Household Items You Should Sell and Not Throw Out

 

A cleaning binge or a simple walk through your house can turn up all kinds of items that you may want to toss in the garbage. Throwing them away, however, could be like throwing money away.

With a little effort, you could sell various household items online, at local consignment shops or during a garage sale, among other options. Below are some used items that probably take up extra space in your home, but could net you some cash:

Electronics
Old cellphones, computers, tablets and other electronic devices can have too short a lifespan and fill up a drawer or clutter a room fast.

Websites such as Amazon, Gazelle and Decluttr buy old electronics, possibly paying $100 or so to help you buy the next gadget you want. To get the best price, cellphones should be in working order with no major cracks or other damage and with only some light wear and tear.

Books
If you’re not attached to your books and keep too many around the house, it can be worthwhile to try to sell them at your local bookstore. You might not get much money for them, but finding them a new home will help declutter your house and give you some cash to buy a new book to read. Consider having your children bring their old books, too.

Some books can bring in some real money. Textbooks, first editions and volumes from popular authors can be sold on Amazon, Decluttr and other places online. To find the best price for your books, try BookScouter. It searches dozens of buyback vendors to find the best price for a specific book you want to sell.

Appliances
If you’re looking to upgrade your home appliances, try selling your old ones on Craigslist or eBay. Landlords in your area may be looking for affordable appliances that will be used in student housing, or new homeowners may be looking for a deal.

Toys
Craigslist and eBay are also good places to sell used toys, but a garage sale may be your best bet. No matter what route you choose, be sure to get your kids’ permission first.

Clothing and Accessories
Instead of giving away your old clothes and accessories to a thrift store, which is still a good idea if it’s a charity, you may be able to make some cash by selling them.

Popular accessories, such as designer handbags, that you no longer want can still be desirable to other potential buyers. For example, the website Bag Borrow or Steal verifies that handbags are authentic designer items (not knockoffs), and will either buy them outright from you or consign them.

The Best Smart Home Technology for Pet Owners

 

Smart home technology is improving life for everyone, even your furry little friends. These days, there are tons of products available for pets who live in the lap of luxury, from smart feeders that automatically dispense food to treadmills designed for felines.

For those who like to spoil their dogs and cats, here’s the latest and greatest pet technology to bring into your home!

iFetch Too

For some dogs, a quick game of fetch is never enough. If this sounds familiar, then the iFetch might just be for you. This automatic ball launcher will have your pooch running around all day long with up to 300 throws per battery charge. Various distance settings that range from 10 to 40 feet allow you to set it up inside or out, so your dog can chase tennis balls to its heart’s content even when you’re not home. And for the ones who love digging holes, the iDig is also worth checking out!

Little Cat

Is your feline enjoying the cat nip a bit too much? For cats that could afford to lose a few pounds, the Little Cat from PetDing is the perfect solution. Essentially a large hamster wheel with a built-in LED light that cats love to chase after, it’s like an exercise program designed to get your little fur ball off the couch. Available in four different colors, it’ll look great in any house or apartment.

Petcube Bites

There are lots of pet cameras available for those who suffer a little separation anxiety during the day, but the Petcube Bites does more than just let you check in on them. The two-way speaker allows your cat or dog to hear the comfort of your voice when you’re away and you can even reward good behavior with the built-in treat dispenser.

Wagz Smart Door

Nobody wants an unwelcomed visitor coming through the doggy door. Now you can keep out any surprises with the Wagz Smart Door that uses a unique ID tag in the collar that only opens the door for your pets. You can even control when they’re allowed to go outside and use the live HD video camera to monitor any motion around the door.

Bring Peace to Your Bedroom

 

While world peace is a great idea, if you want to add a touch of calm to your life, begin with your bedroom. Your room isn’t merely the place to rest your head, it’s where you wake, and the vibe of your room can set the tone for the rest of your day. Below are five tips for bringing a peaceful vibe to your bedroom.

Choose calming colors. While red or orange may be your favorite fiery hue, when picking shades for your room, choose soothing, calm colors like light blue or a gentle gray.

Pick minimal patterns. Keep the fun, funky patterns for the living room throw pillows. Busy patterns can make us feel crowded and overwhelmed, so minimize zany patterns in your sleep space.

Clear the room of clutter. Create a sanctuary in your bedroom by keeping it clear of clutter, from laundry to oversized furniture. Spend a few minutes before bed each day storing any items you pulled out, close the closet doors, put the books back on the shelves and dive into bed with a clear head and space.

Bring in nature. Houseplants can boost mood and pump more oxygen into the room. Choose a few easy-to-care for plants, like a fern or a ficus, and place them where you can see them when you wake.

Select the right lighting. While blackout shades can be great for blocking disruptive light, it can also negatively impact your sleep patterns by keeping your body from waking at its natural time. Find a set of blackout curtains that filter light but allow you to wake in the morning naturally.

