Holiday Ideas

 

Five Reasons “For Sale by Owner” is not a good idea

Home sellers can often be tempted with selling a home on their own, without an agent, also known as ‘FSBO’ or For Sale By Owner.  These sellers may question the value of an agent and are often enticed by the possibility of saving money.

What they’re often not aware of is they may actually save money by hiring a listing agent. They will also save an incredible amount of time, hassle and potential liability. 

It's a well known fact that two things are critical to getting a home sold. First, is pricing the property correct. And second, is exposure to the right buyers. Do you know if your property is priced correctly? What have you seen in the way of exposure? 

Here are my top 5 reasons “For Sale by Owner” is not a good idea:

1. Using an agent will most likely make the seller more money. Studies have shown that a home listed by the owner will on average sell for 23% less than homes listed by an agent. 23% is a far bigger number than the commission earned by an agent. Homeowners often don’t know the market or understand market reports. Hidden costs can also add up quickly.

   
   
2. FSBO homes often stay on the market longer. Agents have experience and multiple avenues to market a property. They also have more exposure to potential buyers and can show a home when the seller is not present. In addition, there’s no incentive for a buyer’s agent to bring a client to a FSBO home. Again - EXPOSURE sells! Getting your home onto the MLS and sharing it with the other agents in town who have buyers - will lead to success.
   
   
3. Paperwork headaches. Understanding all of the paperwork involved may be one of the most difficult parts of selling without an agent. Who can they call with questions? Sales contracts, occupancy agreements, property disclosures and other records can be complex. Industry disclosures and regulations have increased over the years making paperwork more and more difficult to an inexperienced seller.

   
   
4. Liability. All of the liability in the transaction is on the seller without agent representation. Agents can often catch mistakes but even if she misses something, E&O insurance is available. Mistakes are often made and owners trying to sell without an agent don’t have the experience to lessen the chance of errors. The last thing a seller wants after successfully selling his/her home is a lawsuit.

   
   
5. Time. Time is valuable and selling without an agent will eat up a huge chunk of it. Without the expertise or access to the resources agents use, FSBO’s will be surprised at how much time will be involved.

Selling without an agent may seem enticing at first but with Marilyn Dash at eXp Realty, we strongly advise against it. An experienced Realtor is always the way to go when listing a property!

Give us a call!

Get Your Home Holiday Ready

Nothing spoils a family gathering faster than an emergency visit from a plumber. The Friday after Thanksgiving sees a 50% increase in service calls. Make sure your home is Holiday-Ready this year with our tips.

Your Garbage Disposal

Do not put the following into your garbage disposal:

1. Meat, poultry skin, or bones

2. Fibrous foods like celery, and potato peels

3. Fats and oils might solidify

4. Pasta and rice may expand in pipes

Your Dishwasher

1. Clean the Trap - remove the filter located under the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Hand wash in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Make sure all pieces are securely "locked" in place.

2. Clean the seal - this is the rubber gasket around the door of your dishwasher. Use a soft, damp towel to wipe away the gunk around the edges. Wipe down the interior walls of the dishwasher, and clean around the soap door.

3. Deodorize - to help loosen and clean out old food particles, pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run it on a "normal" cycle.

4. Don't overload - let water and detergent move freely about your dishwasher.

Test Your Oven Temp

1. Use an oven-safe thermometer on the center rack of your oven and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Heat your oven for 20 minutes.

3. Take a temperature reading.

4. Continue to take readings every 20 minutes for the next two hours. Find the average temp by adding all readings together - divide the total number by the number of readings you took.

Your average should be around the original temperature you set - 3,500 (sum of numbers from readings) / 10 (number of readings taken) = 350°F. If your oven's average temperature is incorrect after you test it, adjust the oven dial to match the internal temperature.

Bathroom Plumbing Tips

1. Ask your guests not to flush cotton balls, cotton swabs, or any make-up or scrub pads down the toilet as they do not dissolve.

