Enhance the Appearance
When it comes to selling your home, looks are everything. If the appearance of your home is impressive, it will be more inviting to potential buyers.
Remove any items that make the home distinctly yours, such as family photos, kids’ toys, or personal items. Ensure that every space is meticulously clean and clutter free to demonstrate that it is a well-kept property.

It is also extremely beneficial to neutralize the design of your home. Maybe you love the red walls in your living room or the fluffy pink area rug in your bedroom, but this doesn’t leave much room for others’ imagination. Make your home a blank canvas upon which buyers can project their own idea of a dream home.

Price Wisely
While everyone would love to sell their property for more than market value, inflating your asking price could delay a sale. Research the asking prices of comparable properties in your neighborhood and consult a reputable real estate professional for advice.

There are several other strategies you can use to price your home for a quick sell.
Psychologically, certain prices are more attractive to buyers even if there’s marginal difference; a home priced at $599,000 is more attractive than a home that’s priced at $600,000.
Although there’s marginal difference between these two prices, the home that’s priced just under the century mark will likely sell quicker.

Go The Extra Mile
One of the best ways to make your home stand out from the competition is to offer something that no one else is. Whether it’s high quality photos or a video tour of your home, your listing can provide viewers with a unique look at your property that encourages them to become attached to it right away.

Several other incentives can be offered to help you close quickly, such as including home appliances and transferring your warranties over to the buyer. You can also offer to cover their closing costs, either partially or fully, which is another financial perk that will set your home apart from the rest. Everyone likes a gift-with-purchase, but few sellers offer them.

Want to get your home sold as soon as possible?
Get in touch with me today, so we can get the ball rolling!

Careful Calculation
Do the math very carefully before jumping in. First, you will want to add up the expected renovation and repair costs based on a thorough inspection of the property. As some of the expected costs will lie within a grey area, it is important that you base your estimation on the higher end of the price range. Be sure to account for all materials and labor.

Once you have added your expected renovation costs, subtract this number from the home’s projected post-renovation market value. It is important that you base this projection on comparable listings in the same neighborhood. Consulting a licensed Realtor can offer very valuable assistance with this step.

Work With The Right Team
When looking for a fixer upper matching your criteria, make sure that you have a solid team of professionals to work with. Choose a real estate agent who is familiar with the area and type of property that you are interested in. Also, be sure to hire only licensed, reputable contractors that will not cut corners on work needed. There are plenty available in Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas. Aesthetically appealing homes don’t always pass inspections, so it’s vital to make sure the subject property is fit for sale or it may never close at your asking price.

Aesthetic Problems Can be The Best Problems
If you’ve managed to find a home that’s is in great condition but needs some TLC in the visual department, you may have found yourself an excellent fixer upper. Ugly shag carpet, ancient appliances, and tacky wallpaper are easy fixes that won’t eat up much of your budget or your time.

But, on the flipside..
Asbestos, leaky water lines, a cracked foundation, or a rotted frame are examples of more significant issues that will require the help of a professional. Be wary when investing in a property that has one or several of these problems, as they are the kind of issues that can snowball into larger costs and longer timelines for repairs.

Ready to find a great fixer upper and tackle it as your next investment? Perhaps a home that is move in ready?
Either way, please let me know. I would be happy to help you reach your goals!

Price Paralysis

You love your home, you know the value it provides to its owner, and you think it’s special compared to other houses on the market… and that it should be priced as such!
Be wary of this thought pattern though, as sellers who are emotionally attached to their home tend to overprice their listing, ignore market data and be stubborn in negotiations.
It is perfectly normal for your emotions to cloud your judgement when first listing, but it is important that you listen to your real estate agent’s advice and stick to reason, or you may find your home failing to close.
The most common reason is over pricing the property.

Pricing Based On Need
Your home has a market value, and you can’t ignore that. It’s fact.
When moving to a new property, it is essential that you understand that you cannot price your current home based on the amount of money you need to purchase your desired next home. This mindset is unrealistic, and can drag out your home sale.

