Serena Russell ~ Bay Area Real Estate Specialist

As a seller you might want to know how to prepare your home for sale.  Here are a few tips, which do not take a lot of time and effort, but will go a long way in helping you get the best possible price.  You don’t need to remodel or put expensive gadgets in your home.   A few simple changes will make your home appear more appealing without having to spend a lot of money, in some cases no money at all.

Firstly, keep in mind the kind of market it is.  In a buyer’s market chances are there will be lots of first time buyers looking at your home.  Most first time buyers expect a move-in ready home for the lowest possible price they can afford.  It might appear that these FTBs (first time buyers) have a somewhat unrealistic view, and this is to be expected. After all they are starting out without much previous experience to rely on.

Here is how you can wow buyers with some easy fixes:

Improve your landscaping. Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression, so make sure your home’s lawn is immaculate. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, and weed the garden and plant flowers.

Give your front door a fresh coat of paint to make it inviting.

Replace house numbers with new ones that are larger and can be seen from the street.

Clutter:  Can’t say enough about this.  You are going to move eventually, so why not pack up all the items that are on shelves and counters, except the very essential items you need daily.  Get some boxes from the local pet store, and pack away all the items on counters.  Label and put these boxes in the garage in a neat stack.

Buyers tend to get distracted by knickknacks, photos, extra furniture and other personal items, and miss out on the best features of the home.

Give the house a thorough cleaning to make it shine.

Make the mirrors sparkle, and clean the window glass, so the view is not streaky.

The outside should be clean.  You can pressure wash the home’s siding and this will give it a fresh look and get rid of cobwebs and dirt.  Mow the lawn.

Fix major defects like broken window glass, holes in walls or floors and peeling paint.

Fix leaky roofs or old stains on ceilings.  A wet spot or large stain on the ceiling in any room could discourage buyers.  Don’t forget to clean the fan blades.

You can also clean the rugs and draperies to give the home a fresh smell and feel.   Wipe down the blind slats and window ledges.

Finally, if you have pets, now is the time to hide the litter box and spray air neutralizer throughout your home. Open up the windows for a time and let fresh air into the home, especially if it’s been sealed up for the winter.

When showing the home, fill it with inviting smells by putting out fresh flowers and baking a batch of cookies.

Now go ahead get started!  You can change your home from ‘HOME FOR SALE” TO ‘SOLD’ .
For more tips on how to prepare your home for market contact Serena for a free consultation.

Are you looking to find a great deal ( like everyone else).  Have you thought to owner occupied a triplex or fourplex   so that you can positive cash flow?  Have also thought about collecting steady rental income?  Are you wondering what is the best investment for with positive cash flow, and in a decent area?

There are a lot of options for foreclosed properties in th4e bay area.  These homes are typically listed on the MLS as REO properties.

Foreclosures often times have various issues with deferred maintenance and typically need some level of work. If you are looking to rent these properties out are you aware of the rent control ordinances in that area?

I would also suggest that you speak with a lender if you have not already to discuss financing and the options available. It will be important to have your finances in place before submitting an offer.

Some things for you to consider: Read the rest of this entry »

Why buying a duplex -tri or fourplex makes sense today, multifamily dwellings are more affordable than SFR
Most people buy their single-family house, live in it as their primary residence, and then consider buying their first investment property. For those that are flexible and motivated I suggest Read the rest of this entry »

Have you had a dream of owning your very own Vacation-Home  but it was never the right time before.  Now that prices have fallen many second home buyers are considering the purchase of a vacation home property.

Recently,NAR’s 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2009, shows vacation-home sales rose 7.9% to 553,000 last year from 513,000 in 2008, while investment-home sales fell 15.9% to 940,000 in 2009 from 1.12 million in 2008. Primary residence sales rose 7.1% to 4.04 million in 2009 from 3.77 million in 2008.

Now is the time to make that   lifestyle choice you’ve wanted. Most vacation homeowners say they  intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat.

Your investment buyers can also generate some   rental income, but you have the option of selecting who you want to rent to.  One  in four vacation-home buyers plan to rent their properties to others, while one in five investment buyers plan to use their homes for vacations or as a family retreat. However, 26% of vacation-home buyers and 8% of investment buyers intend to use the property as a primary residence in the future NAR says.

Make sure you select a real estate agent experienced in second home purchases.  They do not have to be from the area in which you plan to buy, but they should have some prior experience with vacation home purchase & ental management.

Adventure in OLD SAN JUAN.

Today is our second day it Puerto Rico.  We spent the day in the historic area of Old San Juan.

For such a small town, Old San Juan  is packed with information, history, shopping, music, dining and fun! The famous (and not so famous) historical sites in Old San Juan include Fort El Morro, Fort San Cristobal, Museum Casa Blanca, and the Princess Walk. Here one can really get a feel for what life was like during the times of the Spanish rule over the island. Old San Juan’s plazas, mainly Plaza De Armas and Plaza Colon, are usually filled with local vendors, music, food, children playing, and sometimes demonstrations of sports or community plays and theatre.

