My Newsletter for March, 2017

Bruce Ueno Phone: 951-310-0397 Email: bruceueno@tarbell.com

Have you been wondering what your home would sell for in today’s market? Most homeowners ask themselves that question – especially if they’re thinking of making a move in the not-too-distant future. If you’re interested in knowing the potential selling price of your property, give me a call. As the REALTOR® who specializes in this market, I can give you the information you need to know.  Ask Bruce: R.K. writes:  "My house has been on the market for almost three months , with no even looking at it. It's priced right. It's also one of the nicer houses on the street. I had my realtor change the photo's and change the description but still no one has looked at the home. Two other homes sold within two  days of being on the market. The home also seems to be hard to find on Zillow and other sites. What can be done to help sell this house?"    Dear R.K., Consider the old marketing "4 P's mantra":  property, price, place, promotion.  Other homes on your street have sold, so you can rule out "place" as a reason. Next, take another look at your price.  Is your home priced competitively?  Even with tight inventory, pricing remains a buyer's  top criterion when considering a home.  As little as a few hundred dollars is all it can take to swing a buyer to another property.  Correct pricing also applies to the commission that you're offering- agents don't like to talk about it, but they do need to make a living. If you're offering a buyer's agent 1% while your neighbors are offering 3%, the cold hard fact is that some agents may be tempted to place your home at the bottom of their showing schedules.  After examining your pricing, you should then take second, critical look at the appearance of your property.  Is your home truly "move-in ready"?  These days, buyers are more particular than ever about the condition of their future home. They've seen too many house-hunting television shows where every home looks like a model, and they expect the same.  Ruling out the above three factors, only promotion remains.  It is concerning to me that your home isn't easily visible on Zillow and other real estate sites.   These days, a strong internet presence is absolutely essential, as this is where the vast majority of prospective buyers will begin their search. Real estate sites are usually very good about capturing listings, but if they've missed yours, your agent can add it. I hope this helps, good luck on your sale! February Quick Stats for the City of Corona Homes currently available for sale:  329 Sales closed in February: 129 Average days on market:  56 Median price:  $420,000 February Quick Stats for the City of Hemet: Homes currently available for sale:  304 Sales closed in February: 130 Average days on market:  44 Median price:  $220,250 Bruce Ueno Striving to be Your Personal Realtor... For Life! (951) 910-0397 www.bruceueno.com Lic #01947858

How To Sell Your Home Super Fast

If you put your home on the market, chances are you want it to sell quickly. However, there are certain circumstances in which sellers don’t just want their home to sell quickly, they actually need it to sell super fast. This may be due to a sudden relocation, the purchase of a new home with a tight closing date, or any number of other reasons. Obviously, this can be a stressful situation. However, there are some practical things you can do to help your home sell super fast: Find out the current market value of your property. This will guide you in your decision on the listing price. Be reasonable about the listing price. You can sell quickly and still get a good price for your home. But, realistically, you won’t be able to hold out in the hopes of getting an “above market value” offer. Be as flexible and accommodating as possible when it comes to scheduling viewings and open houses. If you’re going to restrict buyers to seeing your home on Saturdays from 3 to 5, then you’re going to reduce your chances of a quick sale. Clean and declutter your home. This is the fastest way to dramatically improve how it shows. Tend to the outside of your property. Cut the grass. Trim the hedges. Fix the creaking back gate. Do everything you can to increase your property’s curb appeal. Apply fresh paint wherever possible. Painting is the quickest and least expensive “renovation” you can do. It can significantly improve the look of any area of your home. Spread the news that your home is on the market and that you’re looking for a quick sale. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

What to View When Viewing a Home

Shopping for a home is a little like shopping for a car. Unless you know what to look for, you risk being swayed by first impressions and buying something that does not truly meet your needs. For example, you might fall in love with the recreation room — complete with a bar and a dartboard — and unconsciously overlook the fact that the home doesn’t have enough bedrooms to accommodate your growing family. So when you’re viewing a potential new home, or checking out a property during a weekend “open house”, make sure the home meets your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Is there enough room for my family, now and in the future? Remember, as kids grow so does the space they require! Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, closets and storage space? Is the yard big enough? Will my furniture fit the space? Do I like the neighborhood? Always take a walk around and explore the area. Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? If the seller won’t be taking care of such issues, repairs or replacements could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the true cost of buying the property. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions when viewing a home. After all, it’s a major purchase. You want to get it right! Need help finding homes to view that meet your requirements? Call today.

Buyers Will Love Your Storage Areas If...

