Keeping your household organized is a challenge in the best of circumstances, let alone when you're in the midst of dealing with the disruption of moving.
As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, always take the extra steps necessary to help my clients experience a stress-free, successful move. Throughout my years in the real estate business, we've witnessed many common mistakes that people make during the course of a move.
Here are seven to avoid:
1.Packing everything. Prior to moving, it's important to take a look around and decide what you don't want to keep. This will cut down on costs by not having to transfer unnecessary items.
2.Sending it all to storage. Storage is usually expensive and just delays the inevitable. Eventually, what you store will need to be moved into your home, so try and bring it all the first time.
3.Shopping on the Internet for move quotes without dealing with a live person. This is one instance where dealing with a live person is necessary. You need to be able to ask specific questions and have your estimate explained to you line by line so that you can see where costs can be cut.
4.Not looking into what your homeowners' insurance covers. For a nominal cost, these types of insurance policies may cover your goods in transit.
5.Not taking photographs of items before disassembling them for the move. You will be unable to process an insurance claim if you don't have proof of what the item looked like before you packed it.
6.Overlooking the box count. If you are paying for boxes by the piece, keep track as things are being packed as each box has a different price attached to it. You don't want to end up with 300 boxes when you only needed 200. Also, if the moving company sees that you're keeping track, movers will be less inclined to hit you up for additional costs when the job is done.
7.Forgetting to take inventory. If you don't create an inventory, there's no fool-proof way to know if you've left something behind or if it somehow got lost in transit.
Work closely with your real estate professional to help avoid these and other common pitfalls of moving. You can also e-mail our team for more information. Please share these moving mistakes with friends and family, too, so that the journey to their new home is a happy one!
Robbi Campbell Properties
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Top 10 Green Design Trends For Your Home!
As the green movement gathers steam, many homeowners -- and soon-to-be homeowners -- are exploring ways to become environmentally conscious within their living spaces. Greening your home is not only a responsible thing to do but can also boost your home's value when it comes time to sell.
These days, there are an increasingly wide range of products that purport to offer a variety of environmental values but fall short when it comes to style. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, however, I, along with my team, have access to many credible sources on the subject, such as Robin Wilson, a pioneer in the eco-friendly design sector, and Vickie Gilstrap, vice president of color and design for Mohawk's Residential Business. They offer the following areas to zero in on when greening your home ... while, of course, being mindful of design.
Carpet. Did you know that one out of every four recycled plastic bottles is made into carpet? That's more than 3 billion bottles each year! Choose carpet made from renewable or recycled materials.
Paint. Create a cozy space by painting an accent wall in a warm earth tone like cocoa or cinnamon. Choose paint that is non-toxic and contains little or no volatile organic compounds.
Pillows. Use certified organic fabrics to create window treatments or accent pillows. You'll be surprised at the variety of colors and patterns available.
Floors. When choosing hardwood flooring, using reclaimed wood adds a touch of antique, natural beauty to your home.
Counters. Look for those made from recycled glass, ceramic or sustainable bamboo. Use them in both your kitchen and your bathroom.
Accessories. Don't just throw away your older items -- breathe new life into vintage pieces instead by pairing them with fresh accessories. Reupholster an old arm chair or add an accent pillow to give it a fresh, new look.
Lighting. Install dimmable compact fluorescent lights, which can consume up to 75% less electricity and last 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
Bathrooms. A new shower curtain can update the entire look of your bathroom. Opt for nylon, which is one of the more eco-friendly materials available.
Faucets. Look for faucets with the WaterSense label, which can save the average household more than 500 gallons of water each year and hundreds of dollars in utility bills.
Bedrooms. Transform your bedroom with eco-friendly bedding. Duvets, shams and linens are available in organic materials and recycled yarn.
Thankfully, manufacturers are answering the consumer demand for eco-friendly products that are also beautifully designed.
For more information or to share your ideas on great green products for the home, please email us at robbi@robbicampbell.com. And be sure to pass this email on to your other eco-conscious family and friends.
These days, there are an increasingly wide range of products that purport to offer a variety of environmental values but fall short when it comes to style. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, however, I, along with my team, have access to many credible sources on the subject, such as Robin Wilson, a pioneer in the eco-friendly design sector, and Vickie Gilstrap, vice president of color and design for Mohawk's Residential Business. They offer the following areas to zero in on when greening your home ... while, of course, being mindful of design.
Carpet. Did you know that one out of every four recycled plastic bottles is made into carpet? That's more than 3 billion bottles each year! Choose carpet made from renewable or recycled materials.
