Increasing the resale value of your home is a good idea, regardless of when you plan to sell. Many homeowners complete DIY projects to save money; after all, it’s cheaper to purchase materials and do the labor yourself than hiring a contractor. But, homeowners save money on improvements only when the projects are within the scope of their capabilities. To help you get the most out of your improvements, we suggest both DIY and professional projects.
1. Make Roof Repairs
Making repairs to your home is important not only for maintenance purposes, but also to show potential buyers that you have been taking care of your home and preventing damage. One such repair is fixing your roof. Buyers shy away from homes that need roof repairs and new roofs because they fear a large expense immediately after investing in a home.
Image via Pixabay
When you repair your roof, you not only prevent water damage, but you also attract more buyers who appreciate that you have taken care of the repair. You’re more likely to sell your home quickly when you repair the roof, and you are much more likely to get your asking price, too.
Of course, making roof repairs or replacing your roof is a home improvement project best left to the professionals. When hiring a roofing contractor, you should take the time to ensure you choose a reputable one.
Watch out for traveling contractors or those that come to town immediately after a storm assuming that you have roof damage. Get bids from several reputable, local firms and ask for references that you can call to ask questions.
2. Update Your Lighting Fixtures
One simple DIY home improvement is updating your lighting fixtures. Old fixtures date your home and don’t deliver the fresh look potential buyers seek. There are several ways to update your lights, from spray painting them to change the finish to completely replacing them. In fact, Good Housekeeping shares nine DIY ways to transform lighting fixtures for homeowners who do not want the expense of buying new ones.
If you do opt to replace your lighting fixtures, make sure you put safety first by turning off the light at the breaker box instead of flipping the wall switch off. You also should test the wires with a circuit voltage tester from a hardware store before doing any work.
Also, make sure that you replace a fixture with the correct wattage bulbs and avoid exceeding the maximum wattage of the fixture. And, always have an assistant to hold the fixture while you wire it or attach it to the ceiling.
3. Update Your Kitchen
Kitchen updates are one of the best ways to increase the resale value of your home because people use this room more than any other room in the house. Potential buyers look for updates such as stone countertops, tile backsplashes, islands, and high-end appliances. So it goes without saying that a kitchen remodel can be quite the undertaking.
Because an entire kitchen remodel gets to be costly, decide which projects fall within your budget and which you are comfortable completing yourself. For example, you likely can handle giving your kitchen a fresh coat of paint or installing a tile backsplash.
But, these projects can be overwhelming and costly if you do them incorrectly. Planning ahead when attempting DIY projects can save you a lot of time and money. When in doubt, consult your real estate agent to help you determine what’s worth upgrading.
There are several DIY and professional home improvements that will increase your home’s resale value. Hire a roofing contractor to repair or replace your roof if necessary. Then, update your lighting fixtures and your kitchen by practicing a project you’ve never done before and hiring pros to complete the ones that you can’t handle.
Article written by guest writer Erin Reynolds with www.diymama.net.
Now that spring is here, I have special incentives for buyers and sellers, such as money back towards closing costs and reduced commission when selling, so please mention this blog and you will also receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
To search free listings, please go to http://www.dynamicsacramentohomes.com. For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
For most homeowners, the joy of having something to call their own is tempered by the upkeep and maintenance that must be done. When you own a home, you also own everything that comes with it, from the furnace to the lawn, and those things become your responsibility. While many home projects can be tackled as DIY weekend jobs that won’t empty your wallet, others can be quite costly and require a professional to handle. When it comes to your HVAC system, sometimes it’s a little bit of both. However, keeping up with cleaning and maintaining your system all year-round will prevent any major issues and keep your home clean at the same time.
The HVAC system is a pricey piece of machinery, so it’s important to make sure you take very good care of it and call in a pro when necessary. Changing filters is the easiest way to keep it running smoothly, but you can also make sure the area around the outdoor system isn’t overgrown and that it has plenty of ventilation.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to keep your system running well all year.
Have It Checked Every Season
It’s a good idea to have your unit checked out at the start of each season, especially if you live in an area that has great temperature changes throughout the year. Having a professional make sure everything is in good working order could help prevent costly repairs down the line, and it will help you ensure that the system will be ready to go when you need it the most. Hot summers are particularly hard on these units, so call a pro when fall rolls around.
