Northern California Real Estate Podcast with Andrew Lamb

3 reasons to sell your home in the fall

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 08:33:00 -0700

Sometimes, it pays to go against the crowd.

For example, the real estate market is definitely at a peak during the spring and the summer.

However, going against this trend and listing your home in the fall can have some very real benefits:

1. Buyers are more serious.

During the spring and summer, many buyers are more curious than committed.

On the other hand, buyers in the fall tend to be more serious.

That's because many have been searching throughout the summer and have not found their perfect home yet.

Other fall buyers are simply forced to look for a new home because of a new job, a work relocation, or because they want to get the move complete ahead of the holidays.

In other words, fall buyers make up in dedication what they might lack in numbers.

2. There's less competition.
It's no secret that most homes are listed in the spring and summer.

However, those homes that are not sold by the end of the summer are often delisted. Otherwise, they start to draw less interest because of the time they've spent on the market.

That's why if you list in the fall, you can have the benefit of standing out, as well as facing less competition than during the "hotter" seasons.

3. It's easier to move up.
If you're looking to buy a new home as well as sell your current home, then the fall offers perhaps the best opportunity.

You will enter the market with confidence and without stress, while many sellers who have been unsuccessful in selling their home during the summer will be more eager to sell.

This can make for very flexible negotiations that work in your favor.

If you are thinking of selling your home and want an idea of what it's worth in the current market, use this calculator that takes into account recent Nothern California sales:

Enter your home address here to find out what your home is currently worth.

And if you are also looking for a new home, check out some of the homes currently on the market:

Click here for all available Nothern California homes for sale.

Finally, if you are considering selling this fall, there are a few things you'll need to do differently in order to be successful (for example, how you price your home and how you present it). If you want any guidance on this, give me a call at 707-500-1787. I'm here to help.

What’s the Biggest Misconception Surrounding Home Warranties?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 09:40:00 -0700

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What’s the biggest misconception surrounding home warranties? I’ve brought in Lisa Vizza of Fidelity Home Warranty to answer that question today.

According to Lisa, the biggest misconception is that home warranties cover everything under the home’s roof. That’s simply not true. There are limitations to what a home warranty covers. They’re more in place to offset the costs of homeownership. They’ll repair and replace the major systems and appliances in a home that fail due to normal wear and tear, but they don’t cover everything.

Still, home warranties are well worth having. I know from experience. After my family and I recently moved into our new home, our tankless water heater failed. Because we had a home warranty, though, we got it fixed instead of replacing the entire thing, which saved us about $2,000.

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The purpose of a home warranty is to offset the costs of homeownership.

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Whether you’re in the middle of escrow or you’re already a homeowner, you can and should get a home warranty to offset the costs of the deferred maintenance you’ll have down the road.

If you have any stories where having a home warranty saved you a ton of cash, we’d love to hear them. If you reply to this email or comment on the video on Youtube or Facebook and we mention you in a future video, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

If you have any other real estate questions or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us as well. We’d be happy to help you.

How Often Should You Get Your Floors Cleaned?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 07:33:00 -0700

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How often should you get your flooring cleaned? Dave Johnson from State of the Art Cleaning Services joins me today to discuss some misconceptions about preparing your home's floors as you get ready to list, as well as how often you should clean your tile, grout, hardwood, laminate, and carpet that you have in your home.

Dave says that his company does a multi-step process that begins with pre-vacuuming all of the carpets. With the use of a professional-grade vacuum, he is able to remove dry soils ahead of time. The carpet is then pre-treated with detergent and then agitated with another machine that helps loosen the soil. Through this process, he is able to remove the maximum amount of soil without using as much water so the carpets will dry faster.

This whole process helps prevent stains from reoccurring because he uses a rinsing agent on the carpet with hot water. This pulls the soap and soil back out of the carpet so you are not left with detergent residue in the carpet which will cause resoiling.

I have seen people who have not used our preferred vendors actually end up with carpets that looked good initially but were dirty again a few weeks later. They chose a cheaper company that used a lot of chemicals and the cleaning process left a detergent residue in the carpet. Besides being not good for the carpet, it is also not good for the homeowner because they spend a lot of money to have their carpets cleaned only to have them soiled again in two weeks.

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I have seen people who have not used our preferred vendors actually end up with carpets that looked good initially but were dirty again a few weeks later.

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Dave suggests that if you have allergy issues you should have your carpets cleaned once a year. Carpet manufacturers recommend getting them cleaned every 12 to 18 months depending on your lifestyle. If you have a lot of pets or you have your windows open a lot, you may want to have them cleaned every six months.

