Wanted to share an article posted on the Washington Post on why Realtor's job's have not been eliminated as originally predicted by many. Realtor's sell their knowledge and ability to guide a person through the process of purchasing or selling their property. While we see many sites and online resources that make the initial process of house-hunting easier for home-buyers, a Realtor is still critical in terms of guiding a Buyer through the process of an Escrow. Also, Sellers who choose to sell without the benefit of a Realtor potentially open themselves up to liabilities, and the process can be much harder without a buffer/liaison there to protect their interests.
We're back to that time of year when you should be getting your chimney sweep or gas company representative to come and check your fireplace- rates haven't gone up yet since it's still warm out...so it's a perfect time to make sure everything is up and running for the upcoming "cold" season!
Many of you know of the planned Mixed-Use facility proposed for 4th and Arizona. This week, Santa Monica's City Council sent the plans back to the drawing board. Residents can expect a new proposal to be brought forth within the next three months.
Beaches are starting to clear as the tourists are leaving and kids are going back to school. What does this mean to residents? Traffic should be alleviating and shops and beaches should be less crowded. Now is a great time to talk again with your teen about texting and driving- as drivers often find it easier to distracted-drive when there are less cars on the road.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Plastic bags and Pedicabs...
Summer feels as if it has officially arrived!
A couple items in the news:
1) The California State Senate did not pass the proposed ban on Plastic Bags. While many individual cities (Santa Monica!) have already enacted their own bans, it will not yet be a requirement for all Cali Cities. Culver City just passed a ban on free plastic bags, therefore residents and visitors to CC will need to pay 10cents per plastic bag used.
2) While this article has a very obvious slant (whether you're for or against, just be aware) but the LA Times is reporting on the controversial App that has been buzzing online regarding Malibu Beach Access.
3) Look out! The Pedicabs are coming! LA Times reports on an issue that has been long-contested in the LA area... the pedicabs. Coming to Santa Monica this summer, the pedicabs have both advantages and drawbacks. Having lived in San Diego for many years, the pedicabs downtown were both a bane and a blessing. Being both a college and a military town, there were plenty of people who were.... shall we say..."incapacitated" any night of the week in the downtown and beach areas. The pedicabs were a great at getting those people out of the congested areas, away from the bars and such. You never did know if they were bringing the drunks home, or simply pedaling them to their cars (cars they wouldn't have been able to stumble to on foot, and then drove home). Obviously common sense and social responsibility come into play as in any situation. One could see the pedicabs being a real benefit when the Expo Line is brought all the way down to the Promenade. Pedicabs to and from the Expo could be a truly great solution for getting some of the cars off our streets!
Come see me at 739 Alma Real, Pacific Palisades 90272 this Sunday June 2nd from 2-5pm! Beautiful bright and airy Traditional with 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, a great spa and a lovely kitchen! $3.675.000
A couple items in the news:
1) The California State Senate did not pass the proposed ban on Plastic Bags. While many individual cities (Santa Monica!) have already enacted their own bans, it will not yet be a requirement for all Cali Cities. Culver City just passed a ban on free plastic bags, therefore residents and visitors to CC will need to pay 10cents per plastic bag used.
2) While this article has a very obvious slant (whether you're for or against, just be aware) but the LA Times is reporting on the controversial App that has been buzzing online regarding Malibu Beach Access.
3) Look out! The Pedicabs are coming! LA Times reports on an issue that has been long-contested in the LA area... the pedicabs. Coming to Santa Monica this summer, the pedicabs have both advantages and drawbacks. Having lived in San Diego for many years, the pedicabs downtown were both a bane and a blessing. Being both a college and a military town, there were plenty of people who were.... shall we say..."incapacitated" any night of the week in the downtown and beach areas. The pedicabs were a great at getting those people out of the congested areas, away from the bars and such. You never did know if they were bringing the drunks home, or simply pedaling them to their cars (cars they wouldn't have been able to stumble to on foot, and then drove home). Obviously common sense and social responsibility come into play as in any situation. One could see the pedicabs being a real benefit when the Expo Line is brought all the way down to the Promenade. Pedicabs to and from the Expo could be a truly great solution for getting some of the cars off our streets!
Come see me at 739 Alma Real, Pacific Palisades 90272 this Sunday June 2nd from 2-5pm! Beautiful bright and airy Traditional with 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, a great spa and a lovely kitchen! $3.675.000
Monday, May 6, 2013
Smart Car, Smart Realtor!
Why I got a SMART Car for work!
