"Pretty" Neutral Paint
You're torn. You're thinking of moving in a few years, and you're also moved to tears by your current interior paint (We agree. That purple-painted bathroom was a good concept, but...). Fashionable, neutral paint is the solution.

Says Steve Berger of J&B Painting, Inc. (800-949-2534) : "When it comes to neutral paint trends, most people are going with more color, versus the off-whites. Light browns and sages, like Dunn-Edwards' 'Sandcastle,' are popular." The J&B Painting pro suggests an eggshell finish for common areas and bedrooms, "especially if you have children, because you can wash the walls and still have a finish that isn't too shiny."

To keep the look welcoming, "use light browns and greens on the walls, then use an off-white for the trim and ceiling for a really warm, attractive feel," advises Berger.

Are Real Estate Prices Rising?
by Joshua Suess
This seems to be the popular conversation topic today. One minute the media says the real estate market is horrible, the next day it's improving. Sales are down, now they're up. Nobody's buying, but there are multiple offers on nearly every home for sale. It's confusing, right?

Truth be told, the "media" is not a real estate professional with their finger on the pulse of current market trends. Professionals who study the market know that what we are currently experiencing is a somewhat stable supply of homes for sale and an equally stable amount of buyers purchasing homes.

While there may be low levels of inventory in every price point from $700,000 all the way down, we're not seeing the surge in prices that we would normally expect to come along with it. The reason for this is the strict appraisal guidelines that are being set by lenders. Even though buyers may be willing to pay the asking price (or well above) for a home, the appraiser/lender typically will not allow that to affect their opinion of the value - and may even end up appraising the home for less than the list price in many cases.

What can you expect to see in the last half of the year? Real estate professionals have put together a free Real Estate Market Trends Report which you can receive simply by visiting www.scvmarkettrends.com.
Joshua Suess is a member of The Suess Home Selling Team; 702-4640

Home Inspections for Buyers and Sellers
A key part of any real estate transaction is the home inspection. Although not required, it is highly recommended. This is a service that is performed by a licensed contractor who specializes in home inspections. The home inspector will check all the major components of the home for any issues or recommendations and document them in a detailed home inspection report. The home inspection report provides the buyers and sellers information about the home that may not have been obvious. Typically, the buyer orders the home inspection during the escrow process, but actually it is a good idea for a seller, prior to listing their property for sale, to employ a home inspector. This way, the seller knows up front if there are any issues that need to be addressed. As a result, the home is more marketable and ready for a smooth and successful sale. For a recommendation of a reputable home inspector and more information be sure to ask your Realtor®.
Scott Thompson is a Realtor® with and owner of Regal Realty of California; 295-8715