Thinking about buying a fixer-upper? Buying a property in need of renovation and turning it into a suitable personal residence can be extremely satisfying. But tackling a fixer-upper can also be challenging. For starters, when inventories are tight, it can be difficult to purchase a fixer-upper at a significantly lower price than the market value of a comparable move-in ready home. That can mean...
It’s hard not to get glued to the 30-minute drama of some of today’s property-buying-flipping-loving-and-listing lineup of real estate reality TV shows. After all, they are pretty entertaining. And, that’s the point. These shows are simply entertainment. But if you log too many hours watching reality TV versions of real estate, you may start to get a skewed idea of what it’s really like...
They’re members of the family, so it’s not surprising that anxiety over how Fluffy or Fido are going to manage through your upcoming move is high on your worry list. Some pets take to change better than others, but it’s fair to say most pets will go through some level of stress when moving from one home to the next. Here are some tips on how to reduce their stress (and yours!) and help them make...
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the finish line and have sold your home. The boxes are all packed, you’ve done a final cleaning and you’re ready for the move. But before you close and the new owners move in, here’s a checklist for making the transition go smoothly for both you as well as the buyer. 1. Garage door openers. You should provide one opener per garage door and they should...
There’s a lot of attention paid to first-time homebuyers and what they need to know when buying a home. But what about first-time home sellers? No matter how much an agent tries to prepare a homeowner for the listing and selling process, every sale is different and there are some nuances that are difficult to anticipate. At the same time, there are certain things that are to be expected—but for one...
Are you ready to give your landscaping a facelift? Just as with an interior home renovation, investing in the grounds surrounding your home should start with a prioritized list of what you want to accomplish with your investment. Create a budget, define the scope of your project and stay within both. When you’re ready to bring in a pro, you’ll want to interview several landscape designers to find one...
If you’re thinking about a major renovation on your home or planning to buy a fixer-upper, you’re probably not looking forward to the renovation process. But, there are also specific steps you can take that will not only reduce your stress, but also reduce the risk of a major delay or misstep. Here are 10 tips based on advice from San Francisco-based architectural color specialist...
You follow the trends. You have good design sense. Then, why do your best intentions at decorating your house sometimes fall flat? Whether you’re sprucing up your home so you can put it on the market or simply want to keep it looking its best for your family and friends to enjoy, it can be disappointing when the results aren’t what you expected. Here are fixes for four decorating...
When it comes to you home, memories at priceless. Unfortunately, those good times are of no use when trying to come up with an objectively derived price for your home. This is where an agent comes in. As your agent, I can provide you with an estimate of your home’s value, show you comparable sold properties and recommend a list price for your home. Ultimately, though, you control the...
You found a new home that checks all the right boxes. You’re elated. But now, it’s six months later and the bloom is off the rose. Something that seemed like a “must have” is now a “wish we hadn’t.” Where did things go wrong? Sadly, it happens. Sometimes, it’s predictable. Like buying on a busy street despite the traffic. Or, wishing you’d listened to that little voice that...
