Unusual but Important Considerations When Choosing the Right Neighborhood

Most people know that choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important aspects of a great lifestyle. When buying a new home, this becomes even more important. While everyone knows that property values, safety, schools, and commute ranks high in importance, there are some considerations that are not commonly thought about in advance yet make a huge impact on satisfaction.

· Vibrant Community and Social Scene – While some people are looking for a quiet life in the country, for those craving more action, consider this when choosing a neighborhood. Look for farmer’s markets, art galleries, festivals, bars and clubs, community events; ways to create a sense of belonging and involvement. ·

Pet-Friendly Environment – For pet owners, finding a welcoming community for their furry friends is important. Look for places with lots of green space, dog parks, and pet-friendly establishments.

· Unique Architectural or Historic Value – There are many cities with historical districts and heritage sites. Buying a home in these areas can be a distinctly inspiring experience. One caveat, before buying, it’s important to make sure to understand the rules and restrictions; often there are ordinances which prevent changing the exterior of the home.

· Natural Surroundings – For nature enthusiasts, living near green spaces and outdoor recreational opportunities can be important. In addition to community parks, trails, or lakes, these buyers should consider proximity to national parks, BLM land, or public waterways.

· Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Communities – If environmental sustainability is important, then look for communities with eco-friendly policies and amenities. Watch for communal gardens, bike lanes, and renewable energy initiatives.

Choosing the right neighborhood is about more than just property values and school systems. By looking beyond the traditional aspects and considering the unique things that enhance lifestyle, buyers can make sure that the community, as well as the home, suits their needs.

Getting Outbid? Strategies to Make Your Offer Stand Out and Get Accepted

Summer is traditionally a busy time for buyers and sellers. This year has been no exception—and with lower interest rates, many homebuyers are finding the competitive environment challenging. With multiple buyers competing for properties, even terrific offers are often being outbid. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your offer more attractive to the sellers and increase the chances of getting the property.

• Have Full Pre-Approval – A step beyond pre-qualification, a pre-approval involves submitting your full application to underwriting. Your lender will collect all your financial data and submit for review. This is stronger than a pre-qualification; a pre-approval requires the buyer to provide the proof of their ability to qualify for the loan.

• Increase the Earnest Money – Earnest money is the deposit held in escrow. While the contract will dictate how monies are disbursed in the event of a cancellation, increasing the amount offered can show the seller you’re serious.

• Add an Escalation Clause – In a bidding war, it can be difficult to know what to offer because you want to outbid the competition without going too high. An escalation clause is one way to automatically outbid the others. The clause typically offers an amount—$1,000 for example—higher than any verifiable offer up to a specific amount. This can ensure yours is the highest offer.

• Pay any Appraisal Shortage – When offering more than asking price, sellers become concerned about the appraisal coming in too low. If you are willing to pay over market value, include the amount of shortage you are willing to pay.

• Remove Inspection Contingency – This option can be tricky, but if you are planning a large remodel or are willing to tackle any defects found, then you can make your offer stronger by accepting the home as-is.

In this fast-moving, competitive real estate market, it’s important to make your offer stand out from the crowd. These strategies are great ways to demonstrate to the sellers that you’re serious about buying their home, increasing the chance of having your offer accepted.

Welcome to 210 Tuberose!

Have you been waiting to time the market? WAIT NO MORE! This gorgeous 4 BD 3BA DETACHED home is nestled in the serene, tree-lined community of QUAIL HILL boasting sweeping views of mountains, trails & sunsets. This RARE OPPORTUNITY offers a comfortable living space for everyone. A formal living room featuring a fireplace, high ceilings, plenty of natural light & across is a formal dining room perfect for ENTERTAINING. The kitchen is appointed w/ granite countertops, double ovens, kitchen island and french doors that lead to a courtyard ideal for RELAXING or dining al fresco. Separate living areas provide a layout for EASY FAMILY LIVING and plenty of space. CONVENIENT full bath downstairs & direct 2 car garage access makes this floorplan highly desirable. Upstairs master bedroom boasts a Juliette balcony, huge walk-in closest w/ custom built-ins, dual sinks, and secondary balcony to take in fresh air. In addition to four bedrooms, a full laundry room & sink all conveniently located upstairs. The Solstice neighborhood w/in the prestigious hillside Quail Hill community is HIGHLY DESIRABLE & rarely on the market. RESORT-LIKE amenities walking distance w/ pools, gyms, parks, hiking trails, baseball fields, soccer fields & Quail Hill shopping center & only minutes from Irvine Spectrum, Oak Creek Golf Club, UCI & tons of dining & shopping. Irvine is known as one of the SAFEST cities and is also recognized as an AWARD-WINNING school district. OPPORTUNITY is knocking, don't miss out!

Thankful Thursday

Gratitude changes everything! When given the opportunity to work with for someone that puts all of their trust in you, it’s a game changer. I met this sweet Momma some years back as our husbands coached our boys soccer team together. We hit it off and continue to see each other on the fields and about town. I am so grateful to have met this wonderful family. When they contacted me to sell their house I was more than thrilled to get the opportunity to work alongside them in a different aspect other than our established friendship. Together we were able to get their house sold in 7 days and above list price!! Teamwork makes the dream work on and off the field.