5 Incentives to Offer Shadow Cliff Home Buyers for a Quick Sale

5 Incentives to Offer Shadow Cliff Home Buyers for a Quick Sale

If you have a home to sell, you can consider offering incentives to buyers looking for homes for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton to sweeten the deal. Incentives are perks, either big or small, that you offer to your home’s eventual buyer.

Here are five incentives that can help sell your home faster as you discuss with your trusted real estate professional the answer to your question, “What’s my home worth in Pleasanton CA?”

1. Closing Credit 

Most sellers want a quick closing for different reasons. It could be because of an upcoming job transfer or for tax purposes. If you want a quick closing, you can offer a closing credit to the buyer and even a bonus commission to the buyer’s agent. Buyers will appreciate this unexpected help and would be more than eager to sign the closing papers. This incentive is actually icing on the cake.

2. Interest rate buy down

To secure a fast sale, you can offer to award the buyer a certain percentage point of the sale price. This will be paid to the buyer’s lender as discount points that will decrease the interest rate for which the buyer has to pay the lender. Buyers will surely appreciate this incentive because it affects the totality of the loan and will cause them to save more on monthly payments. It also sends a message that if they decide to purchase your home, they will have a little extra money left over for any home improvements they wish to make.

3. Broker incentives

The majority of homebuyers on today’s market are represented by an agent. These agents have to sort through several similar homes for sale to decide which one to show a buyer. If you cannot afford to offer closing credits or to give particular percentage points to your buyer, consider giving an incentive to the REALTOR®. Offer to pay a bonus percentage point to the eventual agent of your home’s final buyer. This bonus is on top of the said agent’s commission. This strategy will help sell your home faster.

4. Home Items

Parts of your home that are affixed to the property should be included in the sale. A good example of this is a wall to wall carpet. In spite of these fixtures, you can provide home items and features that will suit the house and the preference of its future owners. It could be a piece of furniture, a patio set that goes well with your landscaped yard, or an exercise machine that are assembled and ready to use. Including this in the package could also help seal the deal.

5. Pre-paid services

Being a homeowner is no easy feat. You have to take care of several responsibilities like tidying up the home, mowing the grass, maintaining the heating and air conditioning systems, cleaning the pool and gutters, and changing the light bulbs regularly. To encourage buyers to step up and submit an offer, you can include pre-paid services like a lawn mowing service, a pool cleaning service, or even a housekeeping service as part of the package.

Offering incentives on Shadow Cliff Pleasanton homes for sale will surely catch the attention of buyers. You can promote them in a number of ways with the help of your trusted real estate agent. These incentives can help move the deal over the finish line.

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

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 Are the Common Obstacles Home Sellers Face?

What Are the Common Obstacles Home Sellers Face? 

Selling homes for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton can be stressful. Many unexpected challenges can arise faster than you can address them. Inexperienced homeowners can end up confused and frustrated. That is why you need to hire a trusted and experienced real estate agent to help you through the process. Your agent will also advise and help you with the common obstacles in selling a home since they already have extensive experience in handling such issues.

Below are the top 5 challenges that homeowners face when selling their home.

1. Handling emotions

Selling a home is not just a financial transaction, it is also an emotional experience. Various emotions can surface when you sell your home. Among these are excitement, uncertainty, anxiety, and stress. Knowing how to manage your emotions can help make the home selling process smoother. One important tip is to be certain that you really want to sell your home before you get started.

2. Choosing an agent

Sellers, especially first-timers, usually have a hard time choosing the right real estate agent. With several real estate agents to choose from, how can you be sure you are selecting the right one? Work with someone who has a great track record. You should also learn how to interview prospective agents in a way that you will really get to know them and arrive at the best decision. The right agent can help you overcome the challenges of home selling. He or she can also give you an idea of your home’s worth in Shadow Cliff.

3. Preparing the home for the sale

Before you show your home to potential buyers, you have to ensure it is in good condition. Remember to clean and cover up dingy walls with a fresh coat of paint. If the carpet is already showing obvious signs of wear and tear, it might be better to replace it. Maintain a clean and polished appearance for every open house or showing. Avoid putting the house on the market prematurely as buyers will not appreciate a cluttered home. It is always better to complete all home repairs before putting your home on the market.

