Do NOT do these things Buying a Home!!!

Buying a home is one of the most exciting and significant investments you'll make. But the process can be full of potential missteps that could cost you time, money, and even your dream home. Here’s a list of what NOT to dowhen purchasing a home.

Don’t Skip Getting Pre-Approved
Many buyers jump straight into home tours without securing pre-approval for a mortgage. This can lead to disappointment when they discover they don’t qualify for the homes they’ve fallen in love with. Pre-approval not only helps set a realistic budget but also makes your offer more attractive to sellers.

1. Don’t Make Big Financial Changes Before Closing
   After your offer is accepted, maintain financial stability. Big purchases, like cars, or opening new credit accounts can impact your debt-to-income ratio, causing lenders to modify or revoke your mortgage offer. Even small credit inquiries can delay your closing.

2. Don’t Skip the Home Inspection
   Waiving the home inspection may make your offer more attractive, but it can lead to costly surprises later. A thorough inspection will help identify hidden issues like roof damage or plumbing problems that could otherwise become expensive repairs.

3. Don’t Forget to Budget for Hidden Costs
   Many buyers focus solely on the down payment and mortgage but overlook additional costs like closing fees, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance. Make sure to account for these when budgeting for your new home.

4. Don’t Get Emotionally Attached Too Early
   Falling in love with a home too soon can cloud your judgment. It’s important to stay objective and remember that buying a home is as much a financial decision as it is a personal one. This will help you make smarter choices during negotiations or if unexpected issues arise.

5. Don’t Overlook the Resale Value
   Even if a home meets your current needs, don’t forget to think about its resale potential. Life changes may require you to sell sooner than planned, so buying in a neighborhood with growth potential and features that appeal to future buyers can make a big difference down the line.

6. Don’t Neglect Researching the Neighborhood
   A home’s location is just as important as the property itself. Rushing into a purchase without checking out the neighborhood could lead to regrets. Visit the area at different times, research crime rates, and consider proximity to schools, transportation, and future developments.

7. Don’t Change Jobs During the Buying Process
   Lenders prioritize stability, and changing jobs before closing can complicate your mortgage approval. Even if it comes with a higher salary, wait until after closing to switch jobs.

8. Don’t Ignore Your Long-Term Plans
   Consider your future lifestyle when buying a home. If you plan to start a family or work from home, ensure the home will still suit your needs in the years to come.

9. Don’t Try to Do This Alone
   The home-buying process can be complex and overwhelming. I can help you handle every step, from answering questions to mitigating risks, even those not mentioned here. Whether it's navigating negotiations, finding the ideal property, or offering advice on how to act in tricky situations, I’m here to make sure your home-buying experience is smooth and successful.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll move through the buying process with confidence. If you need personalized advice or have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out.I’m here to help you make smart, informed decisionsand turn your home-buying journey into a successful one. Let’s make your dream home a reality – together!

California: A 10% jump in home sales next year

Home prices also will increase, with the median at more than $900,000, C.A.R. predicts. But the recent drop in mortgage rates may help would-be buyers. With the real estate industry ready to turn the page on what's been a difficult 2024, one of the first state housing market forecasts is predicting a sunnier 2025.

In its annual lookahead, the California Association of Realtors expects home sales in The Golden State will be 10.5% higher than the projected 2024 total and 6.8% higher than 2023.

While the projected national total for 2024 is currently around 3.86 million, California is expected to tally around 275,400 in home sales. The forecast for 2025 is 304,400 sales.

This year's projected home sale total is well below three years ago, when it posted 444,500 sales.

Prices continue their upward climb: With rising home sales, the association believes home prices will keep rising in California. The forecast for 2025 is a 4.6% increase to a median price of $909,400. The median price is projected to be $869,500 in 2024 and was $814,000 in 2023. 

California remains out of step with the rest of the country as a persistent housing shortage continues to push up prices well above the national average of $416,700 in August.

Housing supply is expected to improve by around 10% as interest rates trend downward, but the pent-up demand will push up prices, said C.A.R. Chief Economist Jordan Levine.

"Price growth is expected to be slower, but the housing shortage will keep the market competitive outside of big economic shocks, so prices will still rise," Levine said.