Learn the Ins and Outs of Your System
There are several ways you can take care of your system yourself, such as changing the filter often and grooming the area around the outdoor unit, but it’s important to understand how it all works before you make any changes. This will help prevent damage to the unit and injury to yourself, so read up on the system using online guides prior to attempting any maintenance.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The quality of the air in your home can have an impact on everything from your family’s ability to sleep to allergies and breathing issues, so it’s imperative that you take steps to ensure that your HVAC system is clean. This means changing the filter often — typically once a month will work best when you run it every day — and check the return ducts to make sure they’re clear of debris and don’t have any tears or cracks, which can pull pollutants from outside and distribute them in your home. Not only can this affect the air quality, but it can also leave behind dust and pollen.
Keep Your Lawn Tended
Your lawn can have an impact on your HVAC system because the outdoor unit can become blocked by grass, leaves, and other debris. Keep these items away from your system by weeding, cutting the grass often, and making sure animals steer clear of the unit. Make sure branches and twigs are cleared from the area often, especially in fall and winter, and cover the unit with a heavy tarp before you cut the grass to prevent clippings from flying into it.
Keeping up with your HVAC system can be quite a job, and it can be a costly one if you aren’t careful. Taking pains to make sure the area around your unit is clean and free of debris is a big step since the system can pull in outside elements and pollute the air inside your home. With a little research, you can find the best ways to take care of your system without going broke.
Blog written by Suzie Wilson who is proud to announce that her debut book, TheUltimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House, is COMING SOON to online retailers and bookstores near you!
I am always busy during the winter months, selling my listings, or helping my buyers buy the right home, so please mention this blog and you will receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“How is our Sacramento real estate market?” is a question I get quite frequently when talking to friends, past and new clients. Before elaborating on this question, I try to start with a simple answer, such as : “Well, it is a seller’s market right now.” This straight forward statement is immediately understood, but oddly enough, I have come across seasoned agents who still do not explain our purchase agreements to their buyers correctly and honestly.
One of my listings that I have sold for my sellers in three days with multiple offers. Yet, the buyer asked for $5,000 credit for repairs following the home and pest inspections, even though the repairs were quite minor. Their intention was to renegotiate on the price after the inspections, which should not be a buyer’s focus or hope when making an offer.
I have recently sold properties in Auburn, Rancho Cordova, Carmichael and acted as the listing agent, meaning that I represented the seller. On all the listings, I received offers at or above asking price with no mention about repairs on them, which is why I want to answer and clarify the following question for future homeowners, as well as sellers.
Is the seller obligated to do repairs for the buyer after buyer’s home and pest inspections to name just a few?
The answer is: NO. The seller can certainly choose to do some repairs, all, or no repairs based on the “as is” clause, or paragraph 16 that is in our contracts. Yet, most selling, or buyers’ agents do not bother to explain this clause to their buyers, who will get upset and frustrated later, if sellers do not agree to do repairs.
16. CONDITION OF PROPERTY: Unless otherwise agreed in writing: (i) the Property is sold (a) “AS-IS” in its PRESENT physical condition as of the date of Acceptance and (b) subject to Buyer’s Investigation rights; (ii) the Property, including pool, spa, landscaping and grounds, is to be maintained in substantially the same condition as on the date of Acceptance; and (iii) all debris and personal property not included in the sale shall be removed by Close Of Escrow.
With older homes there are more items that home inspectors point out on their reports. However, our purchase contracts are written as is. You can always try to negotiate, but sellers do not have to agree.
The moral of the story for buyers and sellers:
Buyers – Do not expect the sellers to bend over backwards to do repairs, or offer a credit. Be reasonable if you do ask for repairs and evaluate the repairs needed before making an offer in case sellers will not agree to do these repairs after your inspections.
Sellers – I hope you will work with an agent who will fight for every dollar on your behalf and who will not make you do unnecessary repairs, especially if you are selling your home at a great price and have had multiple offers. Have your agents negotiate on your behalf, and feel free to refuse doing minor/petty repairs that come across on the famous, or most precisely, infamous Request for Repairs form. Yet, be flexible with repairs that are major or safety items, as it is not always easy to start with a new buyer and it will definitely delay the close of escrow.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
It takes courage and determination to change at any age, but taking up running later in life to increase one’s health and fitness level is not what the every day person does.
