Real Estate during the Holidays

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | December 19, 2008

Now is still a really good time for Real Estate in La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas. Buyers can, and do, get serious during this busy time of year. Lots of sellers take their homes off the market during the holidays, assuming no one will be buying at this time. But with serious buyers still out there and a lower inventory of homes, your home has a good chance of standing out. With fewer homes for sale, competition is decreased. There are good reasons to sell your home during the holidays.

Buyers are more serious during the holidays. Anyone shopping for a home during the holidays probably has to buy before a certain deadline. Therefore some buyers may be looking to relocate before the new year. Investors may also want to close before the end of the year for tax reasons. If you live near a university, students and staff may be looking for homes between academic sessions, and if you live near a military base, servicemen and women may be moving to the area. Work with us, Dan & Brenda Wyatt, your agents to target these motivated buyers. Buyers have more time to house-hunt. Buyers who are looking at this time during the holidays are serious about making a purchase. Some buyers purposely wait until their families are together for holiday vacations to start looking for a home. Homes show better in the winter. Decked out in lights and garland, homes often look their best during the holiday months. Take advantage of the Holidays and spruce up your homes to make them more festive. Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard, just enough to make your prospects feel at home and your home still looking spacious.

Home sellers can’t always take a holiday from keeping their house on the market. Instead, they should consider ways to turn the holidays to their advantage. By holding a holiday-themed open house - maybe instead of the traditional Sunday afternoon open house; your home could be open in the evening to take advantage of a festive holiday light display. Keep in mind to not block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, stained-glass windows. Tone down the size of tree. In place of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top, four-foot version. Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests. Giving house hunters a place to escape from the cold is another excellent way to get them inside your home.

The holidays are stressful enough without having to think about staging and open houses, so if you’re not truly motivated to sell, it’s probably best to wait a few months. But if you absolutely have to sell, don’t be discouraged. Good agents like ourselves can take the burden off of your shoulders, giving you more time to enjoy the season.

With these tips in mind, it is possible to enjoy the holidays and still successfully feature a home for sale on the real estate market. Now is still a good time as ever in the La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas.

Topics: La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes, San Diego Real Estate | No Comments »

Unclutter Your Home and Get It Ready to Sell

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | November 23, 2008

It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their 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 efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. 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?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:

If you are getting your house ready to sell in the La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let us, Dan & Brenda Wyatt, your agents help you to get your house ready to sell.

Topics: La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes, San Diego Real Estate | No Comments »

The Value of Homeownership

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | October 28, 2008

Homeownership may be the most important asset-building strategy for individuals. The value of homeownership gives homeowners a feeling of control, a greater sense of security and stability.

Homeownership is typically given a lot of importance and homeowners are generally allowed to do whatever they wish in their homes. Homeowners have the right to make choices and decisions regarding changes to their homes that renters may not be able to make.

Homeownership is a financial goal most families share. There are significant community benefits to homeownership as well. Owning a home gives residents a stake in the community and a sense of “rootedness” in their neighborhoods. Enjoying the privacy that a home brings, making long lasting friendships with neighbors and best of all taking pride in your home. The pride you’ll feel in owning and improving your home is an emotional value that cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. The value of homeownership has been thought to pro-mote thrift, stability, and neighborliness.

Homeownership is thought to be an important element in achieving personal fulfillment. When asked to define the good life, polls have shown that many Americans value owning a home over such factors as an automobile, a happy marriage, an interesting or high-paying job, and good health. The value of homeownership is credited with increasing self-esteem, life satisfaction, and an overall feeling of worth. Owning a home embodies the promise of individual independence but there are also many responsibilities that come with owning a home. The value of homeownership has been thought to pro-mote thrift, stability, and neighborliness.

If you are looking to buy your own home in La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas, these are some points to consider when seeing the value of homeownership. Allow me, your Real Estate agent, Dan & Brenda Wyatt to help you see the value of homeownership.

Topics: La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes, San Diego Real Estate | No Comments »

Going Green in California

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | September 30, 2008

Have you heard the news! Green real estate is getting lots of buzz. More and more homebuyers are looking for ways to increase their green footprint. They are looking for that perfect home and yard that will give them eco-luxury. Going Green in La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California is happening as we know it.

Not only are we worried about our cleaning supplies being green, but now we want our homes to be green also. Homes with amenities like Gammpar floors, LEED-certified building materials, double-paned windows and even docking stations for electric cars! Also, homes that boast features like rainwater harvesting, passive air ventilation, reclaimed fixtures and recycled content tile and flooring.

This may all seem very over-whelming, but there are a lot of sites on the web that will help you fully understand just what finding a “green” home entails. It will be worth the research and will make your life more comfortable in the long run. Just “Google” the words “green real estate”, for starters. Enjoy the search and learn what makes a “green” home; a home that you want to be a part of. We all want to do our part and so let’s enjoy all of the eco-luxury that we can.

Just a side note - there’s no denying that the mortgage meltdown has meant tragedy for many home owners. But take a look around. You’ll see there’s very positive activity in many vibrant markets throughout the US especially in La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas. By focusing on the good news and passing the message around, we can help speed up the market recovery. Don’t panic, let’s all do our part!