The Current Residential Real Estate Market for Home Buyers and Home Sellers 2020

Although we are amid the Covid 19 pandemic and quickly approaching the holiday season, the residential real estate market has dramatically picked up over the last 30 days.  We are currently still in a sellers market, as inventory isn't quite where it needs to be to accommodate the number of motivated buyers right now.  However, that appears to be changing in the near future with more and more sellers looking to list their properties.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of the current sellers market and list before you have a lot more competition!  On the other hand and on the buyers side, interest rates are at an all time low, making home purchases much more affordable.  With inventory on the rise, buyers will continue to have more and more options.  It is both a good time to buy and sell residential real estate.  See below market updates for both Ventura and Los Angeles counties released by the California Association of Realtors for September 2020.  In addition, data pulled from the MLS shows 320 new listings were entered into the MLS just within the Conejo Valley and 106 in Simi Valley in the last 30 days.

What is currently being predicted through 2023 is residential real estate is likely to fare far better than the commercial real estate sector.  According to a survey of 325 directors and investors, 39% expect commercial real estate assets will fall between 5% to 10% in value in 2020, whilst nearly 31% expect a fall of 10% or more as a result of the pandemic.  However, 90% of the respondents expected asset prices to go back to pre-pandemic levels by 2021, according to the survey carried out by Duff & Phelps.  The financial consultancy firm said the respondents expected the worst long-term damage in commercial real estate to be among retail and hotels, accounting for 37% and 36% responses respectively.  Most investors expect retail property values to decrease between 10-40% over the next 12 months.  Data from the survey showed that 36% of respondents believed the industrial and logistics sector will emerge the strongest from the current crisis. Investors also saw prospects for residential (29%) and proptech (19%), which they also believed would gain strength after the crisis. Source: https://realassets.ipe.com/news/commercial-real-estate-investors-predict-price-recovery-in-2021/10048407.article

  

I take all necessary measures to keep your business and/or family safe during the Covid 19 pandemic. Including virtual showings, safety precautions during in person showings, remote digital closings, etc.   Please feel free to contact me for additional information.  We have a referral based business, so please think of me when buying or selling and feel free to share my contact information with anyone you know who is thinking about buying or selling.  Levesque Realty has provided residential and commercial real estate services within Los Angeles and Ventura counties for over 20 years. 

5 Financial Benefits for Military Members

 

U.S. military members have access to some great benefits that can go a long way toward making their financial lives (and those of their family) a lot better.

Here are some of the best financial benefits that service members have available to them:

Inexpensive Retirement Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan has a low annual expense ratio of 0.038 percent of assets, making it a far better retirement plan for military members than 401(k) retirement plans, which have annual fees and expenses of 1-2 percent.

In 2019, military members can contribute up to $19,000 to the plan—and up to $56,000 if receiving tax-free income while deployed.

Free College
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to four academic years, or up to $23,671 per year for private or foreign schools. A housing stipend and money for books and tutoring are also included.

Longtime service members can transfer their benefits to a spouse or children.

Mortgage Help
The Veterans Administration (VA) offers home loans to military members with no down payment required. Veterans and surviving spouses are also eligible for these VA home loans, along with other housing programs from the VA.

The VA guarantees a portion of the loan, which is provided by private lenders. A potential downside of not making a down payment on a home, or even a small down payment, is that you could owe more on the home loan if housing prices drop and you have to move and sell your home.

Housing Allowance
For as long as you’re in the military, you’re given a tax-free housing allowance. The monthly subsidy covers all or part of your monthly rent or mortgage. The amount is determined by your rank, location and if you have dependents.

A military pay stub lists a “Basic Allowance for Housing,” along with other benefits.

Guaranteed Return on Savings
It’s unlikely that you’ll ever find a savings program as good as the Savings Deposit Program run by the Department of Defense (DOD).

Deployed members in designated combat zones can deposit up to $10,000 each time they’re deployed and earn 10 percent annual interest, compounded quarterly. The program lasts up to three months after returning from combat.

Since military pay during deployment is tax-free income, members receive more take-home pay, and can put that extra money into the DOD’s savings program.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Moving Thanksgiving Outdoors

 

All things considered, unless you live in a freezing climate, this might be the year to think about moving Thanksgiving dinner outdoors. Even if your guests need to bundle up a bit, outdoor enthusiasts suggest that a little pre-planning can make it easier than you think, and it may turn out to be the most fun Thanksgiving your family has enjoyed for years.

