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! 

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.       

Periodically the City conducts a Resident and Business Satisfaction survey.  The last one was done in 2006.  Overall, the rate of satisfaction by residents for City services was 91% and for quality of life was 95%.  For businesses, the overall rate of satisfaction for City services was 86% and 79% of the businesses rated the business climate in Lake Forest as excellent or good.  And the City is constantly working to be even better.  GovPopulous is another way the City keeps in touch with the needs of its residents and businesses.  To use GovPopulous, go to: www.city-lakeforest.com/govpopulous.

The buyer often is standing on the front porch for several minutes while their agent is locating the lockbox, retrieving the key, and opening the front door.  Spending time fixing up the front porch is time well spent.

For a great looking porch: 

• Keep the porch well swept as well as the walkway leading up to it.
• Remove dirt and cobwebs from the porch light.
• Repaint the front door if it shows wear.
• Make sure the door knob is clean and working properly.
• Put out a nice new doormat.
• Keep the porch clear of shoes, toys, and other clutter.

Staging Tip:  Adding potted plants with bright colorful flowers makes your entrance warm and inviting.  If you have a really large porch, a couple of chairs or a bistro table/chair set adds ambiance.  Just make sure the area does not look cluttered.

Come celebrate our local history at Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill this Saturday, May 17.  It is fun for the whole family and an opportunity to visit Lake Forest’s old historical homes.

Clothes stores have mannequins in the window featuring the latest fashions.  The mannequin is wearing the whole outfit - dress, jewelry, shoes, purse, and maybe even a hat.  The same dress on the rack may look rather plain, but in the window, with the jewelry and all, it is the start of a really outstanding outfit.  The window display gives a shopper an idea of how well the dress may fit in her wardrobe.

Now let’s go to the furniture store.  You might walk through rows of couches and tables and find nothing that jumps out at you.  But, when you see a couch and tables displayed in a room setting with lamps, candles, and potted plants, you stop and think how great that couch might look in your home.  The store might even have the same couch in two different room settings, suggesting to the shopper that the couch works well in both formal and informal decor. 

So now to the “house store” where your home is listed for sale.  You want your house featured in the store window.  You want your house displayed so as to give shoppers an idea of how your home may fit into their lifestyle.  This is staging.  Staging sets your house apart from the houses on the rack or the rows of houses.

Just for clarification.  Staging is not decorating.  Staging is not preparing your home for sale by making repairs and doing inspections.  Staging is marketing your home. 

We live in our homes differently than we sell them.  Most people are at least a little emotional about their homes.  But when we sell it, we need to put those emotions aside.  When we put our home on the market, we really need to appeal to the buyer’s emotions.  This is where staging comes in. 

Even the most beautifully decorated and upgraded home may need to be staged.  Decorating is a personal thing.  Staging de-personalizes it. 

Staging doesn’t necessarily cost a lot.  Often it is only changing or rearranging a few things in a house.  In fact, the cheapest thing that has the most impact is getting rid of clutter.  On the other hand, I feel it is well worth the money to stage a vacant home with furniture and accessories.  The staging will probably pay for itself and then some in the sales price.

Regardless of whether we are in a slow real estate market or a rapidly appreciating one, staged homes usually sell more quickly and often for more money.

Credit union membership is becoming available to more and more people.  You may be able to join a credit union through your employer or another organization you belong to.  Also check with your family as some credit unions will accept extended family members.

For more information as well as a list of credit unions, refer to www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cu/states/CA.asp and www.ncua.gov.

Everyone has a different situation when it comes to getting a home loan.  You need to do your homework to find the best program for your needs.  Check out your bank and a good mortgage broker, and also, if possible, a credit union.  By looking at all avenues you are sure to find a loan that works best for you.

Volunteering on the Parade Committee is another great way to participate.  I have done it for about five years and it is a fun way to give back to the community.  The committee works with The City to plan and organized the parade.  We are always looking for more volunteers, so if you are interested, come to our next meeting, this Monday, May 12th at City Hall, 25550 Commercentre Drive (off Bake).  We meet at 6PM and a light dinner is served.  Come and see what it is all about.