The Truth behind the Top 5 Home Improvement Myths

The Truth behind the Top 5 Home Improvement Myths

Doing some home improvement projects before showing your home to buyers looking for Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale is a good idea. It can add value to your property and help increase buyer traffic. However, you need to be careful with your choices when it comes to investing time and effort in improving your home.

To help you make the right decision, take a look at the top 5 home improvement myths and the truth behind them.

Myth 1: Do-it-yourself is always the best option.

As a seller, you want to make a great first impression on buyers looking for homes for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton. In order to achieve this, you need the help of experts and professionals. While you may have knack for certain things, it is still better to hire a contractor to do the job. Doing it yourself can sometimes save money, but you also need to be aware of your limits. Think it through before you commit to doing all the nitty-gritty work yourself. Ask yourself if you have the skill, time, or license required to perform the work. Do not hesitate to ask for help. You can tackle certain low-risk projects, but know which remodeling requires the expertise of a professional.

Myth 2: Swimming pools add value.

Many people believe that adding a swimming pool or a hot tub will surely sell the home. While adding a pool may sound appealing, it is not always a sure sell. You have to consider your home’s location. If you live in a pool-friendly region and every day is summer in your climate, then adding a pool is a great idea. If you live in a cooler climate, you might have to reconsider. You also have to keep in mind that adding a pool is a scary proposition because it is a liability and can require a lot of work to maintain in the off-season. Before building a pool, weigh the pros and cons. Otherwise, you might end up with a money pit.

Myth 3: Putting wallpaper is a piece of cake.

Placing wallpaper on wall looks easy and simple. However, this is one of those projects that can quickly become a nightmare if not done correctly. Before starting with the project, carefully examine the room. If there are obstacles such as a vanity or a toilet, you will have to cut the wallpaper and match it up to go around. It is not always an easy job to tackle.

Myth 4: Adding square footage always adds value.

Some sellers believe that adding square footage will increase the value of their home. You have to carefully think about this before deciding to expand. Square footage in attics and basements that are finished, and by county standards considered livable, may not be appealing to a buyer if the space is substandard compared to the rest of the house.

Myth 5: Adding a bedroom is better than adding a bathroom.

Before you add either a bathroom or a bedroom you need to assess your home and the potential need of future buyers. If you only have one or two bedrooms to start with, adding a bedroom is probably a better choice. After all, buyers are more attracted to a three bedroom home. On the other hand, if you already have enough number of bedrooms and only one bath, you better invest on a second bath.

Check out www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com today for more home selling ideas and for a free market evaluation of your home in Del Prado. 

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Home Seller's Guide to Basic Real Estate Terminologies

Home Seller's Guide to Basic Real Estate Terminologies

When selling your Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale, the best thing you can do is hire a good real estate agent who can help you through the process. It also helps to know some of the basic terminologies used in real estate so you can speak and understand their language. Selling a home could be frustrating if you’ve never done it before and don’t have the right information. 

Here are some basic real estate terms that you need to know: 

Contract

Contract refers to a legally binding agreement between the buyer and the seller. In real estate, a Contract of Sale will be deemed valid if there there is an offer, an acceptance, competent parties, consideration, legal purpose, written documentation, description of the property, and signatures of principals.

Counter offer

Counter offer refers to the new offer made by either the buyer or seller when rejecting a previous offer. In the case of a seller generating a counter offer, the counter offer will typically indicate that the seller has accepted the buyer’s offer subject to some particulars. These may include total consideration (generally a higher price), increasing the size of the earnest money deposit, refusal to pay for certain reports fees, changing service providers, altering closing date, and modifying contingency time frames. 

Earnest money deposit

As a seller, you want to ensure that a buyer is serious about purchasing your property. An earnest money deposit is the deposit a buyer makes at the time of submitting an offer to show their true intent to purchase. It is sometimes called a binder or good faith deposit. When the transaction is finalized, the funds are put toward the buyer’s down payment. However, if the deal falls through, the buyer may not be able to reclaim the deposit. 

