Why Do You Need a Realtor?

If you're getting ready to buy or sell your home, you might be asking yourself this question - especially in a world filled with Craigslist, online ads and how-to books for dummies. But don't make your decision without knowing all the facts! Here are 7 reasons why a realtor can really help you get a better deal in the end.

http://www.winningagent.com/why-you-need-a-realtor/

If you have more questions about what a realtor can do for you, especially in Rancho Santa Fe or the greater San Diego area, give Katie a call or visit her Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Sunday Morning Curiosities

Just to spice up your Sunday morning, here are some fun and interesting homes.  None of them are in Rancho Santa Fe, unfortunately....but if your tastes tend to the extreme, there are plenty of empty lots here you can build on! From a spaceship to an upside-down house to a pod on the sidewalk, these will take your imagination for a spin!

http://www.zillow.com/blog/2012-11-14/house-of-the-week-spaceship-home-in-kansas/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitterlink

http://www.houselogic.com/photos/home-thoughts/7-crazy-houses-which-one-would-you-live/slide/upside-down-house/#more-slideshows

For more home ideas (though probably a little more conventional!), visit Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Today is Small Business Saturday!

A community's small, locally-owned businesses are what really give it character.  Today is Small Business Saturday, and shops in and around Rancho Santa Fe will be participating!  Find some great holiday gifts at shops in the town of Rancho Santa Fe itself, or go a little further afield to places like Flower Hill or Del Mar Highlands. Support small businesses near you!

AND if you use your American Express card, they will pay you back for the first $25 you spend at a small business! Click here to find out how! https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/

And don't forget to check out Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Decorating Your First Home

Whether it's in college, after we get our first job, or when we're getting ready to start a family, we all face it one day: decorating our first apartment or small house.  It's fresh, it's empty, and it's all yours - now what are you going to do with it?  Ikea may not be the answer to all your prayers! Check out this article for great guidelines to make your first apartment or house a haven that screams YOU, with pieces that will last.  Share with all the budding home decorators in your life!

http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/decorate/apartments/Decorate-first-apartment.aspx

And don't forget to check out Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Mortgage Rates Go EVEN Lower

It's worth taking time to note that mortgage rates have dropped to NEW record lows this week. If you're thinking about buying a house, now is definitely the time!

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20121116_ratewatch.htm

Don't forget to check out Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Family Vacations: It's The Little Things

The holidays are fast approaching (soon they'll be putting up those wonderful lights all down the main street of Rancho Santa Fe!), and you and your family may be considering a trip out of town.  If so, you should check out this article about what kids & families value most about vacations - it might suprise you! Share with any friends who would appreicate it, too!

http://www.livegodo.com/ArchiveArticleDetail.aspx?ID=2475

If you'll be in town this holiday season and would like to know convenient places for your relatives to stay (or just stay out of your hair...) or things to do around Rancho Santa Fe, check out Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

We're Going on a House Hunt!

If you're getting into the search for your dream home, it's good to know what warning signs to look for.  In Rancho Santa Fe as well as all over the country, there are a few big-ticket items that can really affect the sale of a home.  Read this article to learn which areas of the home to concentrate on, how to tell that not all is well, and how to move forward even if you find drawbacks. Take your time, do your homework, and soon you'll have the home of your dreams!

http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/what-you-should-look-for-when-house-hunting.aspx?source=web

If you have more questions about house hunting, the housing market, or obstacles you might encounter, give Katie a call at (858) 922-2226 or check out her Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

A November Home Checklist

It's November now, and even we in sunny Rancho Santa Fe have to start thinking about preparing for winter.  You may or may not have gotten around to fixing that loose roof tile by now - but there's more to preparing for winter (and the holidays!) than the obvious external home improvements!  Read this article for great advice on how to ensure that not only your rain gutters but also your kitchen, floors, closets and furniture are ready for the holiday season!


http://realestate.msn.com/november-home-maintenance-checklist

And don't forget to check out Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Want Dill in December? Mint in March? Try an Indoor Herb Garden!

Here in Rancho Santa Fe, we are blessed with mild, sunny weather year-round, making gardening a pastime that many people enjoy even in December.  However, we do get chilly weather and the occasional frost.  How can you keep your family supplied with fresh herbs all year?  Grow them inside!  Here is a great little article with everything you need to know to have a thriving indoor herb garden.  Plant a few seeds now, and have herbs all winter long!

http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/gardening/gardening-basics/indoor-herbs.aspx

And don't forget to check out Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Pros and Cons of a Holiday House Hunt

If you're looking for a home, you may have heard that winter - with its holiday madness, cold weather, and fewer houses on the market - is an unideal time to start the search.  But don't get discouraged!  Your possibilities might be better than they seem.  Here in Rancho Santa Fe, for example, we're not slowed down by snow or ice, so we can show you houses at any time of year!  Aside from weather, though, there are other distinct advantages to home-shopping near the end of the year.  Check out this article to find out why starting your search in November might be the best choice of all!

http://realestate.msn.com/-buying-a-home-in-the-off-season-what-to-expect

If you have any questions, or if you'd like to start your holiday home search in Rancho Santa Fe or the greater San Diego area, visit Katie's Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!

Best Places To Retire QUIZ

If you've ever talked to a financial planner, they'll tell you that NOW is the right time to start saving for retirement - even if it's years and years away!  But there is more to retirement than just finances.  Where do YOU want to end up when you're no longer chained to a desk?  Take this quiz to find out what the perfect town might be! From Albuquerque to St. Augustine (and not forgetting our gorgeous community right here in Rancho Santa Fe!), your ideal town could be somewhere you least expect.  Whether you're thinking about retirement or just dreaming of places beyond your work computer, take this fun little quiz and explore your possibilities!

http://money.cnn.com/quizzes/2012/pf/retirement/best-places-to-retire-quiz/index.html

And if you are considering a move to Rancho Santa Fe (or anywhere in the San Diego area) give Katie a call at (858) 922-2226 or check out her Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Website!