Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Top 5 Home Design Trends for 2015

Top 5 Home Design Trends for 2015 Today, Zillow Digs announced the top five home design trends for 2015 — and the four soon-to-be forgotten fads of 2014. The results were published in the 2015 Zillow Digs Home Trend Forecast, a one-of-a-kind report that combines data from a survey of leading interior design experts and an analysis of the most popular photos on Zillow Digs.

from Michele Keck https://homes.yahoo.com/news/top-5-home-design-trends-2015-172803623.html

You have to be a fan of rustic decor to love this bedroom. How many of you love this style?



via Michele Keck https://www.facebook.com/MicheleKeckBrokerRealtor/photos/a.346556352135746.1073741828.225640637560652/367757270015654/?type=1

Monday, December 29, 2014

Who else loves the new black and white look in a beautiful living area? Live with it or without it?



via Michele Keck https://www.facebook.com/MicheleKeckBrokerRealtor/photos/a.346556352135746.1073741828.225640637560652/367494410041940/?type=1

Sunday, December 28, 2014

New Year's Eve cold snap to greet 2015

New Year's Eve cold snap to greet 2015 Outdoor revelers drinking in the arrival of a new year on Wednesday night might want to make sure they have gloves, hats and scarves available. Cold times will greet the arrival of 2015.

from Michele Keck http://www.contracostatimes.com/my-town/ci_27218420/new-years-eve-cold-snap-greet-2015

How about an good old fashioned redwood hot tub and candles surrounding it for a nice quiet evening with someone special?



via Michele Keck https://www.facebook.com/MicheleKeckBrokerRealtor/photos/a.346556352135746.1073741828.225640637560652/367302063394508/?type=1

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Five Thoughtful but Inexpensive Gifts

Five Thoughtful But Inexpensive Gifts My husband and I save during the year in order to pay for Christmas presents in December. This requires adhering to a pretty tight budget when buying gifts. Every year it seems that someone new is added to the list...particularly when the kids are in a new activity. Each activity requires a small gift exchange of some type. Whether it's a book for the preschool party or an ornament for dance, it all adds up.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1zzCXgH

Only one more day to Christmas so here is your next Holiday Home. Like this post if this is your favorite.



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/13u1vMk

INSTANT Home Valuation for Oakland California

I just found out my home value and was SHOCKED Oakland California home prices have SKYROCKETED Find out your home value here too for FREE

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1rDq2mK

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Another Holiday Home for you to explore...ready to choose your favorite yet?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1GKoPo2

5 itineraries for the perfect Bay Area day

5 itineraries for the perfect Bay Area day The world is filled with glorious places, but few spots are as overwhelmingly blessed as the Bay Area, with its soaring redwoods and rolling vineyards, glitzy cities and charming towns -- and the bay itself, dotted with white caps and capped by the Golden Gate Bridge.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1DYq6tK

Thursday, December 18, 2014

5 DIY Home Improvements for Less Than $50

5 DIY Home Improvements for Less Than $50 When you just move into a new home, it’s exciting to make it your own. During 2013, new homeowners — those who have lived in their homes for three years or less — spent $19 billion on home improvements, according to a Nielsen study.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1z1eldK

What about this front door? Look inviting?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/13gT2fj

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Is this one of the most magnificent and dramatic estates you have ever seen?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1qeB2Nr

Richmond police receive body cameras, will be on every officer in 2015

Richmond police receive body cameras, will be on every officer in 2015 RICHMOND -- Police body cameras have become an issue du jour in the wake of Ferguson and other controversies involving use of force by law enforcement, but Richmond's Police Department first moved in that direction with a pilot program more than a year ago.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1FWKvuW

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets: 10 Easy DIY Projects

One of the most prominent fixtures in your kitchen—the cabinets—can be your quickest path to creating a whole new room. If you’re looking for a change in kitchen scenery but don’t have the time or budget to commit to a complete overhaul, your best bet is giving your cabinets a facelift. From the obvious to the obscure, there are myriad ways to upgrade your current cabinets without pulling out the hard hats. We’ve rounded up 10 options that you can implement with nothing more than a trip to the home improvement store, some careful decision making, and a weekend's work.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1wzU2IE

A little unique Master Suite, like it?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1FUo8bo

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Hottest trend in real estate: tiny add-on homes for in-laws or millennials

The hottest trend in real estate these days is carving out some space for your in-laws, the Wall Street Journal says. And it has the potential to lift your home value as much as 60 percent.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1FKofUR

Private, two story pool home in about as private an area as you could ask for. Is this your style?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/11PPBvS

Monday, December 1, 2014

What do you like best about this colorful living room?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1v61PqS

INSTANT Home Valuation for Contra Costa, Alameda Counties

ATTENTION SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND HOMEOWNERS: Instant Home Valuation You may just be shocked at what your home value is.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1rDq2mK

Sunday, November 30, 2014

I guess if you have to live near a big city you may as well capture the view. Is this place for you or too far from the ocean?



via Michele Keck https://www.facebook.com/MicheleKeckBrokerRealtor/photos/a.346556352135746.1073741828.225640637560652/359961720795209/?type=1

Bay Area store owners celebrate Small Business Saturday

The big box stores had their Black Friday, but on Saturday it was the turn of small businesses to take the center of the retail stage. Small Business Saturday, launched in 2010 by American Express, honors the fact that small businesses are the backbone of any community -- the seasoning that adds variety and individuality to neighborhoods in an economy increasingly dominated by big cyberbusinesses, malls and their giant anchor tenants.

