Has your family outgrown your current home?

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

How to Choose the Right House for Your Growing Family

Even in the best of circumstances, shopping for a house can be a daunting task. When you are unsure what the future holds, searching for a home is even harder. If you plan to have children, you need to consider many factors that might not seem important to you now, but will be vital in the future.

Size
If you plan to have children in the future, or if you already have kids and might want to expand your family later, you need to find a house that is the right size. It can be difficult to know how many bedrooms you need when you are unsure how many children you might have.

You need a home that is flexible enough to accommodate a growing family. Look for a house with an extra bedroom, just in case. If you do not have a child who occupies that room, you will at least have a guest room. Another option is to consider possible renovations. If you find a house that has a finished basement or porch that could be converted into a bedroom in the future, that will give you flexibility. You might also want to think about the possibility of building an addition. Look at the size of the yard and ask yourself if you could add another room or two.

Room to Play
Make sure your children will have plenty of space to play inside the house. If your kids like to run around and spread out their toys, an open floor plan can make it easier for them to entertain themselves and for you to keep an eye on them. Also make sure the yard is large enough for toys, games that involve running around, and pets.

Practicality
You need to consider practical day-to-day issues. For example, if your family eats meals together every day, look for a home with a large enough kitchen or dining room. Make sure the house has a laundry room or enough space for a washer and dryer. Look for a house with plenty of closet space for clothes, toys and sports equipment.

Safety
Look for any hazards in the house such as stairs, counters with sharp edges and wall outlets that could be dangerous to young children. Find out where the nearest hospital is located in case of an emergency. Visit the neighborhood on a typical day to look at things like traffic. Contact the police to learn about crime rates in the area.

Education
Your children will need to attend school. Research local schools and daycares and find out about programs offered and whether transportation is provided. Also look into extracurricular activities for kids.

Weigh Your Options
Finding the right house requires a lot of careful thought. If you are planning to expand your family in the future, you have to consider many possible scenarios and be flexible. Look for a house that offers things you need now, as well as the ability to adapt to your changing needs.

Angela Yglesias
Real Estate Consultant
Levesque Realty 

Westlake Village CA 91362
Office Phone: (805) 490-4944
Mobile Phone: (805) 490-4944

Send me a message 

Conejo Valley Real Estate Services

 

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How to Choose the Right House for Your Growing Family

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© 2018 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved.

Your AC may be pumping on the inside of your home, but have you considered your exterior?

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

Protecting Your Home's Exterior from Sun Damage

While you likely know you should protect your skin from the intense heat of the sun, UV rays, humidity and heat can damage your home, too. Here are some ways to protect it:

Paint
To make sure you get the most out of your exterior paint, choose a top-quality brand that will better withstand fading over time. Depending on how much sun you want on your home, you can also plant a tree border to throw shade on your space during the sunniest parts of the day, therefore adding life to your paint job.

Roof
The roof often absorbs the brunt of the sun’s rays, and can be the first to show sun damage. While there is not much you can do to avoid this, you can stay on top of the damage by monitoring your roof closely each season, and replacing any shingles or patches that become cracked or discolored.

Decks
One of the top ways to protect your deck from summer heat, especially if your deck is made of wood, is by properly sealing it with a high quality, weatherproof, UV-resistant sealer. This can stave off fading and warping. You may also want to consider a retractable deck awning, which you can pull over your space during the sunniest, most damaging part of the midday heat.

Windows
Make sure your windows are properly caulked and sealed to prevent heat from slipping inside. You may also want to consider shade awnings to prevent heat from penetrating, which can also cut down on your cooling costs.

Angela Yglesias
Real Estate Consultant
Levesque Realty 

Westlake Village CA 91362
Office Phone: (805) 490-4944
Mobile Phone: (805) 490-4944

Send me a message 

Conejo Valley Real Estate Services

 

More Posts you may be interested in:

Why Your FICO Score Matters

6 Ways to Efficiently Declutter Your Home

Stay One Step Ahead of Home Repair

Expert Insights: Is Private Mortgage Insurance Necessary?

Is Your Bedroom Designed for Sleep?

© 2018 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved.

Surviving a Relocation

Relocating to a new area can be an exciting proposition. It can also be a process that's full of stress. Here are some tips from relocation pros to help ease the strain and emphasize the positive when moving out of town:

1. Lighten your load. Getting rid of unnecessary paperwork, clothing, knickknacks and furniture is essential with any move, but even more so when you’re relocating out of town or out of state. Not only will this save on moving costs, it will save you unpacking time on the other end, allowing you to focus on that new job that brought you to the area and on getting to know your new community and neighbors—all of which is more important than stacking books you don’t need onto shelves.

2. Hire a pro. While you may have opted for DIY moves in the past, relocating out of the area warrants calling in the pros. If you’re being relocated by your employer, this is probably being covered, but even if you’re not, make room in the budget for moving professionals. Ask for referrals, get at least three quotes, and carefully go over all of their policies, including insurance for damages and loss.

3. Transition kids. Children add a whole new layer to the relocation equation, so make sure you make them top priority. Do your research to find the schools that will be the best fit and set appointments to meet with school counselors as you get to town (or even before you move, if possible). Find out where your kids can resume their favorite activities, whether it’s dance or hockey, and get some intel on whether similar-aged children live in the neighborhood. Keep the communication flowing and open, and address all of your children’s concerns head-on. At all costs, don’t minimize their concerns—validate them instead. 

4. Deal with all emotions. Your kids won’t be the only ones on an emotional rollercoaster. Be sure to process your own wide range of emotions along with those of your spouse or partner, in addition to those of family and friends you’ll be leaving behind. Don’t just talk about keeping in touch, but rather, make plans for doing so. And be sure to make use of technology to keep the connections real and frequent.

5. Make some plans. To make sure your arrival in your new location starts on a high note, plan some activities in advance, whether it’s dinner reservations at a local hot spot, a play or concert if you’re near a city center, or a hike at a nearby state park. The idea is to dive into the exciting activities your new location has to offer. This will help you begin to appreciate your new home, easing any sadness of leaving your old one behind.
 
If you’d like more homeowner information, please contact me. 

5 Things to Avoid when Selling Your Home

Selling a home is a tactful balancing act. As your local real estate professional, I'd like to share with you this useful info graphic on five things to avoid if you want to attract prospective buyers, rather than scare them away. It touches on everything from what to do with your pets to how to make sure you have the right paint job.

Bright and cheerful 4 bedroom 2 bath single story home in Newbury Park

$630,000

Newbury Park, CA

Pocket listing not yet in the MLS. Located on a cul-de-sac with views of boney mountain from both the front lawn and backyard, just steps from great hiking/biking trails. Near Hickory Park. Please contact me if you or someone you know would like to see this home. My cell is 805.490.4944 and email is yglesias75@gmail.com. Feel free to call, text and/or email me with any additional questions and/or to schedule a showing. 

Cool Ideas for Dressing Up Your Kid's Room

Icons and superheroes go in and out of style, so decorating your kids’ rooms to reflect their current favorite may not be the best idea. Decorators suggest using timeless themes and practical ideas to make their spaces cheerful and organized:

• Start with color – Choose a favorite, preferably a soothing one, to help your child ease into sleep. Consider painting one wall in chalkboard paint, ready for years of artistic expression.
• Use cool family art – Choose a favorite family, vacation, or kid photo and blow it up to large standard frame size at an office supply store. Then cut it evenly into thirds or fourths vertically, frame each one, and hang them side by side as separate pieces separated by just an inch or two.
• Make it a gallery – String wire from one wall to another, just high enough for you to reach, to hold a changing display of your child’s drawings. Or frame the drawings in standard acrylic frames that can be changed as new masterpieces emerge.
• Try dresser magic – Perk up a drab white dresser inexpensively by tying a length of colorful ribbon into a bow around each of the knobs.
• Create a reading nook – Make it an inviting place for shared reading with a bookcase full of books, soft lighting, and seating comfy enough for cuddling.
• Add maxi–storage – A rack of colorful, stacked bins from the local home store is better than a toy box for storing trucks, games, building blocks, and other large toys.
• And mini-storage – A multi-pocketed shoe organizer hung from one wall is a great place to stash mini action figures, Hot Wheels cars, hair goodies, and other small treasures.
• Stock cubbies or a shelf with art supplies – Keep it full of construction paper, markers, poster board, and other supplies your kid may need for school projects.
• Create a play space – Kids love to play dress-up. Find an old trunk and fill it with vintage clothing and hats they can use to ‘put on a show.’

How to Haggle on the Phone for Better Prices

Haggling may not be one of the funnest things you’ll do on any given day, but if you’re anywhere near good at it, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.

For people who don’t want to haggle in person or don’t want to send emails back and forth, the simplest option is calling on the phone. This can be done to reduce your costs for phone, cable TV, Internet service or other monthly bills, and for big-ticket purchases such as a car or household appliance.

Here are some tips for haggling over the phone:

Research

If you’re looking for a better price on your cable TV package, for example, look online for deals your cable provider and other companies are offering new customers, and ask for the same deal. The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be to haggle by suggesting you’ll go to a competitor that has a better price.

Know who to call

Most businesses have customer service phone numbers. If you get lost in a phone tree, press the number “0,” which should usually connect you directly to an operator. Ask for a customer service representative. If that person isn’t much help within a few minutes, ask to be transferred to their supervisor or a customer retention specialist who can usually offer the bigger discounts that you want.

Don’t argue

Don’t debate the person on the other end of the line. Being mad will likely cause the other person to lose interest in helping you, so stay calm and on point. Ask for what you want and explain how long you’ve been a loyal customer and how much longer they’ll have you as a customer if they offer the discount.

Use silence

Being silent can give the other person the incentive to fill the space by talking and hopefully offering options. These may include a free add-on service, such as free delivery of a new mattress if you’re negotiating the price of a new bed, or they may all of a sudden find a deal on their computer that they didn’t offer during the first few minutes of your conversation.

Say goodbye

If the rep or retention specialist didn’t offer you the best deal you expected, then thank them for their time and say goodbye and that you’ll be checking with their competitors. This message that you may soon be dropping their service gives them one last chance to put you on hold and come up with a solution. If they don’t, then either go find a better price at another company, or call back a few days later and talk to another customer service representative. The people you talk with later may be much kinder willing to help you.

I hope you found this real estate information helpful. Please contact me for all your real estate needs today!

Retro Colors Make a Comeback: What's Hot in Decor Right Now

Everything old is new again, and that goes for decorating with color. While the last decade in home décor has largely been defined by white and varying shades of beige and gray, today’s designers are harking back to yesteryear with paint colors, furniture and even kitchen appliances.

Part art deco, part ‘50s suburban and part ‘60s mod, these awesome retro colors are fresh and refreshed to fit today’s tastes, say the color mavens at Sherwin Williams, whose wall color faves this year include shades of pink, aqua and pale or mustard yellows with accents of slate or peppery coral—great ways to set off the stark white of baseboards, crown moldings and door frames.

Big Chill, a retro appliance company launched just three years ago, is finding huge success with its growing line of refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers in pink, aqua, yellow and more that bring a spirit of nostalgia to today’s kitchens, along with their high-tech efficiency.

Small kitchen appliances from crockpots to mixers and toasters are now available in a wide range of bold and retro colors, and look for pink velvet, pale blue and teal sofas from a variety of furniture design companies as vintage furnishings make a huge comeback.

You might also find bright orange and sage green shantung side chairs, shabby-chic and pastel-colored buffets and bookshelves and other accessories, and don’t miss the lighting display in most home stores, where Tiffany lamps and vintage shades are gaining ground in sales.

