Exclusive One Escrow

01/04/2022

03/17/2016

This shows like a model home. Amazing attention to detail in this gem. This single story home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac. It has been remodeled to include the much desired open concept living room/kitchen. Don't let this gem slip away!

Offered for sale by Gretchen Bradley of Meridian Capital Real Estate (916) 769-0184

http://www.metrolistpro.com/homes/6/2/6120-RICH-HILL-DRIVE-ORANGEVALE-CA-95662/16015162

03/09/2016

Do you agree?

In a new survey, the National Association of Home Builders identifies the top 12 items house hunters say they don't want in a new home.

03/09/2016

Meridian Office Staff is here to help with the Matchmaking and the Wedding plans!

03/04/2016

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tenant-sneaks-very-important-clause-181109596.html

Never Send a Lease as a Word Doc!!

Lesson learned: always read your lease in its entirety before signing. When Redditor GloriousGherkins was delivered his lease to sign by his landlord, it was sent in a Word document instead of a .pdf file, meaning GloriousGherkins could alter the text in any way he wanted. SEE ALSO: This hilarious n…

02/29/2016

Tax Write-Offs for Agents!!

Remember to write off all the business related expenses you have had this year, see below for some areas that you may have overlooked. In order to be a successful agent, there will be marketing and business expenses, these can be deducted from your net income.
Real estate agents do a lot more than just list and sell properties. They advertise for their clients, they protect the home while it’s being viewed, they show the seller how to give their home more curb appeal, and they help buyers find that perfect home to create long-term memories of their family.

Most real estate agents don’t understand all the things they can write off to save them taxes. They often overlook the simplest items that are deductible in the course of their business activities. Like I always say, to be the best you need to immerse yourself into your business to know and understand every facet of it. You have to be the person with an answer to every question. It’s you being known as the go-to Guy or Gal when people think of you. It’s creating that reputation within your area that takes years of dedication, promotion, late hours of work and an “I will do what ever it takes” attitude. However, before you get sellin’, it’s important to know exactly what you can deduct on your tax return. Below are the most common deductions for real estate agents:


In the area of sales:
Advertising
appraisal fees
business cards
bank charges
clerical support
client gifts
courier services
commissions paid
referral fees
film processing
flowers and cards
locksmith and keys
lockboxes
map books
office expenses
open house related costs
rent
sales assistance
home repairs
signs
flags and banners
food
software (website, mls, etc)
photocopying
printing
stationary
other
In the area of professional expenses:
Dues
E&O insurance
legal fees
licenses
memberships
MLS
publications
seminars
continuing education
resumes
any other costs that maintain and increase your skill
In the area of communication:
Faxes
house phone
cell phone
additional phone lines
internet service lines
answering service that is needed to conduct your real estate business
In the area of equipment:
Briefcase
Calculators
desk
camera
furniture
filing cabinets
cell phone
tape recorder
telephone purchases
all other related equipment purchased for the business
In the area of automotive:
You can deduct your automobile expenses in two different ways. The first way is the regular method, the second way is the standard mileage rate method. To determine which method is best for you, you should look at the cost of your car for depreciation, gas, repairs, insurance, and all other related automotive expenses and add them up. Then, we compare those total costs to the total miles driven for business multiplied by the applicable mileage rate. Whichever is higher is the one you use on your taxes.

02/27/2016

The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommend a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door and there should be one near or over any attached garage. Each detector should be replaced every five to six years.

01/28/2015

Calling all Top Real Estate Producers, Real Estate Agents, Part time and full time! We are now Hiring! Come join one of the best Real Estate Company's in the industry! For more information about our company and how to join please visit our website at: http://meridiancapitalrealestate.com/

Meridian Capital Real Estate Professionals are trained advisors serving our clients and assisting to navigate through the transaction process with care and integrity. Stakes are high, having a trusted advisor on your side will ensure you negotiate the best terms possible.

01/12/2015

If you really want to make your home attention-grabbing, it’s time to up your game.

