When  are selling your home you begin your journey forward into the future. It is the beginning of a new adventure in real estate and in life. To help you along this journey I have composed this article full of resources and information that will help you get your home ready to sell, choose when to sell it, get great offers, and eventually move on to the next chapter in your life. To make sure that you have a good variety of resources I have included articles from some of the top professionals in the real estate industry.

Before Selling Your Home, You Must Get It Ready To Sell

To begin you will want to choose a real estate agent. There are some things that you should consider when choosing an agent such as where the agent is located, how they plan on marketing your home, do they have a strong online presence and do they use video. This may seem silly but you will want a local real estate agent that knows your area and is active online since that is where the buyers are the most active. To learn more visit my Selling Page and watch the video "5 Things To Consider When Choosing An Agent" at the top of the page.

Now once you have chosen an agent that you can trust you will want to determine the home value, the selling price, and gather disclosures that will help with your transaction. To get a more thorough explanation of these steps visit Lynn Pineda's  article "What steps are involved in selling a home?" and go through each of the steps to make sure that you have what you need to move forward.

When you are sure that you have a great agent and that you are ready to get to selling your home then it is time to tidy up your home and get it ready to show! To do that you will want to make sure that all personal items are tucked away and that your home is clean. Nathan Garrett has a fantastic article called "6 Quick Tips to Get Your Home Ready to List" that can help you get your home in tip-top condition and ready to WOW the buyers!

Another good thing to consider is your curb appeal. This is how your yard, fence, etc look when someone is driving by. It is beneficial when you are selling your home to make sure that your home looks inviting to anyone who may be driving by checking it out. To get some great tips on how to shape up your curb appeal quickly visit Janis Borgueta's article "Curb Appeal When Selling a Home!"

Selling Your Home At The Perfect Time

When your selling your home you will want to consider each of the seasons and how they can help or hurt your chance of maximum exposure and offers on your home. Consider this...If you list your home in the winter there are less homes on the market and therefore there is less for buyers to choose from. This creates a frenzy because buyers are focused on fewer homes giving you the opportunity to get multiple offers. However, if you list your home in the spring or summer then there are more buyers out looking for homes and your home is sure to look better with the sun shining on it so your chance of getting multiple offers improves then as well. Read Angela Duong's article " Tips To Optimize Selling Your Home In The Fall" and Teresa Boardman's article "When Is The Best Time To Sell?"  and David Cronnin's article "12 Tips For Selling Your Home In The Winter" to help make your decision.

Things To Consider When Selling Your Home

As you continue through this process of selling your home you will want to consider the idea that your home may be special in some way that would require a little more investigation. For instance, if you are selling a condo then you should consider looking up some articles on condos such as Dan Miller's article "Staging Your Condo In Under Two Hours" and RisMedia's article "How To Get Inside The Seller's Mindset". If you have pet's and you are selling your home then you will want to look at articles that can help smooth the transition for you and your furry family members such as Paul Sian's article "Tips For Selling A Home With Pets" and Anita Clark's "Relocation Tips When Moving With Pets."

If your home is not selling and has been on the market for awhile then you should consider reading "4 Reasons Your Home Isn't Selling & The Things Your Agent Might Be Too Scared To Tell You" by Jeff Knox. Assuming your home sells without any issue then you will need to start packing and moving. HomeZada's article "What You Need to Know About Moving" can help you get moved quickly and efficiently.

7 Must See Spots On The Russian River

There are so many must see spots on the Russian River so to break it down for you we have selected the top 7 locations that we think you will enjoy the most! This is a great location if you are going on vacation, looking for a place to hang out over the weekend, or if you are going to go out for just the day. There are so many beautiful spots that are great for picnics, hikes, and parties. Check out the top 7 must see spots on the Russian River and decide for yourself which ones you are going to plan on this summer!

#1 Vacation Beach

Vacation beach is an excellent spot to visit. The summer dam makes water on one end more shallow and slow moving for children to swim in and the other side is deeper for adults. It is also a great picnic spot with a small park with picnic tables and a playground that makes this one of my favorite must see spots on the Russian River.

