What is Staging?

November 24, 2008 · Francis G. Bautista · 7 Comments

Staging is when a home is furnished and decorated before it is put on the market for sale. A staged home that is well done will highlight each room, but not crowd it. The following are several questions that I will attempt to address, like: How much does it cost? How long will it be furnished for? Who pays for it? Will it yield the seller more money at the end of the sale?

Staging a home can cost any where from several hundred dollars to thousands depending on size of home, services provided and the specifics of each contract. The details of the services you expect from your stager must be outlined in the contract before you sign the dotted line. Staging companies will normally have a minimum time period (days/weeks) that a potential client should fully understand. The cost really depends on exactly how many rooms they (stager) are furnishing and for how long. The contract should stipulate several important items like exactly what time and date the furniture will be installed and removed, what would it cost if you wanted to extend or adjust the time period of your contract?, and who is responsible for the furniture while it sits in your home? It is also important to ask, when does the staging company expect to get paid? Read more

Questions! Why so many questions?

November 21, 2008 · Julie Cleland · 5 Comments

You’ve decided to go out and jump into the home buying process. Good for you! You think, this will be fun…driving around neighborhoods, looking for homes, thinking about all the ways you’ll redecorate. What you might not think about is all the questions you are going to be asked and all the personal information you’ll be expected to share. I’ve had one client lament it would feel less vulnerable standing in a room full of strangers with their skivs on than laying out all the details of their life. But like many things, that which isn’t pleasant may still be good for us. Read more

Mixing Business with Pleasure… does it actually mix?

November 19, 2008 · Nicole Machado · 1 Comment

Have you ever felt obligated to use a family member when it came to a business deal? While most of us have, has it ever left you wondering if that was the best decision? In some cases, it is an ideal circumstance. While in others it may be an uncomfortable situation that you were strong armed into. Read more

Who is responsible for the expense of a new fence?

October 28, 2008 · Francis G. Bautista · Comment here

Who is responsible for the expense of a new fence? It can be negotiated between the buyer and seller at the time of sale. If you’ve owned your home and your fence needs to be completely redone, it could be discussed between neighbors and each could contribute if they want a finished look on their visible side. Though it may be the responsibility of each owner to contribute to the cost of a fence, neighbors are not always willing to contribute to that responsibility. When we bought our house it had a fence that was partially functional. By partially, I mean that the very back section of the fence was new and sections of the side fence were “original” (kind for dilapidated. Read more

Don’t Get Caught with a Bad Agent

October 26, 2008 · Terry Birt · 1 Comment

If you are in the process of selecting a real estate agent to represent you in the sale of your home, or in the purchase of your home, you owe it to yourself to be very selective on who you choose to represent you.

A good agent, who is knowledgeable, skilled and has a good team behind them, is a Read more

Remodel or Remodeled?

October 22, 2008 · Shokoofeh Nowbakht · 3 Comments

Would you buy cheaper and remodel or buy remodeled? Does it make sense for the first time home buyers to try to save money by buying a property that needs some TLC and remodel it themselves? How much TLC is reasonable? Just some thoughts and concerns! Do you have to be a good handyman to buy a fixer upper? Why do we realtors use “Contractors’ Special” comment on MLS? Should a non-contractor buy a fixer upper? Ok, what are your thoughts?

Market Analysis – Taking stock of what’s right with the United States

October 15, 2008 · Francis G. Bautista · 2 Comments

“Taking stock of what’s right with the United States” is an article that Dean Rizzi forwarded to us all. It is a fascinating article in that it outlines and takes note of 10 positive and great things about our country. With the current wall street market in a tizzy and the election mud slinging dominating the air waves not to mention the economic and housing crisis, it is easy to lose sight and forget that we live in a great country. Because this is an election year….a brighter and more positive direction for our country would be nice as well. Read more

That House Costs HOW Much?

October 13, 2008 · Jean Joh · Comment here

During my mall shifts at Serramonte & Tanforan Shopping Centers, I often interact with people who are just stopping by out of curiosity as to how much home prices are. The ones who own homes in this area are usually a little concerned about the value of their own homes. The ones who are renting in the area are curious to know if the prices are “at bottom” yet and if they should finally start thinking about buying a home. But it’s interesting to note the response of those who are visiting from out of town or even from another country. Their response goes something like this, “That house costs HOW much?”