Paint. Create a cozy space by painting an accent wall in a warm earth tone like cocoa or cinnamon. Choose paint that is non-toxic and contains little or no volatile organic compounds.
Pillows. Use certified organic fabrics to create window treatments or accent pillows. You'll be surprised at the variety of colors and patterns available.
Floors. When choosing hardwood flooring, using reclaimed wood adds a touch of antique, natural beauty to your home.
Counters. Look for those made from recycled glass, ceramic or sustainable bamboo. Use them in both your kitchen and your bathroom.
Accessories. Don't just throw away your older items -- breathe new life into vintage pieces instead by pairing them with fresh accessories. Reupholster an old arm chair or add an accent pillow to give it a fresh, new look.
Lighting. Install dimmable compact fluorescent lights, which can consume up to 75% less electricity and last 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
Bathrooms. A new shower curtain can update the entire look of your bathroom. Opt for nylon, which is one of the more eco-friendly materials available.
Faucets. Look for faucets with the WaterSense label, which can save the average household more than 500 gallons of water each year and hundreds of dollars in utility bills.
Bedrooms. Transform your bedroom with eco-friendly bedding. Duvets, shams and linens are available in organic materials and recycled yarn.
Thankfully, manufacturers are answering the consumer demand for eco-friendly products that are also beautifully designed.
For more information or to share your ideas on great green products for the home, please email us at robbi@robbicampbell.com. And be sure to pass this email on to your other eco-conscious family and friends.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
10 Tips for Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor!
Given the economic difficulties that still exist, it's not surprising that many homeowners are looking to home improvement and renovation, rather than buying a new home.
When deciding to undertake a remodeling project, however, there are several invaluable tips to keep in mind as you discuss your home makeover with potential contractors.
Thanks to our network of leading real estate professionals, the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, can offer tips to make your home renovation a more streamlined, more palatable experience, courtesy of Stageoflife.com:
Tip #1: Does Your Contractor Have Proof of Insurance?Ask the contractor to have his insurance company mail or fax a copy of his current contractor insurance card to you. If the contractor can't do this, stay away. Why? If there is an accident at your home, you are then liable. This also applies to any sub-contractor or employee that the contractor may use; those individuals should have active insurance cards faxed or mailed to you as well.
Tip #2: Did You Check References and See Photos?Ask for at least three references — with two of them being for the same type of project you are planning — and then call the references. Additionally, ask the contractor to provide photos of previous work, especially for the same type of project. If he produces lawn and garden photos and you're planning a bathroom remodel, you may want to check out another contractor.
Tip #3: Does Your Contractor Take Debit or Credit Cards?Besides your ability to earn a few points, bonus miles or cash back on your project, a good sign that a contractor is financially savvy and has a bank behind his business is his ability to take debit and credit cards. This doesn't just apply to big contracting companies. Many small, one-man shops will take cards if they have a good relationship with their business bank or credit union.
Tip #4: Manners and Appearance?If the contractor drove his vehicle to your home to give you an estimate, take a look at the way he keeps the equipment and vehicle. Are things clean? Neatly arranged? If not, that's a big warning. The way a contractor treats his tools is a direct connection to how he'll treat your home. During the initial meeting, does the contractor present himself in a professional way? Do you feel comfortable around him or his employees? They will be working in your home after all.
Tip #5: Clean-Up Policy?Ask about the clean-up policy. For example, if your home improvement is a multi-day project, will the contractor be cleaning up at the end of every day or will he leave the dust, wood chips, and other mess laying there for day two? The more mess in your home ... the more it gets tracked around. Many homeowners find themselves with mouths gaping wide after the contractor has left for the day and their floors and home are dirty and messy around the project area.
Tip #6: Will the Contractor Put It In Writing?Is your contractor willing to put both his bid and the scope of work in writing? If not, walk away immediately. You'll be surprised how many homeowners have been duped by contractors who verbally tell you what's included in their scope of work, but will then, in the middle of everything, require extra money to finish the remodel, thus holding you hostage with an uncompleted home project.
Tip #7: Availability?Can the contractor get the job done in your timeline rather than his? There's nothing more frustrating than if a contractor tells you that a job will be done by a certain date and then it isn't. On the flip side, if you can't find a good contractor that's willing to commit to your timeline, your expectations may be too high and you may need to adjust your timeline.
