You have made an offer on a home, the offer was accepted now your are “in escrow”. Next, you made it through the inspection and the appraisal process, heading down the path of a successful close. Here are some things NOT to do during your escrow period:

Change Your Job- Please take heed to this one! Don’t think that your new job with better pay is not going to matter to the folks who underwrite your loan. Consult with your mortgage broker early in the process if a job change is coming. If you don’t that could kill the deal.

Disappear- Again, take heed. Don’t take off on vacation, leave the country or decide to shut off your cell phone during escrow. If you have a vacation that is planned just let your loan officer and realtor know and try stay in cell range. Things come up and they may need to contact you. This will keep the process moving along and not delay closing.

Don’t Cancel Your Credit Cards- Some folks cancel credit cards or open up new ones. This could negatively affect your credit score. Wait to do this after the escrow has closed and you will be just fine.

Large Purchases- Pretty please… don’t go out and buy a new truck, washer & dryer or go on some high dollar vacation. These actions could adversely affect your “ratios”. The “income to debt ratio” is the percentage of a consumer’s monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. It determines if you are able to pay the bank back. Your best bet is to don’t make any big purchases until escrow has closed.

Move Money Around- Avoid transfering money from one account to another. If you need to, a documentation trail has to be established between the accounts. If you received “gift money” a letter has to be written by the giver and a bank statement from the source account. Advise your mortgage broker before making any large deposits or transferring money around. It will save a lot of headaches.

Need some help? Have questions? Call us and we can chat, no hassle, no pressure selling. (707)893-SOLD.

It’s true…this is the only three bedroom home  in Healdsburg at or under $260,000. The other two are short sales! Most of us know that short sales take a very long time to process … or never get processed before they go to auction. Buyers usually walk away in frustration because of the time it takes to get a response to their offer. Take a look at this screencast and give me a call to set up a showing... 707-893-SOLD For more info go here.

*******SOLD!****** Let us help you with your home sale or purchase. Call 707-893-SOLD.

Bringing this home to market makes me smile. Why? Perfection! Tucked away in the little cul-de-sac of the Rivers Bend retirement community, this completely remodeled home likes to boast about it’s many features and turn key living. Situated next to a gorgeous greenbelt near the Russian River, you will take in views of Fitch Mountain and stroll along paths of the river.

Nearby, The Golf Club at Tayman Park, is just two minutes away in your golf cart. There you can take advantage of views overlooking Dry Creek Valley. The course is a PGA regulation nine-hole layout, which is perfect if you are thinking about having time to wine taste or shop in nearby downtown Healdsburg, yet many golfers like to play the course twice for an 18-hole experience.

Walk your dogs or take your grandchildren over to nearby Badger Park to play and use the terrific dog park. Stroll into town and visit historic Healdsburg Plaza park, eat dinner at world renown restaurants too.

What’s inside this home? Well, its not your typical 70′s era grandma house. Thoughtfully designed, this home from roof to floors has been painstakingly remodeled to the most exquisite of tastes. The features include:

• All new crown molding, door trim and baseboards
  
• Granite counter tops                                                                 
  
• Limestone back splash
  
• All new Travertine tiles throughout
• Marble fireplace surround
• All new appliances
• Distinct hardwood floors
• Gourmet kitchen
  
• Designer paintwork
• Slate tiled front porch
• New Craftsman front door
• All new interior doors
• All new windows
• Brand new redwood fencing
  

…and much more!

Right at the base of Fitch Mountain along the Russian River, we have pinpointed a place of peace from days past. A simpler way of life awaits you here. Come and make this home your own. To schedule a showing,  just call 707-893-SOLD (7653) or email Vicki or Rob Thiessen. Don’t let this masterpiece get away! Update: Now reduced to $399,000

• Full Color Flyer 222 Cedar Circle
• Neighborhood Map
• Visual Tour
• MLS Print out

Mistake # 1

Choosing a real estate agent who is not committed to forming a strong business relationship with you

Buying a home can be an intense process.  Make sure your agent is listening to your needs and is actually hearing you. You want to feel a bond before you ever look at a single house.  If you feel like just another client, find someone else. Buying a house is usually the biggest purchase you will ever make so get someone who really cares.

Mistake #2

Making an offer on a home without being qualified

Getting pre-qualified by a lender not only makes life easier when making an offer, it is required by most listing agents before an offer will even be reviewed. Additionally, it gives buyers a picture of what price range they fall into. As a Realtor, it allows us to narrow down search parameters too.