from Michele Keck http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_27035198/bay-area-store-owners-celebrate-small-business-saturday

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Would you want a home with so much pool area or not?



via Michele Keck https://www.facebook.com/MicheleKeckBrokerRealtor/photos/a.346556352135746.1073741828.225640637560652/359705104154204/?type=1

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Set the Table with 9 Thanksgiving DIYs

If you find yourself playing host this holiday, you've likely slaved over the perfect turkey, casserole, and dessert combination with menu prep that dates weeks ahead of time. So as you set the table for your family and friends to feast, give special attention to the small, thoughtful details that complement your hard work. These nine handmade table toppers—napkins, place tags, centerpieces, and more—can be made in a fraction of the time it takes to bake the day's turkey. The best part: Effort put into any these ideas can last well past the end of the holiday season, as these entertaining endeavors are adaptable to almost any occasion.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1rdxs78

The right touches can transform your bathroom into something you enjoy everyday? Too simple or just right?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1APsO29

First Time Homes Buyers in San Francisco / Oakland

ATTENTION First Time Home Buyers in San Francisco / Oakland This EXCLUSIVE List of Homes is Just For YOU! GET This ABSOLUTELY FREE - NO OBLIGATION!

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1CajwiU

Sunday, November 23, 2014

2015 Market Forecast

Today's California housing market and economic outlook for 2015. See where the market is going and where it has been.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1xRNXro

Nothing like a very private, cozy and pink area for your private conversations. Like it or leave it?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1yIxEde

Thursday, November 20, 2014

10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

Buyers love the allure of a fresh, beautiful bathroom that reminds them of luxury hotels or soothing spas they have enjoyed. And, most important, buyers want to envision themselves enjoying this luxury every day in their new home. However, the reality is that most of us do not have the perfect bathroom. And we know that, in most instances, it is not a wise investment to do a full, costly renovation just for a home sale. It simply doesn’t translate into profit.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1uEAteB

Who else would love to own this little private getaway?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1zHcw88

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

It’s getting easier to buy a home

If you’ve gotten turned down for a mortgage in the past few years, now might be a good time to re-apply. That’s because, according to Ellie Mae research, in July 2014, 67 percent of all mortgages applied for closed. That’s way up from six months before in January 2014 and also in July 2013, when the rate of mortgages that closed were at just 53 percent at both times.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1sPDcyV

Is this home secluded enough for you?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1qmKRtg

Sunday, November 16, 2014

DQNews - California Press Release

An estimated 36,830 new and resale houses and condos sold statewide in October 2014. That was up 1.4 percent from 36,316 in September, and up 1.0 percent from 36,468 sales in October 2013. Statewide sales have increased slightly on a year-over-year basis for two consecutive months. The October sales tally was the highest for that month in two years. October sales have varied from a low of 25,832 in 2007 to a high of 70,152 in 2003. The October 2014 sales were 14.1 percent below the average of 42,860 sales for the month of October since 1988, when CoreLogic DataQuick data begin. California sales haven’t been above average for any particular month in more than eight years.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1xLYanF

Who can tell me what this is all about with the cut out? Star gazing or functional necessity.



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1uutjeE

INSTANT Home Valuation for Contra Costa, Alameda Counties

I just found out my home value and was SHOCKED San Francisco home prices have SKYROCKETED Find out your home value here too for FREE!

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1rDq2mK

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Real Estate Agent - US News

Whether you’re planning to buy or sell property this summer, you may want to work with a real estate agent to guide you through the process. While you may have a neighbor or cousin who works in real estate, it’s a good idea to vet potential agents to ensure the best fit for your needs, since it’s hardly a one-size-fits-all proposition. Here’s a look at questions to ask.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1tOUo9S

What to do first? A dip in the ocean then the pool or start with the pool then hit the ocean. Do you love it?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1uZSk2l

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Isn't this a beautiful home with an outdoor oasis?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/10I5HXy

Bay Area nears record levels of employment

Bay Area nears record levels of employment. The Bay Area is poised to reach all-time-high levels of employment, breaking the records set at the height of the dot-com boom, as the region undergoes another technology renaissance and a reshaping of its economic landscape. In September, the region had 3.57 million payroll jobs, which was about 43,000 jobs, or 1.2 percent, below the record of 3.61 million reached in January 2001, state data show. http://ift.tt/1tXy0gC

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1tXy0gC

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

10 Interior Design Trends That Turn Off Home Buyers

You want your home to look its best, and maybe you've been inspired by the interior design trends you've seen in magazines, on TV or on design websites. But following some of the hottest home remodeling and interior design trends can backfire when it comes time to sell your home. Buyers want to picture themselves in a home, and highly individualistic touches can get in the way of that.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/13KHEcG

Do you like this simple yet elegant kitchen? Notice those wood beams. Click "LIKE" if you love it...or even if you don't!



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/13NUTZY

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

How about a little ultra modern 3-story pad for you? Like it?



via Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1zuIIyh

5 Home Improvements That Increase Resale Value

Owning a home is an investment in which you hope to get a good return when you sell. By making home improvements, you can greatly increase the value of your home by making it more desirable to buyers. Most modern buyers want a move-in-ready home, which means that there is no major work to be done when they make the purchase. By performing some renovations and making your home more appealing, you can be sure you will get the most out of your investment.

from Michele Keck http://ift.tt/1url3gY