Sunday, April 22, 2012

A Seller's Market!: How do I take advantage of this situation?


The San Mateo County Real Estate Market Is Now A Seller's Market.
* Low Inventory
* Multiple offers
* Home Prices Are Increasing
* Low Interest Rates
* Increased Rental Pricing


We will discuss all the options and best strategies for taking advantage of these market conditions at our Right Move Class.

The Right Move Class:
Home Selling Class and Move-up Buyer Class for San Mateo County

May 5th from 11am to 12:30pm

1440 Chapin Ave Suite 200, Burlingame

EVENT WEBSITE AND REGISTRATION
(our First Time Home Buyer Class is held on another day. Class Website)

Right Move Class Topics:

* Current Market Conditions

* Option Scenario: Selling and Moving Up

* Option Scenario: Refinancing and or Renting to Move Up

* Timeline of Selling a home

* Home Repair and Preparation Recommendations

* Staging

* Marketing

* How to Price The Home

* Selling Disclosures and Closing Costs

* Temporary Housing Options while searching for next home

* Timeline of Buying a New Home

* Financing and Qualifying for a Loan

* Negotiation Strategies

* Much More

Hosted by
Aimee Snodgrass Klarich
Alain Pinel Realtors- Burlingame
650.483.3795
aklarich@apr.com

DRE 01765417

Eileen Horan
Mortgage California- San Mateo
650-645-1775
eileenhoran@mortgagecalifornia.com

Kerry Roth
Decor Staging
650-619-9052
kerry@decorstaging.com

Monday, April 16, 2012

april showers...taxes & your closet...

what do you think of when you think of april?

spring? april showers? taxes?

while we have had an abundance of april showers these last few weeks...actually more like storms =) i keep thinking about how good my yard is looking...and then i don't mind it so much...

a few weeks back i finally met with my tax guy...while this is usually not a thrilling exercise for me...it feels good when its done...and my tax guy loves how prepared i am...truth be told...the days when my life was consumed with accounting...and the world of finance...ends up helping my tax guy...because he loves how complete my spreadsheets are that i present to him...

while preparing these lovely spreadsheets...of income & expenses...of assets and liabilities...of hoping and praying that i am once again...not in the red...

makes me think about your closet...yes...there is a correlation...how is your closet looking...are there assets or liabilities hanging behind those doors...

read on...to find out the five checkpoints to assess YOUR fashion equity...

when it comes to assessing your "fashion" equity...the goal is to maximize your assets...and minimize your liabilities...let's face it...we all want a nice portfolio...or in this case...a nice wardrobe...one that will take us through every area of our life...whether we are at work...being the soccer mom...or on a date...

here is a five-point checklist...to get you started...

1. are you utilizing your assets? think about your most valuable assets...the thing that makes you...you...is it your curves? perhaps your long legs...a tiny waist...great cheekbones...once you know what your assets are...you are then able to make sound purchases that naturally highlight what your assets are...just remember...assets do change over time...so be sure you're focused on what's working for you now...rather than what has worked for you in the past...


2. is your inventory low? it is nearly impossible to be able to put great outfits together if your inventory is low. so before each season begins...whether it is spring/summer or fall/winter - do an inventory count. and be honest with yourself! do your clothes fit and flatter you? if the answer is no...then it is time to get rid of these items...and restock your inventory. set aside some time for a thorough edit and create of a list of what you need. and while you are at it...take a look at your basics...for example...tees only look good for so long...replenish them when needed...and if there is inventory in your closet that is not currently working for you...cut your losses...it is time to write them off
(on a side note: think about consigning these items to re-coop some of your loss...fabulous finds consignment boutique was started because i wanted to help clients get back some of the money they had spent on items that weren't right for them)

3. are your liabilities handicapping you? sometimes we get into a buying rut...an end up purchasing items that are wrong for us...here are some helpful tips...
shopping for a lifestyle that's no longer yours.
giving up on shopping because there are too many choices and it's overwhelming.
inaccurate or out-of-date self-image.
getting all your fashion advice from an opinionated friend or family member but never finding your personal style.
investing in high-end fashion without a wardrobe plan.
using shopping to fill an emotional void and never feeling satisfied.
buying too many novelty pieces that don't go with anything else you have.

4. is your fashion portfolio diverse enough? when you take a look at a smart investor...they have a nice diversified portfolio...smart dressers have clothes for every part of their life...what does a diverse fashion portfolio look like? it would include outfits that touch on every area of your life...the perfect dress for a party...informal social gatherings...work clothes...weekend clothes...exercise clothes...and great travel capsules...just to name a few off the top of my head...if your wardrobe is not meeting your needs...there is help available...

5. are your fashion choices accruing interest? your clothes should be a shining example of your personal style...they tell the story of who you are...and you should be getting results from investing time and money into your wardrobe. and...there should be results...whether it be a confidence boost...compliments...or just plain feeling good about yourself...it could also result in a promotion...a new job offer...new opportunities...that is the accrued interest you are looking for...

so...what did the checklist reveal about your fashion equity? are you feeling like you are in a fashion fog? whether you need to maximize your assets...or minimize your liabilities...by taking note of those liabilities and taking responsibility for them...get out of your liability debt by getting help...making a plan...and breaking out of habits that aren't benefiting you...perhaps you need to diversify...or accrue more interest...hopefully the check-list will help discover where your strengths and weaknesses are...and if you fell short on any of the checkpoints...don't fret...they are easy fixes...and i am here to help...don't let any more time go by...call me for an appointment so that we could start working towards getting the most out of your fashion investment...

fabulous finds
elena daciuk
wardrobe stylist
fabulous.finds@yahoo.com
415.577.6133





photo source

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Green Rating Systems

Thinking about a green rating for your new home or remodel? It’s important to know the different rating systems. In addition to building code enforcement, city and state agencies are now requiring some level of green building practice for new construction and substantial remodels.

The most two most widely used green rating systems for residential construction in California are:

GreenPoint Rating
GreenPoint Rated is administered by Build It Green as a green building rating system for new residential construction in California. Points are awarded across five different categories including energy efficiency, resource conservation, indoor air quality, water conservation, and community.

Some individual building departments require new construction to meet standards set by the GreenPointRated checklist, but do not require actual certification.
  • Cost of Green Point Rating for a new single-family home: Total $2,500-$2,800, including $400 certification fee, plus $2,100-$2,400 for the services of a rater
  • Applies to: single-family or multi-family homes in California
  • Comments: used to be the residential alternative to LEED certification
  • More information: www.builditgreen.org
 
LEED Certification
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a program of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification also awards points across five categories including energy efficiency, site planning, water management, material use, and indoor air quality.

While it was originally designed as a program for commercial office buildings, LEED now has a certification designation for residential design and construction as well.
  • Cost of LEED-H certification for a single-family home: Total: $6,925-$10,525 Includes $225 for registration, $300 for certification, $400-$2,000 for the Provider, and $6,000-$8,000 for the services of a Green Rater.
  • Applies to: building design and construction, building operation and maintenance, interior design and construction, homes, and neighborhood development throughout the U.S.
  • Comments: most expensive form of green building rating
  • Website: www.usgbc-ncc.org
If you're considering a green rating for your home, make sure you talk to several raters about the fees and services they offer. 

For the sake of comparison, the fees listed above are based on a medium-sized home. Green rater services for custom homes will vary considerably depending on the size of the home, the location, and the types of services required. Fees will also vary depending on the individual rater.