It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to come, we can still have deep sentimental attachments to the home we’re leaving behind. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale depending on how we manage them.

When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes when it’s time to move. Being mindful and prepared for the process can help you stay on the right track when selling your house this year.

1. Price Your Home Right

When inventory is low, like it is in the current market, it’s common to think buyers will pay whatever we ask when setting a listing price. Believe it or not, that’s not always true. Don’t forget that the buyer’s bank will send an appraiser to determine the fair value for your house. The bank will not lend more than what the house is worth, so be aware that you might need to renegotiate the price after the appraisal. A real estate professional will help you set the true value of your home.

2. Keep Your Emotions in Check

Today, homeowners are living in their houses for a longer period of time. Since 1985, the average tenure, or the time a homeowner has owned their home, has increased from 5 to 10 years (as shown in the graph below):

This is several years longer than what used to be the historical norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your children grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value.

For some homeowners, that makes it even harder to negotiate and separate the emotional value of the house from the fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations along the way.

3. Stage Your Home Properly

Staging makes a home feel inviting plus today’s modern savvy realtor uses virtual real estate technologies. I provide what buyers and sellers truly want in experience and safety!

We’re generally quite proud of our décor and how we’ve customized our houses to make them our own unique homes, but not all buyers will feel the same way about your design. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you stage your house with the buyer in mind.

Buyers want to envision themselves in the space so it truly feels like it could be their own. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. Stage and declutter so they can visualize their own dreams as they walk down the hall. A real estate professional can help you with tips to get your home ready to stage and sell.

Bottom Line

Today’s sellers’ market might be your best chance to make a move. If you’re considering selling your house, let’s connect so you have the help need to navigate through the process while prioritizing these must-do’s.

Curious about what your home is worth? We can assist you (click here).

Here are 5 reasons why having a digital savvy realtor using virtual real estate technologies benefits buyers and sellers in today’s demanding market: https://bit.ly/YourREadvisor

Would you like to learn what your property is worth in this current market?

Give me a call, whether it be selling, relocating, downsizing or right sizing,

I’m here to assist you with your goals.

 Lynne 
831-346-2743 text/voice

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES | Realtor
PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate
Intero | A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate
phone 831.346.2743
Lmacfarlane @ Intero.com
www.lynnemacfarlane.com
DRE# 02066698

Welcome to prestigious Atherton!

If you’re searching for a brand new custom build in the exclusive enclave of Atherton, this is it!

This modern, 3 story custom build has 5 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath home with a stunning open floor plan, two gas fireplaces, a chef’s gourmet kitchen with elegant white quartz island waterfall and floor to ceiling glass folding pocket doors that allow indoor/outdoor California living!

This modern home has gorgeous wide plank white oak floors, open floor plan and boasts lots of natural light gleaming through the modern Andersen 500 series windows delight the senses. Combining stunning modern design with its showcase floating staircase and state-of-the art technology, absolutely no detail has been overlooked as top of the line finishes and amenities adorn every corner of this magnificent home.

The top floor feels like a retreat as the master suite has it’s own balcony and spa-like bath and shower with dual sinks. The main entry floor has living area, kitchen and a bedroom – This bedroom can be used as an office right off the kitchen OR a room for multi-generational/senior guest room as it has it’s own private bath and close to the family kitchen and does not require stairs.

The bottom floor has two bedrooms and is ideal for small intimate gathering, perfect for entertaining with a linear gas fireplace, big screen TV and it’s own private bar for after hour entertaining. Give me a call to learn more about this property or for a private tour.

5 BEDROOMS | 4.5 BATHS 3,773 SF LIVING SPACE | 8,906 SF LOT

Listed at $5,895,000

CALL Today 831-346-2743 Text/voice

More info about this property: http://bit.ly/307WalshRd

Market Trend for Single Family Homes in Atherton: http://bit.ly/AthertonMarketTrend

Lynne MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES | Realtor

PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate Intero | A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate

DRE# 02066698

phone 831.346.2743 text

lmacfarlane @ Intero.com

www.lynnemacfarlane.com

Listed by Marita Lahijanian | Intero Real Estate Services 

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• If it is your plan to transfer real property to your children at some point in the future or you have considered making gifts of real property to your children while alive, doing so before Prop 19 becomes effective on February 15, 2021 will have major property tax ramifications for your children.

