5 Unexpected Things That Can Lower Your Home's Value

When it comes to maintaining or increasing your home's value, you probably think of major renovations, curb appeal, and market trends. However, some lesser-known factors can quietly decrease your property's worth. Whether you're planning to sell soon or simply want to protect your investment, here are five surprising things that can lower your home's value.

1. Excessive Personalization Your home should reflect your personality, but overly customized features can make it harder to sell. Bold paint colors, built-in entertainment centers, and unique room conversions (like turning a garage into a home gym) may not appeal to the average buyer.

How to Avoid This

● Stick to neutral color palettes for walls and flooring.

● Opt for removable or easily reversible customizations.

● If you’ve made major modifications, consider offering to revert them before listing your home.

2. Poorly Maintained Landscaping

Curb appeal plays a crucial role in a home's value, and a neglected yard can be a major red flag for potential buyers. Overgrown lawns, dead plants, or an unkempt exterior can suggest deeper maintenance issues inside the house.

How to Improve Your Yard

● Regularly mow the lawn and trim hedges.

● Remove dead plants and weeds to keep the landscape neat.

● Invest in low-maintenance plants to keep the yard attractive with minimal effort.

3. Unpleasant Odors

Lingering smells from pets, smoke, or even strong cooking odors can deter buyers and lower your home’s value. Smells can seep into carpets, walls, and furniture, making them difficult to remove.

How to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh

● Deep clean carpets, drapes, and upholstery regularly.

● Use air purifiers to eliminate persistent odors.

● Open windows frequently to improve ventilation.

● Avoid smoking indoors and keep pet areas clean.

4. Outdated or Poorly Done DIY Renovations

While DIY projects can save money, poor craftsmanship can be a turn-off for buyers. Improperly installed flooring, uneven paint jobs, or outdated fixtures can make a home look neglected and unprofessional.

How to Ensure Quality Updates

● Stick to projects within your skill level or hire professionals for complex tasks.

● Choose modern, timeless finishes that appeal to a wide audience.

● If previous DIY projects are subpar, consider having them professionally redone before listing your home.

5. Nearby Foreclosures or Neglected Homes Your home’s value isn’t just about your property—it’s also affected by the neighborhood. Nearby foreclosures, vacant properties, or homes in disrepair can make the entire area look less desirable, which can impact your home’s worth.

What You Can Do

● Stay engaged with your local community and encourage neighborhood upkeep.

● Report abandoned properties or code violations to local authorities.

● Maintain your own property’s curb appeal to set a positive example.

Conclusion

Even small details can significantly impact your home’s value. By addressing these often-overlooked factors—like personalization, landscaping, odors, DIY projects, and neighborhood conditions—you can better protect your investment and attract potential buyers. Have you encountered any surprising factors that affected a home's value? Share your experiences in the comments below!

5 Trendy Tips to Enhance a Small Porch

Who doesn’t love the idea of a front porch? Picture a cool lemonade in the shade on a hot summer’s day while watching the world go by. Home builders have embraced this ideal over the past couple decades with more new construction featuring this timeless feature. Often though, the size of the porch seems to make it more of an idea than a usable space.

But even a modest-sized porch can be an inviting place to relax. Here are 5 trendy ideas to try this weekend to enhance a small porch.

1. Outdoor Furniture – Any porch can accommodate some kind of furniture. It may be a modest bench or a small outdoor couch, but adding a sitting option is an instant plus.

2. Pillows – Soften the look of the space and create a welcoming impression by adding pillows or blankets to the sitting area. Vary the color and style by season using weather-proof fabrics.

3. Potted Plants – Small containers or size-appropriate edges of flowers or bushes add softness and interest to any front porch. Plants allow the space to integrate with the rest of the front yard.

4. Color – Play with the color of both the furnishings and plants to draw the eye of the observer. Soft pastels paired with a bold splash will move the viewer’s eye around the space, creating the illusion of more room.

5. Remove Clutter – Finally, remove anything unnecessary and keep the porch cleared of debris or overgrown plants.

A front porch should lure one in. Even a small porch can be a pleasant place to relax, read, or refresh with just a few small changes.

2023 Market Predictions

The real estate industry is in for a wild ride over the next year, according to the Realtor.com's 2023 Housing Market Predications Report. This forecast predicts an overall positive outlook with ongoing growth, but it also acknowledges that several regional markets are more volatile than others and may not experience consistent gains.

