Advice about buying a house on the Grid (Sacramento, Sutter: for sale, real estate)

[rwf22]

Hi Everyone,
I've lived in Sacramento for several years renting but want to buy a house while the market is still affordable. I'm pretty much set on the downtown/midtown grid, being a desirable urban area on a fixed size of land I want to get in now before Bay Area type speculation takes off and prices me out. I've narrowed my search down to essentially the Northeast part of the grid, I really like the neighborhoods of Boulevard Park and Marshall School but would settle for almost any of the surrounding neighborhoods i.e. (New Era Park, Poverty Ridge). With my budget as a first time buyer and current prices I know I will have to probably settle for something that needs some work, which I am more than willing to do but at the same time I don't want to get into a situation that will be a complete disaster.
Anyone have any advice on what would be my best route to go?

[wburg]

Are you looking for a new place (one of the recently constructed loft wave, now at fire-sale prices) or an old house you can fix up (or an old house that is already fixed up?)

Boulevard Park and Marshall School/New Era are great, but keep in mind that the closer to J Street you are, the more overflow you will get from the bars, Second Saturday etcetera. If you own a car, off-street parking is absolutely essential, as parking is very impacted, and since pretty much every new business going into the central city now asks for a parking waiver (and most are granted,) parking is only going to get worse.

Poverty Ridge is something to look at if you want something a bit quieter--and given the fact that the R Street/S Street corridor is rapidly turning into the next wave of interesting central city destinations (from Verge Gallery at 7th, the Shady Lady at 14th and Temple Coffee/Revolution Wines at 29th) the southern edge of the central city is likely to get a lot more attention in coming years (especially since some north Midtown businesses and galleries are relocating along R Street, seeking lower rents and less Second Saturday mayhem.)

I'm sure you have noted the recent uptick in robberies and violent crime in the central city. It's not enough to scare a diehard like me out, but it's something to keep in mind. Stay aware and pay attention, get an alarm system, and never, ever leave anything of value in your car if you park on the street--including empty aluminum cans and pocket change.

[AllansHomes]

Poverty Ridge is great. My father-in-law has an amazing home there. Mostly large, old homes. They have a development of newer "brownstones" called Tapestry Square. They are a little "Disneyland" looking but good if you like the area and want new.

Boulavard Park park as you know, has a great vibe.

Love the Sutter Brownstones in Winn Park near Monkey Bar. They come up for sale every once in awhile and have dropped in price since they were built.

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[wburg]

Tapestri Square are properly row houses, not brownstones, but Sutter Brownstones aren't brownstones either (brownstones typically aren't built on wood frames and OSB with skinny brick cladding) so fair's fair. In Poverty Ridge there are also for-sale condo units at 21st and S above Tuli Bistro, although I think the Whiskey Hill Lofts on the other side of the street are rental although they were built to be sold as condos.

There are a few different styles of the same basic product in the central city (generally three-story, close-set or attached houses with garages on the ground, main floor on the second and bedrooms on the third floor) and a few places with attached rows of condos. I have noticed a couple units coming up for sale in Metro Square in Marshall School, but again, a lot depends on what era of house you like the most. The Washington Square units at 17th and D look nice, but maybe a little close to Mansion Flat and Loaves & Fishes for your liking.

[AllansHomes]

wburg-

Right...these are nothing like NY brownstones. Again, they call them "brownstones" but they are a little Disneyland-ish!

[wburg]

What makes the Sutter Brownstones Disneyland-ish?

[AllansHomes]

Wburg-

Don't get me wrong. I like Sutter Brownstones a lot and they are a great addition to Sacramento. They just don't look like the NY Brownstones that most imagine.

[wburg]

Not being made of brown stone is certainly a point against them, I'd agree--but why the Disneyland comparison?