The impact of interest rates: Since Californians have to pay so much for a home, any change in the mortgage rate impacts the monthly payment and can help affordability even with elevated prices.

A new report from Redfin found that the typical monthly housing payment in San Jose has fallen more than $2,000 from its springtime peak, but the average payment is still a whopping $9,398 a month. Rates have fallen from around 7.2% in April to 6.1% in mid September.

San Francisco (down $1,372 from its April peak) and Oakland (down $1,338) were second and third on the Redfin list of biggest drops dollar-wise in monthly payments.

How Much Do Agents Make? Commissions, Explained

Whether you are a homebuyer or seller, you will likely work with a real estate agent for your transaction.

Unlike other professionals who bill their clients at hourly rates, real estate professionals are paid at the end of a sales transaction in the form of a commission. If a real estate agent works with a buyer or a seller for weeks or months without a resulting transaction, they aren’t paid for their time.

Commissions are negotiable between real estate agents and their clients. So how much does a real estate agent make? In many cases, it will depend on the closing price of the home, with the commission amounting to a percentage of that price.

A recent settlement by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) taking effect on Aug. 17 has also led to changes with commissions. These changes address how commissions are disclosed and negotiated, with the goal of increasing transparency to both homebuyers and home sellers.

Who pays the commission?

In the past, the home seller generally paid the real estate commission, which was then split between the seller’s listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

But once the NAR settlement takes effect on Aug. 17, homebuyers will be responsible for paying their own agent.

That said, sellers will still have the option of compensating the buyer’s agent—and may want to consider doing so as a way to make their listing more attractive to homebuyers who may not have a lot of extra cash on hand to pay their own agent.

Contracts and commissions

The exact percentage of the real estate agent’s payment or commission should be spelled out in the agent’s contract. This ensures that the agent gets paid if the property sells.

Listing agents and their brokers spend time and money marketing a home, advertising, and preparing the home for sale. In many cases, the commission covers those services.

Meanwhile, buyer’s agents typically have a contract with their clients so that they are paid when the buyer completes a purchase.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, the professional support of a real estate agent who represents your interests should be worth every dollar of the commission.

What does "Priced to sell mean"?

Take a look at some interestinG facts when looking at homes

Key takeaways

• Nationally, listings with the phrase “priced to sell” or something similar in the description come with an average discount of 8.5%, or just under $38,000 off the median-priced home.

• The discount ranges from 23.1% in Little Rock, AR, to just 3.2% in Orlando, FL, across the 38 markets where there is a statistically meaningful discount.

• The share of listings with “priced to sell” in the description ranges from just 1.9% on Long Island, NY, to 6.7% in Sarasota, FL.

• Metros with a higher share of “priced to sell” homes on the market tend to have smaller discounts compared wit metros with a lower share, likely reflecting the need of sellers to offer a discount when other “priced to sell” homes are rare. 

Nationally, value phrases are worth an 8.5% discount

Homebuyers wanting to spend less on a home this fall have more than just falling mortgage rates to look forward to. That’s because we’ve found that certain “value”-based words used in listing descriptions are correlated with lower listing prices—and can be used to help homebuyers find true bargain properties.

At the national level, phrases such as “priced to sell,” “under valued,” “under priced,” and “bargain” are associated with listing prices that are 8.5% lower than similar homes with similar configurations in similar neighborhoods. What’s more, we’ve found substantial regional variation in the discount associated with such phrases as well as the density of listings with them, and that much of this variation can be explained by the share of listings with such listing terms. This suggests that buyers in markets with few listings that are “priced to sell” might be more sensitive to the characteristics that are associated with a lower than usual listing price, such as home condition, than buyers in markets where such listings are more common. 

Methodology

To determine whether for-sale listings being described as “priced to sell” are actually discounted, we tested whether there is an effect on listing prices with this and similar phrases using a hedonic pricing model. First, we looked at all the single-family homes listed for sale on Realtor.com in the U.S. on Aug. 10, 2024, and identified which ones were described with the words “priced to sell,” “bargain,” “under valued,” “fixer upper,” “contractor special,” “handyman special,” and “under priced.”

