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While Millennial and Empty-Nester are decades apart in age, when it comes to home buying they often look for the same qualities: quiet sanctuary, comfort, upgrades and low-maintenance. For Baby Boomers, luxury living was commonly thought of as large homes on acreage. Today the allure of a custom home on a low-maintenance lot has both Empty-Nesters looking to downsize as well as first-time home buying Millennials in the market for the same type of home.

LOCK AND LEAVE LIFESTYLE

Builders have noticed the need for low-maintenance living and are designing and constructing luxury homes designed to do just that. Thoughtfully designed, moderate square-footage homes, with custom upgrades throughout, on zero-lot lines is the new building trend.

The perfect design for Empty-Nesters, young professionals and families who don’t want their time to be consumed with the upkeep of an expansive home or property. The lock and leave lifestyle allows the freedom to travel or just enjoy all the amenities Central Coast living has to offer rather than being tied to household chores.

EMPTY-NESTERS

Once the kids are gone, many home-owners are deciding between remodeling their existing home or start looking for a new home. The daily maintenance and upkeep of lawn, landscape and cleaning can cut into valuable time spent relaxing, traveling and pursuing much-loved hobbies.

Remodeling a home designed for larger families can often be an expensive, daunting task. Many home buyers have decided to find a new home designed to meet their pre-sent-day lifestyle. The perks of new construction in a luxury community, such as builder home warranties offers peace of mind for future maintenance and upkeep costs for homeowners.

MILLENNIALS

Millennials are not interested in fixer-uppers the way past generations have been, and do not budget for significant repair and maintenance costs when planning to buy a home. According to the National Realtors Association, nearly half of millennials who bought newly built homes did so to avoid major repairs and renovations.

Another important factor for these young home buyers is value for money. They want unique details, not cookie cutter layouts, made with durable high-quality materials. Zero-lot line developments allow home-buying dollars to be invested in custom upgrades within the home which make them an appealing option.

In order to satisfy the growing demands of both Millennials and Empty-Nesters, low-maintenance, luxury living will continue to be a building trend in future neighborhood developments.

For an example of low-maintenance, luxury living, check out Oak Arbor Court, Arroyo Grande’s newest neighborhood.

Oak Arbor Court, Arroyo Grande

About CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty – Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast of California with offices spanning Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo county offering expert agents and convenient locations.

Whether you’re selling your home to upgrade or downsize, having your house on the market can cause extra stress and cost valuable time and money. Week after week of making sure your house is presentable at all times, can cause extra stress for the entire family. And buyers are most interested in your home the first few weeks it’s on the market, which is the best opportunity to gain top dollar for your property. Here are just a few tips on making sure your house sells fast:

STEPS TO SELLING FAST

1. Declutter your home. First impressions make a big difference and buyers need to imagine themselves living in your home. The general rule is to get rid of a third of your stuff so start with closets, cupboards and the garage. Can’t part with it? Opt to get a storage unit and stash away all of the seasonal decorations, nostalgic items and gadgets you won’t be using. If you use a portable storing company, you can have it all delivered to your new home.

2. Find an agent to do the work. 87% of buyers recently purchased their home through a realtor, according to a 2018 report by the National Association of Realtors. Real Estate Agents can help you get maximum exposure to buyers by providing professional pictures, distributing your home on the local Multiple Listing Service and several real estate websites, create a virtual tour video for YouTube, create custom marketing tools and host open houses.

3. Price to Sell. You will need to determine a realistic asking price for your home. Your agent can help you strategize on the right price for your home which includes many factors. Time of year, interest rates, marketing conditions, knowing what houses have sold or are about to sell are all key elements in determining a price.

4. Make minor repairs. You don’t need to renovate your house, but making minor repairs will help you get top dollar for your home. Simple fixes like repairing leaky faucets, replacing light bulbs, replacing war our bedding and drapery, patching holes and fixing doors that don’t open properly will improve the overall look and feel of the home.

