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Showing posts with the label Fix your Home

Fixer Upper vs. Move-In Ready: Which One Is Right For You?

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When it comes to buying real estate, you want to make sure the property you purchase is the right fit for your needs. For some buyers, purchasing a home that needs some work is the ideal situation. For others, getting a turnkey home that’s move-in ready is the only option they’ll consider. And for still others, both seem like reasonable options. The question is: which is for you? There are pros and cons to both  fixer uppers and move-in ready homes. The important thing is to recognize which is the best fit for you, your budget, and what you want out of a home. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of  fixer uppers and move-in ready homes to help you determine which is the better fit for you: Fixer uppers: Fixer uppers are, as the name implies, homes that need a bit of TLC – or fixing up – upon move in. Pros: Discounted price The major draw of fixer uppers is the price. Since they need work, you can typically get a fixer upper at a fraction of the cost ...

5 Tips for Maximizing a Small Kitchen

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5 Tips for Maximizing a Small Kitchen Does your dream home come with a small kitchen? Not to fear! There are plenty of ways to get the most out of the tight space. You just have to get creative. Check out these tips! 1. Lighten up the area. Bright and light always opens up a space. Choose white or bright colors for the walls then pair that with unique overhead and under cabinet lighting. Don't forget to oopen up any windows or glass doors to bring in natural light. 2. Get strategic with storage. Maximize the storage space you have by hanging items on the inside of lower cabinet doors or adding additional shelves to higher cabinets. Install a magnetic strip to a wall and use that to store your knives instead of the counter-top or hang cutting boards and pots and pans from the wall or overhead. 3. Use your oven. Not one to make things in the oven often? Consider using it to store your pots and pans. Then remove the items before you use it. 4. Purchase a mobil...

Five Things That Make Us Happy With Our Homes

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According to a recent survey conducted by houzz.com, here are five things that consistently make people happy with their homes.  1. Big windows and comfortable furniture: Nearly 75 percent of respondents listed these two items as major difference-makers. It’s a no-brainer—people like lots of light and a good place to relax.  2. A big-screen TV: This is more likely to be a key feature for men than women. 40 percent of men said having a big-screen TV makes them happy with their homes, compared to just 17 percent of women. View this home at  https://1964sakinast.estate.tours/  3. Overall design and layout : 87 percent of the 6,000 people surveyed said the design of the home is a major contributor to overall happiness. If you’re unhappy with your home and there’s a project you’ve been wanting to tackle, get to it! View this home at  https://1964sakinast.estate.tours/  4. Home cookin’: 39 percent of respondents said the scent of goo...

Organize Your Closet Like A Pro

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Do you desire a closet that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine? Then we have you covered! Follow the tips below to masterfully organize your closet and give yourself peace of mind. Group like clothing items together. Group same-length dresses, long-sleeved shirts, blouses, pants, etc. together in your closet to both save space and create an aesthetically-pleasing look. Add an extra bar. Need more hanging room? You can find additional closet bars in-store or online for under $20 and installation is fairly quick and easy. Then hang t-shirts, blouses, jackets, and more on the lower bar. Keep things uniform. Although you may have to spend a little more upfront, purchasing matching hangers, organizers, and storage boxes will give your closet a cleaner look. Invest in special hangers, dividers, and organizers. Purchase a few items to make closet organization a breeze, such as a space-saving pants organizer, shelf dividers to keep t-shirts, towels, or sweaters in place, or multi...

Instant Home Makeovers

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Not every home makeover has to be a major project that lasts days, weeks, or even months. There are a ton of quick touch-ups and fixes that can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home, even though you can finish the project in less than an hour. A new mailbox: Chances are you’re still using the same mailbox that came with your home. But giving your mailbox a fresh coat of paint—or even replacing it entirely—is pretty painless, and it instantly upgrades your home’s curb appeal. Declutter: Less is usually more. Go through your home and consider all the stuff that you haven’t used in years. If it’s no longer serving a purpose, sell it, donate it, or throw it away. New hardware for your drawers: Painting kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be a big undertaking—drop cloths, tape, washing brushes and rollers, etc. But you can change out your drawer hardware in just a few minutes—all you have to do is pick out the new fixtures. #bettercallbob #dre01701639 Contact...

