RealVitalize - Key Facts

We have experienced tremendous interest in the RealVitalize program and received many questions. Here are some key facts on how the RealVitalize program works. (Click here to read our original post about RealVitalize.)

Eligibility

This program is currently only offered to Coldwell Banker NRT Real Estate Agents in select markets. The Sacramento/El Dorado Hills area is eligible.

Minimum/Maximum Housing Price

The is NO minimum/maximum housing price to qualify for the RealVitalize program.

Cost Cap

A seller’s allowance is an amount equal to the list-side commission rate set forth in the listing agreement, up to a maximum of $50,000.

Type of Work

Any work described as “non-structural” shall be permitted in the Real-Vitalize program.

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*FYI to our fellow Coldwell Banker Agents:

This program can be used on existing listings. It’s ideal for listings that have been sitting on the market for a while or for inspection findings after they are in escrow. This can save transactions where the seller can’t afford to come out of pocket for repairs.

Are you a Coldwell Banker agent looking for additional information on RealVitalize? Click here.

How to get rid of Fruit Flies

Close friends know that I am paranoid about fruit flies getting into my drinks. So much so, that I am constantly putting things on top of my drink to cover it; from my dirty cell phone to napkins, plates, books, anything… I no longer let my kids have real pumpkins for Halloween and the only fruit we have has to stay in the refrigerator.

Having this fruit fly phobia, I have discovered a trick to completely get rid of fruit flies in my home. After many requests, here is my secret!

Prevent Eggs from Hatching

Clean ALL drains with InVade BioDrain Gel. This includes your kitchen sinks, dishwasher overflow, bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs and laundry room sinks. Cleaning all drains will keep eggs from hatching. InVade BioDrain Gel can be purchased on Amazon and is by far the best drain cleaner that I have used for fruit flies.

To clean: Run hot water down drains for a minute or two to clear it out. Pour the gel down the drain and wait a couple minutes before rinsing.

Set traps

Put traps in any room that has fruit flies. I usually have 2 traps in my kitchen and one in any bathroom that needs it. The homemade traps work significantly better than any that I have purchased in the past.

The Recipe

• A Clear Glass Cup

• Plastic Wrap

• Apple Cider Vinegar

• Dish Soap

• Toothpick

Take your glass cup and pour about an inch or two’s worth of apple cider vinegar. Put a couple drops of dish soap in the apple cider vinegar and add a splash of water to mix it in. (This makes their wings sticky so they can’t get out.) Then, cover the glass with plastic wrap. Hold the plastic wrap tight and poke little holes in the top with a toothpick. I typically do about 10-15 holes depending on how big the glass cup is.

If you do all of this and still have fruit flies a couple days later, clean your drains again.

Try it out? Let us know how it worked!

RealVitalize - Coldwell Banker will finance your home improvement projects

Coldwell Banker just launched a new program to help our clients maximize the selling price and minimize the time their home is on the market. It is called RealVitalize.

3 Steps to Selling Your Home Faster, Getting Top Dollar

1. Schedule Consultation

Talk to a RealVitalize project consultant to discuss the services needed to prep the home for the market.

2. Pick a Start Date

The project consultant will manage everything from start to finish.

3. Enjoy a Smooth Sale

Experienced service professionals will show up on time to tackle improvements, and they’ll bill us for their services.

How does it work?

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage partnered with HomeAdvisor to help with improvements and repairs to prep a home for sale. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage will cover the upfront costs and get paid back when the home sells.

The Best part:

• No payments until closing.

• No hidden fees.

• No interest charges.

• No markups.

What type of projects does RealVitalize include?

• Staging (We include staging for our clients. This would be for a vacant home that needs large scale furniture.)

• Appliance Purchasing and Installation

• Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades

• Carpentry

• Carpet Cleaning and Installation

• Cleaning and Maid Service

• Curb Appeal Enhancements

• Painting

• Drywall and Insulation

• Electrical Upgrades

• Handyman Services

• Plumbing

• Wall and Ceiling Repair

How does it work?

We schedule an appointment with a project consultant. They will arrange services, agree on pricing and manage projects from start to finish. All services will be billed to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and recouped at closing with no hidden fees, interest charges or markups.

What if my home does not sell?

If your home does not close within 12 months from the execution date of a RealVitalize contract, the homeowner will be responsible for paying Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage an amount equal to the value of services that were undertaken during the contract period.

How much can a seller borrow as part of RealVitalize? 

