I driven by this institution for years and always admired the architecture, but never really knew much about it. The Sacramento Children’s Home has actually been serving the community since 1867! What was going on in this neighborhood at that time (see the Curtis Park history post)?
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen – Real Estate Broker
916.669.9030
Posted in Curtis Park, Local, Valuable Information
Tagged advice, Buyer, buyers, buying, Curtis Park, Local, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
I was at Costco. and saw that they carry dual flush toilets now – I was shocked. And for 80 bucks! I don’t know if it’s any good or not, since I’ve seen them sell in the past for at least $200 and up.
I recently had a conversation with another real estate agent, relaying how one of my clients who rehabilitates homes, puts dual flush toilets in them. The agent had never heard of a dual flush toilet. While they are not new, it’s interesting how few people are aware of them and to see Costco. getting in the game. I guess if they can sell a billion of them and there is a buck to be made… I’ve always thought that things like this need to be main stream for great impact to be made. I hope everyone buys one or several and has them installed in their homes.
Oh, and now that our water is being metered in Sacramento, all the more reason to conserve.
Check out how these toilets function. Also, watch the video on the link – good stuff to remember.
[note: toilet pictured above is not the one they sell at Costco.]
Cheers,
Keith Klassen
Posted in Home Buying, Real Estate, Valuable Information
Tagged advice, Buyer, buyers, buying, Environment, First time home buyer, Green, Investing, investors, Questions, Real Estate, Realtor
Old Sugar Mill – 2/20/10 [I love the way this snap shot I took came out, after adding a little sepia action]
On the way back from our excursion to Consumnes River Preserve, we decided to drive through Hood (yes, there is a town with this name, note just a slang term for a bad neighborhood) and “jump” over the river to Clarksburg to check out the Old Sugar Mill. I’ve heard about this place and know that some pretty decent grapes and wine come out of the area (Bogle‘s petite syrah is one of my favorites! Big band for the buck).
I will definitely be going back without the boys to do some wine tasting – I heard it’s free?
Has anyone tasted the wine offerings? Which do you like?
Cheers,
Keith Klassen
Posted in Culture and Local Happenings, Local
Tagged advice, Happenings, Local, Real Estate, Sacramento, Things to do in Sacramento
The Consumnes River Preserve is actually in north Galt… it only took us about 15-20 minutes to drive there from the downtown Sacramento area. We were looking for something to do outdoors with the kids on this Saturday. I Googled “‘nature walks” and this caught my attention. We packed a picnic and ate at the visitor center before we set out on the walk. The visitor center had helpful “rangers” (not sure what their official title is, but they were cool and jumped right in and showed the boys around and told about the different things to do). 
I love the note above the picture – Please Touch! This is the kind of exhibit I like.
All in all, a peaceful day and a nice, close get-away with the family. Oh and did I mention, it’s free!
Here are some other snap shots (below) I took while on the River Walk.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Posted in Culture and Local Happenings, Uncategorized
Tagged advice, fun, Happenings, Local, Sacramento, Things to do in Sacramento
I hesitated to post this, but the world needs to know about good beer (and it’s Saturday). I was at the Shack (check out my review on Yelp) yesterday afternoon with a few friends and might have found my favorite beer ever….. Trappist Rochefort 8! OH YEAH! The monks sure know how to make beer and it was a religious experience. Beer Advocate also gives it an A+.
High end beer is now very comparable to wine in its complexity and nuance. It’s exciting to see several places in Sacramento, like the Shack and Pangaea stepping up to the plate in the world of Belgian beers.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Now IS the time to buy. This is no secret. Let me show you quickly a few real examples of deals that I’ve closed.
Exmaple 1:
Use to pay $1300 in rent for a 3 bedroom home.
– Purchase Price $125,000; 3.5% downpayment (FHA loan); will get $8,000 tax incentive from government
– 3 bedroom 1 bath home; B- area (not the best area, but not terrible); complete remodel with new roof, HVAC, water heater,kitchen and bathroom, flooring, windows, fireplace (all new!) and more. It has a large 2 car garage.
– Monthly payment including principle, interest, tax and insurance, and PMI = ~$950/month!
They are saving money for buyer vs. renting, plus they will not have huge tax write offs AND $8,000 to buy whatever they want.
Example 2:
Another buyer did the same thing on a $130,000 home it the same area – this home needed a little work, but qualified for FHA financing. This was a 4 bedroom 2 bath home.
[the pictures posted are the actual homes]
There are still great deals out there for those serious about buying.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Home Buying
Tagged advice, Bank Owned, Buyer, buyers, buying, First time home buyer, Foreclosure, investors, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
I’m writing about these homes for two reasons: 1) I just got into contract on one for a client; 2) Solar is awesome.