Market Value

The market value of a property is the price it might be expected to bring if offered for sale in a fair market. This is usually in relation to the current real estate market. Market value is also the price at which a particular house, in its current condition, will sell for within 30 to 90 days. 

Seller’s market

A seller’s market is a situation where the demand is larger than the supply. This means there are more buyers than homes for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton. Since supply is less than the demand, several buyers compete to buy properties, which in turn drives up the price. 

Buyer’s market

A buyer’s market is a situation where there are more homes for sale than there are buyers. Since supply exceeds demand, buyers have advantage over sellers in price negotiations. Sometimes, prices drop over time as homeowners become more eager to sell their property. 

Multiple Listing Service

A multiple listing service or MLS refers to a marketing database set up by a group of cooperating real estate brokers providing property for sale information. It is used by real estate brokers who agree to share their listing agreements with one another to locate ready, willing and able buyers for properties more quickly than they could on their own.

Pre-approval 

A pre-approval refers to a written statement from a lender. It states the lender’s preliminary determination that a borrower will qualify for a particular loan amount under the lender’s guidelines. It also contains the maximum amount that the lender is willing to lend. The pre-approval process involves a thorough look into the income and expenses of the borrower. It also takes into consideration the borrower’s credit report and score. Getting pre-approved demonstrates to real estate agents and sellers that a buyer is a qualifies, serious borrower. 

Check out http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com for more home selling ideas, and for a free market evaluation of your home in Del Prado. 

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

What to Ask When Interviewing a Del Prado Real Estate Agent

What to Ask When Interviewing a Del Prado Real Estate Agent

Selling your home to buyers looking for Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale is not easy. Having an experienced and hardworking real estate agent by your side can make the home selling process smoother. To find the right agent, you need to probe deeper and ask a wide range of questions before making any decision. 

Here are five questions that sellers should ask prospective real estate agents:

1. Do you have experience in selling homes in Pleasanton and what is your success rate?

Although it may seem like an obvious place to start, many sellers still neglect to ask potential agents about their work experience. Though a new real estate agent can certainly be motivated and eager to please, sellers should look for an agent who has a good and established track record in dealing with real estate for sale in Pleasanton. A professional with years of experience will have the knowledge and skill to comfortably handle Del Prado transactions from listing to closing. 

2. What is the price range of the homes you have sold?

Asking this question will help you determine if the agent is familiar with how to market your Del Prado home for sale. While you might already have a figure in mind for your home’s price, inquiring about the range of homes that the agent has sold will indicate whether he or she typically represent homes in that price range. 

3. How will you communicate with me?

During the home selling process, you will be hearing from your agent often. Make sure to discuss their means of communication and how often they communicate with their clients prior to hiring an agent. You can verify what the agent says by looking at how he or she has communicated with you thus far. If the agent has not shown any respect for your preferences, has failed to follow up, or has been sloppy with emails and texts, then you better start interviewing someone else.

4. What are the negative aspects of my home?

You know an agent is the right one if he or she could name several potential drawbacks to selling your home. This could include repairs, location, and other important details. Do not look for someone who gives you a rainbows and unicorns response. Seek out a real estate agent with a realistic but tactful approach.

5. How much do you charge? Are you willing to negotiate?

This question does not mean that you are going for the cheapest agent. As a seller, you have know what is included in the agent’s fees. Remember that you are looking for a good negotiator and value for your money. A good agent will have no difficulty in justifying his or her price. 

Check out http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com for more home selling ideas, and for a free market evaluation of your home in Del Prado. 

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

What You Need to Know about the Top 5 Real Estate Myths

What You Need to Know about the Top 5 Real Estate Myths

Selling your home to buyers looking for Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale requires research in order to separate fact from fiction. With all the information readily available everywhere, it is easy to fall victim to home selling myths. This could drain you of your time and money. 

