There’s been a lot of hoopla surrounding the Royal Wedding this week, and the real estate community has joined in on the fun. Throughout the week, I received numerous emails and blog posts from colleagues around the globe who have creatively integrated the royal wedding into their businesses. Many have shared their childhood dreams of growing up to be a Princess (surprisingly, no one expressed dreams of becoming a Prince…I blame Disney for that!) or their adult dreams of working as the Royal Family’s Realtor!

One of my favorites was entitled “Will and Kate – Above the Clouds”

The author asked the question? “If Will and Kate ventured across the pond to buy a home, what might be the perfect match for them?”

The answer? Her listing of course, “Above the Clouds is an 18,000 square foot, 15 acre property located in Stowe, Vermont offering quiet elegance and local craftsmanship…and ample room for Kate’s hats, Will’s Ducati bike, new heirs and the Royal Protection Squad.” And according to the author, “The approximately £8.82 million price ($16 million) would hardly put a dent in the royal coffers.” I thought it was very clever…and since I don’t think that Will and Kate will actually venture across the pond, Above the Clouds is still available…give me a call if you’d like to purchase your very own castle!!! I’d love to help you :)

One of my least favorites expressed how stressful it would be to actually represent a Prince and Princess in a real estate transaction. How stressful it would be to try to find a suitable home, in a neighborhood that would meet their needs. The pressure to find the best inspectors and the best lenders (which the majority of Princes and Princesses probably wouldn’t even require), to cross every “t” and dot every “i” in the contract, disclosures and other paperwork…to make sure that everything went smoothly.

My response: WHAT?!? Isn’t that what Realtors are supposed to do for EACH OF THEIR CLIENTS…ALL OF THE TIME?  Isn’t that what “fiduciary duty,” means? Isn’t that what we owe our clients? Our absolute best. Isn’t that why we take so many continuing education classes and network with other professionals? Isn’t that why we got into this business in the first place? To help people with one of the biggest purchases of a lifetime…to help make their fairy tale dreams come true! I can honestly say that I give each of my clients my very best…whether they’re purchasing (or selling) a castle or a condo, I treat them like Princes and Princesses!  So I guess I can safely market myself as the Realtor who represents Princes and Princesses!

And on that note…drum roll please…I wanted to let you know that I’m working with a REAL, LIVE Princess right now! One of the fairest in the land!!! My oldest daughter is buying her first home…and I’m fortunate enough to be working with her and her future Prince! Their royal wedding will be taking place in September…stay tuned!

You may have heard about the recent transaction which set a new record for the most expensive U.S. residential sale…Russian billionaire Yuri Milner (who heads Digital Sky Technologies) has reportedly paid $100 million for a 25,500-square-foot Los Altos Hills, California home which was not even listed for sale.  According to The Wall Street Journal  the sellers, Fred and Annie Chan took back a $50 million note on the home.  Wow, that was awefully nice of Fred and Annie…that’s quite a note!

This record-setting sale is just one indication that the wealthy have opened their wallets and are shopping for homes again.  The million dollar and above housing market rose 4% in February year-over-year as luxury buyers snapped up homes, often for all cash. Earlier this month a Palm Beach, Florida home sold and closed for a reported $24.6 million and I personally was involved in a $1.5 million transaction right here in Northern California.  Why the rise in luxury sales?  According to Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing of which I am a graduate, “The number of wealthy U.S. households is almost back to where it was before the downturn.  Add the fact that many affluent pulled money out of investments and have been waiting in the wings with cash in hand while deciding where to invest.  Residential real estate is now attracting many of these dollars.”  Moore-Moore goes on to say, “This bodes well for the luxury home market in the short term.  Luxury may well be the real estate segment that leads the recovery.”

The jump in luxury purchases is counter to the real estate resale trend in general, however.  In February, total residential sales dropped 2.8% as compared to February a year ago.   But even that market…the one in which most of us live, is alive and well in our neck of the woods. I put two in escrow today…one under $200K in Fair Oaks, CA and the other just under $400K in Folsom, CA. And I’m getting ready to close a townhome that was scooped up by a saavy buyer as an investment. Bottom line…regardless of your price range, I can help and I’m looking forward to working with you. I truly do love my job…and no, this is not an April Fools’ Day joke!!! I’m absolutely serious

One of my favorite books of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird.  Harper Lee’s ability to communicate timeless truths and insights is a testimony to her genius as an author.  At one point, the father, Atticus, tells his daughter, Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view–until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Well, I spent a week walking around in my sister’s skin.  If she was still alive, she would have been the one responsible for preparing her home for sale, but in her absence, that was a responsibility I happily assumed…she would have done the same for me!

I worked from sunrise to well past sunset for 5 full days. A couple of days, I didn’t even find time for a shower and literally spent a couple of full days in my pajamas…there simply was no reason (or time) to primp! I slept very little, ate very little, worked a lot, sweat a lot, and admittedly shed a tear or two! I thinned their belongings, purchased boxes and packaging materials, packed what they wouldn’t need for a few months, organized closets and cabinets, arranged to have the carpets cleaned, the windows washed (inside and out), the entire house “deep cleaned,” interior paint touched-up, light bulbs replaced, the pool serviced, the landscaping trimmed and in some areas replaced to enhance the curb appeal,  put together a punch-list of repair items for the contractor, arranged to have a pod delivered for storage, referred a Realtor, and hired a stager…and did my best to be sensitive to the emotional needs of my nieces and brother-in-law.

