San Diego Real Estate Video Blog with Carlos Gutierrez

3 Simple Ways to Increase Your Home Value

Buying a home? Click Here to Perform a Full Home Search
Selling a home? Click Here for a Free Home Evaluation
For any other questions about San Diego real estate, reach out to me anytime at (858) 864-8741

Have you ever heard the saying "You have to spend money to make money?" It's so true when you're getting ready to refinance or sell your home in San Diego's real estate market.

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Landscaping, kitchens and baths
will always give you a better return.

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If you've been watching the real estate market, you know that inventory is still very low, and there are a lot of buyers out there who are very selective. So what can you do to either enjoy your home more, prepare for a sale, or prepare for a refinance?

Have a professional walk through your home or hire an inspector who will give you an honest evaluation of your home. Sometimes it's even worth paying a few hundred dollars to have an appraisal on your home, which will give you an idea if you have more square footage than you thought, and what the value is.
Focus on the money-makers. Landscaping, kitchens and baths will always give you a better return. Look at those areas first both for your own enjoyment or if you're thinking about selling and want to increase your home's value.
Focus on curb appeal. Landscaping and security, too. Security and fencing are a sure way to get a quicker sale, which usually means a full-price offer and sometimes, offers above list price.

If you need a professional to come look at your home and find ways to make the most of it, please give me a call! I'm more than happy to help you and your friends through the process.

3 Things to Consider If Your Nest Isn’t Empty

Do you have young adults living with you in your household? If so, you’re not alone.

In 2000, only 23% of young adults were living with their parents. In 2014, that same number increased to 34%. According to researchers, the rate continues to rise. Right now, more than 36% of young adults live in the household they grew up in.

Maybe you thought you’d have an empty nest sooner and thought you had to downsize, but of course, aren’t in that situation. However, there are a few alternatives to consider.

Location is important. You know you still need space, but maybe you can consider a new location to better fit your current lifestyle.

Purchase a home with a better floor plan. If you’re living with a young adult, you might need a little bit more privacy. Maybe you can invest in a basement suite.

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Purchase a home with a better
floor plan.

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Rent a home to your children. Let them get roommates! Become a landlord if your budget allows for it.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a San Diego home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to serve your local real estate needs and answer any questions you might have.

How the Internet Impacts San Diego Real Estate

The Internet is a great place to start a home search or find information on what your home is worth, but take that information with a grain of salt. I hear every day how frustrating it is to sort out all the information buyers and sellers find online.

Popular sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia are all excellent starting points. However, studies show in cities like San Diego, their prices can be off by 10% to 20%. In our market, that means these estimates are anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 off the price. What can you do?

Start by finding a trusted real estate guide. If you’re a buyer, don’t believe anything you read online. Make sure you’re looking at multiple sites, including local sites like mine that pull information directly from the multiple listing service. These sites are up to date and accurate.

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Find a trusted real estate agent to be your guide.

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For buyers, it’s also important to get pre-approved. You will save time on your search because you know how much your loan limit is. In our tight market, a pre-approval means you have negotiating power that will help you edge out other buyers. Having a pre-approval shows that you’re serious and ready to buy today.

Also, stay calm and don’t fall in love with houses you see online right away. Not only are homes inaccurately priced, but Zillow sometimes keeps listings up that actually sold months ago. An experienced agent will guide you to the right home.

If you’re selling a home, don’t get caught up in Zestimates. Look for accurate information. Your home is unique and if you’ve made improvements in the last few years, you need a proper appraisal so that you get every single dollar. Trust a professional for accurate numbers.

Finally, when you’re selling your home, conduct your research. Check out multiple search tools to see what your home is worth today. Check out the comparable sales, or homes that have recently sold in your area. This is the most accurate way to determine what you can get for your home.

If you have any questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!