“There are so many real estate agents in this town, why should I only commit to one?”

Happy Couple Meeting with Real Estate Agent

This morning I got contacted by a new potential client who is about to embark on the important project of buying a new home in Los Angeles and she asked me the following question: "There are so many agents in this town, why should I only commit to one?" That's a fair question and this was my answer to her: Dear Stella, Thank you for your great question! Let me explain why you should work exclusively with only one real estate agent at a time: 99% of the properties that are on the … [Read more...]

Why use your own real estate agent and not the listing agent?

Michel cropped

A new client asked me the following questions: Michel, now that we can access all the information that we need about properties for sale in Los Angeles, why should I use you as my agent? May I can call the seller's agent directly and get a better deal? what do you think? And tell me what is the risk if any? Well John, I am so glad you asked me that question, because I actually love answering it! ;) First of you have to understand how the payment of real estate commission process works. … [Read more...]

Thank you for attending my Real Estate Buyer Presentation!

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Our first Real Estate Buyer presentation held at our brand new office on Sunset Blvd at the Directors Guild building was a great success!! Dorain Williams of Prospect Mortgage did a fantastic job at explain the current state  of the lending market and many guest said they were happily surprise to learn that there are so many other options to obtain a loan, besides a 20% minimum down payment! The dozen guest who attended also learned a lot of very valuable information about the entire … [Read more...]

the 411 about the 405 closure….

closures_600x150

The Mulholland Dr Bridge will be the third bridge demolished and reconstructed to accommodate the widening of the I-405 freeway and to add a northbound high-occupancy vehicle lane through the Sepulveda Pass. The Mulholland Dr Bridge is scheduled to be demolished and reconstructed after the Skirball Center Dr Bridge. When completed, the expanded, Mulholland Center Dr Bridge will be widened by approximately 10 feet and will be designed to the latest seismic standards. Demolition activities will … [Read more...]

Tips to prepare a house for selling…

cute front garden

Buyers' first impressions are set as they approach the house. Therefore, suggest to your clients that making their home more attractive and purchase-worthy starts in the front yard. To spruce up the yard: Make sure plants are of varied heights and sizes; add color, particularly pink, purple, blue and white flowers; thin out bushes; trim trees; and seed and fertilize the lawn. Put gravel in any thin strip of property between homes. This will make the space look cleaner and less neglected. … [Read more...]

Do you know a First Time Home Buyer?

First time home buyer

The global financial turmoil of the last several years has slowed many aspects of American society, but not the need to own a home. Despite a tough economy, Americans continue to graduate from college, get married, have kids, relocate to pursue job opportunities and experience many other life events that trigger the need to become a homeowner. Right now is actually an excellent time for first-time buyers to buy a home. The reason is that several market conditions — … [Read more...]

Proposed Santa Monica anti-circumcision law dropped!

The woman behind the proposed Santa Monica circumcision ban will most likely drop the initiative, according to the Los Angeles times . Sorry boyshiks! … [Read more...]

Proposed ballot to make circumcision illegal in Santa Monica is gaining ground…

Santa Monica anti-circumcision activist

A group of activist has been pushing for a new law to be passed in Santa Monica (and in San Francisco) to outlaw the circumcision of newborn babies. The proposal is viewed by many as an antisemitic (and anti-Islamic) proposal, although 30-50% of newborn boys are circumcised at birth in the US, making it a much wider preferred practice than just for the jews or muslims. The practice has become very popular beyond religious practices because of its recognized health benefits. The activists are … [Read more...]

Will Jumbo High balance loan limit stay at $729,750 after Sept 30, 2011?

One of my buyer client who is in the market to buy a house in the $1.5M range asked me this weekend about the possible lowering of the High Balance Jumbo loan limit, so here is them answer: Steven, I just wanted to get back to you about the issue of the high balance jumbo loans we spoke about yesterday. So indeed, the High Balance Jumbo limit which is currently at $729,750 in Los Angeles (FHFA, the Federal Housing Finance Agency rates certain areas as "High Cost Loa Limits areas, such as Los … [Read more...]

A new Seafood restaurant opening in Santa Monica!

hungry cat santa monica outside

Santa Monica may be located as close as you can be from the beach and the Pacific Ocean, it really doesn't have many great choices when it comes to seafood eateries. So I couldn't have been happier when I found out about the the opening of  The Hungry Cat in Santa Monica, located in the old location of the Brass Cap, which closed their doors a while back. I haven't had a chance to go try their menu yet it looks promising and I will definitely report once I've been there! … [Read more...]