Tag: realtor tips

Homeownership & Lifestyle, Real Estate

5 Steps to Prepare for Your Next Home Construction Project

Lupe Ruiz, REALTOR®/Broker

Adding a home office? Renovating your outdoor space? Adding an ADU? Upgrading technology? Whichever your next home construction may be, being prepared with these 5 steps will reduce some of the stress a renovation or remodel produces.

1. Plan the Project – Decide the scope of the project. What would you like to accomplish? How much money might it cost? How long might it take?

2. Secure Financing– Depending on the type of project, this could range from a personal loan to a renovation loan or a construction loan. There are also loans available for ADUs and room additions nowadays.

3. Budget for the Project – Now that you know what you would like to build, you can create a budget. This will help you stay on track with expenses and maximize your return on investment. There is always the risk of going over budget but without one at all, there is a greater risk you will run out of financial resources in the middle of the project.

4. Design the Project – You may start with a draft and then show the architect or designer your vision. They will then convert your vision into drawings taking into consideration budget, scope and expected outcomes.

5. Review Contractor Bids – Ultimately, select a contractor who is licensed and bonded, with a good reputation and known to deliver.

It will depend on the type of project if you will need to hire a general contractor, subcontractors, or a handyperson. This will, more likely, be determined in the planning stage. You will also need to be clear on the differences in their responsibilities and commitment. Ultimately, if you do not want to deal with the whole ordeal of a construction project, consider hiring a construction manager who may manage the project and represent your best interest.

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Content photo: Silvia Brazzoduro – Unsplash.com

istockphoto.com

Featured photo: iStockphoto.com

Real Estate, Tips & More

5 Tips to Stay Yourself Cool At Home During a Heat Wave

Lupe Ruiz, REALTOR®/Broker

We are expecting a heat wave this weekend and you might not want to spend it at the beach or at the shopping center. Wondering how you can save energy while keeping yourself cool at home?  Here are 5 tips to keep yourself cool at home during a heat wave:

  • Unplug heat producing electronics such as appliances or computer equipment.
  • Use stand or ceiling fans to circulate the air while you are in the room. Make sure to turn them off when you leave the room.
  • Keep your windows shut and curtains closed. Don’t turn on lights, especially fluorescent lights.
  • Don’t use the stove. Eat cold or microwaveable foods instead.
  • Close doors to rooms to keep the air inside and if you live in a two-story home.

These are just a few ways you can enjoy the comfort of your home during a heat wave while saving energy.  Additionally, stay hydrated by drinking water and staying away from alcohol.  Also, don’t forget to take care of the elderly, children, and pets.  

Content Photo by Made Of Lovely on Unsplash

Featured Photo by Alejandro Tocornal on Unsplash

Real Estate

The Sandwich Generation

Lupe Ruiz, REALTOR®/Broker

You might be wondering what is the sandwich generation. This generation usually is between their 40s and 50s; still have children under 18 or grown children they financially support. This generation also cares for elderly parents. A Pew Research Center study found that almost 50% of this generation takes care of a parent 65 years or older and a child under 18 years old. As much as you would like to be there all the time, it can be difficult and you may even have guilty feelings, but there are ways you can still care for your parent and balance your everyday life.

Tips for Caring for Aging Parents

1) If your parent is at home, hire a caregiver or ask a relative to stay with him or her. You can arrange a schedule when assistance is needed the most.

2) If your parent is in a senior home but you are worried about what is going on with the pandemic, consider building a small studio or an accessory dwelling unit where your parent still has privacy and independence but is close enough to you.

3) Consult with a senior care manager to help with coordination and other resources.

4) If space is a concern, consider moving to a bigger home. But, more importantly, take care of yourself; talk about it; and ask for help when you need it.

