spring cleaning...

anytime is a good time for a good spring cleaning...whether it be july...november...or the month of march...the "official" (if there is such a thing) month for spring cleaning...perhaps it is the bursting of new blooms...the "1st" day of spring...daylight savings time...march is truly a good time to start thinking or already doing the infamous "spring cleaning"...but now we are almost mid-way through april...have you started? have you thought about it?

let's face it...fashion is ever changing...and so are we...whether you realize it or not...everywhere you go and everything that you experience becomes imprinted and stored into your emotional and intellectual closet...

and although constant change usually does not mesh with our everyday comfort zones...it actually shakes them up...so with that...i always say...embrace change...give into it...

fashion may not be your number one priority...in fact...you may be kicking and screaming in opposition...either way...you are expending energy...so why not make it a positive experience?

building and maintaining a wardrobe is not about running the trends and striving to fit in...fashion shouldn't be a source of stress...it exists to make your everyday life more enjoyable and fun...

so...find the clothing that looks great on you and makes you feel great and you've conquered the fashion beast...

and if the thought of examining...purging...and revamping your wardrobe and closet space puts you in a fetal position...ok...maybe i'm being dramatic...maybe not (for some)...by all means...get help! whether it be a trusted friend whose fashion sense you trust...or bite the bullet and hire a wardrobe consultant...it could be the best money you've ever spent...or close to it...

i can list email after email...card after card from clients...who were skeptical...scared...thought it was a waste of money...on and on with the excuses...but when they took the plunge...what they were left with...was a fully functioning wardrobe...that fit into every area of their life...

now who wouldn't want that? if you are in the san francisco bay area...i am currently taking appointments...let's start off this season...with a "spring" in your step...more time for the fun activites...and less time...standing in front of a closet trying to figure out what to wear...

elena daciuk
fabulous finds
wardrobe consultant
415.577.6133

Staging Trends 2011

The San Francisco Bay Area

The fog is rolling over the Golden Gate keeping  the real estate market damp but the sunshine is breaking through.

Kerry Roth,  President of Decor Staging - Home Design and Renovation is a certified staging professional who has distinguished herself from her competition with her creative flair and custom-build design components.  She specializes in renovation design and staging that maximizes the return of investment for her clients.  Her background in furniture design and construction as well as wood and glass work give her the creative edge in design challenges.  She works with house-flippers,  renovators,  investors, estate attorneys and homeowners.

The nine counties that make up the Bay Area are slowly showing signs of activity. Distressed sales accounted for just over half of the Bay Area's resale market in February of 2011. Investors and cash buyers made up 23.4% and 30.9% , respectively, of all sales during this time, according to DataQuick Information Systems. Fewer homes were sold due to "moving up". Higher end homes are hardest hit with tight lending and a general trend to downsize.

We are seeing an upswing in the rental market. Homeowners are selling and entering the rental market. Higher end homes can be cheaper to rent than own. This has been beneficial to our business as sellers are hiring us to help them with the challenge of decorating a rental home. In fact, the decorating side of our business has seen a significant increase this year.

The Bay Area has always been on the forefront of home staging. The primary change in the last two years has been how the foreclosure and short  sale markets have influenced home staging. Most Realtors are strongly encouraging staging while homeowners already struggling with economic issues can be at times hesitant. Owner occupied homes are more common with homeowners less likely to carry two mortgages. However, vacant home staging is still 50% of our staging business  with impact rooms being  the primary focus.

We have seen 2 significant home staging business trends in the last year. First, the continued economic downturn combined with a large overhead has contributed to the closing of several larger staging companies. However, staging businesses with a moderate inventory and lower overheads have not been as affected. Stagers without furniture inventory have a challenge in bidding, given their rental hard costs. It is a competitive market with all staging businesses feeling the downturn and economic challenges.

Secondly, homeowners are requesting multiple bids which has lowered the staging fees in a competitive bid to win a job. I am seeing a larger disparity between staging bids and the individual businesses. Small start-up staging business are popping up working out of garages. Homeowners need to be sure that they are hiring certified, insured and licensed individuals with CSP membership. Checking references, websites, credentials and portfolios are due diligence. Pricing should not be the sole factor when making a hiring decision.

Laptop Theft

 What if your laptop is stolen?
You pay bills online and keep track of your finances with it.  You use it to communicate with family and friends while on the go.  It's your address book and digital photo album.  For many of us, our laptop is an invaluable part of our everyday lives, thanks to its versatility and portability.  Unfortunately, those same advantages make laptops prime targets for thieves.
To reduce the likelihood of having your laptop stolen, remember: Don't leave it unattended-especially in places such as coffee shops or airport terminals.  And don't leave it in plain view in your vehicle-lock it in the trunk.  Also think about installing software that will track your laptop if stolen.


What about insurance coverage?
Let's look at two common situations regarding coverage:
Your home is burglarized and your laptop is stolen. Are you covered?   Yes-your homeowners policy generally would apply, subject to certain limits and minus your deductible.

Your laptop is stolen from your vehicle while it's parked at a shopping mall. Is it covered by your auto policy?  No-personal items that are removable (such as laptops, cameras and cell phones) are not covered by your auto policy.  Generally, your homeowners or renters policy would apply if your laptop is stolen.  Note: If you rent your home, be aware that your landlord's policy does not cover your personal belongings.

Posted by Virginia Trowbridge 

Farmers-Trowbridge Insurance Agency

Time To Deck Out Spring

Spring is finally here and we are emerging from the cocoons of our homes. Nothing feels better right now than the warm sunshine on my face. Unfortunately what greeted me was a winter thrashed garden and a weather worn deck. Upon a quick inspection I found that the deck was feeling more like a trampoline than a deck

Time to call in the expert. My contractor said the deck was not going to spring out of it, so to speak. It was time for a complete overhaul. Still in denial I optimistically suggested that perhaps it just needed a few new top boards and a little "shoring up". A picture is worth a thousands words. No need for a saw a simple hammer did the deed. A few hours later and it was all history.

The new question was what type of deck should we replace it with. Living in Redwood Shores with a high water table and lots of moisture we decided on a composite deck. We were about to purchase Trex Deck material when we discovered that it was being recalled.

We switched over to Timber Tech and the deck is nearly completed. No more sanding, staining and sealing. We had already converted  over our front porch to a composite material so we knew how great it looks, even after several wet winters.

A couple more days and we will be ready for the BBQ season. I'm looking forward to unrolling the outdoor carpet, adding new cushions to our outdoor furniture and creating some beautiful container gardens for my new back deck. Invite some friends over and the outdoor season will have officially started.

The First Step In Buying A Home In San Mateo County...

Attend a home buying seminar that will set you up for success!

Home Buying Seminar San Mateo County: Your Path to Home Ownership
April 28, 2011 from 6-7:30pm
1440 Chapin Ave Suite 200, Burlingame

Event Website:
http://yourhomebuyingseminar.eventbrite.com
Other dates available.

Event registration for Home Buying Seminar San Mateo County: Your Path to Home Ownership powered by Eventbrite

Seminar Topics:
* Advantages of buying a home in 2011
* How the Stimulus Plan benefits first time homebuyers
* Tax Credits available for home ownership
* Owning vs renting comparison
* State of the San Mateo County real estate market
* Current mortgage interest rates and programs available
* Steps for a successful home or condo purchase
* Differences between owning a condo, townhome or single family home
* Steps to finance your home purchase
* Advantages of owning a home on the San Francisco Peninsula
* Survey of advice from other First Time Homebuyers
* How to select a good Realtor
* Real Estate Negotiations

Hosted by
Eileen Horan
Mortgage Broker
Mortgage California

Aimee Snodgrass Klarich
Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors- Burlingame
www.AimeeKlarich.com
DRE 01765417

Tags: First time home buyers, Home Buying Seminar San Mateo, Home Buying Seminar Burlingame, Home Buying Seminar Millbrae, Home Buying Seminar Foster City, Home Buying Seminar Belmont, Home Buying Seminar San Bruno, Home Buying Seminar South San Francisco, Home Buying Seminar San Carlos,

April is a pivotal month...

April is a pivotal month in real estate. Families start making plans to move over the summer months, and historically, from April through mid July, the rush is on.

Here is a look at what has been happening in the market in recent months:

• Real estate across the nation was affected in March by unseasonably bad weather coupled with international tragedy.
• Nationwide, existing home sales fell in February following three straight monthly increases.
• San Mateo County existing home sales in February for single family homes were up 1% while condos and townhomes were down 4%.
  
• All-cash sales were a record 33% in February and investors accounted for 19% of those sales. The balance of home sales was from first-time homebuyers or repeat buyers.

Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, observes that, “housing affordability is at record levels and the economy is improving. Still, home sales are being constrained by unnecessarily tight credit and appraisals that do not reflect rising prices. This tug and pull is causing a gradual but uneven recovery.”

There are many great deals now. A prequalified buyer can reap substantial rewards. Let me know if you would like an introduction to a mortgage professional. If you need to sell first, we will work closely together to prepare your home to garner top dollar.

I have three scheduled Home Buying Seminars for April and May.

Sat April 2 from 11-12:30pm

Thur April 28th from 6-7:30pm

Sat May 21st from 11-12:30pm

To RSVP or to learn more details go to the event website

Post by:
Aimee Snodgrass Klarich
Alain Pinel Realtors- Burlingame
www.AimeeKlarich.com