Why You Should Sell Your House Now

Many now realize that it is a great time to buy a home.  It might also be an opportune time to sell your house.  Here are the five reasons we believe now may be a perfect time to put your house on the market.

1. Demand Is High

The most recent Existing Home Sales Reports by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show a double digit percent increase in sales year-over year; sales have remained above last year’s levels for over 25 months.  There are buyers out there right now and they are serious about purchasing.

2. Supply Is Beginning to Increase

Total housing inventory is again approaching historic norms of a 5 month supply compared with 4.3 months in January.  Many expect inventory to continue to rise as 3.2 million homeowners escaped the shackles of negative equity in the last 12 months and an additional 1.9 million are expected to enter positive equity in the next 12 months.  Selling now while demand is high and before supply increases may garner you your best price.

3. New Construction Is Coming Back

Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction project around the block.  As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in.  These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative for many purchasers.

4. Interest Rates Will Again Rise

Although Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year.  The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by this time next year.
Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.

5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

Look at the reason you are thinking about selling and decide whether it is worth waiting.  Is the possibility of a few extra dollars more important than being with family; more important than your health; more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?
You already know the answers to the questions we just asked.  You have the power to take back control of your situation by putting the house on the market today.  The time may have come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.  That is what is truly important.

5 Tips for Lightening Your Closet’s Load

It’s a mess, it’s unmanageable, and you need space. You’re going to tackle the whole thing, and you’re not going to let sentimentality weaken your resolve. You've had an epiphany, and you’re ready to clean out your clothes closet!

But as you pull out that first item, it happens: Your ever-so-rational mind starts building an ever-so-rational case for keeping virtually every article of clothing you were just prepared to toss.

We’ve all been there, so don’t despair. Whether you’re fueled by enthusiasm or trembling with trepidation, these can-do tips will start you on your way.

1. Note the excuses. Such as:

• "I really paid a lot for that."
• "I just haven't gotten around to wearing that yet."
• "That just needs altering."
• "I'll fit back into that one of these days."
• "Fashions always come back around."

Sound familiar? We all have things we hold on to. Note the reasons that pop into your head, because once you know your reasons for holding on to those things, you’ll be better able to move forward and make room — literally and figuratively.

Start by getting rid of 10 items (or five — just pick a number that isn’t zero). In one quick sweep, you might be surprised what you can toss without a struggle. If you’re afraid of biting off more than you can chew, be assured that you can accomplish a great deal nibble by nibble, drawer by drawer, row by row.

Monarch Renovations

2. Unburden yourself of the unworn. We’ve all heard that unless it’s a cocktail gown or your wedding dress, you should get rid of it if you haven’t worn it in six months. For many of us, that’s easier said than done. It could even sound downright unreasonable. But there are ways to put this in perspective.

Our memory can be faulty, so try using these nifty tricks to keep track of what you actually wear. Buy pretty new hangers, and each time you wear something, put it on one of those new hangers. You can achieve the same result without investment by turning all your hangers backward. Once you’ve worn something, replace it with the hanger hung forward.

Cabinet Innovations

When it comes to your drawers and shelves, it’s likely that the stuff squashed into the corners and crumpled on the bottom are items you really don’t use. But if you want to be sure, take everything out and place a small, brightly colored sticker (the kind you find at an office supply store) on each clothing label and remove the sticker after you’ve worn the item. You’ll soon see what you really love to wear and what’s just taking up precious real estate. Then shift accordingly.

Also, take a closer look when you trade out your seasonal clothing. If you didn’t wear it last year, chances are good that you’re not going to wear it this year, so don’t hang it up and don’t pack it up — donate it. You know you’ll get more stuff this season, so go ahead and make room for it.

Andrea Gary/Queen of Kerfuffle™

3. Multiply your space by trimming down the multiples. Do you have five white blouses, black skirts or pink bras? Different styles for different outfits — I know, I know! But at least one usually remains unworn or is ill fitting. Toss just one of these multiples and you’ve immediately gifted yourself with 20 percent more space.

