Great reasons to put your home on the market before the New Year!

The busy holiday season may not seem like a convenient time to have you home as an active listing. However, don't dismiss the idea of listing your home before the New Year so easily. Here are five reasons why you should consider putting, or keeping, your home on the market during the holiday season.

1. Serious buyers. The potential homebuyers who take the time to view your home over the holidays are usually serious about purchasing. There may be fewer buyers viewing your home, but they are motivated and are usually looking to buy sooner rather than later.
2. Limited competition. Homeowners often take their homes off the market or wait until after the holiday season to list their homes. This eliminates a lot of competition and limits the options prospective buyers have to choose from. Less competition may mean your home will sell for more money in a shorter amount of time. 
3. Low interest. Interest rates tend to drop the most at the end of the year and savvy buyers often take advantage of the incentive by purchasing a home and securing a fixed rate. 
4. Time is on your side. Potential buyers often have more vacation time during the holidays to view your home than they would during normal business days.
5. Closing time. When buyers close on their new home before the end of the year they can deduct mortgage interest, property taxes and points on their loan on their income tax return. They can also take advantage of significant deductions associated with home equity loans. This means faster closings and determined buyers.

Remember that our team of Sale Associates are always here to answer questions and help you. Contact us today. 626-358-1858 or 626-963-7621.

Fall Cleaning Tips

The winter season brings shorter days, cooler temperatures and often, lots of guests and holiday entertaining. A deep cleaning of your space leaves your home looking great and may keep flu season at bay. Here are some ideas to freshen up your home.

1. Sanitize commonly overlooked items. Germs are most prevalent on heavily used items. Disinfect your computer keyboards, remote controls, light switches, phones, appliances, doorknobs and cabinet handles regularly. 
2. Flip and rotate mattresses. This ensures the mattress will maintain its shape, comfort and resilience. Feel free to vacuum the mattress for added cleanliness. 
3. Wash any bedding that was in storage. Launder winter bedding and if possible, dry outdoors to rid it of any musty odor that may have seeped in during storage. 
4. Clean your chimney and flues. This should be done at least once a year and should be conducted by a professional. It is important for safety and may cut down on your heating bill. 
5. Protect and clean wood and tile. Deep clean to remove any dirt or grime and reseal wood floors to protect against scratches.

To learn more tips or if you are considering selling your home during these Fall and Winter month please feel free consult a qualified REALTOR® . Our associates represent clients throughout the San Gabriel Valley  and we are here to help. Call us today at 626-358-1858 or 626-963-7621.

Keep your kids safe this Halloween with these tips.

• Test for allergies. Apply any face paint or costume makeup in a small area on your child, at least 24 hours before Halloween to check for allergic reactions. 
• Travel in groups. Adult supervision is ideal for small children. However, if older children are allowed to trick-or-treat on their own, they should travel in groups of four or more. Routes should always be agreed upon with adults and cell phones should be carried to stay in touch.
• See and be seen. Children should wear reflective tape on their flame-retardant costumes and if masks are worn they should not impede vision. Flashlights should be utilized. 
• Never go into a home. Tell your child that candy should be given at the door and there is no need to enter a home.
• Obey traffic laws and curfews. Pedestrian traffic laws should be obeyed and whenever possible, cross within a crosswalk. Town curfews on Halloween are for safety and should be adhered to. 
• Check your candy. Adults should inspect all candy collected. Any suspicious looking or unwrapped candy should be discarded.

Stay safe out there and check back in with us soon as we share the MUST visit neighborhoods this Halloween around the San Gabriel Valley.

Find this spookyfying place on Lemon Avenue in Monrovia, CA

The pros and cons of purchasing a short sale property

Some buyers find themselves contemplating the purchase of a short sale, a property that sells for less than the balance its owner owes on the mortgage, despite the possible added complexities. If this is something that you are considering, please take note:

Pro: A major advantage to purchasing a short sale property is the price. Banks do not want a property to go into foreclosure, which is usually the next step if a short sale property fails to sell. Often buyers can purchase a property for under the market value.

Con: The disadvantage of buying a short sale is that it can be a very lengthy process. Short sales often take significantly longer than normal closings due to the amount of people involved in the transaction. The bank employs negotiators to get the maximum amount for a property and once the negotiator approves, a supervisor must review the package. You may wait for months while your offer is evaluated and the lender may reject your offer, even after having had the paperwork for a long period of time. If you do not have a flexible time frame, a short sale probably isn’t for you.

Recommendation: When shopping short sales, remember to work with a qualified CENTURY 21 real estate agent who has experience with short sales. Short sales can be complex, so it helps to ask about experience and success with short sales and familiarity with the process and lenders.

Consult a qualified REALTOR® to decide if a short sale is right for you. Call us today at 626-358-1858 or 626-963-7621.

How do I know if/when I should lower my home price?

Sellers cannot change the location, layout, or lot size of their property. However, one thing sellers have complete control over is the listing price. Although no seller likes to lower the price, in a buyer’s market, it is often the best catalyst to sell. Here are some indications you may need to lower your price.

Remember, you have the same goal as your REALTOR® to sell your property for the best possible price in a reasonable amount of time. Be open to suggestions and rely on the experience and success of your professional REALTOR®.

1. You have a lot of potential buyers who have come through your home, but you have not received offers. This may be sign that potential buyers are waiting for you to lower your price.
2. Ask your REALTOR® the average time comparables in your area were on the market before selling. If your home has been on the market for significantly longer, and is sufficiently advertised, without generating interest, it may be time to adjust your price.
3. If you are not getting traffic or offers you may have priced yourself out of contention for your target audience. If you have a starter home with two bedrooms and one bath, with the price tag of a five-bedroom three-bath home, potential buyers will not make offers, let alone come for a viewing. Be realistic when pricing your home or be prepared to languish on the market.
4. Your competition wins. Visit open houses in the area that are in the same price point and decide how and if your property compares.

To learn more about our team's pricing strategies, please contact our offices today at 626-358-1858 (Monrovia) or 626-963-7621 (Glendora).