First and foremost, who will you have do the preparation and advertising?  Will you do it yourself or have someone you trust to represent you – someone who has experience?  Someone who knows the San Diego market best?

Secondly you should consider the type of home you have – is it more of a sedan-style or do you own a luxury home? Perhaps your home is uniquely architectural in style, a Lamborghini Countach so to speak, and would only appeal to a very select audience? If so, make sure your home receives the proper representation, rather than listing it yourself or through an unknown real estate agent.

Regardless, whether you are selling a favored vehicle or your much loved home, these five simple keys will help you to get the most out of your investment.

• Key 1: Know the Market – Evaluate information on homes that are similar to your own in your same location. Pay attention to the year, condition, and upgrades of comparable homes, as you would a car. Instead of mileage, however, consider square footage. Use the classifieds or rather Craig’s List to see “real” prices for quick sale homes. Make sure your pricing is in the ballpark before listing your home.

• Key 2: Recognize Your Home’s “Curb Appeal” - People make impressions quickly, with cars and with homes. Before you list your home, take care to do whatever “detailing” you can to spruce it up. You want your sellers to feel so “at home” that they won’t want to leave, similar to the feeling of wanting to drive a new car off the lot. Maintenance records and warranties that apply to your home are great to show, if you have them. Keep in mind that a well-loved and maintained home is a much more attractive purchase than a neglected one.

• Key 3: Showing Your Home - When you sell your home, people will also be catching a glimpse into your life. Buyers may be uneasy about their decision and answering their questions openly can smooth things over. If a potential buyer asks to have a home inspection (similar to having a mechanic review a car prior to purchase), recognize the validity of the request and ask to see the report once completed.

• Key 4: Negotiate Until Everyone is Happy - Once the inspection or “test drive” has been completed, most buyers will accept the home “as is” or want to negotiate fees in exchange for the “fixes”. As a seller, it is wise to consider all possibilities, perhaps the sale price could decrease to accommodate the needs, or perhaps a favorite contractor could make the changes quickly and easily. Make sure you reach an agreement with a buyer that is contingent on the sale closing before performing any repairs.

• Key 5: Finalize the Sale - Rules governing the sale of motor vehicles AND the sale of homes vary from state to state and even county to county at times. Having a trusted real estate agent and escrow company to guide you through the legal jargon can be invaluable. The money from the sale and proper paperwork required with each sale can be overwhelming and you will come to rely heavily upon those guides.

Once your San Diego home is sold, remember to remove your belongings, as you would with your car, and don’t forget to hand over the keys.

What are list prices for homes in your San Diego neighborhood?  What has recently sold on your street and in your neighborhood? Find out in about 30 minutes via email by getting a San Diego Market Snapshot here….

According to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) released on Friday, April 5, 2012, 101 areas throughout the United States are showing signs of growth, in thirty-five states. That is great news if you have your home for sale as it means the real estate market is improving throughout the country.  It is reassuring news if you are a home buyer as well, as it may give you a better idea of the stability of the area in which you hope to buy a home.

It is interesting to note that the NAHB/FA report is based on the following three solid factors remaining steady over a six month period, rather than simply market speculation.

• Employment Growth Statistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• House Price Appreciation (Freddie Mac)
• Single-family Housing Permit increases (U.S. Census Bureau)

According to David Crowe, chief economist at NAHB, “The IMI is designed to highlight markets that are showing consistent improvement.”  Seeing that improvement as a great sign, Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company agreed stating,“The fact that the number and geographic distribution of improving housing markets continued to expand beyond the 100 mark in April bodes well for the start of the spring home buying season, and should be an encouraging sign for those who are considering a home purchase.”

You can view the current report here to see specific markets and their ranking in the IMI in April. If you would like information on your neighborhood, quickly by email just fill in the information here by requesting a Home Snapshot.

The majority of those surveyed (at all education and demographic levels) still believe that owning a home is preferable to renting. The study, conducted from over 3,000 interviews, also showed that 64% of the renters surveyed planned on a future home purchase. Most of the survey participants listed high-ranking schools and safety as prime concerns when considering the location of that future home.

About 34% of those interviewed felt that “now” is a very good time to buy a home, but only 5% felt it was very likely that they would be purchasing a home in the next 12 months. The majority of survey participants (53%) felt that the housing market was likely to stay the same in the next year, but nearly all realized that the possibility of rental prices decreasing was unlikely. In fact many of those surveyed recognized the possibility of rental prices increasing, with 43% believing rents would increase and 47% believing they would stay the same. The majority of the respondents listed income, amount of down payment or job security as the largest obstacle to home ownership.
Click here to review the entire survey.

