Visalia, California, has some of the freshest and best local produce in all of California. The town, which has been inhabited continually since 1852, is an agricultural mecca and supports a number of grape, olive, and citrus farms, as well as countless fantastic cafes dedicated to using local ingredients. There are also renowned Californian vineyards, like those found in Terra Bella. Clearly, farm-to-table cuisine is a big part Visalia life, but so is entertainment, which this central California city is far from lacking. In addition to their historic and restored Fox Theater, they are also the hometown for the Visalia Rawhide baseball team, whose namesake stadium is a summertime staple for locals and tourists alike.
Visalia, CA is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $66,668 and a median rent of $1,085, the Visalia, CA rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Visalia, CA. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
Visalia, CA is seeing rapid growth and Visalia, CA's' housing market remains not optimal with an average home price that is 17% above the 2023 national average. Visalia, CA is part of Tulare county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2023 for county Tulare is 0.63% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.
Housing in Visalia In recent years, Visalia has been experiencing a nice little bump in the number of home sales transactions taking place. There were approximately 1,400 homes sold in both the second and third quarter of 2012, and with the median home sale price comfortably floating between $140,000 and $170,000, there's still plenty of time to move into this sunny, festive city. At 16%, Visalia's annual residential turnover is low, which means it's no surprise that over 74% of homes in the area are owned, rather than rented. That doesn't mean, though, you can't get a good deal on rent in this shimmering stretch of the San Joaquin Valley. Gorgeous, split-level two bedroom homes can be found in between $750 and $1,300 per month, and often come with nice furnishings--as long as you're willing to sign a one-year lease.
Weather and Climate If you're looking for permanent sunshine, Visalia really is your place. In an average year, there aren't even 30 days of measurable precipitation, and summer, spring, and fall are bright and gorgeous. Summers can get a little hot, with temperatures sometimes maxing out around 105 degrees, but for a true Californian, that's nothing a pair of shorts and a fresh-squeezed glass of lemonade can't fix. Visalia's weather really is perfect for growing the fruits, among dozens of others, and many residents make their living through some occupation related to the city's thriving agricultural scene.
Local Food The real perk to summer, in spite of all that heat, is the Visalia Farmer's Market, which runs well into the pleasantly warm month of October. The Market offers everything from dried fruits to Dairy Goddess Farmstead cheese, as well as local wines and artisanal soaps. With everything offered by the vendors, it's no surprise that Visalia was named one of the best small towns in America to eat in by USA Today. Azul's Mexican Grill is known for their homemade corn tortillas, and the trendy Jack and Charlie's (set up inside a former jail) is revered for their dedication to elegantly representing San Joaquin's incredible produce.
Neighborhoods So you're sold and you can't wait to move--but where to settle down? Visalia has a number of neighborhoods, and each offers its own experience, so it's important to be well-versed on the city's nuances.