Sharie Hendricks Blog

FIVE TIPS FOR GREEN COMPUTING

shariehendricks — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:01:18 +0000

For many years I never gave this much consideration, but I realize now that every small change makes a difference and benefits our environment.

1. Print on both sides of recycled paper to reduce pollution and conserve natural resources.

2. Donate used working systems to schools, families in need, or charities.

3. Use a blank screen to save even more money on electricity

4. When equipment is at the end of its life don’t throw it in the trash, find a local recycler.

5. Cell phones and pages should be recycled, they count as hazardous waste.

How’s The Market In Laguna Beach?

shariehendricks — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:25:21 +0000

This is a question that we get just about every day. Laguna Beach Properties just as other properties in this market are all about perceived value. Pricing is key and it is vital that homes are not over priced. Not only will they sit but the opportunity to appeal to buyers is missed. So we see the importance of a well priced home. It will sell. Are Laguna Beach Properties selling? Yes, when they are priced right.

Laguna Beach Properties At All Time Low, Better Than Good Old Days

shariehendricks — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:40:36 +0000

Generally when real-estate prices are low, interest rates are high. Now both are low. What a great time to buy now. There are incentives, money is cheap and prices are low. Let’s not let the “Good Old Days” pass us by.

Is This a Good to Buy a Home?

shariehendricks — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:44:57 +0000

Many of us are being forced to become more conservative with our cash. Unemployment rates have increased, and savings have dwindled. It is interesting though that homes are much more affordable, especially for those people still working.

Surprising Fixer Reveals Beautiful Ocean View

shariehendricks — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:08:28 +0000

I have always loved ocean views. Isn’t it amazing that we never grow tired of seeing them. A couple of days ago I saw one that took my breath away. There was a beautiful sunset. I was in the city of Dana Point, having pictures taken by my professional photographer husband of a distressed property that I found. I was not only amazed at the beautiful view, but the photographs made this property look far from being a fixer. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Located another fixer!

shariehendricks — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:11:59 +0000

The listing agent was so embarrassed, the place was a mess, she apologized several times. “Just came on the market Sharie and it is a mess.” Seven bedrooms , five baths, ocean view. Hmmm. Might this property be a diamond in the rough, like my home I purchased twelve years ago? I think it is! Tons of potential, entertainers delight, large pool, dirty pool, but large pool. Mother in law quarters. plenty of square footage. I think I have found another dump. Yeah! I quietly prepare my buyer telling him the same words my husband told me twelve years ago , “Now you will have to have vision”

Looking For A Fixer

shariehendricks — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:15:27 +0000

My client is a single Mom who has a successful accounting business, mentioned to me that she was looking to purchase a fixer, her exact words were “Sharie Find me a dump here in Laguna.” After searching for about a month I found what one would consider a fixer or dump as she called it. It was located on Temple Hills, with a beautiful ocean view, and needed tons of work. I can remember the look on her face when she first saw it, she looked a bit frightened, the cob webs and animal droppings didn’t help, but The Temple Hills area of Laguna Beach appealed to her especially since the comps showed properties well over asking price and her kids were already enrolled in schools nearby and she liked the community.

Once I tracked down the owners, the “art of the deal” was on. Back and forth we went with the offers and counter offers, the most I’ve done in my real estate career, comps were pulled to substantiate value and the subtle act of extracting information from the sellers agent to find out just how badly and how quickly they wanted to sell was all important in the negotiating process. Several factors contributed to my successfully negotiating a $290,000.00 reduction in price (List Price: Slightly over $2,000,000, Final Sale Price: $1,700,000. Much of particulars regarding the negotiations I’m not at liberty to divulge but let’s just say I pride myself on negotiating the best deal possible for my clients and they respect me and refer me time and time again for my efforts and the “Art of The Deal”. It takes a special realtor to deal with the special needs of single parents, as well as today’s busy families in general. I won’t say that I’m so special but I will say that my fifteen years of marketing experience has prepared me to help you with that all important decision to find the right home in the right neighborhood or sell your home at the best price.

Looking for a fixer, please feel to call me at my office in Laguna Beach 949-494-8186.

Sharie Hendricks Realtor

P.S. Referrals are GREATLY APPRECIATED!

The Silent Destroyers

shariehendricks — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:17:30 +0000

I’m grateful that my husband is a fix-it guy. For weeks I went around not being able to lock my car because the key-less remote wouldn’t lock my car. This past weekend we took a trip to San Diego to visit friends and he noticed my car wouldn’t lock, needless to say he was a little peeved that I was driving a car that I couldn’t lock once I arrived somewhere. The next morning he was up early figuring out the key-less remote, I had already made a call to the dealer and was prepared to pay the $250.00 for a new one. To my surprise he comes in and says “I fixed your remote”, I was elated and I guess that’s why I keep him around, Just kidding.

However, I must say I’m constantly amazed at his tenacity to fix or maintain something before it gets broken or in serious need of repair. So earlier this week he mentions to me that “it’s that time again”. I didn’t have a clue what he meant by “that time again”, he just said “it’s time to sand and refinish the deck again”. I barely looked up because I wanted no part of that 900 square foot, redwood, behemoth so I simply laughed and said “ have at it”.

