The Lawhead Team would like to share some helpful tips on making sure you tackle your home remodeling project the right way – calling in an expert vs. doing the project yourself!

TV shows make home remodeling look simple, but nearly two-thirds of homeowners who’ve attempted DIY house projects said they regret not calling in an expert on at least one of their projects.

Saving money is the primary reason homeowners take the DIY remodeling route. On average, homeowners said they hoped to save at least 60% in costs by bypassing a professional and trying to do it themselves.

On average, homeowners reported attempting eight house projects themselves, and one-third admitted to having later hired a professional to redo the job.

The project homeowners most regret attempting themselves is installing floor tiles, particularly in the master bath.

• 55% of DIYers said their projects took longer to complete than expected.
• 55% of homeowners said their finished DIY projects didn’t look as good as they had hoped.

Source: Improvenet.com, realtor.com, REALTOR magazine

The Lawhead Team would like to share the C.A.R.’s latest One Cool Thing about how centennials are preparing for the future.

The centennials – those born from 1997 to present – have different attitudes around spending and saving. This new generation is more cautious, less brand conscious, and altogether less prone to the free-spending excess that characterized millennial teens.

Centennials are already shaping up as a generation concerned about being prepared for the future

• 71% Say they worry about not being prepared for the future

They appear willing to not just challenge the status quo, but roll up their sleeves and work to change it

• 73% Believe everyone has the right to challenge authority figures’ decisions if they don’t agree with them

Slow economic growth, wage stagnation, consumer debt, and volatile global matters have resulted in centennials having an economically pragmatic mindset, especially among those in their first years of independent living.

12 month spending outlook:

• 2005: 47% said they would spend more
• 2016: 40% said they would spend more

“Saving Money IS NOT Important Now.” 

• 43% of those aged 12-15 disagree
• 51% of those aged 16-17 disagree
• 59% of those aged 18-19 disagree

Source: The Futures Company

The Lawhead Team would like to share the HomeDex Report’s latest key points for North County housing from the California Association of Realtors.

HomeDex April 2015 Summary Report for Single-Family Detached Homes:

The Lawhead Team would like to share to latest “One Cool Thing” from the California Association of Realtor about Millennials.

One of the hottest debates among housing economics these days isn’t the trajectory of home sales, mortgage rates, or home prices, but whether Millennials prefer to live in the city or in the suburbs.

Where do Millennials prefer to live?

• 66% in the suburbs
• 24% in rural areas
• 10% in a city center

Why do Millennials want to relocate?

• 81% want a home with three or more bedrooms which are hard to come by in city living

Source: National Association of Home Builders

For Immediate Release

San Diego, CA

The Lawhead Team Awarded International Sterling Society

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage recently recognized The Lawhead Team by awarding them with the prestigious designation of International Sterling Society for their outstanding sales performance for the year 2014.

This achievement places them in the Top 4% of all of the Coldwell Banker agents in the world. Their demonstrated skills, performance, professionalism and their high level of client service have distinguished Marilyn and Creighton as recognized leaders and specialists in the residential real estate markets they serve.

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest “One Cool Thing” from the California Association of Realtors about home staging.

Helping a potential buyer view a house as a home is key when selling. Staging a home is one way to do that, and may just earn the homeowner some extra money.

Median dollar value spent on home staging per home: $675

Change in the dollar value buyer is willing to offer for a staged home:

• 32% of the time there was an increase of 1%-5%
• 28% were unsure
• 19% said a staged home had no impact
• 16% of the time there was an increase of 6%-10%
• 3% of the time there was an increase of 11%-15%
• 1% of the time there was an increase of 16%-20%

Who pays for home staging?

• 62% of Realtor® offer home staging services to sellers
• 10% of sellers pay for staging after the home is sold
• 39% of sellers pay for staging before listing the home
• 3% of a Realtor® firm pay for the home staging service

Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 2015 Profile of Home Staging

Our grandson Keegan won his semifinal wrestling match.

The Lawhead Team is so very proud of our oldest grandson Keegan.

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest “One Cool Thing” from the California Association of Realtors about what recent home buyers wish they knew before they purchased a home.

Despite feeling prepared to purchase a home, many recent home buyers would do more homework and make different choices if they had a second chance.

Knowing what they know now,

• 39% of buyers would buy a different size or different priced home or in a different neighborhood

They felt ready,

• but 56% of buyers wish they were armed with more knowledge on the financial aspects of purchasing a home.

Specifically about:

• 22% of buyers wish they knew more about the ins and out of closing on the house
• 15% wish they knew more about financing a home
• 19% wish they knew more about making the offer and negotiating

Source: Chase Bank, “What I Wish I Knew About the Homebuying Process” survey