Many home buyers walk into prospective Rancho Cucamonga homes with an "as is" attitude. They fail to consider that the home sellers may be willing to make repairs or updates in order to get the home sold.

This isn't hard to understand. Most people do not buy Rancho Cucamonga homes frequently so they aren’t familiar with exactly what they can and cannot ask for. A home isn’t like a car that you might purchase new every few years, or clothes that you shop for all the time and know how to investigate, compare, and price appropriately.

This lack of knowledge is possibly the best reason for seeking the help of a qualified professional REALTOR®. They handle home purchases daily and can help you with what to watch out for, what price to pay and what you can and can't haggle over.  They’ll even handle the negotiations for you.

Let’s get back to repairs, updates or price reductions you may want to have your agent negotiate for you:

• Electrical Wiring: Especially in older Rancho Cucamonga homes the wiring is likely to be old, outdated or even hazardous. Make sure you have the wiring thoroughly inspected. This is not a cheap fix.  If there are problems, they should be solved before you purchase, or you should be offered a greatly reduced price to reflect the cost to you of replacement. This is a very important item and even if you accept a price reduction do not be tempted to simply enjoy the extra cost benefits without using it to make the needed repairs. Bad wiring is a fire hazard that can destroy your purchase, not to mention be fatal if not fixed.

• Breaker Boxes: Older homes may still have fuse boxes. These are very outdated and some may even use types of fuses that are hard to find. While updating an old fuse box to a breaker switch box isn't extremely expensive, it should be done by a qualified electrician. This is something that should be done before you buy. It isn't worth asking for a price reduction, but it also isn't something you should have to deal with when you move into your new home.

These are just a couple of negotiable items to think about when you look at a prospective purchase.

If you would like more information on things to consider when viewing a home, I can help. Contact me today at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams Realty.

If you're anything like me, you've driven through neighborhoods, admiring the Rancho Cucamonga  homes and immaculate lawns.  You've pictured your dry, brown yard, wondering how these homeowners managed to get their lawns looking so great. 

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help achieve that plush, green grass that everyone hopes for:

1.  Choose a type of grass seed that's right for your climate zone.

There are three climate zones:  Warm, transitional and cool.  Warm season grass is better for lawns in the South, cool season for the North, and transitional for Central.  The best bet for the transitional zone is either a mixture of warm and cool season grass or using the same seeds as the warm zone.

2.  Plant at the right time.

Throw grass seed on the ground at the right time, and it’ll grow.

• Warm zone grasses - sown in the spring, once the soil is warm enough for sprouts to grow.

• Cool zone grasses – sown in the fall, generally between August 1 – 15 for the far North, and August 15 – 30 for the warmer areas.

3.  Cut at the right height.

No matter what zone the Rancho Cucamonga homes with gorgeous green lawns are in, you may notice that the lawns all seem to be about the same height.  There’s a reason for that.  Lawn care experts say you should never cut your grass shorter than two inches.

4.  Use the right mower.

You want to use mulching lawnmowers, replacing the blades every season to keep them sharp for cleaner cuts.  These lawnmowers turn the clippings into perfect grass-feed, which takes care of about half of the feed for the season. 

5.  Have a good watering schedule.

The best time to water a lawn is first thing in the morning.  You want to water all at once instead of in short spurts, soaking your lawn with about one inch each time you water.  Cool zone lawns should be watered whenever it's been dry for a week.  Lawns for warm zone Rancho Cucamonga homes should be watered twice a week during the summer.

Want to buy a home with a lush lawn?  I can help.  Give me a call today at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams Realty.

Moving to a new Rancho Cucamonga home and, in some cases, to a new location all together, can be an exciting event.  It can also be a difficult thing, especially for children. 

When a move means a new Rancho Cucamonga home, new school and new friends, children realize they’re leaving their comfort zone for the unknown.  This can be frightening, especially to very young children.

Along with packing up boxes and making plans for a move, parents need to spend time thinking about how to make the transition as easy as possible for kids.  Following are some suggestions for doing just that:

• Make a scrapbook:  Let your kids take pictures of friends and places they would like to remember.  Then put together a scrapbook you and your kids can take to your new home and look at, especially when homesickness strikes.

• Listen to your kids:  Children often have fears that they don’t share with their parents.  Your children may be very ambivalent about moving, but afraid to say so or don’t know how to put it into words.  Take time to discuss the move with your children.  Ask them how they feel about the move and then talk out any fears they may have.  Don’t dismiss the fear of making new friends by simply saying “of course you’ll make new friends.” Explain that you’ll also be without friends and together you’ll meet new people.

