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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, Sacramento
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 9:16 AM,
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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, Pocket, Regency Park, River Park, Sacramento, South Land Park, South Natomas, South Sac, Tahoe Park, UCD Med Center, Woodlake
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:50 AM,
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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, Rancho Cordova, Regency Park, River District, Roseville, Sacramento, Southport, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:43 AM,
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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, 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
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 7:17 PM,
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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.
Labels: 95811, 95814, 95816, Central, condos, developments, Downtown, highrise, lofts, Midtown, Sacramento, Sacramento Urban Properties
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 6:55 PM,
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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, Sacramento, Sacramento Urban Properties
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 12:27 PM,
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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, Sacramento, Second Saturday
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:34 AM,
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Kiplinger names Sacramento one of the Top 10 Best Cities in 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Personal finance and business magazine Kiplinger features Sacramento as one of its 2008 Top 10 Best Cities in the July 2008 edition (the only California city to make the list), citing Sacramento's lush treescape and 200+ parks, burgeoning biotech and green technology industries, and evolving educational opportunities. Midtown is once again in the spotlight:
Midtown Sacramento has evolved into a 24/7 hotspot. The area is brimming with quirky boutiques, art galleries and more than 100 restaurants.Sacramento came it at #8 with other truly livable cities, including Austin (TX) and Colorado Springs (CO). If you don't live here, maybe it's time to move!
Labels: Arden, Central, Midtown, Sacramento
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 11:16 AM,
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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, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, South Natomas, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 10:46 AM,
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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.
 1931 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 916.930.9400 ljurban.com |
Labels: Central, Downtown, green, green homes, Sacramento, West Sac
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 4:47 PM,
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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, Sacramento, Second Saturday
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 3:25 PM,
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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, Sacramento, UC Davis
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posted by Rob McQuade @ 3:36 PM,
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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 tha