• Clean, then clean a little more. This is your home’s time to shine, so make sure it sparkles. Remember: people will be looking in cabinets and closets, so make sure these spaces are cleaned and organized, as well.

• Put away personal items. The more “you” that’s in the home, the less buyers will be able to imagine themselves living there. Put personal photos, pet supplies, and collections away. While you’re at it, hide your valuables or remove them from the house. There will be strangers in your home, and while they’ll likely be trustworthy, it isn’t worth the risk of having a valuable item turn up missing.

• Leave the house. Let your real estate agent handle the showing of the house. You want buyers to imagine themselves living there, and they can’t do that with you there. Leave for the day and stay away until the open house is over.

• Take your pets with you. Don’t leave your pets in the house. First, the door will be opened a lot and your pet could get out. Second, if you keep your pet secured in a room with the door closed, buyers won’t be able to view the room, which isn’t ideal. And third, having a bunch of strangers wandering through the home might be stressful for your pet, even if they’re crated. Take your pet with you when you leave or find a pet-sitter to watch them for the day.

• Keep the driveway and street clear. Visitors will need a convenient place to park, so make sure the driveway and street in front of your house is clear of vehicles.

• Invite the neighbors. Let everyone know you’ll be having an open house well in advance. This is helpful in a variety of ways. First, they’ll know to expect extra traffic and cars on that day so it won’t catch them unaware. They’ll be less likely to complain about people milling around the neighborhood. And if you make them aware of your open house, perhaps they won’t choose that day to cut down trees or host a garage sale. If they come to the open house, they can share their knowledge of the neighborhood with potential buyers and make them feel welcome.

• Consider serving snacks and drinks. Most open houses take place on Sundays between 11 am and 4 pm. Chances are good some buyers will arrive hungry. Potential buyers and agents tend to stay longer when food is served. And if it’s a warm summer day, beverages will be welcomed by your guests. Whether you choose sweet, savory, or a mix of both, think strategically about food placement and scents. For example, having snacks in the kitchen will make buyers think about hosting their own parties there. Some drinks and snacks on the back patio will bring to mind backyard barbecues and family get-togethers. If you’re doing the cooking, choose items that will leave a pleasant scent in your house, such as a batch of brownies or fresh-baked bread. Avoid cooking things that might leave a lingering odor in your home, like cauliflower or fish.

• View the open house as your grand reveal. Typically, the open house is held soon after you put your home on the market, so it’s like a debut. You can learn a lot from your open house. This valuable information can help you sell your home faster if you use it to your advantage. Consider setting out comment cards for guests to fill out before they leave. This will provide you with instant feedback about your home and what people are thinking so you can make any necessary changes or adjustments while it’s still early in the process.

sellOpen houses are still a great tool for buyers, sellers, and agents. While they have the potential to be awkward, knowing what to expect and some basic etiquette will help make the event a success for everyone involved.

Have you ever been out for a Sunday drive, saw an “open house” sign, and decided to pop in for a look, even though you weren’t planning to buy? If so, you aren’t alone. Open houses tend to attract not only potential buyers, but also curious neighbors, those seeking decorating ideas for their own homes, and area real estate agents.

An open house may seem antiquated in the age of virtual tours, but there’s still something about seeing a house in person. You can peek in the closets, get a feel for the neighborhood, and see if the back yard is actually as large as it looks online. By visiting open houses, you can get a feel for the market casually at your own pace, so it’s a great way for new home buyers to get a sense of what they like and don’t like before they reach out to a real estate agent. If you’re a seller, an open house is a great way to create a buzz. The more eyes on your home the better. You never know when a curious neighbor will decide your house would be perfect for them or someone they know.

Despite the benefits of open houses, they can be a little awkward. For buyers, you don’t quite know what you can and can’t do since it’s still someone else’s house. For sellers, it can be difficult having strangers walking through your house, peeking in your closets. Unless attending open houses is how you spend your weekends, you probably haven’t been to enough to know what’s expected and what might be frowned upon.

Open House Etiquette for Home Buyers

While there aren’t any rules for open houses, there are some generally accepted things you should and shouldn’t do. Here are some things home buyers should keep in mind:

• Unless there’s a sign stating otherwise, you don’t have to knock. While it may feel wrong to walk into someone else’s house unannounced, you aren’t supposed to ring the doorbell or knock when going to an open house. Just walk right in. If you don’t see the listing agent right away, you can call out a greeting to get their attention.

• It’s fine to examine house features, but not personal items. Yes, you can look inside the closets. After all, how else will you know if there’s enough space for your sneaker collection? Same goes for the pantry and garage. You want to make sure the spaces are adequate. However, don’t go through dresser drawers or look inside the refrigerator. Remember: people still live there, so try not to invade their privacy.

