Is Selling Your Long Beach or Lakewood Home on Your New Year Resolution List?

If selling your Long Beach or Lakewood home has been on the back burner of your to-do list, then now is the time to move it to the front and turn up the heat! Though spring and summer are the peak seasons of house shopping, the winter brings its own off-season bonuses to the real estate market. To get a jump start on your competition, consider the beginning of the year when selling your home.

Why? For one, there is less inventory to compete against. Fewer houses mean the chances of showings of your house increase greatly. An added bonus of that? Less times you have to clean up and clear out when your agent wants to bring in potential buyers.

Another reason to sell your home at the beginning of the year is, typically, those looking to buy during winter are doing so because they need too. Whether for work, family or other needs, they’re looking because they need a house now. Let’s face it, no one wants to tromp through rain puddles and mud, or blustery cold days to look at real estate if they don’t have too. 

Motive three…money! And not just any money, but TAX money. Buyers who have been waiting for tax returns now have a deposit to put down on their new home. Or, they may be wanting to buy to get an exemption, either way it’s a win-win for homeowners wanting to sell. Another bonus? People want to know that whatever they buy is in working order. Winter time is the perfect chance to show potential buyers how your house stands up to harsh weather conditions. Walking into a warm house, maybe one with a cheery fire burning in the fireplace, with no drafts, or the sound of wind whistling through cracks, will reassure the buyer that your home is sound and well kept.

And last, but not least, with everything in hibernation, you don’t have to worry about cutting the grass or trimming the bushes as often like in the spring and summer. What more could you ask? 

So if selling your home in Long Beach or Lakewood is one of your New Year’s resolutions, then consider the beginning of the year and you just may have it sold in advance of the peak season and BEFORE the competition, even starts.

For more information give Allison Van Wig a call
562-882-1581

or email her Allison@SuperBroker.com

10 Christmas Light Tips to Save Time & Money

light up your Christmas & Holiday display safely & economically

Christmas lights can be modest displays to show good cheer, or million-bulb light shows that draw viewers from near and far that could compete with the Clark Griswald’s of the world. Watch the movie Christmas Vacation to see what I mean.

Here are some tips on how to get the most from your decorations and spend the least amount of money on your holiday display. These tips may seem to be very basic, but it never hurts to be reminded of the simplest of safety tips.

1.  Safety first. Emergency rooms are filled with homeowners who lose fights with their holiday lights and fall off ladders or suffer electric shocks. To avoid the holiday black and blues, never hang lights solo; instead, work with a partner who holds the ladder. Also, avoid climbing on roofs after rain or snow.

2.  Unpack carefully. Lights break and glass cuts. So unpack your lights gingerly, looking for and replacing broken bulbs along the way.

3.  Extension cords are your friends. Splurge on heavy-duty extension cords that are UL-listed for outdoor use. To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord.

4.  LEDs cost less to light. LED Christmas lights use roughly 70% to 90% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. You can safely connect many more LED light strings than incandescents. Downside: Some think they don’t burn as brightly as incandescent bulbs.

5.  Solar lights cost nothing to run. Solar Christmas lights are roughly four times more expensive to buy than LEDs, but they cost zero to run. They’re a bright-burning, green alternative. Downside: If there’s no sun during the day, there’s no light at night. The jury’s also still out on how long they last; they’re too new on the market for results.

6.  Dismantle lights sooner than later. Sun, wind, rain, and snow all take their toll on Christmas lights. To extend the life of lights, take them down immediately after the holidays. The longer you leave the up, the sooner you’ll have to replace them.

7.  Plan next year’s display on Dec. 26. Shop the after-Christmas sales to get the best prices on lights and blowups that you can proudly display next year. Stock up on your favorite lights so you’ll have spares when you need them (and after they’re discontinued).

8.  Permanent attachments save time. If you know you’ll always hang lights from eaves, install permanent light clips ($13 for 75 clips) that will save you hanging time each year. You’ll get a couple/three years out of the clips before sun eats the plastic.

