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Selling Soon? Here’s a Home Feature That Will Appeal to Many Buyers

March 18, 2022 by bpadilla Leave a Comment

People who are thinking of selling their house often wonder what they can do to increase its appeal to buyers. The goal of doing so is fairly obvious: maximize profit and minimize time on the market.

Many think that updating their kitchen or bathrooms, or even adding an addition, will do the trick. In a sense, they will. If you do a major renovation or addition, it’ll surely increase how much your house will sell for, and there’s a good chance it’ll sell more quickly if you do substantial upgrades before you list. But, it’ll also cost you a good chunk of time, money, and it probably won’t net you more money than the actual cost of the work.

On the other hand, there’s a simple tweak you can do to your house (if you haven’t already) that’ll increase its appeal to a lot of buyers, which is…

Create a dedicated home office space.

Home offices have been a feature buyers have liked for some time, but over the past two years they’ve become all the more appealing due to the pandemic. With the pandemic winding down — hopefully for good — it may seem like home offices won’t be as much of a draw. But that’s not likely. Here are a few reasons why a home office is still something buyers will want to see if you’re selling in the near future:

  • While some companies have started having employees come back into the office, many others have not. There are still plenty of companies playing it safe and having their employees work remotely.
  • The pandemic loosened the jar lid, so to say, and now more people are doing whatever possible to continue working from home entirely — or at least in a hybrid fashion — simply because they like the quality of life better.
  • Gas prices fluctuate, and they won’t be high forever, but right now they are – and there’s a good chance they’ll be that way for a while. So if you’re selling soon, working from home to save on the cost of commuting is likely on a lot of buyers’ minds.
  • “What if it happens again…” The pandemic is barely in the rearview mirror, and people are sensitive to needing a dedicated home office space if there’s another variant or surge, but they’re also thinking about a future pandemic. It may not have been something buyers would’ve been sensitive to a couple of years ago, but it’ll be a long time before buyers don’t think what living in a house would be like if it happens again in the future.

So if you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future and want to add some appeal, create a dedicated home office space if you don’t already have one.

You don’t need to (and probably shouldn’t) do an addition to add a home office.  Just repurpose a room, or a section of one, and make it into a home office. Here are a few ideas on how to carve out some space:

  • If you have a spare bedroom, and it won’t take away from the marketability in your area for the likely buyer, just turn it into a home office.
  • If you have a finished basement, turn part of it into an office.
  • If you have an unfinished attic, consider turning that into an office for as little money as possible.
  • Section off a portion of your living room as a home office. It doesn’t need to be huge; buyers just need to see where they could set themselves up to work from home if they lived there.
  • Perhaps use a formal dining room, since many people don’t use them as often as they would use a home office.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer of course, but creating a home office is most likely to add appeal to your house if you’re selling in the near future.

Filed Under: Home Improvement

These Are the Biggest Kitchen Trends for 2022

February 22, 2022 by bpadilla Leave a Comment

If you’re planning on renovating your kitchen this year, you want to make sure that the changes you’re making feel timely and on-trend.

But what, exactly, does timely and on-trend look like for 2022?

According to the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, which surveyed more than 2,300 homeowners on their recent and/or planned kitchen renovations, some of the biggest trends in kitchen design include:

  • Upgraded countertops. 35 percent of homeowners splurged on upgrading their countertops—with engineered quartz (42 percent) and granite (24 percent) being the most popular countertop materials.
  • High-tech appliances. 27 percent of homeowners upgrade their appliances during the kitchen renovation process—and 35 percent of those homeowners opt for appliances with high-tech features (like smart refrigerators), a six percent increase from 2021’s data.
  • Larger kitchen islands. Kitchen islands have been on-trend for years—but this year, the trend is all about larger islands. According to the data, 39 percent of homeowners are building kitchen islands that stretch 7 feet or longer—up five percentage points from 2021.

Filed Under: Home Improvement

FOOD, FAMILY & FUN: 2021 THANKSGIVING GUIDE

November 18, 2021 by bpadilla Leave a Comment

Turkey day is just around the corner…and if you’re hosting this year, you might be feeling the pressure right around this time with all of the work that goes into preparing a Thanksgiving feast. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to help with all of your Thanksgiving needs – from local activities and events, to delicious food and drink recipes organized by category, to gorgeous table setting decor ideas and more. Read on for tips, tricks, and ideas for a gobblin’ good time!

Are you staying in town this year to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family? Explore local events, happenings, and volunteer opportunities that are taking place this holiday season.