Tip #8: Does Your Contractor Use "Subs?"Does your contractor plan on doing everything himself? Or will he "sub out" work to the "trades?" For example, if you are remodeling a bathroom, you may need a plumber, electrician and carpenter. It's okay if the contractor subs work out to these specific trades — it shows he wants the work done right.
Tip #9: Quoting & Billing Procedure?Ask the contractor about his quoting procedure. Will it contain general information, or will it be specific? For example, most contractors will charge you for a fuel surcharge, material up-charges, waste removal, labor, etc. Some will show you these exact costs in a line item invoice, but others roll it up into one big bill. How much detail do you want? You should clarify that with your contractor upfront.
Also, what is the payment or billing policy? Is money required upfront? If so, go back to #1 and #2 above to make sure you have the contractor's references checked and have a copy of his contractor's insurance.
Tip #10: Did Your Contractor Get the Permits?Ask your contractor to take care of the permits. Although permits cost you money, the inspection process is meant to protect you from poor workmanship and to make sure that everything is being built to code.
For more information on home improvement and renovation, please e-mail our team and please feel free to forward these tips to any family and friends.
With warmest regards,
Robbi Campbell
Windermere Exclusive Properties
Office: 858-436-3290
Mobile: 858-229-0649
Robbi@RobbiCampbell.com
http://www.RobbiCampbell.com
When deciding to undertake a remodeling project, however, there are several invaluable tips to keep in mind as you discuss your home makeover with potential contractors.
Thanks to our network of leading real estate professionals, the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, can offer tips to make your home renovation a more streamlined, more palatable experience, courtesy of Stageoflife.com:
Tip #1: Does Your Contractor Have Proof of Insurance?Ask the contractor to have his insurance company mail or fax a copy of his current contractor insurance card to you. If the contractor can't do this, stay away. Why? If there is an accident at your home, you are then liable. This also applies to any sub-contractor or employee that the contractor may use; those individuals should have active insurance cards faxed or mailed to you as well.
Tip #2: Did You Check References and See Photos?Ask for at least three references — with two of them being for the same type of project you are planning — and then call the references. Additionally, ask the contractor to provide photos of previous work, especially for the same type of project. If he produces lawn and garden photos and you're planning a bathroom remodel, you may want to check out another contractor.
Tip #3: Does Your Contractor Take Debit or Credit Cards?Besides your ability to earn a few points, bonus miles or cash back on your project, a good sign that a contractor is financially savvy and has a bank behind his business is his ability to take debit and credit cards. This doesn't just apply to big contracting companies. Many small, one-man shops will take cards if they have a good relationship with their business bank or credit union.
Tip #4: Manners and Appearance?If the contractor drove his vehicle to your home to give you an estimate, take a look at the way he keeps the equipment and vehicle. Are things clean? Neatly arranged? If not, that's a big warning. The way a contractor treats his tools is a direct connection to how he'll treat your home. During the initial meeting, does the contractor present himself in a professional way? Do you feel comfortable around him or his employees? They will be working in your home after all.
Tip #5: Clean-Up Policy?Ask about the clean-up policy. For example, if your home improvement is a multi-day project, will the contractor be cleaning up at the end of every day or will he leave the dust, wood chips, and other mess laying there for day two? The more mess in your home ... the more it gets tracked around. Many homeowners find themselves with mouths gaping wide after the contractor has left for the day and their floors and home are dirty and messy around the project area.
Tip #6: Will the Contractor Put It In Writing?Is your contractor willing to put both his bid and the scope of work in writing? If not, walk away immediately. You'll be surprised how many homeowners have been duped by contractors who verbally tell you what's included in their scope of work, but will then, in the middle of everything, require extra money to finish the remodel, thus holding you hostage with an uncompleted home project.
Tip #7: Availability?Can the contractor get the job done in your timeline rather than his? There's nothing more frustrating than if a contractor tells you that a job will be done by a certain date and then it isn't. On the flip side, if you can't find a good contractor that's willing to commit to your timeline, your expectations may be too high and you may need to adjust your timeline.
Tip #8: Does Your Contractor Use "Subs?"Does your contractor plan on doing everything himself? Or will he "sub out" work to the "trades?" For example, if you are remodeling a bathroom, you may need a plumber, electrician and carpenter. It's okay if the contractor subs work out to these specific trades — it shows he wants the work done right.
Tip #9: Quoting & Billing Procedure?Ask the contractor about his quoting procedure. Will it contain general information, or will it be specific? For example, most contractors will charge you for a fuel surcharge, material up-charges, waste removal, labor, etc. Some will show you these exact costs in a line item invoice, but others roll it up into one big bill. How much detail do you want? You should clarify that with your contractor upfront.