9.  Find those blueprints. Instead of guessing how many light strings you’ll need, or measuring with a tape, dig up your house blueprints or house location drawings (probably with your closing papers) and use those measurements as a guide.

10.  Store them in a ball. It sounds counterintuitive, but the best way to store lights is to ball them up. Wrap five times in one direction, then turn the ball 90 degrees and repeat. Store your light balls in cardboard boxes, rather than in plastic bags: Cardboard absorbs residual moisture and extends the life of your lights.

4 Ways to Improve The Value of Your Home

 

Deferred Maintenance: Small repairs and the general neglect of a home can make it appear less appealing than it really is.

Don’t be detracted by deferred maintenance; instead, perform an inspection to eliminate the risk of serious problems, then use the condition as a negotiation tool.

First Impressions:  More than one home has suffered from a bad first impression; overgrown shrubs, faded paint, lack of shutters and stained concrete walkways make any home look tired and dull.

Fortunately, first impressions are fast and affordable projects; landscaping, pressure washing and a new doorknob quickly turn a tired entrance into an inviting space.

Lights and Appliances: Upgrading lights and appliances might be one of the best ways to add value to any home.

Energy-efficient appliances and beautiful LED lighting not only provide a modern, up-to-date appearance but are quieter, easier to operate and more dependable than older models.

Cosmetically Challenged: Some homes simply suffer from wear & tear; old carpets and personalized paint choices may have once been your pride and joy but they usually don’t translate well into the general market.

Rather than succumbing to the “shock and awe” when encountering a cosmetically challenged home, focus on the structure and surroundings instead. Cosmetic fixes often result in the largest and best return on your dollar when it comes to adding value to the price of a home.

If you would like some specific ideas as they relate to your home and property, I would love the opportunity of speaking with you and giving you the perspective you need to improve your home’s value – Just give me a call 562-882-1581 or drop me an email Allison@SuperBroker.com.

Why ‘Comps’ are a Homeowner’s Best Friend

 

Whether you are buying or selling a home or entering into any other type of real estate transaction, chances are you will hear a lot about “comps” so it might come in handy to understand what they really are and why they matter.

Comps are comparisons between your property and other similar properties. Age, location, amenities, and the general condition of the home are all used to compare your property against others in the same general vicinity in order to establish a price or fair market value. Appraisers can only use properties as a comparable if it is the same city as the subject property, even if it is on the opposite side of the street; if it is in a different city, it CAN NOT be used.

Why the Asking Price of Your Neighbor’s Home Doesn’t Count

Many sellers mistakenly look at the asking price of homes in the immediate vicinity when trying to establish a listing price, but that is often a major mistake. Actual sales data is a much more reliable indicator of value, since some sellers can be overly optimistic when it comes to setting an asking price. The period of time of when a sale closed escrow is also a closely watched, for example it is usually within 90-120 days.

Buyers also benefit from obtaining accurate comp data in order to determine what amenities, upgrades, and other items are included. Even homes that superficially look exactly the same in terms of square footage or floor plans may have substantial upgrades or extras that dramatically impact the price of the home.

Get the Most Accurate Data

It is a good idea to insist upon accurate and up-to-date comps when buying or selling a home, and best to not confuse true comps with estimates or other inaccurate sources of data.

Many popular websites like Zillow and Trulia use estimates based upon self-reported data or generalized insurance replacement rates. While these may be useful for rough guidelines, they may cost you tens of thousands of dollars when buying or selling a home. It is best to only work with an agent who provides the latest information specific for the area you are considering.

Age, condition, maintenance, upgrades, amenities, landscaping, appliances, energy efficiency, attractiveness, and even whether or not you have a corner lot can make a tremendous difference in the desirability and price of a home.

Having worked in the Lakewood and Long Beach area for over 28 years and having sold over 1,000 homes I have come to know that the only way to determine the true value of a home is to do the proper research using the most accurate and up to date statistics and data. If you would like to find out what your home is worth, please visit www.LakewoodPrices.com and I will provide you with a computerized market analysis.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to just give me a call ~ 562-882-1581.

