Soccer power couple sells Sacramento area home with ‘incredible’ lake views
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Rebecca Lowe and her husband sold the El Dorado Hills estate for $2.35 million.
- The 4,179-square-foot property on 8.16 acres features five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
- The estate includes a 730-sq-ft ADU/pool house, infinity pool, and convertible tennis.
An NBC Sports anchor and her husband, a former Sacramento Republic FC manager, have sold their sprawling El Dorado Hills estate — with front-row views of Folsom Lake — for $2.35 million.
The property at 2001 Salmon Valley Lane spans 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 4,179 square feet and sits on an 8.16-acre parcel, giving it the feel of a private compound while still being within reach of the everyday conveniences that have helped make El Dorado Hills one of the region’s most consistent luxury markets.
What set this home apart, though, was the vantage point: an elevated perch that frames Folsom Lake and the rolling valleys beyond.
The sellers brought recognizable names to the deal: Rebecca Lowe is known for her coverage of Premier League soccer, and her husband Paul Buckle is a former professional soccer player and manager who coached Sacramento Republic FC and later worked in soccer development and consulting.
Listing agent Tiegen Boberg of Coldwell Banker Realty said the home’s appeal was unmistakable but specific, the kind of property that doesn’t fit neatly into a typical buyer checklist.
“Overall it was a very unique property, with some of the most incredible Folsom Lake views in El Dorado Hills,” Boberg said via email. “(It) had a custom tennis court, the house was beautifully remodeled, high-end kitchen and appliances (and) the floor plan was unique so we were looking for a specific buyer with the right vision.”
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“Perched high above El Dorado Hills with commanding, panoramic views over Folsom Lake and the surrounding valleys, this extraordinary private estate offers a rare combination of scale, seclusion, and resort-level amenities,” the MLS property description said.
The listing leaned hard into the home’s setting. Expansive windows and view-facing gathering spaces were designed to keep the landscape in the foreground, from morning light across the water to sunset color washing over the hills.
The main residence was marketed as recently refreshed, with the kitchen positioned as a centerpiece for daily life and entertaining.
“The newly updated chef’s kitchen anchors the home with a 48” Wolf range, professional-grade appliances, and generous space to gather, cook, and connect,” according to the listing.
Other interior highlights included a dedicated library and a primary suite described as a spa-style retreat, complete with a steam shower and — naturally — more lake views.
But the estate functioned as more than a single house. A separate 730-square-foot ADU/pool house added flexibility for guests or multigenerational living.
Outside, the property aimed for a resort vibe, built around an infinity-edge pool and a covered entertaining setup designed for long summers.
“Outdoor living takes center stage with a 524-square-foot covered kitchen and lounge, fully equipped for year-round entertaining and long summer nights by the infinity-edge pool, overlooking nearly 360-degree panoramic views,” the description said.
The acreage also left room for additional ambitions, with the listing pointing to practical extras like an oversized three-car garage, space for a shop or barn, and the potential for horses.
Then there was the recreational wildcard: a custom tennis court with an unusual twist. The court is billed as “a professional-grade Cushion Xtreme tennis court, easily converted to two pickleball courts, complete with a private bar — an experience that feels more like a private club than a residence.”
The buyer, Boberg said, came from across the country.
“The buyers found us all the way from Florida, fell in love with the property and views, and saw the dreams and possibilities on how to rework the home,” he said.
The new owners are already thinking beyond the existing footprint, he added.
“I believe they are planning to do an addition with a first floor primary suite, adding square footage and completely reimagining the layout,” Boberg said.
Lowe and Buckle bought the home in 2018 for $1.5 million, according to public property records.
The home was originally listed for $2.7 million in September, but the listing was removed before the holidays. The property went back on the market in February at $2.5 million before finding a buyer a month later, and selling for $150,000 below asking price.
