It seems like a lot of people are renovating and remodeling this spring. Many of the remodeling contractors are already out until the end of summer, so what’s prompting all the remodels? Well, the economy is good, people have received raises, and because home prices are rising, many homeowners are simply remodeling their homes rather than buying new ones. So, what’s in and what’s out and home renovation trends? [Read more…]
Add Up to 10% to Your Home’s Value with These Landscaping Hacks
When selling a property, chances are the main photo for the home will be the outside. Most multiple listing services require either the front of the house or the view from the house as the first listing photo, so, you better make sure that your landscaping and curb appeal is on point. Most buyers will decide within the first five seconds of looking at the home whether or not they’re interested, which is why your landscaping and curb appeal should never be neglected. Here are some serious landscaping and curb appeal hacks that will totally change the way people look at your home. [Read more…]
10 Genius Relocation and Moving Hacks
Moving can be a pain, but with these quick tips you can move and relocate easier than ever before. But the key is starting early. Here are my top 10 moving hacks.
How to Have a Successful Open House
I’ve heard it go back and forth for years that open houses are great idea and then they’re a terrible idea. Whatever the case may be, if you want to have a successful open house there are some things that need to happen first. An open house can open the doors to potential buyers though you’ll have a lot of nosy neighbors and people just browsing the neighborhood. However, an open house can be one of the very first steps a homeowner takes when trying to get more exposure on a property. [Read more…]
6 Kitchen Upgrades Without the Remodel
Whether you are planning on selling your property or just looking for a fresh look without a major remodel, doing small things that help update the look and feel of your kitchen is one of the best ways to improve the home. We’re seeing a lot of new construction around the Tri-Valley area and buyers are looking for updated, renovated, or upgraded materials. If you’re looking to put a little bit of elbow grease and possibly a little money into your kitchen, you can do some upgrades without breaking the budget with a full remodel. Here are six kitchen upgrades that you can do without a full remodel. [Read more…]
Upgrading the Floors? Hardwood or Carpet?
The most recent and hottest trends in flooring are hard surface floors, but there are still many reasons to lay carpet in your home. Even if you don’t want carpet in every room of your home you might find you prefer the softness and insulation of carpet in some spaces. Today’s carpet choices are more varied and stylish than ever before. Some designers are even bringing carpet back into the style scene. You may be surprised what you find and just how stylish carpet can be. [Read more…]
Scared to Sell Because You Have to Buy?
This is a common concern right now; we’re scared to sell because we also have to turn around and buy. It’s a great time for agents because houses are selling so fast! Hey, wait a minute, not so fast. That’s not necessarily true because inventory is down, competition is extremely high, and a lot of homeowners are in the same situation, scared to sell because they have to turn around and buy. Sure, if you are a seller going to the rental market or moving to a different location altogether, selling is easy. Heck, you practically don’t even have to put a sign in the front yard before the home is sold (as long as it is priced correctly). [Read more…]
Do Buyers Want to See a Home Office?
The home office. It’s a place of intentional work, pay bills, or just sit and manage your home life. Maybe you work from home so it’s literally your office. Many sellers are creating a home office setting when staging and listing their home but is it necessary? Do buyers really expect homes to have an office?
There are options and many buyers are not putting the emphasis on a home with an office as an office setting really can be anywhere. So what are other options sellers can do to present their homes in a new light?
Home Theater.
This might sound extreme but in many markets around California, this type of room is becoming very popular. The dedicated space with surround sound, high-quality TV and visual dynamics are making a comeback in many homes.
Family Rooms.
It all depends on how much space you have and if it’s a closed off room or open area. Many new homes have a landing at the top of the stairs that can be turned into a large play room or family room instead of an office space, which feels awkward when you have to walk through it to get to the bedrooms.
Creative Space.
This could be an arts and crafts room or a space that one could get messy in. The floor may be tile or other material that’s easy to clean.
Library.
If you have plenty of books, try dressing up a space room into a quaint library. Large bookshelves can even serve as dividers to section off the room into a sitting area and library. Create an inviting space by using comfy chairs or couches, blankets and good lighting.
Guest Rooms.
The guest room doesn’t have to just be a bed. Create a neutral bedroom that could suffice for anyone for the nights. A neat night stand, lamp, good book, vase of flowers, dresser, neutral decor and fluffy linens all invite guests to make the space their own for the night.
There are lots of different things you can do to a room beside the typical office. If you’re selling in the Tri-Valley area, give me a call! Let’s talk about what buyers are looking for and how you can appeal to all buyers out there.
How to Make Your Real Estate Listing Stand Out
We are coming into spring, the busiest real estate season of the year. Buyers will be out in full force and sellers will be doing everything they can to get their home to stand out. While there are many things you can do at home to stage your property and make it attractive to buyers, getting them in the door is all about the listing. 85% of homebuyers start their search online and if your listing doesn’t stand out in the hundreds they scroll through daily, you will get passed by. Everyone knows you need to have a photograph of the house but, you can also have a photograph of the view from the house as your main, featured photo. It all depends on how fantastic that view is, of course. If the view is really the best thing about the house show it off. But if the house itself looks amazing, it’s best to keep a picture of the front of the house.
