Samuel C. Orleans

Even after many many many many many many many years, some of y’all really know how to make ya boy feel special still. I appreciate all of thee love & all of you. Thank you

What’s my favorite color?

Tree appreciation post.. I’m driving in an area looking at potential opportunities for a couple & I come across this beautiful tree lined, shaded street.. Always been something magical about this to me.

Some neighborhoods may be harder to get into for a variety of reasons here in Los Angeles. Certain neighborhoods may be desirable because of school districts, the proximity to public places, closer to work, access to medical care, nightlife and entertainment. It can be challenging to get into these places sometimes because many others want to be in the same place for the same reasons who will overpay to make sure they secure their piece of the neighborhood. Many buyers pref...er to purchase a home that is in great condition which is completely understandable. Limit their potential headache and start their next chapter smoothly. This being the case, many people are looking for the same characteristics within similar price points in an area that may have limited inventory so a purchase can sometimes take a while and you’ll be battle-tested. Going through these motions can sometimes give buyers a broader perspective that will allow them to get to where they want to be. The home may not be done with new finishes and have beautiful marble oozing through just yet but the price of the home will be less than they were initially considering. Purchasing a home where work needs to be done can be gratifying for a few reasons; you create your dream space and you’ve added equity almost instantly. Does it take some time to make your creative decisions come to life, yes but it ensures you can turn the page on this important part of your life. You also could save a few bucks. Getting into your desired location has a few routes, be sure you are looking at and understand your options and pursue the best one. See more

When putting your home on the market for sale, it is extremely important you make sure it’s looking its best! Start with the great outdoors. If your plants need some TLC jump on that and get them back up to speed. Whether that’s hedging up some bushes, trimming some trees, watering, getting rid of weeds, and trimming your lawn let's get it done. You may want to add some vegetation to highlight walkways, maybe even with some solar lights. Clear the gutters, this is something t...hat should be done a couple times a year, you want the system to be functioning properly and do not want water build-up anywhere which can potentially lead to bigger issues. If your light fixtures need to be replaced, think about the style you currently have and how you can upgrade it. Light fixtures do not have to cost a lot but can make bring a unique presence to the home. Adding a set of fresh numbers to your house address is also a nice little feature. Shine up your windows, remove any cobwebs and be sure to remove all of the dead leaves that may settle around your home. If you have a swimming pool, this is usually a plus especially in Southern California I’d say so make sure it looks inviting and refreshing vs looking like a creature may inhabit it. Hire the correct people where necessary and maintain the look for as long as your home is on the market. See more

Should you renovate or not? That’s a good question for a lot of people right now as we get into the Selling Season. There are a few main factors to consider when thinking about this, where do you start? Some homes may need only a few cosmetic touch-ups here and there while others may need detailed renovations through the home. If parts of the home are unlivable, you’ll have to consider these things and their impact on your selling price. Some folks may not want to do any re...pairs and sell the property as is which is also understandable. The spectrum of renovations/repairs is wide. If you know something needs attention before listing it, I’d say you should take care of it before so a potential buyer cannot use it at the negotiation table. You can get inspections done as well by professionals to get a thorough report on the condition of your home. You want to consider the state of the market! How does your home stack up with homes that have similar dimensions as yours and may even be a similar type of build. If you’re trying to get the same amount of money or more as the home down the street from you that profiles like yours, be sure the finishes/condition are there as well. If you’re doing renovations, I tell people, just because you’re putting X amount of dollars into it, it doesn’t mean you’ll be getting that back out and then some when you sell. Be sure you’re doing a great and proper job but I’d recommend not going overboard. If renovations are to occur before your sale, how long is this going to take, what’s your timeline? Fit all this into your timeline and plan on spending slightly more than you originally thought because things do pop up that are unplanned. Be sure your home is positioned properly in the market, is photo and buyer ready!