Local Events and Activities

1. Now – December 31st: Friendsgiving at the Revival 
2. Now – January 16th: Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink
3. November 24th – December 24th: Theatre of Lights at the Old Sacramento Waterfront
4. November 19th – 21st: Sacramento Fall Festival
5. November 19th – January 16th: Global Winter Wonderland 2021
6. November 19th – December 12th: Elf: The Musical
7. November 20th: Holiday Sip & Shop
8. November 23rd: Blooms & Bubbly: Thanksgiving Workshop
9. November 25th: Run to Feed The Hungry
10. November 25th: Historic Folsom Christmas Light Promenade
11. November 25th: Turkey Trot in Roseville
12. November 25th: Elk Grove Gobble Wobble
13. November 25th: Folsom Turkey Trot

Volunteer Opportunities 

1. Donate to Loaves and Fishes Holiday Headquarters
2. Donate to Animals at The Sacramento SPCA or Front Street Animal Shelter 
3. Donate to Toys for Tots (contact me today to coordinate dropping off a new, unwrapped toy to one of our office locations)
4. Donate or Volunteer at the Sacramento Food Bank

From tasty appetizers and main meal items to drinks and desserts, these Thanksgiving recipes are sure to impress everyone at the dinner table this year. So get ready to “gobble til you wobble” with these classic Thanksgiving pairings!

Tasty Appetizers: While the mains tend to steal the show on Thanksgiving, these tasty apps will keep your hangry guests happy until dinner is served!

  1. Cranberry Brie Bites
  2. Turkey Veggie Tray
  3. Thanksgiving Deviled Eggs
  4. Turkey Cheese Ball
  5. Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip
  6. Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
  7. Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
  8. Roasted Rosemary Cashews
  9. Savory Pumpkin Hummus
  10. Turkey Fruit Tray

Delicious Mains: You ain’t seen stuffin’ yet! These beloved mains will have your guests running back for seconds!

Let’s Talk Turkey:

  1. Traditional Roast Turkey
  2. Deep-Fried Turkey
  3. BBQ Spice-Brined Grilled Turkey
  4. Tofurky Roast

Mashed Potato Mash-Up: 

  1. Buttery-Herbed Mashed Potatoes
  2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
  3. Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
  4. Scalloped Potatoes
  5. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
  6. Sweet Potato Casserole
  7. Sweet Potatoes & Marshmallows

Please Pass the Sides:

  1. Green Bean Casserole
  2. Popovers
  3. Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad
  4. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
  5. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
  6. Mom’s Famous Turkey Gravy
  7. Parmesan Roasted Carrots
  8. Easy Buttermilk Cornbread
  9. Homemade Dinner Rolls
  10. Garlic Mushrooms
  11. Best Homemade Mac & Cheese

Festive Drinks: From festive cocktails and punches to delicious mocktails, we have a drink for everyone to enjoy!

  1. Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
  2. Thanksgiving Sangria
  3. Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
  4. Apple-Brandy Hot Toddies
  5. Thanksgiving Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
  6. Apple Cider Mimosas
  7. Pumpkin Spice Mules
  8. Thanksgiving Jungle Juice
  9. Cranberry Jello Shots
  10. Cranberry Lime Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)

Delectable Desserts: Give em pumpkin’ to talk about with these over-the-top Thanksgiving pies.

  1. Thanksgiving Tri-Pie
  2. Grandma’s Apple Pie
  3. Perfect Pumpkin Pie
  4. Best-Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake
  5. Pecan Pie
  6. Sweet Potato Pie
  7. Cheesecake Apple Pie
  8. Skillet Caramel Apple Pie
  9. Brown Butter Maple Chess Pie
  10. Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie

Whether you’re hosting for the first time or the tenth time, your table sets the tone for your Thanksgiving feast. Create a table that’s dressed to impress with these eye-catching ideas and designs. Bonus: they won’t break the bank.

1. Set the Scene with a Harvest Centerpiece: Set the scene for your Thanksgiving feast with this show-stopping (and all-natural) apples and leaves tablescape, this gorgeous DIY cranberry candle centerpiece, or this pumpkin planter centerpiece. You can also fill the center of your table with a colorful display of pumpkins, gourds, nuts, fruits, veggies, or seasonal blooms.

2. Go Rustic This Year: Add warmth to your Thanksgiving table with white pumpkins and candles to create this lovely rustic table setting. Carry on the rustic theme to each place setting with these rustic wood table name holders and these rustic napkin rings from Amazon.

3. Add a Pop of Color with Florals: Take your Thanksgiving dinner to the next level with flowers galore. Create a simple yet elegant table by pairing your best white dishes with seasonal flowers – think orange, yellow, and red – to add a pop of color to your table.

