The Perfect Gift: even if you have zero artistic talent

Let me give you a great idea for a house-warming gift... or possibly even more appropriate, a gift for someone leaving a beloved home. This photo was taken of a gorgeous Fab 40s home.

To get a great gift for the people living in the house or moving out of it I would run the photo I took through an app called Waterlogue that costs just $1.99 and turn it into a "watercolor". You don't need to be talented or even the slightest bit artsy. The app will do everything for you.

See how much it looks like an actual watercolor? All you have to do now it mat it, frame it and watch them look in awe at their house... and at you for giving such a thoughtful gift. :)

My Hometown

Before I came out to California in 2001 I lived in Hamilton, New York. It's primarily known for being the home of mini-Ivy League school Colgate University... if you're wondering it's no where near New York City. One of my favorite places in town, the Colgate Inn, has been newly redone and the architecture is gorgeous.

I thought that I'd ask for your opinion today: tell me...

Which one of these houses is your favorite? 

As noted by the watermark all of the photos were taken by Jen Migonis of Migonis Home blog.

Weren't they great houses? Some are significantly different from what you'd find in California!

Five Great House-Warming Gifts

You know I love getting people into homes they love and after the closing I like to make sure my clients have a special memento to remember the day they purchased their home. Here are five great house-warming gifts that will be sure to be a hit:

This Pottery Barn personalized door mat would be a fantastic house-warming gift, lower priced options can be found at a number of stores as well:

Birch Lane has gorgeous house-warming gifts ranging in price from this $45 wine caddy to some more inexpensive tokens that are equally charming:

...and while we are on the subject of wine... so let's talk about this fantastic stopper from Mariposa that highlights man's best friend (and does anything say "happy lived in house" more than a lovable dog?).

I know it doesn't get bitterly cold here in California but Restoration Hardware has nailed the throw for chilly nights. Their luxury plush throw wears beautifully... it is a gift people will fight over.

Lastly, and most importantly, the gift I give all the time...
Mark, my fiance, company's products are incredible... their olive oil and flavored balsamic vinegar are to die for! You must check out Wine Country Kitchens.

What are your go to house-warming gifts?

Mortgages Rates at their Lowest Levels

Mortgage rates hovered at their lowest levels of the year for the third straight week this week, according to a survey published by Freddie Mac. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 4.1 percent for the week according to Freddie’s survey.

One of the bigger surprises of 2014 may be that mortgage rates might end the year lower than they began, at around 4.5 percent, even as the Federal Reserve has gradually pared back its purchases of mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage refinancing has largely subsided because even though mortgage rates are at their lowest levels of the year, they’re still higher than they were for all of 2012 and the first half of 2013, when the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to as low as 3.3 percent. 

A Happy Ending!

Do you remember the drawing my client's daughter drew of the house they were hoping to find in Davis?

The hope was to find an original Mid-Century Modern home on a great Central Davis street in close proximity to their child's schools, friends and downtown. I have good news to report, we found it! Here is the actual home they purchased... it'll be filled with people parading into their house as their daughter pictured once they get more settled. :)

It has been so much fun to see my clients formulate their ideas for improvements and give serious attention to keeping the integrity of the Mid-Century Modern bones in tack. This photo depicts what the living area looked like during the showing stage:

My clients have added a fantastic dramatic dark gray wall and painted the beams to update the look... and look at that gorgeous hardwood floor! What a difference a few tasteful decisions can make!

I'll be sure to post more updates as they send them along... after all, who doesn't love a good makeover?

Bathroom Progress

Remodeling is difficult and pricey! It's a bit of a roller coaster ride with exciting days with lots of progress and other days with no progress, no workers and miscommunications. We are very happy with how things are looking but have had some issues (isn't this always the way it seems to go with home renovations?).

We love our new Robern medicine cabinets but not the chipped glass in one of the mirrors.

We love the clean look of the shower door but not the puddle on the floor after each shower, we are trying to figure out a solution. Have you ever dealt with this problem?

We love the paint color but not the wall imperfections that were not prepped correctly. We thought a black toilet seat would make a great statement but...not so much. A white one has just been ordered. And blue painters tape "door pulls" gets old, I cannot wait for the glass knobs that I ordered!

We are almost to the finish line and I cannot wait to accessorize and truly enjoy the new space without sharing it with workmen. I'll be sure to post the final photos, with some great before shots.

 

Introducing Justin...

I mentioned in my last post that my son, Justin, has joined the real estate team! I wanted to kick off his time with a proper introduction:

What did you do before real estate and do you think your past career will be helpful as a Realtor?

Before real estate my work was always in a customer service industry and I enjoyed working with many different people and personalities. Mainly my focus was on managing restaurants and working hard everyday to understand what people needed/wanted and then I turned it into a service for them to enjoy. This was great experience to merge into a real estate career! Knowing my client's needs and wants and advocating for them while they are making the biggest purchases of their life is a great experience.

When you are not working what do you enjoy doing? What are your interests?

I think it's so important to know the community you service; experience and enjoy what's around you!  Saying that, I find myself enjoying the great restaurant scene Sacramento/Davis has to offer and always trying to experience new foods and experiences. Always on my mind is looking for a new hike or a new golf course to experience, two of my favorite hobbies. I am also a musician and hearing a new band is always exciting to me.

Why did you decide that real estate was the direction to go in?

To be able to challenge yourself everyday to strive higher. It's always a joy to go out everyday and have no idea what new people you may meet or in what way you may be able to help them achieve their goals.  Real estate is a family business, I am a third generation Realtor, I remember looking at my Grandfather's real estate books in his office and admiring my mother's business as well. Our family is full of people persons!

Are you concerned about working with your Mom?

Never. I love my mother and she is a great and what she does. I am happy to have the best mentor I could ask for!

 

What will your clients likely say about you and your skills as a Realtor?

That's tough to say at this point, but I hope that everyone will enjoy their experience with me.  I will try to help my clients turn this huge purchase into an easy going situation as best I can. I hope we can have a little fun and also succeed in our challenges.