The La Jolla Historical Society will host its 15th annual Secret Garden Tour Saturday May 18 10:00AM to 4:00PM. This tour is one of my favorite garden tours. If you are a garden lover, like me then this tour is a must. It’s La Jolla Historical Society’s primary annual fundraising [...]]]>

The La Jolla Historical Society will host its 15th annual Secret Garden Tour Saturday May 18 10:00AM to 4:00PM. This tour is one of my favorite garden tours. If you are a garden lover, like me then this tour is a must. It’s La Jolla Historical Society’s primary annual fundraising event. The tour will feature six private gardens, two in La Jolla Farms, a traditional Muirlands Estate, a California Tudor, a Cape Cod cottage garden and a garden overlooking Torrey Pines. The exact locations are not known till the day of the event.

All Proceeds from the tour make it possible for the Society to care for its extensive and unique collection, create and expand educational programs to advocate the preservation of La Jolla’s heritage. The cost for the tour: LJHS members $40 and non-members $50. Events like the Secret Garden Tour enables the Society to preserve La Jolla’s special character and charm.

If you had been sitting on the fence debating whether to SELL your home, it is time to jump off. The waiting period is over! Bank Owned Properties (REO) and Short Sales are slowing down and equity sales are again becoming the norm.

Right now Sellers have the upper hand, with inventory at [...]]]>

If you had been sitting on the fence debating whether to SELL your home, it is time to jump off. The waiting period is over! Bank Owned Properties (REO) and Short Sales are slowing down and equity sales are again becoming the norm.

Right now Sellers have the upper hand, with inventory at its lowest levels in years homes that are priced right are receiving multiple offers, some are even selling above the list price. Our La Jolla real estate market has not had such a housing frenzy in years. However, to capitalize on a quick sale with potential multiple offers, Sellers must present their home just right.

Here are 4 things a Seller should do to present their home in the best possible way, before it goes on the market.

1. Price- One of the most important decisions a Seller will make with their Realtor (like myself) is to price the home right. Even in this market with low inventory, a home priced wrong will not sell. Pricing a home too high, causes a Seller to have to chase the market, which will never garner a Seller’s ideal price.
2. Curb appeal- A well manicured lawn gives the right first impression, and the buyer will feel welcome before they open the front door. The front yard’s landscaping needs to be cleaned up and full of colorful flowers and nicely trimmed shrubbery. Do not forget the exterior of the house, make sure you touch up or re-paint the front of the house if necessary. Additionally, adding an accent color on the front door can be a welcome sight.
3. Paint, New Carpet & De-cluttering is all a must! Buyers who walk into a freshly painted and carpeted home are more likely to write a offer quicker. Fresh paint and carpet gives a home an air of freshness and newness. It is important to choose mellow and neutral colors, so buyers can picture their own style preferences in the home.  De-cluttering your home allows a Buyer to imagine themselves and their furniture there as well. Seeing a Seller’s family pictures and clutter all over the house is a big turn off.
4. Stage Your Home. Bringing in a professional home stager is an important ingredient to sell a home fast. They are able to give a fresh eye to the house. Some stagers will work with your furniture or bring in their own. A staged house generally sells quicker and at a higher price then a non-staged home. (And isn’t that your goal) Remember you live in a home one way, but to sell it Buyers, they must be able to picture themselves there.

If you follow all of these suggestions your home will attract multiple offers and will sell quicker and at a higher price. Isn’t that the goal of every Seller?!

Thinking of selling your home and not sure of the value, give me a call 619-980-2738 for a free Comparable Market Analysis (CMA)!

If you been reading my blog for awhile you know that I’m crazy about the La Jolla Murals that have been popping up all around La Jolla these past two years.  In fact three new murals debut last week.

If you haven’t seen all of them now is your chance.  [...]]]>

If you been reading my blog for awhile you know that I’m crazy about the La Jolla Murals that have been popping up all around La Jolla these past two years.  In fact three new murals debut last week.

If you haven’t seen all of them now is your chance.  The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library will host a walking tour of the La Jolla Murals.  The project curator and tour guide is Linda Forsha. On the tour she will be giving the walkers her incredible insights about the murals and the artists who painted them.

The tour is on May 16, it will be a great way to explore La Jolla and learn about all the colorful murals at the same time.

Don’t miss the reception at The Athenaeum once the tour ends.