RealVitalize will cover the costs up to an amount equal to the Listing Side Real Estate Commission set forth in the listing agreement at the agreed-upon price but not to exceed $50,000. 

How do I know the HomeAdvisor service providers will be good?

HomeAdvisor has a rigorous screening process for its service providers, including background checks and licensing requirements. RealVitalize participating HomeAdvisor providers were selected for having the highest customer ratings and experience.

How does pricing work? 

Before HomeAdvisor begins any work, the price will be clearly communicated and the seller will have the chance to review any quote before work is performed. If the seller disagrees with the price, the seller or agent can work with the dedicated HomeAdvisor project consultant to find a different provider or change the scope of the work.

This is very exciting news! If you’re contemplating selling and want to discuss the RealVitalize options, give us a call at 916-586-7766. 

Neutral Paint Colors

Paint can drastically change the look of a home. When it comes time to sell, here are some of our favorite neutral paint colors. If you have a favorite color, please share in the comments below!! :)

Shoji White SW 7042 - Sherwin-Williams
*This is the exterior color of Stephani’s house.

agreeable gray SW 7029 - Sherwin-Williams

Oyster White SW 7637 - Sherwin-Williams

STONE RH STON - Restoration Hardware

Alabaster SW 7008 - Sherwin-Williams

Classic Gray OC-23 - Benjamin Moore

Sand Dollar RH SAND - Restoration Hardware

Ash RH ASH - Restoration Hardware

Preparing your home for fall

Having experienced the first few rainy days of the season, we have home preparation on our minds. In order to avoid winter damage, homeowners should prepare for the upcoming wet weather. Here are some tips.

1. Clean the gutters. This is one of the most common maintenance items that homeowners in our area forget to do.

2. Visually inspect your roof and repair any damage or tile slippage.

3. Check water drainage to make sure downspouts are free of debris and direct water away from foundations, walkways, and driveways.

4. Inspect trees. Check for damaged limbs that may break or that are too close to the roof.

5. Store your outdoor cushions and cover outdoor furniture.

6. Service your HVAC. Don’t forget to change the air filters!

7. Inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney.

8. Fertilize your lawn.

9. Get ready to change your sprinkler settings.

10. Clear out a closet near the entry of your home to use for you and your guest’s coats and umbrellas.

What I did to sell my home in less than 1 week

Being a realtor, I know what can help or hurt a listing. When it came time for me to sell my own home, I was determined to make it look perfect and to sell it quickly. If I can’t sell my own home quick, why should clients trust me to sell theirs?

Regardless of being a Realtor, when it comes to your own home you can’t help but think like a Seller. Of course I wanted to sell my home for $100k higher than the value. If I don’t have to invest more into the home, I don’t want to. I don’t want a “For Sale” sign out front or strangers in my home while I am gone… I had to constantly take a step back and make sure I was doing what I would tell my clients to do.

After a lot of hard work, my home received an offer the first week. The feedback I received from the showings and the brokers tour were great. There was nothing I could do to make my home more sell-able. Besides pricing it reasonably, here are the steps you can take to help sell your home as quick as possible:

STEP 1 - RESEARCH 

Go to model homes to get inspiration. Take pictures so you can imitate the looks at home.  A well staged model home is not overly decorated. It is decorated to enhance the beauty and architectural features of the home while masking the non-desirable items. You rarely notice the lack of storage in a model because it is staged to appear abundant.

STEP 2 - DE-CLUTTER

This is VERY important, even for homes without clutter. Rent a storage unit, DO NOT put everything in your garage or closets. You will need to de-clutter those areas as well. 

Go room by room, and take most of your personal decor away. You want the buyer to be able to see themselves living in the home with their things. Rooms are better off empty than cluttered.  

• Remove extra or oversized furniture. (If you have a small dining room, take a leaf out of your table and remove extra chairs)

• Stage your closets. Keep only the clothes in season and store the rest. This is especially important if you are currently tight on storage. 

• Say good bye to junk drawers. Buyers often open kitchen and bathroom drawers. 

• Clean out your refrigerator, pantry and under the kitchen sink. People look in all of those places when they are considering purchasing your home.

• Store most the children's/pets toys. It will make it easier for showings if you do this up front!

