Clovis Resource Guide

If you’re moving to Clovis, CA we probably don’t have to tell you that there’s a number of things you’ll need to do before you move.  To make life a little bit easier for you, here’s some important Clovis numbers and information on utilities, insurance, and taxes:

• Property Taxes: Property taxes are computed at approximately .0125.  So on a $400,000 home that’s around $4,000 a year.
• Homeowner’s Insurance: Costs roughly $85-100 a month.  We recommend AAA Insurance.  Call Kim Cline for a quote at:  559-323-3006.
• Electric and Gas: PG&E handles your electric and gas bill. Plan for at least $200+ per month, depending on how much you run your air-conditioner.  For example, our electric bills are around $50 per month, but we have friends who spend $400+ (they run their air all day though).
• Water / Sewer / Garbage: City of Clovis bills your water, sewer, and garbage.  Plan at least $100 a month (you’ll need to water your lawn everyday during the summer).  Office:  (559) 324-2600 (155 N. Sunnyside Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611)
• Telephone: All major telephone and cellphone (wireless), and internet providers are available, such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.
• Cable / Satellite: Comcast and DISH Network and Direct TV
• Newspaper: The Fresno Bee is the local newspaper.  You can subscribe here.
• Driver’s License: The Clovis DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office is located at 2103 Shaw Avenue.  It’s best if you call and schedule an appointment and not just show up.  Call (800) 777-0133 or schedule your appointment online.
• Clovis Hospital:  The local Clovis hospital is called Clovis Community Medical Center.
• Mail:  Click here for the U.S. Postal Service Mover’s Guide
• HOA Dues: HOA (Homeowners Association) dues are fees charged by gated communities to cover the cost of maintenance, landscaping, etc.  Fees range from $150 on up.  Non-gated communities do not have HOA fees.  There are a number of gated and non-gated neighborhoods in Clovis.
• Pets: If you have pets, they’ll get excellent care here.  There are a number of skilled Veterinarians in Clovis.  We highly recommend Waterhouse Animal Hospital.  They’re pricey, but good!  559-434-4000.

Clovis Real Estate

Relocation Info.

Clovis Community Medical Center

Clovis Community Medical Center is a premier medical facility located in Clovis, CA.  Clovis Community has been recognized as the top bariatric surgery center in all of California.  Along with a full spectrum of acute-care services, Clovis Community offers the area’s premier breast care center and a comprehensive outpatient care facility.  Not only is Clovis Medical a premier place to work, the city of Clovis offers a quality of life seldom found anywhere else.

Homes Near Clovis Community Medical Center

There are a number of Clovis homes near Clovis Community Medical Center.  Located on the eastern side of Clovis, most housing developments are within a short 10-20 minute commute.

The architectural style of Clovis homes varies throughout the city and you can find just about any popular style, from traditional Americana, Tuscan, Spanish, or even build your own custom style home.  Home prices vary, but Clovis is considered on of the more affordable California cities.  The median price of a Clovis home in 2009 was under $250,000.  If you would like a FREE list of homes near Clovis Community Medical Center, contact us or just fill out the form below.

Relocating to Clovis, CA

If you’re relocating to Clovis, let us know.  Clovis is a wonderful place to live (see why here).  We help medical professionals moving to Clovis find a Clovis home that’s close to work, has great schools, and is located in an ideal neighborhood.  We specialize in helping doctors, nurses, pharmacologists, administrators, and other medical staff find homes that fit their busy lifestyle and needs.  Let us know when you’ll be in Clovis next and we’ll tour you around the city, show you the many living options available and some Clovis homes for sale within your price range.

Clovis Real Estate

At Clovis Real Estate, we’re Clovis Realtors who specialize in Clovis homes for people in the medical profession.  We’ll help you explore your housing options and find the home that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking for a Clovis Condo, Townhouse, family home, or Clovis luxury home, we’ll help you find a home that meets your needs no matter what your time frame.

