Real Estate Information

One photograph can have a bigger impression on an individual than an entire essay. With the number of potential buyers searching Rancho Cucamonga Homes for sale online, vivid photographs have sprouted everywhere. In fact, good photography can make that slight difference between having your home passed over and selling it.

If you’re considering adding your home to the online list of Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale, you need to think about photos – and those photos need to be good. Just like the home itself, the photos need to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few tips:

Talk to your agent about what’s “hot” right now. Obviously, your strongest selling points are what buyers are looking for now. Two years ago, buyers were looking for fewer square feet, stepping away from the McMansions. Last year, it was decks and patios. This year, it could be your beautiful, 2-acre backyard with the play set. If you have a selling point, capitalize on it with fantastic photography.

Use the most favorable lighting. High noon sunlight is harsh and often highlights exterior problems that even you may not have noticed. When taking exterior pictures, choose lighting that draws attention to the positives. For instance, one of the most beautiful real estate images I’ve ever seen was a home with all the lights on. The sun was almost completely down and served to accentuate the beauty of the home.

Take as many pictures as you need to get the perfect shot. A shot that’s slightly twisted to the side may not seem like something to throw away, but it can distort the appealing lines of a home. Because photos are two dimensional and flat, even the slightest left or right slant can make the home look like it’s looming, falling in or disproportionate.

The ability to use photos to show off your home on the Internet has been a huge boon for those with Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale. However, a poor photo can do more damage that having no photos at all. If you can’t seem to take a picture without the image blurring, slanting or looking distorted, hire a real estate agent who can get the job done for you.

Looking for a real estate agent who knows how to showcase your home in pictures? 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

Many people have trouble relaxing, even in their Rancho Cucamonga homes.  Why?  Frequently, it’s because of too much visual stimuli such as unfinished projects, knickknacks and clutter.

You may think the answer to being able to relax is to move into a “better” home.  However, what usually happens is that you move your unfinished projects and clutter with you.  Instead, if you take the time to get organized, you may find – like many owners who have backed out of a sale – that you don’t need to move, you just need to re-organize.

Take a moment from your busy, stressful life to read these tips and discover how you can improve and de-stress your personal castle:

1. Add money to your wallet. Unwanted or unused items can be turned into cash. eBay and Craigslist are two heavily-used websites where you can sell your unwanted/unused items.  Make a little cash and clear the clutter.
2. Be generous. If you don’t want to sell your items, don’t throw them away.  Donate them to places such as Goodwill.  Online, there’s FreeCycle, where you can share your items and give them away to those who really need them.
3. Keep it clean. Set up a system to decide what to do with mail. Many people end up with piles of mail throughout the house. Rather than letting it pile up, decide the day you get it where that mail goes: trash, take action or file away.
4. Include your family in the de-clutter process. After all, your spouse and kids live there, too. As well, if others have a chance to give their input, they may be more willing to keep your Rancho Cucamonga home organized. Let others in your family have a part in the decision-making process and implementation.
5. Take stray worry off your mind. You may be subconsciously worried about things in your home. Reduce the potential stress by creating a sense of safety. For instance, make sure your smoke detectors are working, that you have a radon meter (if necessary) and a carbon monoxide detector.

 You may be thinking, “Home isn’t what stresses me out.”  Are you sure?  You might be pleasantly surprised how relaxed you’ll be when your home is de-cluttered. Your Rancho Cucamnga home can truly become a place where you leave the stress at the door.

 If you’re looking for a home to relax in after a hard day, I can help. Call me now at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

If you’re a homeowner who is unable to refinance to a lower interest rate because your Rancho ucamonga home’s value has decreased, there’s hope.

A program called the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has been extended for another year.  This program, intended to help borrowers whose homes have fallen in value, was due to expire as of June, 2010.  Fortunately, HARP has been extended and will now stay in effect through June 30, 2011.

How does HARP help?