Tile and grout cleaning is also done by State of the Art Cleaning Services. Dave says that they are familiar with all kinds of tile, including marble, travertine, and ceramic. He says that cleaning tile is a relatively simple process because the dry time is very quick. When you are looking to sell a house, cleaning these areas makes a big difference because clean, white grout really pops in the photos

To close, Dave wanted to emphasize that his company strives to provide the most outstanding service with a 100% guarantee for his clients. That means that if you are not entirely happy, they will go back and try to make you happy and, if after that you still are unhappy, you will not owe him anything because of his 100% money-back guarantee.

If you have any additional questions or are interested in buying or selling a home, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you.

Buyers: Don’t Forget to Do These 7 Things When Purchasing a Home

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Fri, 11 May 2018 11:33:00 -0700

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If you’re a new homeowner, here are seven tasks you need to take up to keep your homeownership experience as stress-free as possible:

1. Save for unexpected problems. You can’t stop your dishwasher from breaking, but you can set aside the funds it will take to repair those kinds of items. Here in California, I recommend saving 1% to 3% of your home’s purchase value. For example, if you bought a $400,000 home, save about $4,000 a year to account for unexpected problems.

2. Form an inspection habit. You don’t want to wait until you have a big issue like a rodent infestation or mold growth. An inspection habit can be the difference between a simple fix and an unaffordable disaster. Take the time to properly inspect your property and check areas like your attic or roof at least once a year. If you’d rather have a certified home inspector give your home an annual inspection, give us a call so we can refer you to the best inspectors in the business.

3. Buy a bunch of furnace filters. Your furnace’s filters have to be replaced quite often. By changing them regularly, you can not only save money by making your furnace last longer, but you can also improve your health. Remembering to buy new filters at the hardware store isn’t always easy, so buy in bulk. The exact number you need will depend on your furnace. First though, take a look at your furnace and make sure you know what size filter it needs. This tip also really helps if you have allergies. In Solano County, we’re known for having some of the worst hay fever in the entire country.

4. Get to know your appliances. Just like cars and TVs, your appliances have different life expectancies. Furnaces usually last 15 to 20 years, while water heaters tend to reach the end of their lifespan at about 10 years. Find out how old your home’s appliances are when you move in and plan for their replacement. Another useful tip we recommend is to get a home warranty when you purchase your home and renew it each year. Doing this can really cut down on the replacement costs because they cover all the major systems and appliances.

5. Take advantage of tax credits. Did you know you can receive tax credits for installing solar panels or purchasing energy star appliances. If you’re purchasing a maintenance-deferred home, there are also energy-efficient mortgages you can obtain.

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Make sure all of your hard work pays off by keeping a record of your repairs and their costs.

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6. Start keeping records. Whenever you make some kind of home improvement or repair, write it down. Make sure all of your hard work pays off by keeping a record of your repairs and their costs. Keep in mind that appraisers will add the full amount of any repair you make to your home’s overall value if you do it within six months of selling.

7. Beef up your insurance. Take a look at your homeowners insurance policy and look for relevant gaps. This is another situation where professional advice can be really helpful. Two areas to consider are flood and fire protection, which aren’t always included in standard policies. You should also consider bundling your car insurance with your homeowners insurance since you now have a much bigger asset—your home—to lose in the event of a lawsuit.

If you have any questions about these tasks or you have any other real estate needs, don’t hesitate to me and my team. We’d love to help you.

To Our Raving Fans: This Year, the Pie’s on Us!

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 10:33:00 -0800

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It’s very exciting for me to be able to give back to our past clients, friends, family, and affiliates—anyone who has helped our business grow and served our clients alongside us.

We really appreciate all of you and want to be able to give back to you in some way. So, once again, we’re holding our annual pie giveaway. That means you get to choose between a delicious apple or pumpkin pie to take home with you.

To claim your free pie, we need you to RSVP at LambRavingFans.com by November 16.

Your apple or pumpkin pie will be available for pick-up at our office Monday, November 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The address is 312 Cernon Street, Suite D, Vacaville, CA.

Again, thank you all so much. We appreciate everyone who has worked with us, sent us referrals, left us a great review, or has done anything to improve our business and grow the number of people we’re able to serve.

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You get to choose between a delicious apple or pumpkin pie to take home with you.

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We’ve never gone backward. We’ve only continued to serve more and more people every year, and it’s really a testament to our amazing friends and family. (And our raving fan club!)

As always, if you have any real estate questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Until next time, have a great one!

