Is Now a Good Time to Sell Your Home?

Spring has sprung - the buyers are out in swarms and more homes are starting to come on the market. Interest rates are at record lows and this will not last. Savvy buyers are out looking to secure a 30 year fixed at 5.5%. For the first time in many years, we are starting to see multiple offers again for San Carlos homes that are priced right. If you are considering selling, now could be a very good time.

Want more information or a free home evaluation and risk analysis worksheet? Call or email us!

The Clarke Team

650-489-5399

sold@clarketeam.com

Relocating Tips

Your boss has just given you the career opportunity of a lifetime, but the job is in another state.

Soon you discover that moving your family to another city may be one of life’s hardest tasks. The thought of leaving behind old friends and schools for a strange town can be frightening. The biggest challenge of all, however, is to preserve the equity in your housing investment so you will be able to purchase a similar home in the new location.

Not to worry. Even in these uncertain times homeowners can sell at very satisfactory prices in a reasonable period of time. The secret? Pay attention to details, utilize marketing savvy and price the home to sell quickly.

The following tips can help you get that “sold” sign up fast.

OFFER THE RIGHT PRICE. Start with a price that is reasonable for your neighborhood and the size of your home. Comparing the price of your home with similar nearby listings is an easy way to be sure you are offering the right price. Comparing the opinions of two independent appraisers will also help you avoid over-pricing.

PAY PART OF THE CLOSING COSTS…usually 3 to 5 percent of the loan amount. This will attract those first-time buyers who are short on cash for down-payment and closing costs. Offering to turn over personal property such as washing machines and dryers, refrigerators and flower boxes can also attract buyers looking for the best deal.

ACCEPT CONTINGENCY AGREEMENTS. Make your sale contingent upon the sale of the buyer’s home. This takes away buyers’ fears of juggling two properties and mortgages at the same time.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CORPORATE RELOCATION TRADE. Be sure that your broker is connected to a relocation network, (we are) – one capable of bringing in buyers from distant places. And, of course, try to get your employer to provide you with relocation assistance, too.

MAKE YOUR HOME STAND OUT. Fresh paint and flowers can go a long way in impressing buyers. Tend to such details as moving the lawn, fixing stubborn doorknobs and sliding doors, and straightening up the basement. Remember, your home’s appearance on the day it’s shown can make or break a sale.

The bottom line is that sellers should take the time to make their home as attractive as possible. Compiling helpful tips for the buyer about school districts, utility bills and directions to the nearest shopping mall can go a long way in selling your house quickly.

With a little work and an active real estate agent, chances are good that your house will sell fast in today’s buyer’s market.

Relocating to or from San Carlos? The Clarke Team can help! Please contact us at

at 650-489-5399 or sold@clarketeam.com

Is there something in the water?

10 weeks ago yesterday I broke my right foot previewing a home on broker tour. Since then, two of my Alder Manor, San Carlos neighbors have broken their feet too! First there was Laurie, who broke her foot while ice skating with a client 6 weeks ago. She and I have shared notes, and a personal trainer to try and keep us in shape. We can also be seen scooting around the neighborhood on our knee walkers. Yesterday I learned that another neighbor, Martyn, broke his foot while skiing last Friday. Amazing! We are all within a couple blocks of each other. Coincidence? Who knows? Our friends and neighbors are getting concerned and not taking any chances! Ha ha.

If you have any questions about how to survive a broken foot, feel free to ask me! I am happy to help.

Preparing Your Home for a Showing

Fully preparing your home for sale can make considerable difference in the time it takes to sell it. You can help eliminate buyer objections before they arise by making necessary repairs and improvements, some of which are suggested below.

Outdoors
__ Spruce up gardens and lawn; trim shrubbery and replace dead plants.
__ Yard and patio should be neat; outdoor furniture should be clean and in good shape.
__ Clean or paint your front door - remember first impressions last longest!
__ Manicure your front yard, driveway and entry - you can’t sell what you can’t see.

Exterior
__ Check that door numbers, mailbox, and exterior lighting are all in good repair.
__ Touch up with fresh paint as needed.
__ Inspect chimney for cracks or earthquake damage.
__ Repair loose trim, drainpipes and fencing.
__ Clean stains; clean window screens.

Garage
__ Remove clutter; tidy up shelves.
__ Wash floor so it looks clean and spacious.

Living Areas
__ Apply fresh paint as needed…brighten your interiors with neutral-toned paint.
__ Clean draperies and carpets.
__ Replace burned out light bulbs.
__ Clean fireplace, remove smoke stains from wall and mantle.

Kitchen
__ Sinks, appliances and counter tops should sparkle without any clutter.
__ Wax the floor.
__ Clean oven, range and other appliances.
__ Clean tile and grout; replace if necessary.

Bathrooms
__ Clean mirrors, glass, chrome and porcelain surfaces.
__ Replace shower curtain if necessary.
__ Fix any faucet drips or leaks.
__ Clean tile, grout and caulking; replace if necessary.

