Author Archive

Five Deadly Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selling A Home

Posted on: September 22nd, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Sellers Tips, Wednesday Seller Tips - Real Estate Know-How For Home Sellers | No Comments

The Five Deadly Mistakes Made When Selling A Home

Five Deadly Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selling A Home — A SOLD Home!

Sooner or later, most homeowners will be in a place to sell their home. This post summarizes the top five mistakes that home sellers make. It’s simply because the experience is new to them and they don’t know any better.

Mistake #1. Using a Real Estate Agent Instead Of a Realtor

When you’re looking for help in selling your home, it’s important to remember that the terms “real estate agent” and “Realtor” are not synonymous.

Realtors are a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR is a non-profit trade organizations that promote real estate information, education and professional standards.
NAR members adhere to a strict code of ethics founded on the principle of providing fair and honest service to all consumers. This would include Realtor business practices on the local levels are regularly monitored. Arbitration and disciplinary systems are in place to discuss complaints from the public or board members. This local monitoring keeps Realtors directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve.
The National Association of Realtors also has earned a strong reputation for actively championing private property rights and working to make home ownership affordable and accessible.

Mistake #2. Failing to Maximize the “Curb Appeal” of Your Home

When you’re preparing your house for sale, remember you only have one chance to make that first impression. A buyer’s first impression can decide whether or not they’ll choose to look inside. It’s estimated that more than that 50 percent of shoppers decide to buy a home even before they get out of their car. Recently Redfin did a study and found out 44% of home buyers purchased in San Francisco without even seeing the house! With that in mind, be sure to stand outside your home and take a realistic “fresh look.” Then ask yourself (and your Realtor) what you can do to enhance your home’s “curb appeal.” It will bare significant impact in your last sales price as well as the speed of your sale.

Mistake #3. Not Appreciating the Buyer’s Point of View

Unreasonable though it may be, a prospective buyer would like to see a perfect home from top to bottom and inside and out. To improve the likelihood of an easy, fast and profitable home sale, we suggest that you make sure the following items are in tip top shape:

On the outside

Sweep the front walkway.
Remove newspapers, bikes and toys.
Park extra cars away from the property.
Trim back the shrubs.
Apply fresh, clean paint on your home, wooden fence, and outbuildings.
Clean windows and window coverings.
Maintain sprinkler systems.
Maintain sealants around windows and doors.
Make sure roof and gutters are clean and in good condition.
Mow the lawn often and plant flowers.
Keep pet areas clean.
Take down out-of-season decorations.

On the inside

The kitchen and bathroom should look and smell clean.
Vacuum rugs and carpets (and have them professionally cleaned, if necessary).
Place fresh flowers in the main rooms.
Put away dishes, unless setting a formal display for decoration.
Make all beds and put away clothing.
Open drapes and turn on lights for a brighter feel.
Straighten closets.
Put away toys.
Turn off televisions.
Play soft music on the radio/stereo.
Keep pets out-of-the-way and pet areas clean and odor-free.
Secure jewelry, cash, prescription medication and other valuables.
Consider removing unnecessary furniture and appliances from counter tops to create a greater sense of space.
Consider baking cookies or lighting scented candles to create a homey atmosphere.

Mistake #4. Thinking It’s Okay to Be In Your Home During Showings

Allow your Realtor to do his or her job without you on site. Most potential buyers feel more comfortable if they can speak freely to their real estate agent without the homeowner present. It may hurt your feelings to hear what a prospective buyer may want to do to your home. However, if they go down this path they have already moved in their mind and your home is SOLD! As a side not if anyone unaccompanied by an agent ask you to see your home don’t allow them in your home. Instead refer them to your real estate professional for an appointment.

Mistake #5. Over-Pricing Your Home

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of selling a home is listing it at the correct price. It’s one of areas where a skilled real estate agents can pay for themselves versus you trying to sell your home yourself.

If the listing price is too high, you’ll miss out on a percentage of buyers looking in the range where your home should be priced. Some people think that if they leave some “wiggle room” in the price, they’ll always be able to negotiate and accept a lower offer. This is not necessarily true. Chances are the offers won’t even come in for fear of alienating the home owner. Buyers who would be most interested in your home will not consider your home because of the high price, and fear of alienating you. By the time you correct the price, you’ve already missed exposure to a group of potential buyers.