Veterans: Thank You for Your Service

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 10:19:00 -0800

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Today I just wanted to send out a special message to all of the veterans out there. For all you have done and for all you continue to do for our country, thank you. Your sacrifices keep us safe and doing what we love.

We live so close to Travis Air Force Base that we’ve been fortunate enough to serve a lot of military families. In fact, we just worked with a family who bought a home in Vacaville thinking they would be here for four years. When they ended up getting orders in two years and had to move back across the country, we were still able to get their home listed and sold above market value.

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Veterans: Thank you for all of your service to our country.

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I was fortunate to be raised by two veterans, my parents, which is actually how I ended up here in California. Thanks Mom and Dad, as well as every one of my family members or friends that has served in the military. A special shout-out to our MCA, Brandi, who is in the Air Force Reserves.

Today’s message is about gratitude, but if you have any questions about real estate for me to answer in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to help out.

Tips for Pet Owners Who Want to Sell Their Home

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Mon, 5 Jun 2017 08:36:00 -0700

If you have a pet and you're looking to sell your home, I’ve got some helpful advice.

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Two out of three of us have a pet, and 61% of pet owners say they have trouble finding a home that is a good match for their pet.

In fact, a recent survey noted that 31% of animal owners don't put in an offer because a home would not suit their pet.

This means that if your home is a good match for a pet, it will be attractive to animal owners.

On the other hand, 67% of Realtors also estimate that having a pet in your home can make it harder for you to sell.

So what should you do? There are three things I typically recommend:

Number one, repair any damage

From the floors, to the walls, to the doors, and the yard — these are areas that pets love to chew on, scratch at, and dig up. Repairing this damage is an investment that will pay for itself many times over in terms of a higher sale price.

Secondly, get a professional to remove pet odors

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Pet owners are less sensitive to odors in their home than prospective buyers are.

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Pet owners are less sensitive to odors in their home than prospective buyers are. That's why you should hire a professional cleaning crew to clean carpets, rugs, or upholstery that has absorbed pet smells. Once you're done, ask a friend or your Realtor to sniff around to make sure the job is really complete.

Number three, take your pet out of your home during showings

Some people are afraid of animals. Others might be allergic. Regardless of the time, money, and effort you've put in to clean and repair your home, some buyers will be prejudiced by simply knowing that a pet currently lives there.

By following these simple guidelines, you will be able to sell your home for the highest price possible, whether the buyer is a pet owner or not.

If you have any questions or concerns about preparing your home for a sale, give me a call or send me an email today. I’m here to help.

How Tax Code Changes Will Affect Mortgage Deductions

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:37:00 -0800

We'll discuss the new administration's proposed tax code changes and how they pertain to you and your mortgage tax deduction.

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Have you heard the news?

The new administration is looking to revamp the tax code — in a way that affects the long-standing mortgage interest deduction (MID). Some people are concerned this might impact home sales and drive down home values.

I believe it will do just the opposite. Here's why. First — a bit of background. Under the current system, you can include the interest you pay on your mortgage in your itemized tax deductions. If your itemized deductions turn out to be more than your standard deduction, you save more on taxes.

Currently, about 20% of homeowners who have a mortgage take advantage of the MID, for an annual average savings of $2,000 in taxes. Under the proposed new tax plan, the standard tax deduction would almost double. For example, the standard deduction for a married couple would go from $12,600 to $24,000.

If this happens, an estimated 84% of people who are currently opting to itemize taxes would simply go for the standard deduction. This is the part that has some people worried... After all, if people don't take advantage of the MID, won't this decrease the value of owning a home?

Here are two reasons why that won't happen. First, most people do NOT buy a home in order to save on taxes.

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Under the proposed new plan, the overall tax burden will be less than it currently is.

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A survey from 2015 confirms this fact. The top reasons why people buy a home include the need for change, an increase in income, or a baby on the way... but there's no mention of saving on taxes. This bears out what most real estate professionals see in real life.

By the way, if you are looking to buy, check out the new homes for sale around northern California right now:

Click here for all available northern California homes for sale

Second, taxes will actually be lower under the proposed new plan. Traditional estimates of the impact of the MID assume other taxes stay the same. In this case, if the deduction goes away, home prices can indeed suffer to an extent.

Under the proposed new plan, the overall tax burden will be less than it currently is. In other words, most people will not be losing money because they aren't claiming the MID.

Instead, they will be gaining money by having to pay less in taxes altogether. With more disposable income, people will be free to spend more on a home. This will drive sales as well as prices.

