The Islands – An Active Lifestyle Awaits

March 10th, 2012

credit: msa2.saccounty.net

With today’s busy schedules it is more important than ever to take the time to get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty that surrounds us in Sacramento. The Pocket is known for its active community with people enjoying all that this region has to offer in the way of outdoor recreation.  With the weather warming up, now is a great time to start planning some local day trips to get out and enjoy all that our area has to offer.

Where should you start? Here is an excellent resource and a “must have” for all lovers of the local outdoors.

A new, expanded version of “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Sacramento,” written by local hiking expert Jordan Summers was recently released. The expanded edition is an excellent updated compilation for those wanting to hit the trails but still stay close to home. The book includes hikes in Roseville, Davis and Auburn too.

What can you expect to find in this local hiking guide?

credit: menasharidge.com

From the publisher’s website:

Day hiking in Sacramento and the surrounding areas has never been better. New trails have been established and old trails have been rediscovered. Carefully researched on foot, hiking enthusiast Jordan Summers introduces area residents and visitors to an array of the best day hikes from casual riverside nature hikes to rugged foothill treks within roughly an hour’s drive of Sacramento.

Filled with detailed descriptions of firsthand trail notes, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Sacramento helps hikers discover their choices with concise at-a-glance information highlighting details such as location, access, directions, distances, scenery, and preparation details that help hikers get the most from each outing. Precise maps, descriptive text, photos, and trailhead coordinates guide you on your way quickly and keep you on route reliably. Discover the varied geology, the cultural history, and the natural beauty of the foothills, mother lode, and delta regions in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Sacramento.

The book can be found at your local bookstores and online at the publisher’s site.

Grab yourself a copy and make plans to get outdoors and experience all the beauty that surrounds us each and every day.

credit: sacwiki.org

Another great resource for outdoor activity is sacwiki.org.  They have an excellent section for hiking which covers a number of local trails (by county), dog parks and maps to get you informed and prepared for all that Sacramento outdoor life has to offer you when you live at The Islands at Riverlake.

Be safe, stay healthy and have fun!

Just one more reason we love calling Sacramento “Home”!

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco.

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Is Now The Time To Buy?

February 21st, 2012

CNN Money recently wrote an article about the current state of the National Housing Market.  The title of the story sums it up nicely: Home Buying: Most Affordable in Decades.  So what has created this Buyer-friendly environment?  The answer is two-fold: decline in home prices and incredibly-low mortgage rates.

The new CNN article dovetails quite nicely with a number of posts and articles we have presented in recent months regarding this topic.

Back in November, we wrote about the affordability of mortgage payments, with buyers paying less than they did in 2006.  The report, complied by economists at UCLA, also predicted a stabilization of the housing market:

UCLA economists are predicting a steady climb in the median price of existing California homes. The UCLA Anderson Forecast anticipates an 11.5 percent price jump next year. The forecast calls for another 10 percent increase in 2013 and a median price of nearly $440,000 by 2017 — that would represent a 52 and a half percent increase over today’s prices.

The referenced report and article can be found here.

On a more local note – the affordability of Sacramento’s housing market, in comparison to our neighbors to the West, was the topic of discussion here.  The article’s opening paragraphs were important enough to warrant a revisiting here:

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco. And if history is any guide, that mounting price gap could have a big impact on Sacramento’s housing market and economy in the not-too-distant future.

The last time the spread between Bay Area median prices and Sacramento median prices grew so big was a decade ago, just before tens of thousands of Bay Area transplants arrived in Sacramento, turning a healthy housing market into a bona fide boom.

The complete Sacramento Bee’s article can be read here.

Home ownership isn’t for everyone.  But, if you are in a position to buy and you’d like to call Riverlake “Home”, you owe it to yourself to stop by to discuss your ownership options at The Islands at Riverlake. Christopher can answer all your questions regarding purchasing NEW at The Islands.

For more information regarding The Islands at Riverlake, or to schedule an appointment to see our community:

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Save The Date – February 4 – Sacramento Museum Day

January 28th, 2012

credit: sacmuseums.org

Save the date! Now in its 14th year, 28 museums from the greater Sacramento area will be offering free or half price admission for the Annual Sacramento Museum Day. Sacramento Museum Day takes place Saturday February 4, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All participating museums close at 5 p.m. with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.

