You think you’re saving money. You hire a handyman to help finish your kitchen remodel and the inspector for the permits comes. There’s just one problem: it’s not technically permitted work and he can’t sign off on your final project. Why? The state of California requires a licensed contractor in good standing to do so and for any projects, including materials, exceeding the amount of $500. A handyman is not licensed, bonded, possibly not even insured in any way, and his or her talent is based on their word. Yikes! A great handyman is for small jobs and simple repairs AS LONG as it is not apart of a full project.

For example: If your home is being remodeled like a bathroom or electrical with fixtures, the handyman cannot come in and install sinks and fans. The project total is the amount the state looks at and fines. If the work doesn’t turn out right, or dangerous and not up to code, you’re also leaving yourself open to damage to the home, costly repairs, harm to your family, and starting all over again. A handyman can install baseboards on his own but not if it’s a part of a renovation project. Let them do repairs down the road that are minor and a contractor do what he actually paid and trained to do, unlike a handyman, including his schooling, testing, licensing, bonding, and business set up.

I am not against handymen but as a Realtor, we have seen too many homeowners and potential listing clients lose so much for cutting corners. You don’t know what you’re getting with a handyman and again, unpermitted work does not sit well in the escrow process. Locally we have seen countless news stories of remodels and kitchen makeovers go bad with them taking the money and running without finishing and no recourse to sue, work not done properly by a professional with training and knowledge, and projects skimped on. If you only have a window to replace or appliance to be installed, sure hire a handyman. He can put some shelving up or furniture pieces, repair drywall, replace doors, or fix small projects. A handyman has tremendous purpose, but not in a home remodel.

Whether you need one or the other, please ensure to make sure their background checks out, handymen are not required to have one, and check their previous work. There are excellent and horrible workers in both fields so be cautious and do all of the research beforehand. Check out their previous work and take recommendations from people you know well and can see their work in person if at all possible. Both can do incredible work and both can have incredible screw ups so beware and be prepared before you hire and let into your home. Be safe!

Follow this link below to read the State of California and Contracting State Licensing Board’s requirements and legalities regarding the two. http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Contractors_License/No_Exam_Application/Before_Applying_For_License.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2qNLBuMy6HCJ2O1JbYD1_N75vUiCoY9ZDrQH_N0625A2clNqys4lEcIrw

Dramatic changes over the course of a weekend on the cheap? Yes! In this week’s posts here and our social media sites, we will show you a few effective and inexpensive ways to up your home’s game easily with no construction, crews, thousands of dollars (or even one thousand), and little know-how to revitalize your home or list it to wow buyers!

The one BIG problem the average person has with their home is they feel it’s old and cheap looking but they lack the funds to improve the home in any substantial way such as replacing counters and flooring, an AC unit, or opening the walls for an open concept that flows. If you can’t afford to replace the appliance, windows, and such in the home, there are other ways you can give your home the transformation it deserves.

1. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to revamp your main areas, the kitchens and bathrooms, is to purchase finishing kits like Rustoleum available in common stores including Lowe’s or even online at Amazon. They make kits to refinish and glaze old tubs and outdated colored tile, old vanity countertops or ugly laminate in your kitchen. You can also purchase one of their easy cabinet refacing kits to reface builder grade and ugly orange toned plywood veneer wood. Even a few of them is less than replacing any main appliance and can do three or more rooms!

 

They have an entire product line available and you can find numerous before and afters on Pinterest showing how-tos and possible outcomes of your home. The transformations are pretty substantial and require almost no tools or professional help.

As you can see in the picture a refaced kitchen on its own makes an amazing transformation in a short weekend. You can do the same in an ugly bathroom and yucky tub/ shower when you can’t afford to replace it. Check these products out at your local stores and see if they help your home stun even you.

