The Color Test

This is just for fun … enjoy … The Color Test! Be sure to read and understand the brief directions before you start.

Twelve Ways to go Greener and Save Money!

Here are a few things you can do or use to live Greener and Save Money.

1) CFL or LED bulbs.

2) Programmable Thermostat

3) Weather Stripping

4) Close Window Treatments in Heat / Open in Cool

5) Energy Star Electronics (LCD is More Efficient than Plasma)

6) Energy Star Appliances

7) Water Aerator on Faucets

8 )  Water Filter Pitcher

9) Smart Power Strip

10) Use Towels, not Paper towels

11) Turn Water Heater down from 140 to 120 degrees

12) Water Heater Blanket

If you have any other thoughts on how to live Greener and Save Money, please share your ideas!

Jill Denton, Realtor Lic#01804876
925.998.7747

COLOR CONSULTATIONS! Help Selecting Interior or Exterior Paint Colors

 

Selecting the right paint color is a daunting task for most.  Here are two ways to get the job done.

Option 1: 

1. Do it yourself.
2. Try to narrow done your basic color desire down to one or two basic colors (blue, green, red, yellow).
3. Go to one or all of your local paint stores and gather up samples. This can be the hard part, because the lighting in the paint store is different than in your home.  When you select a color that you like at the store, chances are it will look different at home.  So, get A LOT of samples.
4. During daylight, look at the paint swatches in on each wall of the room.  Depending on lighting, it can look different on each wall.  If you’d like, you can look at them again at night.
5. Hopefully, a couple of the colors will  look good to you. If yes, I would suggest you go back to the paint store(s) and get a few more swatches of the same color, if possible – order large swatches, or get a sample of the paint to test.  If you decide to get a sample of the paint, you have three choices.  1.  Paint it right on the wall (be sure to do a swatch on each wall – lighting again), 2.  Get a piece of poster sized wall board from your local box store and paint it – then you can move it around the room with out having to paint swatches all over your walls, 3. Most box stores now carry designer sample boards, they are about the size of a piece of paper.  Get 4 and paint all of them and place on each wall. Do this for all colors you are considering.
6. Hopefully, you’ll love one of the colors.  If so start painting!
7. If not, go back to step 2 and do it all over again … and again … (if necessary) until you find the perfect color for you.

Option 2:

1.  Hire a professional and get a Color Consultation.  Someone like myself will come to your home and bring all the swatches to you.  I typically carry ALL the swatches for 2-3 different brands of paint.  Depending on how many rooms and how many colors you select, it can take as little as 1 hour, most take 2-3 hours … and you’re ready to start painting immediately!

If you’re located in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact me for more information about getting a color consultation.  If you’re elsewhere, contact me anyway – I can probably refer you to someone.

Jill Denton ~ Changing Spaces

Half Price Entertainment

Hi everybody,

You’ve got to check this out.  I’m a member of Goldstar (It’s FREE to join).  You get deals (half price) on concerts, sporting event,s theatre, spas … etc. So you get to have a lot of fun and save money!  Click the image and sign up for FREE now!

Going Green

Going Green is not only a way to help our planet, it’s a way of life.

There are 7 categories in being Green.  Where do you fit in?

• Economizers:  Those who are interested in saving on operating costs through resourse management.
• Investors: Those who are interested in life-cyle cost analysis and the value proposition of various green features.
• Health Conscious: Those who believe in the potential health benefits of  green living.
• Idealists:  Those who believe that conservation of resources for future generation is a social responsibility.
• Lifestyle-Focused: Those who think that living by overall sustainability principles contributes to a more meaningful and comfortable personal lifestyle.
• Eco-Chic: Those who are interested in the status and prestige of green living.
• Skeptical/Unaware: Those who are skeptical of the green hype or are unaware of the benefits of being green.

Which are you?

Now that you know which category you fit into, take it one step further and find out how big is your carbon footprint?  WHAT’S YOUR EARTH IMPACT?

Jill Denton
Realtor, Lic #01804876

Five Mistakes home sellers make:

Sooner or later, most homeowners will be in a position to sell their home. This report summarizes the top five mistakes that home sellers make, simply because the experience is new to them.