Calle San Francisco and Calle Fortaleza are the main shopping streets, which boast many jewelry ad souvenir shops, and Calle Cristo contains most of the designer label outlet stores, including Coach, Guess and Ralph Loren.

Though some of the other areas are popular with tourists, booking a hotel right in Old San Juan allows for the best opportunity to explore feel the history of San Juan. 

Whether you take a cab ride or walk the leisurely streets, you will notice ,” the narrow alleys, colonial architecture, and old shuttered buildings of Old San Juan  seem warm and inviting.  In fact, there are about 400 restored buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries in this area.  Walk through the parks…..take a jaunt up to the El Morro.  This old fort from the 17th and 18th centuries looms above the harbor in defense of the old city.  It sports turrets, dungeons, towers and tunnels. 

For other fun, there is an incredible art scene in Old San Juan. Many galleries (including the National Gallery in the cultural building off Calle Norzagaray) that present amazing pieces. One can find many art exhibits in restaurants and unexpected places as well. 

 While in Old San Juan, treat yourself to the best it has to offer!

If you are looking for more tropical relaxation, there are many good beaches within the Old San Juan area, but the city does not have a beach itself. A  quick bus ride can bring you to the beautiful beaches of Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde.  For more relaxation and stress relief, check out the Zen Spa on Ricento Sur, and the Om Spa on Calle Tetuan. Both offer great deals on massages, facials and nail services.

Some people ask “Is it a BUYER’S MARKET now?”

It  feels more like a “BANKERS MARKET” as they are calling all the shots.

THE GOOD NEWS:  If you are a CASH Buyer, you have some great leverage right now!

If you are getting FINANCING, the RATES are still VERY LOW.  Just be prepared to give your loan officer everything they ask for quickly… income info, tax info, jewelry, first born… ok just kidding, but the tax and income info is crucial.

Inventory is way down in some areas.  The condo complexes that normally have 20-30 listings, now have none.  This is a good indication that the market is changing.

Yes, and it’s still a buyer’s market for the most part……………but it’s also leveling off so now is the time to buy.   As always, I am happy to help you in any way I can.

Have a great month of May & look forward to an even warmer June.

History of Fremont

Establishing the City
The Fremont area was first settled with the establishment of the Mission San Jose by the Spanish. In the mid-1840s, John C. Fremont mapped a trail through Mission Pass to provide access for American settlers into the southeastern San Francisco Bay Area. In 1853, Washington Township was established, taking in the communities of Mission San Jose, Centerville, Niles, Irvington, and Warm Springs. On January 23, 1956, these communities incorporated (joined together) to form the City of Fremont.

Some helpful links:

Fremont schools

http://www.fremont.gov/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx?lngBusinessCategoryID=45

Housing http://www.fremont.gov/index.aspx?nid=415

Libraries http://www.aclibrary.org/aboutUs/default.asp?topic=AboutUS&cat=LocationHours

The Ohlone people  http://www.museumoflocalhistory.org/oldmuse/history1.htm

There are many ways to save money right away.  Here are 50 useful ways to begin.

1. Use Vinegar
Vinegar is useful and it’s a great replacement for several household cleaners. Use it for  window cleaning,  simply mix 30 percent white vinegar with 70 percent water for an excellent window cleaner. Many people say it works better then Windex. Dry the windows with newspaper and save on paper towels as well.

2. Save Cans
I know we all know this but if you drink soda, beer, or anything else that comes in an aluminum can it can add up quite quickly. Did you know that you can sell the pull tabs on eBay for around a penny a piece?  If you save the cans till earth day many recyclers pay double the normal fee as a way of promoting Earth Day and their company.

3. Use Less Shampoo and Conditioner
Some dermatologists say that we all wash our hair too often. By washing our hair every day and sometimes twice a day we are stripping out essential oils that can leave our hair too dry, then we spend more on conditioners in order to replace the natural oil.

4. Do less Laundry

Use clothing at least twice before putting in the laundry.

5. Wash Out Your Zip Lock Bags and Re-use Them
6. Shop  for Discounts & seek discounts online
7. Save Your Change

8. Invest In a Deep Freezer
When meats and other freezer items go on sale, buy in bulk and freeze it till you need it. This can save a lot on your grocery bill.

9. Adjust Your Thermostat Up or Down.
Those few degrees can make a big difference in your monthly electric bill. Use blankets when it’s cold instead of turning up your heater, your body will acclimate.

