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

Low Inventory in Los Angeles

September is almost here and we have been feeling the heat in LA!

The ocean has been especially warm these last few weeks so it's a great time to sunscreen up and hop in! I like to go to the Pacific Palisades and park on Temescal to walk down to the water, or pop down to Venice and walk around the canals.

Labor Day is this weekend so there may not be as many Open Houses as Angelenos don white pants for the last time and rush the beaches. If you can get your beach time in before the weekend- definitely try! After this weekend, perhaps PCH and the beaches will have less traffic? Let's hope!


If you're out looking at houses on the Westside, keep in mind that inventory is incredibly low and there are quite a few Buyers out and about (Check out this video featuring Joe Light which talks about the lack of inventory, and the Housing Market Recovery!) Once you decide you're ready to purchase (or almost ready!) get to a lender and get Pre-Approved for a loan. Being Pre-Qualified does not mean much in the Westside Los Angeles market these days- you need to know exactly how much you can spend, and the Seller of the home you fall in love with will want that assurance as well. Since there are so few properties on the market- you want to be prepared to put an offer in as soon as absolutely possible after you've seen your dream home. If you still need to get your funding ducks in a row- chances are, someone else will snap it up.

Joe Light talks about the Real Estate Recovery, and comments on Warren Buffet's

TODAY'S TIP: It seems counterintuitive but now is the BEST time to have your heater serviced and your chimney cleaned. As the air starts to cool and people begin switching from AC to heat, all those heating technicians get busy! Better to get in and get everything cleaned and prepped for winter (and who knows... maybe keep an eye out for specials or deals).

Almost June!

It's almost June and we are ready to welcome Summer with some exciting news for homebuyers, and homeowners looking to refinance their homes! According to Zunaira Zaki of the Yahoo News team, mortgage rates are reaching new record lows! Most astoundingly, a 15 year mortgage rate is being offered at 2.97%!!

Of course it can be difficult to find or obtain these loans, and near perfect credit is a must, but they are out there! If that isn't a good reason to pack up and 

This week I'd also like to talk about the importance of a good Escrow Officer. California handles the Escrow process differently than many other states in that we employ an independent company we call an Escrow Company to act as liaison between Buyer and Seller in the transfer of documents, funds, etc. (For a very lengthy and in-depth look at Escrow Companies check out this Department of Real Estate resource HERE).

As you run around this summer looking for houses, or just enjoying your time outside- make sure to continuously apply sunscreen!  Consumer Report issued a statement recently on the best and worst sunscreens to keep an eye out for.

BEST BUYS:

• No-Ad lotion with aloe &vitamin E, SPF 45, $.59/ounce
• Walgreens continuous spray sport, SPF 50, $1.30/ounce
• Coppertone oil-free foaming spray, SPF 75+, $1.67/ounce

WORST CHOICES:

• Alba Botanical natural very emollient sunblock sport, SPF 45
• Banana Boat Kids tear-free, sting-free, SPF 50+

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!