FREE list of Clovis Community Center Homes

Clovis Community Medical Center History

Clovis Community Medical Center first opened in 1965 as Clovis Memorial Hospital. In 1979 Clovis hospital merged with then-Fresno Community Hospital and in 1982 the name was changed to Clovis Community Hospital. In 1988, Clovis Community Hospital moved to its current location at 2755 Herndon Ave. in Clovis (northeast corner of Herndon and Temperance avenues). Now known as Clovis Community Medical Center, it is the only full-service hospital in Clovis.

Resources:

• View the campus map here or an interior map here.
• Career opportunities can be found here.

High Speed Train Fresno / Clovis

California has approved plans to build a high speed train that runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles (eventually all the way down to San Diego, through Fresno / Clovis. The Fresno Clovis high speed train will eventually allow Clovis residents to hop on the rail and commute to the Bay area or LA in a little over an hour.  The artist rendition above gives you some idea of what the Fresno station would look like.

This past week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger submitted the plans to federal authorities in hopes of securing part of $8 billion in federal stimulus money specifically set aside for high speed development.  According to the Fresno Bee, the Fresno route would be the fastest train in the entire United States, reaching speeds of 200 mph.

Clovis Transportation Options

Clovis has a number of convenient transportation options.  Clovis transportation options include: Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Amtrak, Buses, and Interstate 99 which dissects California, making it easy to get to any part of California or the rest of the United States.  Within the city of Clovis, commute times generally are less than 15-20 minutes to most anywhere you want to go.

Clovis Real Estate

Once completed (tentative plans are to begin construction in 2012) the Fresno Clovis high speed rail will dramatically change access to and from Clovis.  Residents will be able to live in Clovis and work or visit just about any part of the state.  Because of Clovis’ low home prices compared to the rest of the state of California, the future looks very bright for Clovis real estate and home prices in the near future.  Find out why some think this is the best time to buy a Clovis house in the past 20 years.

Clovis, CA is a hidden West Coast gem.  With 3 beautiful national parks nearby, great transportation options, terrific schools, affordable housing, and short commute times, we think you’ll love it here, too. 

Let us know if you’re relocating or moving to Clovis.  We’re Clovis real estate experts.  If you’re searching for a Clovis Realtor who specializes in Clovis, CA homes for sale — we’ll make your move easier and help you get great value for your money and find the best neighborhood and Clovis house for the lowest price possible.

What is ClovisFest?

There are a number of reasons why Clovis, CA is one of the most sought after places to live in the Central Valley / Fresno area.  While the Clovis Unified School System is a big draw for many families, activities like ClovisFest are just another reason why so many Californians are eager to relocate or move to Clovis.

ClovisFest is a 35 year old Clovis tradition that takes place on the 3rd weekend every September.  The two-day event offers carnival rides, food, and music over 10 square blocks in Old Town Clovis.

One main ClovisFest attraction is the hot air balloons.  Each morning at 6:15 am the balloons prepare for lift-off scheduled for 7:00 am at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds.  About 5,000 make the early morning trek and enjoy a hot cinnamon roll as the Balloonist prepare for lift off (weather permitting).  Once in flight, the beautiful balloons can be seen for miles, creating a breathtaking backdrop against the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Across the street the ClovisFest Fair kicks off at 8:00 am with over 250 ClovisFest Arts and Craft and Food Vendors on Pollasky Avenue between 3rd and 7th Street.  Visitors are treated to an all Valley Car Show, multi-cultural food faire, live entertainment, family carnival, pony rides, beer garden and more.

Best of all, ClovisFest is FREE to the public with FREE parking.  If you missed this year’s ClovisFest, try to make it for ClovisFest 2010.  Next year promises to be another great Clovis Chamber of Commerce sponsored event.  Each year it draws around 70,000 people and continues to grow.

Clovis Real Estate

If you’ve been thinking about relocating or moving to Clovis, let us know.  ClovisFest is just one of the many reasons why people love living in Clovis.  We’ll help you find a great home with fantastic schools in the ideal neighborhood.

