San Francisco Real Estate - Janice Lee

The neighborhood amenities you enjoy could also boost the value of your home. It’s a good bet that certain home upgrades — the kitchen and master bathroom in particular — will increase the value of your home. But some neighborhood features are so attractive to buyers that they can increase your home’s value too. Here are eight neighborhood and community amenities you shouldn’t overlook. 1. Hiking trails Hiking can give you a decent cardio workout while you enjoy the great outdoors. So neighborhoods with access to hiking trails are bound to score some bonus points with house hunters. That’s how homeowner Megan Wild feels about the trails in her Carlisle, PA , neighborhood. The main trail in Wild’s neighborhood is 1.5 miles long, and she walks it frequently. “It’s fairly manageable for kids, and almost everyone with a dog walks up there,” she says, adding that it’s a “secret” perk for locals, since it’s not promoted outside the neighborhood. And it’s an amenity she appreciat...

Does it feel as if your home improvement to-do list never ends? Try organizing your projects by month. Then knock these 12 items off your list. Once you become a homeowner, the number of things you need (or want) to improve increases exponentially. There’s always something to be done. But certain times of year are better to tackle specific projects, whether your goal is to save money or sanity. Not sure where to begin? We’ve laid out a schedule below. It may seem counterintuitive to do this when it’s cold out, but according to Jonathan Barnett, founder of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning in Lakewood, CO, your flooring gets really dirty during the winter. Waiting until spring to remove all that grime can make it harder to get stains out. “Plus, the lack of humidity during the winter months allows moisture to evaporate quickly so wet carpets dry faster,” Barnett says. “And a clean carpet provides a healthier and better-smelling home, which is especially important during the winter, when mos...

Boost your kitchen’s appeal and home value without breaking the bank. It’s likely you spend much of your time at home in your kitchen, cooking, entertaining friends over a glass (or two) of wine, or talking through your day with family. But there may come a day when you look around and notice that this well-loved space is starting to look a bit worn. Suddenly, your favorite gathering spot has become a place you rush guests through, and you’re concerned that potential future buyers will be turned off by its outdated appearance — especially if you’re in a luxury market, like Westport, CT. There’s no need to shy away from kitchen upgrades, though. Here are the seven upgrades suggested by design experts and real estate agents on how to rehab your kitchen (and increase your home’s value) for less than $5,000. 7 kitchen upgrades to boost your home value Repaint your cabinets and change out hardware Estimated cost: $250 for hardware, $300 for paint Painting cabinets in a semigloss fini...

The lack of “real” fall color may be a drag in California, but our great year-round weather more than makes up for it. Especially at Thanksgiving, when many others across the country are digging the snow off their front walk so people won’t slip when arriving for dinner while we’re donning flip-flops and sunglasses while setting the outdoor table. Yes…the outdoor table. What better way to showcase our love for the traditions and togetherness of Thanksgiving than by enjoying it outdoors. If you’re planning on hosting the holiday out in the California sunshine this year, here are a few tips to follow. Prepare ahead of time That means ordering any tables and chairs, linens, and dishware in plenty of time so you don’t have to call around to find what you need. And don’t forget to order your turkey early, too, especially if you need a specially ordered bird, like something kosher. And, it means securing a housecleaner, not just to tidy up your house before the big day, but also to get you...

Just like your wardrobe, your home should also transition with the seasons. It’s getting dark earlier, pumpkin-spice everything is hitting store shelves, and you’re thinking twice about wearing white pants. It can only mean one thing: Fall is imminent. While it’s always sad to see the lazy days of summer come to an end, autumn brings the opportunity to fill your San Francisco home with the coziest of cozy decor. “With the change of seasons and more time spent indoors, you should take this as an opportunity to add some warmth and comfort to your home,” says Patty Frischman, co-owner of interior design company SimplyHome2. If you’re ready to take your home’s vibe from lemonade to apple cider, follow these eight quick decor enhancements that can be done in the hour gained from daylight saving time. 1. Update your art with autumnal tones The biggest way to change the mood in your home is with your walls. If you’re not inclined to tackle a new paint job , art makes a big differ...

If your bedroom needs a makeover, but you only have $100 to spend, don't despair. Although you can't redo the entire room for that amount, you can make a significant improvement. Pick just one area to focus on, and even a tiny budget can go far. Paint A fresh coat of paint provides the most impact for your money. For less than $100, you can buy a gallon of good-quality paint for the walls, a quart of paint for the trim and a paint roller set with all the equipment you'll need. Go clean and fresh with a coat of white, cream or soft gray. Add a charming, feminine feel with soft pink, green, peach or yellow. Bring sophisticated tranquility to the space with a medium brown or gray. Or, go all out and paint your walls a cheerful bright green, blue, pink or lavender. Bedding Make your room feel fresh again with the immediate impact of new bedding. Although expensive designer brands are probably out of reach on a $100 budget, you can find terrific deals on moderate ...

A rooftop deck addition can return double-digit profits in some markets When Conrad Lifsey and his partner, Derek Loftin, who own a luxury RV rental company in Palm Springs, bought a house 2015 in a property development called Sol, what sealed the deal for them wasn’t inside, but up on the roof. “No other property in Palm Springs had a rooftop deck and it really set things apart,” said Lifsey, 52. “It’s a place we like to go at sunrise for yoga and sunset for cocktails,” he said. In fact, three-fourths of the 46 homeowners in Sol have opted to add 150 to 300 square-foot rooftop decks to their property, said Rudy Herrera, principal of Family Development Homes in Palm Desert, Calif. It’s a $50,000 upgrade, but it allows views of the 10,000 foot-high San Jacinto Mountains, the sixth-biggest mountain range in the lower 48 states. “Given the views, it’s criminal not to have one,” he said. They’re not alone. When it comes to improving your home’s value in 2016, homeowne...

