Relocation to Solano County, CA

[Lindsey Olson]

Hi BP, My husband's career is relocating us to Solano County between San Francisco and Sacramento. We're looking for a great real estate agent with an investor's mindset. Does anyone have any connections they would be willing to recommend? Also, I've run the numbers on a few properties in this area and it doesn't seem to be an area that would provide much cash flow, if any. In the past we've focused on buy and hold renovated single family homes. Having researched the area we're thinking that in this area we should shift our strategy to focus on flipping. Has anyone been successful in this area with either of these strategies? If possible, are there any locals who could shed some more light on the good and bad areas in this county? Currently we are interested in Vacaville. Thanks in advance for your advice! Lindsey

[Preston Tziouvaras]

Hello Lindsey,

I have lived in Vacaville the majority of my life. I am new to the game, so I can't provide much insight on the cash flow potential vs flipping, but I can tell you what areas in Solano county are good and bad. I'll start to the East and make my way West down I-80

Staring with Dixon. Dixon is a small farm community. Mostly nice areas. It is a very quiet town with out much to do there. Residents come to Vacaville for fun and that's not saying much because Vacavillians go elsewhere to have fun too HA. Due to it being a farm town, Dixon does have some lower income areas but is a very safe community.

Vacaville, to the North of interstate 80 (I-80) tends to lend itself to more valuable homes and more desirable neighborhoods and good schools. There aren't very many bad areas within Vacaville, it is a pretty quiet community. 

Fairfield is kind of a mixed bag. West of I-80 is the better part of town. Higher home prices than Vacaville because of its closer proximity to The Bay Area. East of I-80 and North of Dickson Hill rd/cement hill rd is also fairly nice. The rest of Fairfield East of I-80 is pretty bad, and I'd steer clear of that area.

Next is Cordelia (though technically a Fairfield address), North of I-80, in a community called Green Valley is really nice, again more expensive. South of I-80 and West of I-680 is also a nice area. To the east isn't much but whats there isn't very nice.

Next up is American Canyon (not in Solano, but on its border). I haven't spent much time there but I believe it to be a decent little town. What would make me stray away from AC is its close proximity to Vallejo to the South.  

Vallejo does have a couple nice areas to the East in the hills but the overwhelming majority of the town is a dump. Lots of crime and gangs. I wouldn't even bother looking at Vallejo if I were you.

Finally Benicia, Benicia is a nice small quiet town. There is not much inventory here so coupled with proximity to The Bay and low inventory, the RE prices are much higher here.

If you have any other questions about the area, please feel free to ask.

Good luck!