Protect Your Home While It's on the Market

Ready to sell your home? Besides dusting every nook and cranny and pulling weeds from the garden, don’t forget to protect yourself and your home when it’s on the market! Here’s a few ways on how to protect your home while it’s on the market so that you can feel more at ease.

Hide the Valuables
Don’t keep high-end valuables visible in your home while it’s on the market, including jewelry, collectibles and other items that are easy to steal. Keep a safe in the home with the valuables locked up, or secure a safe deposit box at your local bank to keep them in while your home is for sale. Another thing to hide? Your social security number, bank information, blank checks, prescription medications, and anything else that someone is able to snatch while undetected.

Inform your Neighbors
Had an open house or buyer showing? If you’re not returning home directly after, inform the neighbors to check to be sure the doors were locked in the home. This will keep your home safe from unwanted visitors who know your home is for sale.

Accidental Property Damage
Potential buyers want to know the ins and outs of your home. Many will want to test the appliances and facets for functionality. Will they remember to turn off the gas burners and the bathroom sink? Avoid property damage that’s caused by fires, water damage and other threats by asking your realtor to communicate these concerns to the selling agent. The selling agent can double check to be sure everything is OFF before leaving the property.

Gun Safety and Dog Bites
You might think your gun is well concealed in your bedroom closet or nightstand, but potential buyers will poke around to get an idea of storage space. If you keep a gun in your home, make sure it is unloaded, locked in a gun box and completely out of sight. It will prevent accidental injuries and theft. And if you’re a dog owner? It’s best to remove the dogs from the premises. It will make your home more appealing to non-animal lover and eliminates the threat of dog bites. If you can’t remove your pets from the home, secure a crate that can be placed indoors or out, so that the animal is safely contained during the showings.

Slips, Trips, Falls
If someone gets hurt on your property, they may hold you liable and sue. Since potential buyers aren’t familiar with your home, make sure to prevent inquiries and lawsuits with preventative measures such as; repairing loose and uneven flooring (check porches and decks), remove ice and snow from the walkways and steps, secure rugs with non-slip padding, keep hallways and stairwells clear of clutter, and make sure your home is well lit (both inside and out).

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,

Stephen Nissou, Realtor ®

Nissou Realty Group   |   Keller Williams Realy Estate

680 Fletcher Pkwy. El Cajon, CA 92019

619-250-4541   |   619-873-2772 Office

Stephen@StephenNissou.com

www.StephenNissou.com

Listed in Jamul, CA! Vacant Land to Build Your Custom Dream Home!

Listed in gorgeous Jamul, CA! $299,000 | Over 1 acre each!

Choose where you want to build your custom dream home! Panoramic views of the beautiful Jamul mountains, Grated & Approved, Ready to build! Electricity and water is available & ready. 

(Plans available for 3225 sqft home for lot #3).

Three lots are available for individual sale! Can combine lots for packaged deal! 

Please call 619-250-4541 or email Stephen@StephenNissou.com for more information!

3 Points to Ponder About a Home's Location

When buyers are on the hunt for a new home, they're usually very focused on one thing: the house. Buyers can lose objectivity if they fall in love with one, and the thought process becomes akin to one of those romantic photos with fuzzy edges—the only thing in focus is the house.

What those fuzzy edges obscure, however, is just as important as what's in focus. So, be sure to identify the impractical features of a home you love—not only for your own comfort and enjoyment, but for the home's future value as well.

"Location, location, location" isn't just a silly real estate mantra—it's a warning. Pay heed to the neighborhood and surroundings if you want to avoid losing money when you sell the home.

1. School District

Not everyone can afford the higher cost of homes in a quality school district, but we can avoid purchasing a home in a district that will make it difficult to sell in the future. Even homebuyers without children should look into the area's schools before signing on the dotted line.

For homebuyers with children, good schools are at the top of the list, according to Realtor.com, and many are willing to go over budget to purchase such a home.

Experts agree that homes are worth more in good school districts. What they can't seem to agree on, however, is how much more. One study claims that the added value is $16,000 on average. Another study, from the Brookings Institute, says homes in quality school districts may fetch up to $205,000 more than those in a low-scoring district. Finally, another expert says to simply slap a 23 percent premium onto a home in a good school district.

