When selling your home, it's important to understand the differences between home staging vs. decorating. Most real estate agents today acknowledge that, in the majority of cases, staging a home makes it sell faster and for more money. Convincing sellers of the same can be a difficult challenge. Why Home Staging Matters A fast sale at the highest price is the most desirable outcome for Continue Reading »
Considering Solar Panels for Your Home?
5 Questions to Ask When a Home Has Solar Panels Whether you’re buying or selling a home with solar panels, be sure you know the answers to these five questions. Who makes the solar panels? As the solar industry continues to consolidate, there will be fewer solar manufacturers in five years than there are right now. Ask who manufactured the panels and make sure the company is still in business Continue Reading »
The Zillow Zestimate and Santa Barbara Home Value
Ever wondered how your Zillow Zestimate compares to your actual Santa Barbara home value? You're not alone. Millions of people log on to Zillow every day in order to see what home values are either within their neighborhood, for a home they might be interested in buying and even what their own home's "Zestimate" is at the moment. But how close is a Zestimate to the actual value of a Santa Continue Reading »
Michael Jackson’s NeverLand Ranch hits the Market at $100,000,000
Michael Jackson's former NeverLand Ranch has hit the market for a mere $100,000,000. It is now called Sycamore Valley Ranch. The famous property is located about 30 miles just outside Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley town of Los Olivos. It's complicated, but an investment firm, Colony Capital owns the majority property which they purchased in 2008 amid Michael Jackson's financial troubles. Continue Reading »
A Home Inspection Prior to Putting Your House on the Market?
A very strategic move you can make prior to putting your house on the market is to get your own home inspection. I know, it sounds crazy! You ask "Why would I want to spend the money to perform my own home inspection when I know my potential buyer is going to do one?" One simple reason, no surprises!!!! Once your get your house under contract, you do not want any surprises, as surprises, no Continue Reading »
Why Sellers Should Invest In Outdoor Spaces
If you're thinking about investing in your Santa Barbara home, chances are you're also thinking about what parts of the house need sprucing up. We already know that a few home improvement dollars can go a long way toward increasing your selling price. But where should you spend? For Santa Barbara homeowners, there's more than conventional wisdom to consider. For example, should you add a new Continue Reading »