4. Dealing with unrealistic home buyers

Another challenge that home sellers usually face is dealing with unrealistic buyers with low ball offers or other demands. Many buyers will want to offer a homeowner less than what their home is worth. If you do not know how to manage low ball offers, this can give you added stress. There are also some buyers who want the home to be in move-in ready condition because they are not interested in doing any repair work to the home before moving in. This scenario can frustrate a seller who has not factored in the cost of repairs and maintenance to the asking price of their home for sale.

5. Closing the deal

Many sellers think that closing the deal seems easy compared to the other stages of home selling. However, there are many things that can delay closing. One common problem that can happen before closing is a buyer getting disapproved for their home loan. There are several factors that can lead to a buyer getting disapproved for a mortgage by the lender. Although this is beyond the seller’s power, it is still a possible problem that must be dealt with.

You don’t need to go through all these obstacles and handle the stress of selling a home by yourself. Remember, your agent’s job is to make your life easier by anticipating these obstacles and helping you avoid or solve them. Hiring a real estate agent will prove to be useful and worth it in terms of saving you time and stress as well as helping you close the deal successfully.

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

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!

5 Keys to Setting the Right Asking Price for Your Shadow Cliff Home

5 Keys to Setting the Right Asking Price for Your Shadow Cliff Home

Pricing your home appropriately from the beginning is critical to attracting buyers looking for homes for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton. To get the right price, you need to evaluate your home objectively and consider market conditions. Read on for some tips on how to set the right asking price for your home. 

1. Put yourselves in the shoes of buyers

As a seller, it is normal to feel emotional over your home because it has sentimental value. However, the memories that your home holds are yours and should not affect the market price. This is where you have to place yourself in the shoes of a buyer. Prepare to be rational and think like a buyer. Look at your house from a group of Shadow Cliff Pleasanton homes for sale. Imagine which one you’d purchase if you were looking at them from the outside point of view.

2. Know the truth about comparables

What’s your home worth in Shadow Cliff? Well, it is worth what someone will pay for it. This will likely be the same as what they have paid for similar homes in the recent past. Most surely, buyers will visit other properties, and you should, too. Knowing the competition will help you price your home accurately. At the same time, looking at comparables on your market will give you an idea of what houses in your neighbourhood don’t sell for.

3. Work out a contingency plan before selling

Sellers usually have high expectations about their home’s appeal and most of them ask top dollar for their property. However, before putting your home on the market, it is always better to work out a contingency plan with your real estate agent. Have a plan B just in case your home doesn’t go for the desired price. Having a contingency plan will save you time and help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

4. Don’t get too creative with your price

There are instances when sellers want to get creative with their asking price. However, if your home’s value is between $750k and $850k, there is no good reason why you should price your home at $787,777. Such an oddly specific figure will make buyers wonder why you chose that figure. Then the buyers will get curious about who the seller is, and so on. Remember that the goal is to showcase the property and not the seller. In fact, experts would say that it is best to keep the seller far in the background.

5. Appeal to the herd mentality

No buyer will want to be the only one interested in a property since real estate has high stakes. That is why you should price your home on the lower end of the value range. Doing so will help you stimulate interest among more than one buyer and create a herd mentality. This would also be a good option if you are under pressure to sell quickly. 

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

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!

The Seller’s Guide to Emotionally Detaching from Your Pleasanton Home

The Seller’s Guide to Emotionally Detaching from Your Pleasanton Home

Having a deep emotional connection to your home can work against you if you are trying to sell your property to buyers looking for homes for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton. 

While it is normal to have a strong attachment to your home, you have to avoid making decisions based on emotions. Unleashing your emotions during the process of the sale of your home can get in the way of the end result you desire. 

Read on for some tips on how to detach yourself emotionally from your home and get the best deal for your property: 

1. Make sure you are truly ready to sell

Before you show your home to buyers, make sure you are emotionally prepared for the home selling process. Consult with your trusted real estate agent. If you find yourself resisting your agent’s suggestions, it is a sign that you may not be ready to let go. Don’t force yourself. It will be better to wait until you are ready. 

