10 replies to this topic

[gbimal]

Hello,

We are looking at KB homes in Hideaway at Treehouse in Folsom Off of Iron Point. Would love to hear from residents on the
1. quality of construction
2. road noise due to freeway and Iron point Rd especially at night
3. safety issues
4. snakes and other critters in the neighborhood.
5. small backyards - how would it impact the resale value of the home in Folsom
6. Other commercial developments that can happen near the neighborhood - there are some commercial office space right next to the community now
7. HOA's and anything else we need to be aware of

Thanks much for the feedback,

[asbestoshills]

I live in Prairie Oaks and this development is by the high school. I think it would be a great rental when you are done living there. Beyond that, I'm not impressed by the location, quality (KB ) and they are all scrunched together. Now, if you don't have a lot of money and just want to get into Folsom, it's not a bad option, but you could certainly get a more established neighborhood for that price. It seems like an odd mixture of singles who work at Intel, and some families mixed in the other part. If you don't require much of a yard and don't care if you can smell what the neighbors are cooking for dinner, it may be an option. THere's just something I don't like about that community, from the name to the layout all bug me. It seems very transient and not a real neighborhood if you ask me. They were advertising homes for $900 a month, so maybe if that's your price point, it will work. If I were you I would go and ask some of the neigbors if they like it. The pros is that it is close to the high school (maybe too close) and to Safeway. Beyond that, there's the freeway and with that comes noise.

[Steve Heard]

1. quality of construction
2. road noise due to freeway and Iron point Rd especially at night
3. safety issues
4. snakes and other critters in the neighborhood.
5. small backyards - how would it impact the resale value of the home in Folsom
6. Other commercial developments that can happen near the neighborhood - there are some commercial office space right next to the community now
7. HOA's and anything else we need to be aware of

I don't live there, but I help folks buy and sell homes in Folsom. I can comment on a few of your conerns.

* Road Noise - Yes, there will be some. You will be close to the freeway and Iron Point. I've been inside a number of homes in that development and with the doors closed, they are pretty quiet.
* Snakes and critters - It's Folsom. We've got 'em. You're right next to Willow Hill Reservoir, and it can be a habitat for coyotes, snakes, raccoons and other critters. With all the fear of critters, in 11 years of living here, I've never heard of anyone gettin' snake bit.
* Small yards- There is definitely a market for homes with small yards, but it is a fairly small one. The majority of people going after single-family homes prefer ones with yards. Right now, just about anything priced right sells quickly in Folsom. Of the 74 homes on the market in Folsom today, 20 of them have been put on the market within the past 2 weeks.
* New Commercial Developement - Here's a link to the City's website. Construction and permits can get delayed, but this is the most current list they have.

Good luck!

[newday]

My parents live there, and as older adults, they love the minimal maintenance needed for their small yard, and they don't need much outdoor space. They like that the front landscaping is taken care of and always looks good. As far as noise, I haven't noticed any in their house, but they are not on the edge close to the freeway. And there are times in your life when having neighbors close is not a bad thing. They can walk to Safeway and have a quick drive to Costco, CalFit, and the Palladio. They love it.

[folsom500]

I have been through those homes and agree with the previous posters about yard size (very small) but the biggest negative is the road noise, mostly from the Freeway - especially if you open the windows day or night... Iron point is pretty busy during the day but not very busy at night so not too much will come from that direction but the freeway is 24/7... and we even hear its roar in Natoma Station close to Blue Ravine...

[caligirlz]

I looked at those homes multiple times when I was looking to buy. The original developer was Lange, and it was my understanding that his product was of a higher quality than KB Homes (I've seen lots of complaints about KB). However, the homes & amenities are beautiful. I love the walking trails, the Willow Hill Reserve "lake" park, the parks/trails over in Prairie City, and the Marsh Hawk Pond. It's even walking distance to Safeway & Starbucks.

While I liked the idea of low maintenance, I do not like high density housing...it's way to close to the neighbors...or two-story homes, or condo units sitting on top of someone else's unit. You can practically reach through the window to the home next door...it's a really short distance. For me, it was like owning an apartment.

Also, the morning traffic near the high school can be challenging, especially if you are traveling south to get onto Hwy 50 at Prairie City. If you wanted to go to Prairie City, you would not be able to make a left hand turn onto Iron Point from Barnhill Drive (during the time of students arriving...I can't remember if there is a break in the center divider at that point) unless you went down to the office entrance on Outcropping Way to Treehouse at the light.

I did live at the Iron Point Apartments, but on the back side so I didn't really notice the traffic noise. Oh one thing about "noise", I was able to hear the stadium announcements loud & clear on Friday nights. And that was with doors & windows closed!

[gbimal]

I don't live there, but I help folks buy and sell homes in Folsom. I can comment on a few of your conerns.