Whether it’s the warmer weather, the pending summer break from school, or simply a seasonal mental shift, spring is hot for real estate. (In some markets, the spring home sales season even gets an early start.) “Statistically, spring has been the busiest season to purchase a property,” says Maria Babaev of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Roslyn, NY. But is spring really the best time to buy a house? While there are certainly some advantages to buying during the coming months, there are also plenty of disadvantages. If you’re focused on optimal timing, consider these variables. Pro: There’s more inventory It really is like clockwork: When April rolls around, property listings multiply like crocuses. One reason is that homes simply show better in the spring, with all the blooming flowers and the lack of snow. Sellers also feel more motivated once the warmer weather rolls around. And then, of course, success begets success. Potential sellers hear about all the bidding wars that r...

The path to success in real estate investing can be a short, straight one or a long, winding one. A lot depends on the individual. As real estate and home improvement television shows become more popular, more people are considering house-flipping as a lifestyle. In addition to questions about my hair and my bracelets, viewers have a lot of questions about the actual business of flipping. Is it as easy as it looks? How can I avoid a scam? Where should I begin? Is flipping a good career move for me? This is the first question every potential real estate entrepreneur needs to ask. You have to be absolutely sure before you start that flipping is a path you are going to want to continue on. It has to suit your personality and work style.

Recently, I've had the pleasure to work with a client who is the Power of Attorney for her 90+ year old mother. This is a reminder to everyone that we need to plan for the future. My client had foresight to get a power of attorney more than 10 years ago.

If you’re in the throes of house hunting, chances are you’re excited—whether it’s your first home or your fifth. It’s an emotional roller-coaster ride! Seeing something you love (or hate) can often cause you to blurt all kinds of things, some of which you might regret. Because while you can (and should) always be upfront with your Realtor, you might not want to be quite so candid around the sellers (or the listing agent working for them). The reason? Just like in “Law & Order,” what you say can—and will—be used against you.

Selling a home during the holidays can feel like a challenge. From winter weather to deciding whether to decorate or not, there are certainly some obstacles. Here is excellent advice from the experts from our global network of Coldwell Banker agents, brokers and offices. Keep it Classic  “Should I decorate for the holidays?” This is an extremely common questions for home sellers. It may be family tradition to “deck the halls” across every square inch of your house, but, if you are trying to sell your home, it may be better to scale back. When selling a home, it’s important to present it in a way that others can see themselves living in. “We encourage sellers to still decorate (if that’s their thing), but not Griswold style decorating…. keep it simple and classy. Mostly keep the walks clear and maybe add a spot for shoe removal just inside.” –Coldwell Banker  Use the holidays to create warmth in your home. “I think lights and color can warm anyone’s heart,” says Heather Ostro...

Many investors today want to add real estate to their investment portfolios, but they don’t understand the complex nuances of real estate investing or how to begin the process. Real estate investing is substantially different from investing in stocks, bonds, and CDs, and it can seem overwhelming to brand-new investors. Several years ago, an investor called me to buy a rental property after losing a great deal of money in the stock market. He was excited to begin his real estate investing career, but was terrified of investing in something new. In fact, at his first closing, his hands shook so much that he could hardly sign his name on the documents. Today, he owns eight houses and has become quite successful. We laugh whenever we recall how nervous he was in the beginning. But real estate investing doesn’t have to be difficult or scary. When I teach people how to invest in real estate, my philosophy is to maximize return while minimizing the risks.  When don...

  Before you sign on the dotted lines, ask yourself these six crucial questions. 1. WHAT AM I BUYING!?! Make sure you have done your due diligence and inspected the property thoroughly. This could be the biggest investment you ever make (emotionally as well as financially) so know what you are getting yourself into before you seal the deal. 2. WHAT SORT OF LOAN AM I GETTING?!?! Before you close you will get a stack of papers ten reams high and you will be signing and initialing every last one of them. Make sure you know what you are signing - is the interest rate the attractive one you were quoted when they were begging for your business? Do you have a pre-payment penalty? When is your first payment due and where do you send it? All important questions to ask and have answers to before you seal the deal. 3. HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED?! You may have your loan in place, but you will probably have to come out of pocket to close on your new dream home so whe...

With a global network of over 80,000 sales associates you can bet our network has an amazing wealth of knowledge regarding First Time Home Buyers. Here are just a few tips from members of our “Gen Blue” network. From Colby Culbertson, Regional Field Marketing Manager, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sacramento, Tahoe 1. Get Pre-approved (NOT PRE-QUALIFIED) BEFORE you start looking for houses. It makes absolutely no sense to start looking at houses until you actually know what you can afford. It will save you and your sales professional a lot of time. 2. Always get a home inspection, its well worth the investment. 3. Never buy more house then your lifestyle can afford. Too many buyers get in over their heads because they buy as much house as they can afford, and forget to calculate other living expenses such as utilities, vacation, hobbies, etc. From Sean Carpenter, Director of Agent Development, Ohio NRT Companies 1. Meet with a full time Realtor who c...