Holiday Happenings In The Bay Area

November 29, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

Holiday Happenings In The Bay Area

Everyone everywhere is feeling the holiday spirit. This is the time of year that families love to jump into fun activities and celebrate. Whether you live in the Bay area or you are visiting, there are a lot of fun holiday happenings. You can experience family activities, celebrations, performances, and much more!

The Nutcracker

The San Francisco Ballet puts on The Nutcracker every year. The San Francisco Ballet is the oldest ballet company in the US and they have been putting on The Nutcracker since Christmas Eve 1944.

A Christmas Carol

The American Conservatory Theater puts on A Christmas Carol every year. This is a favorite during the Holiday season. If you are unfamiliar with the play, check out the synopsis before purchasing tickets because some parts of the play can be scary for little ones.

Union Square Ice Rink

This is the Safeway holiday ice rink that is presented by Kaiser Permanente. It is open all season long and it is best to purchase tickets ahead of time for your time slot. It is $20 for general admission and children 8 and under are $15. This includes your skate rental.

West End Nursery

The West End Nursery puts on a Christmas house with gorgeous holiday decor that is a delight to walk through and the perfect picture opportunity.

Holiday Sugar Castle

The incredible design of a Holiday Sugar Castle is unveiled on November 23rd at 11 am at the Westin St. Francis.

The Great Christmas Fair

This fair is a Victorian Holiday party that takes place at Cow Palace. This event has a multitude of things to enjoy. There are shops, music to enjoy, theater, pubs, and dancing for all of your festivity needs. This is a Bay area favorite and has been happening annualy since 1970.

Oakland Zoo Glowfari

The Oakland Zoo puts on an annual “Glorfari“ event that features large animal lanterns that light the night through the season. This event also features visits from Santa.

Holiday Tea

Enjoy a holiday tea at the Fairmont Hotel. Here you will experience a traditional holiday tea. Make sure to dress for the occasion.

Pier 39 Holiday Tree Lighting

Pier 39 has a gorgeous tree that they light every evening. The tree lighting happens from 5-10 pm every night and features a light show that is set to music. The tree is always a live tree and this year is 60 feet tall! You don’t want to miss this!

In Conclusion

You could be new to the Bay area or familiar but there is bound to be a holiday event that is a new experience for you and your family to enjoy this year.

While you are enjoying all of the fun, you might just fall in love with the Bay a little more. If you find that you are interested in the Bay area and would like to buy or sell a home, contact us, we would love to help you with all of your real estate needs.

What to Know About Inspecting a Well

November 21, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

What to Know About Inspecting a Well

Having a well on your property and using it as your primary water source has a lot of benefits. The main one is that you have no more water bills. The water should be very clean, minerally rich, and refreshing. Before you can reap these benefits it will be important to have the well water tested and the well inspected. This is especially important when you are entering into a contract to purchase a home that has a private well.

What is a good inspection?

If you are purchasing a property that has a well, you will need to get a good inspection. A good inspection will be done by a professional or company that will test the quality and quantity of the water. This inspection will determine if the water is safe to use and if the well is holding enough water for the home. They will check to see if all of the state regulations are met.

When do you need a good inspection?

Typically well inspections are only necessary for rural areas where homes are not connected to public water services. If anything goes wrong with your well, you will not have help from the city, so keep this in mind. Requesting a good inspection is something the buyer needs to do in most cases, so make sure your agent asks for this on your behalf. You must have this inspection before purchasing a home so that you are aware of any potential repairs and can negotiate this within the contract. This should not be a one-time inspection, after you purchase a home, you want to have this done regularly to ensure the water you are consuming is safe.

What does a good inspection include?

The two focus points of a good inspection are the water purity and water quantity.

Water Purity

An inspector will take a water sample from the tap in your home and send it off to a lab. This water will be tested and you will receive a report detailing the findings. The test will look at PH levels, alkalinity, and turbidity. Turbidity is cloudiness in the water. The test will also look at the mineral levels of iron, calcium, manganese, copper, fluoride, and chloride.