For reasons listed below, I would like to advise you to contact your financial advisor immediately if you want to gift real property to your children now or in the near future.  It is necessary to complete the property transfer prior February 15, 2021 so your children may take advantage of current property tax laws.

• What are the effects of Prop 19?  Prior to the passing of Prop 19 you could gift your primary residence to your children and maintain the current property tax levels no matter the value of the home and no matter whether they were going to live in the home or treat it as an investment property. For non-primary residence (investment or vacation) property your children had an exemption up to $1 million of assessed value for keeping the property taxes at your level.

Under Prop 19 there is no property tax reassessment exemption for non-primary residence property. This means any non-primary residence property that you gift to your children or they inherit from you will be reassessed to current full fair market value for property tax reasons.

• Under Prop 19, for the primary residence if, and only if, your children will be making the gifted/inherited property their primary residence-meaning they are going to move into it and live there-there may be no property tax reassessment.  Whether or not there will be a reassessment will depend on its current fair market value and its current assessed value. If the fair market value of the property at the time of the transfer exceeds the assessed value by less than $1 million, then your children would take the current assessed value. If the fair market value of the property at the time of the transfer exceeds the current assessed value by $1 million or more, then your children’s assessed value is the current value of the property less $1 million.

Here is a link to an article that covers this issue in more detail as well as the age 55 transfer questions:  https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/prop-19-passes-preserve-low-property-47713/ and a second link:  https://www.aaepa.com/2020/11/planning-for-californias-proposition-19/

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today’s feature of House Hunter “On The Loose!” in Silicon Valley, we feature fellow Intero listing agent John van Dyk and his newest listing at 95 Church Street, Unit #2205. It’s a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1,627 SqFt single level condo in coveted Forbes Mill, Los Gatos.

Location, security, and convenience with easy access to all Los Gatos community; I love Los Gatos and grew up coming to the downtown since a kid grabbing a bite to eat after spending an active day sailing or windsurfing at Lexington or biking the Kennedy/Shannon loop. This property has the ideal downtown location, set in a quiet section just off Main Street. Literally steps away from shopping, restaurants, Los Gatos Creek Trail for hiking and biking, public library, excellent Los Gatos High School, as well as Van Meter Elementary and Fisher Middle school.

*This video gives us a private tour of the property & features a casual interview with listing agent John van Dyk, Intero Real Estate Srv.

95 Church Street, Unit #2205
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath 1,627 SqFt on single floor

More info: https://lynnemacfarlane.realscout.com/homesearch/listings/p-95-church-st-2205-los-gatos-95030-mlslistings-134

Click here for the Los Gatos Market Trend for Condos & Townhomes: https://bit.ly/LosGatosCondoandTownhomes

Give me a call to learn more about this property.

If there is anything I can do for you, let me know, I’m here to assist you with your goals in anyway I can.
831-346-2743 Text/voice

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES | Realtor
PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate
Intero | A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate
phone 831.346.2743
Lmacfarlane @ Intero.com
www.lynnemacfarlane.com
DRE# 02066698

Proposition 19 big changes to inheritance rules, as well as transferring your tax basis after a sell start Spring 2021.

Inherited Property: Effective February 16, 2021:
Prop 19 requires inherited homes that are not used as primary residence (such as rentals), will be reassessed at market value when transferred to children or grandchildren. It appears this will make it harder for some investment property owners to hold onto their inherited real estate.

Homeowners 55+: Effective April 1, 2021:
Prop 19 allows homeowners 55 and older to transfer their tax assessments anywhere within the state of California to a primary residence of equal value with no property tax increase, or a more expensive primary home of with an upward adjustment within 2-years of the sale of the original primary residence.

Call me if you have questions, want to discuss solutions, or have any other real estate needs.

I’m here to help you find what’s best for you

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES Realtor

Intero | Berkshire Hathaway affiliate

PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate

Call 831-346-2743

Lmacfarlane@intero.com

It’s the end of the year of 2020 and even though there are 63% more new listings in the month of November in the Bay Area (according to Aculist / MLSlistings) housing is limited and buyer demand remains strong when traditionally we tend to see a real estate market holiday slow down.