Listing price

The listing price becomes even trickier to set when prices are quickly rising or falling. Being aware is critical of where and how fast the market is moving – both when setting the price and when negotiating an offer. An experienced, well-trained real estate agent is always in touch with market trends. Usually more often than appraisers, who typically focus on what a property is worth if sold as is, today.

What to do next?

To make sure you don’t make these deadly mistakes call/text Cliff Keith and Team for your FREE one-hour consultation at 650-346-7366. You will be glad you did. After your conversation you will know the helpful tips for home sellers and not make the 5 deadly mistakes home sellers make when they are unaware of them.

#home #mistake #price #redwoodcityca #sfbayhomes #realtor #estate #agent

The 5 Items To Study Before Writing An Offer To Purchase Your New Home.

Posted on: September 9th, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Blog, Buyers Tips, Featured Posts, Real Estate, redwood city ca homes, Saturday Buyers Tips - Real Estate Know-How For Home Buyers | No Comments

The 5 Items To Study Before Writing An Offer To Purchase Your New Home.

Yes you can write an offer on the home you just love and want to buy. You may save yourself lots of time and money if you take a few steps prior to writing your offer. There will be less stress in your life if you do. What are the 5 things to investigate when writing an offer?

When you get ready to place an offer on a home you should do 5 things first and then structure your offer so. By doing so you will have a better picture of your future neighborhood, community and neighbors. This is not the time to skip this step only to find out this information after you have closed your escrow. Those five things to research are as follows:

1. Job Stability:

You can research this at www.bls.gov If there are no jobs how will you be able to pay your mortgage payments?

2. Recent Sales Activity:

Although, what homes in the area have sold for is very important, Sales Volume equally is important. It shows if homes buyers want to live in a particular area of town you are considering or not. If no one wants to live there why would you want to live there?

3. Number of Building Permits:

This registers the active builder’s sentiments and future housing activity. It stands to reason, for people who make their living from selling homes, they would NOT put their money in an area if they didn’t think they couldn’t make a profit down the road.

4. Where is the best money?:

Where can you find the best home loan for your needs? Is it better at a local bank? A credit union? Maybe the current “Big 4” institutional lenders is the answer. Get on the phone and dial for dollars to find the answer.

5. Anecdotal Evidence:

Home buyers can easily find homes that are for sale online or driving around on Sunday afternoons. A resource a home buyer has available to them for local ability and guidance is the area Realtor. A Realtor not only gathers facts to your particular needs but also has knowledge of some home before they have a chance to be entered into the MLS. Realtors will help shorten your real estate learning curve.

Benefits the homebuyer:

Using these 5 actions items to help you buy a home are invaluable to you. They will aid you in making the best decision possible when buying your new home. A little research on the homebuyer’s part will make their transition into a new home easier. Homebuyers will find having fewer hurdles to jump during their home buying process.

Good luck on your home search. These are exciting times for you.

Labor Day – The End Of The Summer

Posted on: August 31st, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Blog, Holidays | No Comments

Labor Day – The End Of The Summer

We do not consider Labor Day as A Patriotic Holiday

Because Labor Day is a Federal Holiday, which embraces a patriotic theme and signals the end of Summer. In the United States we have always celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday in September. It’s to honor and recognize the American laborers for the works and contributions to the development and achievements to society for the United States and Canada. Several other Countries also honor their labor force, however, it is on May Day or the first of May.

Why do we have Labor Day?

American Labor Unions started initially the labor movement in the 1800s to improve the working environment for its workers. The more modern concept of the 9 to 5 workday was implemented by Henry Ford of the Ford Motor Company in the 1920s. Later due to the forward thinking of Henry Ford the 9-5 work day became standardized by the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938. American workers demanded a cease to the exploitation of factory workers with the Fair Labor Standard Act.

The Current Workers of American

Labor Day - The End Of The Summer — 9-5 what a way to make a living

The traditional 9-to-5 job really is dying as one in five office workers work remotely now, according to new research. A New York Post study examining work-life structures found the concept of a regular eight-hour shift is in decline with one in five “office” workers now working remotely each week. In fact, more than half (57 percent) of modern American office workers studied now have the ability to work remotely, if they choose to. However, some workers of today are still prepared to accept the old 9-5 shifts because of tradition and that’s the way it has always been attitudes.

Labor Day is a time to pay tribute to American workers, and all of their many contributions and achievements through the years. Created by the labor movement in the late 19th century, Labor Day honors the men and women who fought tirelessly for workers’ rights, especially the eight-hour work day we have now.

