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
Showing posts with label Dream Homes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dream Homes. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
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.
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!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Spring has sprung!
Spring has officially arrived- and right in the middle of a cold snap!
With this weekend's rain (and hail in some areas) expect a good deal of traffic at next weekend's open houses! There are a lot of Buyers out there with not a ton of properties to choose from. Now is a time where it is absolutely essential to be ready to act quickly if something you like comes available.
That means...
-Figure out an area you would like to purchase in
-Find an agent you trust who knows the area
-Get a pre-qualification letter (or better yet, a Pre-Approval) from your lender. This is crucial because what you feel comfortable spending may not be what the bank feels comfortable with you spending! We are in a period of conservative lenders, and as such expect banks to be cautious.
-Keep your finances in place as much as you can and try not to open new credit cards or move monies around.
-Attempt to be flexible in your schedule-- if your agent calls you and says a new property is on the market and looks like something you are interested in (s)he may try to get you in before the Open House. This is for your benefit- we are seeing many occasions where there are 3 or more offers on a property before it has even had an Open House! Your agent is working hard to schedule you in and get you a chance to make an offer that will be seriously and carefully reviewed- before the masses pour in! :)
Most importantly, know that your Agent is here to help you and can be an invaluable resource. I get calls from clients looking for a trusted plumber years after they have purchased their home. Most agents can refer you to a good agent in another city or state if you have a family member moving. We know appraisers, moving companies, roofers, lawyers and people from all walks of life- chances are we can connect you with someone you'd like to connect with. We are happy to answer questions and try to be as accessible as possible- and we are always happy to hear from you.
Lastly, I'd like to share a VERY brief article from the MLS regarding interest rates-
Tip of the Week- Spring is here and hopefully we will be moving into some warmer weather! Now is a great time to flip or replace your mattress. There are all kinds of yucky things (Google it if you are interested but prepare to be grossed out) that hide in mattresses, and with the pollen count preparing to skyrocket as we change seasons, do what you can at home to reduce allergens.
With this weekend's rain (and hail in some areas) expect a good deal of traffic at next weekend's open houses! There are a lot of Buyers out there with not a ton of properties to choose from. Now is a time where it is absolutely essential to be ready to act quickly if something you like comes available.
That means...
-Figure out an area you would like to purchase in
-Find an agent you trust who knows the area
-Get a pre-qualification letter (or better yet, a Pre-Approval) from your lender. This is crucial because what you feel comfortable spending may not be what the bank feels comfortable with you spending! We are in a period of conservative lenders, and as such expect banks to be cautious.
-Keep your finances in place as much as you can and try not to open new credit cards or move monies around.
-Attempt to be flexible in your schedule-- if your agent calls you and says a new property is on the market and looks like something you are interested in (s)he may try to get you in before the Open House. This is for your benefit- we are seeing many occasions where there are 3 or more offers on a property before it has even had an Open House! Your agent is working hard to schedule you in and get you a chance to make an offer that will be seriously and carefully reviewed- before the masses pour in! :)
Most importantly, know that your Agent is here to help you and can be an invaluable resource. I get calls from clients looking for a trusted plumber years after they have purchased their home. Most agents can refer you to a good agent in another city or state if you have a family member moving. We know appraisers, moving companies, roofers, lawyers and people from all walks of life- chances are we can connect you with someone you'd like to connect with. We are happy to answer questions and try to be as accessible as possible- and we are always happy to hear from you.
Lastly, I'd like to share a VERY brief article from the MLS regarding interest rates-
Mortgage rates move up, still offer high affordability for buyers
Mar 15 2012 3:40PMA recent report reveals that mortgage rates for the week ending March 15 increased but are still below 4 percent, providing potential buyers and current homeowners great opportunities for purchasing and refinancing.
Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate averaged 3.92 percent, up from the previous week when it averaged 3.88 percent but is much less than this time last year when the 30-year FRM averaged 4.76 percent.
The 15-year FRM rate was also up, averaging 3.16 percent compared to the week before when it averaged 3.13 percent. Freddie Mac notes that a year ago, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.97 percent.
Additionally, the 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage rate averaged 2.83 percent, higher than last week's average of 2.81 percent and well below this time last year when the 5-year ARM rate averaged 3.57 percent.
While many potential buyers in Southern California have been waiting for rates and home prices to reach their lowest before looking for a home, real estate experts say the market will continue to be in their favor.
Tip of the Week- Spring is here and hopefully we will be moving into some warmer weather! Now is a great time to flip or replace your mattress. There are all kinds of yucky things (Google it if you are interested but prepare to be grossed out) that hide in mattresses, and with the pollen count preparing to skyrocket as we change seasons, do what you can at home to reduce allergens.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Local News
With the holiday season here I thought you might want to take a little break from the cleaning, cooking, shopping, shuttling people to and from the airport, and the million other tasks we find this time of year.
There have been some great articles out lately outlining the unique place our market is in, so get your fireplace ready and get ready to relax with some good reading!