Here’s the deal:
– New Home! Ten year warranty on structure and solar; Two year warranty on plumbing and electrical; One year warranty on everything else.
– Solar! The say that the power bills can be on average $20-40 / month. Low power users actually get paid, as they sell back the power that they do not use!
– My client is paying under $225K for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home that is about 1500 square feet. Granite counter tops, good standards, and attractive finishes.
– Incentives! $8000 from the government as the home will be ready by the end of June. $5000 from Smud for solar panels. $6000 plus from the builder to pay for closing costs!
– Decent location, especially since my client works in this area; good resale value due to the solar; Parents approval… the list goes on. Check out the builder’s website. They mention cows across the way in their disclosures – ha ha ha .
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Home Buying
Tagged advice, Architecture, Buyer, buyers, buying, Environment, First time home buyer, Investing, investors, Questions, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
I learn something new everyday. Last week one of my clients had a home inspected on which they made an offer. Everything seemed to be going smoothly… then he dropped this bomb on us. ” The heater is a consolidated type with NOx RODS.” The rest of us looked at each other blankly. “This type of furnace has been recalled because it is know to combust and burned people homes down” – just what the client wants to hear! From a sales point of view, this could be a deal- killer. From a safety standpoint, this could save people’s lives.
Do an internet search on Nox Rods and you will be amazed at the long list of warnings. For us, I was able to negotiate with the seller to hire an HVAC specialist to give this unit a “good bill of health” and their stamp of approval, since not all Nox Rod furnaces are created equal. If not safe, they said that they would replace it. Also it re-enforces the premise, just because homes are sold “as-is” and the seller states up front that they will do no repairs… “health and safety” always trumps that rigmarole.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Valuable Information
Tagged advice, Buyer, buyers, buying, First time home buyer, Foreclosure, home inspection, Investing, investors, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
While this is almost completely unrelated to real estate, I just had to add a category for my food, beverage and restaurant review. This is my blog, right! So focus can some time go out the window. I’m in the habit of taking a picture of a plate of food or bottle that I’ve enjoyed and want to remember.
About a week ago my family ambled over to Orphan in East Sacramento one Saturday morning. I read the Yelp
reviews and wanted to experience it for myself. Orphan is a breakfast joint that took over the formal Moxie Jr. location (Moxie’s [the original] is one of our favorites for an upscale dinner). Orphan is owned by the same folks as Tupelo Coffee, which is part of the Naked Coffee Roasting Co.
I’m not sure if this picture looks appetizing, but it was soooo good going down. It was an artichoke heart, tomato scramble thingie, with fresh baked bread. Oh, and if you are a coffee lover… their coffee blew my doors off. I mean, at first the whole spiel about how they brew each cup special, etc., etc…. I was like, yeah whatever, just give me the coffee! Then to drink this nectar of the gods… put it this way, I bought a pound to take home.
Go check it out.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Local Eats
Tagged advice, Food and Beverage, fun, Happenings, Real Estate, Sacramento
I ha
ve landed in a place where I am selling a few of the properties I own, in a short sale position. It seems like a year ago there would have been ridicule and maybe a little pity for those poor folks who find themselves in this situation. I struggled to come to grips with this reality and felt some remorse. Now we all know someone who is facing foreclosure, being “upside-down,” late on their mortgage payments, or trying to short sell their home.
Short sales may currently comprise up to 75% of the market right now. All arrows are pointing to 2010 to be the year of short sales. Supposedly banks are getting government incentives and getting a clue in general. Oppose to letting these homes foreclose, a short sale is now the most workable route for both the owners and banks. Personally I’ve had successes with short sale at the end of last year and one already this year, which has changed my demeanor toward them. Now I trudge through the grueling process of pushing my own properties through.
I met with an agent and his buyer at my 4-plex that is up for short sale yesterday. After handing me the offer we discussed the short sale process. The other agent commented, “They should be called long sales, not short sales!” For the most part, very true. I just closed one that took the bank 4 months to approve. While another one that I listed got approval in 1 week! I still stand in unbelief. I just contacted an agent representing a short sale property, where they had a buyer waiting for ….. 15 months!!!! before they said, “Uh, this is ridiculous! We’re outta here! [my conjecture]”
I hold my breath and wait to see how my own experience will transpire.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Short Sale
Tagged advice, Buyer, buyers, buying, Foreclosure, Questions, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento, Short Sale
Sacramento Real Estate Reflections 