We then estimated a hedonic model to determine the effect of the bargain term on the home’s listing price while controlling for the number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, square footage, lot size, age, and ZIP code of each property. This allowed us to estimate how much of a discount properties with such terms were listed for, on average, than similar properties within the same metro without a bargain term. We used a 5% level for statistical significance for interpreting the listing term coefficient.

Only metros where the listing term coefficient was significant were considered true “priced to sell” markets. Among the 100 largest U.S. metros that we examined, just 38 made the cut. We then calculated the average listing price discount for each of these metros. For demonstrative purposes, we use the median listing price from Aug. 10, 2024, to show, on average, the discount in dollars on the median-priced home.

Is October 2024 a Good Time to Buy a Home?

According to Realtor.com’s sixth annual Best Time to Buy Report, the week of September 29 to October 5, 2024, is shaping up to be the optimal time for homebuyers. Several key market indicators—including listing prices, inventory levels, and homebuyer demand—suggest that this period offers the best combination of savings, options, and market conditions for prospective buyers.

Why October is Ideal for Buyers

• Lower Prices: During this week, buyers could save over $14,000 compared to summer’s peak home prices, which reached a national median price of $445,000.

• More Listings: Inventory levels are expected to be up by 37% compared to the beginning of the year, providing more choices for buyers.

• Longer Time on Market: Homes are projected to stay on the market for over two weeks longer than during peak buying periods, giving buyers more time to make decisions.

• Less Competition: Buyer demand is expected to be 29.5% lower than at peak times, meaning less pressure to compete for properties.

Market Conditions Favoring Buyers

October historically provides a favorable balance between inventory and pricing. According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com®, “This year, buyers will find one of the best dynamics in years during the first week of October, with ample options and the potential to save on list prices.” Falling mortgage rates may drive late-season demand, but with plenty of available inventory, the competition should remain manageable.

If you’re unable to act in the first week of October, the following two weeks still offer great buying opportunities with many of the same benefits, though new listings may start to decline slightly, according to Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com®.

What to Expect: Key Market Metrics

Realtor.com analyzed six critical metrics to determine the best time to buy:

• Listing Prices: Around 50,000 homes could see price reductions, potentially leading to savings.

• Inventory Levels: Active listings could reach their highest level since before the pandemic, offering a broader selection.

• Homebuyer Demand: Demand typically slows down during this period, making competition less fierce.

• Days on Market: Homes are expected to stay on the market 34.8% longer compared to peak buying times earlier in the year.

Prepare for Fall Homebuying Now

To make the most of this unique buying opportunity, experts recommend starting preparations early. One useful strategy is saving a search on platforms like Realtor.com® to keep track of new listings within your price range, without needing to recreate your search every time.

October 2024 is shaping up to be the best time for homebuyers in years, offering a combination of lower prices, ample listings, and a less competitive market. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, this fall could provide the perfect window to make your move.

Top Things That Fail a Home Inspection

What is Home Inspection?

Home inspection is the process of checking the structure and system of a house. Home inspector provides a home inspection report. This report includes the critical issues that need attention. Home inspection failure can break a contract. Every home has flaws. But not every issue found in the home inspection can end the deal. Home inspection pinpoints the major red flags of a house. The homeowners should understand things that fail a home inspection. Passing the home inspection makes them feel safe. The buyers should hire a home inspector to make the best decision. It will help them avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road. 

Home inspection is a process of thoroughly assessing a property’s condition. The home inspectors check from the roof to the foundation. After that they provide a home inspection report. According to the  American Society of Home Inspectors, a single-family home inspection takes 2 to 4 hours on average. However, it can vary depending on the size and condition of the house. Home inspection saves the buyers from the unexpected repair expense.  

Top things that Fail a Home Inspection

The buyers and sellers must understand what may fail in a home inspection. Having a home inspection checklist will ease the stress of both parties. So, let’s look into 10 things that fail home inspection.

Foundation Issues 

Cracks in the walls and uneven floors are symptoms of foundation issues. The reasons behind this problem are soil and drainage issues. Natural disasters also cause cracks in the walls.

A structural engineer identities the foundation problems of a house. Contact them when you see bowed walls, cracks in walls or doors that do not open easily. Frequent maintenance of the house is the key to avoid bigger foundation problems. Foundation repair costs anywhere from $2,162 to $7,795.