The report notes that there are some headwinds to sustained growth, particularly in regions affected by the pandemic and its economic fallout. Tightening credit conditions, an already low inventory of homes for sale, and historically high lumber costs may all put pressure on affordability and slow the housing market's progress.

The good news is that many markets have been resilient and there are signs of optimism as the economy recovers. Realtor.com expects that home prices and sales activity will continue to rise in most markets, albeit at a slower pace. Affordability is projected to remain a challenge for some buyers, however, as potential buyers may have difficulty securing financing.

The report also predicts an increase in rental activity over the next year as renters take advantage of more affordable housing options and the flexibility that comes with not having to commit to a longer-term mortgage agreement. This could spell good news for investors looking to capitalize on these shifting trends.

Overall, the 2023 National Housing Forecast predicts a continued rise in housing prices, though certain regional markets may be more volatile than others. It also forecasts an increase in rental activity as renters take advantage of the flexibility that comes with renting. All of this suggests a vibrant and dynamic real estate market going into 2023, so it’s important to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest trends.

No matter where you are in your real estate journey, it’s important to stay abreast of the fluctuating market conditions. By doing so, you can ensure that you’re making informed decisions and leveraging the best opportunities available to you. With a comprehensive understanding of the current market conditions and the changing trends, you can make sure that you’re making the most of your investments and positioning yourself for success.

Homeownership Is A Great Hedge Against Inflation

Over the past couple of months, the news of rising inflation is fueling concern across the country. Currently, inflation is at a 40-year high. This is impacting household budgets the most as families try to make ends meet with less buying power. For potential home buyers, rising interest rates may cause worry that you will not be able to afford the home you want.

While these are all valid concerns, for those who are still able to finance a home, homeownership is one of the best hedges against inflation and may be worth stretching your budget to do.

The biggest advantage of owning a home in an inflationary period is a fixed-rate mortgage stabilizes your largest household expense. Most people budget 25-45% of their monthly income for housing. As costs continue to rise, rental rates will rise right along with them. These costs can far outpace salaries and increase the burden on families.

The second advantage is that home values historically outperform other assets in appreciation. Owning a home builds equity for the future that is based on a tangible asset. Even if the home loses value short-term, some studies show that over 7-years, homeowners should gain more equity than other investments.

The bottom line is that if you’ve been thinking about buying a home this year, it makes sense to act, even if interest rates are rising. This allows you to stabilize your monthly housing expense while potentially building equity for the future

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.

Selling and Buying during a global pandemic...No Problem!

The OC Nest worked with this family to sell their Irvine home during COVID for $20,000 over list price in just 3 days! In addition, we helped them to purchase a new home for $74,000 under list price! This is a perfect example of great teamwork! Through clear communication and trust, we were able to accomplish their goals. We are so happy they found their perfect "nest "!!

"Land of the flee"

Have you heard grumblings from friends or family considering moving out of California lately? With the Governors COVID orders, more and more Californians’ are considering relocating for more space and more commonly to avoid another state income tax increase. According to FORBES California legislators are proposing a 0.4% wealth tax, plus a 16.8% Income Tax Rate.

Last month, we heard comments from Elon Musk, of Tesla moving the Tesla headquarters to Austin, TX. Meanwhile, the Palo Alto headquarters remains opens, we will see if the move actually takes place now that the authorities have given Tesla authorization to resume business in California.

MIT “developed a living wage calculator to estimate the cost of living in your community or region based on typical expenses. The tool helps individuals, communities, and employers determine a local wage rate that allows residents to meet minimum standards of living.” Reflecting that the Golden State remains to be one of the highest cost of living states in the United States.

If the proposed income tax rate does increase, we can expect a surge of Californians to move. If you or someone you know is considering relocating, please refer them to The OC Nest for guidance through this timely process.

RESOURCES: (Irvine) Lists of Curbside Pick up/To-Go Delivery Orders

Irvine Residents Click on the Link Below to see a list of Curbside Pick up & Delivery Orders available.

CLICK HERE!!

Share the LOVE!

Calling all HUSTLERS!!

Did you know that you can make passive income just by sharing the LOVE about The OC Nest?