2. See your home as a product to be marketed

It is difficult to see your home as a product if you are still attached to it. However, that’s what it really is when it is a home for sale - something you have to sell... it is a product. 

Most of the time, a seller who is not emotionally ready to sell will insist on setting a price that is higher than where other similar Shadow Cliff Pleasanton homes for sale have sold. This can sabotage the process and make your home languish on the market for months. In our fast paced Pleasanton real estate market, languishing for 30-days is a problem. Be sure not to set that trap for yourself.

3. Remove your personal items

Most of the time, sellers need to remove their personal property as part of the home staging process. This can be as basic as taking down diplomas, removing family pictures, or personal items such as religious statues and knick-knacks from your travels. 

When you remove your personal items, you help show your home in its best light and you get a head start on moving (who doesn’t love a head start on moving)! It is also a major step toward detaching because it makes your house feel less like your home and more like a product for sale. 

4. Consider all the new opportunities you will have in your new home

Another effective way to detach from your home is to think of all the possibilities that your new location has to offer. You could start researching online what the new location has to offer in terms of schools, churches, restaurants, cultural centers, shopping, medical centers, jobs, clubs, and civic and volunteer organizations. 

Talk about the activities that you and your family can do together in your new neighborhood. Believe that change can be a good thing and it will help you detach from your home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton. 

5. Get help from family and friends

Detaching from your home can be harder when you do it on your own. Don’t hesitate to ask for outside help because selling your home can be both physically and emotionally draining. Your family and friends can provide an objective pair of eyes and practical help and advice. They can help keep you on track and support you through the process. 

The best help you can ever receive is from a professional Shadow Cliff Pleasanton real estate agent with lots of experience in successfully selling homes. 

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

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 Everyone Should Know about Selling Unstaged Homes

What Everyone Should Know about Selling Unstaged Homes

As a seller, you want to attract buyers looking for homes for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton and gain a competitive edge in a crowded real estate market. However, buyers are less likely to feel attracted to unstaged homes. They tend to all look the same and are devoid of any senses, flavor, and style. If looking at many homes in one day, the buyers won’t have a point of reference to remember why your home stood out. 

Read on for other major reasons why unstaged homes don’t sell as fast as staged ones.

1. An unstaged home makes it difficult for buyers to visualize

As a seller, it is important to know that people don’t buy houses, they buy homes. Most potential buyers can’t visualize the possibilities if the home does not have any furnishing. In addition to that, buyers find it hard to make an emotional attachment to an unfurnished property. Keep in mind that when you sell a house, you aren’t just selling a commodity. Buyers looking for Pleasanton Shadow Cliff homes for sale must get the message that you are selling a home, a place where a family will live, raise their children, and create special memories. Or for the single person, a place where they can see themselves enjoying the specialties of the home. You are selling to someone who will bring their hopes and dreams of how their lives can be living in your particular home. Walking through unfurnished rooms can be pretty depressing and might discourage buyers from making an offer.

2. An empty home magnifies flaws and negative details

When rooms are bare, buyers tend to focus on negative details. When there is nothing else for prospective buyers to focus on, it is much easier to notice the small crack in the wall or the tiny chip in the bathroom tile. 

As a seller, you need to take care of such flaws before putting the home on the market. However, there are some cases where it is difficult to address every issue and staging can provide a better perspective for the features of your home to out-shine any small flaws. Remember that home staging capitalizes on the positive aspects of a home, while downplaying the negative, in order to position a home for an emotional connection with buyers.

3. An unfurnished home doesn’t stand out from the rest of the competition

Unfurnished homes might sell less easily because they are hard to differentiate from other Shadow Cliff homes for sale in Pleasanton. One major problem for unstaged homes is that buyers might have three other listings open with exactly the same-looking empty rooms. Without any special feature, there is no reason why an interested buyer would prefer your home over the other similar ones. Make sure to create a good first impression to buyers by using proper staging so that they wouldn’t skip your home for something else.

