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Home Selling Tips for Increasing Value

In my last post, we gave you some tips for improving curb appeal to increase home value for improving the look of the outside before selling your home. Today, we'll take a look inside. Tips for Increasing Home Value Here are some improvements you can make to the inside of your house to increase value. Front Door – a new front door instantly enhances your home’s appearance; it invites buyers in. Window treatments – whether its elegant draperies or easy valances attractive window treatments offer accents that soften the rough edges around window openings. Upgrade inefficient windows – trade in old, energy squandering windows ...

San Mateo Homes Between $600k and $700k

What Can I Expect to Buy in San Mateo Between $600,000-$700,000? You're Looking at Two San Mateo Neighborhoods Currently in the City of San Mateo there are 18 single family homes for sale priced between $600,000 and $700,000; 12 homes are located east of El Camino Real and west of Highway 101. The majority can be found in 2 neighborhoods: Sunnybrae and Fiesta Gardens. Both neighborhoods offer similar convenience to shopping and transportation, yet they have their distinctions. San Mateo Neighborhood #1: Sunnybrae Sunnybrae’s population is about 3,100 people living in roughly a ½ mile square. The recently remodeled Sunnybrae Elementary School scored ...

How to Claim the Home Buyer Tax Credit

San Mateo home buyers who purchased in 2009 are starting to think about their taxes so they can (hopefully) get some money back from the IRS with the home buyer tax credit. Several clients have asked how to claim the home buyer tax credit...here are some tips. e-File Not Allowed The IRS is not allowing tax payers claiming the home buyer tax credit to e-file and are requiring additional documentation to prevent more fraudulent claims from those who are not eligible to receive the home buyer tax credit. Additional Documentation Required for All Buyers All home buyers (first time and trade up) must ...

Is Buying a Condo with FHA Financing About to Become History?

Effective December 2009, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) implemented a new stricter approval process for condominiums to be eligible for FHA financing. Why Should a Condo Buyer Care? More borrowers qualify with FHA financing than with conventional loans due to the low down payment (3.5% down) program and the looser credit standards. Even the mortgage interest rates are typically better. Number FHA Approved Condos Diminished with New Guidelines Unfortunately for the condo buyer the number of condominium complexes that will be FHA approved under the new guidelines will significantly diminish. Some “highlights” of the new regulations: At least a 50% level of ...

Hallmark Belmont Homeowners Association Meeting

January 2010 Meeting Minutes Lt Daly from the Belmont Police Department joined our meeting and gave an update on the Al Korn murder case. Tyer Hutchinson is now in San Mateo County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on Thursday Jan 21st. Hallmark Traffic Study Update Lt Daly also updated us on the traffic study that was done on Hallmark Drive and Benson Way after a resident of Hallmark Drive complained of speeding and safety in the area especially at school drop off and pick up times. He advised us that the administration at Fox School has also expressed ...

What Sold in San Mateo Park and El Cerrito Park?

When you are looking to buy and/or sell a San Mateo home, it is important to know what other buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in the last 90 days. This is the only way you can determine how much a similar home is worth in today's market. If you are considering making an offer on a home, your agent should prepare a comprehensive market analysis for you. Review Recent Home Sales Before Making an Offer By simply looking at what other similar homes are listed for, you will not get the complete picture of what is going ...

How Markets are Affected by Foreclosures

The Tale of Two Markets The local real estate market – any market area – is really the story of two categories of homes. The first is the traditional, conventional market of homes for sale, and the second is the distress marketplace of homes owned by people in the midst of a financial crisis. Foreclosure markets move through their cycle at a much faster rate than the traditional real estate market. A period of intense activity can change abruptly and a period of virtually no activity can suddenly spike to an intense level. In either event what you believed to be ...

Homes Sales in Belmont’s Hallmark Neighborhood

Homes are Only Worth What a Buyer is Willing to Pay for It When you are looking to buy a home in any neighborhood, it is good to know what other buyers were willing to pay for similar homes nearby. As we've said may times, homes are only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for them. Not what buyers paid a year ago, or what the seller needs out of the property, what a buyer paid for similar homes in the same neighborhood in the last 90 days. What Sold in Hallmark? For sake of this post, ...

