2012-02-04T14:35:56Z http://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-02-03:a62e2e8d-ed07-48bf-ae0c-f6d8aaacd417 Phyllis Harb 2012-02-03T09:28:00Z 2012-02-03T09:28:00Z I am not a sports enthusiast., so no big SuperBowl party for me. But as always there are a variety of unique events and things to do in and around LA this weekend. Mushroom Identification, Just in Time for the Mushroom Fair at the Arboretum - ArcadiaFebruary 4 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMAn overview of the fungal kingdom with emphasis on mushroom identification. Learn the basic characteristics used to identify mushrooms and other fleshy fungi. Find out which mushrooms are safe to eat and which ones to avoid. Jerry will also take the class out on ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-02-02:fe446652-42ab-4e05-b385-84625e764b4e Phyllis Harb 2012-02-02T09:49:00Z 2012-02-02T09:49:00Z Years ago the Los Angeles County Recorder offered “special recordings”. This is when the buyer’s loan funded (lender wrote the check) and recorded (transferred title) the same day. Sometime after (Prop 13) budget cuts this practice discontinued. A buyer’s loan funded and the following business day it recorded.Title companies now rotate the order in which they record. One day, Orange Coast Title will be first in line and buyers with that title company will be closing their escrows first. The next day, Orange Coast Title will be second and so on, until they reach number ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-02-01:ee216cab-90b0-4125-ba2f-4370fb221d15 Phyllis Harb 2012-02-01T08:48:00Z 2012-02-01T08:48:00Z A typical real estate transaction has six key players:1) Buyer2) Seller3) Buyer’s Agent (aka Selling Agent)4) Seller’s Agent (aka Listing Agent) 5) Escrow6) LenderThen you have the auxiliary players, such as the title officer and the appraiser, and sometimes the real estate agents have “transaction coordinators” because they are “too busy to manage paper”. In today’s real estate environment the biggest challenge is often obtaining the loan and having the appraisal come in at value. When a Realtor is representing the buyer; they customarily make recommendations regarding buyer’s selection of a lender. The buyer’s choice of ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-31:0a125f1d-5bfb-4fff-b02a-2a13c9ea1448 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-31T10:46:00Z 2012-01-31T10:46:00Z Years ago, my brother, sister and I anxiously awaited the next weekly Batman Episode. I have come to the conclusion I am not just a real estate agent, I am Batman. I need the cape, the car… the entire ensemble in order to achieve my client’s real estate goals. Daily my clients and I fight with the buyer’s lender who has a split personality, one day the Riddler and the next the Joker! Unemployment is still high, so I am extremely confused how these slackers working on some of these loans have jobs. After nothing but drama, chaos ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-30:2c02118a-09c1-4087-ab7b-91b42cef206e Phyllis Harb 2012-01-30T08:40:00Z 2012-01-30T08:40:00Z If Valentine's is a special event for you, it's best to make plans early. The day is fast approaching, how are you going to spend it? I think George & I will have a quiet evening at home. But for those of you looking for a bigger celebration, here's a list of some local Valentines Day events, dinners, and celebrations:*BurbankValentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance at Castaways, February 14 from 7:00 PM – 12:00 AMA fabulous evening featuring: tray passed champagne upon arrival and with dinner, rose for the lady, buffet dinner with action station and elaborate dessert display, ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-29:22dd9040-03c1-4723-bc98-1ad26b2e62a0 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-29T08:47:00Z 2012-01-29T08:47:00Z Over the years I have noticed several open house stalkers. This isn't necessarily a problem except that they often demand a lot of attention. Because they asked so many questions, a couple of times I thought they would be making an offer on my lisiting. When you attend an open house, keep in mind that the hosting agent is busy. Their number one priority is to ensure that the home and contents are secure. Their number two goal should be to sell the home. And number three to meet new clients. Before heading out on your open ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-27:3b1c3ba7-70ee-4e99-973c-e1a71005fbf1 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-27T09:24:00Z 2012-01-27T09:24:00Z Weather permitting I am taking my new puppy back for additional