Take a look at the participating museums below…there truly is something for everyone. A brief summary of the museums can be found here .

PARTICIPATING MUSEUMS for SACRAMENTO MUSEUM DAY 2012:
Aerospace Museum of California
California Automobile Museum
California Foundry History Museum
The California Museum
California State Capitol Museum
California State Indian Museum
California State Military Museum
California State Railroad Museum
Center for Contemporary Art
Crocker Art Museum
Discovery Museum Science and Space Center
The Don and June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum
Fairytale Town*
Folsom History Museum
Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
Heidrick Ag History Center (Woodland)
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
Museum of Medical History
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Old Sacramento State Historic Park
Sacramento Children’s Museum
Sacramento Zoo*
Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
Sacramento History Museum
Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Wells Fargo History Museum (Old Sacramento and Downtown locations).
*All listed Museums will offer free admission on Museum Day except for the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town which will offer half-priced admission.

credit: sacmuseums.org | click to enlarge

Printable (.pdf) version of this map can be found here

The perfect way to spend a weekend day!

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco.

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Downtown Dining At Its Best

January 13th, 2012

credit: downtownsac.org

Living mere minutes from Downtown Sacramento has a number of advantages,  one of which is the great dining options. If you haven’t had a chance to experience all of the incredible restaurants, don’t worry Dine Downtown has you covered.

Experience the best of Downtown Sacramento’s dining scene during the award-winning Dine Downtown Restaurant Week. A great venue to sample all that Downtown Sacramento has to offer as local chefs create special three-course dinner menus for only $30 per person.

Dine Downtown 2012 will kick off on Monday January 9th and continue through Wednesday January 18th. Take a look at all of the participating restaurants below (listed from their event page here)

Reservations made simple. Dine Downtown has also made it extremely easy to make reservation:

♦ Via Open table links below
♦ Via the Restaurants’ websites
♦ or by calling the Restaurants directly.

List re- purposed from Dine Downtown Event page here. Click on the restaurant links below to see what special menu they have for the Dine Downtown event.

Participating Restaurants :

3 Fires Lounge

4th Street Grille -   Make Reservation

Biba -   Make Reservation

Blue Prynt -   Make Reservation

The Broiler Steakhouse -  Make Reservation

Cafeteria 15L -  Make Reservation

Capitol Garage (V) -  Make Reservation

Chops Steak, Seafood & Grill - Make Reservation

Dawson’s at the Hyatt (V) -  Make Reservation

de Vere’s Irish Pub

Ella Dining Room & Bar - Make Reservation

Esquire Grill -  Make Reservation

Fat City

The Firehouse Restaurant (V) -  Make Reservation

Frank Fats -  Make Reservation

Grange (V) -  Make Reservation

Il Forniao -  Make Reservation

Kupros Bistro (V) -  Make Reservation

The Melting Pot (V)

Morgan’s at the Sheraton Grand (V) -  Make Reservation

Mulvaney’s B&L (V) – Make Reservation

Paragary’s Midtown

The Pilothouse at the Delta King -  Make Reservation

The Porch -  Make Reservation

Restaurant Thir13en -  Make Reservation

Rio City Cafe

Spataro (V) – Make Reservation

Ten22 -  Make Reservation

Tequila Museo Mayahuel (V) -  Make Reservation

Tuli Bistro

(V)- Vegetarian options included in the menu

Bon Appetit!

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco.

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

New Year, New Color – Tangerine Tango Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year

January 1st, 2012

One of the easiest ways to add a little personality to a new home is with a fresh coat of paint. But picking a paint color can be a daunting task. It’s a tricky balance between lighting, personality, mood and current trends. Are you one of those people who feels overwhelmed by the process of picking “the right color” and are left with a dozen swatches on walls and no direction? Pantone to the rescue! The leader in color and design recently announced their much-anticipated color of the year.

Pantone’s 2012 Color of The Year – PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango. Pantone’s website describes the vibrant color as:

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

So how does one incorporate this playful color into an interior design theme at your new home at The Islands at Riverlake? Their article goes on to say:

Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway.

You can read the entire article at the Pantone site here.