5. Make the house shine. Make your home warm and inviting by make sure your home shines from top to bottom. Cleaning carpets, windows, mirrors, bleaching grout and sinks, hanging fresh towels, adding a fresh coat of paint and even pressure- washing the outside of the house will help make that great first impression.

6. Stage your home. Before your agent has photos taken, take a look at your home with a fresh set of eyes. Hiring a professional stager can often highlight your homes strengths while downplaying it’s flaws. If budget is an issue, consider having a friend walk through (pick one who binges watches all the popular HGTV design shows) and offer ideas on any more decluttering or furniture rearrangement. Then your agent can offer their input before taking the listing photos that will be the buyer’s first impression!

7. Create curb appeal. Make the buyers want to stop and look inside. Add curb appeal by mowing the lawn, planting flowers, trimming bushes, cleaning sidewalks, add a new welcome mat.

8. Choose an experienced agent. When it comes to selling your home fast, not all realtors are equal. C21Hometown Realty is the central coast market leader with more homes listed and more homes sold than any other company. By using a C21 agent you can be assured that they have a track record of selling homes in your area. Also, C21’s proven marketing strategy will ensure your home stands out.

9. Negotiating the best deal. Getting an offer or multiple offers is just the beginning of what a C21 agent does for you. Once the offers come in, your C21 Agent will help you negotiate the best deal that can include price, down payment amount, contingency requests, closing and occupancy dates and much more.

A lot goes into selling your home fast and choosing the right real estate company can make all the difference. Put your trust into a C21 Hometown Realty Agent who can walk you through the step-by-step process of selling your home and help you sell it fast!

About CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty – Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast of California with offices spanning Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo county offering expert agents and convenient locations.

The “Spring Fling” frenzy for real estate is right around the corner! When the temperatures start to rise, the real estate market will also heat up bringing competition or home sellers who want to get top dollar. If you’re planning on selling your home in the next few months, here’s what you can do now to make your house at the top of the “hot buy” list!

START PACKING

We’re not suggesting to pack up your kitchen and camp the next few months, but start packing and get rid of what you don’t want to take with you. By getting rid of any junk and boxing up storage closets, attics, the garage, your home will actually look larger and neater when it’s time to show your home. CLEAR THE

CLUTTER

To help prospects focus on the beauty of your home, here’s a spring cleaning checklist to de-clutter:

Entryway: This is the first area prospective homebuyers will see, so remove coats, umbrellas, or shoes from your mudroom or foyer.

Cabinets, pantry, nightstands, closets: Remove items (e.g. medications, tissues, etc), other than those used for decorative purposes. Closets shouldn’t be packed so much they’re bursting.

Kitchen: Countertops should be clear of everything except for decor and essential kitchen equipment (e.g. toaster). The fridge should be free of magnets, bills, flyers, or coupons.

Bedrooms: Beds should be made; clothes and shoes shouldn’t be on the floor.

Furniture and electronic equipment: Keep these to a minimum. This will give the impression of a more open floor plan. Organize cords for electronics (e.g. computers, TV).

REMOVE PERSONALIZATION

Home staging is all about allowing prospects to imagine your home becoming their home. Making your home neutral and fresh, yet still warm and inviting is key. Here are some tips on helping you achieve a balance:

Personal effects: Pack up family photos, sports memorabilia, trophies, figurines or artwork. In the bathrooms hide razors, deodorants, and other personal items.

Collections: What you collect (e.g. books, religious artifacts, etc.) may not necessarily be the same things your prospects would collect. Reading material should reflect neutral subjects, such as architecture or food.

Repaint walls: The color palette of the house should be neutral. You want buyers to project themselves onto the house, not feel like your personality is the overarching theme of the house. Use color psychology to know how each tone or color affects your buyers.

Wall coverings: Remove or replace wall treatments that have not been changed in the past five to seven years.