Whatever the amount, savvy buyers know that an area's schools will have an impact on a home's future value.

2. Vacant Land

Being surrounded by open space is lovely, isn't it? The peace, tranquil views and that feeling of seclusion one derives from living in such a location is worth paying more for—or is it?

Nearby government set-asides of open space are in demand for homebuyers. Privately owned vacant parcels, however, should raise red flags.

Even current zoning of parcels isn't set in stone, as neighbors in a Minneapolis suburb learned last year.Most homeowners in a 25-year old subdivision there purchased their homes because the area was surrounded by open space. What they failed to realize, however, was that the surrounding parcels were zoned for commercial development. In fact, many of the newer homeowners were shocked when they learned of the city's plans to approve the construction of a 24-hour superstore right across the street. Their lovely, wooded neighborhood would now be expected to handle three times the vehicular traffic, round-the-clock hustle and bustle, and late-night deliveries to the back of the store, which happens to face the neighborhood.

Before you decide to purchase any home that has vacant parcels of land nearby, it would be wise to check the neighboring property's zoning.

3. Neighboring Homes

It's easy to become smitten with the cutest house on the block, but if that house is the only cute one in the neighborhood, you may want to consider your purchase more carefully.

Foreclosed homes, certain commercial concerns (funeral homes and power plants, for example), messy, neglected yards, and a sex offender in the area can all drag down the value of nearby property, according to the Appraisal Institute. That reduction may be as much as 15 percent.

Experts with the Appraisal Institute suggest taking a leisurely tour of the neighborhood. Something as simple as shoddy landscaping or peeling paint on a building can knock 5 to 10 percent off the value of nearby homes, the Appraisal Institute's president, Joe Magdziarz, told MSN Money.

Folks in the real estate industry are quite diligent when it comes to recommending various inspections and tests of structural elements to buyers. Many agents, however, may neglect to counsel their clients on the financial aspects of the purchase.

Your home is also an investment and requires due diligence to ensure that it's a viable one. Do your homework, beyond admiring the snazzy kitchen and dreamy master bedroom, and you'll sleep well knowing you made an informed investment.

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,

Upholstery Made Simple!

Confession: we LOVE upholstery! There’s nothing like a new coat of fabric to reinvent a room! Check out some of our favorite upholstery designs that can really spruce up a room! Let us know what your fav’s are and what just doesn’t do it for you!

And while you’re at it- check out our Pinterest page! We’re sure you’ll love it!

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,

Rancho San Diego Executive Home For Sale!

3039 Lasven, El Cajon, CA 92019

Priced at $634,900

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 2190 SQFT

Rancho San Diego Executive Home next to Steele Canyon resort is the place to be when searching for a stylish single level home and an enjoyable community. Lovingly cared for with all the creature comforts you would expect to find in a well dressed home. Custom paint, plush carpeting and elegant tile floors create a soothing interior finish that let you know the little details have been thought about here!

The home has abundant natural light, vaulted ceilings and open floor plan give it the feel of a much larger home. Oversized family room has a cozy marble fireplace and grand room make this home an ideal choice for entertaining. Gourmet kitchen is absolutely gorgeous with granite counter tops and kiosk gives you ample room for a giant buffet when entertaining. Located on a cul-de-sac this single story residence features a romantic master suite with double door entry, sitting area, large bathroom with two sinks, lavish whirlpool spa tub, separate shower, and large walk in closet. Freshly paint and new tank-less water heater in 2014. Yard impeccably maintained with lush landscaping and retractable awning so you can enjoy the sun or shade in your backyard for years. Close to numerous golf courses, shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment. The design is architecturally exciting and in very impressive condition and is move in ready, this is the beautiful and unique home you've been waiting for! Pride of ownership abounds from this meticulously maintained home. This property is being sold in its current "as-is" condition. 

For more information and to view this property please contact Stephen Nissou today!

Direct 619-250-4541

Office 619-873-2772

Email Stephen@StephenNissou.com

To view this home on the MLS.

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,