Barbara Lucas at Benchmark Realtors

09/04/2021

While the average home price in California is on the rise to almost $818K, we in the High Desert still have a very manageable average home price in the 2Q of $359K. That was an average for the cities of Hesperia, Victorville and Apple Valley. If that is a price point that is easier for you to manage, give me a call!

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07/16/2021

This article from apartment therapy, written by Candace Ramirez, has a lot of good advice from Jia Tang when dealing with our fast pace seller's market. The following is one point I believe needs to be elaborated on. With some exceptions, the list price in the MLS is typically what the listing agent believes the home will be valued at when appraised. Hence, when offering above list price, you are probably offering an amount over what it will appraise for and, in most cases, it will increase the amount of money (cash) you need to put down on the home when financing the purchase. Don't be pressured or compelled to submit an offer that is outside your comfort zone or what you can afford. Before making an offer, your agent should help you understand if the list price is in line with what an appraiser may value the home at. Then YOU can make an informed decision on an offer that you feel the home is worth to YOU.

You see the perfect home for sale, stop by the open house, and before you can even picture your sofa in the living room, p**f! Another buyer snaps it up. Unfortunately, this story is all too familiar to buyers in competitive markets where homes may only sit on the market for a day or two before goin...

07/19/2019

Recently Listed: 8-Buildable Lots in North Edwards. Level rectangular lots that are ready to build. Just under 10,000 sq ft lots with all utilities and on paved roads. Eight lots in all to be sold together or in multiples of four-lots. Each lot is priced at $8,000 (eight lots $64,000/2-four lot sets for $32,000 ea). APNs on all lots: 233-301-08-00, 233-301-10-00, 233-301-11-00, 233-301-13-00, 233-301-23-00, 233-301-24-00, 231-261-06-00 and 233-261-11-00.

07/19/2019

Recently Listed! 13287 Lone Pine Ct Oak Hills CA 92344 An absolutely beautiful home that looks brand new! This 2,836 sq ft, 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home has it all. From a spacious Living room, to a Kitchen with stainless steel appliances that is open to the Family room complemented by a fireplace makes this home an entertainer’s dream. The upstairs has a loft where the younger members can go and watch TV or play games. The Master suite is a spacious retreat with a fireplace. The Master bath area and walk in closet is large enough for two space needing individuals. The other three bedrooms are roomy for other family members. The entertainment space does not stop there. The back yard is fully landscaped and has a beautiful pool with a gazebo! There is also a concrete parking pad behind the fence for your toys or RV. This home has so much more to offer. What more could you want?

02/09/2018

Just listed 5-acres of Prime Commercial Real Estate on Phelan Road in the commercial hub of Phelan, CA. This property has about 331' frontage and is ready for your commercial development. Call or text me if you are interested in additional information in this investment!!!

11/08/2017

Fall is now upon us and the chore list never ends. In this DIY Autumn Maintenance Tips article it lists several items that should be done before winter sets in. My four top takeaways are: 1.) Replace batteries in the fire and carbon monoxide alarms, 2.) If you have and use a wood fireplace, have it professionally cleaned and inspected before using it in the winter, 3.) Inspect your roof to be sure it is sound before the winter weather hits, and 4.) In the colder climates, turn off the valves to the exterior water lines and drain any water in the line to help prevent them from bursting during freezes. For those lines that you cannot turn off the water to, wrap all exposed pipes with insulation to help protect them.

Use these must-do fall maintenance tips to keep your house in shape and help keep you warm this winter.

11/04/2017

With fixed mortgage rates climbing, is it a good time to consider an ARM program? If you are considering an ARM, make sure that you ask your lender to calculate the highest payment you may face to determine if that is acceptable. This article by Geoff Williams, contributor to U.S. News, goes into some detail about the ARMs that are available today and what you might want to consider. Before rushing ahead with your decision, talk to your lender, as they will explain the programs they have available.

Maybe. ARMs have a better reputation than they used to.

11/01/2017

In my house, when Halloween is over it becomes a mad dash to get my house in order for the holidays. Guests, decorations and dinner engagements fill the time up quickly. Before I pull out the Thanksgiving tableware, I am taking inventory of my house. This year is no different except that I have a lot to do in a short time! I found this article from Realty Times interesting and a start.

For me, I always remove all bedding to my guest room and refresh it with a good washing, scrub down the guest bath, set out fresh towels and do some general cleaning. The one item that I do not think much of and as this article notes, a “smell-over” may be necessary. I also thought a little about the closet issue, as I still have a lot of “stuff” in the guest room closet. I need to do a quick de-clutter to make space for my guest’s belongings so they don’t need to live out of their suitcase. I think I need to look at this a little more closer and think like Martha Stewart. What do you do to get ready for the holidays?

It'll be here before you know it: holiday season. If those two words just sent a chill up your spine, it's probably time you started getting prepared. The good news is that while may think your house needs a bulldozer, or at least a few teams of HGTV stagers to make it guest-ready, it will probably…

10/10/2017

Moving With Kids (October 9, 2017)

10/06/2017

This is really a cool tool for those home do it yourself people.