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134 E Empire St, Grass Valley, CA, 95945

1beds
2baths
758sqft
$489,000
$645price/sqft
$3,586/moest. monthly cost
$143,440/yrincome needed

About This Home

Lender paid temporary rate buydown available for this property. Enjoy a lifestyle where history, nature, and convenience meet directly across from Empire Mine State Historic Park and just minutes from downtown Grass Valley, this beautifully updated 1937 foreman's cottage offers immediate access to trails, dining, shopping, and year-round Sierra foothill recreation. Whether you're looking for a weekend retreat, vacation rental, downsizer's dream, or second home, this property offers those possibilities. Extensively improved in 2024, the home features major system upgrades designed for comfort, efficiency, and long-term peace of mind, including a new solar system, new HVAC, new water heater, and a new composition roof with Leaf Filter gutters. Additional improvements include Andersen Renewal energy-efficient windows, upgraded attic insulation, new window and door seals, new kitchen and home appliances, and a new fireplace insert. The exterior has been enhanced with custom Douglas fir privacy fencing and an electric security gate with keypad and remote access, and the property has been professionally cleared to create a clean, usable outdoor space. While fully modernized, the home retains its historic character, highlighted by original ship porthole kitchen windows. The bright living room opens to a covered patio overlooking a private backyardideal for relaxing, entertaining, or gardening in the Sierra foothills. A detached oversized garage adds valuable flexibility and includes a second bathroom with shower, making it well-suited for guests, a studio, workshop, or creative use. The location is unmatched steps to Empire Mine trails and minutes to downtown Grass Valley. Lake Tahoe, Reno, and world-class ski resorts are all within approximately 45 minutes, offering exceptional year-round recreation. A thoughtfully designed historic cottage offering exceptional efficiency, modern upgrades, and a rare locationwithout the maintenance burden of a larger home. Motivated Sellers.

Getting Around

59
WalkingSomewhat Walkable
0
TransitVery Limited Transit
34
BikeSomewhat Bikeable

Schools

7/10
Bell Hill AcademyGrades K-40.6 mi
4/10
7/10
Nevada Union High SchoolGrades 9-122.1 mi

Construction

Condition

  • Year built: 1937

Materials

  • Foundation: Slab,Concrete Perimeter
  • Roof: Composition
  • Construction materials: Wood Siding

Type & Style

  • Home type: SingleFamily
  • Architectural style: Cottage
  • Property subType: Single Family Residence

Interior

Appliances

  • Laundry features: Hookups Only,See Remarks

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

  • Bedrooms: 1
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Full bathrooms: 2

Dining Room

  • Features: Space in Kitchen

Features

  • Flooring: Carpet,Laminate
  • Number of fireplaces: 1
  • Fireplace features: Wood Burning
  • Fireplace: Yes

Heating & Cooling

  • Heating features: Central,Fireplace Insert
  • Cooling features: Central Air

Interior Area

  • Total structure area: 0
  • Total interior livable area: 758 sqft

Kitchen

  • Features: Pantry Cabinet,Laminate Counters

Property

Details

  • Parcel number: 029200040000
  • Zoning: NG-2 GVCity
  • Special condition: Standard

Features

  • Levels: One
  • Stories: 1
  • Fencing: Entry Gate,Wood,Front Yard

Lot

  • Lot size: 4,791 sqft
  • Features: Shape Regular

Parking

  • Total spaces: 3
  • Parking features: 24'+ Deep Garage,RV Possible,Driveway
  • Has garage: Yes
  • Attached garage spaces: 1
  • Covered spaces: 1
  • Has uncovered spaces: Yes
  • Uncovered spaces: 2

Climate Risk is Financial Risk

Every home has a financial story beyond the listing price. Below, you’ll see the climate risks that could affect this property — and in Bills & Affordability, how those risks may influence repairs, insurance, utilities, and long-term value.

Biggest Threats for This Home

  • Inland Flooding
    Inland FloodingRelatively High
  • Wildfire
    WildfireRelatively High
  • Earthquake
    EarthquakeModerate
  • Lightning
    LightningModerate
  • Winter Weather
    Winter WeatherModerate

How This Home’s Risks Compare

Inland Flooding
Wildfire
Earthquake
Lightning
Winter Weather

FEMA Declared Disasters in Nevada County and California

Earthquake
Flood
Mud Landslide
Severe Ice Storm
Severe Storm
Snowstorm
Straight Line Winds
Tropical Storm
Winter Storm

Understanding the Costs

Financial advisors generally recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross household income on housing costs. In practice, many households stretch to 35% or beyond — especially in high-cost markets.

Estimated Costs Today

MonthlyAnnual
Mortgage $2,472$29,664
Home Insurance *$219$2,628
Property Taxes $497$5,964
Electricity $398$4,786
Total$3,586$43,032
*Does not include cost of any FAIR Plan premiums

Income You'd Need if You Spent...

35% on housing$122,948/yr
40% on housing$107,580/yr
45% on housing$95,626/yr

California FAIR Plan Programs

California FAIR Plan Association

Covered
WildfireWildfire
Visit Website →
Current Policies
Residential: 417,310Commercial: 13,990
Total Premiums$1.42B
Total Exposure$429.84B

How Costs Could Change Over Time

Climate risk is quickly impacting all of the major home ownership costs. Adjust the growth rates and percentage of income spent on housing below to see how your housing costs could change over the next 10 years — and what income you'd need to keep up.

Insurance Growth Rate5-year average: 18.4%
18.4%
0%30.0%
Electricity Growth Rate10-year average: 4.3%
4.3%
0%15.0%
Property Taxes Growth Rate2-year average: 1.9%
1.9%
0%15.0%
Income Spent on Housing
30%
30%45%

Comparing Against the Market

Price Per Sq Ft

$645This listing

vs Other Active Listings

Avg $/sqft

ZIP 95945$328
Nevada County$363

vs Homes Sold Last Month

Median $/sqft

ZIP 95945$326
Nevada County$344

Current Market Trends

Median Price Per Square Foot

The median price per square foot of homes sold in this area each month. Compare this to this listing's price per square foot to gauge whether the home is priced in line with recent sales.

Historicals for This Listing

Zestimate History ($/sqft)

Price History

DateEventPrice
2026-07-01Price change$489,000
2026-06-26Listed for sale$529,000
2023-10-05Sold$328,000
2023-09-29Pending sale$327,900
2023-08-21Listed for sale$327,900
2023-08-17Pending sale$327,900
2023-08-08Listed for sale$327,900
2023-07-19Pending sale$327,900
2023-07-07Price change$327,900
2023-07-04Listed for sale$329,900
2023-06-22Pending sale$329,900
2023-06-15Listed for sale$329,900

For Sale by Agent

AgentRoxanne Mirdamadi
BrokerageNick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty

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