2. Fresh paint on the walls, replacing baseboards with cheap but nicer looking ones, switching carpet for wood plank tiles from the home improvement stores, scraping popcorn ceilings, and switching out lighting and fan fixtures for nicer looking ones that are more modern and elegant. Paint and fixtures aren’t too pricey and they make a dramatic impact at the end of the day. Baseboards over time get gross, dinged, and make the home look its age or worse. If you can at least afford to rip out carpets in a room or two like the living room, you’re going to add some value but also impact which is key for the overall appeal of the home. Whether you’re moving or staying, this is a big plus along with new fixtures and paint. Even if just one room or two to save big money, it’s worth the short time and small investment to do so. One, two, three, or all of the above will be a serious improvement you will LOVE.

Trim, paint, and baseboards alone make a significant difference! Swap out the old vertical blinds or ugly curtains for newer, prettier curtains and look. You will see love the changes you see for so little $$$. Floors too of course, but even without swapping out the flooring you can see how you, or potential buyers, will be wowed when they walk in. Impress buyers or impress your guests; subtle changes do more than you may expect.

3. I mentioned above also ditching cheap and ugly blinds or your old curtains and rod. Going a step further look at installing a Nest Smart AC system, Ring surveillance with the backdoor and floodlight cams, and outdoor paint. Incredible results in a snap. Now your home is instantly more efficient, modern, safe, and cool. Win-Win.

4. Faucets and grout are GROSS after a few years and often neglected more than we’d think. Sometimes too, along with the paint and tub rejuvenation, replacing the toilets for $100 is exactly what the house needs. It’s cleaner, more modern, and you will see the dinge around you. Scrub the tile with some bleach and spray sealant for about $20 total that should cover most bathrooms in the home with not much work. Or hire a pro! Paint the bathroom vanity, replace the mirror or hardware, add a cute shelf or two, etc. Remember small changes are cheap yet make the most expressive differences. All faucets can be replaced very inexpensively even with kits from Costco!

5. Lastly, your own decor can be updated and cleaned to improve the look of your home, the feel, and it’s photo appearances if you plan to list soon. Professional deep cleaning of carpet, tile, and furniture upholstery helps smells, allergens, and looks beautiful when dry. Don’t overlook the details. They matter.

 

 

*All photos in our posts come from sporadic Google, Pinterest, Instagram, or fellow blogger posts. If they are from any particular site we found or weren’t sent, they will have their watermarks on the photos. We NEVER remove them so if these are your images and they are removed, please let us know as we received them from third-party searches and posts shared many times over. Thank you. : )

You might be so overwhelmed with stuff and the lack of places to put it, you may not even realize there are some places in a small home where you can stow those belongings and make a quick clean up when loved ones call “we’re just around the corner” or “we’re in the neighborhood”. Here are some inexpensive and easy solutions to add space to your limited space.

1. Storage furniture: This is my favorite tip. Inexpensive places like Target, Home Goods, and Wayfair sell affordable and beautiful home decor and comfortable furniture pieces to hide your messy belongings when your home lacks cupboards and your toddler has a mess 24/7. We purchased a storage couch, ottoman, and coffee table and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Tidying up the house is so freaking simple and the kids can easily do it, it’s very quick, they take up no extra room, look stylish, are inexpensive, and it’s an instant solution to your problems. Best thing we ever did! For some examples, see below: Obviously you’d purchase the coffee table style that suits your specific tastes but you get the idea. You can also repurpose an old chest that is flat on top but inside you just throw toys in it, store winter couch blankets, stow guest bedding, remotes, movies, etc. GAME CHANGER! All of the above-mentioned places also carry mid-century modern design storage couches also and they’re stunning.
2. High up shelves in the garage, laundry room, kitchen, and all rooms. This is so underrated and you might think at first it will look cluttered or not workable, but it is! Here is a visual representation of what I mean:See that top shelf? It’s a simple and easy fix you can purchase from Home Depot or Lowe’s preassembled or IKEA and do yourself. Even just one of these per room will make a BIG impact on style, functionality, and storage capacity with little money and no floor or headspace taken. They’re up against the ceiling in a corner or where needed and just the 3 feet by one foot usage gives you a place to put winter storage, linens, goods, and whatever else is constantly in your way. We did this in the boys’ rooms, my office, the laundry room, and DEFINITELY around the perimeter inside the garage. If that’s not your aesthetic, remember it’s an idea. There are others! Here is a flat style you’re probably preferring. Add another in your kitchen or bathroom. Put one above the TV in the bedroom or desk, hang one above the towel rack, etc. They fit pretty much anywhere and can go as high as you’d like to hide ’em. Make it work your way! Don’t neglect the space above the toilet where you can usually fit two of these.
3. This one requires a little more work or hiring a professional (probably a good idea) but in-wall cubbies are a genius innovation! Under the stairs, between the studs, built in somewhere, wherever! Such a fantastic idea without taking up floor space and even with a licensed contractor (not handyman) it is a cost-effective solution. See what I mean? 
   