Roof Problems

Damaged or missing shingles, sagging areas, and leaks are proof of faulty roofs. Old houses generally have roof issues. These roofs have to be replaced. But we can detect roof damages in the new homes too. The damages turn into wood rot and mold issues. Potential buyers get demotivated seeing the faulty roofs. Homeowners must identify any leak or damage in the roof. And then replace or repair it before listing the house. Consult with a licensed roofing professional to fix the problems. Meanwhile, the buyers have to negotiate with the sellers regarding the roof replacement. 

Insect Infection

Termites and other insects extensively damage a home’s structure. No one wants to pay millions to live in a house with insect infection. Holes in wood, termite tunnels, droppings, and nests indicate the insect infection. The inspectors check from top to bottom to find insect-caused damages. Contact pest control companies to treat insect problems.  

Inspection Failure due to Poor Drainage System

Surface grading problems around homes cause drainage issues. Poor drainage leads to a leaky basement, mold and mildew issues. It causes foundation damage as well. 

Add topsoil to fix the poor surface grading problem. And make a 10-foot long slope around your home. Try to check gutters and downspouts regularly for any sign of deterioration. Additionally, clean the gutters for proper drainage by appointing professional gutter cleaners. 

Electrical Issues

Home inspectors will look for outdated or undersized wirings, aluminum wirings, and improper circuit breakers. They will note down any electrical issues that violate the safety of the house. Major electrical issues can be expensive to fix. It can cost around $7,000 on average to rewire a house. As  licensed electricians look at any electrical issues and modernize the system. 

HVAC System Issues

The home inspectors check the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Broken down HVAC systems can fail home inspection. It deters the potential buyers. Contact an air duct cleaning company to maintain HVAC components. And replace the faulty components.     

Inspection Fail for Home Plumbing Issues

Signs of plumbing issues are leaks, outdated pipes, and low water pressure. It compromises the structural stability of the home. Plumbing problem mutates into mold and health hazards. Replacing a main sewer line costs a lot. Homeowners should hire local plumbers to check plumbing issues. They should fix the problem before it gets complex.  

Why is it important to have a thorough home inspection?

Home inspection is equally important for the buyer and the seller. An in-depth look into the property condition helps the buyers in decision-making. It also helps the real estate agents to negotiate to minimize any loss. As for the homeowners, they should understand things that fail a home inspection. 

What to do if you failed a home Inspection?

The home inspector may reveal many unexpected issues. It causes stress and panic to the homeowners. A competent real estate agent can help you to solve these issues. They consider the market factors to reach a solution. 

Buyers can ask the seller to fix the problem. They can also take money for the repairs. Sometimes the issues found in the inspection report are too serious. Buyers can back out from the deal in such cases.

The home inspection report states many issues of the house. But the sellers do not have to fix everything.  A  real estate agent can help to understand what to fix. 

Final Thoughts

Home inspections ensure the home is in good condition. It reduces the hassle of the buyers. Sellers also get the home inspected. The goal is to avoid difficulties in selling the house. Buyers and sellers must understand what fails a home inspection. Home inspection failure can be a dealbreaker. Homeowners should maintain and repair the house. This will help them to avoid home inspection failure. A skilled real estate agent can assist to reduce home inspection failures.

PROP 19!!

What is Prop 19, how can it affect me and my family?

Prop 19 allows homeowners over the age of 55 to transfer their low property taxes to new homes up to three times. In the past, seniors were allowed to do this with Prop 60/90, but it only lets you do this one time, and only with participating counties.

Now you can do it multiple times to anywhere in the state, and you’re not limited to only buying something at the same price or cheaper than your current property.

The essence of the proposition is to help empty nesters who wanted to move out of their big homes into something more suitable for their current needs. Instead of staying in a large 2 story home, in a good school district, they can buy an updated condo in a 55+ community while still keeping their low property taxes with them.

This lets a new family buy their home to enroll their kids in a great school, while also increasing the funds that the school will get via the increased property taxes from the new homeowners.

And as a bonus, the surpluses that are gained from the new proposition will go towards the new California Fire Response fund which would help fund fire suppression staffing and full-time station based personnel.

Inheritances are now taxed unless the heir moves into the home. It prevents property taxes for investment properties from being frozen in time across generations. It’s not fighting prop 13, it’s fighting prop 58 and 193.

