Buying and Selling Your Davis, CA Home with Keller Williams agent Carmen Isais

According to the Santa Monica OSE (Office of Sustainability and the Environment), a  “green” building places a high priority on health, environmental and resource conservation performance over its life-cycle. These new priorities expand and complement the classical building design concerns: economy, utility, durability, and delight. Green design emphasizes a number of new environ-mental, resource and occupant health concerns:

• Reduce human exposure to noxious materials.
• Conserve non-renewable energy and scarce materials.
• Minimize life-cycle ecological impact of energy and materials used.
• Use renewable energy and materials that are sustainably harvested.
• Protect and restore local air, water, soils, flora and fauna.
• Support pedestrians, bicycles, mass transit and other alternatives to fossil-fueled vehicles.

Most green buildings are high-quality buildings; they last longer, cost less to operate and maintain, and provide greater occupant satisfaction than standard developments. Sophisticated buyers and lessors prefer them, and are often willing to pay a premium for their advantages.

What surprises many people unfamiliar with this design movement is that good green buildings often cost little or no more to build than conventional designs. Commitment to better performance, close teamwork throughout the design process, openness to new approaches, and information on how these are best applied are more important than a large construction budget.

Sustainable Home Examples

While these homes are not located in Davis, California, they do serve as inspiration.

With vacation home purchases on the upswing, here are some things that potential buyers should ask themselves:

* What will the maintenance costs be? They’ll have to pay them even when they are not there.
* Does the weather drive up insurance and other costs?
* How popular is the area? Will hoards of people make coming and going difficult?
* Is getting there no fun? Some isolated places are really beautiful, but the airport is a long way.
* Will all the grandchildren or other welcome visitors fit? Or is this vacation home just too small?
* Can it be rented? If an owner needs to reduce costs, is there a market?
* Do they really want to go there every weekend?

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Sushil Cheema (03/29/2010)

With home mortgages harder to come by, many of my buyers are determined to stay within conforming guidelines and purchase at or under $417,000.  In Davis, California, however, the real estate market has not suffered the same fate as its neighbors in West Sacramento or Woodland and home prices, while having dropped, are still relatively higher than the surrounding areas.

With few homes on the market under this $417,000 this price range, I thought I’d bring my top five to your attention– all with honest feedback, something you might not necessarily find on MLS.

For more information regarding these homes download the flyers here, or give me a call at 530.601.1003 to schedule a private viewi

Top Five Davis Homes Under $400,000

3001 Bryant Place: This three bedroom, two bath home is a Fannie Mae, Bank Owned Property, not something we typically see in the city of Davis, but becoming more prevalent. The home appears to need some exterior work needed, but nothing perhaps major. I would suggest a Pest Inspection to find out the health of this home’s exterior. In any event,  h good paint job, both in and out will make a world of difference for Bryant Place.  Being a Fannie Mae listing, the home comes with a with a two year home warranty– something else you are likely to see in an REO. Offered at  $399,500

K Street Cottage, Central Davis

427 K Street: Adorable, Central Davis cottage home. Has loads of character and charm that most architecture in Davis simply does not.  Built in the 1920’s, this home has had some upgrades, including newer wiring in 2009 and dual paned windows in 2003.  Natural lighting throughout and big windows makes this home one of my favorites on the list.  There is an engineering report out there that indicates the home is in need of some foundation retro-fit. This is not uncommon with homes of this age.  Heck, if I had come to be in 1920 I might be in need a retro-fit  myself… Offered at $395,000.

5072 Veranda Ter: This townhouse is attached, but has a cozy, “home” feel to it, so I included it on the list… clean, move-in ready, fireplace and a private backyard. Priced well at $335,999.

1400 Whittier Drive: This traditional East Davis home has a lot of potential. Certainly livable as is, but upgrades throughout, from fixtures to uniform flooring, would pull this would-be cutie, together.  The good news is at $334,900, even with the needed upgrades, you’d have yourself  a great buy.

Javier Place, East Davis Home

2721 Javier Place: Another bank owned property on our list today. Javier, right off of  Tulip is situated in the newer part of East Davis. This home is in much better condition than our first REO property on Bryant Place, and is a much better deal– just look  at the pricing. Quiet, clean, with a good sized, corner lot. Offered at $359,000.

Want more information on these homes? Click Here or Contact Me Today.

Enjoy 5 acres in the country just 3 miles from Woodland & minutes from I5 & I505. Light & open this home has been renovated with new paint, fixtures, appliances, wood floors, & Richlite counter tops. Enjoy outdoor living with a large partially covered patio, swimming pool, & landscaped paths with roses, fruit trees, & herbs. Newer roof, HVAC, well pump, plumbing, & septic. Oversized 2-car garage, dog runs, livestock/horse barn, & partial basement.

Schedule a private showing today. Call Carmen 530.601.1003.