Water Quantity

In addition to the purity test, your inspector will also look at the quantity. This is to make sure you aren’t left with no water while taking a shower. You need to know your well can provide what is needed for your household. The average household needs 100-120 gallons of water per person per day. An inspector will check this by measuring the dimensions and depth along with a flow rate test. The flow rate test indicates how much water is coming from your well by the number of gallons per minute. Lastly, they will check for any potential leaks, rusting, or mechanical defects that could result in low water pressure or contamination.

In Conclusion,

When you are looking to buy property in a rural area, you may be overwhelmed by what to look for. The best way to ease your mind is to work with an experienced agent that can give you the background information on any potential water issues and set up a good inspection for you.

Contact Dale Corpus for all San Ramon real estate and all homes in the Tri-Valley area.

Different Types of Fireplaces

November 16, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

When you walk into a grand living room and the center focal point is a gorgeous fireplace burning an ambiance into the room you just can’t help but feel cozy. Fireplaces were once used to create warmth in a home and although that is still their main function, they are popular for many other reasons too. What once was a simple open space to burn wood for heat, has grown into an industry with many options. There is a wide variety of fireplaces using many different fuel types, structures, and visual effects. Different Types of Fireplaces

Fireplaces have been the focal point of most households throughout human history, providing light, heat, hot food, and a central place to rest or entertain guests. In recent years, the options for homeowners have expanded dramatically to include a wide array of fuel types, structures, visual effects, and other options.

If you are looking at fireplace options you have to consider what your fuel source will be and then you can decide upon the safety, convenience, efficiency, and of course the cost.

So, what are some of the most popular fireplace options out there?

Wood Burning

If you grew up with a wood-burning fireplace then it is likely you won’t entertain any other option. Wood-burning fireplaces create an aroma in the home, unlike any other fireplace option. There are several types of wood-burning fireplaces. There are open hearths, wood-burning stoves, and wood-burning inserts. This is truly still a favorite to those who love a real fire.

Gas Burning

Currently, gas-burning fireplaces are the most popular and efficient. They eliminate the cost and need for firewood and they can generate a great amount of heat that can usually be adjusted. The only downfall is if you experience a power outage, you will not have the ability to use this fireplace. If you choose to have a gas-burning fireplace you will have to decide what venting system you want. Gas fireplaces do not draw air from the inside of your house and this makes them extremely efficient and safe while keeping our indoor air quality.

Electric

Electric fireplaces are the most cost-effective fireplace options. They are so easy to install and add to your home. These simply plug into the wall. Similar to gas fireplaces, you will not have the use of these if there is a power outage. However, there is greater flexibility with electric fireplaces. These can be moved around your home. You can decide on the light strength of the “fire” and you may even have options of color choice or appearance based on the lighting features in the electric fireplace you chose.

Having a fireplace in your home makes all the difference in your cozy, family-friendly living room. It is a holiday season favorite and a winter necessity. If you are looking to put a fireplace in your home or change the existing one, consult with a professional company. Fireplaces are a very specific part of the construction of your home and they can add value to your home.

Dale Corpus offers information on the Tri-Valley California real estate market including homes in San Ramon, Pleasantville real estate, Livermore, Danville and surrounding areas.

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Should I Sell, Rent, Then Buy When the Market’s Better

October 24, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

A home is a place of memories, a comfort zone, a paradise, and a big investment. So a home seller in a booming estate market will make massive rewards. Home prices in America increased by 25% in January compared to their prices last year. For instance, if you had a house worth $400,000 in the last two years, you could sell it for $500,000 this year. Should I Sell, Rent, Then Buy When the Market's Better

The profit makes it easy for many homeowners to sell their homes and rent for a while before buying a home when the prices are right. In this article, we’ll discuss some reasons to sell your home, rent an apartment and buy when the market is crumbling.

Renting makes sense for your timeline

If you don’t have a stable plan or have no idea where to move, renting could make you more profit than owning a home. A home appraisal sometimes costs more than a home in a booming market. But homes appreciate over time, encouraging homeowners to keep paying the mortgage while the home value increases before selling it for a higher profit.