The photos. Photos are what drive us. It’s why social media sites such as Instagram and Pinterest are so popular. We are a visual society. If we must read anything for a long enough time, we may get bored and pass it by, but a picture truly is worth 1000 words. A lot can be said about a photo and by taking the right photo, at the right time, you can draw in the right buyer.
Look at these two pictures below. They are of the same house but one was taken with a very simple camera on a cloudy day. The color is dull, it just doesn’t look that great. But take the same photo from just a slightly different angle, on a beautiful day, where the colors are vibrant, and it looks like a home you may want to visit. It looks more attractive and even looks like it might be up on a hill with a great view.
Bite the bullet and take excellent photos. Hire someone if you can. Take photos different times of the day, and remember, you are trying to sell something; you wanted to look as amazing as it possibly can. However, don’t be deceptive in your photos either. Don’t use a wide-angle lens on a small bedroom that’s only 10 x 10. Be honest but try to get the most perfect shot. Your real estate agent should have some photographers in their back pocket and it does cost money, but it’s well worth it when you get the home sold quickly and for possibly over your list price.
Make a featured image stand out. If you’re going to use a photo of the view, make sure it is the most amazing view you’ve ever seen from the house. That could be a phenomenal sunset, beautiful city skyline lights, mountain view or water view. Make that the most amazing view the buyer has ever seen. If it’s the outside of the house, make sure your curb appeal and landscaping is up to par. Make sure the grass is neatly mode and is bright green. Make sure the flowers around the outside are all in one color and trees, shrubs and brushes are properly trimmed. The sidewalk or stairs should be pressure washed, the trim should be updated and retouched on the house and the front door should be so inviting, it’s practically like the gingerbread house was to Hensel and Gretel.
Consider a video. Videos are so easy. You don’t have to do a five-star production to make a video about your neighborhood, the backyard, or even a tour through the house. People want to see what is nearby and unless you’re doing a drone tour of the neighborhood, people are not going to be able to see what’s next-door. Of course, you may not want them to know that you have a quarter living next door with two junk cars in the driveway. This is where a video is not going to benefit you. But, if the inside of your house is phenomenal, beautifully staged and you have the latest and greatest appliances or materials, by all means, show it off with a video tour.
Use social media. Social media can be used for anything these days. Besides connecting with old college buddies, it’s a great place to market your listing or your home. Talk to your friends and neighbors and have them share your listing information. Put fantastic photos up on Pinterest and other photo sharing social media sites. Don’t just share it once, Sharon multiple times throughout the course of the listing to remind people that the house is still on the market and how amazing it is.
Showcase settings that tell a story. In every single photo of your home, you should be telling a story. Does the bathroom set the stage for a relaxing retreat and spa getaway? Does the bedroom show an oasis of escape with comfortable, fluffy linens, lots of pillows and perhaps an overstuffed chair in the corner perfect for curling up with a good book? Does the kitchen show a neat, modern and contemporary style ready to make the latest and greatest meal for the family? Is the dining room table set ready for entertaining friends and loved ones? Does the backyard tell the story of summer barbecues, playing in the swimming pool, or a roving game of football? Set the stage in every single photo and buyers will see themselves in the home, practically begging to live there.
You must make your listing stand out before anyone sets foot in your home. Use these simple tips, tricks and of course, talk to your real estate agent about how to make your home stand out both online and in person.
Ready to get started? Feel free to call me anytime for tips, suggestions and listing information throughout the Tri-Valley area of California.
New Construction Warranty – SB 800 What it Means
SB 800 is a new California law that addresses residential construction defect litigation on new construction properties and establishes warranties for those new construction homes. This law applies to both single-family homes and condominium residential construction for purchases after January 1, 2003. Note: it does not apply to condominium conversions.
This new bill will set a new standard for construction allowing builders and developers the right to repair defects to avoid litigation up to 10 years after the purchase. It does require buyers to follow maintenance guidelines but it provides builders and developers with legal defenses. This bill will mandate that a building whether it be a condominium complex or single-family home come with a tenure warranty. Homeowners associations typically sue the developer sometime around year nine in order to get any warranty issues paid for by the insurance company.
[Read more: Do New Homes Need Inspections?]
SB 800 also will require that builders provide information to the buyer along with the contract letting the buyer know whether or not the builder has adopted the SB 800 provisions. This bill not only affects the current buyer but any subsequent buyers within the 10 year time period. Builders are still allowed to provide additional protection to a homeowner should they choose.
SB 800 to find construction defects as functionality standards for water intrusion, structural damage, soils, fire protection, plumbing and sewer and electrical. There’s also an additional category that protects “to the extent a function or component is not addressed by these standards, it shall be actionable if it causes damage.”
[Related: How to Avoid Sticker Shock on New Homes]
The statute of limitations are 10 years from the close of escrow for all construction defects, five years from the close of escrow for paint and stains per manufactures representations, and four years from the close of escrow for plumbing and sewer systems, electrical, exterior pathways, hardscapes and driveways and untreated steel fences to prevent unreasonable corrosion.
This new bill is to prevent any litigation issues, especially with homeowners associations and condo complexes. For the state of California, sellers may have a difficult time selling the unit while litigation is pending due to financial issues. With this new law, it should be easier to sell without litigation within 10 years. [Source]