Yeah,

I agree with Dawn, work with a reliable and experienced Realtor develop a good relation ship. He would help you out in all these questions. Also it won't cost you but will help a lot in making good decisions and avoiding bad ones. If there are any gang related issues, I don't think developers waste their time and money in developing those areas at least in this housing market. Also just drive around that neighborhood you'll see some of the old homes are demolished and new ones are rebuilt. This is a good sign about the neighborhood is improving. This area belongs to Harvey Green Elementary which improved a lot in the past 2 years and is now on par with Hirsh Elementary, and somewhat below Warmsprings. But don't delve too much into the numbers, but this school came in to top 10% of California Elementary schools.

Sunny

Hi user, I also live in that area and have never heard of any gang problems. As for the schools, Warm springs and hummingbird both have the same jr. High and High school, which are Horner and Irvington. The Elementary may not have as good of scores as the warm springs but Harvey green is not too far off. I would check to be sure but, I am pretty sure hummingbird goes to harvey green. I called the school district and they are closed until after thenksgiving. (657-2350) You can check the school scores out at http://www.greatschools.com The elementary is either harvey green or grimmer....You need to get a Resltor who can answer all yoiur questions for you. If you do not have one I would be happy to help....Good luck, Dawn

Hi,

I live in that neighborhood quite for some time, never heard of any gang related incident came from any news source. Also never heard of any gangs exist there. Only issue there is it is surrounded by some older homes, but as the school ratings improve slowly better crowds move in. Not only me, bunch of my friends live there too, they all have the same opinion.

Sunny

I did some search and found out the area surrounding hummingbird is not really that safe? especially close to Grimmer/Blacow? and there are gangs related crime there? and also the YMCA there is kinda run down? Can somebody who actually live there tell me about this? For some reason hummingbird seems not selling as much as new development in Warm Spring ( I know the school is better than irvington , but crowded, that's why I'm thinking about hummingbird). Any idea?

Well, your questions have brought a lot of comments. That's the beauty of this type of forum.
I think the Hummingbird area is OK. True it's surrounded by older homes, but this is a trend thru-out the East Bay area. I feel the house prices are close to a bottom right now, and these homes will appreciate well. Especially with the increasing school scores.

As for the current prices there, I think they are a little high...but that's true with most new housing developments I look at. But if they are selling at a good pace, the builder probably won't lower the prices.

The previous comment about builder upgrades and credits is a very good comment. Try that if you make an offer. Stand firm with your offer, and back off only when you have to.

I've seen the models, they are nice. Keep in mind the HOA fees. They tell me that it will be $150 per month after completion.

Fremont's a great city...I was born here and have seen many changes. Good luck with your decision to buy, there or anywhere else in Fremont.

~ Barry Ripp
satisfying clients since 1985

By the way, there's great news about extending the home buyer tax credit, see my blog for more info.

If you're concerned about price, ask your Realtor to negotiate some builder credits or free upgrades. That's what agents do.

SI , can you elaborate more with your answer? I was asking if hummingbird price is going down and if it's worth with that price..?

Robson is a very good builder.

Neighborhood is not so great.

School district is slowly improving.

Is the price going down for hummingbird? and is the price reasonable for this area? I feel the price is still kinda high.

Alandal, yes you are always better off with a Realtor on your side. the builder pays them so it's a win win for you. As for the price of the homes you have your Realtor offer what you are willing to pay to have one and go from there....Dawn

Hello User and All on the site!

Robson is a great builder, and I really like their product. Their homes are solid and well appointed although I take issue with some of the "finishes" that they tend to use on the floors and surfaces--little too trendy rather than practical at times. Overall, however, I do like their construction methods and the final homes.

Hummingbird was originally supposed to be priced lower than Castilleja and was to enter the market at about $500,000, but that pricing was scrapped when the developer's interest list and rates for competing new home communities justified a higher price. The homes are now priced in the mid $600,000.

Regarding negotiating a lower price with any new home builder, it is highly unlikely. Developer and builders usually preset a price in junction with their own loan company that will assure a specific return on the loan or investor's construction money. The prices offered are normally carefully researched by the developer and then, once published, become the standard price for all homes of the same design and style within the community. The only time the price goes up is for "premium lots" with larger square footages.

Unfortunately, once a few homes are sold, developers are unlikely to lower the cost of the home because there is a "standard price" that must be maintained within the community. However, in recognition of a softer market, incentives for purchase tend to be extras that do not affect the overall purchase price. For example, a builder is likely to offer upgrades, interest buy downs, or HOA fee prepayments to the seller. Often these incentives can total thousands of dollars of extras at no cost to the buyer.

Hummingbird is a cute community and I agree with the comments from the other agents and buyers about the neighborhood, the building's "tower-like" architecture, and the schools. My only concern is that the pricing may prove to be higher than it should, which can mean that early buyers may find that their neighbors who purchase later have a slightly better purchase deal offered to them at a later date. I'd keep my eye on this community if I were you, and work with a knowledgeable agent to help you negotiate the deal.

Sincerely,
Grace Morioka
Area Pro Realty
San Jose, CA

As a resident of this area here are my opinions, schools are continuously improving in this area, green's API jumped 65 points last year and middle's API is 874 and Irvington high should improve from 792. Green's principal Mrs Nancy pass got best principal award last year. This is a very convenient place and easily accessible to South/North and East bay locations, and lot big box stores like Costco/Walmart nearby. After extra lanes opened near mission blvd commute times improved a lot. I had a chance to buy in Pleasanton/San Ramon but preferred here because of proximity to bay area. Once the gas prices shoot up, commute costs go up and if the congestion increases commute times go up for those places. Couple of my other Asian friends are silently moving the Irvington area so school scores will keep increasing.

Toyota confirmed today that it will pull out of the NUMMI plant in Fremont and in essense dissolve and shut down their manufacturing operations there.

Very sad news for all 4700 workers employed there and a sad day for Fremont as well. Hopefully, they will all be able to move on to other jobs quickly.

This impacts obviously beyond to these 4700 workers, but also to the suppliers and the local businesses that depended on the plant.

Had a friend who had a bad experience dealing with Robson Homes - Castilleja in Warm Springs. Overpriced homes and unwillingness to adjust or re-negotiate. Workmanship is sloppy. Homes are close to one another, almost like Town homes with a little bit more extra space.

I am not an agent, but a good real estate agent would probably advise you to look/shop around. Consider the product you are about to buy. Detached Homes prices may sound very appealing. But nowadays, there are SFHs (true SFHs) out there for great prices.

Detached Homes, to me, is simply a separated town home. The builder was able to categorize them as Detached Homes after adding, maybe 15-20 feets between the houses. And then, they once tried to price them like SFH. Quoting good schools districts, etc. Once built out, the houses do feel like they have been detached :) - meaning they are so close to one another.

Check out their Castilleja homes in Warm Springs. The homes should be exactly the same with different names. Neighborhood-wise, it seems like Robson Homes buy these lands in a not-so-good area. Castilleja is next to a railroad and close to a meat processing factory. Hummingbird's area might be a bit better but it is close to very busy Grimmer blvd and Fremont Blvd.

If you are really in the position to buy, please do shop around because there are a lot of choices out there.

answer to Peter Bruno's question:

I heard 4,000 jobs at NUMMI.

I also heard the Toyota is still negatiating with the union and that Toyota would like to keep the plant running. Since they make the Corolla and Tacoma there, and sell a lot of these - I would think Toyota would like to keep this plant.

New homes are selling, I don't think the possible closing will effect "Hummingbird" and other communities. But, if NUMMI does close, we are sure to see additional homes on the market. We also need to know that not all 4,000 employees will need to sell, nor that they all live in Fremont. Some will retire, others will find other work.

We will have to wait and see what happens.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI
Broker, Notary
Check my new web site: http://www.BrianRipp.com

Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp
510-710-4905 cell
510-794-9006 wk
Realtor since 1985

Does anyone know how many Fremont residents work at the NUMMI plant? Now that the plant is planning to close, I wonder what is the impact that it will have on communities like Hummingbird, which is only 2 miles away from the site.

It is not Detroit, but certainly around 5000 jobs will be lost, plus the suppliers that work with NUMMI.

I wonder how much lower or whether at all one can counter-offer against their asking prices? I know the same builder lowered their prices at different sites. Working with an agent can do that better?

the builder got back to me and jacklee is close they are building 78 homes at that site....Dawn

I counted the building site plan. Total around 73 homes.

Jack

I am contacting Robson to find out I will let you know....Dawn

Does anyone know how many homes are coming up in this community?

From ~$620K (1600 SF) 3Bd/2.5Ba to ~$680K (2000 SF) 4Bb+Den+3.5ba?.
Didn't ask if there were any maintainence fee.

Jack

yes it is green and green elementary is 834 ( 928 asian ) on the api

Do you know the price range offered for hummingbird by the builders

I think the elementary school should be Green, not Hirsch. Green's API is comparable to Hirsch's though.

The problem with that is yoru pay more for a home to get those schools and they are so full that your children get over loaded to irvington schools anyway. I am not sur eabout all the schools but i called chadbourne for someone and kelly in the office told they have already enrolled more children than they can handle for next year. Another choice (if you can get in ) is Sunol Glen it goes from K-8 and has 230 students it has a private school feel without the tuition. Also Sunol has pretty much the same scores as the mission schools My children go there and I love it.
Good luck user I hope you find something you like this is the best time to buy in years.....FYI, if you get a good Realtor they can do all this homework for you, and you can concentrate on picking your home....Dawn

These are the 2008 numbers: 844 overall API (925 Asian) for Hirsch and 863 (958 Asian) for Horner are hardly bad at all. Irvington high may be on the low side at 792 overall (878 Asian). I truely believe IHS will improve over time. Sorry, I include the Asian number as I am Asian. I took these numbers into consideration before I bought my house at the end of 07 (94538).
Anyway, you can not compare this with MSJ. Try finding a new home or comparable home in MSJ at this price range, you will understand.

Jack

Hi User, Check the school scores, Horner is a very good Jr. High and Hirsch is a very good elementary school. here is a link look to check out schools. http://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/1681101212115112217/blank/brows… If you can not click on it copy and paste it into your browser.
Hope this is helpful.....

I am not sure which school you are talking about? If its High school, then yes it's second best after Mission HS, but there is no comparision between MSJ and IHS. As far as elementary and middle school is concerned, no one would want to send their kids their.

Also the asking price (mind you these are 3 level homes) is a bit too high in my opinion, considering the houses around that area are selling for in $400K range.

Hello User_buy,

I went to take a look at these houses yesterday and this is my opinion:

Pros - good school district (2nd best in Fremont), good floorplans, easy access to 880 and 680

Cons - the biggest being the gas station next door, then the depilated shopping centers facing the three other corners (one of which is currently empty, another one is practically empty and has one bar, and the other has an auto shop), the older houses surronding the neighboorhood, ceilings are a bit low for my taste.

Hi User, yes this is a great area very close to shopping, lake Elizabeth and it is walking distance to all the schools which are among the best Fremont has to offer. Robson is a wonderful builder with a lot of upgrades included, where as with some builders you have to pay more for each one. I have seen the homes and they are elegant welcoming homes......Just for your information, if you do not have a Realtor, before you go see the homes, do yourself a favor and interview some so you can pick one to go with you or If you want to go to the open house today and do not have a Realtor yet just don't sign up, tell them you want to bring your Realtor with you, before you sign up at the builders office. The Realtor is paid by the builder and so you will have the benefit of a experienced Professional on your side at no cost to you. It's a win, win.....Hope this is helpful, good luck, Dawn

The Irvington area of Fremont is a nice neighborhood and a nice location. The Robson home development is, basically new homes in an older neighborhood.

It will always be surrounded by first-time buyer / rental homes. But newer homes always look & feel great, and often resale is good. Call the school district if you are interested in school info. 657-2350. You should work with a Realtor that will show you all the homes, new & old, in your desired price range.

Good luck - hope this is helpful.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI
Broker, Notary
Check my new web site: http://www.BrianRipp.com

Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp
510-710-4905 cell
510-794-9006 wk
Realtor since 1985