Real Estate

Selling Your Home in This Digital Age

Lupe Ruiz, REALTOR®/Broker

 

How many times a day would you say you go to your phone to either search something online or check your social media?  According to a study by Asurion, Americans check their phone 80 times a day about every 12 minutes, on average (NYPOST.COM, Americans Check Their Phones 80 Times a Day: Study. 11/08/17). Yikes!  I was surprised too, but honestly, I am guilty of this as well.  It almost seems like having information at our fingertips is a necessity nowadays.  And, as the years go by, I believe we will rely more and more in technology.

Technology changes so many things, including how fast and for how much you sell your home!  Have you wondered why some homes that compare to each other in features and price will sell in different time frames and even prices? According to the National Association of Realtors’ Real Estate in a Digital Age 2017 Report, in 1981, 22% of home buyers would look at newspapers to search for homes.  By 2016, 44% were looking for homes online as their first step in purchasing a home.

So, why wouldn’t the way your home is marketed change too?  The first impression a home buyer will get of your home will be online –more likely, on their phone … so, would it be fair to say professional or high quality photography, drone and video of your home will make a difference in how soon you sell your home?

In this digital age of social media and internet blogs and vlogs it is key to have the right real estate agent doing all this work for you.  Oh! And, it’s not just about posting your home online, it’s about strategically posting your home online.  So, next time you interview a real estate agent about listing your home for sale, ask about his or her strategic marketing plan.

As always, contact me if you or anyone you know is looking to sell or buy.

909-346-3610

LupeRuizRealty@yahoo.com

http://www.luperuizrealtor.com

CABRE#01513573

Real Estate

10 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Lupe Ruiz, REALTOR®/Broker

Congratulations, you have gone to your local bank and were pre-approved for a $350,000 home loan! You already know the location and the features you want in your new home, but now what? Where do you start? Do you go calling every listing agent in town? Or, do you just go on-line and see what is on the market? Here are some tips that may be able to help you during your home search.

1. Work with an experienced Realtor who can guide and advise you during the process. It is important you have your own Realtor representing you as the buyer in the transaction. A selling agent, will help you search homes, show them to you, and negotiate the deal for you.

2. Trust your Realtor. Your Realtor is the expert in the industry and can tell you whether or not you should offer asking price; or what terms should or should not be included in the Purchase Agreement.

3. When it comes to viewing homes; take all decision-makers with you (including those who are not buying but have influence in your decision-making). Many times, new homebuyers see a home they love, submit and get an offer accepted, but then get cold feet when their relatives or friends “warn” them about everything they should’ve considered before submitting an offer. Hence, causing the buyer to cancel.

4. Have an open mind. You might not be able find the perfect, dream home so you may need to purchase one that needs some tender loving care. Or, if you do find the home of your dreams; keep in mind it is also someone else’s dream home; so take your Realtors’ advise on the best offer you should submit.

5. Purchase a Home Warranty. A home warranty may save you a lot of money if a large item such as a water heater, air conditioning, plumbing, appliances, etc breaks down.

6. Do not purchase any large items on credit. This may interfere with your loan approval and may prevent you from moving forward with the transaction. This is relevant at all stages of the home search and, even more so, during the escrow process.

7. Communicate and cooperate with your Realtor and loan representative. It is imperative that you maintain constant communication with them as they are working hard to get you qualified and into your new home as soon as possible.

8. Don’t view too many properties. More than three trips and viewing too many properties may create the mentality that the more you see, the better deal you will find. However, instead, this will cause confusion and second thoughts; hence, prolonging the home search and possibly walking away from a good opportunity.

9. Obtain a home inspection. Even if the home appears to be in perfect condition, it is always recommended that a trained professional inspect the property. If the inspection reveals serious defects that the seller did not disclose you are generally able to rescind your offer and get your deposit back.

10. Avoid buyer’s remorse. It is not uncommon that somewhere during escrow, homebuyers may question if they made the right decision. You may avoid this by doing your homework beforehand and matching your expectations and price range. If you’ve done this, your stress level may be reduced and buyer’s remorse may have been avoided.