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Do I Need a Realtor When Buying a New Construction Home in Orange County?

Buying a home is a big decision with a lot of money on the line so it’s important to make sure that you are always protecting your own interests throughout the process. While most house hunters make use of a realtor when browsing Laguna Beach or Newport Beach homes for sale by owner, in order to receive assistance in finding just the right fit, buyers contemplating new construction homes in Orange County sometimes think that this means they don’t need a realtor. This is not the case.

A realtor’s work in your house hunting process is about a lot more than simply finding the home you are looking to buy. Your realtor is an expert in the field, capable of helping during every step of the process, many of those steps still present even when you’re buying one of the new construction homes in Orange County. Hiring the right realtor can help you avoid a big mistake and save you money on the right decision. Below we’re breaking down some of the important reasons that you may want to take into account before jumping into buying new construction!

All Representation is Not Equal

The main reason buyers opt to forgo a realtor when buying new construction is to save money, however, this is a mistake. Many builders’ model homes have real estate representatives working for them and although it may sound tempting to just work with this person throughout your home buying process, there are some things you should know. When you opt to work with a builder’s representative, you are working with someone who is representing the builder rather than you. This means that they have the best interest of the builder in mind, not the buyer. Deciding to hire your own real estate agent is electing to have someone that looks out for your best interest, working to get you the best value while making the process a stress-free one for you. That’s exactly what you get when you work with me.

They’ve Seen it All Before

There are lots of little details to consider and small problems to keep an eye out for, even when buying new construction homes in Orange County. A professional realtor, like myself, can bring their years or even decades of experience to the table to help make sure that nothing slips by and comes back to bite you.

They Can Help Catch Warning Signs

A realtor’s most valuable asset when you want to buy new construction homes in Orange County is their experience. Because I have no doubt seen hundreds of homes and encountered innumerable problems in those homes, I know when something which seems small can be a sign of a big problem. There’s nothing more disheartening than thinking you’ve found the right home only to have it fall apart during contract because inspection reveals problems you missed the first time. You get your hopes up for nothing and waste time chasing down a doomed-to-fail option.

Negotiations Can Make or Break You

When shopping for new construction homes in Orange County you’ll ultimately end up at the same point as if you were buying from a previous owner when you reach negotiations. It is vitally important to have a professional working on your behalf when submitting bids and counteroffers in order to make the best possible decisions.

They Can Help Find Financing

The benefits of choosing a realtor don’t end just because you enter contract when buying new construction homes in Orange County. I have connections in the home financing field who we can put you in contact with. This allows you to get a trusted financing partner and helps to simplify the process of searching.

Expert Eyes For Inspections

Just as I have specific financiers that I would recommend working with, I can also offer you assistance during the inspection as well by serving as another set of eyes to look out for troubles which were missed during your pre-purchase tours. By calling on my prior experience of problems, which have been found in homes my clients were in contract for, I have a long internal list of red flags that I can help check for to avoid unfortunate surprises after you move in.

New construction homes in Orange County are an excellent real estate opportunity for home buyers, allowing you to truly make a home your own by being its first resident. If you find yourself in the position of contemplating buying a new construction home in Newport Beach or Laguna Beach, then I hope you’ll think of me to assist you in this venture. With my years of experience and savvy negotiation skills, I promise to leave no stone left unturned, working tirelessly for your best interest until you’re comfortably settled in your brand new home!

The Best Apps to Make Your Orange County Home Search Easier

With over 3,000,000 people living in Orange County, the competition for homes for sale in Orange County is high. This constant struggle for housing means that the old ways of looking for properties are out. Looking for signs in the yard or reading the local paper no longer gets you the house you are looking for, and house hunters have now turned to technology to aid in their search.

As your Orange County real estate expert, it’s our mission to match you with the perfect home. That’s why we scour the market every day, attend private tours, and maintain a wide professional network of local realtors. We understand that sometimes during the house hunting process it’s only natural for buyers to want to browse the market themselves. There’s no doubt that looking through the gorgeous Laguna Beach or Newport Beach oceanfront homes for sale is exciting. With all kinds of real estate apps available these days, it makes it easy for our house hunting clients to browse through the inventory and bring ideas to us. Although nothing replaces the knowledge, experience and personal customer service that you gain from working directly with a realtor, there are some benefits in utilizing these apps in conjunction with your agent.

