Marin County Real Estate Blog

What Does it Cost to Sell a Home?

Paying After Home SaleWhen a homeowner puts their home up for sale, they are focused on the finish line: what price will the home sell for and how much money will they make? And, while a seller is correct to focus at least partly on profit, they should be aware that there are many costs associated with the sale of a home. 

Expect Some Pre-Sale Costs

Before a seller takes the plunge and lists the home, he or she should expect to incur some expenses in getting the home ready for listing. First impressions are crucial when selling a home and a seller wants to be certain that they put their best foot forward right out of the gate. 

  • Freshening up the home: A new coat of interior and exterior paint can go a long way toward making a home seem airy, bright, and new. Combine painting with a professional deep cleaning, window washing, new exterior mulch and plants, and power washing the deck and the home will sparkle inside and out. 
  • Basic maintenance: It is easy for a homeowner to ignore a loose cabinet door or a cracked window on a daily basis but when readying a home for sale these items must become a priority. A buyer sees these imperfections as future home improvement jobs. This doesn't mean a seller has to overhaul an entire kitchen, rather simply ensure that basic maintenance items are squared away before listing. 
  • Staging and decorating:  The key to selling a home quickly...

The Benefits of Buying a New Construction

Since the average home is built to provide suitable shelter for decades, a century, or sometimes even longer, it makes sense that roughly 559,000 new homes were sold in 2016, as compared to the nearly ten times more (5,440,000) existing homes that were sold in that same year. But even though they are not as numerous as existing homes, newly constructed homes offer some real benefits to the people who opt to buy them.

Buyer's Choice in Location

Unlike existing houses, buyers who choose new construction have the opportunity select their ideal location. Buyers can situate newly constructed homes on available building lots in suburban settings, or they can choose to find their dream property and have their builder construct their new home on it. New construction buyers can also look for building lots in developments that are specifically geared to their activities and needs and then have their dream home built there instead of having to sacrifice their housing dreams in order to own a home on their favorite lake, golf course, or other location. 

In addition to a precise location, choosing to custom build a new home offers buyers the freedom to face the home in any direction they choose or position it where they want it, in accordance with any...

Tips to Sell a Lived-In House

It's not uncommon to have to sell one home before you can buy the next. The process of living in your house while you are selling it, however, can put a lot of stress on you and your family. To ensure that you sell quickly and are able to easily move on to your next home, consider the following steps so your transition goes as smoothly as possible.

Pay Attention to Curb Appeal

The curb appeal of a house is the first impression that potential buyers get when touring a home, and that first impression can be instrumental in wowing them and potentially leading to a sale. Remember, buyers see a lot of houses in their searches, and the best way to get their attention is to make yours stand out––in a good way.

The first step to adjusting curb appeal is cleaning. Pressure wash the driveway, house, and front walkway to make them look clean and new, and neatly trim any trees and hedges to make the house more visible. If there's time, consider giving the house a new paint job, updating the front door or siding, or looking for other projects. Buyers linger a lot in the doorway, so you want your front porch looking its best.

De-Clutter your Closets

It's inevitable: interested buyers are going to peek. Make sure that they like what the see when they look in closets.

One option for cleaning out closets is to sort through everything and determine...

Can You Buy a Home With Bad Credit?

Bad Credit Buyer SearchWhen looking for a home to buy, having less than desirable credit can be disheartening for some. Due to certain life circumstances, protecting your score from dropping might not have been possible. In reality, it is likely possible to purchase a home, whether it’s your first or not, with a credit score that is low.

Often times it just takes a bit of research and creative thinking to uncover pathways to making the purchase successful. This out of the box thinking can result in a positive buying experience, and provides hope for those who once thought homeownership was out of reach.

A Popular Option For Funding

The money to purchase a home doesn’t have to come solely out of the buyer’s wallet, as there are a variety of government programs designed to help those with less disposable income, and more specifically bad credit. One of the more well-known options is the FHA loan, granted by the Federal Housing Administration. Only available for first time buyers, an FHA loan provides a low interest rate and approval despite a less than desirable credit history.

For those looking into living in a rural area, the United States Department of Agriculture offers a loan if you might not have the resources for a down payment. Bad credit is acceptable with this funding option, but it does have a minimum score requirement. As long as the home is within a specific geographic area, the USDA loan will get you in the door for zero down.

Home buying...

Marin County Real Estate. Spring Forward!

Some people love Daylight Savings Time, while others, given a choice, would eliminate it entirely. I love the long evenings and late light of spring and summer, but whichever side of the fence you're on, you don't want to miss anything by being an hour late! So remember to change your clocks this Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 am (or maybe just change them before you go to bed!). Spring is only a few days away; beginning this year on March 20, it will be a welcome change after a wet winter!

Looking ahead to the spring real estate market, we reviewed the most recent report available from Core Logic/Data Quick real estate data service. Their figures show Marin County January 2017 sales at 185 units, up 4.5% from 177 in January 2016. January's year-over-year prices were up 12% with the average Marin home going for $812,500 in January 2017 compared to $725,000 in January of 2016. Preliminary data we are seeing from other sources seems to show February 2017 prices may be down slightly (1.7%) from February of 2016. Inventory is still fairly slim, currently at a 2.1 month supply and down about 9% from this time last year. With interest rates poised to continue their upward climb, buyers are eager to complete their purchases at more affordable current rates. We are expecting an active spring market here in Marin. 

If you're looking for a new home, want to sell your current one, are moving up, downsizing, or moving out of the area, your best source source of information, advice, and assistance is a REALTOR who knows the local market and the people who make it run.

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Just On The Market in Terra Linda - 597 Tamarack Drive

We are pleased to represent the owners of this three bedroom Kenny Built home in Terra Linda. Terra Linda is exactly what buyers dream about when they think of neighborhood living in Marin County. The spacious home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a lovely family room adjoining the bright and upgraded kitchen. There are hardwood floors throughout much of the house and a lovely fireplace in the family room.

The oversized back yard has a swimming pool, deck and yard areas. You will want to sit outside and enjoy views of the hills or have summer BBQ’s here.  Charming and ready to move into, this single story home is convenience and comfort plus.

The Terra Linda community consists of many ranch style houses, parks, great public schools, plentiful shopping, including a wonderful neighborhood market, and Kaiser Hospital. There is a community center with public swimming pool and convenience to the 101 commute corridor is an added plus.

Terra Linda is a hiking and biking paradise. Surrounded by acres of open space, there are many trails to traverse in all different directions.  The trail starts at the end of Freitas Parkway and is an easy walk into Sleepy Hollow and San Anselmo or downtown Fairfax.  I love seeing the nesting western bluebirds and tree swallows.  It is a lovely walk and connects with many other trails too.

When we’re not out enjoying hiking the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide we’re exploring China Camp on the bay.  The beaches, commemorative museum and the surrounding trails overlooking the marshlands and the bay make for a wonderful day out.

Call Yvonne Berg at Marin Modern for a tour of this nice home.
415 233-1626

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