Downtown Sacramento Real Estate | Rob McQuade & the Central City Team

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

Also on the list are Denver, CO (14th), Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA (tied for 15th), Portland, OR (31st), and Los Angeles (34th). Atlanta, GA finished the list in 40th place.

Labels: Citrus Heights, Curtis Park, Davis, Downtown, East Sac, Elk Grove, Laguna, Land Park, lists, Midtown, Oak Park, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sac

posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:34 AM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:33 PM, , links to this post

FHA to allow $8,000 tax credit as down payment for first-time buyers
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Lenders have yet to begin putting it into practice (and there are definitely details to be worked out), but according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will push it's lenders to allow buyers to use the $8,000 new home buyer tax credit as a down payment.

You can read more at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® website.

Labels: Arden, Downtown, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, Midtown, North Natomas, North Sac, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Rosemont, Roseville, Sacramento, South Sac, Southport, Tahoe Park, West Sac, Woodland

posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:27 AM, , links to this post

How Sacramento real estate ranks among California cities
Friday, April 3, 2009

Sacramento: The golden part of the Golden State

How does Sacramento compare to 11 other California real estate markets according to CNNMoney.com's REAL ESTATE 2009?

STABILITY
Home price forecast (ranked from lowest to highest expected decline through March 2010):

San Jose (-4.7%)
Sacramento (-7.5%)
Bakersfield (-7.6%)
Fresno (-7.9%)
Santa Ana (-9.6%)
San Diego (-9.9%)
San Francisco (-10.0%)
Oxnard (-10.0%)
Oakland (-11.7%)
Stockton (-14.5%)
Riverside (-15.1%)
Los Angeles (-15.3%)

Only San Jose beats Sacramento's home price stability with an expected overall home price decline of 4.7% compared with 7.5% (above). Half of California's ranked cities have expected double-digit percentage declines between March 2009 and March 2010.

HOME PRICES
Median home price (2008, lowest to highest):

Bakersfield ($185,000)
Fresno ($218,000)
Stockton ($225,000)
Riverside ($242,000)
Sacramento ($250,000)
San Diego ($387,000)
Los Angeles ($396,000)
Oakland ($400,000)
Oxnard ($431,000)
Santa Ana ($515,000)
San Jose ($600,000)
San Francisco ($755,000)

Sacramento comes in a strong 5th for median home price (above) and beats all four of the more affordable cities for median family income as well as Los Angeles (below).

INCOMES
Median family income (2008, highest to lowest):

San Jose ($97,800)
San Francisco ($94,300)
Oakland ($86,100)
Santa Ana ($84,100)
Oxnard ($83,900)
San Diego ($72,100)
Sacramento ($71,000)
Riverside ($62,000)
Stockton ($61,300)
Los Angeles ($59,800)
Bakersfield ($50,000)
Fresno ($49,900)

OVERALL AFFORDABILITY
Median home price (2008) divided by family income (ranked most to least affordable):

Sacramento (3.5)
Bakersfield (3.7)
Stockton (3.7)
Riverside (3.9)
Fresno (4.4)
Oakland (4.6)
Oxnard (5.1)
San Diego (5.4)
Santa Ana (6.1)
San Jose (6.1)
Los Angeles (6.6)
San Francisco (8.0)

Where Sacramento shines is in overall affordability as measured by the median resale price of homes divided by the median family income. Though Sacramento'd median family income is only approximately two thirds that of San Francisco, homes are roughly one third the price. According to the study, more families can afford to buy homes in Sacramento than in any other metro area in California.

Labels: Citrus Heights, Downtown, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Midtown, Rancho Cordova, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento, Stockton, West Sac

posted by Rob McQuade @ 8:20 PM, , links to this post

Before you write an offer, is that condo FHA approved?
Thursday, March 26, 2009

If you're using an FHA loan to buy a condominium, are you making sure that condo you're interested in is FHA approved?

It can be challenging knowing which condo developments (and not just in ) are eligible for FHA financing. The bad news first: there are a surprising number of condos for sale that an FHA buyer can't purchase because they don't meet HUD guidelines. The good news: you can check to see if a condo development is FHA approved online and sometimes condos can get what's called a "spot waiver".