Relocating / Moving Tips for Clovis, CA

Are you relocating or moving to Clovis, CA?  There are a number of reasons why we think you’ll love it here.  Here are a few short articles about Clovis, the Clovis school system (called Clovis Unified School District), and recreation opportunities:

• Top 5 Reasons to move to Clovis
• Great schools,
• Safe neighborhoods,
• Abundance of recreation opportunities,
• Why we think you’ll find Clovis to be the exact kind of community you’ve been looking for!

Renting / Types of Clovis Rentals

There are a number of apartments, condos, and single family home rentals in Clovis.  Unfortunately, there’s really no one good source to find every rental out there.  Your best bet is the Fresno Bee newspaper, Craigslist (Fresno), or the Internet.  There’s a number of property management companies we can recommend.  Send us an email and we’ll forward them on.  Rent ranges from the $700-$2500, depending on how large a space you need, the quality of the rental complex or home, and its Clovis location. Like most things, usually the more you pay, the nicer the place.  Keep in mind you’ll likely need first month’s rent, a security deposit (usually 1 month’s rent), and a “pet” fee if you have a dog or cat.

Types of Clovis Homes for Sale

Clovis has the best of both worlds when it comes to real estate.  It has rural and country living and urban and city living — all at an affordable price. Every year, more than 5,000 new residents take advantage of Clovis’ relative low cost of housing.  Because of the market shift, you can now buy a Clovis home for about the same cost as renting.  The median cost of a new three-bedroom, two-bath home in Clovis during the Fall of 2009 was less than $250,000.  If you have a good Clovis Realtor, you can still find a beautiful 3 bed 2 bath home around $200,000. Or if you need a large family home, there’s still plenty of Clovis homes that are 4-5 bedrooms with over 3,000 sq. ft. for sale in the high $200,000 to mid- $300,000 price range.  Click here to search the current Clovis homes for sale.

If you’re looking to build your own home, there are a number of quality Clovis home builders.  Some builders are now offering homes for sale for under $199,999.  They’re small (around 1200 sq. ft.) but if that’s all you need it’s a great deal.  If you need something larger or want a custom home, there are some great builders with larger than average home sites which range from $400,000 to over $1,000,000.

Whatever your budget or circumstances, there’s likely a Clovis home to suit your needs.  There are a variety of Clovis homes for sale. Since you’re new to the area, give us a call and we’ll help you find the right home, builder, or neighborhood.  No one knows Clovis like we do!

Clovis Real Estate

If you’re relocating to Clovis, let us know.  We specialize in Clovis real estate and we’ll help make your move a lot easier and less stressful.  Happy moving!

1.  Schools: The Clovis Unified School District (CUSD) is known nationally for its high academic standards, top athletics and award winning activities. Many families have moved to Clovis just for the schools.  And who can blame them?  The nationally acclaimed Clovis Unified School District continuously strives for a level of excellence rarely found in a public school system. If schools are important to you, Clovis simply has the best schools in central California!

2.  Location: Located in the heart of California, Clovis is known as its big-city feel with small-town values.  Residents can escape to some of the country’s most beautiful attractions, such as three National Parks – Yosemite, King’s Canyon and Sequoia.  But that’s not all, Clovis is just a short drive from snow skiing or the beach!  Living in Clovis is ideal because you can enjoy easy access to major cities, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, but live in a community without the traffic or big-city problems.

3.  Cost of Living: Due in part to its affordability, Clovis has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades.  With a current population of just under 100,000, Clovis is expected to continue to steadily grow.  Compared to the rest of California and the United States, the Central Valley is very affordable.  For example, homes prices in Clovis begin in the mid-100’s, comparable to most cities throughout the United States.  But Clovis’ superior schools and ideal location make it one of California’s best kept secrets!

4.  Safety: Clovis has award winning public safety departments.  Clovis is the safest city in the Central Valley and its police and fire departments are another top reason people live in Clovis. You’ll be comforted to know that your life and possessions are protected in this great little city and community.