The fact is, current home prices around northern California keep increasing — not because of tax breaks, but because of tight supply.

If you’re considering selling and want to take advantage of this situation, or check out this home value calculator to find out what your home is currently worth:

Enter your street address here to find out what your home is worth

Give us a call or shoot us an email and we’ll put you in touch with him! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Be a Part of Our 1st Annual Pumpkin Pie Giveaway

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 11:50:00 -0800

This year, we’re hosting our first-ever pumpkin pie giveaway as our way of saying thanks to all our clients and friends for their business.

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As you might’ve noticed, the holidays are right around the corner. As we all know, holidays are all about traditions.

It’s a tradition in my family during Thanksgiving to go around the table and say what we’re grateful for. As a business, we’re grateful for our friends, past clients, and every last member of our Raving Fan Club. We’re always happy to help these people build generational wealth and change the course of their lives.

As our way of saying thanks, we’re doing our first annual pumpkin pie giveaway. To RSVP for a free pie, click here.

After that, all you have to do is come visit our office on Nov. 22nd anytime between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’re located at 190 South Orchard Avenue, Suite B115 Vacaville. As soon as you walk through the front doors, just turn right to find us. We would be overjoyed to see you, chat, and personally wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

If you have any questions or know of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate, please give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Your Best Bet for Movers in Northern California

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Wed, 5 Oct 2016 14:46:00 -0700

One of the most stressful things about moving is trying to find a quality moving company.

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Today, Jennifer of Quality & Efficient Movers joins us to discuss some of the details of the moving process.

The nice thing about Quality & Efficient Movers is how quickly they respond. They guarantee to get back to you within 24 hours, if not the same day! Once you decide they might be the right fit for you, they will come out and do a quick estimate. They will come to your home and the location you’re moving to, find out what you want to move and what you don’t want to move, and give you an idea of what it will cost and how much time it will take. The best part about this estimate is that it’s completely free!

Quality & Efficient Movers offers a full packing and unpacking service for those who don’t have the time or energy to pack up their belongings themselves. They offer flat rates if you’re just doing a delivery or a one-piece move. They also offer a guaranteed price, or discounted rate, for seniors and veterans. In addition to these flexible pricing options, they also offer competitive hourly rates on your move!

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The nice thing about Quality & Efficient Movers is how quickly they respond.

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They will also go out of state if the job requires, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them if even if you’re relocating out of the state. They’ve gone as far as Maine on a move, so distance is no issue! Their main goal is to accommodate the customer, so you know you’re in good hands working with their team.

If you would like to get in touch with Quality & Efficient Movers, give them a call or reach out to them at QualityAndEfficientMovers.com. Of course, if you need help on the real estate side of things, we’re always available to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time!

What’s the Secret to Selling for Top Dollar in Northern California?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Wed, 7 Sep 2016 08:51:00 -0700

Today we are joined by Anna from Cozy Chic Design. We use them for all of our clients who have home staging needs, and she is our preferred vendor for this sort of work.

By definition, home staging is a marketing process where a home is shown to its full potential in order to attract the largest number of buyers possible. Stagers focus on the presentation when you sell, and they aim to appeal to your particular audience of home buyers.

A stager's job is to create a welcoming, yet neutral environment. When a home is staged properly, it should show the potential of the home. Staging only takes a small amount of effort, but can yield fantastic results.

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Staged homes are proven to sell for more money in less time.

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It has been proven that homes will sell in less time and for more money when you hire a professional stager. Please don’t hesitate to contact Anna or myself if you want to make your home pop when selling this spring.

We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Avoid Cracks and Peeling Paint on Your Northern California Home

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:43:00 -0700

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When should you paint your home? Is there a good time of year to do so? Who should you hire - a solo person or a team? These are common questions we’re asked by homeowners here in Northern California, and today we’ll try to answer them. Steve of Universal Painting joins us today to share the ins and outs of painting your home.

By the time Halloween rolls around, it’s too late to paint your home. The sun starts coming up later and setting sooner, so paint doesn't dry properly. We typically do interior painting from November to about the end of March and early April. The worst thing you can do is paint during the winter time because moisture is trapped in the colder months; when the warm weather returns, the first hot sun that hits your house will cause the paint to peel and crack. In other words, plan on having your exterior painted anywhere from April to the end of October!

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Plan on having your exterior painted anywhere from April to the end of October!

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People are often curious about what they can do about dry rot. Typically, dry rot occurs when the people who built the house forgot to prime the back. When Universal Painting replaces wood, it’s primed on all four sides to prevent dry rot. An open piece of wood is like a sponge: it sucks in the water and then rots. Using good paints and caulking are helpful deterrents to dry rot as well.

