A Hoarder House?

Yesterday I showed a house in El Cajon to some clients and while it wouldn't be featured on the TV show "Hoarders" it was close!  There was stuff everywhere.  Every horizontal surface was covered with stacks of items.  Only the center of the floor was visible.  The furniture was large and I do not think I have seen so many bookshelves in one place outside of the library!  Closet doors would not close and I was seriously afraid to open any cabinet for fear of what would tumble out at us.  Every room was like this.  As you can imagine with all this stuff the place did not smell airy.  It smelled of dust, dirty clothes and random old food.  This my friends is not the way to get your home sold!

I have heard the rants and justifications from sellers before.  "Well, the buyer will just need to look past it".  Um how?  You can't see any walls, floor or counters!  "My home has the lived in feel, I don't like a prim and stuffy feel."  The air is so stuffy I can't breathe!  "I don't have time to organize."  How are you going to move it all when we close escrow?  "The carpet is new and will clean up nice".  It is thread bare along the only accessible path.  "We never use the fireplace so the bookcase in front is better"  How will a buyer know the house has a fireplace?

If you are trying to sell your home you have to be realistic!  The buyers who come to view a home want to be able to visualize themselves in the space.  They cannot do this if there is hardly space for them in the room.  The existing items are a distraction and become overwhelming to the buyers.  When they see a messy and cluttered home you are NOT creating excitement or something that makes the buyers feel this is a move up to a better life.  On the contrary it is depressing and who wants to live in a place that makes you feel like that?

When a buyer sees a dirty and cluttered space it tells them that the seller doesn't take care of their things and doesn't care.  The buyer often thinks that this applies to the house as well.  If someone can't sort through the years worth of mail or clean the dishes why would they assume that leaks are fixed quickly and regular maintenance done?  By having a cluttered, messy home you are putting negative thoughts into the buyer's mind about the property.  This is not a good thing.

One of the big things buyers want is space, usually the more the better.  By having a cluttered mess the buyers see that the place is too small.  Having closets over stuffed they assume there is not enough storage in the home.  It is imperative that you get rid of items to open up the home and give a positive impression rather than a negative one.  Get rid of the items in front of the windows, open the drapes, let the light shine in and allow the buyers to see that the house has windows and light!

I know it can be hard and overwhelming to pack up a home that you have lived in for a long time.  I know, I just did it a couple of years ago.  But if you are selling your home you are going to have to move so why not get a jump on the process and get better offers to negotiate?  Not to mention if you start clearing out the junk you will have less to move in the end and if you are paying a mover the less you move the less it will cost you!  You do not have to do it all in one day, start with one room or even one closet.  Decide what you are taking with you, what you will donate and what is trash.  Yes, I said it trash!  Another hint would be to start using your reserves and not buying more.  Really, do you want to move 49 cans of green beans and 14 cases of toilet paper?  No more Costco runs! 

Start before you put the home on the market and have a neat, organized home for the buyers to view.  Continue the process as the home sells.  You will be helping your home sell quicker and for more money and when it finally does sell your moving day will be much smoother.  Good luck and happy sorting!

Real Estate 2011 Shape Up

Happy New Year everyone!  I am sure many of you heard that houses did not sell in 2011 but the reality is they did.  Maybe not as many as in previous years but homes were definately bought and sold.  Here are the numbers for some east county neighborhoods.  This is only for single family homes that sold through the MLS.  I did not include condos, land or commercial properties.

Alpine 91901, 180 properties sold, $149,900-$1,100,000

Jamul 91935, 89 properties sold, $105,000-$1,200,000

El Cajon 92019, 334 properties sold, $151,000-41,317,740
               92020, 316 properties sold, $125,000-$905,000
               92021, 344 properties sold, $80,000-$840,000

La Mesa 91941, 287 properties sold, $140,000-1,300,00
               91942, 257 properties sold, $160,000-$610,000

Spring Valley 91977, 540 properties sold, $115,000-$635,000
                       91978, 68 properties sold, $137,000-$529,000

Santee 92071, 422 proerties sold, $130,000-$820,000

Things to do this Weekend in El Cajon

For those of you who live in La Mesa, Santee, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley or other areas of San Diego East County, here are some great events that are going on this weekend.  For those of you who are considering buying a home in Rancho San Diego or other nearby areas, take a look at some of the great events and get out there and enjoy!

Santee Family fest: Saturday Aug. 27, 11-3:00 at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. This event offers crafts for kids, carnival games, booths, inflatable jumping toys, laser tag, fitness challenges, swimming, a WNBA basketball clinic at 1 p.m. for children 7 to 13 (requires a waiver), and food. This event is Free. Information: (619) 254-4100 ext. 201 or Santee City page.


