Downtown & Midtown Sacramento - Rob McQuade ABR

Can condo culture and loft living thrive in Sacramento? In a word: Yes.

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:17:13 -0500

"Can condo culture and loft living thrive in Sacramento? In a word: Yes."
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Downtown & Midtown Sacramento Real Estate

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... View the rest of the post here.

Sales at the Sutter Brownstones moving briskly

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:05:36 -0500

"Sales at the Sutter Brownstones moving briskly"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Midtown Sacramento Real Estate

A month ago I announced that LoftWorks had released pricing for the Sutter Brownstones. Slow real estate market? In the month since that announcement more than half a dozen of the 28 East Coast-style brownstone units are in contract, and among those reported to be buying are city manager Ray Kerridge who came to us from a stint putting Portland on the map as a hot urban hub. Now selected units at the Sutter Brownstones are available online. For anyone on the fence, I think these units offer just about the best combination of price, location, design, and amenities. In fact, the only complaint I've had from clients is the size of the garages and the fact that the HOA's low fees means a larger portion of each unit's maintenance is left up to the... View the rest of the post here.

What's happening in the Sacramento market?

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:56:49 -0500

"What's happening in the Sacramento market?"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento Real Estate

I just had a great exchange on a real estate forum with a professional in the East Bay asking about the Sacramento market:

Q. Can anyone answer this general question, in regards to Sacramento?

Where are you seeing all the action, in terms of sales, and reduced listings? Is there a particular area, or price range, or type of home? I know this is a broad question, just looking for some insight into the Sac market.... From an outsider...

A. If your question is "what's selling?" then there are a couple answers.

Bank-owned properties. The investors are coming back and they're looking for deals. In many cases, the best deal (on paper) is going to be a foreclosure listing. MLS statistics have been showing that single family homes priced under $250K are leading the local market in activity.

Established neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods never go out of style locally. The best parts of Sacramento—Land Park, East Sac, Arden Park, Fair Oaks—always seem to hold up well, even when the market is down. Many of these neighborhoods don't have a ton of inventory (sellers aren't selling if they don't need to), but there continue to be a lot of buyers looking to "get in".

The urban core. Downtown and Midtown are back in style as more single professionals, young couples, and empty-nesters are looking to be close to everything. Commuting is out, walking/biking to work is in. Proximity to shopping, dining, entertainment, and employment make these areas popular—and the number of new projects that are selling and the fact that huge price declines haven't hit these neighborhoods show that demand remains.

If your question is "where are the deals?" then there's a slightly different answer.

A lot of traditional "first-time homebuyer" and "new investor" neighborhoods have seen dramatic price declines. I'm seeing bank-owned properties on the market for under $100K in areas like Oak Park (95817), North Sac (95815), and ... View the rest of the post here.

Sacramento's bungalow heritage & "Bungalow Row"

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:32:59 -0500

"Sacramento's bungalow heritage & 'Bungalow Row'"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Midtown Sacramento Real Estate

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... View the rest of the post here.

New form makes loan terms easier to understand

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:15:33 -0500

"New form makes loan terms easier to understand"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento Real Estate

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... View the rest of the post here.

"For Sale By Owner" Sheraton going to developers Taylor, CIM

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:19:13 -0500

"For Sale By Owner" Sheraton going to developers Taylor, CIM

by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Downtown Sacramento Real Estate

It seems David Taylor is the golden child of Downtown Sacramento development these days. During a time when grandiose projects like John Saca's Towers and Craig Nassi's Aura Condos hit the skids, Taylor's U.S. Bank Tower at 6th & Capitol Mall seems to be the only highrise project that has come out of the ground in the last two years on the grid. We've seen some smaller but key successes in the L Street Lofts and 1801 L (both by Sotiris Kolokotronis) as well as the 1600 H Lofts (from Habitat's Jeff Kraft), but the big buildings that define a city's skyline are a sore subject for Sacramento. It's almost no surprise, then, that the City of Sacramento is fast-tracking sale of the city-owned Sheraton Grand Hotel (and garage) to David Taylor and his partner in the transaction, CIM Group. In addition to the U.S. Bank Tower, Taylor has built projects that include the New City Hall expansion and 1201 K Street. CIM Group of ... View the rest of the post here.