STEP 3 - DE-PERSONALIZE

• Remove every single photo in your home that has a person in it. No exceptions. If the frame must stay, replace the photo with a magazine cut out. I did this in several decorative frames in our bonus room, above the master bed and on my kids nightstands. Go to the local grocery store and pick up a couple home design, photography or even the free luxury home magazines. This will keep your home decorated and de-personalized. (Remember the model homes? They have frames throughout but it doesn't feel like you are walking through someone else's home.)

• Paint all walls a neutral color. This may be hard work, but it is worth it. Some buyers cannot see past colored walls, and others over estimate the cost to repaint. 

• If you have any outgoing pieces of art or furniture, put it in storage. The buyers want to envision themselves living in the home, not you.

STEP 4 - CLEAN

Deep clean your home. Here are some commonly missed areas that we often notice in homes. 

• Light switches

• Stove hood

• Microwave

• Oven

• Refrigerator 

• Kitchen and Bathroom knobs

• Baseboards

• Windows and window sills

• Sliding glass door tracts

• Showers/bathtubs

• Enclosed light fixtures- Exterior, chandeliers, showers/bathtubs (Clean out the dead bugs)

• Dust Exhaust vents & ceiling fans

• Dust window coverings

• TV screens (Use special electronic cleaner. DO NOT use Windex. It leaves a film.)

STEP 5 - REPAIRS

Take the initiative to fix small things that you know of. Most likely, the buyer will request them to be done anyways. 

• Re-screen sliding doors or windows screens if necessary. (This is a VERY easy DIY! You only need to purchase a small Screen tool and some screen. I learned how to do it by watching a YouTube video. https://youtu.be/M0IJhQlHhNE)

• Touch up every nail hole, mark or scuff on the walls or baseboards. Keep the paint handy over the next couple days. After you think you have found them all, you will find a couple spots you missed.

• Re-caulk bathtubs or showers if necessary

• Add bark to front and back yard

STEP 5 - BRING SOMEONE ELSE INTO YOUR HOME FOR A SECOND OPINION

After I thought my home was ready to go, I had my mother (who is also a realtor) walk through the house as if she was the pickiest buyer. She was the one who pointed out that my slider needed to be re-screened and my TV needed to be cleaned.

STEP 6 – BURY A SAINT JOSEPH STATUE (OPTIONAL)

I was determined to get my home sold quickly! My husband thought I was joking, but I was serious. I made him dig a 12” hole near the For Sale sign for my Saint Joseph. I put him upside down with his hands facing the front of my house. Can’t hurt, right? 

SHOWINGS AND OPEN HOUSES – FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE CRUCIAL!

• Turned on soft instrumental jazz music throughout the house and yard. 

• Turned on front yard and backyard fountains

• Turned every light in the house on, including table and bedside lamps. 

• Mopped the floors. 

• Wiped down the kitchen counters.

• Made sure my air freshener was on.

• A quick run through - I would go through the house with a laundry basket and toss any misplaced clothes or toys in it, and store it in my car. 

My home backed to a busy street, so minimizing road noise was important. I cancelled our first open house because of the rain. I knew the rain would make the cars sound much louder than normal. I didn’t want a bad first impression. 

“YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.”

I chose to invest in a few items to get my home ready to sell. I believe my small investment had a great return. Below are the items I thought would help the sale of my home.

Decor - I purchased a large mirror and piece of art at World Market to replace my family portraits.

Plants - We added a few large pots and flowers near the front door. I also found a great wreath at Home Goods. 

Bark - We purchased bark for our yard and spent a Saturday with the kids, spreading it around. It made the yard look great!

Scent Air - I saw this in a model home and have been obsessed with it since! It is the best air freshener and you can control how strong the scent is. I loved it so much, I have purchased two diffusers and have subscribed to a monthly refill shipment.
https://www.westinstore.com/productDetail.aspx?White-Tea-Scent-Diffuser 

Color Seal Grout - I think I paid about $1,600 for my downstairs living area (roughly 1500 SF) to have the grout redone. This made a huge difference. My grout had become discolored from kids and dogs, it even started deteriorating because I had it cleaned so often. We were contemplating installing hardwood floors because the grout drove me crazy. We saved a significant amount of money by having this done, and it looked amazing! I wish we had done it when we first moved in.

Carpet replacement/ cleaning - I invested about $1,000 total in carpet replacement and cleaning. I had a carpet cleaning company come with a black light to find hidden spots from my naughty dogs. It is very important to hire a good carpet cleaning company to treat and extract the pet stains, instead of shampooing them into the carpet. I had our carpet and pad replaced in the downstairs work out room.