Charming Victorian with Rooms for Rent

Downtown Sacramento

From $410mo

Two rooms are Available  (Click for availability) 

 (email for information on Vacancies)

 

The concept:

 

Inexpensive downtown living in a home with elegance and history.   This 121-year-old Victorian home was redesigned in 2007 to be a very cool place for 4 mature single professional adults  to live.   There are 4 individual rooms and two bathrooms.  Rooms start at $410/mo.   (To see pricing, please see here)  

Show me Pictures

 

Unique features of this home:

 

There are 2 kitchen sinks, 2 full bathrooms.  You need share a kitchen sink or bathroom with only 1 other person.

There are 4 refrigerators (1 per tenant) in the kitchen (so no sharing of a fridge)

House has a back yard with garden space, fig, lemon, and apricot trees

Laundry facility including new washer & dryer is free to tenants' use

Landlord provides a big screen TV in the living room and a good Cable Package from Comcast

 

Are you a good fit for this home?

This 4-bedroom flat was substantially updated during 2007.  All of the below are new: 

And, some things never change:

 

Some general rules:

Parties/Guests:  This is not a party house.  You are of course welcome to have an occasional guest or two.  (Overnight guests are discouraged).   What does that mean?  That means if once a month you had an overnight guest and your roommate is not unable to use the bathroom, the minimal inconvenience would be overlooked.      

Roommates:  Respect your neighbors and their right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of the home.  Generally speaking we have had rather collegial, professional people & students.   The home offers a comfortable and large living room (or 'Parlour') and a very large kitchen.   These common areas are fine for relaxing in and socializing.   When you want some quiet time and privacy, just step into your room and close the door behind you.  If you are not in a socializing mood, enjoy the privacy of your room.  If you would enjoy some social interaction....hang out in the living room.

Communications:  All tenants MUST have email and must be in the normal habit to read & respond on a daily basis.       There is a white board in the kitchen for posting messages to others in the house.  Landlord will communicate 90% of the time via email.

Kitchen:  Store your items only in the cabinets that correspond to your room number.    Please stow all your stuff and leave the kitchen perfectly clean when you leave.  If you are working in the kitchen, clean up as you go.   Do not run noisy appliances (blenders, etc.) when others may be sleeping.  Please clean, dry & put away your kitchen items / dishes.  Do not leave them out to dry.

Bathroom:  Please keep your time in the bathroom  reasonable and/or coordinate with your bathroom's other user to not conflict.  Clean up after yourself always.  Do not leave cabinets or drawers open.  With only 2 people sharing each bathroom, we've never had much of an issue.   Each bathroom has designated drawers/cabinets for each user.

Security/Privacy:  All rooms have individual deadbolts & we're trying to go digital on all locks (so less fumbling with keys).  You are asked to keep the front gate locked at all times.  Respect the privacy and security of your housemates.

Parking:  Parking at this time is on the street only.  One garage space may be available for $50/month. You will need to get a permit from the city to park regularly on the street.  Please note the city's signs that explain the parking regulations.   Here is more information (including information on where to get city parking permits).  None of my 6 tenants have had a car issue while parked in this neighborhood.  (Oops, I need to be honest....One tenant left (unintentionally) a laptop computer on the seat of her car in plain view.  At night it was broken into & stolen).   Of course I can't guarantee no problems, but in 10 years I have had no problems personally in the neighborhood, and none of my tenants have either (above exception noted).  Sacramento City Parking Permit Information.

Kitchen (right half)

Kitchen (left half)  Note 2 sinks , Identical pairs of cabinets

The family room (a common area)

 

Family room (with inlaid white oak flooring), period appropriate ceiling fan

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 2

 

Room 1 faces the street, gets plenty of light

Room 1

 

A look out the back door.  Fig trees right & left, garden lower left.

We're trying to go all digital on our locks (you'll have one 6-digit code to get you into the front door and your individual room).

