Real Estate and All That Jazz: December 2009

5 Money Saving Tips For Selling Your Home in San Diego, CA

Tricks of the trade to help you get top dollar

Clutter:

One of the biggest turn offs is a house filled with clutter. Most Buyers will be turned off by personal photos, memorabilia and keepsakes. Plan on boxing up these items and storing in the garage. Remember, a Buyer wants to imagine themselves living in your home and too many personal items negate that goal.

Ideas: Stack books vertically to create some interest and open space on a bookshelf. Buy some inexpensive baskets from IKEA for storing CD's and other small items and place on bookshelves.

Lighting:

Maximize the light in your home. Dark rooms are depressing and do not show off the beauty of a room.Take down heavy drapes and opt for more translucent fabric or none at all. Clean the windows, change lampshades and increase the wattage of your lightbulbs. You would be amazed at the difference that lighting can add to a room.

Painting:

The biggest bang for your buck is a fresh coat of paint. I own investment property and often don't have the time or funds to repaint after each tenant. Think about a one wall accent in a designer shade. Buy a gallon of paint and do 2 rooms. I have been known to paint a wall in about 45 minutes. I have had some of the best comments from prospective Buyers marveling over the color on an accent wall.

Kitchen Cabinet Door Handles:

I recently took off old worn knobs from a kitchen cabinet and replaced with new hardware. This is a very inexpensive idea and creates a fresh look for your kitchen cabinets. Keep it simple and if you have a “one-hole” knob, stick with a new “one-hole” knob, so all you have to do is unscrew the old handle and replace with the new one. I was recently asked if I got new kitchen cabinets.

Landscaping:

You can typically get 100% return on the money you put into your home's curb appeal. It doesn't have to be a major investment of time or money. Freshly planted flowers and new mulch go a long way. Well trimmed bushes and trees create a neat and cared for appearance. I recently tore out my lawn and replaced with decomposed granite and drought tolerant plants: no small selling point for a desert climate like San Diego. It was not terribly expensive, and I know my house will be up there in Buyer approval when they see my tiny water bill.

Pets:

This is one of my pet peeves (pun intended). Many folks do not like animals. They dislike the smell and the fur all over the place. A bounding 40 lb. dog ready to lick your face is enough to make some buyers turn around and leave. Ditch the litter box and if you can't get them out of the house entirely, keep the animals contained for showings.

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I thought this post was really interesting and offerred some great insights into what Real Estate Brokerge of the future may look like.

Lakesdie CA Executive Retreat For Rent-Lakeside CA

Step into a rental home that is perfect in every way for the discriminating tenant. This home was built as a custom designed retreat for the owner who is leaving the area. Enter through the huge hand carved mahogany doors to a custom winding staircase.. Home is approximately 1500 s.f. One huge master bedroom with fireplace and hand carved teak mantel. "Walk-in" granite shower and designer glass bowl sink. 2nd bathroom has glass bowl vessel sink and hand carved mirrors.Open floor plan with gorgeous kitchen and sliders to large deck with astounding views. Separate dining area and open living room make this house for rent perfect for entertaining. Marble, granite and teak custom touches throughout. Custom lighting. 2nd bedroom is very small but good for child or at home office. 2 car garage. Walk up to the private roof deck with 360 degree views. Surrounded by 5+ acres of land with lemon, avocado and tangerine trees. Perfect for the upscale couple who desire a one-of-a-kind Lakeside Executive retreat house for rent with no next door neighbors. $2995/month. Horses and dogs ok. Drive by and 

contact  me

           House for Rent located near Wildcat Canyon, Lakeside, CA

  Walk-in Travertine Shower in Master Bathroom

Patio off Kitchen with views of the Lakeside Hills

           Kitchen

Although I live on the West Coast, New England is where I grew up. I would like to share some photos I have taken.

    Pumpkins

Old Barn in New Hampshire, Mt. Washington Valley

Mushrooms

  View over the Mt. Washington Valley

Autumn Leaves

My Favorite Food

Driving from Portland Maine to Mt. Washington Valley takes about 2 hours. The road is one lane, with views around every corner. Having family that lives there makes it a great vacation get-away to hike and fish. Although Southern CA is equally as beautiful and lends itself to outdoor activity, I still marvel at the "smell" of Fall in New England!