Here are the five real estate myths that you should know: 

#1: Curb appeal is no longer important once buyers are inside your home

The importance of curb appeal can never be downplayed when it comes to selling a home. Buyers will be less willing to enter your home if the outside does not appeal to them. 

Since most buyers drive by a home before deciding whether or not to look inside, you have to make a good first impression. Make sure you have spruced up the lawn and cleared the walkways and driveway of leaves and other debris. You may also put potted flowers, a wreath, or a pleasing welcome mat for added curb appeal.

#2: You need to spend money to make money

Many sellers mistakenly believe they can add value to their homes by making renovations and upgrades. These changes can make your home more attractive to buyers looking for real estate for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton CA. It can even boost the asking price a little. However, it doesn’t mean that you will automatically make back the money that you’ve spent. There are times when even the most popular renovations, like a bathroom or a kitchen, can end up as break even renovations.

#3: You need to wait for the right season to sell your home

Many would-be sellers allow months and months to pass by because they’ve been told that spring and summer are the best times to sell their homes. The idea of spring as a prime real estate season began because parents waited until the end of the school year to move. At present, home sales are no longer driven mainly by young families with school aged children. The other seasons are just as competitive.

#4: You’re better off selling your home on your own

Some sellers try to sell their properties without the help of a real estate agent thinking they are saving money usually intended for the agent’s commission. 

The truth is, statistically, many sellers who try to sell their homes on their own cannot complete the sale without the service of a real estate agent. Sellers often net less when they go through the home selling process without a real estate agent.

#5: An open house is a sure way to move your home

People often think that the best way to sell the home is by way of an open house. This is sometimes true, but rarely. You see, many buyers come through the open house with their agent and are looking at other multiple homes on the same day. 

Others might be nosey neighbors or window shoppers rather than serious buyers. It is good to have open houses, but don’t rely on them to be what sells your home. The marketing your real estate agent does for you and the networking connections they have made in the real estate industry are much more effective. 

On the other hand, there are occasions where someone serious will come through the open house and your house is their dream! 

While open houses can help stir up interest, you must not rely on it to seal the deal.

Check out http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com for more home selling ideas, and for a free market evaluation of your home in Del Prado.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Top 5 Keys to Increase Buyer Traffic to Your Home for Sale

Top 5 Keys to Increase Buyer Traffic to Your Home for Sale

If you are selling your home, you want to attract as many potential buyers of Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale as possible. The more buyers that have interest in your home, the more likely someone will submit an offer. How can you convince prospective buyers to visit, and fall in love with your property? Here are a number of ways that you can do attract potential buyers to your home.

1. Boost the exterior appeal of your home

One sure way of attracting buyers is by improving your home’s curb appeal. To do this, get in your car, drive around the block, and take an objective look at your home. Check how the driveway looks. Make sure your landscaping, including all trees, plants, and shrubs are attractively maintained. Does the exterior of your house appeal to you? Remember that prospective home buyers may have been shopping around for Del Prado Pleasanton real estate for sale for quite some time. They have already seen several properties so you need to give them fresh impression of your home. 

2. Make necessary repairs

If there are minor problems with your home it is better to have them fixed as earlier as possible. Don’t wait until prospective buyers are already in your door. Since you are probably going to spend on repairs before your close your home, you might as well do it in time to boost the appeal of your home. Get rid of leaky faucets, a cracked windowpane, or a carpet stain. If you start taking care of repairs now, you will sell sooner and avoid the expense of last-minute rush jobs. 

3. Add incentives

Another way to generate a lot of interest to your home is by adding incentives. These incentives can make a difference in your home sale. Consider throwing in popular incentives like a home theater system, a pool table or new flooring. Just remember to properly include all of your upgrades on the seller disclosures.