If the replacement primary residence is of equal or lesser value than the original primary residence, then the taxable value of the replacement primary residence shall be the taxable value of the original primary residence.

How does it work?

For example. If you bought your house a long time ago and your current taxable value for your home is $400,000 and you sold it for $1,000,000. Then if your replacement property is bought for $1,000,000 or lower, the taxable value of the replacement property will stay the same at $400,000.

But if the replacement primary residence has a greater value than the original primary residence, you’ll have to pay the difference. So in our previous example, where the original primary residence’s taxable value was 400K and was sold for $1,000,000 and the replacement property was purchased for $1.1 Million, the new taxable value will be $400K + the $100K difference in property values. So you’ll be paying taxes on a $500K total taxable value.

Anyone who wants to transfer the taxable value of their primary residence needs to file an application with the assessor of the county in which the replacement primary residence is located. Your real estate agent should be able to help you with this form.

Inheriting Property

Prop 19 also changes the way inherited properties keep their taxable values. In the past, heirs could keep the taxable value of the properties they inherit. So if the property was worth $1 million and the taxable value was $400K, they could continue to pay taxes on a $400K value. Now, the properties get reassessed unless the heir moves into the home as their primary residence. The taxable value will also increase if the property value has increased by over $1 million over the taxable value. This $1 million buffer will increase every year starting Feb 16 2023 based on the house price index for California. Parents are allowed to sell their homes to their children to pass on this benefit, but grandparents need to have passed away to transfer their property taxes to their grandchildren. The heir or transferee needs to make the home their primary residence within one year to take advantage of this benefit. It’s extremely important to pay attention to the dates since if you mess up, there’s no going back, and your property taxes will be increased forever! The change for seniors transferring their property taxes is effective April 1, 2021. Before that date, it’s safe to assume that you’ll be working with the older Prop 60/90 regulations. The change to inherited property is effective starting Feb 16, 2021.

And before you go off and try to use your new Prop 19 benefits, be sure to talk to an attorney to make sure your plan will work as you expect it to!

April 2021 - IN THIS CURRENT MARKET….How much cosmetic work is needed prior to listing my home for sale?

If you’re considering putting your house on the market, it’s never too early to start figuring out what it will take to make your home irresistible to prospective buyers. Common thought as i’ve shared in my previous post, is that a home owner must do everything from A-Z to make their home attractive to potential buyers. While there is a case to be made regarding that thought, the current market does NOT support that belief.

We recently listed a home for $828,000 in the city of Monrovia. Within two hours of being actively on the open market we had received 2 offers and 24 hours later we had 7 in had. For our clients (sellers), this was enough to shut the door and evaluate the offers in hand, all at or above listing price. Take a look at the photos below, as you can see there wasn’t much done prior to listing. Other than a cleaning and certain safety mandated upgrades the total dollar amount prior to listing was less than $1,000.

In THIS current real estate market the reality is that what was deemed “necessary” in the past is not the case now, there are SO many buyers out there that they are willing to look past the cosmetic aspect of the home in fear of losing the deal.

If making improvements is something you would want to still do, my advice would be to make improvements you know you’ll enjoy. But no need to go over the top.

Also, when you are ready to begin planning the selling of your home, get the advice of an experienced realtor, preferably me, and they can hell you find out how to increase your home value and marketability. They will use their knowledge of your local market to help you focus on which home improvements will do the most to increase your home’s appeal — upping the odds of getting solid offers soon after your listing hits the market – a key factor in getting the best price.

February 2021 - 4 Tips for Home-Sellers

If you’re considering putting your house on the market, it’s never too early to start figuring out what it will take to make your home irresistible to prospective buyers. Amping up curb appeal isn’t all about the outside, as making your home more marketable is an inside job, too.

Even if HGTV is your favorite channel, chances are you’ve got at least a few home remodeling projects you’ve been putting off. It’s ok. We know it’s a lot easier to watch than to actually do.

So where do you start? Should you finally update those dreadful kitchen cabinets? Redo the outdated master bath? Replace the carpet in the kids’ room, where the color can best be described as Rainbow Swirl?

When you’ve got a longer list than budget, what are the must-do remodeling projects and what do you skip?

