I've got a guy (or gal) for you

It's October, time to get ready for the holidays and the rain.

Halloween is my favorite fall Holiday because it doesn't involve gifts or conversations with family. I'll need to get creative this year since I've already used my "Pigs in a Blanket" and "Mother Theresa (a.k.a Marissa)" costumes. Send suggestions.

I've Got A Guy: As a homeowner and Real Estate Agent, I'm constantly vetting the best people to improve my and my client's homes. The most popular request I get is, "My home insurance dropped me. Now what?" I've got you. This month, I installed double-paned windows and got rid of a nasty ant invasion. I updated my Favorite Home Improvement Vendors list for the fourth quarter. If you'd like a copy, email me! 

Fun Events:

• Downsizing Made Easy - How to Buy Before You Sell.
  Feeling overwhelmed by your big house and endless maintenance? Ready to move but don't know where to start? Join us for an event where we'll show you how to buy your next home before selling your current one. We'll also give you tips on organizing, decluttering, and simplifying your home life. Register HERE - space is limited 
  Date & Time: October 27, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 PM 
  Location: Red Oak Realty Montclair Office, 6450 Moraga Ave
  Wine, food, and fun provided!
• OAKtoberfest:
  Our Pretzel Necklace booth at OAKtoberfest was a big success; the event brought out the best Oakland has to offer! Despite the 100-degree weather, people came out in droves to drink, shop, and be entertained.
• Make Paper Lanterns at the Farmer's Market:
  Join Ilan Penson and me as we host our popular, FREE Halloween paper lantern-making booth at the Sunday Farmer's Market. This family-friendly celebration includes trick-or-treating and Halloween Fun in Montclair Village on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm.  

Selling a 100-Year-Old Home: Home Part 1:

I'm excited to be preparing two new listings in the Montclair Hills for early next year. Did you know it can take 4-6 months to prepare a home for the market? Or depending on the seller's goals, it can take just a few weeks.

Like many of my listings, both sellers have lived in their homes for over 50 years. Here's a sneak peek into what selling a 100-year-old house occupied by the same family for 50 years looks like circa fall 2024. This process isn't for all sellers; it's simply a case study.

Before you Move out:

1. Hire a Real Estate Agent —someone you know, like, and trust—like me, for instance. (My number is 415-652-1820.) The more time we have to prepare, the smoother the process will unfold and the more you'll net from the sale. 
2. Decide Where to Go: Where are people moving? The most popular destinations are closer to family, wherever that is, through the Caldecott tunnel, 55+ communities in Santa Fe, Portland, San Miguel de Allende México, and The Sierra Foothills. Most sellers want a single-story, low-maintenance home for their second chapter.
3. Decide on a move-out Date. Attend my "How to Buy Before You Sell" event to learn how to avoid moving twice. Both of these sellers bought anew before they moved out. Once you hand over the keys to us, we take care of everything—literally, everything. 
4. Get a drainage and structural inspection. California has been in a drought for 30 years, so most older people haven't updated their drainage.
5. Evaluate the 5 major home systems that may prevent a buyer from getting home insurance--Fire hardening, Roof, HVAC, and plumbing.  A buyer can't close escrow without home insurance.  
6. Get a quote to remediate major pest and structural problems. As home insurance underwriters continue to restrict policy criteria, homeowners need to pay more attention to what we call "Section One," or health and safety items called out by the inspectors. Sellers can pass on those costs to the buyers, but disclosing the expense will expedite the sale. 
7. Create a Move-Out Plan: With our team of organizers, haulers, movers, and collectibles advisors, we assemble a team to get you out on time. Or do it all yourself. Let's see how that works out. ;-) 
8. Get Bids for Home Prep: The best designers, painters, electricians, roofers, and stagers get very busy in the Spring. By the way, the spring market is the best time to sell, starting in January. Before this year, the fall market was a close second, but it disappointed many sellers this year. 

To be continued in part 2 next month.

Thank you in advance to my friends, neighbors, and family, who refer me to people they know who are buying, selling, or investing in real estate. 

With gratitude,
Marissa