With your home still being one of your best long-term investments, every little bit definitely helps—things like upkeep, maintenance and boosting the curb appeal. Since first impressions are lasting impressions, neighborhood values are affected by the homes therein. Many Web sites offer their top 10 lists of inexpensive tips for amping curb appeal for your investment. Most agree that the number one fix is to keep the exterior clean and neat, with power washing working minor miracles. The list continues with paint upkeep and landscaping. Keeping trees and shrubs trimmed and adding some flowers creates an inviting path, both for the eyes and for the feet.
Every little bit helps in the housing market too. Boosted, no doubt, by the deadline for closing escrow before June 30 to qualify for the federal tax credit for a home purchase, sales of homes in Orange County in June hit a four-year high. In addition, with 3,423 Orange County residences closing escrow, that is up 15 percent from June 2009. Sales of homes in Orange County in the second quarter had an increase of 44 percent over the first quarter.1
Overall, home prices and sales are up in 44 percent of Orange County.2 Indeed, it appears that positive perceptions of the housing market will help maintain a positive trend forward. Maintaining buyer interest and demand by maintaining the overall impression of the investment value of Orange County homes and communities will also contribute to a continuing positive trend.
Your Coldwell Banker professional can help you protect and maintain your investment. Our concierge can point you in the right direction for a multitude of services. Contact any one of our agents and visit www.OCViewOnline.com today to search our fine properties.
1“ OC Home Sales hit 4-year high.” OCRegister.com, July 13, 2010.
http://lansner.ocregister.com/2010/07/13/o-c-home-sales-hit-4-year-high/72475
2 “Home sales, prices up in 44% of O.C.” OCRegister.com, July 9, 2010.
http://lansner.ocregister.com/2010/07/09/home-sales-prices-up-in-44-of-o-c/72091
Protect Your Investment by Increasing Your Security
Saturday, July 31st, 2010A house may very well be your biggest investment, but it’s the people who live there that truly make it home. Naturally, we want to protect our home and our family. By following a few simple tips in and around the house you can increase the level of security for your property, valuables, identity and family.
Make sure your home is a less desirable target for intruders.
-Use outdoor lighting strategically to illuminate all entrances.
-Avoid foliage near windows and doors. If you have them there currently, keep them well
trimmed so no intruders may hide there. Thorny bushes are a good deterrent.
Avoid signaling that no one is home.
-Keep the garage door closed so that access to the house is limited, people can’t see
whether your cars are home, and no one can do an inventory of your garage possessions.
-Use a combination of timed lights and radios/TVs inside.
Arrange with a neighbor to help give the house a “lived-in” look.
-Have mail and newspapers picked up.
-Have yard maintained while you are gone.
-Remember to have garbage cans taken out and brought back inside.
Your personal safety can be assisted by changing simple behavior patterns.
-Keep all windows and doors locked.
-After someone leaves your home, check all windows and doors to ensure they are locked.
-No family members, especially children, should open a door unless you know who it is.
Install peep holes on all exterior doors.
-Do not let any service personnel in your home unless you have called them for service.
-Try to have another family member or friend at home with you if someone is coming over for a service call.
-Ask for identification and verify employment before letting service people in your home.
-Do not keep a spare key hidden outside your home.
Install a monitored alarm system.
-90 percent of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts.
-A home without a security system is two to three times more likely to be burglarized.
-A monitored alarm system can notify help in cases of burglary, fire or medical needs.
(Content courtesy of Brink’s Home Security.)
Tags: home safety, security
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