The first thing Steve and his team do before painting is powerwashing. Paint only sticks to clean surfaces. He and his team come out with two power washers and thoroughly clean the home. They then give it two full days to dry. Next, the team sands, caulks, and fixes stucco cracks before showing up with the whole crew the next day. Steve calls it “the big show” because he believes that the quality of the job rises when you have more people doing it. Bushes are draped and tarps are laid all around your house to ensure the only thing that’s painted is your home. Once the body of the home is painted, Steve’s guys hand-paint the shutters and more delicate areas of the home.

Once Universal Painting has finished the job, they walk the property with the homeowner to ensure they’re 100% satisfied. No money is asked for up front; you don’t have to pay a dime until you are 100% happy with the product you’ve received.

If you would like to reach Steve, you can give him a call at (707) 427-0445 or email him at Steve@UniversalPaintingInc.com. Of course, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any of your real estate needs. I would love to help you create a better life through real estate.

How Flood and Other Damages Are Covered in Northern California

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Wed, 6 Jul 2016 13:41:00 -0700

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Today we’ll talk about protecting your home with homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance. I want to make sure you have the right coverage for homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance, due to all the flash flood warnings we’ve had in Northern California recently.

Thanks to an “impending El Nińo,” I’ve brought in State Farm insurance expert Debbie Johnson to answer some questions about how floods affect insurance policies.

Flooding is not covered in your homeowner’s insurance policy. If a pipe bursts and floods your home you would be covered, but damage from a rainstorm or water collected from a rainstorm would be covered by flood insurance.
Generally, homeowner’s policies cover fire, theft and vandalism. Costs incurred for rebuilding, restoration and replacing your property due to fire is covered, or if someone was to break into your home. These are covered after paying your deductible.
We like to meet with our customers once a year to ensure your coverages and policy are right for you. We go over coverages and check in to see if any changes like a kitchen remodel are reflected on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Of course, there’s plenty of other factors and scenarios that can affect your coverage. I’d be happy to answer any insurance questions or any real estate questions you may have, just reach out with a phone call or an email. No obligation!

How Can Professional Photography Help You Sell Your Home?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:47:00 -0700

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Today, our photographer Darren joins us to answer some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to the importance of professional real estate photography when listing a home.

Just about everyone begins their home search online nowadays, which makes high-grade photography more important than ever. While browsing photos of homes online, it is obvious which ones were taken by professionals and which ones were taken by the agent listing the property. The biggest difference is how bright and well-lit homes look when a professional takes pictures of them.

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Professional photography is crucial if you want your home to look great online.

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Darren uses wide-angle lenses to make rooms feel exactly how they do in real life. A smartphone isn't able to capture that due to the size of the lens and the quality of the camera itself. Professional-grade cameras and lenses make it possible to fit more in the frame and make homes look their absolute best for online viewing. It makes people feel like they're actually in the room you're photographing, so you need to hire a professional who knows how to make it happen.

It's not all about photos. Darren and his team take walkthrough videos of listings and will even bring in drones to take aerial videos of them. There is obviously no way for you to do this on your own, unless you want to invest a huge sum of time and money into it. A professional photographer will give online home searches the chance to see the home from every conceivable perspective. If you want the details of your home to really stand out, a professional photographer knows how to make that happen!

If you have any questions about getting the most money possible for your home, or about real estate in general, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. If you want to get a hold of Darren to ask questions about professional photography, you can contact him through www.BootstrapBeta.com and view his team's featured work there as well.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

How to Stay Fit in Vacaville

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Thu, 2 Jun 2016 09:41:00 -0700

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Many clients ask us how to stay fit in the Vacaville. For instance, military transfers want to continue a workout schedule they’re used to already. We want to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle! Today, we join Gordon from Gold’s Gym to discuss what separates their health club from the rest in town.

Foremost, they’re a family-oriented facility active in the local community. They can help answer any questions you have.

Gold’s Gym offers a month-by-month membership plan because they value earning business month to month from their customers.

They love the opportunity to meet new people. The gym offers discounts to anyone in the military, in addition to those who moved to the area. For those that moved to Vacaville recently, they offer a thirty-day free trial to try the gym out. You should be pleased with the facility before making a commitment. During my first visit, I received a tour of the gym in addition to a free personal training session. We encourage you to stop by!

Because you’ve stuck around this long, we’d like to extend a great offer to you. If you buy a home with us within the next six weeks, we’ll give you a pass for one free month at Gold’s Gym!

