Monday, June 22, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
For Sale - 11 Ramona Way in Tracy, CA
- Original Owner
- Quiet Cul de Sac
- Largest lot in Cabrillo Park - room for expansion
- 1400 sf single story home
- Open Concept Kitchen/Family Room
- JennAir with grill/griddle
- Fireplace never used
- Hardwood flooring throughout
- Dual Pane windows
- Updated Heating/Air Conditioning piping
- Covered Patio
- Low Maintenance Back Yard
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Home Decor that Inspires Amore
Source: Zillow.com
Whether you celebrate with a night on the town or a cozy home-cooked dinner, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time of year to add a little ooh la la to your home. After all, it’s still cold out and getting dark early, so your rooms should look inviting to you and to any guests you may invite in.
Clearing the clutter and adding a few flowers are a given, but you can take it a step further with romantic touches throughout your home.
Wall Treatments
The wall treatment you choose can enhance your design choices in a way that no other single element can. Before you begin, think about the basics of the room — the quality of the light, the room’s proportions, any architectural features you want to emphasize or downplay, and the furniture and fabrics you plan to use.
Color, texture and trim all play a role in how your wall treatment works. Consider how you can use a range of surfaces, such as wallpaper or fabric panels, and hues via paint or plaster, to create depth, interest and charm in your space.
Finally, before deciding on any wall choice, factor in how it will look and work in conjunction with how the room is used. Soft shades in any hue will create romantic flow throughout your home.
Lighting
How a room is lit affects the overall impression of the space. The ideal lighting scheme is natural light supplemented with ambient, task and accent lighting.
The combination of lighting and sunlight can completely change the feeling of a home. A balanced mix of the two sustains the warmth of a room while allowing you to create different moods. The right lighting can add drama and elegance.
Put every light you can on a dimmer to control the mood of your space. If you’re feeling extra romantic, add a crystal chandelier for a shimmering effect.
Furniture
Take your time when shopping for furniture. It’s usually a large purchase, and one you will probably have for a considerable length of time.
If you are feeling challenged in your furniture quest, don’t hesitate to contact a design professional to assist your search. Learn what appeals to you personally. And don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles — that is what reflects your personal style and adds some romance, too.
A room with a blend of pieces that appeals to you is inherently more interesting than one that resembles a furniture showroom. But no matter what you choose, it’s important to find pieces that are comfortable, of good quality and will last.
Spa and steam
Since master bathrooms are often the largest bathrooms in the house, lots of options are available. Your master bath might include a walk-in closet or dressing area, a separate shower and a tub, plus a water closet. It might even sport enough space for exercise equipment, a sauna, spa or soaking tub and steam shower.
Master baths are places where you can splurge on materials and finishes. Because they don’t get as much wear and tear as family bathrooms, you can opt for features that require a little extra care. No matter which choices you make, the result should be both soothing and functional.
Fireplaces
The key to a successful family room design is keeping comfort in mind — and nothing warms a room physically and mentally more than a fireplace. This is the space where you and your significant other settle in to read, play games, watch movies and unwind at the end of the day.
The fireplace — whether indoors or out — is a gathering place that embraces family and friends while exuding a relaxed style. So strike a match or flip the switch to let the ambiance begin.
What romantic additions have you made to your own space?
Whether you celebrate with a night on the town or a cozy home-cooked dinner, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time of year to add a little ooh la la to your home. After all, it’s still cold out and getting dark early, so your rooms should look inviting to you and to any guests you may invite in.
Clearing the clutter and adding a few flowers are a given, but you can take it a step further with romantic touches throughout your home.
The wall treatment you choose can enhance your design choices in a way that no other single element can. Before you begin, think about the basics of the room — the quality of the light, the room’s proportions, any architectural features you want to emphasize or downplay, and the furniture and fabrics you plan to use.
Color, texture and trim all play a role in how your wall treatment works. Consider how you can use a range of surfaces, such as wallpaper or fabric panels, and hues via paint or plaster, to create depth, interest and charm in your space.
