Tehama Country Real Estate

Tehama Country Real Estate – 3 Real Estate Spotlight By Alex Mason you are ready to sell can be a long and expensive process. This is one project when wise decision making and careful research can turn to cash in your pocket. W Before you begin with the remolding, be sure to research the housing market for what's hot and what's not. This lit- tle bit of leg work will not only save you money, but it may also add a tidy profit on the final sale of the property. Avoid the Fad Trap When a new fad craze hits the hous- ing market, even the weirdest and wackiest of ideas may seem right at the time. However, in retrospect, how many times have you looked at an old photo of out- landish wall paper designs and could pinpoint the era to the disco days of the 1970's? Just because a bunch of people have succumbed to faddish cul- ture does not mean the innovated decor is taking you in a profitable direction. Today's home buyer is smart and savvy and knows the pitfalls down the road when the property is riddled with fad designs and quirky decor. Buyers tend to look ahead and sum up their re- sale value and will shy away from costly correc- tions to fad ideas. Another example of the remolding and decorat- ing fad track is the conception of the great room. This outdated and over-emphasized use of living space has been a turn-off when buyers are search- ing for homes built in the 1980s. Yes, the expansive living space can be nice, but many of the traditional great rooms are poorly laid out and waste an entire wall with too much glass. Odd shaped windows running row upon row give the impression of a fragile room that could shatter at the first sign of thunder. In addition, expansive hipping your home into shape when living spaces with uneven walls can waste more space with furnishings for what they are worth. Keep It Clean and Keep It Classic There is no substitute for a classically designed home that makes the most of every nook and cran- ny living space to satisfy generations of owners to come. Built-ins, such as the 1970s wet bar, overbearing book cases and too many closets can detract from the flow of the floor plan and close off the room for the new owner's lifestyle. Less is best, so when you wish to remodel, try to keep the rooms open and spacious and free of unnecessary built- in obstacles. The classic approach to color is also an asset to your real estate sale. The option for plain white walls throughout the entire home is appealing to most buyers as it enables them to clear their minds and envision their own belong- ings in the home. In addition, bright white walls have the ability to make your home seem larger and ready to decorate from scratch by the new owners. Soft, muted shades in neutral hues are another big crowd pleaser and can make a big impact if the walls are fitted with crown moldings. Red, orange and way out green paints should be avoided when you are ready to go to market. Although these col- ors may have served you well, they are too over- powering for a prospective home buyer to reckon with. Keep it clean and keep it classic for your home to stand out and catch the buyer's attention at open house. Remember, when your home is put on the mar- ket, it is all about pleasing the new owners and tak- ing your own memories with you when you go. Your property should be a clean slate for the new occupants to work with to take the home in any direction they see fit. Alex Mason is a former real estate agent and mortgage broker living in Los Angeles.

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