Sycuan Resort Anniversary party: Thursday Aug 25th, 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the lawn at Sycuan Resort, 3007 Dehesa Road, El Cajon. This event will benefit the nonprofit, Stoneys Kids and feature hors d’oeuvres, dinner, raffle and live auction of an electric guitar signed by country singer Toby Keith. Cost is $25 per person. Information: (619) 204-8245.

Summer Movies in the Park: Friday August 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center, 3131 School Lane. Watch “Rio.” Free. Information: (619) 825-3810 or Lemon Grove City page.
Concerts on the Green: 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Prescott Promenade, 201 E. Main St., El Cajon. Aunt Kizzy’s Boys will perform blues music. Free. Information: (619) 401-8858.

Spring Valley Car show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 at Faith Chapel, 9400 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Christian Rods & Customs Car Club. This annual event will feature classic cars, trophies, food, live music, raffles, vendors and entertainment. Admission is free. Information: (619) 286-5501 or Christian Rods and Customs.
Spring Valley Library Book sale: Friday, August 26, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton St. The Friends of the Library will host a book sale featuring hardcovers, paperbacks, videos, magazines and other items. Information: (619) 463-3006.

Job fair: 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, Aug. 26 on the second floor of the student center at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.  A number of employers, including those in insurance, communications, technology, retail, law enforcement and entertainment will have representatives. Information: (619) 448-5201 http://hunter.house.gov/.

“The Heart of Mt. Helix”: Saturday Aug. 27, 5:30 to 10 p.m., at the amphitheater on Mount Helix, 4901 Mount Helix Drive, La Mesa. This event features work by local performing and visual artists, food and live music. Tickets are $60 general admission. Information: (619) 741-4363 or Mt Helix Park.

Cool zone for seniors: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Heritage of the Americas Museum, 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon. Free admission to senior citizens looking to cool off during the warm weather months. Information: (619) 670-5194 or Cuyamaca College.
Military Momma Mondays: 9 a.m. each Monday at La Mesita Park, 8855 Dallas St., La Mesa. This fitness class is for any active duty or dependent military mother. The classes involve walking and intervals of toning. Free. Information: (619) 436-7404 or Stroller Strides.

Cajon Classic Cruise: Every Wednesday through Oct. 26, 5 to 8 p.m. on East Main Street at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon. The weekly car show features hundreds of classic, custom and hot rod cars and motorcycles, vendors, food, DJs, and live entertainment. Free. Information: (619) 401-8858 or Downtown El Cajon.

When you buy a home be prepared for an earthquake.

Yesterday's earthquake on the East Coast should serve as a reminder here in San Diego that you need to be prepared.  When you buy and move into your new home, is the perfect time to review how prepared you are.  You should go through all of your supplies and replenish as needed.  You will also need to find a new place to store your items.  You and your family should also go over an evacuation plan since you are now in a new space.

When you buy a home and move in, you need to make sure everyone knows how to locate...
1.  The fire extinguisher
2.  The gas shut off valve (wrench should be attached)
3.  The prearranged meeting spot

You should have the following supplies and know where they are.
1.  A fire Extinguisher
2.  Water for 2 weeks (1gallon per person, per day)
3.  Medications you and you family are on
4.  First aid kit and instructions
5.  Flashlights (with extra batteries and bulbs)
6.  Portable radio and batteries
7.  Canned and packaged ready to eat food.
8.  Manual can opener
9.  Waterproof plastic bags for waste disposal

What to do during an earthquake
1.  If you are inside, stay there.  Move away from windows, fireplaces, tall heavy furniture and get out of kitchen where things can fall on you.  Duck under a heavy table and hang on.
2.  If you are outside, move away from buildings, power lines, chimneys and snything that can fall on you.

You can find more information on earthquakes here.

Tax Tips for Home Sellers

As a real estate agent in Rancho San Diego I am often asked about the tax implications of selling a home.  I am not a tax consultant and do not feel comfortable offering advise in an area that I am not an expert. But I do want to help my clients make educated decisions when deciding to sell their home.

The IRS recently published their 10 Tax Tips for Individual Sellers.  This publication provides you with some great information.  If you are considering selling your home, check it out.  Then call me to arrange a time to discuss what I can do to assist you in getting your home sold and share with you what I will do to agressively market you home.

Lake Murray Terrace Condo

I just sold a condo in the Lake Murray Terrace complex.  This is condo complex of approximately 230 units.  These units are spacious and conveniently located near Grossmont College and Lake Murray.  The complex features multiple pools and a spa.  The unit I sold was 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1041 square feet.  This complex is great for someone thinking of buying an investment property or for a college student, just starting out.  The units are easily rented and the prices are very reasonable. There are currently 3 other units available in the complex.  If you are interested in more information, please feel free to give me a call or visit my website at Lake Murray Real Estate.