Also, what is the payment or billing policy? Is money required upfront? If so, go back to #1 and #2 above to make sure you have the contractor's references checked and have a copy of his contractor's insurance.
Tip #10: Did Your Contractor Get the Permits?Ask your contractor to take care of the permits. Although permits cost you money, the inspection process is meant to protect you from poor workmanship and to make sure that everything is being built to code.
For more information on home improvement and renovation, please e-mail our team and please feel free to forward these tips to any family and friends.
With warmest regards,
Robbi Campbell
Windermere Exclusive Properties
Office: 858-436-3290
Mobile: 858-229-0649
Robbi@RobbiCampbell.com
http://www.RobbiCampbell.com
Check out Robbi Campbell Properties Top 5 in Real Estate Resource Center!
For timely relevant articles, videos, questions & answers, check out our Robbi Campbell Properties Top 5 in Real Estate Resource Center! Changes Daily! Great site to Bookmark!
http://www.top5inrealestate.com/media/news/0/id/14105
http://www.top5inrealestate.com/media/news/0/id/14105
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Top 5 Ways to Sell Your Home More Quickly!
Top 5 Ways to Sell Your Home More Quickly
If your home is on the market, or if you're planning to sell your home in the near future, you might be discouraged by the national media's rampant reports of increasing inventory and languishing sales.
While there is, indeed, plenty of inventory currently on the market, there are steps you can take as a home seller to ensure your home sells more quickly, while still garnering the maximum sales price possible. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I -- along with my team -- have many years of experience working with home sellers and have learned a few strategies that really work toward securing a buyer more quickly.
First, for your home to sell more quickly, it must be exposed to the maximum number of buyers possible, so make sure your home is listed with a local brokerage that has a comprehensive understanding of your market area and knows how to employ technology to increase exposure. Find out how they will market your home online, what listing portals they will use, how they will utilize social media, how many pictures they will post, videos, etc.
While it's understandable that you’d like the largest downpayment possible from a buyer, be willing to accept a smaller downpayment, provided the buyer has been preapproved for a loan. This can make a huge difference to cash-strapped buyers.
Do some legwork and ask your real estate agent for a tour of competitive properties. This will help distinguish what features of your home you should highlight or what small changes you can make to give your home an edge over the competition.
Choose your battles and understand where certain concessions might work in your favor. In a slow market, for example, it may be better to pay a "seller contribution" to help buyers offset closing costs than to lower the sale price. While a seller contribution may be smaller than a price reduction, it is often more attractive to buyers who need cash to close.
Consider including some value-added items in the sale of your home, such as the swing set in the backyard, the washer and dryer, or items of furniture that buyers fall in love with and/or really need. A few freebies might be just what you need to close the deal.
If you would like to learn other ideas for selling your home more quickly, please e-mail our team. Also, please forward this email on to anyone else in your network that has concerns about effectively selling their home.
If your home is on the market, or if you're planning to sell your home in the near future, you might be discouraged by the national media's rampant reports of increasing inventory and languishing sales.
While there is, indeed, plenty of inventory currently on the market, there are steps you can take as a home seller to ensure your home sells more quickly, while still garnering the maximum sales price possible. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I -- along with my team -- have many years of experience working with home sellers and have learned a few strategies that really work toward securing a buyer more quickly.
First, for your home to sell more quickly, it must be exposed to the maximum number of buyers possible, so make sure your home is listed with a local brokerage that has a comprehensive understanding of your market area and knows how to employ technology to increase exposure. Find out how they will market your home online, what listing portals they will use, how they will utilize social media, how many pictures they will post, videos, etc.
While it's understandable that you’d like the largest downpayment possible from a buyer, be willing to accept a smaller downpayment, provided the buyer has been preapproved for a loan. This can make a huge difference to cash-strapped buyers.
Do some legwork and ask your real estate agent for a tour of competitive properties. This will help distinguish what features of your home you should highlight or what small changes you can make to give your home an edge over the competition.
Choose your battles and understand where certain concessions might work in your favor. In a slow market, for example, it may be better to pay a "seller contribution" to help buyers offset closing costs than to lower the sale price. While a seller contribution may be smaller than a price reduction, it is often more attractive to buyers who need cash to close.
Consider including some value-added items in the sale of your home, such as the swing set in the backyard, the washer and dryer, or items of furniture that buyers fall in love with and/or really need. A few freebies might be just what you need to close the deal.