Well, come Wednesday morning there was a knock at the door and a young gentleman declared that he was here to inspect our deck. I asked my husband why it needed inspecting and he told me that he had noticed what appeared to be damage from termites. Oh no! I thought. Being a real estate agent I’ve had to deal with my fair share of termite reports and my clients anxiety over the added cost to rid their property of them. Now it was our turn so I decided to do some research on these silent destroyers. Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage a year in the United States, according to the national Pest Management Foundation. These insects are more of a threat to wood based structures than fire, flood or wind.

Termites are called the silent destroyers because you usually don’t notice them until the damage is extensive, they can take up residence in your home for years or even decades eating away at your home from the inside out. I was stunned to find out that an average colony of these little pests can consume one two by four per year. Termites can enter your home by slipping through a crack in your foundation as thin as the average business card, also beware that window vents and roof joints can act as entry points as well. So how do you keep termites out and what preventative measures can you take? Well this what my research revealed:

Keep moisture out. Divert water away from the homes foundation by using downspouts and gutters.
Properly store mulch, firewood and fire chips away from your home.
Make sure shrubs, vines, and other plants aren’t planted too close to the home.
Make sure crawl spaces are ventilated to reduce humidity.
Eliminate cracks and gaps in areas such as attic vents, window joints, and roof eaves.
Remove old tree stumps and roots near your home.

Your best defense is to do what my husband did, schedule an inspection with a termite specialist. You can find a list of certified specialists at www.pestworld.org. Specialist can help prevent termites by using special wood treatments and repellents. When representing a buyer I always inquire with the seller whether or not they already have a termite protection program in place and even if it’s not required in your state or by the lender I recommend a separate termite inspection. The FHA requires termite inspections only if there is suspicion of damage, if state or local laws mandate it, or at the lenders discretion.

If you’re wondering what areas, by state, are most prone to termite damage go to www.hud.gov and search for “Termite Infestation Probability Zones”. Termites thrive in warm climates and activity is greatest in the South, Southeast, West and Southwest. Even so many states in the Midwest, East Coast, and Mid Atlantic states also have a high risk factor. Don’t let the “Silent Destroyers” destroy your investment.

Sharie Hendricks

Integrity

shariehendricks — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:15:44 +0000

The quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards.

Sharie Hendricks, Realtor First Team Estates

Real integrity can have an effect on your personal environment and those who come in and out of our influence, even though current culture explains away the concept of it’s relevance. It has been said that to be true to oneself is to have this quality. Some define this concept as an undivided completeness with nothing wanting while others give the definition of integrity as the inner sense of wholeness. In any case, there is much more to this definition because of it’s effect on the inner peace of a person and moral uprightness that will effect every person that you come in contact with.

I believe that integrity, as it relates to real estate, is being absolutely true to one’s word. Simply put, doing what you said you would do when & how you said you would do it. Integrity is knowing what is important to your client and maintaining your actions accordingly.

It takes a realtor with integrity to meet the needs of today’s discriminating buyer or seller as well as the special needs of single parents, baby boomers, educators, professional athletes, top executives and celebrities. Fifteen years of sales and marketing experience has prepared me to represent buyers and sellers, with integrity.

Sharie Hendricks

www.shariehendricks.com

Visiting Laguna’s Summer Art Festivals

shariehendricks — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:39:48 +0000

Main Beach, Laguna Beach, CA

Commonly called the Big Three Festivals which is comprised of; Festival of Arts, sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair. All three festivals are a great summer treat for you and your family but bear in mind each is different in it’s own unique way. Here’s my take on it. The Festival of Arts, is a juried show and it typically features fine original art, which can be pricey, but hey it’s original and the artist are hand picked by a jury before they can participate. This is a very pretigious show for those chosen to participate. This show began in 1932 and is considered the grandaddy of the three festivals. It hosts the nightly presentation of the Pageant of the Masters theatrical production, which is a must see event, you’ll be blown away by the artistry and theatrical lighting will wow you. This years show is entitled “The Muse”.

Next the Sawdust Festival, this is a casual, highly popular event showcasing the arts and crafts of many local, Laguna, artist. This is wonderful place to pick up artwork and crafts for the home or as gifts for family and friends. Please dress appropriate for this event, the grounds are covered in sawdust, hence the name, so if you where open toe shoes or sandals expect to collect some woodchips and dirt under your feet. Wear comfortable walking shoes and don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses. The canyon temps can be pretty stifling at times with the average daily temperature hovering around 80 degrees. This is the one that the kids will love and it’s sure to bring out the kid in you as well.

Last but not least Art-A-Fair, which is a show that includes local, U.S and international juried artist and master craftsmen. Couples seeking a more romantic mood will appreciate evening visits to the fairs, twinkling lights, the sounds of jazz or blues playing in the background and the soft breezes off our ocean makes for a very special time here in Laguna Beach. Come take it in and enjoy all that is Laguna!