Closets
__ Doors and drawers should open and close easily.
__ Remove clutter; tidy up shelves and racks.
__ Shoes and clothes should be neatly arranged.

Overall
__ Check the basics around the house. It takes just a minute to check all doors, windows and cabinets to make sure they don’t stick, squeak or are too loose.
__ Clean your furnace & water heater, so buyers know they are looking at a house that has been well maintained.

For more information please contact The Clarke Team at 650-489-5399 or sold@clarketeam.com

Mountain Lion Killed. ~ Where are all our mountain lions? 2011 sightings map.

It was so sad to hear that they ended up having to shoot the mountain lion today. It doesn't seem right. It wasn't attacking anyone. It was just scared. Sigh. I can't understand how they couldn't tranquilize it, but were okay with shooting it. Poor thing. It had just as much right to be here as we do. Let's learn to live with them and avoid further needless deaths.

Sightings in residential areas, reported by the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services. Click markers for date, time and any other reported information. This map is best viewed in Firefox or Google Chrome. Internet Explorer users: Click here for help if you're having trouble seeing the map.

View 2011 mountain lion sightings, San Mateo County in a larger map

Mountain Lion SIghting in Redwood City This Morning!

Seems like everyone - even mountain lions - are out enjoying this beautiful Spring weather! We have some beautiful parks in the area that are great for hiking. Here's some tips in the event you are enjoying them and encounter a mountain lion.

Mountain Lion Safety

What To Do If You Encounter a Mountain Lion

• STEP 1: Avoid hiking alone, especially between dusk and dawn, when lions are most active.
• STEP 2: Make a lot of noise when hiking so you won't surprise a lion.
• STEP 3: Keep children close when hiking in mountain lion country; most mountain lion attacks are made against children.
• STEP 4: Keep pets on leashes while hiking.
• STEP 5: Avoid approaching a mountain lion if you see one in the distance - it may just be curious about you. Most lions avoid confrontation, so give it an opportunity to slip away.
• STEP 6: Be prepared for a possible attack if a mountain lion is nearby, staring at you aggressively and crouching or hiding.
• STEP 7: Stay calm and don't run if you're faced with a possible attack. Take out any weapons or deterrents (such as pepper spray), or look around for rocks and sticks.
• STEP 8: Raise your hands or hold things above your head to make yourself appear larger. Pick children up off the ground, but don't crouch or bend over if you can help it.
• STEP 9: Talk or yell loudly and slowly back away, maintaining eye contact with the mountain lion.
• STEP 10: Fight back aggressively with weapons and deterrents if you're attacked, all the while trying to remain standing.

Tips & Warnings

• Report mountain lion sightings to RWC Parks Dept. 780-7250 or email recreation@redwoodcity.org.
  
• How to prevent an encounter
  
• More about Mountain Lions

Remodeling Your Home

The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of their house is by remodeling existing rooms or adding on to its current plan.

Some choose to build recreation rooms and studies while others add new appliances, fixtures and cabinets to enliven rooms and make their home more attractive to future buyers.

But, when should you decide to stop sinking money into a home and buy a bigger place? And how much rehab is too much when it comes time to recovering remodeling costs through a home sale?

For instance, if you’ve just spent $25,000 remodeling your living room and didn’t expand your small bathroom, the chances of increasing the number of interested buyers are slim.

With these concerns in mind, we can offer a few tips for those struggling to add value to their home.

First, always protect the character of your home. Nothing sticks out more than a new addition that is in a completely different architectural style. Be consistent. Recognize your home’s character and stay within its framework.

The most financially rewarding areas to remodel are usually the kitchen and bath. Newly re-done cooking spaces and cabinets can attract more buyers and may command a slightly higher price for the home than a comparable one on the market. Simple repairs that are made to last will bring you the biggest returns upon sale.

Enlarged bathrooms are the most popular attraction for new homebuyers, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Today, the most popular additions for younger buyers are sunken whirlpool baths and showers. But be sure to install modest, solid amenities. It’s easy to quickly over-spend on bathroom fixtures.

Buyers are, by convention, more interested in aboveground living space – not basements, yards and walkways. Swimming pools can be a poor investment if installed for the sole purpose of increasing a home’s value; it’s rare that a pool’s cost will be recovered in a home sale. It can also be a negative feature for potential buyers with very young children.

Replacing worn carpeting, tiles and wood floors can give your home an immediate advantage over similar properties in the area. Updating paint colors in all areas of your home can also prove beneficial.

However, it’s recommended that you use neutral colors, such as gray, beige and off-white when adding new floor and wall coverings. Fewer buyers will then turn away because of differing tastes.

Stay simple with your remodeling and look at your home as though you were the buyer. Chances are that if you find the upstairs bedroom could be brightened by a larger window, potential buyers will probably feel the same.

Don’t go overboard. Concentrate on improving two or three deficiencies in your home. More than likely, the time and money you spend adding quality to your home will be rewarded with greater profit at selling time.

For more information please contact The Clarke Team at 650-489-5399 or sold@clarketeam.com