks like.
Rather than a lengthy written answer, I wanted to share a video I found online from a company that assists home owners and REALTORS® with the short sale process. Take a look:
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Auburn, Carmichael, Central, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Elmhurst, Fair Oaks, FAQs, Galt, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Lodi, Meadowview, Midtown, Modesto, Natomas Park, North Highlands, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Orangevale, Pocket, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Stockton, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Winn Park, Woodlake, Woodland
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:53 PM,
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FAQs: What is Median Sales Price?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Q: What is "median sales price"? Why did the median price spike in Sierra Oaks in the middle of 2006?
Asked by Kelsey, a home buyer in the Arden area
A: Your question strikes at the heart of so many people's questions about home values, Kelsey.
The median resale price (sometimes called "median price" or "median home price") refers to the price at which half of all homes (in a given area for a certain time period) sold for more and half sold for less. If the sampling of sales isn't large enough—say for instance it's for a small geographic area or short time period—then that number can be skewed by a couple properties and may vary dramatically from period to period.
In May of 2006, Sierra Oaks (95864) had an unusually high number of homes selling for over $1 Million. While million-dollar homes aren't unusual in the area, there were four homes that sold in that price range in one month compared to the 1-3 that sold other months.
If you look at a larger area or longer period, you'll get a truer picture of things--but median resale price is an imperfect number and is a "snapshot" of what types of homes are selling at any given time, not necessarily of actual home values. This is why Sacramento's median resale price has dropped dramatically in the last several months as real estate investors and first-time homebuyers have flooded the market but the number of move-up buyers has been low (note: foreclosures and short sales don't fuel the move-up market because banks don't buy a property after selling and short-sellers are typically exiting the ownership market).
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Auburn, Carmichael, Central, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Elmhurst, Fair Oaks, FAQs, Galt, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Lodi, Meadowview, Midtown, Modesto, Natomas Park, North Highlands, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Orangevale, Pocket, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Stockton, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Woodlake, Woodland
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:50 AM,
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FAQs: Can I write offers on more than one house at a time?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Q: Can I write offers on multiple houses without losing my deposit if more than one of those offers is accepted?
Asked by Tony, a home buyer in Natomas
A: Great question, Tony--and one I get asked often.
While you can potentially "get away with it" because of the many contingencies you're afforded within the purchase contract, writing offers on multiple properties at the same time would probably be considered acting in bad faith because you don't actually intend to purchase all the properties you're writing offers on. Chances are you're writing multiple offers with the hope that at least one of them will go somewhere--which is definitely a reality in the current market, especially in competitive price ranges.
When my clients ask this question, my response is simple: let's write and submit one offer at a time and, as each offer expires, we can move on to the next offer. If your agent is using a CAR purchase agreement, the default expiration of your offer is probably 5pm on the third day after you submitted your offer. Banks may (and often do) drag their feet and take longer than three days to respond, so technically your offer may expire even while it's being considered by the bank. If you choose to accept a response after your offer is expired, that's great--but nothing precludes you from writing another offer in the meantime if your original offer's expiration date has come and gone. Further, you can adjust the day and time that your offer expires by writing in something else if three days is longer than you want to wait.
Labels: Anatolia, Arden, Auburn, Carmichael, Central, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, David Taylor, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Elmhurst, Fair Oaks, FAQs, Galt, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Lodi, Meadowview, Midtown, Modesto, Natomas Park, North Highlands, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Orangevale, Pocket, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Stockton, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Woodlake, Woodland
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:59 PM,
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Contemporary loft living in Old Sac at the iLofts
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Just Listed LOFT! Penthouse iLoft in Old Sacramento
When the owners of one of the top-floor lofts at the iLoft project in Old Sacramento called a few weeks ago, my immediate reaction was one of excitement: the iLofts in Old Sac are a one-of-a-kind loft project from D&S Development, a local developer known for its one-of-a-kind developments.
