29 replies to this topic

[SunshineServices]

We have done work on numerous houses in Natoma Station, and the GREAT majority of them had plumbing issues. Showers that leak internally, poorly designed/installed drains and fixtures, toilet flanges not connected properly, the list goes on. Water is the number one problem in houses, but this builder seems to have an inordinate amount of plumbing issues.

Make sure you get a home inspection, which is good advice no matter where you intend to buy.

Jeff

[folsom500]

We have done work on numerous houses in Natoma Station, and the GREAT majority of them had plumbing issues. Showers that leak internally, poorly designed/installed drains and fixtures, toilet flanges not connected properly, the list goes on. Water is the number one problem in houses, but this builder seems to have an inordinate amount of plumbing issues.

Make sure you get a home inspection, which is good advice no matter where you intend to buy.

Jeff

Jeff- The houses in NS were not built by one builder. The Bungalos west of Woodbridge were all built by the same builder, but the homes built intersected by Turnpike had many different builders.

[Dave Burrell]

We have done work on numerous houses in Natoma Station, and the GREAT majority of them had plumbing issues. Showers that leak internally, poorly designed/installed drains and fixtures, toilet flanges not connected properly, the list goes on. Water is the number one problem in houses, but this builder seems to have an inordinate amount of plumbing issues.

Make sure you get a home inspection, which is good advice no matter where you intend to buy.

Jeff

The same happens in Los Cerros, at my house we had 2 major leaks under my slab last year. I wonder if that problem is related to the fact most houses around here were built on top of rock pilings?

[olivia]

I agree, Hopfield is a great street and Natoma Station in general is a nice place to live.

Another fan (and resident) of Hopfield and NS in general. Homes of this age will quite reasonably require some updating and occasional repairs. We are very happy with what we turned our house into and also like the availability to FHS and NS Elem. SMS was a very good experience for our son and his friends and there are some great teachers there. Good luck w/ your search.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Our house if for sale! Nice, quiet cul-de-sac with almost no traffic.

[olivia]

We lived in NS for 8 years and then moved to the Parkway last year. NS is OK....but I didn't find it to be a place I'd consider buying a home. IMHO, the houses (in terms of their overall structure) are very shoddy and with the influx of the lite-rail crowd and the proximity to the Outlets, I saw the neighborhood's appeal diminish rapidly from the time we moved in there (directly behind Tahoe Joes's/Taco Loco) in 2001 and when we moved in September of 2009 to the Parkway.

But, I guess it depends upon your individual wants and/or needs.....I will admit that the neighborhood is very family oriented; however, I never really "felt at home" there. In the 8 years that we lived there, I think we associated with, perhaps, two or three families (and it was always with a 10-foot pole extended).

Now that we're in the Parkway, I truly feel that we've found our niche. And, we were fortunate to get into a house that doesn't look out the front windows/garage to another house -- we get to stare at trees and bike trails. Very serene.

Everyone has their preferences. Hope you find what suits YOU!

Here 2 years and not at all our experience as for the neighbors or "at homeness".

[Abandka]

When we moved to NS last year, we really didn't know the difference in all the neighborhoods. Folsom was Folsom....But now, I understand there is difference. It is like anywhere. Neighborhoods do vary. Street to Street. Whoever lives next to you can make your life wonderful or miserable. All I can say, for someone who has moved a multiple of times in my adult life, I will never leave this place.

Our neighbors are the BEST! My husband broke his arm just before we moved in, and when he was struggling to unload the UHaul, one of the neighbors noticed and went door to door, rounding up help for him. Nine people showed up. That was the start...don't be surprised here if someone mows your lawn for you. Need help? Ask someone who is walking their dog or jogging by. And gatherings? Oh, yes, in a moment's notice you can be invited to a pot luck, a BBQ, etc.

With the exception of one house out of many, our neighbors all take pride in their homes. The yards are well maintained. The tree lined street is lovely. We are close to the bike trail, Lake Natoma, good schools, shopping, and the freeway.

I love not paying HOA fees. And I love the idea of remodeling our kitchen "MY" way. Our house is 17 years old, and when we bought it last year, we considered that in the price we offered.

And as far as Sunshine Services comment? We've only had one minor plumbing problem....related to the original toilet, and it was fixed in about 1 hour. I think ANY home will have some plumbing problem in 17 years so I sure wouldn't use his comment to make my decision. (By the way, I called Sunshine Services twice regarding the issue and never even received a return call, so I don't hold their opinion with much credibility)

Perhaps we are fortunate. Perhaps others have not had the same experience. Each person has to find their niche. I think anywhere you move to in Folsom will have great neighbors, and some that aren't your favorites. Find the house you love. (And remember NS did have a lot of different builders...) Check out the place at varying times of day, and various days of the week. And good luck!

