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Blog Posts By Date: July 2020

07/23/2020

4 Great Ways to Build Equity in Your New Home

4 Great Ways to Build Equity in Your New Home

Congrats on investing in a new home! Now you may be wondering how do you increase its worth? One way to increase the value is by building equity. Equity is the market value of your home or property, minus your outstanding mortgage debt. Building equity is one of the most important financial benefits of ownership.
If you live in a market where home values are rising, your home may increase with the rising demand, and your equity will increase without doing anything. On the other hand, you can work on growing your home’s value by decreasing the amount you owe and increasing the value of your property.   more...

07/22/2020

Just Sold by Darryl Glass: 1547 Hallbrook Drive, San Jose, CA 95118

Just Sold by Darryl Glass: 1547 Hallbrook Drive, San Jose, CA 95118

We are proud to announce this well-loved and cared for craftsman home in San Jose is now SOLD! 1547 Hallbrook Drive was on the market for the first time in almost 50 years, with only two previous owners!
Within a week, 1547 Hallbrook Drive received an all-cash offer and moved into Escrow. Just like the owners of this home, we are confident that Darryl can make your home buying or selling experience swift and seamless.   more...

07/14/2020

Renters were particularly optimistic about home buying, according to the latest Fannie Mae survey

Renters were particularly optimistic about home buying, according to the latest Fannie Mae survey

After diving to nearly the lowest level in its history in April, an index measuring consumer viewpoint in the housing market bounced back significantly in June. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 5% for the week and were a remarkable 33% higher than a year ago. Renters were particularly optimistic about home buying, and it shows.
Home price gains continue to accelerate, so low mortgage rates are giving buyers much-needed help. The share of consumers who think it’s a great time to buy a home increased from 52% to 61% month to month, according to the Fannie Mae survey, while fewer Americans believe it was the wrong time to buy. Renters drove much of that improvement.   more...

07/02/2020

5 Ways to Maximize Your Outdoor Space

5 Ways to Maximize Your Outdoor Space

With Alameda, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties stuck in phase 2 of California's 4-stage re-opening plan, many inner Bay Area residents are feeling the physical and mental burden that is added by social distancing and sheltering-in-place.
Keeping that in mind, if you have a patio, a deck, or just a small patch of grass in your backyard, this is the perfect time to upgrade your outdoor space. The following tips will help you create the backyard environment you'll love.   more...

07/02/2020

The 7-Day Declutter Challenge

The 7-Day Declutter Challenge

Spring and summer cleaning do not need to be an unwanted series of tasks. If you’ve added decluttering to your list of spring cleaning tasks, this seven-day challenge will get your home tidy and organized in no time—and with little to no added stress. These manageable steps should not take up too much of your day and will assist you with bringing a feeling of tranquillity and harmony into your home.
Monday: Living and Dining Rooms Start by cleaning drawers and cabinets. Remove any trash or unused items. Repurpose or donate any items that are not being used. Tuesday: Kitchen Donate or sell any appliances you barely use. Trash expired items from the refrigerator, pantry, and cabinets. Donate unopened food. Wednesday: Bedrooms and Closets Donate any items that no longer fit. Donate items you haven’t worn in the past year. Organize toys and books, and then donate any that are rarely used. Thursday: Bathrooms Dispose of any expired makeup or toiletries. Reduce any beauty items to only those used regularly. Friday: Office/desk space Organize and sort any papers you need to keep. Shred and recycle any papers you do not need. Donate old books you have already read to the local library or school. Saturday: Storage Areas Donate or sell any furniture or household items you are not using. Store all seasonal items and holiday decorations in clearly labeled bins out of the way. Sunday: Garage and Car Dispose of broken items or items that no longer work. Donate any items you don’t use. Clean out the car, removing any items that do not belong there.   more...