If you are considering a home purchase in San Diego there are a number of great coastal towns to consider from Del Mar to Carlsbad there are some excellent opportunities. The number of homes for sale right now is about half what it was last year at this time but when you consider where  interest rates and home prices are  currently in San Diego, it is not surprising that buyers have gotten off the fence. Check out these coastal San Diego values.

Before you start to spring clean, open up the windows so air can circulate throughout your home.  This will help remove any mustiness and you can use candles, essential oils, and other room fresheners to add a pleasant scent to your home.

Look at your walls and surfaces and use a melamine sponge to wipe away anything from soap scum to marker or crayon.  You will be amazed at how easily the dirt is removed with the sponge and a little water.  A popular brand of sponge is the Magic Eraser by Mister Clean, but there are many on the market today that act in the same way.

For the most painless and fast dusting method, use a microfiber cloth to capture the dust most effectively.  Follow up your dusting with a quick run of your vacuum, to clear away any particles that may have settled.  You can also reduce the amount of dust in your home by cleaning any filters on circulation systems in your home.

Remove the dust from curtains in your home by dry-cleaning or washing them (be sure to follow the label instructions) before rehanging.  There are many tools available for clearing dust from other window coverings, so spend a few minutes researching techniques here, if you have a question about the quickest method.  If you have a shower liner, add it to your laundry load.  Just make sure you allow it to air dry rather than dry in the dryer.

Hopefully these tips will inspire you and help you to get your home “Spring Clean” whether for your enjoyment or because you have a home for sale. If you are considering a move and have an interest in seeing what your San Diego home may be worth request a Market Snapshot for your home and get updated information about what is for sale and recently sold near your home sent via email in about 25 minutes.

When selling your San Diego home, your appraisal can affect the home sales price, so make sure you know your “comps.”  ”Comps” are simply market comparisons that reflect other homes that have sold in your neighborhood, zip code, and area.  Review these comparisons by calling us for comparisons BEFORE your appraiser visits to make sure that all recently sold homes are included in the current statistics.  Often homes sold as For Sale By Owner (FSBO) may not be included by appraisers, which can alter statistics they use to determine your home’s value.

Next, look at your home as though you were a home buyer, as checking that your home appears well-maintained is vital.  Spend some time cleaning the home entrance and painting as necessary to spruce up the entry, making your best first impression.  The rest of your home should be clean and clutter-free, as well.

More importantly though, you need to create a “value-added” list of things that make YOUR home distinct.  Whether it be its size and views, or the condition of your property as compared to others in your neighborhood or any upgrades you may have made, these need to be explained to the appraiser.  Be sure to be respectful as you review these and other details regarding your property.  Review the information the appraiser has brought and suggest revisions if needed to account for changes you have made or errors in the report regarding your location (check the zip code!).

Once completed, an appraisal may take several weeks before you can request a copy.  It is wise to do so, however, to verify that the appraisal is accurate.   Ask your lender and follow the appropriate appeals process if you feel there are errors or omissions that would affect your property’s value. In San Diego and locations throughout San Diego County prices are fluctuating. It is not uncommon for an appraisal to come in below a sales price.
Right now early in 2012 we are experiencing multiple offers for many homes. This can lead to sales prices going over asking price and you can expect that you may have appraisal challenges. So make sure to get all your relevant information in the appraisers hands so they can do the most accurate job possible.
If you are wondering what is happening right now in your neighborhood in San Diego area, you can get photos and pricing on current homes for sale and recent sales near your home by email within an hour. Get your Home Snapshot today for San Diego now.

green energy

Homeowners looking for eco-friendly tax credits to use to upgrade their home this year are in luck! While many of the programs available in past years have expired, the following are great options to consider now and all the way until 2016.

Geothermal Heat Pumps allow your home to be heated using the earth’s constant temperature instead of the outside air temperature and can reduce your energy costs. Most pay for themselves within 5-8 years and can last for more than twenty-five years. Learn all about the various options and models to consider here.

Solar Energy Systems for your household hot water needs are another eco-friendly option to consider! While the energy credit does not cover heating the water in your swimming pool or hot tub, considerable savings can still be seen with solar installation. Click here to read more about available water heaters.

There are several systems to consider when exploring ways to power your home while being energy efficient. The following systems all qualify for a 30% tax credit, some with no upper limit, so consider which alternative source may be the best for your home. All of these credits are available on your primary residence and some can even be used on a secondary residence as well.

