Video - One Cool Thing (Home Projects)

Video Tour of Villa Cortina

The Villa Cortina complex is a great condo complex in San Jose a few blocks from Santana Row and Valley Fair shopping mall. It offers many amenities such as a swimming pool, hot tub, children's playground, fitness center, clubhouse, elevator, gated and secure access, and conveniently located.

Below is a great video presentation  my friend Bruce Bryant put together from Homes & Realty Magazine.

Visit San Jose video!

San Jose, the hear of the Silicon Valley, the largest and most populous city in this valley now has an exciting new video for prospective residences and tourists. 

Visit San Jose!!!

Great video that sums up the Silicon Valley market real estate perfectly. The video was produced by a married couple with two high paying income and despite their high pay, they are still having difficulty buying in Silicon Valley, largely due to "chasing the market." Although I don't totally agree with conclusion that the market will go up forever, it is still a great watch.

Million Dollar Shack: Trapped in Silicon Valley's Housing Bubble

ABC Nightline on Flipping

Here's a great video I found on RealtyTrac's website regarding the realities of house flipping. Over there years I have seen many so called "reality TV" shows on cable TV that portray house flipping as easy. Then I often hear radio commercials as I am driving in my car of some huckster or another promising real estate riches if you can just pay $100 for his guaranteed to work house flipping system. Well, if you're on the fence about flipping houses for profit, I suggest you watch the below video before you get suckered into something you're not prepared for. I am not saying buying houses, fixing them up, and selling for profits is not a way to make money, just know what you're getting yourself into.

Related:
5 Mistakes That Make House Flipping A Flop

The Top Markets for Real Estate Investment in 2015

Happy Sunday everyone!

This video is from January, but I thought I would post it anyway because it gives perspective on the real estate market for investors that is still relevant for the market we're in now. Check it out.

Home Staging Tips: Beware of 7 Home Buyer Turn Offs

Great video from Tori Toth, Home Staging Expert, Author and Trainer. Her YouTube video was produced for Halloween, but the tips it provides are still relevant any time of year.

This video tells a tale of 7 home buyer turn offs, sellers should beware of before putting their home on the market!!
1. Dirt and Grim is the first way to make buyers scream!!! By not cleaning your home, you're showing buyers that you don't care and if you don't care about cleaning what else isn't being maintained in the home? The boiler, foundation cracks, a leaky roof???

2. Speaking of leaky, leaving water stains untreated around your home is a big red flag for buyers. While the leaky roof or sink may now be fixed, buyers will look at the stain and see dollar signs is there a structural or mold problem...two issues that costs thousands to fix.

3. Foul odors will have buyers running to the door. Cooking, smoking, pets and mildew or mold are offensive smells that can leave much to be desired in a home. By leaving these smells to linger you'll be distracting buyers from focusing on the home's positive features.

4. The fourth way a seller can frighten buyers is by having unwated guests. Some insects and pests invading your home are unhealthy and can cause major damage to the home's structure. Be sure to look closely at your interior and exterior signs of breaking and entering, also look to professionals to help control infestation. 

5. Another frightening scene being played out during showings can be hanging right infront of you. Wallpaper always scares buyers off because of the labor and cost to peel it down. Do yourself a favor and remove it before putting your home on the market so you avoid low ball offers. It will most likely cost less than the costs buyers had in mind to fix it.

6. Another gut-wrenching home decor faux pas has to do with popcorn! No not the kind of popcorn that you eat, the kind of popcorn that hangs high above you. Popcorn acoustic ceilings from the 60's and 70's are a major turn off for buyers. They not only date the space, but removing the white stuff in the entire home can be a huge costly mess. If you're not willing to tackle this project as a seller, how can you expect buyers to without an incentive....psst...I mean buyer credit!!

7. The last way to turn off a buyer, and in my eyes the most offensive is misrepresenting your home online. If you're expecting to see a home like this......and it ends up looking like this well....the buyer is going to be mad and disappointed, even feel betrayed because you didn't disclose the right information and wasted their time.

Do these deal breakers lurk in your home? Do they have you scared straight? Buyers what is one thing that leaves a sour taste in your mouth? Inquiring minds want to know so post your comments below.

And for more home staging tips to get you one step closer to the closing table be sure to subscribe to the channel for new videos every monday and visit us www.toritoth.com

What you need to know about renters insurance

Homeowners get homeowners insurance, but many renters I know don't get renters insurance. I know rents are rather high here in the Silicon Valley, but renter's insurance doesn't cost much.

Renter's Insurance Isn't Just for Possessions | RISMedia's Home Update

U.S. Renters Still Dream of Homeownership | RISMedia's Home Update

I know this is an video from back in January, but I believe it is still relevant for renters.