 

Drive By?  Of course you are welcome to drive by the house.   The home's exterior is in dire need of paint and is being prepped for painting presently.  Please don't let the rough exterior scare you off.  You can see from the photos below that a great amount of effort has gone into making this a very modern, functional home, while retaining the charm.   Once the new paint is on the exterior this diamond in the rough will really sparkle.

Tenants Desired:  I desire professional adults--people who would appreciate living in a historical building built in 1892, with the convenience and character of being in downtown in one of Sacramento's oldest neighborhoods.  There has never been a security issue with this apartment.  Apartment is no-smoking (ever) and  no pets.  No remodeling and no painting, without permission (this is a historical building and we all could go to jail if we violate the gratuitous delusions of grandeur glaringly grabbed by government goons).  This unit has been modernized with conveniences without compromising it's turn-of-the-century charm.    There are 2 one-bedroom apartments  located upstairs. 

Good things about this apartment:

This building has good karma.  It has considerable closet space (many Victorians do not).  It has a number of built-in cabinets for storage.  It has been thoroughly updated during 2007.  It is 1 block to light rail.  Do you ever fly out of the Sacramento airport?  Wheel your luggage 7 blocks down to 13th and L, and you can ride the Yolobus to the Airport for $2.  I have done this dozens of times.  You can pick up light rail 1 block away.  You can walk or ride your bike to Amtrak for trips to Reno, SFO, San Jose, or LA.  If you need a good (and free) place to meet friends or business clients, use the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel at J & 13th....I have many times.   Are you bored?  A walk to the Crest Theatre  takes only 12 minutes.  Have out-of-town guests showing up?  Take them to Imax, an 8 minute walk.  Do they need a cheap place to flop?  Pack 'em over to the Sacramento Hostel for $25/night.  It's about 5 blocks away.

Are you a cyclist?  You are just about 6 blocks to the entrance point of the Bike Trail system.  There are bike lockers on the property.   These are presently in the front yard, but will be moved to the back to enhance the home's landscape curb-appeal.   These could be available for a modest fee.

The landlord is a great guy to work with.  His tenants love him.  While the neighborhood is not among the upscale addresses of Sacramento,  it's not so bad.  And, it cannot be beat for convenience.  

Here is a partial list of attractions within a 15 minute walk:

Music Circus

The Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

Sacramento Theatre Company

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park

Sacramento Second Saturday Art Walk

California State Capitol & Park

Sacramento Farmer's Market (Wednesdays @ Cesar Chavez Park)

Imax Theatre Sacramento

Sacramento Convention Center (Community Center Theatre & Memorial Auditorium)

Sacramento City Hall

Sacramento Public Library

Sacramento Hostel

Amtrak

State Railroad Museum & Old Sacramento

River Otter Water Taxi

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento  (Possibly the most stunning Cathedral in North America)

Nearby Restaurants include: 

PF Chang's,  (Chinese Bistro)  16th & J

Lucca's (Italian)     16th & J

Amarin  (Thai)  12th & J

-and another dozen or so all within a 10 minute walk

 

There is a garden space in the back yard, along with some fruit trees.  Garage parking and storage may be available (at additional cost) from the landlord in garages behind the property.  

Everything in this apartment works.  I have several workmen on call when needed.  If there are any issues needing repair or rework, I  have them done quickly.  Due to the exposure of this apartment, and it's being downstairs, it hardly needs air conditioning.  Just the same, each room has it's own a/c. There is central heat.  And, each room has it's own individual room heaters.  Many older homes have electrical, heating, or plumbing issues.   I have spent over $12,000 in 2007 upgrading the electrical system of the house.  I have spent over $15,000 on new plumbing, and besides rebuilding the main furnace, I have purchased safe electric individual heaters for each room.  So, while you will still enjoy the old-world charm, your computer won't go dead due to electrical failure in the middle of your term paper.  You'll be warm and comfortable year round. 

The table below shows rents.   Rents are calculated to be very reasonable.   That way I get and retain better tenants. 