If you plan on moving in a year or two, it is best not to buy a home because homes are always high and will soon decrease. However, individuals with such intentions should be aware of their long-term goals and understand the market normalities and the flotation in the market. If you have a three-year plan, it is best to sell, rent, and buy back when it is cheaper.

Closing costs are difficult on short-term plans

Before considering selling your home to buy a new one, remember new homes attract inspection costs, insurance costs, appraisal costs, deed recording costs, and more, amounting to 5 to 7 % of the full price. For selling, you have to pay realtor commissions. But taxes are attached to selling and buying. Closing cost is an integral part of selling a home.

But if you plan on moving in after some years, you can decide to rent a house to help you maintain a significant part of your equity. The method is referred to as the Five-year rule in real estate. The strategy is that new homeowners should live in the property for at least five years before putting it on sale to increase the home value. The increase will become profit at the time of sales and closing fees.

You’re a cash buyer

Cash buyers have the upper hand if the market is timed right. These buyers are not affected by the rising mortgage. If you plan on using cash to buy a home, you can rent for several years and still not be affected by a mortgage increase. After these years, and when the estate market is right, you can purchase your home with cash and still make a profit. Paying with cash will help you leverage your money better. Remember that as the rate increases, buying power reduces.

Want to learn more about investing in real estate in San Ramon California? We can help! Give us a call any time.

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Moving from a Condo to a Single Family Home

October 11, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

Moving from a Condo to a Single Family Home

If you are planning a move from a condo to a single-family home, congratulations! This transition comes with a learning curve, and also with a list of exciting new advantages. Keep reading for some things to keep in mind to be fully prepared for your new home.

Outdoor Maintenance

One of the main differences between living in a condo and a single-family home is the outdoor maintenance you will be responsible for. In a condo, private outdoor space is usually limited, and the outdoor space you enjoy is often taken care of by the community association. In your new house, you will need to be prepared to handle landscaping, pressure washing of sidewalks, gutter cleaning, and other outdoor maintenance tasks yourself. This may simply mean hiring a team of professionals to handle it for you, but don’t forget to budget either the time or the funds to take great care of the exterior of your new home.

Entertaining and Hospitality

Entertaining in a single family home can be much easier than in a condo. Even if you have the same square footage inside, it is likely that your home in the Tri-Valley real estate area will feature some outdoor entertaining space or a lanai that can be used as extra living space during a party.

Parking for your guests is also much easier in a single family home neighborhood, where your home likely features a driveway or some street parking right out front. Enjoy the opportunity to host a party or impromptu gathering in your new single family home!

Changes in Amenities

Many condo communities offer amenities like pools, fitness centers, and sports courts, while not every single family home neighborhood offers the same. You may be losing access to a community pool or the gym you use on a regular basis, so take note of whether you might want to budget for an alternative when you move to the new house.

Identify the Operating Systems

When you move into your new house, take a moment to locate and identify essential features of different operating systems that you may not have had to deal with as a condo owner. These include the main water shut off, the sewer clean out, the fuse or breaker box, and the HVAC filter. It also makes sense to build up a simple supply of the necessary tools you might need to handle basic maintenance and repairs on any of these systems.

Maintain an Emergency Fund

While it is wise for any homeowner, of a condo or a house, to keep a good emergency fund on hand, this can become even more significant when you own a single family home. There are more repairs that you will be solely responsible for that you may not have had to take care of in your condo, like cracks in the driveway, damage to the roof, or tree removal. Be prepared for unforeseen circumstances by maintaining a solid emergency fund for that inevitable rainy day. Good homeowner’s insurance will help to cover many of the issues that arise, but a fund to cover the deductible or costs that are not covered will provide the gift of peace of mind.

Want to learn more about investing in real estate in San Ramon California? We can help! Give us a call any time.