• Visit your new Rancho Cucamonga home:  If possible, take your children to the home you’ll be moving into.  Let them visit their new school, walk around the neighborhood and play at the local park.  Giving them a chance to visit the place they’ll soon call home will help alleviate some of their fears and perhaps even get them excited about the move.  If physically visiting your new home isn’t possible, virtually visit it.  Help your children explore their new hometown online.

Need to move to a new home?  Whether you want to move within Rancho Cucamonga or you need to relocate to another state, I can help.  Give me a call today at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams Realty.

If you have a home for sale in Rancho Cucamonga or anywhere else in the U.S., you may have heard of the term “disclosure.”  What is it, why is it important, and what does it entail?

What is disclosure?

First, disclosure is the act of informing a buyer about any issues that your home for sale in Rancho Cucamonga may have. For instance, if the home has water damage in the basement, you may have to tell the potential buyer about it. I say, “may have to,” because in some states disclosure is a legal issue. In some states, not disclosing issues may be illegal, while in other states, non-disclosure is perfectly legal.

Why is disclosure important?

Real estate transactions are fraught with pitfalls, many of which can end with a lawsuit. Non-disclosure is one of the pitfalls. Several sales throughout the years have ended in non-disclosure lawsuits, where the homebuyer believes, basically, that the homeowner knew a problem existed. The seller didn’t let the buyer know about the issue, which left the buyer feeling as if they’d been scammed – thus, the lawsuit.

What should I disclose to the buyer?

Many real estate agents (including myself), follow a simple rule when it comes to disclosure. “If you wonder whether you should tell the buyer about something, you probably should.” While disclosing problems may mean a lower sales price, not sharing may have you paying more than you ever wanted to in legal fees.

Some things, such as a violent death in the house, have a statute of limitations in most states. For instance, with few exceptions, California Civil Code 1710.2 requires that you tell the potential buyer if the death happened less than three years prior.

Certain disclosures are required, such as lead based paint, the presence of asbestos, or if there’s ever been toxic mold or termites. The rest of the requirements vary from state to state.

As you can see, disclosure isn’t a minor issue. What you have to share versus what you should share, however, all depends on whether you have a home for sale in Rancho Cucamonga or elsewhere in the U.S. If you’re up front, you’ll have a much better chance of keeping the money you made off the sale, versus spending it in legal fees.

If you’re trying to sell your home, I can help. Call me at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

The home inspection is one of the most important considerations that can directly impact your Rancho Cucamonga home for sale.  

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 84 percent of all residential real estate transactions include a provision for home inspection.  The purpose of this inspection is to provide an unbiased, analytical analysis of your Rancho Cucamonga home for sale.  In a sense, this is the purchaser’s opportunity to avoid the “buyer beware” syndrome.

Because of the importance of the home inspection, as the seller, it’s an excellent idea to get your Rancho Cucamonga home for sale inspected before putting it on the market.  That gives you a chance to fix any problems before potential buyers see your home.

How to Choose a Home Inspector

Not every state requires a home inspector to be licensed.  Therefore, you need to do your homework before choosing a home inspector.

Well informed buyers and sellers usually ask for inspectors who are members of either the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors.

Additionally, before hiring a home inspector ask for:

• A description of the services to be provided:  A typical home inspection should include a thorough and itemized written report detailing the home’s structural elements, an exterior evaluation, roofing, plumbing electrical and appliance testing.  Outbuildings and garages can also be included in the inspection.  Items such as insect and rodent infestation and radon inspections can also be performed.

• A list of references:  Be sure to contact these references and ask what they thought of the home inspector and whether or not they would use the inspector again.

Now What?

Okay.  Now, the inspection is performed and you’ve received the written report.  You have a couple of options to resolve any problems noted in the report:

1. You can fix the problems yourself.
2. You can hire someone to fix the problems.
3. You can reduce the sales price by the estimated cost to fix the problems.

While it’s ultimately your decision, a professional real estate agent can help you determine which option will get your home sold the fastest and for the highest profit.

If you’d like recommendations to the best home inspectors in the Inland Empire, or want help getting your home sold, give me a call at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams.

Buying a Rancho Cucamonga home can be a challenging process. Along the way you will experience a wide range of emotions. No matter how strongly you feel that you are alone, rest assured that most buyers feel the same way. Here’s a peek at what you can expect when…

• Looking for a Rancho Cucamonga home. Creating a wish list for a house that fits within your budget can cause the initial signs of stress. Once that list is created, a new panic may settle in as you wonder if you will find the right home for you within that budget. Expect this panic to increase as you look at more homes.

