Monthly Archives: February 2014

Living at home while remodeling?

Posted on by

0

So you are planning on remodeling as opposed to braving the housing market right now and you have decided to experience the process first hand.  If that’s the case there are a few things that you can do or should be aware of before the crew arrives.  Laura Gaskill, contributing writer for Houzz, has written an excellent article explaining the rationale behind the list below:
  • Pare down and pack up
  • Set up a temporary kitchn
  • Check on Home Security
  • Protect your at home privacy
  • Put your “must have” things together
  • Keep kids out of work areas
  • Watch outdoor construction zones
  • Remember your Pets
  • Budget a “getaway” you will need it!

Townhome Landscaping

Posted on by

0

There are many joys to Town-home living,  probably the most notable is the freedom it provides. Being able to take off when you like and not having to worry about security and your landscaping dying! A negative might be the limited back yard space. I think the sublime way this designer has incorporated separate sitting areas that encourage conversation as well as alfresco dining with an estate feel to it are tastefully executed here.  I like the trimmed box-woods mixed with the antique pots that fill in the angular lines of the planted areas.  I’d had the fire going every night with a glass of wine to end the evening.

Quick Home Facelift

Posted on by

0

A few weeks ago I posted an article that featured a number of ways to give your home a new look without a total remodel. A fresh start for the New Year so to speak. One of the suggestions was to change out the style of lighting in a room. Although subtle a new light fixture or even a Chandelier can modernize the look and feel.  Houzz.com features lighting of all designs and styles. Here’s the link for their Chandelier collection.

 

Tuscany Travel…Villas, Cooking…and more

Posted on by

0

Tuscan Travel Group has recently added a new Villa to it’s portfolio of stunning properties available for rent in Tuscany, Italy. Laura and Brandy, co-founders of TTG have curated a collection of unique and beautiful Tuscan villas and farmhouses that are waiting for your next vacation. Whether you are dreaming of a relaxing spa vacation with panoramic views, a cooking experience, a gourmet feast or a walking vacation in Tuscany, they can design a travel experience for you that will be forever memorable.

In their own words, “Our portfolio is comprised of authentic and beautiful Italian homes and villas located amidst the rolling hills of Tuscany.  Each property is hand-picked by us based on the location, amenities, character and many other factors that make a vacation property special.  We develop relationships with trusted owners of Italian villas and have personally experienced the deep affection they have put into their properties.  We only include in our portfolio homes that we would choose for our own friends’ and families’ vacation experiences.”

Visit their other properties available at:   http://tuscantravel.com/

 

If I were a cat, this is where I’d live!

Posted on by

0

Pete Cohen’s Goleta house is not only artfully designed and technically smart but it’s about as close a cat can get to Heaven without forfeiting a life. Houzz’s reporter Mitchell Parker shares Cohen’s plan, budget and pictures in his recent post. Here’s the link:http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23029316?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u436&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery0

 

Escape Destinations in California!

Posted on by

0

shutterstock welcome sign garden BLOG Something Old: Century Old California Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and Breakfast’s in California…..as is my practice in the morning I am perusing the days publications that I review and I came across this blog about B & B’s in California that California Home has suggested in celebration of Valentines Day. Feeling the need to reminisce, I’ve added my list. Now not all of my suggestions are B & B’s but they are escape destinations!

Bardessono, Yountville

Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley

Old Monterey Inn, Monterey

Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Carmel Valley

Channel Road Inn in the canyon between Santa Monica & Pacific Palisades

Shore House, Lake Tahoe

Aviarra, Carlsbad

L’Auberge Del Mar, Del Mar

http://www.californiahome.me/2014/02/something-old-century-old-california-bed-and-breakfasts/#sthash.QsThy7MX.dpbs

What’s the Housing Market doing?

Posted on by

0

1500losmontes Bi Weekly Market Watch: Record Year for Luxury Home Sales in the Bay Area

Well, anyone in the housing market today doesn’t need to be told, it’s brutal if you are a buyer competing for the purchase of a home. The process can be just as overwhelming however for the seller, sifting through 20 offers, trying to choose just the right one with the minimal amount of risk.

California homes sales of over $1M or more rose to the highest level in six years.  Lack of inventory contributed to higher housing sale prices that have risen on average between 20% and 30% over the past year. So how do you compete as a buyer in this marketplace?

As reported by Data Quick, a San Diego Company that  monitors real estate activity nationwide, a record number of CA homes were purchased for cash in 2013. Last year over 10,000 homes that sold for over $1M were purchased in this fashion, which is a 20% increase from 2012. In multiple offer situations, cash is the preferred medium of exchange. For the seller, a cash offer with no contingencies is almost a closed deal which is very reassuring.

Not everyone has cash of course, so how do you have a competitive edge when you require a loan? Of the properties that did sell with financing their median down payment was 30%. The higher down-payment, lowers the banks liability, which is of paramount importance to a lender when considering a loan on a property that has just gone into contract at a higher price than the comparables. Remember real estate markets fluctuate, lenders remember this. But with foreclosures down to a 8 year low due to increase housing valuation we get a little short sighted and forget there can be an economic downturn.

January sales prices are up 25 % higher than last year due to a lack of inventory and hungry buyers. This makes it a challenging marketplace for everyone. Now I don’t have a crystal ball but some buyers may decide to wait the market out so they don’t have to get caught up in the multiple offer, overbidding war.   When there are no longer as many buyers, housing prices will start to drop. As we approach Spring sellers will begin to make the move to put their properties on the market boosting our supply. Hopefully with these two factors working together we will see some price stabilization.  Historically January is always slow because sellers want to wait for the daffodils in Spring but after the first of the year the buyers are ready to go!