Archive for the 'Home Improvement' Category
Ahhh, Simplicity Returns
Posted by Rachel LaMar, J.D. | Leave A Comment »
Have you felt it? There is a new movement all across the nation that I call the reversion to simplicity. Companies, homeowners and people everywhere are heeding the need to simplify their lives and reassess what is valuable. From this new way of thinking great ideas are coming forth that will make a stronger planet and teach valuable lessons to the next generation. For more on this movement please click here: http://www.rachellamarrealestate.com/blog/?p=519.
Related Posts: "Going Green" in Real Estate, Home Improvement, Lifestyle, Real Estate News, rachel lamar
CaliforniaFIRST Program Soon Available to Carlsbad Residents
Posted by Rachel LaMar, J.D. | Leave A Comment »
Carlsbad residents are lucky to be included in a small list of cities across the state that will be launching the CaliforniaFIRST program. This program enables residents to make energy efficient improvements on their property and pay back the state over time.
To learn more about this fantastic program and see how you can apply, visit http://www.rachellamarrealestate.com/blog/?p=507.
Related Posts: Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa, San Diego, rachel lamar
A house warming party is a great way to show off a custom home!
Posted by Brent Cole | Leave A Comment »
On Sunday February 22nd, one of Solara’s newest residents had a house warming party, hosting the opportunity to show off their new custom home! This is our largest floor plan being offered at Solara Lofts: The 2007 SAM award winning K plan, noted for best designed home over $500,000 category.
The entrance of this custom loft home features a beautiful illuminated glass art piece.
Guests enjoyed beverages and appetizers in the beautiful custom loft home by Skandia. This 1640 square foot K floorplan was "personalized" for the individual home buyer.
A spacious living room to accommodate several guests.
Unlike any other new home community in Downtown San Diego, Solara Lofts offers over 20 unique floor plans. Each can be modified to your lifestyle.
We created walls where there were none; combining a combination of contemporary sliding doors and partial wall soffets to enclose the bedroom areas. This added the elegance and modern flexibility of a loft, with the privacy of a bedroom.
In the Master bedroom, we created a soffet wall above the sliding panel with integrated speakers and cable for a high definition television.
Custom cabinets were integrated into the window ledges to create storage space for high tech components.
In the Kitchen, we extended the wall space and added a large pantry (shown on the right).
Overall, the house warming party was a hit, and the Solara Sales Team were available to tour interested guests a variety of our model homes being featured in our award winning community. We encourage you to stop by our showroom located on the corner of 4th avenue and Cedar in the beautiful Cortez Hill neighborhood of Downtown San Diego. Come and see all the possibilities of a custom home at Solara Lofts!
Related Posts: Activities & Events, Buyers, Condos & Townhomes, Downtown, Entertainment, Find A Home, Great Real Estate Deals, Home Improvement, Homeowners, Investment Properties, Just for Fun, Lifestyle, Moving Tips & Advice, New Homes, Picture Perfect San Diego, Premier Properties, Real Estate News, San Diego, Solara Lofts Condos, Technology, Uncategorized, Windermere Agents, Windermere Offices, homes for sale
Beware of the OVER AGGRESSIVE Home Inspector
Posted by Robin Gehlsen | Currently 2 Comments »
You as a seller have finally gone into escrow on the sale of your home. Breathing a huge sigh of relief you are excited to get started with the inspections.
I had an experience with clients that went through a nightmare with an over aggressive inspector. This home in question was very upgraded. It had a new 65 thousand dollar kitchen, hard wood plank flooring that was hand polished once a year, built in cabinetry, epoxy flooring and the list goes on and on. This home looks like a model! Very well maintained to say the least.
The home is 2220 square feet an 3 bedrooms and an office. The inspector arrived and was there for over two and half hours. After doing his thing, the inspector claimed that the air conditioning was not up to code and wired improperly, the fire place mantel was not to code and that it could start a fire, the wiring in the garage was not properly done, the stove had a broken burner and the biggest one was the glass door on the shower was going to crack and break and cut someone and they could be fatally injured.
The sellers were floored and buyers were scared to death. I told my sellers that let’s get the experts , i.e. electricians etc. and check it all out so we could move on from there.
The electrician came to check the air conditioning and the wiring in garage. He was astonished at the inspectors notes; the air conditioning was not only up to code and working properly but the wiring the inspector mentioned in the garage was an extension cord that went to the sellers gun safe and was not included in the sale. That cost my sellers $180.00.
My seller then hired a fireplace manufacturer to come and inspect the fire place mantel. The mantel was not only up to code but they are all manufactured the same size which is the current building code so you could not purchase one that was not to code because they do not make them. That cost my sellers $150. The burner that he claimed was broken and not working…I walked over and turned the burner on. No problems. There never was a problem; it was always working, and that dangerous shower door..same scenario!
Inspectors are certified but they are not licensed. My clients had no recourse. There is no agency to report this inspector to as there is no one (or entity) overseeing them.
Not only did the inspector receive a fee for his report and inspection but he cost my clients needless worries and uneccessary out of pocket money. I feel that they should be licensed and regulated and required to keep up with their continuing education.
As a Realtor I am held to certain laws and standards you would think that something as important as the inspection of a home, which is the biggest purchase one can make, would be held to certain laws and standards as well. What about the things they do miss? I know inspections are necessary and I would always recommend them I just have a problem with how the inspectors are governed. That needs to change.
Related Posts: Agent Services, Buyers, Home Improvement, Homeowners
HOME OWNERSHIP – Buying vs. Renting
Posted by Pam & Joanna | Leave A Comment »
Should you buy or should you rent? This has become a complicated question for thousands of consumers. Not only is this question loaded with personal and lifestyle considerations but financial issues as well. For some, buying is the only sensible thing to do and for others, renting is much more convenient.
Most homeowners enjoy the pride of owning such a large investment, and others enjoy having a place to call Home. There are several advantages that go along with homeownership. Here are just a few;
Tax Breaks
Federal tax laws strongly favor homeowners. Mortgage interest and property taxes are generally tax deductible on your federal return. This can in turn provide you with an enormous tax benefit.
Capital gains benefits allow the homeowner to profit without paying taxes when selling their main residence. Please consult your legal or tax expert for restrictions and application of this popular tax benefit.
Renovations
As a homeowner, you have almost unlimited ability to adapt your living space to suit your individual tastes and needs. You can paint, wallpaper, decorate, landscape, and even have the potential to add more rooms. The possibilities are virtually endless.
Leverage
When buying a home, you will probably use some of your own money (your down payment) and a large amount of someone else (borrowed funds from your bank or other mortgage lender). If you are buying your second home, you can leverage the appreciated equity or profit into the purchase of your next home.
Buying a house is a huge decision for a large investment. Your neighborhood real estate professional is a good place to start when considering a purchase of a home.
Equity Title contributed to this article.
Related Posts: Buyers, Financial news, Home Improvement, Investment Properties