Only YOU can prevent neighborhood explosions

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:09:58 -0500

"Only YOU can prevent neighborhood explosions"

by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento Real Estate

I just got word from a friend in Minneapolis about an explosion a couple blocks from her home. The cause? A portion of the gas line in a vacant home was damaged by copper thieves stripping out wiring. With the recent climb in foreclosures here in Sacramento, more homes are sitting vacant than ever before—making an accident like the one in Minneapolis possible. If you notice any suspicious activity in a home that is vacant or has a "bank-owned" or "foreclosure" real estate sign ... View the rest of the post here.

March 29th: Test drive a fuel-cell vehicle with CaFCP

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:12:09 -0500

"March 29th: Test drive a fuel-cell vehicle with CaFCP"

by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
West Sacramento Real Estate

Ever wonder what driving a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle is like? This weekend you'll have a chance to take one for a test drive at the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) open house in West Sacramento. The CaFCP will be giving tours of their West Sac operations—a global partnership of more than 30 car makers, energy providers, fuel-cell technology companies, and government agencies—and... View the rest of the post here.

April 20th: Sacramento Earth Day 2008

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:58:39 -0500

"April 20th: Sacramento Earth Day 2008"

by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Downtown Sacramento Real Estate

Sacramento once again thinks globally and acts locally at the 2008 Earth Day celebration, being held this year at Southside Park at 8th & W downtown. The event is being held on Sunday, April 20th, from 11am to 6pm and will be the focus of weeks of "green" events before and after (including World Earth Day on Tuesday the 22nd). Leading up to the event are several walking tours emphasizing green... View the rest of the post here.

Pricing is out for the Sutter Brownstones

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:12:16 -0500

"Pricing is out for the Sutter Brownstones"

by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Midtown Sacramento Real Estate

It's taken me a couple days to post the real numbers to make sure the information was meant to be public, but I confirmed with Mollie at LoftWorks that pricing for the Sutter Brownstones will be from $369,000 to $590,000 for the three-story townhomes—which strikes me as a great price for new construction in a prime location like this one, especially compared to the more than $500/sq.ft. that several Downtown and Midtown loft projects are listed for. The floorplans range from 1,119 square feet to 1,986 square feet, with the largest unit including a separate studio on the ground floor with its own kitchen, bath, and... View the rest of the post here.

A local plan for sustainability

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:58:01 -0500

A local plan for sustainability

by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

In December the City of Sacramento adopted its first Sustainability Master Plan, but the real step toward making Sacramento a truly sustainable city came this week with the adoption of the 2008 Sustainability Implementation Plan. You can view it as a PDF here... View the rest of the post here.

Green on F

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:53:29 -0500

Green on F

Nine on F: The Greenest Homes in Sacramento.

It was late summer 2007 when I first heard about a big "green" residential project that was being built downtown in the Alkali Flats neighborhood. I was a bit cautious at first because so many businesses had begun jumping on the "green" bandwagon and were touting any energy efficient, environmentally friendly features they could attach to their... View the rest of the post here.

A Tale of Two Towers on Capitol Mall

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:45:58 -0500

"A Tale of Two Towers on Capitol Mall"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

Even before work stopped on the Towers site in January and John Saca confirmed in February that the developer had defaulted on a $22 million loan, a lot of people had their doubts about Sacramento being able to sustain a project of this magnitude. As new obstacles popped up and CalPERS proved to be less than willing to negotiate a buyout, the storm cloud darkened.

Late in March a letter from Saca to the future homeowners at the Towers confirmed what had been hinted at: a new equity partner was being sought (most likely to replace CalPERS). The letter also included an addendum that restated the contract dates to be effective May 1. The team handling the sales is now chasing those addenda down.

Saca will probably release a statement in the next couple days to stave off the media's requests for updates and all the swirling rumors that pop up in the space between official announcements. In that expected statement: John Saca and his partners have secured a new equity partner to replace CalPERS, the Deutsche Bank funding remains in place, and the project will move forward. Keep your ears to the ground... ♦

Links

The Towers on Capitol Mall

Schwarzenegger is "The Transit Terminator"

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:29:24 -0500

"Schwarzenegger is 'The Transit Terminator'"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

The Sacramento Bee's Tony Bizjak continues discussion today on the Governor's plans to cut statewide public transit spending by $1.1 billion.