Ask your REALTOR^® if he or she knows whether that condo is approved for FHA financing before you write the offer. To make sure, share these links:

LINKS

Search for FHA-approved condos
More info about HUD/FHA condo guidelines

Labels: Anatolia, Arden, Citrus Heights, Downtown, Elk Grove, Laguna, Midtown, North Highlands, North Natomas, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sac

posted by Rob McQuade @ 8:35 PM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 5:14 PM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:53 PM, , links to this post

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).

posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:50 AM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:59 PM, , links to this post

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.

Old Sacramento loft - The iLofts from D&S Development

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 5:29 PM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 5:36 PM, , links to this post

Penthouses at Capitol Park: Living the "sky life"
Friday, August 22, 2008

Sacramento has a serious shortage of high-rise living options, so every new addition is a welcome one—especially when it means views of Capitol Park.

Situated atop the Marriott Residence Inn Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park, the Penthouses at Capitol Park offer Sacramento's only highrise living overlooking Capitol Park and the Capitol grounds (contrasted with the condos at 500 N which offer a more affordable alternative a few blocks away). The 30 penthouse units occupy the top three floors of this 15-story business-class hotel.

These unique luxury condos offer spectacular park and city views and are steps to the state Capitol Building and all of downtown. Convenient to dining and entertainment (across the street from The Park Ultra Lounge, Mason's and Ma Jong's, blocks to Mikuni's, PF Chang's, Bistro 33 and more), the Convention Center, Memorial Auditorium, and of course the Capitol and Downtown Sacramento's business district, these condominiums include high-end finishes and the hotel amenities. Whether you're a lobbyist or legislator, business leader or entrepreneur, local celebrity or part-time Sacramentan, the Penthouses at Capitol Park offer a premium address, top-notch amenities, and defining Sacramento views that can't be found anywhere else!

Features include ceilings up to 10', elegant wood cabinetry and raised panel doors, granite slab counters in kitchen and baths, tile flooring in the entry and kitchen/baths, solar window shades, designer lighting, GE Profile appliances. Also available on-site at the hotel are free wifi in the lobby, heated swimming pool and spa, 24-hour fitness center, dining and lounge, ATM, and outdoor terrace area. Hotel services provided for a fee include valet parking, concierge, laundry and dry cleaning, and room service.

To see penthouse units currently for sale, visit the Penthouses at Capitol Park

Labels: Central, Central City Lofts and Condos, condos, Downtown, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento

posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:16 AM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:50 AM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:43 AM, , links to this post

Home-Buying 101: Short Sales explained
Friday, August 1, 2008

Searching the MLS for a home in the Downtown Sacramento 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 Downtown Sacramento 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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:50 PM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:17 PM, , links to this post

Check out the new video from the 500 N Condos

New to Downtown Sacramento? Considering buying a condo or other urban property? The developer and sales team at the 500 N condos want you to consider highrise living downtown at 500 N—Sacramento's only real highrise option (for now). In fact, they've put together the video below.

And if you're interested in buying, you can check out some of the condos for sale at 500 N or check out more Downtown condos and Midtown lofts for sale.

500 N Condos

Labels: 95811, 95814, 95816, Central, condos, developments, Downtown, highrise, lofts, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento, Sacramento Urban Properties

posted by Rob McQuade @ 6:55 PM, , links to this post

A Sacramento loft for under $200,000? It's true at 1600 H.
Monday, July 7, 2008

I just got an update from Keith over at the 1600 H lofts and he's given me the latest pricing on a couple of the loft units (updated now at www.1600h.com):

$179,600 - Loft 201 (390 sq.ft. studio)
This unit is on the H Street side and faces north. The advantage is that it's on the quiet side but has exterior views. Sounds small (and it is), but it's livable space at a great price.

$215,990 - Loft 203 (466 sq.ft. studio)
Directly adjacent to loft 201, this unit is slightly larger but offers the same great quiet outside location.

$259,499 - Loft 212 (615 sq.ft. one bedroom)
Looking for peace and quiet? This is an interior unit that overlooks the "courtyard" (parking). Perfect if you want lots of morning sun and none of the sound of traffic. I'm not a big fan of the interior units since they don't offer much in the way of views, especially on the 2nd floor.

