The chaos of moving day is a prime time to forget or misplace essential items.When you’re preparing for the big move to your new home, the following items are some of the most overlooked (and the most sorely missed in a time of need!).
To prevent the hassle and heartbreak of forgotten possessions and lost information, make a check list containing the following items:
1. Jewelry, watches, and small valuables:These small, expensive and often irreplaceable items are best kept in a safe deposit box or kept with trustworthy friends or relatives on moving day.
2. Garage door opener:The old one won’t be of much use at your new house, will it? Be sure to leave it behind for the new owners.Also, make sure the old owners of your new house give you theirs!
3. Spare keys:Sets to your old house should remain with the new owners, but don’t forget sets to the new house!There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at your new place without a way to get in.
4. Old address books:Yes, we all have fancy new smartphones, but it seems like families all have a well-worn phone book stashed in a spice drawer somewhere.These are practically family heirlooms of information, so don’t leave them behind.
5. Unfinished errands:Do you have any clothes at the dry cleaner?Books due to the library?What about other video game or DVD rentals?It can be a real hassle to settle up on these items from 100 miles away, right?
6. Medical records:While a lot of medical information is digital these days, you should make sure you don’t misplace your copies, including dental information and prescriptions.It’s easy to lose them at the bottom of a hastily thrown-away box.
I make sure my clients’ experience selling their old home and moving into their new dream home is a smooth transition.
If you’re interested in a hassle-free home selling experience, please get in touch today:Esperanza@EsperanzaButler.com. (818) 926-5425
Did you buy a home last year? Have you owned your home for a decade? Do you have an accurate idea of how much equity you really have in your home? If you were to sell today, do you know how much cash you’d have available moving forward?
Understanding the true equity you have in your home is a vital part of understanding your complete financial picture.You may have a vague idea of what you think your home is worth, but do you really know?And if you’re not sure, can you really be sure of your equity?
I often help clients get an accurate picture of their home equity through a three step process:
First, I use a comparative market analysis to establish a probable range of sale prices for your home.This takes into account recent closings as well as the unique features your home has to offer potential buyers.
Second, we look at your current loan and any other outstanding obligations which must be settled from the proceeds of the sale.
Third, I take into account any other fees or expenses incurred during the salesprocess which would impact the free equity in the home.
Whether the actual equity turns out to be $1,000 or $100,000, my clients find a certain peace of mind knowing exactly where they stand.The facts can help them plan for the future and make decisions about whether or not now is a good time to make any changes.
Are you curious about your home equity position? Contact me if you’d like to learn more: Esperanza@esperanzabutler.com
West Hills Ca - Real Estate - Woodland Hills Homes - We may not be in the “flipping days” of years past, but there are some good opportunities
Now is perhaps one of the best times in history to purchase a home.Low interest rates and unparalleled affordability have created a perfect storm for qualified buyers.
So does that mean the “flipping days” are here again?Probably not.While there may be shrewd investors out there who have the ability to squeeze out a profit on flipping properties in this market, the margins aren’t favorable and re-selling is tough.
It is, however, an excellent time for buyers looking for a long-term home investment, especially those who want to manage a rental property.There’s a good margin between true value and current prices, for one.Additionally, there’s great potential for higher rental values as rental inventory decreases under the pressure of potential buyers who can’t yet qualify for a loan.
Do you have a college graduate or newlywed child? Another great investment is the purchase of a home for someone in the family that may occupy it as a tenant until such time they can afford their own home.
If you’re curious about which neighborhoods would make the purchase of an investment property a good move, feel free to contact me today.I’d be happy to help advise you on an investment purchase.
I think you’d probably agree that the worst investing advice in the world is: Buy high, sell low.That’s the very definition of losing money on an investment, right?
So let me ask you: Why would you wait for the housing market to improve before buying a house?
I understand there’s a lot of uncertainty out there. Job security is questionable, unemployment is high, and you’re not sure what it takes to get pre-approved for a home loan.It’s scary.But here’s the thing: Letting fear dictate your financial strategy for the future is a guaranteed way to pay too much for a house in the years to come.
Put fear aside for just a moment.Here are some facts:
- Interest rates are at or close to historic lows
- Prices for homes have plunged to the lowest levels we’ve seen in a generation
- Bank and government-owned property inventory is at an all-time high
- Rents are rising and rental inventory is shrinking (limited rental options!)
