Five Reasons Why Owning a Home is Better Than Renting

The housing market is on the mend in many parts of the country, but media reports about falling prices and foreclosures may still be making you hesitate before taking the plunge and buying a new home. The truth is this: There’s never been a better time to buy a home.

Low interest rates, a great supply of houses from which to choose, and motivated sellers are just a few of the reasons why now is a great time to buy. But there are many other advantages to owning a home, rather than renting. Here are just a few:

• The potential to build equity. Sure, there are still reports of falling prices in some parts of the nation. But, in general and over time, you are likely to build equity in your new home. Plus, if you stay in your house long enough, you will ultimately pay off your mortgage and own it outright.
• Tax savings. For many, the interest on a home mortgage, and real estate property taxes, are tax deductible. Rent is not. Check with your financial advisor for more information.
• Control. Want to remodel your home, repaint the exterior or plant some flowers? If you own your own home, you are free to do so, subject only to local zoning ordinances and homeowners association or condominium rules. If you rent, you cannot make these changes unless the landlord agrees.
• Stable housing costs. If you have a fixed rate mortgage, your principal and interest are fixed, and your payments are predictable. But a landlord can raise your rent.
• Pride of ownership. If you purchase a house, it’s yours! To many, owning a home is the very epitome of the American dream. And, with a sense of permanence, you will establish roots in your community.

Would you like to learn more about the advantages of home ownership or take advantage of today’s opportunities? Give our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes offices a call today to learn about available homes in your area. 626.358.1858 - Monrovia / 626.963.7621 - Glendora.

The CENTURY 21 System Launches Innovative Tool

Have you recently listed your home for sale, or do you plan to do so soon? If so, then you probably understand the importance of marketing your property on the Internet. After all, a recent National Association of Realtors survey of home buyers and sellers found that about 90 percent of home buyers use the Internet to search for a
new home.

CENTURY 21 home listings typically appear on over 500 websites, which provide extensive exposure for our listings. With so many websites, however, it can be overwhelming to monitor the effectiveness of online marketing efforts. That’s why the CENTURY 21 System has introduced an exciting new tool that will make it easier for CENTURY 21 Agents to monitor the online activity of their listings—and to keep sellers up to date on who’s looking at their homes online as well as any leads resulting from those views.

Called “The Golden Ruler,” this reporting tool also helps Agents keep better track of online listings and their marketing efforts. That means that sellers will have more extensive information, in real time, as to how their online listing is performing.

The Golden Ruler is an innovative way that CENTURY 21 supports the online marketing efforts of our sellers and Agents.

The Golden Ruler will not only keep sellers up to date on which websites their homes are listed on, but it will also indicate the number of page views, visits and leads.It provides information about the geographic area that leads are coming from and how similar properties are performing within the CENTURY 21 network of websites as well.

Interested in learning more about The Golden Ruler and other tools we use to market our listings? Give our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes offices a call today at 626.358.1858 - Monrovia or 626.963.7621 - Glendora.

Do You Need A Home Warranty?

When Lisa Santucci moved from Kansas to Florida last December, she was happy to learn that her 16-year-old home carried a warranty. “We felt like it was an incentive for us to purchase,” she says. “We were new to the area, and we wanted to be sure that if something did go wrong, we had something to fall back on.”

Santucci hasn’t had to use her warranty yet. But she says she has peace of mind knowing it’s there.

A home warranty is a renewable service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most frequently occurring breakdowns of home system components and appliances, according to Heather Wilson, a spokeswoman for American Home Shield, one of the nation’s largest home warranty sellers. These breakdowns are usually not covered by homeowners insurance.

According to the Service Contract Industry Council, home warranty sales increased in 2009. Many sellers added home warranties to help distinguish their properties from others on the market, and many buyers insisted on a warranty before completing their purchase, the SCIC said.

Items covered by a typical home warranty include major systems such as the HVAC and plumbing, as well as appliances. Some warranties offer additional coverage for pools, spas, extra air conditioners, etc. The average cost of a home warranty is $300 to $500, Wilson said. It must be renewed annually.

Home warranties can provide both financial and emotional security for buyers of existing homes. But they may not be necessary for every purchase.
New homes, for example, carry a homeowners warranty directly from the builder. In addition, home warranties are limited in scope. Buyers need to
read their contract carefully to understand what the warranty covers and does not cover.

Want to learn more about home warranties? Give our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes offices a call today at 626.358.1858 - Monrovia or 626.963.7621 - Glendora.

How to Improve Your Curb Appeal This Season

You’ve heard the old adage: You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. That
statement underscores the importance of curb appeal if you’re trying to sell your home.

Curb appeal—the attractiveness of the exterior of a property--is particularly important if you live
in a market where there are a lot of homes for sale. Then it’s essential that your home make a
statement and stand out from the competition.

What can you do to improve your home’s curb appeal this season? Here are some tips:

• Spruce up the exterior. Clean the windows and gutters, trim bushes, make sure the
  grass is maintained and in good condition, and plant some flowers—mums come in
  many beautiful fall colors--to make the house look appealing and brighten up the
  exterior. Consider a fresh coat of paint—if not on the whole house, then at least on the
  doors, shutters and other trim, where you can add accent colors.
• If your house is not well lit, install some new lights in the front and on the walkways.
  This not only improves safety but also helps showcase your home and its unique
  features.
• Rake up leaves and remove them. Sweep your walks and front porch, and shake out
  mats.
• Add a few finishing touches relevant to the season, but don’t overdo it. Pumpkins and
  dried wreaths are holiday classics and can create a warm, homey feeling in potential
  buyers. Steer clear of extensive Halloween decorations or religious displays.

Interested in learning how to make your home stand out? Give our CENTURY 21 Adams &
Barnes offices a call today. Monrovia - 626.358.1858 or Glendora - 626.963.7621

8 Tips for Eliminating Clutter

Getting ready to list your home? One of the best things you can do to improve its appeal to prospective buyers is to get rid of clutter. Real estate agents often recommend that sellers de-clutter because it’s easy, inexpensive and can make a dramatic difference.

Here are some ways to eliminate clutter in your own home:

• Remove things you don’t use on a daily basis. In the kitchen, that means putting away the juicer; in the
  family room, toss all the magazines and books you’ve been meaning to read for years. Try to make your
  rooms look spacious and airy
  
• Organize shelves. Remove knick knacks and photographs.
  
• Get rid of excess furniture. Make it easy to walk through rooms. Try to create an open floor plan.
  
• Don’t forget about closets. Removing excess clothing from bedroom closets or towels from linen closets
  makes them appear larger. Everything should be neatly arranged and folded.
  
• Clear walls. If you have a lot of photographs or paintings, consider removing some. A more minimalist
  look gives the appearance of a larger space.
  
• Remove heavy curtains. Simple blinds or even bare windows let in more light and are more pleasing to
  the eye. Ornate curtains or other window treatments are visual clutter.
  
• Stow possessions in closed storage. Rather than using open shelving, for example, use a storage unit
  with drawers and doors. Or stash extra blankets in a trunk at the foot of your bed rather than the closet.
  
• Be honest when assessing your stuff. If you really don’t need it, get rid of it. You can trash it, hold a
  garage sale, donate it or sell it on eBay. Just think: The more you get rid of, the less you have to pack and move.

Interested in selling your home or learning more about eliminating clutter? Give our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes offices a call today at 626.358.1858 or 626.963.7621.