Justin Johnson's Blog Posts

December.The year’s coming to an end. Time to do four small tasks for a bright (and money-saving) new year.#1 Clean Light Bulbs and FixturesTwo great reasons to clean your light bulbs: You want as

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in leaf peeping and other outdoorsy fun that you cut back on pre-winter home maintenance. But doing basic tasks now could lead to an easier winter and a greener

March madness is here — not the basketball kind, but the home kind.It’s that time of year when homeowners who’ve been through a few winters know that to be at the top of their game, they have

Whether you’re shopping for new bed sheets or a new car, the drill is usually the same. Hit the reviews, check with friends, and scope out the best deal. After all, who wants to buy a car that

You may be selling a home in a competitive market — for example, with low inventory and high demand. And you may be thinking “Yay!” or at least “Whew.” You know you’re likely to have

Home is literally the center of your universe right now, so make sure it’s a source of minimum stress. Here’s how to keep your house clean and orderly all the time. Wake, and make your bed

As a smart seller, you'll want your home in tip-top shape — but you don't want to eat into your profits by overspending on home improvements. You won't be around to enjoy them anyway. The key is

Technology and good-old-fashioned creativity are helping agents, buyers, and sellers abide by COVID-19 health and safety practices while getting deals done.Some buyers are touring houses virtually.

It’s been more than a decade since the Great Recession of 2008, and the housing market has rebounded nicely. We’ve seen at least one cycle including a seller’s market when homes sell

What's included in a home inspection may not be as important as what isn't.A home inspection may feel like a final exam, but it's not quite so clear cut. Your inspector's report won't

If you’re one of the many prospective homebuyers who found themselves house hunting when coronavirus changed the housing market, you’re not alone. The great news is that 2020 is still a great

Mortgage lenders, and the federal agencies that regulate lenders, are putting coronavirus mortgage relief measures in place to ensure homeowners have options if they’re unable to make payments

It's a good idea to hire an HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They'll do things like inspect and clean the wiring/mechanisms of the,

  You’ve decided that your current home isn’t meeting your needs — maybe you want to purchase a bigger place to start a family, or you aspire to upgrade to an abode with green space

Make an Offer Like a BossBy: Justin JohnsonThese 10 money- and time-saving steps can help you craft a winning bid.Ah, the offer!Know Your Limits | Learn to Speak "Contract" |;

Tax changes for 2019 change the landscape for homeowners.Tax season is upon us once again, and to make it even more interesting this year, the tax code has changed — along with the rules

You don’t have to be a geophysicist to know that puddles in the basement or a lake on the front lawn are signs of drainage problems.But many drainage problems aren’t so obvious. Here’s how the

A new law eliminated VA loan limits. But, what does that mean?Under the recently enacted Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, the existing caps on the value of all VA loans nationwide will

By: Justin JohnsonPublished: April 18, 2019Painting your home is a wise investment in time (if you DIY) and money. Here's how much it'll cost you.There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint

Selling your house can feel overwhelming in multiple ways. You're pulling up roots and leaving all that's familiar — and making a huge financial decision at the same time. Knowing how to sell your

The most critical things to do to increase your home’s value before putting it on the market.As a smart seller, you'll want your home in tip-top shape — but you don't want to eat into your

A good washing, and a bit of color are two low-cost ways.Homes with high curb appeal command higher prices and take less time to sell. But which projects pump up curb appeal most?

ROSEVILLE OPEN HOUSE LIST FOR THE WEEKEND #OPENHOUSEROSEVILLEHere is a list of all Open Houses from the MLS this weekend.  Be Sure to consult with your Realtor if these homes are

How long does it take to buy a house? A lot depends on how much time you spend shopping for one. But once you have a contract, it takes an average of 50 days to close on a house.There are a lot

Are closing costs tax deductible? What about mortgage interest? Or property taxes? The answer is, maddeningly, “It depends."Basically, you'll want to itemize if you have deductions totaling

Tax changes for 2019 change the landscape for homeowners.Tax season is upon us once again, and to make it even more interesting this year, the tax code has changed — along with the rules

December is typically the slowest month in the housing market, but it can be a great month for home buyers who have been sidelined to finally make their move. This month may be busier than previous

Oh, let’s just admit it, shall we? Browsing for homes online is a window shopper’s Shangri-La. The elegantly decorated rooms, the sculpted gardens, the colorful front doors that just pop with

#1 Clean and Stow Your MowerIf you’re not familiar with fuel stabilizer, get to know it. If your mower sits for months with gas in its tank, the gas will slowly deteriorate, which can damage

It’s fun! It’s exciting! It’s important to take everything with a grain of salt!Oh, let’s just admit it, shall we? Browsing for homes online is a window shopper’s Shangri-La. The elegantly

All the world’s a stage, said the Bard.That includes your house. Which is for sale. And thus needs to look bee-yoo-tee-ful.Staging entails hiring experts with a flair for interior design. They

There are a lot of home pricing resources out there, and some are far better than others.When it’s time to sell your house, you may be feeling a little anxious. A chapter of your life is closing.

It’s time for your annual check-up. The good news is that for this one, you won’t have to don one of those revealing hospital gowns -- and you may walk away with a healthier pocketbook.We’re

From finding an inspector to dealing with surprises — this is your guide to getting a house checked out.The first thing you need to know about home inspection: You’ll feel all the feels.There�

Working with the right real estate agent can mean the difference between getting prompt, expert representation and feeling like you’re going it alone when selling your home. Here are 10 questions

Dogs chase kids, pans drop, chairs scrape, and soon you must repair wood floors and erase scratches that make a mess of your red oak or Brazilian cherry. A professional floor refinisher will

Can't afford an entire kitchen remodel in one fell swoop? You can complete the work in 5 budget-saving stages (and still cook dinner during the downtime).Major kitchen remodels are among the most

Season-by-Season Yard Maintenance CalendarLawn-care tips for a barefoot-worthy yard that'll ensure your home has uber curb appeal.Ahhhh, that sensation of stepping onto a freshly mowed lawn sans

Getting smart — about what to do, ask, and avoid — can move you ahead of the crowd.Ah, the open house — a chance to wander through other people’s homes and imagine yourself knocking out

5 CRITERIA FOR PRICING A HOMEWhen you put your home up for sale, one of the best ways to determine the asking price is to look at comparable sales. There’s rarely a perfect apples-to-apples

Having an evacuation and communication plan, and making sure everyone knows where to go in case of an emergency, can be the key to protecting your home and family.Let's face it — 

With this super-simple breakdown of loan types, you won’t get overwhelmed — you’ll find the right mortgage.When it comes to buying a house, most people know what they prefer: a bungalow or a

Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don't let the best slip through your fingers.You’ve worked hard to get your home ready for sale and to price it properly. With any luck, offers

Roseville, CA Rental Market TrendsHighlightsThe average rent for an apartment in Roseville is $1,629, an 11% increase compared to the previous year when the average rent was $1,471

Homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling than on any other home improvement project. And with good reason: Kitchens are the hub of home life and a source of pride.A significant portion of

Like telling your lights to turn on and off when you're miles away.Your home: You love it, but sometimes you have to leave it.Whether it's the eight hours a day or eight days on a dreamy beach,

House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. These eight tips will