Author: Igor Nastaskin
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling a Bathroom
Although remodeling a bathroom can add value to a home, there also are many opportunities for missteps. If you’re considering a bathroom renovation, follow this expert advice from realtor.com to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. 1. Don’t forget ventilation While focusing on your sleek, new programmable shower, don’t forget about the bathroom’s less glamorous needs—like how fresh air will enter the room. Underestimating the necessary ventilation is a huge mistake, especially since the bathroom is the dampest room in the house and can be a breeding ground for mold. Insufficient aeration also could lead to mildew or persistent odors. That’s why it’s important to include an exhaust fan in the plans and budget accordingly. And always pay for quality when it comes to your exhaust fan. 2. Never take out the bathtub Unless you’re absolutely, positively sure that this is your forever home and you’ll never sell it, you should always include a bathtub or shower in the remodeling plans. Although the trend in bathroom renovation is ripping out the tubs and replacing them with walk-in showers, this could potentially limit potential home buyers. 3. Hire an expert to installing the tile You want water to flow freely in your shower, sink, tub, and toilet—but you don’t want water seeping into your floor and walls. A subpar DIY tiling job could lead to major leakage. Some homeowners try to install a tile shower themselves or have an unqualified contractor do the job to save money, but If installed incorrectly, the shower can start to leak and cause problems such as structural damage. 4. Don’t overlook smart storage solutions Storage and shelving are sometimes overlooked in favor of trendy design choices. For example, some people today are opting for a mirror above the sink rather than a practical medicine cabinet, and buyers often are turned off by the fact that the mirror takes up a lot of wall space and offers no additional storage. A pedestal sink is another stylish option, but a vanity sink with cabinets will be better for hiding all of your bathroom clutter. The extra storage space provided by more countertop and cabinets with drawers will be more useful. 5. Move away from marble flooring Although marble is a luxurious choice for any surface in your home, it might not be the smartest choice for bathroom flooring. Aside from the high cost, it’s cold, slippery and difficult to maintain. Its porous nature, for example, makes it highly susceptible to stains and damage from beauty products, especially when marble surfaces aren’t regularly sealed. Try more durable alternatives, such as Silestone and Dekton. Manufacturing technology has advanced greatly in recent years, making it hard to tell the difference between natural stone and manmade materials that require zero maintenance and are highly stain-resistant. 6. Don’t disregard electrical outlets Don’t forget to add enough electrical outlets to plug in all of those grooming tools, including electric toothbrushes, hair dryers, electric razors, curling irons, and night lights. However, a big outlet with multiple sockets or a bulky power strip is not visually appealing, so instead install an outlet that pops out of the wall in a cube with up to three outlets, and can be popped back in for a smooth surface. 7. Be sure there’s plenty of door clearance Disastrous bathroom renovation fails to include a door that opens only partially, or one that slams into the sink or the toilet. Avoid this major mistake by choosing a door that you are certain will fit the available space. For smaller bathrooms, consider choosing a design with sliding doors, round doors or bi-fold doors that open inward to save space, and for larger bathrooms, consider either hinged doors or pivot doors. 8. Always have a safety net Perhaps the biggest bathroom remodeling mistake of all? Failing to plan for any costly surprises. It’s not uncommon to find water damage in a bathroom from something leaking or installed incorrectly. Make sure there’s some wiggle room in your budget for the unexpected.