Prior to embarking on finding a solution, however, you should do a survey to determine the total electricity consumption of your home.  Photovoltaic Systems, Small Wind Turbines, and Fuel Cell Systems are all great resources (though a bit more pricey) for creating and providing your own energy to get “off the grid.” There is plenty to consider when exploring these solutions, so make sure you do the research first to see what will work best for your home.

There are new homes being built now in Carlsbad and other locations in San Diego that are Eco-Friendly homes and offer many features home buyers looking for green homes want. We can help you find the right home that fits your needs, search for San Diego homes here. For information on federal tax credits you can search the Energy Star approved products as well, note that all Energy Star products do not qualify for tax credits. Green building and updating homes with eco-friendly products is on the rise and is worth researching to see if it makes sense for your situation.

It’s recommended that homeowners first try contacting their lenders or loan servicers directly to talk about foreclosure prevention options. But if you aren’t having much luck, there are also organizations that can help by negotiating with lenders and servicers on your behalf.

Here are some of options out there.

• Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) – This program may lower your monthly payment to 31 percent of your verified monthly gross income. Typically, this is about a 40 percent drop in monthly mortgage payments.
• Principal Reduction Alternative (PRA) – Was designed to help homeowners with homes worth significantly less than what is owed to lenders.
• Second Lien Modification Program (2MP) – If your first mortgage was modified under HAMP SM and you also have a second on the property, you may be eligible for a reduction on the second mortgage as well, or your home equity loan or HELOC.
• Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) – If you are current on your mortgage, but haven’t been able to get approved for a traditional refinance because the value of your home is too low, this program may qualify you to refinance.

There are also options for unemployed homeowners, such as the Home Affordable Unemployment Program (UP), Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) and FHA Forbearance for Unemployed Homeowners.

To find the option right for you, contact a representative at Real Estate Ally.

You can also answer a few simple questions online t to see if you are eligible for one of these foreclosure avoidance government programs by going here.

This number is anticipated to continue to rise to five times that rate in the next five years with over 30% of “green” home building being forecasted for 2016. Beyond 2016, builders believe over 90% of their projects will be “green.” Home buyers are seeking earth-friendly features in homes for sale, so home sellers and remodelers should take note of these statistics. Renovation work has also increased in recent years, most likely due to the shifting economy, and builders report that home remodels make up over 60% of their business, according to the recent McGraw-Hill study done in conjunction with National Association of Home Builders and Waste Management.

So, home owners and those looking for new homes with eco-friendly perks, have the “green” light! Almost half of builders (46%) have begun marketing their “green” services and are becoming well-versed in determining the best needs and options for their clients. As builders become more familiar with the processes involved with earth-friendly materials, consumer cost has decreased as well, making it a great time to upgrade your home for sale. Benefits of making these eco-friendly measures can be reduced energy costs, reduced waste, better quality of life, and peace of conscience.

There are a number of new homes for sale that offer eco friendly homes in San Diego. Here are some of the builders with new green homes available now in San Diego, in Carlsbad, Brookfield Homes is building a selection of homes for eco savvy homebuyers that offers a one story floor plan and several two story floor plans in the coastal hills of Carlsbad near the location of the proposed high school.

To get more information on the results of the Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study, click here.

Is your home sending the correct message to San Diego homebuyers?

If not, it may be time to consider hiring a gardener or getting help from family and friends to make some needed changes as soon as possible. The right gardener can transform the most jungle-like backyard into a beautifully manicured area of peace and tranquility, in as little as a day! With all the other tasks associated with selling your San Diego home, landscaping is a great project to outsource.

Before hiring a gardener, ask friends or neighbors for referrals. Once you have a few recommendations, ask questions and raise any concerns you may have with the gardeners/landscapers you decide to interview. Some key points to discuss are how often you would like service and what you need included at each visit. Services range from simple mowing to complete care, with reseeding, watering and fertilizing options. Don’t be afraid to ask your new gardener for help with ideas and improvements that could increase your property value and alert your gardener as to the property status, since there may be times when extra special service is needed (such as before an open house). You might even request that any extra cut blooms be left for you to use inside your home.
Keep in mind that a specialty garden is not the same as basic maintenance. If you have special circumstances, you may want to consider sharing written along with any verbal instructions with your chosen landscaper. Of course maintenance and seasonal costs, liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage are all topics you will want to discuss before entering into any agreement.

Once you have begun your service, inspect the initial work and take time to notice the changes occurring in your landscaping. As you offer feedback to your gardener and become a part of the process, you will see your home evolve into a well-kept, beautifully groomed masterpiece. Your home will create the best impression possible and deliver the message you want to share with potential San Diego home buyers. Look for more tips for San Diego home sellers coming soon.