Five Tips For Reducing Clutter

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It doesn’t take much time to go from a perfectly organized room to a cluttered, chaotic mess. Papers pile up on surfaces, coats and bags end up on furniture, shoe boxes and shopping bags get stuffed in the first place you can find. But if you’re proactive, you can avoid the common clutter traps. Here are five ideas for reducing clutter:  1. Have a place for the things you bring into the house each day: Do what you can do create an easy place to put your outerwear, mail, keys, phone, and the other things you bring home each day. Coat racks, mail holders, and a catch-all basket give you an easy, consistent place to put your everyday items.  2. Get a basket for once-worn clothes: There are some clothing items that may not need to be washed or put away immediately after one use, like sweaters or denim. These items often end up on the bedroom floor. Instead, put them in a specific basket for items that aren’t yet ready for the laundry room.  3. Keep kitchen tools of...

8 Eye-Opening Things Home Inspectors Can't Tell You

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A home inspection may feel like a final exam, but it's not quite so clear cut. Your inspector's report won't include a clear-cut A+ if a house is a keeper or an F if it's a money pit. What is included in a home inspection report is a set of neutral facts intended to help you decide on a home's final grade. Oh sure, a seasoned inspector will know if a home is a safe bet or full of red flags. But they're actually bound by a set of rules that limit what they can tell you. Here's what they can't say: #1 Whether They Would Buy This House Here's the big one: Many buyers think an inspector will give them a thumbs up or thumbs down, but they can't. Giving real estate advice violates the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors' code of ethics. Clues to look for:  Count up your issues. "The average inspection turns up around 20," says Larry Fowler, a home inspector in Knoxville, Tenn., who has done around 10,000...

Before You Take The Plunge With A Fixer-Upper, Think About Resale Value

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We’ve all watched the HGTV programs that show a run-down old house transforming into a dream home. Tackling a big renovation project on an outdated property can indeed pay off big—both with the home of your dreams, and with a return on investment. If resale value is a primary concern, consider these factors as you’re making your fixer-upper plans. Is the price right? How much can you invest in a home beyond the sale price while staying in line with the value of homes in the neighborhood? You don’t want to improve a home to the point that it’s worth far more than the norm for the area. You’ll enjoy the property while you’re living there, but if you ever decide to sell, your ROI could be limited by the market value of nearby houses. Low cost, instant equity There are a lot of low cost and DIY improvements that will add equity almost immediately, such as rehabbing the landscaping and adding fresh coats of paint. These improvements add value to the property almost instantly. Wha...

Choose The Right Paint Finish

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It can be intimidating to stand in front of the paint swatches at the paint or hardware store and try to make a decision. Picking a color can be difficult enough—and then you have to choose the finish. Choosing the color is up to you, but here’s a simple guide to choosing the correct finish for your project. High Gloss High gloss paint has the most sheen, and will be the most durable. That durability is best suited for the kitchen, on surfaces like cabinets, door frames, and window trim. It’s best to avoid using high gloss on walls, because it will be too reflective. Semi-Gloss It’s not as shiny as high gloss, but it’s still great for kitchens and bathrooms, because the sheen protects from drips, splatters, and other moisture. Satin Satin has a velvet-like look, but is still a durable finish, and works best in high-traffic areas. Be careful when applying, because satin paint will reveal sloppy brush strokes. Eggshell and flat These finishes have the least amount of sheen, ...

More Homeowners Consider Adding a ‘Granny Flat’

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Home improvement professionals say they’re fielding more inquiries from homeowners about adding accessory dwelling units—often nicknamed “granny flats.” A fifth of remodeling contractors say they undertook projects over the last year to create an ADU by converting an existing space, and a similar number say they created an ADU by building a new addition to a property, according to a new survey released by the National Association of Home Builders. ADUs are smaller units added to a property, and they can be pricey to build. Only 6 percent of remodeling contractors report completing an ADU project for less than $25,000. Three-fourths say ADU projects cost at least $50,000, and 28 percent report projects costing at least $150,000. ADUs usually require a building permit, but local and state ordinances vary significantly across the country. Some areas will not allow them at all. There are no federal standards or programs that track ADUs. ADUs have been cited by industry experts as o...

Learn More about Granny Flats!

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Have you wondered if putting in an Accessory Dwelling Unit, or Granny Flat, is right for you and your family? Learn more here and register for my upcoming event to learn if this is right for you and your family. Space is limited, register now here now! Contact me if you'd like more information: Bob Sanchez REALTOR® DRE #01701639 | Coldwell Banker West M:    (619)277-6293 E:    bobqsanchez@gmail.com www.SanDiegoRealEstateWithBob.com