Finally, before deciding on any wall choice, factor in how it will look and work in conjunction with how the room is used. Soft shades in any hue will create romantic flow throughout your home.
How a room is lit affects the overall impression of the space. The ideal lighting scheme is natural light supplemented with ambient, task and accent lighting.
The combination of lighting and sunlight can completely change the feeling of a home. A balanced mix of the two sustains the warmth of a room while allowing you to create different moods. The right lighting can add drama and elegance.
Put every light you can on a dimmer to control the mood of your space. If you’re feeling extra romantic, add a crystal chandelier for a shimmering effect.
Take your time when shopping for furniture. It’s usually a large purchase, and one you will probably have for a considerable length of time.
If you are feeling challenged in your furniture quest, don’t hesitate to contact a design professional to assist your search. Learn what appeals to you personally. And don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles — that is what reflects your personal style and adds some romance, too.
A room with a blend of pieces that appeals to you is inherently more interesting than one that resembles a furniture showroom. But no matter what you choose, it’s important to find pieces that are comfortable, of good quality and will last.
Spa and steam
Since master bathrooms are often the largest bathrooms in the house, lots of options are available. Your master bath might include a walk-in closet or dressing area, a separate shower and a tub, plus a water closet. It might even sport enough space for exercise equipment, a sauna, spa or soaking tub and steam shower.
Master baths are places where you can splurge on materials and finishes. Because they don’t get as much wear and tear as family bathrooms, you can opt for features that require a little extra care. No matter which choices you make, the result should be both soothing and functional.
The key to a successful family room design is keeping comfort in mind — and nothing warms a room physically and mentally more than a fireplace. This is the space where you and your significant other settle in to read, play games, watch movies and unwind at the end of the day.
The fireplace — whether indoors or out — is a gathering place that embraces family and friends while exuding a relaxed style. So strike a match or flip the switch to let the ambiance begin.
What romantic additions have you made to your own space?
Thursday, April 17, 2014
10 Quick And Budget-Friendly Projects To Remake Your Space This Spring
Source:
trulia.com ~ Author: Michael Corbett
Most of the country is digging out from underneath snow and ice brought on by the tail end of winter, but no matter what climate you live in, your thoughts are likely turning to Spring! The first tastes of warmer weather also brings thoughts of spring cleaning and freshening up your home.
If you don’t have the time or money to do a lot of significant upgrades, but you want to give your home a fast and inexpensive face lift, here are 10 things you can do in one day or one weekend for under $200 dollars!
Save it, Sell It, Chuck it! This is my first step to give a home fast face lift. Decluttering is free and will only cost you time. Taking a close, hard look at what needs to really be in a room and what can go will change the entire look of a space. Less “stuff” will open up your existing space and give a “lift” faster than you can say “yard sale!” Yes, you might even MAKE money if any items you discard have resale value!
Tackle The Closets Fling open the doors to those stuffed clothes closets – and get organized. Start by getting rid of your mis-matched hangers. Stop by a place like Bed, Bath & Beyond or Home Goods and buy 100 matching hangers for cheap. They’ll look nicer and save you space, and you will be able to toss old unwanted fashions as your rehang each item. An inexpensive way to breathe new life into your closet and wardrobe.
Paint It Over An accent color wall or an interior room repaint will liven up a home. With little money and just a day or a weekend, your house can have new a new look and a new life. Be adventurous – it is the easiest renovation to “do-over” if you don’t like it!
Deep Clean Those Carpets If you have wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs spread throughout your home, rent a carpet cleaner and give those carpets a deep clean. You can rent these at most local grocery or hardware stores. I invested the money up front and bought a good carpet shampooer for about $200, and I use it once a month – it is shocking how much extra dirt that machine pulls up each time. And if you have pets …this is one spring facelift you can’t live without!
