Blog

Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money

by Mia SIMA


Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money

Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money Plain and simple, the quality of your landscaping determines whether or not your home feels inviting from the outside. Curb appeal is what people call it and it’s a key ingredient in the decision to buy a home to more than 71 percent of homebuyers. As you know, landscaping plays a huge role in the curb appeal that you present to prospective buyers for your home. The first impression is key: if buyers don’t like...

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Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling?

by Mia SIMA


Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling?

Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling Who knows your home better than you? The short answer is: nobody. And because of that, you should take the time to make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home before you put it on the market. You see, if you like those things about your house, then so will someone else. And, in an effort to help your agent get your home sold faster and for more money, it will help if you point out...

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Marketing Strategies: Luxury homes vs average priced homes

by Mia SIMA


Marketing Strategies: Luxury homes vs average priced homes

Marketing Strategies: Luxury homes vs average priced homes   As you can imagine, driving up demand for a luxury home takes a uniquely different approach than does selling a regular home. From the word go, you need a strong, clear and focused strategy that details how it will position your luxury home above the ordinary, illustrating and marketing its unique features in the proper manner to the perfect buyer at the perfect price. There are some very different ideas, thoughts and...

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Owning vs. Renting

by Mia SIMA


Owning vs. Renting

Owning vs. Renting Making the decision to own a home versus renting one is no small decision. Not only does it affect your expendable cash, but it also has a huge impact on your lifestyle and how much money you’re able to save over time. Sometimes, the goal to achieve the “American Dream” of owning a home clouds some people’s vision for the future and they buy a home when they should really be renting one. Similarly, there are people who continue to rent for the...

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Property tax assessment too high...what you can do about it?

by Mia SIMA


Property tax assessment too high...what you can do about it?

Property tax assessment too high...what can you do about it? An increase in home values is great because it increases the equity in your home without you having to invest more money in making it happen. Unfortunately, as the price of your home increases, so does the perceived value of your home in the eyes of your local tax assessor. When that happens, your taxes also go up. The bad news is that your tax rate - the annual percentage of your home’s value that you pay - is fixed...

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How to sell a home that didn't sell

by Mia SIMA


How to sell a home that didn't sell

How to sell a home that didn't sell The real estate market has been a little crazy lately. Despite that, we’re still looking at homes selling for a great price when they are priced properly based on current market conditions. So, if your "for sale" sign has been sitting on your front lawn a lot longer than you expected, you might be wondering how to sell your home that didn’t sell when you thought it would. As a best practice, it is ideal to consult your real...

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To Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale

by Mia SIMA


To Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale

To Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale Up until the early 2000’s, most home buyers would have only experienced the eye-popping appeal of home staging if they went and visited a model home at a new construction site. Builders know that it’s much easier for people to make a home-buying decision when they see a home decorated beautifully and set up like someone lives there. These days, staging is highly recommended whether the home is brand new or currently occupied because...

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Exploring South Lake Tahoe's Diverse Architectural Styles

by Shirley and Melissa Team


Exploring South Lake Tahoe's Diverse Architectural Styles

South Lake Tahoe, nestled on the border of California and Nevada, boasts a captivating blend of architectural styles that add character to this picturesque region. As a licensed Realtor with a keen interest in the local real estate market, I find the variety of homes in this area fascinating. 1. **Mountain Chalets**: The charm of South Lake Tahoe is exemplified by its mountain chalets. These cozy, alpine-inspired homes perfectly complement the surrounding natural beauty. With their sloping roofs,...

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How much money will go into your pocket after your home is sold?

by Dustin Batty


How much money will go into your pocket after your home is sold?

How much money will go into your pocket after your home is sold? It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep that matters. This holds especially true when it comes to the sale of your home. The sales price you see at the top of the closing paperwork is rarely, if ever, the amount of money that ends up in your pocket as the seller. There are often a variety of costs and fees associated with getting a home sold, so it’s important that you understand exactly what you’re...

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How much should you offer on the home you fell in love with?

by Dustin Batty


How much should you offer on the home you fell in love with?

  You’ve spent the last few months looking for a home and now the only thing that stands between you and having the right to negotiate full ownership of the home you fell in love with is preparing an offer that will be acceptable to the seller.   The purchase and sales agreement is the first formal communication that leads to the final deal and eventually a closing when it’s time for you to take ownership of the property.   The total agreement between...

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