From the article: Mark Hill of the Department of Finance (speaking on behalf of the Guv) dismissed transit as "only 2 to 3 percent of all travel in this state," but neglected to point out the fact that 37% of commuters daily use transit within San Francisco and the East Bay, and 13% of commuters into Downtown Sacramento are using transit.

And all this just months after a November election in which the Governor was heavily promoting Proposit 1B, argued as a means to jump-start "traffic relief, mass transit, and safety improvements in every corner of the state without raising taxes."

The Governor talks about wanting California to go green, but he's now pushing to divert funds away from transit and toward massive road-building. That just doesn't add up. ♦

Links

"RT Chief Dismayed at funds plan" -- By Tony Bizjack

Real Estate Trends - Downtown & Midtown (February 2007)

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:25:47 -0500

"Real Estate Trends - Downtown & Midtown (February 2007)"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

The Sacramento Bee reported that February's year-over-year real estate sales figures for the Sacramento area show continued decline, with an 18.6% decrease in the number of homes sold in February 2007 compared with the same period in 2006. The good news is that the report, based upon published information from La Jolla-based DataQuick Information Systems, shows a median sales price decline of only 1.4% from the previous year.

DataQuick's findings, based upon single-family detached resale homes closing escrow, paint a different picture for the central city. Downtown (95814) saw one less home sell in February 2007 over the previous (which, with only four sales in the ZIP Code, appeared as a 20% decline) but the median resale price of $406,500 was an increase of almost 19% over the year before. Midtown (95816, which also includes a portion of East Sac and around McKinley) saw twice as many detached single-family homes selling this year over last year (a 100% increase over the 6 that sold in February 2006) and a 12.4% increase in median resale price, to $506,500. The Downtown and Midtown neighborhoods in 95818 (which also includes Land Park and Curtis Park) saw 25 homes sell in February (an increase of 47.1% over the previous year) and a median resale price of $499,000 that was 20.4% higher than the year before.

One key factor in these numbers is that central city neighborhoods typically have a higher number of attached homes, condos, and other resale dwellings that are not considered "single-family detached". These home sales are not calculated in the trends. ♦

Links

Friday night concerts in the park are back May 4th

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:28:05 -0500

"Friday night concerts in the park are back May 4th"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

Hey, Sacramento's summertime mainstay is back: Friday night concerts in the park at Cesar Chavez Plaza (10th & J across from Sacramento's City Hall) start up again on May 4th. Concerts begin at 5pm and go 'til 9pm or so, and several local bars and restaurants are offering discounts afterwards to those with wristbands. ♦

Links

REDUCED to $339,000 - Spacious 2Br, 2Ba downtown condo move-in ready

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:48:31 -0600

Immaculate spacious 2Br, 2Ba, 1400 sq. ft. downtown condo at Riverfront Plaza Condos (200 P Street)

Reduced to $339,000
"NO HASSLE" 24-hour recorded information at (877) 444-7879

I love working with conscientious condo sellers who take excellent care of their homes. Compared to other available units in this community, C-34 both shows beautifully and is priced $40K below the competition.

New appliances in the kitchen and new carpet throughout weren't enough, the sellers decided to pay $30,000 to upgrade the balcony with an enclosure that makes it feel more like part of the living room--an atrium-style view of the treeline--and adds to the already very livable 1400 sq. ft. of space.

The clean kitchen features newer appliancesThe contemporary kitchen opens up to the dining room and living room.

The open living room is great space for entertaining or relaxing at homeThe open living room flows out to the enclosed balcony.

The enclosed balcony area is like an extension of the main living areaThe owners added the balcony enclosure at a cost of approximately $30,000.

The dining room and living room combine to form a great room--perfect for entertainingThe dining area opens up to the living room to form one large "great room".

The condo is located at the west end of the community and is on the third (and uppermost) floor--the area closest to the Sacramento river, for which Riverfront Plaza is named. The 91-condo community located across the street from the Crocker Art Museum was built in the early '80s and features secure access, underground parking, amenities such as tennis courts and pools, a tree-lined view, and more. This community is ideal for downtown workers, those looking for the convenience of nearby shopping, dining, and entertainment, and anyone who is looking for privacy in an urban setting.

If you have questions, please give me a call. I'd be glad to take you on a tour of this great condo and the rest of the community at 200 P Street!