The unit, iLoft Penthouse 302, is a cozy retreat from "ordinary": a mix of old and new, the loft features exposed wood beams and brick and the historic windows that look out at Old Sac contrasted with rare marble flooring, designer lighting, and a modern kitchen with high-end cabinetry and a gourmet Viking range. Views are of the Tower Bridge, the Ziggurat in West Sacramento, the lights at Raley Field, and historic Old Sacramento's vibrant entertainment district. And you'll have the best seat in the house for fireworks.Whether you're looking for everyday living or a home away from home, this penthouse loft is a chance to own a truly one-of-a-kind space in Old Sacramento convenient to Downtown, the State Capitol, dining, entertainment, and nightlife.
For more information about this loft, click here. Thinking about buying this or another loft in Sacramento? Give the loft expert a call... Rob McQuade with McMartin Realty at (916) 444-7577 or (866) 720-CITY (2489).
Labels: Central, Central City Loft Living, Central City Lofts and Condos, Curtis Park, Davis, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Land Park, Midtown, Old Sac, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 5:29 PM,
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Yes.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
If you've picked up the latest issue of Sacramento Magazine you may have noticed the question asked on the cover:
LOFT LIVING, CONDO CULTURE: Can it thrive here?
Yes. In fact, in order for Sacramento to continue to grow in a healthy way, lofts and condos need to be a part of that mix of well-executed housing options. Large single-family homes on quarter-acre lots aren't a practical option in a dense urban core and smarter use of space means sharing: walls, walkways, common amenities, and a belief in a sense of place.
And the "well-executed" part is the key, as some Downtown and Midtown projects have demonstrated.
Among the more successful projects: the Sutter Brownstones have done well in this market because they have the hip, thoughtfully designed styling people want while giving owners a sense of community; the L Street Lofts may not be selling as quickly as investor Resmark Equity Partners may want, but the top-notch location and solid design mean they're selling—unlike recent projects like the Whiskey Hill Lofts (they've been turned into rentals) and Alchemy @ R Street (on the market as short sales as of this writing).
So what are the markings of a well-executed project? In the central city where buyers are more demanding, it means a mix of striking design (this isn't the 'burbs), quality materials and finishes, smart pricing, and convenience (neighborhood amenities, parking). Missing any one of these can make for a real challenge when it comes time to sell, missing more than one can be disastrous. People buying in these urban neighborhoods are doing so because they're unwilling to compromise on what they want—having multiple urban projects to choose from means they shouldn't have to.
Oh, by the way... Flip to page 127 and you'll see my nearly-life-sized head staring back at you (you coulda warned us, SacMag)! Of course I'm sporting a beard right now, maybe looking a little "Pacific Northwest" in honor of west coast cities like Portland and Seattle that have shown us how to execute on that need for urban infill. But I WAS FEATURED IN SACRAMENTO MAGAZINE!
Okay, maybe "spotlighted" is a better word. But still.
Too cheap to pick up your own copy? You can check out the article here: Up in the Air - Marybeth Bizjak, Sacramento Magazine (October 2008)
Oh, and a quick thanks to Marybeth Bizjak and the fine folks at Sacramento Magazine for puttin' my mug—and opinions—in the middle of the current issue. Please, no drawing pirate moustaches.
Labels: Central, Central City Loft Living, Central City Lofts and Condos, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Land Park, lofts, Midtown, Oak Park, Old Sac, River Park, Roseville, Sacramento, UCD Med Center, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 5:36 PM,
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Sacramento unveils 311 for expanded info by phone (and email)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Not sure where to go for specific services with the City of Sacramento? What used to be known as Sacramento City Operator is now Sacramento City 311 which means you can dial 311 from a land line or most cell phones within the limits of the city of Sacramento 24 hours a day, seven days a week—even on holidays— to get assistance from a live person (you can even email 311@cityofsacramento.org or use 311 online).
Get answers to questions, request City services, and get help on any municipal issue (besides police and fire) including: Code Enforcement (abandoned cars, graffiti, substandard housing, etc.); Animal Care (injured, stray, aggressive animals, etc.); Development Services Help Line (all calls for DSD are first routed to 311 for triage); Street Maintenance (potholes, cracked sidewalks, lighting problems, etc.); Facility Maintenance (work order requests related to repair/maintenance of City buildings); Citywide Directory Assistance and information about all things related to City services; Request a City crew for drains, water, solid waste, along with general inquiries; Making utility payments by credit card
Sac City 311 is a centralized call center for the City of Sacramento that is intended to make life a little easier for its residents, businesses and visitors. Sac City 311 call center works to answer questions as quickly as possible with minimal transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 311?