If the purchase of a new home is contingent upon how much you make from selling your current home, be sure that you do not celebrate too early. Wait until you have closed the deal before gauging what you can afford to buy next, or stick to a property that is definitely within your budget.
Click here to find out how much your home is worth in today’s market with my free, instant report!

Maintain An Open Mind!
While you may love the way your personal items and interior design pieces make your home feel, it is best to stage your home as neutral as possible for showings. This may require re-painting rooms to more neutral tones, taking down your favorite family photos, and using professional staging furniture rather than your own. Doing so isn’t admitting that you have bad taste, but rather accepting that buyers have a wide variety of taste themselves, and you want to appeal to them all.

You should also keep an open mind when it comes to who you sell your home to. You may have an idea of what you consider to be the perfect buyer, but ultimately the goal is to sell your home. What the buyer does with it after the fact is up to them.

To avoid these emotional home-seller mistakes, work with a trusted real estate professional who can guide you through the process and keep you on the right track.

1.Save
Save as early as you can: Even if you think you’re years away from buying your first home, try to start saving for your down payment. It makes a huge difference in your monthly payments, and helps avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance.

2. Due Diligence
Be thorough with mortgage shopping: There are countless resources out there that can help you get the best terms for your mortgage. It may seem like a lot of work to shave less than a point off your mortgage rate, but it could save you hundreds or thousands in the long run.

3. Patience
Be patient with getting settled: You’ll be anxious to make your new home your own. Take some time to see how your budget truly shakes out. In other words, hold off on big furniture purchases and remodeling projects.

4. Community
Make sure you’re happy with the neighborhood as well as the home. The house may be perfect, but don’t discount its surroundings. You don’t want to end up in the suburbs if you’re going to miss walking to your favorite coffee shop, and you don’t want to settle for the busy city if you’re looking forward to some peace and quiet. Fortunately, Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo have vast choices when it comes to local dining, entertainment and fun activities.
Weigh Pros vs. Cons and if you have children or are expecting, don’t forget about local schools or daycare facilities.

Once you’ve created a clean foundation, follow through with these quick cleaning tasks before showings:

1. Sweep in front of the house.

A pot of flowers on the front step is great, but they won’t look that welcoming if dirt and debris are visible too. Thoroughly sweep front walks, stairs and entryways, and don’t forget to clear cobwebs above the door. Put away any children’s toys or gardening tools that may be in the front yard. Hide trash and recycling containers out of sight.

2. Freshen the aromas inside.

Pet and cooking smells are major turnoffs for home buyers, but even if your house has neither, freshening the indoor scent can have a positive effect on a buyer’s mood. However, you don’t want to saturate your home in overpowering, chemical-based scents, either. To deodorize more naturally, try cleaning with essential oils. Mix 2 teaspoons of Aura Cacia Main Squeeze Essential Oil Blend, 1 3/4 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of Borax and 1/4 teaspoon of unscented liquid soap in a 16-ounce bottle. Before a showing, use the mixture to wipe down kitchen counters, leaving behind clean countertops and a fresh, energizing citrus scent.

3. Speed clean the kitchen.

Now that your counters are clutter-free, sparkling and smelling good, just a few more tasks will get your kitchen ready to show. Wipe away any fingerprints on appliances, and put away all pots, pans, dishes and glassware in their proper place. Store pet bowls out of sight, give the floor a quick sweep and dry the interior of the sink with a paper towel.

4. Put your best foot forward in the bath.

It’s tough but critical to keep the most-used room in the house looking its best. You probably used your bathroom to get ready this morning, so wipe down surfaces to ensure no hair or debris lingers. Check the mirror for spots and wipe and dry the sink. If the bathtub or shower door show signs of recent use, dry them off. Store used soap, shampoo, scrubbies, loofahs, wash cloths and towels out of sight.

5. Clean carpets.

Nothing says “show home” like fresh vacuum tracks in the carpet! Just before you leave the house for a showing, give carpets a quick pass with the vacuum. Before you do your other last-minute cleaning tasks, mix 1 teaspoon of Aura Cacia Petal Power Essential Oil Blend with a cup of baking soda and sprinkle on carpets. After 10 minutes, vacuum away the powder and leave a light, refreshing floral scent behind.