4. An unstaged home has less buyer traffic

There is less buyer traffic during an open house of an unfurnished home. Since there is no special feature in your home, there would probably be less buyer traffic. Even if buyers do come, they will find it difficult to fall in love with bare, cold walls and all they will see are the faults. Remember that a bare house doesn’t conjure up any imagination or feelings to turn the house into a home. 

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

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!

4 People You Need to Help You Sell Your Home in Pleasanton CA

4 People You Need to Help You Sell Your Home in Pleasanton CA

When you’re ready to put your home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton on the market, one of the things you need to realize is that time is a resource you shouldn’t waste. The phrase “Time is gold” applies to the real estate industry as well. A faster sale means fewer time spent showing homes and fewer mortgage payments to make. 

The key to properly managing your time when you have a home for sale is having a great set of reliable people on your team. Check out this list of professionals you need to help you sell your home fast for 2016. The real estate agent you choose should have these individuals ready to assist as part of their service.

Real Estate Agent

One of the most important people to have on your team, a real estate agent to help guide you through the different processes and techniques to get your home sold for top dollar fast. 

Contractually bound by the state to act in your best interest, they will be working as your partner and keep on top of everything related to your listing - creating the listing, marketing your home, attending to buyers during a private showing or an open house, explaining the industry jargon to you, providing you a comprehensive market analysis so you can properly determine the asking price for your home, and more. They will also be there for you until after the sale closes.

Home Inspector

In the due diligence period, buyers usually bring in a home inspector with them to identify whether the home has any major issues that they weren’t informed about. From leaky roofs to creaking doors to fire hazards, it’s best if you hire a home inspector before accommodating any open house event or private showings so you can make sure that your home is in tip top shape. Your home inspector will inform you of any major issues and let you know which steps to take to get these fixed.

Homekeeper

Nobody likes looking at an unkempt and cluttered Shadow Cliff Pleasanton home for sale. This is a major turn off for potential buyers who have already expressed interest in your home before visiting it in person. Have a home cleaner do a thorough deep clean of the home so that every nook and cranny is cleaned, ready for buyers to take a see. They will be impressed just by seeing the neatness & cleanliness of the space.

Home Stager

Selling the space doesn’t just involve a neat home that has no major issues or repairs. Buyers want to see the potential of the space and a professional home stager can help arrange the furniture and create a home that has a move-in ready feel. Allow your buyers to picture themselves living in the home by creating a beautiful and inviting space.

Selling a house for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton can become stressful and challenging but if you have a trusted team to work with, you’ll surely get the best value for your home in no time at all. If you need help buying or selling a home in Pleasanton CA, visit http://RhondaFee.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!

5 Ways to Prepare Your Del Prado Pleasanton Home for Sale Open House

5 Ways to Prepare Your Del Prado Pleasanton Home for Sale Open House

When you ask REALTORS® of Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale whether an open house is a crucial part of the home selling process, you’ll definitely get varied responses. There has been an on-going debate in the industry about the effectiveness of hosting open houses as a marketing tool to sell your home. 

Some say it’s a waste of time, some say it’s a must. No matter their differences, both parties agree though that increased attention to your home certainly doesn’t hurt. 

Open houses are marketing events that need proper planning, preparation, and strategizing. If your agent will soon be hosting one, here are some tips to help you prepare your home for sale:

1. Hire a home inspector. 

Home inspectors are professionals who will check the home thoroughly to make sure that everything is in tip top shape. He or she will check for leaky faucets, faulty wiring, roof issues, and other possible problems your home might have. Having this information can help better guide you into making sure all problems are fixed before your open house. You wouldn’t want potential buyers to get turned off because of leaky faucets, squeaky doors, or any broken windows, would you?

2. Declutter, clean, and organize.

As much as nobody wants to go to an open house only to see needed repairs in the home, they also don’t want to see a mess once they open the front door. 

Buyers wants to see the potential of the space for their lifestyle and that’s a hard thing for them to do if they can see dirty dishes in the sink or misplaced laundry in the bathroom of your house for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton.

3. Remove all personal items in the home. 

At an open house, buyers want to experience how a home will make them feel. Your collectibles, family photos, diplomas, refrigerator magnets, and certificates are personal items that can be distracting leaving the buyer to forget the details of the home after they leave. 

Buyers need to be able to see themselves living in the home and they won’t be able to do that with such distractions.

4. Stage your home.

Another way to prepare your home for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton for an open house event is by staging your home. Just because you have decluttered and cleared your home of any personal belongings doesn’t mean you should leave it empty and bare. Some sellers work with a professional stager to design a beautiful interior. Staging your home helps buyers to easily picture themselves living in your home. 

5. Don’t be present during the open house.

Leave the open house to your real estate agent. This way buyers won't be distracted during an open house because the seller is at home. REALTORS® have shared a lot of instances where the buyers were uncomfortable and unable to be honest about what they really think of the home because of the presence of the seller. As much as possible, leave the home during an open house and let your real estate agent give the tour, instead.

Selling your home can become challenging and at times, frustrating but with the right tools, marketing ideas, and an experienced, trusted, local Realtor® by your side, you’ll soon be choosing from multiple offers for your home for sale. If you need help buying or selling a home in Pleasanton CA, visit http://RhondaFee.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!

5 Luxurious Must-Have Items for Your Home in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton

5 Luxurious Must-Have Items for Your Home in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton

Once you’ve found your dream home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton, there’s really nothing that can feel quite as exciting as furnishing the space with fun, functional, and luxurious items to make it truly feel like home. 

From the living room, the bedroom, and the dining room to the kitchen and outdoor area, here are some of the must-have luxurious home items you might want to invest in for your new home:

1. Stainless steel appliances for your kitchen.

Who wouldn’t love preparing and cooking sumptuous homemade meals in a kitchen that’s fully equipped with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances? 

While these items are a bit pricey, quality kitchen appliances have a longer warranty period and can last you and your family for decades if maintained properly. 

Apart from updating your kitchen appliances, you can also add intricately carved kitchen molding, granite countertops, custom-made shelves with modern wine racks, and more.

2. A comfortable and cozy sofa bed for your living room.

What would you do in a house for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton which comes with a beautiful fireplace, large windows, and wide space if you don’t have the right sofa to go with it? 

Invest in a beautiful leather sofa or a custom hand painted upholstered one. Whatever style you prefer, make sure that it’s made of high-grade materials and sourced from a trusted supplier so you can be sure that it will last long. 

Also, keep in mind that a sofa can be the starting point where your entire home design will evolve, so make sure to find one that suits your style preference best.

3. A mattress with the right amount of sink and bounce for your bedroom.

Not everyone’s bodies are built alike. We all have different types of back health needs that can be addressed by purchasing the right kind of mattress for your body. 

No matter what type of bed frame you have - box spring, slatted base, flat platform - it’s highly important to invest in a mattress which hugs your body just right. No more sleeping for long hours and waking up with an aching back. Treat yourself and your body better with a luxurious comfortable mattress.

4. Replace the shower head in your bathroom.

When you buy a home for sale, chances are you’ll be stuck with an old shower head that has been used by the previous owners for years. Unless you purchased a Shadow Cliff Pleasanton home for sale with a newly-remodeled or updated bath, investing in a luxurious shower head is a treat you wouldn’t want to miss. 

5. Quality dining set for your dining room.

If you’re the type to host dinners, parties, and lunches often, it’s a must to invest in a sturdy dining room set that can seat all of your friends without them feeling cramped as if in the backseat of a car. 

If you have a spacious dining area, fill the space with a 6 or an 8-seater wooden dining table and chair set that will delight your family and friends. 

Be wise about your purchases and invest your hard-earned money into these must-have pieces that helps to make your home luxurious and profitable at the same time. If you’re still on the hunt for that perfect home to furnish with these luxury items, visit http://RhondaFee.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!

Tips for New Year Renovations of Del Prado Pleasanton Homes for Sale

Tips for New Year Renovations of Del Prado Pleasanton Homes for Sale

Every January, people of all ages come up with list upon list of ways to improve themselves and do the things they said they would do the year before but never got around to doing. 