If you have any questions about real estate or fitness, give us a call or email today.

The Solano County 2016 Spring Housing Market

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Mon, 9 May 2016 08:59:00 -0700

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What does the 2016 spring market look like in Solano County? Let’s break it down by town!

First of all, in Vacaville, there are less than 100 available listings. There’s 99 homes for sale right now. The average price is $394,000. That’s up by 8.5% year over year. We have less than one month worth of inventory overall.
Fairfield has 140 available listings at about 1.1 months of inventory. $405,000 is the average sales price. The appreciation rate rests at 9.6% year over year.
In Vallejo, there are 113 listings available. That’s 1.1 months of inventory. $388,000 has been the average sales price over the last year. The city experiences 12.2% appreciation year over year.
Benicia has only 33 available listings right now with an average sales price of $581,000. There’s also a 7.9% appreciation rate year over year, alongside 1.4 months of inventory.
In Dixon, there are only 10 homes on the market! That’s only 0.6 months worth of inventory. The apprentice rate is 4.8%. The average sales price is $353,000.
Suisun has only 19 homes on the market at $315,000 average sales price. Again, this is only about 0.6 months worth of inventory. There’s also a 7.3% appreciation year over year.

Any market with less than six months worth of inventory significantly favors sellers. For instance, homes fly off the market in places with less than a month’s worth of inventory. Any market greater than seven months favors buyers. However, the in-between market, with about six or seven months worth, is considered a balanced and neutral market. In the busier markets, homes receive an average of seven offers and sell well above asking price.

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There hasn’t been a better time to sell.

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As a buyer, you need a qualified agent to represent your best interests and understands the seller’s motivation. That person is key for negotiating, for instance. If you can’t compete with the highest price, compete on your terms. That could be meaning avoiding all possible contingencies or maybe even a rent-free rent back.

Meanwhile, if you’re a seller, it’s not as simple as putting a sign in the yard and listing your property for sale. This process requires diligent marketing. Plus, you don’t want your home to sit on the market and have to resort to price reductions. However, there hasn’t been a better time to sell. I’ve never seen a market like this and you definitely don’t want to miss out! I don’t see appreciations sustaining for too long.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the surrounding area, reach out by phone or email. Stats, like the exact number of homes on the market, changes daily. For the most accurate and up to date info, contact The Andrew Lamb Team. We’d be happy to answer any real estate questions you might have!

Where Should You Turn for Home Renovation Help in Northern California?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 14:10:00 -0700

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Today, Dennis of Remodels and More joins us to discuss how his company can help complete a large-scale construction project, whether it’s a remodel, an upgrade, or an addition. Dennis has been a contractor for 24 years, so he’s done every aspect of residential remodeling. His company does windows, lighting upgrades, bathroom and kitchen remodels, roofing and painting, both interior and exterior.

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No project is too small for Dennis and his team!

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Dennis’s company used to be focused primarily on carpeting and miscellaneous handiwork, but they are now expanding to cover just about every aspect of home repairs, upgrades, additions, and remodeling. Many people had reached out for help with projects that they hadn’t covered before, so Dennis and his team have adapted to service their needs. Whether it’s a commercial project or something broken in a residential home, no project is too small for his team!

If you would like to learn more about Dennis’s business, and how they can help you with anything you need done around your residential or commercial space, give us a call or shoot us an email and we’ll put you in touch with him! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

How to Keep Your Kitchen Up to Date

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 07:12:00 -0800

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Many homeowners have trouble keeping their kitchens updated, so today we want to discuss one of the most crucial components of any home: the countertops. Today, Tony from Carpets & More joins us to discuss some of the biggest trends when it comes to surfaces.

There are two different types of countertops that people are getting nowadays: granite and quartz. For a long time, granite was the more popular of the two, but quartz has started to take over. This is because the sheen is level throughout, so hot and cold items don't affect quite like they do granite at times. The two types of quartz are Cambria and Silestone, so keep those names in mind when looking at surfaces.

What is the difference between quartz and granite? Quartz is better as a cooking surface, as granite is porous, which means you probably don't want to put raw meat on there. Because the slabs come in smaller pieces than slabs of granite, quartz is more expensive. Sometimes, if a slab of quartz isn't big enough, another one needs to be shipped in; otherwise, the price is generally pretty close. Generally, quartz is also a bit more durable than granite, which is more susceptible to damage.

