As I walk my neighborhood, I continue to be intrigued by the architecture. I am currently looking to replace my own front door and love to get ideas from what others have in place or have replaced.
Here are some snap shots of ones that caught my eye (but are not necessarily ones I’d pick for my own home).
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Curtis Park, Local
Tagged Architecture, Buyer, buyers, 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
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 love to pay attention to the establishments in my neighborhood, especially those that are doing good work and helping people. On a typical day there will be several blind people who stroll down my street with confidence and a positive demeanor.
Here’s a little background for those who were curious like me….
Formed in 1953 and has been at it’s present site since 1967! Society for the Blind was born in 1953 when a group of Adult Blind from Sacramento County formed an association to open a center where blind and visually impaired people could meet and interact with one another. On October 14, 1954 the Sacramento Valley Center for the Blind was incorporated.
While the original intent of the Center was to provide a congregating space for blind and low vision people in the Sacramento area, by the early 70’s the name had changed from “Center for the Blind” to “Society for the Blind” and a new vision had been established. The new vision included providing life and job skills training, counseling, and access to help and tools for the thousands of blind and visually impaired people in Sacramento and the surrounding areas.
In 1970, the Society launched the Self-Reliance Institute, an eight-week summer program designed to meet the unique needs of blind and visually impaired teenagers. This program helped over 200 teenagers make an easier transition to school, work, and independent living.
In October 1975 the Society established one of the first low-vision clinics in Northern California. This enhanced the value of the Society by providing services for a greater number of people.
In 1978, the Senior Self-Reliance Program was launched. Now called the Senior Intensive Retreat, this program has given hundreds of blind seniors the chance to learn daily living skills through a committed, supportive program.
In 1982, funded by a grant from the Delta Gamma Alumnae, the Aids to Independence Store was formed. This store has hundreds of tools — from white canes to cooking tools to talking watches — to help blind and low vision people with everyday living.
In the late 1990’s, Society for the Blind received a government grant which enabled the development of California Access News. This is a service where Californians can call a computerized service that provides them with information such as newspaper and magazine articles, local news, and movie and television listings.
A government grant early in the new century helped the Society to establish the Career Development Program. This program gives working-age blind people access to training, counseling and job-seeking assistance, allowing them to enter and maintain their positions in the working world.
Services include, but are not limited to:
1. Orientation and Mobility
2. Braille Instruction
3. Daily Living Skills
4. Adapted Computer Skills
5. Low vision clinic
6. Senior and youth programs
7. Career development program
[Information taken from Society for the Blind’s website. For a more in-depth look, go to www.societyfortheblind.org ]
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
There is just something special about a unique front door. Nowadays, most suburban
developments push the garage to the front and restrict social activities to the privacy of the back yard. The front porch, the door, the vestibule were all attributes of a different era for which many now long. A door that says “Welcome!” Or one that speak of intrigue and curiosity, as if to say, “If you think this is interesting, wait until you see what’s inside.”
Just one of the many awesome front doors and homes in my neighborhood (Curtis Park, Sacramento)
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Curtis Park, Local
Tagged Buyer, buying, Curtis Park, First time home buyer, Real Estate, Realtor, Sacramento
It’s always great to see things happening in our neck of the woods. Business thriving, homes restored, and new things coming to life all around us. The local women’s gym, Figure 8, seems to be a big hit. For the last month they have been undergoing a face lift, redoing their storefront and perhaps reconfiguring the entrance. This renovation should be an attractive upgrade to the already thriving neighborhood.
Stay tuned for the finished product.
Enjoy,
Keith Klassen
Real Estate Broker
Posted in Curtis Park, Local Real Estate News
Tagged Curtis Park, fun, Local, Real Estate, 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
Sacramento Real Estate Reflections 