Archive for HOME REPAIR

JEFF WILSON of MADE IN THE SHADE: THE BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN SCV!

July 13, 2007 · Filed under AFFILIATES, HOME REPAIR, RESOURCES, Sellers

Do you want the Nordstrom in customer service in your General Contractor?  Then call my guy, Jeff Wilson-Made In the Shade  at (661) 212-9593.  While he and his crew are still scraping my ceilings etc., I have been thoroughly impressed:  they arrive everyday at 8am, they work hard all day with scheduled breaks, the crew members are polite and courteous, they shop vac the work area everyday before they leave, I can always get Jeff on his cell, his price is right and best of all…he’s a highly skilled good ole boy whose reputation is the most important thing to him and therefore he conducts his business accordingly.  An affiliate after my own heart!

While personally I’m growing weary of the entire house being under construction, furniture still in the garage, dust everywhere from the acoustic ceiling removal, it makes it all worth it knowing that I am getting a job well done and NOT getting ripped off.

If you need ANYthing done in your home, you should call Jeff.  Just so you know, he’s in demand, so call him for a quote the moment you know you need him and he’ll work you in the rotation.  Tell him I sent you!  :)

*As a sidenote, there is another contractor in SCV who has a company called Made In the Shade.  These are not the same companies and the level of skill and service are different (per clients who have confused them).  Make sure that you’re talking to JEFF WILSON of Made In the Shade.  If it’s Jeff,  it’s the guy I’m recommending.  If it’s not Jeff, I can not give my endorsement. 

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SO YOU WANT TO BUY LAND AND ‘JUST BUILD’?

June 22, 2007 · Filed under HOME REPAIR, SANTA CLARITA GENERAL RESOURCES

With the cost of real estate in Santa Clarita Valley (and most of California) usually being pretty steep, buyers some buyers attempt to ‘get creative’ about how to own a home.  The most common ideas I hear from buyers are finding a ‘steal’ of a foreclosure (which is not usually the reality), a manufactured home (which have ‘no-ceiling’ land lease fees) and buying land to build a home themselves. 

I am a fan of creativity and ingenuity, however, often times buyers are not aware of the immensity (and danger) of their ‘creative ideas’.  

If you or anyone you know is thinking of buying land and building (and are inexperienced), please CLICK HERE for a tiny window into costs of just permits with the City of Santa Clarita.  Then add the cost of the land, the cost of service providers, the cost of building materials, the cost of finishing touches…it all adds up. 

Buying land and building can be a great step for you or it can be one of the biggest financial mistakes ever.  If you go that route, be wise and do your homework ahead of time.  :)

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WHAT’S HOT IN HOUSES TODAY

September 24, 2006 · Filed under Buyers, HOME REPAIR, Sellers

by Roselind Hejl

Are you are preparing your home for sale, planning to remodel, or shopping for a new home? Find out what is important in today’s housing market, and make choices that contribute the most value and enjoyment for the money.

Home Styles
Old world styles are popular. French, English, Tuscan and Spanish homes with stone or stucco walls, tile roofs, iron fixtures, heavy beams and rustic floors are in demand. A sense of historic connection resonates with buyers today.

The Craftsman style, built in the early 1900′s, is back. Features of this style, such as cobblestones, deep eaves, tapered columns and wide trim, favor the handmade look over mass produced.

Farmhouses and country homes are perfect remodel candidates and prototypes for new homes. Native materials, wood windows, simple floor plans, and warm colors connect with nature and earlier times.

The retro look is fashionable. Ranch styles and split levels built in the 1950′s are perfect for sleek remodels, and fit with fashionable furniture styles.

Urban modern is everywhere. Modern open plans make use of color, tile, glass, and experimental materials such as plastic and metal.

Floor Plan
The preferred ceiling height is about 9′-11′. Two story ceilings are out. In small rooms these feel like towers. Read the rest of this entry »

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MAINTAINING MY HOME & PREPARING FOR INSPECTION

July 6, 2006 · Filed under HOME REPAIR, Sellers

Is There Anything I Can Do Better To Maintain My Home & Prepare it for Inspection?

Inspection reports often identify the same neglected maintenance items. Performing some basic maintenance can help keep your home in better condition, thus reduce the chance of those conditions showing up on the inspection report. To present a better maintained home to perspective buyers follow these tips from the California Real Estate Inspection Association. Most of these items can be accomplished with little or no cost, while the benefits of selling a well maintained home can be worth the effort.

  1. Clean both rain gutters and any roof debris and trim back excessive foliage from the exterior siding.
  2. Divert all water away from the house (for example, rain-gutter downspouts, sump pump discharge locations, and clean out garage and basement interiors.
  3. Clean or replace all furnace filters.
  4. Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding (preferable 6-8 inches of clearance).
  5. Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around trim, chimneys, windows, doors, and all exterior wall penetrations.
  6. Make sure all windows and doors are in proper operating condition; replace cracked windowpanes.
  7. Replace burned out light bulbs.
  8. Make sure all of the plumbing fixtures are in spotless condition (toilets, tubs, showers, sinks) and in proper working order (repair leaks).
  9. Provide clear access to both attic and foundation crawl spaces, heating/cooling systems, water heater/s, electrical main and distribution panels and remove the car/s from the garage.
  10. And finally, if the house is vacant make sure that all utilities are turned on. Should the water, gas or electric be off at the time of inspection the inspector will not turn them on. Therefore, the inspection process will be incomplete, which may possibly affect the time frame in removing sales contract contingencies.

Copyright © 1997-2005 California Real Estate Inspection Association.

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TIPS FOR STAGING YOUR HOME TO SELL!

July 6, 2006 · Filed under HOME REPAIR, RESOURCES, Sellers

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Doing whatever you can to put your house’s best face forward is very important if you want to get close to your asking price or sell as quickly as possible. Short of spending a lot of money, here are several ideas for making your home show better:

  1. Sweep the sidewalk, mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and clean debris from the yard.
  2. Clean the windows (both inside and out) and make sure the paint is not chipped or flaking. And speaking of paint, if your home was built before 1978, new federal law gives a buyer the right to request a lead inspection. If you think you might have some problems, do the inspection yourself beforehand and make any fixes you can.
  3. Be sure that the doorbell works.
  4. Clean and spruce up all rooms, furnishings, floors, walls and ceilings. It’s especially important that the bathroom and kitchen are spotless.
  5. Organize closets and organize kitchen drawers, cupboards, and pantries
  6. Make sure the basic appliances and fixtures work. Get rid of leaky faucets and frayed cords.
  7. Make sure the house smells good: from an apple pie, cookies baking or spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Hide the kitty litter or send pets and all traces of them to Grandma’s house until you move.
  8. Put vases of fresh flowers throughout the house.
  9. Having pleasant background music playing in the background also will help set your stage.

Provided by Real Estate Q & A © 2000 InMan News Features
  

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