• Timing counts – Plan your event between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, when you can take advantage of maximum daylight and warmth.
• Choose the site – A patio, front porch or covered deck is ideal, but any backyard space not far from the kitchen will work. Depending upon the weather and the number of guests, consider renting a tent. If you are concerned about harvest table seating, use two or three tables for six.
• Set smart tables – Use your best linens and china as usual, anchoring each with a vase of fall flowers or Thanksgiving centerpieces. If wind is an issue,or even if it isn’t, anchor each napkin to the plate with an apple or a miniature pumpkin.
• Plan the meal – There are two good choices this year: Do all the work yourself or assign guests to bring dishes, as you typically would, or pre-order dinner from a favorite restaurant, ensuring a lovely meal for all with far less work while doing your part to help support struggling local business. 
• Plan the fun – Backyard family football, badminton or horseshoes is always fun. Add new activities for kids into the mix, such as a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting or another Thanksgiving craft.
• Have a back-up plan – The best plans can be upset by rain, so be prepared to move the party indoors if necessary. Dinner tables can still be distanced if you wish, becoming game tables for kids and adults after the meal is over.

What to Do If You Find an Error on Your Credit Report

 

Lenders look at your credit report to determine whether you qualify for a loan or credit card. Inaccurate information could lead to an unfavorable interest rate or outright denial of your application. You should periodically request copies of your credit reports and check them for errors. If you find a mistake, act immediately to have it corrected so it doesn’t hurt your chances of obtaining credit.

How an Error Might Have Occurred
If you have a common name, your records could have gotten mixed up with someone else’s. If you are divorced, a joint account that you had with your former spouse might not have been removed from your credit report, even if it was supposed to be according to your divorce settlement. Someone might also have made an error when entering your personal information. An account might be listed on your credit report more than once, or an account that was closed might not have been removed. In a more extreme scenario, someone might have stolen your identity and opened a fraudulent account in your name.

How to Dispute an Error
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus are required to investigate any alleged errors reported by consumers, unless those claims are deemed frivolous. If you find what you believe to be an error, write to the credit bureau or fill out an online form. Explain what you believe is incorrect and provide copies of any documents that support your position. If you send letters via the postal service, mail them certified and request receipt confirmation. Keep copies of all letters you send to the credit bureau and any responses you receive.

You should also contact the company that provided the information to the credit bureau and explain why you believe it is incorrect. Include copies of supporting documents and state that you have filed a dispute with the credit bureau.

Possible Outcomes
The credit bureau should complete its investigation within 30 days. In many states, a consumer who disputes an error is entitled to receive a free copy of a new credit report showing that the mistake has been corrected.

If the credit bureau does not agree that there is an error in your report, you can ask it to include your statement disputing the information in your file. Your statement can be provided to anyone who received your credit report recently or who will in the future. You may have to pay a fee for this service, but it can be worthwhile if it helps you avoid getting turned down for a loan or credit card. If you suffer harm as a result of an error on your credit report, you may need to hire a lawyer to help you resolve the issue.

Check Your Credit Reports
An error on a credit report can prevent you from achieving your financial goals. Request free copies of your credit reports and check them for errors. If you find any, take steps to address the situation as soon as possible.

How to Make Your Home Look Luxe on a Budget

 

If you’re craving a higher-end look in your home, but your budget says otherwise, don’t abandon your vision of a more luxurious design. With some creative additions and adjustments you can create an upscale feel in no time. Try one or two of the following:

Update your lighting. If you can’t swing a full interior design update, focus just on your lighting. You can instantly add a high-end feel by investing in new light fixtures, such as contemporary hanging pendants, a dramatic floor lamp, or an abstract chandelier. Recessed lights are another option for adding a luxury look. No matter what you choose, remember that lighting draws a lot of attention and affects the entire atmosphere of a room.

Create an optical illusion. This trick won’t cost you anything at all: raise your curtain rods above your windows so that your curtains hang from ceiling to floor. This instantly makes your ceilings seem higher, not to mention the luxurious feel of full-length drapes. If your current window treatments aren’t up to par for this look, invest in a new set made from a luxe fabric, such as velvet or satin.

Molding. Make any room more sophisticated by installing molding on blank walls. Use chair rail in the dining room, crown molding in the living room, or create a box pattern to add depth and interest to an entry area or hallway. Paint it a contrasting or complementary color for a creative design flair. 

Go neutral. While you may have experimented with a variety of colors in your home, consider using a neutral palette instead. While bold hues and pastels can be fun, neutrals will give your home a more elegant look. Crisp, white linens in the bedroom and white, fluffy towels in the bathrooms will continue this sophisticated look throughout your home. 

Think big. Want to instantly up the luxe factor in any room? Hang a large piece of artwork. The painting itself doesn’t need to be expensive (just tasteful!) because the sheer scale of the art will create a dramatic, upscale look. 

You can get more inspiration by flipping through luxury lifestyle magazines or perusing Pinterest boards. Notice that it’s often the details that make a design feel high-end—details that can often be recreated without breaking the bank.