4. Create a Kid-Friendly Tablescape: Don’t forget about the kiddos! Entertain your younger guests with a kid-friendly tablescape. Simply cover it in craft paper and add crayons to each place setting to keep them drawing all night long.

 

Sending warm, heartfelt wishes from my home to yours this Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Real Estate News, Sacramento Lifestyle

Thinking About Updating Your Home? Here Are Some 2021 Design Trends to Consider

August 23, 2021 by bpadilla Leave a Comment

When you redesign your home, you want to design it in a way that feels timely and on-trend. But what does “timely” and “on-trend” look like in 2021? The 2021 Houzz Emerging Home Design Trends Report outlined some of the year’s most popular home design trends, including:

Dedicated activity spaces. Forget craft closets. One of 2021’s biggest trends is creating an entirely dedicated room or space in the home to house the family’s favorite activity—whether that’s an art studio, a home theater, or a wine cellar.

Living room refreshes. Updating their home in general is a priority for many homeowners this year—but the room homeowners seem to be most interested in refreshing? The living room. According to Houzz’s data, searches for living rooms (which can provide homeowners design inspiration) are up 52 percent compared to 2020.

Luxury colors and materials. This year, homeowners are embracing luxury in their home design—with velvet, gold, and crystal accents all in high demand.

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Your August Newsletter is Here!

August 19, 2021 by bpadilla Leave a Comment

Summer may be winding down but there’s still lots in store for residents and visitors alike! Soak in the last of summer with an exciting lineup of concerts, food festivals, River Cats games, airshows, and more. This month, we also explore the current real estate market where things are (finally!) starting to look up for buyers. Last but certainly not least, we’re sharing 2021’s top fall decor trends to get your home ready for the new season…because it’s never too early to stock up on seasonal candles and cozy blankets right? Read on for the full scoop.

Click on the below links to see what local events are taking place now through the end of September!


Sacramento:

  1. River Cats Schedule
  2. Sac Republic FC Schedule
  3. August 20th (And Select Days): Live Music at Crawdads on the River
  4. Now-September 31st: Front Street Water Carousel & Waterfront Wheel in Old Sacramento
  5. Select Weekends (Friday-Sunday): Old Sacramento Underground & Time Travel Tours
  6. August 27th: Tahoe Park Food Trucks 
  7. August 28th: 22nd Annual Race for the Arts 5K, Kids Fun Run & Arts Fest
  8. September 5th: Chalk it Up 2021
  9. September 9th-18th: Farm to Fork Festival (In Person)
  10. September 9th: Legends of Wine
  11. September 10th: Joe Rogan @ Golden1 Center
  12. September 11th-12th: Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival
  13. September 11th (Every Second Saturday): Dance on the Edge @ Old Sacramento Waterfront
  14. September 11th: Alejandro Fernandez @ Golden1 Center
  15. September 12th: Tower Bridge Dinner 2021
  16. September 18th: Country in the Park 2021
  17. September 18th-19th: 2021 Crawfish & Catfish Festival 
  18. September 24th: Tahoe Park Food Trucks
  19. September 24th-26th: California Capital Airshow
  20. September 29th: Gold Over America Tour: Starring Simone Biles

Carmichael:

  1. Every Sunday: Carmichael Farmers’ Market
  2. Every Sunday: Carmichael Cars and Coffee
  3. August 21st & 28th: Concerts in the Park
  4. September 25th: Founders Day

 

Fair Oaks:

  1. August 26th & September 30th: Concerts in the Park
  2. August 27th: Comedy Under the Stars
  3. August 28th: Theatre Under the Stars

 

Rancho Cordova/Gold River:

  1. Every Saturday: Sunrise Light Rail Station Farmers Market
  2. August 18th (And Select Days):  At at City Hall: Abstraction
  3. August 20th (And Select Days): Movies at the MACC
  4. August 20th (And Select Days): Friday Night Concerts

 

Folsom:

  1. August 19th & 26th: Twilight Concert Series in Historic Folsom
  2. Every Saturday: Cars and Coffee Show at Folsom Palladio
  3. August 21st: Health & Wellness Fair
  4. August 27th: Rick Esterling Piano & Vocals
  5. September 2nd: Ryan Hernandez & Band 
  6. September 17th-18th: American Pops Social
  7. September 19th: 2021 Peddler’s Fair
  8. September 25th: 5th Anniversary Jazz Celebration
  9. September 26th: The Wedding Expo Experience

 

El Dorado Hills:

  1. Every Sunday: El Dorado Hills Certified Farmers’ Market
  2. Every Thursday: Live on the Boulevard at El Dorado Hills Town Center
  3. September 19th: Gold Country Run & Sport 5K