A roomful of these vintage colors can make you feel a little nostalgic, a little happier and a little more optimistic. What more could anyone ask for?

4 Ways to Turn Your Bedroom into a Good-Night's-Sleep Enabler

Just because bedrooms are not usually the first thing people see when walking into a home, it doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of some love. There is no better investment than one which gives you peace of mind, and a well-equipped bedroom can give you even more than that. A good night’s sleep can take away your headaches, lower your stress levels, alleviate your muscle cramps, and put you in a good mood.

Here are four tried and true ways to achieve bedroom nirvana:

1. Sleep on a cloud: It doesn’t have to be down. Even a quality egg crate can add that cloud-like feeling to your bed. Top that with some fluffy pillows and comforters and you will be on the stairway to heaven. Soft bed sheets, whether you go for quality cotton or all-out with silk, will put an additional layer of comfort between you and your mattress.
2. Color-code for success: In recent years, color-coding has been all the rage in interior design. The psychology of color has allowed us to determine what hues are the most soothing. The rule for serene bedrooms is shades of white and toned-down browns, blues, and pinks. Going for warmer colors can add coziness, and bright colors can help you wake up energized. Decide what your sleeping pattern needs the most, and paint those walls.
3. Dim the lights: Nothing kills a comfort vibe faster than a white fluorescent light. Leave those for ICUs, and switch to yellow light. This swap will work even better if it comes with a dimmer switch you can rely on. The key is to keep your room in tune with your mood so that your tired brain is not jumping through hoops to get you some Zs.
4. Aim for space: Space is a two-way street. On the one hand, you need space for mobility and to keep your room from feeling stuffy or looking cluttered. Yet, certain furniture is a must. Make sure that your bed is big enough to fit everybody who sleeps in it, buy a reliable night stand, add sitting spaces with chairs or ottomans, and provide your room with other surfaces to house your belongings. If everything you are carrying falls seamlessly into place as soon as you enter your bedroom, then consider yourself a winner.

With these minor fixes you can turn your bedroom into an actual haven. Given that you spend at least a third of your day within those four walls, why not get comfortable?

Four Strategies for a Faster Sale

Most sellers hope for a quick sale so they can begin moving into a new home. Unfortunately, things don’t always move that fast in the real estate world.

You may not have the luxury of waiting for an offer that meets your price. A seller may need to sell quickly because of a new job, a change in relationship or even a death in the family.

If you fall into the category of someone who needs to sell quickly, these strategies will get you the speedy resolution you desire.

Tell your agent. Make sure you explain to your agent how valuable time is to you. They will have experience in knowing what to do to get a home sold faster, and can better guide the direction of the sale.

Price it right. There’s nothing that leads to a quick sale faster than pricing your home at market value. While this might not be something you want to do, overpricing a home is a sure way to sit on the market. Remember, a property can’t be underpriced. If the home is below market value, you will likely get multiple offers that bump the price back up.

Negotiate fairly. Keep an open mind in negotiations. If a bid comes in close to your asking price, you may need to give in or risk losing that buyer altogether. You can also be flexible in your contract terms, such as including your curtains or the pool table in your sale, to make the buyer happy. You may lose some negotiating power, but you’ll be happier in the long run when it leads to a sale.

Incentivize. Remember, money talks. One popular incentive for a fast closing is offering to help with closing costs. You can also offer a higher buyer agent commission to increase the number of showings.

Expert Insights: Can I Split My Mortgage in Two and Pay Biweekly?

The biweekly mortgage has become increasingly popular as more people favor paying off their home loan early and reducing interest charges.

Monthly payments on these loans are split in half, payable every two weeks.

Because there are 52 weeks in a year, you actually have 26 half-payments, or the equivalent of 13 monthly payments per year instead of 12.

Under the biweekly payment plan, a homeowner can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest and pay off their loan balance in less than 30 years.