6. Take out the trash.

Go through every room with a trash can and make sure it’s empty. It may not seem rational, but many buyers will equate trash in a waste basket with an untidy home. It’s especially important to empty trash that may stink, such as in the kitchen. Remove trash, store it in a sealed receptacle outside the house, and give potentially stinky trash cans a refreshing shot of sweet basil and lavender aroma with a DIY garbage pail pod.

For more home care ideas and essential oil recipes, visit www.auracacia.com.

Fashion Island
Located in the heart of Newport Beach, Fashion Island shopping is Southern California’s premier coastal shopping and dining experience. With panoramic ocean views and towering palm trees, Fashion Island stores include prestigious department stores and specialty boutiques, more than 30 dining options and restaurants, including Fig & Olive, CUCINA enoteca, True Food Kitchen, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. Fashion Island Newport Beach is also home to Orange County’s only Neiman Marcus, as well as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Bloomingdale’s Home Store, Elie Tahari, Trina Turk, Kate Spade, Jonathan Adler and Anthropologie, just to name a few.

The Shops @ Mission Viejo
Among the 150 stores and restaurants at The Shops at Mission Viejo, this indoor mall features Nordstrom, H&M, Macy’s, Apple, Microsoft, Sephora, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and The Cheesecake Factory.
The Shops at Mission Viejo serves many nearby communities such as Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, San Juan Capistrano and the city of Mission Viejo. The Shops at Mission Viejo is conveniently located at the intersection of the I-5 and Crown Valley Parkway in the city of Mission Viejo.

Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Spectrum Center, one of Orange County’s most energized shopping experiences, joins together a diverse collection of more than 130 specialty stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. Beautiful courtyards and fountains adorn this vibrant, open-air center, which features Nordstrom, Target, H&M, Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX & RPX, Irvine Improv comedy club, plus a whimsical Carousel and a 108-foot Giant Wheel. Day or night, Irvine Spectrum Center is a must-see shopping, dining and entertainment destination for visitors of all ages.

The Outlets at San Clemente
Salt air floats on ocean breezes. Coral trees display their fiery leaves as the palms sway. And all around, bougainvillea gathers in bright clusters along sun-splashed walls. It’s a beautiful day in San Clemente, California, and you are here, discovering treasure after treasure amidst a village of Spanish Colonial-style storefronts that beckon you inside to find the perfect brand and the perfect fit. Welcome to A Beautiful Way to Save… Outlets at San Clemente, Orange County’s first coastal outlet shopping experience

Dana Point is situated on the beautiful Southern California coast, halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles. It prides itself with nearly seven miles of coastal bluffs and rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean with its charming beaches and wild surfs. Most noteworthy of these bluffs is a unique promontory known as the “Headlands”, which overlooks Dana Point Harbor, one of the most significant manmade alterations of the Orange County coastline. Dana Point encompasses 6.5 square miles and is home to 33,351 people and numerous businesses, all working together as one community. You can see this collaboration in action during some of the City’s annual festivals and events such as the Turkey Trot in November, Festival of Whales in March, Concours D`Elegance in June, and its 4th of July fireworks show. The City is home to the Dana Point Harbor, the newly opened Ocean Institute presenting a wide array of marine life, to several beautiful lodging facilities and restaurants to accommodate your special needs.

Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., a Harvard-trained lawyer, seaman, and author of the classic sea journal, Two Years Before the Mast. His writings document the voyage from Boston around Cape Horn to California on the merchant ship, Pilgrim, and describe the area once known as Capistrano Bay, as “the most romantic spot on the California Coast”. Today, Capistrano Bay is home to Dana Point. Another fascinating area commonly known to many as Monarch Bay, is also known as Dana Point. For more historical information about Capistrano Bay and Monarch Bay, please visit the Dana Point Historical Society at www.danapointhistorical.org.