A significant portion of my job is spent in the car. Being a resident of Los Angeles is a little different than other cities I have lived in. While we are making great strides in notching up our public transportation (ie the new EXPO Line, and our ever-improving bussing systems), the sad truth is that our city is not set up to conveniently support public transit yet. In addition, to be a good Realtor, I must be available to my clients. A typical day requires me to jump unexpectedly into the car for any number of reasons including seeing a house with a client that has just come on the market, previewing houses to see if they are the right fit for clients, attending inspections and appraisals, dropping off paperwork to Escrow companies, meeting new clients at their homes, and any number of other random activities.
It was time for me to get a new car, and I spent a lot of time thinking through this decision.
My decision was a SMART car for my work vehicle. While the general consensus amongst Realtors used to be that a 4-5 person car is necessary for agents, a new wave is coming. With all the driving we do as Realtors, I believe it is important to lesson our impact on the environment by being as respectful of our roads as we can be.
Not only do Smart cars use less gas than many cars, take up less room on our crowded streets (especially in areas like Santa Monica and West Hollywood where parking is at a premium), and their light weight is also less damaging in the long run to our roads. With road work being such a problem in LA, especially with the freeway expansions forcing more and more drivers onto surface streets, I feel it is my responsibility to be as friendly to our streets as possible.
Of course the first question I get (aside from the safety aspect) In general, I have found the majority of my clients prefer to drive themselves when we are looking at property. I understand they want to get a feel for driving in their soon-to-be neighborhoods, and that they like the privacy it affords them to have frank discussions about what they've seen and a chance to process their thoughts before we speak next. This works for them, and it may or may not work for you.
Yes, I can take you out to look at houses if you want to carpool! No, I cannot take more than one of you at a time in this car looking at property. Never fear though, I do have another (family) car if our party expands past two people!
So make sure to wave the next time you see me! I hopefully left a great big parking spot for you, while squeezing into something you may not have fit into.
A significant portion of my job is spent in the car. Being a resident of Los Angeles is a little different than other cities I have lived in. While we are making great strides in notching up our public transportation (ie the new EXPO Line, and our ever-improving bussing systems), the sad truth is that our city is not set up to conveniently support public transit yet. In addition, to be a good Realtor, I must be available to my clients. A typical day requires me to jump unexpectedly into the car for any number of reasons including seeing a house with a client that has just come on the market, previewing houses to see if they are the right fit for clients, attending inspections and appraisals, dropping off paperwork to Escrow companies, meeting new clients at their homes, and any number of other random activities.It was time for me to get a new car, and I spent a lot of time thinking through this decision.
My decision was a SMART car for my work vehicle. While the general consensus amongst Realtors used to be that a 4-5 person car is necessary for agents, a new wave is coming. With all the driving we do as Realtors, I believe it is important to lesson our impact on the environment by being as respectful of our roads as we can be.
Not only do Smart cars use less gas than many cars, take up less room on our crowded streets (especially in areas like Santa Monica and West Hollywood where parking is at a premium), and their light weight is also less damaging in the long run to our roads. With road work being such a problem in LA, especially with the freeway expansions forcing more and more drivers onto surface streets, I feel it is my responsibility to be as friendly to our streets as possible.
Of course the first question I get (aside from the safety aspect) In general, I have found the majority of my clients prefer to drive themselves when we are looking at property. I understand they want to get a feel for driving in their soon-to-be neighborhoods, and that they like the privacy it affords them to have frank discussions about what they've seen and a chance to process their thoughts before we speak next. This works for them, and it may or may not work for you.
Yes, I can take you out to look at houses if you want to carpool! No, I cannot take more than one of you at a time in this car looking at property. Never fear though, I do have another (family) car if our party expands past two people!
So make sure to wave the next time you see me! I hopefully left a great big parking spot for you, while squeezing into something you may not have fit into.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Buying a House- an easy graphic
A helpful graphic to make the Home Buying process a little easier!
Remember, when you purchase a home you want an advocate to help you navigate the process. A good Realtor can mean the difference between getting the home you want, or losing it. In this time where there are often multiple bids on every property, a good Realtor from a reputable company is a necessity! Keep in mind that for Buyers, the services of a Realtor are free, as the Seller pays their fee.
Let me know if you have any questions, or if you or anyone you know are looking to buy or sell.
Thanks to the folks over at Mint.com for this graphic... it's an easy breakdown to help you track your progress through the Escrow Process!
Remember, when you purchase a home you want an advocate to help you navigate the process. A good Realtor can mean the difference between getting the home you want, or losing it. In this time where there are often multiple bids on every property, a good Realtor from a reputable company is a necessity! Keep in mind that for Buyers, the services of a Realtor are free, as the Seller pays their fee.
Let me know if you have any questions, or if you or anyone you know are looking to buy or sell.
Thanks to the folks over at Mint.com for this graphic... it's an easy breakdown to help you track your progress through the Escrow Process!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Road closure on PCH- closed from Temescal to Sunset
PCH is closed between Temescal and Sunset.
