Realtor.com says, on average nationwide, prices and sales  are blooming, inventories are wilting, and more and more markets reveal a  potential for growth not seen in years. “Things are picking up. All the prices are down and interest rates are really  low. It’s like Macy’s is having a sale,” said Martin Morales, Secretary-Treasurer of the Monterey County  (CA) Association of Realtors. No, you didn’t miss the bottom, but the potential for a buyers’ bum rush and forecasts for higher rates later this year could cause the  competition to heat up this spring. That’s your cue. Hire a real estate market […]

If you have been looking at homes online or thinking it is  time to sell your house, but don’t know to whom you can entrust this monumental  job, you are not alone. A home is probably the biggest investment of your money you will ever make,  and it also has an emotional tie to your life and your memories. Your agent must  be someone who is knowledgeable, proactive and connects with you and your wants  and needs.  The right person can make your upcoming real estate transaction  painless and very rewarding, but how do you find him? Here are a […]

Continued from last week’s post…. Earth-Friendly Features Perhaps the hottest trend in kitchens and baths is the move toward sustainable products. But while more people are asking designers about going green, they’re “willing to stick their necks, and their pocketbooks, out only so far,” says Garvey, the 2008 grand prize winner of the Real Estate Staging Association’s national competition. As prices drop on green products, it’s certain that green elements will become more widespread, says Trauthwein. This is especially true of sustainable woods used for flooring and countertops. Fast-growing bamboo is the eco-material of choice for cabinets and floors, but […]

The two rooms that consistently make the biggest impression on buyers are—without a doubt—kitchens and bathrooms. Even in today’s uncertain economic times, home owners and buyers are willing to spend on upgrades to these two essential rooms. Their goal: Create that polished high-end look they’ve seen in magazines and on TV. “We’re seeing more of a ‘save and splurge’ mentality in kitchen and bath remodels,” says Linda Eggerss, editor of Kitchen and Bath Ideas magazine. “Home owners may give up the granite countertops to get the island, or vice versa, but they still want a certain look.” The growing importance […]

First-time buyers often don’t know much about home maintenance. You can help by giving them a maintenance schedule that’ll prevent small problems from turning into big headaches. Change your furnace filters monthly. “It’s so easy to do but so critical,” says Lesh. Clogged filters decrease furnace efficiency and can cause breakdowns. Drain your water heater at least once a year. Sediment will drain out along with the water from the water tank. Removing sediment can prolong the heater’s useful life. Clean the coils. If you have baseboard heating units that use hot water, clear dust from the coils inside the […]

The following are common hazards home inspectors often find: 1. Faulty wiring: Overloaded circuits, loose wires, missing covers on distribution boxes, abandoned appliances, or aluminum wiring, which can become problematic with age. 2. Loose guard rails: Stairway guardrails, especially on exterior stairways, that are not securely connected. Decks — often installed by home owners unfamiliar with building codes — that have loose boards. 3. Shower doors: Shower doors that lack safety glass and are not properly secured. A home owner who slips when stepping out of the bathtub and grabs a glass door that isn’t properly fastened could be severely […]