--Santa Monica's Simon Salloom speaks on the differences between our market and that of the rest of the country, as well as specifically outlining the fundamental difference of opinion we see between buyers and sellers on the Westside (and what it means to you).
http://www.smdp.com/Articles-opinion-and-commentary-c-2011-12-05-73068.113116-Keeping-it-local.html
--Daniel Miller announces the opening of the new Google offices in Venice and tells us what he thinks that means for Venice Residents (and Prospective Residents!)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/google-los-angeles-venice-beach-real-estate-269597
Tip of the Week: Clean out your refrigerator and freezer! By now some of those Thanksgiving leftovers are starting to get a bit funky. Time to clean up and reclaim those Tupperware you will need for any holiday baking! Minimize those extra ingredients with handy sites like Allrecipes.com and Cooks.com that allow you to search ingredients you have already to give you ideas for fun meals to throw together.
There have been some great articles out lately outlining the unique place our market is in, so get your fireplace ready and get ready to relax with some good reading!
--Santa Monica's Simon Salloom speaks on the differences between our market and that of the rest of the country, as well as specifically outlining the fundamental difference of opinion we see between buyers and sellers on the Westside (and what it means to you).
http://www.smdp.com/Articles-opinion-and-commentary-c-2011-12-05-73068.113116-Keeping-it-local.html
--Daniel Miller announces the opening of the new Google offices in Venice and tells us what he thinks that means for Venice Residents (and Prospective Residents!)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/google-los-angeles-venice-beach-real-estate-269597
Tip of the Week: Clean out your refrigerator and freezer! By now some of those Thanksgiving leftovers are starting to get a bit funky. Time to clean up and reclaim those Tupperware you will need for any holiday baking! Minimize those extra ingredients with handy sites like Allrecipes.com and Cooks.com that allow you to search ingredients you have already to give you ideas for fun meals to throw together.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Things are looking up!
My Christmas present came early this year in the form of documented reports showing what I have seen to be true... there is positive movement in the Real Estate world here in Western Los Angeles!
While the rest of the country looks at our beautiful homes, impeccable weather, well-known neighbors, and healthy environment- we know there is certainly a cost to living here. Where a moderately large home in a nice neighborhood costs as little as a tenth of what we pay here... I think Angelino's are the first to admit whatever we pay is worth it.
Check out this article about our market, specifically noting the significant decrease in turnaround time for homes over $3M... I think you will be fascinated!
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111117005334/en/WEA-Survey-Shows-Luxury-Housing-Sales-Keeping
Tip of the week: Take a minute to clean out your gutters and remove the debris that may have collected on the rooftop during the crazy wind storm we had last night. You may be putting up holiday decorations, or adjusting your satellites after the storm, but make sure your roof is free and clear of debris so you can easily spot and fix any damage before it becomes a large problem!
While the rest of the country looks at our beautiful homes, impeccable weather, well-known neighbors, and healthy environment- we know there is certainly a cost to living here. Where a moderately large home in a nice neighborhood costs as little as a tenth of what we pay here... I think Angelino's are the first to admit whatever we pay is worth it.
Check out this article about our market, specifically noting the significant decrease in turnaround time for homes over $3M... I think you will be fascinated!
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111117005334/en/WEA-Survey-Shows-Luxury-Housing-Sales-Keeping
Tip of the week: Take a minute to clean out your gutters and remove the debris that may have collected on the rooftop during the crazy wind storm we had last night. You may be putting up holiday decorations, or adjusting your satellites after the storm, but make sure your roof is free and clear of debris so you can easily spot and fix any damage before it becomes a large problem!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Fall is Here!
Fall is here and I am sure the hustle and bustle has already begun at your house! Planning the meals, preparing for guests or preparing to travel- we all have a lot going on.
This week's tip is to get your chimney cleaned! Properly cleaning your chimney can help prevent house fires, smoke damage, keeps neighborhood animals out (squirrels, birds and opossums) and allows you light your fireplace to have some extra special cheer when your guests have headed out and you are ready to finally relax for a minute.
The second tip of the week is to run your oven's self-cleaner either now or not until after the holidays. It is not uncommon for an oven to break down during this process... so try at all costs to avoid it when you absolutely cannot risk a problem!
This week's tip is to get your chimney cleaned! Properly cleaning your chimney can help prevent house fires, smoke damage, keeps neighborhood animals out (squirrels, birds and opossums) and allows you light your fireplace to have some extra special cheer when your guests have headed out and you are ready to finally relax for a minute.
The second tip of the week is to run your oven's self-cleaner either now or not until after the holidays. It is not uncommon for an oven to break down during this process... so try at all costs to avoid it when you absolutely cannot risk a problem!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Introduction
Every story needs an introduction. Here is mine!
My name is Britta Diaz, I am a Real Estate Agent for Sotheby's International Realty in the Western Los Angeles area. I hail originally from South Dakota, enjoyed the beauty of San Diego for awhile and settled for good in Los Angeles.
I love this town. It has everything you could ever dream of; wonderful people, beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, homes of every shape, color and style, and a vibrancy and energy that is undeniable, all the while maintaining it's small-town feel.
It is for these and many other reasons that I have chosen to call this city home, and proudly represent buyers and sellers here.
My name is Britta Diaz, I am a Real Estate Agent for Sotheby's International Realty in the Western Los Angeles area. I hail originally from South Dakota, enjoyed the beauty of San Diego for awhile and settled for good in Los Angeles.
I love this town. It has everything you could ever dream of; wonderful people, beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, homes of every shape, color and style, and a vibrancy and energy that is undeniable, all the while maintaining it's small-town feel.
It is for these and many other reasons that I have chosen to call this city home, and proudly represent buyers and sellers here.
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