Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Do you have a "WET ROOM"?





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upscale Home Improvement  Trends 

to Expect in the New Year

 

Want to attract qualified buyers with lots of money to your investment properties? If your luxury properties are lacking in the “up-to-the-minute” amenities department, you could find yourself without qualified buyers showing real interest. Take a look at three of the most popular improvements that upscale buyers made to their own homes before selling in 2013 and what many consider to be non-negotiable updates for their future purchases:
  • Wet Rooms
    A few years ago the “spa experience” bathroom was all the rage. Upscale buyers take this to the next level, requiring multiple types of showerheads in their showers, steam features, custom temperature settings, and sitting areas for relaxation and contemplation[1].
  • Media Centers
    We don’t mean a television sitting in a lovely wooden box, either. We’re talking comfortable movie-theater seating, state-of-the-art sound and visual equipment, and a small, social area with a wet bar, refrigerator, and even a miniature catering kitchen (or at least a microwave!).
  • Entertaining Kitchens
    Entertaining kitchens tend to be open and feature more seating than conventional kitchens, whether around an island or in a breakfast nook that can expand outside into a patio or other outdoor living area. Of course, you also need the trendiest appliance finishes and the latest gadgets to finish off your eating and dining space[2].
Even if you are not catering to upscale buyers, you can still use these trendy preferences to set any property apart from the crowd by installing amenities – on the appropriate scale – that cater to these popular trends. What do you do to make your renovations and rehabs stand out from the crowd?

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8j7pqztzhtytvioDnlLxtEb73DhFg22_ndaborCZQgnoN7q-CCmYf3Sv18k7aZmCgk_5E9yWxqDtYGFaHtAf3YNRefMOeOdxDKeRVl70VBIj-QurrBSh3UQJOxCaUz8J5LKeSZq-Dyk/s504/obanner.jpg

www.BillyO.com

Thursday, December 13, 2012

5 Places to Live Next (Where 2B In 2016)

5 Places to Live Next: Where You’ll Want to Be In 2016

We asked five real estate experts to identify the next hot neighborhoods. With the recession (almost) behind us, these emerging spots are on the brink of discovery and development.

Sammamish
Chosen by Dr. Stan Humphries, 
chief economist of Zillow
While Sammamish is technically a suburb, developers are planning to create a city center by placing a town hall, retail, and small-unit homes around a European-inspired centralized plaza to make it a walkable neighborhood void of those impersonal suburban strip malls. By welcoming people who are unwilling to trade commuting time for home price, this midrange to upper-end neighborhood already known for its good schools and easy access to 520 and I-90 is set to become a community perfect for the stroller brigade. “People are looking for that communal sense of neighborhood,” Humphries says, “and Sammamish is creating what people will want in the future.”

Central District
Chosen by Glenn Kelman, 
president of Redfin
The Central District is the Little Neighborhood That Could. “Two or three years ago, it had a shot at the title for Seattle’s hot new spot, as artists and gay men gentrified the area,” says Kelman. The CD lost its footing when the real estate bubble burst, but people are beginning to eye the southern edge of Capitol Hill once more. It’s a natural option for young families who want a bigger house and a bigger yard without having to sacrifice access to nightlife, and its proximity to I-5, I-90, and downtown Seattle make this an up-and-comer worth betting on. As soon as the school system improves, nothing will stop the flow of transplants into this ultraconvenient nabe.

 

South Lake Union
Chosen by Christopher Tanaka, 
broker at John L. Scott
For a city to thrive, it needs a dense epicenter with an eclectic and vibrant population. Thanks to Amazon’s recent relocation to South Lake Union, the neighborhood—already an enclave of young professionals—will draw many of the web goliath’s creative task force, spurring development of even more condos and restaurants. As the area fills up, the younger demographic may spill over into Belltown and Capitol Hill, but SLU will remain the focal point for change. “For the most part, you’re going to see families and executives try to stay in SLU,” Tanaka says. “It’s going to be pretty dense down there.”

 

Columbia City
Chosen by Matthew Gardner, 
economist of real estate advisory firm Gardner Economics
Artists helped revitalize Columbia City—now home to a flourishing retail scene reminiscent of an early Ballard—and the light rail has cut commute times from downtown to this South Seattle neighborhood. “Mass transit, which has been woefully inadequate in the past, is improving dramatically,” Gardner says. “This will give young professionals and older people wanting to downsize access to downtown.” Already treated to perks like enticing bakeries, trendy restaurants, and the indie music venue Columbia City Theater, residents have it all (including proximity to Seward Park, Genesee Park, and Rainier Playfield) without having to pay the prices commanded in nearby nabes like Beacon Hill, Seward Park, and Mount Baker.

Hilman City
Chosen by Jennifer Nelson, 
broker at Windermere Real Estate
Hillman City—Columbia City’s under-the-radar little brother—is guaranteed to profit as its grown-up sibling’s success begins to spill over. Restaurants and shops are popping up in the diverse neighborhood where the Night Out in Hillman City block party attracts residents from dozens of ethnicities. Seward Park, Genesee Park, and Lake Washington fulfill an outdoor lover’s needs. “You can launch your boat and be cruising around Lake Washington in 20 minutes, easy,” Nelson says. And there are more owners than renters, solidifying the community and making it a first-time buyer’s dream.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Feeling The Fringe.

Wake up and smell the Coffee!

FINALLY, home sales in the USA were up 2% over last year in October (4.79 million). If you are going out to buy here in the near future and don't have the BIG BUCKS to spend you may want to consider this; look in an area that is fringe or transitional. You may want to follow these logos.

  

Trader Joe's Logo

The easiest way is find good fringe areas is to look for new businesses like good ol' Starbucks or Whole Foods popping up in the area. Trader Joe's is another tell-tale sign that equity is headed your way. You'd better believe that big chains like these guys are going to spend a ton of money analyzing the neighborhoods before they open their doors. So don't be scared! Tap into their market research and enjoy the good living.

Another great idea; Check crime in one click with Trulia Crime Maps. It may look like an improving area, but you want to make sure your up-and-coming block, street and area is safe and not the center of a serious crime waves.


As always, if you have questions about what my favorite "Fringe" neighborhoods are, feel free to holler and we can chat.

Happy Turkey Week!

-Billy O'


You can bet that big chains like Starbucks spend a lot of money and time analyzing neighborhood potential before they open up a new store. So go ahead, tap into their market research and be their neighbor.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-signals-a-rising-neighborhood-2012-11#ixzz2Cm5IhIrI
You can bet that big chains like Starbucks spend a lot of money and time analyzing neighborhood potential before they open up a new store. So go ahead, tap into their market research and be their neighbor.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-signals-a-rising-neighborhood-2012-11#ixzz2Cm5IhIrI



One of the best ways to stretch your buying dollar is to find a neighborhood that is in transition. Called fringe or transitional neighborhoods, they are typically close to major metropolitan areas and were once neglected and less desirable. Is there a trendy restaurant where a tattoo parlor used to be?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-signals-a-rising-neighborhood-2012-11#ixzz2Cm3JPMNE
One of the best ways to stretch your buying dollar is to find a neighborhood that is in transition. Called fringe or transitional neighborhoods, they are typically close to major metropolitan areas and were once neglected and less desirable. Is there a trendy restaurant where a tattoo parlor used to be?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-signals-a-rising-neighborhood-2012-11#ixzz2Cm3JPMNE
One of the best ways to stretch your buying dollar is to find a neighborhood that is in transition. Called fringe or transitional neighborhoods, they are typically close to major metropolitan areas and were once neglected and less desirable. Is there a trendy restaurant where a tattoo parlor used to be?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-signals-a-rising-neighborhood-2012-11#ixzz2Cm3JPMNE


One of the best ways to stretch your buying dollar is to find a neighborhood that is in transition. Called fringe or transitional neighborhoods, they are typically close to major metropolitan areas and were once neglected and less desirable. Is there a trendy restaurant where a tattoo parlor used to be?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-signals-a-rising-neighborhood-2012-11#ixzz2Cm3JPMNE

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Landlords SUCK!

Top 3 Reasons you should stop paying your landlord and buy a home...
By: http://www.billyo.com/

1.Build wealth for YOU, not your landlord.
First of all, your home will appreciate in value and I believe real estate is one of the best investments you will ever make. For example, if you buy a home or condo for $200,000 and it appreciates 5% per year, you will have built up approximately $50,000 equity in 5 years. Also, you need to consider your monetary return on the money you actually invest in the property. Let's say you put 3.5% down and closing costs are approximately $4,000, you would have made $39,000 on a $11,000 investment-what a return! Obviously, there are other costs such as repairs and upkeep that you must subtract from the equation but you get the picture.

2. Tax Deduction Baby!
Secondly, the interest and real estate tax portion of your mortgage payment will be tax deductible which will give you a lower after-tax payment. Also, PMI is now tax deductible for new homeowners with adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less. Consult your accountant to determine your  tax benefits.

CHECK THIS OUT:
If you plan on renting a 1 bedroom condo for $1,200 month you could buy a $200,000 condo with 3.5% down payment and pay a monthy payment of $1,422 but you will save $335 per month on taxes, interest, and PMI so your payment will be $1,087 on an after-tax basis which is $113 lower than renting apartment. Don't you figure out your budget with net pay not gross pay..right? Get the idea! Also, if you feel the new payment is a little too high, you may want to take less federal taxes out of your paycheck so you can make the monthly payment more affordable since you will be getting a bigger tax deduction at the end of the year. Try some first home buy calculations on your own to see if home ownership is right for you. Finally, don't forget you will be building up wealth through appreciation in value.  

3. There is no place like home...
Finally, there is nothing like owning your own home. I started out as a renter, and the thought came to me one day "why am I paying thousands of dollars in rent?"  I bought a condo in West Hollywood and lived there for five years, built up tons of equity,  and then moved to a 3-unit building and I became a landlord and collected rents from other people. Today, I live in a beautiful single family home and have my own backyard, garden and garage and nobody tells me what to do. Is this what you want? You need to start somewhere, and buying a moderately priced condo or starter home might be your best bet, but please stop paying your landlord and get pre-approved while the $$$ is still cheap.

ONWARD!
-Billy O'

Friday, February 11, 2011

What I look like!?

This is a picture of "Your Home Slice", Billy O'
You can contact me anytime, 206.909.4199 or email GoBillyO@gmail.com,
For the best dynamic home search tool in the Puget Sound, visit http://www.billyo.com/