Rob McQuade, ABR, REALTOR®
McMartin Realty
2031 K St Ste 100
Sacramento, CA 95814-4216

Tel (916) 444-7577 or Toll Free (866) 720-CITY (2489)
Fax (916) 444-7977

On the web at http://www.RobMcQuade.com/
Visit my blog at http://www.CentralCityGuy.com/

You can email me at Rob@RobMcQuade.com ♦

» Please note that all information provided is per the owners/sellers.

Maybe Sacramento Home Prices Aren't So Bad...

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:28:20 -0600

"Maybe Sacramento Home Prices Aren't So Bad..."
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

For many first-time homebuyers trying to break into the Sacramento housing market over the last few years it has been more than a bit stressful.

With high-end homes in areas like the East Sac neighborhood around McKinley Park and in the "Fab 40s", parts of Land Park, riverfront properties along American River Drive, and modern Downtown high-rise condos yet to be built pushing--and often going well over--$500 per square foot, even move-up buyers can feel their hearts flutter.

But at $335,000 USD for just 77 square feet of living space (and that's without electrical or heating), one closet-sized London home ›› can be yours for just over $4,340 per square foot.

Good thing London is known for its mild winters, eh? ♦

» If you're curious about local home prices, you can always search the MLS by clicking the link "Search Home on the MLS" at http://www.centralcityguy.com/. If you're more than just curious and ready to buy, give Rob a call at (916) 444-7577.
» As always, you can email Rob here.

Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
McMartin Realty - Sacramento CA Real Estate
2031 K St Ste 100
Sacramento, CA 95814-4216

Tel (916) 444-7577 or Toll Free (866) 720-CITY (2489)
Fax (916) 444-7977

On the web at http://www.RobMcQuade.com/
Visit my blog at http://www.CentralCityGuy.com/

You can email me at Rob@RobMcQuade.com

LJUrban & Newton Booth: Sustainability in Motion

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:33:15 -0600

"LJUrban & Newton Booth: Sustainability in Motion"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

Sacramento has many walkable urbane neighborhoods, but in Midtown--the granddaddy of walkability in the region--the core issue becomes preserving local history and the fabric of the community while meeting the needs of growth, sustainability, and quality of life.

More and more people are returning to some of Sacramento's oldest neighbors, choosing livability over square footage and lively variety over, well, shades of beige. Certainly the trend towards larger and larger homes over the past decades has been driven by market "wants", but we're now seeing a generation--my generation--that feels fewer ties to the Leave-It-To-Beaver suburban vision and more of a desire to steer clear of the grinding car-based existence of its parents.

And smart developers are paying attention.

In the Newton Booth neighborhood (the southeast section of Midtown adjacent to Poverty Ridge), local eco-urban and sustainability-minded developer LJUrban has been hammering out the details and working through the approval process on what is shaping up to be the next generation of projects that the wildly popular Metro Square on the north side of Midtown helped lead the way toward.

Not Just the Color of Money

A lot of people talk about going "green" but what does being or going green entail? The ideals are relatively straightforward: conserving energy, preserving natural resources, improving sustainability, and maintaining open space.

Developers are finding more ways to do this. Open space is conserved by building a smaller "footprint" (the built-up portion of land) and adding height to achieve similar space. Energy is conserved at the structural level in attached housing and common walls use fewer resources, improved photovoltaic cells make harnessing solar energy cheaper and easier so that fewer coal- and gas-powered energy sources are needed, and more energy-efficient appliances are being installed with the understanding that a up-front cost is mitigated by the energy savings over time.

Unlike in paved-over areas--you know, those areas covered entirely by roads and buildings--new projects are being built to allow water to return to the ground through openings and in greenbelts instead of running off to streams and rivers where it is lost. While I don't know exactly what the LJUrban crew has in mind, I'm willing to bet at least a few of these features will be a part of the Newton Booth project.

Why? Because it's the right thing to do. ♦

» You can visit the LJUrban website here ››.
» As always, you can email Rob here.

A House Without an Address

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:09:49 -0600

"A House Without an Aaddress"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

If all goes well, you might see a 92-year-old house drive by you in the coming months. (Suddenly pedicabs and horse-drawn carriages don't seem so strange, eh?)

Super-swell and ultra-eco-urban local developer LJUrban ›› is looking for a home for, well, a home. The house in question, built in 1915 by A.G. Tremoureaux for J. Johnson, sits near the corner of 27th & V Streets in the Midtown neighborhood of Newton Booth.

