Bad Credit?  We Can Help!

Getting turned down for a mortgage can be a discouraging experience.  Before you give up, make sure that you've explored all your options!

Is bad credit keeping you from buying a new home?  Our team can  help.  You could be much closer than you think to your goal of home ownership!  Too much of the time, lenders are only focused on their next sale.  They can't be bothered with people who have imperfect credit- it's simpler for them to just move on to the next candidate. Our team isn't like that.  We'll take the time to understand your needs and explain your options.  Call Bruce today for details: (951) 310-0397

The Problem with Stuff

The Problem With "Stuff"

The late comedian George Carlin used to have a routine called, "A place for my stuff." He was referring to the idea that, besides being a place to sleep and eat, the purpose of a home is essentially to store all the stuff you accumulate over the years.

That may or may not be true. But, if you're like most homeowners, you probably have a lot of stuff in your home... stuff in closets, and stuff in the garage. That’s just what happens! The problem, however, comes when you try to sell your home. What may seem to you like a comfortable home office filled with supplies, office equipment, books and papers, may look to a buyer like an uncomfortable, small and cluttered space. That's the problem with "stuff". Too much of it, and it gets in the way of buyers seeing and appreciating the great features of your home. So, when you're selling your home, what do you do with all that extra stuff? One solution is to have a garage or yard sale. (If you call it a "moving sale" you'll attract more buyers.) This is a great way to get rid of the things you don't need anymore – and, perhaps, make a few dollars! Another solution is to give some of the items you don't need anymore to charity. There are many local organizations that can make good use of second hand clothing, furniture, and toys. Finally, for all of the things you want to hang on to, but are cluttering up your home, consider renting a locker at a self-storage company. One thing is for certain. The more spacious and comfortable each room of your home appears to potential buyers, the more likely it is that they'll see the true value of your property and become interested. Want more tips for selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call me today.

Make Your Home Worth Remembering!

What's Memorable About Your Home?

Chances are, there is a characteristic of your property that everyone remembers, appreciates, and maybe even envies. It could be a spacious kitchen with an island and upgraded appliances... or a stunning backyard with a wrap-around deck and beautiful landscaping... or rustic hardwood floors that contrast with elegant, high-end ceramics.

Whatever it is about your property that people tend to like and remember, will also appeal to potential buyers. So, when listing your home for sale, make sure to emphasize that characteristic. When buyers view homes, they tend to remember just one, or sometimes up to two or three features of each property. "Oh, that's the house with the large rec room and bar." Or, "That's the property with the gorgeous landscaping." These are characteristics that help sell a property. Make sure you highlight them. However, sometimes homeowners lose perspective of what is truly appealing about their property. Ask friends to tell you what features in your home make it appealing. You might be surprised by their answers. As your REALTOR® I can help too. Call me.

Ask Bruce:  Answers to Your Real Estate Questions

"Beach Bum" asks:  "I found a great apartment with a reasonable rent, but something's not right..." I filled out the application online and forwarded it to him/her. I was immediately "OK'd" and given a bank to forward the first and deposit. NO credit check,  only basic application questions. Owner out-of-state...no local contact.  I don't want to lose the money, but don't want to lose the rental. Am I being scammed?

You're wise to question this transaction.  Unfortunately, there are scores of con-artists out there waiting to prey upon the unwary.  I own a number of rental properties, and over the years I've had several prospective tenants inform me that they've seen my homes listed on platforms like Craigslist, with the "owner" asking for money up front in exchange for immediate approval.  Selecting the wrong tenant is an expensive proposition, so any competent landlord will go through all the appropriate paces before handing over the keys- and this will include a thorough credit history and background check. You should also be given the opportunity to view the apartment before sending in any funds. Don't worry about losing the rental- there's nothing to lose.  Keep your money, and wait for a legitimate offer.  Your local Realtor can help.

What Happens When You Make an Offer?

If you want to buy a new washing machine, you simply go into a retail store and pay the listed price. Pretty simple.

However, it doesn’t work quite that way when it comes to real estate. Although a home will usually have a “listed price”, you must make an “offer” for that property and then the seller must accept it. In fact, if there are other buyers interested in the property, you may not get the home even if you offer the listed price!

That’s why it’s so important to work with a good Realtor who can provide information and experience to help you determine the right offer to submit.

Once you make an offer, if the seller accepts it, the home is yours. If the seller rejects your offer, it could be because they’ve accepted another buyer’s offer, feel your offer is too low, or have rejected one of your conditions.

Sometimes, the seller will come back with a counteroffer. If you accept it, congratulations, you’ve bought the property. If you don’t like the counteroffer, you can make a counter-counteroffer!
This back and forth negotiation can get a bit tricky, which is another reason to have a good Realtor like me by your side. Call today.

Is Your Home Move-In Ready?

When buyers view your home, they ask themselves whether they like it. Assuming that the answer is "yes", they try to determine how much work would be required before they could move in. It’s not uncommon for a buyer to be interested in a property but be turned off by the perceived amount of work required. In fact, this can sometimes discourage a buyer from even making an offer.

That’s why ensuring your home is in as “move in” condition as possible is so advantageous. It will help sell your home faster and, often, for a better price. So what does “move in” condition mean? It means that there are no repairs or maintenance issues that need to be addressed immediately. Buyers can be discouraged by seemingly minor issues, such as a loose closet shelf or a lightly dripping shower head. So it’s important to get those little repairs done before showing your home. Buyers will also likely want to know the age of your furnace, water heater and other appliances, in order to anticipate when they will need to be repaired or replaced. If you have transferrable warranties for any of these items, be sure to let buyers know. A fresh coat of paint is one of the best investments you can make in preparing your home for sale. More than any other repair or renovation, a coat of paint can make just about any room look almost new and move-in ready. Buyers are sometimes worried about having to purchase new window coverings. If your window coverings will stay with the home, make that clear to buyers too. Generally, the more you can do to make your home seem ready to move in, the better. Want more tips on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call today!

Free Secure Document Shredding!

If your'e like me, after tax day you have boxes of sensitive documents that need to be disposed of.  Let us help you take care of your unwanted papers. We'll shred them while  you watch!

May 20th from 10 AM to 1 PM, at our office at 315 Magnolia Ave. Corona, in the Von's shopping center.  See  you there!