Topics: Energy Efficiency and Awareness, La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes, San Diego Real Estate | No Comments »

Real Estate – it’s not going away!

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | August 26, 2008

The oldest use of the term “Real Estate” that has been preserved in historical records was in 1666. In other words, real estate has been around for a very long time. However, it is not going away! It will be around until the end of time. What a comfort that is. With the slump that is happening, it is a reassurance to know that even if the economy gets bad, real estate is here to stay.
Real Estate is a legal term, according to Wikipedia, that encompasses land along with anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings, specifically property that is stationary, or fixed in location. The word “fixed” is the keyword here, meaning unmovable. Real Estate is here to stay!
Wikipedia also states that it has been argued that the word Real is derived from “royal”. For hundreds of years the Royal family and/or King owned the land, and the peasants paid rent or property taxes to be on the Royal’s land. Today, just like hundreds of years in the past, we pay property taxes, or rent to be on the government’s land or the Royal Estate. Isn’t it great to know that even though we do have to pay property taxes our homes are owned by us and not a king or government or royal family!
This article has been a little bit about the history of Real Estate, but thankfully there is a great future for real estate. Make your own future and invest in “Real” estate.
If you are looking for a home or selling real estate in the La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas then we can help!

Topics: La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes, San Diego Real Estate | No Comments »

How to Sell Your San Diego or La Jolla Home in Today’s Real Estate Market

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | August 10, 2008

Market Value is something that needs to be defined. The homes’ tax assessments nor what your neighbors home sold for are not the way to define the market value of your home. Market value can be defined as what someone is willing to pay for your home, right here, right now.

Never be an as-is seller. Unless your home is top notch, completely updated, your lawn is manicured to the T, as is selling will not get your home sold. If you are willing to sell your home for at a rock-bottom price, you can almost bet that the buyer will go somewhere else.

To sell your home in today’s market, you have to hire a top producer. Because the real estate market in San Diego and La Jolla is so tough, you have to find someone who has more than your average sales in a consistent basis. A seasoned agent has more knowledge of the area you are selling and can set a price that will be fair and will catch the buyer’s eye, saying, “That’s a good deal!” An agent that has more experience is also going to be able to point out what you need to do to get your home sold. They know the competition more because they have specialized in the area longer and will know what the trends have been.

The internet is a key ingredient to selling your home in the San Diego and La Jolla real estate market. As we all know, buyers are searching and buying homes off the internet more and more. That is why it is so important that you choose an agent that has internet marketing skills.

If you can’t sell… rent your home out. Selling your home for less than its value just so you can get out from under your high mortgage payments is not always the way to go. Think about renting your home equal to or a bit higher than what your mortgage payments are. Make sure the rent covers the mortgage payment, insurance and home owners association fees. Once the market gets back to normal, be prepared to make the necessary adjustments and repairs needed to sell your home.

Take steps to prepare your San Diego home that goes over your normal efforts. Go beyond what is already common sense to prepare your home for sale. Try painting your home neutral colors. Hire a home staging company to help present your home like no other. Invest in an inspection before you put your home on the market which will reveal any necessary repairs that you will need to make. Provide a copy of the inspection report and any repairs that you made.

There is an overabundance of homes on the market right now. There is plenty to choose from in the San Diego and La Jolla real estate market. Buyers have too many choices. That is why it is so important that you understand the market, hire a top-notch REALTOR, and prepare your home, over and beyond.

If you are interested, contact either Dan or I for a complete market analysis of your home. You will be able to determine if now is the time to sell or if you may need to wait.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Topics: La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes, San Diego Real Estate | No Comments »

How to Make Your Home More Efficient and Save Money

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | August 1, 2008

I don’t know about you, but I love to save money any way I can. With the recent incentives and rebates given by San Diego Gas & Electric to “Go Green“, I have also considered making my own home more energy efficient. I get to update my home and save money at the same time.With energy and gas rates on the rise as well as being aware of the amount of consumption that goes on in our San Diego and La Jolla areas, I feel that it is smart to do what I can to reduce the rise of consumption and become more energy efficient.

I realize that sometimes people just don’t have the time to look things up, so I felt that it would be great to share my findings with the public. What I have done is broken down the most common categories that are being talked about on how to “Go Green”.

Air Conditioning:
Try to keep your thermostat set at the highest comfortable level. If and when you replace your AC, make sure you buy one that is properly sized for your home. Bigger is not better in this case. Don’t run ceiling fans in rooms that aren’t occupied. Using a “whole house fan” can be very beneficial for cooling off your attic and home.

Water Heating:
Insulating your water heater depends on the location and age. Most of the newer models already have insulation in them. Save money by using less hot water. Use low flow showerheads if possible, wash cloths in warm or cold water and only run full loads in your washer or dishwasher. You can also use a timer on your water heater to save money on the electricity used.

Major Appliances:
One of the largest energy consumers is your refrigerator and freezers. If at all possible, eliminate an extra freezer. If you are planning to update your appliances, consider spending a bit more to purchase Energy Star products. When drying cloths, try to use the lowest temperature setting. The hotter the heat the higher the consumption.