10 Uncommon Home Inspections Before Selling

September 27, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

Selling your home can be a frightening idea even if your market is booming. In particular, the home inspection can keep you up at night with fear. However, a savvy seller knows to get ahead of the game. From pest inspections to foundation assessments and mold testing, there are plenty of specialized precautions you can take to prep your home for sale. Here are 10 uncommon presale home inspections you should consider before listing your property.

1. Termites and other pests

Mice are the pests you see; termites are the ones you don’t. A proper pest inspector will get into your home’s crawl space and turn up any evidence of critters in your beams. They can also spot dry rot, which is caused by fungi and can lead to wood disintegration.

2. Asbestos

If your home was built before 1975, there’s good chance asbestos is present in one or more of its building materials. Scary but true. It’s most commonly seen as thermal insulation in basements, but pre-1970s, asbestos could be found in anything from window caulk to attic insulation. Asbestos is hazardous only when it begins to crumble. Bring in an inspector to assess the condition of any known asbestos; if they recommend removal, tackle that before listing.

3. Foundation

If you live in an older home, the threat of foundation settling looms large. A bit of settling is expected. Have a foundation engineer look for signs such as a cracked wall, twisted window frames, or horizontal cracks in the foundation itself, and then offer a timetable for repair.

4. Electrical

Homes go through many stages: a home business here, and a couple of rental apartments there. That also means a lot of electrical rewiring, which can lead to code violations. Bring in an electrician you trust who’s also familiar with the neighborhood architecture and history so they know what problems to look for.

5. Chimney

While that wood-burning fireplace is a major draw to buyers, prepare yourself for questions about its condition. A chimney inspector can make sure the flue liners and inside bricks are in good shape and that smoke is exiting the house properly. If you have a nonworking fireplace with the potential to be reopened (another buyer draw), you might want to send someone to your roof to inspect the chimney exterior.

6. Lead

Just because lead paint was banned in 1978 doesn’t mean it isn’t still lurking in your home. If you have any concerns, especially if your home will attract buyers with young children, bring in a certified lead abatement contractor. At the least, you’re doing the neighborhood a public health service.

7. Roof

Roof repair is one expense that makes buyers wish they had never entered the real estate market in the first place. Hire someone who specializes in your roof material (rubber, slate, etc.) to confirm whether damage exists, and get a firm estimate on the repairs or replacement so a buyer doesn’t overstate those costs later during negotiations.

8. Soil

If you live on a hill, you run the risk that soil could crumble in ferocious weather. Before you sell, a soil inspector can affirm your land’s stability. If you have a large plot that would captivate potential gardeners, an inspector can also test for soil contamination.

9. Trees

You’ve loved that old chestnut in the backyard but have always wondered why its leaves grow so sparsely. Before pitching the idea of a treehouse to the next owners, bring in an arborist to test the tree’s long-term viability. Tree care and removal are surprisingly costly, so buyers may be wary if those gorgeous and towering trees are unstable or otherwise unhealthy.

10. Mold

It’s not just for hypochondriacs anymore. The health dangers of mold are well-documented, and its threat is on the minds of real estate shoppers. A good mold inspector will ask you about the history of the home, including past water damage, and then do a visual tour of your place before testing for various spores.

For more information on different inspections or the home buying process, contact us!

Thinking of selling?
Find out what your home is worth right now!

High ROI Renovations to Do Before Selling a Home

September 15, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

High ROI Renovations to Do Before Selling a Home

Selling a home takes a lot of time, money, and work, so it’s natural to want to get as much money out of this process as possible. Updates are often seen as a quick way to boost your property’s value, but not every update will offer you a great return on your investment.

If you’re ready to build in some value, you should consider these top high ROI renovations!

Update Out of Date Siding

Siding does more than just decide what color your home is. From blocking out temperature fluctuations to stopping insect life from making its way in, siding pulls its weight to protect every property while making it look good.

If your siding is older and showing its age, buyers will worry about the home’s condition and will feel reluctant about even doing a walkthrough. Updating to metal board and batten siding will increase curb appeal and property value in one go!