$459,000 - Loft 401 (1020 sq.ft. two bedroom)
Wow! This two-bedroom penthouse level loft is also on the H Street side (two floors directly above 201 and 203) and is larger than the first two units combined. Tree and neighborhood views north, lots of indirect light, convenient to the elevator and lobby area.

I was originally a skeptic of the lofts at 1600 H, but the design has proven itself and the location on the line between Downtown and Midtown Sacramento is convenient to everything—just a couple blocks to Mikuni, PF Chang's, Memorial Auditorium, Music Circus, and more dining and entertainment than you can shake a stick at. This is one of my two favorite projects right now (behind only the Sutter Brownstones in Midtown). These are more affordable than the L Street Lofts but offer similar great design.

Ready for a tour? Would you like to see everything that Midtown and Downtown Sacramento have to offer? Give me a call. Rob McQuade, McMartin Realty - (916) 444-7577.

Labels: 1600H, Downtown, lofts, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento

posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:39 AM, , links to this post

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 Downtown Sacramento 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 Downtown Sacramento 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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:37 PM, , links to this post

What happened to the Whiskey Hill Lofts?
Thursday, June 5, 2008

I've recently had a lot of people searching my Downtown and Midtown websites for info on the Whiskey Hill Lofts, developer Paul Petrovich's residential project behind the Rite Aid he built at 21st & S in Midtown.

The Sacramento Business Journal reported on May 23rd that the Whiskey Hill Lofts, a 30-unit Midtown loft and condo development that opened for sale in February, hadn't attracted any buyers and "is being converted into apartment units and will be rented..."

Why? I think the combination of pricing—the price per square foot at Whiskey Hill was on par with other more desirable projects in better locations within the central city, including the L Street Lofts and 1600 H (which is finishing construction and has yet to close on any of the loft units)—and location just couldn't compete with other new Downtown and Midtown developments. Meanwhile the Sutter Brownstones are still selling, in part due to their competitive prices (thanks largely to mandatory subsidies from Sutter as a condition of the hospital expansion).

Looking for a Downtown or Midtown loft or condo? Register online to create your own saved searches for free or give me a call today at (916) 444-7577. -Rob

Labels: Central, Central City Loft Living, Central City Lofts and Condos, Downtown, lofts, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento, Sacramento Urban Properties

posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:27 PM, , links to this post

AAA's Via explores Sacramento, extolls the virtues of Midtown
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Attention Sacramento area AAA members: Didja catch what Via, AAA's travel magazine, had to say about our fair city? May's issue featured Sacramento and the article title says it best: read Capital Gains: Sacramento is all grown up.

What's most notable is the fact that Sacramento is being defined by the core neighborhoods, Downtown and Midtown, referring to Midtown as "the city's lively eating and schmoozing hot spot."

"A wildly popular art walk through the neighborhood's galleries and boutiques on the second Saturday evening of every month has helped transform Sacramento's sundown stampede into a galloping nightlife... The 2nd Saturday Art Walk emerged from the trunk shows of a few scattered Midtown boutiques in the '90s, and now virtually every shop, cafe, and valet parking spot has an exhibition or an easel up, with music playing somewhere close by."

The author goes on to mention more than a dozen local establishments worth exploring and even talks about some of Downtown and Midtown Sacramento's most notable real estate:

"If you have a passion for Victorian architecture, tour the Governor's Mansion at 16th and H streets and the Leland Stanford Mansion at Eighth and N streets, both now state historic parks. The posh Governor's Mansion, built in 1877 and furnished with fireplaces of Italian marble, gives you a glimpse of how the Golden State's chief executives lived from 1903 until 1967, when it was briefly inhabited by California's first actor-turned-governor, Ronald Reagan. Contrast this with the grandeur of Leland Stanford's 19,000-square-foot former estate and its 19th-century-style gardens."

But a few words summed up well Sacramento in general and Midtown more specifically:

"Sacramento has become what many cities aspire to be: a great walking town. Along Midtown streets, under a canopy of Dutch elm trees, the scene hums."