• Leave food and drink behind. For a lot of people, coffee is essential, especially in the morning. But consider what could happen if someone bumps into you or you trip on the corner of a rug. You don’t want to be sopping up spilled coffee from someone else’s carpet or worse, off their white sofa. Many homeowners will provide finger foods and snacks for guests at the open house. It’s fine to take what’s offered but stay in the area where the food is provided while eating so you aren’t leaving a trail of crumbs through the house.

• Try not to sit on the furniture. Maybe you’re tired after a long morning of open houses, or maybe your significant other is still wandering around and you just want a comfortable place to wait. While it’s tempting to flop down on the sofa, it might not be real! If the house is staged, there’s a good chance the furniture is made from cardboard. Staging furniture looks deceptively real, so if you must sit, test it out first and make sure it’s actually a sofa.

• Don’t use the bathroom. When planning your day of open house visits, be sure to schedule in a stop at a café or other place where you can use the facilities. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you need to use the bathroom in someone’s house. If the house has been empty, the water might not even be turned on, and you don’t want to find yourself in that situation. Also, there are other people trying to look at the house, as well, including the bathroom. If you’re in there for any length of time, it could make everyone uncomfortable. If you absolutely must go, make sure you ask first (to avoid the whole “no water” situation).

• Wait your turn. If other people are viewing a room, wait for them to leave before you enter. This allows everyone to see the space unimpeded.

• Leave young kids at home. The house likely isn’t childproofed, which means furniture could tip over or breakables might be within reach of tiny hands. Young children are easily overwhelmed, especially when they’re in a strange place, which could lead to them acting out or running around. This could lead to an unpleasant situation for everyone, including you, so try to find a sitter. If you can’t, bring someone along to help you manage the kids.

• Leave your dog at home, too. Unless it’s a service animal, leave your pet at home when touring open houses. Even though you might want to make sure your dog likes the back yard, an unfamiliar place where strangers are coming and going will likely stress your dog out and make other visitors uncomfortable. Besides, some people are allergic. If you must know if your dog likes the house, wait for a private viewing, get permission from the seller, and only do this with homes you’re seriously considering.

• Be careful what you say. You don’t know who’s listening, so don’t be overly critical of the house as you tour, and don’t criticize the homeowner’s taste in décor or style. On the flip side, don’t gush about how much you adore the house and how it’s perfect for you. If you do, the seller could leverage that information to their advantage when you submit an offer. Stay neutral and save your comments for the ride home.

#sandiego #riverside #california #buyers #etiquette #homebuyer #homes #buyer #pets #open house

Sunrooms blend the perfect combination of outdoor beauty and indoor comfort, whether you’re looking for a bright reading nook, a lively plant room or just a relaxing place to hang out. But adding a sunroom to your home can be daunting, especially when it requires building an addition from the ground up. You’ll have a lot to consider when choosing the right location, style and materials for your sunroom, which can all affect seasonal functionality and cost. From choosing the best windows to decorating and landscaping your space, we’ll help you determine what’s next in your quest for that perfect sunny spot. 

Choosing the Right Sunroom Location: Optimizing Sunlight & Functionality

The decision on where to add a sunroom has a lot to do with keeping plants happy without creating a full-on sauna. But how do you decide on the perfect spot? “The most important thing is your heat gain exposure,” says Debbie Hawkes, who works with her husband as part-owner of Buena Vista Sunrooms, a Southern California company that’s been in business since 1978. Eastern and northern exposure is ideal for most plants and people, bringing early warmth with morning light and tapering off to a cool shade by afternoon. To max out natural light for tropical foliage, choose a southern-facing room. But be prepared to get a little toasty on high UV days. Western-facing rooms are probably the least common, as increased heat from the afternoon rays can reduce energy efficiency. They’re great if you’re a lizard or a succulent, though. When it comes to choosing a location for the addition itself, Hawkes says your only limitation is building off of a bedroom, as this can cause issues by blocking important fire exits. 

How Much Does a Sunroom Addition Cost?

You can expect to pay anywhere between $5,000 and $150,000 when you add a sunroom to your home. The exact amount will vary depending on the size and style of your sunroom, and whether you’re updating your current living space or building a home addition. Sunroom kits are also an option for confident DIYers, but “they’re not always made for homeowners to put together,” Hawkes says. While these kits can significantly reduce the price, repairs for a botched job can cost as much as a complete build. “It takes a smart person to realize what they can’t do,” Hawkes says. The industry standard for building a sunroom addition is around $120 per square foot, but high-end options can stretch to $300 per square foot. Different styles also come with vastly different price tags, so choosing the right match for your home and your wallet is equally as important.