Most people are motivated with the overwhelming sense of a fresh start that a new year brings and as such, are compelled to create their wish lists and goals during the first month. As a homeowner, you’re probably thinking of ways to improve your home but are stumped with the costs of remodeling and renovating your Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale. While some home improvement projects definitely add value to the resale price of your home - if you intend to sell it - not all projects are worth undertaking. 

If you have a limited budget for home improvement but want to enjoy a fresher look and feel for your home this year, here are some tips to help you maximize your budget and prioritize your projects:

Figure out what the most important part of the home is for you and your family.

Different families have very different requirements for what makes a room in the home important. Individuals working at home need a personal space for their home office. Couples with small children need a fun, colorful, and safe nursery. Some parents with teenagers find that an entertainment room that the whole family can enjoy is important. Others spend precious family time in the dining room, feasting on homemade meals created right from their kitchen. 

You don’t need to spend all your home improvement budget on the entire home. Figure out what type of homeowner you are, what you and your family’s needs are, and focus on renovating the space that fills those needs. 

Reduce your energy consumption.

Another way to help you improve the look of your home for sale in Del Prado Pleasanton while reducing your energy consumption is by replacing worn out light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. You can also replace windows and doors with improved materials so that there won’t be any air leaks that can add to your energy expenses. Think of your home improvement projects as an investment in adding value to your home, while saving money on your energy bills.

Make sure that you get a good warranty on the lighting fixtures, doors, and window brands. While most companies offer lifetime warranties on these, it wouldn’t be of any use to you if the company closes down after a few years, right?

Improve the space for entertaining family and friends coming over.

Some people add “spend more time with family and friends” in their New Year’s resolutions list. To help you fulfill that goal this year, why not do a home improvement project which ensures that you have the right kind of entertainment space where family and friends can hang out? 

Whether you prefer to have your own game room, a renovated family room, or installing an outdoor deck, decide on one that will benefit you and your family most. If you already have a game room or an outdoor deck, a budget-friendly tip is to simply add a fresh coat of paint and redecorate the space to give it a fresh new look.

Del Prado Pleasanton homes for sale improvement projects need not be overly expensive. By simply incorporating some of these top tips, you’ll soon go home at the end of a stressful work day to a home you’ll definitely enjoy and you’re glad to call your own. For even more 2016 tips for savvy homeowners, visit http://RhondaFee.com.

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!

3 Financial Habits to Break Before Buying Birdland Pleasanton CA Homes

3 Financial Habits to Break Before Buying Birdland Pleasanton CA Homes

According to studies, only about 8% of Americans are able to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions. Due to a lot of different factors, people make various decisions that ultimately sabotage the goals set for the year. 

If your goals include saving money and buying a home for sale in Birdland Pleasanton CA this year, then here are some bad financial habits you need to break that might just be costing you your dream home:

Bad Habit: Not monitoring your credit report.

Resolution: Order and study your reports meticulously.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the nationwide reporting companies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are required to provide you, upon your request, a free copy of your credit report one every 12 months. With this, you can check your report for any inaccuracies that might cause your credit score to suffer.

Keep in mind that your credit report will be one of the things that lenders will thoroughly review to determine whether you qualify for a mortgage and how favorable your interest rate and monthly payments would be on your Birdland Pleasanton CA home for sale.

Bad Habit: Saying yes to someone else using your credit.

Resolution: Offer another way to help without risking your financial health.

We’ve all been in a situation where a family member, relative, or a close friend will ask you to co-sign a lease or a loan for them. While it might seem like a simple request with little effort on your part, think about how it can affect your credit if they make late payments or ultimately default on the loan. 

With your name on the loan, your credit score will be affected based on their activity. Unless you’re more than financially able to take over all their payments if they default, don’t agree to co-sign anything. 

Offer them other ways to help them establish or build their own credit line such as taking a financial health class together or even just explaining to them how the credit system works.

Bad Habit: Making too many financial decisions.

Resolution: Automate as many financial-related concerns as possible.

On payday, you might be torn by all of your different financial decisions: How much should you put in your savings? How much should you allot for your daily living budget? Is that enough? Should you add more? 

While choices are a welcome retreat for other aspects in life such as buying houses for sale in Birdland Pleasanton CA, your financial health should not be dependent on your unstable decisions about your monthly paycheck. 

To help minimize these decisions, take a long hard look at your financial status and determine how much you want to save so you can buy your dream home. With each paycheck, pay yourself first via an automatic transfer to your savings account and using what’s leftover to pay for your daily living expenses. 

Start the new year right by kicking these bad credit habits and resolving to make better financial decisions. Soon enough, you’ll be living in your dream home. If you’re looking to buy or sell homes in Pleasanton CA, visit http://RhondaFee.com.

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!

Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Home for the New Year in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton

Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Home for the New Year in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton

As you welcome the New Year in, in your home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton, have you thought about any resolutions for the home this year? 

Much like our personal New Year’s resolutions, industry experts believe that homeowners should also take the time to create annual resolutions and goals for their homes. Some prefer to cut the clutter, some are working on making sure that all their mortgage payments are made on time every time, while others commit to a more eco-friendly home for the coming year. 

If you’re part of the latter and want to help further the cause of helping to take care of our planet, here are some tips for making your home more earth-friendly for 2016:

Do an inventory of all your appliances.

One of the ways to make your home more eco-friendly is audit all the appliances in your home. You don’t want to be stuck with a huge electricity bill just because your appliances are under today’s standard. 

Nowadays appliances come with energy star ratings to help you determine how much it costs to use an appliance. Maybe one or more are worth replacing with a newer, more efficient model.

Choose durable materials.

When you’re planning a home improvement project or doing a remodel of any room in the home, opt for more durable materials. Contact a local supplier for help on where to get the best materials at a price you can afford.

Save your trees.

Some people living in houses for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton might do a bit of remodeling and home improvement projects as a way to welcome in the New Year. 

Maybe updating your home for a fresher, brighter, and cleaner look for the coming year appeals to you. However, if you’re planning on uprooting trees, perhaps in your backyard in order to put an oversized outdoor deck in that space, you might want to reconsider that project.

As we’ve all learned in our science classes, trees are essential to the survival of the human race, as they convert our CO2 emissions into O2. 

Fewer trees means less clean air to breathe. Besides, grown trees help give you shade during the summer so why not opt to build your deck around the trees instead? 

Put your windows to work.

Another key to living a more eco-chic lifestyle is by maximizing the flow of natural light into your home. Think about opening those drapes before turning on a light. There’s nothing like a room bathed in natural light to make it cozy and inviting for family, friends, and all of your guests to enjoy.

If your windows are old, consider replacing your them with more energy efficient windows. 

Consider a solar panel for the roof.

After some investigation, you might consider investing in solar to help minimize energy costs. 

With Shadow Cliff Pleasanton homes for sale conveniently located in a place with nearly year-round good weather, there’s no reason not to tap into the sun’s rays and convert it to usable energy. 

Talk to a professional solar panel expert to learn more about the benefits and learn how much you can save on your energy bill.

As you welcome the new year with high hopes for a brighter and more sustainable future, start with your home. For even more tips to make your home more energy-efficient for 2016, visit http://RhondaFee.com.

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!

Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying a Birdland Pleasanton CA Home

Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying a Birdland Pleasanton CA Home

As we experience a boost in the real estate market with more and more consumers looking to purchase their first-ever homes for sale in Birdland Pleasanton CA, it’s important to determine exactly how your credit score affects your home-buying capacity. 

The entire process of buying a home begins long before you start the home search. It’s a long road towards finally moving in and setting foot inside your own home and one of the first steps to take is figuring out your finances.

Mortgage lenders usually require a FICO score of 720 or higher. Some lenders want a 740 score but for those with scores below 700, you may still qualify for an FHA loan. 

Keep in mind that the lower your credit score is, the higher the interest rates you’ll get when applying for a loan. This is mainly the reason why real estate agents suggest buyers to get pre-approved for a loan first before buying a home. This way they can determine exactly how much they can afford when they buy a home.

