The Trend in Housing is for More Informal Living.

Why less isn't always more with new homes



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5 Musts Before You List Your Home

5 Musts Before You List Your Home

Here are a few sure-fired things to do to bring you the most money for your home:

(1) Organize your Files - You should have a detailed list of all the repairs and upgrades you have done in your home and be ready to share that list, any receipts and warranties with prospective buyers.  This shows you have kept your home in good repair (value added).

(2) Declutter - Now is the time to clean out closets, the garage and other storage areas of things you no longer need.  The sooner you start, the less rushed you will be later, and the more spacious the home appears to prospective buyers.  Start with one closet and move on to the next and the next.  There are many organizations that would make good use of those unwanted, but still useful items.  And they will come and pick them up from you!  You may even get a tax write-off!

(3) Get a Home Inspection – This isn’t just for buyers. Having an inspection before your house goes on the market can identify any problems.  It’s best to be prepared for a buyer and to make any repairs your inspection recomments.  Another good move to show a buyer you are on top of things.

(4) Clean and Clean Some More – A clean and tidy home is very inviting to a buyer, while a dusty, dirty home is a real turn-off.  Windows washed and carpets cleaned are definites.

(5) Stage Your Home – I always recommend a professional stager, but there are probably websites or HGTV shows that can help you.  You want to start with curb appeal – neat and tidy yard with flowers, clean front door, and settings inside where buyers can picture themselves comfortable and living in your home.

These are tried and true tips to get you the fastest sale with the fewest hassles and the highest price.  Definitely worth the effort!   Nancy White  858-735-6505

Every Local Market is Different, but I Found This Article Interesting.

Home Prices on the Rise While Mortgage Rates Remain Low

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Beethoven's 9th on the Streets of Spain

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The Big-Hearted Secret Millionaire

On Sunday, June 2, 2012, ABC’s “The Secret Millionaire” aired, showing Scott Jacobs (a client of mine) from Rancho Santa Fe.  Scott is a painter - the fine artist for Corvette and for Harley Davidson.  He also has his own line of contemporary still-lifes featuring wines and glassware, etc.  (Incidentally, Scott, through his own hard work, is a self-made millionaire.)  For the show Scott and his 20-yr old daughter, Alexa, were transported to Newark, New Jersey (near where he was raised).  They left behind cell phones, etc., so no contact with the rest of the family for a week.  The premise of the show is the millionaire (in secret) brings a film crew and goes out to the streets looking for groups that they would like to personally donate to.  The guise is the film crew is filming a story on volunteering, with Scott and Alexa looking for volunteer opportunities. 

The first group they found was run by the mom of a 27-yr old soldier killed in Irag.  Her group was called GIs on the Go.  The group went out looking for homeless soldiers living on the streets of Newark.  Scott and Alexa went on a midnight run (4a.m.to 6a.m.) to find these homeless vets.  Each one they found received a duffle bag of clothing, toiletries, food, a little cash and other essentials.  Scott and Alexa were both quite touched by the devotion of the volunteers doing this work.

Next they found a group called Art Glass.  An attorney had left his job to teach inner city kids the art of glass blowing.  Since Scott was an artist, this rang home to him.  There was one young fellow, Chris, who was making glass bowls.  He had very little family support – emotionally and physically.  It reminded Scott of his early life.

The last group was run by an inner city grandmother who was teaching school dropouts job skills.  Some learned landscaping, lawnmoving, etc.  Scott and Alexa “volunteered” with the group as they cleaned up and moved a neglected cemetery.

On their last day Scott and Alexa visited each group and Scott fessed up – he is really a millionaire and he presented each group with a check.  Shock, tears, and hugs of gratitude.  Very touching to watch.  To the GIs on the Go Scott wrote a $75,000 check. Art Glass received $20,000.  Again, disbelief, and incredible gratitude. Scott gave that young fellow a $2500 check which he used to help his family.  The last group (forget their name) Scott gave them I think $50,000. Disbelief, tears and hugs of gratitude.

Later Scott’s wife gave me a few more details.  He also gave away a lot of laptop computers to the groups.  One of the homeless vets who was estranged from his wife told Alexa as she was volunteering that he wished his little girl would grow up to be half the woman Alexa is.  Scott has taken young Chris, the glass blower, under his wing and is encouraging him to make bowls that he can sell with Scott when he sells his Harley Davidson paintings and prints at different bike shows.  Also, Mayor Booker of Newark has invited the family back in November for a big presentation.  Many other invitations are flowing to Scott.  In the show Scott tearfully told how this experience has opened his heart.  It was life-changing for both Scott and Alexa.  It was a 3+tissue show!