4. Dump the damaged goods. Is it pilling, tattered, snagged, threadbare? If it’s sentimental, wash it, fold it and put it in a box. If it isn’t, toss it. Is it in a pile awaiting stain treatment, repairs or alterations? Looking at a pile of stuff you haven’t taken care can create guilt and add to stress. Give yourself one week to treat the stuff, take it to the seamstress or move it out. You’ll be rid of a pile and will enjoy the singular satisfaction of checking something off your to-do list.

California Closets of Indianapolis

5. Unload the unfashionable, unflattering and unhealthy. Certainly, some items are true classics and stand the test of time. However, clothes worn in a job you no longer have or in an environment you no longer frequent (say, outfits from your clubbing days) simply need to go, especially if that job or environment has bad feelings or loss attached to it. Also, don’t keep gifts given by people you don’t actually like (the clothes or the people). If the tags are still on, return them. If not, consign them and use the cash or store credit to find something you love.

All Things Home Organizing™ by Gayle Grace

Here’s a hard truth: The 1980s are long gone. Even if that was the most exciting decade of your life, it’s time to ditch the clothes and get up-to-date. Since we aren’t always able to see ourselves clearly, a second opinion can be an excellent mirror.

If you don’t have a friend to critique your wardrobe with you over a bottle of wine, use this time-tested method: try on an outfit and imagine bumping into an old flame. Would you feel confident and sexy wearing it, or awkward and embarrassed? What you felt good in then may not be flattering now, so embrace who you are today and work with what you’ve got.

Snobz Design

We’re not all fashionistas, nor are we all prepared to completely reset our wardrobes. But the bottom line is that the closet should be a place of inspiration, not stress. So lighten your load and keep only what you love and feel beautiful in — whatever your style may be.

Monthly Home Maintenance - November – Upholstery and Carpeting

• Vacuum all sofas and pillows.
• Spot clean all upholstery and carpeting.
• For extra cleaning, consider hiring a professional service to clean
your upholstery and carpeting.
• Don’t forget to move your household clocks back on November 4
when Daylight Saving Time ends and test your smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries. 

For a complete list of all 12  months maintenance, please call or email me.

Kelly Clarke
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Monthly Home Maintenance - October is Fireplace and Chimney

• If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire.
• Be sure your fireplace tools are in good working order.
• Pull out your nonflammable rug and place it in front of the
fireplace.
• Once you start building fires, clean ashes out regularly but ensure
ashes have completely cooled before discarding. 

For a complete list of all 12  months maintenance, please call or email me.

Kelly Clarke
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Trick-or-Treating on Eucalyptus Avenue in San Carlos

The street that’s more known for its annual Christmas extravaganza also puts on an amazing spectacle for Halloween. Much like they do around the holidays, virtually every home on the two blocks of Eucalyptus Avenue is decorated to the nines. These two short blocks have gotten so popular in recent years, that they actually blocked the street off last year,  which made it more like Mardi Gras than it did Halloween. Just missing the beads…

It’s a great place to take the kids — the decorations are incredible, and the neighbors are VERY generous with the candy.   With fire pits blazing in some of the driveways, you’ll very likely run into tons of friends and neighbors there, too.  Just keep a close eye on your trick-or-treater, because with so many kids milling around in costume, it’s amazingly easy to lose track of your kid even when they’re only 10 feet away.

Happy Halloween!

Goblin Walk - on Laurel Street in San Carlos this Saturday, October 26th

San Carlos Parks and Recreation and Chamber of Commerce present Goblin Walk.
• This event is for children up to 7 years of age, and accompanied by a parent/adult
• Wear your Halloween costume
• Trick or treat at Laurel Street businesses displaying the 'Goblin Walk Stop' sign
• Support Downtown Businesses - Shop San Carlos!

Monthly Home Maintenance - October

October is the month to take care of your Fireplace and Chimney.

• If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked
out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire.

• Be sure your fireplace tools are in good working order.

• Pull out your nonflammable rug and place it in front of the
fireplace.

• Once you start building fires, clean ashes out regularly