3 Remodel Tips That Won’t Break Your Piggy Bank

bathroom remodel

If you have been searching for a new home here in Lake or Sonoma County, it is likely that you will have dreamy thoughts of remodeling upon your move-in date. In fact, making alterations could be a determining factor in your allocation for a down payment and closing costs. I mean redesigning a kitchen, bathroom or even a backyard is part of the fun and sometimes the challenge of home ownership. Even if you have a remodel budget saved from recycling aluminum cans and your only construction expertise is building lego sets with the kids – have no fear. Sometimes the only limitation for an elegant new space in your humble abode happens to be your imagination. Here are a great few tips for new homeowners who just need a little inspiration and places to look for it.

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75 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, CA: Live Beautiful and Work Beautiful

Fremont Exterior

Fremont QR Code

Situated in picturesque Sonoma Valley, just outside city limits, is this charming property, which literally provides a wealth of opportunities. It’s not just the gorgeous exterior and interior featuring a private garden and patios perfect for entertainment. The custom tile and wood flooring for this three bedroom and three bath single family is a work-of-art. And this estate includes 4200+/- square feet of adjoining structures that can function as showrooms, galleries, a workshop and even office space.

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Open Houses 07/10: Take a Trip through the Wine Country Experience

FEATURED Open House: 1013 Westside Road, Healdsburg – Open Sun 1-4 – $995,000

1013 Westside Road. Healdsburg, CA

What better way to describe this Westside Road gem -merely a short drive from the town plaza- than to picture a fabulous Saturday in wine country. Rising to the panoramic views of the sun lifting over the Russian River Valley, fresh brewed coffee awaits. Pouring a cup, you step outside into the cool morning air, letting the dogs roam free bounding across the grassy landscape of a big and beautiful backyard. After a hearty breakfast, you scamper across hardwood floors to shower, change and plan the day.

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Get an Inspection to Avoid Buying a Lemon

Olive Hill, KY, June 2, 2010 -- FEMA Mitigatio...

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You have found the home that you think is perfect. You know you are in love with it. You are so ready to close the deal.

But wait!

Before you close the deal you really need to make sure you aren’t picking a lemon. Now it’s time to get a home inspector involved. Back in the day it was not heard of in the home market to have a home inspection. If a person loved the house, like you do, he or she depended on that good feeling and what the real estate agent said. Now the process is different. Most real estate purchase contracts give you the right to order one or more professional inspections before you close.

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Foreclosure—What’s True and What’s Not

Half million dollar house in Salinas, Californ...

Foreclosure

With so many people going into foreclosure in these past few years, a lot of misinformation, fraud, rumors, speculation, conjecture and ignorance have latched onto people like grass burrs. What is true and what is not?

One of the nation’s largest home loan investors, Freddy Mac, initially charged with expanding opportunities for home ownership, is now focusing on the needs of people to become financial stable again. Freddy Mac is also working on myth busting, to help people know the truth. It offers “Top Foreclosure Myths” and the truth behind what is and isn’t true.

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Choosing Not to Get an Inspection

Real Estate = Big Money

Image by thinkpanama via Flickr

Back in the day people didn’t use home inspectors before they purchased their home. Then when they found out all the problems that hadn’t been obvious, they were stuck.

In an article by Marcie Geffner entitled “Goodbye Inspection, Hello Trouble,” dated Jan. 2, 2011 in the Official Site of the National Association of Realtors, Marcie talks about one of the strange things that happens in a hot real estate market, like in San Francisco, considered one of the nation’s hot real estate markets.

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Understanding Closing Costs

Sea Level

Image by Let Ideas Compete via Flickr

Is this the first time you are buying a home of your own? Do you know that the price you agreed to on the house is not all you will have to pay to close? Here are some of the other costs that you need to factor in. Some of these you will be able to choose a vendor and lower the cost. Others are what they are.

The good news is that your lender and real estate agent will be able to give you a “good-faith estimate” of your expected settlement costs so you are not taken by surprise.

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How Do You Get the Home of Your Dreams?

Lot of houses for sale due to mortgage crisis,...

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Drive around in any subdivision and you will see homes on sale.

They may be fixer-uppers or look great on the outside. You are interested, but you aren’t exactly sure what you want. Before you take up a realtor’s time, you and who you will be sharing the space with need to sit down and think about what you would like.

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What Happens When Foreclosure Happens?

Sign of the times - Foreclosure

There is no winner in a foreclosure.

The downturn in the economy may be easing, but it might be too late for some homeowners. There have been thousands of foreclosures in the US in the last few years. Many people still own their homes, but are struggling to avoid foreclosure.

Do you know the complete impact of defaulting on your loan? Can you prevent this?

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Auction of Glenelly Inn and Cottages in Glen Ellen, California on April 5th, 2011

Glenelly Inn

Did you know that Glenelly Inn and Cottages in Glen Ellen is going to be auctioned off by Martin Levy of Century 21 Alliance Thursday, April 5, 2011 at 11 a.m. at 585 Fiscal Drive Room 100 in Santa Rosa, CA 95403? Here is your chance to own a successful Bed and Breakfast with a solid reputation in the heart of California Wine Country.

The historic Glenelly Inn was established in 1916 and remodeled in 2002. It offers leisurely graciousness and a picturesque setting. The newly remodeled spacious kitchen is one a chef or caterer would delight to work in. The public guest areas include a living room and an expansive and bright dining room. There are also comfortable innkeeper quarters waiting for you.

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