"But why," you ask, "is the house being moved?"

LJUrban is in the planning and pre-construction phase of an especially exciting multi-unit attached housing project in Newton Booth (our neighbors across the street, David Mogavero and Craig Stradley of Mogavero Notestine Associates ›› architects, have been getting their hands dirty with the LJUrban crew on this and other projects). Rather than simply demolishing the structure--something that has happened all too many times in the central city--Levi Benkert and his amazing team are doing what they can to preserve the neighborhood "chi" by saving what others would dismiss as an old, unremarkable structure.

Thanks, LJUrbanites! ♦

» You can visit the LJUrban website here ›› and Mogavero Notestine Associates here ››.
» You can find out more about the Newton Booth project here ›› or join LJUrban's email mailing list here ››.
» As always, you can email Rob here.

Sacramento's Central City Real Estate Roundup - January 19th, 2007

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:24:16 -0600

"Sacramento's Central City Real Estate Roundup - January 19th, 2007"
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

SOLD! Residential and multi-family real estate closings in Sacramento's Central City and surrounding neighborhoods for the week ending January 19, 2007:

$262,000 - 3316 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817 (Oak Park)
     2-4Br, 2Ba, 1,194 sq. ft. home built in 1920

$329,000 - 5241 V St, Sacramento, CA 95817 (Elmhurst)
     2Br, 1Ba, 1,102 sq. ft. home built in 1940

$379,000 - 1650 51st St, Sacramento, CA 95819 (East Sac)
     2Br, 1Ba, 947 sq. ft. home built in 1941

$389,000 - 5500 D St, Sacramento, CA 95819 (East Sac)
     2Br, 1Ba, 888 sq. ft. home built in 1946

$392,500 - 3096 24th St, Sacramento, CA 95818 (Curtis Park)
     2Br, 1Ba, 1,048 sq. ft. home built in 1926

$420,000 - 3990 E. Pacific Ave, Sacramento, CA 95820 (South Curtis Park)
     3-4Br, 2Ba, 1,912 sq. ft. home built in 1917

$675,000 - 1178 4th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818 (Land Park)
     3Br, 2Ba, 1,683 sq. ft. home built in 1934

$800,000 - 1812 11th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818 (Land Park)
     3Br, 2Ba, 1,904 sq. ft. home built in 1927

For information on properties available for sale, Search the MLS ››. ♦

» Disclaimer: Intended for informational purposes only. These properties were not necessarily listed or sold by Rob McQuade or McMartin Realty.
» As always, you can email Rob here.

Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
McMartin Realty - Sacramento Real Estate
2031 K St Ste 100
Sacramento, CA 95814-4216

Tel (916) 444-7577 or Toll Free (866) 720-CITY (2489)
Fax (916) 444-7977

On the web at http://www.RobMcQuade.com/
Visit my blog at http://www.CentralCityGuy.com/

You can email me at Rob@RobMcQuade.com

Every Real Estate Professional Should Have a Toll-Free Number!

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 17:08:01 -0600

Every Real Estate Professional Should Have a Toll-Free Number!
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

It's easy to justify using a plain ol' local number--maybe even just your cell phone number--when marketing yourself on business cards and in advertising. Heck, most people seem to use email as a major communication tool anyway, right? And, well, just about everyone using a cell phone can make long distance calls at no extra cost...

I agree, for most day-to-day marketing a local number is fine. Having said that, here's why I recommend that every real estate professional have their own toll-free number:

1. You look like a business. You are a business, right? I mean, you conduct business and you have clients and customers. It's a level of professionalism that can set you apart from others.

2. It will help your customers reach you. Yes, there really are people out there who don't have cell phones or email. Or, at least, who don't have super-cheap or free long distance.

3. You can capture caller information. Most toll-free services allow you to capture a caller's information even if they have their number blocked. While I don't recommend stalking a caller who doesn't want you to contact them, sometimes a person can leave a garbled message and this is a fail-safe that makes it easier to follow up with them.

4. What happens if you leave your current brokerage? If you've been advertising your firm's toll free number or other numbers, some people won't have your new contact info if you change firms. I recommend everyone publish contact info they have control over--with the broker's permission, of course.

5. It's surprisingly cheap. Some telephone service providers (AT&T, Vonage, Sprint, etc.) will allow you to choose a toll-free number and add it to your existing phone plan for as little as a few dollars a month and a small per-minute fee for inbound calls. But be careful, not all of them will capture caller ID info.

