 After making a winning home offer, most buyers will want a home inspection before closing the deal. A third party examining your home for potential problems can be nerve-wracking—especially since the sale of your home depends on the outcome. If you’re anxious about the home inspection process, here are some things to know:
It Helps to Understand the Process Home inspections can take up to three hours to complete. You have the ability to set up the appointment with the homebuyer and inspector at a time that fits your schedule. View the inspection as a presentation of your home. Take time to ensure your house is clean, decluttered, and well cared for. You don’t—and shouldn’t—need to be a part of the inspection process. Transparency Is Key It’s unlikely that a well-qualified inspector will miss something that’s not working or damaged. And if a seller is hiding one thing, there’s a risk that they are hiding more. The best approach is to be upfront about any concerns at the time of selling the home. Provide any insight or paperwork you have about the age of the major systems of the house (roof, HVAC, water heater, etc.). Everything Should Work, Even the Lightbulbs Home inspectors need to be able to tell the prospective buyer the home’s condition. If they can see that something is working properly, they don’t have to investigate it. In other words, make sure everything is in working condition. Change nonworking lightbulbs, and check that all electrical outlets are functional. Resolve Issues Before the Home Inspection Fixing problems will reduce the risk of a holdup with the contract and sale. If there is a missing handrail, replace it. Scrape off old, chipped paint and paint over it so there isn’t the need for a lead test. Fixing or replacing nonworking appliances helps avoid questions of why they aren’t working and whether there’s a larger underlying issue. Make Areas Accessible There shouldn’t be any area that’s inaccessible, such as a closet, attic door, or rooftop. You’ll also want to be sure they can access electrical panels both inside and outside the home. Make it as easy as possible for the inspector to determine the home’s condition. The goal of a home inspection is to give buyers peace of mind about their home purchase. Being prepared will help the process go smoothly. For more information about what to expect during a home inspection, please contact me.
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 We all make New Year’s resolutions, but most of us fail to stick to them. Our motivation and self-control is always much higher in the run-up to December 31 than it is two weeks into January. But to follow through with resolutions requires months or even years of willpower. Here are some strategies to help you stay committed:
Take Small Steps Your resolution might be something big, such as losing weight, learning a language, or getting a promotion at work. Don’t get disheartened if you haven’t achieved it in the first few weeks of the year; you’ve got to take it step by step. Be proud of yourself for a week of healthy eating, a few hours spent studying Spanish, or a completed deadline in the office. Let the World Know The best way to motivate yourself and stick to your resolutions is by telling people. They will hold you accountable to the goals you set and provide a support system. Tell your family, message your friends, or publish it on Facebook. By letting people know about your resolutions, you’re putting an extra incentive in place for yourself. Put It In Your Schedule Write down regular checkups in your planner to assess your progress. Set alerts on a digital calendar every week to remind yourself of your resolutions so that it is harder to pretend they don’t exist. For bigger resolutions, check in with yourself every three months to see how you’ve progressed. Join a Community Being surrounded by a community of like-minded people makes it easier to keep working on your resolutions, so look for relevant groups in your area or online. Join a book club if you want to read more, connect with a running group if you want to improve your fitness, or subscribe to a civic newsletter if you want to be more politically active. Remind Yourself Why Your reason for investing in your health or saving money is important, so remind yourself of this every time you feel like giving up. Make placeholder goals for larger resolutions and celebrate your progress when you reach them—this will also help keep you on track. If you want to run a 10K by the end of the year, set a goal to run 2K by the end of February, 5K by the end of June, and so on. Keep on top of your goals with these self-regulation tips for a happy and productive year ahead.  Whether you're purchasing your first home or your third, knowing that the house you live in belongs to you fills you with a sense of accomplishment. Along with this feeling of pride comes a large array of benefits. Here are five advantages of home ownership:
You Can Choose the Home That Fits Your Lifestyle Purchasing a home often provides the opportunity to select from a variety of different houses to find one that fits your lifestyle. For example, if you're looking for a nontraditional home, you can buy a condo, town house, or patio home, or if you don't want to take care of the lawn and landscaping, you can purchase a home that has a homeowners' association who can do it for you. Remodeling Is Your Choice Do you want to remodel your outdated bathroom or old-fashioned kitchen, or add an extra bedroom to your existing home? One advantage of homeownership is that you are free to design your home exactly as you like. Make sure to consult with your local government for necessary permits and other legalities. You Have the Liberty to Expand Your Outdoor Living Space Owning a home often includes the land on which it was built. As a homeowner, you are free to decide how you want to use your outdoor living space. For example, you might build an in-ground pool in your backyard, install a swing set for your kids, or construct a large deck for entertaining. You're Building Home Equity A house is typically one of your most valuable financial assets and only continues to build equity the longer you live in it. Your home's equity is the monetary difference between its fair market value and the outstanding debts you owe on it. Other factors, such as residing in a sought-after neighborhood with limited housing supply, can quickly boost your home's equity. The Monthly Payments Are Consistent A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your principal and interest payments constant for the life of the loan. Your real estate taxes and homeowner's insurance may fluctuate a bit, but typically you can depend on the same payment every month. Better yet, you have the opportunity to rid yourself of any principal and interest payment by paying off your mortgage in full. Mortgage rates are at historic lows. Now is a good time to buy or list your home. Contact me today!  The kitchen is a great place to spend time with family and friends, and the warmer and more inviting it is, the better. Here are some trendy ways to add natural appeal to your kitchen:
Feature Wood If your home already has wooden beams installed, then stripping these down and staining them adds instant character. But if you’re not so lucky, it’s easy to install decorative beams in any room. If done carefully, they’ll look natural and add character. Hardwood flooring in dark or light shades adds a sense of warmth, but if your kitchen is on the smaller side, opt for a lighter shade to keep it from feeling closed in. Stone Surfaces A stone floor is even more impressive than hardwood. Slate, granite, or other stone materials all make excellent, hard-wearing choices that are worth the cost of installation. Countertops made from granite or poured concrete are durable and also add a rustic, natural feel. Display Kitchen Accessories Beautiful wood cutting boards, serving bowls, and utensils set out in the open add charm to a kitchen, even if they are mostly used only for display purposes. Copper pots, pans, and utensils all look great hanging from an overhead or wall-mounted pot rack. Glass Storage Jars If you have the space for open shelving, storing dried goods such as beans, grains, and spices in glass jars looks authentically rustic and is also practical. Bring Nature Indoors Not all plants can handle the heat and humidity of a busy kitchen, but a few robust houseplants help to soften the lines of work surfaces and cabinets. Other natural decor ideas include hanging up decorative bunches of dried herbs and threaded spirals of garlic bulbs or chili peppers, or setting up a corner vase filled with attractive dried twigs and fall flowers. Atmospheric Lighting Diffused lighting from several smaller sources adds more atmosphere than a single bright light. And of course, you can use focused LED task lighting for work surfaces.  The holidays are going to look different this year. Instead of shopping in person, many people will switch to online purchasing. Black Friday frenzies may only exist on the internet, and many families who travel during the holidays will stay at home this year. In spite of all these changes, you can still make this year special and memorable for your family by creating some new traditions.
