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Should I Rent or Buy In Montara?

May 3rd, 2011
by Kathy Rain.
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Is it better to rent or to buy?  This is a question that is asked frequently and the answer really depends on you and your situation and also your goals for your future.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself: Do you think you’re ready to move into the world of homeownership in Montara? Does your job require you to relocate frequently? Are you ready to “settle down” and raise a family? Not sure what you want to do yet?

Buying a home has some real advantages.  Right now buyers in Montara can cash in on hefty price drops and rock bottom mortgage interest rates.  Many people just do not realize how great the market really is!

Here are a few pros and cons to buying and renting in Montara:

Buying Advantages:

* You gain equity in your home through mortgage payments.
* Your home could be one of the best long-term investments you will ever make.
* You can decorate and remodel the way you want.
* You get homeowner tax breaks.
* You build your credit standing.
* You can improve your property using home equity loans.
* You gain independence and pride as a homeowner.
* You can transfer your property through your will.

Buying Disadvantages:

* Your costs are variable.
* Your equity may change due to market conditions.
* You usually must sell your home to move.
* You handle maintenance and upkeep.
* You usually need more cash to get in.

Renting Advantages:

* Your costs are fixed for the term of your rental.
* You don’t lose equity.
* You can move at the end of your lease term.
* You have fewer maintenance worries.
* You need less cash to get in.

Renting Disadvantages:

* You never get equity.
* You can’t always decorate or remodel the way you want.
* You don’t get any tax breaks.
* Your lease is for a limited time period determined by your landlord.
* Your rent may go up at the end of your lease and other terms may change.
* Your landlord may not fix problems or invest in routine property maintenance.
* You normally can’t transfer your lease without the landlord’s OK.
* You may face eviction if you and your landlord have a dispute.

That’s a lot to think about. To put these pros and cons into dollar terms, try out this rent v. buy calculator offered by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Insurance Corporation (better known as Freddie Mac). Don’t be shy–check out different scenarios and see what they mean for your finances.

There are certainly a lot of variables to consider when making this decision. You need to do your homework and decide what is right for you and your family.  Working with a qualified real estate professional in Montara can provide current market advice for your area can help.

/kh

Staging your Half Moon Bay Home

Apr 19th, 2011
by Kathy Rain.
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When trying to sell your Half Moon Bay home, you need to learn every trick of the trade there is. Staging is one of the hottest topics these days in real estate. It helps to get your house sold quickly!

So what is staging? It’s literally showcasing your home in its absolute best light. You draw buyers’ attention to your home’s most appealing features–and skillfully divert their attention from those that are less-than-stellar.

In short, staging is creating visual “eye candy” that emphasizes your home’s positive features. It’s part art, part science–and all marketing. It can involve everything from fresh paint to clever carpentry, new lighting to new window treatments. And don’t forget the borrowed (or rented) furniture to define and enhance each room!

To see staging in action, watch an episode or two of
HGTV’s Designed To Sell
The Stagers 

Should you try to stage your own Half Moon Bay home–or hire a professional? Here are two tricks anyone can do:

• Clear it out. You have stuff–lots of stuff. And your house is overloaded with all that stuff. Go through each room and get rid of the clutter everywhere you see it. Your rooms will look bigger, more restful, and more inviting. And all you did was pick up!

• Clean it up. Make sure everything shines inside and out, from windows, floors and countertops inside to the deck, garage and yard outside. Pay particular attention to the kitchen and bath. A little well-applied elbow grease will go a long way in selling your Coastal home and it’s free!

Do these two simple things, and you’re already ahead in the staging game.

But should you keep going and stage other aspects of your own home? That depends on whether you have the eye, the skill–and the objectivity. Can you put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and see your home as the buyer will see it–positive points and negative points? Are you prepared to tackle those negatives? Do you have the “designer’s eye” for color and other design elements? Do you have the technical skills to complete improvements?

If done correctly, staging can definitely help you to sell your house. Your real estate agent would be able to share ideas with you and recommend a professional if you think that’s the best route for you!

/kh

IMPORTANT! 30 YEAR WAIT IS OVER

Mar 8th, 2011
by Kathy Rain.
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Today, March 8th 2011 is a momentous day on the Coast.  Kathryn Slater Carter, from The Montara sewer and water district made an announcement at our Realtor Tour meeting.  After a 30 year moratorium, water permits will be available.  The last permit for a city water hookup was issued in 1981.  The district will begin issuing permits to homes that are currently on wells.  There will also be permits for vacant lots and new construction.  I asked if the district website had information on the new policy.  They have not updated the website yet.  Questions can be directed to Clemens the district manager at 728-3545.

The district will be holding a meeting at Seton Coastside Hospital on March 17th at 7pm.  They are looking for suggestions from the community on how to implement this momentous change.

So, come to Seton Hospital after celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.  Yes, the district was sensitive to the date of the meeting.  Tongue in cheek, Mrs. Slater-Carter said, they just didn’t want to hold the meeting on April fool’s Day.

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