Placer County Blog

Property tax exemptions to be aware of in Placer County

Sep 05, 2017

Purchasing a home is an exciting time in someone’s life, especially if it is happening in an area like Placer County. Before you get the keys to your new home, however, you may want more information about property taxes in the region.

One thing that is of particular interest to many people moving to Placer County is if there are any property tax exemptions available.

Below are the exceptions you should be aware of:

Homeowners’ Exemption

Homeowners may be able to claim an exemption on their primary residence (the one you live in). The exemption can reduce the assessed value of the property by $7,000. You only have to apply for this exemption once and if it is approved it will continue each year as long as you own and occupy the property. To qualify, you have to own and occupy the property as of Jan. 1, each year, or “Intend to occupy, as your principle residence, a recently purchased or constructed dwelling within ninety (90) days after the purchase or completion of construction.”

Disabled Veterans’ Exemption

This exemption can provide tax relief for qualified veterans or their unmarried surviving spouse.

Seniors Tax Postponement Program

Senior citizens and disabled persons with an annual household income of $35,500 or less can apply to have their property taxes deferred on their primary residence.

Solar Energy New Construction Exclusion

If you buy a new home with an active solar energy system, you may qualify for a reduction in the assessed value of the property.

For more information, make sure you download our Guide to Buying in Placer County. Also, visit Placer County’s website.

Rocklin sees 27 percent increase in single-family homes sold

Aug 31, 2017

The number of single-family homes sold in Rocklin increased by 27 percent over the last month.

Overall, there were 106 listings sold in Rocklin this month, with another 106 listings pending. Rocklin is a great place to live. It is a vibrant city home great parks and schools, hiking and biking trails, restaurants and more. The population is 64,417 and it has been considered one of the fastest-growing cities in California (60 percent growth since 2000). Situated right off I-80 and Highway 65, residents have easy access to Sacramento and other cities in the area.

In neighboring Roseville, there were 202 listings sold in the last month, a decrease of 1.5 percent. Roseville does have 255 pending listings this month, however, an increase of 29 percent from last month. Roseville has blossomed into a city with 128,615 people and covers a total of 42 square miles. The city features great schools, endless restaurant options, golf courses, a water park, several corporate headquarters, hiking and biking trails, creeks and more.

For more real estate statistics, check out the neighborhood pages under the “Explore Placer” tab.

The real estate market in Placer County remains robust. If you have any questions about moving to a community in the area, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our professionals!

Roseville Galleria remodel in the works

Aug 29, 2017

The ultra-popular Galleria at Roseville mall may undergo a refresh in the near future.

The owners of the regional mall have applied for upgrades with the city of Roseville, according to an application on the city’s website. While some of the upgrades may include a refresh of the dining area and kiosks, the plans may call for new stores and restaurants as well, with more details expected to be released in 2018.

Roseville’s regional mall already includes a total of 235 retail outlets, attracting 13.4 million customers annually. Shoppers currently enjoy stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Burberry, Coach, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Crate & Barrel and other mall mainstays and upscale boutiques. Restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Land Ocean, Il Fornaio and other premier eateries also attract a large number residents and visitors to the general mall area.

Click here for a full list of current stores.

The Roseville Galleria opened in August 2000 and has remained a regional favorite ever since.

The mall is located on Galleria Boulevard just off State Route 65.

New sports and event center proposed in Roseville

Aug 24, 2017

A new 130,000-square-foot indoor sports and event center is being proposed at the Placer County Fairgrounds in Roseville.

The facility, which Placer County leaders will hold a public meeting about on Aug. 29, would be used for various sports events and tournaments, including volleyball, basketball, martial arts, dance and cheer competitions.

In addition to the 130,000-square-foot center, the project could have a “Phase 2” addition featuring a 60,000-square-foot expansion and 6,000-square-foot culinary building, which would include a food demonstration area, banquet rooms and more. The sports and event center could be configured to hold as many as 30 volleyball courts, 15 basketball courts, or 30 wrestling mats, once the second phase of the project is complete.

The complex would include team rooms, training rooms, row bleachers, concessions, offices and multi-purpose rooms. The facility could also be used to host large meetings, trade shows, concerts and graduations.

The county is inviting public input during its notice of preparation phase of the project, which also serves as a way to educate the public and other agencies about the project’s environmental impact. Placer County leaders will hold a public meeting Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Martha Riley Community Library to discuss the project.

