Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Since I'm Doing A Bit Of Redecorating Myself

Well, I always read the Houzz stuff anyways!

But, this mornings article caught my eye about things to do regardless of what we've been taught NOT to do!

We're putting in new flooring. The porcelain tile that looks like wood? Gorgeous! So, of course, wall painting has to be done. And, then yes, new baseboards. Yep, new drapes as well! Oh, today I realized I need a new light fixture in the bathroom as well! HaHaHa. It just keeps going!

Regardless, these couple of 'outside the box' ideas I am sharing. They suggested seven but I'm only bringing two to your attention.

Tile outside the bathroom and kitchen....AND, off the floors !! I'm seeing more and more floor materials on the walls. One client just bought a house with flooring on a single wall and it looked great.

But this? 


I'm not so sure about this! 

A bathroom or kitchen with subway tile. A laundry room, yes. But a den, bedroom, or living room? I'm not loving it. Maybe a different tile, a different color?

What about wallpaper as a kitchen backsplash? YES, wallpaper!


Yep, this one is wallpaper too!


A lot less expensive than tile/granite/stone.

I actually liked this idea a lot. You'd probably be best getting a water-resistant wallpaper. Make sure that the caulking is perfection. Remember to wipe off any excess water regularly.

So many different decorating options with wallpaper. Soooo much less money. Sooooo much easier to change it up when you get tired of it too!

What cha think? Do tell!






Friday, December 11, 2015

TRID Boo-Boos ? Of Course! Don't Be Shocked!

I actually laughed out loud when I read it this morning. My bad.....oh geez, that is one silly phrase...my bad. I'm too old for that.

At any rate, I did laugh out loud. Of course we're going to see mistakes. That's why there was a forgiving period when the new disclosure rules went into effect.

Shocked that people make mistakes? Nah, everyone makes a mistake. These mistakes could be extremely costly in the long run though. Most mistakes are simple and can be corrected....if caught in time.


At any rate, the errors seemed to be mostly technical, grammar, punctuation, that type of thing.

I was pretty tickled when a buyers lender got a deal done in 30 days even with the new TRID disclosure delays recently. But, if you've studied them, got a good team, anything is possible!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Sales Activity in Awesometown & Surrounding Communities December 8, 2015

Inventory is down about 20%. Sales are down about 30%. Pretty atypical for this time of year.

Acton, Agua Dulce, Canyon Country, Saugus, Valencia (AKA Awesometown), Newhall, Stevenson (please note, it's not StevensonS) Ranch, Castaic, & Val Verde.

As of about 9 am this morning we had only 580 active listings in total for those noted communities.

Currently under contract are 560. Sold in the last 30 days? 248.

Expecting the train to Awesometown to pick up speed again after the first of the year. Until then, enjoy your holidays. Get your house ready for me to list next year, and/or get your finances ready for me to help you purchase next year!


There's never a LAST train to Awesometown!!!

Friday, December 4, 2015

Simple Revocable Transfer On Death Deed - Legal in California January First

I've been fortunate that I've only had to deal with one Probate sale. It was a drag. Attorney fees, lag time, quite the pain with a property not in a Trust and the owner passes.

Our governor has gotten AB139 signed into effect starting January 1, 2016. It's only good for 5 years, but can be renewed. They wanted to see how it pans out before permanency.

Nicknamed correctly, as 'The Poor Mans Trust', it enables a person that owns property to transfer it to a beneficiary, upon death, without having to form a trust. If that's your only asset, probably a good way to go. Couples usually goes to the spouse/partner, so this is great for a widow or single person.

BUT, if you have a large group of assets, a Trust is probably a better way to go to protect your heirs.

Talk to a trusted adviser before you choose either option. With the costs involved of setting up a trust, probate fees for your heirs if it's not set up when you pass, this may be a good option.



Now, it is expected that there will be those scoundrels that convince some to complete the Simple Revocable Transfer on Death Deed in their name. Family members have a way to stop that but, of course, there will be legal fees involved if that happens.

I think it could be a great way to avoid significant money spent if you just don't have it. Oh, and if you set it up with Brother Johnny and later you want to change it to Sister Amelia? Absolutely can be done....prior to your demise. Just needs to be done 60 days prior to passing.

I like it, what about you?

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The Last Week Scramble

It's the final week for one of my escrows. I warn clients that the last week is generally a bit chaotic.

Everyone involved is asking for final documents. I mean EVERYONE!!

Lender is asking for pay stubs. Underwriter is asking for FHA mandatory clause docs to be signed. Realtors are looking for final disclosures to finally get signed. Escrow needs sellers to sign off on closing statement. Buyers need to set up cash to close.

Not to mention buyers and sellers are doing final packing, setting up & turning off utilities, signing everything everyone is asking for. Turning in everything everyone is asking for.

The last week scramble to close escrow.


Even a 45-60 day escrow is a bit frenzied at the end. Those we hurry up in the beginning, sit and wait, then scramble at the end.

Everything works out to close escrow but I'm in the middle of one right now.....and yep, we are a scrambling!

Be prepared people!