2. Give your drain time to do its job - space out shower time between your overnight guests.

Clean Your Oven

1. Remove the racks and soak them in dish washing liquid for two hours. Then scrub, rinse, and dry.

2. While you let your oven racks soak, you can easily make a cleaning paste by mixing a few spoonfuls of baking soda with water in a bowl.

3. Spread the paste inside the oven and let it sit overnight. The paste will turn brown overnight.

4. After the paste sits overnight, use a wet rag to wipe out a majority of the paste. Spray vinegar over the leftover paste residue. Vinegar will react with the baking soda by fizzing and loosening debris to make it easier to remove. This paste can also be used to remove stains from your oven window. Use a wet rag to wipe it all away.

5. Once the inside of the oven has been wiped down, turn your oven on to a low temp setting. Heat your oven for about 20 minutes and allow it to dry.

Do you know? What Is a Seller's Market?

 

What Is a Seller's Market?

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, it’s important to know if the market is in your favor. Knowing the difference could mean how much you make—or spend—when it comes to home-ownership.

So, what is a seller's market? While a buyer’s market is great for those who are looking to buy a home, it’s not always good for sellers. If you’re considering selling your home, try to make sure you know what a seller’s market is, how to know if you’re in it and what to do if you aren’t.

How a seller’s market works

A seller’s market refers to more buyers looking for homes than available homes for sale. Demand outweighs supply, which can drive up the price of a home that’s for sale—especially if many buyers are interested in one property.

If you’re selling your home, being in a seller’s market means you could stand to see the price of your home increase. You may have many potential buyers looking to buy your home, and that could mean it goes to the highest offer.

This isn’t a great deal for buyers. Fewer homes for sale means the cost of the houses that are on the market could go up. If you don’t have the extra cash to afford a home at a higher cost, you could miss out on buying a home you like and can afford.

For home sellers, being in a seller’s market is good for your bank account. The higher the demand for your home, the more you’ll be able to earn from the sale of your home.

Seller’s market vs. buyer’s market

If you’re buying a home, a seller’s market won’t be good for you. If you’re selling a home, a buyer’s market isn’t your friend. Here’s the difference between a seller’s market and a buyer’s market:

Seller’s market: pros and cons

Pros of a seller’s market

• Quick sale: In a seller’s market, your home won’t stay on the market for long. Expect a speedy sale for buyers who want your property.
• High-price sale: Whether you bought your home for a lot or a little, a seller’s market means you can sell your home above market value, and possibly for much more than you paid for it.

Cons of a seller’s market

• Restricted access: If you’re renting or looking to buy a home, you may end up renting your current space for longer. A seller’s market is sometimes referred to as a renter’s market since it might force potential buyers to stay where they’re at longer.
• No haggling for buyers: For potential home-buyers, don’t expect to pay what you’d like. Instead, you’ll need to be prepared to bid higher than others for a home.

Buyer’s market: pros and cons

Pros of a buyer’s market

• Negotiating power: For buyers, you have the chance to buy a home for much less than the asking price. Good news for potential home-buyers who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to buy a home.
• Plenty of options: If one home doesn’t work out, or needs more work than you can manage, you can browse through other homes on the market, since supply outweighs demand.

Cons of a buyer’s market

• Long market stay: For sellers, you might have your home on the market for much longer than you were expecting. This could hurt your finances if you’ve already bought another home and have to pay two mortgages at once.
• Low final price: For sellers, you might end up selling your home for much less than you expected. This could crush what you potentially earn on the home and you might even sell for less than what you owe.
• 
  
  
  
  

How to try and take advantage of a seller’s market

For sellers who want to earn the most, you’ll need to act soon. Once enough homeowners catch on to a seller’s market, it means it could get saturated fast. Here are some things you can do that may be able to help.