#2 Old Cazadero Road

Another one of the must see spots on the Russian River is located at the end of Old Cazadero Road where there is a barricade. This road used to connect Guerneville to Cazadero however it is not longer an option for vehicles. That doesn't stop hikers and bikers from going up there and traveling this path, enjoying the views, and possibly having lunch on the hillside. It is one of the most beautiful spots on the Russian River.

#3 Armstrong Woods

The next one of the must see spots on the Russian River is a little more well known. Armstrong Woods is just two miles from Guerneville and the Russian River. Besides having some of the largest and tallest redwoods in the world, Armstrong Woods is also known for it's small creeks, camping and picnic spots, and wildlife. This is the perfect spot for all ages and has both flat trails and high steep trails that are great for everyone to check out the majestic redwoods and enjoy reconnecting with nature.

#4 Jenner Where The Russian River Meets The Pacific

Jenner is one of my favorite must see spots on the Russian River. Jenner is where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. There are tons of things to do in Jenner including seal and whale watching, making sand castles, swimming, coastal dining, romantic lodging, and watching the sun set! Jenner is an absolutely gorgeous place to spend the day and if your lucky maybe you will see the nesting pair of bald eagles that have been gracing the shores recently.

#5 Austin Creek

Although not technically on the Russian River, Austin Creek is located about 15 minutes from the Russian River and is one of the must see spots on the Russian River because of the overwhelming tranquility of it. This creek is inundated with crystal clear waters and is quiet and serene. It is the perfect spot to get in some meditation or relax with a good book.

#6 Johnson's Beach In Guerneville CA

Johnson's Beach is perhaps the most well known places here in West Sonoma County and has also made it onto my list of must see spots on the Russian River because of it's draw. Johnson's Beach has a little of everything for everyone. There are canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats available to rent for the day, as well as sun bathing, swimming, fishing, bird watching, and sand for the kids to play in. They have a food stand for snacks or you can bring lunch and enjoy the day on the beach...but don't forget your sunscreen!

#7 Bullfrog Pond

The last of the must see spots on the Russian River is Bullfrog Pond. If you travel through Armstrong Woods and go up the windy road at the end you will come to Bullfrog Pond set above the redwoods. The views from up there go on for miles and miles and there are some great picnic tables, as well as a campground that offer fun for the whole family or a romantic afternoon with your partner. There are trails for hiking and biking and tons of wildlife!

What You Should Know About FHA Loans

Some of the most effective ways to purchase real estate include cash, conventional loan, VA Loan, FHA loan, and more. However, in this article we have chosen to highlight FHA loans by drawing on the collective knowledge from professionals all over the united states!

6 ways to buy a home without breaking the bank

...Determining If An FHA Loan Is Right For You

There are many different loans out there that are available, however, an FHA loan is specifically designed for people who have little or no money to use as a down payment. Kyle Hiscock states "The FHA mortgage has lenient credit standards and will also allow the seller to pay closing costs, much like the VA and USDA loans. The FHA is different in that they do require 3.5% of the purchase price to be paid as a down payment."  

FHA Mortgage Program...Finding Out Exactly What That Means

Next, you will want to learn the ins and outs of an FHA loan and if it will work for you. To do this you will want to check out the FHA loan requirements and guidelines, as well as some general information about the loans. Luke Skar says "Other than the down payment requirement, the biggest hurdle for some borrowers is the strength of credit needed to buy a home. Many young people simply have not established much debt in their own name, other than a rent payment. In order to overcome this situation, FHA will allow a non-occupying co-borrower. This is a perfect situation for a parent or grandparent to sign on the mortgage and allow a young person to buy a home and build up their credit. It is important to note that the co-borrower is not required to live in the home. However, the co-borrower is legally responsible for the loan just as much as the person(s) that intend to live in the property."

What Is The Difference Between FHA and Conventional Loans?

