 Natalie Swanson Real Estate Team |
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Is it better to buy a starter home now or save for a bigger home later?
First time buyers can often afford only a small home or condo to start. Is that a good idea, or would they be better off saving for a bigger home? The quick answer is that they are usually better off buying a smaller home now. They will earn equity on a home they own (about 3% per year in an average market). That means if they sell in 5 years, they'll have some cash for a down payment on a bigger home (est. $30,000 equity on a $200,000 home). If the market rises faster, or they can work in some “sweat” equity, they’ll gain even more.
Of course, if a renter were highly disciplined, they could perhaps save $30,000 over the next 5 years while renting at a much lower price than a mortgage payment. But that negates the possibility of gaining from sweat equity and sharp rises in real estate values.
If you know someone thinking of buying a first home, ask them to call me. I’ll help them explore their options.
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| May 2017 Real Estate Weather Report |
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Featured
1079 Eve Lane
Livermore CA 94550
4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms 2,972 sq. ft.
Lot size 8,516 sq. ft.
Resort Style Living
Fully remodeled kitchen with custom cabinets, paint, window treatments. Solar heated pool and hot tub in gazebo.
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Coming Soon!
4806 Mangrove Drive
Dublin CA 94568
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms 2,461 sq. ft.
533 Starling Ave
Livermore CA 94550
3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms 1,328 sq. ft.
Lot size 6,354 sq. ft.
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Win a Free $10 Coffee Card!
It's easy to win! Look for this month's quiz question down towards the bottom of this newsletter, then email me your answer.
Last Month's Quiz & Answer:
- Q: In a one story house made entirely of redwood, what color would the stairs be?
- A: No color...there would be no stairs in a one story house!
Congratulations to Last Month's Winner!
Michael and Gloria Parra
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June Quiz Question
The color Chartreuse comes from what source?
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Thank You Friends!
 Thank you to all my friends who've trusted me to help them and their friends, family, & co-workers. Special thanks this month to... Tina Lanfri, O'Shea Family, Adam Sack and Rosee Nielsen
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FREE REPORT
7 Expensive Mistakes that Home Buyers Regret
Home buyers are excited! They’re also a little scared. That combination can lead to expensive mistakes that buyers regret in hindsight. Here’s a report that offers foresight about those common financial pitfalls. |
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Things to consider...
You are about to list your home for sale, and you're wondering...does staging matter?
These days listing a home may mean staging it. But does staging really make your house sell faster, or for more money? The truth is that it depends on what's in the home, its condition, and its location.
Here’s where staging helps:
Staging can help an empty house sell faster, which generally means getting more money in the long run. staged homes help buyers focus on living in the house, rather than wondering how they'll fill all this empty space. They place a higher value on a home that feels more "finished."
Staging can help a house in a less desirable location sell faster. When a buyer has fewer "nice" options in their price range, then a staged home stands out.
Homes with odd layouts can also benefit from staging. A home with a middle room, for example, that has two doors. Most people can't picture what to do with the space without staging.
A home with tasteful newer furnishings probably does not need much outside staging. Cleaning, de-cluttering and rearranging can do the trick. Or a few single decorative pieces.
The best thing to do is have a discussion with me about your home. Together we can decide if it would benefit from a little, a lot, or no staging. I can then recommend a stager to help, if needed.
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| All Sold Above List Price |
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| Call us today and find out how we can help you! |
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DIY
8 Refreshing Kitchen Updates You Can Do Today!
You don’t need to break down the walls or strip the cabinets to renew your kitchen. Here are 8 little approaches to sprucing up the kitchen without major remodeling.
 Choose 3 complimentary colors and update everything you can to match, like paint, towels, rugs, small appliances, canisters, and curtains.- Change your cabinet and drawer pulls. Buy a size that fits existing holes so you don't need to drill new holes.
- Add rope or stick-on lighting under or over your cabinets.
- Paint an unused wall/surface with chalkboard paint. Use colorful chalk to write a quote each day or week.
- Add a new backsplash using stick-on tile.
- Replace the faucet with something ultra-modern.
- Add some kitchen-relevant art, such as a café painting or kitschy spoon and fork mosaics.
- Replace boring lighting with something interesting or unusual.
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Benefits of Cash-Out Refinance Programs
- No “points” added to loan
- Available on owner-occupied properties, second homes and investments properties
- Available when you have owned your home for less than six months. Buyer is eligible for a conforming loan, using standard guidelines
- Refinance options available as soon as one day after closing on a property.
CALL TODAY TO SEE IF A CASH OUT REFINANCE IS RIGHT FOR YOU! |
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Maureen Torrento
Sr. Loan Consultant
MTorretto@loandepot.com
925.577.8706
2300 First Street, Suite 350 Livermore CA 94550
NMLS ID 26709 |
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| loanDepot.com, LLC NMLS ID 174457. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act CRMLA 4131040. |
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Looking to cross off items on the “honey-do-list”
These folks can help! |
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Swanson Landscaping
Geoff Swanson
925-525-7699
Pickerill Bros. Roofing, Inc.
Jack Pickerill
925-699-0831 |
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Effex Painting
Rusty Floris
925-337-7352
Abbey Carpet & Flooring
Gary Wolfe
925-570-5833
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Quick Tips for Perfect Summer Burgers
Want to know what's hard? Grilling perfect hamburgers. According to Chef Barry Danieler, most people let the meat dry out or they over-spice it. For perfect grilled burgers, here are his six tips: 
- Use fresh (not previously frozen) ground beef, 80-85% lean. If it's too lean, it will taste dry.
- Add a little red wine to make your beef taste more robust.
- Don't over-handle or compact the meat. Let it stay loose.
- After forming patties, press a divot into the middle with your thumb. This allows the juices to flow to the middle and keeps the meat moist. You can also press an ice cube into the divot after popping it onto the grill.
- Place patties onto an already hot grill. Cook 2 minutes per side for rare, 3 for medium-rare, 4 for medium, and 5 for well-done.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS FOR NATALIE SWANSON REAL ESTATE TEAM |
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Take me to the Ball Game!
JULY 19th, 2017
FIRST COME FIRST SERVE
Call us to reserve your tickets today
925 580 9829 |
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Save the Date
SPUDS
&
BREWS
August 4th, 2017
BY INVITATION ONLY
CALL TO GET DETAILS
Mark your calendars! |
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No need to wonder about the price or download an app just to get a bit of information. You can text or call me with the address, and I’ll give you all the details.