You may think you know the basics when it comes to getting your home ready to sell: remove any clutter or personal effects, fix what’s broken, and stage your rooms. But buyers are a fickle lot, and they can fall in — or out — of love with a home for any number of reasons, some so subtle that the buyers themselves aren’t fully aware of their logic.

If you really want to make your home attention-grabbing for all the right reasons, it’s time to up your game with these outside-the-box tricks:

1. Set the mood (lighting)

Swap out your bright white light bulbs for a soft and flattering wattage that invokes a cozy, yet welcoming feel and hides any tiny imperfections. Opt for bulbs that emit yellow-toned and red-toned hues.

2. Wash your windows

Have your windows professionally washed, or devote an afternoon to washing them yourself from both inside and out. Even on gray days, clean windows will let in more light and make your rooms sparkle — and buyers will definitely notice if it isn’t done.

3. Mind the details

Small details can make your home look dumpy without you even realizing it. Freshen up rooms with new switch plates and outlet covers if yours are grubby from fingerprints or yellowed from aging. Polish handles and hardware and use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove minor spots and scuffs on walls.

4. Make it welcoming

You’ve got the curb appeal, but what about “walking up to the door” appeal? Invest in a new doormat and take the time to scrub down your front door since it’s probably covered with dust, dirt, and oils. Better yet, repaint it and add some new house numbers and a new porch light.

5. Don’t forget your side yard

Turn that dead space into a selling point by creating a potting station or kitchen garden, or even set up breakfast nook with a café table and chairs.

6. Get creative with color

Paint two adjacent rooms the same color to give the appearance of an open floor plan. Paint your walls to match your drapery (or buy drapery to match the walls). Use the same colors and patterns in the master bedroom and bath to create an “ en suite” feel.

7. Update your own furniture

Empty rooms show poorly. “Stage” a spare bedroom with an air mattress and bed frame. Create a living room arrangement by throwing matching slipcovers over clashing chairs and sofas.

8. Brighten up trim

Walls aren’t the only things that need a fresh coat of paint. Dingy door and window frames will drag down the prettiest of rooms. Repainting wood-toned trim white will also make your space brighter.

9. Employ scents

The old tried and true: bake a fresh batch of cookies to create a homey feel (or fake it with a scented candle). Employ soothing, spa-like scents like vanilla and lavender in bathrooms and bedrooms.

10. Make your space look bigger

Hang floor-length curtains above your windows to give the illusion of higher ceilings. Lay down a striped rug to make your floor seem more expansive. Use a clear shower curtain to open up a small bathroom.

11. Fake a closet organization system

Make your storage look custom with DIY shelves, hangers, and bins. Organize clothes by type and color for added impact.

12. Dress up your laundry area

Whether it’s a separate room or a corner of your basement, make your laundry area look welcoming by adding a folding surface, bins, and baskets for storage, and a designer element like a fun rug or temporary wallpaper.

13. Tidy up the garage

Install overhead or wall shelves to store bikes and sporting equipment. Create a workshop area in one corner — show buyers it’s more than just a place to park cars.

14. Prepare for snoopers

Buyers will open your fridge, peek in your medicine cabinet, and check under your sinks. Make these areas so tidy Martha Stewart would be proud.

15. Don’t knock feng shui

Many of its teachings can help make your rooms more attractive: avoid having the backs of furniture facing entryways, close the toilet lid, and don’t place anchor pieces like beds or sofas against a window.

01/05/2015

9 Tips for Agents: Grow your Business in 2015!

1. Have an effective (yet simple) business plan
The biggest mistake that I see agents make is not treating their business “like a business”. You are not just a 1099 contractor earning commissions. The most successful real estate agents run their business like a restaurant, car dealer, or service professional would. This all starts with an effective business plan.

Your business plan is the roadmap for your business. The important part is writing down milestones for what you expect to accomplish and then holding yourself accountable. Your business plan should identify where your clients came from last year, and how you intend to build on that moving forward.