Mistake #3

Not knowing the costs involved

Have your mortgage representative provide you with an estimate of closing costs early in the home buying process. Title insurance, home owner association fees and insurance should also be taken into account. Examine your settlement statement prior to closing. Know what the fees are and why you are paying them.

Mistake #4

Not considering your long term needs

It is vital to think ahead. Will your home suit you in 3-5 years from now? How about 5-10 years from now?

Mistake #5

Not following through on due dilligence

Make a list  of concerns you may have regarding crime rates, schools, environmental conditions, neighbors, etc. Be diligent in asking these questions so you can buy with confidence.

Mistake #6

Thinking that there is only one perfect house out there

Buying a home is a process of elimination, not selection. Of course you can’t just pick a house you want to buy when it’s not for sale. Buyers are limited to the inventory levels each given day. Watch for new homes that come onto the market. Make sure your agent is keeping you up to date on new inventory and be open to all possibilities.

Mistake #7

Limiting your search to open houses, ads, or the Internet

Many homes listed in magazines or on the internet are already sold. Contact a Realtor to provide you the most up to date market information that may not be available to the general public.

Mistake #8

Not having a home inspection.

Saving money today could cost you lots more in the future. Be sure to get that home inspection before the closing of the sale. A qualified home inspector can find issues with the home that buyers can overlook.

Mistake #9

Not having adequate insurance

Don’t get caught being under insured. Get some advice from your insurance agent to avoid getting bad news if disaster strikes.

Mistake #10

Not purchasing a home protection plan

This is basically a mini home insurance plan that lasts for one year. It covers basic repairs of the home for a nominal fee. There are different type of protection plans. Talk with your agent to help find the plan you need.

Do you have a question about a home purchase is in Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa or any Sonoma County property? Contact us for a no hassle answer to your real estate questions.

SOLD!

FINAL REDUCTION…$255,000! Who could of imagined such a thing in the Healdsburg real estate market? A three bedroom home within walking distance to the Healdsburg Plaza and Russian River Memorial Beach! Let me tell you what it’s NOT. It’s NOT a foreclosure or a short sale, its NOT a fixer upper.

Well what is it?  It IS the only  home in Healdsburg  with:

• a stamped concrete patio and dog run
• new TREX decking
• quartz counter tops
  
• glass tile back splash
  
• all major kitchen appliances included

If you or someone you know is looking for an amazing home in Healdsburg, give us a call at 707-893-SOLD or our Contact us.

Fall in full swing here in Sonoma County. That means the kids are in school, holidays are right around the corner and traditionally,  a slow real estate market.  If your a home seller,  what does that mean for you? What can you do to make your home stand out from all the rest?

Here are some tips to get your home sold:

• Curb Appeal- Dressing up your home is important for any time of year, but during the Fall season, take advantage of the holidays and decorate your home. You don’t want to over do it, just make it pleasant to the eye. Why not plant Fall blooming flowers, touch up paint, rake up leaves, even consider decorating the mailbox. Pumpkins are cheap, get some that are multi-colored to place strategically in the front steps or walkway. Inspect the light fixture at the garage and front door to make sure the light bulbs work and fixture is clean. Put a wreath on the door too.

• Fireplace- If you have a fireplace, make sure you accentuate this feature by making sure its clean. Why not place a candle holder inside and light the candles when a showing scheduled. Buyers love the feature of a fireplace so staging this area is important. Also you should remove any excessive clutter on the matter area. Let buyers picture their family photos on the mantle.

• Be Aggressive- Sellers should remember that price is one of the biggest factors in how quickly a home can get into contract. Nowadays, buyers are very educated and have a lot of information coming into a home purchase, including comparable properties that have recently sold.

• Help The Realtor- That’s right. Help us sell your home! Yes it is the Realtor’s job to do that. But putting the word out about your home on the various social media sites puts more eyes in front of your home. Why not put a link on your Facebook and Twitter account? Put a link of the virtual tour or a slide show of photos like this:

That’s what we provide to all our clients; Visual Tour links, slide shows and more. Need some more tips? How about a free home market evaluation? We will go room by room to suggest staging tips and tricks.  Give us a call, at 707-893-Sold or send us an email.  Remember, we don’t just list your home…anyone can do that. We SELL your home!