A common question when discussing loans is what is the difference between FHA, VA, and conventional loans? The answer is that a conventional loan is not guaranteed by the VA or insured by the government. A conventional loan is for someone with cash available for a down payment and an FHA loan would be better for someone who does not have very much money to put down on a house. Karen Highland from Maryland does a fantastic job of laying out the differences between an FHA, VA and Conventional loans. Her logic "In today’s real estate market, with historically low interests rates that are poised to go up as the economy recovers, many first time buyers are opting for FHA loans with lower down-payments. Rather than waiting to save enough for a 20% down payment that is necessary for many conventional loans, taking advantage of an FHA loan at today’s interest rates is a smart move. In the time that it would take to save that amount, interest rates will very likely rise and mitigate against the monthly savings from a higher down-payment."

Are You Eligible For An FHA Loan

Next, you will need to talk to a loan officer to find out if you are eligible for an FHA loan.  Ryan Fitzgerald, in his article What do I need to know about mortgages when buying a home, really explains the details of different low-income loans including FHA and what types of things you will want to make sure you have in order to get one of these loans. "One major advantage of an FHA loan is that it is Assumable. You can assume the remaining balance if you want someone to take over the loan which is a huge asset. Your listing agent should help ensure the loan servicer has made arrangements that allow for the assumable loan." His article has specific details about his home state of North Carolina however, much of the information is also applicable in many other states as well.

Does FHA Work If You Are Buying A Condo?

Although FHA is available for condos there are different qualifications that are necessary in order to get an FHA loan approval. Don't let this discourage you though, because Bill Gassett from Massachusetts has outlined this subject in great detail for you. "By purchasing a condo that is eligible for an FHA loan, you have allowed the government to do a lot of the work for you in guaranteeing your investment. Not only have you managed to get a good loan towards your purchase, but you have also ensured that the majority of the people living in your condo association will be owners and will be up on their association dues." If you are interested in purchasing a condo with an FHA Loan then take some time to research what is necessary to get your pre-approval.

Is FHA Your Only Option?

First time home buyers who cannot afford a large down payment often get the impression that an FHA loan is their only available option. This is not always the case. Erika Lewis exposes on Bad Advice #4 of her article Worst Mortgage Advice. "First-time home buyers are particularly susceptible to bad advice. For example, homeowners who can’t afford a large down payment may hear that a government-backed FHA loan is their only option since the down payment requirement can be as low as 3.5 percent of a house’s purchase price. But that’s not necessarily the case. Some homeowners might be surprised that getting a conventional loan might be better suited – and easier – for them than an FHA loan, says Aaron Vantrojen, president of the Arizona Association of Mortgage Professionals, says."

Hopefully, this article has been helpful in your decision as to whether or not an FHA loan would be the best for you and your circumstances. If you have any questions please post them below and I will do my best to answer them... and remember real estate should be fun!

What is the real estate world coming to? Today we have everything from first time home buyers, millennials purchasing homes for nesting, investors, vacation home buyers, and those looking for retirement homes. What is going to catch all of their attention? It's not like you can talk to a young person today like you can talk to someone who is retiring...they each have their own norm, so it is up to us as real estate agent to catch on to the latest trends and apply them to both ends of the spectrum so that we are connecting with every potential buyer. I have done some research and discovered some interesting marketing tools to make sure that we are connecting with those buyers.

1. Three Sentence Draw

The three-sentence draw is one of the best marketing tools because it will be the most effective for the millennials, the retirees, and everyone in between. In today's society, people are getting hit with a lot of information...a lot of sales speak! They are so immune to it that they mentally skip over it without blinking an eye. The trick is to say something that will catch their attention, create a feeling, and relay a message in just three sentences. Once the person reading your marketing material hits the three sentence mark the chances that they are going to move onto something else increases. It is important that you catch them before they get the chance to move on. The best way to do this if you are in real estate is to give them something to think about. For example, you could begin by telling them something they didn't know like "We do not sell homes on the Russian River, we sell a lifestyle." This will cause a reader to say "What? they are real estate agents and they don't sell homes? You have already caught their attention and created an emotion...curiosity. Now that you have their attention you have to keep it! Follow it up by creating more emotion and appealing to their curiosity. " If you need an escape from the hustle and the bustle of the city, come on out to the River and sip your champagne, while you float in your raft." This sentence is evoking the crazy sounds of the city and putting it in direct contrast to the serenity of floating down the river. Now your reader is thinking...you have given their mind something to do. It is vitally important that they don't get bored or you will lose them. Your next sentence needs to wrap it up. "If this is what you need in your life call today and let me help you to relax!" You have barely said anything about selling homes! How are they going to know that you are the top selling agent in your area or that you have sold over 30 houses just this year! How are they going to know that you are there to listen to them and that you are the best agent to find them a home? The short answer is that they don't need to know. In just three sentences you have told them that you are different, that you care, and that you want to help. You have given them a call to action and created a feeling that you are there for them. People don't care what you have to say...they care how you make them feel!

