Real Estate with #bettercallbob - 01701639

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 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...

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...

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...

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, ...

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...

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

Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever we do, our favorites involve getting outdoors and mixing up our landscaping features. Whether it's as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your home a fresh look as well. Here are our top five easy landscaping projects! Create a pathway. To guide you and visitors throughout your yard and link different areas together, install a pathway. You can use materials from a variety of materials, including reclaimed pallet wood, flagstones, gravel, and more to add texture and color. Add a wall or border. Installing a flagstone, rock, or brick wall around flower beds or trees adds a sleek, clean look to your landscaping and helps separate different sections of your yard. Install a water feature. Nothing says zen quite like the sound of trickling water as you relax in your backyard. You can start simple with by purchasing and installing a ...

Your home is in the perfect location, came at the perfect price, with the perfect lot. (Yay BEAUTIFUL vIEWS!) But the home itself? Perfect isn’t the adjective you’d use. But you knew that moving in, and now you’re ready to start making it just right. But where to begin? How about with data? Data is that friend who tells you like it really is. Because while any home improvement that brings you joy is priceless, not all add as much home equity as you might expect. The “Remodeling Impact Report” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has tons of data on how much improvements cost — and how much of those costs you can recoup. Here are the best seven home remodeling projects with equity-building might: #1 New Roof If you find yourself sprinting for the buckets when it starts to sprinkle, getting a new roof should be your No. 1 to-do. Measuring rainfall from the indoors isn’t cool. The cost:  $7,500 The return:  109% at $8,150 Considering it’s what’s be...