 

Mistake #1.  Using a Real Estate Agent Instead Of a Realtor

When you’re looking for help buying or selling property, it’s important to remember that the terms “real estate agent” and “Realtor” are not synonymous.

–  To be a Realtor, you must be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).  The equivalent organization in Canada is the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).  Both are non-profit trade organizations that promote real estate information, education and professional standards.

–  NAR and CREA members adhere to a strict code of ethics founded on the principle of providing fair and honest service to all consumers.  Realtor business practices are monitored at local levels.  Arbitration and disciplinary systems are in place to address complaints from the public or board members.  This local monitoring keeps Realtors directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve.

–  The National Association of Realtors also has earned a strong reputation for actively championing private property rights and working to make home ownership affordable and accessible.

 

Mistake #2.  Failing to Maximize the “Curb Appeal” of Your Home

When you’re preparing your house for sale, remember the importance of first impressions.  A buyer’s first impression can determine whether they’ll choose to look inside.  It’s estimated that more than that 50% of shoppers decide to purchase a home even before they get out of their car.  With that in mind, be sure to stand outside your home and take a realistic “fresh look.”  Then ask yourself (and your Realtor) what you can do to enhance the “curb appeal.”  It could make a significant difference in your final sales price as well as the speed of your sale.

Mistake #3.  Not Appreciating the Buyer’s Point of View

Unreasonable though it may be, a prospective buyer would like to see a perfect home from top to bottom and inside and out.  To improve the likelihood of an easy, fast and profitable home sale, we suggest that you attend to the following items:

 

On the outside

1. Sweep the front walkway.
2. Remove newspapers, bikes and toys.
3. Park extra cars away from the property.
4. Trim back the shrubs.
5. Apply fresh, clean paint on your home, wooden fence, and outbuildings.
6. Clean windows and window coverings.
7. Maintain sprinkler systems.
8. Maintain sealants around windows and doors.
9. Make sure roof and gutters are clean and in good condition.
10. Mow the lawn frequently and plant flowers.
11. Keep pet areas clean.
12. Take down out-of-season decorations.

 

On the inside

1. The kitchen and bathroom should look and smell clean.
2. Vacuum rugs and carpets (and have them professionally cleaned, if necessary).
3. Place fresh flowers in the main rooms.
4. Put away dishes, unless setting a formal display for decoration.
5. Make all beds and put away clothing.
6. Open drapes and turn on lights for a brighter feel.
7. Straighten closets.
8. Put away toys.
9. Turn off televisions.
10. Play soft music on the radio/stereo.
11. Keep pets out of the way and pet areas clean and odor-free.
12. Secure jewelry, cash, prescription medication and other valuables.
13. Consider removing unnecessary furniture and appliances from counter tops to create a greater sense of space.
14. Consider baking cookies or lighting scented candles to create a homey atmosphere.

 

Mistake #4.  Thinking You Need To be In the Home to Provide Details to Prospective Buyers

Allow your Realtor to do his or her job without you on site.  Most potential buyers feel more comfortable if they can speak freely to the real estate professional without the owner present.  If people unaccompanied by an agent would like to see your property, refer them to your real estate professional for an appointment.

Mistake #5.  Over-Pricing Your Home

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of selling a home is listing it at the correct price.  It’s one of several areas where the assistance of a skilled real estate consultant can pay for itself versus trying to sell your home yourself.  

 

If the listing price is too high, you’ll miss out on a percentage of buyers looking in the range where your home should be priced.  Some people think that if they leave some “wiggle room” in the price, they’ll always have the opportunity to negotiate and accept a lower offer.  However, chances are the offers won’t even come in, because the buyers who would be most interested in your home have been scared off by the price, and won’t even take the time to consider it.  By the time you correct the price, you’ve already missed exposure to a group of potential buyers.  

 

The listing price becomes even trickier to set when prices are quickly rising or falling.  It’s critical to be aware of where and how fast the market is moving – both when setting the price and when negotiating an offer.  An experienced, well-trained real estate consultant is always in touch with market trends – often even to a greater extent than appraisers, who typically focus on what a property is worth if sold as is, right now.