10. Consider Using Skype or Other Alternative Phone Services
Magic Jack and Vonage are also great ways to save.

11. Shop by Unit Price
When shopping at the grocery store, be sure to pay attention to the unit price, it can save you a great deal of money at the grocery store. Read more about Unit Price

12. Keep Your Tires At The Correct Air Pressure
Keep your vehicles tires at the right air pressure. This is a common one but under filled tires can really eat up the gas.

13. Stay in And Rent a Movie
14. Quit Drinking or Cut Down
15. Quit smoking or Cut Down

16. Shop at Thrift Stores & flea markets

17. Skip Star Bucks at Least on Occasion
18. Buy Generics
Generic products are often be just as good as the name brand, and sometimes even better. In many cases there are less preservatives and artificial flavors. In fact, Wal-Mart brand almost never has hydrogenated oils.

19. Avoid Overdraft Fees
Overdraft fees can add up quickly. Over draft twice for even a dollar or two and you’ve got 70.00 dollars in fees at bank of America. Keep a reserve in your account to guarantee that this doesn’t happen.

20. Grow a Small Garden
Having a garden can save you a great deal of money on the vegetables that you use most often. If you have neighbors that grow a garden, work out a barter system and trade the extra produce. Everything you don’t use right away, you can jar and use at a later date.

21. Go Fishing
If you enjoy eating fish, go fishing and catch your own. You can catch a few extra dinners each and every month. This can also be a great way to save on your entertainment budget as well. That is, if you enjoy fishing.

22. Always Use Coupons
Use coupons and save a great deal of money each and every time you visit the store. Don’t buy the product just because you have a coupon, but instead use the coupons for the products you need.

23. Use Dollar Stores Sparingly
Use dollar stores sparingly, there are items that you can save on in the dollar store but the temptation to spend a dollar on an item you don’t really need is common. Dollar stores often do well because we come out with 10 extra items that we really didn’t need in the first place.

24. Seal Windows and Doors
25. Save Your Leftovers and Use Them
26. Do Your Own Oil Change
It’s recommended that you perform an oil change ever 3-5k miles. By doing the labor yourself you can save each and every time.

27. Do It Your Self Pet Care
28. Walk Instead of Drive
Let’s face it, we could all use more exercise after all it’s healthy and makes us feel better. Other than the wonderful health benefits, walking can also save money on the fuel bill. Consider walking to the grocery store, movie store, or bank next time. If you’re not up for a walk consider a bike ride instead. Read the rest of this entry »

MULTIPLE OFFERS GETTING YOU DOWN?  Are you making many offers and getting beat out by the competition?  Don’t be discouraged.  Hang in there and don’t stop making offers. Oftentimes, a deal will fall through and you might be considered as the next best option.  Keep your minds open to the possibilities.  If you don’t take the step forward, you may not get very farther in the race.

Having said this might get you thinking about where is all this coming from.  Well it comes from actual experiences with real  clients who are in the running every day.  What are today’s buyer’s facing?  How do they cope?  How are they responding to the market?

YOUR FIRST STEPS:

Make  sure you have a letter from your lender, ready to submit with your purchase offer. Some lenders may require more than a couple days to get back to you with this important letter.

Contact your agent or Realtor, for the latest properties coming on the market, so you don’t lose out on seeing these great buys as soon as they become available.

THE SET TIME ASIDE TO GO PROPERTY HUNTING. You should plan on 2-3 hours to see 3-4 homes each time.  You can then compare what you have seen and select the best one for your needs.

Sounds easy…….but it will take some time and it should. After all you are making a home purchase!  For many people it’s an American dream.

What types of things would a new homeowner be concerned about when inspecting a roof?

Conditions such as light surface mildew (fungus) buildup on the roofing, slight granule loss, uneven/irregular coloring,(shingle shading), and similar relatively superficial conditions generally do not affect roof function. Maintain/ repair as desired. Heavy mildew/fungus buildup may indicate an ongoing moisture concern that can lead to more serious problems.Roof Drainage -

Normal roof design criteria allows for only limited water ponding on a roof for short periods after rainfall. If ponding is substantial, or the roof/roofing is damaged, remedial measures should be implemented.Roof Flashings/Seal -

Initial or recurring roof leakage is often due to inadequate or damaged flashing. All flashings should be checked periodically or if leakage occurs. Repair or seal as needed.Roof Staining/Algae -

Minor amounts of algae often occur on certain type roofs and/or on roofs in heavily wooded or shaded areas. Roof Systems -

The watertightness of a roofing system is dependent on the proper installation of the roofing material and underlayment, its physical condition, and the proper function of all flashings (metal or other membrane installed at protrusions through the roof, such as vent pipes, skylights and valleys). Splash Blocks/Extensions -

To minimize water ponding at the foundation and the potential for interior water penetration, downspoutRoofer Opinion -

Obtain the roof manufacturer’s and/or a qualified roofer’s opinions as to roof conditions and, if necessary, remedial needs and associated costs, prior to closing.