But just recently I had another opportunity to demonstrate the value of that phrase. I was referred the home of two doctors from Redlands. They and their family had owned and enjoyed the lake view home for over 20 years but of late because the boys had grown and moved away, the house was not being used. The interior  was in excellent condition but the exterior had a lot of deferred maintenance that greatly reduced the value of the property – peeling paint, wood rotted decks, a dated feeling. Our agents estimated that in “as is” condition the home would sell for under $300,000.

But we calculated that if the doctors would spend money to fix, repair and repaint we could get them their investment back plus a fair amount more. A designer on our staff consulted with them about new colors for the home. We got bids from several builders and I over saw the repairs. In my next post I will show pictures to prove the point – the house turned out beautifully.

The doctors paid $20,000 for all new decks, paint, termite completion and exterior upgrades and before the house went on the market I got an offer of $365,000 for the property. Their $20,000 investment gained them a $45,000 profit in under one month.

Now not everyone has that kind of disposable funds available. But this is absolutely true – most buyers in this market want well cared for homes. Those sellers who are throwing their homes on the market in “as is” condition are lumping their most precious possession along with the banks repoes — also sold in “as is” condition.

You only get one chance to make a good first impression – use it wisely.

Therefore, you have upside houses and downside houses.

Seldom flat land houses, that’s for “down the hill” (as it is called up here, actually it should be down the mountain, the homes up here being anywhere from 4,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level).

Older homes, which often equates to less expensive homes, almost all have outside steps, that’s just how they built homes in the past, seems silly now, but there they are .

These older upside homes have steps leading from the driveway. The beauty of upside homes is that most have some kind of view – of trees, mountains, lakes and sometimes electrical and telephone lines. Upside houses also tend to be brighter.

With older downside house you usually have a parking deck that is level from the street and steps leading down to the house which is most likely more shady because you’re down in the trees. Downside houses are easier to carry your groceries to – it’s downhill – and quieter, noise rises. Although in most mountain communities there are few significant noise problems.

Within the last 15 years, newer houses (more expensive) were built with level entry into a garage. And like down the hill homes, the garage opens into the main house although some garages might have interior steps leading up to or down to the main floor.

Interior steps are far better than exterior steps – you seldom have to shovel snow or sweep pine needles from interior steps. They do need to be vacumed though.

WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT STEPS?

Steps keep you fit. Remember at the gym the Stair-Master? Step aerobics? Steps can be your friends.

They can also save you money.