The City incorporated in January 1989 as a general law City with a Council-Manager form of government with five Council members elected citywide. The City’s leadership and development is guided by its Mission, and Strategic and General Plans. The City provides a myriad of services such as Police and Fire (through the County of Orange and the Fire District Authority), code enforcement, zoning and building permitting, public works, recreation, parks and senior services. It also provides other services and programs such as animal control, street sweeping, annual tree maintenance, community gardens, vacation checks, and others. The Council and staff are committed to producing results and providing our residents, businesses and visitors with excellent service.
We hope you enjoy your visit!

The City of Dana Point is characterized by its seven miles of prominent coastal bluffs and scenic rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean. County, State and private beaches adorn the coastline, including world-famous surfing spots at Doheny Beach, Dana Strands, and Salt Creek. The Dana Point Harbor provides slips and moorings for more than 2,500 boats. Doheny State Park, one of California’s most popular beach facilities boasts 62 acres of open space, offering camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, bicycling, and tide pool exploration, with over 2 million visitors annually. Other beaches in Dana Point include Salt Creek Beach, Monarch Beach, Dana Strand Beach, Baby Beach, Poche Beach and Capistrano County Beach.

Dana Point Parks

About The City of Laguna Niguel

Over one-third of Laguna Niguel is designated as open space.
This significant amount of open space is one of the key features defining the character and urban form of the City.
The City has 2 community parks, 23 neighborhood parks, 3 mini-parks, 1 dog park, 2 county regional parks, 2 small county parks and the new Laguna Niguel Skate & Soccer Park.
The name “Laguna Niguel” is derived from the Spanish word “Laguna,” which means lagoon, and the word “Nigueli,” which was the name of a Juaneno Indian village once located near Aliso Creek. In 1821, California became Mexican territory and many rancheros were formed in Southern California, including Rancho Niguel.
During this period, Rancho Niguel was primarily used as a sheep ranch.
The first private landowner of the area was Juan Avila, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, who obtained land through a Mexican land grant in 1842.
Juan Avila was also successful in re-establishing his title to the land after California became US territory in 1848 and remained the owner of “Rancho Niguel” until 1865.

In 1895, the “Rancho Niguel” land became part of the Moulton Company, a company that would eventually control over 19,000 acres of local ranch land.
The genesis of today’s Laguna Niguel was the establishment of the Laguna Niguel Corporation in 1959 by Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, making it one of the first master planned communities in California. The firm of Victor Gruen and Associates was retained to develop a detailed community plan for the approximately 7,100-acre site.
Land sales started to occur in 1961 in Monarch Bay and Laguna Terrace subdivisions. Avco Community Developer acquired the Laguna Niguel Plan in 1971 and initiated development as set forth in the original Master Plan.

During the early years of development in Laguna Niguel, the Laguna Niguel Homeowner Association, later to become the Laguna Niguel Community Council, served in an advisory capacity to the Orange County Board of Supervisors on land use issues.

In 1986, Laguna Niguel residents, looking for local governance, took the first step toward cityhood by forming a Community Services District.
Three years later, on November 7, 1989, 89% of the voters favored incorporation and on December 1, 1989, Laguna Niguel became the 29th city in Orange County.

Laguna Niguel Parks

Laguna Niguel Schools

Sports Organizations

Libraries

Hospitals

With award-winning schools, attractive neighborhoods, and fabulous shopping, dining and entertainment, Aliso Viejo is certainly a popular place to live. The City, which is continually ranked one of the safest cities in the nation, boasts rolling hillside, valley terrain and picturesque views of mountains, streams, parks and city lights.

This South County city became Orange County’s 34th city when it incorporated on July 1, 2001 due to the efforts of the Aliso Viejo Cityhood 2000 Committee, which was responsible for introducing an initiative on the ballot for the 2001 special election. Voters passed the initiative with 93.3% in favor of incorporation.

The City of Aliso Viejo is a master planned community that was developed to contain a balance between residential neighborhoods, community parks, facilities and schools as well as an appropriate mix of business, office and retail uses. The City is home to the headquarters of several large corporations and the community features ample employment opportunities and extensive recreational facilities. The City also enjoys access to the Orange County trail system. Wood Canyon Wilderness Park is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals, along with mature oaks, sycamore and elderberry trees and year-round streams. An abundance of parks and trails, cultural and recreational activities and youth sports programs further enhance the quality of life for a community with a vision to ensure long-term viability.