Yep, if you have a friend who might be looking to buy or sell real estate and you refer them to The OC Nest, you will receive a finders fee upon close of escrow just for sharing the LOVE!

The OC Nest gives Buyers & Sellers the comfort of working with an experienced Broker, but the personal touch of a friend whose goal is to help you find your perfect “nest”.

PLUS…The OC Nest donates a portion of their commissions towards your referrals closing costs too.

DM The OC Nest TODAY if you want to Share the LOVE and start earning $ while helping your friends save $

Should buyers wait for another 2008 recession to buy?

The Orange County Real Estate market has softened and sales volumes are stagnant.  According to the OC Register, CoreLogic homebuying stats show 2019’s first six months were Orange County’s slowest-selling first half in over 8 years, since just after the Great Recession ended.  Quarter 2 reflects a 13% drop in home sales from 2018.  Many expect that Quarter 3 will show an even larger drop.   This indicates that home prices are high and due for a correction, which means opportunity is on the horizon.

A component of this slowdown is the trade war between the United States and China as new tariffs lead businesses to scale back on investing and hiring. See Trump’s China tariffs are already hitting the housing industry. Furthermore, Chinese cash that previously flowed into Southern California’s economy, driving up real estate, could dry up.   

Although the nature of real estate is cyclical and we may incur a standard recession, there is good news for buyers.   Economists have stated that even if there is another recession, the housing marketing will not bring about housing bargains like in 2008.  Specifically, “The 2008 recession didn’t cause the housing market to go into freefall. The housing market going into freefall caused the recession.” 

It would be a fairly standard recession that has nothing to do with mortgages or the housing market, and its severity is not expected to rival the one in 2008. An upcoming recession would also, encounter a housing market that’s almost the inverse of what it was in 2008: tight mortgage credit instead of loose mortgage credit, housing supply shortage instead of a housing surplus.

Also, keep in mind historic precedent: As far as home prices dropping in the wake of a recession, 2008 is the exception to the rule. During two mild recessions in the early 1980s, for example, home prices actually increased, just as they did in the early 2000s after the dot-com bust. Home prices are less responsive to recessions because housing is an absolute need, and because buyers tend to come from better financial situations that aren’t as damaged by a recession.

The 2008 Great Recession hit the housing market due to mortgage lenders issuing bad loans that were projected to fail and did.  Since then, lending guidelines have tightened up, consumers' best interest is standard practice and integrity is the name of the game. Therefore, waiting for prices to drop to 2008 prices is highly unlikely. 

It has been a buyer’s market in 2019, and we will continue to see a buyer’s market moving forward in 2019 through 2020

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.

Thankful Thursday

This kind & loving couple had to make room for the new addition to their family… so we worked together to sell their house and find them a new “NEST” for them to call home. With lots of trust and communication we were able to accomplish both! I’m so honored to be their Realtor. They are such amazing people and I know this house is where dreams came true for a loving and deserving family. Congratulations on everything!!

Thankful Thursday

What happens when you like the people you work with? You become friends!

There is nothing better than getting an opportunity to spend time working with people you enjoy being around. I am very grateful to have been able to help one of my favorite families find their beautiful home and be apart of something so special!

Thankful Thursday

Having young kids AND having to sell your house can be super stressful, but with good communication and teamwork it doesn’t have to be. The OC Nest is thankful to have such wonderful clients to partner with, so together we can alleviate unnecessary stress and focus on the goal of getting the most money off the table for our Sellers!

Thankful Thursday

The OC Nest is thankful to have such amazing clients who put their trust into what we do and their faith into the process. We are grateful to be apart of this special journey!

Tuesday Trends

This weekend Fall arrives. How will you greet the season?

Just Listed ...73 Ashdale Irvine

Premier corner lot location boasting 4 spacious bedrooms (optional den/office), 4 bath, conservatory, tech loft and tons of stylish upgrades throughout offering comfortable living space for everyone making this model-like home highly desirable. Conveniently located nearby shopping, recreation, community amenities and award winning schools within walking distance. This pristine home is a rare opportunity. Bring your luck Buyers! HURRY this won't last!

Tuesday Trends

Simply Stated. Which style is your favorite...minimalist, farmhouse or modern midcentury??

Tueday Trends

Cocktail Pools...the name alone is inviting!

Tuesday Trends

Check out these Modern Farmhouse barstools.