Chic vs. Geek: Buyer fatigue — or exhaustion?

Even the most patient people get worn down by the real estate market. How can homebuyers avoid burnout?

CHIC (PEARL)

First thing’s first: Know what you want and have a plan. If you don’t stick to a clear vision and price range, you’ll get stuck stressing over the details, and you might miss out on some great opportunities. And don’t get lost in a sea of listings. Pick your top targets and focus your energy on them.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Just like pro athletes, you have to dig deep and find that second and third wind to get to the end of your real estate journey. When it comes to keeping your eyes on the prize, it’s important to have a partner in the journey who you can trust — whether it’s your agent or your friend. We try to be both.

Property taxes are on the rise, so what can you do?

High housing turnover and sluggish government revenue during the pandemic is leading to spikes in property tax bills. California property owners who stay put are protected by Prop 13. But what about first-time homebuyers trying to make a purchase pencil out? Realtor.com has some suggestions.

Chic vs. Geek: Know Your Market

It seems like a seller’s paradise out there right now, but how can you be sure to get the price you want with a quick turnaround?

CHIC (PEARL)

With all these bidding wars ending in sales prices well above listing in Silicon Valley, it’s easy to think all you need to do is put your property on the market to get a big, quick sale. But it’s not that easy. First impressions are still important. So don’t skimp on the spruce. Give your home a facelift with a new paint job or other upgrade, and make sure to get the word out through a strong marketing campaign.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Price is just as important as looks. You may end up selling high, but you can’t necessarily start there. If you want to create a bidding war, go with a reasonable listing price and let the buyers take it from there. Oh, and don’t just take the highest offer. The terms of the deal can be just as lucrative, like cash up front, more time to stay in the house until you find a new home, or other perks.

Chic vs. Geek: Defensible Space

If you haven’t noticed, wildfires are becoming more of the norm than a random occurrence. So how can you create a barrier of protection around your home?

CHIC (PEARL)

CalFire uses the term “defensible space” to describe a buffer between buildings on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or other wild areas surrounding it. By creating a defensible space around your home, you can slow or stop the spread of wildfire and save your property from a tragic ending from embers, flames, or excessive heat. This space also provides firefighters a safe space to work while protecting your home. Learn more.

GEEK (KEVIN)

It’s important to keep your property lean and green to help protect your family and home, but “home hardening” is also essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. A few ideas: re-roof with materials such as composition, metal, clay or tile; install dual-paned windows with one pane of tempered glass to reduce the chance of breakage in a fire; or remodel your walls with ignition resistant building materials. Get more tips from CalFire.

Weekly Gratitude: SOLD in the Villages!

Do you remember the listing we told you about in the Villages community of Evergreen a couple weeks back? Yesterday, our client SOLD the property. There were multiple offers on the table, and we chose a cash offer with no contingencies and closing within 8 days.

As an added bonus, our seller spent less than $30K on upgrades to the house and got $80K more than they expected. We are so happy for them!

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