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.
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
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.
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!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Low Housing Inventory meets Thousands of Eager Buyers.
The new year is in full swing, and the inventory crunch has not gotten much better for Westside Home Buyers. With many homes being snatched off the market in a week or less, some Buyer's are feeling frustration.
An enormous portion of the homes I have seen in the last three months have sold with multiple offers, some receiving dozens of offers per day!With interest rates so low, and the prices seemingly on the rise, many Buyers are hoping to get in while the getting is good, and are finding this is much easier said than done.
We are seeing many Buyer having to wait significantly longer than they did even 6 months ago to find a home, and as such as much more willing to really fight to get it when it comes available. We are seeing the result of this in the prices, as a large amount of homes as selling well over asking.
This article in the LA Times shows some of the trending. They also note that while rates are low- bank criteria is still incredibly stringent and only the Buyers who are absolutely prepared and ready can close in 45 days. This means that if your lender or mortgage broker asks you for something- make it your first priority to get it back to him/her. I generally like to give my clients the Three-Hour rule. If you can get the loan officer or lender the documents they have requested within 3 hours- they can often complete the task that day. If you wait longer, you risk pushing back that part of the process and that could lead to a delay in Escrow.
Today's Tip- Clean out under your sinks. We all know that nice, large area under our sinks can become cluttered with cleaning materials, grocery bags and odds and ends. Take some time to clean it out this week! If you need to do an emergency repair to your sink, or lose something down the drain- the extra accessibility will be so appreciated!
Also-we're hitting record low temperatures in LA, and while our cold is nothing compared to many places across the country... our heaters and fireplaces are in full swing. Practice caution and make sure to keep everything flammable away from those areas!
The new year is in full swing, and the inventory crunch has not gotten much better for Westside Home Buyers. With many homes being snatched off the market in a week or less, some Buyer's are feeling frustration.
An enormous portion of the homes I have seen in the last three months have sold with multiple offers, some receiving dozens of offers per day!With interest rates so low, and the prices seemingly on the rise, many Buyers are hoping to get in while the getting is good, and are finding this is much easier said than done.
We are seeing many Buyer having to wait significantly longer than they did even 6 months ago to find a home, and as such as much more willing to really fight to get it when it comes available. We are seeing the result of this in the prices, as a large amount of homes as selling well over asking.
This article in the LA Times shows some of the trending. They also note that while rates are low- bank criteria is still incredibly stringent and only the Buyers who are absolutely prepared and ready can close in 45 days. This means that if your lender or mortgage broker asks you for something- make it your first priority to get it back to him/her. I generally like to give my clients the Three-Hour rule. If you can get the loan officer or lender the documents they have requested within 3 hours- they can often complete the task that day. If you wait longer, you risk pushing back that part of the process and that could lead to a delay in Escrow.
Today's Tip- Clean out under your sinks. We all know that nice, large area under our sinks can become cluttered with cleaning materials, grocery bags and odds and ends. Take some time to clean it out this week! If you need to do an emergency repair to your sink, or lose something down the drain- the extra accessibility will be so appreciated!
Also-we're hitting record low temperatures in LA, and while our cold is nothing compared to many places across the country... our heaters and fireplaces are in full swing. Practice caution and make sure to keep everything flammable away from those areas!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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).
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).
Monday, June 11, 2012
LA Times talks Home Sales
The Los Angeles Times featured as it's top story this weekend a commentary on the current housing market in Los Angeles. Citing the Census Bureau, Redfin, the National Association of Realtors and several others, writer Alejando Lazo brings to light what every agent and anyone currently in the market is experiencing: we are in a very unique time in the housing market.
Buyers are enjoying the benefits of record-low interest rates and prices well below they saw during the peak, and Sellers are seeing an extreme lack of inventory which is, in many cases, leading to multiple offers (on the Westside we have seen many properties with over 15 offers, and a few properties with over 30!!).
So if you are a Buyer- please expect to see a LOT of people at every open house you attend, and understand that you must be ready to move quickly if the right property comes along! All cash is usually best to a Seller, if you can swing it, but if you need to go with financing- interest rates are at an all-time low so make sure to get PreApproved (not PreQualified) to put yourself in the best position possible for the Sellers to consider you a serious Buyer!
Tip of the Week: Get a duster, a rag and/or some polish and get to work cleaning those banisters! If you do not have banisters in your house- you definitely have window sills and I bet they'd love a nice scrub before they are opened all summer long! Consider using a homemade formula of vinegar and water, or something natural you find in the grocery store like Nellie's brand products to keep toxins out of your house! Feel free to take a look at these Great Options!
Buyers are enjoying the benefits of record-low interest rates and prices well below they saw during the peak, and Sellers are seeing an extreme lack of inventory which is, in many cases, leading to multiple offers (on the Westside we have seen many properties with over 15 offers, and a few properties with over 30!!).
So if you are a Buyer- please expect to see a LOT of people at every open house you attend, and understand that you must be ready to move quickly if the right property comes along! All cash is usually best to a Seller, if you can swing it, but if you need to go with financing- interest rates are at an all-time low so make sure to get PreApproved (not PreQualified) to put yourself in the best position possible for the Sellers to consider you a serious Buyer!
Tip of the Week: Get a duster, a rag and/or some polish and get to work cleaning those banisters! If you do not have banisters in your house- you definitely have window sills and I bet they'd love a nice scrub before they are opened all summer long! Consider using a homemade formula of vinegar and water, or something natural you find in the grocery store like Nellie's brand products to keep toxins out of your house! Feel free to take a look at these Great Options!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
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+
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.
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!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Fourth to Remember
Bunting in Los Angeles?
I spent the Fourth in the midst of what I can honestly call a village in Los Angeles. My husband and I were fortunate enough to merit an invite to celebrate the Fourth with good friends in their Pacific Palisades home. It was here that I was once again reminded why I love this city so much.
Not being from LA originally, it has been increasingly fascinating to see the sense of togetherness fostered and held dear between such an incredibly huge number of people.
Los Angeles is not just a city, but a patchwork of neighboring villages whose people and borders stick closely together.
I spent the Fourth in the midst of what I can honestly call a village in Los Angeles. My husband and I were fortunate enough to merit an invite to celebrate the Fourth with good friends in their Pacific Palisades home. It was here that I was once again reminded why I love this city so much.
Not being from LA originally, it has been increasingly fascinating to see the sense of togetherness fostered and held dear between such an incredibly huge number of people.
Los Angeles is not just a city, but a patchwork of neighboring villages whose people and borders stick closely together.
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