The Cambrian Park area of San Jose is very desirable for the proximity to major Silicon Valley tech hub, shopping, restaurants and schools. One thing I forgot to mention is that Cambrian is in the path of progress with the Cambrian Park Plaza Mixed Use Village, some of us ‘old timer/locals’ remember Cambrian Park for the Cambrian Park Plaza Carousel which is now considered a landmark. 

If you’re interested in any of these properties or want to learn how we sell homes in today’s real estate market (with virtual technologies and showings) text me at 831-346-2743

Interested in learning how much your home is worth?

Text me 831-346-2743

“How much is my home worth” or https://sfbay.areahomevalues.net/

Interested in finding your dream home in Cambrian (SFH or Condo)?

https://bit.ly/Cambrian95124

Questions? I’m here to help!

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES Realtor

Intero | Berkshire Hathaway affiliate PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate

Ho-Ho-Ho! Happy Holidays, everybody! I thought this would be a good time to bring some holiday cheering up news… for you potential buyers as well as sellers in today’s real estate market!

202o has been a year unlike any other and there is some good news… a little bright spot(?) for buyers who are persistent and determined NOW to lock in that low interest rate and to become homeowners in 2021.

Click here to see the video and scroll below to see the slide show.

What’s hot right now in real estate? Single family homes with backyards, and a list price point that is below 1M (Silicon Valley entry level homes are super desirable right now!) Blossom Valley (area 12) is no exception to this as the buyers are attracted to the below 1M list price, and sold/list 107% with only 10 days on market ( November 04, 2020 to December 02, 2020)

This video features three new Coming Soon listings in the Blossom Valley area.

I keep my buyers informed of what’s happening in the real estate market as well as what’s coming up on the market.

Let’s talk about your options on where you’d like to go next and what your future plans may be! Interested in finding your dream home in Blossom Valley (SFH or Condo)?

https://bit.ly/BlossomValleyHome

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Prospective sellers should know that this is a great time to consider selling your property and taking that equity and enjoying the strong seller market!

Find out why my masters in digital media/marketing is the BEST solution for you to sell your home in today’s market

[Click image below]

Why a Digital Savvy Selling Realtor  provides the BEST solution in today’s market!

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Interested in learning how much your home is worth?

Text me 831-346-2743 “How much is my home worth”

or [click]  https://sfbay.areahomevalues.net/

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Questions? I’m here to help!

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES Realtor

Intero | Berkshire Hathaway affiliate

PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate

831-346-2743 text/voice

LMacfarlane@intero.com

www.lynnemacfarlane.com

Oct 2020 market report for national and SF Bay Area. Hello Sellers! If you were waiting for that time that you wished. you had taken advantage of last time and WISHED you had got the most out of your money before it went down – well, maybe this is your time. Here’s Oct housing trend and we take a look at what the economy has done nationally and what’s happening now locally in the SF Bay Area. We learn how the economist forecasters change their home price appreciation predictions. We discuss why the average U.S. citizen (not home buyers) have improved their FICO scores and proof that the American entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well during times of economic distress. And lastly, we learn why being a seller in this market is a fantastic opportunity (with existing home sales up 34% YTY and listings down -32% in the Bay Area).

Does the home I’m currently in meet my needs for the next decade?

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES | Realtor

Intero Real Estate Services 831-246-2743 text anytime

What’s My Home Worth? https://sfbay.areahomevalues.net/

I like to educate my clients and friends about what’s going on in the real estate market and depending on whether you’re a seller or buyer (or investor) I’ll give you the facts so you can make informed decisions. Give me a call, let’s have a cup of coffee to discuss your real estate goals, I want to help you achieve them. 831-346-2743 Lynne Please LIKE and Subscribe I’m happy to help and educate. If you know of someone who needs assistance, I’m also a PFAC affiliate (Professional Fiduciary Assoc. California- Silicon Valley) I have a great network of specialist who can assist with special needs, disabilities and seniors. I also have an advance certificate in SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) I partner with Intero | Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, the top brokerage network in the SF Bay Area, offering off-MLS listings, Pinnacle concierge services, lending and title to bring my clients a smooth and seamless transaction experience.