training on Saturday. But for those of you looking for something fun and interesting do in LA this weekend, here's the list: Winter Acorn Bear at Descanso Gardens- La CanadaJanuary 27 at 10:30 AMWhere is Acorn Bear? He is asleep for the winter, but his forest friends are keeping busy. Children ages 2-4 years are invited for Winter Acorn Bear. Bundle up, and enjoy story time, crafts, and a savory treat in a winter twist on this Descanso tradition. T-shirt included. $35 members, $45 nonmembers; $15 ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-26:d8b3e56d-64c2-4e23-bf83-8cccddb7fa3d Phyllis Harb 2012-01-26T09:30:00Z 2012-01-26T09:30:00Z It is critical for real estate agents, home sellers and potential home buyers to keep up with pricing trends and market fluctuations. I have compiled this graph to reflect the changes in the average price per square foot of homes sold in Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glendale, La Canada, La Crescenta and Pasadena. ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-26:38dd87f5-ada9-42eb-b060-4a945d4d595e Phyllis Harb 2012-01-26T08:53:00Z 2012-01-26T08:53:00Z Years ago the Los Angeles County Recorder sometimes offered “special recordings”. This is when the buyer’s loan funded (lender wrote the check) and recorded (transferred title) the same day. Sometime after (Prop 13) budget cuts this practice discontinued. Today, a buyer’s loan funds and the following business day it records.Currently, title companies rotate the order in which they record. One day Orange Coast Title will be first in line and buyers with that title company will be closing their escrows first. The next day, Orange ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-25:b4804abd-e114-4f8e-8c20-15270013a41c Phyllis Harb 2012-01-25T09:43:00Z 2012-01-25T09:43:00Z First thing each morning, I and most other Realtors check the multiple listing service. We check for new listings, price reductions, solds, etc. Earlier this week I noticed a La Canada 3+2 on Angeles Crest Highway sold for $679,000. Granted it's a busy street, but the home offers over 1600 square feet and is sited on a nearly 9,000 sq ft lot. Kitchen and baths were from the 80’s, but a real value for someone wanting to live in the La Canada school district. I thought it might be interesting to track ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-24:7eb6cfb9-3a8f-4d30-899d-3d15e038dbca Phyllis Harb 2012-01-24T08:37:00Z 2012-01-24T08:37:00Z According to Real Estate Wiki a flag lot is: A parcel of land which is typically located behind another lot facing a main street that is in the shape of a flag on a pole which provides access to the site.Flag lots are found in most Los Angeles neighborhoods and are fairly common in certain communities such as La Canada. Many La Canada homeowners had large parcels of land which were subdivided to make smaller lots which were then sold. Benefits that might be found in a flag lot are that they sometimes offer more privacy and ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-23:ce8f4086-dac0-4092-ac95-881ddf0f4d0c Phyllis Harb 2012-01-23T09:41:00Z 2012-01-23T09:41:00Z Years ago, I sold a home for a client who marveled over how people in the real estate industry were compensated; that the fees charged were comparable but the service wasn’t. That one could hire a mediocre real estate agent or a seasoned professional for about the same commission. The same holds true for lenders and escrow companies. When representing home buyers, Lisa, Natalie and I try to ensure that they work with lenders who are experienced and reliable. Securing a loan in today’s lending climate can be complicated and when working with inexperienced lenders the ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-22:4b3a92e1-0ed1-4f1b-8534-463f9eb3054d Phyllis Harb 2012-01-22T10:48:00Z 2012-01-22T10:48:00Z Just getting your feet wet in the real estate market? Is 2012 the year you are going to purchase your dream home? Where do you begin? * I recommend that potential home buyers get prequalfiied before embarking on their home search. Contact a reputable mortgage lender to determine your price range. * Click here to search the Multiple Listing Service like a pro.* Knowledge is power, learn what to expect during the home buying process.