Become a Local Tourist Many people spend their holidays traveling, exploring a new destination, or visiting relatives. This holiday season—with pandemic-related travel restrictions in many areas around the world—travel plans are being canceled. If you're staying home for the holidays, why not live like a tourist for a few days? Book a stay at a hotel or B&B in a nearby town, visit a park you've never been to, book a reservation at that trendy restaurant everyone has been talking about, or scout the local shops for souvenirs. Your local tourism board should have plenty of sightseeing ideas. Best of all, you'll be supporting local businesses while spending quality time with your family. Organize a Gift Card Drawing Participating in a gift card drawing is easy, and family members from all over the country can take part in this activity without leaving their homes. First, decide on an amount of money to spend on the gift cards, for example, $25.00. Then, each person participating will purchase one gift card for that amount. The cards can be for restaurants, stores, music, and more. Just make sure to keep the card you purchase a secret! Assign each family member a number and instruct them to seal their purchased gift card in an envelope with their number written on the front. During a video get-together, each person draws a number, revealing the gift card and the gift giver's identification. Mail each gift card to the winning family member who drew the card's number. Start a Family Movie Night Tradition Normally, holiday activities with friends, family, school, or the office keep people busy. This holiday season, get-togethers will be restricted by social distancing rules, so it's the perfect time to start a new tradition: family movie nights! Dozens of seasonal movies are available on streaming services or from DVD rental outlets. Enjoy this special time together and create coziness with matching pajamas, snuggle blankets, seasonal mugs, cookies, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and popcorn. Create Some Holiday Cheer with a Cookie Bake Cooking has become very popular because people are not eating out as much as they once did, so planning a cookie bake day—or several—is the perfect fun project to bring holiday cheer. Select your recipes, purchase all the ingredients, and assemble the necessary kitchen tools. Bake an assortment of cookies, then package them in gift boxes for friends, family, and neighbors.  For the fourth month in a row, existing-home sales climbed across the country, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Every region saw sales increase, both month over month and year over year. The Northeast experienced the greatest gains, with sales up 9.4% from August and an impressive 21% from September 2019. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR, September's sales gains go against the trend, as home sales typically start to decline toward the end of the year. "I would attribute this jump to record-low interest rates and an abundance of buyers in the marketplace," he says, "including buyers of vacation homes given the greater flexibility to work from home." Median Prices Are Up This increase in demand has driven up home prices. In September, the median existing-home price for all types of housing climbed 14.8% from a year ago, marking the 103rd straight month of year-over-year increases. Every sales region in the country reported price gains. More Inventory Needed to Meet Demand Buyer demand might be high, but housing inventory remains at historically low levels. At the end of September, the housing supply fell 1.3% from August and 19.2% from September 2019. At the current sales pace, the current level of inventory would supply the market for only 2.7 months. In comparison, there was a three-month supply of housing available in August and a four-month supply a year ago. New home construction could help to boost supply levels. According to Yun, "To their credit, we have seen some homebuilders move to ramp up supply, but a need for even more production still exists." Properties Selling in Record Time The lack of supply, combined with strong buyer demand, is leading to high turnover. The average property remained available for sale for just 21 days in September; this is an all-time low. A month ago, properties were on the market for 22 days, while a year ago they were on the market for 32 days. Of all the homes sold in September, 71% were available for less than a month. Regional Breakdown For the past four months, month-over-month sales have climbed in every region. What's more, year-over-year home prices have seen double-digit increases in all areas of the country. Northeast - Existing-home sales increased 16.2% from August 2020 and 22.9% from September 2019. The median sales price increased 17.8% from September 2019. Midwest - Existing-home sales increased 7.1% from August 2020 and 19.8% from September 2019. The median sales price increased 14.8% from September 2019. South - Existing-home sales increased 8.5% from August 2020 and 22.3% from September 2019. The median sales price increased 13% from September 2019. West - Existing-home sales increased 9.6% from August 2020 and 18.1% from September 2019. The median sales price increased 17.1% from September 2019.  The kitchen is a great place to spend time with family and friends, and the warmer and more inviting it is, the better. Here are some trendy ways to add natural appeal to your kitchen:
Feature Wood If your home already has wooden beams installed, then stripping these down and staining them adds instant character. But if you’re not so lucky, it’s easy to install decorative beams in any room. If done carefully, they’ll look natural and add character. Hardwood flooring in dark or light shades adds a sense of warmth, but if your kitchen is on the smaller side, opt for a lighter shade to keep it from feeling closed in. Stone Surfaces A stone floor is even more impressive than hardwood. Slate, granite, or other stone materials all make excellent, hard-wearing choices that are worth the cost of installation. Countertops made from granite or poured concrete are durable and also add a rustic, natural feel. Display Kitchen Accessories Beautiful wood cutting boards, serving bowls, and utensils set out in the open add charm to a kitchen, even if they are mostly used only for display purposes. Copper pots, pans, and utensils all look great hanging from an overhead or wall-mounted pot rack. Glass Storage Jars If you have the space for open shelving, storing dried goods such as beans, grains, and spices in glass jars looks authentically rustic and is also practical. Bring Nature Indoors Not all plants can handle the heat and humidity of a busy kitchen, but a few robust houseplants help to soften the lines of work surfaces and cabinets. Other natural decor ideas include hanging up decorative bunches of dried herbs and threaded spirals of garlic bulbs or chili peppers, or setting up a corner vase filled with attractive dried twigs and fall flowers. Atmospheric Lighting Diffused lighting from several smaller sources adds more atmosphere than a single bright light. And of course, you can use focused LED task lighting for work surfaces.  Existing-home sales have continued their impressive climb, setting the fastest pace since December 2006. Low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, and continued job recovery are the key factors fueling the market. Sales are expected to continue their growth throughout the rest of 2020. Low Mortgage Rates Offer Buyers More Purchasing Power Mortgage rates have remained below 3% for the past several months, according to Sam Khater, chief economist for Freddie Mac, which has helped stimulate the housing market even during these uncertain times. “We’re seeing potential homebuyers who now have more purchasing power and many current homeowners who have the option to refinance their loan for a better rate.” For the week ending October 1, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged just 2.88%, with an average 0.8 point; a year ago, it averaged 3.65%. Despite the record-low rates, Khater cautioned that lender capacity, low housing inventory, and high home prices could put a halt to the record-breaking trajectory of home sales. New Housing Is Needed The lack of inventory that has been plaguing the housing market for years is showing no sign of easing. At the end of August, there were 1.49 million units available for sale, down 0.7% from a month ago and 18.6% from a year ago, when there were 1.83 million homes available. At the current sales pace, unsold inventory would supply the market for only three months, down from 3.1 months in July and four months in August 2019. The lack of housing supply will prevent many would-be buyers from achieving their homeownership goals. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, the inventory shortage has worsened over the past month because of the rapid increase in lumber prices, as well as a lumber supply shortage due to the California wildfires. “This has already led to an increase in the cost of multifamily housing and an even higher increase for single-family homes.” The lack of supply, coupled with an increase in demand, will put even more strain on the fragile supply of homes. NAR’s “2020 Work From Home Counties” report found that remote work opportunities will become more commonplace in the nation’s workforce culture. According to Yun, this trend will continue, even after a COVID-19 vaccine is made available. As a result, measures should be taken now to increase the supply of homes, such as investing in new home construction. Prices Are Up, but Houses Are Selling Faster This Year Than Last The average property remained available for sale for just 22 days in August, unchanged from a month ago; a year ago, homes remained on the market for 31 days. Of all the homes sold in August, 69% were available for less than a month. Home prices have seen year-over-year gains for the past 102 months. The median existing-home price climbed to $310,600 in August, 11.4% higher than August 2019. Every sales region in the country reported price gains in August. Regional Sales Breakdown for August 2020 For the past three months, home sales have increased month over month in every sales region. What’s more, median home prices saw double-digit gains from last year. Northeast - Existing-home sales annual rate of 740,000; an increase of 13.8% from July 2020 and 5.7% from August 2019. Median sales price of $349,500, an increase of 10.4% from August 2019. Midwest - Existing-home sales annual rate of 1,410,000; an increase of 1.4% from July 2020 and 9.3% from August 2019. Median sales price of $246,300, an increase of 10.7% from August 2019. South - Existing-home sales annual rate of 2.6 million; an increase of 0.8% from July 2020 and 13% from August 2019. Median sales price of $269,200, an increase of 12.3% from August 2019. West - Existing-home sales annual rate of 1,250,000; an increase of 0.8% from July 2020 and 9.6% from August 2019. Median sales price of $456,100, an increase of 11.8% from August 2019.  