Sunroom Styles: Select the Perfect Match for Your Home’s Architecture

Before you have a design consultation, consider which type of sunroom is best for your lifestyle and your house. “I usually ask our clients, what do you want the room to feel like?” Hawkes says. Do you want the space to be comfortable year-round, regardless of the weather? Or are you hoping to soak up the sun in spring and summer after spending winters in the den? While big windows and enhanced natural light are features of each style, insulation and climate control are not. Thinking about how you plan to use your sunroom can go a long way toward choosing the best option. “Here in Southern California, we suggest going with a solid roof because we deal with a lot of heat, but that’s not the same depending on where you are in the country,” Hawkes says. 

Four-Season Room

Cost to build: $20,000 to $80,000

If you want a room full of natural light that’s just as enjoyable in the heat of summer as the dead of winter, you might be interested in a four-season room. These spaces are often built as a standard room addition and heated and cooled with the rest of the house, making them the most expensive option when it comes to infrastructure, insulation and electrical work. 

Three-Season Room

Cost to build: $8,000 to $50,000

If you’re willing to save some money on insulation and bundle up in winter, a three-season room may be preferable. Blending seamlessly with the rest of the home, this option stays comfortable (if not a little warm) throughout most of the year but lacks protection from cooler temperatures. A three-season room is ideal for mild climates. 

Solarium or Attached Greenhouse

Cost to build: $8,000 to $80,000

Solariums usually feature glass or thick thermoplastic-paned ceilings and walls, offering uninterrupted natural light, perfect for plant care in temperate climates. Some feature waterproof flooring with drainage, humidifiers and even irrigation systems, but few of these garden rooms are equipped to handle freezing temperatures. 

Conservatory 

Cost to build: $30,000 to $150,000

Conservatories are probably the most visually stunning option but can also be one of the most expensive. You’ll feel fully immersed in nature in your all-glass room, but thick panes ensure you’ll be able to enjoy the space well into the winter. However, conservatories require additional maintenance year-round to keep the glass clean and draft-free. They can also include important irrigation and drainage additions.

Screened-In Room

Cost to build: $5,000 to $30,000

Also referred to as a screened-in porch or sun porch, these warm-weather rooms are more open to the elements than most sunrooms. Screens provide a closer connection with nature but also leave the room open to more environmental damage from wind and rain. 

Atrium

Cost to build: $7,000 to $25,000

Atriums diffuse natural light through an all-glass roof, brightening the space without large windows. 

Essential Considerations for Sunroom Additions

After you’ve decided on a style, you can work with your contractor (or your home improvement store rep) to find the most cost-effective materials for your new sunroom. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning for construction. 

Construction and Permitting

Contractors usually secure the proper permits for construction, although this can appear as a separate line item on your estimate. If you’re going the DIY route, you’ll want to ensure that you secure all the proper permits before you begin. HomeAdvisor estimates between $400 and $1,800 in permitting costs to add a sunroom. Hawkes recommends always checking with your building department for a list of requirements such as setback measurements. You’ll also want to think about site preparation; have any existing concrete slabs checked before construction begins, Hawkes says. 

Sunroom Insulation, Heating and Cooling

Hooking up full electrical, insulation and HVAC systems for a four-season sunroom can be a costly endeavor, sometimes reaching beyond $5,000. You’ll definitely save some money in this category if you opt for a less temperature-controlled style, but if you want lights, basic electrical alone can cost a minimum of $350. By adding ceiling fans, operative skylights, roof shades or windows that open, you can effectively keep a warm sunroom cool in summer, but heating an uninsulated room in winter is more of a challenge. 

Flooring, Roofing, Walls and Materials

Whether professionally built or part of a kit, sunrooms can be made from a range of materials. Vinyl and aluminum are cost-saving options, while wood is often more expensive. But the largest bill usually goes to the windows. Most contractors recommend using double-glazed glass with a low-E value, which offers increased energy efficiency by allowing less heat to pass through. Polycarbonate is a durable glass alternative sometimes used for greenhouses and roofs. It offers an added layer of protection from falling debris. Regardless of material, all windows should be double-sealed with silicone and tempered for building code requirements. 

Sunroom Furniture and Décor

Now, the fun part — decorating. From a comfy couch to a hanging chair or a light wicker patio set, your options are limited only by your imagination. Sticking to a bright neutral palette with a few pops of color can help brighten your sunroom even more, while a dark interior may hold on to more heat in cooler months. Four-season rooms offer the most flexibility, as the insulated space protects wood from warping or fabric from water damage. In less climate-tolerant rooms, consider furniture and décor recommended for outdoor use. 

Landscaping Considerations for Your Sunroom

Like décor, how you landscape your space is entirely up to you, although your contractor may have some ideas. South and west-facing sunrooms are best for heat and sun-tolerant houseplants such as aloe, orchids, African violets and palms, while north and east-facing rooms can accommodate the more delicate foliage on ferns and vining plants like ivy. Tropical plants such as Monstera love the extra humidity of a conservatory or a solarium in summer, but you’ll want to have a backup plan if your sunroom isn’t insulated for winter temperatures. 