2. Customized Email Marketing

Potential buyers, no matter what age they are, do NOT want to see cookie cutter email marketing campaigns that have been adopted by some mass producing site like Market Leader. Now, that is not to say that email campaigns have no place in catching potential buyers or sellers for the real estate market...I really think they do...but if they are not done right then you are looking at a lot of wasted time and very few, if any, results. In most platforms, you can adopt an email marketing campaign and personalize each email. Make sure to go in and re-write the content in your own words or come up with some new content to put in its place. Replace each of the photos with one that you have either created on a site such as Canva or taken yourself with a camera...either way you want to make sure that your content belongs to you and that it is unique to you. Anyone who is looking for a local real estate agent to help them buy or sell a home will want to know that person, by creating your own marketing that is a reflection of yourself you are helping the potential client to get to know you before they actually meet you!

3. Lights! Camera! Action!

Stop the quotes on social media! Everyone everywhere is over the quotations all over every social media platform. They are barely even looking at pictures anymore and tons of type is a thing of the past! The media catching the attention of potential first time home buyers, millennials, retirees, investors and actually other real estate agents too, is Video! When someone sees you in a video then they begin to get to know you and when that happens then they feel like they can talk to you. No one really wants to go in a strangers car to look at homes, and no one wants to invite a stranger over to their home to find out what it's worth and finally agent don't want to refer their clients to some stranger that they have no idea about. You have to introduce yourself...become someone that they can relate to so that they actually feel like they know you. The best thing to do is to lose the self-conscious thoughts, throw caution to the wind, and begin filling your social media platforms, YouTube, website and email marketing with cool videos featuring You! Provide tons of original content and show the people you are marketing to that you are not a stranger...that you are a nice guy/woman that they can trust!

4. Be A Social Butterfly

These days every agent has a "Social Media Strategy." The problem is that social media is NOT a strategy! If you are still looking at social media as a "strategy" then you are probably not getting very many deals out of it. Social media is something that you have to be committed to. You have to not only get likes or connections on your pages but you must also nurture each connection. You have to become everyone's new best friend on social media so that they can begin to relate to you on a human level and stop relating to you on just a professional level. Don't just post properties on your pages...make sure that you are posting information about your area, links, blogs, news, pictures, and of course video. Make sure that you are holding conversations with your "Friends" and building relationships so that when it comes time to buy or sell a home they go to their new bestie on Facebook and not your competitor down the street! People of all ages have taken to Facebook and other social media platforms so if you are looking to cast a wide net to all potential buyers and sellers this is the way to do it.

5. Step Away From The Desktop

In 2015 studies show that 66% of all emails that were opened were done so on a phone or tablet! This is a staggering number. The world we are living in today is quite different than it used to be. People no longer take time to sit down at a computer...they check their email, social media, and browse the internet on the go...on a mobile device. Facebook has more than 650 Million users that are solely on a mobile device, and studies show that the average person spends about 5.6 hours a day on the web and 3.8 of those hours are on a mobile device. If your site is not mobile friendly then you are cutting out a lot of hours that people could spend on your site and eliminating anyone who gets annoyed with a site that is not mobile friendly. To clarify, a mobile-friendly site looks great on a desktop but also has formatting for any mobile device so that if it is opened on a mobile all of the formatting adjusts to fit the screen. This is one of the most important tools because if the trends continue at the rate they have been then pretty soon almost everyone will be surfing the web on mobile devices.