Insulation and Weatherization:
You should have at least insulated with R-38 whenever possible. If you are adding insulation always use unfaced batts as the paper of foil vapor retarder can trap water vapor in the original insulation. Also, if you are adding insulation, use R-15 or higher. Use double pane windows as it acts an insulator. When you decide to update the exterior of your home, using vinyl siding is most beneficial.

These are just a few of the simple ways you can reduce your energy consumption. Of course updating appliances, air conditioners and insulation cost money up front, but, it will save money in the long run.

If you have any additional questions about how to make your home more energy efficient or updates you can make, don’t hesitate to contact me.

I am always available to help.

Topics: Energy Efficiency and Awareness | No Comments »

Find your Dream Home in California

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | July 17, 2008

Is your dream home etched in your mind? Are you just waiting for the perfect time to bring it to reality? Now is the time! The market is slow at this time, which makes it a buyer’s market. With the interest rates low and many homes available, there is no better time than the present especially if you are looking for a home in the San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California areas.

Make a list of what you want your dream home to look and feel like. Involve the whole family in this project. After all, you want them to be happy too. Once you have this list, you have the advantage to take your time and look for that perfect home for you and your family. Then, when you start looking, don’t veer from the list. In other words, make sure that the homes that you are looking at have every quality that you have listed. Don’t settle for second best.

Use your senses: once you walk into a home you can feel the personality of that home. Here are some thoughts that should be going through your head:

Another great idea would be to let me help you find your dream home. I have been inside many homes in the La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe California area and will be able to help you narrow your search down until we find the perfect home for you and your family.

So head on over to my website at SanDiegoBeachHomes.com and let me help you find your “Dream Home”!

Topics: La Jolla California Real Estate, San Diego Beach Homes | No Comments »

New Solar Energy Farm in La Jolla

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | July 15, 2008

With the current state of our economy, many of us are now becoming more and more concerned with energy efficiency and saving dollars.

Recently, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced that La Jolla’s University Towne Center could be taking on a $900 million upgrade. Included in this proposal, SDG&E could build a solar energy farm which would serve as shade while producing efficient power.

A new generation of solar panels would form a cover for parked vehicles. They would rotate to follow the sun and are 60% more efficient than the normal flat panels.

This $250 million dollar project is only part of the $900 million dollar plan. One of the other areas that SDG&E would like to build a solar energy farm is in the Westfield Shopping Center. They also have potential plans to build similar farms on other city owned lands and military bases.

After reading some comments about this proposed plan, people seem to be half “for” and half “against” this long-term money saving project. Many people don’t seem to realize that spending money upfront, can many times, save money in the long run.

A lot are saying that solar and wind derived energy is too expensive and we should stick with our standard sources. Unfortunately, especially in our summer months, our standard sources are already pushed to the limit and spread extremely thin, which cause occasional blackouts.

If we, the people of San Diego, find it inconvenient to cut back on power use during critical times to eliminate these blackouts, then don’t you think we need to be open minded about new technology and ideas so that we ‘think outside the box’ and potentially save big in the long run?

If this type of idea can help power our San Diego real estate homes, reducing the stress of overwhelmed power grids, shouldn’t we be thinking about how we can make this work?

I would love to hear your ideas and comments. So feel free to leave one.
Plus… if you have any questions or would like information on how to make your home more energy efficient, contact me any time.

Topics: Energy Efficiency and Awareness, La Jolla California Real Estate | No Comments »

Owning a Home: The American Dream

By Dan & Brenda Wyatt | June 17, 2008

Have you ever desired the house of your dreams whether it was in another state or right here in the San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, or Rancho Santa Fe California area? We call it “The American Dream.”

Wikipedia describes the American Dream as a belief in freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States of America to achieve their goals in life through hard work. A part of that American Dream is to own our own home, you know, that proverbial house with the white picket fence and all.

Americans have a long tradition of a solid work ethic to reach our dreams. No doubt about it, it does take a lot of work to own your own home. Over the years, the American Dream has changed a bit in relation to finding that home. Years ago it was much simpler. You purchased a plot of land and built your house on it. Now, we spend hours and hours looking for the right area to live; the right schools for our children; and the perfect house with the perfect yard. We have to make sure that that house has the best of everything. This can be exhausting!!! Not to mention, do the neighbors have barking dogs?!

In spite of today’s complexities, the American Dream is still alive – dreaming of making a better life for ourselves and our families. We have high hopes and great expectations. Our goals are founded on those high hopes, and we will do anything to achieve them.

America is known as the land of plenty, the land of opportunity, and the land of destiny. Free enterprise is at the foundation of that dream. In relation to owning our own home, the possibilities are limitless in America. We have so many choices and are very fortunate. In America, owning your own home (private property) is a fundamental, Unalienable right. This American Dream is real, and it can be achieved.

The paradox is: some people say that we are working so hard to make the American Dream happen that we are not taking the time to enjoy the American Dream.

I am here to help you not only make your dreams come true but to help you enjoy the process of finding the home of your dreams in the San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe California areas.

So . . . live your dream, but enjoy the journey!

Topics: San Diego Beach Homes | No Comments »

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