20 Most Expensive San Mateo Homes Sold in 2009

Fewer Luxury San Mateo Homes Sold in 2009 The luxury San Mateo real estate market saw a significant drop off in the number of homes sold over $2,000,000 in 2009. Compared to 2008's 367 homes sold, 2007's 473 homes sold, 2006's 453 homes sold and 2005's 499 homes sold, 2009's 251 homes sold for more than $2 million dollars is quite a drop off. San Mateo's Most Expensive Real Estate However, some pricey San Mateo County homes did sell for the original list price in 2009, though most sold for less, some much less, than the original list price. Most ...

Open Houses Don’t Sell Homes

Open houses are becoming as obsolete as coin-operated pay telephones…and good riddance too. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Survey of Buyers and Sellers show such an insignificant number of buyers using open houses to search for a home that they no longer include open houses as a category in the survey results. 96% of Buyers Use the Internet as their Primary Search Tool Technology, personal computers and the internet have irreversibly changed the way REALTORS market homes and the way people shop for a home. In San Mateo County more than 96% of prospective home buyers use the internet as their ...

8 Critical Factors Affecting the Real Estate Market in 2010 Part II

Yesterday, we showed you the first 4 of our 8 critical factors affecting the San Mateo real estate market in 2010. Today, we're going to give you the rest. The Final 4 Climbing Interest Rates Stricter FHA and Fannie Mae Underwriting Rules Rising Foreclosure Levels Loan Modifications Fail Climbing Interest Rates The cycle aberration of 5% money ends and by the 2nd quarter of 2010. San Mateo mortgage interest rates will begin to rise and the days of cheap money will be a historical footnote. Buyers who hold fast to the notion that rates will drop again will lose that bet. For buyers, this means ...

8 Critical Factors Affecting the Real Estate Market in 2010 Part I

The 2010 San Mateo County Housing Market will present challenges and opportunities as never before to home buyers, home sellers and real estate investors. Here’s how we see the 2010 San Mateo County real estate market. The First 4 Today, we'll give you the first four of our 8 critical factors affecting the San Mateo real estate market in 2010. Bi-Focal Market Persists Upper End Price Tier Correction Cash Rich Investors Tax Credit Deflated San Mateo is a Bi-Focal Market The San Mateo County (CA) housing market is a tale of unique two markets. In the most vigorous segment, we find home buyers and investors competing for the ...

San Mateo Approves New Kaiser Facility

San Mateo - Kaiser Permanente's New Home Last night, the San Mateo City Council unanimously approved a plan for a 64,700 sq ft Kaiser Medical Facility to be build on the 4.22 undeveloped parcel of land on Franklin Parkway between Hillsdale Blvd and Saratoga Drive. This site is near across from the new state of the art Police Station and Bay Meadows Townhomes. Kaiser Concludes Bay Meadows Phase I Development Plan Although this project is not quite what the city had hoped for (back in 2002 the W Hotel project was approved and financing fell through), the new Kaiser medical offices "will ...

10 Things You Need to Know About Trustee Sales Before Bidding

The most potentially profitable and the most potentially dangerous way to buy real estate is buying a foreclosure on the court house steps. In California, they are called Trustee’s Sales, in some states they are called Sheriff’s Sales. What is a Trustee Sale? A Trustee’s Sale is a non-judicial forced auction sale to the highest oral bidder conducted by the Trustee who has the power to sell the property. That’s a mouthful. Savvy investors have learned that many of the most profitable opportunities are found at Trustee’s Sales; they’ll also admit that even the smartest can make costly mistakes. 10 Things You Should Know Before You ...

11 Most Common Reasons Short Sales Fail to Close Escrow

San Mateo Short Sale Reality – Can Take 3-9 Months to Complete IF they Close Short sales occur when the homeowner sells a San Mateo home for less than the mortgage balance owed with the lender’s approval and their agreement to accept a short payoff. A short sale may be the right solution – but not the only solution - for homeowners who are unable to make their mortgage payment due to a personal hardship, such as, job loss, divorce, serious illness or medical expenses and involuntary employment relocation that significantly depletes the borrower’s assets. However, many home owners and home buyers are ...