Birds of a Feather Flock to Local Retailer
One of the nice things about living in the Hollywood Riviera is the wide variety of birds in our area, including the house finch, goldfinch, sparrow, towhee, scrub-jay, phoebe, mockingbird, hummingbird and more. If you want to draw more of these feathered friends to your backyard, you can find a variety of ways to do so at a nearby retailer, Wild Birds Unlimited. You may be familiar with Wild Birds Unlimited if you visited their previous location on Crenshaw Boulevard at Pacific Coast Highway. But as of June, the store is now located nearby in the shopping plaza at Pacific Coast Highway and Prospect. Owned by Bob Shanman, an avid birder himself, Wild Birds Unlimited sells birdseed, feeders including hummingbird feeders, birdbaths, garden décor, nature gifts, and more. My family purchased a feeder a few months ago and now we’re entertained with a daily show of chattering birds stopping by for a snack. One of our biggest delights is watching mother birds feeding their offspring. (Tip – if you have squirrels in your yard, you may want a specially designed bird feeder that prevents them from sharing in the feast.) One of the advantages of buying birdseed from a specialty retailer is that it is geared to local birds, which is probably why our new feeder draws such a crowd (we often have 10 or more birds on the feeder at the same time lining up for their turn). Bob often has 15-20 feeders going at one time, attracting hundreds of birds to his yard. “Along with food, moving water — such as a small fountain — is critical to attracting birds,” says Bob. “Birds rely on sight and sound, so if they can see and hear babbling water they will be drawn to it. Placing the fountain near the feeder is also helpful.” Bob leads “Birding with Bob” bird watching walks at nearby sites every Wednesday, and has free monthly talks in the store on topics such as falconry, bald eagle recovery, and responsible bird ownership. The store also raises thousands of dollars for its primary charity, South Bay Wildlife Rehab, which helps orphaned, sick, and injured birds. It also supports the Friends of Ballona Wetlands, Friends of Madrona Marsh, and Heal the Bay. The entire state of California has hundreds of bird species thanks to its multiple habitat zones, which makes bird enthusiasts, well, happy as a lark. ”I love bird watching because you never know what you’ll see,” says Bob. “Today it might be a snowy egret at the Ballona Wetlands, tomorrow a Western meadowlark at the Madrona Marsh. Time stands still and you truly are in the now, focusing on the sights and sounds of avian wildlife plus all the surrounding nature. ” Wild Birds Unlimited is located at 1886 1/2 Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach and can be reached at 310-543-BIRD (2473). Bring in this newsletter for 20% off any one, regularly priced item in the store (not valid on optics).
6 Times It’s Actually Smarter to Buy a New Home Before Selling the Old
You’ve probably heard that you should never buy a new house before selling your old home because if you buy before you sell, you run the risk of owning two homes at once and carrying two mortgages. For some home buyers, however, it actually does make sense to buy a new home before selling the old one. Here, realtor.com tells you six times when you should seriously consider this option, along with tips for handling the challenges you might face along the way. 1. You’re buying in a seller’s market A seller’s market refers to times when there are more buyers looking for houses than there are houses available for sale…and this puts buyers at a disadvantage. In a strong seller’s market, buyers face stiff competition with multiple offers and little available inventory and it can take several tries before getting an offer accepted. Since your efforts to buy a home may be long and arduous, it may make sense to secure a deal on your new digs before you put your current house on the market. This is especially true if your old home also is located in a seller’s market, which is likely if you’re buying a new house in the same area. This means you’ll probably have plenty of interest in your home, and no problem selling it once you’re ready. 2. You want to remodel your new home (or your old one) If you’re living in a fixer-upper or you have your eye on one, buying before you sell may actually make a lot of sense because this strategy gives you a place to live while renovating the other residence. That way, you and your family don’t have to live in a construction zone. Another perk? If you’re fixing up the house you currently own, it could boost your home’s value, which positions you to receive top dollar for it. 3. You have kids It might not be so easy to sell a house that’s overrun with children, along with all of the toys and inevitable messes that crop up in their wake. It can even hurt the odds that your home will sell at all. With an active family, the pristine condition that home buyers expect just doesn’t happen unless everyone is out, everything is cleaned and repaired, and the home is staged with furniture with no worries of it getting dirty. Getting your home sales-ready, and keeping it that way, may be easier if you’re already living in your new home (plus, you don’t have to uproot your little ones more than once). 4. You’re downsizing Downsizing is an especially challenging task because you’re faced with sorting through the contents of your current home, which tends to be a time-consuming and emotional ordeal. Buying a new home before selling gives you time to sort through your belongings and simplify the process. This approach can work well for elderly clients, particularly since with downsizing, the second mortgage is probably a smaller one. With downsizing, it’s a good idea to take this approach—buying before selling—since the financial burden of carrying two mortgages will be of smaller significance since you’re buying a less-expensive, smaller home. 5. You’ve found a great deal or your dream home Some houses are just too good to pass up, especially if you’ve found an amazing bargain or the home of your dreams. If you don’t snap it up immediately, you might regret how playing it safe meant you missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime deal. 6. You can deal with moving only once One huge downside to selling home No. 1 before buying home No. 2 is that you’ll probably have to endure the process of moving twice. If homeowners sell their existing home first, it requires them to move out and find temporary housing and storage. Once the new home is purchased, it would require moving again, which not only is inconvenient, but costly as well. According to the American Moving & Storage Association, the average cost of moving in state totals $1,170, while an out-of-state move costs about $5,630. If moving and spending that amount twice is a major turnoff or an all-out deal breaker, then you’re certainly a candidate for buying before you sell.
