Lex Shan and Nikki Lui Present Homes & Life Magazine

Nikki Lui & Lex Shan Present

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

Whether you’re selling your rst home, or you’re an experienced seller, our goal is to make the process as simple and effective as possible for you and your family. We’ve negotiated contracts for millions of dollars’ worth of business and have been recognized for providing the utmost in quality service to our customers. Our clients count on our knowledge and background to provide them with insight and direction in their real estate plans. If there’s anything we can do for you, please give us a call!

Nikki Lui & Lex Shan REALTOR® The Cal Agents Realty Inc. Nikki: 408-219-1728

If your property is now listed with a REALTOR® or Broker, please disregard this offer, as it is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other REALTORS® or Brokers. The information contained herein is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. 01922440 ©ProspectsPLUS!, Inc. www.prospectsplus.com

Do It Yourself:

INDOOR HERB GARDEN When choosing your herbs, the easiest to grow indoors include basil, oregano, mint, sage, rosemary, and thyme.

STEP 1: Get four, 1-quart Mason jars, and add two inches of pebbles to the bottom.

STEP 2: Add an inch of horticultural charcoal to absorb excess moisture.

STEP 3: Fill the jars with potting soil.

Leave four inches of space from the top for the herbs.

STEP 4: Remove the herb plant from its container, and place it in the jar.

Add the potting soil, leaving about a one-half inch of space from the top.

Repeat the steps above for each of the four herbs.

1. SET A TIMER: Decide how much time you are going to allow to complete the decluttering of a specific space, and SET A TIMER, then go to it.

How to

QUICKLY DECLUTTER Any Space

2. EMPTY THE SPACE: Take everything out of the closet or off the shelves of the area you are decluttering. This way, you can review every item and decide what goes back.

3. SORT IT: Create sorting piles for the items, including Keep It, Donate It, Move It, or Trash It. 4. CLEAN UP: Since the space is empty, it is the perfect time to wipe down surfaces prior to putting items away.

5. FRESH START: Start putting the chosen items back, rethinking the way to store them for greater efficiency going forward.

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How to Sell Your Home FAST This Year!

Job transfers. Financial problems. Divorce. There are many reasons a homeowner requires speed when it comes to selling a home.

If you’re among them, and the thought of forking over your profit to an investor or iBuyer Company hurts too much, here are a few suggestions on how to get your home sold quickly.

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• Fraud • Encroachments These are just a few of the many problems that may be unearthed during a title search. Some problems are easy fixes, but others may take weeks to remedy.

Be proactive by ordering a presale title report, and you can avoid a potentially major stumbling block in the home sale process.

1. HAVE THE HOME INSPECTED

There are several steps in the home sale process where a buyer often encounters roadblocks, but none is more likely to happen than when the buyer receives the home inspection report.

Don’t sweat the small stuff though. You can always reopen negotiations on anything that may impact your comfort level, safety, and health.

When you need the sale process to proceed smoothly and swiftly, you need to either remedy the problems that buyers are most likely to balk at or adjust your asking price accordingly.

The only way to learn about the home’s problems is with a professional home inspection. Yes, the buyers most likely are bringing in their own inspector, but by being proactive and hiring your own inspector, there should be nothing in the report to delay the sale.

2. CLEAR UP TITLE ISSUES

One of the steps in the buying process is purchasing title insurance. Before a policy is issued, the title company ensures that no other party has a claim to the property or a lien against it.

A title search is performed, and any problems found, known as “clouds” on the title, may slow down the sale.

3. ENSURE THE APPRAISAL GOES SMOOTHLY

More than three-quarters of all home sales close on time according to the National Association of Realtors.

The rest are either delayed or never occur (only about 5% of closings entirely fall apart).

There are two primary reasons that closings are delayed: • Issues with the buyer’s financing • Appraisal issues While there is nothing a seller can do about the buyer’s financing, the proactive seller takes several steps to avoid appraisal problems: • Get clear on how market value is determined.

• Choose a listing agent who is experienced in determining fair market value.

• Avoid – at all costs – the temptation to overprice the home.

We’re happy to answer questions about how appraisers determine home market value and any other questions you may have about selling your home quickly.

While liens are the most commonly found clouds, other issues may take time to clear and thus cause a delay on your journey to the closing table. These issues may include: • • • •

Unpaid property taxes Judgments Improper title transfers Forgery 3

Three Tips to Help

CREATE A STYLISH GALLERY WALL 1. PICK A THEME: Does it consist of a certain style of art, a specific color scheme, or simply a collage of family photos?

2. MIX IT UP: For eye appeal and added interest, choose different-sized pictures and frames with a few different finishes and textures. Make sure two frames are the same color for cohesiveness.

3. EASY LAYOUT: Pinterest has a variety of templates for gallery walls, which makes choosing one easy. To ensure the layout you choose fits your space, trace and cut out templates of the differentsized frames using gift wrap. Tape those templates to the wall to check your layout before you begin hanging the frames.

Five Ways to

PERK UP A BORING BEDROOM 1. FILL THOSE WALLS: Hang a collection of family photos, an artist print, a fun poster, or an antique quilt on empty walls or above the headboard.

2. DON’T FORGET THE FLOOR: Perk up a bland bedroom with a cohesive or contrasting rug.

3. ADD A HEADBOARD: You don’t need to add a whole new bedroom set to change the look of your bedroom. Just adding an upholstered, iron, or wood headboard can make a big impact.

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4. LIGHT IT UP: Lighting is a relatively inexpensive way to change a space and create a mood. Add a bedside lamp on your night stand, or anchor each side of the headboard with wall scones.

5. CREATE CONTRAST WITH PILLOWS: Throw pillows in contrasting colors or patterns can be just the pop of interest needed to add pizazz to a boring bedroom.

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO REALITY

BECOME YOUR OWN

#DecorBoo

• Training & Mentors • Suppliers • Marketing • Business Platform

#1 Franchise for Interior Design

Finally, Do What You Love!

Easy and Healthy OVERNIGHT OATS DOUBLE CHOCOLATE INGREDIENTS • ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats • ½ cup plain yogurt • 1 tablespoon honey • ½ cup milk • Pinch of salt • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder • A couple tablespoons of chocolate chips

APPLE PIE INGREDIENTS • ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats • ½ cup plain yogurt • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • ½ cup milk • Pinch of salt • 1 small apple, chopped • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

RASPBERRY BANANA INGREDIENTS • ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats • ½ cup plain yogurt • 1 tablespoon honey • ½ cup milk • Pinch of salt • ½ cup raspberries • ½ banana, smashed

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DIRECTIONS: Add rolled oats, yogurt, honey or maple syrup, milk, and salt to a bowl. Then add any additional ingredients listed under each specific recipe below (e.g., raspberries, etc.). Mix everything together.

Pour the mixture into a container with a lid, and put it in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove the container from the refrigerator, and stir the mixture to recombine ingredients. Add any additional toppings you may like (nuts, granola, seeds, coconut flakes, etc.), and enjoy!

Thinking of Selling? Read This Before You Renovate It is quite common for homeowners who have decided to sell to look around the home for ways to improve it. It is only natural to want to get the most money possible when you sell; however, certain improvements are expected (basic repairs, etc.), while others should be avoided.

DON’T OVER-IMPROVE Know your home’s current market value before you consider any renovation projects. Now, this does not mean the amount of money you want for the home but its true market value.

The dangers in over-improving a home stem from the appraisal principles of regression and progression.

The former says that a large home that is surrounded by smaller homes loses value. The latter principle states the opposite – that small homes surrounded by large homes gain value.

So, when considering a renovation project, take the home’s current value into account, and understand that your value can only increase so much depending on the neighborhood.

HOW MUCH? Determine if your project is cost-effective. For instance, imagine that you have decided to perform a minor kitchen rehab on your home that is valued at $175,000. The project price tag is $19,648.

The resale value of this rehab is $13,793, which means that you will realize a 70.2% return on your remodeling investment dollar when you sell.

Run your renovation plans by us; we’re happy to help you determine the costs versus value.

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4 Reasons Why Our Clients Hire Us and Send Us Referrals PRICING MASTERY From the start, getting the price right is one of the most important decisions related to getting your home sold for top dollar. We are experts at determining the best fair market value and pricing strategies to accomplish this goal.

NEGOTIATION SKILLS Experience is critical when negotiating best offers. Our clients tell us they have more peace of mind knowing we are watching out for their best interests.

Nikki Lui & Lex Shan REALTOR® 01922440 Nikki: 408-219-1728 Lex: 510-866-6966

ONGOING COMMUNICATION

NikkiAndLex@thecalagents.com www.theCalAgents.com

Communication is a vital component in the sales process. Make sure the real estate agent you choose takes the time to establish a time and method for keeping you in the loop every step of the way! As a result, you are always informed, and everyone can avoid unwanted surprises.

Experience is not expensive, it's priceless.

AREA EXPERTISE We are seasoned veterans, with enthusiasm, knowledge, time-tested strategies, and a network of industry-wide professionals at my ngertips, ensuring we have all your needs covered throughout the entire process.

Please reach out if we may be of assistance, or if you know of anyone who might need help with buying or selling a home.

The Cal Agents Realty Inc. 6400 Christie Ave Ste 1000 Emeryville, CA 94608