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Although you should deep clean the house before you list it so buyers won’t be distracted by grime: paint can take this step even further. Fresh color allows spaces to feel new and clean and can neutralize any odors that might have clung to rooms otherwise.

If you have a finished basement, a coat of moisture-resistant paint will allow house hunters to feel secure on the property.

Refresh Your Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a big selling point. People want to buy a home that will reflect positively on themselves and give them the chance to want to be outside more. Consider adding garden spaces and greenery, with pavers for landscaping to section off the different portions of your lawn.

Flooding and storm damage has been weighing on the minds of home buyers this year, so make sure that when you update your lawn, you add drainage. This can be through literal drains, or you can add a rain garden that will divert water away from your home.

If you want to take your curb appeal further, you can paint or replace your mailbox and house numbers and even consider updating your home’s porch. Make the exterior of your home into a space that welcomes buyers.

Give Your Kitchen a Mini Makeover

Our kitchens are where we share untold hours and time with our family and loved ones, so it’s obvious why buyers want a space that feels welcoming and capable of keeping up with their needs. You may assume this means you need a major overhaul for your kitchen, but you don’t!

A minor kitchen remodel can often catch enough of the issues home shoppers might have with your house, and it has a higher return on investment than the average upgrade on your property.

Stop Air Leaks In Their Tracks

Air leaks can wreak havoc on your HVAC system! If you’ve noticed your heating and cooling bills are higher than average, and you can’t seem to get it to stay at a single temperature, it’s a good idea to look where the air could leak in or out.

Most buyers want cost-effective and energy-efficient properties, and air leaks don’t help.

Windows and doors are the largest culprits. Once their seal fails or they get older, they let in or out untold amounts of air and can double your heating or cooling bills. You don’t have to pay to replace every window, but simply getting a window sash replacement for the troubled windows can be enough to increase the value of your home.

Replace Your Garage Door

Your garage door offers the highest return on investment of any home update. The average garage door only lasts fifteen to twenty years, and the moment they stop working, you could be in trouble. Nobody wants their car to be inaccessible due to an older garage door.

Updating a garage door only costs $1,500 to $3,000 but can add double that to the home’s value because of increased security and visual appeal. This is a major update for every homeowner!

Update the Details

The devil’s in the details is more than just an old saying! If you can update smaller parts of the home, from light fixtures to outlets and cabinet hardware, you can overhaul the entire look of your property. These may be inexpensive and small details on their own, but they create an awesome finished product when combined. House hunters will see the home as a whole and be swayed to think the entire property is updated instead of realizing it’s just knobs and outlets.

Updating Your Home Can Boost Profits In No Time

When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s normal to want to make as much money as possible. Follow some of these renovation ideas and watch your house’s value skyrocket!

Max Shafer is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on real estate. He lives in Land O’ Lakes, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and researching real estate trends in his free time. Max’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisors, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.

Moving to Make Space for Your Home-Based Business

September 7, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

If you’re thinking about starting your own home business, you need to think about how much space you will need for your work area and office space. You also need to consider what type of equipment you’ll need and whether or not you’ll need any additional space for storage or extra employees. Moving to Make Space for Your Home-Based Business

Considerations

Determine your needs. This is an essential step because it will help you determine what type of home would work best for you. It’s best to have this in mind before going out and looking at homes.

Create a budget. Once you know what kind of home would work best for your needs, create a budget that covers all costs involved in purchasing the house. This includes mortgage payments, utilities, and taxes.

What things are important to you, such as square footage, location, commute time, school district, etc?

Talking to a Professional

The first call you should make is to a professional real estate agent. They can help you choose a home as well as an area that could make an ideal home-business property.

They have access to all the newest listings, understand the swings of the housing markets in various areas, and usually have relationships with lenders who can help you learn about the best funding options for you.

Financing

The process of getting a mortgage can be broken into three steps: pre-qualification, loan application, and closing.

Pre-qualification: This step involves answering questions about your income, debt, savings, and credit history. Once you have submitted your answers to the lender, they will compare them with their own criteria and let you know if you are eligible for a mortgage or not. You can do your own calculations, too, by using an affordability calculator.