And if you haven't checked out 2nd Saturday yet, you can download the 2nd Saturday artwalk map and explore the festivities—and be sure to start at McMartin Realty at 21st & K.

Labels: arts, Central, Downtown, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento, Second Saturday

posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:34 AM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:46 AM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:42 PM, , links to this post

Do some (more) Good
Friday, May 30, 2008

Did you miss last weekend's open house at Good (LJ Urban's newest project at 4th & B in West Sac just off the I Street Bridge)? This just came from the fine folks over at LJ Urban:

Many of you have requested that we have another open house, so this Sunday we're going to head over from 5-8 and keep the doors open so you can come and take a look. Its not another big party like last time but for those of you who missed us last week, now's your chance to come see what the fuss is all about.

We are still not officially selling the homes yet, but expect to start taking pre-sale orders in early June.

1931 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
916.930.9400 ljurban.com

Labels: Central, Downtown, green, green homes, Old Sac, Sacramento, West Sac

posted by Rob McQuade @ 4:47 PM, , links to this post

We're on the official 2nd Saturday artwalk map!

Andy Morin has been working hard to get the new Second Saturday artwalk website and map up and running and his hard work is bearing fruit: You can check out the NEW official 2nd Saturday website and even download an artwalk map for the upcoming event. Plus check out ForSaleinMidtown.com in the upper right-hand corner of the map. It's official, we're famous! Or you could say we're on the map. ;-)

If you haven't been out for a 2nd Saturday event in Sacramento in a while, we've grown! Midtown Sacramento is home to what has become a major art event on the second Saturday of each month (upcoming 2008 events are June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, September 13th, October 11th, November 8th, and December 13th) and just happen to be concentrated around McMartin Realty at 21st & K in Midtown. Thousands converge on the area for gallery openings and art shows throughout the central city that typically run 6-10pm. Sure, parking is a pain-in-the-backside—but it's more than worth the art, entertainment, dining, and general energy. In fact Midtown has shown up on the radar with the San Francisco crowd (check out the recent SF Chronicle article "Hip, artsy heart beats in Sacramento's Midtown").

New in 2008 is McMartin Realty's PARK YOUR ART event (you can find out more at http://www.park-your-art.com and our upcoming indoor/outdoor shows. Definitely a must-experience event! -Rob

Labels: Central, Central City Loft Living, Central City Lofts and Condos, Downtown, McMartin Realty, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento, Second Saturday

posted by Rob McQuade @ 3:25 PM, , links to this post

Moving to Downtown or Midtown Sacramento? UC Davis needs your help!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

If you're thinking about relocating to a walkable neighborhood like Downtown or Midtown, UC Davis needs your help!

From Emily at UC Davis:

[UC Davis is] working on a national study that's looking at activity levels of people before and after they move to walkable neighborhoods. Our study is focusing on the Sacramento region... [and] we'd like to survey new buyers/renters who will be moving in within the next 3 months or so (we need to survey them both before and after they move).

You can find out more about the study being conducted and how you can get involved at http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/handy/SHIFT.htm and, of course, get in touch with me if you're planning a move to Downtown or Midtown Sacramento.

Labels: Central, Downtown, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento, UC Davis

posted by Rob McQuade @ 3:36 PM, , links to this post

The 500 N Workout
Saturday, May 24, 2008

The fine folks at 500 N treated my real estate forum to a fantastic lunch catered by Il Fornaio last week on the 14th floor of the Downtown Sacramento condos at 500 N Street. Fantastic food, great views (from our vista we could watch work being done on Tsakopoulos' 500 Capitol Mall project, plus views of the Capitol, Tower Bridge, CalEPA building, Federal Courthouse, Renaissance Towere aka the "Darth Vader Building", 12th & K's "Ban Roll-on" building, and what will be a beautifully lighted US BankTower at 621 Capitol Mall), and... The elevators went out.

When we arrived, one elevator was being replaced but the other was working just fine. No problem getting up to the 14th Floor whatsoever. But 15 minutes later we got word that the other elevator was, well, being fickle—which is a nice way of saying we wouldn't be taking the elevator back down. We could've waited six weeks for replacement of the other elevator, and both rappelling and parachute-assisted basejumping were out since none of us had thought to bring gear.

