Real Estate Predictions for an Election Year
What are the housing market predictions for 2020? It’s an election year; prices remain at an all-time-high; and interest rates are still at historic lows. But a lot of my buyers tell me they want to ‘wait and see’ what happens with the housing market. Some people are convinced it’s going to crash and prices […]
Time to Move On
Downsizing is a great way to save money, to make some lifestyle changes that will help ensure good health as we get older, and to remain independent and active. However, downsizing is also a major decision that requires quite a bit of preparation, and many people realize too late that they’ve made some mistakes that […]
Turnkey or Turkey? Should You Buy a Flipped Home?
Turnkey. It’s a term that is on a lot of buyer’s must-have lists. Not everyone has the stomach – or the cash – for a home renovation. A home where someone else has done the work; where all you need to do is turn that key in the front door, is very appealing. If turnkey […]
How To Be A Better Buyer
If you’re buying a home, most likely you’re going through some sort of life transition. Did you make the decision to stop putting money in your landlord’s pocket, become a first-time buyer and start building your own equity? Did your bachelor or bachelorette pad become too small when you met your new love? Perhaps you’re […]
You Should Be Interested in Interest Rates
An interest rate is the cost of borrowing money. It keeps the economy moving by encouraging people to borrow, to lend, and to spend. But prevailing interest rates are always changing, and different types of loans offer different interest rates. The reason most home buyers pay interest is because you need to pay a price for gaining the ability to […]
Building Wealth Via Real Estate Investments
Investing in real estate is touted as a great way to become wealthy. Is Los Angeles rental property good for investment? Buying an investment property is different from buying an owner-occupied home. Investment properties are designed to make money as rentals, which means you must look at it solely as an income producing entity just […]
Is a 20% Down Payment Really Necessary?
One of the questions I receive most often from my first-time home buyer clients is “can I put down less than 20%?” The answer is an emphatic Yes! Trying to produce a traditional 20% down payment can be a significant challenge in LA, given the area’s high housing costs. Fortunately, most lenders do not require […]
Making a Clean Start: Getting Your New Home Move-In Ready
The house that so impressed you during the viewing process was skillfully staged to look inviting and appeal to you as a space that could easily become your new home with the addition of your own furniture and belongings. It’s an important tactic for people who place their property on the market and are challenged […]
Prices Continue to Heat Up as Summer Arrives
Homes prices in Los Angeles county increased by 8.5% in May 2018 from the same period last year, according to the CoreLogic Home Price Index. This upward trend has been steady since the spring of 2012 as growing employment and an expanding economy have boosted demand amid a below-average supply of homes for sale. March, […]
How Props 60 and 90 can Benefit You
Property Tax Fear Holding You Back From Downsizing? We have a housing shortage in Los Angeles and we also have very little inventory. Why is inventory so low? Because people who have owned a home for a long time don’t want to sell and lose their low property tax base. You may be surprised to […]