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How to Achieve Designer Looks for Your Home on a Budget

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In today’s Tri-Valley market, homes that are staged professionally sell faster than those that aren’t. Staging a home takes the personality out of the seller and creates a neutral arena so that buyers can picture themselves in the home.

If you want to try your hand at creating a beautiful home rather than paying a stager, feel comfort in knowing that you can achieve a designer look on a budget with these design ideas.

Consider Shopping at Budget-Friendly Versions of High-End Stores

One of the best-kept secrets in home décor shopping is that many high-end home retailers also own or are affiliated with more affordable stores. For instance, stores such as Target, Walmart, and even IKEA often carry pieces that are influenced by the latest trends you see at pricier shops.

These more affordable stores thrive on offering stylish, up-to-date options that won’t cost a fortune. From trendy furniture to chic home accessories, you can often find budget-friendly alternatives that mimic the look of much more expensive items. With smart shopping, you can create a high-end feel in your home for a fraction of the cost and attract buyers who are willing to pay full price for your home. 

Shop at Thrift Stores and Antique Shops

Give your home a designer touch without spending a fortune by embracing thrift stores, antique malls, and secondhand shops. The saying, “Everything old is new again,” certainly applies to home décor.

Many of the styles featured in today’s design magazines—such as Mid-Century Modern, Vintage Chic, and Farmhouse—draw inspiration from decades past. Instead of spending your hard-earned money on new versions of these looks, you can often find authentic vintage pieces for a fraction of the price at thrift stores or antique markets.

Shopping secondhand offers another bonus: the chance to find one-of-a-kind items. From a retro chair to a vintage mirror or a timeless coffee table, these unique finds can bring character and charm to your home that mass-produced furniture simply can’t replicate. Plus, hunting for hidden gems is half the fun, and when you score that perfect piece, it feels like a real accomplishment.

Buyers will be impressed at the unique features of your home, and after you sell, you can bring those features into your new home!

Refresh You Existing Space by Reupholstering and Refinishing

One of the biggest turn offs to buyers is seeing a home with tired furniture, which is why stagers replace your furniture with their own.

If you are up for the challenge of bringing life to tired furniture, consider reupholstering or refinishing furniture that has good bones. You can either do the project yourself or hire someone.

While hiring a professional can cost a bit more upfront, it’s often still much cheaper than purchasing brand-new, high-end furniture. Plus, you can pick out fabric and colors that are more stylish rather than outdated and bring the look and feel to your home after buyers are wowed and want to purchase your home.

Small Changes Create Big Impacts: The Power of Accessorizing

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to refreshen up the look of your home and make it attractable to buyers is through accessorizing. A few well-chosen accessories such as throw pillows, blankets, rugs, and wall art can completely transform a space.  These smaller items are typically budget-friendly, and they have the power to pull a room together and make it feel polished and complete.

Swapping out textiles such as curtains or throw blankets for new colors or patterns can breathe new life into a room without much effort. Seasonal changes, like adding warm tones in the fall or light, breezy fabrics in the summer, can keep your space feeling fresh and in line with current trends. You can find stylish and affordable options at stores such as HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, or even online marketplaces such as Etsy, where artisans sell handmade and custom pieces that can add a personal touch to your décor.

Don’t Forget the Power of Paint

The impact of a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to a tired room, wall, or piece of furniture. Whether it’s an accent wall, kitchen cabinets, or an entire room, fresh paint can dramatically alter the look and feel of your home.

Paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to update your space and give buyers the feeling the home is new and theirs to decorate.

Keep in mind neutral colors over bold as they tend to attract more buyers.

Create a Designer Home to Sell

Achieving a designer-inspired home doesn’t have to mean emptying your bank account. With a little creativity, resourcefulness, and smart shopping, you can incorporate a look and feel that will attract buyers without overspending.

Whether you’re updating with budget-friendly chain store finds, secondhand treasures, or DIY projects, the key is to focus on what will make a buyer fall in love with your home.

