Chic vs. Geek: Buying Brand New

When you purchase a newly constructed single family home, there are a few important details that you need to navigate, including these contract specifications…

CHIC (Pearl)

Everything from the fit and finish of cabinets and mirrors to flooring, interior and exterior walls, countertops, paint finishes and trim can fall under a seller warranty against defective materials and/or workmanship, provided the seller receives notice within one year of the date of occupancy. The buyer can always waive this coverage for anything they’ve already had inspected.

GEEK (Kevin)

To make sure the seller follows through, there’s also a seller completion obligation, under which the seller agrees to provide all labor and materials to make necessary improvements and file all the applicable paperwork with local authorities. But supply shortages, labor disputes, buyer inaction, and other unforeseeable circumstances can cause delays.

Friday Gratitude: Veterans' Day

Today, and every day, we salute those who have bravely served our country in the armed forces.

Number Talk: Santa Clara County Snapshot

The latest numbers are in for September, and recent trends are holding steady. Inventory is down for both houses and condos in Santa Clara County, but properties are spending longer on the market. Meanwhile, median sales prices continue to be up year-over-year, which means sellers who are willing to be patient can still expect a good offer.

Chic vs. Geek: Ready for rain?

You may have noticed some strange water droplets falling from the sky this week. It’s called rain, and we haven’t had enough of it lately. Is your house prepared? Here’s what you can do!

CHIC (Pearl)

Make sure to check the house for leaks after every rain, especially in those nooks and crannies you rarely visit. You never know when a minor issue could turn into a massive headache, and you don’t want to be caught bailing out a closet when the next heavy storm comes calling.

GEEK (Kevin)

It’s not glamorous, but clearing your gutters now before the real rainy season hits will save you a major pain digging through the muck of wet leaves and debris. And definitely don’t trust those fancy filters you see on TV. If a solution seems too easy, that’s because it probably is. Do it yourself!

Weekend Gratitude: SOLD EARLY!

We were grateful to close a recent home sale before the open house, especially in an environment where many homes are spending a longer time on the market. It only took two days to find a perfect buyer for our sellers, and we ended up getting them a preemptive bid that was $100K over their asking price!