Sac City 311 is an easy to remember phone number that residents, businesses and visitors can use to request service, report problems or get information from local government. Sac City 311 is your resource for connecting with the City of Sacramento. Sac City 311 handles requests for building permits, stray animals, utilities services, and much more—Sac City 311 is ready to help! The 311 customer service agents undergo extensive training to ensure each caller gets a courteous, quick and accurate response. 311 provides a single point of contact for City of Sacramento government services.
Why was 311 created?
The Sac City 311 service is part of an ongoing effort by the City of Sacramento to make access to City government easier and more responsive to the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. Now there is no need to search the phone directory for the right City department—let Sac City 311 take care of that for you.
How does 311 work?
A courteous Sac City 311 customer service agent will assist you in finding the appropriate government service you need. If you need information, agents will either provide it directly or connect you to the appropriate department for your answer. If you need a service, agents can automatically route a work request to the proper department for a City crew to respond.
Who can call 311?
Anyone within the Sacramento City limits can call 311 free of charge from a land-line telephone or cable line. 311 works on most cell phones as well. Cell coverage is determined by individual service providers.
What if I need to call 311 from outside city limits?
Callers outside the City limits can reach Sac City 311 by calling (916) 264-5011.
When do I use 311, and when do I use 911?
The 911 service is for emergencies, such as house fires and crimes in progress, that require an immediate response by police, fire crews or an ambulance. For all other City services, call 311.
Will a 311 agent be able to respond in multiple languages?
Yes, through the use of a third-party translation service, Sac City 311 agents can respond in over 150+ languages and dialects.
Will a 311 agent be able to respond to calls from hearing impaired individuals?
Yes, TDD/TTY callers can dial 311 and then press 3, or dial (916) 808-8563.
Labels: Central, Curtis Park, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, Elmhurst, Greenhaven, Land Park, Meadowview, Midtown, Natomas Park, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Pocket, Regency Park, River Park, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, Woodlake
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:50 AM,
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CalPERS home loans trump minimum wage for State employees
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Working for the State of California may not seem all that appealing when the annual tradition of stalled budget negotiations means minimum wage for state employees (except those who are exempt from the governor's recent executive order), but there are some benefits to civil servants that just might make it worthwhile, like the CalPERS Member Home Loan Program (MHLP).
CalPERS (the California Public Employees Retirement System) draws its membership from employees of the State of California as well as public sector employees in may city and county government agencies, including employees of the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, Placer County, and many other counties and local municipalities. If you have a CalPERS member number, you should be eligible for the Member Home Loan Program—and membership has its privileges, including:
60-Day and 90-Day Rate Protection
At the time of your loan application, you can lock in your interest rate for 60 or 90 days and get protection against market fluctuations. Other loan programs that offer shorter lock periods can leave you with a higher rate at close of escrow—resulting in higher monthly mortgage payments.
Two FREE CalPERS Float Down Opportunities
With the 60-day and 90-day interest rate locks, you’ll receive the lowest CalPERS interest rate on three key dates—date of loan lock-in, date of loan approval, and date the loan documents are drawn.
30-Day Rate Lock
You can choose to lock your interest rate for 30 days instead 60 days. Although the float down feature is not available with this option, you’ll get the benefit of a competitive 30-day rate.
Low-to-No Down Payment Programs—CalPERS Special Loan Programs
CalPERS offers several financing options that have either low or no down payment requirements. The MyCommunityMortgage™ and Flexible 100™ require little to no down payment.
Interest Only Feature
If you are just starting off, would like greater purchasing power, or like the idea of lower initial monthly payments, CalPERS' Interest Only Feature could be right for you. With initial interest-only periods of 7- to 10-years, these fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgage loans are available for home purchases or refinancing.
100 Percent Financing Options
CalPERS offers options to purchase a home with no out-of-pocket costs for the down payment. CalPERS' 100 financing options could let you secure up to $500,000 for a down payment. CalPERS even offers down payment assistance on jumbo loans.
