Blog - Stovall Team, Fountain Valley, CA, Real Estate

Summer BBQ

By Micah Stovall | Published: May 21, 2013

Daylight Savings time and spring So Cal weather, is the perfect combination for those fun backyard BBQs and gatherings! Here are some Quick tips!

Prepare! Marinate, chop & dice, & prepare sides well in advance, so you can relax with your guests. Consider BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, chipotle, and buffalo sauce as options offering every taste bud a delight. Don’t forget chopped onions, relish, jalapeños, pickles etc.

Organize! Place beverages in a cooler in the backyard for easier access, minimizing foot traffic and maximizing the outdoor time. Make sure there is a trash can in view, to keep the space tidy. Keep adult beverages out of sight and grasp for children. A kid cooler will assure they are safe and independent at the same time.

Lighten Up! Fresh chopped veggies with hummus and light baked snacks such as pretzels, keep energy up the waistline down. This will also keep the main course satisfying and enjoyable.

Brighten! Add simple splashes of color to the tables… Fresh flowers, bright napkins, serving bowls, etc will lighten the mood and add an element of fun.

Safety 1st! Keep adult beverages out of children’s reach, don’t leave a BBQ unattended, and be sure to cook your meat to the proper temperature to avoid poisoning. For a chart visit this website: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/MeatTemperatureChart.htm

Be sure to smile and enjoy yourself, showing your guests how much you appreciate their joining you, and setting the mood for a good time.

By Jennifer L. Stanford,
1-866-608-6897 Ext 110
Home, Auto, Life Insurance
Business & Workers Compensation

http://www.stanford-insurance.com/index.html

Posted in Buyers, Community, Sellers | Comments closed

Staging Outdoor Space Brings Value

By Micah Stovall | Published: May 20, 2013

Time and time again prospective homebuyers are walking right through the house I’m holding open to look at the back yard. Think of your outdoor spaces as an extension of your home. Having extra usable square footage, regardless where it is located, can be very enticing to prospective buyers. We want prospective buyers engaged when viewing a home for sale right when they pull up to the curb throughout and to the backyard.
Home design style is expanding to the outdoor living area this year and, with warm weather approaching, it’s important to stage your home with those design trends in mind. According to 2013 surveys from the National Association of Home Builders, prospective home buyers want a home’s living space to extend outdoors. This is especially true in Orange County where we are able to enjoy year-round outdoor entertaining. Those who are shopping for a home expect to see outdoor spaces that offer the feeling and function of indoor rooms.

Dining alfresco (outdoors) is a regular occurrence for many. Buyers often attribute positive feelings when seeing outdoor home spaces that include cushion-covered seating and elements of indoor style – rugs, candles, and decorative elements – included on patios, decks and in courtyards.

People like being out in the open, but they crave privacy. Survey respondents indicate they want a potential home’s outside living and entertaining space to include privacy screens. They especially appreciate outdoor spaces screened from the neighbors by shades or curtains made with material that is designed to withstand the weather, free-standing screens, lattice, or large potted plants. The exterior and patio furnishings should be clean and colorful to add color and keep with the outdoorsy appeal.

Integrate what you enjoy into the design and function of your backyard space but consider the wider market place. Taste varies from home to home but many enjoy outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor pizza ovens, and bocce ball or horseshoe areas. Because outdoor living spaces are top-of-mind for people in the market for purchasing a home, we try to make sure those spaces are able to be viewed from inside the home. Pull back curtains or raise shades to give prospective buyers an intriguing view and invitation to step outside and spend more time envisioning themselves living there.

Call the Stovall Team when you have questions about getting your home ready to sell. We are here to assist you whether you plan to put your home on the market within a week or a couple years from now. Contact us. We can design a plan to help you net more money for your home than our competition. Call Steve at 714.393.5377 or Micah at 714.343.9294.

By Micah Stovall

Posted in Sellers, Tips for Sellers | Tagged Fountain Valley, fountain valley real estate, Home Value, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, realtors, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team, Tips for Sellers | Comments closed

Fountain Valley SummerFest 2013- June 27-June 30

By Micah Stovall | Published: April 15, 2013

FOUNTAIN VALLEY SUMMERFEST
FOUNTAIN VALLEY CLASSIC CAR & TRUCK SHOW
“Fountain Valley Summerfest” to be held in June at the Fountain Valley Sports Park at Brookhurst and Heil. This 4-day celebration will include carnival rides, food and beverage booths, game booths, local entertainment, exhibitors, non-profit organizations, live music, beer/wine garden, Live Sports Tent, the Fountain Valley Classic Car & Truck Show, and the Dog Day Afternoon event.

Dates	*Times*	Special Events
Thursday, June 27	*5:00pm – 10:00 pm*	*Preview Night
Friday, June 28	5:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday, June 29	11:00am – 11:00pm	Car Show 7:00am – 3:00pm
Sunday, June 30	12:00pm – 9:00pm	*Dog Day Afternoon 12:00pm – 6:00pm*

http://fountainvalley.org/community/communityservices/Summerfest.php

Posted in Community | Tagged Fountain Valley Community Foundation, fountain valley real estate, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team | Comments closed

Stovall Team: Professionalism

By Micah Stovall | Published: April 8, 2013

PROFESSIONALISM + INTEGRITY + ACTION = GET OUR CLIENTS RESULTS

Last week I was asked by one of our clients if writing an introduction letter was standard with all offers that I write. I explained to them that making them look good on paper not only comes down to how well qualified they are financially, but it also has to do with who they are as a person. I started writing these cover letters a couple of years ago when half of the listing inventory were short sales. These are real people, not banks, that have to choose a future buyer for their home without really having any financial gain. The only thing in it for them is that they will get a chance to avoid a foreclosure, however some people wish to make sure that their home is going to be taken care of.

Stovall Team: PROFESSIONALISM + INTEGRITY + ACTION = GET OUR CLIENTS RESULTS

My letters are very effective and I find them even more effective when it comes direct from the buyers’ perspective. As our market changes in Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, and the surrounding areas, and the inventory drops to record lows these extra efforts on our part make a big difference on your part. Our high level of integrity and action gets our clients results. The inventory of homes for sale has decreased and a cover letter from the buyers can go a long way. If there are multiple offers all over full price, sharing who you are as a person believe it or not could make a huge difference. Another reason to use one is to explain why you offered what you offered.

Call The Stovall Team today at 714.343.9294 or 714.378.3438. Let us help you!

By Micah Stovall

Posted in Buyers, First-time Home Buyers | Tagged Fountain Valley, fountain valley real estate, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team | Comments closed

Leased Solar Panels May Create Dilemma for Sellers

By Micah Stovall | Published: April 6, 2013

Leased Solar Panels May Create Dilemma for Sellers by Stovall Team, Fountain Valley, CA Real Estate

Most solar power companies sell and/or lease solar panels with promises of large reductions on power bills and added value to your home. If you plan to lease a system, consider the terms of the lease seriously before getting involved. If you plan on selling your home prior to the lease payoff there may be serious consequences that will affect your net proceeds. If you do decide to sell your home before the lease term is up, the seller must either convince the buyer to take over the outstanding lease, or purchase the system for potentially tens of thousands of dollars, depending on how many years are left on the lease. You could also be responsible to pay the remaining fees if the buyer isn’t interested in the system. These costs will come directly off the top of your net profit. The solar company will actually be protected via an encumbrance against your title and these costs will be paid directly out of escrow at close. Therefore, if you plan to sell in the short term, you might want to rethink a Solar Lease and the potential negative impact on your equity.

Now that home sales are picking up again in the aftermath of the housing crisis, some homeowners who signed long-term solar leases have run into a dilemma. Under the terms of most agreements — which typically span 20 years — selling your home won’t get you out of the obligation of the lease. There are Government Tax incentives and Power Company rebates but they only cover a portion of the obligation. Also, incentives help you out in a particular tax year but the obligation still exists.

When a home is sold, the seller has to buy out the solar panel contract, transfer the lease to the buyer, or relocate the panels to another home. Sometimes these transfer obligations are much more easily said than done. The Solar industry touts that it’s cost effective and easy for the seller to transfer the solar power lease; this can only happen if the buyer is willing to accept the terms and obligation. If for any reason a potential home buyer doesn’t want to accept this obligation they might just walk away from a purchase. These costs can vary from $150-$500 dollars per month and can range for many years in the future for the new buyer. This can make significant difference. Although most buyers are attracted to solar features, they aren’t planning to pay extra to receive them.

The solar industry also boasts that solar panels make residences more appealing to potential buyers and boost a house’s value. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a study in 2011 that found homes with solar systems sell for a premium over homes without solar systems. We don’t argue the value of solar power but feel there may be many potential sellers that are not clear of the possible ramifications. Furthermore, it’s also a good option to purchase the system outright therefore eliminating any potential chance for lost equity. A purchased solar system can only add to the upside potential of your home sale. By Steve Stovall

Posted in Sellers | Tagged Fountain Valley, fountain valley real estate, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team, Tips for Sellers | Comments closed

Younger Generations Rate Home Ownership Higher

By Micah Stovall | Published: March 26, 2013

Younger Americans place more importance and hold more favorable views toward home ownership than older generations, according to a new survey from Prudential Real Estate of about 5,000 potential buyers and sellers. About 77 percent of those aged 25 to 34 and 78 percent of those aged 35 to 44 rate home ownership as “very important.” The Millennials and Generation X age group represent the ages between 25 and 44.

“Millennials and Generation X — about 85 million people strong — face a unique opportunity in U.S. housing,” says Earl Lee, president of Prudential Real Estate. “They are generally optimistic about home ownership and, by nature, share a strong sense of community. As important, many were not impacted by the real estate downturn and are looking at today’s buying opportunities with keen interest.” Seventy-four percent of all survey respondents say that interest rates at historically low levels make it a great time to purchase a home. The primary drivers for owning a home, according to the survey, were for more control over space, safety, and as an investment.

Still, consumers are cautious about the Real Estate process. Sixty-two percent of respondents say that obtaining financing is more challenging, and 72 percent say that having a trusted partner as a reliable source of information is important to them.

“It’s been a tough road but the mo-mentum we are seeing across the economy and real estate market appears sustainable,” says Stephen Phillips, chief operating officer for HSF Affiliates LLC.

Sources: Realtor.org Daily Real Estate News | Tuesday, February 12, 2013