Realtor Susie Dunning thinks she knows why she hasn't received a single offer on a two-story home in South Land Park. The property in the 7400 block of Windbridge Drive backs up to Lisbon Elementary, one of four schools closed last year by Sacramento City Unified School District.
"We are the lowest price property in that area and still nothing," said Dunning, a real estate agent with Lyon.
Realtors and homeowners say trying to sell a home near a vacated school is difficult. Buyers don't like the uncertainty of whether the property will be neglected or who may lease it. And those concerns will likely spread as school districts throughout the region close more campuses.
San Juan, Twin Rivers, Natomas and Folsom Cordova school districts have plans to close at least 11 schools over the next three years because of budget deficits and low enrollment.
Since the 2006-2007 school year, 10 Sacramento-area schools have been closed.
Real estate agents say it's hard to determine exactly how much school closures have affected home sales because of the tumultuous housing market. What they do know is that buyers – especially young married couples – are influenced by the quality of the school district and proximity to schools when purchasing a home.
According to the 2009 National Association of Realtors home buyers and sellers report, one-third of people buying a home in a suburban area considered the quality of the school district an important factor. And buyers question the quality of a district pocked with defunct campuses.
Cynthia Chavez said she and her husband bought their home in North Natomas because it
School districts in the Sacramento region have closed several campuses since the 2006-2007 school year and are considering closing more because of shrinking budgets and declining enrollment.
Sacramento City Unified
• Bear Flag Elementary, closed in 2007 (vacant).
• Marian Anderson Elementary, 2007 (therapeutic center for emotionally disturbed students, Success Academy).
• Alice Birney Elementary, 2009 (vacant).
• Thomas Jefferson Elementary, 2009 (California Montessori Project, preschool program, Weight Watchers group).
• Lisbon Elementary, 2009 (vacant).
• Genesis High School, 2009 (district programs).
• District officials previously said six to eight schools would close over next two years, but new administration officials said there are no plans to close schools.
San Juan Unified
• Thomas Coleman Elementary, 2006 (three preschool programs).
• John Holst Elementary, 2006 (LaVista Special Education Center).
• Billy Mitchell Elementary, 2007 (leased to Choices Charter School and home to district preschool program).
• Orangevale Open Elementary, 2007 (leased to Pacific Technology Charter School).
• Garfield Elementary and Sierra Nueva Continuation High to be closed in 2010-2011.
Natomas Unified
• Will close one elementary school in 2010-2011. Currently considering closure of Bannon Creek Elementary, Jefferson Elementary or Natomas Park Elementary.
Twin Rivers Unified
• Proposed closing at least four schools in 2011-2012 and at least two schools in 2012-2013.
Folsom Cordova Unified
• Cordova Lane Elementary and Riverview Elementary to be closed in 2010-2011.
Sacramento City Unified
• Bear Flag Elementary, closed in 2007 (vacant).
• Marian Anderson Elementary, 2007 (therapeutic center for emotionally disturbed students, Success Academy).
• Alice Birney Elementary, 2009 (vacant).
• Thomas Jefferson Elementary, 2009 (California Montessori Project, preschool program, Weight Watchers group).
• Lisbon Elementary, 2009 (vacant).
• Genesis High School, 2009 (district programs).
• District officials previously said six to eight schools would close over next two years, but new administration officials said there are no plans to close schools.
San Juan Unified
• Thomas Coleman Elementary, 2006 (three preschool programs).
• John Holst Elementary, 2006 (LaVista Special Education Center).
• Billy Mitchell Elementary, 2007 (leased to Choices Charter School and home to district preschool program).
• Orangevale Open Elementary, 2007 (leased to Pacific Technology Charter School).
• Garfield Elementary and Sierra Nueva Continuation High to be closed in 2010-2011.
Natomas Unified
• Will close one elementary school in 2010-2011. Currently considering closure of Bannon Creek Elementary, Jefferson Elementary or Natomas Park Elementary.
Twin Rivers Unified
• Proposed closing at least four schools in 2011-2012 and at least two schools in 2012-2013.
Folsom Cordova Unified
• Cordova Lane Elementary and Riverview Elementary to be closed in 2010-2011.