A Trio of Maintenance Tips
Congratulations on your new home! Your belongings are moved in and everything is unpacked. You even got a lawnmower, some power tools, and a massive tool chest. Now what? Many new homeowners don’t even think about maintenance until something breaks, but that’s not the best way to take care of your new house. Here, RISMedia shares three tips to help you protect your investment and keep your property in good shape for years to come. 1. Create and follow a home-maintenance schedule Just as your car needs to have an oil change and get its components checked and maintained regularly, your home and yard also will need some regular maintenance. If you purchased new appliances, make sure you send in your warranties and keep all of the owner’s manuals that came with them. If you bought an older home, the previous owners may have left those documents in a kitchen drawer for you to reference. Some of these appliances will have recommendations for repairs and maintenance. You’ll need to mow your lawn, trim your bushes and perhaps even top your trees from time to time. For pest control, you may need to spray or have ground treatment performed a few times per year. Don’t be afraid to do some research and speak with professionals about maintenance specific to your location. 2. Have all of your home systems checked regularly It’s important to get your electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems checked annually so they stay in good shape. Some tasks can be done yourself; for instance, you might need to clean your air filters, remove debris from the vents and flush out your water heater. Many home repair companies will offer a free inspection at various times of the year or have a maintenance program, so be on the lookout for those. Another good option is to call some local companies and ask if they offer free inspections or have any special pricing. Some companies specialize in one system, such as plumbing, while others are able to work on everything. Knowing what they work on and what their reputation is in that specific area before talking with them will help you in your search. Be sure to check customer reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List, Google, Facebook, and the BBB when searching for a new company. Always go with one that is experienced, licensed, bonded and insured. 3. Follow a cleaning schedule Maintenance often focuses on repair work, but keeping your home clean can be just as important. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to housecleaning, but it’s a good idea to perform some cleaning tasks such as mopping the floors, vacuuming, spraying down the shower and faucets, and dusting the shelves at least once a week. Deep cleaning every month or so also is a good idea. This could mean actually moving furniture around, pulling out the washer and dryer to clean behind them and clearing out the garage. You might think that some of those tasks are unnecessary at those short intervals, but another advantage of moving things around is that it also gives you a chance to inspect for pest problems, water damage and similar problems that can quickly escalate into expensive repairs.
6 Reasons Why Your Higher Offer Might Not Win the House
Thinking of making an offer way above asking just to ensure you snag your dream house in a competitive market? Not so quick. While cash is certainly enticing to a home seller, other factors play into the decision to accept an offer as well. Some items in your purchase contract that can even outweigh your super-sized offer. Here, realtor.com explains how a successful sale goes beyond money and how to be sure you land the keys. 1. Be flexible on the timeline One of the possible deal breakers includes timing. For example, it can be a turn off if a seller needs more than 30 days to leave the property and a buyer is pressuring them to move out sooner and they haven’t even found a new home. On the other hand, however, the sellers might have already vacated the property and are eager to unload it. That’s why customizing the length of the closing period to meet the sellers’ needs can be more important than the bottom line. Ask your real estate agent to find out what they need, and then let them know you can accommodate them. 2. Have your paperwork squared away It’s important to be pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin your home search. Among the reasons why? The deal can blow up if you haven’t been pre-approved. If you don’t have the financing in place to make your initial down payment and closing costs, it doesn’t matter how many dollars you promise the sellers. When you’re ready to put in an offer, make sure your pre-approval is within 30 days or less. If sellers see that the pre-approval was done more than 60 days ago, that could make them wonder if you’re still credit-worthy to get a loan. Another no-no is making a large purchase (such as a car) during the escrow period—even if you have the money to do so. It might affect your ability to obtain financing, and that’ll be another major red flag to the seller. 