What’s the history behind Labor Day?

Celebration of the first Labor Day holiday was in New York City. It was Tuesday, September 5, 1882. There after the deaths of 13 workers during the Pullman Strike in June of 1894, President Grover Cleveland combined efforts to make the labor movement his top priority, enacted Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894.

Peter J. McGuire

Peter J. McGuire, a union leader working as a carpenter, was the person who advocate the idea of a Labor Day. He believed American workers should have their own special day and be honored appropriately. He proposed his idea to New York’s Central Labor Union early in 1882, and they thought the holiday was a good idea, too.

Why do you not wear white after Labor Day?

Who created the rule “you can’t wear white after Labor Day,”? The strange history of this rule was created to separate the old money elitists from the new money group. Wearing white was considered vacation attire. or those who had money and could leave the city during warmer months,

How long after Labor Day Can you wear white?

That may sound strange, but it is true. Many Americans put away their white clothes on Labor Day and do not wear them again until the following May, after Memorial Day. One reason for the clothing custom relates to the season. In the United States, the months between June and September are summer

August 20, 1866

On August 20, 1866, the newly organized National Labor Union called on Congress to mandate an eight-hour workday. A coalition of skilled and unskilled workers, farmers, and reformers, the National Labor Union was created to pressure Congress to enact labor reforms

10 True Facts About Labor Day in America

The Labor Day holiday grew out of the late 19th century organized labor movement. It quickly became a national holiday as the labor movement assumed a prominent role in American society. Here’s how it all started. With the facts supplied by the Labor Department, the Library Of Congress, and other sources.

1. In 1882 the idea of Labor Day first became public.

In September 1882, the unions of New York City decided to have a parade to celebrate their members being in unions, and to show support for all unions. To attend the parade workers had to give up a day’s pay. This was not a deterrent, because at least 20,000 people attended the parade. Lots of Beer was involved in the event it was reported.

2. Other unions were inspired by the New York parade.

By 1887 other regions of the USA started having parades. Including; Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Colorado made Labor Day a state holiday.

3. Do you know how the Haymarket Affair influence Labor Day?

On May 4, 1886, a bomb exploded at a union rally in Chicago’s Haymarket Square, which led to violence that killed seven police officers and four others. The incident led to May 1 being celebrated in some nations as Workers Day. The U.S. decided on Labor Day as the holiday name.

4. Two men with similar names are credited with the first NY. City event.

Linked to the 1882 parade were Matthew Maguire, a machinist, and Peter McGuire, a carpenter. The men were from rival unions. The similar sounding names could have been the major factor for the confusion of people.

5. President Grover Cleveland helped make Labor Day a national holiday.

After violence related to the Pullman railroad strike, President Cleveland and lawmakers in Washington wanted a federal holiday to celebrate labor – and not a holiday celebrated on May 1. Cleveland signed an act in 1894 establishing the federal holiday; most states had already passed laws establishing a Labor Day holiday by that point. Sen. James Henderson Kyle of South Dakota introduced S. 730 to make Labor Day a federal legal holiday on the first Monday of September signed June 28, 1894.

6. Labor Day has evolved over the years.

In the late 19th century, celebrations focused on parades in urban areas. Now the holiday is a celebration that honors organized labor with fewer parades, and more activities. Marking the end of the summer.

7. Can you wear white after Labor Day?

This old tradition goes back to the late Victorian era. It was a fashion faux pas to wear any white clothing after the summer. Summer officially ended on Labor Day. Today we don’t follow this tradition. EmilyPost.com explains the logic behind the fashion trend – white indicated you were still in vacation mode at your summer cottage.

8. Labor Day is the unofficial end of Hot Dog Eating Completion season.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council says that between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans will eat 7 billion hot dogs. The Council estimates Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs a year. That works out to about 70 hot dogs per person each year. 95% of homes in the US eat hot dogs.

9. How many people are union members today?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 14.8 million union members in the workforce in 2017. There were 17.7 million in 1983.

10. What is the biggest union today?

The National Education Association has about 3 million people who are members, including inactive and lifetime members. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the country’s largest union for public service employees. 1.6 million members of nurses, child-care workers, EMTs, correction officers, sanitation workers and more.