2. Contact ALL of your past customers in the next 30 days
Make it a point to contact everyone you have done business with and make sure you do it in the next 30 days - No excuses. The most overlooked source of business for agents is their past clients. Unfortunately, most agents only reach out to their past clients on a seasonal basis at best. Again, the top agents reach out every month and sometimes more.

The easiest way to do this is with a CMA or Market Report. It takes just minutes to prepare, print and mail (don’t email). Your past clients will love the fact that you’re still thinking about them and everyone likes knowing what their house is worth.

3. Refresh your Personal Brand
As a real estate agent, personal branding is what differentiates you from the competition. Everything you do is a reflection of how you conduct your business and what a customer can expect from your services. This includes your marketing material, business cards, website, social media, email signature, and profile picture.

Regarding profile pictures, if you’re using a picture you took yourself – don’t. Smartphones have come a long way, but there is no substitute for professional headshots. A sitting will cost $100-$250 and the photographer will provide different sizes and formats that you can use in all of your marketing.

4. Update ALL of your on-line profiles
We sometimes help agents with this and they’re often shocked by what we find - old email addresses they no longer check, previous company names, old mailing addresses and bios.

In today’s hectic world, it’s easy to forget things you may have filled out on a whim. With that said, it is important to understand that the public still sees this information across the web and it reflects on your business.

Some of the profiles you should check: NAR, CAR, OCAR, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Market Leader, Sharper Agent, Top Producer, CRM, CRMLS, Yelp, Angies List, Google Places, Google+, ZipForms, Zillow, Trulia, Skype, Flickr, Loopnet, and CoStar.

5. Post relevant information on your Facebook, Twitter and Blog
Consumers now largely ignore the traditional world of marketing. In a world of DVRs and banner ads, successful businesses have moved to Content Marketing. By offering information that is relevant and valuable to your audience (and not “selling”) you will become a trusted advisor to potential buyers and sellers.

Take the time to provide compelling information that speaks to the needs of your customers!

6. Ask for reviews from current & past customers
On-line reviews are more important than ever. As you grow your business, be sure to ask for reviews from everyone you feel is happy with your services. Typically, the two best times to ask for a review is when you enter, and when you close, escrow.

Of course, you should always welcome client feedback – both good and bad. Make sure your clients know up front that you goal is to provide the best service possible and their honest feedback will you to achieve that.

Encourage reviews on Zillow, Trulia, Google+, Facebook & Angie’s List.

7. Farm your community or neighborhood
Buyers and sellers want to work with an agent who knows the local market. The best place for you to start prospecting is in your own back yard.

Does everyone in your community know you’re a Realtor? Again, mailing a CMA with your business card to all of your neighbors is a great way to remind them.

When it comes to buyers, try posting on Craigslist or elsewhere. Identify yourself as a local expert and offer a complete list of available properties. Educate buyers about the differences between MLS and Zillow/Trulia.

8. Re-Evaluate your web marketing
How much traffic is your website generating? How much of that traffic actually converts to closed sales? Are you paying for leads from Zillow and Trulia, and if so what is your return on investment?

As we noted in Tip #1, it is crucial that you treat your business like a business. Part of that is identifying which efforts are working and which are not.

We strongly encourage agents to have their own websites and avoid templates or other “out of box” products. The reason is tracking. With your own website, you can track the flow of visitors just as if a retail store would. With products like Google Analytics, agents can see how many visitors came to their site, which pages they visited, and how long they stayed. Your website is your “storefront”.

9. The Golden Rule Is Service
Above all else, strive to provide your buyers and sellers with great service. Always keep their best interests in mind and take a long-term approach to your business.

Consumers can now find an endless amount of information on-line, but there will always be a need for experienced professionals to guide them through the buying and selling process. Attention to detail, honest communication, and personal touch are what will help you to grow your business in the future.

11/21/2014

Agents check Meridians page for Company updates, news, real estate news and association updates! Lets Stay Connected!!! We are also connected to Twitter and Linked In!