3. Don’t ask for too many contingencies and concessions If you’re in a bidding war for your must-have home, you not only want to go in with the highest offer but also the cleanest one. Be sure to make the deal as sweet and competitive as possible, so that if the seller takes it, there’s a very good chance that the sale will go through. For example, the seller may not consider your offer as favorable if you have a contingency stipulating that your home must sell before you purchase the seller’s house. Another potential turnoff: Negotiating for a large concession, like for the seller to pay all of the closing costs. Instead, ask for the bare minimum closing costs—or none at all—and make sure the concession doesn’t dip into the seller’s price tag. For instance, if a house is listed for $300,000, and you can go up to $310,00, then put in $310,000 with a $10,000 seller’s concession. 4. Don’t request that too many things be included with the home Sellers might wave you off if you ask for the custom drapes, high-end appliances and Scandinavian hot tub to all be thrown in with the house. If the sellers put in the listing that the chandelier isn’t included, then don’t ask for it to be thrown into the deal. You might think you’re paying for all that stuff with your higher offer, but if you really want the house, tread lightly here. You risk offending the sellers if it looks like you’re trying to squeeze as much out of them as possible. 5. Be sure to express your love for the house You might not be the only one bidding high, and when similar offers are on the table, the sellers sometimes will look for other factors to break the tie—that another happy family will live in their cherished home, for example. Or that the buyers won’t be gutting it and turning it into something totally different. So, how can you sway sellers who love their home? Give them some idea of who you are and why you want their home by taking a picture of you and your family. It all depends on who your target is, though. If your seller is an investor, they’re probably not going to care—they just want the money. But if they raised their family there and want to sell it to another nice family, an emotional appeal might work. Writing a love letter to the sellers also can seal the deal sometimes, with a buyer outlining why they feel this house would suit their family needs and how they can keep on the tradition of what the previous owner has. 6. Don’t give up if your offer is initially refused If the sellers reject your bid, hang in there. Contracts that come in way over asking price tend to have a high cancellation rate, perhaps because the buyers didn’t have pre-approval and their financing fell through. Toward that end, make sure things always end nicely with the listing agent, and tell them that you want to be kept in the loop should there be any problems with the accepted offer. Ask your agent to check in every two or three weeks, because instead of putting it back on the market and creating a whole new bidding war, the listing agent may just go to the next most attractive offer: yours.
It Takes a Village to Support Our Seniors
For most seniors, living comfortably in their own home while continuing to lead active lives is a priority. But due to various circumstances, that’s not always possible, and many seniors find the only option is to move to an assisted living facility. Thanks to South Bay Village, now there’s another option. South Bay Village is a volunteer-run service that helps seniors stay in their homes, remain independent, and continue to do the activities they love. Founded in Torrance in 2013 by Ghislaine, “Ges” Davis, South Bay Village provides transportation to doctors’ appointments and errands, friendly visits for conversation, and even handymen for minor home repairs. “I don’t get paid for this, but it’s the best job in the world,” says Ges, South Bay Village’s Executive Director and CEO. “Nothing is more rewarding to me than helping others. And when you work in non-profit, you find there are a lot of people out there who care. I have volunteers call and thank me for the chance to be of service.” South Bay Village is available to those 55 years of age and older. In addition to driving seniors to medical appointments, social functions and other destinations, the volunteers provide assistance with home chores, gardening, computer training, paperwork, pet care and more. They also serve as walking buddies and companions for cards, puzzles and other games. Hollywood Riviera resident Julian Chasin regularly volunteers to assist in the office and helps a Village member, who is blind, do her grocery shopping. “I didn’t get a chance to help my elderly parents because they were out of state, so this is one way I give back,” said Julian, who is a retired computer system engineer. His wife Chiyoko, who is also a volunteer, visits a 99-year -old member to converse in her native language, Japanese. Sometimes volunteers are needed to give caregivers a much-deserved break, such as one local woman who depends on South Bay Village to help care for her husband, who has Parkinson’s, while she takes a rest. South Bay Village membership costs $500 a year, or $250 for six months, and allows members to get up to six visits or transportation services per month. “This is the best check I ever write,” says James Carney, 92, a Village member who has lived in the Riviera for 63 years. Two years ago, James put away his car keys and turned to South Bay Village to take him to his weekly barbershop visit, grocery shopping and other errands. “I’ve made close friends with the volunteers because they are wonderful people,” he says. “And being independent in my own home is important to me.” To learn more about South BayVillage, including how you can become a member or volunteer, call Ges at 424 -271-2304, or email her at [email protected]. You can also visit www.SouthBayVillage.org.
