Spotlight on Nan Danford

Real-Estate Agent and Long-Time Member and Secretary of Fair Oaks Village Enhancement

We're pleased to introduce Nan Danford, Local Real Estate Agent and Secretary of FOVEC, in our Business Spotlight Series.

We're spotlighting various merchants in the Fair Oaks Village, as well as individuals who support what FOVEC does, all while giving you a little insight into our history and what we do for the Village. We encourage you to share these local stories and visit with merchants to get to know them firsthand.

We connected with Nan to learn more about her and her business.

What is Nan Danford Real Estate and how would you describe it to a friend?

Nan Danford / Real Estate 916 is primarily a residential real estate services company. I work with buyers and sellers of real estate in Sacramento and El Dorado counties mostly. Having grown up in Fair Oaks and living here now, I specialize in the Fair Oaks and Orangevale market!

Why did you start the business? What do you hope to accomplish?

I started the business because I love helping people and I love our area.

Buying or selling a home is usually the biggest purchase or sale someone makes and it can be emotional. I love guiding people through the process and making it as easy and stress free as possible for them.

What's something you wish people knew about your business?

I wish people knew how entrenched I am in the community and how my company can help with ALL aspects of buying and selling real estate.

I've been here since I was three and grew up riding my horse along Sailor Bar. I remember fondly marching in the annual Fair Oaks Fiesta Parade.

I've seen many changes to our area and as such am a local specialist for Fair Oaks and Orangevale real estate.

What is a common question that you get?

The most common question I get is "what do I have to do to buy or sell?"

For this reason our "Full Service" approach is our most popular service.

I consult with homeowners on everything to get their home ready to sell and with my husband's help and my extensive network of service providers, I can facilitate getting everything done for them. We can take care of everything from yard clean up and landscaping to staging, repairs, and even changing light bulbs!

For buyers, I pair them with the loan consultant who best works for their particular situation, whether they are "inside the box" (have regular paychecks) or are "outside the box" (self employed or other unique situations).

My goal is always to exceed my clients' expectations by going above and beyond!

What's the biggest compliment you've received?

My clients are very kind and have given me many compliments.

I would say the best one to date is a recent client who told me that without my encouragement and help, she would never have been able to get to the point of purchasing a home. That really warmed my heart and gave me the ultimate reward.

I am happy to be referred to by a dear client as "a realtor with a heart". Is your office located in the Village? My office is just outside the Village at the corner of Sunrise and Wildridge.

Do you have any upcoming events that people should know about?

Yes, I have a number of upcoming events.

I am co-hosting a home buyer education series starting in June where folks can get information about buying and selling in a no pressure, fun environment with tacos and margaritas from local establishments.

Our first session focuses on move-up buyers - those maybe thinking about possibly moving to a bigger or different home.

Are you a member of the chamber or any other networking organizations (besides FOVEC)?

I was previously a member of the Fair Oaks Chamber, serving as Vice President. I have chaired and co-chaired community events like The Fair Oaks Fiesta and Christmas in the Village.

Other than FOVEC, I am active in the Northstate BIA (Builder Industry Association), and the Northeast Regional Metrolist Realtor Group.

How long have you lived in the Fair Oaks Community?

Since I was three with a few years away after college. No dates or years revealed ;)

What is your favorite part about the Village?

I love the charm and the history and that people who are from here come back. At every event, my husband and I see friends we knew from high school at Bella Vista who, even if they don't live here, come back for the events. I love the small town atmosphere that the Village holds. There really isn't another area in Sacramento county with the charm our Village has.

You've served as the Secretary of FOVEC for several terms, what tasks are involved this role?

My responsibility as secretary is primarily to document our meetings by taking minutes and

sending them out to the committee. I also write letters as needed and prepare marketing materials for events and projects.

Have you served in any other roles with FOVEC? Tell us about them.

I am on the outreach sub committee, the fundraising sub committee, and the archway subcommittee.

What projects have you been involved with in FOVEC? Do you have a favorite?

Most of us at FOVEC are involved in most of the projects we are working on as we all have passion for our Village and it's improvement.

The first project I was involved in was the Streetscape project that FOVEC accomplished with the help of the county. The project included installing ADA sidewalks throughout most of the Village, street lights, beautification of the streets with shrubs and trees and striping of parking spaces, which resulted in more available parking. Parking is a continual challenge for the Village and is FOVEC's top priority project. In 2010 our Parking & Circulation Study calculated that the Village was short by 200 parking spaces in the immediate area around Plaza park. We are currently working to find funds via grants that would allow us to move that project forward and are collaborating with the Park District so that we can create a bigger impact to our community.

I love being involved with outreach and projects. Being involved in connecting with people in the community and creating fun events.

My favorite, though, is the archway project! My husband and I started it when he ran for honorary mayor of Fair Oaks with the archway as his fundraising beneficiary. It was a lot of fun and we found that many "Fair Oakies" support an arch to welcome people into our community.

William told us you had started up a Merchants Association. Can you share about that experience?

My husband and I owned a store in the Village for a number of years and we felt the Village shopping district could benefit greatly by a combined effort from all the merchants.

Daneece Fraizer, who owns E.J.'s Little People and I formed the merchants association for advertising, making a map, and generally improving the experience for shoppers. We also felt it was important for merchants to communicate regularly, know what each other is doing, and what is going on in the Village.

We, with the support of FOVEC, started a farmers market, too, that the community enjoyed.

Unfortunately, we found that we were driving the association, and didn't get a ton of involvement from the other merchants.

But with all of the great new businesses coming into the Village, it may be time to revisit a merchants association.

What does community involvement mean to you?

It means participating in events, and doing things to support our community.

Why should people be involved in the community?

Because we have a jewel of a community and supporting it will make it better and better!