Loan application: This is where they will figure out if they want to give you a loan or not by looking at your credit score and income level.

The closing on a house is the final step in the process of buying or selling a property. The legal documents are signed and the transaction is complete. It’s not just about signing some papers and handing over your money to the seller, however; it’s also about making sure that everything is in working order before you finalize.

Your Home Office

The key to creating a home office is finding the right balance between functionality and style. You should plan out how you will use the space before deciding on what furniture you need.

When you’re designing the space, ensure that you have enough room for all your equipment and furniture so that it doesn’t feel cramped or cluttered.

Build in storage for all of your files and supplies in the way of decorative shelves and cabinets, and create an area for meetings or phone calls.

The type of lighting you choose depends on what you are doing in the room. If you are working on a computer, then task lighting is best for you. For creative work or reading, ambient light is better. If your home office space doesn’t have a window, you can either have one installed or use daylight bulbs in some of your fixtures to mimic natural light during the day.

Outsource to Save Space

It’s not necessary to buy more homes than you need to accommodate employees. You can outsource a good many tasks that can eventually save you a lot of money.

There are companies providing business process outsourcing services you can turn to. When you work with a business process outsourcing agency, you can find qualified remote virtual assistants and professionals to handle necessary tasks. Before working with an agency, be sure to check their rates and reviews.

You can be comfortable with your home-buying decision by using a qualified and knowledgeable real estate agent and doing your budgeting ahead of time. And then by designing your new office to be productive and outsourcing any jobs you don’t need to have done in-house, you can save a lot of space and expense.

Your home-based business is one of the most important things you’ll do with your life and a home purchase is one of the biggest, but with proper planning, you can make them work to their full potential.

Ready to get started? Ready for step one? Let’s talk!

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A Guide To Buying Foreclosures

August 30, 2022 by Dale Corpus Leave a Comment

If you want to know how to buy a foreclosed home, you want to be working with a real estate expert. You better understand the process of buying a foreclosed home by reviewing all of the relevamt information.

How Does Buying A Foreclosed Home Work?

A foreclosed home is also called a real estate owned property (REO) or bank-owned property, a foreclosed home is owned by the lender as a result of the previous owner failing to pay their mortgage payments. You can buy a foreclosed home either through a real estate agent or public auction. According to real estate insiders, knowing how to buy a foreclosed home will increase your chances of finding a property that works for your lifestyle and budget.

Should I buy A foreclosure for my first home?

If you want to make a profit in real estate, it all comes down to finding a good deal and then selling it for a higher price. Many foreclosed homes will require costly maintenance and repairs. In most cases, nobody has lived in the house while the bank has owned it. In fact, there’s a good chance that a foreclosed home has been sitting for months without air conditioning, the perfect environment for foul-smelling mold and mildew.

Unoccupied homes can also be vulnerable to theft and vandalism, which could result in missing appliances, stolen copper piping, or unsightly graffiti. The best way to find a good deal on a foreclosed home is by conducting a professional home inspection. Once you know exactly what needs to be fixed, the next step is getting a reasonable bid on repairs.

Can I afford it?

When making the decision to purchase a home, you should always consider the total housing cost and how much you can afford. Whether it’s a foreclosure or a traditional home, make sure you’re out of debt before putting in an offer and apply for pre-approval for a loan. You should also have an emergency fund that can cover 3 to 6 months of expenses, which will account for any big expenses that are needed upfront.

What is title insurance and why do I need it?

Foreclosure experts recommend purchasing title insurance, which will protect you from undiscovered liens or specialty warranty deeds on the home. Depending on the situation, title insurance can be bought through escrow or purchased after closing. The best way to protect yourself from this potential scenario is by knowing and understanding the real estate laws in your state. If you live in a state with right of redemption laws and want to purchase a foreclosed home, make sure the allocated time has passed before making any repairs or spending money on the property.

If you’re looking to purchase real estate, even a forclosed home, contact me today!