Cauldrons, Candelabras & Queso
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Throwing a Halloween house party? Make your dining room table the life — or death — of the party with these ideas for DIY decorations courtesy of the spooky folks at Good Housekeeping.
Chic vs. Geek: Something in the air?
/The atmospheric river brought much needed rain to the Bay Area, but rain also brings out unexpected and unwelcome guests. What are these things swarming outside my window?
CHIC (PEARL)
You may have noticed tiny insects buzzing all over town in the wake of the recent rains. As a real estate agent, I can tell you that it’s bad news. These are flying termites they thrive when it’s humid and wet. If you see a swarm like this near your home, it’s important to act quickly and take appropriate precautions. Please let us know if you’d like a referral to a good termite company.
GEEK (KEVIN)
Whether you’re a home buyer or seller, you absolutely, positively do not want a termite problem. So even if you don’t see a swarm like this outside, there's no reason to mess around. Do the due diligence, have the home inspected — and fumigated or treated as needed — and invest in proactive pest control for the future health of the home. Here’s some good guidance from the EPA.
Having a Healthy Halloween
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Are you all stocked up on Halloween treats for the best dressed kids in the neighborhood? Instead of dumping more sugar and carbs in their pumpkin buckets, have a look at these healthier candy options compiled by Parade. Trust us, their parents will thank you!
Chic vs. Geek: Active Listening
/Do real estate agents take into account feedback from prospective buyers they meet during open houses?
CHIC (PEARL)
The short answer: Absolutely! We had more than 160 people come through our latest open house each day over the weekend, and I talked to almost every one of them. What I heard was that the right light fixtures can make the house feel totally elevated. This house definitely has that vibe and more thanks to a series of unique skylights and recessed ceiling lights. And it only took a small investment from the total renovation budget to make a huge improvement that makes a great first impression.
GEEK (KEVIN)
What I learned was how much people love cooking on gas stoves. I can’t say that I blame them. But with many cities starting to ban natural gas appliances in new homes, the only way to get that new gas stove you saw on that cooking show is to renovate a home with existing gas service. So if you want to get your chef on, you should consider buying a newly remodeled home instead of starting from scratch. Or you could go green with an induction stove top. Either way, we’ll help guide you home.
Chic vs. Geek: HomeReady Mortgage
/Are you a first-time homebuyer without a lot of money for a down payment? Fannie Mae has a program that might work for you, but there are pros and cons...
CHIC (PEARL)
Fannie Mae’s HomeReady program can help you make a property pencil out with a low 3% down payment and additional flexibility to apply gifts, grants, and cash-on-hand to your down payment and closing costs. You also get the benefits of affordable and cancelable mortgage insurance — unlike FHA loans — and valuable homeownership education so you understand all of the factors at play. Check this quick start guide for more.
GEEK (KEVIN)
So what’s the downside? Well, you need a good credit score just to qualify for a HomeReady loan, and there are income restrictions that could leave you on that bubble of making too much to meet the limit but not enough to make the purchase work. And a lower down payment means additional financing and higher interest rates, which may not fit your monthly budget. Find out if you qualify using this simple map tool.
