California Mid State Fair Lineup
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Hope Everyone Enjoyed the 4th!
Go Fourth and Celebrate!
Just because the 4th falls smack dab in the middle of the week this year doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of fun. In fact, it makes a good excuse to take the rest of the week off and plan a mini vacay! Here’s a roundup of the best events this week in the San Luis Obispo area:
Templeton: For the best of small town celebrations head over to the Templeton Park on Wednesday for a traditional Independence Day parade and after-party. Carnival games, bbq, and live music make this our favorite spot to start off the day.
Cayucos: Cruise by the Cayucos Pier and check out the 4th of July Sand Sculpture Contest. Sculptures are created by kids, novices, and local artist professionals. Stick around for a firework display around 8pm.
Paso Robles: In our opinion this is the place to be for fireworks. Bring a picnic and relax on the grass over at Barney Schwartz Park. Fireworks show begins around 9pm. Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to light off the first fireworks!
Next post will feature some pictures from these fun events! Also, follow us on Facebook for daily updates on the real estate market, our listings, and local events.
Maximizing Your Home Appraisal
Photo Courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net .
We’re all familiar with the sometimes questionable design tastes of our friends, family, and neighbors. Like that new paint job in your best friend’s living room you pretended to LOVE when you were really thinking it was a complete disaster. Or that overgrown dirt pile the neighbors next door are calling an herb garden. We tend to nest in the places that we live and this includes making some design choices that may – or may not – effect the value of your home come selling time.
Now we can’t all afford to bring in professional decorators to give our homes the HGTV treatment before we list. So what are the important things to do before a home appraisal? Houzz professional appraisers share their tips:
The Kitchen — DO have:
- An open layout
- Newer matching appliances, stainless steel
- Extra perks like small beverage refrigerators, dual dishwashers, instant hot water and a central vacuum clean-out
- Granite countertops
- Custom cabinetry
DON’T try to fix outdated cabinetry or countertops. These need to be replaced if you want to add value — new hardware won’t be enough to fix them.
The Bathroom — DO have:
- New fixtures and mirrors
- A freshly painted tub if necessary
- Natural light
- Good ventilation
- New or refaced cabinetry
DON’T let your bathroom feel dark or have any outdated colors or materials.
The Exterior — DO:
- Pick plants that are evergreen and perennial so your yard always has pops of color.
- Put in new exterior light fixtures.
- Add on extra touches like shutters or planter boxes to give your exterior charm.
- Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door.
- Keep grass and landscaping healthy and not overgrown.
- Replace worn-out fencing.
The Interior layout — DO:
- Incorporate a smooth and open layout. Anything that feels too cramped or doesn’t make sense might need help from a good contractor before going on the market.
- Think about potential. Does a basement have the capability of turning into a media room, or are the ceilings too low?
- Fix negative features when possible. Small bathrooms, rooms that are accessed through other rooms, slanted second-floor ceilings and small kitchens can be a downside.
If the appraisal comes back and you’re not happy, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Many lenders won’t allow multiple appraisals for a loan, but if you’re not getting an appraisal for lending purposes, it could be worthwhile to get more than one opinion of value if you feel like your home has been seriously undervalued.
Welcome to Home & Ranch
Thank you for visiting the Home & Ranch Sotheby’s International Realty blog. Check back every week for new posts about real estate, home buying tips, home design, central coast real estate market updates and more!