* Lisa, Natalie and I are just a phone call or email away, let us know how we can help!For those ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-20:f989a8e1-fe36-4057-a53f-31e84df5ab09 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-20T09:00:00Z 2012-01-20T09:00:00Z I have a new German Shepherd puppy, named Joey. He is six months old and partially trained. He is very sweet, but he has picked up some nasty habits from our Papillon and Chihuahua. We went to Hahamongna Park last weekend and Joey barked at every dog and person he saw. Weather permitting on Saturday Joey and I are returning for a training class. For those of you with a blank slate this weekend, here's the list of things to do:The Los Angeles Chamber Orchesta Presents Mozart (Mostly) at the Alex Theatre- GlendaleJanuary 21 ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-19:199c98c7-e8ad-4471-8c99-2c7935748abe Phyllis Harb 2012-01-19T07:46:00Z 2012-01-19T07:46:00Z I love pasta and one of the first things I learned to make was spaghetti sauce. I have always loved the aroma of sauce simmering on the stove. I promised to share my recipe with fellow Realtors, Lisa, Natalie and Chris Zastrow. So Tuesday, we got in my kitchen and made meatballs and sauce. So what does pasta have to do with real estate? Well, when George and I were first looking a homes, one of things I desired in a home was a large kitchen. When looking at homes, we sometimes get stuck on ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-18:24951e2b-5c07-4eb4-9a1a-975791c39980 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-18T07:24:00Z 2012-01-18T07:24:00Z Being a real estate agent is exciting! There is the thrill of finding the perfect home, assisting a home seller in moving toward their future. But there are certain aspects that make my job more difficult than need be. Peeve # 1: Not Returning Phone Calls In any profession, we work with colleagues who can make our job easier or they can make it more difficult. I continue to be surprised by Realtors (and sometimes mortgage lenders) who do not return phone calls. It is unprofessional and rude to not ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-17:449b0645-3925-43d2-9eb6-733d3feee524 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-17T09:28:00Z 2012-01-17T09:28:00Z As a Realtor, I love handing a first time home buyer, their keys. I am excited when I successfully negotiate a contract for my client. I love the anticipation of the first week of marketing a new listing. We have primped; the ads are in place…. As with any profession, some aspects of our daily routine are not as enjoyable as others. One of my least favorite aspects of a real estate agent’s job is the “hurry up and “wait”. Real Estate can be one big waiting game: A new ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-16:638fa05d-51ed-438b-96b8-493db72dbe1d Phyllis Harb 2012-01-16T09:37:00Z 2012-01-16T09:37:00Z Lisa, Natalie and I have noticed some interesting trends in real estate. More first time buyers are waiting to move into their new home. Last year we had several clients wait at least two weeks to complete their move. As lenders become more unreliable in pinpointing closing dates, this is a positive trend. Home buyers are moving at their leisure. They are taking the opportunity to make any renovations, such as a fresh coat of paint prior to their move. They can take a day or two to leisurely set up their kitchen and ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-15:7d677fd4-b1a9-43fa-aa22-95bde9f7ac52 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-15T09:16:00Z 2012-01-15T09:16:00Z I just listed a great (absolutely wonderful home) in Glendale's Oakmont Woods. The seller has met with my home stager, Charis this week, and we will likely be ready for showings in the next month or two. So no open houses for me this weekend, but for those of you who love them, here's the list: /files/94499-87566/La_Canada_1_15.pdf">La Canada Open Houses/files/94499-87566/La_Crescenta_1_15.pdf">La Crescenta/Montrose Open Houses/files/94499-87566/Glendale_1_15.pdf">Glendale Open Houses/files/94499-87566/Burbank_1_15.pdf">Burbank Open Houses/files/94499-87566/Pasadena_1_15.pdf">Pasadena Open Houses/files/94499-87566/Eagle_Rock_1_15.pdf">Eagle Rock Open HousesTweetRelated Posts: Open House EtiquetteOpen House Etiquette Part Two ... tag:www.los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com,2012-01-13:31713b1c-e39f-4b6f-8470-31defc3a0a12 Phyllis Harb 2012-01-13T08:43:00Z 2012-01-13T08:43:00Z I prefer to keep my weekends low key, when time allows I enjoy a local Farmer's Market, quiet lunch with a friend, or a hike with the dogs. How do you like to spend your weekend? As always, Los Angeles offers an interesting variety of things to do, here are a few: Start the New Year off on the right foot, get rid of those old electronics! La Canada High School Community eWaste Collection Day - La CanadaJanuary 14 - 8:00 AM – 12:00 PMBasically, any device that plugs into the wall or is battery operated. ...