Grand Canyon (video)
Maybe These Are Miracles Grand Canyon captures the soul of Los Angeles like no other movie I’ve ever seen. If you are planning on moving here, watch this movie first. It captures the magic of this place the way Woody Allen movies capture New York City. I’ve lived here my entire life, and I recognize […]
Get your properties rent ready
Calling all landlords! Don’t neglect your vacant units and properties on a tenant turnover. Here’s your ten-point to-do list for getting your properties in tip-top shape and ready to rent. 1.Purge: Did the last tenant leave milk in the refrigerator? A sock in the closet? Garbage under the sink? Get rid of it all. A […]
Consumer inflation and home prices are unrelated (and always have been)
Both home prices and the rate of consumer inflation have dropped dramatically in this recession, leading many skeptics to believe that the drop in inflation is attributable only to the drop in home prices. If the price paid for homes were excluded, they argue, we would actually see rising consumer inflation. A recent report from […]
When to replace your roof
While your roof may not be leaking or missing shingles, many subtle signs tell you it’s time for an upgrade. Whether you’re planning to sell or remain in your home for quite some time, a roof’s condition weighs significantly on the value of your home. A few simple criteria will help you determine if it’s […]
Weatherize your home this winter and save
As winter approaches, bringing with it bone-chilling drafts, follow these five simple, cost-effective steps, you will be more comfortable this season and reduce your utility bills. Step 1: Beware the draft A drafty window or doorway can increase your energy bills by 5% to 30%. Use weather stripping in window sills and door jambs where […]
Make sure your home improvement projects are contractor scam-free!
Home repair and remodeling, whether in the aftermath of a natural disaster or to rehabilitate the years of wear and tear, is no trifling investment. Protect your home and your hard-earned money with these tips to keep your home improvement project scam-free: Finding your contractor 1.Before you go off on a blind hunt, get two […]
How to pest-proof your home
Many species of insects and vermin are native to the neighborhoods of California. During extreme shifts in weather patterns (i.e. winter rain and summer droughts), many pests find shelter in the hidden or neglected areas of a home. Californians can prevent a majority of invasions by doing frequent maintenance checks and adopting precautionary habits. One […]
Be prepared to stay. Be very prepared to leave.
September is National Preparedness Month so take the time now to get your household geared up. To get started you’ll need an emergency preparedness kit and a disaster plan. Emergency preparedness kit This list could be a lot longer, but remember, you need the vitals for survival, not the baggage of your life’s possessions. Create […]
Home energy efficiency; save money by upgrading your property
Do your utility bills look more like mortgage payments some months? If your gas and electric bills keep growing, it’s time to consider updating your home’s energy efficiency. Replacing windows, a refrigerator or freezer, the water heater, or an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit can greatly reduce utility bills, and at far less […]
Foreclosure prevention specialists: preying on wounded homeowners
As mortgage delinquencies remain somewhat out of control, those looking to capitalize on California’s 2,500,000 struggling underwater homeowners are emerging from the woodworks. They hold in their hands a promise many have been waiting for: to prevent home foreclosure. However, behind their sweet-tasting words is a serpent’s tongue casting about for financially wounded homeowners’ money. […]
Paying down a mortgage: not always the best thing to do
Have a low interest rate on your mortgage? Make sure you crunch the numbers before you pay down the principal. Would the money used to pay down the mortgage make more than 3.25% (the effective rate of interest on a 5% mortgage after tax savings on interest and deductions) elsewhere? With interest rates going up […]
How to lower your property taxes in a market of declining property values
In times of stable and rising housing prices, county assessors may raise a property’s assessed value at the rate of consumer inflation, but not more than 2% each year. Conversely, during times of property value deflation, as we are now experiencing, county assessors are required to lower assessed values to the lesser amount of the […]
What to look for when shopping for a condo
When you are shopping for a condominium unit, you are essentially shopping for a community. Living in a common interest development (CID) as a member of a homeowners association (HOA) offers certain benefits and requires specific responsibilities not otherwise present when owning a single-family residence (SFR). Before you commit to a CID, it is important […]
How to stage your home
In a buyer’s market, the seller needs every advantage he can get. Home staging is an excellent way to highlight the property’s strengths. You can hire professional home stagers, or you can implement the following home staging tips yourself before your next open house. Make the buyer imagine himself in your home. It is important […]
How to Prepare the Exterior of Your House for Sale
A few eye-catching improvements to your home’s exterior will make your home stand out. Seasonal flowers and a fresh coat of paint can draw buyers to your property, while patchy grass and a cracked driveway can make buyers drive away without getting out of their car. A few of the following tips will help you […]
Competitively pricing your home
Many sales factors are to be considered when setting the most competitive asking price for a home. A well-considered asking price for a home is a price carefully based on market conditions. Be realistic about the sales price you are actually willing to accept for your home today so you are prepared when an offer […]
Shortsales: What you need to know
If you owe more on your mortgage than your home is worth and you want to sell it and relocate, one option to consider is a shortsale. Here are some shortsale basics to keep you in the loop. What is a shortsale? A shortsale occurs when a homeowner sells his home at its fair market […]
Advice for self-employed home buyers and owners
Looking to take advantage of low prices and low interest rates to refinance your home or borrow to upgrade your housing? If you’re self-employed, qualifying for a mortgage is a bit more involved for you than for your W-2ed neighbors. For you self-employed, here are a few tips to help you get your mortgage application […]
Unreal Estate by Michael Gross – LA’s Platinum Triangle Exposed (video)
Michael Gross is the preeminent chronicler of America’s rich and powerful, most recently in 740 Park and Rogues’ Gallery.Now, he goes west to uncover the very secret history of Los Angeles, specifically those wealthiest and most private of enclaves— Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, and Beverly Park—through their most mind-boggling estates, and the fascinating, […]
THE MOST OVERLOOKED TAX LOOPHOLE FOR TRANSFERRING REAL ESTATE AFTER THE DEATH OF AN OWNER
Real estate may be passed to heirs through joint tenancy, probate or trust. Regardless of the process, there is one important tax exclusion that is frequently overlooked by surviving family members. It’s a California law called Proposition 58. What follows is a brief overview of the ways property may be inherited and how heirs can […]
Jaguar C-X16 Concept Car (video)
The last few Jaguars have been very “ho, hum.” It looks like the company has regained it’s footing. This is a hybrid I can get behind.
Top 10 Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Los Angeles
Here is a compilation of the 10 most expensive homes currently offered for sale in Los Angeles according to the Multiple Listing Service. If these do not meet your high standards, please check out the companion article: “Top 10 Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Beverly Hills”.
Mark Wahlberg is Selling in Beverly Hills
Mark Wahlberg, the Oscar nominated actor and producer of the HBO hit “Entourage” which recently aired its final episode, is ready for the open house in Beverly Hills, where he and wife Rhea Durham are selling their compound, according to The Wall Street Journal. Wahlberg, who is a Boston native, purchased the home in 2001 […]