Borrowers Qualify for Less with New Financing Guidelines

Lending Guideline Changes Will Affect Many San Mateo Borrowers Are you in the process of finding a San Mateo home? Or, are you considering buying a home after the holidays? If so, you may want to pay attention to one of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's new guidelines that could affect your upcoming home purchase (or refinance for that matter). Your Total Debt Can Be No More than 45% of Your Gross Monthly Income Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac just announced that they will only allow you debt to income ratio to be 45% of your gross monthly income, down from ...

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Home Selling Tips for Increasing Value

By Raymond Stoklosa · February 8th, 2010

san mateo home selling tips

In my last post, we gave you some tips for improving curb appeal to increase home value for improving the look of the outside before selling your home. Today, we’ll take a look inside.

Tips for Increasing Home Value

Here are some improvements you can make to the inside of your house to increase value.

Front Door – a new front door instantly enhances your home’s appearance; it invites buyers in.
Window treatments – whether its elegant draperies or easy valances attractive window treatments offer accents that soften the rough edges around window openings.
Upgrade inefficient windows – trade in old, energy squandering windows and eliminate drafty rooms with high performance, easy to clean windows
Replace damaged siding – Ugly, weather beaten siding is a sign of neglect that pushes away home buyers and attracts low ball bits
Paint interior – buyers appreciate your home more when its shiny and bright
Add architectural embellishments – wide trim and moldings, new door knobs and hinges
Refurbish cabinets and counter tops – kitchen and baths are especially important in the eyes of a buyer
Replace antiquated appliances – make it easy for a buyer to want your home
Replace worn carpets – if you can’t afford to, get carpets cleaned professionally
Refinish hardwood floors – sparkling hardwood is one of today’s most desirable features

Most Importantly…Clean!

Finally, clean, Clean, CLEAN. Apply the “white glove rule.” Do you see any grim or dirt when you rub a white glove over the surface. Your home needs to show like a brand new model home.

Sell Your Home Quick by Making a Buyer Want to Live in It

Looks good! Smells good! Feels good should be your goal. Maximizing the value and speeding up marketing time is a direct result of preparation. As a seller, you control the condition of your home. For best results, do everything you can to make the buyer want to own and live in your home.

What’s Your Home Worth?

Find out the value of your San Mateo home with some basic information about your home and your email. Check out a sample market report here.

Your Home’s Value

Need to Sell Your San Mateo Home?

Check out our Stress Free Home Listing Marketing Program to learn how to sell your home for top dollar in the fastest time.

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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.

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What Do a Black & White Ball and Selling Your Home Have In Common?

By Raymond Stoklosa · February 5th, 2010

tips for selling san mateo home

Selling your San Mateo home is part beauty contest and part price war. We’ve written numerous articles about the price and value side of the equation, let’s talk about the beauty contest side now.

Selling Your Home is Like Going to a Black and White Ball

Metaphorically speaking, selling your home is a little like going to a fancy formal party – the kind of party where you really want to impress people – like a Black and White Ball. You wouldn’t attend an important affair in your paint clothes. You would get all dressed up in your most fashionable clothes; you would look good, smell good and feel good. When it comes to selling your home, the old adage “you’ll never get a second chance to make a great first impression” is spot on. Selling your San Mateo home starts with curb appeal.

Selling Your Home Starts with Curb Appeal

Curb appeal, in the real estate industry’s lexicon, means your home’s external appearance is so appealing that prospective home buyers will feel compelled to see the inside. Experts say that boosting your home’s curb appeal can increase its value by 5% – 10% when it comes time to sell. Here are several ideas:

What Can You Do Outside to Improve Curb Appeal?

Landscaping – well thought and cohesive landscaping does not have to be expensive; a simple garden can make a huge difference in the overall appearance.
Garage facelift – in San Mateo County where we have so many homes with garages that face the street, a new garage door and contrasting paint trim can be an attractive alternative to the weathered and faded existing garage door
New porch or deck – gives the appearance of extra living area while inviting people to spend time enjoying the outside
Update exterior hardware – a new mail box and front door latch and key add sparkle
Install low voltage exterior lighting – winter season home buyers will approach your home with a sense of security and a feeling that you have lovingly maintained your home

What About the Inside?

In my next post, I’ll give you some tips about preparing the inside of your home to sell.