5.  People: People really make the difference when relocating to a new area.  In Clovis, you’ll find a diverse population of people who are friendly, warm, and generous.  Clovis residents take pride in their community, schools, parks, and neighborhoods.  It’s one of the main reasons why we say, “You’ll Love It Here!”

Summary: Clovis boasts of top rated school district, award winning public safety departments, economic growth, low cost of housing and some of the best events in the Central Valley.  If you’re thinking of moving to Clovis, let us know.  We’ll help make your transition a lot smoother.

Clovis Real Estate — “You’ll Love It Here!”

With so many so many things going on at once, moving can simply become overwhelming.  The little details seem to pile up and begin to feel bigger than they really are.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  Here are 5 things we do for you to help make moving to Clovis a little easier for our clients.1.  Choosing the Best Schools: Moving can be tough on children.  Where will they go to school?  Who will be their new friends?  Will there be anything fun to do in Clovis?  If you have kids, we can help make their transition a lot smoother.  We’ll show you the various Clovis schools to choose from.  And in case you didn’t know, Clovis schools are the #1 reason why people move to Clovis.  The Clovis Unified School District is fantastic! Each year, Clovis schools win numerous awards which is why they are so renown for their high quality.  But knowing which area and neighborhoods to live in to take advantage of the Clovis schools can be confusing if you’re relocating.  Contact us and we’ll help you find the best schools for your children.

2.  House Hunting: If you’re buying a home, the sooner we start your search the better.  We specialize in Clovis homes so we’re able to help you find a new home that will best suit your needs.  For example, do you want an affordable house or perhaps a family-size home with a gourmet kitchen?  Need 3 bedrooms or 5?  How about a home with a pool or next to the bike trail or park — whatever you’re looking for, we can help you find it.  Or if you plan on renting, we have a list of rental management companies that we’re happy to pass along.

3.  Financing: If you’re going to finance your new home, our mortgage experts will help you qualify for a loan and show you all of the current loan programs and interest rates available.  Your home search will go a lot smother if you’re pre-approved and know in advance how much home you can afford.  Once you have your pre-approval letter, we’ll take you house-hunting and show you all of the areas and homes within your price range.  Best of all, by using a Clovis or Fresno mortgage expert, you won’t have to worry about any last minute surprises at closing. 

4.  Home Search: You don’t have to be in Clovis to begin your home search.  We provide EVERY Clovis home for sale on the MLS (just click the Search Homes button above)!   Search for homes on the internet from the convenience of your home.  Best of all, you can get new Clovis listings sent right to your email box. By the time you’re ready to go house-hunting you’ll know all of the homes available.  Just tell us which ones you’d like to see and we’ll take you there.

5.  Phone Application: You no longer have to sit in front of your computer screen to search for a new home.  Clovis Real Estate is the first Realtor to allow you to search for Clovis homes — right on your cell phone.  With our “phone app” you’ll be able to search for any Clovis home for sale — anytime, anywhere!  Just pull out your cell phone and click the search for Clovis homes button.  Whether you have a few minutes waiting in line at the grocery store, or you’re in town for the weekend, you’ll have full access to Clovis listings and be able to control your home search.  Just click here to download your phone application and begin your search when you want, wherever you want.

Summary. Moving to Clovis doesn’t have to be stressful.  We’ll help you find the best schools, neighborhoods, and home that best meets your needs. Best of all, we give you the tools you need to make your move and home search a success.  If you haven’t already, sign up for our FREE email updates and phone app.  We’ll keep you posted on school information, recreation opportunities, and of course, the status of the Clovis housing market.

Clovis Real Estate — “You’ll Love It Here!”

Helpful Links:

• You can download the application here.
• For answers to the most frequently asked questions, click here.
• For examples of how the program works, click here.

We’ll keep you posted on any federal, state, or local programs that are helpful to buying a Clovis home.  Please just ask if you have any questions.

Clovis Real Estate

“You’ll Love It Here!”