   

One goes into the wall a few inches but provides plenty of stylish and helpful storage, another clears the counters and cupboards easily for about $15. We did the second option and it made quite a difference. It automatically makes your home more elegant and welcoming too for almost no cost. I purchased a cheap wine bottle holder almost identical at Home Goods and my husband hung it up in a minute. Done. The other, think built-in soap dish alcove, is what we are doing in our renovation plans because we love the idea of less but having more. No extra cabinets needed when we can do this!

Remember the important fact in all of these tips is to make it your own. They’re very simple ideas to plant inside your mind and work with so you can get the ball rolling on what works for you. If you have more space and budget, you can buy prefab cabinets and such from Lowe’s or Home Depot or call in California Closests and let them design a space for you. We have also done that and it was a great experience but more expensive to some. Do what fits your life! For more images and unique ideas check out my Instagram @agentofparadise or our secret group! Call or message to join for free. Find Jennifer at http://www.facebook.com/JenniferLarsonRealtor.

What is Home Work?

It’s a new leg of our business geared around home improvement, repair, stress-free living, design, and more. There are so many aspects of owning a home besides the buying and selling that we all struggle with at some point. Before we sell our home and buy a bigger one, we first need to have the funds available for the upgrade; and whether we do or don’t, we’re constantly finding ways to fix the issue before a drastic approach such as a move. This site is designed for just that: helping you fix your most common home problems!

Decluttering and organizing, adding storage, finding hidden floor space, home projects, renovations and remodels, interior designing, upgrading, and more takes a lot out of all of us, and our budgets, so I created Southern California Home connections and social group to help you gain all the knowledge and connections you need….for FREE. We will regularly post videos how you can improve your home, add value, make it more sellable, livable, and better, with local certified pros who know their stuff!

Ready to learn more? Take a look around! If you have any questions call or message us today.

Oooooh, this is the step you wish didn’t exist, isn’t it? Yeah, but it’s the law. Bummer. Anyways, so once escrow closes, where do you go, and what do you need? As soon as you own the home and BEFORE you list as an STR (short term rental under 30 days) you must head over to the city and officially declare the property as a registered vacation rental in the Town of Joshua Tree (or Yucca Valley or 29 Palms if you’re doing your homework). How and where is that? Simple.

The first step is knowing where to go and what to bring. If the Airbnb is located in the town of Joshua Tree, you will need to bring your documents to the county offices. You can download a Special Use permit application for Short Term Rentals at http://www.sbcounty.gov then click Code Enforcement, then Applications, and scroll down. Click the link to download and fill out.

The second step is gathering all of your information and putting it all on record. As noted on the application, you will be required to pay $600 in permitting fees, a complete Plot Plan of the property and its usage, and a completed Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax form (TOT) brought in all together. The Code Enforcements Division will take up to two weeks to approve your application and grant your legal permission to operate as a special use/ small hotel rental.

From there you will be guided through the rest of the process for your unique property and carry on from there. Joshua Tree, in particular, is a very small town short on many city services buildings so be sure to know the numbers and departments of the county you will need, just in case. The application form will contain them and most of the rules and legal requirements you are required to have in your STR dwelling so read the ENTIRETY of the form and follow every guideline correctly.