Elk Grove:

  1. Every Thursday: Neighborhood Market
  2. Every Saturday: Farmers Market
  3. August 20th & 27th: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series
  4. August 19th (And Select Days): Diversity Month
  5. September 1st: Food Truck Mania
  6. September 4th: Read to A Dog
  7. September 30th: Cultural Connections: Hispanic Heritage Month Storytellers

Roseville:

  1. August 19th: Food Truck Mania
  2. August 20th & September 17th: Friday Flicks at Vernon Street Town Square
  3. August 21st & September 18th: Concerts on the Square at Vernon Street in Roseville

 

Rocklin:

  1. Now-September (Select Days): Concerts at the Quarry
  2. August 27th & September 24th: FREE Farmers Markets at Johnson-Springview Park

Low inventory in markets across the country have been driving up prices and creating bidding wars, making it extremely difficult for many potential buyers to successfully find and purchase homes. But it looks like things are (finally!) starting to look up for buyers.

According to realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Report for July 2021, while inventory is still low, more homes are starting to hit the market. New home listings were up 6.5 percent nationally year-over-year—and up even more (11.1 percent) in large metro areas. The more homes that become available, the more options there are for buyers—and the more the market shifts in their favor. In Sacramento, the active listing inventory went up 23.5% from June to July of this year according to SAR!

“July housing trends show a market still working its way back toward some version of normal. The feverish pace of home sales is beginning to follow historical seasonal patterns, while new listings grew at an unusually high rate for the summer months, further helping the inventory crunch,” Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com, said in a recent press release. “This is shifting the housing market balance in a more buyer-friendly direction.”

So, what does this mean for you? If you’ve been struggling in your home search, the new inventory hitting the market could make it easier to successfully find and purchase a home—so get out there and start looking!

If you’re thinking about doing a bit of re-decorating to get your home ready for fall (which officially starts on September 22nd), make sure you’re on-trend by embracing all things cozy! Here are some of the top fall decor trends for 2021.

Velvet: It’s time to bring on the velvet! As far as upholstery is concerned, fall’s biggest trend is velvet – and we couldn’t be happier since this texture is perfect for creating a cozy, fall-ready ambiance. Think in terms of velvet layers, like the pillows and sofa pictured above. And don’t be afraid to embrace bold, cooler colors.

Leaves & Textures: Fall is synonymous with warm colors and cozy textures. Consider adding pumpkins and fall leaves to dining tables and family rooms to help bring that fresh fall feel into all areas of the home. You can also get creative with textures – from textured pillows, blankets, and even tabletop items such as figs and cotton – the sky is the limit!

Tarnish Accents: Cozy goes beyond fabrics and upholstery. When redecorating your home, consider incorporating distressed metals into your design to bring that soft glow into your home. Think accent tables, wall shelves, candle holders and centerpieces.

Candles: It’s hard to imagine with the recent heatwaves, but once the wind picks up and the leaves start to fall, candles will be sure to bring that warm and inviting feeling into your home – they also serve as beautiful decor and fill the home with cozy scents. Place a few votives on the fireplace, entryway table or outdoor patio to illuminate your home and add a touch of elegance.

Chunky Knits: It should come as no surprise that the arrival of fall will bring knits in every form– from sweaters and scarves to throw blankets! Knit throw blankets and pillows are a fall design favorite, but they can also work year-round when kept in neutral shades like creamy white or soft brown. You can also layer rugs, throws, and pillows along with warm colors to bring coziness into all areas of your home.

Pumpkin + Chocolate: Step aside pumpkin lattes because sweet is taking on a whole new meaning for your fall decor. Consider incorporating touches of orange and brown, in shades such as pumpkin and chocolate, to warm up any room in your home.

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Real Estate News, Sacramento Lifestyle

The Sacramento Housing Market Makes a Splash

May 17, 2021 by bpadilla Leave a Comment

The Sacramento real estate market continues to make a splash with historically low inventory, high competition, and rising prices. While there’s no denying that our current market favors sellers, this month’s newsletter highlights some ways that buyers can prepare before diving into the real estate pool. We also take a look at data that supports a wave of growing inventory within the next year.

Whether you are planning on buying, selling or both, you may find yourself competing with countless others in this red hot market. However, taking care of the items listed below can help you get the edge you need and ensure smooth sailing ahead.

Patience is key: Let’s face the facts…it’s a tough market for buyers in most price points right now. Some buyers are being rushed to make decisions, which can quickly lead to remorse over paying too much for a home. So our advice? Take your time, be patient, and keep logic in mind when submitting offers. It’s also important not to become over-invested in one home because of the bidding wars taking place in this overheated market. This doesn’t mean you should stop looking however – persistency and patience is key. Be ready to check out available homes as soon as they hit the market and act quickly once you come across the right home.