 

This report courtesy of

Jill Denton

925.998.7747

Free First Time Home Buyers’ Seminar

Attend a Free First-Time Home Buyers Seminar and learn what you need to know BEFORE you buy your first home. 

The class will save you time, money and worry – even if you’ve owned a home before.  We’ll discuss and answer your questions regarding: Mortgage, Title, Insurance and Real Estate.  Here are a few of the topics:

·         Help answering the question, “Am I ready to buy a home?”

·         How to get pre-approved to buy a home that you can afford.

·         Information on how to buy a home with a low down payment.

·         What does the Title Company do for me?

·         Do I qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer $7,500 tax credit?

·         Why do I have to have home owner’s insurance?

·         What to expect with the process of buying a home.

You’ll leave this free seminar with a clearer vision of how the process comes together; as well as, with a free Home Buyers’ Information kit for easy reference.

 Date:  Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Location: Hometown GMAC Real Estate, 4725 First St, Suite 150, Pleasanton

Time:  10:00am-11:00am

 

Please register ASAP!  Seating is limited! 

·         Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early to grab a good seat.

·         If you need to cancel once you’ve registered, please notify me immediately so we can free up the seat for someone else.

·         There is no pressure or obligation.  Just come and learn.

  To sign up contact Jill Denton:

Email Jill or Call 925-998-7747 for more information.

Please forward this information to your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers who might benefit from learning the process of buying their first home.

 

Charming New Almaden in Almaden Valley – San Jose, California

$200,000 PRICE REDUCTION! 

Now listed at $1,400,000

If you’re in the south bay, you’re probably familiar with Almaden Valley, but are you familiar with New Almaden?  New Almaden is really Old Almaden.  Founded in 1852, New Almaden offers the peace and tranquility of the country within minutes of downtown San Jose and Silicon Valley.

 The New Almaden Quicksilver Mine in Santa Clara County, California is the oldest and most productive quicksilver (eg: mercury) mine in the United States^[4]. The site was known to the Ohlone Indians for its cinnabar long before a Mexican settler discovered the ores in 1820. By the time they were identified as mercury, the mine was perfectly timed to supply the California Gold Rush.^[5] The mine ran intermittently after 1927 and eventually closed. It was purchased by the county and is now part of Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

For more history visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Almaden

To learn more about the mines visit: http://www.kammneves.co.uk/abroad/New%20Almaden/almaden.htm

New Almaden is a historic area that has a strong sense of community and a 4,000 acre park in the backyard. Many New Almaden homes back up to the Quicksilver park and residents love the easy access to miles of trails.  Take a drive down Almaden Road to the main entrance to the park and you’ll most likely see people on bikes, joggers and horse back riders making they way to the beautiful park.

Some people fall quickly in love with this area and choose to make this magical place home. If you like being close to the  hustle and bustle of San Jose, but prefer to have more privacy and space this is a great place to buy a home.

Currently for sale in New Almaden is this Magical home sitting on a one acre lot. Recently reduced $200,000!  New Price $1,400,000.

20891 Almaden Road, San Jose

Breath Taking Oak Tree in the Backyard

Four stall barn was designed to be converted into a 4 car garage

One acre lot, 2888 sq ft updated home, 4 bedrooms (2 master suites), 3 full bathrooms – One of a kind home! 

Click on any of the photos to get more information about home and see more photos, view the flyer or contact Jill Denton for more information (925) 998-7747.

Check out the Almaden Flyer – one sheet $1,400,000 on this property!

Almaden Flyer – one sheet $1,400,000

What are you waiting for?

The way I see it, why wait to decorate?  Whether you plan on staying just a couple more years or 10, start decorating now.  You might as well love what you see and feel when your home.

I can’t tell you how many people have hired me to help them get their home ready for sale and when we’re done they all say: “We should have done this years ago!”

I understand that budget is key, so set a budget and pick a project that fits into that budget.  I’ve said this before, but paint (especially if you do the work yourself) gives you the most bang for your buck.  You don’t have to do it all at once, take on smaller projects and slowly reach your goal.

I’d love to hear about your successes!

Free First Time Home Buyers Seminar

Learn what you need to know BEFORE you buy your first home. Attend a Free First-Time Home Buyers Seminar in Pleasanton every 6 weeks.

Call 925-998-7747 for more information.