Shouldn’t you, rather than your landlord, be the one who benefits from owning a home?Right now is the “buy low” in the “buy low / sell high” cycle. Every day I help renters explore their purchasing power.You might be surprised just how qualified you are for home ownership.
If you’re curious simply reply to this email / drop me a line at Esperanza@EsperanzaButler.comand I’d be glad to have a no-obligation conversation about how you could own your own home.
Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you.
I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your Realtor now or in the near future. I am here for all your real estate needs.
Bill Vaughn, a once well-known American columnist, said about the new year:
“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
Regardless of how you feel about bidding farewell to 2011 and anticipating the events of 2012, I thought now might be a good time to share a few wishes I have for you for the months ahead.
I sincerely hope this year holds health, happiness, and a renewed sense of connection to the people who surround you.May any uncertainty be replaced with confidence, and may you begin to feel the renewed strength that past adversity fosters in all of us.
I know that my life has been immeasurably improved by my connection to others in the community, and I appreciate all the good luck I’ve had in meeting new people and keeping in touch with old friends.
If we don’t have a chance to connect soon, I hope this note conveys my hopes for you and yours until we do.Be well.
If you have questions about the real estate market in Woodland Hills, West Hills or in general about the San Fernando Valley please feel free to call. (818) 926-5425 I’ll be happy to talk with you.
If you have questions about the real estate market in Woodland Hills, West Hills or in general about the San Fernando Valley please feel free to call. (818) 926-5425 I’ll be happy to talk with you.
Do you ever wish you lived closer to work?Some of the happiest people I know have the shortest commutes.Traffic stress, the cost of gasoline, and the hours wasted on the road take their toll.
Well, if you’ve ever been looking for a reason to move closer to your work, this might just send you over the edge.The truth is, it could be a major financial mistake not to cut a long commute out of your life.
This eye-opening infographic from StreamlineRefinance.net shows you how much more home you can afford when you eliminate a long commute from your life.From their math, it looks to be anywhere from $15,900 (1 mile reduction) to an astonishing $477,000 (30 mile reduction)!
While you might have some arguments against their assumptions, I think the graphic is useful all the same:It gets you thinking about how you value your time and the “hidden costs” of a long drive to your livelihood!
Thinking it might be time to move closer to your job? I work with families relocating all the time, and would love to help you sell your current home and find a perfect upgrade closer to work! Contact me today: (818) 926-5425
If you have questions about the real estate market in Woodland Hills, West Hills or in general about the San Fernando Valley please feel free to call. (818) 926-5425 I’ll be happy to talk with you.
Artists take risks. They pursue their vision, often without financial security, facing long odds while stewing in their own self-doubt. When the world tells them “it’s not safe,” they listen to their own voice despite “prevailing wisdom.” They have a vision and they pursue it.
Occasionally, if they’re very lucky, they get to look back on their life and see the path that lead them to create a masterpiece. At the time, the path wasn’t easy, yet in retrospect, it looks very much like the only possible path they could take.
I think in twenty years or even ten years, we’re going to hear the collective sound of people kicking themselves because they did not buy a home this year. As their teenage sons and daughters graduate and enter the future job market and begin searching for their first home, they’ll turn to their parents and say, “Seriously? You’re telling me when I was in middle school, you could get a 30-year fixed for under 5%?”
Too many remain terrified by the last great storm in the housing market. They stand now on the shores of incredible opportunity, but can’t shake the vision of all those values sinking into oblivion.
Think about the future. Who might need a home? Is there an opportunity to “be the bank” when the time comes? The descendants of those savvy collectors who bough a Van Gogh painting for mere dollars in 1885 are surely grateful for their grandparents’ eyes today, aren’t they?
Yes, there is uncertainty, but this is the calmest water you’re ever going to see. Set sail now and buy a home. Those that do will certainly be rewarded. As for the masterpiece? It will be the satisfaction of looking back and realizing they bought at just the right time.
There’s certainly no risk to exploring the opportunity. I’d love the opportunity to sit down with you and plot a possible course to the best investment you could make. Contact me today at: Esperanza@EsperanzaButler.com or (818) 926-5425.
If you have questions about the real estate market in Woodland Hills, West Hills or in general about the San Fernando Valley please feel free to call. (818) 926-5425 I’ll be happy to talk with you.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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