Nothing left to do but take the stairs down 14 floors. The good news is that it was a beautiful day (the weather hadn't gotten windy and gray yet and the 100-plus heat had passed) and the stairs were on the outside of the west side of the building.

And thus the 500 N Workout was born.

Man, Annie at 500 N is gonna kill me if she reads this. (Sorry, Annie!)

Labels: 500 N, Central City Lofts and Condos, condos, developments, Downtown, lofts, Old Sac, real estate

posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:45 AM, , links to this post

Prices going up on two central city projects (May 2008)
Monday, May 12, 2008

Despite a limping real estate market overall, two new projects in the urban core have seen robust sales and have increased prices over the initial release prices.

Sutter Brownstones

This 28-unit brick townhome LoftWorks development in Midtown debuted to an enthusiastic buying community and units that were priced from $370,000 to $590,000 in the first phase—and are currently priced from $385,000 to $625,000. The largest floorplans feature a separate studio living space with its own private entrance. Dues are reasonable at $122-138/mo, but buyers should be asking questions about the reserves and how future repairs will be coordinated.

SoCap Lofts

I gave the folks at SoCap a little bit of a hard time for not incorporating a mixed-use component into the Downtown Sacramento development (I'd have been happy with something as simple as a cafe space at the corner of 6th & R), but that hasn't seemed to slow down their sales. New residents have moved into all of the 7th Street units and the developer is making progress on the next several rows of infill housing. It doesn't hurt that the detached design has allowed the HOA to be kept at an easy-to-swallow $93/mo to cover common area costs (yes, individual homeowners will be responsible for their own townhome-style loft units' maintenance). Prices have bumped up an average of about $10,000 per unit from the first release and still seem to be selling briskly. I'm looking forward to the next project Regis is working on a couple blocks further west set to begin moving forward in 2009 or 2010, which will include a mix of residential and retail.

Somebody should let LoftWorks and Regis Development know that we're in a real estate downturn—but not before they take advantage of early release pricing!

Labels: Central, Downtown, Midtown, Old Sac

posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:57 PM, , links to this post

Downtown's historic Alkali Flats neighborhood in transition
Saturday, May 10, 2008

KCRA 3 talked with neighborhood activist Sean Wright about the changing face of Alkali Flats/Mansion Flats, Sacramento's oldest residential neighborhoods and once home to the wealthiest local citizens. Over the last several decades the neighborhoods have been challenged by homelessness, transiency, and drug problems, but new developments such as 9 on F and the Globe Mills show that the neighborhood is changing again—for the better.

Click on the image below to see the video.

KCRA 3 talks about the changing face of Downtown Sacramento's Alkali Flats/Mansion Flats neighborhoods over the last 158 years

Labels: Alkali Flats, Central, Downtown, Mansion Flats, news media, Old Sac

posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:17 PM, , links to this post

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:22 PM, , links to this post

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.

The BIA's Green Home Expo opens in Sacramento on May 8th, 2008

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 Downtown Sacramento 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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:15 PM, , links to this post

Making the River District and Richards Blvd livable
Saturday, May 3, 2008

Too Much, Too Late

A terrible thing happened just as Sacramento was "growing up" and becoming a vibrant city: the real estate market reversed course after several years of phenomenal gains. Projects like The Towers that John Saca was working on Craig Nassi's Aura Condos—both beautiful highrise residential projects—stalled as the market began changing, leaving Sacramentans still wanting for signature new residential projects.

Sacramento's Second Chance(s) at a First Impression

Despite changes in the regional real estate market, Downtown Sacramento stands as a sign of the city's hopefulness. New, more patient and thoughtfully designed projects have begun to take the place of the more brash, no-such-thing-as-a-bubble developments we thought were the Next Big Thing to hit Downtown. Real estate developer Thomas Enterprises has continued to
plod along methodically with the 240-acre Railyards redevelopment adjacent to Sacramento's existing Downtown area.

Thomas Enterprises' 240-acre Railyards development site adjacent to Downtown Sacramento

But lost in the discussion over the much larger Railyards site is a smaller but very significant redevelopment area just north of Downtown along the American River: the River District.