CLEAN EXTERIOR

First impressions are important and many buyers decide within seconds if the home has the right look and feel so make sure your curb appeal is actually appealing.

Yards: Winter can leave your yard looking dirty. Trim shrubs, weed flower beds, and throw away leaves and garbage. Planting flowers around the yard can go a long way in raising its appeal, especially during the spring.

Porch and patio: Springtime gives people a great excuse to sit out and bask in the weather, so make sure your porch and patio offer that. For a more appealing porch or patio, you can add potted plants along the walkway, even hang a beautiful wreath on the front door. Make sure you remedy any peeling paints, or repaint if needed.

OPEN UP YOUR HOME

Take advantage of the fresh spring weather by opening your windows to let the fresh air and sunlight come in and make your house feel (and smell) vibrant. Bright rooms aren’t just aesthetically-pleasing, they also look bigger.

If natural light doesn’t suffice, add floor or table lamps to areas that are darker or dimmer than others. You can even add some (subtle) air fresheners to give that springtime feeling a bit of a boost.

Spring cleaning for the upcoming Spring Fling will be great for your home and wallet! People tend to buy, whether it be a home or a box of breakfast cereal, for emotional reasons — then back it up with logic. And this is especially true with the real estate spring selling season.

That’s because spring carries with it powerful symbolism; the feeling of renewal, a fresh start. And this can be a powerful metaphor when selling your home. But it’s key you remove any obstacles to this motivating factor. By ensuring your home is clean, free of trouble areas, and looking as fresh as possible, you might just enjoy a fantastic return on your investment this spring. (Which required little more than a bit of elbow grease.)

(article information taken from “5 Ways Homeowners Can Prepare For The Spring Selling Season” by JD ESAJIAN, FortuneBuilders.com)

About CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty – Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast of California with offices spanning Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo county offering expert agents and convenient locations.

Century 21 Hometown Realty is proud to announce Cheri Wieland, a Presidents and Centurion Producer, has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Residential Real Estate Council, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

In every field, there exists a “Gold Standard” of excellence: a level of experience, advanced education, and professional performance that sets those who’ve earned it above the rest. In real estate, that Gold Standard is the CRS Designation. Only 3% of REALTORS® nationwide have earned this distinction and it comes as no surprise to us at Century 21 Hometown Realty that Cheri Wieland is among these elite. Congratulations, Cheri!

History was recently made by a “Dream Team” of 13 year-olds. The Five Cities Babe Ruth youth baseball team won the World Series on Thursday in Mountain Home, Arkansas. For 43 years, a 13U Babe Ruth league from the Five Cities had been trying to win state to advance to regionals. The one and only time it’s been done was in 1975. This year, the team secured the state title then went onto beat Eagle Pass, Texas, 7-6 on Thursday, taking home the national championship.

The team says the secret to it’s success is the ability to have fun. Although the kids know how to have fun, they transform into serious players during games. Five Cities coach Mike Afzali explained to the Baxter Bulletin, “Eight of our boys have played together for the past five years. I’ve coached my son since he was 4, and I’ve never seen a more tight-knit group than these boys. They’re like brothers.” Century 21 Hometown Realty salutes the hard work, dedication and camaraderie that made this group of young men champions.

Century 21 Hometown Realty also recently celebrated our own “Dream Team” of C21 agents at the Annual Hometown Realty Beach Bash. Over 65 agents turned out to enjoy the final days of summer and embracing the hard work of fellow agents. “Just like the young Babe Ruth baseball team, we understand the value of having fun together and rewarding jobs well done,” explains Jack Hardy, CEO. Agents not only enjoyed the summer sun, a delicious barbecue but took home a treasure trove of prizes including Costco gift cards, movie tickets, beach chairs, umbrellas and Bille Jean Chadwick won a 50’ HDTV! If you missed it be sure to look for our upcoming Christmas Party that is always a huge holiday hit!

About CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty – Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast of California with offices spanning Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo county offering expert agents and convenient locations.