Treating Yourself to a Home Spa

/

These days, with the stress of pandemics and wildfires and uncertain markets bearing down, we could all use an escape from the world outside to focus on self care. A home spa is one way to bring more peace and tranquility to your life, and we have some tips for doing it right.

CHIC (Pearl)

First thing’s first: You need the right tub — something you can crawl into for a deep soak at the end of a long day. While you’re in there, light up some eucalyptus-scented essential oil candles to put you in the mood to chill. And be sure to have a stack of fluffy Turkish white bath towels handy. As for decorations, keep it clean and keep it simple, adding plants or fresh flowers for pops of color.

GEEK (Kevin)

If shutting out the world is your thing, I recommend ceiling lights with dimmers and “blackout” blinds for the windows. When I’m relaxing, I don’t want to know if it’s day or night. Working from the ground up on design, I’m a big fan of heated tiles and a wraparound steam shower. And because I’m usually exhausted by the time I hop into the shower, a wooden sitting chair is a must.

Don’t Assume Too Much

/

Did you know a buyer can assume the balance on a seller’s home mortgage loan at their current interest rate? Well, if it sounds too good to be true, it might not be. We’re here to sort out the pros and cons.

CHIC (Pearl)

The most obvious benefit to the buyer would be assuming a mortgage with a lower interest rate than what they could expect to get with their credit history. It’s a good concept for the times we live in, when the added costs of buying a home can be overwhelming for many people. The program is limited to loans from the Federal Housing Administration or VA, and the buyer must be ready and willing to throw in a down payment determined by the total cost of the home. You’ll also need an amenable loan servicer, or the whole plan might fall through.

GEEK (Kevin)

Even if a buyer can swing it, they can only assume the current loan balance to get the lower interest rate. If the purchase price ends up higher than the loan balance, the buyer will need to take out a second loan to make up the difference — or come up with the cash. Either way, the numbers don’t add up, especially when we’re talking about deltas of hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s why it’s difficult to impossible to find a loan servicer willing to accept a lower interest rate than they could get from a brand new loan to the buyer.

Catch a buzz!

/

In honor of National Coffee Day today and International Coffee Day on Sunday, we’ll send you a bag of the Geek’s home-engineered coffee beans when you refer your friends or family to us. Just another way we treat clients like family!

And if you’re one of the two thirds of Americans who drink coffee daily, you’ll probably be hunting for a free cup of java in honor of National Coffee Day. USA Today has the lowdown on where to go, and which countries drink the most coffee around the world.

Hello, Fall.

/

The cool, crisp autumn wind has arrived, the leaves are turning, and everything from chai lattes to pork rinds seems to have a pumpkin spice variation. What do you look forward to about Fall?

CHIC (Pearl)

There’s a day every September when the Bay Area dress code shifts from summer dresses to cozy sweaters, and we got there a little earlier than expected this year. But you won’t find me complaining. I love waking up to morning frost and a warm cup of coffee while I snuggle in a blanket and catch up on email. It definitely beats waking up in a cold sweat when it’s 72°F before sunrise.

GEEK (Kevin)

For DIY home improvement types – like yours truly – this is prime time for cleaning, inspections, repairs, and other annual upkeep that you’ve been putting off all Summer while you played golf and sat by the pool working on your non-existent tan. It’s especially important to check your heating system now before things get really chilly, when repairs cost more and take longer.