[SunshineServices]

To all current and prospective NS residents:

The OP asked for info regarding the area. I gave our experience re 1 issue. I didn't mean to upset anyone, we love the area and have many friends there. I am sure the OP wanted a variety of opinions, both good and bad.

Dear Abandka,

I apologize that no one ever returned your call. It pains me that every contact we don't make can cost us money, additional contacts, and new customers. BUT, as a fellow human being, please don't assume that because we didn't call you back that we are automatically idiots about everything else. You might be the one perfect person on the planet, but..........

Thanks

Jeff

[Abandka]

Dear Abandka,

[/quote]

....I apologize that no one ever returned your call. It pains me that every contact we don't make can cost us money, additional contacts, and new customers. BUT, as a fellow human being, please don't assume that because we didn't call you back that we are automatically idiots about everything else. You might be the one perfect person on the planet, but..........

Thanks

Jeff
[/quote]
-----------------------

No problem, Jeff. Apology accepted.

I am not, nor did I ever claim to be, perfect. Nor do I assume you are an idiot. I am not here to bad rap anyone. You posted your opinion, as did I. You had excellent references, thus we chose to call you when I needed some work done...It may be that our experience was simply the exception. You lost our business, and nothing else...sorry you felt the need to react in such a manner.

[bookwom]

Jeff and Dave are repairing the damage from a plumbing leak in our NS home right now. Can't blame the builder, though. Probably blame a previous owner who falsely thought he was a great do-it-yourselfer. .

Anyway, they are doing a great job at a very reasonable price. And they are being very patient with me as I keep saying, "Oh, could you also do this...and this..etc."

If I were the OP, I would appreciate any feedback, good and bad, that would help me make an informed decision. Now they know to have the inspector take a very close look at the plumbing.

And BTW, missed phone calls happen, for any number of reasons. You're really going to call out someones credibility over that?

[folsom4us]

We have been renting here for a few months. We absolutely love it. I pretty much agree with everyone so far. But I would like to add that I wish we would have moved here years ago. We now live on a court and I highly recommend it. Stay away from the busier streets such as Turnpike. Especially with the younger kids.

We love Natoma Station Elementary and Sutter also.

[Steve Heard]

If I were the OP, I would appreciate any feedback, good and bad, that would help me make an informed decision. Now they know to have the inspector take a very close look at the plumbing.

And BTW, missed phone calls happen, for any number of reasons. You're really going to call out someones credibility over that?

You should always, always, always without exception, get a home inspection when buying an existing home (some even recommend them for new construction). A good inspector is worth his weight in gold. You learn so much from an inspection, things which are unseen by the average person and which the seller may have no knowledge of. My favorite inspector, Christian Peragallo of Homecheck, has given some homes clean bills of health, and he's found some items which caused my clients to pull out of deals. ALWAYS GET AN INSPECTION!

As far as the criticism of the unreturned phone calls, it is the bane of many small or independent businesses. It is something that we've all dropped the ball on, and deservedly, we get criticism for it. We have to continue to strive to return those calls in a timely manner. It's sometimes tough to balance giving attention to a current customer while following up on new ones, but we must do our best. The criticism actually helps to make us stronger.

Years ago, I had the fortune of losing a customer because of that very reason, and her feedback made me more concientous and today, I'm much better at it.

[Mr Horsepower]

I have a child entering kindergarten this fall.

Speaking as a parent of a current NSE kindergartener, I must say you can't go wrong here. My daughter absolutely loves her teacher, Mrs. Jones (although all the teachers I've met are great), and going to class in general. And she is learning so much its amazing.

Good Luck wherever you end up. But if you come to Natoma Station, we'd love to have another good neighbor


Todd

[chris v]

Speaking as a parent of a current NSE kindergartener, I must say you can't go wrong here. My daughter absolutely loves her teacher, Mrs. Jones (although all the teachers I've met are great), and going to class in general. And she is learning so much its amazing.

Good Luck wherever you end up. But if you come to Natoma Station, we'd love to have another good neighbor


Todd

My son had Mrs. Jones and we loved her as well. Actually we have loved all the teachers at NSE and the principal... seems everyone at that school is great.

[stangage70]

My son had Mrs. Jones and we loved her as well.

I have had two experience Kindergarten with Mrs. Jones. Both have been great experiences (one in progress). However I understand that she will likely retire after this year...