Finding the Right Neighborhood

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

Finding the Right Neighborhood

When you think about your dream home, are you seeing the house, or the neighborhood it's in?

It's easy to get caught up in bedroom and bathroom counts when you're shopping for a new home, but the biggest choice you're going to make in the process is of course the ‘where’ question. So how do you find the home that's going to be the perfect fit for your whole lifestyle?

Here are three of my favorite tips to see if an area or a particular area is right for you:

• Check out the basic stats. 
  What is the median sale price of homes in a given neighborhood? How do the local and nearby schools perform? What amenities are nearby? How popular is the neighborhood in today's market? 
• See what the neighbors are doing. 
  Get a sense of local activities, and see if it looks like a place with frequent block-parties or if people may keep more to themselves. 
• Learn the traffic patterns. 
  Knowing that you're close to the highway or a public transportation center is one thing. You should find out if there are frequent jams at key commuting times, or if a nearby farmers' market limits road access during weekends. You may also want to consider how much parking is available, both for yourself and for when you want to entertain. 

Give me a call anytime you'd like to discuss which neighborhoods you're considering. I love to talk about local real estate issues and market conditions you should consider as you're building your home buying plan.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim Brodowski @ 858-354-2354, Global Luxury Home Specialist.   

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com

DRE# 01224576

Tim Brodowski Recognized Top 20

Tim Brodowski Recognized Top 20

July, 2018

Coldwell Banker announces Tim Brodowski earned the prestigious Top 20 Individual Honors in the region through July, 2018. The honor reinforces Tim’s commitment to providing exceptional service to his clients in the southern California area. We are very proud of Tim’s continued excellence.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim Brodowski @ 858-354-2354, Global Luxury Home Specialist.   

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com

DRE# 01224576

5 Expenses Homeowners Overlook

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

5 Expenses Homeowners Overlook

For many people, a house is the biggest asset you’ll ever acquire. And whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’re investing in another property, you’re bound to end up facing some unforeseen expenses. Here are five expenses homeowners tend to overlook:

1. Property Taxes

Be prepared to pay property taxes. Your home’s assessed value is multiplied by the tax rate to determine your property taxes. Tax rates are decided by the governing authority of the jurisdiction where the property is located.

2. Homeowners Association Fees

You become part of a community whenever you move into a new home or condominium. Often times, there are fees associated with the maintenance and general upkeep of shared common areas.

3. Insurance Premiums    

Homeowners insurance typically covers personal possessions, liability for injuries that take place on your property, and the construction of your house. Supplemental policies are available if you live in an area prone to natural disaster.

4. Repair and maintenance expenses

You’ll need money to keep your yard, gutters, carpet, and everything in between in tip-top shape. Repairing or replacing roof, furnace or air conditioner can be expensive and at some point, you might have to deal with plumbing issues or purchase new appliances.

5. Pest control costs

Over time, all sorts of critters – like termites, ants, spiders, and rodents – might enter your home. Your house may need to be fumigated depending on how serious the problem is.

Having a home that is taken care of lets you enjoy your house while living there. In addition, it prevents you from being encumbered with additional costs when you’re ready to sell it.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim Brodowski @ 858-354-2354, Global Luxury Home Specialist.   

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com

DRE# 01224576

7246 Viar Avenue, San Diego, CA 92120

7246 Viar Ave, San Diego, CA 92120

Wonderful Home in Allied Gardens

Magnificient single story home with a tropical feel and fountain. Located on a cul-de-sac. Open floorplan - 3BR, 2BA. Recessed lighting, kitchen with granite counter tops, atrium window, custom cabinets and an island that opens up to dining area with double french doors to courtyard. Adjacent living room with fireplace and crown molding. Big double glass doors to the low maintenance backyard with mountain view, a fabulous place to entertain. Home is in move-in condition, inside and out.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim Brodowski @ 858-354-2354, Global Luxury Home Specialist.   

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com

DRE# 01224576

Making Retirement Dreams a Reality

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

Making Retirement Dreams a Reality

So is retirement wishful thinking or reality? Shaky finances could derail future retirees’ dreams. After all, Baby Boomers have saved just $164,000 (estimated median) in all household retirement accounts.

Here are some suggestions to turn that dream into reality.

Create a budget. Include income, living expenses, paying off debt, and financial goals – building towards long-term retirement goals.

Have a financial plan. Start saving for retirement and save consistently. Avoid taking additional loans and early withdrawals from retirement accounts.

Participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Take full advantage of matching employer contributions and defer as much money as possible.

Housing needs. When the family was growing you may have needed that 3, 4, or 5 bedroom home. But do you need it now? Maybe your new retirement lifestyle warrants a change. Maybe a nice, smaller house or townhome with no yard work and minimal exterior maintenance makes better sense. Freeing your time to travel, spend more time with family and friends, and enjoy your favorite hobbies. Call Tim to help guide you through your downsizing decision.

To make your housing retirement dreams a reality, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, SRES, Global Luxury Home Specialist.  BRE #01224576

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com

The Go-To Guide for Downsizing Your Home

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

The Go-To Guide for Downsizing Your Home

Downsizing your home can provide you with some amazing benefits. In addition to lower energy bills, keeping a smaller home clean and tidy takes just a fraction of the time. If you are planning on moving to a smaller place in the near future, then read ahead for some tips.

Assess Your Needs

Before you begin packing, you need to sit down and write down some of the necessities that must be in and around your new home. Many people do not realize just how different it is to live in a smaller home and making sure your new place has a few key features will lessen the shock. This might include storage space, nearby entertainment, shopping, etc.

Give Yourself Time

Trying to move into a new home under a strict schedule will almost always result in unnecessary stress. Even if you are not ready to begin packing your personal items, you can still collect moving supplies and start going through unused rooms. Moving companies suggest that families should start packing three or four months in advance.

Find Affordable Storage

Just because you are downsizing your home doesn’t mean you need to sell or donate all of your belongings. Renting out a storage unit will give you more time to go through all of your possessions and decide what must be kept and what can be tossed.

Donate Your Extras

Seeing a trashcan full of your family’s possession is going to be heartbreaking. By donating the items instead, you can rest assured that they will be going to those who need them the most. Many non-profits offer free curbside pickups for families that are getting ready to move. As an added bonus, ask your CPA if this qualifies as a tax deduction.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, Global Luxury Home Specialist.  BRE #01224576

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com

Buying a New Home? 4 Things to Check Out

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

Buying a New Home? 4 Things to Check Out

Buyers are so hyper-focused on the home that they often cast aside surroundings. “Surroundings” do not equal trees, fences, or landscape. The home’s surroundings are the houses around the home and the residents occupying them. Surroundings also include the neighborhood, the passersby, and the city.

Safety

Is the perfect home near a busy driving area consisting of problematic neighbors? If so, stop reading; plenty of communities exist for you. Pay extra for a better neighborhood. They’re packed with stores, shops, restaurants and banks nearby; a quiet community is surely waiting for you.

Distance

A long commute burns more gas, it wastes time. Therefore, learn the miles and minutes it takes to travel from the home to: work, school, store, hospitals, and favorite hangouts. A community containing local amenities close by is valuable.

The Best Schools

The reputation, the quality; and the district are additional factors in finding a good school. Homes surrounding good schools are in high demand. Determine good schools by searching online reviews of schools and reading two or three sites. Since good and bad reviews naturally exist, develop a consensus. Single or married, family or not, a good school system is important for your home’s value.

Monetary Value

A home in a good neighborhood makes it more valuable houses.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, Global Luxury Home Specialist.  BRE #01224576

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.com