* Road Noise - Yes, there will be some. You will be close to the freeway and Iron Point. I've been inside a number of homes in that development and with the doors closed, they are pretty quiet.
* Snakes and critters - It's Folsom. We've got 'em. You're right next to Willow Hill Reservoir, and it can be a habitat for coyotes, snakes, raccoons and other critters. With all the fear of critters, in 11 years of living here, I've never heard of anyone gettin' snake bit.
* Small yards- There is definitely a market for homes with small yards, but it is a fairly small one. The majority of people going after single-family homes prefer ones with yards. Right now, just about anything priced right sells quickly in Folsom. Of the 74 homes on the market in Folsom today, 20 of them have been put on the market within the past 2 weeks.
* New Commercial Developement - Here's a link to the City's website. Construction and permits can get delayed, but this is the most current list they have.

Good luck!

Thanks for your feedback, Steve! Have been looking at FM homes the last few months - and they are going very quickly - multiple offers on most of them. We were looking to relocate/buy this summer -- what with such low inventory - we will probably try our luck next year. What does your crystal ball say on the outlook for next year

[4thgenFolsomite]

* Snakes and critters - It's Folsom. We've got 'em. You're right next to Willow Hill Reservoir, and it can be a habitat for coyotes, snakes, raccoons and other critters. With all the fear of critters, in 11 years of living here, I've never heard of anyone gettin' snake bit.

Good luck!

you mean in Folsom or in this neighborhood? people absolutely get bit by rattlesnakes in Folsom.

[Steve Heard]

Thanks for your feedback, Steve! Have been looking at FM homes the last few months - and they are going very quickly - multiple offers on most of them. We were looking to relocate/buy this summer -- what with such low inventory - we will probably try our luck next year. What does your crystal ball say on the outlook for next year

Hmmm...that's a good question. We just don't know. For about 5 years now, the threat of a flood of 'shadow inventory' (homes which were foreclosed upon but held by banks, homes in default but the banks haven't foreclosed on yet, and people who are underwater and likely to go into foreclosure) has been looming. Every the experts say, 'yeah, but this year, they're really going to release them', but it has yet to happen.

Why? A variety of reaons: Banks don't want to flood the market and hurt the home values of their paying customers, they don't want or can't handle more foreclosures and the bad press and government scrutiy that comes with them, they are renting them out, working out solutions with sellers, selling in bulk to investors. All of these reasons have been given.

Right now, some folks believe that the banks realize that with the high demand and low inventory, they can trickle them out and get higher prices for them.

As prices tick up, more homeowners will gain equity and confidence and start selling.

So, my crystal ball says that demand will continue and interest rates will remain low, allowing slow and small gains in pricing in the next few years.

Of course, it's just a crystal ball, so it could be wrong.

you mean in Folsom or in this neighborhood? people absolutely get bit by rattlesnakes in Folsom.

I mean in Folsom. When was the last time there was a report of someone getting bit? I think it would make the news since just the presence of them seems to be newsworthy. I did a quick google search for
'rattlesnake bite folsom ca' and nothing came up. If I'm wrong and there have been folks getting bit, do let me know.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I mean in Folsom. When was the last time there was a report of someone getting bit? I think it would make the news since just the presence of them seems to be newsworthy. I did a quick google search for
'rattlesnake bite folsom ca' and nothing came up. If I'm wrong and there have been folks getting bit, do let me know.

My neighbor was bitten on his ankle just stepping out his backdoor onto his patio one morning. Spent 8 days in the hospital. He had rattlesnake removal come to the house before he came home. The snake was in the same spot. We have also had numerous pets bitten and killed. I just don't think these stories make the news.

[Pony]

Hi,
I am actually one of the single home owners at Hideway @ Treehouse, since 2007 ( unfortunately not many of us left since 2006/7, most owners sold/short sale dot foreclosed ).
I’ve also have had concerns having so many closely located neighbors plus living close to the freeway, but now, 5 years later I can tell you there is no any issue with that.
Most of the days you will run A/C or Heater and having dual pane windows isolates the outside noise, so nothing really bothers you. I do like fresh air, so in the days I am opening the windows I can hear a bit noise from the freeway, buy it’s really a white noise, and you tend to get used to it really quickly.
Neighbors are polite and respectful in general, many single retired couples with little puppies, somehow it’s really popular in this neighborhood, probably because of the nearby park with a pond.
The location is great, IMHO. Close to everything. The HOA was unreasonably higher till last year, and now it’s finally 100$ , but I hope we can lower it. There is no justifications to have so high HOA without real amenities, like pool, gym etc…
Like low maintenance backyard as well.
I think, If you’re going work for CalISO or Intel or Kaiser, this would be one of the best choices for you.
Hope it helps.
Pony