The program allows qualified borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth to refinance at lower interest rates.  It’s projected to help 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

If you’re a Rancho Cucamonga home owner whose mortgage interest rate is significantly higher than the current market rate, you could see an immediate reduction in your payments.  However, some homeowners may not see their interest payments go down if they refinance to a fixed rate and payment.  Those include homeowners who are:

• paying interest only
• have a low introductory rate that will increase in the future
• face a balloon payment

If you are one of these homeowners, you should still consider refinancing because it could save you a great deal of money by reducing the amount of interest you pay over the life of your mortgage.  

Who qualifies for HARP?

You may qualify if:

• You own and live in your home.
• The loan on your home is owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
• When you apply, you are current on your mortgage payments.
• The amount you owe on your mortgage does not exceed 125% of the current market value of your property.
• You’re able to pay the new mortgage payments.
• The refinance improves your ability to pay your mortgage long term.

 If you have questions about HARP or any other questions about Rancho Cucamonga homes, please 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.

It’s a war out there. If you’re still sitting in your robe and slippers, sipping a cup o’ joe while you casually read the Sunday comics – with the absolute knowledge that your house is going to sell – you haven’t been paying attention. The percentage of Randy Charlton Homes for sale versus qualified potential buyers has made this an extreme buyer’s market.

It’s time for some tough love, sellers – some straight talk.

If you’re not ready to do more than spruce up your lawn a little, you won’t win the battle. You won’t even win a skirmish. In short, if you’re not doing everything you can (or pushing your agent about him doing everything he can) to get your home taken off the list of Randy Charlton homes for sale, you’re not a motivated seller.

Motivated sellers use all the knowledge they can squeeze from their agent. Unless it’s a matter of money (they don’t have any), they don’t argue when the agent mentions things like home staging. They ask, “What are my options?”

Motivated sellers don’t think “negotiation” is a bad word. They consider it common business sense. For example, if a home inspector looks your home over and notices a few issues, offer to fix those issues immediately. If a potential buyer offers you $5,000 less than your listed price, actually think about it. You may not get another buyer anytime soon.

Motivated sellers don’t consider taking photos of the house “a waste of time,” or posting them online as “useless.” They listen to real estate agents (their own or in posts like these) and do what they can to implement what’s been learned.

If you aren’t a motivated seller, why is your home listed? Now isn’t the time to test the waters, because the waters are full of sharks, barracudas and other dangerous things with big teeth. Before you wonder why that house of yours is still one of the Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale, think about it. Are you a motivated seller?

If you’re a motivated seller looking for a real estate agent who can help you win this war, call me at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com today.

               Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty

Trying to sell your Rancho Cucamonga real estate in a slow market can be frustrating. You may find that it takes longer to sell and you can’t get as much money as you could during a booming market. However, you can’t believe all the hype about a sluggish real estate market. Do your research and separate the facts from the fiction. 

Here are 3 myths and the facts behind the fiction:

1. You won’t get a decent price. Your Rancho Cucamonga real estate will sell for whatever a buyer is willing to pay. A comparative market analysis shows you what other buyers spent on property like yours. Of course, if you bought your home when values were up, you may not get the return on your investment you’d hoped for. However, most sellers get a fair price and even make a profit in a slow market.
2. Your Rancho Cucamonga real estate will stay on the market too long. While it’s true that real estate tends to take longer to sell during a slow market, it’s not impossible to sell. People still buy in slower markets. If your home is priced right, prepared for sale and marketed professionally, it will sell.
3. Buyers only want foreclosures and short sales. The truth is that buyers want good deals, and this can be in the form of money or time. The price of a Foreclosure or short sale may certainly be attractive, but they can take a considerable amount of time to close while the banks negotiate their terms. Paying slightly more for a traditional sale is sometimes well worth the time they can save.

Using my proven marketing plan, I can help you sell your home whether it's a slow market or a booming market. Call me today at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

                   Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty

You don’t list your Rancho Cucamonga home for sale on a whim; you don’t just decide you don’t like the one you have. Selling a home carries significant financial, emotional and family repercussions.

Selling your home is one of those life decisions, the ones you discuss with your spouse, look over with professionals and use experts to move forward.While you might have been able to list your modern Rancho Cucamonga home for sale and have it sold quickly at the beginning of the decade, that’s no longer the case. Now, you have to be truly motivated in order to get your home sold. Unmotivated sellers, those without concrete reasons, are not serious sellers. 