The City continues to be ranked among the best places in the nation to live and raise a family and the community mirrors Aliso Viejo’s tagline: “Live Life Inspired.”

As a general law city, the City of Aliso Viejo develops policies and procedures in accordance with California State law. Aliso Viejo contracts for many of its services including police, fire, legal, public works, engineering, code enforcement, building & safety, street maintenance and street sweeping. Additional City-contracted services include animal care, and trash pick up. Library services are provided by the Orange County Library System. Landscape maintenance of most slopes, medians, and parks are administered by AVCA, with the exception of Iglesia Park, which the City owns. The City and AVCA share in the responsibility of providing an array of outstanding recreational programs, special events and activities to the community.

History

Aliso Viejo became Orange County’s 34th City on July 1, 2001, yet it’s a community grounded in a rich history that echoes other south Orange County cities.
The community name derives from Spanish for “old alder” or “old sycamore.”
Aliso Viejo was originally part of the 22,000-acre Moulton Ranch. In the 1890s, the Moulton family took ownership of land the Mexican government originally granted to Juan Avila in 1842. In 1976, Mission Viejo Company purchased the last 6,600 acres for a new master-planned community. The ultimate vision for Aliso Viejo was to feature neighborhoods that mix homes, workplaces, stores and services. A transit-friendly, energy-conscious and land-conserving community, Aliso Viejo was to foster a sense of community by creating a friendlier streetscape, quality infrastructure like parks, schools and new roads, shopping close to home, community services and neighbors that genuinely feel connected to the community and to one another in some fashion.
The county approved the master plan for the community in 1979 – and by March of 1982 – the first residential units were offered for sale. About eight months later, the first residents arrived. Shea Properties purchased the Mission Viejo Company in 1997.
In February of 1995, the Self-Governance Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs, an offshoot of the Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA), which was the first community-wide property owner’s association of its kind in the state, began its push to make Aliso Viejo a city. Two years later, Aliso Viejo Cityhood 2000 was born. In March of 1999, Aliso Viejo Cityhood 2000 launched a petition drive to put the question of cityhood to a community vote. On March 6, 2001, voters (more than 90 percent) overwhelmingly decided to make Aliso Viejo a city.

City Hall

The City of Aliso Viejo is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. City Hall is closed alternative Fridays. The City is located at 12 Journey, Suite 100, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. For more information, call 949-425-2500

Rosetta Brewing Company
Independently owned and operated, this new arrival is an artistic rockstar with a personal touch!
The owner, Brian takes great pride and care in his business and it really shows.
Taking personal interest in greeting and getting to know their local customers, Brian and his staff are happy to answer questions and share their passion for excellent coffee.
At Rosetta, you will find that a great emphasis has been placed on both the natural flavors and quality of the ingredients.
Rosetta Brewing company is located at the corner of Niguel Road and Crown Valley and is open Mon-Sat 7am-7pm and Sunday, 8am-6pm

Peet’s Coffee
In my opinion, this place is the commercial answer to Starbuck’s.
My favorite daily coffee is a light roast, due to the flavor and higher caffeine content.
I drink Peet’s Colombia Luminosa pretty much daily, and highly recommend it.
When purchasing coffee by the bag, I find that Peet’s tends to be more fresh and less dried out, compared to most other commercial brands I’ve tried. There are two locations in Laguna Niguel.
One is on Aliso Creek Road near Whole Foods and the other is on Golden Lantern, near Cinopolis.

Starbucks Coffee
Ok, what can I say about Starbucks?
They are pretty much the same everywhere and make a killer Mocha Frapp, if you ask me.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of their bagged coffees, as they tend to be dry and somewhat aged compared to Peet’s bagged coffees.
Laguna Niguel has at least 5 locations.
I know.. shocking right?
Tell you what though.. If you happen to be at the Starbucks on the corner of LaPaz road and Aliso Creek, its right next door to my office at Bennion Deville. Drop by and say hi and maybe I’ll pick up the tab