Throw In Some Color Throw pillows are no brainers when it comes to creating a fresh new look on the cheap. Bring your living with you into the new season by throwing in some bright colors, and put the old pillows away for later. Store your other pillows away, and then swap them out whenever there is a change of season.
A Hotel Right in Your Own Home I’ll let you in on a luxury hotel secret: they dress their beds with white sheets, white pillow cases and crisp white duvet covers. It’s a standard for a reason – it’s fresh and light, and looks very high-end. You might cringe at the thought of how dirty all white can get, but it’s actually much easier to clean – throw it all in the wash with your other whites and some bleach and your are ready for a mini ‘five-star’ vacation in your own home.
Turn Down the Heat During this past season of wild temperature swings, your thermostat has been one of the most utilized devices in you home. It is time to give it a lift and an upgrade at the same time. The new breed of “smart” thermostats are fantastic. Venstar and Nest are two I love. They are easily programmable from both the control panel and directly from your mobile device too. Bonus – they look stylish and they save you money, too!
A Brand New Faucet Something new, shiny and functional will reinvigorate a tired kitchen counter! And it will add in some functionality as well. Those great goose neck or sprayers look fantastic and will cost you under $200.
Front Entrance Makeover A new bright color for the front door in a high gloss paint, a shiny kick-plate, new house numbers, new doormat – it will all make a big impression on the outside!
Outdoor Pop What spring face lift would be complete without some new spring flowers? Freshen up your curb appeal by planting pops of color and seasonally appropriate flowers that will look great for months to come.
Outdoor Pop What spring face lift would be complete without some new spring flowers? Freshen up your curb appeal by planting pops of color and seasonally appropriate flowers that will look great for months to come.
If you don’t have the time or money to do a lot of significant upgrades, but you want to give your home a fast and inexpensive face lift, here are 10 things you can do in one day or one weekend for under $200 dollars!
Save it, Sell It, Chuck it! This is my first step to give a home fast face lift. Decluttering is free and will only cost you time. Taking a close, hard look at what needs to really be in a room and what can go will change the entire look of a space. Less “stuff” will open up your existing space and give a “lift” faster than you can say “yard sale!” Yes, you might even MAKE money if any items you discard have resale value!
Tackle The Closets Fling open the doors to those stuffed clothes closets – and get organized. Start by getting rid of your mis-matched hangers. Stop by a place like Bed, Bath & Beyond or Home Goods and buy 100 matching hangers for cheap. They’ll look nicer and save you space, and you will be able to toss old unwanted fashions as your rehang each item. An inexpensive way to breathe new life into your closet and wardrobe.
Paint It Over An accent color wall or an interior room repaint will liven up a home. With little money and just a day or a weekend, your house can have new a new look and a new life. Be adventurous – it is the easiest renovation to “do-over” if you don’t like it!
Deep Clean Those Carpets If you have wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs spread throughout your home, rent a carpet cleaner and give those carpets a deep clean. You can rent these at most local grocery or hardware stores. I invested the money up front and bought a good carpet shampooer for about $200, and I use it once a month – it is shocking how much extra dirt that machine pulls up each time. And if you have pets …this is one spring facelift you can’t live without!
Throw In Some Color Throw pillows are no brainers when it comes to creating a fresh new look on the cheap. Bring your living with you into the new season by throwing in some bright colors, and put the old pillows away for later. Store your other pillows away, and then swap them out whenever there is a change of season.
A Hotel Right in Your Own Home I’ll let you in on a luxury hotel secret: they dress their beds with white sheets, white pillow cases and crisp white duvet covers. It’s a standard for a reason – it’s fresh and light, and looks very high-end. You might cringe at the thought of how dirty all white can get, but it’s actually much easier to clean – throw it all in the wash with your other whites and some bleach and your are ready for a mini ‘five-star’ vacation in your own home.
Turn Down the Heat During this past season of wild temperature swings, your thermostat has been one of the most utilized devices in you home. It is time to give it a lift and an upgrade at the same time. The new breed of “smart” thermostats are fantastic. Venstar and Nest are two I love. They are easily programmable from both the control panel and directly from your mobile device too. Bonus – they look stylish and they save you money, too!
A Brand New Faucet Something new, shiny and functional will reinvigorate a tired kitchen counter! And it will add in some functionality as well. Those great goose neck or sprayers look fantastic and will cost you under $200.
Front Entrance Makeover A new bright color for the front door in a high gloss paint, a shiny kick-plate, new house numbers, new doormat – it will all make a big impression on the outside!
Outdoor Pop What spring face lift would be complete without some new spring flowers? Freshen up your curb appeal by planting pops of color and seasonally appropriate flowers that will look great for months to come.
Outdoor Pop What spring face lift would be complete without some new spring flowers? Freshen up your curb appeal by planting pops of color and seasonally appropriate flowers that will look great for months to come.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
6 Seller Secrets For This Spring's Real Estate Market
Source: Forbes.com
Each year, it seems the housing market takes on a different tone – and whether it’s going to be a sellers’ market with inflated prices and bidding wars, or a buyers’ market with tons of choices and low prices – there’s no denying that the 2014 spring housing season is upon us. So what does it have in store? Well, if you’re thinking of listing your home, that’s an important question.
Here are 6 market insights that will give you a head start!
Right Now = A Great Time To Sell
The winter home selling season was crippled by the polar vortex, especially in the east and northeast, so there’s pent-up demand from buyers who’ve been waiting for better weather to brave the house hunt. Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, so buyers ARE poised to buy and ready to hit the streets.
Here are 6 market insights that will give you a head start!
Right Now = A Great Time To Sell
The winter home selling season was crippled by the polar vortex, especially in the east and northeast, so there’s pent-up demand from buyers who’ve been waiting for better weather to brave the house hunt. Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, so buyers ARE poised to buy and ready to hit the streets.
Know Your Numbers: 60%
Sixty percent of all homes in 2014 will be bought and sold from May to August. Putting your home on the market at the beginning of the selling season will help your chances of snagging a winning offer before buyers turn their attention back to school starting in September.
Price It Right
Many metros in the country have seen double-digit price increases in the past year. But this last quarter, prices started to slow nationally – and pricing is a critical component to getting your house sold. With this fluctuating market, you need to look at comps of similar homes in your area, and recentcy matters: make sure you’re looking back no more than 60 days. The sale price of homes that sold recently paints a much better picture of what to expect than the price of homes that sold six months ago (or of homes that have yet to sell).
Bidding Wars Aren’t Back (Phew!)
Bidding wars were common in the summer of 2013, but we’re hearing less about them right now. So don’t bank on fielding two or three offers at once. There is, however, a good chance that you’ll still get the one that will be a win/win for both you and the buyer.
It Pays To Be Ahead Of The Curve
Trying to get a jump on the competition? Right now we’re on the cusp of prime selling and buying season, and if you list soon, you’ll have less competition than you would if you put your house on the market in May or June, when more homes will flood the market. Since it’s still early, your home can have its ‘moment in the spotlight’ more than it will when inventory increases – and the buyers who are braving the cold to house shop are clearly motivated.
Make It Pop Off The Computer (Or Smartphone) Screen!
In this new mobile era, a huge percentage of buyers use smart phones (and Trulia’s top-rated apps) to start their home search online. And that percentage is expected to rise this year as more buyers take advantage of easy access to the wealth of information online. Get in on this trend by making sure your home pops on those computer screens. Great homes with mediocre quality photos will be quickly discarded and ultimately get less showings. Sellers should insist that their agent take the time to beef up their online listing so the quality of the home jumps off the screen and gets buyers’ attention.
Sixty percent of all homes in 2014 will be bought and sold from May to August. Putting your home on the market at the beginning of the selling season will help your chances of snagging a winning offer before buyers turn their attention back to school starting in September.
Price It Right
Many metros in the country have seen double-digit price increases in the past year. But this last quarter, prices started to slow nationally – and pricing is a critical component to getting your house sold. With this fluctuating market, you need to look at comps of similar homes in your area, and recentcy matters: make sure you’re looking back no more than 60 days. The sale price of homes that sold recently paints a much better picture of what to expect than the price of homes that sold six months ago (or of homes that have yet to sell).
Bidding Wars Aren’t Back (Phew!)
Bidding wars were common in the summer of 2013, but we’re hearing less about them right now. So don’t bank on fielding two or three offers at once. There is, however, a good chance that you’ll still get the one that will be a win/win for both you and the buyer.
It Pays To Be Ahead Of The Curve
Trying to get a jump on the competition? Right now we’re on the cusp of prime selling and buying season, and if you list soon, you’ll have less competition than you would if you put your house on the market in May or June, when more homes will flood the market. Since it’s still early, your home can have its ‘moment in the spotlight’ more than it will when inventory increases – and the buyers who are braving the cold to house shop are clearly motivated.
Make It Pop Off The Computer (Or Smartphone) Screen!
In this new mobile era, a huge percentage of buyers use smart phones (and Trulia’s top-rated apps) to start their home search online. And that percentage is expected to rise this year as more buyers take advantage of easy access to the wealth of information online. Get in on this trend by making sure your home pops on those computer screens. Great homes with mediocre quality photos will be quickly discarded and ultimately get less showings. Sellers should insist that their agent take the time to beef up their online listing so the quality of the home jumps off the screen and gets buyers’ attention.
Monday, March 10, 2014
9 Things To Ignore When House Hunting
Looking for a new home can be a challenge, especially when you walk into someone’s for-sale home and 20 years of their lives are on display. You have to really use your imagination to determine how you can that particular home ‘yours.’ Many people choose to remodel and stage their homes prior to putting it on the market, but then there are the vast majority of people who choose to sell their beloved home “as-is.”
While a turnkey home is ideal for people who want to move right in and make no changes, there are those “time warp” homes that are actually incredible gems that just need a little polishing.
As you step into each home on your house hunt, here are 9 things about a for-sale home that you should “try to ignore” as you search for your dream home.
An “Older” Home
Old isn’t always synonymous with bad. Some homes built decades ago have stood the test of time because they were built with solid, quality materials and have a classic style. Don’t always assume that new = nicer, either. Some newer homes are “affordable” because they were built cheaply. Remember that there are many simple fixes for dated homes, and the plus side of an older home is charm and character you can’t find in a brand new build.
Paint Colors
Ignore the existing paint choices and focus on the structure of the room, the placement of the windows, etc. Paint is an incredibly easy and a cheap fix in a home and something you can change in just a couple hours.
Wallpaper With Rosters And Chickens
While it may look like you are walking into a barnyard, remember that wallpaper is easily replaced or covered over. So no matter how designed challenged the walls seem to look – it’s an easy fix.
Kitchen Appliances And Accessories
The kitchen is the heart of the home and often, the appliances aren’t going to live up to your dreams. As long as you have room in your budget, or a timeline to replace the existing appliances, a seller’s yellow fridge shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Ugly Carpet
Flooring options are getting more and more diverse and there are now so many low-cost options that look exactly like their higher-priced counterparts. Don’t walk away from a great house just because you’re not a fan of what you’d be walking on.
Funky Smells
Except for a serious mold problem, there’s nothing a deep cleaning can’t fix. Plug your nose and focus on the home’s bones and the potential it has when you give it your own touch.
Curb Appeal
If you’re not saying “wow” when you first drive up, that’s ok. Close your eyes and envision a different colored front door and some new landscaping, and presto – it might just be your dream home!
Popcorn Ceilings
It’s great at the movies, but not at home. No worries! A ceiling specialist can come in and have it all that scrapped off. Just make sure you have it done before you move in – it is a messy job.
No Privacy
If the house feels too exposed and lacks privacy from next door – you can fix that. Remember “hedges make great neighbors.”
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