Savings From Our Partners
To provide you with more comprehensive service during your home buying process, a number of affiliate relationships have been established. Check out additional savings on services related to purchasing or refinancing a home here.
No Prepayment Penalties
Any CalPERS Mortgage Loan gives you the option to make early principal payments with no penalty. This feature of the program not only gives you the ability to build equity in your home but, because these payments are immediately applied to your loan's principal balance, it also saves you money.
For more information or to take advantage of the CalPERS Member Home Loan Program (MHLP), call (916) 444-7577 and we'll connect you with an independent mortgage professional who can serve your needs.
Labels: Antelope, Arden, Central, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Elk Grove, Elmhurst, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Midtown, Natomas Park, North Natomas, North Sac, Old Sac, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, River District, Roseville, Sacramento, Southport, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:43 AM,
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Home-Buying 101: Short Sales explained
Friday, August 1, 2008
Searching the MLS for a home in the Curtis Park area lately? If so, you've probably noticed a large number of homes listed as short sales (they may be referred to as active short sale or short sale contingency or even just "AS" or "ASC")—and they're often some of the lowest priced homes in any given neighborhood. Here are some of the most common questions I get:
Q. What is a short sale?
A. The term "short sale" is used to refer to a property being sold for which the seller owes more than it will sell for in the current market. This is more common in neighborhoods that have seen significant price declines since the peak of the market in 2005, but any seller can end up in a short sale situation if they've borrowed more money against the home than it's currently worth (such as when a home owner has borrowed money and "overimproved" a home for the neighborhood it's in).
Q. How do short sales work?
A. Short sales work like this: a seller has a financial hardship (death of a spouse, loss of a job, job transfer, hospitalization, or sudden change in monthly mortgage payment) and needs to sell a home. Because they owe more than the home is worth, the seller is requesting that the bank(s) that they have a mortgage through accept less than they're owed. Most banks won't even entertain the notion of a short sale if there aren't any buyers ready to purchase the home for the current market price so, as part of the process, the seller puts the home on the market and begins accepting offers. The seller will typically accept the best offer and submit it to the bank for approval.
Q. Are these deals too good to be true?
A. The short answer is: Yes, in many cases these deals are too good to be true. Many home sellers who are in a short sale situation are selling because they're falling behind on payments or are in preforeclosure. For this reason, they're feeling a lot of time pressure to get the home sold before a bank forecloses, so they price the home lower than anything else in a neighborhood to just try to get offers to submit to the bank(s). This leads to multiple offers but doesn't guarantee that the bank will accept whatever sales price the seller accepts. The seller doesn't usually care what the home sells for because he or she won't be making any money on the sale.
Q. Do banks really go for this?
A. Sometimes. No bank is ever eager to accept less than they're owed because they're losing money in the process, and banks aren't in the business of losing money. Of course in many cases the alternative is foreclosing on a home, and that can be a lengthy, expensive process that results in the bank owning a property—and banks are often even less eager to own the home so may be willing to negotiate if they see that it's in their best interest.
But there are some big challenges when buying a short sale. For instance, unlike a foreclosure where the bank owns the property free and clear and can sell it for whatever price they want, in a short sale situation there may be other parties with a financial interest in the property. If a seller has experienced a financial hardship, there may be unpaid taxes, utilities, or contractors who've done work and are seeking payment—and any of these can result in liens against the property. In a short sale, the seller MUST prove to the bank that there is a financial hardship that requires the home be sold and all parties must agree to accept little or no payment and sign off on the sale of the property. Add to this the fact that there may be a second mortgage that will likely be completely wiped out and it becomes challenging getting everyone with a financial interest to authorize the sale. This is often a grueling, months-long process that can ultimately be for nothing if one or more parties deny the short sale request, and this is a major reason why a lot of homes that are listed as short sales eventually come off the market and reappear later as bank-owned REO properties.
Q. What do the terms active short sale and short sale contingent etc. mean?
A. An active short sale is just another way of saying that the home is active on the market as a short sale. A home listed as short sale contingent means that the seller has accepted an offer and submitted it to the bank. Until the bank responds (and this can take months), the listing agent is obligated to continue to market the home as "for sale". Once the bank has accepted an offer, then the property will be marked as "pending" and the normal escrow period begins.