If you’re a motivated seller, on the other hand, you have several new marketing weapons at your disposal. These include government incentive programs, short sale practices, state-of-the-art technology and creative marketing plans to help consummate the transaction.

Are You A Motivated Seller?

So, think about it. Are you a motivated seller? There are a number of reasons people are motivated to sell. These reasons include:

1. Lifestyle Change – The time for a quieter way of life has arrived. The nest may be too empty. You may want more freedom and less household commitment. In any case, a change of lifestyle is a very strong motivation to sell.
2. Relationship Changes – Partners get together and partners divide. Marriage, divorce and newborns all set the stage for household change.
3. House Too Small – As families expand, it can be more cost effective to move rather than over-improve. For example, it can cost over $10,000 for a room extension on your home.
4. Time to Upgrade – Prior to the recession, American families moved an average of seven times per marriage. Although those numbers have dropped some, we do still seem to seek the greenest pastures.
5. Changes in Neighborhood - Many homeowners move because of local community issues. A school system may trim budgets or the homes may not be increasing in value. A desire for neighborhood change could be your motivation.
6. Health Issues – People with health issues who cannot continue or afford household upkeep are moving to smaller, more protected and service oriented communities. If this is you, you can definitely consider yourself a motivated seller.

If you’re motivated and have a Rancho Cucamonga home for sale, you already know the market is competitive. However, professional representation, an astute marketing plan and expanded reach can help you locate the perfect buyer.

Are you a motivated seller? This professional real estate agent would be honored to help you get your home sold. 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

Owners of Rancho Cucamonga Homes for sale are wondering, “What are buyers looking for?” This is especially true if the home has been on the market for a while. Well, homeowners aren’t the only ones. Several companies, including Better Homes and Gardens and Avid Ratings, the exclusive research provider for the National Association of Home Builders, have researched this question.

So, what are buyers looking for in national and Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale? In a 2010 Avid Ratings homebuyer’s study, over 22,000 homeowners, who bought their homes in the past nine years, provide some clues. In short, the study says practicality beats out extras any day.

The days of formal dining rooms, oversized backyard patios and community clubhouses are gone. Swimming pools aren’t that big a deal, but neither are upstairs laundry rooms or home theaters. These extras have been replaced by practicalities such as:

• Children’s playground
• Walking paths
• Large kitchens (with island if possible)
• Home office or study
• Main-floor master bedroom
• Two-car garages
• Oversize showers with seating

As well, although buyers are willing to have less space, they’re big on “green” features such as high-efficiency windows, insulation and appliances.

The home survey by Better Homes and Gardens reveals much the same information. Homeowners and potential buyers pointed towards downsizing into smaller, greener homes. Again, high-efficiency appliances topped the interest levels, with a lean towards Energy Star appliances.

The home office is still a priority, although it doesn’t have to be dedicated space; many would be perfectly happy with a multi-purpose space, instead. The real key, however, is no wasted space, along with ample storage.

If you’re considering doing any amount of remodeling to excite potential buyers, the information contained in these surveys are priceless. If you’re one of the owners of Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale thinking your house is too small, it’s great news. If you thought you might upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances, you’re on the right track. Consider what you can do to make your home more “future buyer” friendly! 

If you’d like to sell your home or are looking for a more energy-efficient home, I can help. Call me now at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

               Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

It's true. There are a lot of parallels between buying a piece of Rancho Cucamonga real estate and running a marathon.

The Starting Line

At first, there is excitement. The idea of buying a new home pulses in your veins and you can't wait to get started.  You're like a runner in the blocks just itching to begin. Your muscles twitch in anticipation with every piece of Rancho Cucamonga  real estate you see. That's when the real adrenaline rush kicks in.

Start Out Slowly

Keep to a steady, consistent pace and you’ll make it to the finish line.  There's so much to do before you can  get your Rancho Cucamonga real estate. Home appraisals, inspections and financing to apply for…

You start to think about all the 'what ifs,' like what if you don't get the financing, what if something goes wrong, what if… goes on forever.

Stay Mentally Tough                                                                                           

Don't give into periods of self-doubt. Remember all that you’ve done and have faith in yourself and your real estate agent. Think about how hard you’ve worked and how rewarding it will be when you’re in your new home.

