Luxury Southern California Living

18920 Sunny Slope Court

Custom built in 2002 on a acre lot this 5 bedroom, 3 Bath, (plus office) home, is a masterpiece of luxurious design. Every detail is carefully crafted for to provide the finest living available. Located on a peaceful cul-d-sac surrounded by Tuscan style estates. Offered at $1,600,000

How To Prepare Your Home For Sale

Prepping and staging a home. Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their checkbooks. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an irresistible and marketable home.

Here's How:

1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.
   • Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf.
   • Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
   • Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners!
   • Say goodbye to every room.
   • Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.
2. De-Personalize.
   Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."
3. De-Clutter!
   People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
   • If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
   • Remove all books from bookcases.
   • Pack up those knickknacks.
   • Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
   • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
   • Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
   Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:
   • Alphabetize spice jars.
   • Neatly stack dishes.
   • Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
   • Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
   • Line up shoes.
5. Rent a Storage Unit.
   Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don't want buyers scratching their heads and saying, "What is this room used for?"
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
   If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.
7. Make Minor Repairs.
   
   • Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
   • Patch holes in walls.
   • Fix leaky faucets.
   • Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
   • Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls.
     (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
   • Replace burned-out light bulbs.
   • If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!
8. Make the House Sparkle!
   
   • Wash windows inside and out.
   • Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
   • Clean out cobwebs.
   • Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
   • Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
   • Clean out the refrigerator.
   • Vacuum daily.
   • Wax floors.
   • Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
   • Bleach dingy grout.
   • Replace worn rugs.
   • Hang up fresh towels.
   • Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
   • Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
9. Scrutinize.
   
   • Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
   • Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
   • Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
   • Make sure window coverings hang level.
   • Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizazz?
   • Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.
10. Check Curb Appeal.
    If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.
    • Keep the sidewalks cleared.
    • Mow the lawn.
    • Paint faded window trim.
    • Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
    • Trim your bushes.
    • Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

Choosing Homes For Sale In Australia

A ustralia is not only one of the best countries to live in because of its booming economy, but also because of its natural beauty that is why many people tend to migrate and live here. A lot of people who are starting family in Australia have been decided to invest in a home for sale.

A new house in Australia is really a great investment. You have to plan well and do a lot of research before you start to buy a home for sale for you to be secured that you do get your money’s value. When choosing the right home for sale that you will stay for the rest of your life with your family, attempt to decide on a place where you will be competent to make bigger your time with no trouble if you need to. It could take you a month or more to find the right house and land for sale in Australia and you should be supposed to be equipped for this.

Nevertheless keep in mind to choose carefully. Make sure that you really want only the home for sale that suits your personality, characters and budget. You don’t need to pick one just because others want it as there are many reasons that you need to consider before you decide on which to buy from those homes for sale available on the market. Each state has different laws and different governing bodies that put into effect the housing rules. You will be provided with the rules in your state once you sign a contract.

If you don’t want to consider looking at ready-made homes for sale in Australia, then you can plan to build your own house. What you just need is to find a home builder to help you customize the design of your house. When hiring a home builder to build your house display, think about doing your systematic investigate. Look up their earlier work and ask people who’ve hired them prior to for feedback.

This way you can have the assurance that your house display is exactly what you want and need. Keep in mind that background research is the solution to the significant in-depth of home builder’s profile, credentials and works. House builders in Australia probably have a network of contractors and suppliers. It is good to thoroughly check their records with those companies too one at a time. Doing this is quite helpful to see if there are problems concerning finances. A registered, licensed and good house builder pays the bills on right time and does not insist a large down payment from clients.

Source: http://article-niche.com/launch/Choosing-Homes-For-Sale-In-Australia.htm

US-Home Prices Drop 32% First Quarter

According to official reports, a quarterly S&P/Case-Shiller report on home prices showed U. S. home prices dropped by 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2010.

It has been reported that prices remain higher than a year ago, but 13 of 20 metropolitan areas covered in the report showed declines from February to March, as did both the 20-city and 10-city composite indexes used in the price study.

The report said that overall, first quarter figures "indicate some weakness in home prices."

The report further said that behind the numbers, the housing market has been influenced by the April 30 cessation of a federal tax credit for home buyers and by climbing foreclosure rates.

David Blitzer, chairman of the Standard & Poor's Index Committee, said, "The housing market may be in better shape than this time last year; but, when you look at recent trends there are signs of some renewed weakening in home prices."

In the larger, 20-city composite index, prices dropped 0.5 percent from February to March although the index rose 2.3 percent compared to a year ago.

It was also reported that looking at the extremes over the past 12 months, prices have fallen 12 percent in Las Vegas, but risen 16.2 percent in San Francisco.

Declines were shown by ten cities from a year ago while 10 others showed higher prices. (With Inputs from Agencies)

Homes For Sale Houston Tx

By: Archer Smith

T ry to sell your home on your own? There are several details that you need to be aware of before you start marketing your home online and in the local paper’s real estate section. First off you need to put together a really good description of your home. This part can be a bit tricky because you probably want to say a lot however most people have a real short attention span and will only read a few lines. So with this in mind it is not a good idea to write a novel about how great your home is. To get some ideas check around other real estate websites and see what the professionals do. Many agents are experience in selling real estate and are pretty good at putting together descriptions. Try to say the most about your home with the least amount of words. Use words as “elegant”, “peaceful”, “serene”, “charming”, etc in your descriptions. You can never go wrong with those. Again by seeing what the professionals are doing will give you a real good idea of what you should say and what you should avoid.