Who Really Needs a Local Buyer's Agent?

Now that online listings provide potential homebuyers with instant access to homes for sale, there’s little reason to enlist the services of a buyer’s agent, right? Well, the short answer to that proposition is … wrong!

This opening statement, is based upon the notion that most of what all a buyer’s agent does for you is to find your new home. Veteran homeowners and first-time homebuyers alike, all know a buyer's agent’s services reach far beyond just the initial search.

Even so, taking that task on by yourself requires a great deal of diligence (and more time than most of us can spare). Most of the time the homes you find on Zillow or Trulia have already gone under contract by another buyer and are not even available for purchase.

WHAT DOES A BUYER’S AGENT REALLY DO?

A local buyer’s agent removes these obstacles by keeping a daily lookout for appropriate new listings as they come into the agents Multiple Listing Service. Knowing what their client wants, the agent then weeds out the homes that fall short of matching up with a buyer’s requirements, they also preview listings to save you time, they then play phone tag with listing agents to set up appointments so clients can tour the properties that may be THE ONE!

A local buyer’s agent has first-hand knowledge of our local neighborhoods and many times has already previewed the individual properties. That extra insight allows the agent to point out homes that you might not have picked from its listing alone, they can offer you homes that may be perfect for you in the long run.

WHY NOT JUST WORK WITH THE LISTING AGENT?

The seller's listing agent works for the seller, not you. When you team up with your own buyer’s agent, you have someone in your corner who can offer you sound advice and represent only you throughout the entire process.

If you're a first time homebuyer, there’s an extra incentive; inevitably, you're going to have a lot of questions — and you'll benefit from the extra guidance you get on your first time through the home purchasing process. Even if you have purchased before … with all the changes and new legal documents involved in the home buying process, you need someone with experience to guide you and answer all your questions.

Help will come not only by identifying the right home, your buyer’s agent offers you with an experienced skill set that is needed to negotiate your purchase contract then upon a final agreement there is a myriad of other tasks to accomplish!

Among those other tasks are identifying a suitable home inspector, interpreting the resulting inspection report, and dealing with the voluminous paperwork that comes afterward … escrow instructions, a huge stack of disclosures, the list goes on and on!

While there is no requirement to engage a buyer’s agent in town, given the size of the investment you are going to be making, having someone in your corner makes good sense.

DO I HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO BUYER’S AGENT?

Van Wig & Associates philosophy is we will work hard for you and in return what we ask of you is that you are loyal to us … if we do not meet your expectations within a reasonable amount of time … then FIRE US and find another agent but working with an agent that is committed your success is the first step to becoming a happy homeowner.

Ready to buy? Good - because we are ready to go to work for you!

Search for Homes linked to the MLS www.AutomaticHomeSearch.com

FOR THE BEST MOVE OF YOUR LIFE … LET US WORK FOR YOU!

One of the Best priced homes in 90807

If you are looking for a home in the Bixby area for under $500,000.

Take a look at Bixby Area Home
Three bedroom, two baths, country style kitchen, nice size living room, and a lot that is over 7000 square feet. Nice patio area and raised planters.
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Tips on Shopping for a Home If You Have a Furry Family Member

 

Shopping for a new home can be complicated enough when you’re dealing with humans; but when you start factoring in your family members from the animal kingdom, things can start to get a little bit on the hairy side.

Some of the major things to consider are … will your yard meet your dog’s tastes? Is there enough space indoors for your cat to roam? With pets, you have to take these questions and more into consideration, just as you would with human roommates.

Is Your Pet Welcome?

Buying a house is certainly much different than renting. You make the rules, so no more strict guidelines on whether or not you can have your companions. However, you still have to comply with local regulations, or risk some severe consequences.