Q. I've called several times about a home that's for sale online and the agent keeps telling me it's already sold. Why is it still showing up online?
A. In the Sacramento area, if a property is being sold as a short sale, until the bank accepts one of the offers that has been submitted the listing agent is required (by the rules of the local MLS) to identify it as short sale cont and it will continue to appear online on searches because the home isn't yet technically in escrow. While this may seem confusing, your Curtis Park REALTOR® can help you figure out the status of properties you're interested in.
To summarize, when you see a property for sale that's listed as a short sale this means you should expect a much longer than average escrow period (so don't plan on buying a short sale if you're on a tight timeline), a counter offer on price from the bank (even if the seller has accepted your price), and the possibility that the bank will reject the short sale entirely. If you can find a great home that's either a traditional sale or a foreclosure (also called an REO), consider going with these options first. Good luck and happy house-hunting!
More questions about short sales or other homes? Give us a call at (916) 444-7577 today!
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Home-Buying 101, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Meadowview, Midtown, Natomas Park, North Highlands, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Orangevale, Pocket, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Woodlake, Woodland
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:50 PM,
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I want you to use this website...
Monday, July 21, 2008
...even if you don't use my services!
I've designed these websites to be useful and usable—and I really want you to find the information (or property) you're looking for. To that end, I'd love to hear what you think. I'm constantly adding and updating the website, including new relevant info and resources. Even if I haven't blogged in a few days, I'm usually adding a new feature here and there (thanks for the feedback on the ZIP Code search tool at the left of each page, Margaret!)... But is it the type of info you want? And what else would be helpful?
Please let me know what you think. I'm listening and working to build the best, most easy-to-use Sacramento area real estate website I can. Judging by the great phonecalls and emails I'm getting it's working. But I'm not here to rest on my laurels!
Fifteen seconds of (real estate) fame
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to meet with the fine folks at Trulia (a real estate industry website used by a lot of consumers to find properties for sale—though it's not nearly as good as my websites! ;-D)to shoot a video with Brett Crosby at Google Analytics for other real estate industry professionals. It probably won't be of interest to you (it's a bit nerdy, I confess I'm a "real estate nerd"), but you can check out the video below. It was even picked up by ActiveRain (another industry website that many consumers use)
Oh, and if you decide you'd like some help with your Sacramento real estate needs, my team and I are absolutely here to serve you—just ask! -Rob McQuade -- (916) 444-7577.
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Carmichael, Central, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Meadowview, Midtown, Natomas Park, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, River Park, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Woodlake
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:17 PM,
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Putting technology to work in real estate
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
When you want information, you want information. I've worked hard to build not only a great team of real estate professionals to meet my clients needs but also a network of websites and web tools for clients—and I've taken those tools to the next level to provide online real estate information for Curtis Park and the greater Sacramento region.
I recently had an opportunity to work with the fine folks at Trulia (http://www.trulia.com/), the leader in online real estate content, to begin educating other real estate professionals on how to provide the kinds of information that our clients want and need. Last week I filmed a training video at Trulia's offices in San Francisco (keep an eye out on here, I'll have a link to it in the coming weeks) and today Trulia blogged about the success I've been having using their site to connect with real estate buyers and sellers in the Curtis Park area.
Yup, I'm a real estate nerd. ;-)
You can see what Trulia had to say here.
Labels: Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Land Park, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento, Trulia
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:37 PM,
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Brookings: Sacramento goes greener, shrinks carbon footprint
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sacramento ranked 12th best in nation's 100 largest metro areas
In its recently released analysis, "Shrinking the Carbon Footprint of Metropolitan America", the Brookings Institution found that the Sacramento metro area decreased its per capita greenhouse gas emissions from residential and transportation uses by about 9% between 2000 and 2005, compared with a 1.1% increase across the 100 largest U.S. metro areas and 2.2% across the nation as a whole.
Newer housing options and increased demand for energy efficient or "green" features in homes (reflected in new urban developments such as 9 on F and the SoCap Lofts in Downtown Sacramento) have helped push Sacramento toward the top of the list.
