Home Improvement – Orange County Real Estate

Plants Add Life to Your Home’s Interior

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021Jackie Gibbins

I admit it; I love plants. Indoor. Outdoor. I love them all. They add life, interest, and they simply look great! You can use them as focal points, in groupings or just because! Flowers are also pretty special.

I have a lot of plants in my own home. The pic above is just a few of my own indoor plants. When I stage properties for sale, I almost always add a few indoors and out. They can make a home feel warm and lived-in. Plus they are beautiful!

Here are some ideas: fresh flowers in a bedroom, orchids in a bathroom, tall plants that direct your gaze upwards, large lush plants that beautifully fill a corner and a little potted garden in a sunny window. How about a trailing plant in a cool macrame hanger/holder in a sunny corner? See pix of my staging using my own plants and decor below.

You can incorporate plants and plant themes into just about any decor. Plants can be hip, modern, relaxed, elegant, traditional, upscale and eclectic. Pretty much any home can benefit from a well-placed and wisely-selected plant.

See for yourself! Add an easy-care plant to your home, if you don’t have one already, and see what a difference it makes.

Prepping for the Home Inspection

August 16, 2021Jackie Gibbins

Even in a seller’s market here in Orange County, it is a good idea to prepare the home inspection. It will make for a smoother transaction by removing any potential roadblocks or hiccups on the way to close of escrow. Preparing can give you peace of mind, and put your buyer’s mind at ease, too. They will view your home as in good shape and in good repair, adding value in their mind. It could even increase the amount buyers are willing to pay for your property.

Here are a few things you, as the seller, can do to prepare for a home inspection:

Exterior

Clean debris from gutters and drains
Re-caulk around exterior windows & doors
Repair damaged masonry on walkways & steps
Repair minor defect in exterior wall materials
Replace damaged and missing shingles
Seal driveway cracks

Interior

Repair leaking faucets and fixtures
Repair cracked and broken window panes
Have a professional electrician inspect receptacle & switches, then make necessary repairs
Re-caulk around bathtubs & sinks
Arrange service for your HVAC
Replace batteries in smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
Loosen any windows that are hard to open and close

Inspection Day

Clear entrance to storage sheds, attic, crawl spaces, basement, and garage. Clear paths of debris.
If the buyer will be present, then be away from the house for the duration of the inspection.
Keep pets in a safe location or remove them from the property if necessary.
Move objects away from water heater, furnace and air conditioner.
Provide all keys for any locked doors.

Disclosures

Disclose past fires, floods and major repair work.
Provide building permits or plans for any major renovations.
Provide invoices & warranties for major improvements like roofs, furnaces, and appliances.

This is not all-inclusive nor do you HAVE to do any of these items (possible exception of making sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order). However, these items usually come up on home inspections, and buyers usually have questions about them and may ask that they be repaired/addressed prior to close of escrow.

Even if you don’t address any of these items, maybe inspect your home for yourself ahead of time so you know where you stand in regard to repairs.

Transforming a Kitchen Laundry Closet

August 2, 2021Jackie Gibbins

In Mission Viejo, there are a few floor plans that have the laundry closet in the kitchen area. It is a convenient option, but can be a bit awkward, especially if you opt for a large washer and dryer pair. Removing the closet doors to accommodate the washer and dryer has some cons, though, like having the appliances always in view as well as the noise always within earshot.

But it can also be an opportunity for creative design! I recently helped a colleague list a home for sale, and the seller had transformed the outdated and clunky laundry closet into an attractive and functional focal point.

This owner removed a pair of louvered closet doors, removed the old upper storage cabinets and old lighting soffit. They gave the newly opened space a more cohesive look by adding subway tile, a small shelf and cool lighting. Looks like a natural extension of the kitchen. They still have storage, but now it is located between the appliances. I wouldn’t mind looking at this all day long!

This home is located in the Mallorca neighborhood overlooking Lake Mission Viejo.

Balance in Home Decor

May 14, 2020July 27, 2020Jackie Gibbins

Everyone strives to have balance in their lives because it just feels better. If you have balance and harmony in your home decor, your family room or living room might feel better, too!

Balance in color, the harmony of various shapes and materials in each room; it all matters. But what matters most, is how it looks and feels best to you.

Listen to my latest podcast for free with some tips and advice that could help.