Home Improvements that Add Value to Your Home

If you are planning on making some improvements to your home, don't rush the process.  Take your time to plan the details first to make sure you are choosing the most valuable upgrades for your home.    It's easy to make rushed decisions on decor and improvements that are in style now, but is it timeless? Will you regret your design decisions in 5 years when it's time to put the "FOR SALE" sign in your yard?  Instead, look for smart, traditional (but still stylish), upgrades that will bring value and aesthetic beauty for years to come.

Below are some tips to consider when planning for upgrades in your home:

KITCHENS
- Spacious kitchens with lots of light make cooking a much more enjoyable experience
- Light colored kitchens can make a space look and feel bigger
- Multiple storage cabinets and an extra sink can reduce the amount of clutter in the kitchen
- Built-in microwaves and dishwashers, 6 burner ranges and convection ovens are great for utility
  and convenience
- An island range and bar stool seating can encourage an inviting and social environment

BATHROOMS
- Homes with 2 bathrooms, plus a master bath, are most desirable
- Many homebuyers see upgraded bathroom items such as jacuzzis, jetted and steam showers,
  whirlpools, double shower heads and hand-held sprayers as "essentials" rather than upgrades.
- Large storage cabinets are a bonus, both built in or freestanding
- All white bathrooms can be a little boring ... instead, choose a splash of color
- Bigger is better.  Small bathrooms are not looked upon highly

FLOORS
Hardwood flooring is still one of the most popular choices for flooring in a home.  Keep them looking great by refinishing them.  Good alternatives are laminate, which is a cheaper option than wood, but a nice upgrade from carpet.  Porcelain wood tiles are also becoming very popular and have a very authentic look.  Look for these products that would add value to your home without spending a fortune.

CEILING FANS
These days, ceilings fans should be those with a remote control to adjust the speed, rather than a wall switch.  There's nothing worse than needing a stool every time you need to pull the chain to adjust the speed.

Hopefully you found these tips as helpful as we did!

*This post was adapted from realtor.com
*Photo credit: houzz.com

Rancho Santa Margarita Housing Market is HOT!

The housing market in Rancho Santa Margarita is bustling!  These homes are just a few of the homes that I have helped successfully list, sell or lease within the last couple months.  If you would like to know more about your specific housing market, or would like a personalized market report, please email me and we can schedule a time to discuss.  You can reach me at:  Lisa@LisaPiltz.com.  Additional contact information is on my website: www.LisaPiltz.com, where you can also see up-to-date home listings and useful links and resources for the surrounding communities.  I look forward to working with you soon!

Beautiful Single Story in Desirable Neighborhood of Rancho Santa Margarita

New Listing!  Beautiful remodeled single story in the desirable Serenada tract in Rancho Santa Margarita. The home has great curb appeal with low maintenance landscaping and a charming courtyard.  The light and bright living room and kitchen boast vaulted ceilings.  There are newer windows and A/C, recessed lighting and ceiling fans throughout.  The recently remodeled eat-in kitchen with custom cabinetry, granite counters and a huge center island make this a chef's dream kitchen ... and was even featured in a magazine!  The lushly landscaped backyard just off the kitchen is the perfect retreat for a morning coffee.  Pebble Tec and winding brick pathways lead you to a gazebo and above ground spa, just steps from the master suite. There are too many great features about this home to list them all!  Don't miss out on this rare opportunity.  The location cannot be beat.  Close to shopping, restaurants and entertainment.  Top rated schools, walking trails, pools, parks and the Rancho Santa Margarita Lake are all within walking distance.  Truly feels like "HOME"!

If you are interested in viewing this home, please contact the agent Lisa Piltz.  You can email her directly at Lisa@LisaPiltz.com.  There will be an open House this Sunday, July 20th, from 1-4!  Enjoy the virtual tour below:

                     

Things to do in Orange County, California

The weather is beautiful (as usual), school is out, people are on vacation or looking for ways to stay busy this Summer.  There are so many options for fun things to do in Orange County, California and sometimes it's easy to forget all the wonderful places and activities in our own backyard!

A quick 25 minute drive to the beach to visit the tide pools, a memorable shake experience at the Newport Beach Ruby's Shake Shack, or a walk on one of the many local nature trails.  Those are just a few of the activities we have posted to our Pinterest Board of "Fun Things to do in Orange County."

Have a look and start your Summer Bucket List.  Get out and enjoy this beautiful place we call home!
You can view our Pinterest Board here.

Orange County Summer Fair

The Orange County Fair is open July 11th - August 10th at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California.  Enjoy great food, wine tasting, rides and carnival games, concerts, a petting zoo and LOTS more!

Admission ticket prices range from free - $12 for individuals.
Parking is cash only and ranges in price from $10 - $30.

The fair is open Wednesday through Sunday and their hours are:
Wednesday through Friday: Noon - Midnight
Saturday & Sunday: 10am - Midnight

You can find a schedule of events and much more information on the OC Fair website.
*Image from OCFair.com

Summer Fruit Smoothies

The weather is warm and the Summer fruit is plentiful.  What better way to use your produce than to make fresh fruit smoothies for breakfast or a mid-day nutrient filled snack!  They are refreshing, but also pack a lot of healthy calories into your daily diet to give you energy.

We have compiled quite a few recipes for healthy smoothies on a Pinterest Board.  Some we have tried and some just look like they would be delicious!  You can view our board here.  Pin them to your own Pinterest board so you can have them on hand when you have your ingredients ready.

The basics of a healthy smoothie are your liquid, vegetable and fruit ... possibly a sweetener if absolutely needed.  The liquids can be one of many, including: almond milk, coconut milk, coconut water, yogurt, fruit juice, etc.  The most commonly used veggies in a smoothie are leafy greens, such as: kale & spinach.  The options for fruit are endless!  Just make sure you have a balance of sweetness so your smoothie isn't overwhelmingly sweet, or not sweet enough.  If you need to add a sweetener, you can use healthy alternatives to sugar such as: honey, maple syrup or a couple pitted dates.

Pinterest or Yummly are great resources for searching ingredients or recipes quickly.  Enjoy!

*Image from Creme de la Crumb.

Ideas for Hosting a Memorable 4th of July Party

Hosting a party at your homes can often be an overwhelming experience.  Not only all the preparation and cleaning that goes into getting ready for it, but also having that much traffic through your home.  The nice part about hosting a 4th of July Party is that it's SUMMER time ... and that means you can move the party outdoors!  You can even welcome guests through the backyard for a more casual approach.  An easy way to keep the house off limits (except for the occasional bathroom breaks!).

The food, drinks and decor can also carry on the simple, patriotic feel of the gathering.  We have compiled a board with a few of our favorite 4th of July party ideas to help you plan your casual backyard party!  

You can view our 4th of July board on Pinterest here.