Sunroom Maintenance Tips for Year-Round Enjoyment

Keeping your sunroom in optimal condition is the best way to ensure its longevity. Experts recommend annual window and glass panel inspections, as well as seasonal roof cleanings, especially if your sunroom is in a location where it might collect debris from nearby trees. “If it’s outside, it’s going to be affected by the weather. UV rays can disintegrate window sealings over time, and if you have failed window panels or water gets in, those need to be replaced,” Hawkes says. 

Sunroom Additions: A Wise Investment?

So, after all that, is it worth it? Like any home improvement, a sunroom addition can significantly improve the value of your home. HomeAdvisor lists the average return on investment at about 50%, meaning if you spend $50,000 on a new four-season room, your valuation may increase by about $25,000. Adding curb appeal, square footage and tons of natural light are also huge pros. But it’s always important to consider the cons of any project. Between building permits, cost, the time commitment of a renovation and possible setbacks, there is plenty to deter homeowners. Building a sunroom can affect your property taxes, utility costs and even insurance rates. Still, you may be able to get a quote in advance so that you’re prepared for the additional financial responsibility when your sunroom is complete. By forming a connection between your indoor space and the beauty of nature, sunroom additions can be a huge boost to your quality of life. 

#sandiego #sunroom #homedesign #riverside #investment #construction 

Cons of Buying a Detached Home

A single-family home is not the best choice for every buyer. This list of potential cons will help you decide if a townhouse, condominium or duplex might be a better fit for you.

Comparatively Few Amenities

Condominium and townhome developments often have significant amenities. For example, they can have swimming pools, fitness centers and tennis courts. They have been designed with the idea that people will use some or all of these amenities, and that residents in these developments will appreciate these features. Condo and townhome developments typically require you to pay HOA fees for maintenance, but sometimes those dues also cover certain utilities, such as gas, water or trash collection. With a detached home, you generally will not have access to amenities like this unless they are built on your property, and you’ll be responsible for setting up and paying for all of the utilities.

You Are in Charge of Maintenance

If you live in an apartment building or condo, the management company will take care of issues such as exterior repairs, clogged gutters or ponding water. Left unattended, water could accumulate and seep into your roofing system and walls. Fortunately, with regular maintenance, these small issues are caught before they become bigger issues that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

However, every maintenance and repair issue on a single-family detached home falls upon the homeowner. If you’re handy you might be able to take on some issues yourself, but larger jobs will require help. You’ll need to maintain your lawn and landscaping, shovel snow and be mindful of potential repairs.

Security and Isolation

While a single-family home offers a greater level of privacy, the trade off is that living in your own freestanding home may make you feel somewhat isolated, especially if you live alone. Condos and townhomes have a community of residents around at all times, but a single-family home in a remote area might make you feel as though you need to take extra steps to keep your house secure. This could include upgrading the locks on the exterior doors, installing exterior lighting with motion sensors, adding a security system or installing a fence.  

Longer Commutes to Work

Single-family homes are typically more common in suburban and rural areas, so you may have a longer commute to work than if you lived in an urban setting. Even outside of downtown areas, you’ll find that many attached home developments are near main highways or strategically built with close access to public transportation. This means that these residents can access those main roads quicker or get to public transit more easily.

Too Much Space

If a homeowner is single, or becomes single due to a divorce or death of a spouse, the space afforded by a detached home may be overwhelming. For some people, all of that extra space may also feel too difficult or time-consuming to take care of.

#homesale #sandiego #riverside #detached home #condo #townhome #duplex 

The main difference between single-family homes and semi-detached houses is that the latter share at least one wall with another home. Townhomes, duplexes and rowhouses are among the most common types of homes that are semi-detached. While single-family homes can have one floor or multiple levels, semi-detached homes often have a smaller footprint and are more likely to have multiple floors to maximize the living space. #sandiegohomes #homes #condos #highrise

Are Semi-Detached Homes Different?

Common Traits of Semi-Detached Homes

• Available amenities: A large condo development or townhome community might include a pool, tennis courts or an exercise facility. 

• Shared ownership: You own your home, but may also be responsible for common areas and shared building structures, such as the roof and foundation. 

• Shared walls: You will share at least one wall with a neighbor in a semi-detached home.

• Similar design: The homes in these developments typically have a common exterior design. It’s also likely that many of the units have similar interior floor plans.

• Freestanding structure: A single-family home does not share a wall, roof or foundation with any other nearby homes. 

• Full property ownership: You have full ownership of the house and the land that it is built on. This makes single-family homes a sound investment and offers greater control to update and renovate your property.

• Greenspace: Detached homes can have a front yard, a backyard and even side yards. With semi-detached houses the greenspace is typically more limited. 

• More living space: While some townhomes and rowhouses can be quite big, detached family homes generally have more interior space.