A River (and Light Rail!) Runs Through It

Comprised of mostly warehouse, semi-industrial, and newer office-use businesses, the Richards Blvd corridor was rebranded as the River District as the city pushed for more infill housing. The largest project in the proposed area is currently Township 9, which is set to add roughly 3,000 housing units (in mostly mid- and highrise developments) between Richards Blvd at 7th St and the American River. Also proposed are a winding road along the river that would run alongside a park and outdoor amphitheater.

Township9's 65-acre residential redevelopment in the River District just north of Downtown Sacramento and the Railyards development site

The site, anchored at 7th & Richards, is a transit-oriented development (TOD) that will have a light rail station connecting it to Downtown and south by 2010, and eventually continuing north to Natomas and on to the airport as part of the Downtown-Natomas-Airport (DNA) alignment.

The Other "7th & Richards" Site

Also at 7th & Richards in the River District is a key development opportunity that we have listed, 750 Richards Blvd. The site, located at the anchor gateway for Township 9, consist of five parcels and primed for high-density mixed-use (and potentially highrise) transit-oriented development.

Prime Downtown Sacramento transit-oriented development (TOD) site for sale - Call Rob McQuade, McMartin Realty - (916) 444-7577

For more information about this major development opportunity, you can reach Rob McQuade at (916) 444-7577.

Labels: Central, Downtown, highrise, Midtown, Old Sac, Railyards, River District, Sacramento

posted by Rob McQuade @ 4:14 PM, , links to this post

Sales at the Sutter Brownstones moving briskly
Friday, April 25, 2008

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.

LoftWorks' Sutter Brownstones in Midtown Sacramento

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 individual property owners.

Let me know what you think. Give me a call at (916) 444-7577.

Labels: Central, Central City Loft Living, Central City Lofts and Condos, Downtown, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento Urban Properties, Sutter Brownstones, townhomes

posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:34 PM, , links to this post

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

NEW! UCD Med Center & Elmhurst home search results that are more accurate!

Labels: Central, Curtis Park, Downtown, East Sac, Elmhurst, Land Park, Midtown, Oak Park, Sacramento, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center

posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:57 AM, , links to this post

NEW! Downtown Sacramento foreclosures available online
Sunday, April 20, 2008

This is a quick update: I just added a new link to Downtown Sacramento foreclosures, now you can view bank-owned and REO properties in Downtown Sacramento 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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:52 AM, , links to this post

April 23rd: Winn Park/Capitol Ave mixer & pet event
Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Winn Park/Capitol Avenue Neighborhood Association (WPCANA) is hosting a membership mixer and pet wash at Pampered Pet Salon on April 23rd

I just got word from Jodie Kerhlikar with Sacramento Mortgage Company that the Winn Park/Capitol Avenue Neighborhood Association (WPCANA) in Midtown is hosting a membership drive/mixer and pet-washing event at the Pampered Pet Salon this coming Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:30-8pm.

WPCANA serves Midtown residents and businesses located between J and R Streets and 19th to 29th Streets. Pampered Pet Salon is located at 1422 28th Street, Suite C in Midtown (95816). Pet washes are free for WPCANA members (a $15.95 value) and anyone who's not a member can join for just $15 for the year—and get a free pet wash!

This is an open invitation to anyone in the Midtown Area who

is interested in a safe and active community
would like to do some business networking
wants to meet other dog owners and neighborhood association members
likes a clean dog

Come out and meet your neighbors! For more information, contact Jodie at (916) 444-8750.

Labels: Central, Downtown, events, Midtown, neighborhood associations, Winn Park, WPCANA

posted by Rob McQuade @ 4:17 PM, , links to this post

Choosing a REALTOR^® in the Downtown Sacramento 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 Downtown Sacramento 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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:39 PM, links to this post

Green Second Saturday adds SEEART's Legacy Trees and Midtown Murals Projects
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

I just got off the phone with James Cooper of SEEART (Sacramento Educational Events for Art) and he's confirmed that both the Legacy Trees Project and the Midtown Murals Project look forward to being a part of Park Your Art @ McMartin Realty for Green Second Saturday!