Meet five incredible athletes all in their 70s who are not interested in joining any senior’s classes soon. Their passion and joie de vivre: running.
Last year while training for California International marathon, my third marathon since I started running, I had the pleasure and honor to meet these four amazing women Charlyn, Barbara, Carolyn, and Linda all in their 70s – so driven, radiant, humble, and truly inspiring.
Big 70 to 74 age group winners at Valentine 4-mile race this year. Carolyn in the red, Barbara in the middle, and Charlyn next to her.
We met during our Fleet Feet Fit track workouts led by our amazing coach Chad Worthen. Being the gregarious and curious person that I am, I made friends with them and started asking questions. Charlyn amazed me first, as I talked to her and learned about her transformative and inspiring fitness journey . I even used her story on my mom to get her moving, which worked. My mom started running with me short half a mile distances the summer of 2016. I have to say that her form was perfect and that she did not want to run slowly. In 2017, a few months later after getting to know all these wonderful women, I have decided to interview them and learn about their extraordinary journeys.
Charlyn Frazier’s beginnings and progress as a runner
Charlyn Frazier started to run in February 2011 at the age of 66 after joining a local gym. She had played a lot of tennis in Southern California in the 70s and 80s, but after moving to Sacramento in 1990, she became inactive and put on a lot of weight in the next 21 years. Luckily, her trainer at the gym suggested that she kicked up the cardio and try running.
Charlyn ran her first 5K race in 39:33. It was so exhilarating and she couldn’t wait to do it again. Soon after that, she ran her first 10K in July 2011, her first half in October 2011, and her first marathon California International Marathon in 2012. This was just the beginning of her enthusiasm and passion for running. As of February 2017, Charlyn has run 104 races, four of which are marathons.
Charlyn finishing CIM 2016 with a big smile on her face. Another marathon in the books. Marathons are actually her favorite distance and she loves to train for them. Charlyn admits that even though she is not nervous on race day, she is as excited as a child on Christmas Eve.
Her breakthrough in running came in January 2014 when she decided to join Fleet Feet Fit program. She immediately loved having coach Chad Worthen hold her accountable and give her positive feedbacks, while reminding her to get in her miles and stay focused during workouts.
Charlyn wearing bib number 70 to match her age at the Urban Cow half marathon in Sacramento. What a joy!
Charlyn’s advice to other new and seasoned runners
Taking up running for the first time means to start out slow with short distances and work up from there.
Be ready to be amazed at how quickly your endurance and pace will build-up. For example, Charlyn finished her first 5K on May 30, 2011 in 39:33 and less than three months later finished a 5K in 36:08. Note that she set 5K PR at Run to Feed the Hungry in December 2016 with a time of 27:58.
It is very important to have a network of running buddies. It was a major step for Charlyn in her running journey when she joined up with Fleet Feet to train for her first Urban Cow Half Marathon. The camaraderie in a training group is a phenomenal motivator for setting that clock and meeting up on the road on a cold winter morning.
Meet and run with other runners who can inspire you to become the best you can be. Charlyn has become friends with Barbara, Linda, and Carolyn all featured in this blog.
Charlyn’s greatest accomplishments as a runner
In 2015 Charlyn finished 9th in Buzz Oates Run-Sac competitive division. In 2016, she finished 7th being rewarded with $75.00 and $150.00 respectively. She also earned a place on the 2016 Milestone 100-Mile Club having logged 116 miles in Buzz Oates races http://runsacseries.com/. This earned her a cool shirt, hat, and jacket!
Charlyn’s greatest honor has been receiving the Sacramento Running Association’s Award for 2015 Veteran Women Athlete – Marathon and SRA’s Award for 2016 Veteran Women Athlete – Road Running https://runsra.org/.
SRA (Sacramento Running Association) Achievement Award for Veteran Woman Marathon Athlete.
Barbara Rinker’s beginnings and progress as a runner
Barbara finishing the California International Marathon in December 2016 with a bright smile on her face. Running brings her so much joy and she loves competing. Her favorite distance is the marathon.
Barbara Rinker started to run at 50.
