How To Choose A Real Estate Agent

So a home is the most important purchase in your life right?  When you are ready to sell it you want to keep it in good hands.  Choosing the right person to sell your home is one of the most important steps to selling.  Here are a few tips:

1.) INTERVIEW
Yes, when you choose an agent you are hiring them.   So why would you pick an agent without interviewing a few for the job? Make a list of questions you would like to ask and ask the same questions to each agent to compare their answers.

2.) QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK

1. How long have you been in the business?
2. How well do you know this area?
3. How many transactions have you done in the past year?
4. What is your commission structure?
5. If I was to work with you, how would you market my house?
6. How do you organize meeting with potential buyers and coordinate them?
7. Can I speak with some of your past clients?

3.) GET COMFORTABLE
Not only is it about getting the answers you want to here, but its about gauging personalities.  Who do you feel most comfortable with.  Who has a similar value as far as selling is concerned.  Who's jokes do you laugh at, and how good do you feel about them being able to do their job.

Personally I love when my clients interview me.  It's a great time to get to know someone and to prove that I can get the job done.  I think many people forget that as brokers we work for you, so why not get the right person for the job.

Monica

Green Decorating

With so much focus on using sustainable building materials.  What about what we use for our decor.  Green decorating has become quite the trend.

If you want to go green on your decorating style here are some tips.

You still have to use sustainable materials


In your kitchen look for natural materials for you counter top such as natural stone and bamboo flooring and cabinets.  In your bathroom, opt for water saving toilets and shower heads.  Use energy efficient appliances.

Shop Locally

You can save a lot of energy by shopping locally.  Think about it, it takes a lot more energy getting something from China to the USA, then from picking something up right down the street.

Healthy Living


Time to think about you and your family, from the kind of carpet you choose to your paint choices.
Look for eco friendly materials such as low VOC paint, natural fibers, such as organic cotton and wool, and other recycled materials.

Ditch New Furniture


Don't overlook a garage sale find or a second hand castaway.  Many pieces can be refurbished either by repainting, refinishing, or reupholstering.  Love that Hollywood Regency look?  Opt for a 1940s sofa and have it refurbished with a wonderful mod fabric.  Many companies now days offer knock off finishes.  Grab a good quality vintage piece and give it a modern touch.

Vintage 1950's Dresser with a modern twist

Decorating Insanity

Just a few ways to save the environment and be cute at the same time.

Monica

The Colorado Street Bridge

The Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena is by far one of my favorite bridges.  I remember as a teenager driving by it on the 210 freeway and fantasizing about one day getting proposed to on that bridge.  That didn't happen, but I still got a great husband so I am over it.

Photography by Art Cisneros

Often referred to as the Arroyo Seco Bridge, it was designed and build in 1913 and connects Pasadena to Eagle Rock.  It has beautiful arches and fabulous vintage lighting details.  Best of all it was part of the historic route 66 until the 1940's.  I personally just love the beauty of it.  Definitely it is a great work of architecture and is a must visit if you are coming the the Pasadena, CA  area.