The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing about calling in the experts when it comes to home purchase inspections:

When purchasing a home, one of the most important steps are the home inspections. While this will tell you a lot about the house, there are some items that a home inspector simply cannot evaluate.

• Evaluations of pools or septic systems: Inspectors are not certified to inspect everything in a home. A pool inspector or an expert on septic systems or wells may need to conduct more thorough inspections of some areas in the home.
• Hidden flaws: Inspectors check for what they can physically see without having to move anything. So, they may not be able to say whether the foundation is cracked behind the wood paneling or an electrical plug behind a sofa isn’t working.
• Termites, rats or mold: Most inspectors aren’t licensed to determine whether these types of infestations exist. Instead, they may note evidence of things such as sagging floors (termites), shredded insulation (rats), or black discoloration on the walls (fungal growth), which could indicate problems.
• Unnecessary repairs: Some inspectors are very thorough and may note every little flaw in a home, from chipped paint to window scratches. Don’t get overwhelmed if your report is several pages long. Your REALTOR can review the report with you and provide their advice on what is normal wear and tear and what you may want to request in your repairs.

Source: HouseLogic and REALTOR Magazine

The Lawhead Team would like to share some important factors that come into play during the homebuying process. Check them out from the latest One Cool Thing:

When it comes to purchasing a home there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Here are the top five factors home buyers in California say are the most important in their decision to purchase a home:

1. 38% of homebuyers say price of the home they are buying is a factor
2. 23% homebuying individuals say personal finances are a huge factor in purchasing a home.
3. When homebuying, 22% of homebuyers say availability of a home they like is important.
4. 9% say saving for a down payment is important when it comes to homebuying.
5. 9% say interest rates play a factor in their homebuying process.

Whether you’re currently in the market for a new home or just thinking about it, talk to your REALTOR today about your options and how the market is looking in your area.

Source: CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing about budgeting for homeownership costs not everybody things about:

Although most home buyers know they’ll need to pay for various fees and services, some of which will be included in closing costs, some buyers may overlook the smaller fees that get mixed into the home purchase. Here are some of the lesser-known fees to homeownership that buyers should be budgeting for, including;

• Home inspection costs anywhere from $300-$500.
• Make sure you are budgeting for the appraisal fee which can range from $200-$475.
• Survey report averages $150-$400.
• Title services are $150-$400 so make sure to think about that cost also.
• Application fees are anywhere from $75-$300.

Source: HouseLogic.com

If you are looking to purchase a home, check out the latest One Cool Thing to find out what the must have essentials are in a home.

When it comes to choosing a home to purchase, which amenities are non-negotiable and which ones are nice to have? These are the top five essential amenities home shoppers say are must-haves in a home.

• 82% must have central AC or heater
• 58.5% claim a private patio or backyard are essentials for a home
• 41.9% say the home must have a guest bedroom
• 32.2% must have a walk in closet in their home
• 31.7% claim the home must face in a good direction

What essentials must a home posses for you?

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing about signs that it may be time to make the move:

The average homeowner stays in their home for 10 years. Here are some telltale signs it’s time to pack your bags and make the move.

1. It’s A Seller’s Market….And You Want In! A few signals may include: The price per square foot in your area is increasing, the amount of time properties stay on the market is decreasing, and you’ve noticed an uptick in brokerage activity in your neighborhood.
2. Your Neighbors Are Selling And Making The Big Bucks. Check with your REALTOR about listings and pay attention to the “recently sold” flyers in your mailbox to see what comparable homes in your area are going for.
3. You’re Sick Of Feeling Financially Stressed. You may have underestimated your ongoing housing costs and simply want to ease your financial burden.
4. You’ve Grown – But Your Home Hasn’t. The starter home you moved into when you were expecting your first child isn’t necessarily the house you need now that your family has grown.
5. You’re Over The Maintenance. Most homeowners shell out $2000 annually for maintenance services, such as landscaping, septic service, trash and recycling, and housecleaning. If you’re tired of these payments, you may want to consider a move to a low-maintenance condo or a home with an HOA that handles those things for you.

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing about some common mistakes a seller will make when selling their home:

Selling a home isn’t easy. Avoid these common slip ups that can cause your home to linger on the market.

