What Do Home Buyers Really Want?

With home values on the rise, many homeowners may be considering selling their homes. In a timely study, NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) released what home buyers are most looking for in pre-existing homes.

• Energy Efficiency. Water saving features, Energy Star-rated appliances and windows. 9/10 home buyers prefer a home with energy efficient features over a home that might cost 2%-3% less.
• Organization and Storage. Laundry rooms, linen closets in the bathrooms, walk-in pantries and storage areas in the garage all get bonus points from many home buyers.

The top features most home buyers do not want include an elevator, only a shower stall and no tub in the master bath, and high density communities or golf course living.

Continue reading the NAHB article here.

Staging Tips Selling your Tahoe Home

Selling Tahoe Real Estate is unique. Most of the homes I sell are 2nd home or vacation rental properties. Staging is an essential part of the selling process if you want to sell your home quickly and for the highest possible price. The longer a home sits on the market the lower it will sell for.

1. Make an Excellent First Impression. The outside must be clear of winter debris and pine needles. We often come upon a home that has pine needles and a dirty mat at the front door. It looks like no one cares about the property. Guess what.. The buyer won’t care either.

2. Have the Home Professionally Cleaned including the Windows. Many of the homes have sat for years. There are cobwebs and dirty windows. Not to mention that bathrooms of floors. Clean windows helps the buyer to enjoy the light and the beauty of Tahoe around your home.

3. Get rid of any clutter. Although it is important to have bears and elk and squirrels you don’t want the home covered with little nick knacks… they just get dusty. 

4. Make sure all the lights blubs work!  You may need to bring in extra lighting. NO one likes a dark home!

5 . Ask me to come and evaluate your home. There is no charge for this.  I can give you staging ideas. I can also bring in a professional stager, in my option a excellent investment. The Stager can usually stage your home for less than it will cost you to buy all the items you need. The home must look like a Tahoe Cabin, not a home in Arizona or Napa home. It must Scream MOUNTAIN HOME!!!!

Click here for more ideas.

Other staging Tips

Rustic Mountain Interior Design Tahoe

If you’ve been thinking of Tahoe Mountain Design for your cabin or Tahoe home. I recommend reading this Blog.  My good friend and incredible interior designer put this together.  Owning a Tahoe property is a dream of many of my clients, but once they purchase the home, they are a bit over whelmed with design ideas. Here is a great way to focus your Tahoe Mountain design.

Dragonfly Designs October 30, 2011
	What’s Your Mountain Design Style? When it comes to design for mountain living, we do have a lot of fabulously fun choice. Have you given any thought to what your own mountain style is all about? Here’s a little game to help. Just pick out your favorite bed, below, for defining hints about your own personal mountain preferences. Rustic and Hand-Made but with Polish You like to see local materials, nature motifs and rustic craftsmanship. However, it’s simply not enough that someone tossed together a couple of sticks and named it a chair. You need a little style and sophistication with your rustic. Clean and Contemporary Your lines are spare, your materials are sleek and you’re not into excess. Now, we’re not talking lots of white and chrome here. You want beautiful mountain-appropriate materials and practical usability. European Ski Lodge You love European antiques, Black Forest Swiss carvings, eidelweiss embroidery and old world charm. If it’s French, c’est bon! Ski Cabin Chic Yeah sure it’s great in the mountains during summer, but baby, you’re here to ski. Of course, skiing hard doesn’t conflict with looking good…there’s nothing wrong with a Kjus ski parka or a comfortablly chic cabin to come home to at the end of a fab powder day. Adirondack Camp Style You love hickory furniture, Indian blankets, old wooden boats and cozy rustic charm. Flea markets and antique stores are your idea of a good time. Your version of mountain living involves lived-in comfort and patina, but it’s got to have a your trademark whimsy, color and charm . Tahoe Modern Handsome and natural, your furnishings are simple. You like leather, nubby fabrics, and beautiful wood tones. Keep the luxe and comfort, but minimize the foo foo! No fuss and keep it affordable! Hey people, this is a mountain home. Bring on the kids, bring on the dogs. Pile the hiking boots, skis and kayak paddles by the front door. Put your feet up, this place is bullet-proof! See lots more beds at … If you don’t see your perfect bed here, there’s lots more to peruse through at www.dragonflydesigns.zzn.com. Go ahead…the looking and daydreaming are free! If you love living in the mountains and haven’t visited the Dragonfly Designs web-site yet, be sure to give it a try. You’ll find gorgeous photos of mountain homes and mountain living, ideas for decorating your own mountain home and lots of Tahoe pics, local’s advice and high altitude stories. Be sure to get on my mailing list for fabulous mountian design ideas…. Email Address * First Name Last Name
	Dragonfly Designs Box 7980, Tahoe City, CA 96145 spial@att.net 530-583-6076

Mountain Home Design Ideas

Tahoe Mountain design can vary quite a bit. I am lucky enough to have been come great friend and business associate of an Incredible Interior Designer.  Sue Pipal with Dragon Fly Design has some great ideas. 

There are a variety of different Mountain Interiors.
Rustic Handmade with Polish.
Clean Modern Mountain Contemporary
European Ski Lodge
Ski Cabin Chic

Check out Sue’s blog on these ideas of the variety of Tahoe Mountain Design.

http://app.streamsend.com/s/1/7d95ycxl61/0T1nSey/na53

Tahoe Mountain Home Design and Remodels

Over my many years of selling Tahoe real estate from Single Family Homes to Cabins to Lots with views. I’ve found  a team of Tahoe  professionals I rely on to help my clients either with remodels or new construction.

Naturally since they are part of my Tahoe team, they always give the best service to my clients, so please make sure they know you are working with me.

Architect

1. Elise Fett (775) 833-3388, elise@elisefett.com

http://www.elisefett.com/

2. Gary McKelvey (530) 581-0238

gary@garymckelvey.com

Land Surveyor

1. Matt Webb (530) 581-2599, matt@webblandsurveying.com

http://www.webblandsurveying.com/

General Contractor

1. Blair Wallace 916-207-3065  Blairgwallace@gmail.com

Home Owner Liaison with the  TRPA

1. Jan Brisco 530 583 6882

Mountain Interior Designer

1. Sue Pipal (530) 320-2922 spipal@att.net

http://www.dragonflyfrancaise.zzn.com/zlog/writeblog.asp?UserID=12534836&Cat_ID=111439&postID=112298

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