Since you may be inclined to browse the market in your spare time, we’ve listed some of the key features of the most popular home-search apps. Have a look:

Zillow

Many people consider Zillow to be the best home searching app. Zillow provides what it calls a Zestimate, which allows you to see the estimated worth of the property you are interested in. (Read a comparison we did on a few online home value estimators.) Bear in mind that this is just an estimate, so it’s always smart to work with a realtor to come up with the most accurate home value based on the current market and your needs. Tools on this app also give you the opportunity to look up various statistics and even search properties based on certain specifications, such as property type, price, region, and features. You can create your own account on Zillow to keep track of your searches and the information you gather.

Redfin

This app is helpful because of its holistic nature. The app updates every 15 to 30 minutes to keep you on top of the game. You can also draw a box around the area you are searching, and only see homes within that perimeter. Search on Redfin for homes for sale in Orange County, and get a thorough list of short sale alters, foreclosures, and sale-by-owner properties. Discuss your favorites with friends, family or your realtor by using the sharing tools that the site provides.

Realtor.com

The National Association of Realtors designates this app as its official search engine. Additionally, the organization has various connections with Multiple Listing Systems, meaning the app updates faster and lists more properties. Connect to your Google Chromecast through this app and stream information to your television. Filter your search based on price, square footage, or even schools in the area.

Trulia

This app is a great choice for those actively seeking to buy an Orange County home. The tools that the app provides have the sole purpose of helping you find the perfect home to purchase. One tool, for example, allows you to filter for very specific features, such as type of flooring. You can also utilize the mortgage calculator as you become more serious about a property, as well as take a thorough look at the home through the various photos and immersive video tours.

LoopNet

This option is great for those looking for properties with multiple units. It provides a wider range of detail about these properties than many of the other apps. LoopNet offers data on traffic, financial details, street views, and geography of Orange County real estate. The app allows the opportunity to consider these commercial or multi-unit properties whether you live in the area or not.

HomeSnap

This app is especially useful for buying a home with your partner or getting input from family and friends. HomeSnap has special features specifically designed for sharing and messaging not only home listings but also home features and details. The app also has the capability of displaying details of a home from just a quick photo of the exterior. Take a picture and see the estimated home value, related schools and ratings, taxes, interior photos, and more.

While nothing compares to the personalized experience you get from working with a seasoned Orange County real estate agent, in certain situations utilizing these apps may be beneficial in helping you get ideas on the type of home, price range, and the area you want to target. Having an idea of what you are looking for, whether it be one of the gorgeous Laguna Beach ocean view homes for sale or a brand new Corona del Mar home, although not a requirement, often makes the job of the real estate agent easier in locating your dream home, as well. Whatever step you are at in your house hunting process, we are honored to help you get you where you want to be. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today so we can discuss your home buying plan and get you into the Orange County home of your dreams!

How to Quickly Spruce up Your Orange County Home

Putting your home for sale in Laguna Beach and want to stage your home to sell quickly? Or just looking to spruce up your Corona del Mar home a bit? There are lots of things you can do to a space to liven it up — buy new furniture, add some unique or colorful decor touches, update fixtures — but probably the one that creates the most dramatic change is adding a fresh coat of paint. For far less than the cost of a major renovation, painting your walls a new color will make your home feel modern, current, and refreshingly new. Whether you’re just moving in, looking to refurbish your existing space, or trying to sell your Orange County home quickly, here are a few of the trendiest interior paint colors that are sure to transform any room in your house.

Metropolitan AF-690 from Benjamin Moore

Voted Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2019, their Metropolitan AF-690 is a neutral gray that is stylish yet comforting at the same time and seemingly pairs well with everything. Shades of gray are very in right now, due to their calming nature and their ability to add an air of class and sophistication to any space. According to Benjamin Moore’s Director of Strategic Design Intelligence, Ellen O’Neill, “Metropolitan AF-690 emanates nuance, harmony and extravagant ease. Always adaptable, it softens to matte or shimmers with sheen. It’s neutral. It’s understated. It just is. This is color, off-duty.”