If you are placing your ad on the internet or in a print magazine use only pictures to wet the appetite. Obviously a good shot at the front of the home, maybe a nice shot of the living room and other rooms that you feel will photograph well. Unless you have an awesome bathroom, avoid the toilet shots or taking pictures of rooms that just don’t photograph well like small bedrooms. I have seen so many photos that look like the person is trying to sell furniture and not their home. Now what about the title of your home? In some places like Craigslist you need to add a title of your ad.

Don’t just use the address. If you are selling by owner then it is recommended that you mention that in your title. For example “Home for sale by owner in Brushy Creek Hills seeking a new home owner”. Maybe persons seek for sale by owner homes before they work with an agent. Often first time home buyers will seek those out first, hence always mentioning “for sale by owner” in your ad. Be sure also to make the price quite clear. You don’t want to attract tire kickers that are not in your price range. Unless you are willing to immediately come down on your price it is advisable not to use the word “Asking” before your price. That is just telling the prospective buyer that you do not plan on getting what you are initially asking for. These are just a few tips on putting together and ad.

Now that you know how to put your ad together where are you going to place it? In many parts of the country the newspaper has become a dinosaur thanks to the internet. Unless your local paper has a real good website where they will also post your ad online you might be throwing away your money by advertising there. The most obvious places to place your ad is on free sites like Craigslist.com, Backpage.com, Homes ByLender.com, and other free for sale by owner classified sites. Chances are if you are aware of those sites or you found them easily on Google by doing a search with phrases like “homes for sale by owner tri cities wa” for example then it the chances are the buyers will be finding those sites as well.

As you can imagine, most people search online for real estate these days. Multiple website placements is the way to go to ensure that your home for sale by owner is seen by the largest number of people. Of coursework you may also need to think about placing an ad in community papers as well if you feel many in your area still use the paper to search for classifieds. For a few extra bucks you may be able to get the added exposure that you need to make a quick sale. The bottom line is you need to present your home to as lots of people as you can. Exposure is key, along with pricing your home correctly which is an entirely different subject.

Source: Homes For Sale Houston Tx

Lake Murray Irmo/Chapin SC Homes for Sale

Lake Murray is a lake in South Carolina. It is approximately 50,000 acres in size, and has roughly 500 miles of shoreline. It was impounded in the late 1920s to provide hydroelectric power to the state of South Carolina. Lake Murray is fed by the Saluda River, which flows from upstate South Carolina near the North Carolina state line. The Saluda Dam (officially the Dreher Shoals Dam) was an engineering feat at the time of its construction. The dam, using the native red clay soil and bedrock, was the largest earthen dam in the world when it was completed in 1930. Lake Murray itself is named after the project's chief engineer, William S. Murray. The Saluda Dam is approximately 1.5 miles long and 220 feet high. Lake Murray is 41 miles long, and 14 miles wide at its widest point. When the lake was finished, it was the world's largest man-made reservoir.

Since its construction, Lake Murray has been the focal point of the region. Many different communities in four counties are all tied to the lake, and the local history has as much to do with the lake as the lake has to do with the local history. Considering Lake Murray now covers an area that was once populated, the story of what lies beneath its surface is the story of Lake Murray itself.

In addition to serving as a source of hydroelectric power for the region, the lake has become a recreational attraction, with fishing and boating being popular activities. Also, Dreher Island State Recreation Area, located in the Western part of the lake, provides multiple activities--all focused on the lake. [Source:Wikipedia]

Tips on Buying Homes For Sale in Charlotte, North Carolina

Home ownership is an exciting thing for those looking to buy a home. There are a few ways you could go about buying a home, but there are certain steps you should know that occur in every home buying transaction.

Charlotte real estate welcomes people into new home ownership all the time. You need to make sure to make a list of criteria you are looking for in a home. This includes how much space you need, location, neighborhood, features, and amenities. Buying homes is a long-term investment, so your decision is important. The great thing about buying a home is the financial security with receiving benefits like equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits.

When looking at Charlotte homes for sale, it’s a good idea to hire a real estate agent who knows the home buying process and can guide you to the home that fits your criteria. When you find the home you’re going to buy, your Charlotte real estate agent can negotiate on your behalf and check the paperwork and help with any problems that may arise.

Buying a home is a large financial commitment so you need to make sure you secure the financing for your mortgage. Talk to a loan officer who will help you through the loan process and will give you the funding when your home closes. Closing is the final stage in the home buying process where the lender confirms the home’s value and legal status and your credit-worthiness.

On closing day, you’ll finalize your mortgage, pay the seller, pay your closing costs, transfer the title from the seller to you, and legally record the transaction as a public record. You are then at the start of your home ownership experience.

Remember to protect your investment while you own it. Keep your home’s maintenance up and perform routine checks on it. Your real estate agent can continue helping you even after you buy your home, by helping with your first tax return as a homeowner, find contractors for your maintenance, help your friends find homes, and keep track of your home’s market value.

Via: http://www.articlesbase.com