If you have any questions about floors or countertops, you can reach Tony at (707) 446-200. Of course, if you have any real estate questions, we're always available to chat. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

What Does Your Homeowner’s Insurance Actually Cover?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 16:02:00 -0800

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Today we are talking about homeowner’s insurance, earthquakes, and floods here in California. We are joined by Ken from i80 insurance, who is here to answer some common questions that we’ve been getting lately from our clients. So, let’s get right to it.

What’s included in a homeowner’s insurance policy?
A typical homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the structure, the dwelling, and all detached structures like a garage or a shed. They are protected from wind, fire, hail, and water damage. It also covers your personal belongings and valuables. Finally, a homeowner’s insurance policy offers you lawsuit protection, also known as personal liability. It will also cover loss of use, if you happen to be out of the house for a certain period of time for whatever reason. All policies vary, however, and it’s a good idea to ask your insurance agent or broker exactly what you are covered for.

Does a homeowner’s insurance cover flooding and/or earthquakes?
No, it does not. To get those coverages, you want to get a separate policy. Talk to your insurance broker or agent to find out what your options are or what would work best for you.

If you have any questions about homeowner’s insurance or want to switch up your policy a bit, give Ken a call at (707) 402-8850 or visit their office right in downtown Vacaville.

If you have any questions for us about real estate in general, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We would love to hear from you!

Why Is Deep Cleaning So Important to Your Home Sale?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Fri, 8 Jan 2016 08:37:00 -0800

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Today we are once again talking about how to prepare your home for sale, but today we are talking specifically about cleaning your home. When you’re moving, getting your home sparkly clean and ready for potential buyers is tough work. By hiring a cleaning company to come in and do the job for you, the process is made much simpler in the hands of professionals who know exactly how to deep clean a home.

We are joined today by Ashley from Cleanest Maids, who is here to talk to us a little about what her company does, and how they help buyers and sellers ensure their home is spic and span.

One thing that Ashley recommends for sellers that are getting ready to put their home on the market is a classic full house cleaning. This is a top-to-bottom cleaning, starting with all the ceilings and light fixtures, working your way down to the walls, windows, and the floor. A lot of the things Ashley and her team do during a full house cleaning are things that most people wouldn’t even think of cleaning, like fingerprints on the walls or smudges on doors. We use HD photography and videos, and you’d be surprised at what can show up on film when you aren’t thorough enough with your cleaning.

In addition to offering a full line of cleaning services, Cleanest Maids now offers solar panel cleaning. A lot of panels have been getting bombarded by wind, dirt, and ash from forest fires. Most people only need to clean them once or twice a year, but if they are dirty, they won’t work properly.

Cleanest Maids is a full maid service, doing laundry, errands, and all of that. If you need any of their services, or want to learn more about what they do, visit their website here.

If you have any questions for us, just give us a call or send us a quick email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Pro Tips for Maintaining Curb Appeal in a Drought

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Wed, 6 Jan 2016 14:23:00 -0800

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Today, Bernard Martinez of Green Quest Lawn & Landscaping is here to explain how to make the most of your curb appeal during this drought. So, what can you do to make your home look great when selling in these conditions?

A lot of people haven't changed their water schedule yet and they want to know why their grass is still turning brown. Well, the drought has caused the water table under the grass to drop so low that the water you're giving your grass dries up very quickly. The water dries so fast that the lawn hasn't had a chance to suck in the water and nutrients you're giving it, so it dies and turns brown.

Since you can only water 2-3 times a week, you need to make sure you're doing it right. When you water your lawn, you want to make sure you water deeply in order to ensure that the roots of your grass are getting the water. When it comes time to mow your lawn, we recommend only getting a third of the grass cut off. Mowing too short will lead to increased evaporation, which is obviously not good under current conditions. Lastly, you don't want to stop fertilizing because those nutrients and vitamins are as important as ever.

To summarize, make sure you're watering for 20-30 minutes on the few days you are allowed to in order to ensure the water reaches the roots; continue fertilizing as well if you want to see your grass come back to life!

If you have any questions about this or any other real estate topic, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

The Best Construction Company in Vacaville Is...

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Mon, 7 Dec 2015 12:41:00 -0800

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Today I have James Nason, the owner of Vacaville Construction. He's going to be speaking with us about how you can choose a good contractor from a more mediocre one.

The biggest piece of advice that James gave me was to do your research. Go online and check that the company is insured and bonded. Don't feel weird about asking them for references, because they're going to be doing some major work on your home. It's important to know that they've done good work in the past.

You want to have a good working relationship with the contractor because you're going to be in contact with them for a while. Sit down for an interview with them to make sure that you'll be compatible.