This color would look great in any room of the house, from the kitchen to the bedroom. To give you even more reason to love it, this Metropolitan AF-690 was also featured on Consumer Report’s list of Hottest Interior Paint Colors of 2019. According to Consumer Report’s Paint Ratings, they recommend using either the Benjamin Moore Aura or the Benjamin Moore Regal Select, both slightly pricier options but are environmentally-friendly, and only one coat is needed to cover your walls.

Blue Tequila from Behr

To add a calming, beachy vibe to your home, a color like Behr’s Blue Tequila is the perfect shade of blue-green to compliment a room. A more modern take on seafoam, this paint can add the perfect touch of color as an accent wall in any living area or bedroom, or coat your entire kitchen in it to transform your cooking area. Pair with a classic eggshell white for a quintessential beach feel, or pair with shades of taupes, browns and even orange to give a more rustic feel. This is another color that is extremely versatile and is bound to look good in whatever capacity you use it!

Peppercorn from Sherwin-Williams

Often people shy away from darker colors, but Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn is a charcoal gray that packs a punch while retaining that neutral elegance. Darker walls make colors pop, especially if accompanied by lighter crown-molding or furniture to contrast with the bold walls. If you’re hesitant to turn your entire living room or bedroom this dark of hue, then start by playing around in the bathroom. A hall bathroom is a great place to try out bolder colors and decor choices since this isn’t a room you’re constantly using. Then, if you happen to love it, you can expand beyond to more areas of your house!

Reflecting Pool from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

For those looking to add a pop of color to their homes, Reflecting Pool by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams may be a perfect option. This beautiful shade of teal is bold enough to add spice to a dining room or living room, but also modern enough to give a sophisticated and elegant feel to the home. This was another color that made it onto Consumer Report’s list of Hottest Interior Paint Colors of 2019, which recommends using HGTV Home Infinity by Sherwin-Williams or the HGTV Home Showcase paint for this color, both ranking high in their Paint Ratings. Pair it with navy and a yellow hue if you’re aiming for more of a fun and playful look, or with greys and creams if you want just a pop of color. This hue would be a great option when updating a modern or mid-century modern style space.

Ella Rose from Magnolia Home Paint

An unexpected color that you may not have thought of incorporating into your home is pink. Most people associate shades of pink with youthful, “girly” rooms. However, the right shade of pastel pink or dusty rose can add a bit of charm to any shabby chic or traditional home. Ella Rose from Magnolia Home Paint by Joanna Gaines is a beautiful pale neutral pink with accents of peach. It has a softer, sweeter touch to it that will translate to your home. It’s the perfect shade if you want a graceful and timeless color with a fresh twist.

Blueprint S470-5 from Behr

Behr’s Blueprint is a deep hue of beautiful slate blue that would compliment a bedroom, living room or kitchen. Voted as Behr’s 2019 Color of the Year, this color would especially compliment a modern or mid-century modern aesthetic home. Shades of blue are always popular, as they are calming and usually very versatile. However, this shade adds a bit more dimension to a room and can make lighter-colored furniture or cabinets really pop. This was another color that made it onto Consumer Report’s list of Hottest Interior Paint Colors of 2019. They recommend using Behr Marquee, Behr Premium Plus Enamel, or Behr Premium Plus Ultra for this color, all ranking high in their Paint Ratings.

Magnolia Green from Magnolia Home Paint

If you want to recreate the rustic Fixer-Upper look that Joanna Gaines is so famous for creating, then Magnolia Green from Magnolia Home Paint is a perfect place to start. This gorgeous olive green color can be used as an accent or to fill an entire room. It’s extremely versatile and, although you might not initially think it at first glance, it can look amazing in any room of the house. Pair it with creams and grays to complete that enchanting farmhouse look.

I hope these colors have given you some inspiration to get you started on that renovation or home facelift you’ve been dreaming about. Whatever decor choices you make, what really matters is that you make it feel like you. If you get to the point where your current house no longer feels like home and you’re yearning for a bigger change, I’d love to help you find that perfect Orange County property that truly is the home of your dreams.