Best Place Real Estate

The condition of your windows is really important because they affect both the interior and exterior appearance of your home.  So definitely put them on your “To Do List” when you are preparing your home for sale.

Preparing your windows is usually very inexpensive:

• Wash all your windows inside and out and make sure they open and close properly.
• Also wash all the screens and check to be sure the screens are in good repair.
• Window coverings and blinds should be clean and in good condition.  If you decide to change any window treatments, think light weight and neutral.
• If shrubs and bushes have grown very tall in front of a window, consider trimming the bush so it looks well manicured from both the outside and the inside.
• When showing your home, it is best to have all the curtains and blinds open so your house is as light and bright as possible.

Staging tip:  Sometimes the house is so close to the property line that a room may have a window that looks out at a fence or block wall and this is often not a pretty site.  Change a negative into a positive.  Get some large outdoor pots and place them outside the window.  Buy some ornamental trees or bushes for the pots.  Or, a nice looking potted vine with a pretty trellis may do the trick.  You may need to purchase 5 gallon plants so they are big enough.  Add a cute bird-house or wind-chime.  Another idea is large bakers rack with lots of colorful potted plants.  With just a little creativity you can keep the blinds open and have a nice view too.  Just remember to water the plants!

Although a lot of people are taking advantage of this buyers’ market, others are unsure about buying a house as they are concerned that prices may still be declining.  It almost seems as if some people are waiting for prices to go up before they will feel good about buying.  However, when prices do go up, some people who are qualified to buy now will be priced out of the market.

If we all had a crystal ball we would know exactly when to buy and when to sell.  But we don’t and it is nearly impossible to perfectly time the market, whether it is the stock market, the real estate market, or really, anything.

Rather, you are probably better off buying when we are some where near the bottom.  Imagine real estate prices as being represented by a “V” or a “U”.  It would be really nice to buy at exactly at the bottom of the “V”.  The only thing is that we usually don’t know exactly when we are there.  There is no bell ringer who rings a bell announcing we have hit the very bottom.  But, buying when we are near the bottom of the “U” puts you in a much better position.  Yes, prices may go down a little, but they will more than likely start going up again soon.

Also take the interest rates into consideration.  Prices may go down a little more, but if interest rates go up, it may be more difficult to qualify for a loan.  Even though the price of the home may be less, the monthly payment for the loan could be higher because of a higher interest rate.  So again, some people who are qualified to buy now, may be priced out of the market by higher interest rates.

Real estate is a long term investment.  Most people stay in a home for at least 5 to 7 years.  Rather than concentrating only on prices and trying to buy at the bottom of the “V”, I believe it is better to consider all parts of the formula for a successful investment.  That formula not only includes price, but also includes loan rates and terms, tax advantages, length of the investment, and resale value.  For rental property, the formula also includes rental income and the increase in the income over the years.

“Lake Forest Rocks on the 4th“.  That’s the theme of this year’s 4th of July Parade put on by the City of Lake Forest.  The Parade is the City’s biggest annual event and it gets better every year.  I volunteer on the Parade Committee and I think The Parade will be extra fun this year.  The Parade begins at the intersection of Toledo and Ridge Route and then goes up Lake Forest Drive to Serrano Road.  It starts at 10AM, but it is best to get there early.  Enjoy the Parade and then have a fun and safe 4th of July!