1. Clean your home. More than sweeping and mopping, you’ll want to have your home squeaky clean for photos and open houses. And don't forget to declutter! You want the house to look inviting and ready to take on the new owners. 
2. Finish projects. Complete paint touch-up or little repairs before your home goes on the market. 
3. Hire a Realtor. An experienced Realtor - like me - will know your neighborhood enough to not only help you sell, but at a price you’re happy with. I’ll be able to research comparable homes to see what you’re up against and advise you if your home needs any maintenance or upkeep before listing it for sale. 
4. List for slightly below market value. In a seller’s market, the demand is high. If you get in early and lower than other homes in the area, you could have many offers on your home. This can cause the price to go up much higher than if you were to originally list it higher.
5. Don’t wait too long. The faster you can sell your home, the more money you stand to make in a seller’s market. If you wait too long to handle home improvements or stage your home for photos, you might miss the seller’s market. When enough homes go on the market, the supply and demand shifts, becoming a buyer’s market.

How to buy a home in a seller’s market

If you’re on the hunt for a home, you might not be in the best position to buy when it’s a seller’s market. But there are some things you can do to try and prepare yourself for it.

1. Be patient. You’re going up against many buyers at once—sometimes for the same house. Don’t feel you need to buy the first (or second, or third) house you see. Acting too fast might mean paying more for a house you can afford or finding major home problems later on that you didn’t notice at first.
2. Be prepared to pay more. If you have the wiggle room in your budget, you can expect to use it in a seller’s market. You might need to increase your down payment, get a conventional loan or in some cases, pay in cash.
3. Be prepared to wait it out. If you’ve been saving your money, paying off debt and building up your credit score, you may finally be ready to buy a home. But if it’s a seller’s market, you might not be able to afford it after all. Don’t be afraid to wait a little longer—it could be the difference in buying a home you can afford versus over-paying.

Bottom line

While a buyer’s market is great for potential homeowners, it’s not good for current homeowners who are looking to sell their homes. Luckily, the market can shift and go from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market faster than you think. But keep in mind, it can also shift back just as fast.

For sellers, if you can - wait until the market is in your favor to list your home. The best time to sell is when you’re set to earn more than you paid and more than market value. If you can stay put for a while, you should.

Disclaimer: The above is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal or real estate advice or specific recommendations.

Seller Valuation

Want to know what your home is worth?
Input your address below. 

5 SIMPLE STEPS FOR A BETTER HOME APPRAISAL

If you’re looking to refinance your home or possibly sell, you’ll need a killer appraisal. A bank will not refinance a home for more than it is worth, and a potential buyer will not pay more than the recognized value of the home.

Here are 5 simple steps for a better home appraisal.

Tidy your space 
Make sure your yard looks well-groomed and the interior of your home is clean clutter-free. It is well worth the investment to have the home professionally cleaned and have your yard serviced.

Invest in the right types of renovations
Kitchens and bathrooms are the best types of renovations. They will typically provide 80% ROI. High-efficiency appliances and upgrades that improve the overall efficiency of the home are well worth the investment.

Document your upgrades 
Provide the appraiser with a list and documentation of all upgrades, renovations, and improvements to the home.

Do your homework 
Research and provide your own comparable valuations for similar properties in the area. Note your tone. You don’t want to come off as defensive but rather helpful.

During the actual appointment -- Be available but not in the way 
Be present to assist with the process but don’t be the appraiser’s shadow. You want to appear helpful, not nervous that he’ll find something wrong!

Appraisals can be helpful in increasing the sale of your home or assisting in refinancing your mortgage. Use these tips and you’ll get a better value for your home.

TURNING A BEDROOM INTO A LUXURY BEDROOM

For most of us, our bedroom is little more than a place to sleep and relax. However, just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean that we have to settle for drab and dreary.

One trend that’s gaining steam these days is converting your current bedroom into a luxury suite (or something comparable). If you want to live like you’re renting a room at the Ritz, then you want to follow these tips.

Compartmentalize Your Activities Making your bedroom more functional is going to make it more luxurious. Add a gorgeous desk for working and a TV area for entertainment, and you’ll be living it up in no time.

Make it Chic Choose a color palette that is both luxurious and classy. Silver and gold can seem tacky, so choose muted shades that compliment each other.

Also, a brilliant and commanding headboard can instantly upgrade the look of your room without any other changes.