• Presenting an offer. No one wants to be rejected, even if it’s about property. Remind yourself that it is perfectly normal to worry about getting an accepted offer and that the sellers are also experiencing a similar feeling of woe at this point. Both sides want the same thing: a signed contract.

• Signing the contract. Once the contract is signed, a new panic may set in. You may wonder if you got a fair price or if you chose the right property for you. From this point until closing day, you will think about this decision and about all the changes before you. Moving means finding new stores and restaurants and new roads to work.  This is called buyer's remorse.  Just remember, it's a common phenomenon that you'll get through it.

• Closing. Once the papers are signed and the check has been turned over to the title company, a sense of finality takes over. You know that there is no turning back at this point and may still wonder if you made the right decision. Again this is perfectly normal and happens to almost everyone.

Don’t navigate the waters of home buying on your own. Let me help you find the Rancho Cucamonga home for you. Call me today at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams Realty.

Spring is the rainy season for many parts of the nation and, for those areas where spring doesn’t bring rain, summer does. Rain brings mold, mold grows on your Rancho Cucamonga real estate and buyers run. Of course, if it doesn’t rain, there’s always humidity, which can also cause mold and mildew in the home.

How do I know if I have mold?

Well, for example, if you get up in the morning, walk into your living room and find a swimming pool where your couch used to be, you might have mold once the water dries up. Of course, if you have swimming pool in your living room every spring, you can always use it as a selling point… “Living room boasts natural, seasonal pool!”

On the serious side, mold is often indicated by a musty, often sharp smell in the home. You also might see dark smudges and/or blotches on surfaces. While excessive humidity can cause mold, those whose homes have had some form of water damage should be the most concerned. Types of water damage can include anything from a leaking roof to a toilet overflowing.

What’s the problem with mold and mildew?

The problem with mold and mildew is once it creeps into your Rancho Cucamonga real estate, it takes a brigade to kick it out. Also, mold and mildew problems fall under many states’ disclosure laws, so you may not be able to legally keep it from the buyer.

If you find out you have mold, you have two choices:

1. Tell the buyer and either lose them or take a hefty chunk out of your sales price.
2. Pay a hefty price to a mold removal company. The real kicker is even if you pay to have the mold removed, you may still be required to disclose that the home had a mold problem.

What should you do about mold?

The best way to deal with this smelly invader of the home front is to destroy it as soon as you first smell the musty, earthy odor. Track it down and kill it.  Plenty of mold-killing products out there do the job nicely on small patches.

If you think you might have mold and can’t seem to track it down, check with your health department. They may have recommendations of where to go, who to talk to or other ways to find the mold that you haven’t used.

If you’re trying to sell your Rancho Cucamonga real estate, you can’t let something as annoying as mold ruin the deal. Even if the property is sitting vacant, keep your eyes, ears and – most importantly – nose sharp!

If you’re trying to sell your home and need an experienced guide, I can help. Call me at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

Whew—you're finished! You've signed all the forms and the race is won, you think. Okay, go ahead and sigh that huge gasp of relief that your Rancho Cucamonga home is finally yours.

That's enough. Now, get yourself up and realize the heavy work is about to start. Oh yeah, you have to move all that stuff you've managed to accumulate over the past however many years you've been alive. Stuff doesn't ever die; it just continues to follow you around.  So, how do you get it to your new Rancho Cucamonga home?  Here are a few ideas to help:

Send out invitations: You would do it for any other big event in your life. Send out invitations to your family and friends and invite them to help you on your big day. Make it sound like fun by promising a picnic in your new backyard either the day of the move or soon after. It doesn't have to be a big complicated affair.  Order some take-out fried chicken or pizza and have plenty of beverages for sweaty, tired helpers.  Make it a real event that everyone can enjoy while laughing about the day's adventures.

Store it:  If you're like most people, you have plenty of things you rarely use but can't bear to get rid of. Take advantage of the fact that you'll be packing all your things, and put those items you never use into boxes and tote them to a storage unit. You get to keep them, at least for now, but they won't be cluttering up your brand new Rancho Cucamonga home.  In six months, if you haven't missed the items, take the boxes (without opening them) to your favorite donation location.

Safeguard your pets: Moving day is hectic and can be frightening for your pets. Board your cats or dogs for the day. It will be worth the expense to make sure they don't escape through doors propped open for moving.

Still looking for your dream home?  Give me a call today at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com , and together we’ll find your dream home fast.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams Realty.