A potential buyer comes to view your home. She explores each room with interest. Then she opens the closet door in the master bedroom. Will she be impressed with the space and imagine her clothes adorning the racks and shelves? That likely depends on how you use and manage that storage space. Of course, her first reaction will be based on size. Short of doing a major renovation, there’s not much you can do about that. However, there is plenty you can do to make the space seem bright and roomy. Your first step is to remove as much of the clutter as possible. If the closet doubles as storage for boxes and other items, for example, move those items elsewhere. (It might make sense for you to temporarily rent space at a local self-storage.) Next, make sure the space isn’t over-filled. You don’t have to remove all your clothes, but consider removing enough to fully accentuate the roominess of the space and make it look neat and organized. Finally, don’t forget about lighting. It also plays a key role. A dimly lit closet will make the space look unappealing. Use enough wattage to create a pleasant glow throughout the area. Don’t forget to do the same things for all your other storage spaces too.

notable, quotable... quotes! “If I look confused, it’s because I’m thinking.” Samuel Goldwyn “Everyone is a genius at least once a year.” G. C. Lichtenberg “I not only use all the brains I have, I use all the brains I can borrow.” Calvin Coolidge

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc.

My Newsletter for February 2017

Greetings Friends!

Spring is just around the corner and that is traditionally the time of year when the housing market starts to heat up. If you have any plans to move, or are even just curious about what’s available on the market, now is a great time to inquire. I’d be happy to help you with any information you want. Please give me a call anytime. Ask Bruce: RE King writes,  "I'm looking to invest in rental property in San Diego.  What areas are best in terms of cash flow?  I want to avoid bad neighborhoods.  I'm new in rental so don't have a lot of experience dealing with problematic renters" Well RE, as an investor myself, I've found San Diego to be an expensive market that can be difficult to enter as a new investor.  You will experience better capital appreciation in the city proper, but If you're planning to finance your purchase and positive cash flow is your number one priority,  the outlying communities may offer lower risk and a better cash-on-cash return. Cities as far north as Temecula or Murrieta feed into the San Diego market, and the neighborhoods are newer. If you're averse to the headaches that come with being a landlord, or if the travel time to your home is an issue, consider using a professional property manager for your rental.  Many realtors manage property as a sideline, or even as a primary business. I'd stay away from the large management companies, as you're only as important to them as the size of your portfolio. Play your cards right, and you'll love being an investor- welcome to the club!  Bruce Ueno Striving to be Your Personal Realtor... For Life! (951) 910-0397 www.bruceueno.com Lic #01947858

Making the Home Selling and Moving Process Easier

There’s no doubt that things change in a home when it’s put on the market. Those changes can cause stress for the entire family. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce that stress considerably. With a little bit of planning, you can even make the home selling process a relatively pleasant experience for everyone. The first step is to talk candidly with your family, especially kids, about their feelings and concerns regarding selling your home and moving. Their worries may include: Losing connections with friends. Finding a new job. Starting a new school. Disruptions in the home during viewings. Work involved in preparing the home for sale. Keeping the home clean and tidy for viewings. The more you’re aware of how your family feels about the process, the better you can deal with those issues. Keeping the home clean for viewings and open houses is usually one of the major stressors. It may feel like you’re tidying up for a special guest several times a week! A solution worth considering is hiring a maid service on a short-term basis. That help can save you a lot of time and stress, especially if you’re also searching for a new home. During viewings, it’s best for you and your family to be out of the home. So, consider planning little adventures. You can visit a museum, eat at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try for months, or take the gang to a recreation center. These ideas will go a long way toward alleviating the sense of being “kicked out” of your own home!

Neighborhood Open House

While shopping for a new home, you will likely view a lot of properties and may even attend a few open houses. That’s part of the process of finding your next dream home. But there is another type of open house you should also attend. It’s one for which you need no invitation – the “neighborhood open house.” Of course, this isn’t an actual advertised open house. The term simply means that you’re able to view any neighborhood you’d like to live in and try it on for size. So when viewing a home or attending an open house, take some time to explore the neighborhood. Get a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there. You can: Take a walk around the block. Visit the local park and playground. Have a coffee at a local cafe. Visit the local school. Test access to commuting routes to work. Check out daycare facilities. Drive to the local shopping center. Investigate local features, such as theaters, restaurants and golf courses. The neighborhood you live in is just as important as the home itself. Before you buy, make sure you get to see your neighborhood too.

Diffusing Disputes with Neighbors

Even if you live in a beautiful home in a great neighborhood, a dispute with a neighbor can make living there a miserable experience. That’s why it makes sense to settle such disputes quickly and amicably. How do you do that? Here are some tips: Deal with the issue quickly. It’s tempting to avoid facing an unpleasant dispute with a neighbor and hope the problem just goes away. That rarely happens. To settle a dispute, you need to act quickly. Avoid displays of anger. Acting angrily typically only gets the other party on the defensive. It can escalate the situation and rarely, if ever, leads to a resolution. Isolate the problem. Never generalize a dispute with a neighbor. Be specific. Don’t complain; propose. Rather than complaining about loud music at night, propose a solution. For example, “When our front lights have been turned off, that means we’ve gone to bed. Would it be possible to turn down the music at that time? Thanks!” Say thanks when there’s a resolution. You may never be close friends, but being cordial will go a long way toward easing the tension.

notable, quotable... quotes! “Congratulations. Today is the day. You’re off to great places. You're on your way!” Dr. Seuss “Don't mistake activity with achievement.” John Wooden “Doing the best in the moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Oprah Winfrey

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.  The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Tarbell Realtors ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc.

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