As the holidays approach, there are typically fewer homes listed for sale since fall and winter are considered the slow season for home sales. But times aren’t exactly normal; in fact, home sellers should consider putting their homes on the market now. Here are five reasons why: 1. There Aren’t Enough Homes for Sale The number of homes on the market is at or near an all-time low, according to the National Association of Realtors, down 18.6% compared to the same time last year—and the inventory was low then! Fewer homes for sale means sellers have less competition and a higher completed sales rate on accepted offers. 2. Mortgage Rates Are Low, and Home Prices Are Up A short supply of homes for sale and high buyer demand, due in part to extremely low mortgage interest rates, is driving home prices up; therefore, buyers can afford more and houses can sell above asking price. 3. Buyers Aren’t as Picky It’s a seller’s market, and homes are selling faster than usual. The national average time on the market is 22 days, and with available homes being snatched up around them, homebuyers are less picky. When inventory is tight, buyers tend to make fewer demands and sometimes even waive contingencies. They might be more willing to compromise on the condition of a home, and they are generally more flexible in negotiating. 4. People Are Looking to Relocate With more people working from home, fewer people have to worry about long commutes to work. Potential homebuyers who want more space but have resisted moving outside urban areas don’t feel the same pressure if they’re working remotely. Cities in America have seen a population shift from urban areas, especially city centers, to more suburban living in 2020. 5. Safety Is a Top Priority The real estate industry has made safety a top priority, using the internet for virtual tours, open houses, and even closings. When the process is conducted in person, hand sanitizer, face coverings, and social distancing are required. Buyers are asked not to touch anything, and windows are left open during showings. If you’re considering selling, don’t wait until the spring. It’s a seller’s market, which means that now is the right time to list your home for sale.  The Thanksgiving holiday season brings lots of work to the kitchen! Here are some recipes that are easy to make ahead so you have more time to relax with friends and family. Roasted Winter Squash Roasting works well for butternut or acorn squash, both of which are fantastic additions to your fall menu or Thanksgiving meal. Just cut the squash in half. (Well, this task is a tad arduous. Use a bread knife and make long, careful cuts and you’ll do just fine.) Remove the seeds, rub both sides with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place flat-side down onto a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. You can even bake it lower and slower if you want; squash is quite forgiving. You’ll know it’s cooked when a fork goes through smoothly. Remove it from the oven; once cool, scoop out the flesh and mash. Store it in an airtight container or zipper-closing bag. When you’re ready for it, thaw in warm water and warm it back up. (On the stovetop, stirring frequently. In the oven, covered.) Add butter and cinnamon or garlic and thyme. Cranberry Chutney Homemade chutney is fantastic with turkey or served with cheese and crackers. It will keep in your fridge for weeks and gets better as the flavors mingle. Juice and zest of one orange 1 (12 ounce) bag cranberries 3/4 cup sugar 1 cored and chopped apple 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional) 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon allspice Put all ingredients except zest and pecans into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cook until cranberries pop open, about 15 minutes. Stir in orange zest and pecans and cool. Pie Crust Pie crust is simple to make, but it can be scary if you’ve never made it before. King Arthur Flour has a great recipe, but so does the Joy of Cooking or whatever cookbook is on your counter. The key to flaky pie crust is using very cold butter and ice-cold water and leaving the crust a little on the floury side. Don’t add so much water that your dough becomes sticky. There should be loose flour in your crust. When you roll it out, most of the flour will stick to the butter. (Rolling tip: roll it out between wax paper.) If you have to sprinkle a few drops of ice water while rolling out the crust, go ahead. But only add the tiniest amount of liquid at a time. You can roll the bottom crusts, form them in pie pans, and place them in your freezer. Then just pull them out when you’re ready to make your pies. Now that you know some make-ahead holiday recipes, all you have to do is gather your ingredients and get in the kitchen! |
AuthorsA variety of real estate related references and pertinent information by various contributors. Get the latest real estate news and helpful tips regularly. |
Avant Properties
1350 Old Bayshore Hwy Suite 520
Burlingame Ca 94010
Main Tel. (650)796-5565
Burbank Office at (818)653-5358
Email: [email protected]
DRE #01352623
1350 Old Bayshore Hwy Suite 520
Burlingame Ca 94010
Main Tel. (650)796-5565
Burbank Office at (818)653-5358
Email: [email protected]
DRE #01352623