SHORT SALES: TOP 10 MYTHS DEBUNKED!

SHORT SALES: TOP 10 MYTHS DEBUNKED!
Myth #1: The homeowner must fall behind on mortgage payments in order to qualify for a short sale.
Debunked: Years ago this may have been true, but not in 2012.
• A financial hardship must exist, such as the ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) increasing in monthly payments.
• Loss of job or income.
• Health or medical issues.
• Extraordinary loss in home value (which may be considered a hardship).

Check back tomorrow for myth #2.

Which COLOR PAINT can help you to LOOSE WEIGHT?

ORANGE evokes excitement, enthusiasm and is an energetic color. While not a good idea for a living room or for bedrooms this color is great for an EXERCISE ROOM. It will bring all the emotions out that you need when JUMPING INTO YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE.

 

Why YOU can’t afford NOT to have a CUSTOM COLOR CONSULTATION?

Most color consultations can be completed within an hour or two at the most. How much can just a gallon or two of the wrong custom color paint set you back, a couple days of a painting contractors’ time or how about if your choose a color that will make you relax when you’re supposed to be working out? Choosing the best colors for your home the first time around can literally save you hundreds of dollars in the long run and you can’t beat having a design professional who can walk you through the process of creating your unique vision for your home.

Whether you’re looking to PAINT your HOME GYM and any room(s) in your home Jill at Changing Spaces will bring her YEARS of experience in RE-design and professional paint color expertise to help you pick the RIGHT PAINT COLORS for your home. Jill will come to your home with a professional paint kit and an expert eye. Together we will choose the best colors and finish for your home based on your lighting, furnishings, personal style and exercise needs.

Changing Spaces by Jill Denton ~ Interior RE-Design, Color Consultations and Staging
925.998.7747

Please visit our website for more before and after photos and more information:www.jilldenton.com

Services offered: Full day Interior RE-Design, Half day Interior RE-Design, One Room Interior RE-Design, RE-Design consultations, Interior and Exterior Custom Paint Color Consultations, Staging Consultations and Home Staging.

Which PAINT COLOR can LOWER your BLOOD PRESSURE?

Did you know, BLUE brings down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate. That’s why it’s considered calming, relaxing, and serene, and is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. Be careful, however: A pastel blue that looks pretty on the paint chip can come across as unpleasantly chilly when it’s on the walls and furnishings, especially in a room that receives little natural light. If you opt for a light blue as the primary color in a room, balance it with warm hues in the furnishings and fabrics.

Why YOU can’t afford NOT to have a CUSTOM COLOR CONSULTATON?

Most color consultations can be completed within an hour or two at the most. How much can just a gallon or two of the wrong custom color paint set you back, a couple days of a painting contractors’ time or how about if your coose a color that will make you relax when you’re suposed to be working out? Choosing the best colors for your home the first time around can literally save you hundreds of dollars in the long run and you can’t beat having a design professional who can walk you through the process of creating your unique vision for your home.

Whether you’re looking to  RE- paint one or all of the rooms in your home Jill at Changing Spaces will bring her YEARS of experience in RE-design and professional paint color expertise to help you pick the RIGHT PAINT COLORS for your home. Jill will come to your home with a professional paint kit and an expert eye. Together we will choose the best colors and finish for your home based on your lighting, furnishings, personal style and exercise needs.

Changing Spaces by Jill Denton ~ Interior RE-Design, Color Consultations and Staging.

925.998.7747

Please visit our website for more before and after photos and more information:www.jilldenton.com

Services offered: Full day Interior RE-Design, Half day Interior RE-Design, One Room Interior RE-Design, RE-Design consultations, Interior and Exterior Custom Paint Color Consultations, Staging Consultations and Home Staging.

Which COLOR PAINT makes BABIES CRY more?

YELLOW! It’s true, babies seem to cry more in a yellow room … and people are more likely to lose their tempers in a yellow room; therefore, the color yellow is NOT a good choice for a main color scheme. Although, yellow can work in kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, where happy color is energizing and uplifting.

Whether you’re looking to  RE- paint your BABIES ROOM and/or any room(s) in your home Jill at Changing Spaces will bring her YEARS of experience in RE-design and professional paint color expertise to help you pick the RIGHT PAINT COLORS for your home. Jill will come to your home with a professional paint kit and an expert eye. Together we will choose the best colors and finish for your home based on your lighting, furnishings, personal style and exercise needs.

Why YOU can’t afford NOT to have a CUSTOM COLOR CONSULTATiON?

Most color consultations can be completed within an hour or two at the most. How much can just a gallon or two of the wrong custom color paint set you back, a couple days of a painting contractors’ time or how about if your choose a color that makes your baby cry more? Choosing the best colors for your home the first time around can literally save you hundreds of dollars in the long run and you can’t beat having a design professional who can walk you through the process of creating your unique vision for your home.