Light it Properly Finally, make sure that you have the right light to show off your designs. If it’s too washed out or yellow, then it will look drab and run down. Switch to brilliant LEDs and see the difference.

Choose Your Accents Wisely We already mentioned a headboard, but some elegant drapes can also make your room feel more royal. Being strategic with your furniture accessories is going to both keep you under budget and avoid doing too much with the space.

Are you ready to lux your bedroom? You’ll be impressed by the results, and the feeling of decadence will make you more confident in your surroundings.

THE DIRTIEST ITEMS IN THE HOME AND HOW TO CLEAN THEM

 

Of course, one of the dirtiest objects in anyone’s home is the toilet. But, that’s not the only place where dirt and germs accumulate. Here are five other dirty places and suggestions for cleaning them.

1. Bath Towels - When you and your family dry off from your shower, your bath towel absorbs the water from your body. Then it sits all day breeding bacteria that thrive in warm, moist areas. Combat this issue by changing your bath towels out every two days and washing your dirty towels in hot water to kill anything living on them.
2. Shower Curtain - Shower curtains easily pick up bacteria the same way bath towels do. They also attract germs from the toilet if they are near each other. Clean your shower curtain by spraying it down with a bleach-based product. Spray the rings and rod, too. Also, when the shower curtain is beyond cleaning, replace it.
3. Doorknobs - Entryway and bathroom doorknobs are exposed to myriad germs daily. Thankfully, doorknobs are easy to clean. Wipe them down with antibacterial wipes regularly. Especially now, in the days of Covid. 
4. Window/Door Tracks - Window and door tracks are harbingers of dust and dirt. The grime that builds up can make you and your family ill. You can easily clean these areas by vacuuming out large pieces of debris and then spraying the stuck-on dirt with water, letting it loosen up and wiping it with a damp cloth.
5. Toothbrush Holders - Your toothbrush holder is likely teeming with germs and bacteria. Wash it with hot soapy water twice a week. If you can, run it through the dishwasher to ensure it gets clean and sterilized. You change your toothbrush monthly - shouldn't you also worry about your toothbrush holder? 

DISPELLING REFINANCING MYTHS

“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE.

For years now, we’ve been hearing that interest rates will be on the rise, and although there have been some small increases, you’re still in a great position to drastically lower your interest rate. The general rule is if your mortgage interest rate is more than one percent above the current market rate, you should consider refinancing.

IT’S NOT TOO TIME CONSUMING.

Don’t brush off refinancing just because it seems like a long and daunting process. An informational call with a lender to see how rates compare will only take a few minutes. There are also some programs for streamlining the application process. And besides, isn’t the amount of money you could save worth the time and effort?

---

---

ARMS CAN BE REFINANCED, TOO.

Seeing your Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) increase after the introductory period can be incredibly stressful and place a squeeze on your budget. Many people assume they’re stuck, but ARMs can be refinanced, just like fixed-rate mortgages. You can even switch to a shorter term fixed-rate mortgage, such as 15 or 23 years. The longer you’re planning to stay in the home, the more sense it makes to look into refinancing.

SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. 

Here’s a brief overview.

A short sale comes into play when a homeowner needs to sell their home but the home is worth less than the remaining balance that they owe. The lender can allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed, freeing the homeowner from the financial predicament.

On the buyer side, short sales typically take three to four months to complete and many of the closing and repair costs are shifted from the seller to the lender.

On the other hand, a foreclosure occurs when a homeowner can no longer make payments on their home so the bank begins the process of repossessing it. A foreclosure usually moves much faster than a short sale and is more financially damaging to the homeowner.

After foreclosure the bank can sell the home in a foreclosure auction. For buyers, foreclosures are riskier than short sales, because homes are often bought sight unseen, with no inspection or warranty.

---

MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERS

When you own your home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These tools will cover most of your basic projects and help you keep your lights on. 

