Chic vs. Geek: Selling Up

Is it better to do a renovation or a full remodel?

CHIC (PEARL)

You’d be surprised how much you can change the look, feel, and value of a home with a “simple” makeover. Fresh paint in the foyer, a new backsplash in the kitchen, and a new wood stain on your cabinets will help you get a big return on your investment.

GEEK (KEVIN)

When it comes to home improvement, I’d almost always take the cheaper option. But depending on the existing bones, a new floor plan and a more open concept could increase the value of the home by leaps and bounds over a new paint job.

Living in Silicon Valley

What can you expect, the good, the bad, and the offbeat?

CHIC SAYS:

My favorite part of Silicon Valley is diversity! As someone who came here from a foreign country, it’s comforting to know that there are so many others in the same boat – but not literally! ;) Diversity also means amazing food and holiday affairs. There are many authentic foods festivals all year round, including Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, German, French, Italian, Russian... you get the idea. Here’s Metro’s list of some of the best Silicon Valley restaurants of 2019.

Among the things I’m not so fond of, the cost of living is number one. It is by far the most expensive place to live in the U.S., and goods and services are about 30% more expensive than the national average. That’s not to mention a median home price of about $1M.

And for the offbeat, I think of Silicon Valley fashion – company logo hoodies and t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers for both men and women. I’m not sure if this is a long-term trend, but it’s a little too casual for my taste.

GEEK SAYS:

Yes, Silicon Valley has a higher cost of living than just about anywhere else on the planet, but that also comes with more high paying jobs in engineering, high-tech, and emerging industries. It comes with sunshine and great weather all year. And it comes with good people, excellent schools, and a spirit of innovation.

As a wine lover and self-professed camping expert (I have every piece of gear you can imagine) I love how close we are to Wine Country AND the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe. Oh, I forgot about the beaches, just a short drive “over the hill”.

Just like everyone else, I get frustrated by a lack of public transportation, traffic nightmares, and long commutes. And the growing housing shortage is something that affects us all. There’s not much you and me can do about it until the folks in charge make some changes. But that’s another story altogether.

Chic vs. Geek: Second Homes

Typically, a second home is used as a vacation home, though it could also be a property in a place that you visit on a regular basis, like a condo in a city where you frequently travel for business. The rest of the year, it could be leased out to generate additional income.

Chic (Pearl)

Second homes, especially vacation homes generally retain or appreciate in value simply because they are located in popular areas with limited housing supply. They have potential for creating personal enjoyment as well as income. And they can also provide convenience and comfort. Whether your goal in buying a second home is recreation, vacation, investment, development, or retirement planning, it’s important to understand local taxes and laws so you know the financial implications. Here’s a good resource.

Geek (Kevin)

The idea of a head start on retirement and access to a vacation home is very tempting. But the inherent inflexibility of visiting the same property over and over makes me think twice. A second home makes sense if you found a place you love that’s like a second home, where you and your family want to be for long periods of time. Personally, I like to keep my travel options open. As usual though, Pearl’s right: If you’re looking into a second home, you might be able to collect a little rent, but you should double-check the local laws.

Chic vs. Geek: Open Concept Homes

Chic (Pearl)

Open concepts create spaces that are great for entertaining or just hanging out with the family. By choosing a plan that combines spaces for cooking, living, and dining, an open concept can help a family feel together even though each person may be spread out doing their own thing. Here are some interior decoration ideas for open concept homes.

Geek (Kevin)

This trend is absolutely not for everyone. You have to ask yourself: 1. Are you the clean and tidy type with nothing to hide from visitors? 2. Are you a private person who needs quiet spaces to think and work? 3. Are you big on entertaining and need a lot of open space? 4. Are you energy-conscious and environmentally friendly?

Chic vs. Geek: Why is the floor plan so important?

Chic (Pearl)

For sellers, floor plans play an increasingly large role in the process. It helps the buyer put a sense of size to what they see in the photos, especially when it comes to the context of the home in the overall layout of the property. You can use a floor plan to tell the story of your property before the open house.

Geek (Kevin)

As Pearl noted, a good floor plan can help buyers understand the layout and flow of the house at a single glance. When you’re looking at the floor plan of a home you’re considering, here are some things to keep in mind: How many windows are there? Which way do the doors swing? Does the floor plan include dimensions?