Blog - Love Sacramento Metro Homes

August 2, 2017 by Martha Loveless Leave a Comment

The 10 Best U.S. Cities For Retirement

The 10 Best U.S. Cities For Retirement

Martha Loveless of Loveless Real Estate Services
The Best Carmichael Realtor | Keller Williams Realty 916-.270.7081
Homes for Sale in Carmichael / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

Ask any financial advisor (or grandparent) and they’ll tell you the same thing ― it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. That’s why we did some digging to find ten spots around the country that are known to be especially great for seniors, thanks to stellar health-care facilities, easy transportation options, favorable taxes and high quality of life factors. Next question: When is too early to start counting down the days until retirement?

IOWA CITY, IOWA

Ranked number one on the Milken Institute list of Best Cities for Aging, this small city (population of approximately 75,000) boasts low crime rates, a busy downtown with beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods plus an impressive literary tradition. Hey, what better time to finally get cracking on that novel?

THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA

Florida gets its rep as a retirement haven for a reason. Great climate, good air quality and a relaxed vibe abound statewide, but The Villages features a particularly active adult community (think dozens of golf courses and hundreds of clubs including photography, bird watching and astronomy). It’s basically a non-stop summer camp for seniors.

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

A booming local economy and low cost of living makes this Midwestern city a great option for pensioners. With lots of outdoor recreation (like fishing and boating on the Missouri River) and volunteer opportunities, plus notoriously friendly residents, there’s plenty of incentives for seniors to move up north. (Maybe just don’t watch the TV show before you go, though.)

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

This affluent suburb of Phoenix has a thriving elderly community with resort-style amenities. (Spas, luxury shopping, golf and tennis? Don’t mind if we do.) Summers can get pretty hot, but the dramatic mountain and desert scenery are truly breathtaking.

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

College towns often make great homes for retirees as there are a lot of opportunities for education plus a safe and lively ambiance. This charming southern town (home to Clemson University) also offers free local buses, a slightly lower than average cost of living and state income tax breaks for pensions. (not to mention killer barbecue).

BOISE, IDAHO

A pleasant climate (mild temperatures and low humidity) combined with beautiful scenery make this outdoorsy town ideal for active retirees. Another reason to check out Idaho’s capital? There’s no state taxation of Social Security benefits and no inheritance tax. Plus, you’re never too old to try white-water rafting, right?

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

Southern charm, mild climate and great food —it’s no wonder this city is so popular with visitors and retirees alike. Seniors will love strolling through beautiful streets filled with stately homes, lively town squares and rich history. Oh, and the close proximity to the beach isn’t too shabby, either.

LEWISTON, MAINE

With a low cost of living and an above-average number of physicians per capita, this New England town has plenty to offer. For those used to the hustle and bustle of the big city, Lewiston’s low crime rate and high quality of air will make strolling around the lush parks and shimmering lakes a welcome way of retired life.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Sports fans and history buffs alike will love this bustling metropolis that boasts great transport links and superior medical care. Fill your days with visits to world-class museums like the Carnegie Museum of Art, riveting musical performances (Pittsburgh has a lively jazz scene) and biking along the pretty riverfront.

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

Sunny weather and hundreds of hiking, biking and jogging trails makes this city ideal for retirees to stay active. And its proximity to Los Angeles means there’s plenty of culture on offer, too. (L.A. also has one of the top rated hospitals in the country for geriatric care.)

Martha Loveless
916.270.7081
The Best Carmichael Realtor
www.LoveSacMetroHomes.com

*A special thank you to HuffPost.com for this greatrticle*

Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $800,000
Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $700,000
Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $600,000
Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $500,000
Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $400,000
Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $300,000
Homes for Sale in Carmichael 95608 under $200,000

August 1, 2017 by Martha Loveless Leave a Comment

Average Listing Price for homes in Carmichael, CA 95608 – Carmichael 95608 Market Trends – What’s my Carmichael home worth?

Average Listing Price for homes in Carmichael, CA 95608 – Carmichael 95608 Market Trends – What’s my Carmichael home worth?

Martha Loveless of Loveless Real Estate Services
The Best Carmichael Realtor | Keller Williams Realty 916-.270.7081
Homes for Sale in Carmichael / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

The median sales price for homes for sale in Carmichael, CA 95608 for July to August (past 30 days) was $439,000. This represents an increase of $8,000 compared to the prior month and an decline of $6,000 compared to the prior year.

What’s my Carmichael Home Worth? Call us today at 916-270-7081 for a free consultation or log on to www.HomeValuesinCarmichael.com to find out.

Martha Loveless
916.270.7081
The Best Carmichael Realtor
www.LoveSacMetroHomes.com

July 20, 2017 by Martha Loveless Leave a Comment

Homes with this color bathroom sell for $5,400 more

Homes with this color bathroom sell for $5,400 more

Martha Loveless of Loveless Real Estate Services
The Best Carmichael Realtor | Keller Williams Realty 916-.270.7081
Homes for Sale in Carmichael / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

A $50 gallon of blue paint can result in a huge return on investment for homeowners, according to Zillow‘s 2017 Paint Color Analysis study.

Homes with bathrooms painted in a powder blue or periwinkle shade sold for an average of $5,400 more — the highest sales premium of all colors analyzed.

When it comes to a home’s exterior, neutral tones, such as ‘greige,’ sold for $3,496 more than comparable homes in a different color.

Furthermore, homes with front doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray sold for an extra $1,514.

On the other hand, buyers seem to be put off by style-specific features such as terracotta walls, which resulted in a $2,031 dip in sales prices. But even more than that, prospective owners seem to hate white walls: Homes that had no color whatsoever sold for an average of $4,035 less. Ouch!

“Color can be a powerful tool for attracting buyers to a home, especially in listing photos and videos,” said Zillow chief economist Svenja Gudell. “Painting walls in fresh, natural-looking colors, particularly in shades of blue and pale gray not only make a home feel larger, but also are neutral enough to help future buyers envision themselves living in the space.

“Incorporating light blue in kitchens and bathrooms may pay off especially well as the color complements white countertops and cabinets, a growing trend in both rooms,” she added.

If a seller is adamant about keeping color in the home, have them consider a pop of color on an accent wall using Pantone’s Color of The Year, Greenery, or have them incorporate jewel-toned decor pieces throughout the home.

Martha Loveless
916.270.7081
The Best Carmichael Realtor
www.LoveSacMetroHomes.com

*A special thank you to Inman.com for this great article*

July 14, 2017 by Martha Loveless Leave a Comment

5 Reasons Why You Should Not For Sale By Owner

Martha Loveless of Loveless Real Estate Services
The Best Carmichael Realtor | Keller Williams Realty 916-.270.7081
Homes for Sale in Carmichael / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

In today’s market, with home prices rising and a lack of inventory, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their homes on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons why this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers.

Here five reasons you should not For Sale By Owner:

1. Exposure to Prospective Buyers

Recent studies have shown that 94% of buyers search online for a home. That is in comparison to only 16% looking at print newspaper ads. Most real estate agents have an internet strategy to promote the sale of your home. Do you?

2. Results Come from the Internet

Where did buyers find the homes they actually purchased?

51% on the internet
34% from a Real Estate Agent
8% from a yard sign
1% from newspapers

The days of selling your house by just putting up a sign and putting it in the paper are long gone. Having a strong internet strategy is crucial.

3. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With

Here is a list of some of the people with whom you must be prepared to negotiate if you decide to For Sale by Owner:

The buyer who wants the best deal possible
The buyer’s agent who solely represents the best interest of the buyer
The buyer’s attorney (in some parts of the country)
The home inspection companies, which work for the buyer and will almost always find some problems with the house
The appraiser if there is a question of value

4. FSBOing Has Become More And More Difficult

The paperwork involved in selling and buying a home has increased dramatically as industry disclosures and regulations have become mandatory. This is one of the reasons that the percentage of people FSBOing has dropped from 19% to 8% over the last 20+ years.

The 8% share represents the lowest recorded figure since NAR began collecting data in 1981.

5. You Net More Money When Using an Agent

Many homeowners believe that they will save the real estate commission by selling on their own. Realize that the main reason buyers look at FSBOs is because they also believe they can save the real estate agent’s commission. The seller and buyer can’t both save the commission.

Studies have shown that the typical house sold by the homeowner sells for $185,000, while the typical house sold by an agent sells for $245,000. This doesn’t mean that an agent can get $60,000 more for your home, as studies have shown that people are more likely to FSBO in markets with lower price points. However, it does show that selling on your own might not make sense.

Bottom Line

Before you decide to take on the challenges of selling your house on your own, sit with a real estate professional in your marketplace and see what they have to offer.

Martha Loveless
916.270.7081
The Best Carmichael Realtor
www.LoveSacMetroHomes.com

*A special thank you to HomeWarranty.com for this great advice*