James and his construction company focus on residential remodels and other repair work. The way they look at it is that no job is too small. Whatever you need, Vacaville Construction is going to help you with it. Between him and his partner, they have 60 years of experience in the business. James is careful about growing his business too fast because he doesn't want the quality to suffer.

Vacaville Construction relies on referrals for their business, so I think this says something about the quality of the work that they do. Please don't hesitate to contact me or James if you're looking for a reputable contractor.

As always, refer to me as your #1 real estate resource in Northern California!

Save Money - Tips for Fixing Plumbing Problems

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:25:00 -0700

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Today, Bill from Elite Plumbing is here to discuss plumbing. Dripping faucets and running toilets can cost you a lot of money, so we'll go over some tips to save you money in the long run.

First off, you need to be proactive. Once a month, check on the toilets that aren't used as often. If you see any movement in the water whatsoever, something needs to be fixed. It could be a fill bottle or a worn out flapper. Usually, it's a five dollar part that can save you over ten dollars a month on your water bill.

If you can't tell if there's a leak, take some food coloring and put it in the tank. If the water in the bowl changes colors, then you know you have a leak.

If you have a leaky faucet and you're not comfortable fixing it yourself, at least shut the water off under the sink so you'll save money on your water bill.

Keep in mind that 95% of this stuff can be fixed by the homeowner.Don't waste money on a plumber for something you can fix for five dollars. If you aren't sure about something, every hardware store has a plumbing specialist who can help you. If you try to fix it and it doesn't work, then call the plumber.

If you have any questions, please give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Avoid a Devastating Problem with Your Home's Foundation

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:38:00 -0700

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Today I'm joined by Steve with Bay Area Underpinning. He's going to speak to us about issues regarding your home's foundation.

Steve says that when you see a crack in a wall, you should not panic. This could be a lot of different things, but usually if there is one crack, there will likely be more. He recommends having someone look at it to make sure that it's nothing major.

Steve also commented on how the soil in our area is unique, and the drought we're currently seeing is definitely shifting the soil around which has been causing issues with home's foundations. This is why more homes are settling. When El Nino comes, Steve expects many people to notice their homes rebounding but eventually settling back down to where they once were.

Home inspectors will occasionally ask Steve to come out and do a professional study, and what Steve does is check the foundation for cracks and take a floor elevation survey in order to diagnose any issues with the foundation.

What Steve does when a home is uneven is dig down into the ground until they hit low-grain strata, and then they install steel piers which are controlled by hydraulics. They are set in place to level out the home and can be adjusted accordingly.

If you need assistance when having problems with your foundation, I highly recommend that you contact Steve. You can reach him on his website: http://www.bayareaunderpinning.com.

As always, please come to me with any and all of your Northern California real estate needs!

What Does a Home Inspection Entail?

Andrew@LambRealEstate.com (Andrew Lamb) — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:11:00 -0700

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Today we are talking all about home inspections, why you need them, and what they are about. We are here today with Roger Warner, owner of All Points Inspection Services, and he’s here to answer some of the most common questions we get about home inspections. Without further ado, let’s get to the questions:

Why do I need a home inspection? It’s not required to get a loan.

A home is one of the largest investments someone will make in their life. When making a purchase of this magnitude, you want to know you have a safe and stable home, and that there are no high-dollar surprises when you move in. They are rare, but you can’t rely on the seller’s disclosure, especially if it’s an investment or probate property.

What is involved with a home inspection?

A home inspector will inspect everything they physically can, from the top of the roof all the way down to the foundation of the home. They are looking for major defects and any other defects that could lead to health and safety concerns. Roger and his team always have two, and sometimes three, home inspectors on the job. This not only speeds the process up, but gives the inspector an extra set of eyes, which is always a good thing.

How long does an inspection take?

A typical home inspection will take 3 or 4 hours, but with All Points Inspection Services, it takes less than half the time. Having two people on the job really helps.

Is it OK for the buyer to be there during the inspection?

Absolutely, and it’s encouraged. They want to show you the property you are interested in through their eyes, without emotion involved. It really gives the buyer peace of mind that they are making a sound investment.

Can I have the seller pay for everything that goes wrong?

Typically, health and safety items are reasonable to request the seller to pay for. The rest of it is kind of a Saturday project list. It’s rare that there are major structural problems, but they are out there, and that’s why we have home inspections.

In addition to your typical home inspection, we recommend a pest inspection as well along with the home inspection, so you can make sure all your bases are covered.

If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to speak with you!