Blog
How to Win a Bidding War
Buying a home is an emotional, complex and often stressful process. This is doubly so if you’re buying in one of the country’s hottest real estate markets- like San Diego, where there are more buyers than there are houses available.…
Housing Trends for 2017
If you’re considering buying or selling a home in 2017, it’s advisable to know what to expect as you dive into the market. Here’s a look at what some experts are predicting for the coming year. Mortgage rates are expected…
Dress Up That Unused Fireplace
Nothing beats a warm, toasty fire on a cold, rainy day. OK, granted- we don’t have a lot of those in San Diego! But it can still get pretty chilly when the sun goes down, especially if you live close…
Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time
If you’re relocating for a job, trying to move before the school year begins or even hoping to avoid making payments on two mortgages, you may find yourself in the unenviable position of buying and selling a home at the…
5 Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays
If you’re thinking about selling your home, chances are you’ve been told that the end of the year is a terrible time to do it. You’ve likely heard two main reasons to back up this assertion: the holidays are too…
4 Tips for Finding the Perfect Home
Close your eyes and imagine: a perfectly manicured lawn spreading out in front of a Spanish adobe in the Ranch. A pool in the back with a lot large enough for the kids to play baseball and to host barbecues for…
How to Reduce Home Buying Stress
There’s no two ways about it – buying a home is stressful. Whether you’re doing it for the first time, or have several purchases under your belt, it’s a complex process that brings up lots of emotions – both good…
Your Spring Cleaning Checklist
Now that spring is in the air, you probably want to open your windows to welcome it in. And if you are thinking about putting your house on the market, a pristine home will sell quicker and at a higher price than…
Staging Your Home on a Budget
If you’re selling your home, you know how important it is to have it looking its absolute best. First impressions are key, as potential buyers will form opinions about your home before they even step through the front door. While…
Could You Live in a Tiny House?
Do you fantasize about downsizing? Do you dream of having less to take care of so you have more time for yourself to do the things you enjoy? You’re not alone. Minimalism is trending in our culture right now, from…
Sell Your Home in Any Season
As we slip into autumn, many homeowners take their homes off the market, believing that their home will not sell in the fall or winter. While it is true that selling heats up in spring and early summer, people buy…
Landscape for Your Climate
Visions of lush green lawns, English gardens bursting with color and a sparkling fountain filling the air with the tinkling of thousands of water drops may float through your head when dreaming of your ideal home. Sounds great- but we’re…
Slash Your Energy Bill
We don’t think about our heating bill much in the summer, but this is the time to make some upgrades to your home that will see you through the winter, such as adding insulation, changing out windows for double or…
Marketing Your Home Out-of-Town, Out-of-State, Out-of-Country
In a tough sellers’ market, homeowners looking for the best possible sale sometimes consider marketing to out-of-town, out-of-state and even out-of-country buyers. So, how do you attract buyers from out of your area? Relocation Services Statistically, homes most often sell…
Should I Haggle Over the Price?
Buying a home is emotional. You ‘ve found the home of your dreams. You’re in love and you don’t want someone else to get it. Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer says, “Never sit at a table…
What Matters Most? Why Location Trumps Everything!
Take a lesson from that old real estate adage “location, location, location.” Many seasoned homeowners will tell you that the size of your home and the amount of space you have—including extra living rooms, game rooms, or even acreage —…
Is Flipping Houses a Good Idea These Days?
Just ahead of the housing bubble, flipping houses was an investor pass-time, especially here in San Diego. As home prices started to rise, many would-be real estate moguls bought houses to flip hoping that the prices would increase enough in…
Loan Options with Low Downpayments
U.S. economists expect 2015 to be a strong year for housing. What this means to you is that more homes are selling and the supply of available homes is decreasing. This also means that prices likely will increase. If you’ve…