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C.
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Some quick and easy ways to do that include using alternative transportation (bus, light rail, and bicycle), living closer to where you work and play, and choosing a home that reduces your impact on the environment. Consider urban living, explore Downtown and Midtown Sacramento. You can also find out more about green living at Sacramento Green Living.
Labels: Carmichael, Central, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, green, green homes, Land Park, Midtown, Old Sac, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, South Natomas, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:46 AM,
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New! Search homes and condos quickly by ZIP Code
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Now you can quickly and easily search by ZIP Code with just a click! It's easier than ever to pull up homes and condos in your preferred ZIP Code by simply clicking the » By ZIP Code NEW! link under Quick Property Searches from the menu at the left. You can scroll through the list of available ZIP Codes in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado Counties to bring up a convenient list of the first 200 homes and condos for each ZIP. And, as always, you can get news listings matching ALL your search criteria sent to your email inbox daily by clicking on the link under Resources for Buyers.
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Auburn, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Elmhurst, Fair Oaks, Galt, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Meadowview, Midtown, Natomas Park, North Highlands, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Orangevale, Pocket, Regency Park, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Woodlake, Woodland
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:42 PM,
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FREE: Let there be (compact fluorescent) light!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Let me put $368 in your pocket* with FREE compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) while supplies last
I started giving away energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs at our Green Second Saturday event in April, and now I want to offer them to anyone who would like to stop by and pick up a four-pack (while supplies last, of course). Just send me an email or give me a call at (916) 444-7577 to let me know you'd like to swing by and pick some up. I'll also throw in a Gold C book (entertainment discounts) to anyone who comes by on foot or on bike. ;-)
Rob McQuade - (916) 444-7577
McMartin Realty
2031 K Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95811-4253
*Save $92 in energy costs per bulb based on 12 cents per kwh over the expected 10,000-hour lifespan of these 23-watt (100-watt equivalent) CFLs compared to 10 standard 1,000-hour 100-watt light bulbs.
Labels: Central, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, green, Land Park, Midtown, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Sacramento, South Natomas, Tahoe Park, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:22 PM,
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May 8th: Sacramento Green Home Expo (and a friendly mention)
Green Home Expo opens in Sacramento May 8th
Okay, so maybe you don't think of the North State Building Industry Association as a bunch of party people (and you obviously don't know them very well if that's the case), but they know how to put on a good (trade) show. This Thursday, May 8th, is the Green Home Expo at the Sacramento Convention Center. It's an all-day event with free trade show admission, and you can expect to see some of the latest green home tech. If you're thinking about starting a remodel or you just want to know more about the latest energy efficient, eco-friendly products for the home then check out the expo (and there are some really cool workshops being offered for a very reasonable price). You can find out more by clicking on the banner below.
PS - The convention center is an awfully big place to heat and cool. Maybe they'll open the windows. ;-) PPS - While you'll find a lot of groovy home products at the expo, you probably won't find an actual home. If you're looking for an eco-friendly home in the Curtis Park area, please get in touch with me!Being a Green Nugget
Oh, and while I'm not in it for the glory, it's always nice to get a friendly mention from people who always have their "green" thinking caps on (made from organic cotton, of course)—and Levi Benkert and the awesome eco-urbanists at LJUrban are among the greenthinkiest (consider the term officially coined) people I know of locally. What's not to love about people whose aspirations are to dream big, live small, and do good?
Labels: Auburn, Central, Curtis Park, Davis, Downtown, East Sac, green, Land Park, Lodi, Midtown, Roseville, Sacramento, South Natomas, Woodlake
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:15 PM,
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More accurate UCD Med Center & Elmhurst searches
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The UCD Med Center and Elmhurst neighborhoods offer the same beauty as neighborhoods like Land Park and East Sac , but are often forgotten about when househunting in older neighborhoods—partly because the ZIP Code 95817 is often dismissed as "just Oak Park". And Elmhurst, tucked behind medical center, even shares a bit of 95819 with East Sac (north of T Street, which is the beautiful boulevard that makes Elmhurst such a wonderful area to live in). Searching 95817 or 95819 and finding homes in the Med Center and Elmhurst can be tricky.
Good news! I've just updated the website so that you get only the most accurate Elmhurst and UCD Med Center home and condo results—you can't find more accurate one-click search results anywhere else than right here. To get the most accurate Midtown real estate search results, simply click on the "homes" or "condos" link on every page of ForSaleintheMedCenter.com
Labels: Central, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Elmhurst, Land Park, Midtown, Oak Park, Sacramento, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:57 AM,
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NEW! Curtis Park foreclosures available online
Sunday, April 20, 2008
This is a quick update: I just added a new link to Curtis Park foreclosures, now you can view bank-owned and REO properties in Curtis Park and other areas, including Antelope, Arden, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Del Paso Heights, Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Meadowview, Midtown Sacramento, North Natomas, North Sacramento, Oak Park, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sacramento, Tahoe Park, the UCD Med Center, the Pocket, West Sacramento, Woodlake, and even Woodland.
Foreclosures (also called REOs or bank-owned properties) represent some of the best deals in the local real estate market. Still not sure how to buy a foreclosure property? You can and review a glossary of terms, plus request additional info and get new foreclosure listings as they become available.
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Auburn, Carmichael, Central, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Galt, Gold River, Granite Bay, Greenhaven, Laguna, Land Park, Lincoln, Lodi, Meadowview, Midtown, Modesto, Natomas Park, North Highlands, North Natomas, North Sac, Oak Park, Orangevale, Pocket, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, Rio Linda, River Park, Rocklin, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Southport, Stockton, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, West Sac, Woodland
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:52 AM,
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Choosing a REALTOR® in the Curtis Park area
Saturday, April 5, 2008
When choosing a REALTOR® to help you buy or sell a home or other property in the area, there's good news: you have options. With membership within the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® at more than 7,000 real estate professionals* (though this includes lenders, title and escrow professionals, and other affiliates), you the consumer have more options than ever when it comes to selecting a real estate agent. So how do you choose?
I. Select a knowledgeable professional who understands your needs
Looking for a Curtis Park homes? You probably don't want a real estate agent whose focus is on vacant agricultural land. Ask questions. How well does he know the area? How familiar is he with current market conditions in the area? With the type of property you're looking for? I'm a fourth generation Sacramentan and host the largest weekly forum of its kind for real estate professionals within the greater Sacramento area.
II. Buyers: Choose an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
If you're a buyer, one way to make sure you're receiving expert representation is to select an Accredited Buyer Representative or ABR. ABRs are professionals who've been certified by the Real Estate Buyers Advisory Council (REBAC) through advanced education and training and have met the council's criteria—and this is the only buyer representation credential recognized by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®. There are only 34 ABR designees** in Sacramento County despite association membership numbering more than 7,000. I'm proud to be an Accredited Buyer Representative and have been since 2006.
III. Sellers: Choose a REALTOR® with a comprehensive marketing plan
In an ever-changing real estate market, it's not enough to put a sign in the ground and post a listing on the MLS. Make sure your real estate agent has a comprehensive marketing plan that's tailored to your property. Ask for details about that marketing plan? What does your REALTOR® have to offer that will help your property stand out in a crowded marketplace? I offer my sellers the unparalleled access to the right buyers through the largest local network of neighborhood- and property-specific real estate websites: and I'm the only agent who can offer this.
This includes regional sites such as ForSaleinSacramento.com, ForSaleinRoseville.com, ForSaleinElkGrove.com, ForSaleinWestSac.com, and ForSaleinCitrusHeights.com; smaller neighborhood-specific sites such as ForSaleinDowntown.com, ForSaleinMidtown.com, ForSaleinEastSac.com, ForSaleinLandPark.com, and ForSaleinArden.com; property-specific sites including SacramentoCondoLiving.com, MidtownLoftLiving.com, and SacramentoGreenProperties.com; and even project-specific sites like SutterBrownstones.com,
RiverfrontPlazaCondos.com, 1600H.com, and 800JSt.com. And this is just a sample of my own personal websites and doesn't include the video, viral marketing, mailings, or network of independent resources I use to market listings!
IV. Talk to people you trust and ask for referrals
"Rob was great. He was very patient in dealing with questions and quirks."