If you would like to learn other ideas for selling your home more quickly, please e-mail our team. Also, please forward this email on to anyone else in your network that has concerns about effectively selling their home.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Easy Ways to Cut Summer Energy Costs!
With summer officially upon us, many homeowners will be confronted with rising electric bills as fans and air conditioners kick into high gear in an effort to keep cool. Demand for electricity can also increase if you have house guests or children home for the summer.
As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have access to lots of great ideas for planning ahead to control energy costs this summer. The following tips are from the experts at Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G):
Use ceiling fans in the counter-clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler. Also, whole-house fans that bring in cooler night-time air can pre-cool a house and reduce energy use in the daytime if heat is kept out by closing windows and shades.
Install a programmable thermostat. If health conditions permit, raise the setting from 73 to 78 degrees. You can save 3-5% on your air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat.
Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms and be sure to keep filters clean.
Plant shade trees close to the house on the South and West sides.
Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows.
Eliminate air leaks between window air conditioners and windows with foam insulation or weather-stripping.
Turn off power sources. TVs, computers and other electronic devices draw power when they are in standby mode or turned off but still plugged in. Plug electronics into power strips and turn off the power switch when the items are not in use.
Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use 75% less electricity and burn more coolly than incandescent bulbs. Keep in mind that CFLs are especially handy in hard-to-reach fixtures and won't need to be replaced for about five years.
Use timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
Delay heat-producing tasks such as laundry until later in the day. Wash full loads, using cold water whenever possible. Run the dishwasher at night, using the shortest cycle that will get the dishes clean. If manufacturers' directions permit, turn the dishwasher off before the dry cycle or use the air dry feature if your machine has one.
Take short showers as they use less hot water than a bath.
Replace old appliances with new energy efficient Energy Star appliances.
Unplug the extra refrigerator in your garage or basement and use it only when necessary. Refrigerators that are only 10 years old can use twice as much electricity as new Energy Star labeled models.
For more information on preparing your home for summer, please e-mail our team at robbi@robbicampbell.com. We encourage you to pass this email along to your friends and family as well.
As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have access to lots of great ideas for planning ahead to control energy costs this summer. The following tips are from the experts at Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G):
Use ceiling fans in the counter-clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler. Also, whole-house fans that bring in cooler night-time air can pre-cool a house and reduce energy use in the daytime if heat is kept out by closing windows and shades.
Install a programmable thermostat. If health conditions permit, raise the setting from 73 to 78 degrees. You can save 3-5% on your air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat.
Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms and be sure to keep filters clean.
Plant shade trees close to the house on the South and West sides.
Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows.
Eliminate air leaks between window air conditioners and windows with foam insulation or weather-stripping.
Turn off power sources. TVs, computers and other electronic devices draw power when they are in standby mode or turned off but still plugged in. Plug electronics into power strips and turn off the power switch when the items are not in use.
Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use 75% less electricity and burn more coolly than incandescent bulbs. Keep in mind that CFLs are especially handy in hard-to-reach fixtures and won't need to be replaced for about five years.
Use timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
Delay heat-producing tasks such as laundry until later in the day. Wash full loads, using cold water whenever possible. Run the dishwasher at night, using the shortest cycle that will get the dishes clean. If manufacturers' directions permit, turn the dishwasher off before the dry cycle or use the air dry feature if your machine has one.
Take short showers as they use less hot water than a bath.
Replace old appliances with new energy efficient Energy Star appliances.
Unplug the extra refrigerator in your garage or basement and use it only when necessary. Refrigerators that are only 10 years old can use twice as much electricity as new Energy Star labeled models.
For more information on preparing your home for summer, please e-mail our team at robbi@robbicampbell.com. We encourage you to pass this email along to your friends and family as well.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Just Listed! 4838 Riding Ridge Road! Palisades Carmel Valley San Diego, CA 92130
Traditional sale! Desirable Palisades plan 1 with fabulous upgrades including Pergo flooring, slab granite kitchen counters, stainless viking Professional 6 burner range and hood,plantation shutters, ceiling fans. Lovely backyard with stamped concrete patio area, overhead patio cover, grassy play area, raised planters and specimen trees! One bedroom/bath down. Spacious master bedroom suite upstairs with large walk-in closet. No HOA fees! Walking distance to Ashley Falls School & Park. Priced to sell at $839,900!!
Call us at 858-436-3290 for more info!
Call us at 858-436-3290 for more info!
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