Learn more details about the meeting here.

For more details about the scope of the project, click here.

66-acre “Village Neighborhood” under consideration in Loomis

Aug 22, 2017

A 66.5-acre, mixed-use development is currently under consideration by the Loomis Town Council.

The development, known as the Village at Loomis, is being described as offering alternative housing designs to create a “village-like neighborhood” adjacent to the traditional center of historic Loomis. Residents will be able to attend a Sept. 12 public workshop to discuss the project.

The Village at Loomis would consist of:

294 single-family residential units;
117 high-density multi-family units;
Seven multi-family units within the mixed-use area;
Approximately 44,000 square feet of commercial;
25,000 square feet of professional office uses;
5,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial; and
Parks, trails, open space and public infrastructure improvements.

The homes proposed on the development would range from 1,500 square feet all the way up to 2,800 square feet. The Park and Open Space District would consist of a combination of public parks, trails (some with a par course) and an open-space natural preserve. A 12-acre park and central open space area would be located in the center of the site to preserve natural resources, including oak trees and wetlands.

The Village at Loomis would be located west of I-80 between King Road to the north and Horseshoe Bar Road to the west.

An application for a similar project was submitted to the Town Council in 2007. It was withdrawn in 2010. The Village at Loomis was proposed in 2014. The project still must make it through a variety of approvals, beginning with General Plan amendments.

The plans for such a development have long involved community input. During the Sept. 12 workshop, members of the Town Council and Planning Commission are expected to provide their questions and comments on the project. Time for public comment also will be provided.

Top photo via thevillageatloomis.com. Design image via loomis.ca.gov.

Cracker Barrel slated to open location in Rocklin

Aug 17, 2017

If you love the taste of southern food, you’ll love this juicy news: a Cracker Barrel is likely coming to Rocklin.

The restaurant would be part of Rocklin Station, which the Rocklin Planning Commission approved the design plan for this month. The plan also calls for other restaurants, including a Chick-fil-A and Habit Burger.

The southern food chain has been around since 1969, when it opened its first store in Tennessee. Now, Cracker Barrel runs close to 700 restaurants across the United States.

Cracker Barrel serves breakfast all day and lunch and dinner after 11 a.m.

The restaurant uses Grade A farm fresh eggs, coarse ground grits, Golden Delicious Fried Apples, thick-sliced bacon and ham as just some of its breakfast ingredients. Its lunch and dinner menus features fresh ingredients, as well, including USDA steak, roast beef, center-cut pork chops, authentic country vegetables, hand-cut dumplings and scratch buttermilk biscuits. Other dinner items include meatloaf, rib eye steak, catfish, rainbow trout and haddock.

This eatery prides itself in offering old-fashion eats and fair prices. Whether you’re looking for a home-style meal or want to browse the country store, Cracker Barrel has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Browse Cracker Barrel’s full menu here.

Rocklin Station would be located at the southwest corner of the Interstate 80 off-ramp and Sierra College Boulevard.

iHeartPlacer’s efforts to help families relocate to Placer County featured in Press Tribune

Aug 15, 2017

Our ongoing efforts to help families relocate from the Bay Area to Placer County were recently featured in an article published by the Press Tribune.

Dave Hoggatt, of iHeartPlacer.com, spoke about the influx of residents moving to the region and the many website features and resources our readers enjoy, including smart property alerts, regional news, blogs and events.

The article cited Placer County’s affordability as the main reason why so many are choosing “foothill living.” And we couldn’t agree more!

You can learn more about the region’s affordability in our content guides and blogs, and why so many people love Placer County!

Read the full article here.

How to shop for a home in Placer County while living in the Bay Area

Aug 09, 2017

Relocating from the San Francisco Bay Area to Placer County can be a tall order, but many are doing it.

According to sfgate.com, 170,000 people moved to Sacramento from 2014 to 2015, and a recent Redfin report that detailed migration patterns out of major cities in the U.S. found that San Francisco had the largest net outflow of population, with Sacramento being the top destination.

The prospect of new opportunities for work and school, affordable housing and a fresh start is inspiring and motivating. We are continually seeing more and more families relocate from the Bay Area to Placer County in search of the many things that make this area great. This transition will require a little help, however, as sometimes life can get in the way.

One early roadblock many experience is finding a new home from afar. We get it. Your busy lives can interrupt your efforts to find our dream home in a timely manner!