Find the right real estate agent: This brings us to our next point. Whether this is your first or fifth home purchase, it’s still wise to enlist the help of a buyer’s agent. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything out of pocket, and a good agent will help you by sharing their inside knowledge not only of the neighborhood, but also help establish what’s a good value in your price range. Plus, they’ll arrange showings on your behalf and they may also be able to alert you to red flags you’d otherwise miss while touring properties.

Clean up your credit: Your credit score not only impacts your ability to secure a mortgage at all, but it will also determine the interest rate you’ll pay. If you’re worried about your credit score, start working toward raising it by paying all your bills on time and making sure your balances are low. Check your credit report by contacting the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You’re entitled to a free report from each agency once per year. If you spot an error, having the report amended will boost your score. Pro tip: Speak to an experienced mortgage professional. Sometimes they can advise you on what (and what not) to pay down or off, in order to improve your credit score.

Save for a down payment (and then some!): Being able to put 20% of the purchase price down at your closing isn’t necessary, but it could increase your chance of your offer being accepted. In today’s market, sellers are often looking for the most money down possible. Increasing your down payment could also help you in terms of better rates and overall monthly payments. It can also help you avoid paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Last but not least, it’s wise to save for emergencies because once you’re in your new home you never know what may suddenly need repair.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Getting pre-approved lets sellers know you’re the real deal. And, it lets you know what you can afford, so you can focus on the right price points and choose the perfect home to go after with confidence. Rather than just getting pre-qualified, which is more like an estimate of what you can borrow, a pre-approval means the loan is much more likely to get through underwriting once you get a home under contract because the lender has already assessed your credit, income, debts, and assets. Plus, if you find yourself competing for a property, being able to tell a seller you’re pre-approved will give you the advantage you need against others who are not. Finding a lender that has the shortest close time is another advantage in today’s hot market. Our preferred lender, Summit Funding is coming out with a 15-day close guaranteed. Contact Summit Funding Senior Loan Officer Chris Stahl at 916.768.8000 to begin the pre-approval process.

Do your due diligence: Think you’ve found an area you like? Check out neighborhoods at different times of day, and be sure to notice traffic patterns. For example, is the home you like on a street that drivers use to dodge traffic on main streets? Will you encounter school drop-off or pick-up congestion that will make getting in or out of your driveway a hassle? Consider all these factors and anything else that may appeal to you, or bother you personally, as you’re driving past potential homes.

While lack of inventory and high competition has made for a challenging market for buyers, get ready, because it looks like things are about to get at least slightly better for people searching for a home. According to data outlined in a recent realtor.com article, about 10 percent of homeowners plan to list their home this year—with another 16 percent planning to list in the next 24 to 36 months. That translates to an additional 1.5 million homes hitting the market—which, while not enough to completely end the historic inventory shortage, is certainly a solid start.

Options for first-time buyers should also improve. More than half of the buyers planning to list their homes this year (58 percent) have homes valued at $350,000 or less—which means more affordable options should be hitting the market soon.

As we take a closer at the Sacramento housing market, we are also seeing a slight increase in active listing inventory according to the Sacramento Association of Realtors – an increase of 9.4 percent from February to Marchand another increase of 9.6 percent from March to April to be exact. While still very competitive, experts suggest that a leveling market is on the horizon.

We are proud supporters of The Sacramento SPCA and we are committed to helping animals find their forever homes. That’s why Diez & Sigg Properties is a returning sponsor for this year’s Doggy Dash Event. This year’s event will once again be a virtual experience. However, just because we won’t be walking side by side, doesn’t mean we can’t still walk together to save more lives!

On June 5th, walk around your neighborhood with your pup, hit a local park or trail, or get creative at home with your pooch. The Sacramento SPCA will be kicking off the walk LIVE on Facebook and you will be able to share your photos, videos and participate in activities throughout the day. You will still see some of their famous Bark in the Park games and contests to participate in right at home! They will be tracking all the fun using the hashtag: #SSPCADASH2021

Ways you Can Contribute: If you would like to contribute to this cause, you can do so by purchasing a Doggy Dash T-shirt as a part of our “pack”. Click here to purchase your shirt. You can also make a donation here.

Enter our raffle to receive a FREE Pet Gift Basket (valued at over $100!)

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Real Estate News

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Ben Padilla

Ben Padilla

California REALTOR®
916-412-7087
Contact Ben

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Ben Padilla

916-412-7087|Contact Ben

Ben Padilla – CalDRE #01873788

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