SEEART has been doing great things for Midtown in the form of the Midtown Murals Project for several years with creations like the mural at 15th & J on a building owned by Jim Tanovitz of Art Ellis Supply, the wrap-around corner mural on Uptown Market at 17th & Capitol, and the mosaic mural on OfficeMax at 17th & J.

SEEART's Midtown Murals Project in Midtown Sacramento

Now SEEART has partnered with Councilmember Steve Cohn's office and the State Department of General Services (DGS) to acquire a historic (or "legacy") tree from the State Capitol grounds to be used as part of their arts education initiative and to create new art.

SEEART is joining us to share what they're doing with the rest of Sacramento and to promote their upcoming project launch party fundraiser on May 3rd at the Art Foundry at 10th & R. For more information about SEEART, the Legacy Trees Project, or Midtown Murals, visit http://www.seeart.org.

Labels: arts, Central, Downtown, events, Midtown, Sacramento, Second Saturday

posted by Rob McQuade @ 2:12 PM, , links to this post

NEW! The most accurate Midtown home & condos searches!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Midtown Sacramento is a neighborhood like no other. True, surrounding neighborhoods like Land Park and East Sac have their own benefits--but for Midtown dwellers no other neighborhood is quite the same. Because Midtown isn't just one ZIP Code (it shares part of 95811 with the Railyards and River District, 95814 with Downtown, 95816 with East Sac, and 95818 with Land Park and Curtis Park), it can be tricky getting just Midtown homes to show up when you're searching the MLS.

Good news! I've just updated the website so that you get only the most accurate Midtown loft, condo, and home 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 "lofts & condos" link on every page of ForSaleinMidtown.com :-) -Rob

NEW! Midtown Sacramento home search results that are the most accurate you'll find!

Labels: Central, condos, Downtown, lofts, Midtown, Old Sac, Sacramento

posted by Rob McQuade @ 4:29 PM, , links to this post

What's happening in the Sacramento market?
Monday, March 31, 2008

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 Del Paso Heights (95838) to name just a few. You always get what you pay for, and in a lot of cases these are bank-owned homes in poor condition.

I hope this help, and welcome to Sacramento real estate!

Rob McQuade
McMartin Realty

Labels: Antelope, Arden, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Del Paso Heights, Downtown, East Sac, Fair Oaks, Land Park, Midtown, North Sac, Oak Park, Old Sac, Sacramento

posted by Rob McQuade @ 8:40 PM, , links to this post

Sacramento's bungalow heritage & "Bungalow Row"

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.

Midtown Sacramento's 'bungalow row' at the 2500 block of Q Street

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

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 1:02 PM, , links to this post

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 Good Faith Estimate makes loan terms easier to understand

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

posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:46 AM, , links to this post

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Downtown Sacramento Real Estate | Rob McQuade, REALTOR®

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FHA to allow $8,000 tax credit as down payment for first-time buyers Wednesday, May 13, 2009

How Sacramento real estate ranks among California cities Friday, April 3, 2009

Before you write an offer, is that condo FHA approved? Thursday, March 26, 2009

1231 48th St - New Luxury in established East Sac Wednesday, March 18, 2009

FAQs: What is the California foreclosure timeline or process? Tuesday, December 2, 2008

FAQs: What is Median Sales Price? Sunday, November 2, 2008

FAQs: Can I write offers on more than one house at a time? Monday, October 27, 2008

Contemporary loft living in Old Sac at the iLofts Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Yes. Saturday, September 20, 2008

Penthouses at Capitol Park: Living the "sky life" Friday, August 22, 2008

Sacramento unveils 311 for expanded info by phone (and email) Wednesday, August 13, 2008

CalPERS home loans trump minimum wage for State employees Thursday, August 7, 2008

Home-Buying 101: Short Sales explained Friday, August 1, 2008

I want you to use this website... Monday, July 21, 2008

Check out the new video from the 500 N Condos

A Sacramento loft for under $200,000? It's true at 1600 H. Monday, July 7, 2008

Putting technology to work in real estate Tuesday, July 1, 2008

What happened to the Whiskey Hill Lofts? Thursday, June 5, 2008

AAA's Via explores Sacramento, extolls the virtues of Midtown Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Brookings: Sacramento goes greener, shrinks carbon footprint Sunday, June 1, 2008

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