4. Make your home an easy show

Avoid being too restrictive on viewing times. Keep in mind that the more time available for the agent to show the home, the larger number of potential home buyers can see your property. Also remember to have a key available for your trusted real estate agent. This way, your agent can still have access to your home even when you are not there or are unavailable. 

5. Make buyers feel at home

If you want to make a lasting impression on buyers of homes for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton, make sure to stage areas that you want to highlight within your home. Consider having an attractive place settings and a centerpiece on the dining room table. You may also place a reading light next to an armchair or display fruit or jars on the kitchen counter along with an open cookbook. If you want to appeal to the buyer’s sense of smell, try offering freshly baked treats and placing firewood or pinecones in or next to the fireplace. 

Check out http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com for more home selling ideas, and for a free market evaluation of your home in Del Prado.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton luxury REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!

Selling Your Home in Del Prado Pleasanton without a REALTOR®?

Selling Your Home in Del Prado Pleasanton without a REALTOR®?

Nowadays, it’s easy to become an expert at anything by using the resources readily available online. Sellers of homes in Del Prado might think they can save money by selling their home themselves. Why would you pay a costly commission for real estate agents when you could do it yourself? There’s so much of information about selling homes online, right?

Not so fast! 

Even if you can read and study all the information about the home selling process online, it takes an expert with years of experience to interpret the data and apply it to make a home sale successful. What the online DIY might not tell you is how to handle problems and obstacles along the way. 

Owners wishing to sell their Del Prado Pleasanton home by themselves usually do so to save money by not having to pay for a real estate agent’s commission. But do they really end up saving or losing money in the long run?

As a seller, you may have asked yourself, “What is the value of my home in Del Prado Pleasanton?” Chances are you could overprice your home if you did not get the guidance of a professional real estate agent. Most overpriced homes on the market are from For Sale By Owner (FSBOs). The consequence of overpricing a home is a home that sits on the market for months without interested buyers. 

Working with a real estate agent, they would have helped you price your home right from the start, having better chances of selling your home successfully and quickly.

Hiring a real estate agent has numerous advantages for the seller. You can capitalize on their marketing skills and network of contacts. They could bring in more buyers to look at your home, especially if you are in an area where there are a lot of other properties for sale.

Your agent can also help you market your home online with websites that only they have access to, print out excellent marketing materials, and help you get professional photography for your home. On top of all that, you get expert advice every step of the way so you can avoid making costly mistakes that many FSBO sellers make.

Aside from saving you money in the long run, a real estate agent will also save you time. Not all sellers have the time to continually run home every time there is a showing or home inspection, or to talk constantly to the lenders. 

With a real estate agent, you can rest assured that your chosen professional will have time for buyers, inspections & lender talk, while you can have time to do other things. Having the assurance that selling your home in Del Prado is being handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

In a 2015 Survey of Home Buyers and Sellers by the National Association of Realtors, statistics show that out of all the closed home sales, more were closed by real estate agents than FSBOs. 89% of all homes sold involved a real estate agent while the share of FSBO in home sales was just 8%. 

With the ever changing rules and real estate laws, the complexities of compliance, fair housing, disclosures, legalities, and paperwork involved in a real estate transaction, hiring a real estate agent to help you through the entire process is the best decision you could make in selling your home. 

Without the help of a real estate agent, selling your home in Del Prado could end up becoming ‘stale’ on the market or you could lose money each time you commit a major mistake in the selling process. 

Sell your home fast and at the best price by working with a real estate agent you can trust. If you need help buying or selling a home in Pleasanton CA, visit http://www.HomeValuesPleasanton.com today.

If you are looking for a Pleasanton CA REALTOR® who can help you sell or buy your dream luxury home, call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. You can also text 925-660-7110 with any of these codes: seller411, buyer411 or homesearch. With my extensive experience and knowledge of the Pleasanton luxury real estate market, combined with a track record of satisfied clients, your next transaction will be the best move you’ve ever made!