 To sum it up make sure that you are using a three-sentence draw...don't let your readers get bored! Be a social butterfly, get in front of the camera and make sure you are mobile friendly! If you enjoyed this blog let us know what your best marketing tools for 2016 are in the comments below and remember that real estate should be fun!

#RussianRiverLiving

While I was out looking at homes for sale on the Russian River, I noticed that there were quite a few shops that were beautifully decorated for the Holidays! There are so many places on the Russian River that are fun to visit I decided to head on in and do some recon and get you all the inside scoop on what is going on this Holiday season.

Community First Credit Union

Community First here on the Russian River has decorated beautifully with stockings hung on the chimney with care and smiles and cheer to all who stop in to say hello. The best part of their decorations is that they are featuring a giving tree with small gingerbread men that tell you what child is in need of a Holiday angel this year. So stop in and bring the Holiday spirit to Community First.

Blended Choice 

Blended Choice Smoothie Shop in Guerenville is also decorating for the holiday. They have a festive tree with presents under it and lights strung all around. However they are the only place I have seen thus far that has hand painted their Holiday decor onto the window! Although known for their smoothies, Blended Choice also serves warm food such as heated sandwiches and hot tea and coffee. So if you catch a chill and are looking for something to warm your spirit stop by Blended Choice.

Guerneville 5 & 10

Guerneville 5 &10 has a stunning window display this Holiday Season. The tree is white, sparkling with bright vibrant colors. They are a great place to pick up Holiday decorations to bring the Holiday spirit into your own home or business. So if you are looking for some awesome Holiday decorations or a friendly chat stop by the Guerneville 5 & 10.

Guerneville Bank Club

This is the Guerneville Bank Club's first Holiday Season on the Russian River and they are not holding back. They have festive deserts as well as some beautiful decorations that look absolutely stunning on the historic bank! If you are looking for a unique gift for someone this holiday season stop by and check out all of their goodies!

3 Alarm Grill

Three Alarm Grill here on the Russian River has a giant nutcracker! I was going to show you a picture but it just wouldn't do it justice...you HAVE to go down and see for yourself! They also have other holiday decorations such as a beautiful Christmas tree and candy treats for children. They are really serving up the Holiday spirit so go on down and check it out!

Anyone who is visiting the Russian River Community is looking for something special here that they can't find anywhere else. Local Guernevillians know that the small unique businesses are what sets us apart from other resort towns. Each of these 7 businesses is local and unique in some way and each one is privately owned here on the Russian River.

#1 Guerneville 5&10

There are not many classic 5&10 shops left in the USA but we happen to have one right here on the Russian River. This shop is owned by a local Guernevillian named Robin who has stocked the shelves with cute little toys, yarn, greeting cards, and more! She knows most of the locals by name and welcomes everyone who enters her shop with a smile and a warm greeting. This is one of the most unique Russian River small businesses in Guerneville.

#2 Food For Humans

Another one of the unique Russian River small businesses is Food For Humans which is a local health food store that offers a selection of local organic, GMO-free products. They also carry dairy free and glutton free products. This shop is also owned by a local Guernevillian that has an eye for detail and appreciates good tasting foods. This shop is most unique because it is one of a kind...there is no other shop exactly like it anywhere in the world!

#3 Higher Ground Coffee

Higher ground is one of the most unique Russian River small businesses because it doubles as a gathering spot for the locals. This shop is like the Cheers of Guerneville...it's a place where everybody knows your name and the organic espresso is delicious! The shop owner Emily is a local resident who specializes in bodywork such as Reiki and has a developed palate. She puts healing and love into every cup of coffee she brews!

#4 Shakedown Street

Shakedown Street is a local shop that features handmade merchandise. It is unique in that the woman who owns it is a seamstress and a good portion of the merchandise are items that she has made herself by hand! This shop is great for special gifts for people and for specially tailored merchandise as well.