1. Cordless drill. A cordless drill is a must-have for installing cabinets, drawer pulls, hinges, picture frames, shelves and hooks, and more. Whether it’s for do-it-yourself projects or repairs, you’ll use your cordless drill just about every month.
2. Drain cleaners. Shower and bathroom sink drains are susceptible to clogs because of the daily buildup of hair, whisker clippings, etc. You can use chemical clog removers like Drano, but they’re expensive and the lingering chemical scent is unpleasant. Instead, buy some plastic drain cleaners that can reach into the drain to pull out the clog of hair and gunk. You can purchase them on Amazon or at a local hardware store for a low price.
3. Shop-vac. No matter how careful you are, spills and accidents will happen and there are some tasks that just can’t be handled with paper towels or a standard vacuum, like pet messes or broken glass. Our Wet/Dry Vac is used frequently. 
4. Flashlight. You’re going to want something a little more powerful than your cellphone flashlight when you’re in the crawlspace! We have a dozen of them, I'm sure! 
5. Plunger. You should have a plunger in each bathroom, just in case. Make them available for people to use, but hidden away enough to not be a centerpiece. 
6. Hammer. How else are you going to get those pictures finally hung on those walls! 
7. Selection of screwdrivers and wrenches. Flat head, Phillips, Monkey, Adjustable, Hex Key and Allen Wrench sets are all important. Look for a good selection or a kit with multiple sizes. 
8. Tape Measure. Again, we have a bunch of them and use them all the time. How to make sure the TV is in the middle of the wall, will the sofa fit in this corner, can we get a larger dining room table? 
9. Ladders. A selection of ladders is a great idea. A small footstool to get things off the top shelf in the kitchen/pantry. How about a outdoor ladder helps you hang those holiday lights. And don't forget that smoke detector in the top corner of the hallway? You'll need a ladder to get up there to change those batteries, usually in the middle of the night when you wake up to the beeping. 
10. Extension Cords. We have outdoor cords and indoor cords. In fact, when we moved in, I already had a map for where all the furniture would go and then looked for electrical outlets where I would need them. I placed cords strategically and taped them with blue painters' tape to the wall beyond where the furniture would be. When the furniture was place, I was able to plug in that lamp without moving the bed. Planning! 
11. Level. If you really want those pictures to be level on your walls, you'll need a level! 
12. Batteries. We always have a collection of batteries in our house. We use so many AAs and AAAs I buy them in bulk and keep them with my toolbox. We will always have one for our remote controls, outdoor lanterns, and all other devices. 
13. Lightbulbs. Not really a tool, but an essential part of your toolkit. A selection of lightbulbs which will fit all of your recessed lighting, vanity lights, flood lights, outdoor lights, indoor lamps - put together a box of lightbulbs and you'll never be in the dark. 
14. Toolbox. Keep everything together in your toolbox.

---

CREATE AN EVACUATION PLAN FOR YOUR PETS

An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a possibility. Many homeowners create evacuation plans for their homes and practice them with their kids, but far fewer have considered one for their pets. Take these steps to add your pets to your evacuation plan.

Assign pet evacuation to an adult. Everyone should know how to act during an evacuation, and that includes assigning one parent or adult to the pets. This allows the other parent and the children to focus on their part of the evacuation plan, so there’s no confusion during a high-stress moment when time is of the essence.

Keep evacuation maps and pet carriers readily accessible. If you need to evacuate, you should know exactly where every important item is. If you pets require carriers, keep them in a place that you can access easily.

Practice your plan. Include your pets in your home evacuation drills. It’ll help you see how they will respond and make changes to your plan if necessary. Getting your dog out of a window may not be as simple as you think!

Be prepared in case you get separated from your pets. No matter how much you drill your evacuation plan, it’s possible that a dog or cat will run off while you’re focusing on keeping your family safe. A microchip or a GPS-compatible tag can help you find your pets once it’s safe to return to the area.

---

Someone mentioned (Thanks, Shelly) that putting a sign in your window saying that you have PETS INSIDE to make sure rescuers know!

Joining eXp Realty

Just to let you know, I have recently joined eXp Realty and am super happy about my decision.

