Top 5 Traits Your Real Estate Agent Should Have

  Here are the top 5 traits a real estate agent should have BEFORE you hire them. Do you agree? Did I miss any? Check out the video and let me know your thoughts.   1. Communication 2. Responsiveness 3. Outline What to Expect 4. Experience 5. The Right Vibe for you   #realtor #realestate #homebuying #homeselling #homesweethome #california #sacramento #successmindset   For a 60 second or less version of this article, check out the "This Short Video" "More Buyer Information" "More Seller Information"  

What Inspections To Get When Purchasing Property

When buying a home in California, various home inspections are essential to ensure that the property is safe, structurally sound, and free of significant issues that could lead to costly repairs down the road. I don’t want my clients to have any surprises after they complete their sale. Inspections provide insight into the condition of the home’s major systems, such as plumbing, electrical, roofing, and foundation, as well as potential environmental hazards like mold, pests, or even radon. California’s diverse climate and geography add unique considerations, such as earthquake preparedness, the risk of wildfires or flooding, and various wood destroying pests that vary by area. By thoroughly inspecting the home, buyers can make informed decisions, potentially negotiate repairs or price reductions, and avoid unexpected surprises after the sale. **TLDR:** - Discover all Issues upfront and negotiate with sellers before you complete the sale - Inspections I cannot recommend enough on nearly every home: Home Inspection Wood Destroying Pest Inspection Roof Inspection Sewer Line Inspection   - Home Inspections are a great first step, but home specific issues may require additional inspections for: Structural integrity (foundation, roof, walls) Plumbing and electrical systems Environmental hazards (mold, radon, asbestos) Pest inspections (termites, rodents) Climate-specific issues (earthquake preparedness, wildfire risk, flooding) Informed decision-making and potential negotiation leverage For a 60 second or less version of this article, check out the "This Short Video" Click for more Buyer Information here Click for more More Seller Information here

What's the deal with Curb Appeal? Worth it or Not

Curb Appeal is one of the most affordable options homeowners have that can increase the sales price of a home.   There are any number of improvements we can make to a home, but typically unless you’re a property flipper you want to do the least amount of work that will net you the greatest return.  For most homes, curb appeal happens to be typically the cheapest (and quickest) way to increase net profits. From experience most homeowners without any special tools can even do most curb appeal work themselves, which further makes it the cheapest way to get the biggest return.  When I’m working with my clients I always start with, “Are you willing to do any work at all.” If they are willing, then the next question is “Do we have a budget to complete any projects, and if so how much.” Finally we come up with a list of items that either stand out as huge red flags to potential buyers, or would make the home show as best as possible. This is of course, only for those sellers who are willing and able to take on work. Some homes we simply sell as-is because that’s what’s best for that particular seller.  Once we have our list of what creates the net greatest return to the seller, we get to work. I have excellent referrals who are affordable and diligent in all trades, or if the homeowners are willing to do work themselves, we create a plan and a timeline. The plan takes into account the current market trends to ensure whatever projects we plan to undertake we are getting the home on the market in a time that will net the seller the greatest return. Typically the highest sales prices for homes in the Sacramento Valley is spring and summer, but that changes in other areas where I’ve sold listings.  In short, every home has different needs and curb appeal statistically helps homes sell quicker and for more. There are time tested and proven strategies to put more money in sellers pockets and save stress and frivious projects, which is why working with a professional will help you put any funds or time available to the highest and best use, netting you (the seller) the most on a property sale. Check out More Home Buyer informationCheck out more Home Seller information

If You Hate your Family - Don't get a Trust - What you Need to know about Trusts in CA

This may be the most important information I've ever shared with anyone. I’ve spent years learning what I'm about to share, and hours compiling the information in an easy to understand format for you. It’s comprehensive and important for anyone who has assets, cars, money, and especially real estate.  If you’ve worked with me, you know I love to be as forward thinking as possible. When we are in a transaction together I‘m always outlining next steps in emails and talking about the hurdles ahead in our escrow experience, or even what's on the horizon when you finally close on your home. Now it’s time to think about the most unpleasant event in our lives, Death and/ or incapacitation leading up to our passing.  Do you know when you’re going to die? I sure don’t, and I have always strived (and failed) to live every day like it may be my last, full of love, personal growth, family time, and - to the best of my ability  - make wise decisions. Thankfully, one of the first things I did when I had anything to my name was create what we’re about to discuss today, a trust.  In my career, I have seen the passing of family members tear families apart. Not just because of what you might think, grieving greedy family members, but also because when the costs of passing begin to pile up, families feel the pressure and stress of the reality of their situation (in addition to the grief they are faced with). In these situations,  there is always a struggle for families without a trust who have to often come out of pocket to pay for the many burial expenses, debts, lawyers, and probate fees associated with the passing away of a loved one.  The video will go into far greater detail but in short: Trusts can save families from attacking each other Trusts will save your descendants estate lawyers fees - (Per hour or % of estate value) Trusts will save state probate fees ( Google “how much is “ Your State” state probate fee )* Trusts will dictate who is in control of managing your estate when you pass  Trusts can outline your advanced healthcare directive Trust can create a rule book of your wishes for charity Trusts empower a person or multiple people to have financial power at your passing or incapacity Simply put a trust dictates who gets what and keeps lawyers, nefarious actors, and the state from getting any more of your hard earned assets or money *CA probate as of July of 2024 charges 4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $100,000, 2% of the next $800,000, 1% of the next $9,000,000, 0.5% of the next $15,000,000 based on the value of your estate - Real estate, Jewelry, Cash, Banks accounts, retirement account funds, Insurance money etc. As I mention in the video, I have learned so much in my career, and though they are not a sponsor for me or my content I feel Anderson Business Partners lead me to success in the creation of my trust and other services. They are nationwide and will give a free 30 minute consultation where other attorneys would otherwise charge per hour, and for that I am happy to share with you my link. I know there is some kind of spiff for me from them (I don't know what it is) if you elect to use them, but from the bottom of my heart I just straight up trust them and all they’ve taught me from phone calls and their many youtube videos. Use them just for the free phone call, or sign up if you like, it doesn’t matter to me but please create a trust. It will save so much more than tens of thousands of dollars for your family. Link to a free 30 minute phone consultation with Anderson Business Advisory Entity Planning Department.  https://andersonadvisors.com/ss/?utm_campaign=affiliate-ss&utm_source=affiliate&tfa_2278=Affiliate&utm_medium=john%20campos&tfa_2275=7016f00000194OZ&aff_id=11ad05c7 Postscript: Check out my other video and blog post on Proposition19 in CA to understand a more detailed look at the tax implications of real estate when you pass. Also it covers a special tax incentive for those who are victims of natural disasters and 55+ who move within the state and how they can transfer their lower tax basis to their next home.  Check out More Home Buyer informationCheck out more Home Seller information