• Your home has an odor – Whether it’s lack of cleanliness, pets or any other odor, if your realtor tells you there is a funny smell that needs to be removed, believe them!
• Your home is too personal – From custom paint colors, like eggplant, to too many mementos and family photos, realtors suggest not only decluttering your home but also making it as neutral as possible.
• You turn down showings – If buyers can’t get in to see your home, they aren’t going to make an offer and your home will linger on the market. Be as flexible as possible for showings and work with your realtor as much as possible.
• Seller that hangs out during the open house – Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. It’s awkward for them to tour your home, open closets, and speak openly to their realtor if you’re in the next room.

Looking to sell your home? Avoid seller slip ups and call The Lawhead Team to help!

Thank you Janet and Phil T for the wonderful reference letter! We are excited to share this with everyone:

Marilyn and Creighton make a very professional team. The made us feel like we were the most important client they had. We touched base with them every day by email or phone and they returned calls and emails within 5 minutes. I felt like I could always reach them and they were available 24/7. I needed some last minute work done and Marilyn was able to provide me with the best handyman, painter, etc. in a timely manner. She dealt with our plumbing company for nearly a week to get the  work done properly and up to code so we could go ahead and close.

We appreciated all their work for us.

~ Janet and Phil T

Have we helped you buy or sell your home? Please let us know how we did in our reference letter!

Now is a great time to list your home to sell! Check out the top ten reasons to sell your home during the holidays by Coldwell Banker:

1. People looking are generally more serious buyers.

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from, so you have less competition.

3. Houses are especially appealing with holiday decor.

4. After the holidays the supply of listings increases substantially, which lowers the demand for your home.

5. Buyers tend to be emotionally motivated at year-end.

6. Buyers have more time to look with less constrained work schedules than non-seasonal times.

7. Many people will purchase by year-end for tax purposes.

8. You can still be on the market, but have the option to restrict showings to 6-7 days during the holidays.

9. Sell now, and specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if needed.

10. By selling now you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when many houses are on the market.

BOTTOM LINE – By listing during the holidays, you may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified buyers. The reason: You have less competition!

The latest HomeDex Report for housing affordability in San Diego’s North County. Looking to buy or sell your home in San Diego? Call The Lawhead Team, “Because Two Lawheads Are Better Than One!”

Housing Affordability – Single-Family Detached Homes

• The monthly payment – including principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance – for the median-priced SFD home in North San Diego County increased, to $3,004 in September 2014 (based on a conventional mortgage) from $2,979 in August 2014. The monthly payment for the median-priced SFD home in non-North San Diego County increased, to $2,338 in September 2014 from $2,303 in August 2014.
• The percent of San Diego County households that could afford the median-priced SFD home in North County fell, to 25 percent in September 2014 from 26 percent in August 2014, according to the North San Diego County HomeDex; the affordability percentage in non-North County zip codes decreased, to 36 percent in September 2014 from 37 percent in August 2014.
• In September 2013, the affordability percentage was 25 percent in North San Diego County and 36 percent in non-North San Diego County.
• The HomeDexTM affordability percentage for all homes in North San Diego County – single-family detached and single-family attached together – increased from 31 percent in August 2014 to 32 percent in September 2014.

Housing Affordability – Single-Family Attached Homes

• The monthly payment – including principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance – for the median-priced SFA home in North County increased slightly, from $1,902 in August 2014 to $1,908 in September 2014. The monthly payment for the median-priced SFA home in non-North San Diego County zip codes dropped, from $1,640 in August 2014 to $1,602 in September 2014.
• The percent of San Diego County households able to afford the median-priced SFA home in North County increased, to 46 percent in September 2014 from 45 percent in August 2014.
• The SFA home affordability level for non-North San Diego County zip code increased, from 53 percent in August 2014 to 54 percent in September 2014.
• 47 percent of county households were able to afford the median-priced SFA home in North San Diego County in September 2013, with 57 percent able to afford the median-priced SFA home in non-North County zip codes in September 2013.

The Lawhead Team was the #4 team in the county, including Temecula Valley!!

Call The Lawhead Team for all your home buying and selling needs! “Because Two Lawheads Are Better Than One!”