If the thought of spring cleaning your Rancho Cucamonga home doesn’t bring a smile to your face, you’re not alone.  To help you (and me) get going now, I’ve come up with this short list of the 6 essential, in my opinion, spring cleaning chores:

1. Store winter clothes:  It’s time to pack away your winter clothes. Coats, sweaters, and your heavy winter clothing need to be inspected, cleaned if needed and packed away.  Don’t skip the step of cleaning, or, when you get your clothes out of storage next fall, you might find that they’ve been damaged beyond repair by insects or set in stains.  Where should you store your clothes?  Somewhere clean, cool, dark and dry. 

2. Wash window treatments:  Spring is the perfect time to inspect and clean the window treatments in your Rancho Cucamonga home.  Clean window treatments brighten any room. Wash blinds, launder curtains that are machine washable and send drapes to the dry cleaners. While you’re at it, dust the window casing, wash window sills, and clean any window hardware.  You’ll be surprised at the huge amount of dirt and grime that a thorough window cleaning removes.

3. Clean carpets and upholstery: Deep clean fabrics that have absorbed a winter's worth of dust and germs.  Shampoo your carpets; clean cloth furniture.  Open windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more.

4. Wash woodwork, walls, baseboards and cabinets: Even if your Rancho Cucamonga home’s walls don’t look like they need cleaning, they do.  Just enough dust clings to vertical surfaces to warrant a seasonal bath.  Using a sponge and hand dishwashing detergent, wash the surface in sections to make sure you don’t miss a spot.

5. Clean light and ceiling fixtures: To clean your light fixtures, remove the light bulb and fixture if possible.  Wash glass fixtures in soap and water.  If the fixture cannot be removed from the ceiling, use a damp cloth to wipe it off.  Dry the fixtures.  Wipe the light bulbs with a rag.  The easiest way to clean your ceiling fans is to use a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.

6. Check your coils: Caked on dust can cause your refrigerator to overheat, so take the time to clean the condenser coil.   It’s usually found behind the toe grille.  Clean it with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose.  If the condenser coil is on the back of your refrigerator, carefully pull the fridge out several feet and vacuum thoroughly. 

Put on your favorite music and start your spring cleaning.  It’ll be done before you know it.  Then you can relax and enjoy your sparkling clean home.

Spring is also a great time to shop for a new Rancho Cucamonga home.  Call me at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com to find out what your home is worth in the current market. 

Brought To You By Randy Charlton Of Keller Williams Realty.

The debate is as old as the real estate industry.  Does a low, highly competitive selling price for Rancho Cucamonga real estate actually generate a faster, more profitable sale than a slightly inflated price with a willingness to negotiate?  Yes, it is an age-old debate.  Yes, it has never been more important that sellers make informed decisions about their asking price and negotiating strategy.

A seller with an unreasonable opinion of their home’s value is either a wishful thinker or does not have the benefit of an accurate comparative market analysis and a real estate agent who specializes in the area.

Get Real, Know the Facts

When sellers decide to list their home in the Rancho Cucamonga real estate market, they usually have an opinion of value based on reported sales of similar properties.  Consciously or subconsciously, most homeowners follow the real estate activity of surrounding homes.

However, every real estate transaction stands independently.  In today’s market, buyers and sellers negotiate to capitalize on tax incentives, green-initiative improvements, closing fees, homeowner credits and local incentives.  Thus, the “neighborhood selling price” may not represent the price you can actually get for your home.

Real estate agents use differing strategies to secure listings and set sales prices.  Therefore, a seller who requests proposals from three different Rancho Cucamonga real estate agents may well get three different opinions of value:

1.  One agent may want the listing at any price and be willing to accept an owner’s requirement for a high asking price just to land the listing.
2. Another agent may be conservative and encourage a low asking price in the hopes of generating superior demand.  This strategy was effective in the boom years of 2006 and 2007.
3. A third agent may combine his knowledge about the property, the neighborhood and today’s real estate market to come up with the optimal listing price.

The Optimal Listing Price

Responsible Rancho Cucamonga real estate agents view the property from three postures. 

1. First we inspect the property, top to bottom.  We understand its history, the neighborhood, its strengths and its weaknesses. 
2. Next, we do our research.  We compile a complete, relevant list of recent sales, a thorough list of properties on the market and a comparable list of recently concluded Rancho Cucamonga real estate transactions.

3. We balance this information against the cost of new construction.  We factor in what improvements might be necessary to stage the home more effectively.  And, we use this quantitative analysis, called a comparative market analysis, to recommend a strong selling price designed to garner demand.

This is not a whimsical exercise.  This is about establishing the maximum se

To further discuss how you can realize the greatest real estate value for your home, contact me today at (909) 938-9568 or by email at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.