Thursday, October 11, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Floor the Competition
By Ruben Gonzalez Jr
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
When people enter
your home they usually look down before up, so that first step is vital for
attracting a homebuyer and making a great first impression. This is one reason
why more people are installing hardwood floors in their homes.
Hardwood
flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that
will beautify the interior design of your home. Residential real estate agents
agree that homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster and
fetch higher prices.
Last
year, 99 percent of real estate agents responding to a national survey conducted
by the National Wood Flooring Association agreed that homes with hardwood
floors are easier to sell. The survey also found that 82 percent believe that
homes with hardwood floors sell faster and 90 percent said they would sell for
more money.
The
American Hardwood Information Center adds that restoring hardwood flooring in
the home is one of the best long-term investments to be made.
“Hardwood
floors are environmentally friendly, forever fashionable, and will last for
generations,” said Pembroke Jacobs, president of the Hardwood Manufacturers
Association. “Plus, with an expected life span of up to 100 years for certain
premium hardwood flooring, you can be assured that that the hardwood really is
a one-time investment with a very long-term payoff.”
Real
estate agents also agree that carpeting does not impress potential buyers, but
hardwood floors are always a draw. Engineered wood floors impart warmth, depth
and richness to a home’s decor that cannot be matched by carpeting, tile or
vinyl flooring.
Despite the existence of modern architectural trends in flooring, hardwood can still compete with floor tiles and other artificial materials. It comes in a variety of colors and grains; light, medium, or dark shades; and a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and species.
Despite the existence of modern architectural trends in flooring, hardwood can still compete with floor tiles and other artificial materials. It comes in a variety of colors and grains; light, medium, or dark shades; and a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and species.
Maple,
mahogany and oak are the most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing
in exotics such as Brazilian cherry and purpleheart.
The
Environmental Protection Agency has said that indoor air quality is one of the
top health threats and wood floors can help contribute to a healthy living
environment. In fact, a recent EPA study found that pesticides used in gardens
and homes accumulate on floors and other surfaces in the home, but that wood
floors greatly reduce the accumulation of such toxins. Hardwood floors also do
not trap or harbor dust mites or molds.
Though
wood floors will probably need to be refinished at some point, when properly
taken care of they are much easier to maintain than other floor surfaces.
The
NWFA recommends regular sweeping of hardwood floors with a soft-bristle broom
or dust mop to remove surface dirt and debris. If your floor contains beveled
edges, it recommends using a vacuum with a soft bristle brush attachment to
remove dirt and debris from between the floorboards.
Having
hardwood floors could be the difference between selling your home or watching a
potential buyer walk out the door on a less-appealing type of flooring.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or E-mail.
Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated member
of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing
Opportunity.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Consumers Are Returning to the Real Estate Market with an Age-old Question: Buy or Sell First?
By Ruben Gonzalez Jr.
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
Residential real estate is
gaining stability in concert with the recovering U.S. economy. Consumers, drawn by
one of the most attractive buyers’ markets on record marked by historically low
interest rates and lower home prices in many areas, are returning to the market
to move up, trade down, improve location and otherwise enhance their share of
the American Dream.
When it comes to home buying, the
ideal situation would be to find a new home, just as you receive an offer on
your existing home. You would then be able to close concurrently and move into
your new home a few days prior to closing on your previous home. This does
happen more often than not, but anyone looking to buy a new home needs to
consider all the possible scenarios.
Should you buy or sell first?
There are many schools of thought on this subject. Ultimately, it depends on you and your
situation. For instance, can you afford to pay two mortgages in the event your
previous home does not sell by the time you move? Would you consider a bridge
loan (a short-term, high interest loan that let you borrow against the value of
your old home to covers the bills until you secure the new, larger loan)? Are
you willing to move twice to find the home of your dreams if you sell first and
can't find the dream home fast enough?
This is where the advice of a
real estate sales professional is invaluable. Real estate sales professionals
know the current market conditions. They are trained and experienced in working
with home buyers and sellers to determine an ideal time to buy and sell.
It is generally less stressful to
sell your home first, because you won't have to worry about owning two homes at
one time. The market will dictate how long it will take your home to sell, as
will your location and the time of year. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea
to put your home of the market as far in advance as possible when purchasing a
new one. But, since interest rates are low and confidence is returning to the
market, there’s a good change your home will sell faster if priced properly. (Again,
your real estate professional’s advice is critically important here.) In that
case, you may want to purchase a new home first.
What if your present home sells
before you find a new one, putting pressure on you to find the right house for
you more quickly? You may then decide to make an interim move or request to
rent back your home for a specified amount of time as you continue to look for
your new home. Those may be worthwhile options if you have your heart set on a
specific location or type of home or if you are purchasing a home that is under
construction.
If you buy a home before selling
your present home, you may end up with two mortgages. Under those
circumstances, you may be able to apply for a bridge loan to assist you in
making two mortgage payments until you sell your first home. Your real estate
sales professional can assist you in finding a lender.
So should you buy or sell first? This
is a challenging question regardless of real estate cycles, yet your own
circumstances and a knowledgeable real estate professional will help you make
the right decision.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or E-mail.
Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing
Friday, October 5, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Complying with Lead Laws
By Ruben Gonzalez Jr
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
Back
in the days before anyone knew better—we’re talking pre-1980—much of the paint
used in homes contained lead. Over time, the paint would chip or crumble and
the resulting dust caused serious health issues, especially for children and pregnant women.
Lead-based
paint was used both inside and outside of homes, most notably on windows,
baseboards, trim and doors. Many layers of lead-based paint have been disturbed
through the years during remodeling or home repair and it’s necessary for
anyone selling a home to be aware of this.
The Environmental
Protection Agency issued a report revealing that lead can
affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, resulting in reduced
intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
In a study released by the Department of Health, the
agency reported that about 75% of all homes built before 1978 contain some
lead-based paint. Furthermore, it’s estimated that more than 38 million homes
in the U.S.
So, a chief concern of anyone buying or selling a
house should be to address the possibility of any lead paint in the home and
it’s vital that anyone dealing with paint in older homes treat it as if it is
hazardous material.
Real estate agents and their sellers are required to
disclose any presence of known lead paint and lead hazards during the sale or
rental of housing. The same holds true for renovation and remodeling
contractors, who are required to warn customers of the hazards of lead paint.
Last year, the first
federal regulation on the remodeling industry was enacted concerning this
important hazard.
To ensure that all
lead paint is removed safely and effectively, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting” rule governing the work
of professional remodelers in homes where there is lead-based paint was
published in the Federal Register on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.
The law requires that anyone who is paid to renovate a home
that was built before 1978 be trained and/or certified to follow lead paint
safety practices. The new rule lists prohibited work practices, including open-torch
burning and using high-heat guns and high-speed equipment such as grinders and
sanders unless equipped with a HEPA filter. It also requires a cleaning
inspection after the work is completed.
For homeowners who are
unsure about their homes, sometimes it's easier to replace windows, doors, or
woodwork than it is to remove the lead-based paint. This way, all traces of any
paint will have been removed from the home.
Agents know that
there’s no question that a home is worth more if they can say for certain that
it contains no lead paint, so for the peace of mind of everyone involved, deal
with all lead paint issues as soon as possible.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or E-mail.
Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated member
of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing
Opportunity .
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
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