Familiarize yourself with local law on pet regulations. Laws on how many dogs can reside in a household vary not only between countries, states, and provinces, but can even vary from county to county. Thus, even a move a short hour away can potentially mean that you’ll have to apply for special permits to keep your animals around. Cats generally aren’t subject to laws as strict as canine regulations, but if you have a more exotic species than these, you’ll want to confirm that you’re not running afoul of any legalities. You may need to apply for licenses and permits, and be subject to inspections by state organizations. Be prepared, and reconsider the area if laws are too draconian.

Get the Facts on Whether the House Is Up to Standards

Some homes are better-suited for pets than others, and you should keep this in mind when house-hunting. Before you hit the pavement, make a list of some necessities that your pets will need in a home, and note whether or not they’re must-haves.

For example, if you have a dog, inspecting a prospective house’s yard is a must. Fencing is all but a necessity, and you’ll need to make sure that the fence is up to the task of keeping your dog safely inside. Is it tall enough that your dog is unable to jump it, and installed well enough that your dog can’t dig under? If you’ve fallen in love with a house that has a miniscule yard, you may be tempted to excuse away the flaw – after all, you can take your dog on walks, take them to the dog park, and so on – but if you’re not dedicated to following up on those promises, your pet will suffer for it. Sometimes, you can pick up the slack on a dream home by making the missing pieces into a home improvement project. Fencing can be installed, kitty windowsills can be built, and other pet-friendly amenities can be implemented after you’ve moved in. However, you don’t want to bind yourself into a potentially lengthy and expensive project right after you’ve signed that mortgage contract, and have your pet be bored and stressed while you try to get their new home up to speed. In a pinch, you might consider having your pets stay with a friend or relative while you fix up the place – it’ll keep them from being underfoot while construction is underway, and will let you introduce them to a fully settled home.

See Who Your Neighbors Are

When you’re considering a new home, you’ll need to consider the area around it, as well – and this goes double for if you have animals. See who your neighbors are, and see if your pet will receive a warm welcome…or if you’re going to be biting off more than you and your pets can chew.

A neighbor with pets may wind up being your new best friend if approached correctly, but can just as easily become a huge thorn in your side. Approach your neighbors and introduce yourself without any pets in tow. While you may want to have your pets be part of your welcoming crew, it’s just not a good idea: you don’t know if neighbors have pets that are flung into a frenzy at the mere whiff of another animal, you don’t know if neighbors are phobic of your pet, and you don’t know if your neighbors just plain don’t like animals. Tell your neighbors that you’re considering moving in nearby, and are feeling out the atmosphere for you, your family, and your pets. If you establish a good rapport with a neighbor, you may be able to ask if there are any households with problem animals around. As an example, if a neighbor has a dog that’s poorly-trained, aggressive, or a constant barker (or, heavens help you, all three), you may want to seriously reconsider moving in next door. If your neighbors aren’t interested in keeping their dog under control with proper training and restraints, you, your pets, and even your family members can wind up facing real and present danger.

Poorly-behaved neighbors and the pets that love them aren’t just limited to the canine stripe. A neighbor who lets an aggressive cat wander the outdoors can pose just as much a danger to you and yours – anyone who has owned a dog and cat at the same time can attest that cats are no slouch in a dog fight. Beyond cats and dogs, your neighbors may wind up owning something more exotic. While individuals who own unique pets (such as chickens, goats, alpaca, etc.) are generally in-touch with their care and will go to certain lengths to make sure their oddities don’t affect their neighbors, there are some things you have to accept as someone living next door to a chicken coop: a certain amount of clucking, and free eggs if you play your cards right. Know what you’re getting into, and bow out if it’s not something you can safely handle.

Researching a new home takes a lot out of you, but when it comes to having the best place for you and your family – pets and all – your efforts will be richly rewarded in the end. Do your homework, make some neighborhood friends, and have patience. Your pets will adapt to the change of scenery, and will come to love their new home.

I have several years experience of working with buyers who have furry family members, if you have any questions on how you can make your house hunting journey a little easier, just give me a call!

Allison Van Wig  ~  562-882-1581

Allison@SuperBroker.com