Whether you’ve got a good credit score and you’re looking to keep it that way or you need a major overhaul on your finances, here are some ways to help you improve your credit score before you buy a home for sale in Birdland Pleasanton CA:

Review your credit report. 

Get your hands on a copy of your latest and most updated credit report. Under the FACT Act, you’re entitled to one free report once a year from each of the three credit bureaus. All you have to do is go to the Annual Credit Report website to request for a copy. Make sure to review your report for any errors or inaccuracies, keeping in mind that event the tiniest misplaced decimal point can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. 

Pay down or pay off any credit card debt.

Compared to auto loans or student loans, credit card debt weighs your credit score down significantly. Aim to keep your credit card debt at no more than 20% or 30% of your total available credit limit to help boost your credit score. Pay off the ones with the highest interest rates and late payment fees first.

Lose all debt, don’t just move it around.

Some people who have huge credit card debt take another credit card and use the available credit there to pay off their other card, therefore incurring additional, and possibly higher, debt on the new one. Some banks let clients shift their balances between cards but there are huge fees involved. So instead of acquiring additional debt, pay off the one on the card you already have to help boost your credit score before you buy a house for sale in Birdland Pleasanton.

Pay your bills on time all the time. 

This goes without saying but paying your bills on time is the best way for you to boost your credit score. Never miss any payment and try to pay more than the minimum fee required.

Buying a home can be a pleasant experience. By simply following these Realtor® secrets to boosting your credit score before buying a home, you’ll soon find yourself living in your dream home with a mortgage you can actually afford. Get more helpful advice on buying and selling homes when you visit http://RhondaFee.com.

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!

Top 3 Questions to Answer Before Buying a Shadow Cliff Pleasanton Home

Top 3 Questions to Answer Before Buying a Shadow Cliff Pleasanton Home

Congratulations for deciding to buy a home for sale in the Shadow Cliff neighborhood in Pleasanton! Buying your very own home is a thrilling and challenging experience, especially for first-time homebuyers. It can seem like such a difficult task to accomplish, with so much paperwork and research to be done. For this reason, find the top 3 question you should ask yourself before buying a new home for sale. 

Why are you buying a home?

Are you buying a starter home? How does buying a home fit into your long-term plans? Are you relocating because of work? Are you going to stay in the home for a long time? Knowing the answer to these question can help you make better buying decisions when it comes to your new home. Pondering these questions will help you determine what kind of home for sale in Shadow Cliff Pleasanton fits you and your family’s needs, whether it be a single story home, a townhouse or a condo for example. Each residential property has pros and cons to consider to help make an informed decision.

How much home can you afford?

Before stepping into the real estate market, first-time home buyers should take a long hard look at their finances and make sure that they have everything in order. Boost your credit score, if possible, and don’t make any unnecessary large purchases just before you buy a home. 

Calculate your monthly expenses and check to see how a mortgage payment fits into it. Apart from the down payment for a Shadow Cliff home for sale in Pleasanton, you also need to take into account the closing costs, insurance premium, home inspection fees, homeowner’s association dues (if applicable), property taxes, and more. Make sure to get a pre-approval from a lender before house hunting so you can maximize your home search time by looking at Shadow Cliff Pleasanton homes that fit into your budget.

Who will help you find a home? 

One of the most important factors that a home buyer should consider is choosing their real estate agent. Working with a trusted and experienced local Realtor® will help you locate the Shadow Cliff Pleasanton home for sale that fits your needs and comes with a price tag you can afford. 

This professional will help you from the very beginning of the home buying process, the home search, touring open houses, negotiating the price, getting a loan, making an offer, making sure you’ve completing all necessary paperwork. 

They will also provide you a comprehensive free market analysis of the Pleasanton CA homes of your choosing so you can make better decisions on which house to buy and how much to pay for it.

The more you educate yourself about the entire home buying process, the better your chances are of finding the home that fits your needs. By following these simple tips, you’ll surely find that purchasing a home is not as stressful and nerve-wracking as you may have imagined. Get the home you want at a price you can afford with the help of a top real estate agent in Pleasanton CA. Find even more home buying tips and check out homes for sale by visiting http://RhondaFee.com.

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!