Hit The Wall

You feel like you simply can't go on any more and the ordeal is never going to end. Your mind hurts from the strain, but you keep pushing onward because it’s the only dir ection you can go after coming so far.  Remind yourself that you'll get past this feeling.  Keep day dreaming about that finish line.

Breakthrough Bliss                                                                                         

Suddenly things begin to happen.  Home inspection reports come back.  Financing is approved.  You begin to breathe easier, the pain goes away, and you are sailing free and clear toward the finish line.

The Finish Line                                                                                                     

You sign all the papers at closing and the keys are placed in your hand.  Congratulations!  You’re a winner.

When you’re ready to buy a home, I can help you from start to finish.  Contact me today at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com

Brought To You By Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

With all the talk of the great deals you can get on foreclosures in the Inland Empire, you may be tempted to step into the investment market.  Or, you may get the idea  that buying a Foreclosure is your best bet for a great deal on a home.  Well, it’s possible, but remember that the foreclosure market is full of pathways and competitive investment pros who know what they’re doing.

Whether you’re considering purchasing foreclosures in the Inland Empire as investments or as your personal residence, here are a few tips that will help you get a great investment and avoid a bad disaster.

• Gather a Team of Professionals:  Your team of professionals should include a home inspector, a real estate agent and an appraiser.  You may also want to include a professional repairman, if you’re not handy. With foreclosures, you often have to be ready to move on the home immediately, so establish relationships with these professionals ahead of time.

• Buy a Pre-foreclosure:  According to the experts, pre-foreclosure is one of the best times to buy. The seller will probably be more willing to accommodate you because they want to avoid ruining their credit. Which means you’ll have a much better chance of getting a good deal – something more than the seller owes the bank, but less than market value.

• Skip the Auction:  While going to foreclosure auctions is another possibility, it isn’t for the beginning investor. You may find that you’ve done a whole bunch of research for nothing, because the auction was cancelled. You may end up with a trashed property because the previous owners didn’t want to move, or because the house has been empty for a long while.

• Be Careful Buying Bank-Owned Properties:  This option is seldom as great as it sounds. Not all banks price homes at fair market value. Many of them are trying to get their money back, which, with current depreciation, could be much more than the home is currently worth.

If you’re considering buying foreclosures in the Inland Empire as an investor or a homebuyer, I can help.  Call me 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.

Whether you’re looking for an investment property or a home for your family, a Foreclosure might be a good deal for you. However, buying a foreclosure is different from buying a home from a seller and requires different considerations.

Before you sign a contract, consider what you should and should not do when buying an Inland Empire home in foreclosure.

- DO consider the cost of repairs. Foreclosures are sold “as is.” That means the bank will not make any repairs to the Inland Empire home in foreclosure before closing, so you will be responsible for them. For example, if the home needs a new roof, make sure you have enough money to pay for it.

- DO get a home inspection. In a traditional home sale, the seller is required to tell you about any defects or problems they’ve had with the home. However, a bank does not have to supply a disclosure statement because they have not lived in the house and do not have any information about defects.  Make sure you hire a professional home inspector to check the structural integrity and condition of the home.

- DO be prepared to wait. Buying a foreclosure usually takes longer than buying through a traditional sale. You will have to look through and sign stacks of paperwork. In some states, banks are required to go through the court system to sell a foreclosure which can take time.

- DON’T buy a home just because the price is low. Banks like to sell their foreclosures as close to market value as possible. If the price is exceptionally low, there’s a reason why. Make sure you know it. Home repairs can easily add up, turning what you thought was a bargain into a money trap.

- DON’T expect to flip the home for a quick profit. Despite what the get-rich-quick-buying-foreclosures crowd tells you, foreclosures don’t automatically mean you’re getting a steal, nor can you always quickly sell them. Buy a foreclosure because it’s an affordable home for you and your family, not as a way to build an overnight fortune.

When you take your time and do your homework, buying an Inland Empire home in foreclosure can be a great bargain.  I can help you find well-priced foreclosures.  Call me today at (909) 938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

Brought To You By Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.