I shared a beer with with longtime local real estate developer Frank Nichols yesterday evening. Frank was instrumental in creating two extraordinary local developments, Shasta Forest Village, and the active adult community, The Vineyard in Redding.
With Shasta Forest Village in Shingletown, Frank explained he had been building rural on properties scattered across the county for mostly urban buyers unfamiliar with the requirements for water wells and other utilities. He reasoned that if he could cluster some rural lots with paved roads, underground utilities, and a community water system, he could fulfill an unmet demand. From that vision, the innovative Shasta Forest Village was born in the early 1970s, and remains a popular development even today.
Then, Frank envisioned an active adult community that offered residents gated security, a social clubhouse, and a beautiful setting with good access to city amenities. Frank undertook the devilishly complex 208 home project that became The Vineyard. That housing development has gone on to exceed all expectations for quality of life. Homes there are in high demand, similar to homes available from a real estate firm similar to Saussy Burbank among others. Residents truly love living there. If you are looking for a house development company, or if you are looking at moving house you maybe want to learn about New Homes in Charlotte NC or a real estate company more local to you.
These days Frank is quite busy refurbishing and reselling existing homes in need of repair. Some of his properties have found themselves on the listings on the Inboundrem Real Estate Website comparison site due to their quality. But he would rather be building a more ambitious project. We both ruefully agreed that the current economic environment would make a new large, visionary project problematic in our region. But I asked what he might build, if things were different. He described a 4 story condo project for active adults. “As long as it had a view of the river, it would be fabulously successful.” I have to agree. If all this talk of real estate has got you feeling tempted to make an investment of your own, you might want to take time to first learn about the complexities of the industry. There are some excellent educational courses out there such as Roofstock for example so do not be afraid to do some research to find out what works for you.
Thanks for the beer, Frank. And thanks for being a visionary with the proven chops to make stuff happen. To take it from vision to reality. That’s Really Redding.
Nor Cal Beat – another news source for the northstate
A hundred years ago, even a small town like Redding had several newspapers competing for attention. Over time, consolidation blended those choices into one local paper. Now, ubiquitous internet has opened up new possibilities, and lowered barriers of entry for multiple local news sources. Hence, we see former upstart aNewsCafe.com make a run up against the entrenched corporate redding.com for local eyeballs. Now, another challenger appears, NorCalBeat.com.
Taking a more regional approach to scope, Nor Cal Beat presents items from throughout the greater far northern California area. Competition is good, right? Keeps everyone on their toes. We wish Nor Cal Beat great success, just as we did for A News Cafe a few years ago. A diversity of local voices heard. The more the merrier.
Space age custom car for sale seen on Hilltop Drive
Here’s a mysterious looking custom out for sale spotted on north Hilltop Drive today. Not sure of it’s indeterminate origins or motoring pedigree, but it certainly looks Redding enough, despite the Oregon License plate. Only $2700 separates you from ownership of this one-of-a-kind custom ride.
Okay, okay. So it has some rough spots. Don’t even think about that. Instead, imagine the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, as you smile and wave at every puzzled passerby while you tool down the winding country roads, or wide open urban boulevards. Except when its raining. Rain looks tough.
Forget the rain. You are the 4 speed white phantom in your unusual automobile, behind grill emblazoned with the white winged “A” as you leave them wondering if what they saw was what it looked like. That’s Really Redding.
A Cinemagraph of Erin
A Cinemagraph is described as an image somewhere between a still photograph, and a video. I saw some very creative and artistic Cinemagraphs by talented New York photographer Jamie Beck. Inspired, I thought I’d try the technique. Like anything truly artistic, it’s much harder to do well than one might think.
Well, I learned a lot while creating it. I’d like to try some others. This was my first attempt. The effect is kind of mesmerizing. Thanks, Jamie. You should view her lovely photographs on her blog.
Images of metaphorical Manzanita
The living ruddy flesh of the Mazanita flows gracefully over the gray wooden skeleton of it’s past. A living glacier.
It doesn’t ask for much. A shallow footing of brittle gravel, or some hardpan clay. Daylong relentless scorching sun. Seeds germinate in nothing less than brushfire.
Tenacious Manzanita. Ubiquitous Manzanita. That’s Really Redding.
Download free music from Still Married today.
Just got a tweet from Cottonwood’s Erin Friedman that she’s posted a few of her authentic local original songs on her website for free listening or download today, Sunday. Check it out by clicking on the image above, or the link.
And forever begins with a kiss
Under the Sundial Bridge
Thanks Erin! Still Married, that’s Really Redding.
Norway in our thoughts and prayers
Chuck Norris spotted on River Trail
Walker, Texas Ranger is seen here keeping order at a vending machine just off Redding’s River Trail. Actually, we were surprised to see the vending machine at all. Some enterprising vendor found an excellent location on the way to the Ribbon Bridge on the south side trail. Chuck is seen doing his duty, standing watch over free enterprise, and taking no nonsense from erstwhile hooligans.
His message is as clear and uncluttered as the mid summer sky.
“Buy something! Then leave.”
A call to action.
I wandered over to Chuck’s website, and was startled to hear him personally welcome me to his official website. Turn up the volume and click the link to visit the official Chuck Norris site. He is quite an entrepreneur himself, apparently.
You go, enterprising cold drink vendor. May the spirit of Walker, Texas Ranger guard your dreams with steely American determination.
4 views from the Diestelhorst Bridge
One thousand gallons of gas
Something of a jarring milestone on my dashboard this morning as I refueled. In the real estate biz, it seems nobody ever wants to ride their bikes over to look at a house.
A clandestine image of a regular supplier of mine. On the street, they call it “gas” or “fuel.” This dealer operates right out in the open. Right on the corner. Even the cops just look the other way, as users line up to make a buy. With this addiction, not even the first one is free.
Not exactly carbon neutral. Real estate sales is a service business. Call me up, and we’ll sip on the next thousand gallons….