Contact The Gamache Team When You’re Ready to Sell

The Gamache Team is the perfect blend of experience, energy, and knowledge to offer unmatched service to all our clients! In any phase of real estate, The Gamache Team is prepared to handle it with you. With over 25 years of Tri-Valley real estate experience, The Gamache Team is ready to give you the best service possible! Contact us today!

Sold! 3665 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon

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The Gamache Team is pleased to have helped our buyers purchase their new home at 3665 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home offers 1,107 square feet of living space with the additional bonus of being an end unit. Located in the Cobblestone Community, our buyers have the benefit of nearby shopping, restaurants, fitness gyms, and 680 freeway for commute, travel, or leisure. 

With our unmitigated knowledge of the market, The Gamache Team was able to secure a price point $23,000 less than asking, for a total price of $725,000. 

Solid Negotiations Saved Our Buyers $23,000

The Gamache Team prides itself in our strong negotiation tactics and saved our buyers $23,000. Upon performing our due diligence, we studied the market, considered the condition of the property, compared recent sales, and made a smart offer the sellers could not pass up.

In a market that had more inventory for our buyers to choose from and a downward price point for sales, which was a change from the upward trends from a month prior, The Gamache Team secured a fair and reasonable price that was in our buyer’s budget. 

The extra $23,000 we saved our clients can be put toward renovations, furniture and decorations, savings, vacation, and more!

Navigating our Recent Sales Success with New Real Estate Rules

New regulations by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) have changed the way Realtors do business with buyers. Previously, sellers would pay an average commission fee of 5-6%, with half going to the seller’s agent and half going to the buyer’s agent.

Currently, buyers now have to sign a buyer’s representation agreement that discloses how much they will pay their Realtor. This agreement must be signed prior to the Realtor showing any properties to the buyer. 

The Gamache Team navigated the changes in Real Estate with ease, patiently explaining the new rules to our buyers and making sure they understood how the changes would affect them. 

Consider the Gamache Team for Your Real Estate Needs

In a market that is constantly in flux, it’s important that buyers and sellers work with a professional Realtor such as The Gamache Team.

The Gamache Team is the perfect blend of experience, energy, and knowledge to offer unmatched service to all our clients! In any phase of real estate, The Gamache Team is prepared to handle it with you. With over 50 years of combined Tri Valley real estate experience, The Gamache Team is ready to give you the best service possible!

Contact us today. 

October Fun in Livermore

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Searching for fun this October? Look no further than Livermore for some of the best activities for enthusiasts wanting to settle in to fall and celebrate Halloween.

Pumpkin Lettering Event

The Little and Brave Boutique invites pumpkin lovers to bring their pumpkins to its Livermore location this Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 11-12 pm. A skilled artist will personalize your real or fake pumpkin with special lettering, creating a one-of-a-kind Halloween or fall keepsake. See details below!

2024 Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day in Livermore

Grab your younger school age children and head down to the 2024 Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day in Livermore. This popular event brings families with children ages 5th grade and younger to Livermore’s Downtown for Trick Or Treating, Music, a Costume Contest, Games, Activities and more! Enjoy a day at Stockmen’s Park supporting local businesses and make Halloween memories!

Pinot’s Palette Paint and Sip Parties

Pinot’s Palette in Livermore is filled with colorful Halloween themed paint parties. From Van Gogh’s Pumpkins to Ghostly Gardens, Harvest Gnome Hats, Moon Harvest, and more, Pinot’s Palette Paint and Sip Parties inspire the artist in you while allowing you to enjoy wine varietals. 

Pumpkin Patches, Animals, Mazes, and More!

Livermore is home to some amazing and very famous pumpkin patches! G & M Farms and Joan’s Pumpkin Patch are two of The Gamache Team’s favorite haunts for Halloween fun! Each offers incredible activities-mazes that supply hours of fun, barn animals that you can feed and pet, trains, stores with homegrown food and Halloween decor, and rows and rows of pumpkins! Don’t miss out on the fun!

 

Feds Cut Interest Rates for the First Time in 4 Years

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In a move that came longer than expected, the Feds decided on September 18, 2024 to lower interest rates. This move marks the first time the Feds lowered interest rates in 4 years (Forbes). 

Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, cited his reasons for lowering interest rates: “The U.S. economy is in good shape. It’s growing at a solid pace. Inflation is coming down. The labor market is in a strong pace. We want to keep it there. That’s what we’re doing.”

How Lower Interest Rates Affect Mortgage Rates

A decrease in interest rates is good news for homeowners and those looking to buy a home. Mortgage rates are at their lowest level in 19 months, with a 30-year mortgage loan dropping from 7.2% to 6.2% (source). Lowered rates mean more buying power and more buyers able to afford homes they were once priced out of. A decrease of even one basis point could mean the difference between affording a mortgage and not affording a mortgage.

With talk of the Feds lowering rates even more in November and further in 2025, the question remains: “When is the best time to buy a home?”

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?

With the decrease in interest rates and mortgage rates, now is a good time to buy a home. Whether prospective homebuyers want to wait for lower mortgage rates in the coming months is a personal decision, but when it comes to making a smart decision, The Gamache Team is confident in its claim that now is a great time to buy a home. 

Most people are likely to wait out lower interest rates so competition will be less to compete for the homes on the market. If a prospective homebuyer waits until the spring market, there will be more buyers competing for the same homes which increases prices and leads to bidding wars. 

The current rates bring more buyers into the market, increasing the competition. 

Consider Refinancing in the Future

Buyers who purchase now may be able to refinance their mortgage when rates get to a point that they feel comfortable with. Unlike others who wait for rates to drop before buying a home, current homeowners are already in a home, reducing the stress and hassle that comes with a frenzied market full of buyers ready to outbid, outlast, and outbuy. 

If you can stretch yourself to purchase a home, anticipating lowered rates, you may be in a stronger position to “get the home of your dreams” before someone else does.

Connect with The Gamache Team to Discuss Your Homebuying Needs

If you are considering purchasing a home, contact The Gamache Team to discuss your home buying needs. We have over 50 years of real estate experience and buy and sell property ourselves in the Tri-Valley area. It would be our pleasure to help you become a homeowner. 

The New Trend in Real Estate is Pet-Friendly Homes

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Approximately 66% of U.S. households own a pet according to a 2024 report by Forbes magazine. With more adults owning pets than having children, it may not be a surprise that the new trend in real estate is pet-friendly homes.

What are the pet owners looking for in pet-friendly homes? What should you consider adding if you want to attract owners of pets? Here are some tips to help you sell your home in this pet-friendly housing market.

Exterior Features for Pet-Friendly Homes

This new trend drives the buying force in real estate for both buyers and sellers. Buyers are looking for homes with the following exterior pet-friendly features: 

  • Fenced in backyards, yards with a special place just for a dog or cat, or side yards for dogs to relieve themselves are some of the most popular exterior features. 

  • Pet-friendly landscapes including bark, grass, non-poisonous plants and shrubs, gravel or small rocks can serve as a safe place for your pet to play and relieve itself. Plants that repel fleas such as mint, lavender, or rosemary and edible features such as strawberries, blueberries, and oat grass are also smart choices.

  • Water features for animals to keep cool and drink water bring additional interest to a potential homebuyer. 

  • Sand pits, meant for dogs to dig in, provide exercise and fun for canine companions.

  • Catios for cats to enjoy the outside while staying safe in an enclosed environment

  • Paths or walkways for dogs to travel around the yard without trampling bushes or grass.

Interior Features for Pet-Friendly Homes

Pet owners who are interested in purchasing a home are looking for the following pet-friendly interior features:

  • Pet-friendly materials such as flooring that is hardy, robust, and scratch resistant are popular for their ability to hide the claw marks from excited pups. Vinyl makes for easy clean ups for spills or accidents. 

  • Built-in features under the stairs or in bookcases make great spots for dogs to sleep or nap.

  • Hidden food or watering stations are popular for their ability to make the most of space or hide unsightly food dishes.

  • Cleaning stations designed just for pets can be a bonus for anyone wanting to save time and money. These stations are designed to make bathing a breeze and clean up even easier. 

  • Mud rooms that have a small, enclosed space to wipe off dirty paws and shoes after a romp in the rain or mud before entering the house are popular among all homeowners.

  • Smaller carpeted areas make cleaning and repair easier, faster, and cheaper. 

Investing in a Pet Friendly Home

If you are looking to purchase a pet friendly home, consider the savings you can put toward a vacation, upgrade, or higher mortgage payment by not having to put in these features yourself.

If you can’t find a pet-friendly home that has the features you are looking for, consider purchasing a home that may be below your purchase price so you can add these features on your own. Personalizing your own space can be a fun DIY home improvement project. 

Connect with The Gamache Team for all of Your Buying and Selling Needs

Whether or not you are thinking of selling your home or buying a new one, I’d appreciate you considering me as your professional Real Estate Consultant. If you have any questions about the market or real estate in general or need a reference for your home, I am offering my knowledge to you.

The Impact of the National Association of Realtor’s Settlement on Home Buyers

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Buying a home is one of the most expensive transactions a person will make. Understanding the home buying process and the impact the National Association of Realtor’s Settlement has on a home buyer is one of the smartest decisions a person can make.  In just one week, a new series of mandates will be put in place that will impact the way home buyers do business. 

Changes to the Home Buying Process

Beginning on August 17, 2024, home buyers will have to sign an agreement with their Realtor prior to viewing a house in person or virtually. 

This action comes after the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to settle a series of lawsuits against them which claimed that NAR policies harmed home sellers, increased commission prices, and inhibited competition. The agreement will include the following components:

” 1. A specific and conspicuous disclosure of the amount or rate of compensation the real estate agent will receive or how this amount will be determined.

2. Compensation that is objective (e.g., $0, X flat fee, X percent, X hourly rate)—and not open-ended (e.g., cannot be “buyer broker compensation shall be whatever the amount the seller is offering to the buyer”).

3. A term that prohibits the agent from receiving compensation for brokerage services from any source that exceeds the amount or rate agreed to in the agreement with the buyer; and,

4. A conspicuous statement that broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law.” (Source: NAR)

Further considerations of which home buyers should be aware:

  1. No agreement needs to be signed if buyers are simply talking to the Realtor who is holding an open house or asking about their services.
  2. Buyer commissions cannot be posted to the MLS.
  3. Sellers can still offer to pay the Buying agent’s commission.
  4. Sellers can still offer concessions to the buyer, such as paying closing costs. 

The Importance of a Buyer’s Agent During a Real Estate Transaction

Regardless of what changes are required by the NAR, it is always a smart decision for a buyer to use the services of a Buyer’s Agent. A buyer’s agent will negotiate the best price on a home buyer’s behalf, handle issues that may arise during the transaction, be present during inspections, and guide and direct the buyer throughout the process, fill out all paperwork, ensuring timeliness and thoroughness.

Trying to bypass an agent to save money can often lead you to issues that will cost you even more money down the line. 

If you are unsure as to how the mandates will affect you as a home buyer, reach out to your preferred Realtor. 

Need a Buyer’s Agent? Contact The Gamache Team

The Gamache Team is the perfect blend of experience, energy, and knowledge to offer unmatched service to all our clients! In any phase of real estate, The Gamache Team is prepared to handle it with you. With over 25 years of Tri Valley real estate experience, The Gamache Team is ready to give you the best service possible!  Contact us today!

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