If you’re thinking about building a new home in Clovis, you have a lot of options.  There are 12 primary tract home builders to choose from. So  how do you know which one offers the best value, builds the best quality homes, or will let you move the kitchen sink next to the window?  We’ll answer these and many more questions in our 5 part Clovis New Home Construction & Builder series. 

Flexibility. One of the primary reasons most people build a new home (versus just buying one already built) is to “get what they want.”  However, as you venture down the new construction path, you eventually run into one irritating fact about tract builders — they won’t let you change any of their features.   For example, if you don’t like the fireplace located in the corner, well, tough.  Of if you want to add another window in the kitchen to bring in more light, you’re out of luck.  Or just try getting a builder to put in concrete floors or counter-tops (2 green building fads sweeping the country) and you’ll likely hear, “we don’t do that.”  It can be frustrating to say the least.  It’s your home after all, isn’t it?

It’s true that all tract builders have an ample amount of things you do get to choose, such as the exterior paint colors (although some have tried to even restrict this as a choice), the color of the carpet, and which lot to build upon.  But if you like the builder’s home, but just wish you could change a thing or two about it, such as move a wall from here to there or put the downstairs bedroom upstairs, you can just about forget about it.  It’s a lot like ordering a frozen pizza.  You can choose which flavor to buy, but you can’t mix and match the ingredients.  It’s pre-made.

If you’ve done much home searching you already know that no home is perfect.  There’s always something you wish you could change.  Unfortunately, in new construction — before the home is even built — most tract builders won’t even even consider your request “to make the garage just a bit longer to fit the kid’s bikes, lawnmower and the cars” — except for one:  Wilson-Homes.

Let us begin by saying that there are many, many Clovis home builders we recommend, but when it comes to the best flexibility, Wilson-Homes shines above rest. Wilson-Homes is known for allowing buyers to make changes to their floor-plans and designs.  If you want to bring the master bedroom downstairs or install solar panels, they’ll likely do it.  Of course, these changes aren’t free, but virtually all of the other Clovis tract builders won’t even consider it.  Which is why Wilson-Homes gets our “Most Flexible Builder Award.”  It may not seem like a big deal now, but if you want the patio extended another couple of feet to fit your great, great grandmother’s outdoor table, you’ll be glad you chose a builder who will work with you to make your home, your way.

Keep in mind that there are several high quality, “custom” home builders in Clovis who will build you anything you desire.  This article, merely focuses on “tract” home builders which generally are the cheapest, most common and popular form of new construction. If you want a purely custom home, contact us, we’ll be glad to dicuss any of the local custom or tract home builders.

Clovis Real Estate — “You’ll Love It Here”

Clovis’ General Plan is designed to do 2 things:

1.  Serves as the blueprint for future development and growth,

2.  Reflects and promotes the “Clovis way of life.”

Clovis General Plan

Clovis has nearly doubled in size the past 15 years and is projected to continue to grow at a steady rate.  Affordable home prices and nationally recognized schools are just two of the many reasons the make Clovis a California hotbed for people looking to relocate or move from Fresno.  Hence, the general plan is essential to guide future growth so it can best serve the Clovis community at large.

According to the City of Clovis, the growth of Clovis through 2020 was planned in 1993 in 3 major areas:  (1) Loma Vista, (2) Nortwest Urban Center, and (3) Northeast Urban Center.  Each of these areas of growth affect Clovis buyers and sellers both directly and indirectly.

What the General Plans Means to You

Think of Clovis’ General Plan in terms of the 3 most famous words in real estate “Location, Location, Location.”  Certain areas of Clovis are going to be receiving new shopping malls, parks, bike trails, schools, restaurants, etc.  You can already see how the General Plan impacts location.  For example, home values in some areas of Clovis are $100,000 +- for roughly the same type of home — simply because of the home’s location.

While the update will take 2-3 years to complete, Clovis residents have a lot to be excited about.  Just check out the plans for Loma Vista to see what the future holds for Clovis residents.

If you’re thinking about relocating or buying a Clovis home, contact us.  We’re experts in real estate “location.”

Clovis Real Estate — “You’ll Love It Here!”