Home Sellers: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Posted on: August 30th, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Blog, Sellers Tips, Wednesday Seller Tips - Real Estate Know-How For Home Sellers | No Comments

Home Sellers In Redwood City: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Home Sellers: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection? — Check list to follow

If you have arranged to have your home inspected, you should plan to go with the inspector during the entire process. This information will help you when you are looking at an offer to buy your home. If it is a buyer initiated inspection, it would be preferable if you were not present. Being notified before had is important for any inspection. The real estate agent will schedule the inspection for a time convenient to both you and the buyer. This is to allow you enough time to make preparations for this important day.

Do you know the systems of a home

Whether you, as the seller, or by the buyer, have arranged the home inspection you can take several preparatory steps, which will benefit you and help the inspection process:

Make sure the inspector can get access to all areas of the house.

Clear all furniture, boxes, clothes, toys and other personal items that may block access to the furnace, water heater, electrical panels, attic crawl spaces, etc. Inspectors will not enter inaccessible areas.

If access to your attic crawl space is in a closet, remove clothing, shoes, and other items. Not only might they be in the way, but when opening the hatch door, debris (dust, insulation, loose plaster) is likely to fall from the ceiling upon items left in the closet.

If you are expecting a visit from an inspector and prospective buyer:

Ensure that filters are clear in air conditioners, heaters, vents, drains, etc.
Clearing areas under sinks makes for a thorough inspected.
Have the house cleaned thoroughly.

The fewer problems an inspector finds with the property, the better overall image the property presents to the prospective buyer. Obviously, it is to your advantage if the buyer hears the inspector saying, “Everything on this property is right except for a couple little issues here and there,” and not hearing a long list of concerns.

Additional notes to home sellers

The home inspector may override your timers or reset clocks if outlets (such as appliance clocks, outdoor lighting etc.). You should check them after the inspection to make sure they are reset properly.

Remember to allow two to three hours for the home inspection.

Christopher Lopez is the Franchise Owner of AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service for San Francisco and the Greater Peninsula. AmeriSpec is North Americas Leading Home Inspection Services (a subsidiary of American Home Shield). Celebrating 25 Years of Service and over Two Million Quality Inspections Performed. For more information Call 650-369-8800 or on the web at www.amerispec.net/westcity or www.amerispec.com , http://www.amerispecwestcity.blogspot.com/

If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter please do so on the right side. You can also sign up for your own personal organizer that will send you homes that meet your own criteria. Just fill in the form to the right. Here’s a list of questions to ask any Realtor.

If you want to search for any home in the Greater Bay Area you can do so by doing a quick search on the top right. FYI: be sure to put the community you want to search in the dropped down box on the bottom. Now you know what to do as a Home Sellers In Redwood City: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

What to do next?

To make sure your home is ready for a home inspection there’s an easy three-step process. Follow these easy step and you will ahead of the game of many home-sellers. These steps are as follows:

Take out your cell phone
Look up Cliff Keith’s cell phone number, (650-346-7366)
Call Cliff immediately

Once you call we will discuss the best method suitable to you to get your home ready for a home inspection. I will explain your options and see if any of the options will work for you. If not, we will try to figure out together how to make your home ready for your property inspector, Call today as you will be happy that a major load has been taken off your mind,

Cliff Keith has been helping homeowners since 1976!

#home #inspection #inspector #buy #cell #sfbayhomes

Home Sellers: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Posted on: May 30th, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Blog, Sellers Tips, Wednesday Seller Tips - Real Estate Know-How For Home Sellers |

Home Sellers In Redwood City: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Do you know the systems of a home

Whether you, as the seller, or by the buyer, have arranged the home inspection you can take several preparatory steps, which will benefit you and help the inspection process:

Make sure the inspector can get access to all areas of the house.

If you are expecting a visit from an inspector and prospective buyer:

Ensure that filters are clear in air conditioners, heaters, vents, drains, etc.
Clearing areas under sinks makes for a thorough inspected.
Have the house cleaned thoroughly.

Additional notes to home sellers

Remember to allow two to three hours for the home inspection.

What to do next?

To make sure your home is ready for a home inspection there’s an easy three-step process. Follow these easy step and you will ahead of the game of many home-sellers. These steps are as follows:

Take out your cell phone
Look up Cliff Keith’s cell phone number, (650-346-7366)
Call Cliff immediately

Cliff Keith has been helping homeowners since 1976!

#home #inspection #inspector #buy #cell #sfbayhomes

Happy Father’s Day To All The Fathers

Posted on: May 30th, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Holidays | No Comments

Happy Father’s Day…

Happy Father’s Day To All The Fathers

Father’s Day a brief history on how it became a national holiday in America. Read all the trials and tribulation required for Fathers in order for them to be recognized as the hero they are to us.

After the success of Anna Jarvis with her advocating for Mother’s Day, Sonora Smart Dodd founded Father’s Day in 1910. Sonora Smart Dodd was born in Arkansas but later moved to Spokane, Washington where the first Father’s Day celebration took place on June 19, 1910.

Who was Ms. Sonora Dodd?

Ms. Sonora Dodd wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran, and single father of six children. His name was William Jackson Smart. Sonora Smart Dodd after hearing in church the story about Anna Jarvis and her work for Mothers of America became inspired. After the sermon Ms. Dodd went to her minster and told him of her intentions and requested his help. The minister couldn’t put a sermon together by June 5^th, which was Sonora Dodd’s father birthday and instead suggested the third Sunday of the month of June.

Did it stick?

For the next two decades Father’s Day lost its steam and was in limbo until Sonora Dodd return to Spokane from Chicago and started promoting the celebration again. This time she sought help from the Father’s Day Council, founded by the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers and they conducted ad campaigns to promote Father’s Day despite the fact the newspapers made fun of them. They ran negative articles and cartoons in their papers making fun of a commercial Father’s Day.

The Father’s Day Council did not give up. They ran campaigns using the newspaper ads and jokes to promote their holiday. The Father’s Day Council efforts didn’t work for Congress when brought before them in the teens, the 20’s and the 50’s! Then in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers. In 1972 Richard Nixon signed into law a permanent national holiday

Papa’s Pearls

In 2012 Diane Flynn Keith wrote a wonderful book about her father. It’s called Papa’s Pearls you can find it at her website here. You may want to read it or give a copy to your Father. Which, is a great story for any family that has a Papa who also shared his wisdom with his family.

Interestingly, in 1980 the Father’s Council wrote that “Father’s Day has become a ‘Second Christmas’ for all the men gift-oriented industries.” Now you know more about your Father. Now everyone go wish a Happy Father’s Day To All The Fathers who are out there.

Five Deadly Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selling A Home

The 5 Items To Study Before Writing An Offer To Purchase Your New Home.

Labor Day – The End Of The Summer

Home Sellers: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Home Sellers: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Happy Father’s Day To All The Fathers

Author Archive

The Five Deadly Mistakes Made When Selling A Home

Mistake #1. Using a Real Estate Agent Instead Of a Realtor

Mistake #2. Failing to Maximize the “Curb Appeal” of Your Home

Mistake #3. Not Appreciating the Buyer’s Point of View

On the outside

On the inside

Mistake #4. Thinking It’s Okay to Be In Your Home During Showings

Mistake #5. Over-Pricing Your Home

Listing price

What to do next?

The 5 Items To Study Before Writing An Offer To Purchase Your New Home.

1. Job Stability:

2. Recent Sales Activity:

3. Number of Building Permits:

4. Where is the best money?:

5. Anecdotal Evidence:

Benefits the homebuyer:

Labor Day – The End Of The Summer

We do not consider Labor Day as A Patriotic Holiday

Why do we have Labor Day?

The Current Workers of American

What’s the history behind Labor Day?

Peter J. McGuire

Why do you not wear white after Labor Day?

1. In 1882 the idea of Labor Day first became public.

2. Other unions were inspired by the New York parade.

3. Do you know how the Haymarket Affair influence Labor Day?

4. Two men with similar names are credited with the first NY. City event.

5. President Grover Cleveland helped make Labor Day a national holiday.

6. Labor Day has evolved over the years.

7. Can you wear white after Labor Day?

8. Labor Day is the unofficial end of Hot Dog Eating Completion season.

9. How many people are union members today?

10. What is the biggest union today?

Home Sellers In Redwood City: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Do you know the systems of a home

Make sure the inspector can get access to all areas of the house.

Additional notes to home sellers

What to do next?

Home Sellers In Redwood City: What To Do Prior To A Home Inspection?

Do you know the systems of a home

Make sure the inspector can get access to all areas of the house.

Additional notes to home sellers

What to do next?

Happy Father’s Day…

Happy Father’s Day To All The Fathers

Who was Ms. Sonora Dodd?

Did it stick?

Papa’s Pearls

Get in Touch

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