Room Dimensions Furnished Rent Utilities Status
Room 1 11 x 11       Fully $435 or $410 60 Available October 1, 2011
Room 2 11 x 16      Fully $475 70 Danny
Room 3 11 x 15 Fully $465 70 Available October 24, 2011
Room 4 10 x 18 Fully $495  deluxe room w/tub 75 Hannah

Price for Room 1 is:

Monthly:    $435 Rent + $60 Utilities  + $25 for cleaning  ($520 for a turnkey room with free broadband internet,  Big Screen TV with Basic Cable,  free toilet paper & paper towel, free laundry facility on the back porch, and a cleaning lady once a week).  Each room has it's own A/C and Heater.  Room 1 has a Twin (single) bed.   It's a Good Deal!  /  Want to knock $25/mo. off the price?   Volunteer to dump the garbage!  (what does that mean?  You would remove garbage from the kitchen to the outside cans probably 1 or 2 times a week.  You would put the cans to the curb and bring them back once per week).   This probably amounts to a potential earnings of $75/hour, and your rent would effectively change from $435 to $410/mo.

The new onsite laundry facility (free to tenants) is complete.   

All rooms feature a Queen Size bed except room 1.  It has a standard 'twin' or single bed.

Questions:

1.  Why am I charged for utilties?

At most OTHER apartment you would have utilities, right?  Here, besides paying your water, sewer, garbage, electric, and gas, I also provide bathrooms with toilet paper and wireless internet in your room (Cable Modem Broadband Speeds).  This alone (the internet) is worth at least $20/month.  Lastly, I provide a Big Screen TV and Comcast Cable in the living room.  Each room has it's own individual heater and A/C.  You don't pay for those, but you may use them.   If you can find a better deal....you should probably take it!  

2.  Am I charged for cleaning?

At the current time all 4 tenants have agreed to pay $25/mo. towards the cleaning being performed weekly by a professional housekeeper, who receives compensation for cleaning.  (This $25 does not cover the actual cost of the cleaning).     Some prefer to clean and not pay.  Some prefer to pay and not clean.... ....but long experience has shown that when a professional cleaner comes, the home stays consistently clean.    Landlord will not tolerate nor rent  to a lazy or inconsiderate person who fails to clean up after him/herself.       

3.  When can I move in?

Move in can occur after your quick & easy application is approved and after after paying deposits and rent.  Rent will be prorated.  See rental chart .  I evaluate all applications checking prior rental history carefully, placing high emphasis on character references.  The first qualified tenant will be offered the room.

4.  No pets, right?

Yes.  And No.  I have one very responsible and courteous tenant who has rented from me for 5 years.   Because he has proven to be very responsible, and he asked me for over a year, I have allowed him (only) to keep a small dog on the property.   In 6 months since the dog arrived I have not had a single complaint from any other tenant.  Danny had promised that there would be no issues, and there have not been.  The dog stays in his room most of the time.  We had one woman with allergies to pets want to rent a room.  But, she was concerned about the dog.   I allowed her a free trial stay in an available room.  She had no problem with Danny's small dog (with short hair) and actually enjoyed having the dog in the house.   The dog mostly stays in Danny's room or in the back yard.  
 

5  What is the process for seeing, applying for and qualifying for a room?

I ask that you read this page once completely

Move in with 1st month (or prorated) rent and $400 security deposit.  All rentals are month-to-month.  If you feel a lease would be better for you, you may discuss this with the Landlord.

Downloadable Application to Rent (Microsoft Word Format)  (how to send the application to landlord:  Yes, this is a bit kloogey, but it probably works best to have you download the application (which is a word document), fill it in and then email it as an attachement to the Landlord.  The landlord will retain an electronic or scanned copy ONLY if he rents to you.  Otherwise he promises to shred all printed copies of anyone that he does not rent to. 

Where is this apartment?  (Map me)

Get Parking Information

Go to Landlord's HomePage

If you are interested in this apartment, I urge you to email me.  This is almost always quicker than calling me.  Why?  


Phone:  916..258..5002  or 808..781..0300

Write to:   Mark_Blackburn@Yahoo.com

 

 

 

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