If you fall into this category, here are some easy tips you can follow to ease your transition from the Bay Area to Placer County.

Schedule a virtual showing. Doing so provides instant access while you continue your routine back at home. The power of live video will give you a detailed walk-through in a familiar way. It’s like FaceTime, but for your future home.
Enlist family members or friends to scout properties on your behalf. It’s a fun and reliable way to involve your entire family and friends in this process. They know about your tastes, preferences and style, and are likely to help you narrow down your search.
Spend a weekend in Placer County. A day trip with the family is the perfect way to take advantage of everything the area offers, introduce your family to their future home and tour a few properties. It’s a win-win in every regard.
Find the right real estate agent. To be able to accomplish all of the above, you are going to want to work with a real estate agent who is willing to be flexible and reliable.

Our ambassadors at www.iheartplacer.com are here for you. We provide guidance at each step of the way – even if you’re in the early stages of this exciting process of relocating from the Bay Area to Placer County, a place we know you’ll absolutely love.

We’ve designed www.iheartplacer.com with you in mind. From real estate resources and content guides, smart property searches, blogs, an events calendar and more, we do our very best to help you get started, then move, live and thrive in your new community.

We hope these tips are helpful as you prepare for your Big Move, which is also the title of our exclusive From the Bay to Placer County moving guide, which you can download here.

Rocklin City Council approves $2.6 million for adventure park design features

Aug 08, 2017

The Rocklin Adventures at Quarry Park project recently cleared another hurdle.

The Rocklin City Council has agreed to spend $2.6 million on the various design elements of the park, including zip lines, a rope course and climbing activities along quarry rock faces. Other elements of the adventure park, which will be located at 4060 Rocklin Road, will include an observation deck, history exhibits, jump wall, vertical garden, rappelling stations, swinging bridges, water features and more.

The company the city of Rocklin tapped to design and construct the adrenaline-rushing features is Bonsai Design, which has done projects for Heavenly Mountain Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Toledo Zoo and more. The company says it’s responsible for more than 1 million exciting experiences through its unique and exciting adventure-seeker programs.

Bonsai expects the construction elements to be completed by February 2018.

Here are some renderings of the project:

City officials said the project, which will allow visitors to zip line down a seven-story abandoned quarry or rock climb down its cliff at a historic site in Rocklin, has the potential to be a catalyst for business and development in the Quarry District and hopes to attract customers to local business to increase local tax revenue.

Other park structures, including the ticket office, food offerings, tap house and more will be designed by another company. The Rocklin City Council approved an agreement in January, with Legacy Family Adventures to design about 30 percent of the park.

For more information, visit the city of Rocklin’s website.

Roseville’s Broderick Roadhouse brings some of the best burgers to Placer County

Aug 03, 2017

One of the best burger spots in the region just opened in Roseville.

Broderick Roadhouse, located at 1516 Eureka Road (the former Chili’s building), has brought its “scratch-made” comfort food to Placer County. Broderick, which originally started as a food truck in Sacramento, offers a wide variety of custom burgers. Here are a few examples:

Johnny Cash Burger – Angus beef, cheddar cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, house-pickled sweet peppers, fried onion crisps and BBQ sauce. (Recently landed on The Sacramento Bee’s Top-10 Burger List.)

Lamb Burger – Lebanese spiced ground lamb, roasted tomato, goat cheese, garlic aioli, red onion, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette.

Gold Rush Burger – California-certified Angus beef, Bacon Mac and Cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, garlic aioli and fried onion crisps.

Boar Burger – Ground wild boar, cheddar cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried egg, fried onion crisps, house apple butter.

As you can see, this place isn’t messing around! The burgers are oversized, a little different and quite frankly, utterly delicious. The above options are just four of the 12 custom burgers on the menu. Not to mention, several upgrades such as house chili, avocado and mushrooms. For those looking for more healthier options, all burgers are available with Broderick’s scratch-made veggie patty.

The options for fries include Bánh mì fries, Buffalo Bleu fries and more. Also available are a variety of sandwiches, salads, desserts, shakes and even a brunch menu.

The restaurant, which opened on July 27, also works hard to offer a variety of local craft beers. Happy Hour is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Roseville is Broderick’s fourth location in the Sacramento region. Other locations include West Sacramento, Midtown Sacramento and Walnut Creek. With more and more great establishments like Broderick Roadhouse coming to the area, it’s just another reason why we love Placer County!

For more information, visit their website.