In case you haven't noticed the crazy traffic through the Palisades today, it appears a landslide has shut down a part of PCH between Temescal and Sunset. Palisades Patch reports that the landslide may have occurred from a homeowner accidentally leaving their hose on overnight.
As of 1pm 3/21, it appears PCH is still closed, and traffic is being re-routed up Temescal to avoid that stretch. Give yourselves some extra time, and be courteous to all the people who are waiting in line with you, as well as the residents of the neighborhoods you are driving through!
This being said, there is a wonderful lesson in taking a slightly different route home. It's a lovely day here on the Westside, and we are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area! Feel free to stop in the Village for some delightful frozen yogurt, or a bagel and get to know your neighbors.
No word yet on when PCH will re-open, but keep a close eye on the Palisades Patch for details!
In case you haven't noticed the crazy traffic through the Palisades today, it appears a landslide has shut down a part of PCH between Temescal and Sunset. Palisades Patch reports that the landslide may have occurred from a homeowner accidentally leaving their hose on overnight.
As of 1pm 3/21, it appears PCH is still closed, and traffic is being re-routed up Temescal to avoid that stretch. Give yourselves some extra time, and be courteous to all the people who are waiting in line with you, as well as the residents of the neighborhoods you are driving through!
This being said, there is a wonderful lesson in taking a slightly different route home. It's a lovely day here on the Westside, and we are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area! Feel free to stop in the Village for some delightful frozen yogurt, or a bagel and get to know your neighbors.
No word yet on when PCH will re-open, but keep a close eye on the Palisades Patch for details!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Social Media, LinkedIn and Your House...
Social Media, LinkedIn, and your house...
Sellers across the country are looking for maximum exposure for their homes. In addition to the unparalleled global resources Sotheby's International Realty Provides, as well as my vast, personal network of Buyers and Real Estate agents (the quickest way to market your home to thousands of motivated Buyers), I am incorporating Social Media into what how I best market the homes of the Seller's I work with.
Today we'll look at one particular way I can get your home seen by a large number of professional's with the resources to be true, prospective Buyers. LinkedIn now has reached 200 Million members. That is an unbelievable amount of people.
I work diligently to connect with not only people I know and trust, but people that they know and trust to take advantage of this platform. By posting pictures and details of your listing on LinkedIn, I am guaranteed to reach multitudes of people both in and out of Los Angeles who either are themselves, or are closely connected to Real Buyers who could potentially be the right fit for your home!
To sweeten the pot, I was recently notified that my profile was in the top 10% of profiles searched in 2012. Out of 200 MILLION members, my profile was viewed in the top 10%! Imagine the possibilities for taking advantage of that exposure and getting your home out to the professional public!
Sellers across the country are looking for maximum exposure for their homes. In addition to the unparalleled global resources Sotheby's International Realty Provides, as well as my vast, personal network of Buyers and Real Estate agents (the quickest way to market your home to thousands of motivated Buyers), I am incorporating Social Media into what how I best market the homes of the Seller's I work with.
Today we'll look at one particular way I can get your home seen by a large number of professional's with the resources to be true, prospective Buyers. LinkedIn now has reached 200 Million members. That is an unbelievable amount of people.
I work diligently to connect with not only people I know and trust, but people that they know and trust to take advantage of this platform. By posting pictures and details of your listing on LinkedIn, I am guaranteed to reach multitudes of people both in and out of Los Angeles who either are themselves, or are closely connected to Real Buyers who could potentially be the right fit for your home!
To sweeten the pot, I was recently notified that my profile was in the top 10% of profiles searched in 2012. Out of 200 MILLION members, my profile was viewed in the top 10%! Imagine the possibilities for taking advantage of that exposure and getting your home out to the professional public!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
7 Ways to Make Your Offer More Attractive to a Seller
Once again, cash is king here on the Westside of Los Angeles! With the record-low inventory and huge numbers of Buyers, we are not only seeing most homes fly off the shelves with multiple offers, but we are seeing an ever-increasing number of successful bidders offering ALL CASH!
LA TIMES Posts this Article on all-cash offerings in the past year.
As many Buyer's of Residential Real Estate cannot pull together the funds necessary to make an all-cash offer, they are often having to step up their financed offer to a price higher than that of the all-cash offers to even be considered by the Sellers!
Still, there is hope for Buyers looking to take advantage of the low interest rates and still secure the house they have been looking for!
