Thoughts on Westpark/Fiddyment Farms? (Sacramento, Orange: sale, real estate, 2013)

[Headshrink]

My wife and I are relocating from Southern California and we have been looking at the developments of Westpark/Fiddyment Farms. Just searching for some other input on these developments and West Rosevill in general. Thanks!

[looking4home]

Be aware of the extra costs and fees you will be paying to live there. Because it was annexed land that was rezoned from farmland, the city and developers had to make all of these costly concessions that naturally gets passed on to the consumer. The Mello-Roos is very high there. In fact, they are calling it Mello-Roos, but one realtor admited to me that it will never be paid off. So that's not really a Mello-Roos type of bond that generally gets paid off in 20-25 yrs. What it really is are hidden fees for everything from water usage to extra fees to have basic services like police and fire protection - the same services the rest of Roseville isn't paying extra for. And ask them about the deal developers had to make with the Sierra Club, so that when you go to sell your home someday, a percentage of the sale has to go to some wetlands preservation fund. It's true! Don't let them lump all the fees together and call it "Mello-Roos". Ask for a line-item breakdown of each cost. I wouldn't live in that area, anyway. You are near the Water Treatment Plant, and the new energy facility which is nearing completion. Aesthetically, it's an ugly area with no mature trees or interesting topography. Remember, this is re-zoned farmland, so we are talking flat! Also, the high-tension electrial wires and transformers run out there and are an eyesore, and some people believe, a health risk of some kind.

[Headshrink]

Thanks looking4home. This is just the type of information that I am looking for. We all pay Mello-Roos taxes here in south Orange County so I am used to it. I don't think that those bonds ever really get paid off. I know down here it takes a vote to remove the tax....which will never happen. Where is the new energy facility that I am hearing about? Is there another area in Roseville that you would recommend? We would like to buy a newer or new home if possible.

[looking4home]

West/NorthWest Roseville has some nice areas. It's the area I live in, and while there are some new homes in developments like Diamond Creek, Long Meadow, and Crocker Ranch, try also looking at houses that are a few years old. You will still get a very nice, up-to-date home but one that has been landscaped, decorated, etc. And as the neighborhood has been established for a few years, you can see what you are getting yourself into, in terms of traffic, nearby schools, stores, neighborhood amenities, etc. There are so many good deals out there right now because of the downturn in the housing market.

The energy facility and water treatment plant were built out in W. Roseville because it was out in the boonies, and no one anticipated that people would actually be living out there! The energy plant is a small one, but will still produce pollution, but hey, it could be worse! Enron was all set to build a big one, and the city of Roseville was falling all over themselves trying to accomodate them because Enron was going to give the city 2 mil a year. Never mind that the residents were very upset, and the huge energy plant was right near homes and a new proposed high school, not to mention the retirement community that is downwind of where they were looking to build it.

Have you sold you home already? where in So. OC are you living? I am originally from there (Lake Forest/El Toro) and my mother still lives in Laguna Niguel and my sis lives in a beautiful home in San Clemente. I really like S.C. - if I had to move back down there, that's where I'd live. Anyway, I hope my suggestions helped you. Let me know if you'd like to know anything else. I've lived in Roseville for over 15 years now, and it's still a nice city, very family-oriented, but there's too much growth, too fast. Very similar to what happened to the OC back in the 80's/90's.

[JenniferLynn]

There are A LOT of new housing developments in Roseville. I would talk to an area real estate agent because there are so many new homes that we couldn't even tell you about all of them.

Roseville has exploded in growth the last few years. My husband, who used to live in So Cal says it is turning into another San Fernando Valley. It's still a relatively nice place but who knows what the future will be. The city council seems to be very greedy and there are basically no checks on growth.

Be careful where you buy. In W Roseville the city recently changed zoning near a new development. The people who bought new homes there were told there would be upscale retail and offices near their homes and now the city has given the go-ahead for developers to build high (or higher) density housing. Those people who bought homes there are very angry, but they're getting screwed anyway.

I would buy in an area that is already built up so I would know what I was getting into.

[Headshrink]

Thanks JenniferLynn. Looking4home...I am living in a gated community in Mission Viejo called Canyon Crest, not to far from your old stomping ground. No, our house has not sold yet. The market is very slow here as it is everywhere else. Prices seem to be holding ok but not a lot of prospective buyers. My office is in Laguna Niguel where Alicia hits Crown Valley. Yeah...San Clemente is great. Is you sister in one of the newer inland SC developments or closer to the beach? I know SC is growing back in the hills with Talega and other developments I appreciate the offer for more information. If I have more questions, which I am sure I will, I will contact you.

[West Roseville Peep]

I live in Fiddyment Farm and love it! There are hundreds of acres preserved with wetlands and huge blue oak trees. I would not call this area ugly at all! My mello Roos run $79/ year. This is my first experience with them, but I can't imagine that that is too steep. As to the high density housing comment: the city want to make the already zoned "high density" area even more dense than previously planned. No, we are not at all happy about that, but that has nothing to do with the "town center" that will be going into West Park. I just heard that Trader Joe's just signed on to be in there. People, check your facts before you start bad mouthing a neighborhood that you don't even live in. Houses are selling like hot cakes here and it's near impossible to find a rental. I've rented 5 homes and purchased five homes and this is by far my favorite neighborhood yet. It's not the most upscale neighborhood, but its definitely the best as far as schools and neighbors go.

[lgt]

The last post was over 3 years old. *l*

[Pam Pacella]

My husband and I are considering a move from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Sacramento California and we are looking at buying vacant land to build a house in Stone Mill in Fiddyment Ranch. The builder is K Hovnanian Homes. Any thoughts or concerns from the people that live around there regarding smells from the sewage treatment plant, unsightly powerlines and the energy plant hazards? We are assuming that Stone Mill is far enough away that these things would not be concerning.
Pam P

[Pam Pacella]

We will be moving our family sometime during the summer of 2013, and we are under the gun to sign a contract to start construction this week. Please if anyone could give us some advice on a move to this area if would be greatly appreciated.
Pam P