She remembers walking from the 20-mile mark of the American River Trail to the Fish Hatchery as part of a weight loss contest with Weight Watchers to lose pounds and get healthier. Then the walk progressed to a jog next to her long-legged husband. She eventually got pretty efficient at jogging and signed up with Buffalo CHIPS together with her husband. After running her first 10K in 58 minutes, Barbara was hooked by the joy of running. She also realized that running is as mental as it is physical.
Barbara’s advice to other new and seasoned runners
The more you move, the more capable you are of moving.
Appropriate rest days are just as important as running and workout days.
Barbara’s advice to women 60 and older: “make yourself available to other runners; you could find them to be great confidence builders. Find a good training group and talk it up with others of like mind.”
A proper running schedule will help you set and accomplish your health goals and increase the fun in your life. Heavy breathing is good for the soul and the lungs.
Barbara’s greatest accomplishments as a runner
Barbara has run 11 marathons: 9 California International Marathons, 2 Boston Marathons, and 1 Avenue of the Giants.
Total number of other races: 172, including 1 30K, 23 Half Marathons, and a mixture of 5 and 10Ks.
Carolyn Slavich’s beginnings and progress as a runner
Carolyn Slavich was 62 when she started running. She decided to try running when her daughter ran the CIM that year. Carolyn started to run around the track at the tennis club with one of her tennis friends. She doesn’t think she made it even 100 yards the first time she tried it, but kept at it until she could run 5 miles. Her first races were Susan G Komen 5K and Run to Feed the Hungry. When she was 65, Carolyn’s daughter talked her into doing a half marathon. Carolyn ran the Sacramento marathon half, which became the Cowtown and the Urban cow about five times.
When Carolyn was 70 years old, she decided to try a marathon. She looked for the perfect training program, but they all were for people faster than she was. Then she found Harry Tortuga training for the Urban Cow half and was able to combine that with a marathon training program she found on line. Carolyn completed her first CIM at 70 in 5:39.
Carolyn’s advice to other new and seasoned runners
Running is very personal for everyone and the desire to start running has to be there for an individual.
Carolyn encourages everyone interested enough to give running a try, because the end result is an amazing feeling, especially once runners reach their goals.
Running certainly keeps you fit.
Runners are such great people and running is such a wonderful social sport.
Carolyn’s greatest accomplishments as a runner
Carolyn Slavich’s 1st AG (Age group) place at the Shamrock’s half marathon in March 2017.
Carolyn has completed 6 marathons and Boston will be her 7th.
Carolyn is not totally sure, but she thinks she ran 100 races.
She attributes her running accomplishments to her coach Chad Worthen and the Fleet Feet FIT training.
Linda Hall’s beginnings and progress as a runner
Linda won 1st place in her AG at the ZooZoom 5K race on March 26 (5K races are her favorite). We’re both displaying our stuffed animals that we received for placing in our AG. I finished second in my AG.
Linda Hall was 32 and just starting her first job as an assistant professor of biology at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts when she started running. She was working in a high stress job, setting up her own research laboratory, competing for grant money, teaching really bright students, and living in a big city. Linda had a husky-shepherd dog (Nikki) who loved running around Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Once Linda started running with her dog to and from work, she was hooked. Linda has been running for more than 40 years.
Linda did not run any races until she moved to New York City in 1979 when she joined the faculty at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she was a professor of molecular genetics and neuroscience. She joined NYC road runners and also Prospect Park Track club. Linda’s first race was Leggs mini marathon, which was really a 10 k race in Central Park. That year Dustin Hoffmann was in the movie Tootsie. He ran in that race in drag and was just ahead of Linda. The crowd was cheering for him, which was an indelible moment.
Linda’s advice to other new and seasoned runners
Buy yourself a pair of good running shoes and vow to wear them out (it takes 300-400 miles).
Then buy another pair of shoes and keep going.
Running is a great way to relieve stress and to solve problems.
Running can teach us patience and to approach problems systematically: one step at a time.
Nothing seems bad after a nice run alone or with friends.
Listen to your body and don’t try to do too much, too soon.
Find a group of friends who area little faster than you and stick with them.
Running is a great way to maintain your weight, but you still can’t eat everything.
Have fun with running, but listen to your body and you can keep running for many years. …more than 40 years for Linda!
Running teaches you the importance of running your own race, but also the importance of encouraging others.