For those interested in taking it to the next level, some providers add a "virtual PBX" feature that can add an extra layer of professionalism to your business. When a caller dials you, he or she is presented with a menu of options. I use mine as a way for callers to reach my whole team using one number. As an example: Press one for me, press two for my assistant, press three for my transaction coordinator, press four for a list of properties available, press five for a market update, press six for my full contact info and website addresses. From there, callers are transferred to wherever I am--even a cell phone, home phone, or my regular office desk line. Easy to configure and everything!

The company I use (because it's the cheapest and easiest to configure so far that I've found) is GotVMail Communications.They give me a toll-free number, a local number, and an easy-to-configure web interface for less than $50 a month (hmm... might be less than $40 now that I think of it). I own my numbers and they'll follow me for years to come.

I currently have three toll-free numbers with them. One (you'll see it below in my signature block) is a "vanity" number that I selected because it's (hopefully) easier for urban real estate buyers and sellers to remember. One I use for my high-end listings ("Recorded property info available 24 hours a day"), and one as a secondary toll-free I use to test specific marketing.

I'd love to hear what others are doing for their toll-free numbers!

Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
McMartin Realty - Sacramento Real Estate
2031 K St Ste 100
Sacramento, CA 95814-4216

Tel (916) 444-7577 or Toll Free (866) 720-CITY (2489)
Fax (916) 444-7977

On the web at http://www.RobMcQuade.com/
Visit my blog at http://www.CentralCityGuy.com/

You can email me at Rob@RobMcQuade.com

[Sacramento] Towers on Capitol Mall: Construction on Hold

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:23:24 -0600

Towers on Capitol Mall: Construction on Hold
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

Sacramento is the last major West Coast city to make high-rise living a part of the plan. Years of taking seemingly limitless farmland for granted has left the city a sprawling traffic-jam. The first major high-rise project to take shape in this new era of urban living is John Saca's project, the Towers on Capitol Mall.

Two 53-story residential towers--including an InterContinental hotel--have been in the works at the gateway to Sacramento from the west on the Tower Bridge as it opens up to Capitol Mall.

But recently the developer has encountered issues with financing and construction has been halted as little more than pile work has been done.

Movin' dirt

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 15:46:24 -0600

Okay, it doesn't quite look like a community garden--yet. But we're workin' on it!

The latest photos of the Fremont Community Garden site:

Anyone who'd like to come out and help us work on site preparation for the community garden--whether you have a garden plot or not--can email me for more information or to find out about getting on the waiting list. There's still a lot of work to be done on weekends between now and mid-February... ♦

» You can visit the CADA Fremont Community Garden website here ››.
» As always, you can email Rob here.

[Sacramento] Pedicabs--Coming to a Block Near You?

Rob McQuade ABR - Sacramento CA Real Estate (McMartin Realty) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 15:44:51 -0600

Pedicabs--Coming to a Block Near You?
by Rob McQuade, ABR, Sacramento REALTOR®
Sacramento CA Real Estate

From Julie Sontag with the City of Sacramento (by way of Brooks Truitt):

As promised, the pedicab ordinance will go before the City Council's Law and Legislation Committee on Tuesday, January 16. The Committee will review the ordinance and make a recommendation to the City Council. The meeting starts at 12:30 p.m. and takes place in the Council Chamber, located on the first floor of the new City Hall at 915 I Street.

This meeting is open to the public. If you have comments, questions, praise, or concerns, you're welcome to attend and voice them. This item is number five on the agenda, but that could change, so I recommend that you arrive close to 12:30. You'll find the agenda at:

http://sacramento.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=6&event_id=21 ››

The next step after the Law and Legislation Committee will be to take the ordinance before the Mayor and Council. We'll keep you informed.

Likely to be discussed are some of the recommendations that have come from a series of stakeholder meetings, including where pedicabs can and can't travel (including high-traffic areas at peak commute times like I, J, 12th, and 16th Streets during rush hour), regulating pedicab fares ($1 per block is a recommended standard fare), and where pedicab stands will be allowed (one recommendation was to allow them adjacent to valet operators).

It's always a little odd to see a horse-drawn carriage being driven through Midtown (I see them probably once a week), soon we may get to enjoy pedicabs, too. ♦

» As always, you can email Rob here.