#5 Blended Choice

Blended Choice is another one of the unique Russian River small businesses because it features a healthier choice of food. It is owned by a local Guernevillan named Jason and it offers green smoothies. Essentially it is a daily dose of fruits and veggies in a yummy smoothie that you can't get anywhere else in West Sonoma County.

#6 Center For Sacred Studies

Although the Center for Sacred Studies is not really a business per say it does have special items available for purchase and the profits go to specific causes. Each item sold has a portion of the proceeds sent to help a child in Africa, or an animal in Chile, or whatever the cause is. Valerie, a local Guernevillian owns the shop and is always there to lend a helping hand in choosing the perfect gift for someone, while helping you support a good cause!

#7 Guerneville Bank Club

The Guerneville Bank Club is owned by a local here on the Russian River that bought the old bank building and turned it into a pie and ice cream shop featuring unique flavors of homemade ice cream. This shop has quickly become one of the most unique and fun places hang out!

Anyone who is interested in Real Estate and has seen the popular Hunger Games movies, based on Suzanne Collin’s Trilogy, will be able to relate to the famous line “May the odds be ever in your favor” as it applies to real estate.

#ExploreTheRealEstateArena

Shooting Offers On Real Estate For Sale

There is a scene in the first movie where the heroine Katniss Everdeen, a teenage survivalist living in a post apocalyptic world, is running through the forest and she falls and rolls down a hill; scratched up and bleeding she rises and bolts forward again into the unknown. Buyers today are facing the same confrontation as they embark on their journey to buy a home. When the buyer calls their agent to place an offer on the property they want, it is much like Katniss shooting her arrows hoping to strike her target. For many buyers the home has already gone into escrow and they have lost their chance. These buyers must continue to get up and bolt forward if they are to strike in the right place and time to purchase the home they have always dreamed about!

Choosing A Local Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

Katniss is forced to rely on her intuition to determine who to trust, just as clients today have to sift through the never ending bombardment of sales speak to get to the truth. There is so much information being given to buyers on a daily basis but it is hard for them to know what is real. Just like the districts who watched the contestants in the arena, they are trying to decide what is real and what is being fed to them by the game makers and President Snow to get them to do what he wants. Buyers are searching for a local real estate agent that they can trust, however there are a few agents who ignore their clients and act only for a paycheck, not giving their clients what they need. As Cinna advises Katniss in the movie we, as agents, must advise buyers to make decisions that are in their best interest.

Giving Buyer's The Support They Need In The Real Estate Arena

As buyers place their offers and wait to see if theirs is the one that will get chosen, I suspect they feel a great deal of suspense. There are a million questions that must run through their minds. Will my offer be accepted? Who will be involved in this real estate transaction? Who should I get to inspect my home? And so on and so forth…This reminds me of a scene in the movie where Katniss takes her sister’s place at the reaping to insure her safety. The millions of questions that must have run through her mind and yet she survived being in the arena not once, but twice! We can assist first time home buyers and those buying a second home or investment property by making sure that their questions get answered…that they are getting the support they need in the arena of real estate.

Having A Neutral Third Party To Keep The Games Fair

In today’s real estate market the one entity that you can count on is Effie Trinket, otherwise known as the Title Company, who neither advocates for the buyer or the seller but is employed by both. In the Mocking Jay part one Effie is loyal to both President Snow and Peeta and Katniss. Title is an entity like that…they do not take sides they are simply there to make sure that everything is done in accordance with the written consent of both parties. They act as a sort of Switzerland in the transaction.

Surviving The Real Estate Arena

I think the most important parallel between the Hunger Games and the real estate world is that no matter how many obstacles are put in Katniss’s path she continues to do the right thing and overcome them. It is the same with today’s buyers; with the right assistance in the arena they continue to place offers and overcome obstacles until they are on record as the proud owner of a new home.
I am curious to see what will become of Katniss in the Mocking Jay part two this weekend, but I am even more curious to know when I will be in the arena again with my next client. To all of those out there looking to invest in real estate…may the odds be ever in your favor!