Several broken fingernails later, the 16’x8’x8’ pod had been filled w/all of the boxes and furniture that wouldn’t be staying in the home. The pod was hauled away, the home was staged, and the “for sale” sign was placed in front of the home with a “coming soon” rider! The photographer was there this morning and the marketing material is being produced. The house goes on the market on March 1st, and it looks absolutely amazing!!! It was beautiful to begin with, but as I tell my selling clients, there’s a difference in the way we live in our homes and the way we sell our homes. My brother-in-law’s home is ready to sell…and I’m ready for a vacation!!!

*The house goes on the market on March 1st. As soon as it’s listed, I’ll post the link so you can check it out for yourself.

Sacramento’s 4^th Annual Wine & Dine Week is in full swing! This week only, restaurants in Sacramento, Davis, El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Granite Bay, Plymouth, Rancho Cordova, Roseville and Woodland offer a three to four course meal at a fraction of the regular price. Even better, each meal is paired with different local wines. View the menus online and be sure to make a reservation, this is a popular event!

So go ahead and treat yourself…affordably. With almost 40 restaurants participating, there is something for everyone. But hurry, Wine & Dine Sacramento ends this Sunday, July 11^th.

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

New paint makes everything look clean and bright again and, thanks to “oops” paint, can be as affordable as a dollar a can. “Oops” paint is paint that was purchased and returned because it was the wrong color is available at both Home Depot and Lowes. If you don’t find a color you like, return the next week for a completely different selection. Even painting the trim a contrasting color or creating a contrast wall can make a big impression with just a little effort and money.

Carpeting is another detail that can quickly update a home and make it look cleaner. A professional carpet cleaning is an inexpensive investment, especially if your rugs are in good shape and are neutral colors. If your carpet is showing serious wear, cover it with inexpensive, strategically placed area rugs.

Slipcovers can also easily cover furniture that is worn or discolored. Don’t be afraid of slipcovers; they’re not the same as ten years ago when they looked like a loose blanket awkwardly hugging your sofa. There are many slipcovers now available that fit and stay in place.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

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

Changing the lighting in your home can both update and make your house appear bigger and more open.

Adding accent lighting and spotlights that plug into existing outlets can direct light to features you want to emphasize, like art or plants, while giving your home overall ambient light. If you have a ceiling fan, you can also buy replacement fan blades to update the fixture’s look at a much more minimal cost than replacing the entire fixture.

Outdated lamp shades can make a room feel stale and are easy to replace. For a more modern feel, replace your pleated shades with simple drum-shaped ones. They’re not only more modern looking but also easier to keep clean and dust-free. Replacing traditional lighting with statement lighting, such as a chandelier in the bedroom, can quickly update the entire room and change its level of sophistication.

Using mirrors to expand and reflect light is a great trick to add light to dark rooms and make small rooms appear larger. Hang a mirror where it reflects light from a window and your whole room will light up with natural light. Using lighter and warmer colors and fabrics also make your room appear much brighter.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

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

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are often the most important rooms to update. Simple things that are relatively easy to install, like a new toilet seat and a pedestal sink, can make a big difference.

Refinishing the cabinets can update a dated bathroom, as well as adding new hardware to the drawers and doors. A new sink faucet easily serves as a focal point that adds a more modern feel. Replacing old, dated light fixtures can be done relatively easily and can change the whole look of the bathroom.

You can replace an old bathroom floor with easy-to-apply vinyl tiles or a sheet vinyl for very little cost and minimal effort. If your tub and shower look dingy, consider regrouting the tile and replacing any chipped tiles. A more complete make-over is a prefabricated tub and shower surround. While these one-piece units often require professional installation, they are still usually cheaper than paying to retile the walls and refinish the tub.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

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

First impressions are important, especially when it comes to your home. Your entryway is the first thing you and your guests see when entering your home. With a little money and effort, you can spruce up your entrance and help your home make a great first impression!

The front door is the focal point of your entrance and can be inexpensively made to look new with a new coat of paint or easy refinish. Replacing the worn, flimsy knob with a more substantial (and secure) handle-and-lock set gives the entrance a polished feel.

Consider adding two large planters on either side of the door filled with plants of a variety of heights and textures. For a great year round look, mix perennials and  annuals. If you want to add another personal touch, hang a coordinating wreath on your front door.

Don’t have a penny to spend? You’ll be amazed how much of a difference an hour of cleaning can make to the look and feel of your entry area. Getting rid of winter’s dirt and twig remainsdeclutters and brightens up your space to give it a more inviting feel.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

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

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Updating the hardware on your cabinets can modernize your kitchen while keeping costs down. For only a little more, a new, coordinating kitchen faucet set and new light fixtures can transform the look and feel of the entire kitchen.

Rather than replacing, consider resurfacing your cabinets. A fresh coat of paint or lacquer can bring old cabinets back to life. If you’re looking to spend a little more, many companies will refinish the cabinet boxes and replace the doors and drawers from the cabinets for substantially less than new cabinets.

If your kitchen appliances don’t match, don’t replace them. Instead, order new doors or panels from the manufacturer. Many dishwasher panels are white on one side and black on the other, so it may be as simple as removing the screws and flipping the panel.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

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