Its easy to customize your new home at The Islands at Riverlake. So if you are considering a new home purchase to jump-start 2012, stop by the Sales Center to learn more about our exciting new home community.

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco.

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Retire to The Islands!

December 11th, 2011

Enjoy the good life at The Islands at Riverlake.

Back in October, we featured a story about the affordability of the current Sacramento housing market. The story ran in the Sacramento Bee – Hope in Housing Gap and the opening line was an eye-catcher

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco.

The article focused on buyers who will consider a move to the Sacramento housing market based on the value of what their money can buy.  This especially holds true for retirees who downsize and make financial decision based on their lifestyle needs and cost of living. We see a lot of buyers come from the East Bay or North Bay – Napa County to Alameda County, who realize that there is real value here.  Those looking for a long term option, near airports for travel, wine tasting  and within easy reach of the “city” (Sacramento). Buyers are amazed at how much home they can buy for nearly a third of the cost of their current residence.

Low-Maintenance living in the heart of an establish community sounds like a winning combination for an ideal retirement.  If it sounds good to you too, contact Christopher at the Sales Gallery for a personal tour of our new home community:

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

How You Live Is As Important As Where You Live

December 5th, 2011

When searching for that perfect place to call “home”, we all take a number of factors into consideration before making a decision to purchase.  The home’s functionality, location and livability all weigh in when it comes time to buy.  Very few homes can measure up in all categories but The Islands at Riverlake is a rare find, as we are the only new home construction located in the prestigious and established Greenhaven/Pocket area.

The Pocket has all the amenities and conveniences that makes up a wonderful neighborhood for you and your family – open spaces and tree-lined streets, great schools, luxury housing opportunities, easy access to outdoor amenities – lakes and rivers and nearby shopping.

A reputation for the best of both livability and convenience, residents of the neighborhood enjoy pedestrian and bicycle pathways, plus connections and access to the Sacramento River as well as an easy commute to Downtown Sacramento. Simply put … Life made simple.

For more information regarding The Islands at Riverlake, or to schedule an appointment to see our community:

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Time To Buy. Monthly Mortgage Payments Almost 40% Cheaper Than 2006

November 20th, 2011

Perhaps it is time to find your NEW home at The Islands at Riverlake in Sacramento. If you are considering a purchase, now may be the best time to buy.

UCLA Anderson Economists forecast home prices on the rise up 52% in 2017 {Read the full article}

Housing affordability improved dramatically because of declines in both prices and mortgage interest rates, according to David Stiff, chief economist at Fiserv. “The monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced single-family home is now $700, compared to $1,140 in 2006 — a decline of nearly 40%,” he said in comments on the latest release from Fiserv. Home prices in the U.S. will decline 3.6% into mid-2012 and then rebound 2.4% in second half 2012 through the first half 2013, according to Fiserv Case-Shiller projections.

Price declines and low mortgage rates have resulted in a ratio of monthly mortgage payments to median family income that is the lowest on record based on Fiserv analytics.

Housing affordability improved dramatically because of declines in both prices and mortgage interest rates, according to David Stiff, chief economist at Fiserv (FISV: 57.13 +0.46%). “The monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced single-family home is now $700, compared to $1,140 in 2006 — a decline of nearly 40%,” he said in comments on the latest release from Fiserv.

Home prices in the U.S. will decline 3.6% into mid-2012 and then rebound 2.4% in second half 2012 through the first half 2013, according to Fiserv Case-Shiller projections.Fiserv’s indices look at home price trends in 384 U.S. markets. Prices fell in 340 markets, with 302 of them hitting new lows in the second quarter.

The National Association of Realtors found a similar trend. On Wednesday, the trade group revealed that the median price on existing home sales fell in most of the 150 metropolitan areas surveyed by the organization in the third quarter.

Price declines and low mortgage rates have resulted in a ratio of monthly mortgage payments to median family income that is the lowest on record based on Fiserv analytics. Stiff said national purchase mortgage payments now account for only 13% of monthly median family income, down from 23% in the first quarter of 2006, and the lowest percentage since 1971!  Source: Housing Wire, Justin T. Hilley | November 9, 2011 {Read the full article}

The Islands makes it easy to own a new home in the Greenhaven/Pocket neighborhood! Our location is highly desirable and offers the some of the best schools, culture, and proximity to employment in the Sacramento area.  The homes feature dramatic floor plans, stunning architecture and dazzling sunsets. And as a Riverlake resident, you will receive all the amenities of this mature, quiet lakeside community, including lake and clubhouse access.

Contact Christopher at the Sales Center for details.

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Sacramento Homebuyers Set To Benefit From Housing Gap

October 26th, 2011

Twenty-nine cents on the dollar.

That’s what homebuyers now pay for a typical house in the Sacramento region compared to buyers in San Francisco. And if history is any guide, that mounting price gap could have a big impact on Sacramento’s housing market and economy in the not-too-distant future.

The last time the spread between Bay Area median prices and Sacramento median prices grew so big was a decade ago, just before tens of thousands of Bay Area transplants arrived in Sacramento, turning a healthy housing market into a bona fide boom.

The opening of a recent Sacramento Bee article – Hope in Housing Gap .  The article goes on to talk about buyers who will consider a move to the Sacramento housing market based on the value of what their money can buy.  This especially holds true for retirees who downsize and make financial decision based on their lifestyle needs and cost of living. We see a lot of buyers come from the East Bay or North Bay – Napa County to Alameda County, who realize that there is real value here.   Those looking for a long term option, near airports for travel, wine tasting  and within easy reach of Sacramento. Buyers are amazed at how much home they can buy for nearly a third of the cost of their current residence.

You get a lot more “bang for your buck” in Sacramento and the increased price gap should bode well for Sacramento housing.  The last two local housing booms were both proceeded by similar pricing gaps. The article sums it up below:

The calculus is simple: Bay Area residents see their modest homes sell for immodest prices, and decide to cash out and buy quasi-mansions in Sacramento.

Buyers expect more in today’s market and even the pickiest buyers are pleasantly surprised by the carefully planned floor plans, and quality of  design and finishes that our NEW home construction at The Islands at Riverlake offers. As a bonus, The Islands is located in the established and prestigious Greenhaven/Pocket neighborhood, where residents enjoy tree-lined streets, parks and river access, yet are within minutes to urban amenities – fine dining, live music, sporting events, farmers markets, festivals and more that Bay Area residents have become accustomed to in large cities.

For more information regarding The Islands at Riverlake, or to schedule an appointment to see our community:

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!

Got Parks? The Pocket Does! Our Pick = Garcia Bend

October 24th, 2011

When searching for that perfect place to call “home”, we all take a number of factors into consideration before making a decision to purchase.  The home’s functionality, location and livability all weigh in when it comes time to buy a home.  The Islands at Riverlake is a rare find, as we are the only new home construction located in the prestigious and established Greenhaven/Pocket area.

The Pocket has all the amenities and conveniences that makes up a wonderful neighborhood for you and your family – open spaces and tree lined streets, great schools, luxury housing opportunities, easy access to outdoor amenities – lakes and rivers and nearby shopping.

A reputation for the best of both livability and convenience, residents of the neighborhood enjoy pedestrian and bicycle pathways, plus connections to the Sacramento River and Downtown Sacramento. Located within the neighborhood of Pocket is Riverlake, a prestigious lake community – where you’ll find The Islands at Riverlake, The Pocket is also home to several great parks, including Garcia Bend Park — a large riverfront park that is home to a spectacular fireworks display every Fourth of July and great outdoor amenities! With direct Sacramento River access including a boat ramp and boat trailer parking, plus picnic areas, restrooms, play areas, and soccer fields – The Pocket offers outdoor fun the whole family can enjoy.

One of our favorites: Garcia Bend Park

credit: cityofsacramento.org

Here are some Yelp reviews to give you an idea of what visitors are saying about the park:

What a great place to come and take a walk, jet ski, barbecue or just have an adventurous afternoon walk. - Rebekah T.

Beautiful place right on the Sacramento river. Great access to fishing, boating, walking, biking. – Mark P.

And last, but not least, is the Garcia Bend Park listing on Sacramentoriver.org site.

For more information regarding The Islands at Riverlake, or to schedule an appointment to see our community:

The Islands at Riverlake
8002 Linda Isle Lane
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone: (916) 422-2202

The Islands at Riverlake is on Facebook and Twitter, follow along for specially priced homes, community events, local business spotlights and incentives!