7 Ways to make your offer more attractive to a Seller:
1. A higher price- Some Sellers are more eager to receive a higher number, than to close the sale early.
2. Contingency Removal- The California Residential Purchase Agreement has a default period of 17 days in which a Buyer can conduct all inspections. If you are confident you can thoroughly and diligently complete inspections on the property in a shorter amount of time, this could be a major bonus to the Seller. An early Contingency Removal often makes a Seller feel more confident that you are prepared to Close the sale. A word of warning though- do NOT skimp on inspections because of your shortened timeline!! Spending the time, energy and money to have your house thoroughly inspected is a must, and will likely save you a good amount of money and hassle in the long run. This is your opportunity to find out about the house- use it wisely and inspect, inspect, inspect.
3. Offer the Seller a leaseback- Some Sellers may want a quick Escrow to make sure the Sale is complete, but will benefit from being allowed some extra time in the home to get their affairs in order. Consider this gift of time as a way to sweeten your offer if the situation allows!
4. Write a "love letter" telling the Seller about you and why you connected with their home. Some Sellers do care about who takes over the home they have cherished memories in, and if all things are equal, will likely choose someone who they connect with.
5. Submit early- Be prepared to work with your agent as soon as possible to submit an offer on a house that you like. There are many houses in the area that receive dozens of offers; so many that the Seller has a difficult time reviewing them. As always, you must be prepared with a Pre-Approval letter (not a Pre-Qualification letter) from a reputable bank or loan broker. If you are able to be one of the first offers in, a lot of Sellers see that you immediately felt a connection with their house and know it is right for you.
6. Have your agent ask for a Counter Offer- If the Seller has not asked for Best-and-Final offers upfront, make sure your agent communicated to the Listing Agent how intent you are in getting this house. Sometimes something as simple as asking for a response can make a huge difference in the attractiveness of your offer.
7. Allow the Seller to choose some of the Vendors- Some Sellers have confidence in a particular Escrow or Title Company, or have a Termite Company that has knowledge of the house. Speak with your agent and consider whether you want to offer to let the Seller choose these services upfront. In multiple offers, it is likely the Seller will want to choose these people anyways- so show them upfront that you are willing to be agreeable!
As always, I am happy to answer any questions you have so do not hesitate to call me! I am also happy to take your referrals if you know someone looking to buy or sell in the West Los Angeles area.
Good luck out there!
LA TIMES Posts this Article on all-cash offerings in the past year.
As many Buyer's of Residential Real Estate cannot pull together the funds necessary to make an all-cash offer, they are often having to step up their financed offer to a price higher than that of the all-cash offers to even be considered by the Sellers!
Still, there is hope for Buyers looking to take advantage of the low interest rates and still secure the house they have been looking for!
7 Ways to make your offer more attractive to a Seller:
1. A higher price- Some Sellers are more eager to receive a higher number, than to close the sale early.
2. Contingency Removal- The California Residential Purchase Agreement has a default period of 17 days in which a Buyer can conduct all inspections. If you are confident you can thoroughly and diligently complete inspections on the property in a shorter amount of time, this could be a major bonus to the Seller. An early Contingency Removal often makes a Seller feel more confident that you are prepared to Close the sale. A word of warning though- do NOT skimp on inspections because of your shortened timeline!! Spending the time, energy and money to have your house thoroughly inspected is a must, and will likely save you a good amount of money and hassle in the long run. This is your opportunity to find out about the house- use it wisely and inspect, inspect, inspect.
3. Offer the Seller a leaseback- Some Sellers may want a quick Escrow to make sure the Sale is complete, but will benefit from being allowed some extra time in the home to get their affairs in order. Consider this gift of time as a way to sweeten your offer if the situation allows!
4. Write a "love letter" telling the Seller about you and why you connected with their home. Some Sellers do care about who takes over the home they have cherished memories in, and if all things are equal, will likely choose someone who they connect with.
5. Submit early- Be prepared to work with your agent as soon as possible to submit an offer on a house that you like. There are many houses in the area that receive dozens of offers; so many that the Seller has a difficult time reviewing them. As always, you must be prepared with a Pre-Approval letter (not a Pre-Qualification letter) from a reputable bank or loan broker. If you are able to be one of the first offers in, a lot of Sellers see that you immediately felt a connection with their house and know it is right for you.
6. Have your agent ask for a Counter Offer- If the Seller has not asked for Best-and-Final offers upfront, make sure your agent communicated to the Listing Agent how intent you are in getting this house. Sometimes something as simple as asking for a response can make a huge difference in the attractiveness of your offer.
7. Allow the Seller to choose some of the Vendors- Some Sellers have confidence in a particular Escrow or Title Company, or have a Termite Company that has knowledge of the house. Speak with your agent and consider whether you want to offer to let the Seller choose these services upfront. In multiple offers, it is likely the Seller will want to choose these people anyways- so show them upfront that you are willing to be agreeable!
As always, I am happy to answer any questions you have so do not hesitate to call me! I am also happy to take your referrals if you know someone looking to buy or sell in the West Los Angeles area.
Good luck out there!
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