All of your monies, forms, and documents required are to be turned in at the address listed on the application. The phone numbers if you have any questions are also included there, including information for tax forms. Your property will be subjected to an inspection as well prior to operation and final approval.

Once the county has cleared you to go, you’re all set! Time to call your real estate agent, that’s me, and get to making some money!!

 

You’ve been preapproved and the money is in your account to buy your next (or first!) vacation rental property list on Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etc……now what?

No worries. So now you CALL ME! Now it’s time to do the hunting. Are you local or like many buyers, located in the Los Angeles area? If you’re not a ten-minute drive away like I am, that’s not a problem either. With the preapproval letter, I can look within your price range and get started for you. I always preview properties before I show clients any homes because many are not a “charming abode” as their listing says they are. Believe me! There are almost no communities out here in the Hi-Desert with HOAs so that’s not a concern. The one issue I will discuss in the next post is the changing legislation with STR rules and local codes. Remember, most places now require a license to operate these and to register with the city because there are requirements and regulations to them. I’ll cover that next because it’s important you understand the laws here carefully. It’s a hefty price to pay if you don’t!! Plus, you’ll want to get the process started the second escrow closes and I’ll help you do just that.

If you’re based in Los Angeles and we’ve had the Bridge of Business conversation (oh yes, more on that in a sec), then we can proceed to virtually checking out properties either from my live feeds, over the phone, video calls, or I can report back to you with photos and notes. I then try to narrow down a top 5 with you, or my recommendations if too busy to come up still, and then we tour those together to make an offer. Many LA big shots do buy sight unseen. NOT KIDDING. It’s crazy. They’re just gone in 60 seconds so often, so don’t delay your decisions. You need to KNOW you are ready for this next step and be swift to make a move before you waste the trip and our time. Be ready to go and hit the ground running. I help make the process as easy and fast as possible but I need you to do the same or we’ll be weeping in our FOMO sorrows. Not a good look on me.

Ready, set, go? Cool. Now that Bridge of Business conversation we talked about….it’s time to have it. When you are ready for the next step to GO, call me and I’ll explain. It’s a simple conversation of respect and establishing our business partnership on this new purchase. Deal? If we’re going to be spending time and resources together, including money from both of our ends, we need to be respectful and honest with our dealings. If you’re still shopping realtors, first of all, why? Second of all, I can handle it. I also have badass backups on speed dial who know ALL THE ANSWERS and their business is solid too. Call me and let’s talk. Cross the Bridge of Business with me, and if you’re on the fence, we’ll go over that too.

Calling me is your step to getting this done and money in your pocket. 760-625-6836. Leave a voicemail or text if I don’t respond immediately and let me know you saw this post!

If you’re a new Airbnb short term vacation rental investor, this is especially the post for you. One thing I notice in working with potential buyers of these properties is that they don’t fully understand the debt load and loan process to purchase one of these things, especially when they don’t have the full funds to purchase the property outright in cash. Typically, when you purchase an Airbnb or any type of investment property on loan, you’re going to need an average 25% down payment on the property just to start. Most people forget that bit and assume a 10% down will cut it. Not on most loans or programs when you have a loan on your current home. A second-home mortgage loan is a bit different and requires more collateral out of pocket. This should be your first step: preapproval for a second property of investment, and not FHA which violates their rules of the program. Your second step will be to get the cash for the down payment. It’s critical to get it in the bank to show proof of funds and avoid falling out of escrow. In this fierce market, you’ll lose out on the house by then!

Get your first two steps done and ready so when you do make an offer, it’s solid and valid to the current owner. Winning the offer bid does nothing if you can’t back it up with the money and lender approval. Get those two things done first. When you have, move on to the next post.

Where do you start? You talk to a good lender. I use my lender Mark from Prime Lending for this and he is local to the area as well. If you want to get in touch with him, leave me a voicemail or text message with your information to get back to you. 760-625-6836. If you’re an agent or was referred here by one, leave the agent contact info as well for referral fees and callbacks. Can you also do me a favor? When you call, let me know you saw this site and got the information from here. Thanks!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton