Davis Questions: 1) Real Estate Commission, 2) DayCare, 3) Bikes (San Francisco, Sacramento: broker, work)

[kidpsych]

Okay, I think we're narrowing down our selection to Davis. Any and all responses are appreciated:

1) Day Care - What is the average cost of full-day daycare center for 3 year old in Davis? (Here in LA it ranges from $750-1200 month)? What are the names of good day care centers in Davis (that offer full-day care not just 1/2 day co-ops)?

2) Bicycles - I am intrigued and also concenred. I've heard that the bikes get the right of way at all stoplights. In reality, is it difficult to commute by car in Davis (especially morning commute to Sacramento area)?

3) Small Town Feel - Are people friendly? Is there neighborhood cohesiveness?

4) Any negatives to living in Davis that you can think of?

5) Real Estate - Everyone is looking for a deal and with the market slowing a bit, I think realtors are more flexible. Any recommendations for GOOD realtors who would consider a discounted commission (4 or 5 percent instead of 6)? Anyone work with Malek Baroody's Coldwell Banker Team Before?

This is a Great Forum!!! Thank you, Merci, Gracias to everyone who is so graciously helping me!!!!

[CityGirl72]

Davis doesn't really have any bad qualities!

It would be one HELL OF A COMMUTE to Sacramento with your bike. I know it can be done - but I wouldn't do it.

Davis is a biking town - but they stay within themselves. Not many Davis people go to Sac unless they work there.

Davis is super friendly and does have a small town feel - they are enviormentally friendly too - and are quite liberal.

Wish I knew more about the daycares - sorry.

[bigdave01]

Davis is an excellent town. It has great schools, diversity, and very friendly people. The commute to Sacramento wouldnt be that bad, it would probably be around 20 minutes.

[Kingsnkali]

If your politics are left leaning, you will have few problems adjusting. If you can avoid snoring too loudly and don't smoke cigarettes, you should do fine in the so-called "Peoples Republic of Davis". I would only half-jokingly wonder if the kids are being turned into little Sandinistas at the public schools. I'm sure most of the teachers are great, but political agendas held strongly by certain teachers can spill over into the classroom.

I myself prefer the more pro-capitalist, Orange County-like regions of the eastern suburbs of Sacramento. Of course, we get labeled as being wacko Republicans, so it all evens out.

That's the beauty of California. You can pick your politics and live in nice suburbs on both sides of the political spectrum.

[angelbug]

If you are buying a home in Davis you don't pay the real estate commission; the seller does. Stay AWAY from any <no names please>. I would list my house with either in an instant if I were selling.

I commute to midtown Sac and it takes me 17 minutes. The traffic isn't bad unless you have to go eastbound beyond the 50/80 and I-5 interchange; then it backs up some from all the northbound I-5 traffic merging into 50 east. Get off before then and it's a snap, for an urban commute.

Bikes aren't a problem. People here are careful drivers for the most part and most of us have kids who commute around town on bikes (I can't even get my 17 1/2-year old boy to get his driver's license, he'd rather bike, which is great!!!). So everyone is fairly careful, the motorists and the bikers. Plus, the city has dedicated bike paths which most bikers prefer to use.

I haven't found Davisites friendly at all. I moved here in 2001 and the only people who are friendly are those who also moved here from somewhere else. There is a great deal of snobbery surrounding how long you've lived here, which I find very off-putting. I lived in San Francisco for 18 years prior to moving here and never encountered anything like it there, and they have a heck of a lot more to be snobs about. But I still like living here.

Don't know about the daycare but some friends like Merryhill School, which has a preschool program.

[Mike Shapiro]

I bought my home in Davis through Darish Damon independent broker who gave up 50% of his commission at escrow to make the deal happen. Very honest and sharp young guy, he negotiated $15000 in my favor more than I expected. Since this is not an advertising forum you can google his name. Go with a discount or indpendent broker since they have no extra fees to pay, they can afford charging less commission and seriously 5 or 6% is rediculous at these prices. Good Luck!!

[JustAGoodPerson]

Originally Posted by kidpsych

Okay, I think we're narrowing down our selection to Davis. Any and all responses are appreciated:

1) Day Care - What is the average cost of full-day daycare center for 3 year old in Davis? (Here in LA it ranges from $750-1200 month)? What are the names of good day care centers in Davis (that offer full-day care not just 1/2 day co-ops)?

2) Bicycles - I am intrigued and also concenred. I've heard that the bikes get the right of way at all stoplights. In reality, is it difficult to commute by car in Davis (especially morning commute to Sacramento area)?

3) Small Town Feel - Are people friendly? Is there neighborhood cohesiveness?

4) Any negatives to living in Davis that you can think of?

5) Real Estate - Everyone is looking for a deal and with the market slowing a bit, I think realtors are more flexible. Any recommendations for GOOD realtors who would consider a discounted commission (4 or 5 percent instead of 6)? Anyone work with Malek Baroody's Coldwell Banker Team Before?

This is a Great Forum!!! Thank you, Merci, Gracias to everyone who is so graciously helping me!!!!

davis is friendly bike town. you cannot get to sac that way. too crazy.

daycare i think is like 400-800 depend.

no realtors get 6% up here.

you tell them what you will give them. i am a realtor.

if your buying it doesnt matter. the commission is done with the seller....

[clark33]

Lyon is Good, Re/max also. The rest are trouble.
Good agents are charging minimum of 6% because it is so difficult to sell right now. If your agent is willing to take less than that, its because he is not a good negotiator.
With the discount agent, you get what you pay for.

[DMenscha]

SELLERS pay real estate commissions, buyers don't. Unless you get a buyers agent, who you will pay for their services.

When people tell me xyz real estate agent will do it for less, I tell them "they know the value of their services".