There Is Garage and There Is Garage...

Some great ideas from Meghan Belnap of RISMedia:

4 Modern Upgrades to Make Your Garage More Desirable

Posted on May 26 2021 - 3:53pm by Housecall

Garages have evolved in recent years to do more than just serve as storage for your vehicles. Many homeowners are converting garages into workshops and even office spaces where they can work from home or on DIY projects.

Related: How Garage Storage Solutions Can Increase the Value of Your Home

Garages today serve various purposes, so it's best to install a few upgrades to increase your garage's functionality, as well as beauty. Here are some upgrades you can install in your garage to make it more desirable:

Install an Automatic Overhead Door

When discussing upgrades, it's best to focus on both functionality and beauty. If you have plans other than storing your car or yard equipment, a garage door upgrade is a wise investment. With an automatic door, you can easily access your garage when moving your car or bringing in supplies. While most automatic doors are fitted with remote control switches, some come with customized sensors. Before choosing a garage door, consult with your contractor on the best option for your garage.

Update the Lighting System

Traditionally, garages are designed for minimalistic purposes. This being the case, most homeowners rarely dwell on its lighting system. Garages are usually fitted with an overhead garage door light and other bulbs. However, to increase a garage’s functionality and beauty, you should invest in a modern lighting system. LED strips along the sides of your garage will provide better ambient lighting and can be beautiful highlights for your car. Better lighting can also help brighten the mood of the garage space, especially if you are looking to use it as an art studio or workout space.

Upgrade the Garage Flooring

There are many upgrades and ideas that can be used for your garage floors. Instead of concrete, you can add a little beauty by using ceramic flooring, vinyl sheets or epoxy flooring. Some of these flooring options also serve as good ways to insulate your garage. One thing you should always keep in mind when choosing a flooring upgrade is the functionality of the garage. For instance, it wouldn’t make sense to fit a carpet covering the entire floor when you use the garage to store your car. Add beauty while keeping in mind the use.

Make the Garage More Comfortable

The garage space has morphed to perform several functions, including being a gym, an art studio or even a gaming room. If you want to use your garage for one of these purposes, you need to install an upgrade that will make it more comfortable regardless of outside temperatures. To make your garage usable for these activities, you'll have to spend a little extra on insulation with appropriate heating and AC systems.

Making your garage desirable is a project worth your time, especially if you’re considering selling in the near future. Take time to go over the various options at your disposal; look at comfort, functionality and aesthetics. Consult with a contractor on the most viable upgrades you can install without violating building codes in your area. By doing this, you’ll soon have a garage you can truly enjoy rather than just using as a go-to storage space!

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
Trends: Local prices and graphs.
How much is your home worth?

Currently on the market:  766 University Ave, Palo Alto - 2 B. 2 Ba     -   $1.449 million.

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The May 2021 California Housing Sentiment Index

 The May 2021 California Housing Sentiment Index:

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
Trends: Local prices and graphs.
How much is your home worth?

New on the market:  Wonderful updated charmer near downtown Palo Alto: www.766University.com

2B. 2 Ba - 1,300 sq.ft. - $1,449 million.

 

  

How Was 2020 In Real Estate?

 How was 2020 in Real Estate?

Well, one graph says it all.  A lack of inventory shaped the landscape last year, pretty much everywhere.  And the current trends continue upwards as of March 2021.

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
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How much is your home worth?

New on the market:  Stunning Loft near downtown San Jose - 350 E. Mission St. #111

Young Adults Living at Home Are Saving for Down Payment

Young Adults Living at Home Are Saving for Down Payment.

One of the biggest barriers to homeownership for first-time home buyers has been saving for a down payment. But young adults who moved back home during the pandemic—and kept a job—are finding that homeownership may be within reach, according to a new report from realtor.com®.

Realtor.com® analysis shows home ownership may be within reach for young people able to channel would-be rent into savings
-- Based on U.S. median one-bedroom rent, it would take 11 months to save for a 5% down payment for the median priced home in the U.S.
-- Eleven months of rent savings is enough to accumulate a 5% down payment for a $327,000 home in Chicago
-- It takes the longest -- nearly 22 months of rent savings -- to save for a 5% down payment for a median priced home in Los Angeles.

Check out the article on this link.

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
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Pending: fabulous 1 Bedroom for sale in Mt View - Los Altos Schools - www.49ShowersA238.com 

The Most Commonly Delayed Home Repairs

 The most commonly delayed home repairs

Source: Sears Home Services
Seventy percent of homeowners of about 1,000 recently surveyed say they have delayed home repairs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from Sears Home Services. Some consider those home repairs “critical,” too. Furthermore, nearly 60 percent of homeowners surveyed say they felt it’s acceptable to put off critical home repairs in the pandemic.

Many homeowners may be delaying home repairs due to their finances, the survey finds. Homeowners under financial stress are the most likely to report postponing repairs to broken appliances (34%), water damage (31%), electrical issues (30%), and roof repairs (29%), according to the survey. These postponed repairs, however, could result in pricier fixes later on or even dangers.

 

To see the whole report click here.

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
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How much is your home worth?

Fabulous 1 Bedroom for sale in Mt View - Los Altos Schools - www.49ShowersA238.com 

Fierce Competition Continues in California Housing Market

 Fierce Competition Continues in CA Housing Market 

The California housing market is red hot as the year comes to an end. The state has already recovered all the sales it lost in the first half of the year as insatiable housing demand in recent months has propelled sales to levels not seen in the past 15 years. Sales of existing single-family homes surpassed the 500,000 benchmark for the first time since January 2009, while year-to-date sales through November exceeded last year’s level for the first time since March and recorded an increase of 1.3 percent from 2019.    

On the supply side, levels of for-sale properties remained extremely low, with active listings declining 18 percent in November 2020 from the prior month and 46.6 percent from a year ago. The unsold inventory index, in fact, reached the lowest level in over 16 years. The surge in Coronavirus cases since late October likely played a role in the biggerthan-normal drop in active listings this year as many homeowners have been reluctant to put their house up on the market because of public health concerns.  

Click to see the full Jan.1 report.

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
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How much is your home worth?

Fabulous 1 Bedroom for sale in Mt View - Los Altos Schools - www.49ShowersA238.com 

California: November Real Estate Situation

The lowdown for California:   Source: CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS®

Defying an otherwise struggling economy, California home sales remained red hot in November, breaking the 500,000 sales benchmark for the first time since January 2009 and reaching the highest level in 15 years, the California Association of Realtors® said.

November sales rose 5.0 percent from 484,510 in October to 508,820 units and were up 26.3 percent from a year ago, when 402,880 homes were sold on an annualized basis. The year-over-year, double-digit sales gain was the fourth consecutive and the largest yearly gain since May 2009.      

“Home-buying interest is at levels that we have not seen for years, setting the stage for a stronger-than-expected comeback that fully recovered all the sales that the market lost in the first half of the year due to the pandemic,” said 2021 C.A.R. President Dave Walsh, vice president and manager of the Compass San Jose office. “Housing supply remains an issue, however, as we will likely to see a shortage of homes for sale in the near term, which will put upward pressure on prices and dampen affordability for those who haven’t been able to take advantage of low rates.” 

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
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How much is your home worth?

Fabulous 1 Bedroom for sale in Mt View - Los Altos Schools - www.49ShowersA238.com 

California Prop 19 At A Glance

This article and update from our own Kelly Vincelette, at Cornerstone Title.

Should you rely on Prop.19 for your own real estate transaction, be sure to double check your own tax situation and talk to a qualified real estate and tax attorney.  

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Francis

Silicon Valley real estate
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How much is your home worth?