Linda’s greatest accomplishments as a runner
Linda has run 7 marathons: NYC marathon (4 times), Marine Corps, Grandmas (in Minnesota), and the San Diego rock n roll marathon
Besides these wonderful and dedicated women athletes, I also had the honor to meet and interview David Ghent, who competes and wins in the Senior Games in the 70-74 age group, which used to be Senior Olympics.
My friend Andrea and I met David Ghent at the American River College track stadium. We started chatting with him and found out how much he loves to sprint. We also learned that he is in his 70s and living life to the fullest. His favorite event is the 100 meters dash.
David Ghent’s beginnings and progress as a runner
David Ghent is a different type of runner; he is a 73-year-old sprinter who loves sprinting due to the fact that it is over quickly. David has attempted distance running, but found out that he didn’t have the mental fortitude for it. David started sprinting for exercise and fell in love with it. He was sprinting at American River Junior College one day when this man asked him if he ever thought about sprinting in the Senior Games, which used to be Senior Olympics. The Senior Games are divided into 5 year increments from 50 years on up. David had never heard of it before, but started checking into it and decided to enter his first competition in 2014. He won three gold medals and has competed ever since.
David’s advice to other new and seasoned runners
It is never too late to start something.
People put too much weight into numbers when discussing age. It is almost expected that when one reaches a certain age, one is to stop living and “take it easy,” which is a big mistake.
If more people could experience the feeling of when endorphins are activated into the pleasure center of one’s brain and the positive effect that endorphins have on the thoughts and feelings of the person, maybe more would choose to run.
Joining a running group is such a positive and motivating environment. It is more enjoyable to participate in doing something with other like-minded people than alone.
Completing a marathon doesn’t have to be the end all of a goal. Just go into it with the thought of moving, as they say from couch to 5K.
David’s greatest accomplishments as a runner
To medal is the ultimate goal, but to be a participant and take in all that the Games have to offer and meeting the athletes is truly a privilege. To witness a 92 year young woman shot put and a 101 year young man shot put, throw both the javelin and discuss, and to run and finish both the 100 and 200 meter dashes is truly inspiring.
Every two years there is the National Senior Games which are held in a different state each time. One has to qualify to participate and each state has their own qualifying events. David was fortunate enough to have qualified in 2015 which was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota and again this year in Birmingham, Alabama. He will be participating in the 50, 100, and 200 meter dashes. He failed to advance to the finals in 2015, but that is his goal this year in Birmingham.
David has run many 5K races and finished 2 half-marathons.
David’s big goal and plan for this year is to run and finish the CIM, which will be his first marathon. He hopes to erase that from his bucket list.
When it comes to running and exercising to stay healthy and happy, running can be a great outlet. After all, life is rarely a sprint; it is a marathon, so why not run your first marathon at any age and find more inspiration from others who have done it and have transformed their lives, one step and mile at a time.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog, and if you have your own amazing stories to share, please comment here.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Today at our monthly Sacramento Association of Realtors meeting, we had the honor to listen to Mayor Steinberg talk about Sacramento’s future as a growing city. He was engaging, informative, funny, and invested in making Sacramento not just a government town, but also a destination city.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg talking at our monthly meeting at the Sacramento Association of Realtors
Some of his immediate items to address as a newly-elected mayor were:
Working on our city’s image and transforming Sacramento into a more sophisticated and more visited city. A few ways to attract more visitors would be through the Kings Arena, a world class Science Museum and Exploratorium, an Aquarium, increasing the visibility of arts, opening up the water promenade, and connecting West Sacramento to Sacramento.
Working on providing more shelters and programs for the homeless.
Passing an immediate law regarding teenagers who will be paid for their summer work (just for a certain amount of hours). They will also be employed and paid for two months in their line of work right after college and paid. This will create a more robust work force and will help young people compete fairly in an already competitive market.
Encouraging and expanding the housing market with a variety of newly-built projects, such as the L St. lofts, I St. studio, as well as other ones that are being marketed and that I can help you show and purchase.
Creation of more jobs.
Keeping the real estate market affordable by increasing the supply through building new homes and condos.
To sum things up, Darrell Steinberg’s speech and presentation emphasized the need to increase Sacramento’s positive image, as well as continue to have a robust real estate market while keeping things affordable in our growing city.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