RANK CURB APPEAL IDEAS BASED ON ROI

If your main goal is selling a home, a good way to prioritize your curb appeal ideas is to figure out first where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. On the other hand, if you might be staying in your home for a while, it’s a lot better to focus on remodeling what matters most to you and your family, while still factoring resale value into the equation. In other words, make the improvements you know you’ll enjoy. Just be smart about it by not over-personalizing or going over the top.

When you’re planning to sell your home, getting the advice of an experienced realtor is one the best ways to find out how to increase home value and marketability. They can use their knowledge of your local market to help you focus on which home improvements will do the most to increase your home’s curb appeal — upping the odds of getting solid offers soon after your listing hits the market – a key factor in getting the best price.

With that in mind, here are 4 popular home remodeling ideas that deliver plenty of value in terms of both your own enjoyment and resale.

1. KITCHEN REMODEL

As the center of activity in most homes, an inviting and well-designed kitchen is highly valued by nearly all home buyers. It’s no surprise that kitchen remodels rank third in ROI in the cost versus value report. A kitchen makeover is also an ambitious task, with most homeowners spending from $12,633 to $35,120 on kitchen remodeling, according to HomeAdvisor. On the bright side, there are lots of ways to update and refresh a kitchen without investing in a full renovation. New countertops, flooring, and appliances in addition to refacing cabinets, painting, and even recessed lighting can make a huge difference in updating a kitchen.

2. LANDSCAPING REFRESH

Talk about curb appeal. Crisply trimmed and colorful landscaping can make the difference between a home shopper stopping to take a look or driving on by. While it’s difficult to pin down the ROI on landscaping, the impact it makes on first impressions is undeniable. With the front yard being center stage, that should be your first priority. HGTV hosts and realtors alike advise starting with a good cleanup first. Is your yard littered with tools and random stuff? Spend some time organizing your outdoor storage. Then your yard should be ready for a mow and blow, trimming and edging, and the hardest job of all – weeding and thinning out overgrown areas. Once that’s done you can assess how much more your yard needs. If you pulled a lot of weeds, add mulch to those areas – starting with a layer of newspaper underneath – to keep those weeds from coming back.

Now for the fun stuff. Add instant color with potted and planted flowering annuals or easy-care plants withinteresting and colorful foliage, like crotons and variegated shell ginger. If you’re going DIY, double-check what works best for your specific area and climate. The best way to do this is to get free expert gardening advice from your local county extension service. Even if you’re paying a landscaping pro, this is a good way to double check their plant and grass choices.

3. INTERIOR PAINTING

Giving rooms a fresh coat of paint in a light, neutral color is one of the easiest and most economical ways toprepare your home for prospective buyers. It’s also a manageable DIY project, since you can take it room by room as needed. If you haven’t done it before, start with one small room or an accent wall as a trial run. If you’re not happy with the results — or the experience — you can turn the other rooms over to a professional

painter. Just be sure to get more than one estimate, as bids can differ by thousands of dollars even for a small home. Your realtor, friends, and neighbors should be able to refer you to trusted painters.

Before diving into a big painting project, try giving your walls a good cleaning first. When done correctly, it’s possible you can brighten and improve the appearance enough that you can avoid painting in some or even all rooms – saving yourself time and money. Make sure you match the cleaning method to the type of paint and start with a small test. Find some quick and easy advice for cleaning painted walls with this guide from Home Depot.

4. FLOORING REPLACEMENT

From the moment you step foot in a home or room, floors make a major impression. They also show most of the wear and tear. That’s why many realtors advise home sellers to replace any flooring that’s damaged or stained. Getting new flooring is a fairly quick and easy process compared to many other home projects. The hardest part may be deciding what material to use.

From the moment you step foot in a home or room, floors make a major impression. They also show most of the wear and tear. That’s why many realtors advise home sellers to replace any flooring that’s damaged or stained. Getting new flooring is a fairly quick and easy process compared to many other home projects. The hardest part may be deciding what material to use.

While home buyers today prefer wood and tile floors, the price points may not be the most practical for a home being prepared for resale. New laminates and luxury vinyl flooring can be an attractive yet cost- effective alternative. While carpet is considered the least desirable option, it’s also the most economical way to replace unsightly flooring, and may still be a good option, especially for bedrooms.