With over 90% of home buyers searching online for a new home your home must make a great first impression. The first impression is a lasting impression!  In a buyers market sellers compete with sellers.  If buyers are not impressed what they see online they will move on to the next listing. Ready, Set, Stage! works with you and your Realtor to put your home on the “must see” list for today’s home buyers. We offer a marketing plan and photos to assist with the sale of your home.

Fabulous single-story home, lovingly maintained by original owners. Open & spacious great room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen with breakfast bar, & plenty of storage…this 1565 square foot home has it all. Three bedrooms and two baths: spacious  master with vaulted ceiling and two additional bedrooms. The yard is Sunset Magazine material! A definite must see! Large private yards, gorgeous flowers, established fruit trees (sweetest myer lemons you’ve ever tasted!), serene koi pond & waterfall, covered & uncovered patios…spectacular! NEWER A/C, tile roof, appliances. Recently painted interior/exterior.

More pictures below -

This also means the first-time California buyer state tax credit is quickly running out. Over 15,000 buyers have applied for the state tax credit, which is now 80 percent claimed. If you’re thinking of buying a home, be sure to act quickly enough to take advantage of this great tax credit worth up to $10,000. Interest rates have also remained below 5 percent for the past six weeks, making it a great market for both buyers and sellers. It’s a great time for real estate in Sacramento!

LIGHT, BRIGHT, OPEN…SPECTACULAR! 2 master bedroom suites plus one additional bedroom and guest bath. Kitchen has an abundance of cabinet space, upgraded corian countertops and breakfast nook. Family room, dining room, laundry room, 2-car garage…all tucked away in a private cul-de-sac location. Patio & yard are large enough to entertain, but small enough to maintain…just enough gardening to satisfy your green thumb. HOA maintains front yard in this gated senior community.

MISTAKE NO. 1: Choosing a real estate agent who is not committed to forming a strong business relationship with you.

HOW TO AVOID IT: Making a connection with the right real estate agent is crucial. Choose a professional who is dedicated to serving your needs – before, during and after the sale.

MISTAKE NO. 2: Making an offer on a home without being pre-qualified.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Pre-qualification will make your life easier—take the time to talk with bank or mortgage representatives. Their specific questions with regard to income, debt and other factors will help you determine the price range that you can afford. It is one of the most important steps on the path to home ownership. Need a recommendation? We have a great list of preferred lenders in our business directory.

MISTAKE NO. 3: Not knowing the total costs involved.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Early in the buying process, ask your real estate agent or mortgage representative for an estimate of closing costs. Title insurance and lawyer fees should be considered. Pre-pay responsibilities such as homeowner’s association fees and insurance must also be taken into account. Remember to examine your settlement statement prior to closing.

MISTAKE NO. 4: Limiting your search to open houses, ads or the Internet.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Many homes listed in magazines or on the Internet have already been sold. Your best course of action is to contact a real estate agent. We have up-to-date information that is unavailable to the general public, and are the best resource to help you find the home you want.

MISTAKE NO. 5: Thinking that there is only one perfect home out there.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Buying a home is a process of elimination, not selection. New properties arrive on the market daily, so be open to all possibilities. Ask your real estate agent for a comparative market analysis. This compares similar homes that have recently sold or are still for sale.

MISTAKE NO. 6: Not considering long-term needs.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: It is important to think ahead. Will your home suit your needs 3–5 years from now? How about in 5–10 years?

MISTAKE NO. 7: Not following through on due diligence.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Make a list of any concerns you have relating to issues such as crime rates, schools, power lines, neighbors, environmental conditions, etc. Ask the important questions before you make an offer on a home. Check the Megan’s Law website. Be diligent so that you can have confidence in your purchase.

MISTAKE NO. 8: Not having a home inspection.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Trying to save money today can end up costing you tomorrow. A qualified home inspector will detect issues that many buyers can overlook.

MISTAKE NO. 9: Not examining insurance issues.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Purchase adequate insurance. Advice from an insurance agent can provide you with answers to any concerns you may have.

MISTAKE NO. 10: Not purchasing a home protection plan.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: This is essentially a mini insurance policy that usually lasts one year from the date of sale. It usually covers basic repairs you may encounter and can be purchased for a nominal fee. Talk to your agent to help you find the protection plan you need. There have been many, many instances where these plans have paid off big time for my clients.

The Bottom Line: Be diligent in covering all of your bases and work with a professional who will make sure every “i” is dotted and “t” is crossed. Fortunately for you, you know someone who’s great at that

Good news for the luxury home market! “Amenity-laden properties at the top of the market continue to command just as lofty prices” according to a Forbes article this week. 

“Two of last year’s homes [from their most expensive home list] have been sold–no small feat in a down economy. But neither commanded anything near their sky-high asking prices. The massive Bel Air mansion Le Belvedere, which went on the market in early 2009, was quickly reduced from $85 million to $72 million. The discount worked: It is currently in the escrow stage of a sale for an undisclosed price.”

While most of us are not looking to buy or sell triple-digit million dollar homes, luxury homes are beginning to sell again in our area too. As a member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, I posses the skills and experience necessary to sell your luxury home or help you buy the home of your dreams.

At the very least, it is always fun to look at the fanciest home in America

This graph shows homes for sale, sold and pending in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado Counties from October 2009 to March 2010. It tells us a few things:

-Winter was slow! Home sales in January and February were down.

-Inventory is up! This is great for buyers who can take advantage of the large inventory.

-The Spring is here! Pending home sales are way up (yes, homes are selling!) as are sold homes.

All signs are pointing to an ending of the cold real estate winter. Bring on the Spring!

The graph to the right shows the average price at which homes were listed and the price at which they actually sold. Again, it is a combined average for Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado Counties.

While the listing price for homes is decreasing, the average price at which they are being sold is staying stable. It seems people are starting to realize pricing your home to sell reduces the time it sits on the market. Even as the inventory is increasing, prices are staying stable. This is a good sign for sellers!

Let’s agree to leave the harsh winter in the past and embrace the warmth of the coming Spring. It still may be a good year for real estate after all :)

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Make the most of your home’s appearance without breaking the bank. You can add value and appeal to your home with just a few simple ideas. While repainting your whole house may be out of the question, painting the door and retouching the trim can give your entire house a face lift.

You don’t have to go crazy with landscaping to add appeal to your yard. Simply cut back overgrown shrubs and bushes and remove old patio furniture. De-cluttering and cleaning the yard can make a big difference.It is also a good idea to thoroughly clean patios and walkways of dirt and debris. Renting a power washer from your local hardware store or using a diluted bleach solution and a scrub brush  can make your patio and walkways look refreshed. Go a little further and plant a few colorful flowers to add value and appeal to your home without spending a lot of money.

Missed a day? Look back on all the great, money-saving ideas to give your house a face lift you can afford!

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL