Patty Manzi’s Tri-Valley Real Estate Blog

People often focus on how to decorate and improve the inside of their homes, but they overlook the improvements to the outside of the home! 

By making simple changes to the overall visual appearance of your home’s exterior and landscaping, you can not only increase your enjoyment and satisfaction while living there, you will also increase your ‘curb appeal’ when you are selling your home.

Too often people put off these simple, relatively inexpensive improvements until they are ready to sell and by doing this they miss out on the opportunity to fully experience living in a home that is an expression of themselves (not the previous owner).  They only see the house at its best when they are ready to pass it on to the buyer.

For those of you who are planning on selling your home soon, making these changes will create a ‘come on in’ look for any prospective buyers. 

Here are some tips for increasing your home’s curb appeal:

• Patch cracks on the driveway.  This can be done professionally, or with a do-it-yourself kit from your local hardware store.
• Power-wash your cement driveway and walkways.  This will remove oil, rust, dirt, and other stains that may be present, and give it that fresh clean look.
• Consider adding inexpensive vinyl shutters on the exterior next to windows.  This give more dimension to the home.
• Add window boxes with seasonal flowers, or add planters with flowers on a porch or wide entry to add beauty and richness.
• Prune & trim your plants and shrubs for a well cared for look.  Well-manicured, clutter-free yards are always appealing.
• Plant an assortment of flowers around the base of a tree in the front lawn.  Consider using mature plants rather than seedlings or young plants.
• Take a realistic look at your house and compare it to other homes in the neighborhood.  It it appears faded, consider a fresh coat of paint.
• Last, but not least, CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS~!  This is a very strong indicator that the house is well cared for.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression!

Here is a brief explanation of the responsibilities of the Buyer’s Agent and Seller’s Agent in a transaction.

In California,Real Estate brokers and their sales persons are required to disclose the type of working relationship they have with the buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction.  There are several types of relationships that are available to you.  You should understand these at the time a broker provides specific assistance to you in buying or selling real estate.  Buyer’s Agent and Seller’s Agent relationships are commonly referred to as ‘agency’ relationships and carry with them legal duties and responsibilities for the broker as well as for the buyer and seller.

Buyers Agent.  A Buyer’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the buyer and owes a fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the Buyer.  The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for the buyer.  The buyer is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency.  The agent must disclose to sellers all material facts concerning the buyer’s financial ability to perform the terms of the transaction and whether the buyer intends to occupy the property, but cannot disclose to another party that the Buyer will pay a price greater than the price offered.  A separate written buyer’s agreement is available which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.

Sellers Agent.  A Seller’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the Seller and owes a fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the Seller.  The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for the Seller.  The Seller is legally responsible for the actions of the Agent when that Agent is acting within the scope of the agency.  The Agent must disclose to Buyers or Tenants all adverse material facts about the property known by the Broker.  A separate written listing agreement is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.