Buying a home like a Jr. High Dance
First Time Buyers
January 2nd, 2009
Protect your pool in freezing weather
Tips for Homeowners
December 26th, 2008
Early Registration to Bay to Breakers - Save $9
Random Thoughts
December 10th, 2008
The 98th annual Bay to Breakers 12k is coming up on May 17, 2009 in San Francisco. I just saved $9 on early registration and I thought I would let you in on it.
This year they are offering an early registration discount to past participants (registration starts Jan. 1 for the general public) and they are allowing me to invite some friends. So, as you are a friend of mine I invite you to participate in the best 12k road race in the world! Here is your chance to save a little money, get a low bib number, and take part in a run you will never forget. Haven’t heard of the Bay to Breakers? Click Here to learn about what has become one of the highlights of my year.
Sphere: Related ContentMake Old Cabinets Shine for about $10
The Art of Selling
November 30th, 2008
If you are purchasing a home or getting ready to sell a home and the kitchen or bathroom cabinets are looking shabby here is a great tip. Use Watco Danish Oil to give the cabinets new life. You can find it at your local home improvement center. For about $10 you can make the cabinets look practically new again.
I stumbled across this product while getting one of our rentals ready in between tenants. We had paid about $1,000 to have the kitchen cabinets refinished in one side of our duplex and we were getting ready to do the same thing on the other side during the next vacancy. It so happened that we had someone who needed to move in just two days after the previous renter had moved out and did not have the time to have cabinets professionally refinished. It’s important to us that our rentals are in superior condition and I really wanted the cabinets to look good so I picked up the Watco Danish Oil and gave it a try. Amazing! I’m serious, for about $10 and half a days work the cabinets looked like new. A couple of pointers if you want to give it a shot.
1) Get the cabinets very clean with TSP or similar.
2) Use a 3M Scotch-Brite to prepare all surfaces.
3) Rub in Watco Danish Oil
4) Buff with soft cloth
Your done! Try it and let me know how it works for you.
Sphere: Related ContentNew MLS Search puts You in control
First Time Buyers
November 28th, 2008
Thanksgiving not just this Thursday
Random Thoughts
November 24th, 2008
Take a trip to the Sculpture Park
State of Jefferson
November 23rd, 2008
Consider a Duplex for 1st Home
First Time Buyers
November 21st, 2008
As a first time buyer starting your home search you are probably considering the type of home, features, location, etc. that you would like to purchase. One type of home you may have overlooked is a duplex,triplex or fourplex. For many first time buyers this is an option that really works out well.
I can tell you from personal experience that buying an income property as your primary residence might be the best decision you could make. I know, I did it. A number of years ago I was between homes and renting. A single Dad at the time, my Son and I lived comfortably enough in a rental condo, that it is until it was put up for sale. So, we moved to another rental house and guess what? It went on the market about 6 later! Once again we were moving. It was apparent by that time that renting did not give me the stability and control of my situation that I preferred so I started looking at home purchase opportunities. Trouble was, the projected payments were so much more than the I rent I had been paying I was going to have to make some serious budget choices. In fact, without raiding my 401k it was borderline impossible. I started considering alternative plans. Keep renting? I knew long term buying was my best choice but how? It was then that I came up a plan to have a renter help with the mortgage. I did not however want a roommate. Solution? I bought a duplex. The cost was about the same as a single family home but with the rent I collected my expenses were basically the same as when I was a renter. Since it was my primary residence it qualified for FHA financing and I purchased with just 3% down payment. Not much more than a security deposit and last month rent. Because a duplex is very easy to convert from a primary residence to an income property there is no need to sell when you decide to purchase a single family home in the future.
We have done just that. Sandee and I still own our duplex and it more then pays for itself while it increases in equity and ultimately will provide income during our retirement.
The same thing can’t be said for the house most people live in. Sure, years from now you could downsize but unless you have moved through a series of price ranges to an expensive home will that really provide significant income? Probably not. I think most people are going to have developed a certain expectation of lifestyle by that time and not likely to move back in to a starter home.
Being a landlord is not for everyone of course but we have found it to be rather rewarding both financially and personally. We have tenants that we really enjoy and by making sure to carefully screen before renting we have so far avoided the nightmares that some landlords have experienced.
At this time there are quite a few income properties for sale in Shasta County. Many of them are priced below single family home prices and are definitely worth consideration to any first time buyer interested in developing long term wealth.
Just in case you missed it- DAP’s the Word
First Time Buyers
November 19th, 2008
Lucky to Live at Lema Ranch
About Redding
November 15th, 2008
Sandee and I made the decision a couple of years ago to purchase a home located at one of the trail heads to Lema Ranch. For several years each morning we had been driving to this McConnell Foundation owned trail system for our daily walk or jog. We enjoy the time spent on the trails so much that when our house came up for sale we knew it was the right choice for us.
With 8 miles of trails set on a combined 380 acres of open space the Lema Ranch and Churn Creek Trail system is an oasis of natural beauty and the ideal place to get a little exercise while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
Located on what was once a working mule ranch owned by Chuck and Peggy Lema the trail system and ponds were enhanced and developed by the McConnell Foundation in 1997 and is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. The 4 paved miles of trails at Lema Ranch take you around several ponds and offer spectacular views of Mt. Shasta and the Western Ranges.
A number of Redding neighborhoods are fortunate to have direct trail head access including Hacienda Heights, Alder Creek, Blackhawk, Edgewood and College Highlands. For those who come from other parts of town the main parking lot is located across from Mt. View Middle School at Hacienda. There is a restroom located at the parking lot as well as on the opposite end of the Ranch at the Lema Road trail head. There are many benches set along the trail for those who need a rest or just to sit and enjoy the views.
The paved trails at Lema Ranch are reserved for walkers and runners only while the gravel trails in the Churn Creek Trail system are open to bicycles and allow dogs on leashes. To access the Churn Creek Trails park at either Minder Park in the Edgewood area or the end of Tidmore at the north end of trails.
The McConnell Foundation has been a great neighbor and the employees who work at Lema Ranch do a wonderful job in keeping the trail system maintained and are always ready with a smile and a wave. Give us call should you decide as we did that living on the trail is the right lifestyle choice for you. We will be happy to send you a list of homes for sale that access Lema Ranch.
PREMIER SERVICE® is the focus of Real Estate Professionals/GMAC. We are located in Redding, CA (at the North end of the Sacramento River Valley) in the midst of river, lake, ranch and mountain terrain.
Our Customer Satisfaction Rating, based on an independent survey, exceeds 97%. This is reflected in our 2008 "QUIE" Award recognizing the TOP 10 REAL ESTATE COMPANIES in NORTH AMERICA! REP/GMAC in #2.