Let me know if there is something I can do to help you out - buying? selling? Just need to talk about Real Estate? Call me!

Backyard Ideas

We are in the middle of updating our backyard and I thought this would be a great chance to share some of my favorite backyard ideas and hopefully hear about some of yours as well. 

My current thinking is segmenting the yard into separate areas. Make a list of ways you would like to use your yard - and use this list to help you decide your priorities. 

I like to have an outdoor dining area, preferably covered with a pergola or sunshade of some kind. This would is my primary gathering place to share meals with friends and family. 

How about an outdoor kitchen area? These have become very popular in recent years. Properties with this feature have been booming in the market. Potential buyers will definitely look out for this feature on a property.

After dinner is over, how about a game or two? Disc Golf, horseshoes, trampoline, swings? How do you see you and your family enjoying playtime? We have a trampoline and a disc golf basket that gets a ton of use when we have friends over for a party. 

How about a living room area? With a fire pit? Your choice, but a nice, restful place to enjoy the outdoors and sit comfortable among your friends. We have a large conversation pit with tables to hold drinks and snacks. We also have two heat lamps - like you'd see at an outdoor restaurant - because fire pits are frowned upon in our neighborhood. These are great for heat, just not as visually attractive as a fire pit. 

Pool? Hot tub? How about a water feature? When we found our forever home, we fell in love with the fountain. The sounds of rippling water is so relaxing and hides a multitude of other noises. Neighbors having a bouncy house party? No problem, put on your fountain and enjoy the peaceful sounds. 

We also have a small pool that is awesome for super warm days. We "float" using ingenious pool noodle loungers we created our first year. There is nothing better after a hot day than coming home and floating in your pool to start your evening. 

Hot Tub? Yeah, we have one of those, too. We purchased a small two-person tub for our first. We wanted to see how much we used it before spending a ton of $$ on one. 

Shade is also essential for enjoying your backyard. Pergola? Gazebo? Sails, Umbrellas - how much shade do you need. One thing to consider is WIND! We have wild winds here and making sure your shade is there after the wind dies down is essential.

How about LIGHTING! If you are planning on using your outdoor areas after sunset, you will need to consider lighting. 

Now that you have mapped out your sections, it's time to start thinking about lawn, planting and even a garden. 

Anything else you need in your yard? Share your Backyard Ideas with us! 

Remember. . . Marilyn Dash Sells Homes!

Marilyn Dash
Mobile: (415) 999-9087 (call or text)
Email:  mdash.NVRE@gmail.com
Nevada Real Estate Division License #: S.0190133

D'Andrea Golf Club

Dear D'Andrea Homeowners and Community Members,

We are excited to announce the D'Andrea Golf Course property is under renovation. The current renovation plan is to open 9-championship golf holes, two practice holes, a driving range and a new clubhouse/event center. The remaining upper holes may return in the future, but the current plan is to reopen as a 9-hole course (five par 4s, two par 3s and two par 5s).

The new owners have been working hard over the past year and have spent countless hours cleaning up the debris from the previously burned down clubhouse (caused by Arson in 10/2015). They've continued to maintain the property and have cut back overgrowth to create defensible space between the golf course property and our homes.

Most recently, they've installed fencing, gates, landscape, and renovated the golf course maintenance building. In preparation of re-seeding the course, they've repaired the main pump station and have been testing all of the irrigation heads and repairing or replacing as needed.

Currently, they're working on an effluent water agreement. Once the effluent agreement is finalized, seeding will begin on the driving range and golf course. The driving range will open first and once the grow in is complete, the 9-hole course will open. We don't have exact dates but we will be sure to post as it comes available.

Lastly, the reason for the private property/no trespassing signs is to reduce property liability and to protect the new grass. We greatly appreciate your support!

Stay tuned for more updates and progress photos!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Gose Jory and Michael Jory , PGA
Representatives for owners
Haute Properties NV

Marilyn Dash 
Mobile: (415) 999-9087 (call or txt)
Email:  mdash.NVRE@gmail.com

Nevada Real Estate Division License #: S.0190133