Changing Spaces by Jill Denton ~ Interior RE-Design, Color Consultations and Staging
925.998.7747

Please visit our website for more before and after photos and more information:www.jilldenton.com

Services offered: Full day Interior RE-Design, Half day Interior RE-Design, One Room Interior RE-Design, RE-Design consultations, Interior and Exterior Custom Paint Color Consultations, Staging Consultations and Home Staging.

New Law Requires Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Did you know, as of July 1, 2001 a New Law Requires Carbon Monoxide Detectors in all single-family homes with an attached garage in California.  Let me know if you’d like a copy of this information emailed to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jill Denton
Realtor, Lic#01804876
925.998.7747
www.jilldenton.com

Conforming Loan Limits are going down in 2011

The temporary conforming loan limits for high-cost areas put in place in 2008 are expiring at the end of September.  For example, Alameda County is current conforming loan limits is $729,750. The new loan limit amounts for high-cost areas will return to $625,500 for a 1 unit property.  The new limits will apply for all mortgage loans originated after September 30, 2011. So … if you’re thinking about buying, NOW is the time!

Let me know how I can help!
Jill Denton, REALTOR, Lic#01804876
925.998.7747

Some tips on what you can to to help sell YOUR home quicker!

A buyers’ first impressions are set as they approach the house. Therefore, make your home more attractive and purchase-worthy starts in the front yard. To spruce up the yard: Make sure plants are of varied heights and sizes; add color, particularly pink, purple, blue and white flowers; thin out bushes; trim trees; and seed and fertilize the lawn. Put gravel in any thin strip of property between homes. This will make the space look cleaner and less neglected. Also, place mulch around plants. Among the many benefits, it’s aesthetically pleasing and provides unity in the yard.

Current buyers want homes that are well maintained and move-in ready. They may not have the money to make improvements, so go ahead and repair, repaint, update, clean and stage. Repaint in a neutral color. Remove clutter and lighten up spaces by getting rid of heavy curtains and adding new lighting fixtures. Have the windows professionally cleaned. Place fresh, plush spa-like towels in bathrooms.

Buyers will inspect all closets. Clean them out and leave them one-third empty, particularly in older homes with smaller closets. This is one of my favorite tips.  Buyers open a closet, see all the empty spaces and think “This home has a lot of storage” … they never think “The sellers must have had a stager come into the home who told them to clean out the closets to give the appearance to more storage space.”  The human mind just doesn’t work that way.

Finally, depersonalize the home so potential buyers can imagine themselves in the space. Once the house is model-ready, have professional photos taken. Unflattering photos are a huge red flag.  Some buyers are wary of flippers, so avoid anything that might lead buyers to think that quick and possible shoddy work has been done to the house.

Much of this can seem overwhelming to some sellers.  If that’s you, call in a professional stager like me to help you through the process.  Better yet call in a Realtor who also knows staging (ME) and get the job done so you can move onto the next chapter in your life.

 

 

The housing market will turn around in the second half of 2011

Those of us in Real Estate have seen this coming all year! According to Freddie Mac: “The housing market will turn around in the second half of 2011” And the second half of the year is just 2 days away, so NOW is the time people! First time home buyers … buy NOW! Move-up buyers … sell and buy NOW! Investors … buys as much as you possibly can NOW! I am more than happy to help. I have time to help a few more good people realize their real estate dreams. Call me NOW!

Jill Denton
REALTOR, Lic #01804876
925.998.7747

Serving the San Francisco East Bay:  Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon, Danville, Castro Valley, Fremont….

Source:“Freddie Mac Economist Sees Sunny Economy in Second Half,”HousingWire (June 27, 2011)

Painting to Sell!

As a Designer and Realtor, I understand the value of color and help people make the right color decisions all the time. What is important to understand is meaning behind the color. If you are updating your home with paint and plan on staying in the home, then get personal! Choose colors that make you sing! However, if you are painting to sell, there is no singing allowed! 

BEFORE

AFTER

When selling a home, most find they look best when freshly painted with neutral colors.  A neutral color gives the look of a fresh clean canvas while at the same time is warm and inviting to buyers.  Plus it helps to show off your base boards, crown molding, trim and doors.

I know some Realtors who suggest the SAME color for all homes.  I think this is a bad idea because lighting is key when choosing the right color, neutral or not.  Each color has a base to it.  Some have more gray, or blue, green, yellow or even pink and if you choose a color without first looking at it in the light of the home, you could end up with pink walls!  YIKES!  Not a selling feature! You can try to select colors yourself, but I recommend you hire someone like me to help you choose the right colors for you home the first time.  In two hours, on average, you’ll know which color(s) will work best in  your home and  therefore increase the odds of getting an offer(s) on your home.

Painting the right colors will give you a lot of bang for your buck!
Jill Denton
Realtor Lic#01804876
Designer, I.R.I.S
www.jilldenton.com

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