-Marlis R. (home buyer in Elk Grove)
"Thanks for doing such a great job. You guys are awesome!! I appreciate being kept informed..."
-Reiko M. (condo seller Downtown)
"Dear Mr. McMartin, I want you to know how much I appreciate Rob McQuade. He is an excellent Realtor and also a good person. He was aware of every detail along the way, he took the initiative to keep in close contact so I would stay informed. He was so competent and knowledgeable. I don't know how he managed to be so professional while also being understanding and patient. His judgment and advice on pricing the house, improvements needed to sell quickly and fairly was impeccable. I could not have had a better REALTOR® and I was so pleased with not only the end result, but the entire process. Thank you."
-Jeanne N. (home seller in East Sac/McKinley)
* According to the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® as of April 2008.
** According to the Real Estate Buyers Advisory Council (REBAC) website as of April 2008.
Labels: Anatolia, Arden, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Galt, Land Park, Lodi, Midtown, Modesto, Natomas Park, North Highlands, Old Sac, Regency Park, Sacramento, Southport, Stockton, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:39 PM,
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Sacramento's bungalow heritage & "Bungalow Row"
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Arts & Crafts Movement in architectural design came to Downtown and Midtown Sacramento at the turn of the 20th century. The period between 1900 and 1920 welcomed a new housing type in central city homes: the bungalow. Characterized by their porches and open floorplans, bungalow styles include the Craftsman, California Bungalow, and Praire, the bungalow marked a more casual and open style in homes after the Victorian era rigid formality.
Some of these bungalows are still scattered throughout the central city, but Midtown has a wonderful concentration of them. Drive down Q Street and as you reach the 2500 block you'll see to the left what's affectionately referred to locally as "bungalow row"—an entire block of beautifully maintained bungalows.
These California Bungalows pop up in surrounding areas, and a few are currently for sale within a couple blocks of "bungalow row". Take a look at Coldwell Banker-Dunnigan's listing at 1615 26th St, which just came on the market. Both it and it's neighbor across the street, 1616 26th St listed by Lyon, were built in 1910, as was the Prairie Bungalow at 1514 23rd St that was just recently listed for sale by Keller Williams.
At the opposite end of Midtown in Boulevard Park, Lyon has 427 21st St and 328 22nd St for sale, which were built in 1908 and 1920 respectively.
For more information about Sacramento bungalows, check out an introduction Sacramento Bungalow Heritage Association founding member Kerry Phillips' has written, "What is a Bungalow?"
While these aren't the only bungalow homes for sale in Downtown and Midtown, they give you a good idea of the variety of homes you can find in the bungalow style in these neighborhoods. Looking for a bungalow to call your own? Give me a call at (916) 444-7577.
"A bungalow nourishes the needs of our souls."
-Ted Wells, John T. Greene House
-Ted Wells, John T. Greene House
Labels: bungalows, Central, Craftsman, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Fair Oaks, Land Park, listings, Midtown, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, real estate, Sacramento Bungalow Heritage Association, UCD Med Center, Woodlake
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:02 PM,
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New form makes loan terms easier to understand
Sunday, March 30, 2008
It's not often that I can thank the federal government for simplifying things, but the proposed Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form released by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) turns what once read like stereo instructions—sometimes missing stereo instructions—into a much clearer picture of what you can expect from your home loan.
HUD's new, four-page Good Faith Estimate (you can preview it in PDF format here) more clearly explains to a prospective borrower the terms of the financing they may be committing to. While it still remains an estimate, the GFE now spells out which terms a) may not change, b) may change by not more than 10%, and c) may change prior to closing—and does so in plain English.
The new form doesn't solve all the problems a borrower can face, but it increases transparency and makes it easier to compare apples to apples—the rates, fees, and other costs being charged by various lenders.
Watch for the new form soon, and take the opportunity to ask your lender questions. Information is power!
Labels: Anatolia, Antelope, Arden, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Elk Grove, Galt, Land Park, Lodi, Midtown, Modesto, Natomas Park, North Highlands, Old Sac, Regency Park, Roseville, Sacramento, Southport, Stockton, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:46 AM,
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