5 Home Amenities That Could Be a Waste of Cash
As a home buyer, you want to make sure every dollar counts. But sometimes price can be inflated by sought-after home amenities that you might not even use. Here, realtor.com tells you how to identify them and strategize accordingly. 1. A huge yard Sellers charge a premium for grass, and you’ll spend even more on maintenance. It’s nice if you will use it, but if not you’re just tossing money out the window. 2. Short commute If you work from home or are retired, don’t pay extra for a place near mass transit or office areas. 3. Top school district A home in a great school district will get top dollar. But if you don’t plan to have kids, go outside the school zone. You’ll save on price and property taxes. 4. Single story Homes on all the same level tend to be more expensive. If you can handle stairs, you’ll get more bang for your buck. 5. Too much house It’s tempting to buy a house bigger than you really need. Don’t overpay for rooms you won’t use.
6 Habits All Successful Home Buyers Share
If you’ve resolved to purchase a home in 2019, there are a few good habits that can help you get there. These behaviors are things you can do daily, weekly, monthly or even just yearly that, when combined, will set you well on the path to homeownership. Here, realtor.com offers a breakdown of home-buying habits to adopt now, especially if you hope to begin looking once home-buying season is in full swing this spring. 1. Daily: Ditch an indulgence or two Saving for a down payment is vital to a successful house purchase, and buyers who can put down 20 percent don’t have to pay private mortgage insurance. So, how do you achieve that 20 down-payment goal? By Spending less. Daily habits you might want to adopt now include dining out less often, reducing the cable bill, canceling (or downgrading) your gym membership, forgoing expensive coffee and making your own lunch every day. Buyers also shouldn’t make big purchases, either. If you have an expensive car payment, consider selling the car or turning in the lease. Then buy a less expensive car for the time being or use public transportation. 2. Weekly: Make deposits into a ‘home savings’ account Consider opening a designated home savings account, get into the habit of depositing a set weekly amount and you could soon have a tidy amount for a down payment. To meet your goal sooner, keep your home aspirations modest. This will enable you to get approved easily by the bank. 3. Weekly: Start attending open houses Get into the habit of attending open houses. This not only will give you a feel for what homes are available, but it also could help motivate you to save when you see homes that could be yours. It also will educate you on the market. Once you observe first-hand what houses are selling for, it will help you determine if it’s a good time to buy. 4. Monthly: Do a trial run at homeownership Owning a home is more than just coming up with a 20 percent down payment. You also have to be able to pay the mortgage and home-maintenance costs—from lawn care to unexpected repairs. Make sure you won’t max yourself out by testing out the habit of saving as a homeowner. For one month, set aside the anticipated amount of your monthly housing expenses and what you’d need for an emergency fund. (A good rule of thumb is to save 10 percent of your mortgage amount every month for maintenance fees.) Then see if you can live within your new budget. If you can’t live within the budget, you’ll know to opt for a smaller home. 5. Monthly: Pay all bills on time You’ll need a credit score in the 600s, at the very least, to qualify for a mortgage at a reasonable interest rate. The best way to keep your score high is to be in the habit of paying every single bill on time. Timely payments are especially important for auto loans and leases, since mortgage lenders look there first when checking reliability. In case you forget, set bills on automatic payment. Bills also include your rent. Remember: When you’re going into a home purchase, you sometimes need a referral from your landlord. Whether your rent check arrived on the first or the 15th of the month matters. And don’t forget about medical bills, which stay on your credit score for seven years if late or unpaid. Finally, always pay down credit cards with any extra cash you have at the end of the month. 6. Yearly: Check your credit report Do you even know what your credit score is, or even laid eyes on your credit report? If not—or if you haven’t done so recently—now’s the time to check. To obtain a free copy of your credit score, go to CreditKarma.com. For your full credit report, available for free once a year, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. After all, there may be things on that report you weren’t aware of that are harming your score. The only way to know and nip these problems in the bud is to check.